Hey, guys, I can still get up and out of my chair quickly

Some of the lessons you learn early in life are the ones that stay with you the longest.

It was in sixth grade, and I learned a lesson that has stayed with me all these years. In those days, schools were divided into three sections; grades 1-6 were elementary, grades 7-9 were called junior high, and 9-12 senior high. Our recess period was a half-hour break on the playground each day.

We students who had reached the grand status of sixth grade were allowed to monitor the play period of the younger pupils. My friend Joe Wallace and I had been selected for this duty. We watched as the children played on the sliding board and raced around the yard.

Of course, Joe and I did not deign to use the swings or slide ourselves, but we did enjoy the 50-yard dash, and every morning, our friendly competition collected quite an audience on both sides of the high, iron fence surrounding the school yard.

Each time I beat Joe, the onlookers applauded, but it seemed that our friendship weakened. It was then that it became apparent to me that a woman should never make the mistake of beating a man at what he expects to be his own game — at least not in front of an audience! In those days, it helped if 'we girls' learned early on not to win too often.

Hey Joe, if you're still around, we can have a competition at just getting up out of a chair.

Last week as I arrived at the Gulf Breeze Rec Center's senior bingo game, a male member (of whom we need lots more, so come on out, boys!) approached me with his Gulf Breeze News in hand.

"Hey," he said, "you didn't mention the fact that, back in the days when ice cream was sold at the local drugstore, we had to bring our own dish from home to carry it in!"

There were no stand-alone ice cream shops in most areas back in the 1920's, and he and I had a good time recalling days gone by. (You know you're getting old when you think everything was better back before penicillin).

So come and join male and female seniors every third Thursday at the Gulf Breeze Recreation Center for a delicious, thrifty lunch catered by Barnhill's Buffet, and a hot game of bingo afterwards. Join one of the longest-lasting, friendliest groups in town. Call president Pat Franke at 934- 4571 for more information.

Dr. Thomas Perls, professor of Medicine at Boston University, says the ability to survive to extreme old age appears to be the result of a combination of genetics, environment, lifestyle and luck.

His article, 'The Different Paths to 100,' tells us that behavior is probably the most important of these variables. Simply treating our bodies well, eating a healthy diet and exercising, dealing well with stress and avoiding smoking, as well as avoiding anti-aging quackery such as human growth hormones, are most beneficial. Most important is keeping a healthy attitude.

See you next week!