Senior Scene
Make exercise enjoyable

In your past, was Thanksgiving always a big deal in your household?

With a large family, we always had lots of faces around the table. One year we had a German exchange student named Dieter. He was 14 years old, the same age as my third son. They had been corresponding for about a year as part of a school program before he arrived. Most of my son's classmates were also hosting exchange students, and of course, they were all taken around Philadelphia to see the many historical sights.

Deiter enjoyed these trips which included the usual places such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House, Elfreth's Alley, and many others. One afternoon as I prepared the dinner, I was asking him about the things he had seen, I mentioned that both my mother's and father's families had been living in America since 1729.

At that, he looked at me and said kindly, "Ja, I guess it is strange to be a recent citizen in your country, but don't worry, after awhile you'll put down roots here."

"As for me, my own family has been in Germany since 1012, and I am the first one ever to leave German soil."

Well, I guess that showed me - don't brag! I guess I'm just a Johnny-come-lately after all.

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If you are not a native of Santa Rosa county or Gulf Breeze, you may not know some of the interesting history of the area. The Naval Live Oaks Visitors' Center just east of Gulf Breeze proper on Highway 98 can fill you in on some of the things that took place in this part of Florida during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

Documentary films are shown at the center on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. It's a great place to take your visitors over the Thanksgiving weekend, too. Get out of the house and away from those tempting leftovers - stretch your legs and look around at the beautiful environment we are blessed with. You can call the center at 850-934-2600 and get

complete list of special events and programs. They are free, and well worth getting acquainted with.

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Would you devote just one hour a day to a free activity that can improve your health? Just thirty to sixty minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week can help lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Choose an activity you enjoy, like walking or dancing. Take the stairs rather than using elevators. If you need other people to motivate you, join one of the many clubs in our town and set a small goal for yourself.

Remember folks, I never recommend exercise I don't do myself. I guarantee it's worth it - you'll feel good and look good!

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Holiday thoughts -

Drive carefully this weekend - Remember, it's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

When you are tempted to have that second piece of pumpkin pie, stop and think. Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels good.

See you next week!