NEA: This Active Life: Carving a New Life in Wood

When Hawaii member Herb Kaneko retired from his high school woodshop and vocational education career in 1995, he didn’t want his years of training and love for woodworking to fade away. "I’ve always loved making beautiful pieces with great care," says Kaneko. "Retirement has finally given me the chance and the time to do so."

Kaneko not only works on furniture and other household pieces. He’s also created carvings linked to his Hawaiian heritage. "I create hat blocks for forming the traditional Hawaiian hat called the lauhala and make carvings that reflect the rich images of Hawaii," Kaneko says, pleased with the resurgence of Hawaiian crafts.

Kaneko isn’t alone. Other members of the Kaneko family have also dedicated themselves to traditional Hawaiian crafts, such as weaving. Kaneko and his family members are familiar sights at state and local craft fairs and festivals.

"Discovering the beauty of the grain and the wonderful texture of the wood is a great experience," Kaneko reflects. "Like many craftsmen, I have a great respect

for the source of my wood. And now that I have the luxury of time, I can take

my time to create beautiful pieces. When I’m in my workshop, I can lose myself in my work."

Kaneko’s care and craftsmanship has paid off. "Woods by Herb," has received awards and quite a few orders for custom-made pieces.

"Knowing others appreciate my work makes me very pleased and keeps me going," says Kaneko. "As long as I can."

This summer, we bid a sad farewell to two dedicated leaders in NEA-Retired: Elaine Marks, a member of the NEA-Retired Advisory Council from South Carolina, and Deloris Hampton, a local leader and activist in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Throughout their education careers and retirement lives, both women dedicated themselves to improving our profession and our quality of life. They were always present at leadership meetings, lobbying activities, and NEA Representative Assemblies, ready and willing to get involved. And when the time came to volunteer, even the heavy work of landscaping, painting, and cleaning schools in impoverished neighborhoods, these leaders never hesitated.

Elaine Marks and Deloris Hampton represent thousands of local, state, and national leaders who have chosen to represent you.

Because of their commitment and hard work, many of you have seen your pensions and health care coverage improve. Because of their activism, you’ve seen your concerns on the front pages of newspapers and heard politicians address your needs as educators and as retirees. Because of their creativity and leadership, you’ve attended social gatherings, taken educational and enjoyable trips, and networked with friends and colleagues.

As you go about your retired life, don’t forget to stop and say thank you to your tireless leaders. And don’t hesitate to get involved yourself. NEA-Retired wants and needs you to get involved in the Association. You’ll find a rich, rewarding experience awaiting you.

This summer, I saw many new faces at the NEA Annual Meeting. Together with NEA-Retired veteran leaders, they worked hard to make our Association strong. Elaine Marks and Deloris Hampton and all of the leaders who’ve gone before us would be proud. Join me in following their example. I look forward to seeing you at the next leader meeting.

Thanks to your letters and E-mails, I’ve learned that the life of a retired member isn’t necessarily a quiet one. I’ve learned that many of you are climbing mountains, volunteering overseas, and carving out new job opportunities. And I’ve learned over and over again that leaving your job doesn’t mean leaving education.

That makes my search for interesting stories much easier, and I think you’ll notice the difference in this and future issues. These aren’t just the same old faces time and again or a collection of People Magazine fluff stories, they’re features that demonstrate the wide variety of members in your organization.

More and more, I’ve found new names, faces, and stories for these pages. And thanks to your feedback, I’ve found new questions to answer, new resources and organizations to feature.

Because of this, I welcome your suggestions for stories and people to cover. I’d like to know what issues you’re grappling with during your retirement. I’d like to know what your local or state Affiliate is doing to help you. I’d like to know how you’re spending your retirement. I’d also like to know if there are fellow retirees and leaders who deserve recognition for the hard work they do. These stories enrich this magazine.

Keep your calls, letters, and E-mails coming. We rely on them. Anita Merina, Editor

A Memorable Student

I had a student who was very eager to learn and worked hard every day. He hadn’t learned to read before.

The difference between this student and the elementary students I taught: This student wore an orange uniform, and we worked in a small room under the close supervision of a prison guard. But he showed such pride when he could finally read aloud a book like Read to My Bunny to his own child.

Elaine Renger
Mentor, Ohio

Proud Mary

After a career in education for over 35 years teaching kindergarten, transition first, and first grade, I have many memorable experiences. The one that first came to me was about Mary Ann, who was finally successful cutting out a jack-o-lantern. That was back in the early 1970s, but I can still see her by the window as she held up the orange paper that she had turned into a perfect jack-o-lantern. That big smile and look of pride has remained with me.

Another moment was on the evening of one kindergarten orientation when a young father came to me with his son. I realized the father had been one of my students 25 years earlier. This happened several times after that but that evening was particularly special.

