Taking measure of their lives
By BETTY PATTERSON
Published August 29, 2006
Editor's note: In 1996, when 11 Pinellas County friends discovered they were all turning 60, Seniority magazine featured the group as they created a dinner with favorite childhood foods and shared stories of their lives.
For this, their 70th year, seven members of that group toured Charleston, S.C., and Savannah, Ga., a trip recounted here. Then, several members reflect on the past decade - experiences and emotions that may resonate in your life, too.
One of our celebrants, Jack Mevers, has a generous cousin in Charleston, S.C., who opened his five-bedroom beach "cottage" to the group. From there, we explored and feasted in Charleston and then went on to complete our long weekend in Savannah, Ga.
In the past 10 years, we have said goodbye to group members Shirley Barris and Jim Patterson and spouses Bill Murray and Ed Siersema. We miss them all.
Our fellow celebrant, Dinny Siersema, wasn't quite ready for our trip after husband Ed's recent death. We also traveled without Jim Geiger and his wife, Lynne, who had broken her foot.
Fittingly, on Day One in Charleston we marked our birthday year not only with a big cake but with a feast of she-crab soup, crab cakes and boiled shrimp. We decreed that at 70, one doesn't have to diet quite as diligently!
Day Two, the group split up - some to play golf, the others to tour. Over the next few days, we would take a boat ride to Fort Sumter, spend an afternoon at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (we were a bit undone both by the prices - $27 to visit the manor's interior and the grounds - and the hurried tour), and visit an exhibit on the Hunley, a submarine that sank in 1864 in Charleston Harbor and was recovered in 2000.
A charming highlight was a carriage ride through Charleston's well-preserved historic district, which let us imagine life 150 years ago.
After one last huge breakfast on the beach cottage's porch (it is called a piazza there), we made the two-hour drive to Savannah. Lodging there was not quite so grand: We had picked a moderately priced motel.
To tour Savannah, we opted for a trolley from which we could hop on and off. It worked well as we made the full loop and then repeated it, with stops at a colonial-era cemetery and some of the lovely squares.
The riverfront renovation, though touted in the guidebooks, was a bit touristy and disappointing. But old Savannah was beautiful.
During dinner one night at a restaurant with good river views, we saw some immense cargo ships pass by. And we toasted our birthdays, speculating - with crossed fingers - on where we'd enjoy year 75.
Looking back, looking ahead
My major concerns in 1996 were having enough resources for retirement, not becoming a burden for my children, and our health in retirement.
I retired in late 1998 at age 62 and with a pension, Social Security and savings; my wife continued to work until this year.
My retirement activities have mainly been exercise-oriented: tennis, biking, bowling, golf and skiing. We travel to visit the kids and grandchildren every year. I volunteer with the Honeywell Retirees Club to teach an electrical science project to fourth-graders in several Pinellas County schools. We have traveled with the church choir to Italy and Ireland.
I am very happy in retirement, although my new concerns are terrorism and its effects on our way of life, the threat of inflation, losing my homeowners insurance, gas prices and their far-reaching cost effects, and my health - which, so far, is pretty good.
My outlook is optimistic.
- FRED ANNAND
* * n
The past 10 years have brought great joys, great sorrows. I retired after 22 years as director of St. Petersburg's Canterbury School, Hough Campus, closing out a career I loved. A year after my retirement, my husband died suddenly, which changed the whole direction of my life: I was no longer an educator, no longer an active mother, no longer a wife.
Who was I?
I have had to find new purposes, new direction. I'm happy to say my life is good, with new inspirations, exciting adventures and much fun, thanks to my devoted family, great friends, a wonderful church and an active lifestyle.
The secret is to take the time to discover where your talents lie and then to follow those paths.
- JANET MURRAY
* * n
The past decade has been a busy one, lots of travel. Highlights would be:
* Six weeks in an apartment in the village of Imerovigli, on the Greek island of Santorini, celebrating my 65th birthday.
* Six weeks in a restored farmhouse in Bulbon, France, with many friends joining us at different times and touring Provence.
At 64 I decided to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a pilot, and I received my license at 65. Next came building my plane, which I completed in 2003. I continue to volunteer on industrial boards and committees.
Very important, my wife, Lynne, and I continue to treasure our friends (almost family) in the Sundowners. Happy birthday to my fellow "70" celebrants.
- JIM GEIGER
* * n
It was 10 years of joyous highs and heartbreaking lows. We celebrated the births of three beautiful grandchildren and proudly saw our son and daughter earn graduate degrees. Our family celebrated our daughter's wedding in 2001.
But we lost my husband, Jim, in May 2004. He had thoroughly enjoyed his brief retirement years by writing three novels and writing for computer and camera publications.
We had enjoyed travel writing in Europe, Asia, Canada and the States. Since his death, I have ventured to the Pacific Northwest and South America.
I'm taking pleasure and pride in being more independent after years of togetherness, and I know how important it is to embrace every day. I cherish my friends and mourn the loss of too many dear others who can't celebrate with us.
- BETTY PATTERSON
* * n
At 60, I was anticipating retirement from the public school system. At 70, I have had 91/2 great years in retirement.
We now have eight delightful grandchildren to treasure and mentor. Our adult children are truly treasures. Since they all live outside Florida and some outside the United States, we have some great family trips.
I feel so blessed to be able to continue being active, enjoying family and friends, and being of service to my church and community. I'm very relieved that I have apparently successfully battled cancer.
- SOLLY WENDT
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Since my retirement in 1992, Ann and I have been enjoying the leisure life, when her business permitted. I play golf with some retirees two days a week and go on two- and three-day golf outings around the Southeast once a month.
I am concerned over the future of our country, its leadership and economy, and what will be in store for our children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. So far, life has been good to us, with no catastrophic occurrences.
We look forward to celebrating our 80th birthdays in some exotic place.
- JOHN "JACK" MEVERS
* * n
In 1991, after 31 years of being a stay-at-home mom, I bought a sewing machine business, Bay Area Sewing. By 1993 I had expanded from the main store into sales departments in three Jo-Ann's fabric stores. Over the years I have earned many awards that included trips to places such as Hawaii, Amsterdam, London and Sweden.
In 2001 I sold my business and retired (much to Jack's relief), so now we are able to go where we want, when we want. We play golf twice each week and on two- and three-day outings. I belong to three bridge groups, volunteer at the Pinellas County Extension Service and am a "Red Hatter."
We hope the next 10 years will be as good to us as the past 10 have been.
- ANN MEVERS
* * n
This is difficult for me to write, as I recently lost my husband, Ed, after 50 years of marriage. He was my best friend and I miss him terribly.
I know the past 10 years have included many good times, and we were blessed with two grandchildren. I value my friends and family very much.
- DINNY SIERSEMA
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