Today’s BoomeR

Today’s

Vol.4 No.4

FF–– Being OldBeing Old::

Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B Featuring The Only B2B ---Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!Business 2 BoomeR Marketplace!

The Retirement Plan that Never Hapened

Boomer Boomer Healthy Healthy Eating: Eating: Start Your Med Grill

8 Tips for 8 Tips for Buying Buying Your Car Your Car for Lessfor Less

Long Distance Love Works!

Boomer Boomer Travel: Travel: Top Top Can’tCan’t--Miss Miss Events Now Events Now

Bye-Bye American ‘Boomer’ Pie

Old Old Enough Enough for for Sex: Sex: 6 Kissing 6 Kissing TipsTips Enjoying the ‘Then’ and ‘Now’ of Summer

2 Today’s BoomeR

Up Coming Cruises- Book Now!

Deep Amazon River Exploration Credit Union Competitive Edge

Forum August 7-August 16, 2015

Spanish Mediterranean Odyssey Credit Union Volunteers

Symposium August 16-August 27, 2015

Canada/New England Fall Foliage Cruise

Credit Union Winds of Change Symposium

September 26-October 2, 2015

Ultimate Caribbean Adventure Credit Union Leadership

Strategies EduCruise November 9-November 20, 2015

Hawian Isles Paradise Educruise

Credit Union Leadership Forum May 28-June 4th, 2016

WWW.EDUCRUISES.COM

Today’s BoomeR 3

Founders: John Vardallas & Alexandra Maragha

Editor-In-Chief: Alexandra Maragha

Contributing Writers :

Bob Trotter: Social Security

Chef Eben Atwater: Healthy Eating

Advertising: Team

For Letters to the Editor, articles and feedback

as well as advertising inquiries email

Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com

TheAmericanBoomeR.com

John Vardallas

CEO/Founder Professional Speaker

Business/Lifestyle Strategist

Boomer Sage and Blogger

JohnVardallas@TheAmericanBoomeR.com

(608) 577-8707

Alexandra Maragha

Founder & Editor-In-Chief Today’s BoomeR

Alexandra@TheAmericanBoomeR.com

Today’s BoomeR Vol.4 No.4 Today’s BoomeR is published

six times (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/ June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct,

Nov/Dec) a year by The American BoomeR.com

769 North Star Drive (Suite 207) Madison, WI 53718 All rights

reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission

is prohibited.

The American Boomer

@American_Boomer

This Issue

July / August 2015

Volume 4, Number 4

Boomer Travel 5

Top Can’t-Miss Events This Summer

The Retirement Plan That 8

Never Happend

Boomer Consumer Watch 10

8 Tips to Buy Your Next Car for Less

Social Security 12

Your Questions Answered

Old Enough For Sex 13

6 Kissing Tips

The Boomer Piece of the 14

American Pie

Boomer Healthy Eating 19

Start Your Mediterranean Grill

Lifestyle Trendz 24

Long Distance Love Works!

New Blog: F-Being Old 25

Then and Now Lazy Days of Summer

B2B Marketplace 26

Business 2 Boomers Marketplace

Today’s

4 Today’s BoomeR

(feature)

p. 12

EDITOR’S LETTER Today’s

You Are What You Eat

The saying, “as American as apple pie” comes with great meaning. While the apple pie is a

past time favorite dessert rooted in American culture, it also represents the idea of the

great pie, populous, or even “melting pot” that we are all a part of being “Americans”.

Political, religious, belief, cultural, gender, and even class affiliation are not only ways in

which we identify ourselves and among others, but are also ways in which we collectively

are parts of this great “American Pie”.

Generational rations of this pie are shifting regarding influence, financial status, health

needs and societal contribution. While boomers are the largest generation population

wise, and are still the most influential, Millennials are riding the coat tails and ready to

change clothes altogether. What does this shift mean and how will boomers react, adjust

and welcome or discourage this change? How does the past experiences of boomers,

repeated and relived from the summer of 1969 this year, more than 40 years ago, affect

boomers today?

This issue examines this change and motivates boomers to reflect within themselves and as

a whole generation as these questions are answered. While this summer brings historic

serious events, it also provides time to relax and enjoy what summer brings. Boomer Chef

Eben has a hot grill of Mediterranean favorites to try at your next backyard gathering and

Johnny V reflects to his youth experiences as the lazy days of summer are underway.

Our travel will leave you options for a last chance summer getaway at these top events

around the country. And what are hot nights for if you can’t enjoy them with that

significant other- check out tips to refresh that kiss.

And when you sit to enjoy a bite of that pie, think about how much boomers will be eating

or giving to others to share more parts. No matter how it is divided, always remember the

taste and how sweet and delicious each bite can be. That great American apple pie.

Alexandra Maragha

Editor-In-Chief

Send Letters and Feedback to: Alexandra@theamericanboomer.com

Today’s BoomeR 5

Top Can't-Miss Events This

Summer

B

OO

ME

R T

RA

VE

L

BO

OM

ER

TR

AV

EL

By travelchannel.com

Stay everywhere but still this summer. From music festivals in the mountains to

family getaways at the beach, Hilton’s 12 brands will be there to help you play as

hard as you work this summer. Here are the top can’t-miss events of the summer.

Jazz Age Lawn Party (Governors Island, NY)

Live out your Gatsby fantasies—and dress the part in your finest flapper attire—-at this Prohibi-

tion-style gathering. Where else could you do the Charleston to a live band with a cocktail in

hand just 10 minutes (by ferry) from Manhatten?

Mark your calendar: August 15-16 2015

6 Today’s BoomeR

Today’s BoomeR 7

Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary

(Anaheim, CA)

There’s never been a better time to say,

“Im going to Disneyland!” In celebration

of its 60th anniversary, Disney has upped

the ante with an all-new fireworks show

featuring pyrotechnics you have to see to

believe, an innovative glow-in-the-dark

parade and more.