Catherine Adams
Rockford, Illinois

A Career of Memories

My plan was to become a concert pianist, not a teacher. Once I began teaching, however, I realized what a difference I could make. Over the years, I saw children who were considered to be unable to learn. I gained the reputation of being very fair, understanding, and loving. For me, every day was a new, exciting, and interesting experience, and teaching was much more fun than working in a department store or insurance company.

The children brought happiness to me when things were not going well personally, and they looked to me to be their mother, nurse, counselor, and friend.

Elizabeth W. Carson
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Finding the Spark

I’d had my share of roughnecks in the classroom, and I knew that children rebelled when they simply didn’t understand what was asked of them. In some ways, the behavior was really a cry for help.

I kept after one child until I recognized a twinkle of comprehension. I knew I had him hooked. He began to read and understand, and he didn’t seem as angry anymore. Years later, this boy visited me as an adult. "I want my child in your classroom," he said, and I knew I had my reward for persevering.

Almarene C. Lowndes
Columbus County, Florida

Eating Her Words

I remember the quirky downside of my attempts to play the positive role model. During lunchtime at my school in Hillsborough County, Florida, I used to force myself to eat cooked spinach, a food that was always hard for me to swallow, because I wanted to teach the children not to refuse or be picky about food. To this day, I’m unable to eat cooked spinach on my own!

Bobbie Jean Cook
Hillsborough County, Florida

NEA: This Active Life: Personal pension Profiles

Katherine Hairston

Pension story

Virginia member Katherine Hairston retired in 1994 after teaching second and third grade for 36 years in Henry County, Virginia. In Virginia, retirees receive a small bonus to their pension for teaching more than 35 years, says Hairston. As a Virginia retiree, Hairston receives a health credit of $75. Because she is over 65, Hairston is covered by Medicare. Currently, Hairston's pension is $2,189.03, after taxes, $1,928.91. She also receives Social Security payments.

In Virginia, members and leaders of the Virginia Education Association and Virginia Education Association-Retired are working hard to improve the state’s cost-of-living increase and health care credit. In addition, VEA and VEA-Retired are speaking out against the governor’s use of Virginia Retirement System funds to cover shortfalls in the state budget instead of improving the retirement system itself.

"My biggest concern is that the cost-of-living increases we receive in our state are so small that in a few years our pensions won’t keep up with the real costs of living. I know a number of retirees who retired many years ago and haven’t been able to keep up with today’s expenses in food, housing, and other necessities. Now they’re struggling.

I’m afraid of the same thing. I substitute a lot to supplement my income and to take advantage of travel opportunities.

"I’m also concerned about the high cost of health care. One of the things I do is avoid using my annuities so that they’ll last longer. I also try to stay out of debt. My advice to other retirees: Make sure you invest some of your money to supplement your pension. You never know what the future may bring."

"…make sure you invest some of your money to supplement your pension."

Colleen Dorris

Pension story

Tennessee member Colleen Dorris took early retirement in 1980 because of her father’s and mother’s illnesses. Until her retirement, she had been teaching high school home economics and vocational education at Clarksville High School.

"I remember my very first year of teaching, I made $200 a month," recalls Dorris, a former president of the Tennessee Retired Teacher Association. These days, Dorris says she lives quite comfortably on her pension and her savings. "That’s because we planned ahead and put money away for retirement very early in our teaching career. We also invested wisely," explains Dorris. "We didn’t want any surprises during our later retirement years."

As president of the Tennessee Retired Teacher Association, Dorris worked with leaders and members to push for pension protection and health care and continues to do so.

Tennessee has been in the national news lately because the state legislature overrode the governor’s veto of the state budget, which included a 2.5 percent raise for teachers and includes funding for the increase in the state’s portion of health insurance premiums. TEA continues to monitor the progress of the budget. For retired teachers, the cost-of-living adjustment is 3 percent, says Dorris.

"For me, it’s actually taking time to teach others the importance of planning ahead. I help conduct a two-hour workshop on planning for retirement for active TEA members because too often, people wait until it’s too late to save for their retirement years. Our workshop helps them anticipate health care and living costs. We did well by saving and investing our money. I want others to learn by our example.

"Another priority for me is long-term care. I had to buy my own insurance in the beginning. That has changed, but I do look ahead to the challenges long-term care will bring."

"…too often, people wait until it’s too late to start planning for their retirement years."

This Active Life July 2002: Getting Acquainted

See What I'm Doing

Retired--and Teaching Overseas

Last fall Michigan member Lynn Larson found herself once again living in a dorm room, staring at battle-scarred posters tacked to the walls, and fighting for hot water in the shower. But she wasn't a college student: this time she was teaching during a five-month sojourn to Qingdao, China.

