Coquina Crossing Residents’ Newsletter

Volume 11 Issue 1 March 2011

 

 

 What’s My Line?

 By Carol and Bill Napper

 

Most of you should remember the old TV show “What’s My Line”.  It was always interesting to find out what occupations were being featured.  Maybe this will be the start of a series of articles!  We are featuring Ginny and James Draper who both work for COA in different departments.  Ginny was born and raised in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England, but James and Ginny met in Belgium and were married 42 years go in Philadelphia.  They lived most of the time in New Jersey before moving to Coquina Crossing.  They have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren and lucky for them, the grandchildren and their parents live in St. Augustine. 

Ginny’s career as a Legal Secretary probably prepared her for her job at COA as Volunteer Coordinator because both jobs certainly required attention to details and organizational skills.  She has held this position for three and a half years and works with the Director of Development and Volunteers, and with Cathy Brown, Executive Director, and Pat O’Connell, Program Director.  Ginny’s department has over 800 volunteers throughout St. Johns County.  If you have seen the list of programs, classes, events and services, you know that Ginny does an amazing job! 

Volunteers come from many sources—ads and articles in newspapers, the website, referral from friends, calls from new residents or newly retired people, retirees who are bored, people laid off during the recession, schools.  The volunteers who do Meals on Wheels come from Ginny’s department.  Hearing-impaired students from the School for the Deaf and Blind volunteer in the Meals on Wheels program by packing the food for the drivers to distribute.  Just about everyone who volunteers can be used in some capacity, but certain skills are often on the list of needs—computer and office skills, arts & crafts experience, musicians.  Many volunteers are needed regularly for what they call the Seniors Program where the seniors meet in the morning for activities and games and stay for lunch.  Volunteers even come from the courts – people who are required to do community service hours.  They are often assigned to maintenance or kitchen work.   COA is one of the certified choices the courts can offer to people who have been sentenced to “community service”. 

Ginny’s job is made challenging also by the new programs that COA keeps adding to their list of services and events.  There is something called Care Connection where volunteers offer assistance with minor home repairs, yard work, installation of safety devices, information and referral.  Under that same program they have just added the “Friendly Visitor Program” where volunteers will call on people who can’t get out and who would like some companionship.  They are also starting a new program at the Shores Methodist Church two days a week that will feature memory enhancement sessions.  Ginny also hires volunteers for the Senior Day Care Center and of course those people need to pass background checks.  Other services involve volunteers like Yvonne McCaw and Dick Wallis, both from Coquina Crossing, who help people with Medicare and Medicaid problems, insurance and prescription drug problems.  Prosperity Bank sends volunteers to help people with finances.  

 Many volunteers have served for a long time, but there is a continuing need as COA keeps expanding.  Also when the “snowbirds” leave, there is a sudden need for volunteers to replace them for the summer!  When asked about some episode that stands out in her memory, Ginny spoke about a 90 year old man who was convicted of speeding and was assigned to the COA for a sentence of “community service” in the COA library.  She thought he was quite a character and he brought food everyday to donate even though there was no “food drive” going on.   So eventually they had a small food pantry going, minus anything that was perishable! 

James Draper

James Draper is well qualified for driving a COA bus; he drove a tractor-trailer in the New Jersey, Delaware and eastern Pennsylvania area for more than 30 years.  The new terminal on Old Moultrie Road houses two bus lines, the Sunshine Bus and COA busses. James drives one of the more than 35 COA busses.

COA busses cover all of St. Johns County with special trips to Jacksonville to places like Mayo Clinic and other doctors’ offices.  Primarily, COA busses are used to transport people to their doctor, but they also take people to grocery stores on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  The busses hold eight plus two wheelchairs.

James’ bus is more like a taxi than a bus; it has no regular route. Instead, James serves an area west of U. S. 1, south to Lewis Point Road, north to U. S. 16 and as far west as Molasses Junction.  He is dispatched by radio to pick up persons in this area and to take them to their doctor.  While the rider is at the doctor’s the dispatcher tells James where the next pick is up.  After picking up the second rider, James returns to the first doctor’s office where the rider boards the bus for the return trip.  He is rarely idle.

Persons on Medicare and Medicaid are eligible for COA bus service. Those handicapped are eligible regardless of age.  The normal charge is $1.00 per leg, but those meeting a means test ride free. Riders call 24 hours in advance to arrange a pick up at a certain time the next day.  Busses will wait for five minutes after the arranged time and if the rider does not appear, the dispatcher will call the home.

