What's New

To Drive Or Not To Drive

We Americans love our cars. They are expressions of our personal identities and, depending where you live, practical necessities. So how do you know when it is time for you or a loved one to give up the car keys? In this article by Jean Williams, the former Director of the Newark Senior Center and a leader with Coming of Age: Delaware, find out about some resources that will help you to make this difficult decision.

Continue Reading

Out and About in Delaware: May

Here are more fun things to do mostly outside of the usual venues.

• April 30 - May 2. Dover Days. City of Dover. Family fun on Legislative Mall and throughout the city's historic district. Tons of activities including an energy village, Amish quilt auction, steam cars, Native American dancing and a high tea. More information.
• First Fridays, May through October, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Labyrinth Walks. Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington. Learn about and actually try out this ancient centering exercise. More information.
• May 13, 6:30 p.m. Howard Pyle and the Pirates. South Coastal Library, Bethany Beach. Learn how Howard Pyle invented the pirate as we known him: head scraf, sash, loop earrings and all. More information.
• May 14-23. Doubt: A Parable. Reedy Point Players at the Delaware City Community Center, Delaware City. Play telling the story made famous by the hit movie, "Doubt." More information.
• May 15, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Bellefonte Arts Festival. 800 block of Brandywine Blvd., Wilmington. Annual arts festival showcasing local talent. More information.
• May 15, 8:00 p.m. Freedom is Coming. The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware at First and Central Presbyterian Church, Wilmington. Inspirational African music by Delaware's LGBT choir featuring the Sankofa African Dance and Drum Company. Also presented on May 22 at Epworth United Methodist Church, Rehoboth Beach. More information.
• May 16, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 4th Annual Photography Show and Contest. Millsboro Art League, Millsboro. Photography exhibition with cash prizes for exhibiters. More information.
• May 22, 6:00 p.m. Mystery Dinner Theatre: "Cashinbanca." Foot Light Productions at the Smyrna Opera House, Smyrna. Parody/murder mystery based on the classic movie Casablanca. More information.

The Joy of a Healthy Brain: May

In this final installment of her ongoing series on brain health, Judith Gupton-Wiley suggests that Mothers' Day may not only be a day to receive but to give as well - to others and to ourselves. Continue Reading

Boomerang Kids

It's the worst job market in a generation and student debt is burgeoning. So it's not surprising that many folks 50+ are seeing their children moving back with them. If living like the Waltons ("goodnight John Boy") wasn't exactly what you had in mind for the third age of your life you might want to consider setting some boundaries and deadlines for those prodigal children. "How To Kick Your Kid Out of the Nest" from moneywatch.com has some great advice.

How to Learn Just about Anything Online...for Free!

Would you be interested in learning from professors at Harvard or MIT all without moving from your living room? Well, you can with the growing amount of free educational media on the web. According to Dan Colman of Stanford University, “I think we’re entering an era where lifelong learners will have access to limitless amounts of free, noncommercial educational opportunities. Arguably, we’re already there.”

This article from the AARP Bulletin proves all the technical know-how and resources you need to get started.

Coming of Age: A National Movement

Did you know that Coming of Age: Delaware is just one of several communities where the Philadelphia-based initiative has been replicated? Other Coming of Age communities include Delaware County, PA; Kansas City Metro Area; Central Pennsylvania; San Francisco Bay Area; and more are in the works.

The Coming of Age national office recently launched a website that reflects this new, national presence. The site also provides a wide range of resources of interest to people 50+ and the nonprofits seeking to engage them. Check it out at www.comingofage.org. 

Brokaw's Documentary Leaves This Boomer Disappointed

I was looking forward to Tom Brokaw's 2-hour documentary on the boomers that aired earlier this month on CNBC. I was hoping that Brokaw would bring the same passion and appreciation to his exploration of my generation as he did when writing about my father's, the men and women he called "The Greatest Generation." But, I'm afraid, it wasn't to be. Throughout the program Brokaw seemed unimpressed and his presentation superficial. Maybe Brokaw wasn't the best person for the job. He's in his 70's after all, closer in age to the boomer's parents than the boomers themselves. And the boomer spokespersons he chose, Tom Hanks, for example, just didn't do it for me. There was way too much focus on Woodstock and nothing at all on feminism, the environmental movement and humanistic psychology. When the tables were turned on Brokaw and he was asked what he thought of the boomer legacy he responded with a one word answer, "unrealized."

If you missed the program you can still view it here. Come to your own decision. But if you ask me, "Tom Brokaw Reports: Bommer$" was...well...unrealized!

Out And About In Delaware

Here's our monthly sampler of interesting things to do and see mostly outside of the major venues in Delaware. For a more complete listing go to DelawareScene.com which is sponsored by the Delaware Division of the Arts.

• Through April 3, 2010. 10 Months: The Wilmington Voices Project, Delaware Theatre Company, Wilmington. Through drama and video this work explores how Wilmington has defined itself in three, 10-month time periods in its early history, during the occupation by the National Guard in 1968 and in the present day. Go here for more information.
• April 6, 2010, 6:30 p.m. Singing Workers: American Occupational Folk Songs, Kent County Library, Dover. Saul Broudy sings songs of railroad workers, coal miners, farmers and other workers and discusses the role of music in their lives. Go here for more information. Free.
• April 16, 7:00 p.m. Estamos Aqui, Milton Theatre, Milton. This film explores the changing landscape of Georgetown, Delaware which has become home to thousands of predominately Guatemalan immigrants fleeing war and poverty in their homeland. Go here for more information.
• April 22, 2010, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wilmington Earth Day Celebration, Rodney Square, Wilmington. Visitors will be welcomed with music, a free giveaway, and vendors offering advice that's good for the environment, and your wallet. Go here for more information.
• April 25, 2010, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 6th Annual Wildflower Celebration, Mt. Cuba Center, Greenville. Stroll the gardens, enjoy music, special presentations and activities for the grand kids. Go here for more information.

Could You Give Away Half Of What You Own?

Kevin and Hannah Salwen don't look all that different from you and me but what they and the rest of their family have done is quite extraordinary. Together, the family decided to sell their Atlanta mansion, move into a much smaller home and donate half of the savings - about $800,000 - to a village in Ghana through The Hunger Project. What's even more interesting is that the idea for the project came from Hannah, the family's then 14 year old daughter. Kevin, a journalist, and Hannah have now written a book about their experience entitled, The Power of Half.

Check out this short interview with Kevin Salwen from Encore.org. Some have criticized the Salwens saying that they could afford to lose the money or that they shouldn't have sent it overseas. What do you think?

The Joy of a Healthy Brain - April

This month's installment of Judith Gupton-Wiley's "The Joy of a Healthy Brain" is entitled, "Singin' in the Rain." Continue Reading