Gulf Breeze News

Promote Your Page Too

Splash! Magazine

Promote Your Page Too

Senior Scene

While reading the paper, I came across a child-rearing column discussing at what age young children should be told the why's and wherefore's of human reproduction. The question was, whether the subject should be taught at home by parents, or at school by teachers in "hygiene" classes (well, that was the term used when I was in seventh grade.)

My two older sons attended an all boys prep school, and they were ten and twelve when the subject was first broached. The school was a venerable, Quaker institution, which taught proper 'manners' as well as academics. Since I was about to have my fifth child, my sons knew where babies came from and were not in need of any help on the subject, but they sat patiently through the class.

Several times a year, the boy's class invited a local all-girl's school to a dance and reception as part of the 'manners' and courtesies they would need to learn in their way through life. My husband and I were chosen to be in the receiving line (a great honor). The boys and their partners passed through the line, exchanging proper greetings and shaking hands with the parents.

I was wearing a maternity evening dress, and all the other parents complimented me on how nice it looked.

As the line moved along, a boy I knew from my sons' soccer team came past.

"Gee, hi, Mrs. Boyle... you look different," he said, eyeing my burgeoning figure, "but I guess you sound just the same."

And you know what? I still sound the same! The 'hygiene' class taught those kids plenty, and they had a living, breathing example right before their eyes.

We talk a lot about exercising your body, but how about keeping your mind sharp and agile? An active brain produces new connections between nerve cells that allows them to communicate with one another. This helps the brain store and retrieve information more easily.

One good way is to continue learning new skills, and you can have fun at the same time. Take up painting, or learn to play an instrument, or learn a language. Try playing Scrabble or doing crossword puzzles. These and many other skills can help your memory last longer as you age.

Want more information? Visit the Mayo Clinic's web site (www.mayoclinic.com)

Looking for something new, right here in Gulf Breeze? The Gulf Breeze Library Book Club meets the last Wednesday of every month at 5:30 in the large meeting room in the library on Shoreline Drive.

We have all been hoping to avoid the long trek across the bridge to be able to attend a book club, and now we can. For further information on how to join, call Carol Fleming at 934-7392. Exercise those brain cells become a part of the Book Club today.

There is still time to get the Council on Aging's calendar of our sexy seniors for 2006, which is called "Perfectly Aged.' The calendar features seniors who are fit, active, and involved despite their age.

Such members as Natalie and Ted Ciano, Vince and Anna Whibbs, June Guerna, Bobby Likis are just a few of the members of the Council who grace the months of this years' calendar.

You can support the work of the Council on Aging by calling

432-1475, or logging on to www.coawfla.org.

Something you always wanted to know:

Do the "alphabet song" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" have the same tune? how about "Baa Baa Black Sheep?" (Okay, I bet you just tried singing them!)

See you next week.