Hometown News and Views

By Phyllis J. Neuberger
Pelican staff
An enthusiastic audience packed the conference center at Broward Health North, 201 E. Sample Road in Deerfield Beach on Jan. 23 to see a senior adaptation of the Dating Game.  Many remembered the original hit on television in the 70s and wanted to see the senior contestant who did the choosing on one side of a screen and the candidates willing to risk being, or not being chosen for a date with an unknown man or woman on the other side.
 The fun event makes the point of neurologist Dr. H. Murray Todd’s beliefs that exercise, brain activity and socialization can make the difference in keeping aging brains challenged and healthy.
A grinning Dr. Todd introduced the event with swaying hips as he did a few made up dance steps, saying “Dance, dance, dance. Dancing is the best exercise in the world for stimulating brain activity. Listen to music you’ve never danced to and dance to its beat, its rhythm. Why I’ve danced to everything from jazz to Bach. There’s a beat in every piece of music and if you respond to the beat, you will have fun and do your brain a favor.”
With great fanfare, applause and cheers the game began with Lyn Clark, marketing and community relations, as the emcee. She explained that the contestant doing the choosing could not see the three contestants he or she would question.
The choice would be made as a result of the answers to the crazy questions asked. The chosen partner in each of the three dating games played won a date with the unseen man or woman doing the choosing on the other side of the screen.
The prize for the chosen couple was  dinner at J. Mark’s Restaurant, followed by dessert at Cold Stone Creamery. Maybe they would then take Dr. Todd’s advice and go dancing later or not, but they would be socializing and that is part of the Doc’s  recipe for a good  functioning  brain.
The questions and the answers had the audience laughing hysterically.
 In game number one, Edward Zeko, who, among other things, taught dancing at Arthur Murray dance studios,  chose Harriet Weiner, who loves music and dancing.  He chose Weiner over Lorraine Parker and Mary Ann Donato.  Weiner later said, “He sat next to me when we were trying out and now we are going out on a real date.”
In game number two, contestant number three was asked to describe number two, giving him a chance to knock out  his competition. Alan Davidson did just that. He said his rival,  “looks like a gorilla –very ugly and very hairy. He has long arms …he went on and on cracking up the audience as he described a perfectly nice looking Walter Bear in the most bizarre terms possible.  His sense of humor won him a date with Judy Sneary.  In this game, Roger Mazzeo, Sr. and Walter Bear lost out.
In game number three, David Heller came with his own questions for Gerri Bernstein, Carole Kolosky and Xiomara Brown.  Those watching will never know what made him choose Carole Kolosky. Was it her answer to the question, “Who would be your idea of the worst date in the world and why?”
The three couples were asked to come back in February to tell the audience how their date turned out. Over 100 men and women auditioned to be contestants in the Senior Dating Game series. Twelve were chosen to play in January. Twelve more will be chosen to play in February and again in March.  Would be contestants can still apply. Call 954-786-5197.
The next show will take place on Feb.14. To reserve a seat, call 954-759-7400.