Mark your calendar: Starting May 22 2015

Opera House Cup/Nantucket Race Week

(Nantucket Island, MA)

Sailing enthusiasts will recognize the annual

Opera House Cup as the first all-wooden, single-

hulled classic boat regatta—and what made Nan-

tucket a sailing hub on the East Coast—but it’s

the award party that’s considered the “event of

the season.” Guests toss back a few oysters and

Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktails before dancing to live

music on the beach.

Mark your calendar: August 13-15, 2015

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend

(Sonoma, CA)

Cap off your summer with a Sonoma Wine Coun-

try Weekend, a Labor Day tradition. Kick things off

Friday night poolside at the iconic Francis Ford

Coppola Winery, dining and dancing under the

stars. Then get a Taste of Sonoma thanks to 60

local chefs and over 200 wineries at the historic

MacMurray Estate Vineyards where wine tours,

expert pairings and a blind tasting are on offer.

Mark your calendar: September 4-6, 2015

8 Today’s BoomeR

By Ilana Polyak

Call it the retirement that never was. The oldest baby

boomers are turning 69 years old this year, yet many are still

working and have no plans to go anywhere.

In 1990 just 12.1 percent of workers were 65 and older; by

2010 more than 16 percent were, according to the Census

Bureau. That number is likely to grow as more boomers

move into the over-65 demographic. Modern retirement

calls for different rules, so it's no wonder that boomers are

redefining retirement.

"To think that you can

finance a 40-year

retirement is

mathematically

impossible," said

Catherine Collinson,

president of the

Transamerica Center

for Retirement

Studies. A Transmerica survey shows that almost two-thirds

of baby boomer workers plan to stay on the job beyond age

65-or don't plan to retire at all. "Baby boomers do not

envision not working," Collinson said.

People who are at least 65 can expect to live another 19

years, and those who make it to 75 should plan to live well

into their 80s, reported the Centers for Disease Control. At

the same time, the average account balance for workers in

their 50s and 60s is less than $150,000, according to the

Employee Benefits Research Institute.

"Unless you socked away a lot of money, retirement for

many is just not going to be what we grew up believing

retirement was," said certified financial planner Mark Singer,

president of Safe Harbor Retirement Planning, author of

"The 6 Secrets to a Happy Retirement" and himself a

boomer, at age 60. As a result of working longer, boomers

are transforming not just retirement, but the workplace

itself.

Benefits of

Working

Working

longer is the most obvious solution to

the retirement savings problem.

Among all of the options available to

pre-retirees, it's the one that has the

biggest impact on a nest egg, said Judith Ward, a senior

financial planning with T. Rowe Price. Working three years

longer and contributing 15 percent of income can grow a

401(k) by 22 percent; working five years more can increase

savings by 39 percent. Combining more years of work with a

bigger retirement-plan contribution (say, 25 percent) has an

even more powerful impact.

Of course, not all boomers will be content to continue

pounding out 40-hour weeks, said Kerry Hannon, a jobs

expert with AARP and author of "Love Your Job: The New

Rules for Career Happiness." Some will opt for phased

retirement schemes, where they're able to cut back on their

hours but still stay employed. Depending on the number of

hours, they may be able to hold on to crucial health

insurance and retirement-plan perks. Most important,

however, is that even part-time work can keep boomers

from tapping their nest eggs too soon.

However, employers may not be so quick to jump on the

phased-retirement bandwagon. "The trend is happening so

quickly that employment practices have simply not kept

pace with the changing times," Collinson said.

There are some legal obstacles in switching from full-time to

part-time work-specifically, how to account for insurance

and pensions for part-time workers-noted Mark Schmit,

executive director of the Society for Human Resource

Management Foundation. What's more, these arrangements

could be seen as unfair to younger workers. "They might be

thinking, 'These older folks are getting a perk that the rest of

the organization is not getting,'" he said.

Some industries, however, are more open to it, said Schmit,

especially if they have a looming brain drain, as is the case in

For Boomers, It’s the Retirement For Boomers, It’s the Retirement Plan That Never HappenedPlan That Never Happened ?

Some [Boomers] will opt

for phased retirement

schemes, where they're

able to cut back on their

hours but still stay

employed.

Today’s BoomeR 9

health care and mining.

Phased retirement might

give businesses time to

accelerate their recruiting

efforts while still

benefiting from the talents

of boomers.

Intergenerational

Conflicts Loom

Of course, staying in the

workplace longer is not

without glitches.

According to Dan

Schawbel, founder of

WorkplaceTrends.com, a

research and advisory firm focusing on millennials in the workplace, every generation has a negative view of the

generation that's coming up but a positive view of their elders'. "The younger generation is seen as more connected

and they're cheaper to hire, so they're seen as a threat [by boomers]," he said.

In SHRM's survey of human resource managers, more than a quarter reported some level of intergeneration conflict in

their organizations. Dress code is a particular issue, with millennials advocating for casual dress and boomers insisting

on business attire. "Millennials want you to appreciate what's coming out of your head, not the costume they're

wearing," said Anne Donovan, a managing director and millennials expert at accounting giant Pricewaterhouse

Coopers.

Focusing on dress code might seem trivial, said Donovan, but it speaks to workplace culture. Businesses that cling to

formal dress will continue to lose young talent to companies that do not, she said. Few would argue that the

hoodie-wearing engineers in Silicon Valley aren't getting the job done. Communication style, too, causes conflicts. "The

technology divide is getting wider," said Schawbel. "[Younger people] don't use email; they're texting and using

Snapchat, and voice mail's dead."

These issues come to a head in particular when millennials supervise workers 20 years or more their senior. "We're

seeing more and more of that, and that's just life," said AARP's Hannon. Boomers lamenting this reality, she added, are

just "going to have to get with the program."

