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"I never dreamt that she would do it": Daughter takes 85-year-old father’s life savings

When Ray Thomson lost his life savings, he also lost the daughter he thought loved him the most. "I was led to believe she was doing everything for me. She was alright but she was doing everything for herself - with my money," he says. Over two years, Thomson's daughter Helen Williams robbed her father of everything he had, cleaning $320,000 out of his bank account, leaving him with just $20. The blind man now lives in a rest home, in a single, sparsely decorated room, a transistor radio among his meagre possessions. In January, Williams was sentenced to 12 months' home detention for her deceit, a crime she says was motivated by a gambling and drug addiction. Thomson can't talk about what his daughter did without breaking down. She was going to get half his money when he died but she couldn't wait, Thomson says - her "plain greed" got in the way. "I never dreamt that she would do it. I was completely taken in by it and by the time I had woken up to what happened, it was too late. "As far as I am concerned she's not my daughter." The first inkling Thomson got of there being a problem was when the council got in touch about his rates account being in arrears. He remembers being taken by surprise. "I've never owed anyone in my lifetime," he says. When he checked with his daughter, he says she reassured him there had been a mistake, that there was nothing to worry about. As power of attorney, she was able to withdraw money from his account at will and while she spent it paying back her own debt, grocery bills and on a trip, her father went without. On one occasion Thomson had no hot water for six weeks as his unpaid bills mounted up. 'She cut me off' During the time she stole from him, his daughter was a constant presence in Thomson's life. She made sure she was often the only person he would see for days. "Every time she was at my place - she'd be there most times - she told everyone that I was not there. She cut me off from anyone that I knew," he says. Williams went to extraordinary lengths to keep her father in the dark about what she had been doing, reassuring him constantly and even intercepting the mail. But when the money ran out, Thomson's lawyer turned up with the news he had just $20 to his name. His life suddenly revealed to be in tatters, Thomson was forced to sell his house and move into a rest home. "I still think back on the episode and about what's happened but I will never forgive her for what she's done to me." He says people who prey on the elderly "should be disgusted with themselves." Thomson says even if family are involved in helping out, his advice to others is to be wary and ask questions if something is amiss. "Be cautious, be on the alert." "You don't expect those sorts of things to come from your own family." Written by Deena Coster. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff.co.nz</a>. Images: Getty

Money & Banking

Dean Stockwell, star of Quantum Leap and Blue Velvet, dies at 85

Actor Dean Stockwell has passed away at the age of 85. According to a family spokesperson, Stockwell died of natural causes at home over the weekend, leaving behind a legacy that includes an early career as a child actor before quitting the industry at the age of 16, only to be drawn back into it in his 20s, where he would go on to star in films such as Quantum Leap, Blue Velvet, Dune, and Married to the Mob. His family said in a statement, "Dean spent a lifetime yo-yoing back and forth between fame and anonymity," his family said in a statement. Because of that, when he had a job, he was grateful. He never took the business for granted. He was a rebel, wildly talented and always a breath of fresh air." Stockwell, born to actor parents, grew up in North Hollywood, and started his career as a child actor during Hollywood’s Golden Age, making his Broadway debut in 1943 before being signed to a contract with MGM that saw him starring alongside Gregory Peck in The Valley of Decision and Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra in Anchors Aweigh, both when he was just nine years old. In 1947, at the age of 11, he starred alongside Peck once more in Elia Kazan’s Gentlemen’s Agreement, playing Peck’s son. The 1950s saw him move back and forth between film and the emerging medium of television, before taking a break in 1951 and not acting again until 1956. The late 50s, 60s, and 70s saw Stockwell primarily appearing in countless television shows such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Dr Kildare, Bonanza, and Wagon Train, although there were a few memorable forays into film, including a role in Psych Out alongside Jack Nicholson and Bruce Dern. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🎶 In Dreams 🎶 The late Dean Stockwell in David Lynch’s BLUE VELVET (1986) 💙🎙 <a href="https://t.co/H3wZmmyvMC">pic.twitter.com/H3wZmmyvMC</a> — Criterion Collection (@Criterion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Criterion/status/1458130558584774656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2021</a></blockquote> The 80s saw him star in some of his most memorable roles, such as Walt Henderson in Paris, Texas, and Ben in David Lynch’s 1986 film Blue Velvet, after previously working with Lynch in his 1984 adaptation of Dune. For his role as Tony “the Tiger” Russo in the 1988 film Married to the Mob, Stockwell was nominated for an Oscar. Another memorable role of Stockwell’s was that of Admiral ‘Al’ Calavicci in the sci-fi series Quantum Leap, which ran for five seasons between 1989 and 1993 and for which he was nominated for four Emmy Awards. Co-star Scott Bakula, who played Dr. Sam Beckett, said of Stockwell, “He became a dear friend and a mentor and we grew very close over the next five, very intense years… In spite of having a career that came and went several times during his seventy plus years in the business, he was always grateful and delighted to have the chance to keep working.” Image: Jim Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Caring