James’ bus is equipped with a wheel chair ramp and special straps to secure the chair.  He pushes chairs up the ramp to assure they are in the proper place and safely secure.  Normally, there are only two or three passengers making repeated trips.  James gets to know them and their ailments very well.  Safety is extremely important.  Drivers attend safety meetings and listen to safety CDs. Prior to starting; drivers use a safety checklist.  All passengers, including those in wheelchairs and the driver, are required to wear seat belts.

This is James’ sixth year at COA.  He likes his three-day per week work because there is something new each day.  He also enjoys providing a valuable community service. 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Liars Club

 By Bob Flanagan

 

In case you haven’t heard of it, there is a men’s group that meets every morning except Sunday in the clubhouse ballroom for coffee and conversation. I don’t know why it is called the Liars Club because I haven’t heard very many lies told there. I have, however, learned lots of things I never knew before about a wide range of topics. I have lived in this great community for almost three years now and have been active with this group ever since about a week after moving in. I can’t begin to put into words the impact this group has had on my life. From day one I was welcomed into the group like an old family member and have met some men I am proud to call friend. If you have a question about anything there is someone in the group who can answer it for you. If you have a task you are unable to complete, there is someone there who will step forward and offer his help. If you are new to the neighborhood or have been here a while but have never participated, I encourage you to come out from about 7 AM to whenever you’ve had enough coffee. Try not to be thin skinned though because there is some banter in good fun that goes about and nobody is really trying to offend you. Personally, I enjoy taking part in the friendly banter. It is an uplifting start to the day that makes you want to come back for more. I look forward to seeing you there. I want to say thank you to every man there for helping to make life more enjoyable for me.

                                                    

 The Tale of the Two Irons

By Gerry Linton

 

Did you ever do something unconsciously and when you examined your actions you realized it was a habit or a trait performed by a parent or other family member? What you are about to read is a true story that has given me much food for thought throughout my life as well as a few chuckles. Remember it is very healthy to laugh at our own foibles.

 

My father died when I was not quite twelve and my mother, two sisters and I lived in a one-bedroom apartment with very small closets. Space was always at a premium.  My mom did a lot with the room we had but developed some strange ways to compensate for the lack of space. My mom was a stay at home mom and did odd jobs to have a wee bit of money for extras.

 

When I married and began to live in our first apartment I set the place up the way I knew best, following some of my mother’s ways without delving into the consequences. I worked full-time on Wall St. in New York City and came home just a little earlier than my husband and as a “good wife” tried to have dinner ready for him upon his arrival.  One night I was running later than usual and decided to broil a steak in the bottom broiler of the oven, boil two thinly sliced potatoes, make a salad and have dinner ready in a matter of minutes.

 

So I lit the broiler, which in itself felt quite dangerous and then went to change out of my work clothes. I returned to the kitchen a bit later to an overwhelming smell of melting plastic.  I peaked at the steak; it looked fine. What could it be? Then I opened the oven door and saw that my iron handle had started to melt. Growing up my mom kept the iron in the oven and I replicated this action in setting up my home, also not even considering the consequences. Luckily I had received two irons as bridal shower presents and never found the time to return the one I didn’t need.

 

 Remembering the other iron “not in the fire” I ran to retrieve it. I actually used that iron for more than twenty years and became very careful about thinking things through when I moved to new places especially where to put possessions that might melt.

 

 The Coquina Crossing Band 

 By Mary Doyle

 

The CC Chorus was established. Charlie Bishop was a member—but he started playing Drums, with his father in1948, that’s 63 years of drumming. He felt CC should have a band so he talked to Ray Wixted.  This was in 2005; Ray put out the call for players and their instruments. 

Most of the current band members had not played since High School or College.  Instruments were unpacked, retrieved, cleaned, polished and tested and Ray’s call was answered!  Ray had directed vocal groups, but had little or no experience in writing or arranging band music, but was willing to give it a try. He did have a few Combo books and that is what they used. Former Tap Dancer, Roland Gauthier came with his Alto Sax and a stack of Combo books.  Bonanza! They had music. Don and Eileen Coleman, Trombone and Flute came. They had played in the same High School Band.  Bob Frank, Bass, had once played in Carnegie Hall. Judean Frank, Clarinet decided to give it a try.  Donna Zachary, Clarinet mentioned to friends that she played but no longer had her instrument.  She was surprised when they found her an instrument. With a little practice she joined the band.  Walter Greis, Mandolin, played with his four sons in Milwaukee as the Greis Ensemble.   Bernie Coberly, Baritone, retired Dentist, played in marching bands. He plans to return to band practice as his health permits.

