soaring member newsletter july 2009

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oaring S W e recently had a chance to chat with one of Westcott Lakes’ newest members, Mr. DeWitt Mathers. DeWitt, who was born in Miami and raised on a farm in nearby Greenville, attended Florida State University and graduated in 1958 with a degree in accounting from the College of Business. “When I graduated high school, I went right into the service, and served during the Korean War. When I was through serving in the military, I was able to attend FSU as a result of the G.I. Bill,” said DeWitt. After college, DeWitt, who worked as an accountant, was married and he and his wife had a daughter named Jennifer. Jennifer attended Mt. Holyoke (in Massachusetts) and she went on to earn her Masters and Ph.D. at Oxford in England. “Jennifer now lives in Wales with her husband and their 11 year old son. She is a tenured international politics professor at the University of Wales. Needless to say, I am very proud and I love visiting them when I get the chance.” DeWitt’s interests include gardening, travel- ing to see friends and family and cooking wonderful vegetarian meals. However, DeWitt counts his biggest passion as modern abstract art. “I started doing abstract artwork years ago because we had a big house, bare walls and no money! Fortunately for me, my wife loved it!” recalls DeWitt. “I will deinitely be bringing my artwork to Westcott Lakes, and I plan to continue creating artwork when I’m there.” When asked about his decision to join Westcott Lakes, DeWitt listed convenience as one of his top priorities. “It’s just so comforting to know that at Westcott Lakes I can go from assisted living to skilled nursing with no big production, if need be. Since I live alone, I’m happy to know that there will always be friends around, and that I can stay in the same place for whatever I need,” he says. “Also, I think I’m ready to take it easy and give up all the yard work,” remarks DeWitt. “Basically, I’m just a lazy person looking forward to a life of leisure at Westcott Lakes!” We’re not sure about lazy, but DeWitt Mathers is no doubt an interesting and engaging neighbor and we are so happy he has decided to make Westcott Lakes his next home! © Westcott Lakes ® , July, 2009 Meet Your Neighbors Volume 1, Issue 9; July 2009 by Bronwen Krause DeWitt pictured with his grandson, Mathew

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Soaring Member Newsletter July 2009 Issue

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oaringSWerecently had a chance to chat with one ofWestcott Lakes’ newest members, Mr.DeWitt Mathers. DeWitt, who was born in Miamiand raised on a farm innearby Greenville,attended Florida StateUniversity andgraduated in 1958 witha degree in accountingfrom the College ofBusiness. “When Igraduated high school,I went right into theservice, and servedduring the Korean War.When I was throughserving in the military, Iwas able to attend FSUas a result of the G.I. Bill,” said DeWitt.After college, DeWitt, who worked as anaccountant, was married and he and his wife hada daughter named Jennifer. Jennifer attended Mt.Holyoke (in Massachusetts) and she went on toearn her Masters and Ph.D. at Oxford in England.“Jennifer now lives in Wales with her husbandand their 11 year old son. She is a tenuredinternational politics professor at the Universityof Wales. Needless to say, I am very proud and Ilove visiting them when I get the chance.”DeWitt’s interests include gardening, travel-ing to see friends and family and cooking

wonderful vegetarian meals. However, DeWittcounts his biggest passion as modern abstractart. “I started doing abstract artwork years agobecause we had a big house,bare walls and no money!Fortunately for me, my wifeloved it!” recalls DeWitt. “Iwill deVinitely be bringingmy artwork to WestcottLakes, and I plan tocontinue creating artworkwhen I’m there.”When asked about hisdecision to join WestcottLakes, DeWitt listedconvenience as one of histop priorities. “It’s just socomforting to know that atWestcott Lakes I can go from assisted living toskilled nursing with no big production, if need be.Since I live alone, I’m happy to know that therewill always be friends around, and that I can stayin the same place for whatever I need,” he says.“Also, I think I’m ready to take it easy and give upall the yard work,” remarks DeWitt. “Basically,I’m just a lazy person looking forward to a life ofleisure at Westcott Lakes!”We’re not sure about lazy, but DeWitt Mathersis no doubt an interesting and engaging neighborand we are so happy he has decided to makeWestcott Lakes his next home!© Westcott Lakes®, July, 2009

