The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-04-29
Joys OF Doing Nothing
Are Very Quickly Ended
TIME TO START
THINKING OF
RETIREMENT is NOW
BY CHRIS MAcGILL
AP Staff Writer

What are you going to do when
you quit work for good?
''I'm going to loaf and fish, "
you may say and mean it, but
unless you're most unusual you'll
soon find that the joys of doing
nothing pail very quickly. .
The time to start thinking about
retirement is now. II your life is
wound around your job and its
associations you may have a hard
time developing new interests
when your employment ends.
II you have a hobby or several
Of them, you're in an enviable
position. Retirement win mean
more time to do the things you
enjoy. More than once, a retire
ment hobby has Powered into a
whole new career for a man or
woman II il doesn't do that.
your hobby is likely 70 keep you
in the swim of things.
But suppose you have reached
retirement and never have had
time or inclination 70 develop out
side interests. Time is likely. 10
pass slowly with nothing to do but
read, listen to the radio or watch
TV. All those scivitics are
passive. Most people feel need
for doing something that's creative
or involves contact with others.
How to get started2 Many cities
have recreation centers for older
people. There are clubs for old
sters-golden age clubs. three
quarter century clubs, grandmas'
clubs and the like. If you happen
to live in community with many
retired residents all you have to do
is pick and choose.
But don't think you have to con.
fine yourself to old peoples
groups. Your church or synagogue
no doubt has active organizations
you can enter. Even Id small
towns there are bound to be hobby
clubs you can JOIN.
Don't overlook volunteer serv.
ice to the community. 1t may
range from joining the Ground
Observer Corps TO helping out at
the blood bank. However, organi.
zations which enlist the volunteer
aid of older people should keep in
mind that many OF them are on
very restricted budgets.
Some areas have been expert
nienting with camping for old
people. In spite Of strong initial
protests from oldsters who think
Of camping as childish. social
workers have found II works out
very well. II has been a particular
boon for people from large cities
However, the camp program that
does wei for children doesn't suit
their elders. the camp staffs have
found. 0ldSters want leiSurely
strulls, not organized hikes; sun.
bathing, not dips In chilly pools:
plenty Of time 10 SIT and talk to
each other, not constant hustle.
Enrolling for courses At night
school Or a nearby college Is an,
other favorite activity with many
elderly people--once they conquer
The feeling that studying, like
lie camping. Is Tor youngsters.
A psychologist ran an expert
ment with three groups Of people
--oae aged 20 10 Is. one aged n
10 ~ ard one with members be.
tween ~ and 70. Fer tao months
he taught them Russian. , most
language. Al three groups
earned as much Russian IS IRE
average college graduate learns In
/ year.
Just 10 Be sure, TIE same groups
9 TIE snn of tie yoanG and TIE
Nd Stadensx.
ofsen elder people have the
dsa they eans learn, 50 sazv
soa1 try uEAess t0Ersa.
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