 Al Wollenberg, Tenor Sax, traded his Alto Sax (the band had two) for the Tenor; says Al “I’m learning to play Swing, music I’ve never played.”

 

Ray was getting a little anxious as he felt the Band needed more than what he was capable of giving. Then along came Ralph Geiger, Trumpet!  Ralph started Trumpet lessons in the 4th Grade. He continued his lessons under a world-renowned teacher along with the study of music. He was being edged toward becoming a professional player. That was not for him; he stopped playing, sold his trumpet and all his music!  He tried a variety of occupations and 40 years passed. What brought him back to music?  His dog China died; everyday he had walked China but now something was missing. He found himself soundlessly singing on his daily walks.  He had played Guitar and Banjo as well as Trumpet. Curiosity got the best of him; from E-Bay came a trumpet and he started to practice.  With practice came the next step: asking Ray if the band could use a Trumpet player.

            I can only imagine the smile and glee that must have appeared on Ray’s face!  With his musical training Ralph was a natural for a bandleader.  When Ray asked the question, Ralph did agree to do “what I can.” Band members all agree that he is The Leader of the Band!

The band has grown.  Les Wood, Guitar (20 years) and Drums (35 years) moved to Coquina last August. He likes playing and will play whichever-whatever is needed to make people happy.

Ralph and several other band members also play with the Putnam County Band. There they met Jim Bradner, Clarinet and Alto Sax.  Jim enjoyed playing with them and asked if he might join them for practice.  He did and band members learned that he played many kinds of music and was a great help to many of them.  Because Jim does not live in Coquina Crossing he was awarded the title of Assistant Director.

Last but not the least, we have band member, Dick Wallis, Vocalist. He has been singing “all my life” without formal lessons or training. Here is a direct quote from Dick. In his own words “Who’da thunk that at age 79 I’d be the regular vocalist with a great community band. …what luck.”

 I’d like to thank all the Band Members and the Leader of the Band for their input and help that made writing this article so enjoyable. I agree with Dick that Coquina Crossing does have a GREAT COMMUNITY BAND.          

 

 TRAVELS WITH BERNIE:  By Bernie Patruno

 

TRAVEL TRIVIA

 

As something I do to avoid that early morning drive on Highway 95 to the airport, I stay overnight at the Quality Inn on airport road in Jacksonville and utilize the “Park and Fly Program” for approximately $69.99. I leave my car at the hotel’s front parking lot and arrange for airport shuttle picked-up/return service all included in the price.

 

Flight delays/cancellations can be stressful to say the least.  Here are some facts I learned when my flight was delayed several times before being cancelled due to mechanical problems. After an announcement is made stating the flight will be delayed, you approach the counter and ask if any other flights are going to your destination. You will most likely be sent to the customer service desk for that airline.  At the customer service desk, explain your situation, ask to be placed on the next flight and if booked, ask if there is any chance to get on as stand-by.  If the airline representative tells you no chance, then request confirmation on the next flight and if that flight is scheduled for the next day, request meal passes and lodging.  NOTE:  If the delay is the fault of the airlines, meal and lodging passes will be given to you, but you have to ask for them!  

 

On a recent trip to Canada, my luggage took a trip but unfortunately not with me.  I went to Montreal, Canada and my luggage went to Detroit Michigan. Now this was a new twist even for me.  Upon arrival in Montreal and not finding my luggage, I proceeded to the airline luggage claim center.  The representative located the luggage immediately using the number and bar code on my luggage stub. (Always keep that luggage stub you receive from check-in). I was informed that my luggage would be on the next flight to Montreal due in at 3:00 p.m. that afternoon, I was told to report to Canadian Customs and have my form stamped then return to luggage claim which I did.   Around 6:00 p.m. I called asking if my luggage had arrived and when it would be delivered to my hotel.  I was informed that customs could keep my luggage for 48 hours, no reason given.  I was on tour, requested the assistance of a French speaking guide who intervened and at 7:00 p.m. my luggage arrived.  I am glad it happened to me and not one of my traveler’s.  I now know how to proceed if it ever happens again.

 

Passports are needed for travel outside the United States.  Many are not aware that our passport must be valid for six (6) months after the return home date of travel. For Example:  Trip to Paris January 18 to January 28, 2011 with a Friday, January 28, 2011 return date. Your passport expiration date must then be after July 28, 2011 to be valid.