85-year-old’s weight loss journey goes viral on social media

David Cyril is making the world a brighter place one Instagram post at a time. The 85-year-old from Lancashire UK has taken to the popular social media platform to share his weight loss journey with his adoring followers. After suffering from a heart attack, Mr Cyril has been on a journey to lead a healthier lifestyle. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp11FOOBss0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp11FOOBss0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by David | Slimming world 🍏 (@davidcyril_sw)</a> on Nov 6, 2018 at 5:46am PST </div> </blockquote> It began with a simple click of a button after his daughter posted a photo of her doting father to Instagram and mentioned how they were both taking part in a weight loss plan. The post garnered an immediate reaction with a ton of supportive comments flooding in. It was then that Mr Cyril opened his own account. It didn’t take long for him to gain a following, with his account currently standing at over 100,000 followers. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bob0OlYh1-r/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bob0OlYh1-r/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by David | Slimming world 🍏 (@davidcyril_sw)</a> on Oct 2, 2018 at 7:47am PDT </div> </blockquote> With his joyful face and endless amounts of positivity, people can’t seem to get enough of him. He is regularly seen providing words of encouragement to his followers and spreads kindness and generosity. Mr Cyril hopes to have his health in top shape for when his daughter gets married, so he can be the one to walk her down the aisle. His posts range from daily meals to his day-to-day activities, such as getting a haircut. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQFjOlhVwY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQFjOlhVwY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by David | Slimming world 🍏 (@davidcyril_sw)</a> on Nov 16, 2018 at 10:31am PST </div> </blockquote> So far, Mr Cyril has lost a total of 6kg and still has another 19kg to go. He recently appeared on the Today show to talk about his switch to a healthier lifestyle. “I’ve never thought I’d get this far. It’s overwhelming. I can’t believe it myself,” he said. “I used to eat a lot of fried things. I like big breakfasts, I’ve cut that out now.” For his 86th birthday, he plans on celebrating the occasion at his local Chinese restaurant, saying that will be his “cheat day”.

Body

85 plumbers on board flight unable to fix plane's broken toilet

A Norwegian Air flight had to turn around shortly after take-off due to a problem with the toilets, despite there being 85 plumbers on board. On Saturday, the plane travelling to Munich from Oslo was already 34 minutes late but didn’t get past the Swedish border after experiencing a problem with the toilets, reported Norwegian newspaper Dagablat. “It is true that DY1156, who was to fly from Oslo to Munich, had to turn to Oslo again when they found a mistake on the toilets on board. The plane had to circulate over Hedmark to get rid of fuel so it was not too heavy to land,” communications adviser Fatima Elkadi told Dagbladet. The plan seats 186 passengers and 60 to 70 of those on board were plumbers all from the same company, with others from the industry onboard as well. The plumbers were on their way to a trip to Munich with their company. “We would have liked to fix the rest rooms, but unfortunately it had to be done from the outside and we did not take the opportunity to send a plumber [out] at 10,000 metres,” the CEO of the plumbing company, Frank Olsen, told the paper. A spokesman from Norwegian Air said the aircraft was fixed and continued on a flight later the same day. “We would like to thank passengers for their patience and would like to apologise for the inconvenience,” the spokesman said.