Ruth Trageser, NEA-Retired member from Minnesota, found herself with space in her calendar when university courses she was to teach last fall were canceled. Intrigued by a university program that found students jobs as English language teaching assistants overseas, Trageser asked if retirees could take part. She successfully made her case and spent two months teaching in St. Petersburg, Russia. (In fact, Trageser now serves as coordinator of the program!)

Many retirees like having more time to travel and especially enjoy the opportunities they have to learn about the history and geography of other cultures. Larson and Trageser were picked for their teaching skills, but both say that during their trips they learned just as much as they taught.

Combining travel with the opportunity to learn firsthand about schools and the experiences of children and educators in other countries was richly rewarding, they say. "I loved every minute of it," says Larson. "I wanted to learn as much as I imparted," and that attitude helped her get the most out of her stay. "It was fantastic--a life-changing experience," agrees Trageser. Larson taught English to college students at Qingdao University and assisted an elementary school teacher, while Trageser taught senior high school students.

The daily experiences of students and teachers in the Chinese and Russian systems left a deep impression on Larson and Trageser.

The lives of students in China are difficult and in many ways very different than their counterparts in the United States, Larson says. The typical student in her college courses rose at 6 a.m. for an exercise session, followed by breakfast. There were morning and afternoon classes, and students returned to the classrooms--with their wooden desks and cement floors--to study during the evening. Lights in the dormitory were turned off around 11 p.m. Chinese students face early pressures to do well academically. Only students who score in the top 20 percent on tests are eligible for college, and another five percent go on to a technical school. So most students believe that school "is a place to be serious and to focus so that you are not forced to be a laborer," says Larson. Her students "would talk about the tremendous pressure they felt, and how they didn't want to do this to their kids," she says. "Every class is demanding."

Obedient Pupils
Trageser notes that her students were "obedient and eager to please." They were assigned three to five hours of homework a night--and completed it. When the bell rang to signal the end of class, students waited until she formally dismissed them. They excelled in their knowledge of American geography and politics but were unused to participating in the kinds of discussions Trageser liked having in her classes.

"I had a hard time having classroom discussions because the students were so used to listening," she says. "I came into the classroom, and the students were ready to write down every word."

Larson and Trageser also highlighted the tough conditions facing teachers. Chinese teachers "work very, very hard," Larson says. A Chinese colleague of hers taught middle school classes during the day, tutored children after school and on Saturdays, and still had to find the time to plan and to grade assignments. Her pay? About $150 per month. At the elementary school where she taught, a teacher might have from 50 to 70 students in one class.

Teachers in St. Petersburg made only about $100 per month, says Trageser, and were required to perform many duties outside of teaching. Because the school could only afford a part-time custodian, teachers were forced to spend a Saturday raking leaves on the school grounds, she recalls. One teacher told Trageser: "I'm 72, I'm tired, and I want to quit." But her pension, which would have totaled barely $30 a month, wouldn't permit it.

Teachers and students alike had to scrape by due to the faltering economy in St. Petersburg, says Trageser. One evening she ate at the home of one of her students. After dinner, the student excused herself to leave. It turned out that there were not enough beds in her parents' apartment, so she slept each night at her grandmother's. "She had to walk two blocks every night to her bedroom," says Trageser.

Despite the obvious cultural differences, both Larson and Trageser say their Russian and Chinese hosts extended themselves to make sure they felt comfortable. Students and teachers invited them into their homes for dinner, took them to local markets, and proudly showed off local museums and historical sites. This warmth was especially welcome because both of them were abroad during the terrorist attacks of September 11. The U.S. Embassy warned Americans to keep a low profile, but Trageser says many Russians came up to her and announced, "We are with the United States."

"I had some preconceived notions before I got there--that I would be treated with some suspicion and possibly even some disrespect," says Trageser. "But I was treated very warmly. It really made me think about how much we're all alike: students and adults are so alike from one culture to another. My experience really enhanced my respect for other cultures."

Larson's advice for retirees thinking about teaching in other countries? "I'd tell anyone to take advantage of it," she says. "I never had a bad day." Ruth Trageser is now coordinator of the English Language Teaching Assistant Program at the University of Minnesota-Morris. If you are interested in participating as a teacher of English overseas, contact Ruth at 14474 Skyline Drive, Spicer, MN 56288, e-mail her at ruth@eltap.org or go to www.eltap.org.

This Active Life: Ask the Expert

Each issue of This Active Life tackles one area of retiree concern. In this issue: the types of services and resources available to seniors.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) is a great place to start. The Academy has a Web site (www.naela.com) that offers a great deal of advice and information. The Academy has also produced a very helpful brochure, "Questions and Answers When Looking for an Elder Law Attorney." The brochure, also available on the Web, is a good first step in seeking legal counsel. The NAELA brochure also includes questions that can help you determine if its truly a lawyer you need for your case. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can write to NAELA at 1604 North Country Club Rd., Tucson, AZ 85716 or call 520/881-4005.