Meet Your NeighborsVolume 1, Issue 9; July 2009

by Bronwen Krause

DeWitt pictured with his grandson, Mathew

After a brief hiatus lastmonth and Mark GrifVis’guest article on the MedicalForum, I’d like to pick up againwith an update on our “Voice ofthe Customer” key strategicpriority. My thanks to all of youwho completed the recentsatisfaction survey we sent outto obtain your input in anumber of areas. We had agood return rate of nearly 50%and received some valuableinsights.To summarize the ratings ofthe closed-ended questions:• 66% of all respondingmembers are very satisVied and15% reported that they werefairly satisVied, for a healthytotal of 81% of satisVied

respondents across these twocategories• This breakdown ofresponses is fairly consistentacross the scales for “overallmembership,” “stafffriendliness and courtesy,”“responsiveness to inquiries/complaints,” and “resolution ofinquiries/complaints”• Only 1% reported thatthey were fairly unsatisVied and18% reported “N/A,” mostly insome of the speciVic areas ofmember services with whichthey had little experience (LifeCollegesm, Second Tuesdays So-cials and Special Events/Trips)Of 44 answers to the ques-tion, “How conVident are you inthe future of Westcott Lakes?”:• 61% responded in wayslike “hopeful, fully conVident,very conVident,” etc. Of theseresponses, several felt that itwill likely take longer but thatit will happen• 14% responded thatthey were “moderatelyconVident, fairly conVident, hadsome apprehension,” etc.• 25% expressed thatthey were not very conVident,but in half of those responsesthe members said that theirconVidence was tied to thecurrent economic challengesour country and region are

experiencingIn terms of generalsuggestions and comments,most responses were positiveafVirmations of memberexperiences. Severalcomments were also speciVic tothat member, and so we willfollow up with thoseindividually. We will also begoing through the survey withgreater detail in the weeks tocome in order to understandthe implications of allcomments and ways we canrespond to them. Thank youagain to each of you who haveresponded to this survey tohelp us better serve you.Since my last writing, we’vealso initiated our small groupmember dinners hosted byMark and Tasha GrifVis and mywife, Laure and I. We’ve heldtwo dinners thus far, and bothwere very enjoyable. I’m conVi-dent that this will prove to bean important time of getting toknow each other, of formingcommunity, and of learningabout some of your questions,comments and suggestionsabout your membership.Invitations to these dinners aregoing out about every threeweeks with 6 to 10 guestsbeing invited to each dinner. Ido hope you’ll be able to come!

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Eagle Visionby Dr. Chris Mulrooney, Westcott Lakes CEO and Regional Vice President

Dr. Chris MulrooneyWestcott Lakes CEO andRegional Vice President

The Arts at Westcott LakesDr. Jessie Lovano-Kerr, Chairperson of the Members Showcase Committee,encourages members with interests in the visual arts to join this Committee. Email Jessieat [email protected] or call 385-1702. A Virst project of the Committee will be todisplay artworks of members at the Westcott Lakes Welcome Center.

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June seemed to be the monthfor anniversaries andweddings. The Chandler familyhad both! Westcott Lakesmembers Bridget and Gibbycelebrated their 60th weddinganniversary here in Tallahasseeand son Bert (Dr. GilbertChandler, III) and DeborahLangford were married in aquiet family wedding in At-lanta. Congratulations and allbest wishes to the two couples.Baseball season at FSUended, but not withoutexcitement. After beating OhioState in a record breakingregional game, the Seminoleshosted one of the eight SuperRegional competitions playing

the Arkansas Razorbacks. TheCollege World Series, however,was not to be for the Seminolesthis year, as they lost toArkansas.One might think thatwithout ball games to attend,life might slow somewhat.That is deVinitely not the casefor us here in Tallahassee. Forstarters, the FSU College ofMusic has offered the 2009Starlight Concert Series in theOwen Sellers Amphitheater.The free concerts under thestars have featured traditionaland contemporary wind bandmusic and guest artists.The City of Tallahassee alsofeatures a Sizzler SaturdaysConcert Series. A concert isconducted on each Saturdayevening at Kleman Plaza indowntown from 6:00-8:00 p.m.Earlier in the day the Down-town Marketplace takes placein Ponce de Leon Park at ParkAvenue and Monroe Street.This delightful event features afarmers' market, pet adoption,artists, music and more.The Tallahassee BachParley whipped out period

instruments to performmusicfrom the 17th century. Most oftheir concerts are held at St.John’s Episcopal Church andadmission is free.The Artists' Leagueunveiled its "5 Rings of Pas-sion: Love, Anguish, Awe,Triumph, Joy" group exhibit atthe FSU Museum of Fine Arts.The outstanding collectionincludes pottery, jewelry,photography, sculpture and oilpaintings.The FSU National HighMagnetic Field Laboratory, notto be overlooked, is openingitself and its research to thepublic. Beginning on June 17,the laboratory hosts publictours on the third Wednesdayof every month. The tourbegins at 11:30 a.m. and lastsabout an hour. During the tour,visitors will be able to see thelaboratory's signature magnetsincluding the Laboratory'sHybrid Magnet which isresponsible for the mostpowerful artiVicially generatedmagnetic Vield ever created.