International Travel

85-year-old tech-savvy senior defying stereotypes

It seems like barely a day passes without the announcement of some new app, gadget or piece of technology, to the point when it can be a little overwhelming at times. But there are plenty of seniors who aren’t just surviving through this influx of technology, but thriving! 85-year-old Max Perlov might just be the best example of this. Max has been in Australia for 37 years after relocating from his native Russia. After working as a mechanical engineer, Max retained his keen interest in electronics which led him to start using computer technology in 1992. Max took to it like a duck to water, using his PC to complete work at home with 3D design software and finding various uses for his home computer over the last 21 years. <img width="500" height="750" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/37875/tech-savvy-senior-in-text_500x750.jpg" alt="Tech -savvy -senior -in -text"/> Most recently, Max has become an avid tablet and mobile phone user, and uses this new wave of technology to communicate with family and friends all around the world. Max says, “I love that technology allows me to communicate with people all over the world. I’m a big fan of emojis, too – I often use them to make text messaging a bit more fun. I use the camera on my phone all the time when I’m out and about as well.” And this octogenarian isn’t slowing down anytime soon, giving himself the brand-new Samsung S8 as a little present to help celebrate his 85th birthday. Max is looking forward to getting his hands on this new piece of tech, “I’m excited to see what it’s like and am always looking at the latest tech advancements and products.” Are you using technology more and more these days? Share your experience in the comments below.

Technology

Meet the 85-year-old ping pong champ

At 85-year-old Tom Russell is a ping pong master. Although generally most people move slower when they age, Tom is having none of that and moves around the table with minimal fuss. When it appears like Tom is about to slow down he then speeds up the pace of the game. <iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H3s-PcDKqNc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Tom eventually beats his competitor 21 to 18 points. The Irish ping pong sensation shakes his opponent’s hand and then talks to others in the room who congratulate him. He walked to a man waiting to play next and said, “I told you I would soften him up for you.” Video credit: YouTube/Craig Clifford

Retirement Life

85-year-old woman saved after falling from cruise ship

A woman who fell overboard during a cruise spent almost an hour in the Pacific Ocean before being rescued. New Zealand singer Will Martin, who is currently working as a headline entertainer aboard the Sun Princess, said the passenger fell off the cruise ship between Brisbane and New Caledonia on Friday. Shortly after 4pm on Friday (4pm NZT) the "man overboard" announcement came over the bridge. The ship was immediately turned around in the hopes of locating the woman. Two life rings were deployed to mark the approximate location of where the passenger went into the water, Martin said. It took about 15 minutes for the ship to completely turn around and make it back to the same area. "By the time the ship made it back to the vicinity, all onlookers could see that both life rings were in fact empty - she hadn't made it to either one - no one could see her," Martin said. A zodiac-type life boat was then deployed from the ship to conduct a search. "Passengers and crew alike were dotted around the ship at all vantage points, in the hopes of assisting to locate the lost woman. "It felt like a long time scanning the ocean, trying to differentiate between the thousands of random white caps, and perhaps an actual person." Shortly after 4.30pm (7.30pm NZT) the woman was located by the zodiac vessel, hauled aboard and returned to Sun Princess. Martin captured the moment the woman was brought aboard the lifeboat, which he shared on Facebook. In total, the woman was in the water for about 45 minutes. Martin said he didn't know who the woman was or how her recovery was going, "other than to say that she's alive, and was extremely lucky to have been found". "The Sun Princess crew all did a phenomenal job," he said. It was not clear how the woman came to be in the water. The ship was expected to arrive in Noumea, New Caledonia on Sunday. In 2014, <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/63505067/passenger-seen-falling-25m-from-cruise-ship" target="_blank">an 85-year-old man's 25-metre plunge from the Sun Princess</a> was caught on CCTV. Sun Princess first set sail in 1995 and can accommodate 2000 guests, with almost 1000 crew. Princess Cruises has not responded to requests for comment. Written by Laura Walters. First published on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a> Image credit: Fairfax NZ.

Cruising

85-year-old breaks out dance moves during folk performance

An 85-year-old has become an unlikely viral sensation after she showed off her impressive dance moves during a music session at her retirement home. Folk musician Grizz Lee Marcus was holding a private concert for the Traces of Tiger facility in Georgia when octogenarian Dorothy Stockton jumped up, kicked off her shoes and began flatfoot dancing like a pro. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgrizzleemarcus%2Fvideos%2F1446379765392541%2F&show_text=0&width=400" width="400" height="700" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> The video, posted to Marcus’ Facebook page just over a week ago, has been watched almost five million times, racking up over 84,000 likes. See her incredible performance above and tell us in the comments, do you think you’ll be breaking out the moves like Dorothy when you’re 85 years old? Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/03/this-couple-has-worn-matching-outfits-for-37-years/">This couple has worn matching outfits for 37 years</a> <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/03/99-and-92-year-old-race-in-60-metre-sprint/">99-year-old and 92-year-old go head-to-head in 60-metre sprint</a> <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/03/great-grandma-dances-into-100th-birthday/">Gorgeous great-grandma grooves into her 100th birthday</a>