Reverse Mentoring

To quell these conflicts, some companies have instituted reverse mentoring programs -- pairing up boomers with

younger workers who can help guide them in today's technology and communications.

At Pricewaterhouse Coopers, where 80 percent of workers belong to the millennial generation, boomers in the

company's Atlanta office can get help with their technology questions through their millennial mentors. "What we've

done is taken the stigma away for the boomers, and millennials want to have that interaction with leadership,"

Donovan said.

Philips, a Dutch lighting company that's a client of WorkplaceTrends.com, uses cross-generational teams of millennials

who manage employees nearing retirement. "The millennials are learning from the baby boomers, but the baby

boomers are also learning from the millennials," Schawbel said.

10 Today’s BoomeR

By Maryalene LaPonsie

It's a well-known fact that after a house, a vehicle is

probably the biggest purchase you will ever make.

Unfortunately, while your house might gain value over

time, your car eventually will turn into a nearly worthless

hunk of metal, plastic and upholstery.

1. Buy Used ... Usually

You knew this would be the first bit of advice, right? Of

course it is. How could it not be when

Edmunds reports that the average

new car loses 11 percent of its value

as soon as it's driven off the lot? That

means your $20,000 car is suddenly

worth less than $18,000.

So it almost always makes sense to buy used. Wait two or

three years, and you can often get a much cheaper car

that is almost as good as one fresh off the assembly line.

However, if you're planning to get a car that's only 1 year

old, a new car may be cheaper in some cases after dealer

and manufacturer Incentives are factored in.

2. Do Your Homework

Regardless of whether you're buying new or used, do your

homework first. Research the going price and available

options for the cars you're eyeing. Of course, Kelley Blue

Book and Edmunds are good places to start, but don't

stop there. Those sites approximate a

car's market value. But in the end,

capitalism rules. Supply and demand

dictate actual prices.

Cruise Craigslist and browse the

online ads to get a feel for prices in

your area. You want to have a good grasp of local prices

before you set foot on a dealership lot and get talked into

a "good deal" that really isn't a deal at all. Speaking of

homework, make sure you're doing an apples-to-apples

comparison when shopping around.

I'll go ahead, risk looking the fool and confess to this

mistake: I recently bought a Toyota Sienna with an LE trim

but had been comparing it with vehicles with an XLE trim

when doing online research. It wasn't until after I got the

vehicle home that I realized my mistake. Although I still

got a good price, it wasn't the totally awesome deal I

thought I had negotiated.

3. Embrace High Miles.

It used to be that a car with 100,000 miles was living on

borrowed time. How times have changed. Today's cars are

built to last 200,000 miles or more. So why are you

freaking out about buying a used car with 110,000 miles

on it?

For many models, the price starts

dropping through the floor once the

mileage goes north of 100,000. By

saying no to these high-mileage cars,

you're rejecting a lot of good deals.

Not every high-mileage car is a good buy, but if you find a

reliable make and model, you can get good quality at a

low price.

4. Time Your Purchase Right

There are two facets to this piece of advice. The first is to

buy on the right day. As you might guess, the end of the

month is often a good time to buy a car, particularly if

salespeople are trying to meet their quotas or qualify for a

monthly bonus.

However, the very best day to shop

could be Dec. 31. The salesperson

wants to make a deal before the

end of the year. Plus, there may be

fewer car shoppers, meaning more

BoomeR ConsumeR Watch:

8 Tips for Buying Your Next Car For Less

Today’s BoomeR 11

incentive for sales reps to close a deal.

Be aware of seasonal trends in your area, especially if

you're buying from a private party. Four-wheel-drive

trucks may be in demand in the winter but cost less in the

summer. Meanwhile, convertibles and some jeeps might

be cheaper in the fall.

And you might want to avoid shopping in the spring if

possible. When tax refunds start hitting bank accounts,

there could be a lot more shoppers in the market, and

that could drive prices up.

5. Forget The Monthly Payment

Sales reps want to talk monthly

payments as soon as you walk in the

door. If they can get you thinking in terms of a monthly

cost rather than a total cost, they've increased their odds

of selling you more car than you intended to buy.

Remember, the dealer can work some mathematical

magic — such as extending the repayment term to six or

seven years — to make an overpriced vehicle fit into a

meager budget.

Avoid the trap of ending up with reasonable payments for

an unreasonable length of time by negotiating the total

price rather than a monthly amount. To make sure you

are negotiating in the right price range, ask a local bank

or credit union whether it offers a preapproval process so

you can find out in advance what you can afford.

6. Think twice about trade-ins.

Don't mention your trade-in unless it absolutely has to be

part of the transaction. Instead, tell the dealer you

haven't decided what to do with your current vehicle.

Once you have haggled over the cost of your new

purchase, negotiate the value of your trade-in. This

method helps ensure you not only get the best price on

your new car, but also that you maximize what you

receive for the trade-in. Another trick dealers use is luring

in shoppers with promises of huge trade-in values. If you

can push, pull or drag in your old vehicle, you'll be

guaranteed thousands of dollars for your trade-in.

That sounds good until you realize that

the offer applies only to certain vehicles

on the lot. The sales representative will

steer you toward the $15,000 vehicle

and enthusiastically share that it will be only $12,000 with

your $3,000 trade-in.

It sounds like a deal too good to pass up, except you had

planned to spend just $10,000. Or another tactic used by

dealers is to bump up their car prices before running a

trade-in promotion.

7. Offer to pay with green

Buying with cash is a strategy that may

or may not get you a discount.

New-car dealers make a lot of their income on financing

and insurance sales, which means they have little

incentive to accept cash.

On the used lot, you might get a little more negotiating

power. That is especially likely if there is a smaller

financial incentive for the dealer and the salesperson is

eager to avoid the hassle of completing financing paper-

work.