Yes. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Administration on Aging (AoA), recently updated the Resource Directory for Older People, a guide to services, ombudsman programs, and state agencies. A single, hard copy is available free of charge by calling 800/222-2225. If you’d like multiple copies, the charge is $5 per copy for 2-50 copies and $3 per copy for requests of more than 50 copies. You can also download the file at the NIA and AoA Web sites. Go to www.aoa.gov/directory or www.nih.gov/nia.

Go to Benefits CheckUp, a terrific new site by the National Council on Aging. It’s a free service that identifies federal and state assistance programs for Older Americans. You’ll be surprised to learn what benefits are available to you. Go to www.benefitscheckup.org.

You should check with your local agency on aging. They should have an ombudsman ready to address your concerns. In Florida, the Attorney General’s office even has a "Senior Sleuths" office, charged with handling fraud complaints from seniors. And don’t forget your local or state NEA affiliate. It’s a great source of support.

This Active Life: Look at What I've Done

Retired Math Teacher Now In the Driver’s Seat

Delaware member Norman Poole taught high school mathematics for more than 30 years. These days, however, you can find Poole in a host of activities: driving a school bus, mentoring elementary children, and leading his state Association as Delaware State Education Association-Retired president. For Poole, it's all in a day’s work as an active NEA-Retired leader.

Why I Volunteer

I volunteer in schools because I love seeing students improve. You see that bright light in their eyes when they open up and learn. And when I sub as a school bus driver, I have a strong respect for the important task these drivers carry out every day. You’re the first person children see in the morning and the last person they’ll see in the afternoon. And you have the added responsibility of carrying this precious cargo to and from school.

I remember one particular boy who wouldn’t stay in his seat. He just seemed anxious all the time. I finally started talking with him and reading with him. He confided in me that he was afraid to raise his hand because he didn’t want to make a mistake. I told him that mistakes were part of learning. This young man followed my advice and improved little by little, gaining confidence as he went. Today he’s doing just fine.

Find your passion and follow it, especially if you want to continue helping children and public schools. There are so many children out there who need a helping hand. My experiences have told me again and again that one person truly can make a difference in the life of a child. I’ll always take to heart the old African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." For every retiree out there, there’s a child who will blossom with your help. The experience will not only change the child’s life, but also change your own.

Dedicated to Her Profession and Association

Kansas member Fran Raines thanks her lucky stars for her Association. Joining the Kansas National Education Association more than 35 years ago not only led to a lifelong career in education, it led to a life of Association activism. Here, the retired kindergarten teacher and former president of KNEA-Retired recalls many of the highlights of her profession and leadership.

Being chosen Kansas Master Teacher of the Year in 1976. I was so honored to receive this award from my peers. It told me that all of the hard work, long hours, and commitment to the wonderful children I taught was well worth it.

From the very beginning, there simply wasn’t any question about belonging to the Association. I had mentors who got me involved from my very first year and told me how important it was to be a part of our state and national Association. From then on, I was hooked.

When I first began attending the NEA Representative Assem-blies, I remember feeling so overwhelmed. Here we were, thousands of delegates from around the nation, charting the future of our organization and public education. People spoke passionately, yet at the same time respected opposing views. This was truly the democratic process in action and I was proud to be a part of it.

The last RA for NEA President Mary Hatwood Futrell. We were so proud of her and all she had accomplished for our Association. It was so moving to hear her last speech and to be able to tell her how much we appreciated her hard work.

When we created Kansas NEA-Retired for our retired members. I was proud to be there at the very beginning. Creating KNEA-Retired meant we had an organization that would fight for our issues. Today, we lobby at our state capitol, coordinate NEA ‘s Read Across America activities, and mobilize our members at election time.

Keeping Music Alive

If you have a sick or broken accordion or concertina, the perfect person to consult is Minnesota Retired member Yvonne Marts. Marts, a retired special ed teacher in Fergus Falls, spent nearly a year learning her new trade from a master.

"There I was, a 62-year-old retired teacher joining a 21-year-old student, a 32-year-old graphic artist, a 35-year-old electrical engineer, and 45-year-old machinist," recalls Marts with a laugh. "I was the only woman and the oldest of the bunch, but I held my own in class."

The students learned how to diagnose and repair problems with accordions as well as restore instruments that had gathered dust or had been abused for years. "Our instructor had a Ph.D in musicology and taught us at her level," says Marts. "We learned everything."

Marts is now busy with customers from as far away as Canada and even Norway. "I’ve fixed a lot of accordions that belonged to the fathers of my clients," says Marts. "Some required extensive repair be-cause they were stored in wet basements."

