Transitioning to Retirement: Part 2, A Professional's Perspective

Brilliant Thoughts

There is a kind of wisdom that comes with age. Wise older people, in my experience, refuse to look at life in strictly black and white terms. And they tend not to take themselves so seriously. For me, the author and cartoonist Ashleigh Brilliant is a wise old man. In case you haven't encountered Brilliant (yes, that's really his name) here are some examples of what he has to say about life and aging, mostly from his book, I Have Abandoned My Search for Truth, and Am Now Looking for a Good Fantasy:

"Inside every older person, there's a younger person wondering what happened."

"Could it be that I'm allergic to growing older?"

"If you are careful enough, nothing bad or good will ever happen to you."

"It took courage to do some of the things which I now wish I'd never done."

"When I find true wisdom, I will let you know (if letting you know still seems important).

"Everything I am today I owe to people whom it is now too late to punish."

To learn more about Ashleigh Brilliant check out his website here.

What is Happening in the Middle-Aged Brain?

Out and About in Delaware: June

Some fun things to do in Delaware this June. Find more ideas at DelawareScene.com.

• Various dates and location. 2010 Summer Concert Series. Delaware State Parks. Free concerts at Bellevue, Wilmington, White Clay Creek and Killens Pond State Parks. More information.
• June 6-13, 5:30 p.m. weekdays, 2:00 p.m. weekends. St. Anthony's Italian Festival. St. Anthony of Padua Church, Wilmington. Huge festival this year focusing on the Umbria region of Italy. Authentic cuisine, entertainment and Midway Carnival. More information.
• June 18, 7:00 p.m. Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Freeman Stage at Bayside, Fenwick Island. The best professional musicians led by Maestro Julien Benicho. More information.
• June 18-19. Delmarva Chicken Festival 2010. Delaware State University, Dover. Family entertainment, carnival rides and a 10-foot frying pan! More information.
• June 26, 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. 20th Annual African American "Positively Dover" Festival. Legislative Mall, Dover. Family-oriented event promoting awareness of African American heritage and culture. Jazz, steel drums, gospel, bluegrass and more. More information.

New Guide to Services Available

Assistant Volunteer Coordinator

The Food Bank of Delaware’s Milford location is accepting applications for a part-time assistant to the Volunteer Coordinator. This position would be responsible for assisting the Volunteer Coordinator in organizing and overseeing volunteers. In order to be considered an applicant should courteous and be able to communicate well with staff, volunteers and the public and serve as a good representative of the Food Bank in the community. They should be detail oriented, flexible and have basic math skills. Qualified applicants should have a clean driving record and be able to pass a drug screening. Additionally they should be able to lift 50 lbs and be comfortable working in a warehouse environment, with experience with warehouse equipment a plus. This is a seasonal position, though it could become permanent dependent on the needs of the organization.

In order to apply, please visit the Food Bank of Delaware's Milford location at 1040 Mattlind Way, Milford, DE 19963 between the hours of 8:30am and 4:00pm to complete an application.

Run, Walk, Stroll or Volunteer

Run for the Ages 5K Run/Walk and Senior Stroll will take place on Memorial Day, May 31st at Brandywine Park and will benefit The Wilmington Senior Center. Online registration is available at www.races2run.com. An application, donation form and additional information may also be obtained by calling 302-651-3460 or emailing race@wilmingtonseniorcenter.org. Volunteers are needed to assist with planning and pre-race activities, including getting door prizes, distributing race brochures and recruiting participants willing to collect donations for the Center. Volunteers will be needed on race day to assist with donation collection, distribution of prizes, water and rest stations and post-race refreshments. No training is required. Please call 651-3460.

Garden Buzz! at The Delaware Center for Horticulture Garden

Volunteers are needed to work with children in the Delaware Center for Horticulture's garden to see what's sprouting, flowering and buzzing around. Volunteers should arrive at 8:00 a.m. for orientation and to help set up, then conduct mini-tours with small groups of children. At the end of the tours, volunteers will assist staff members in working on projects with the children. A pizza lunch in the park will follow. Contact Marcia Stephenson, 658-6262, ext. 105 or email mstephenson@thedch.org.