However, private sales are where you'll probably see the

biggest discount for a cash payment. Sellers may be eager

to unload their vehicle and if you can offer cash, that's

often all they need to come down on price.

8. Buy from private sellers

Speaking of private sellers, you're likely to

get a better deal from them even if you

don't do any wheeling and dealing. That's one way

Money Talks News finance expert Stacy Johnson found a

near mint condition $5,000 car. Dealerships have huge

overhead expenses, which means they have prices higher

than what you find on the private market. Of course,

established dealers have a reputation to uphold so they

may be more likely to stand behind the cars they sell.

If you're buying from a private seller, be sure to get a full

inspection from a mechanic of your choice before forking

over any money.

12 Today’s BoomeR

Social Security: Your Questions Answered

Answer: Even if your spouse has never worked under Social

Security, she can, at full retirement age, receive a benefit equal

to one-half of your full retirement amount. Your wife is eligible

for reduced spouse’s benefits as early as age 62, as long as you

are already receiving benefits. For more information, visit

www.socialsecurity.gov/retire.

Answer: Giving your Social Security number is voluntary. If

requested, you should ask why the person asking needs your

Social Security number, how it will be used, what law requires

you to give your number, and what the consequences are if

you refuse. The answers to these questions can help you

decide whether to give your Social Security number. However,

the decision is yours.

Keep in mind that requestors might not provide you their

services if you refuse to provide your Social Security number.

For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs to

read or print our publication, Your Social Security Number And

Card.

Answer: The earliest age you can begin receiving Social

Security retirement benefits is age 62. If you decide to receive

benefits before your full retirement age, which for most

people is age 66 or 67, you will receive a reduced benefit. Keep

in mind you will not be able to receive Medicare coverage until

age 65, even if you decide to retire at an earlier age. For more

information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/retire.

Answer: Your disability benefits will continue as long as your

medical condition has not improved and you cannot work.

Social Security will periodically review your case to determine

whether you continue to be eligible. If you are still receiving

disability benefits when you reach your full retirement age,

your disability benefits will automatically be converted to

retirement benefits. Learn more about disability benefits at

www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

Answer: To be eligible to receive SSI benefits, you must be

disabled, blind, or age 65 or older and have limited income and

resources. Income is money you receive such as wages, Social

Security benefits, and pensions. Income also includes the value

of such things as food and shelter you receive from others.

Resources are things you own such as real estate, bank

accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds. You may be able to get SSI if

your resources are worth no more than $2,000. A couple may

be able to get SSI if they have resources worth no more than

$3,000. Learn more by reading our publication, Supplemental

Security Income (SSI), at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

By Bob Trotter, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist

Question: My wife didn’t work enough to earn 40 credits to

qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. Can she

qualify on my record?

Question: Do I have to give my Social Security number

whenever I’m asked?

Question: What is the earliest age I can begin receiving

Social Security retirement benefits?

Question: Is there a time limit on how long I can receive

Social Security disability benefits?

Question: What are the rules for getting Supplemental

Security Income (SSI)? I’m thinking about applying based on

my disability.

Today’s BoomeR 13

By Mike Bushman

1. Use Your Hands

"It creates a physical connection in addition to your lips," says

Jill Blakeway, clinic director at the YinOva Center in New York

City and author of the forthcoming book Sex Again: Recharging

Your Libido. "Where you put your hands isn't really all that

important -- roam a little."

2. Make Eye Contact

"Look into his eyes as a prelude to a kiss or sometimes the

whole time you're kiss-

ing," Blakeway says. "In

Chinese medicine the

eyes are related to an

energetic pathway that

surrounds the genitals."

3. Vary It Up A Bit

"If you've been married

for a long time, it gets a

little routine. You have

a [certain] way of

kissing and that's what

your husband is

expecting," Blakeway

says. "Surprise him!

He'll faint with amaze-

ment. Vary the pressure, the speed and the technique."

Kissing when/where your partner least expects it or taking

turns kissing your partner the way you'd like to be kissed are

some ways to knock the routine out of your smooches.

4. Kiss Heart To Heart

"Which way you tilt your head when you kiss makes a

difference," Blakeway says. "If you both tilt on your left side,

lean in and embrace a little, your hearts are touching. And

that's more than nice symbolism -- it's also a way to experience

a deep connection because you both have an awareness of

your heartbeats, which may be a little elevated because of

kissing."

5. Be Conscious Of What You’re Doing With Your Tongue

"Gently slide your tongue into your partner's mouth and then

move deeper," Blakeway says. "Besides lighting up all the nerve

endings in the mouth, it also stimulates the salivary glands.

Believe it or not, saliva contains testosterone, and testosterone

provides a little jolt to your libido. So 'swapping spit' is actually

a key to activating your sex drive!"

6. Kiss Longer

"Kiss him longer than it takes you to sneeze," Blakeway says.

"Passionate kissing is something people forget to do."

Old Enough For Sex: 6 Kissing Tips

Keep the magic going or spark some new magic when it comes to moving those lips!

14 Today’s BoomeR

The Boomer Piece of the American Pie

Baby Boomers. The Generation that has defined American Culture in the 20th century and are continuing to

be the key component that continues to drive the country’s economy, consumer markets, educational

systems and social structures and still dictating for standards of change and progress.

One could look at 2015 as including the “Summer of ‘69” for many reasons. This year, the oldest of the baby

boomer population will be turning 69 years old indicating and contributing to the realization of the aging

process that boomers will face, and how the needs of an aging generation will need to be met and if it can

even be compensated for the 80 million that populate the U.S.

As basic needs of aging are considered boomers are once again met with economic and social challenges.

One of the most prominent aspects is considering how care will be compensated and accounted for. Will

boomers turn to rely on social security, Medicaid, and Medicare, and other public options that they may

qualify for, while at the same time risking the breaking point of an unsteady financial government?