When Marts isn’t repairing accordions, she’s playing them. "Every second Monday of the month, I open my house to anyone who wants to make music or just listen," she notes. "People come from miles away to play piano, organ, mandolin, hammer dulcimer, and, of course, accordions. You haven’t heard anything until you’ve heard the boogie woogie on a bunch of accordions and mandolins."

For more information, E-mail Marts at ymarts@prtel.com.

This Active Life: What Can Your Association Do For You?

In Hawaii: Unity Keeps the Association Strong

Even though they’re separated by land and sea, active and retired members of the Hawaii State Teachers Association-Retired always know they can count on one another in times of need. That unity has become the hallmark of the entire state Association.

When K-12 and higher ed members of the Hawaiian State Teachers Association went on strike last spring, they didn’t have to go far for help. HSTA-Retired members jumped at the chance to join the active members in rallies that circled the state Capitol and county buildings. Retired members also assisted in collecting and counting ballots for the strike and ratification votes held on all of the state’s islands.

"The volunteers were so efficient that in each case, ballot results were made public in time for the 10 p.m. television news," says HSTA-Retired President Karen Muronaka. "We were so proud of the work we did on the strike and the way we held together."

Working together has become the hallmark of an Association whose members are scattered throughout the state’s five islands and the continental United States. "We keep our members informed through our quarterly newsletter," explains Muronaka. "We also provide members with a toll-free number that is monitored daily. Members unable to reach us directly can leave a message on our voice mail, and we make every effort to reply on the day the call comes in. This can be a challenge, since we lack any paid staff and the time difference between Hawaii and the mainland must be taken into consideration."

What does help, says Muronaka, is that every district president (each island is a district) has E-mail, providing members easy access to the leaders. The districts also produce their own newsletters.

One district that has been particularly successful has been the Maui district, which recently won the "Outstanding District" award at the Association’s Delegate Assembly in April 2001.

"This was a difficult decision, because all of the districts conduct informative and stimulating activities such as whale watching, archaeological expeditions, golf tournaments, and seminars on health care issues and financial planning" says Muronaka.

At the state Capitol, HSTA-Retired is working hard, monitoring bills that affect the Public Employees’ Retirement System and the Public Employees’ Health Fund, and testifying for the Association on key bills affecting both plans.

Recently, the Hawaii legislature passed H.B. 1668, a bill that is part of a growing trend around the United States to bring retirees back into the classroom. It allows the Department of Education to rehire retired teachers during the period of July 1, 2001 to July 1, 2005 in order to address the state’s teaching shortage in specific subject areas. "The rehired teachers will be able to continue receiving their retirement benefits without a penalty for working, a major plus for our members," says Muronaka. The bill was signed into law as Act 308 by the governor on July 2, 2001.

According to the act, retiree rehires must be retired for at least two years before they can be rehired. The bill also states that retiree rehires may not earn retirement credit or gain additional benefits.

At the same time the Association helps address the state’s growing teacher shortage, HSTA-Retired also helps active members look ahead to their own retirement, offering pre-retirement workshops during the HSTA Teacher Institute Week.

"These workshops are such a draw that it’s standing room only," says Muronaka. "Just another way to show we’re all in this together."

At press time, the state of Hawaii had decided not to ratify the contract it signed with the Hawaii State Teachers Association. For news on the HSTA’s battle to implement the contract, go to www.hsta.org.

This Active Life July 2002: Cooking

Keys to a Healthy Diet

Marsha Patrick, a nutritionist and chef educator, has a catchy mnemonic to help you remember some essentials for a healthy diet: "People facing aging with great care."

The first letter of each word, Patrick told attendees of the NEA-Retired regional meetings in April, corresponds to some of the key components that those over age 50 need to include in their diets. A chef educator at the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Community College, Patrick explored the role of these vital elements as well as some foods that provide them.

• Protein. "Protein is needed to build muscle mass and to build your immune system," and it also is a source of energy, Patrick said. You require approximately 60-75 grams of protein a day, depending on your weight. Good sources of protein include: meat, poultry, peanut butter, eggs, and dairy products.

• Fiber. "Feast on fiber," Patrick said. We need about 20-35 grams daily. Fiber helps with your cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Make sure to take in plenty of water, because "without water, the fiber is not going to perform," Patrick said. "You really can't get too much fiber in your diet, as long as you drink enough water." Good sources of fiber include bran, carrots, beans, and some fruits.

• Antioxidants. We're becoming more aware of the role antioxidants--which include vitamins such as C and E, minerals such as magnesium or zinc, and carotenoids such as betacarotene--play in a healthy diet, said Patrick. "Think of antioxidants as the fighting mechanisms in your body." Vitamins and supplements provide some of the antioxidants you need; so do foods such as broccoli, carrots, and spinach. When cooking these foods, steaming or stir-frying them will preserve their natural benefits better than boiling, Patrick said.