Seminole Patchworkby Dr. Betty Lou Joanos

Dr. Betty Lou JoanosDirector of Alumni Relations

In MemoriamIt is with deep regret that the Westcott Lakescommunity noted the passing on May 9 ofMartha Strom Bryson, a Founding Member, who wasa Florida State University graduate and an activeparticipant in several Tallahassee organizations.

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The Social Committee’scalendar is Villing quicklywith exciting activities forWestcott Lakes members andguests. We are so pleased thatBarbara Holt has agreed to serveas Secretary of the SocialCommittee. June Alford waselected Assistant Chair at theMay meeting, and she is alsocoordinating all of the Travel &Events planning for thisCommittee.Bridge anyone? “Kitty” Ballshares that the Bridge Club isgrowing and that the monthlymeetings are being hosted in thehomes of various members. TheJune meeting was hosted in thehome of Barbara and Billy Beggsand a great time was had by all.For those of you who would loveto get involved with the WestcottLakes Bridge Club, please give“Kitty” a call at 850-386-2521.Interested in being part of aQuilting & Sewing group? AlleneRoberts is the contact and she isready to move ahead with

interested members. Please giveAllene a call: 850-656-8779.Sherrill Ragans and Dr. BettyLou Joanos are starting theWestcott Lakes Book Club andwould like to know of otherswho would like to join. Pleasecontact Sherrill at 850-576-6710or Betty Lou at 850-877-1092and let them know of yourinterest.The June meeting of theSocial Committee hosted a veryspecial guest: founding member

Ruth Bass. The purpose of themeeting was to decide on thetheme and supportingdecorations for the upcomingHoliday Season. Sounds like along way off? Not really… so getready for a beautifully decoratedWelcome Center for your

entertainment pleasure.Second Tuesday, July 14th, isan absolute “must.” Please comeand bring friends, prospects andguests. We will be treated to aLow Country Shrimp Boil, withall of the Vix’ins. Dress extremelycasual. Don Adams, President ofKelly Tours of Savannah, Georgia,is the Chef and he is excellent!Following the deliciousShrimp Boil, Don will talk abouttours offered by Kelly Tours andinformation about the December1-2, 2009 motorcoach trip tobeautifulCallaway Gardensto view the“Fantasy inLights”. Pleasemake yourreservations forthe CallawayGardens trip earlyby contactingJune Alford at850-893-5668since the motorcoach will Villquickly.Keep lookingfor variousannouncementsto membersabout anupcoming bowling event, a tripto the FSU Strozier Library and aspecial evening at the FSU FilmSchool.We are always pleased towelcome newmembers to theSocial Committee. It’s your com-mittee…come and join in the fun!

by Dr. “Fancy” Funk, June Alford and “Kitty” BallSocially Speaking

Dr. “Fancy” FunkSocial Committee Chair

YYoouu’’rree IInnvviitteedd!! Join us on December 1 and 2 as we head toWest Georgia for Callaway Garden’s “Fantasyin Lights” Christmastime Tour. Also featured in this two-day trip is a visit toFDR’s Little White House in Warm Springs, superior accommodations and service at theCallaway Inn, and a visit to Callaway Gardensduring the day for a close look at the Day ButterVly House and the Conservatory featuring its annual display of poinsettias. An initial deposit of $79 per person is due byAugust 1 with the Vinal payment due November 1. These may be paid by credit cardor check (payable to Kelly Tours, Inc.). Forreservations, contact June Alford at [email protected] or 850-893-5668.

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The Life College at WestcottLakes was graced by the presence of three delightfully informative ladies from FSU’sStrozier Library on Tuesday, June9. Bridgett Birmingham (MediaLibrarian), Suzanne Byke (Outreach Librarian), and KirstenKinsley (Assessment Librarian)presented “Electronic Forms ofCommunication,” which consistedof several different types of computer social networking. Included in the hands-on presentation were such network-ing sites as YouTube, Skype, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Voxand RSS feeds. If you’ve everwondered what these new thingsare all about or would like to dosuch things as make free video-phone calls, this was theclass to attend.