By Alexandra Maragha, TheAmericanBoomer.com

Today’s BoomeR 15

Or, will boomers look to be self sufficient and

continue to care for themselves only after removing

themselves from the so called “sandwich” they have

been placed by taking care of both aging parents,

children and even grandchildren?

Baby Boomers where and still are the defiant

generation. They are the kids who wanted to rebel

against the conformity of their parents and the

social structures of the 1950’s and early 60’s. That

spirit is still alive and well today.

In taking care of their parents, boomers have

resurrected the attitude to defy settling to be the

one “taken care of”.

Despite economic downfalls of the economy the

past few years, boomers have adjusted. They have

downsized their living situations, cut spending, and

have even prepared their homes to be multi-

generational to save on costs by integrating

members of their families like children and parents

to live together.

Many boomers are also able to continue to be

successful financially and are now able to enjoy the

luxuries that were promised and dreamed of

ranging from annual exotic vacations to simply now

paying off the mortgage to own their own home.

Socially, Boomers have always advocated for

change, progress to reflect their personal identity.

The carefree spirits that emerged in the 1970s as

boomers were in their raging 20’s and 30’s left way

for the greatest social music industry to evolve and

still be prevalent today as now that multi-

generational household could all listen to the same

tracks and the only difference is if it is on original

vinyl or an i-pod.

Likewise, social lifestyle choices have now

progressed into national laws.

The summer of 1969 included a man landing on the

moon, the Manson murders, Woodstock music

festival and the Stonewall riots. Reflecting on these

events, the mirror of repetition has presented itself

in history 46 years later.

Today boomers are active in participating and once

again witnessing American history. This summer

called for the national legalization of same sex

marriage, in which these same rights first emerged

in 1969 with the Stonewall riots, when police

entered a notorious gay club in New York and

arrested transgender and lesbian individuals which

sparked outrage and rioting from the neighborhood

and community that had for a long time felt bullied

by police and authorities because of being gay.

The landing on the moon can now be attributed to

how science and technology has progressed

through the years and this summer has indicated

the importance of space travel and exploration in

only recently aiding in the discussion of climate

control and global warming. Boomers can once

again take notice of how pictures of Earth were

transmitted and even compare those photos of

Earth from space and see the drastic comparison of

geographical features that have changed while

admiring the beauty of the giant leaps forward that

humankind has made since.

While boomers continue to be the most influential

as they age, they should always consider how their

identities (yes, more than one for this 20-year

spread generation) have and shaped American

culture and history.

These next articles indicate trends and interesting

thought points to consider as slices of the American

pie are cut to new sizes, as other generations are

now coming to the table to eat.

The Boomer Piece of the American Pie

16 Today’s BoomeR

America divided on the secret to its success

By Camila Rey and Sofi Sinozich

Pew Research

Compared with those in many other countries, Americans

stand out for their patriotism. But public opinion surveys

show that Americans disagree over what’s behind their

country’s success.

Pew Research Center’s political values survey has

consistently found that overwhelming majorities agree

with the statement “I am very patriotic.” In 2012, 89% of

Americans agreed with this statement; the share agreeing

has never fallen below 85% in the survey’s 25-year history.

But when asked whether the United States owed its

success more to its “ability to change” or its “reliance on

long-standing principles,” 51% of Americans attributed the

country’s success to the former, while 44% pointed to the

latter.

The question was one of many measures about the U.S.,

its future and its global standing we examined for our

2014 Political Typology.

Most Millennials and Generation Xers associated the

country’s success with its ability to change: About six-in-

ten Millennials (61%), who were ages 18-33 in 2014, and

54% of Gen Xers (ages 34-49 that year) said this was more

what made

the U.S.

successful.

Baby

Boomers

(ages 50-

68) were

more

divided –

46% linked

America’s

success to

its ability to

change,

while nearly

the same

share (48%)

said it is due to its reliance on principles. The Silent

generation (ages 69-86) was the only one in which a

majority (54%) perceived America’s reliance on principles

to be the reason for its success, with 39% attributing it to

the ability to change.

There were substantial partisan and ideological

differences in opinions about why the U.S. has been

successful. By a 77% to 20% margin, liberal Democrats

attributed the nation’s success to its ability to change. By

almost the same margin (73% to 22%), conservative

Republicans linked the success of the United States to its

adherence to well-established principles.

There also were racial and ethnic differences in attitudes

toward America’s success. Whites were divided, with 47%

attributing America’s success to its ability to change and a

nearly equal share attributing it to a reliance on principles.

Minorities were more likely to credit the success to the

ability to change, with 64% of blacks and 58% of Hispanics

supporting this view.

Today’s BoomeR 17

US Foreign Policy Headed for Millennial Shift

By Cecily Hilleary, VOANews.com

WASHINGTON DC—Move over, baby boomers: Millennials

now outnumber you as America’s largest living generation.

And their very different views of themselves and their

place in the world will likely reshape U.S. foreign policy for

decades to come.

Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1965, came of age

during a period of unprecedented American prosperity –

and peril: The omnipresent nuclear threat created in

boomers a sense of unease and uncertainty that made the

world seem a very threatening place, experts say.

Millennials, roughly defined as those born between the

early 1980s and early 2000s, came of age after the Cold

War and, therefore, see the world as less menacing

despite 9/11 and the rise of global terrorism.

Sense of danger

“It’s not to say that they don’t appreciate danger,” said

Trevor Thrall, an associate professor at George Mason

University and co-author of a recent CATO Institute white

paper on Millennials and foreign policy. “It’s just that

compared to the danger that older people feel, it’s just

markedly less.”

Thrall said he wasn’t surprised to learn that Millennials

were not more affected by 9/11 than they appear to have

been. Most were too young to understand events at the

time, and their understanding of the attacks is based on

how the discussion on terror has evolved since that time.