Retirement Life

85-year-old model stun on the catwalk

At 85-years young, Carmen Dell’Orefice is the longest working model in history. The American born beauty graced the cover of US Vogue at just 15 years of age, and has since spent 70 years carving out her name in the fashion industry. Overcoming poverty, rejection and many tumultuous relationships, the supermodel continues to prove that age is an elegant accessory in its own right. Watch the compilation video above to see Carmen knock her younger colleagues out of the water on the catwalk. She has clearly had a bit of work done though. Do you think you can still embody the concept of ageing gracefully, even if you have had plastic surgery? Let us know what you think in the comments below. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/older-ladies-strut-their-stuff-in-a-senior-fashion-show/">Watch these ladies strut their stuff in a senior fashion show</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/09/grandma-stuns-with-edgy-photos/">73-year old grandma stuns with edgy photos</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/beautiful-photos-of-aged-hands/">8 beautiful photos of aged hands</a>

Beauty & Style

Couple who fell in love at the age of nine still together 85 years later

Thomas and Irene Howard met when they were just nine years old, and 85 years on, they’re just as besotted with one another as ever. Last year, the couple recounted their epic love story to the <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/boy-sent-sweetheart-birthday-card-5846067" target="_blank">Mirror</a> as they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. The sweet couple met in 1931, when Thomas, whose grandmother lived four doors down from Irene and her family, became friends with her brother Frank. “I would go regularly go ‘round to Irene’s house to call for Frank so we could out to play but Irene’s mother got fed up of me turning up day after day,” the now-94-year-old said. “In the end she joked ‘it’s not our Frank you want, it’s Irene,’ and she was right. “I was only about nine then and when I first saw Irene I thought, ‘what a lovely girl, she’s going to be my girl, this one,’ and my fondness for her grew since then. “We would go out walking together in the local parks and became inseparable best friends. Later we would go to the cinema and see films starring Clark Gable and would sit in the back row holding hands.” The two were inseparable, until World War II broke out and Thomas was called to duty at the age of 19. He proposed to Irene, now 92, as soon as he came home, and the pair wed on 2nd June, 1945. So, 85 years on and more in love than ever before, what’s their secret to a happy marriage? “Throughout our lives together we have only shown each other respect and good manners and I think of lot of youngsters could learn a lot from that,” Thomas said. “We're still in love all these years on. I still have her now and I'm proud of her. “If I was fortunate enough to do it all again, I'd marry the same girl every time.” How sweet is that? Have you experienced a love like this before? Share your story with us in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/09/elderly-couple-forced-to-separate-may-reunite/">New hope for elderly couple forced to separate after 62 years</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/09/couple-married-52-years-have-matched-outfits-every-day-for-18-months/">Couple celebrates 52 years of marriage with matching outfits</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/08/couple-eats-61-year-old-wedding-cake/">Couple celebrates 61st anniversary by eating original wedding cake</a>

News

85-year-old overcomes fear of flying to travel to Venice

For most of us, flying isn’t much of a concern. While it might be long and uncomfortable, many travellers simply see a plane journey as the easiest way to get from A to B – not to mention a good way to catch up on some new-release movies! For those with a genuine phobia of flying, however, the simple thought of hopping on board a 747 is downright terrifying. Olive, an 85-year-old from Birmingham in the UK, finally got the push she needed to overcome her fear and take on a new adventure when husband of nearly 60 years, Ron, passed away in 2008. Since then, she has been working up the courage to step out onto the tarmac, overcoming her fear with a weekend getaway to Venice. To help ease Olive’s mind, great-nephew (and Monarch cabin crew member) James Gibson, organised for his great-aunt to meet the crew, pilot, and even go behind the scenes in the cockpit. “When we boarded the aircraft the crew were lovely and helped settle me in for the flight,” she told <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2016/05/27/85-year-old-olive-finally-overcomes-her-fear-of-flying-to-go-on-an-adventure-around-europe-5909066/" target="_blank">Metro</a>. “I couldn’t believe I was actually going to be flying up in the air. I was quite scared when it came to take-off, but I was determined to go through with it and I did.” “The pilot was lovely and rather good looking too,” Olive cheekily added. “Meeting him helped ease my nerves, I knew I was in safe hands.” She is already planning her next trip – a visit to the Rock of Gibraltar. Good luck, Olive! Take a look at some of Olive’s sweet holiday snaps in the gallery above and tell us in the comments, how did you overcome your fear? Related links: <a href="/travel/international/2016/06/17-year-olds-invention-will-stop-spread-of-germs-on-planes/">17-year-old’s invention will stop spread of germs on planes</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/06/what-happens-to-your-luggage-after-you-check-it-in/">What happens to bags after you’ve checked them in?</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/06/the-one-thing-you-must-do-before-leaving-the-airport/">The one thing you must do before leaving the airport</a>