YouTube, which was created inFebruary 2005 by three formerPayPal employees, is a videosharing website where users canupload, view and share videoclips. Skype is an Internet telephoneservice provider that offers freecalling between subscribers andlow-cost calling to people whodon't use the service. In additionto standard telephone calls,Skype enables Vile transfers, texting, video chat and videoconferencing.

Twitter is a free social network-ing and micro-blogging (web log)service that enables its users tosend and read each others' updates, known as tweets.Facebook is a social networkingsite where users can create andcustomize their own proViles withphotos, videos and information

about themselves. Friends canbrowse the proViles of otherfriends and write messages ontheir pages.LinkedIn is a social networkingwebsite geared toward companies and industry profes-sionals looking to make new business contacts or keep intouch with previous co-workers,afViliates and clients.Vox is a free personal, more robust, blogging service wherepeople share thoughts, photos,videos and more with friends,family and the general public.RSS feeds provide news aboutDVD releases, upcoming movies,newsfeeds from CNN and BBC,etc. without having to check thesite every day or week. It is akind of speaking bookmark thattells you when there is somethingnew from a particular web site ofinterest to you.There is some overlap between these offerings in thatthey all provide a means of socialnetworking over the Internet. So,try some of them, stay up withthe world and improve your communications.To access these websites, add.com to the name and you’re onyour way.

Life CollegeSocial Networking for Members

by Dr. Gary Stilwell

Dr. Gary StilwellFounders Club Member

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Most likely, you alreadyknow our newest Life PlanConsultant, Susan Mahoney, because this South Florida native has been immersing herself in the Westcott Lakes

culture from day one! Susan,who was Virst attracted to a position with Westcott Lakesbecause of the beautiful location and afViliation withFSU, was excited to take the position at Westcott Lakes because she says, “I have alwaysloved Tallahassee, as I spentsummers here as a child.” Shewent on to say, “My mother,who is 94, wanted to movecloser to family and so did myhusband and I. Tallahasseeturned out to be the perfect location for all of us!” Susanand her husband now reside inthe beautiful SouthWood areawith their three cockerspaniels. Susan, who has worked inthe Senior Living Industry for

14 years, received the Gold Mature Media Award in 2001for an advertising/human interest piece she created. Thepiece garnered internationalmedia attention and was featured on the front page ofthe New York Times, on theToday Show, CNN and thenightly news. “I received hundreds of thank you notesfrom older adults all over theworld for bringing attention tothe over 60 population. It was agreat feeling!” says Susan. We could not be more excited to welcome this experienced, enthusiastic andfascinating person to our teamand we are sure she will helpWestcott Lakes become a fabu-lous Life FulVilling Community!

Spotlight on Staffby Bronwen Krause

Susan MahoneyLife Plan Consultant

Have You Heard? by Dr. Charles NamAdults age 65 and over gainsubstantial health beneVitsfrom regular physical activity.The U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services has provided guidelines for suchactivity among seniors.Physical activities for olderadults can be divided betweenaerobic and muscle-strengthen-ing activities. Aerobic includeswalking, dancing, swimming,water aerobics, jogging, aerobicexercises, bicycle riding (stationary or on a bike), tennis, golf (without a cart) andvigorous yard work.

Muscle-strengthening includesexercises using exercise bands,weight machines, and hand-held weights, calisthenicexercises, yoga, Tai Chi and gardening. Older adults should aim todo at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensityactivity a week, or somewhatless time of vigorous-intensityactivity. Episodes of activityshould be divided throughoutthe day or week. For example, aperson who takes a brisk 15-minute walk twice a day onevery day of the week would

easily meet the minimumGuideline for Physical Activity.Balance training to lowerthe risk of falls would complement physical activities.By all means, older adultsshould avoid inactivity. Somephysical activity is better thannone, and older adults who participate in any amount ofphysical activity gain somehealth beneVits.Source: Adapted from U.S.

Department of Health andHuman Services. 2008 PhysicalActivity Guidelines for Americans.

