Enjoying Life in Their Nineties

People are living longer and healthier lives nowadays. One of the reasons for this increase in longevity is that people are exercising more. Here are two inspirational videos of women in their nineties who are breaking the stereotypes of aging. In this first video, Mathilda Klein, age 94, does a solo ball room dance performance:

You can read more about Mathilda Klein here. 
In this second video, May Morabito, also 94 years old, performs a cha-cha dance - complete with splits! She also designs ballroom dresses.


For more information about May Morabito, please click here for a NewsNet5 article.

Florida Strawberry Festival

The Florida Strawberry Festival started yesterday and continues through March 10 in Plant City, Fl. Regular gate admission is $10 for adults. However, Thursday, March 7th is Florida Blue Senior Citizen's Day, when patrons 60 years of age or older get $2.00 off the gate admission. Festival favorites include:

• World Champion Lumberjills
• Dennis Lee
• Kandu Magic Show
• Neighborhood Village - handcrafted and homemade items
•  Jump! The Ultimate Dog Show

       Florida Strawberry Festival
  Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm through March 10th 
  303 North Lemon St.
  Plant City, FL 33563

For more information, you can visit their website or call (813) 752-9194.

Upcoming Pasco County Library Programs

Would you like to join a knitting group, learn how to avoid scams, or learn how to download library e-books? These are just a few of the upcoming Pasco library programs. The Friends of the Library sponsors our programs.  Here are some of the upcoming library programs for Older Adults in Pasco County:

Tues, Feb 26th at 3:00pm
    Downloading E-books: The basics
     Regency Park Library
 Learn how to download library e-books.
Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654
(727) 861-3049

Every Tuesday at 5:45pm
     Ruby's Tuesdays
     Hudson Regional Library
 A fun group that likes to knit! From the beginner to the advanced, this group is for everyone. Bring your yarn and needles and join the fun.
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040
  
Wed, Feb 27th at 2:00pm
    Downloading Library Books to Your Nook
     Centennial Park Library
Learn the basics of searching the Overdrive digital titles catalog and find out how to download a library book onto your Nook.
 Centennial Park Library
5740 Moog Road Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 834-3204

Thurs, Feb 28th at 11:00am
    Ipad Basics
    Hugh Embry Library
Adult beginners, bring your iPads to learn more about how it works.
Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 
(352) 567-3576

Thurs, Feb 28th at 6:00pm
     Knitting Club
     New River Library
 Learn basic knitting techniques. Please bring a pair of size 8 knitting needles and a ball of #4 yarn. This club is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, FL 33543
(813) 788-6375

Fri, March 1st at 11:00am
     Knitters for Charity
     Hudson Regional Library
 Come join this fun group as they knit different items for different charities. .
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040

Thurs, Mar 6th at 1:00pm
     Senior Safety Seminar
     New River Library
The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas will be presenting a program for Seniors about how to avoid scams and fraud. Also, free safety phones will be available.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, FL 33543
(813) 788-6375

Also, many branches offer book discussions, gardening, and history programs.

March 1st Deadline Approaching for Social Security Direct Deposits

Social Security is switching to electronic payments for benefits. The Social Security Administration states that you must sign up for direct deposit of payments by March 1, 2013. You can do this online or at your bank. In addition, if you are already getting benefits by paper checks, you can contact the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at 1 (800) 333-1795 (English) or 1 (800) 333-1792 (Spanish).

Florida State Fair 2013

The theme for this year's Florida State Fair is "Discover the Fun" and the fair runs from February 7th through February 18th. This fair celebrates the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Juan Ponce De León in Florida. The State Fair’s “COWquistador” logo is a tribute to the European’s influence in the Sunshine State, and is a symbol of the state’s rich agricultural heritage.  The old favorites are back - learn about Florida history in "Cracker Country", watch the livestock shows and horse shows, and get new craft ideas at the Arts and Crafts Showcase. In addition, there are many free special attractions and daily shows, including:

• new Florida Cattlemen’s Ranching Museum
• Discover Florida” - a Broadway-style musical performance
• Discovery Center by the Tampa History Center
• Sandtastic Sand Sculpture
• Mounted Police Training and Exhibit
• lawnmower races

By clicking on a particular day in the events calendar, you can see a list of fair events for that day.  Although some concert events require an additional charge for tickets, you can click here for over 100 free things to do at the fair. The gates open at 10 am. The admission cost is lower for Seniors on "Senior Days" (see below).

Senior Days

February 11th-14th

55+ Gate Admission $8.00

Advance Tickets $6.00

New "Sandwich Generation" Report

 The Pew Research Center has just published a study about the Sandwich Generation. This generation is 40-59 years of age and many of them are responsible for caring for both their own children and their aging parents. The Pew study surveyed 2,511 adults in this age group. They found that nearly half of the people surveyed have a parent age 65 or older and are either raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child (age 18 or older). In addition, about 15% of middle-aged adults are providing financial support to both a child and an aging adult. Here are some additional findings:

• 75% say adults have a responsibility to provide financial assistance to an elderly parent who is in need.
• 52% say parents have a similar responsibility to support a grown child.
• Among all adults with at least one parent age 65 or older, 30% say their parent or parents need help to handle their affairs or care for themselves.
• Among those whose parents need care, 31% say they provide most of this help, and an additional 48% say they provide at least some of the help. 

You can access the full report here. 


http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/01/30/the-sandwich-generation/

Online Social Security Changes

The Social Security Administration changed their online account system on January 5, 2013. The new system is called "My Social Security" and it can be accessed here. If you had an account on the previous system, you will need to set up a new account. To set up the account, you will need to verify some information about yourself and you will need the following: 

• valid E-mail address
• a Social Security number
• a U.S. mailing address
• To be at least 18 years of age.

What can you do with this online account? You can get your verification letter, earnings record, benefit information, change your address or phone number, change your direct deposit information. If you do not yet receive benefits, you can review your earnings record and estimate your retirement benefits. Note that Social Security is switching to electronic payments for benefits. The Social Security Administration states that you must sign up for direct deposit of payments by March 1, 2013. You can do this online (see above) or at your bank.