This story was told to me by Bobbi Solomon,
(retired teacher, Long Beach, N.Y.) in her words:

Let me see if I can remember. We were living in our first home here in Lido. It was a small ranch and the living room window was next to the front door.
My husband, who to this day has still not grown up, decided to rig a speaker attached to a microphone in our tape recorder and put the speaker inside our Jack O' Lantern who we sat on the step out side our front door. From the window we could see the children as they arrived to Trick or Treat. As they approached the door our pumpkin would say "Excuse me, would you please tell the people in the house that I'm cold?" The children were so adorable. They would bend down and talk right to the pumpkin. Of course they'd ring the bell and tell us he's cold and needs a scarf or a hat. We would play along and say, "Pumpkins can't talk". They would insist that he was in fact really speaking..
One Halloween night, a boy named Steven had a whole conversation with the pumpkin and after we gave him candy. He went home and insisted that his mother come down to see the talking pumpkin. It was dinner time and she was so busy, but Steven insisted that she leave her food on the stove and see this miraculous pumpkin.
As we saw our neighbor approaching my husband said to me , "Don't speak."
Steven commanded, "Mommy talk to him."
Of course, our pumpkin didn't say a word. His mom was livid!
She said "Steven, you made me come all the way here for nothing. I told you pumpkins can't talk."
She turned on her heels to leave, and as she got to the bottom of our walk, the pumpkin said, "Bye, Thelma."
You had to see her face!
Steven yelled, "You see, mommy, I told you he talks!"
We did this year after year, for a number of years, until it was drawing too many people from all over Long Beach. It was fun while it lasted .

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Guest Blog by Mitchell Goldberg - dated 10/18/07

Dear Governor Christ:

I am very disappointed that the PIP requirement was reinstated by the legislature and I know that alternate proposals failed to gain support. It was a shame that our Legislature gave in to pressure from the Hospital Lobby, attorneys, and others, instead of reshaping our auto laws to make more sense for those of us who carry liability, collision, uninsured motorist coverage and have health insurance. Responsible auto drivers and citizens must now continue to pay for the irresponsible behavior of others--that is certainly not the way these matters should be structured but that fight is now history.

I am curious about your position on the Property tax changes. I was definitely against the original ballot issue because it did not guarantee keeping the save our homes cap in addition to tax savings. It also did not fully address portability. I am for property tax changes that make sense. We all pay too much in taxes, period. Cutting property taxes is a great idea, but how will that revenue be made up??? The local municipalities are irresponsible with money as they have used the large surpluses in taxes that went along with the real estate boom instead of investing them for the future well being of their communities. Schools, police, fire departmentts, etc., must all continue to operate, so it makes sense to do this, in a rational well-thought out way instead of rushing some half-baked compromise onto a ballot.

I read the synopsis of the new Democratic proposal in the paper, and I must say that this seems to be the best of all approaches that I have seen. I do wonder how the municipalities would make up the lost revenue??? Especially in areas where there are a lot of low income seniors who won't be paying property taxes. How would any raise in state sales tax (not sure if I am for that) get filtered down to the municipalities?? Could municipalities be forced to keep their budgets to a certain percent increase by state mandate??---- tax cuts are great, but they must also be met with finding ways to lower the $$$ spent--- as families do in crunch time.

Thanks for your time and effort in these issues. Please work hard to lower the tax burden for working families and keep everyone focused on the future well being of our communities. The wrong decisions here could spell disaster in decades to come. Good decisions here could restart the housing market and give a big boost to the economy. I have faith that the Legislature will give thoughtful consideration to all facts and proposals regardless of party affiliation and work for the betterment of the entire state.

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Volunteering is Rewarding, by Temi Horowitz, guest blogger

When I retired to Palm Beach with my husband Al, ten years ago I thought I'd finally have plenty of time to do all the things I'd always wanted to do, but didn't have time for. Should take a course at the local college, try my hand at ceramics or painting or art appreciation? Perhaps, I would learn to play tennis or Mah Jongg.

Eventually, I took courses at F.A.U. in their L.L.S (Lifelong learning program); I joined a gym; I went bowling; I did try to learn how to play Mah Jongg, (I was terrible). I met friends for lunch. I was Busy, Busy, Busy.