“Older people think, ‘We’re a great people, we got

attacked by these crazy people, and now we are dealing

with it and we have to be careful,’ ” Thrall said.

“Millennials are the only generation the majority of which

think the U.S. must have done something to provoke

9/11.”

His finding is based in part on a 2011 Pew Research poll

that found 52 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds in the U.S.

believed U.S. actions might have motivated the 9/11

attacks.

Changing world view

Indeed, millennials take a dim view of American

exceptionalism. A Pew poll in 2011 found that only a 32

percent of them perceive the United States as superior to

other countries, as compared to 64 percent of boomers.

The study also found that although most millennials say

they are patriotic, they express that patriotism far less

fervently than older Americans.

Millennials also showed that being patriotic does not

mean they are uncomfortable criticizing government

policies nor do they believe in an aggressive foreign policy.

“But they are very strong on human rights, and although

they are more resistant to using military force around the

world to solve problems, one way in which they are the

most likely to be moved by arguments to use force is

humanitarian intervention," Thrall said.

"They are actually a little bit more supportive in most polls

of humanitarian military intervention than older folks," he

added.

His study also shows that millennials view Asia, not

Europe, as the most important region of the world, and

China will figure strongly in U.S. foreign policy and perhaps

push it in a less adversarial direction. This, he said, could

work out well, if the Chinese are similarly inclined. It could

fail, however, if millennials are misreading Beijing’s

intentions.

In general, Thrall predicts millennials will steer the U.S

toward a more restrained “grand strategy” that relies less

on unilateral force than on cooperative ventures.

The 'Thumb Tribe'

Back in 2002, a researcher at Britain’s Warwick University

noted that youngsters’ thumbs had evolved to become

more dexterous than their other fingers due to their

constant use of hand-held electronics.

Today, technology may be the single greatest factor

shaping the “thumbers' ” – now millennials’ – world view.

They are less likely to read newspapers because they find

all the information they want online – even if they aren’t

consciously looking for it.

“Even if they are playing online, the amount of infor-

mation that they are consuming and are exposed to, it’s

probably difficult for them to have a large online presence

and not be exposed to some perspective on key foreign

18 Today’s BoomeR

policy issues,” said Jarrel “J.P.” Price, president of Young

Professionals in Foreign Policy, a nonpartisan group

looking to groom the next generation of foreign-policy

leaders and promote international relationships.

“Technology also makes it easier for a millennial sitting at

home in the United States to reach out and build a

personal relationship with someone overseas,” Price said.

"And to the extent that is used well by our generation,

then I think the global partnerships that we could see

could be transformative," he said.

Census information

Census data show another important factor contributing

to millennials’ global view: More than 44 percent of them

belong to a minority race or ethnic group.

Price and Thrall both pointed out that millennials are not

just the largest generation in the United States, but the

largest in many regions of strategic interest to the U.S.

Telecommunications giant Viacom estimates the global

millennial population to be 2.5 billion, though this figure is

higher than other estimates.

Millennials account for about a quarter of the European

Union’s population, according to Pew findings. And in the

Middle East, they account for 40 percent of the population

and are powering dramatic change from Tunisia to the Gulf

States.

“Their critical periods of between the ages of 14 and 24

have been chock-a-block full of horrendous events that

will shape their views for a lifetime,” Thrall said, “and

many of those have some serious negative connotations

for the United States.”

Thrall points out that Arab youths’ view of the U.S. is so

“horrible” right now that American millennials are going to

be dealing with the fallout for the rest of their lives.

'Defining features'

“How American millennials respond to that is going to be

one of the defining features of American foreign policy for

the next fifty years,” Thrall said. Thrall said it’s too soon to

say whether millennials are having an impact on U.S.

foreign policy.

But Price said he can see already see their fingerprint on

foreign affairs.

“We see a rise in things like digital diplomacy, which the

United States is eager to catch up with some of our world

partners on,” he said.

“Tools like Facebook and Twitter are used not just by

individuals to affect global events, as we saw with the Arab

Spring, but in how governments are communicating with

their constituents on foreign policy and how governments

are trying to highlight and explain their decision making

through the use of technology – to reach predominantly

millennials," Thrall said. None of this is to suggest that

millennials all share the same viewpoints.

“There are just as many big differences among Millennials

as there are with any generation,” Thrall said. His study

shows millennials are just as divided on core issues as their

elders and that we can expect just as much debate over

policy in coming years as we see today. Thrall’s study

shows millennials, like boomers, are divided between

political camps. However, despite their differences,

Republican and Democratic millennials agree on the

importance of firm policy to help prevent nuclear weapons

proliferation, combat terror and reduce U.S. reliance on

oil.

Implications for 2016

He may not be the right age, but at least one observer

suggested that President Barack Obama could be

considered the first American “millennial president” – not

only for his ability to connect with millennials

electronically but for his policy of nonintervention in Syria

and Iraq and his pursuit of a nuclear agreement with Iran.

“I certainly think every candidate considering a run or

already running knows the importance of the millennial

generation and is trying to replicate President Obama’s

success in connecting with them,” Price said.

Price predicts that foreign policy matters will figure more

highly in the runup to the 2016 presidential vote than in

previous elections and anyone wanting to get into the

White House is going to have to know how to connect with

millennials on their level. Does he see anyone in the

current pool of announced candidates who has that

ability? Price only laughs, saying: “I’ll probably have to take

a pass on that.”

