RETIREMENT, WHO HAS THE TIME?
A couple of weeks ago we had the good fortune to attend “The Four Seasons” tribute group at our wonderful Frank Venables Theatre.  A rousing good show of songs that were sixties and seventies favourites and, in recent years, had had a resurgence of popularity with the stage show and film, The Jersey Boys.
We had purchased tickets in the very middle of the back row and had a perfect view.  However, we were there early and watched as the theatre slowly filled to capacity.  From my perch I looked down on the rest of the audience and realised I was looking at a sea of white hair, I thought it odd that all these old people had turned out on a snowy night, to watch pop music.
It then struck me like a thunderbolt, I was one of them!  These old people were my peers!  I have no illusions about my youth and beauty, I am nearly 73 and that is fine but, I honestly didn’t realise that the rest of the world thought of me as an old fart.  All the grey heads in front of me probably didn’t feel old either, and this was proved, once the show started, by the response from the crowd to the music.  We were all singing along, clapping, snapping fingers and at the end all standing to give a rousing ovation to a very enjoyable group of entertainers who had indeed taken us back to our younger years.
Thinking about it, I realised that most of the volunteers in our town are seniors.  So many very active groups are mainly seniors.  We have lots of time to give to our various volunteer groups and we are the mainstay of many organisations, in fact, we are very much involved in every part of the activities in and around town.  The workers at the hospital thrift store raises thousands of dollars each year that is given to various medical needs.
The Kiwanis do so much to raise money for scholarships and any community project that needs help, the Elks, Lions and other service groups that are always around to lend a hand where it is needed.  These groups are for all ages but it is mainly seniors who make up the membership.  Those who do not belong to service groups are usually around to help out at any community event where help is needed.
Probably many events would not happen if volunteers were not around to help, events like the Half Corked Marathon, various bike races, parade days, library sale day, Scareview and concerts in the park.  These are the activities that make all the difference to village life, they are the heart of the community.
We are needed and we are important.  We may smell of back rub on winter days and we may walk with a limp, even walk with a cane or a walker but we are still a big part of this community.  My date book has to be consulted before I can arrange anything as it has so many entries in it, much more than when I went out to work.
Seniors unite, we are a strong group and without us, the town would not be as well looked after.  Brush your white hair, pull on your support stockings or your knee brace and get out there, you and I are very much needed.