 

Here are a few tips to speed your process through airport security.  I have traveled extensively throughout the world and not all airports have the same procedures.  Most importantly NO WATER BOTTLES, security will confiscate them every time.  Only three ounce bottles of liquids placed in a quart size zip lock bag.  All medicine should be with you in your carry-on bag and placed in a quart zip lock bag.  The zip lock bag should be out of your carry-on and placed in the plastic bin, along with your shoes, cell phone, watch, jacket(s) belt, money, etc. I have taken packages of crackers, cookies, candy, and sandwiches in my carry-on bags and have passed through security with no incidence.

 

 ST. AUGUSTINE: LOYALISTS

DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (1775-1783)

By Bill Napper

As a result of the complicated peace treaty ending the French and Indian War, England took Florida from Spain. Almost immediately the English government implemented two significant policies.  For administrative reasons it divided Florida into East and West.  St. Augustine was the capital of East Florida and Pensacola was the capital of West Florida.  The second significant policy was to heavily subsidize settlement of East Florida by awarding huge tracks of land, thousands of acres, to interested settlers.

These settlers were extremely loyal to Britain due to land grants, trade and emotional ties to the Crown.  Moreover, Britain had not governed Florida long enough to generate anti-British feelings as was the case in colonies like Virginia. When word finally reached St. Augustine that the Declaration of Independence had been signed on July 4, 1976, in Philadelphia, townspeople burnt John Adams and Patrick Henry in effigy on the plaza.

Loyalists or Tories are the names of the people who sided with England during the American Revolution. American historians called our forefathers Patriots.

Victors write history.

Loyalists were harshly treated in the 13 colonies especially in Georgia and the Carolinas. Historians estimate that a third of the population in South Carolina were Loyalists. Patriots took harsh actions against them.  Their land was confiscated and some were run out with tar and feathers.  In 1782 the South Carolina legislature legalized the confiscation of lands and property owned by the richest Loyalists in the state.

Many Loyalists then fled south to British occupied East Florida, especially to St. Augustine. Their flight coincided with the Minorcans from New Smyrna also taking refuge here. In 1777 the population of St. Augustine was about 1,000.  During that year 600 Minorcans under the leadership of Francisco Pellicer, left their indenture servitude which was arbitrarily and unfairly being extended.  They were virtual slaves. Governor Patrick Tonyn guaranteed the Minocrans’ freedom.  One historian estimates that if all of the houses in St. Augustine were vacant, which they were not, there would have not been room for the Minocrans, let alone the fleeing Loyalists.  Housing of British troops further complicated crowded conditions.

These crowded conditions forced some displaced Loyalist to take shelter in the abandoned Minorcan shacks in New Smyrna. By 1783, there were over 13,000 Loyalists in East Florida.  Fleeing Loyalists brought their slaves with them.  As a result blacks outnumbered whites by five to three.  The displaced Loyalists were wealthy, poor free blacks, farmers, soldiers, seamen and other trades people in addition to slaves.

William C. Wells published Charleston’s leading newspaper prior to the beginning of the war.  He dismantled his printing press and fled to St. Augustine.  After reassembling the press, he started Florida’s first newspaper in 1783.

When England lost the war, thanks in no small part to the French Fleet at Yorktown, many Loyalists left East Florida for Nova Scotia, England and the Bahamas.  In 1782 the Bahamas’ population was about 4,000 about one third of whom were slaves.  By 1789, three years after the end of the war, the white population of the Bahamas doubled and the black tripled. About 30,000 Loyalists from East Florida and the other 13 new states went to Nova Scotia and 7,000 to Quebec.

Many East Florida Loyalists were extremely discouraged and forced to leave here as a result of the treaty ending the war.  In exchange for Gibraltar, Article V of the treaty ceded Florida back to Spain.  They had 18 months to decide whether to emigrate or to stay.  Staying had a price: swear allegiance to the king of Spain and convert to Catholicism.

In July 1783 the English Parliament passed an act compensating the Loyalists for their losses.  A commission was appointed to review petitions for compensations, called Memorials, to overcome self-serving exaggerations and fraud.  Once the commission decided the claims were valid, Loyalists received about 10 per cent of their losses. Much of what we know about the Loyalists results from the preservation of their Memorials.

  This article relied upon the help and knowledge of the staff at the St. Augustine Historical Society.

 

 by Lew McCaw

 

Recently, in trying to remember when the series of mishaps I’ve been writing about began, it seems there’s a long history.  I suppose similar episodes occur in many of your lives, but I like to look back and find some bit of humor in them.  Try it sometime. 