• Water. Dehydration is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization for those over age 65, Patrick said. Drink six to eight glasses of water a day and cut back on caffeinated beverages.

• Grains. Most grains--such as bread, cereals, rice, or pasta--are "loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals." Whole grains are especially beneficial.

• Calcium. Calcium helps make stronger bones and "it is not just for women." Females are at higher risk of osteoporosis, but both men and women can get it, and the majority of older adults are not getting enough calcium in their diets. Good sources of calcium include milk, yogurt, and cheese.

At the end of her session for NEA-Retired members, Patrick cooked up a tasty and healthy snack of sea vegetable corn cakes with red pepper pesto.

Editor's Note--
Patrick's recommendations are in accordance with the American Dietetic Association.

This Active Life: My Contribution

Telling Stories

What’s in a story? Just ask South Carolina member Mozell Robinson. She’s been sharing African-American folk tales and lessons with children and adults around her state for years.

All the world’s a stage, a stage set for storytelling, says South Carolina member Mozell Robinson. Whether it’s a kindergarten classroom, a senior citizen center, a college campus, or a historic plantation, each site is home for Robinson’s mixture of traditional African-American folktales and personal stories.

"Every one of my stories conveys a message to the audience and a lesson about African-American culture," says Robinson, who retired in 1994 after 38 years of teaching. "I try to get my audience intimately involved with my characters through the use of props and costumes and a variety of voices for my characters."

Robinson didn’t set out to become a storyteller. In fact, she came upon her new profession by chance, first trying out her acting wings. "I was reading the Chester County newspaper and read about a Cicily Tyson movie being filmed in town. The movie was in need of African-American actresses, and I took some photos down to the set, not really knowing what to expect," recalls Robinson.

The film company cast Robinson as a stand-in for Tyson, and Robinson became hooked on performing. When curators for Historic Brattonsville, a 720-acre living village and Revolutionary War site, began looking for a storyteller to relate the experiences of plantation slaves, Robinson saw a chance not only to perform, but to educate.

"The curator asked me to be an African interpreter, and at first I was nervous," says Robinson. "But once I realized the importance of telling the story of the slaves, I knew it was a role I couldn’t pass up. I said yes, and the project was so rewarding. I got tremendous feedback from the curators and the tourists. They felt my presentations were very moving."

Robinson was so convincing that the Brattonsville curator also recommended her to the film crew of The Patriot, the Mel Gibson movie that was shot on location in Brattonsville.

Once Robinson began storytelling, she decided it was important to take her skills and her stories on the road. Today, Robinson is in great demand. She has written and performed her stories for senior citizen centers, college students, all-mothers’ gatherings, and middle

school students. The last group is especially fond of Robinson.

"I think there’s been a resurgence in storytelling because everyone is trying to get to the heart of their own history," Robinson notes. "When you listen to my tales, you develop a personal connection with history. That’s because I spend a great deal of time researching my stories. I want people to come away from my session with lessons they’ll take to heart."

"Every one of my stories conveys a message to the audience and a lesson about African-American culture."

This Active Life July 2002: Choices

Join the Advocacy Team

Who:
Susie Jablinske Annapolis, Maryland Pre-Retired

Position:
Elementary teacher in the Anne Arundel County, Maryland schools.

Why did you become active in the Association?
I became active 35 years ago because the Association is an advocate for the rights and needs of educators, and I wanted to be a part of that advocacy team. In addition to helping improve salary, benefits, and working conditions, the Association has played a primary role in developing my leadership skills through excellent training programs and conferences.

I have served as a full-time local president and an NEA Board of Directors member from Maryland. I also was a member of NEA's Executive Committee from 1990 to1996.

Why join NEA-Retired now?
I became a member of NEA-Retired while still an active member because I wanted to help make sure that NEA-Retired would be actively functioning and providing services when I do retire.

What's your biggest retirement concern?
My biggest concern is finding a spot to use my skills. I also worry that I'll miss working with children.

What is the toughest retirement decision you'll have to make? Deciding when to retire. I want to retire while I still enjoy teaching and still have the energy to embark on new activities and work on new goals.

Reach Out to Schools

Who:
Steven Click San Luis Obispo, California Recently Retired

Position Prior to Retirement:
Before relocating to California, I was an elementary teacher for 26 years in Barrow and Fairbanks, Alaska. For part of my career, I taught a half-day and served as a social studies focus project coordinator for a half-day. That assignment made me better appreciate the contributions of non-classroom staff members.

How I'm Spending My Time:
I volunteer in the local public schools and am an on-call substitute teacher. I visit local schools to share my experiences of living in Alaska. I'm also active in a local advocacy group that provides outreach programs to local schools on concerns about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. In addition, I've become an avid cross-country skier and share a cabin in the Sierra Nevada mountains. I'm also enjoying traveling around the world. It's great to visit places I had only read about, experience other cultures, and meet new people. In my first two years of retirement, I spent about seven months in Europe on two trips, once using a EurailPass and once staying for an extended time with a U.S. Department of Defense teacher friend in southern Spain. On the horizon: a short visit to a small resort on the island of Moorea.