International Travel

85-year-old Navy veteran learns to tap-dance

Arne Malaya, a US Navy veteran, is proving that it’s never too late to learn a new skill – in this case, tap dancing! According to Robin Lind, owner of a Minnesota dance studio, Arne was brought in by his wife of 54 years, Carol, who explained that learning to tap dance was on his bucket list. “He’s always enjoyed the movies with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers,” Carol Mayala told <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/04/04/85-year-old-navy-vet-takes-up-tap-dancing/82640438/" target="_blank">USA Today</a>. Arne finally decided to give it a shot himself after he spotted the dance studio below the accounting firm where he had a tax appointment. Lind says she shared photos of Arne on Facebook and received overwhelming feedback. Though Arne’s first lesson was hindered by a fall he had suffered earlier in the day, Lind explains that it didn’t stop him from enjoying himself. “It just really touched my heart in seeing him go from having a bad day and what dance can do,” she said. After seeing Arne’s joy when he dances, Lind decided to start a dance class at the local aged care facility where her mother lives. “We all just want to feel special and important in some way.” As for Arne’s wife, she waits anxiously after each lesson in the lobby of the studio. “I’m very nervous for him. I can’t stand to watch it.” After watching the video, I think you’ll agree with me – Arne’s got some moves! Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/oldest-skier-in-britain-retires-from-sport/">102-year-old skier retires from the slopes</a> <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/03/grandmother-lifts-100kg/">78-year-old grandmother lifts weights like a pro athlete</a> <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/03/man-celebrates-92nd-birthday-by-jumping-out-of-plane/">Grandpa celebrates 92nd birthday by jumping out of a plane</a>

Retirement Life

British comedian Ronnie Corbett dies aged 85

British comedian Ronnie Corbett has died aged 85, surrounded by his family. The veteran entertainer was best known as the pint-sized half of the hit television show The Two Ronnies, a partnership with Ronnie Backer that lasted from the 1970s to 80s. The show featured the famous catchphrase, “It’s goodnight from me ... and it’s goodnight from him”. Tributes have begun to flow from fellow entertainers. Barry Humphries told Melbourne radio’s 3AW that Corbett was supportive of younger comedians. “I did look up to him, even when I was looking down at him,” he said. British Prime Minister David Cameron paid his tribute on Twitter, saying, "He'll be remembered as one of the all-time great comedians.” Corbett’s family has asked the public for privacy "at this very sad time". Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/tv/2015/11/dr-quinn-cast-now/">What the cast of Dr Quinn look like now</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/tv/2015/11/netflix-knows-when-you-get-hooked-to-a-tv-show/">The weird fact that Netflix knows about you</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/tv/2015/11/netflix-hacks/">6 Netflix hacks you need to know</a>

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85-year-old man finds lost wallet, 71 years later

While performing renovations to the Talent Factory Theatre in Nevada, US, Larry Sloane happened upon an interesting discovery. While working on renovations they spotted a wallet lodged in floorboards. The wallet dates back to 1944, and was filled with ration stamps, Boy Scout cards and old photos. It also included a hand-written ID for the owner Clare McIntosh who has been parted from his possession for 71 years. Using his skills as a former PI Mr Sloane was able to track down Mr McIntosh, now 85, and give him his long lost possession. You can see Mr McIntosh’s reaction in the video above. It must be quite a surreal experience to have your wallet back after so many years. Video credit: YouTube / KCCI Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/03/couple-give-60-million-lottery-away/">Couple gives $60 million lottery win away</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/03/find-letter-t-image-puzzle/">Can you find the letter “T” in this image?</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/03/stunning-images-antarctica-remote-beauty/">Stunning images of Antarctica’s remote beauty</a>