Drifting back in time to the late ‘70s.  I was an automotive technology instructor at Ithaca High School in upstate NY.  In an effort to attract a broad spectrum of students, I liked to apply science and math in my curriculum in an effort to show the college-bound youth that those subjects have practical applications in everyday life.  My last period class would, that very day, see the effects of Newton’s theory of gravity, the interaction of dissimilar fluids, and the biological effects of adrenalin. A smattering of foreign language would also be incorporated.

An effective way for students to master skills is through hands-on practice.  In our lab, we did actual repairs but charged no labor fee.  Often, I’d borrow a new high-tech vehicle from a local dealer or from a fellow teacher to be used for demonstrations in my classes.  This particular day of infamy was the Friday before a three-day holiday.  One of the librarians had agreed to my request to borrow her new Mazda RX7.  I assured her I only wanted to raise it on the lift to show my class the undercarriage of a rotary engine car.  Her only stipulation was that she needed to have the car immediately after 7th period class as she was headed out of town for the holiday. She hadn’t seen her fiancé in weeks and was anxious to show off her new set of wheels, of which she was extremely proud.

These kids had raised dozens of cars on the Weaver twin post lift, so I had no qualms about asking them to put this hot little sports car all the way up at the beginning of class.  Just as I noticed something didn’t look right, the car suddenly lurched forward and the rear dropped about 10 inches with a metal crunching bang!  

The vehicle had not been positioned correctly over the rear cradle.  The yokes of the lift had slipped, and its four steel fingers punched humongous holes in the gas tank as the vehicle dropped...(Intro To Physics: chapter on gravity).  The librarian had, that morning, filled the tank in anticipation of her holiday trip.  In mere seconds, 18 gallons of Texaco premium vacated their confinement and joined several feet of ground water in the pit that housed the hydraulics of the lift.  The effects of excess adrenalin were suddenly evident in not only the instructor, but also 16 amazed, wide-eyed students.  Screaming at the class to head for the driveway outside, I ran for the fire alarm box and broke the glass.  1,800 students, 110 teachers and an over abundance of administrators poured out of all 8 buildings of our campus style school to the sound of approaching sirens.  With the fire department automatically signaled by the alarm, my high school principal took little time appearing from his office, two buildings away.  A brief explanation of the possibility of a spark -induced explosion from fuel vapors assured the boss I had responded appropriately.  Little did the librarian know that her little red RX7 had caused all the excitement.

While mentally drafting something soothing to tell her, I’d already decided to offer her the use of my 7 year old rusted out, 9 passenger station wagon for her trip.  I would assure her my weekend would be spent locating and personally installing a new fuel tank.  Later, after 7th period ended, I found her in the library.  She seemed really depressed with my offer, but was fairly civil about it.  I recall, however, that she appeared to avoid me the rest of the school year.

Meanwhile, back at the auto lab, after removing the steel floor panels that covered the hydraulic mechanism of the lift, Fire Chief Williams, his lieutenant and I peered down at 5 feet of vaporous liquids in the pit. As he was explaining how they would skim off the gasoline floating on top of the water so as not to ruin their pumps, a $350  two-way radio slipped from his shirt pocket.  Gravity never sleeps, and even before the splash, Williams began the foreign language portion of class.   I’d never seen a fire chief so excited...it was almost embarrassing.

Word travels fast in a school environment and rumors run rampant.  By the time the buses were loading, some kids had heard a car fell off the lift and crushed a student.  I’ve had better holidays and lunch hour in the faculty cafeteria the following week was not very enjoyable.  This time it was our reputation that needed some repair...no charge, of course.

Veterans Voice

Coquina Veterans

By Harry Manford

 

At the regular February Coquina Veterans meeting, we had Heather Andrews from the St. Johns County Veterans Service office as our guest speaker. There were 55 veterans, spouses, and deceased veteran spouses present to hear an outstanding delivery from Heather regarding veteran’s benefits. Heather covered a number of very important topics to explain that every veteran has benefits available to them of one nature or another. These benefits are available to any man or woman who wore a uniform for 90 days or more. It was emphasized one does not have to have combat experience to qualify; benefits are offered to those who served during peacetime as well as combat. The Veterans Administration will not contact you to explain what’s available, but rather, the vet must contact the VA. Heather explained how to do that. It’s important the vet contact her, set an appointment, and learn. The vet’s spouse should accompany on the visit, because many times, but not always, the spouse is entitled to something. So, if you served, you owe it to yourself to find out what the VA has to offer. You can contact Heather or others in her office at 209-6160. Do it today!

Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It ruled “Gentlemen Only.. Ladies Forbidden”… and thus the word GOLF entered the English language.

