Ha Ha Ha Hee Hee Hee Ho Ho Ho...

No. Santa Claus isn't coming to town. (No way! This is a Jewish story!)

I'm writing about my experience the other day with the Jewish Community Center's Laughter Yoga class that takes place every Monday afternoon from 12:15 pm until 1 pm. It is lead by the very talented and likeable DANA KAPLAN.

I walked into the designated room at the JCC with Dana and saw some chairs in a semi-circle waiting for us.

Lovely gals who were taking part, Barbara and Sylvia, were already there when we entered and a few others followed shortly.

(I didn't know what to expect, although I did sit in on a few minutes of a session a few years ago with my spouse, just to see what it was about. Hee Hee, Ha Ha was all that I remembered.)

Well, Dana started us off with "Hee Hee Ha Ha" and added so much more. Namely breathing exercises, hand and arm exercises and clapping. Not only was the experience enjoyable, it was very healthy for body and mind.

While laughing and enjoying the contact with fellow participants, your body is involved from head to toe.

To learn more, you can either contact Dana at the JCC or go online to http://www.YogaYouSmile.com.

I recently heard from The Jewish Guild for the Blind...

I received a letter from ALAN R. MORSE, JD, PhD, president and CEO of The Guild. He writes: "You may not have given much thought to the impact of vision loss, unless you have dealt with it yourself. With healthy vision, you're able to enjoy the freedom of living independently, travel safely and confidently, look into the faces of those you love, and do what you want, when you want. So when a significant loss of vision occurs it doesn't only mean losing one of your senses. It means changing the way you live every day... and that can be very overwhelming. At the Jewish Guild for the Blind, we're creating hope for people who are struggling to cope with vision loss. Founded by pioneers in vision rehabilitation, we're one of the most respected not-for-profit vision care organizations in the world. But we can use your help."

Please visit The Jewish Guild for the Blind online at http://www.lighthouseguild.org.

A Jewish Pavilion Mensch...

I received this email from the Jewish Pavilion about their "Mensch" KEVIN STEWART. I pass it along to you: Kevin Stewart is not a man who tends to follow the usual course of action. As CEO/Principal Broker of Money Tree and Me Insurance and Financial Services, he feels that it is important to give back to the community. He is very active with the Maitland Chamber of Commerce and Easter Seals Florida.

As a new Jewish Pavilion volunteer, Kevin was asked to visit BILL FRIGEN at Horizon Bay Lake Orienta. Over the past six months, Stewart has forged an extraordinary friendship with Bill. He sees his new friend as 'very sharp' and they enjoy discussing philosophy, politics, social sciences, human behavior and anthropology. Stewart even goes the extra mile and has taken Bill shopping for books that pique his interest. They love to go out together and try different restaurants from Greek to local breakfast nooks. Kevin writes "Between intellectual discussions and making waiters and waitresses laugh at restaurants, Bill brings light to the lives of others and ultimately enriches his own quality of life."

The truth is that Kevin's thoughtfulness and kindness have enhanced Bill's life. Few residents in Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing ever leave their building. Taking Bill outside of his little world has been an amazing adventure for both parties.

A shout out...

What a treat to meet (that rhymes!) such a lovely waitress as AMANDA KURZBAN at Perkins Restaurant on University Blvd in Winter Park.

She may be new but she is very efficient and kind... and best of all...QUICK! Thanks, Amanda!

One for the road...

This one was sent to me by my dear friend, BOB GURNETT, who realized how much I needed a laugh!

A man found an old bottle. He pulled out the cork and out popped a Genie. The Genie said, "Thanks for letting me out. I'll grant you three wishes."

The man said, "First I want a billion dollars." Poof! A checkbook appeared in his hand. He said "And I want a brand new Ferrari." Poof! He was sitting in a new Ferrari.

He said, "Finally, I want to be irresistible to women."

Poof! He turned into a box of chocolates.

(I am a chocoholic! YUM YUM!)