Today’s BoomeR 19

BOOMER HEALTHY EATING: Start Your Mediterranean Grill

Summer's here and the time is right for grilling. If you've not yet woken up yours, then it's past time. Your very first consideration should be a clean slate. Just as changing batteries on smoke detectors needs to be a scheduled as a twice-a-year event, so should grill cleaning. A bucket of soapy water, another of fresh, a heavy duty scrubbing pad, and a stiff brush are what you'll need. Remove the grates, and give them and the inside of your grill a good cleaning, then let it air dry thoroughly before you light up. Your food will taste better and your grill will last far longer as a result. Next consideration is fuel; if you cook with charcoal, it's time to make sure you've got enough to get the job done for your first few outings, and that the elements haven't degraded your stash over the colder months. If you're buying fresh, get good quality stuff and avoid anything with lighting fluid impregnated into it - In fact, avoid lighting fluids altogether and invest in a chimney instead; that'll provide much cleaner tasting, healthier food, and it'll use up leftover newspaper as well. If you cook with gas, make sure your tank is loaded; running out half way through a cooking session is nobody's idea of a good time.

Kickin’ Kebabs Over the course of a summer, there'll be ample opportunity to grill dogs and burgers, so for your inaugural flight or a special occasion, branch out and make some-thing a bit more exotic. Kebabs and grilled pizza are great choices; they're a bit unusual, fun, easy, and offer excellent flexibility to hungry guests. Here's how you do them. Kebabs, (kabobs, kababs), have their origins mostly in Middle Eastern cooking, though they're common in the Mediterranean and Asia as well. Shish Kebab, the Turkish version, is what I remember these things being called back in the '60s. Technically, kebabs are skewered meat cooked over flame, but there's nothing wrong at all with adding more stuff. Wooden skewers are readily available in grocery stores these days, so add them to your shopping list when you're planning for this meal. Kebabs are a great opportunity to buy less expensive cuts of meat; marinating is a must with

this dish, so rustic cuts don't mean lower quality at all. Better yet, you can buy bulk amounts of the proteins you'll use, prep some for kebabs, freeze the rest for future meals, and save some money while you're at it. A wide variety of fruits and veggies pair well with meats, so take your time in the produce aisle, and buy what's fresh and appealing. Kebabs don't require a whole lot of any one ingredient, so choose a little bit of a lot of things; you'll get a nice variety of flavor combinations and truly lovely results. We chose chicken thighs, (great flavor at $3.29 a pound), bone in pork shoulder, (nice and lean, and a bargain at $2.91 a pound), and top round beef, (a good, middle of the road marinating cut at $4.99 a pound). For accompaniments, we opted for cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers, jalapeño chiles, sweet onion, tomatillo, pineapple, orange, lemon, and lime. The goodies on kebabs are more prone to drying out and overcooking than many grilled dishes, so proper sizing during prep is important. It's best to make each chunk of meat two or three bite size, and prep all your other ingredients fairly close to that in size to avoid those pitfalls. We chose a teriyaki marinade for our chicken and pork, and a smoky dry rub for the beef. Applying these a couple

hours before grilling will assure tender, juicy results. Skewering everything up and seasoning lightly with salt and pepper about 15 to 20 minutes before they hit they heat will do the same for your veggies and fruit. You can certainly buy those marinades and rubs, but for special occasions, you owe it to yourself to make them at home. Here are our signature versions.

Recipes and Photos from

Chef Eben Atwater

www.urbanmonique.com

20 Today’s BoomeR

House Made Pomegranate Teriyaki, (about 1 3/4 Cups) 1 Cup Soy Sauce 2/3 Cup Mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine) 1/4 cup white sugar 3 Tablespoons Pomegranate Molasses 1 Tablespoon granulated Garlic 1 Tablespoon ground Ginger 4 teaspoons Rice Vinegar 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil Dash or two Red Chile Flake

Combine soy, mirin, sugar, and pomegranate molasses in a sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk steadily as the sauce heats through; when the sauce starts to simmer, reduce heat to low. Add all remaining ingredients and whisk to incorporate. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before use. Smoky Beef Rub (about 1/4 Cup) 2 Tablespoons Sea Salt 1 Tablespoon ground Black Pepper 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika 1-3 teaspoons ground Chipotle Chiles 1 teaspoon granulated Garlic 1 teaspoon granulated Onion Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container.

Soak your wooden skewers in fresh water for about 15 minutes prior to loading them up; this'll keep them from burning on the grill. Load skewers with alternating goodies; three to four chunks of meat per skewer is a nice balance. If you're grilling over gas, preheat your grill on high, then reduce heat to low, add kebabs, cover, and grill for about 3-4 minutes a side, turning three times. If you cook over charcoal, set up your grill with a

direct heat side, (charcoal right underneath), and a con-vection side with little or no coals beneath. Start kebabs on the cooler side, turning once for about 5 minutes per half. Finish over direct heat, with two more flips, for about 3 minutes a side. With either method, allow kebabs to rest for 5 minutes prior to serving. Accompany with rice and a nice green salad.

Pizza on the Grill There's an urban myth out there alleging that pizza was invented in America; nothing could be further from the truth. The oldest use of the word I'm aware of stems from the tenth century, and was recorded in Gaeta, Italy, a city located on the bay that bears the same name, about equidistant between Rome and Naples. The history of the dish goes back a lot farther than that, though. The mod-ern version is likely derived from focaccia, a fairly thin, leavened bread to which the ancient Romans added various toppings.