“It is humbling to stand in the middle of 24 nuclear missile silos!” That’s the awe one feels aboard the Trident nuclear submarine USS Maryland. Last month, 44 Coquina Veterans went aboard this magnificent warship at Kings Bay, Georgia. This steel behemoth is nearly two football fields long, over 45 feet tall, and houses a crew of 155 men that can stay underwater for over six months with no worries of running out of fuel. The Navy proudly gave us a tour of nearly the entire boat. We saw first hand the berthing facilities, the sonar room, communications, the periscope, the CON, steering controls, mess area, and more. We were able to see everything except the nuclear missiles, the 13 torpedoes it carries, and the engine room. This boat produces its own water and air for indefinite periods of time. We were told that once deployed, it seldom surfaces, except for extremely special purposes. Along the way, a variety of questions were asked, and when technically sensitive, the Navy in a very polite manner said the answer is classified.

Security on this base is out of sight! We had to go through a canine sniff and four checkpoints before we even saw the boat. After touring the boat, we were taken through their enormous training center. This training center replicated every kind of breakdown and disaster one could encounter underwater as well as learning how to drive and operate the thing. This facility is nothing short of amazing.

Hats off to the US Navy! They could not have been more accommodating. I think each one of us left with a deep sense of pride and appreciation for our military and a strong feeling of security. We are blessed to have made this trip.

 

TRAVEL MONSTROSITY

By Jean Timmerman

 

When someone returns from vacation, we usually ask, “Did you have a good trip?”  In my case the first question I ask is, “How did the trip go? Did you have any trouble with the plane, bus, train or car?”  Their usual reply is, “None at all—everything went fine.”

 

Everything went fine?  I guess that is because we didn’t go with them.  You see it is a rare occasion when the Timmermans decide to take a trip where everything went fine.  Walt was not with me on the monstrosity trip. I went to Atlanta to visit our daughter for a few days and was to return to La Guardia Airport where a car would pick me up.  As we were approaching La Guardia one of my seat mate said, “We are not going to La Guardia.”  I said, “What do you mean, we are not going to La Guardia?”  He said ominously, “Something is very bad.”  At that exact moment the pilot’s voice came over the intercom advising us that we were diverting to Newark Airport due to a problem with the hydraulics.

“What does that mean?”  I asked my knowing companion.  He replied, “No wheels.”  I had an immediate picture of what would happen under those circumstances—belly landing, sparks, fire, death.  Soon after the pilot’s announcement, the plane became silent as all motors were turned off and we began our descent gliding onto the runway of Newark Airport.  All I could see out the window were ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, waiting to collect our remains.  Then a large grinding noise occurred followed by the shouts of the crew—the wheels had disengaged and we were coming in for a rough, but safe landing.

Ah, but you think this was the end of the harrowing trip?  It was only the beginning.  Airport employees quickly informed us we would be taken by bus to La Guardia where they would take care of us.  We boarded the bus and headed out of the parking lot.  Bang, we hit the side of a car that just happened to pull out in front of the bus.  See what I mean?  Anyway it took another 40 minutes to assess the damage, exchange info and continue on our trip to….. La Guardia?  Before we realized it someone in the back of the bus shouted, “Idiot, you are headed into New York City, that is not the way to go during rush hour.”  “I have my orders from the dispatcher” replied the driver from Hell.  When we reached 34th Street half the bus demanded to be let off at Penn Station so they could take the train home.  They said it would get them there faster. 

I opted for La Guardia and my chauffer driven car. Over three hours late from our expected arrival, I dragged myself off the bus to see the most wonderful sight in the world: my name held up on a white card.  My driver later told me the airport officials had advised people waiting for us about the mechanical failure and he waited to make sure I was OK.

As I climbed down the bus steps a woman behind me said, “Now that is what I call an adventure.”  Oh well, I suppose it’s the way we look at things.

 

GOLDEN YEARS ON THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

By Rita Nickel

            As a Home Health Nurse, it always amazed me how many medications my senior clients had in their medicine cabinets. "How in the world did you get so many medicines?" I would ask them. "The doctor prescribed them," they would reply. "But so many? Why so many?" "Well," they would tell me, "I have a lot of doctors."  This overload was a puzzle to me for decades. Ah, but now I am romping down the Yellow Brick Road of my own Golden Years, and at last I understand all those cluttered cabinets.
 
