Different things make you happy when you're a senior

Well, today may be an exciting day for someone who least expects it. Maybe it's the person who bought a winning Florida lottery ticket and stuck it in the pocket of a jacket they aren't wearing right now because it is too hot. Maybe it's someone who found out at the Pensacola antique appraisal show that the old glass vase from their grandmother's house is a valuable artifact.

As we age, we seniors may become blase about what is exciting. Yet we remain enthusiastic about five-cent bingo games at the monthly senior luncheon at the South Santa Rosa recreation center. A two or three dollar pot can generate true excitement on the part of 35 or 40 participants.

If you want to join the fun, join the Senior Club and have a good lunch for just $4, and spend the afternoon having fun. You can play as many cards as you want to - some people even play ten simultaneously! The club meets on the first Thursday of every month at 11:30 at the Rec center on Shoreline Drive. Be there!

******** The Florida Silver-Haired Legislature (FSHL) is a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to inform the public as well as state legislators about the concerns of Florida's senior citizens.

Each year, members of the state's eleven districts are selected to be delegates to spend four days in meetings at the capitol in Tallahassee.

Just like the Florida State legislature, the FSHL is comprised of 120 representatives and 40 senators. They bring with them bills concerning ideas and issues not only for seniors, but for the good of all citizens.

These bills are written and discussed in the form mandated by the state Senate. Only the five best bills among those brought to this meeting are selected to be put before the Florida State House.

One of those of which the FSHL is most proud is the bill that established the Department of Elder Affairs as an independent state entity.

If you are interested in joining, call James Watley (FSHL Speaker of the House) at 475- 8829. Or you can call me, Bette Boyle (Senator) at 932-3822.

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The Pensacola Historical Society will host an open house from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m Monday, September 17, in the Beacon Building at 110 East Church Street in Pensacola, behind the Wentworth Museum.

The program will include a tour of the Resource Center's Archives and the Historical Society Museum, plus a preview of the October Haunted House Tour.

Society members and guests will have an opportunity to meet the Curators, view some of the historical documents, scrapbooks and family heirlooms, and share stories about Pensacola's early photographers. Refreshments will be served. The event is free.

Tickets will be available for purchase for the Haunted House Tours, which are scheduled for Friday October 19, Saturday, October 20, and the following weekend, October 26 and 27.

Come out and learn about the programs offered by the Society!

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Marriage can be fun - or not, according to these men:

"Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays." Henny Youngman

I don't worry about terrorism. I was married for two years." Sam Kinison

"There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage." James Holt McGavran

See you next week!