It was all exciting and new, but, believe it or not, something was missing and I didn't know what. Then about five years ago, my husband became ill and we didn't leave the house, except to go to Doctors or the V.A. Hospital in West Palm Beach. While there, I heard about their volunteer program and I saw how much they seemed to enjoy helping people. I saw the camaraderie of the volunteers, and I decided to submit an application.

I was accepted into the program and I love it. I volunteer for about five hours, one day a week, which still leaves me free to take a course at FAU-LLS, go to the gym, and meet friends for lunch during the week. I'm happy helping others; it is very rewarding and I've made a batch of new friends. What could be better! And as my husband says, "It's one day less leaving money at the mall."

With the arrival of young Veteran Women, returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, the Veteran's Hospital in West Palm Beach is seeing young children accompanying their parents when they come in for appointments. Some of the Volunteers have taken it upon themselves to bring in books for children to read, which are put in the women's clinic. Although we would also like to get some crayons and coloring books, we were told that onlyCrayola "Colorwonder" Crayons and Paper were permitted, so we have ordered that from the Crayola Company. This product only works together and not on "any other surface." The children, of course, love them.

If anyone would like to contribute these items, or If you are interesting in becoming a volunteer, call the Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Volunteer Services, in West Palm Beach, at 1-561-422-7373. Temi is sure they would love to hear from you.

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Have you made an appointment for your flu shot, yet? I've just gotten mine and I hope that it protects me from getting sick this winter. As a substitute teacher, I am exposed to many students whose parents send them to school even when they are really ill.
Playing cards in the Clubhouse card rooms or sitting in a packed theater during a movie or show, it is hard to escape the coughing and sneezing that exists in a closed environment. Imagine the germs deposited on a deck of cards or Mah Jongg tiles, when someone sneezes into their hand and continues playing!
It amazes me how many seniors do not get the flu shot. I understand that some people have allergies or bad reactions to the injection, but my doctor insists that is not the norm. According to Health Smart Magazine, fewer than 25% of immunized patients have some redness and/or slight swelling at the site. Curtis Allen, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, says that shots are recommended for adults 50 and older. In addition, if you have any chronic illness or if you are a caregiver, it is important that you get the flu vaccine.
This year, there is an abundant supply of flu vaccine. I hope that if you're reading this, you remember to get yours tomorrow.

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On October 4, 1957, the world's first artificial satellite was launched by a Soviet intercontinental ballistic missile. This 183 pound sphere was named "Sputnik," which means "traveling companion," in Russian. This both startled and terrified Americans, who had long believed that our country far exceeded the scientific knowledge and capabilities of any other nation.
In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established a new agency to look into this technological surprise, and to prevent anything of this sort to ever occur again. The agency was given the title "Advanced Research Projects Agency" (ARPA). Suddenly, federal money was allocated to fund space exploration. Colleges and universities searched for scientists to do research and to establish courses of instruction to educate a crop of computer technologists to put us into space. In 2000, the name of the agency was changed to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and it began to focus on military objectives. Who ever imagined that space reconnaissance would involve warfare? Weren't we just exploring the stars and the heavens?
September 11, 2001 was another startling discovery for the United States. How had we been so blind to what was being advanced in other nations aimed at harming us? We can't just wish on a star that our country employs satellites in space that are watching the "bad guys." Hopefully, it won't take something like a "Sputnik" to awaken us to reality.
If you are interested in a more scientific look at Sputnik and technology, read "Happy Birthday, Sputnik," Computerworld, October 1, 2007 .

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In a tennis game, why does the term "LOVE" indicate the score is zero? Well, in France, where tennis first became polular, a big, round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg. It was called
"l'oeuf," which is French for "egg."

When tennis was introduced in the United States, Americans pronounced it "love."

