24 The <strong>World</strong> <strong>News</strong>® April 2006InternationalClubBill ShampineI <strong>of</strong>ten am asked if you have to (1) bea member in order to come to one <strong>of</strong> ourmeetings or (2) be foreign born to join <strong>the</strong>club. The short answer to both is NO. If youwould like to come by and see what <strong>the</strong> InternationalClub is all about and listen toone <strong>of</strong> our speakers talk about <strong>the</strong>ir overseasadventure, PLEASE do! We would behappy to meet you!During <strong>the</strong> spring <strong>of</strong> 2005, John and ValerieWoods (Providence) traveled to nor<strong>the</strong>rnEngland and sou<strong>the</strong>rn Scotland with aspecific focus on viewing spring flowers.They had a wonderful trip and we were fortunatethat <strong>the</strong>y were willing to share <strong>the</strong>irtrip with us at our February meeting.Eschewing <strong>the</strong> typical tourist travel pattern<strong>of</strong> visiting only <strong>the</strong> major cities in acountry, John and Valerie opted to spend<strong>the</strong>ir time traveling to <strong>the</strong> smaller townsand villages, which certainly gives you a betterfeel for <strong>the</strong> local people and culture. BeingBritish, <strong>the</strong>y were able to get along finein <strong>the</strong> small villages because <strong>the</strong>y speak <strong>the</strong>local language (which bears only a casualacquaintance with American English).Starting in Gatwick airport, <strong>the</strong>y renteda car and drove north to Nidd Hall, Knaresborough,Yorkshire, where <strong>the</strong>y spent a fewdays exploring <strong>the</strong> area. Yorkshire is a beautifulpart <strong>of</strong> England that includes <strong>the</strong> RiverNidd, <strong>the</strong> Forest <strong>of</strong> Knaresborough, and <strong>the</strong>famous Knaresborough Castle. In lookingup Knaresborough Castle on <strong>the</strong> Web, itwas amusing to this author that, in typicalBritish fashion, <strong>the</strong> Web site noted that <strong>the</strong>British consider <strong>the</strong> “early history” <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>town to be obscure. As it turns out, <strong>the</strong> firstreference to Knaresborough is located in<strong>the</strong> Domesday Book that dates from 1086!I guess “early” is relative to where you live!Regardless, it is a beautiful area with manypublic and private gardens in <strong>the</strong> area. Theflowers were in full bloom and <strong>the</strong> photographsJohn and Valerie took were spectacular.From Knaresborough John and Valeriedrove around <strong>the</strong> Yorkshire Moors andcoastline, an area <strong>of</strong> hea<strong>the</strong>r moors, rollinghills, picturesque country towns and historichouses. The coastline ranges from nicesandy beaches to <strong>the</strong> rugged wave-poundedrocks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> East Coast’s highest cliffs.To maximize <strong>the</strong>ir freedom to moveabout, John and Valerie rented a caravan (atrailer for us Americans—<strong>the</strong> English talka bit funny sometimes). They <strong>the</strong>n drovenorth into Scotland into an area known as<strong>the</strong> Scottish Borders. Covering about 1800square miles, <strong>the</strong> Scottish Borders includesrolling hills and moorland, rich agriculturalplains and rocky coastline with secludedCandler HillsRestaurantTravel <strong>Top</strong>persEileen K. VanderboschOf <strong>the</strong> trips coming up, we have roomon <strong>the</strong> Epcot one on May 2. However, <strong>the</strong>yraised <strong>the</strong> cost <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> trip after our brochurewent to press. The price is now $75per person and includes all rides, exhibitsas well as <strong>the</strong> annual flower show.It is important that anyone driving to ourparking lot to park for a trip follow <strong>the</strong> directions<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> person who is directing thisand park as far back to <strong>the</strong> fence as possible.This is necessary because <strong>the</strong>re aretimes that o<strong>the</strong>r groups also use our parkinglot, trips may overlap and with <strong>the</strong> limitedspace, we need room for everyone.Please be courteous and cooperativesince <strong>the</strong> person is a volunteer and just tryingto help.We suggest you check <strong>the</strong> current brochurefor trips you like, call <strong>the</strong> coordinatorlisted at <strong>the</strong> times listed and ei<strong>the</strong>r book<strong>the</strong> trip or go on <strong>the</strong> waiting list since withour mature people, space opens up very frequently.Check especially for Mo<strong>the</strong>r’s Dayand <strong>the</strong> Sun Cruise gambling trip.If you are interested in <strong>the</strong> Bermudatrip April 15 through 27, 2007, call AudreyMangan. With 42 people already registered,space is going fast.Hey, snowbirds—if you are going upnorth soon and want to get any brochuresthat may be available while you are away,This view wastaken fromKnaresboroughCastle inKnaresborough,Yorkshire,England.coves and picturesque fishing villages. Thearea also contains many local castles andkeeps that are left over from <strong>the</strong> English andScottish wars (think “Braveheart” here).Among o<strong>the</strong>r places, John and Valerievisited <strong>the</strong> towns <strong>of</strong> Melrose, Kelso and Jedburgh,all <strong>of</strong> which literally “drip” with history.There has been a monastery at Melrose,for example, since about 650 A.D. Later, <strong>the</strong>Melrose Abbey was built and dedicated in1146 after 50 years <strong>of</strong> construction.From <strong>the</strong> Borders area, <strong>the</strong>y travelednorth along <strong>the</strong> east coast and into <strong>the</strong>Highlands area, visiting <strong>the</strong> smallest ca<strong>the</strong>dralcity in <strong>the</strong> United Kingdom along <strong>the</strong>way. They finally ran out <strong>of</strong> land when <strong>the</strong>ygot to Dunnett Head, <strong>the</strong> most nor<strong>the</strong>rlypoint <strong>of</strong> mainland Britain. The wea<strong>the</strong>r wasvery chilly, but <strong>the</strong>y still found and photographedmany pretty flowers. Since <strong>the</strong>y nolonger could go any fur<strong>the</strong>r north, John andValerie continued <strong>the</strong>ir journey by headingwest along <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> Scotland to Durnessand eventually dropped south again along<strong>the</strong> west coast, traveling through Ullapooland Oban.Completing <strong>the</strong> loop through Scotlandand droving on into <strong>the</strong> English Lake Districtand back into <strong>the</strong> Midlands, <strong>the</strong>y finished<strong>the</strong>ir trip at Elvaston Castle. Originallybuilt in 1633, Elvaston Castle wasredesigned about 1817. Although <strong>the</strong> castleis striking, <strong>the</strong> grounds are its real “claimto fame,” with 200 acres <strong>of</strong> carefully landscapedgrounds. It has a formal Italian gardenwith a parterre, wide herbaceous borders,clipped yews, a serpentine lake, anherb garden, and a rose garden. There alsois a Moorish temple and some Golden Gatesfrom a French royal palace. All in all, a gorgeousplace to visit.Our upcoming meeting agenda includes:• April 10: The April meeting will be aPot Luck dinner• May 8: Merrill and Caroline Smith willtalk about <strong>the</strong>ir Trans Canada train trip• June, July, and August: no meetings.Our plans for next fall have not been finalizedyet, but tentatively include a talkabout Japan (from someone who was bornand grew up <strong>the</strong>re) and a trip to Italy. <strong>On</strong>ceagain, we ask if YOU would be willing to tellus about YOUR trip to somewhere in <strong>the</strong>world? We would love to hear about your excitingventure! As I said earlier, you do NOThave to be a member to participate. If youare interested, please contact Bill Shampineat 873-0753 or fabls62@cfl.rr.com. just self address an envelope, with stampand give it to one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers and youwill get one.<strong>On</strong> a trip in February, Ruth Goldstinegave us <strong>the</strong> following great summary:“Cruising <strong>On</strong> <strong>the</strong> MSC Lurica: <strong>On</strong> February4, 32 early bird Travel <strong>Top</strong>pers boardeda motor coach heading for Port Evergladesand a 12-day tour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Western Caribbeanwith Panama as our main goal. The shipwas tastefully decorated, kept meticulouslyclean <strong>the</strong> entire time, with service in all departmentsexcellent.“The passengers were comprised <strong>of</strong>multi-national backgrounds so all announcementswere made in English, German,Italian, French and Spanish. Activitieson board ship were plentiful and rangedfrom daily mass to gaming tables and slotsin <strong>the</strong> Las Vegas lounge. A variety <strong>of</strong> tourswere <strong>of</strong>fered at <strong>the</strong> different ports withprices based on complexity and length <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> trip.“Evening entertainment was diverse innature: troupe <strong>of</strong> dancers, ventriloquist,gymnast, pianist, violinist, magician, talentshow.“As we disembarked, our luggage wasbulging with Colombian c<strong>of</strong>fee and handcraftedwares by different port natives.“We are not <strong>the</strong> same 32 that left Ocala.Now we have beautiful sun tans and a bodythat tells us that we enjoyed three full mealsa day.”Sounds like ano<strong>the</strong>r winner for Travel<strong>Top</strong>pers and we hope to continue doinggreat trips.
April 2006 The <strong>World</strong> <strong>News</strong>® 25Make Hearing Health Care Part <strong>of</strong> Your LifeNew LocationGary TwetenNationally Board CertifiedHearing Instrument SpecialistNew Ocala Office9590 S.W. SR 200, Suite 12(Oakridge Plaza, in front <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> Super Wal-Mart)Are you experiencing any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>sesymptoms? If so, call for a freehearing test and demonstration <strong>of</strong>our revolutionary newOpen-Fit Technology.• Does your current hearing aid give you a stuffed-upfeeling, like in a barrel?• Do you have trouble hearing s<strong>of</strong>t sounds such as achild’s voice?• Are you missing certain parts <strong>of</strong> words duringconversations?• Do you want to hear <strong>the</strong> natural sound <strong>of</strong> our ownvoice?• In crowds, are you missing certain parts <strong>of</strong> wordsduring conversations?• Do you experience whistling or feedback?FREE Video OtoscopeEvaluationFree!With state-<strong>of</strong>-<strong>the</strong>-art Fiber Optic Otoscopetechnology, we will inspect <strong>the</strong> inside <strong>of</strong>your ear canal and eardrum. You will seefor yourself, on a computer monitor, ifyour hearing problem is simply too muchearwax.BATTERY SPECIALFREE 4-Pack <strong>of</strong> BeltonePremium Zinc BatteriesLimit 1 per person. No mail or phone orders.SPECIAL OFFER $495In-<strong>the</strong>-Ear Hearing AidClass ACorrects losses up to 35/40 db.NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER OR COUPON.PREVIOUS PURCHASES EXCLUDED. EXPIRES APRIL 30, 2006NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER OR COUPON.PREVIOUS PURCHASES EXCLUDED. EXPIRES APRIL 30, 2006CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT!Discounts onALL DigitalSystems!OCALA9590 S.W. SR 200(Oakridge Plaza)(352) 291-9427Hearing Tests are given for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> selection and adjust The patientand any o<strong>the</strong>r person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay,and within 72 hours to <strong>the</strong> advertisement for <strong>the</strong> free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination or treatment.www.BeltoneFL.com
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