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85-year-old celebrates birthday by making a snow angel

An 85-year-old unleashed her inner child for her birthday this year, celebrating the occasion by making a snow angle. In the video, Betty Ritchie from Pennsylvania in the US can be seen assisted to the ground by her daughter and son-in-law to the ground. Once she’s on the fluffy snow, the pair get out of Betty’s way so she can proceed to enjoy making a classic snow angel. According to Today.com, this is not the first time Betty has made a snow angel, frequently participating in the winter fun when her children were younger. However, for her 85th birthday Betty felt compelled to take up the childhood favourite activity again as she had recently lost one of her daughters. "She's been really down in the dumps about my sister dying last August. We just think it's been a boost for her spirit," her daughter, Sherry, said. "I said, 'Mum, you've just brought a smile to a million people's faces.’" Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/02/how-to-beat-post-retirement-depression/">How to beat the retirement blues</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/02/how-to-make-retirement-happy-and-healthy/">4 tips to ensure a happy and health retirement</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/02/four-ways-to-stay-active/">From walking groups to tai chi, top 4 ways to stay active</a>

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Neighbours rally to decorate 85-year-old widow’s home after it was robbed

A California neighbourhood is rallying around a women whose home was robbed of its decorations by what we can only assume is a local Grinch. After 85-year-old Natalie Conkel’s light machine was stolen from her home, her community decorated her entire house with new lights and Christmas decorations. As this year was the first Christmas Conkel would celebrate since her husband’s death, the gesture from her neighbours was particularly heart-warming. "This is wonderful. I am really, really shocked and very grateful and very thankful to have such wonderful neighbors," she told KTVU. “Now I can celebrate Christmas. Now it will be much better.” Conkel’s husband passed away five years ago and ever since, Conkel has found in difficult to celebrate Christmas. This year, however, she was ready to start celebrating again and had purchased an outdoor light machine to project red and green lights onto the house. It was stolen just days after she set it up. Conkel confided in her neighbour, Leslie Lewis, who gathered the town’s community to redecorate Conkel’s house. "From there it just kind of snowballed and we had tons of people dropping off decorations at my home every day leading up to the day we decorated her house," Lewis told the news outlet. The neighbourhood-wide mission to decorate Conkel’s house was top secret, with Conkel’s son, David, taking his mother out to dinner while dozens of people adorned the home with Christmas cheer. When the pair returned, Conkel was greeted with Christmas carols sung by an elementary school choir and hot chocolate and goodies from local businesses. "It's so nice to see people that I don't even know coming together for me, a stranger," Conkel told Today.com. "It was beyond nice and beyond wonderful." Related links: <a href="/health/caring/2015/10/make-friends-at-any-age/"></a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/2015/12/fast-moves-to-slow-down-ageing/">Fast moves to slow down ageing</a> <a href="/health/caring/2015/10/make-friends-at-any-age/"></a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/2015/12/centenarian-credits-hot-dogs-for-long-life/">100-year-old woman reveals her unexpected secret to longevity: hot dogs</a> <a href="/health/caring/2015/10/make-friends-at-any-age/"></a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/2015/12/blue-christmas-cover-by-seven-year-old-girl/">This girl’s version of “Blue Christmas” is truly beautiful</a>

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British comedian Ronnie Corbett dies aged 85

85-year-old man finds lost wallet, 71 years later

85-year-old celebrates birthday by making a snow angel

Neighbours rally to decorate 85-year-old widow’s home after it was robbed

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

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Information

Keep up to date

Search

"I never dreamt that she would do it": Daughter takes 85-year-old father’s life savings

Dean Stockwell, star of Quantum Leap and Blue Velvet, dies at 85

85-year-old’s weight loss journey goes viral on social media

85 plumbers on board flight unable to fix plane's broken toilet

85-year-old tech-savvy senior defying stereotypes

Meet the 85-year-old ping pong champ

85-year-old woman saved after falling from cruise ship

85-year-old breaks out dance moves during folk performance

85-year-old model stun on the catwalk

Couple who fell in love at the age of nine still together 85 years later

85-year-old overcomes fear of flying to travel to Venice

85-year-old Navy veteran learns to tap-dance

British comedian Ronnie Corbett dies aged 85

85-year-old man finds lost wallet, 71 years later

85-year-old celebrates birthday by making a snow angel

Neighbours rally to decorate 85-year-old widow’s home after it was robbed

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