Flying into Sarasota, Florida from New York, walking through the airport, I always feel that I have landed in some small town, and in some sense I have. I've arrived at the winter retreat of many of my friends from New York and New Jersey.

Actually, Sarasota has morphed from a sleepy beach-town getaway into a virtual playground for retired East Coast residents. If “50 is the new 30 " then 60 is surely the new 40 for these snowbirds who travel south to avoid the cold just like their feathered friends. The snowbirds of this city are celebrating life, ageless in their hearts, minds and souls. They play hard committed to pursuing long cherished intentions and dreams: golf, tennis, fishing, midge, pinochle, art, acting and music lessons, language courses, etc.. Some purchase or lease their space, some travel back and forth to homes to the north. However, from November through May they enjoy and share the marvelous social milieu.

To say they are only New Yorkers and Jerseyites would be unfair for the Sarasota snowbirds hail from Canada, Detroit, Chicago, D.C., the environs of Califomia, Virgina, the Carolinas. Know, also, that affluence is not a criterion for having a good time in Sarasota. The diversity of incomes, accomplishments and/or capabilities is noticeably invisible. There are no special areas of town that identify one's economic status or class. There is no Sutton Place, Park Avenue or exclusive residential area. Whether it’s University Park, Palm-Aire, Lakewood Ranch, Tuscany, Longboat Key, Bradenton, St. Annonds, Siesta Village, Renaissance or any of the other beautiful sites, there are palm trees, lanai and pools and yes, alligators are within every domain.

Children? They are out of the way! Carpooling schedules for the work day? They are a part of yesteryear! However, there is a common thread that unifies each and all, that creates a care-free environment during this stage of life in welcoming weather, memorable sunsets, enchanting beaches that constitute for them a new agenda. As oft repeated by the late Howard Jolmson owner of the popular New York bistro, The Cellar, "cold don't go with old.” Early evenings can be spent in varying fashion; Sarasota has marvelous restaurants and swanky hotels surrounded by museums, libraries, art galleries and theaters with a plethora of choices: ballet, and music— jazz classical or opera.

The ultimate asset of this sun-bathed haven, though, is its pattern of pervasive social ambience, which renders 'togetherness ' paramount. Everyone comes together daily for brunch, luncheons, birthday celebrations, anniversaries and

Scarsdale, NY’s Jean Jordan has acquired the reputation for knowing how to make any gathering a party. Over the years she has made her place the winter hot spot for a coterie of friends. Real estate developer Michael Holmes along wIth Bonita Shobe and Ray Gerald usally co-host Jean’s soirees.

An equally proficient 'Pearl Mesta' is Dr. George Jordan’s Nancy. At their parties you might expect to meet/greet Al and Rosa Hudgins, Jean and Ted Chamabers, Liz and Bob Early, Jim and Carol Lasiter, Sandy Jameson and Bill Higgins, Greg and Lorraine Matthews, Basil and Portia Paterson, The Tom Hoovers, Cheryl and Mandy Neal, Jean Parnell and Richard Habersham, Milt and Sadie Robinson, Booker and Carol Rice, Shelly and Vickie Waxman, Barbara Edmonston, Emma and Arachie Bangston, Irv and Debra Woods, Mickey Redwine, Trudy and Dennis Archer, Charlotte Scarborough, Bob Fitzgerald and Joyce Ladner.

An equally proficient 'Pearl Mesta' is Dr. George Jordan’s Nancy. At their parties you might expect to meet/greet Al and Rosa Hudgins, Jean and Ted Chamabers, Liz and Bob Early, Jim and Carol Lasiter, Sandy Jameson and Bill Higgins, Greg and Lorraine Matthews, Basil and Portia Paterson, The Tom Hoovers, Cheryl and Mandy Neal, Jean Parnell and Richard Habersham, Milt and Sadie Robinson, Booker and Carol Rice, Shelly and Vickie Waxman, Barbara Edmonston, Emma and Arachie Bangston, Irv and Debra Woods, Mickey Redwine, Trudy and Dennis Archer, Charlotte Scarborough, Bob Fitzgerald and Joyce Ladner.

Suffice it to say that these new Sarasotans have created an alternate community that is not only comfortable, and accommodating, but a magnificent place for celebrating life in a positive and rewarding manner.