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Poll

Do you support the proposed Master Plan for Pensacola Beach

Yes, I'm all for it

Yes, but it needs some tweaking

No, it's too expensive

No, leave the beach alone.

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Senior Scene

It was when my two oldest boys were four and six, and both were in school most of the day in Philadelphia, that I decided they were old enough for me to become an artist's representative for my husband once more.

I caught the train to New York in the morning and had time to circulate among the various ad agencies, extolling my husband's commercial artwork. I met their local school bus at the train station when I returned, arriving with about 20 minutes to spare. Luckily I became very friendly with the stationmaster, and he kept an eye on the boys if my train was a bit late.

My trouble, however, was usually at the other end of things. It was surprising to me how many of the buyers in New York had gone to the same art school my husband and I had attended in Philadelphia. After the office appointment, lunch often followed. The agents' lunch hours were not on the clock; they were mostly concerned with 'schmoozing' their best artists. I had a couple of close calls where friends were more interested in having drinks and lunch than in whether I made the return train in time.

I have often thought during these following years about what good friends the stationmaster and I became, although I did not even know his name. I wonder how many times a day we seniors stop to consider what a difference even these 'incidental' people made in our lives? Or do the memories simply become stronger as we get older?

You won't want to miss the Pensacola Historical Society's Haunted House Tour on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. It's the 18th year for the tour, which will tell the story of many historical ghosts that inhabit Pensacola.

There are both trolley tours and walking tours, and three different tour areas. The trolley tickets go early, with trolleys departing at 6, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., and walking tours every 30 minutes.

There will be contests for kids and adults, so here's a chance for seniors who miss the trick-or-treating of yesteryear. I know it will bring back longlost memories for me — and I wonder whether or not I will be asked to do the Charleston again, which once earned me an amazing 25 cents as the 'treat' for the 'trick.'

The tours take off from the Pensacola Historical Museum at 115 East Zaragoza Street. The admission costs for the walking tours are $10 adults, $5.50 children, and for the trolley tours $16 for adults and $8 for children. For information, call 433-1559 or try www.pensacolahistory. org on the Web.

Have you heard about PROJECT LIFESAVER, a program of Alzheimer's Family Services that allows law enforcement authorities to quickly find someone who has wandered away from home? Call the agency at 478-7790 to find out about how to get registered for this service. Cost is about $50 per month, and it's certainly worth it for peace of mind.

Here are a couple of sayings for senior citizens:

"A fool and his money are soon partying."

"Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow."

Do you remember when milk was delivered to your front door every day by a milkman in a horse and buggy? If so, keep me company — you're way over the hill. But smile — the view is great on the way down!

See you next week!