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Ted Skup
As a kid there were only three celebrities I would idealize. They were Moe, Larry and Curly, known as the" Three Stooges". These guys are responsible for making me, the person I am today. After those three, the only celebrities I idealized were all sports figures and to many to name. 

About Ted Skup
He believes that with obesity levels at an all-time high, fitness needs be a national priority. He says despite the fact we have an arsenal of exercise options at our disposal, the ultimate choice is, the simple push-up. Skup takes on the 35-billion-dollar fitness industry and explains why it is failing us, with its bogus claims, magic bullets, and quick fixes. Although the fitness industry may not want to hear it, push-ups are free, no equipment, no gimmicks and totally portable. He is the author of Death, Taxes & Push-ups.

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Pat Paciello
I don't have a list of favorite celebrities. What I do value is my favorite actors like Al Pacino, Paul Newman, Harrison Ford, and Sean Connery. My favorite music makers which include the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Harry Chapin and Led Zeppelin. And in the sports world - my boyhood idol Willy Mays. 

About Pat Paciello
Pat Paciello is closing in on 60, has three grown children, and has been happily married for the past three decades. (He admits the first year wasn't so hot!) He has been retired from the workforce for almost a decade. During that time span Pat has been particularly adept at enjoying leisure pursuits, and earning the highest recommendation from his peers for his "I may do nothing, but I do it very well" attitude. His book, Has Anyone Seen My Reading Glasses? offers a unique and fresh approach to the subject of Baby Boomer retirement. First, it's written by a Baby Boomer who is actually retired. Second, the book is long on humor and personal anecdotes, and short on statistical analysis, which makes for easy and delightful reading.

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Sherrie Mathieson
I was never a celebrity worshiper--but I certainly acknowledged those I found exceptional in their field. I worked with many celebrities in my career as a costume designer and stylist--and dressed them for their roles in film, TV and at times for print too. I never asked for autographs or photos to be taken together. I always felt people are people, and they appreciate being treated well, and with respect. 

About Sherrie Mathieson
Sherrie has worked in film, television and commercials, and she has clientele of all ages and all personal styles. But it’s her unique way of looking at baby boomers that sets her apart from all the rest. And now, she has done it again. She’s followed up her first book, "Forever Cool" with the must-read, "Steal This Style," which is full of ways women can borrow cues from the younger generation in a flattering way.

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Joan Hansen
I most admire Patricia Neal, who has survived sadness, rejection and health problems with grace and dignity. Having lost children of my own, I can identify with her, as her seven-year-old daughter died from measles encephalitis and her four-month-old son suffered a grievous injury when his carriage was hit by a taxi.

A few years later, while pregnant, she suffered three burst cerebral aneurysms and was in a coma for three weeks.  She had to learn to walk and talk again.  Later, her husband left her for her best friend. She was no stranger to adversity; however, she never complained.

She accepted her fate with strength and courage. Patricia moved forward with her career as an accomplished actress.  (In 1963, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress and in April of 2009, she received a lifetime achievement award from WorldFest Houston on the occasion of the debut of her film, Flying By.) She authored a book, As I Am.

I had the opportunity to spend a day with Patricia a few years ago (just the two of us!) as we toured an island in Hawaii. She was a very down to earth person, friendly and warm. She will always be a person I greatly admire. I don't see many celebrities today acting with grace and dignity as Patricia Neal lived her life. She's my hero.

About Joan Hansen
Joan Hansen is on the front lines of social change. She is the director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in Orange County, Fla. She helps people over the age of 55 become involved in the community through volunteer work. She is a actively involved in the Amachi program and actually volunteers as a mentor. After the untimely passing of her daughter, Joan is raising her granddaughter Ashley. She is facing that challenge with love and passion and has traveled with Ashley all over the world!

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George Brunstad
Jesus Christ.  Love, peace, guidence, eternal life. His spirit is eternal and does not change. There is None like Him today. God bless!

About George Brunstad
Three days after blowing out the candles on his 70th birthday cake he decided to take a swim -- across the English Channel. Along the way, he smashed the world record for being the oldest person to accomplish the difficult feat. He was in the water for 15 hours and 59 minutes. It wasn't just a fluke; he has won more than 100 medals in Masters Swimming events.

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Susan Silver
Whoever they were, they were in their proper place... celebrities we admired or not..but what is happening with the Michael Jackson thing is so outrageous and out of proportion to all seriousness that I am sick of it!

This is a bigger event than the mourning for JFK! What on earth is wrong with the media and the country that our priorities are so askew? I think we've reached a point of no return...really. Enough!

I wish everyone would email or call every TV show that is feeding us this garbage and complain. Larry King, CNN in general and even the news on the 3 networks have got to realize that the world continues to be a dangerous and scary place and there are issues that we NEED to focus on...not this!

Whew..that feels better. 

About Susan Silver
Susan was a writer for many of the greatest TV shows of all time, including "The Bob Newhart Show," "Mary Tyler Moore," and "Maude." These days, she writes a hilarious relationship column called, "The Search for Mr. Adequate." She is a frequent guest on NBC's Today Show whenever the subject turns to relationships! 

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Wanda Urbanska
My favorite celebrity is Jimmy Carter -- a visionary, far ahead of his time. As president, back in 1977, within the first 100 days of office made a major speech on energy policy.

He established the strategic petroleum reserve, helped create the solar power industry, pushed energy efficiency in homes and many more things. He and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, walked the talk.

They turned down the thermostat at the White House, put solar panels on the White House roof and sent their daughter to public school. I have always admired his courage and integrity, and he has never disappointed.

President Carter was run out of Washington almost 30 years ago because he tried to set us on the right course -- suggest the era of limits that is now upon us. But we didn't want to hear that message then. 

Luckily, he established a new role for himself internationally and has done enormous good representing our country overseas ever since. She talks with Growing Bolder about what it's like to live in a town with a population of 8,400 and the four themes of her TV show.

About Wanda Urbanska
Wanda is the host of the "Simple Living" show on PBS and she's also the author of six books on the subject. She co-wrote their first book by the same name in 1992 and she hasn't stopped downsizing since. Urbanska wasn't always a simple girl, though. She's a Harvard grad who wrote for big-time papers like the Washington Post and LA Times.

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Karen Einsidler
My favorite celebrities are all athletes.  I've followed them through their careers and am not a fan of everything they do in their lives, but who among us is perfect? 

There is of course, one exception which should be obvious when you read the list.  So mine are Arthur Ashe, Walt Fraser, John McEnroe, Paul O'Neill and Joe Namath.  No Johnny Mac, it isn't you, even though I am a huge fan!

About Karen Einsidler
She was leading what appeared to be a storybook life until she was diagnosed with cancer. The mother of triplets was an attorney and active in the master athletes world when she underwent a double mastectomy. Rather than quitting, she dove back into competitive swimming and bounced back to return to the World Masters Championships. To Karen, giving up was never an option. 

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Nancy Nordstrom
Today, it seems, with current "celebrities" that BEING A CHARACTER is more important than HAVING CHARACTER. My favorite "celebrities" should not really be considered in that light but rather viewed through a different lens. 

About Nancy Nordstrom
Nancy Nordstrom didn't publish her first book, or even write it until she turned 61 and she hasn't slowed down since. "Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret for Making the Most of Your After 50 Years," focuses on lifelong learning. She's had to take new chances since her husband died of a heart attack in 1993. Since then, she's been learning how to continue to grow bolder and she's eager and willing to pass along what she's learned.

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