Advice to Future Retirees:
Plan ahead for financial security, but not so much that you don't enjoy the present. Don't put off adventures today for possible adventures after retirement.

Always Active

Who:
Pearl Mack Chicago, Illinois Active Retired

Association Career:
On the national level, I've served on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, among other duties. I've also held a variety of board and committee positions at the state and local level.

Why Be Active In NEA?
If someone is spending my money, they need my input and assistance! My mom always told me: "If you have a problem, don't complain about it. Do something about it."

How are You Spending Your Time Now?
I just finished chairing an Illinois Education Association statewide conference. I'm also on the go attending regional, state, and national Association meetings. I like to read, do yoga, and work on my computer. One of my favorite things to do is to have a movie marathon with a retired friend.

Tips for Future NEA-Retired Leaders:
Join your state and national (and local, if allowable) Retired Associations before you retire so you don't miss a beat being actively involved and helping to ensure that public education is a legislative priority in every community. Do what you believe you should, not what others think you should. In essence, retire to your best life!

Advice for Future Retirees:
Designate something from every paycheck to invest in mutual funds, bonds, or other investments. But don't forget to travel while you can still walk without aches and pains!

This Active Life: Best Years Guide

Finance: Scamming Seniors

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That should be the mantra of every older American. Seniors are a favorite target of con artists, and many have lost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to a wide variety of schemes.

Too often, we’ve heard of trusting retirees who have lost their life savings to a scam. The trouble is, the con artist is often hiding behind a business suit, telephone line, or computer terminal.

How can you avoid getting scammed? Knowledge is key. Here are some of the top scams used to bilk seniors of their money.

Free vacation scam. If you’ve gotten a call, letter, or postcard announcing a free, five-day vacation in sunny Bermuda or Hawaii, don’t fall for it. There’s a catch, and a scam. You may be required to pay a travel club membership of $200. Most clients never receive anything or end up in substandard accommodations. By the time you call to complain, the con artist has moved on.

Charity fraud scheme. Throughout the year, but most of all during the holiday season, you probably get appeals by telephone or mail urging you to contribute to a worthy cause. You can check out www.give.org, a Web site for the Better Business Bureau and the National Charities Infor-mation Bureau, for warnings.

Investment schemes. If you’ve gotten calls or E-mails with offers to get rich quick, don’t fall for it. The only people getting rich are the ones behind the scams.

Remember, let the buyer or investor beware.

You’re getting ready for bed and the phone rings. Thinking this is an emergency, you answer the phone––only to find a telemarketer or worse, a pre-recorded message. Sound familiar? Fortunately for you, the Federal Communications Commission is taking aim at abusive telemarketers. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act is designed to help consumers avoid unwanted solicitations. Tell the solicitor to place you on the company’s "do not call" list. The company must keep you on the list for two years. Telemarketers are also barred from calling homes before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m., so report the telemarketer immediately. You might want to let the telemarketer know that consumers can sue the telemarketer in state court if they violate such provisions––that may stop the calls immediately. To be removed from telemarketing lists, mail your request to Telephone Preference Service, P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014. Or go to www.the-dma.org/consumers.

If you’re tired of all the junk mail, you may request the Direct Marketing Association, a trade group of telephone and mail marketers, to remove your name from national contact lists. Your name will remain on the do-not-mail list for five years. After that, you may re-register. Mail your requests for removal to Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008.

To submit a complaint about unsolicited commercial E-mail (also called "junk E-mail" or "spam"), E-mail the Federal Trade Commission at uce@ftc.gov. You can also notify your internet service provider.

One favorite scam of con artists is collecting funds for a bogus charity organization and seniors are particularly vulnerable. Before you send your donation, make sure the charity is legitimate. Contact the National Charities Information Bureau, 19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003, or go to www.give.org.

How can you avoid getting scammed? Here are some Web sites you can check out:

Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau site offers news alerts, consumer advice, and contacts for reporting businesses.

FirstGov for Seniors
This site offers you the latest news and information on a variety of topics and a special section on consumer protection. Check out this site for the latest in con schemes. You can even file a complaint on this site.

Identity Theft
This is the place to go if you think someone has stolen your Social Security number or ID.

Travel:
Coupons Take Flight

It really pays to be a senior, especially when it comes to flying. For frequent and even infrequent travelers, most airlines offer senior coupon books. Carriers that don’t offer coupon books often offer senior discounts on most fares or membership in senior clubs.

