Retired Physicist Inspires Children in Math and Science
What do you do if you’re a retired physicist? Play golf? Go fishing? Not if your name is John McConnell. After being a physicist for thirty years, Mr. McConnell retired to start completely new endeavor-mentoring children in math and science. Not content to sit in front of books, McConnell developed hands-on materials he carted from school to school in the back of his trunk. His programs were … [Read more...]
What do You do After Being a Supreme Court Justice?
If anyone is entitled to ‘rest on their laurels,’ it would be former supreme court justice, Sandra Day O’Connor. The first woman appointed to the bench by President Reagan, retired after twenty-five years to caretake her husband with Alzheimer’s. Since his death in 2009, O’Connor has resumed a life filled with activity and passion. When asked why she doesn’t just take it easy, … [Read more...]
Volunteer With Plants, Nature and the Environment
There are so many opportunities to make a difference in the world. Nature and plants have a special place for us as we get older. The need to protect the environment is part of their legacy for many retirees. Whether it's in your own back yard or around the world, if you have a passion for this area, there a ways you can get involved. The stories we share here are how others have made … [Read more...]
Retirees Working and Playing in San Diego
We spent last week in San Diego taking a break to enjoy the green and the blue before heading back to Prescott. It’s the first time my husband and I have been here without either children or grandchildren. We ate at big-people restaurants, watched the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. It was fun to visit the zoo on our own. Don’t get me wrong, I loved all of the trips to Sea World and sharing … [Read more...]
Retirement Work Leads to Running Nonprofit in Nicaragua
Robert and Bev were lucky enough to make a living as professional potters. That passion led them on another journey with Potters for Peace. Acting on an ad in Ceramics Monthly magazine, Bev traveled to Managua, Nicaragua in 1997. While there, she met the visionary Ron Rivera, International Coordinator for Potters for Peace. In 2000, Bev, Ron and daughter Loehrl returned following Hurricane … [Read more...]
Green Living Ideas Then and Now
Do you ever think about whether green living ideas are new or recycled (pun intended) habits from the past? There’s a big push to take your own bags to the store. I’ve done this for a few years and feel like I’m making my small contribution to living a greener life. My grandmother didn’t have choice between paper or plastic? Of course, she raised much of their food, but if she went into … [Read more...]
What’s Changed since the First Earth Day?
Global climate change has become a hot political topic. Do you remember the first Earth Day? Yes, it might have been a political statement also, but much of the passion was about how to save the earth from its human inhabitants. Is the planet better off today than it was in 1970? Like most things, it depends on what you’re talking about. Acid Rain. Based on the destruction of forests from … [Read more...]
Do You Want an Encore Career After Retiring?
Retirement used to mean the end of work. As baby boomers reach retirement age, they may need or want to continue working after retiring. As many as 75 percent of people report they will continue to work past traditional retirement age. Many people are choosing an encore career. The encore career is a phrase coined by Marc Freedman at Civic Ventures to meet the growing demand for an alternative … [Read more...]
Benefits of Working as a Volunteer on Environmental Issues
A 20-year long study of over 6,000 Americans asked the question: How does working as a volunteer on environmental issues affect one’s health, physical activity and feelings of well-being? In 1974 these middle-aged participants described their involvement in volunteer activities such as participating in ecological restoration projects, environmental stewardship programs, and environmental … [Read more...]
Aging Boomers Helping Seniors
Ed Note: As aging boomers shift from full-time careers, they are looking for new options. Many will get involved in helping seniors. Maggy Young shares her story. I hope my story is just starting. For many years I had been involved in a property business, but the slump brought this to a close. I am a 'boomer' but was used to being busy and active and didn't want this to end. Plus having even a … [Read more...]