            When we arrived in St. Augustine, being the good girl that I am, I immediately found a Primary Care Provider. After my initial tests and examination, the verdict was in. "You already take medication for blood pressure, but I think you need to go on a statin. Your cholesterol is far too high. And, if you take a statin, you must take some Co Q-10 to counteract the effect the statin has on your muscles, and of course a multivitamin and a vitamin for your eyes"
 
            Ever so compliant, I agreed. "Also, your bone density is not as good as it should be. You must begin to take Vitamin D every day. I also notice that you have not had a colonoscopy in nearly a decade, so I will order a consult for you. Plus, let's get an endocrinologist to check out that abnormal thyroid reading. Oh yes, we better get that pesky bladder situation checked out as well."  "Whew, I thought I was doing pretty well, but I guess I better follow through with all of this stuff," I considered as I walked to the car. And thus off I went, following the Yellow Brick Road from one specialist to another.

            The gastric guy decided to check out my esophagus "as long as we have you under for the colonoscopy." "What could that hurt?," I thought to myself. "Might as well go for it." 


            "Everything looks fine, but I do want you to take something for a mild case of gastric reflux," my physician told me after my insides were thoroughly cleansed and inspected. "Do I really need it?" I asked. "I already take more medications than I think is wise." "Oh yes, you need it," he gravely answered. "Gastric reflux can lead to all sorts of major problems if not corrected." And thus one more med was added to my steadily growing collection of red plastic bottles.

            Next came the endocrinologist. It was determined I needed something to calm my wild and crazy thyroid. This I readily agreed to. The over active thyroid was putting me into overdrive. Trust me, at my most peaceful I can bounce off walls. My poor husband not only immediately picked up the prescription but also poured the water and watched me swallow the pill. I am surprised he didn't make me open my mouth to be certain I really downed the blessed thing.

            "Only one more doc to go," I thought, as I drove to the urologist. The nurse practitioner went over my paperwork. "Do you ever have a problem making it to the bathroom? We can fix that for you. We have just the pill for it."  "No, no, no!" I nearly shouted in alarm, "I take enough stuff as it is.  I will be just fine without it."  The nurse looked crestfallen. "But why not?  Actually we can give you a prescription to rub on your skin. You don't even have to swallow it."  Kindly but firmly I shook my head.  At last she accepted what was to her a most foolish decision. She handed me a script, "Just in case you change your mind."  And then she handed me two more scripts, for medications that would do the same thing, in different forms.  I ran to the car and locked the doors before another nurse or doctor could find me.

            And there you have it, my friends. I hereby humbly offer an apology to all my former patients, for scoffing in unbelief as I counted their plastic bottles. "Please forgive me, because I was young and foolish. Now I have been down the Yellow Brick Road and I understand. I understand.

 

THE PET EXPERT

By Carol  Rothfeld

 

When Michael and I were showing our cats they required bathing before each show. So just as we started a potential show cat’s career as a four-month-old kitten, that’s when we began the bathing and grooming regimen. Since most shows were on a weekend we started our work on a Thursday. This was to allow the kitten’s coat to regain some of its natural oils removed during bathing. The coat standard for American Shorthairs says a hard coat, so you don’t want it too soft and fluffy. We began with nail clipping. I recommend that this start as early as possible with any cat. Then we cleaned ears with a cotton ball, and removed any fur that might have grown on the ear tips, again following the standard for rounded shape of ear. Then began the fun, THE BATH. Some people think that cats hate getting wet. And some people are right. Some cats, no matter how young you start bathing them, always hate it, and some never mind it at all. Most of the time we were lucky that the cats we wanted to show were OK with the bath. However, one of our best cats, Grand Champion Carocats Cosmic Connection, fondly known as Mickey, was a terror to bathe. This Silver Tabby was a pleasure to show. Judges loved handling him. He was on magazine covers where he posed regally. He was friendly and sweet. But when it was bath time, look out! He could climb a tile bathtub enclosure like no other cat before or since. It always took both of us to do the job because the most important part of the bath was rinsing. We rinsed and we rinsed and heaven forbid if any shampoo remained in his coat. Then we rinsed again with whatever was in favor with fellow breeders at the time. It might have been a vinegar rinse but the smell didn’t last. It might have been a lemon rinse. If we were showing a Brown Tabby at the time we might have used a rinse of strongly brewed tea to enhance the color. I can’t recall how many times in the twenty-five years of cat breeding and showing that we bathed cats. At some shows we may have had more than one cat entered, perhaps a kitten and an adult. That meant multiple cat baths that Thursday. But all in all it was fun and the memories are priceless. In the next issue I will give you some hints on how to prepare for bath time for your cat that is if you’re game.

RESTAURANT REVIEW

 By Lonnie Blaine

 

Your humble critic apologizes for not having a super stupendous dining establishment to recommend to you today.  Rather, I’d like to make a few comments about some of my favorite stops.