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Every community has a busybody - a nuisance - a "gadfly" whose only desire is to get
noticed and to hear his/her voice be heard. This person will look for ways to upset the
status quo, try to overturn a passed resolution, and/or to make unnecessary waves!
Is there someone like this where you live?
Does he/she find the time to write to the White House, to Congress, to your representative in Tallahassee? Does this person berate your Board or the residents because what he/she feels is improper ( by his/her standards) should be aired in the public forum instead of the community, where it belongs?
Don't these people have a life? Couldn't good deeds for the community be accomplished
instead of "clearing the pool" when his/her foot touches the water?
I think I've made my point.
If you know of such a person. Tell them about this blog. Perhaps he/she will recognize
themself and find something positive to do.
Gee, it feels soooo good to have finally said this. Anybody agree?

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Recently, Officer Gordon Star from District Four Sheriff's Office spoke to over 400 residents
in our community. He advised us to be "Nosy Neighbors." Due to the recent rash of break-ins in the West Boynton area, the police department has had a 400% increase of notifications of burglaries in August. There were 114 residential invasions, where the norm would only be 30 -40. In September, our area had 94 burglaries. These are not the usual "smash and grab" incidents. We are being invaded by organized gangs of thieves. At other communities,
Capt. Martin Bechtel spoke to large groups of residents.. Here's a summary of their message:

1) Turn your lights ON and keep them on in the front and the rear of your home.
2) If you have an alarm system, USE IT!!! Turn it on when you are home at night and when
you are away - even if it is to go to the clubhouse or the tennis court.
3) Call your police department to notify them if you see suspicious vehicles or persons
trespassing. 561 688-3400.
4) If your alarm is set off by accident, call to report a false alarm - 561 688-3695
5) Call your alarm service to check and update your system to see if it is functioning.
6) Be a nosy neighbor and keep an eye on your neighbor's front and
backyard.
7) Lock your car and take your garage opener out of your car, if you park it in your driveway.
8) Don't let other cars or vans "piggy-back" through your security gates.

How Do You Know When You Are Old?

First, you tell your friend that you are having an affair.

Then your friend asks you.... "Are you having it catered?"

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"Stop the car," I yelled to my husband. "We must capture this beautiful sunset."

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There are thousands of Baby Boomers who live in senior communities in South Florida today. The majority of us are enjoying our senior years in adult communities where we golf, play tennis, swim, participate in aerobic and artistic activities and - in short - we're having the times of our lives!
When my husband and I first moved here, our adult children would leave messages on our answering machine, "Mom, dad, where are you? We are worried about you. You're never at home!"
Good, the shoe is on the other foot. We used to worry about them coming home late, too.
Seniors are no longer as sedentary nor as frugal as in previous decades. We tend to eat out frequently and to enjoy cruises and daily bus trips to casinos or gambling ships. We are a new breed of consumers in our 60s, 70s and 80s who are willing to experiment with technology
(just visit the library computer area). Seniors are signing up for classes to continue their education. They volunteer at schools to help students to learn to read and you can find them at hospitals, doing whatever needs to be done.
Lots of advertising is geared towards taking our money, too. Haven't you received at least one invitation to a lunch at a fabulous restaurant, just for listening to a spiel about investing? How about the coupons for "early bird dinners" that attract us to eat more for our money?
Have you ever seen so many ads before for creams and other products that will make us "look years younger"? Read the ads for available classes in painting, ceramics, Yoga, Pilates, writing, and computers. Seniors want to keep their minds and bodies healthier, longer!
Actually, we are probably the role models for banks and investments companies attempting to attract young couples to sock away their savings so that they, too, can live our senior lifestyles.
Think about this, folks. Baby Boomers are unique. There will never be another group like us again.

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Before I moved to the state of Florida, I imagined I would be spending much of my
time indoors. After all, the air-conditioned malls, restaurants and movie theaters would
provide a respite from the humidity and heat. My husband assured me that he would
never be caught dead in shorts and shoes without socks, nor would I ever find him playing
tennis or swimming. Imagining myself riding a bike or playing tennis in the summer......
what am I crazy?
Well, here it is eleven years later and it doesn't much matter to either of us what month it is,
we're usually involved in some outdoor activity which requires exercise and perspiration. So,
we're Floridians! The snowbirds are back in town and the roads and restaurants are more
crowded, but so is the social life. How lucky we are to live in paradise.
Here's a thought to make you smile:
Try sitting in your car, with your sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars.
See If They Slow Down!

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