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Book by David A. Kessler, MD;The end of overeating: TakingControl of the Insatiable Ameri-can Appetite. 320 pp. New York:Rodale, 2009. $25.95 (hardback)The National Center forHealth Statistics has estimated that roughly half ofthe U.S. adult population isoverweight (based on ideal relationship of weight to height,or body mass index). There hadbeen no signiVicant change inaverage weights over a long period of time but, beginningabout 1980 and until about2004, gains in average weightwere alarming. Many people already overweight becamemore overweight and the percentage of persons whowere obese (extremely highbody mass indexes) increasedmarkedly, accounting for half ofall overweight people. All population categories shared inthis development, but they weregreatest for non-Hispanic blackand Mexican-American women.Health consequences of these

trends can be severe.Dr. David A. Kessler, formerCommissioner of the Food andDrug Administration and onewho has experienced beingoverweight, surveys research todetermine the causes of thesurge in body weight. Geneticfactorsplay apart inthe excessweightof somepeoplebut can-not explain the sharp increasein the general population. Thelarger role is in changes in behavior and environment. It issimply the fact that more persons indulged in overeatingand the calories gained werenot matched by the calories thebody used.What led to these behavioralchanges in eating practices?First, the food industry --restaurants and producers of

food --made their productsmore tasty and appealing by increasing the amount of fat,sugar and salt in their recipes.Second, they enlarged the portions of the foods preparedfor their clients. As a result,many became attached to thefood changes and were psychologically and biologicallyconverted to them (whatKessler calls “conditioned hy-pereating”). High caloric ingre-dients beget high caloric foods.Kessler devotes a consider-able part of the book to explor-ing ways that people cancounter these trends by becom-ing more disciplined in theireating habits. It is insufVicient,he says, to just resort to a diet,because most diets are unsuc-cessful in keeping people fromreturning to their bad eatinghabits. What is needed, he ar-gues, is acquiring a disciplinedmental state that enables rejection of unhealthy foods.Kessler indicates it works forhim. Would it work for you?

Recommended Readingby Dr. Charles Nam

Westcott Lakes membersBob Riedel and Dr. Charlie Nam sat next to eachother at a Founder’s dinner.Not having met before, theytalked about some life experiences and discoveredthey were both WWII vets.Charlie mentioned that heand his 170th Field ArtilleryBattalion were primed tocross the famed Remagen Bridge when the Germans blew

it up to forestall the AmericanArmy’s thrust across the Rhine.“In practically no time,” Charlieindicated, “an Army engineeringgroup erected a pontoon bridgeand the 170th made its wayacross the river and pursued theGermans.” “Interesting,” saidBob, “that engineering groupwas my 171st Engineering Combat Battalion and I helpedbuild that pontoon bridge.”Bob Riedel and Dr. Charlie Nam

A World War II Story

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This newsletter is prepared by Dr. Charles B. Nam, Editor, with substantial assistance from members of the WestcottLakes Newsletter Committee (Dr. Betty Lou Joanos, Don Alford, M.D., Dr. Fanchon Funk and Dr. Jessie Lovano-Kerr)and other Westcott Lakes members and Administration staff, and with design and editorial contributions from

Bronwen Krause of the PRAXEIS Communications staff. Dick Ambrosius and Stephanie Hinson of PRAXEIS providelogistical and guidance support. The Editor encourages submissions from other members with stories to tell (e.g.,travelogues, book reviews, historical accounts) that would be of interest to the general membership. These and

other communications concerning the newsletter should be sent to [email protected].

July Calendar of EventsMonday, July 13

Bridge Club Session (1 p.m.)At the home of Jim and Kitty Ball 702 North Ride, Tallahassee, FLR.S.V.P. by calling Kitty at 386-2521.Tuesday, July 14

Life Collegesm Series (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Charles Nam will present ‘An Introduction to Genealogy’ for beginners and those who needmore help with researching their family trees.Tuesday, July 14

Second Tuesdays Event (4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)Join us for a Low Country Boil hosted by Kelly

Tours, and an opportunity for members to bringnew prospects to the Welcome Center to mingleand meet other members and guests.Monday, July 20

PCA Meeting (1:30 p.m. Social; 2:00 p.m. Meeting)Tuesday, July 21

Men’s Breakfast (8:30 a.m.)at theVillage Inn; 3388 Lonnbladh Rd.Tuesday, July 28

Social Committee Meeting (1:30 p.m.)Wednesday, July 29

Ladies Luncheon (11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.) at GoodwoodTo R.S.V.P. for an event, call the Welcome Center at (850) 645-7110. For more information on Westcott

Lakes events, visit our website at www.westcottlakes.org/events, or give us a call.

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