The Art of Conversation - 50+ Style

Transitioning to Retirement: Personal Reflections

The Best and Worst of Retirement

Del Web, the nation's largest developer of retirement communities, just released its 2010 Boomer Survey. Here are two survey questions that you may find interesting.

"What aspects of retirement have you particularly enjoyed?"

• No time clock
• No alarm clock, sleeping in
• Doing what I want, when I want
• Less stress

"What aspects have been disappointing?"

• Not being around people
• Missing co-workers
• Finances, the economy
• Getting lazy
• Boredom

Stress-Free Flying

Out and About in Delaware - July

Some things to do in July off the beaten path:

• July 15, 2010. This Old House: Researching the History of an Older House. South Coastal Library, Bethany Beach. Delaware Archives staffer reveals how archival records can be used to trace the history of an older home. 2:00 p.m. More information.
• July 16-31, 2010. Delaware Shakespeare Festival. Rockwood Park, Wilmington. Macbeth under the stars. More information.
• July 17, 2010. Romance on a Summer's Night. St. Martha's Episcopal Church, Bethany Beach. Well known Washington artists perform a concert of love songs. 8:00 p.m. More information.
• July 22, 2010. Delaware Today Magazine's Best of Delaware Party. Dover Down's Hotel & Casino, Dover. 85 exhibitors, live entertainment, plenty of food and drink. More information.
• July 31, 2010. 16th Annual People's Festival Tribute to Bob Marley. Tubman-Barrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington. Live music, food, children's activities and more. 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m. More information.
• August 2, 2010. Eat, Pray, Love. Kent County Public Library, Dover. Discussion and food related to the popular book. 2:00 p.m. More information.

Traveling Librarian

Read-Aloud Delaware has a new volunteer opportunity as a traveling librarian focusing on licensed home-based childcare. On a monthly basis volunteer traveling librarians will rotate a lending library of books between several childcare homes in their area. The traveling librarian will also demonstrate appropriate reading strategies and support home care providers with effective reading practices. If you would like to participate in this unique program please contact Read Aloud Delaware at 674-4423 (Kent) or 856-2527 (Sussex).

Mentors Needed

The Latin American Community Center's Giants & Geniuses Mentoring Program takes a holistic approach to guiding students on a path to success. We are currently working in partnership with several schools throughout the City of Wilmington to provide mentoring to students in need. If you are interested in helping throughout the upcoming 2010-2011 school year and/or our Summer Camp running from June 14th to August 20th, please contact Nicole Gonzales at 302-655-7338,x7711.

Job Instructor/Consultant

The Dover Public Library Job Center is looking for individuals to help dislocated workers in Kent County utilize computers and library resources to search for jobs. The Job Center is also looking for volunteers with experience in navigating a computer, human resources or job coaching to help with mock interviews and resume consultations. For more information contact Wanda Nesbit at 760-4911.

You Can Do Something About Hunger In Delaware

The Food Bank of Delaware, in a partnership with the State of Delaware, is in need of 1 or 2 volunteers for two-hour shifts to help at 3 state service center locations. Volunteers will be helping case workers gather emergency food for clients so they can feed their families until their SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) benefits are ready. It does require some light lifting and some inventory-taking. We are also looking for volunteers willing to give about 3 hours once a week to do inventory. Please contact Kat Caudle, Volunteer Coordinator at KCaudle@fbd.org for more information on locations and opportunity specifics!