"If you’re a frequent flier like me, an airline coupon book can make a big difference," says NEA-Retired Vice-President Jack Kinnaman. "I’m surprised when I hear of someone who’s paid full fare for a flight. It’s time all seniors knew about these coupon books."

Typically, airline coupon booklets consist of four or eight coupons. Each coupon is good for a one-way trip within the lower 48 states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. If you plan to fly to Hawaii or Alaska, however, most airlines will require two coupons for a one-way trip. A four-coupon book from Continental Airlines sells for $579 while a coupon book from Northwestern or Delta costs $676. An eight-coupon book sells for about $1,000. America West, for example, offers an additional perk. If you’re traveling with one or two grandchildren, you can use your coupons for their flight as well.

What’s so good about the coupon books? The coupons can be used for instant travel on a standby basis and there is no minimum-stay requirement or Saturday-night layover requirement. If you don’t want to take a chance on stand-by, you must make your reservation 14 days in advance.

However, there are a few things to remember. Keep in mind that in this age of fare wars, the coupon may not always offer you the best fare. Make sure you avoid the airline blackout dates. And always check with your travel agent or the airline Web site for promotional fares or restrictions.

It’s also wise to select an airline that has the most convenient routes and schedules to your favorite destinations. Even though your coupon covers connections, you’ll save yourself a lot of problems. Make sure you carry your identification at all times and don’t forget to check on all of your fare options. A little research will go a long way.

Looking for additional ways to save money on your trips? Here are some Web sites that will make your trip enjoyable and affordable:

Independent Traveler
This site offers listings of senior discounts, travel club plans, and more.

Educators Bed and Breakfast
Educators are often the best tour guides and contacts for your vacation and in this case, the best hosts. Check out this site before you travel. You’ll find a cozy home, villa, or seaside apartment.

Golden Age Passport
The Golden Age Passport offers seniors a lifetime pass for national parks, monuments, historic battle sites, and recreation areas run by the federal government, all for $10. The pass gives you a 50 percent discount to the areas.

Tis the season for planting in your garden, especially if you want beautiful and healthy spring blooms.

Ask gardening experts and they’ll agree that fall is prime time for planning and planting. Why?

For one thing, fall brings more reliable rainfall than summer. Temperatures are cooler, so the soil doesn’t dry out as quickly. Also, new additions to your garden are more likely to make it to full flower if planted in the fall because they haven’t had to withstand the summer heat and because pest population tends to decline in the fall, say experts from the American Nursery and Landscape Association.

What should you plant? Spring-flowering bulbs, especially if you love tulips, lilies, daffodils, and crocuses. In areas where winters are mild, tulips should be planted later than other bulbs, when the temperature has cooled to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you’re a peony fan, experts say fall is the very best time to plant these beautiful bloomers.

It’s also the time to plant most trees and shrubs. Many nurseries and garden centers offer good sales on bulbs, trees, and shrubs in the fall. Make sure the roots of the sale plants you’ve selected are healthy and your soil is well prepared.

Then, all you have to do is pull on your gloves and start planting.

Fall is not only the best time to plant trees and shrubs, it’s the best time to reseed cool-season lawns in many parts of the country. First aerate, then sow the seed. Water regularly to maintain even moisture. Two weeks after planting, add your fertilizer. If the seed takes, you’ll have a nice healthy lawn by spring and will be the envy of your neighborhood. If it doesn’t take, don’t be discouraged––and make sure you’ve chosen a seed that is hardy in your planting region. If you’re using chemical fertilizers, always make sure animals and children steer clear of your planting area.

For a gardening vacation, try a trip to the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, a favorite California tourist site because of its vast stretches of flowering plants and shrubs. The farm, located in Southern California near Interstate 5, features more than 50 acres of rolling hillside. In spring, the hills are ablaze with 200 million yellow, pink, orange, red, and white ranunculus flowers. The ranch also features a 3,000 square-foot All America Rose Selection garden, containing each of the AARS winners since 1940 and featuring new rose varieties. Admission to the ranch ranges from $3 to $7. For more information and directions, call 760/431-0352 or visit the farm’s Web site at www.theflowerfields.com.

Don’t forget your almanac when you plan your spring garden. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is on the Web and you’ll find articles, weather reports, and lunar calendars. You’ll also be able to reate a personal calendar. Go to www.almanac.com.

If you have a gardening question, North Haven Gardens Nursery will be ready with answers. Go to the NHG Web site at www.nhg.com.

Need help planning or planting your garden? Try these sites:

American Horticultural Society
One of the nation’s oldest gardening organizations, AHS has created a site to answer your questions. There’s even a section featuring master gardeners.

Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center
This center is the press office of the Dutch bulb industry and a treasure trove of planting tips, historical information, and guides for purchasing tulips, lilies, and the like.

HG TV
HG TV offers a wide range of gardening tips and projects to complement its gardening programs.