Still can’t beat the South Beach Grill for Chowder.  I’ve tried to duplicate it at home, but it’s much cheaper to buy it on the beach.  Their burger is still really good, but I’m falling in love with the big burger at 5-Guys at Cobblestone.  Now if they could cut back on the noise.  .  .  .

I really like Sonny’s BBQ at 16 and I 95, but Woody’s (at Cobblestone) family meal deal feeds four generously for $25.00.  It’s pretty darned good.  Speakin’ of good, try the Tempura at the Thai restaurant at 312 and US1 (used to be Pizza Hut).  They push Thai food, naturally, but the tempura brought me back a second time. The menu is huge. Their unique sushi boats look really neat if you like sushi.  Frankly, I want my eel and tuna cooked.  But then I’m an old grouch who won’t touch fish I haven’t caught!  Tried Crosby’s for lunch (at the location that was Mango Mango II and before that Dick’s Wings.) and I had the best chicken fried steak since I lived in East Texas.  Really good.  Of course Crosby’s is a seafood joint.  That figures.  Their Sunday dinners are also well priced and generous.  A couple of my fish eating friends tell me the fish & chips are par excellente.  (For you non-intellects, that means really good.)  The Wednesday night fried chicken at Schooners is still a big winner in my book. (Another seafood restaurant).  I’m so busy using discounts at restaurants, the hostess at Ruby Tuesdays calls me by my first name.  Had a great 12 oz Sirloin there last night on the 2 for $20 promotion.  My partner had a luscious chicken breast all for $20.00.  Going for brunch on Sunday.  I hear we’re getting another new restaurant in the old Hooters facility.  Haven’t been to Paneras yet.  Can’t find a parking place.

I purposely have omitted reference to Italian Restaurants and Pizza Parlors.  Frankly, I’ve never had a bad meal at any of them and I like everybody’s pizza.  Check out my waistline if you don’t believe me.  Spending 18 days in March on an Italian Cruise Ship. If they can squeeze me into a seat on an airplane, I’ll be back around April 1. Bon Appetite to all of you.

 

 BOOK REVIEW:  By Carole Ellingsworth 

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOO by Stieg Larsson

A friend recommended this book to me.  She told me I would have trouble putting it down.  I’d seen it listed on the best sellers list for some time but the title just didn’t grab me.  Apparently I was among the few on the planet that hadn’t read it and gotten hooked on the rest of the series.  So for all of you who haven’t succumbed to the lure of the series, I want to highly recommend this exceptional read.

The book was originally written in Swedish and later translated into English.  So the story takes place in Sweden and other European countries.  It is the story of mystery and international intrigue, espionage, romance and murder.  It’s also the story of a family and their struggles and secrets that span lifetimes and influence the lives of many.  Mikael Blomkvist, a slightly tarnished journalist and his mysterious assistant Lisbeth Sallander, a talented but troubled young woman, carry the story.

The story grabbed me from the beginning and I found myself anxious to get back to it when I needed to put it down for any reason.  I’m looking forward to the final two books in the series, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest. Unfortunately, there won’t be any more as Stieg Larsson, since finishing his last book, has passed away.  The world has lost a wonderful, talented author.  I recommend that you read the ones he has left for us to enjoy.

 

RECIPES

The recipes below are taken from the 2004 Coquina Crossing Women’s Sharing Group

cookbook called “Sharing Our Best”. 

  

 

 

 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

By Carol Napper 

·     Bev and Dick Wallis will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary the first weekend in April in Asheville, NC at a lodge.  29 members of the family will be gathering from Michigan and North Carolina and of course Florida, including their sons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  What a nice celebration this will be.

·     Carol and Michael Rothfeld celebrated their 35th anniversary February 12th.

·     HACC and ELS are starting a Medical Equipment database for residents to loan or borrow needed medical equipment at no charge.  Forms are available from Susan Ballard at the office and Michael Rothfeld.  They are also starting an emergency family contact database in case they need to contact your family in an emergency.  These forms are also available from Susan and Michael.

·     Mario and Ruth Patruno have been invited by President George W. Bush and College of the Ozarks to a special event at the college.  Students from this college escorted the Patrunos and other WWII veterans to Holland last year when they were honored by the Dutch government for their service.  Now the college is honoring them again.  The event will include a ceremony at the Veterans Grove, a grove of trees with a tree in honor of each of these veterans; a private “meet and greet” and photo opportunity with Pres. Bush; dinner and reception.  They will also attend the Leadership and Character Forum, which features Pres. Bush as speaker.