Today’s BoomeR 21

It would be a fair question to ask, 'why grill pizza at all - Is it worth it?' The short answer is, yes, it is worth it; grilling adds subtle flavors of fire and smoke to a pizza that you can't get in an oven - You could even say that grilling pizza gives a nod to the wood fired, brick ovens that make the best pies. Grilling brings challenges to pizza cooking, though; whereas you can generate the high heat pizza likes, temperature control is not anything close to that of an oven. The biggest variable is crust: To make your first experience a good one, we experimented with different versions and took the guess work out of the equation for you; lo and behold, the best option harkens directly back to pizza's ancient roots - Focaccia. These days, decent versions of this venerable bread are widely available; we found very nice, locally made focaccia at both Safeway and Fred Meyer, a pretty good indicator that's available to you too, (and a bargain at under $3 for one big enough to serve four). Focaccia is fairly robust, holds up to sauce and multiple toppings really well, absorbs those grill flavors beautifully, and is the least prone to falling apart during cooking. Look for one that's about 1/2" to 3/4" thick; if your local version is thicker, buy that and cut it in half. Plan for about 2-3 slices per person. Fresh sauce is a must for a special occasion pizza. Home-made sauce is easy, quick, and leaps and bounds better in taste, (and lack of artificial crap), than store bought. Since you're going to cook your pizza, the sauce doesn't require any, other than a brief sauté for some of the ingredients. Leftover sauce lends itself well to pasta, meats, or vegetables as well, so we make a big enough batch to

handle a couple of meals. Here's our go-to version. Homemade Pizza Sauce 1 No. 20 Can of Whole, Peeled Tomatoes 2 Tablespoons minced Sweet Onion 2 Tablespoons minced Sweet Pepper 2 cloves minced Garlic 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar 1 teaspoon Basil 1 teaspoon Lemon Thyme (regular thyme is fine too) 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt 5-6 twists fresh ground Pepper

The key to any great sauce is the aromatic base; that and a little seasoning as you go makes all the difference. In a sauté pan over medium heat, add olive oil and allow to heat through.

Add onion, pepper, and garlic, season lightly with salt and pepper, and sauté, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes, until raw garlic smell is gone and the onion is beginning to turn translucent.

Remove from heat and set aside. Add tomatoes to a large mixing bowl, and process with an immersion blender until you've got a nice, consistent, slightly chunky consistency; if you don't have a stick blender, a regular blender or food processor will work just fine.

22 Today’s BoomeR

Add all ingredients to the mixing bowl and incorporate thoroughly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired. Transfer sauce to an airtight, non-reactive container, (glass or stainless steel); cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes prior to use; longer, up to overnight is not only fine, but better. Toppings for pizza are as personal as anything you can name in the food world. If you're cooking for just a couple or a few, you can probably safely make choices on everybody's behalf. If your crew is bigger, consider por-tioning your focaccia into personal pizzas, prepping a nice, wide selection of toppings, and letting the gang build their own; either way, it's an easy and fast process - Sauce, cheese, additional toppings; if you've got fresh herbs, like basil or oregano, a little bit placed right on top is a nice touch. Each pizza will need a foil guard underneath; this makes them a bit less prone to burning and easier to handle.

Preheat your grill as hot as it'll go; if you're cooking over charcoal, set your grill up with a nice pile of coals right in the middle and let the coals do their thing. Now you're ready to cook: for gas grills, turn your heat down to low, add your pizzas and cook, with the lid closed, for about 5-7 minutes. Take a look at this point - You'll likely need around 10-12 minutes for your pizzas to be done, but grills vary, so check first and then stay close through the remaining minutes. For charcoal grillers, spread your central pile of coals evenly across the whole grill, place your pizzas, and cook as per gas grills above. Allow pizzas to rest for about 3-5 minutes before serving.

Today’s BoomeR 23

Summer Strawberry Shortcake Need a desert for all this? There's no summer treat better than strawberry shortcake. Here's our signature version. For the Shortcake 2 Cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour 1 Cup 1/2 & 1/2 1/2 Cup Bakers 4 teaspoons Baking Powder 4 tablespoons unsalted Butter Pinch of Sea Salt

Preheat oven to 450° F. Butter needs to be cold for this recipe; quickly cut it into 1/4" cubes, then place in freezer until you need it. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, a pinch of sea salt, and baking powder; blend thoroughly. Add the butter and work it into the flour blend by hand, until the butter is uniformly the size of small peas. Add the cream to the mix, and finish blending by hand; the dough should be sticky; you can add a little more cream or flour at this point if you need to adjust. Form rough cakes about 3" in diameter and about 1" high and place on an ungreased baking sheet; these will spread quite a bit, so leave plenty of room between them. Bake for 7-9 minutes, until the biscuits are golden brown. Don't wander too far from the oven, they darken up pretty quickly.

Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. For the Berries 6 Cups Strawberries 1/4 Cup Honey or Agave Nectar Rinse, top and quarter berries. In a mixing bowl, combine berries and sweetener and blend thoroughly. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

For the Whipped Cream 1 Pint Whipping Cream 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Combine all in a non-reactive mixing bowl. Whip cream by hand or with a stick blender. When the cream is holding stiff peaks, stop whisking, and prep the shortcake. To serve, slice one biscuit in half. Place a half biscuit on a desert plate, add berries to cover evenly, then a soup spoon of cream. Repeat the layering with the other biscuit half, berries, and cream. A mint leaf is a nice garnish, and the scent blends beautifully with the other ingredients.

24 Today’s BoomeR

By Mike Bushman

Nearly five miles into a Smoky Mountain hike, with family

vacation nearing a close, we discussed the next time we

would see each other. As we did, a rain-fed stream

cascaded beneath the short, wooden footbridge on which

we paused to admire butterflies swirling, dancing and

darting in a half-dozen hues.

One year after my wife moved 800 miles east for a great

opportunity with her long-time employer, we planned our

next moments together. The butterflies' delightful

interaction drew some of our attention amidst the majestic

mountain terrain and our discussion. Still, even with this

distraction, we maintained focus on what really matters.

"I think we've spent more real time together in the past

year than we had in many years," Cathy proffered as we

walked and planned. "Before, there was always tomorrow."

During 27 years of marriage, we had long passed the point

of taking each other for granted. It didn't help that we

worked opposite schedules for so many years -- becoming

almost alternating parents. Her nights and weekends in re-

tail often came during the limited hours I wasn't working or

traveling for work. In the unusual hours when we were both

together and electronically disconnected from any real or

perceived work crisis, we focused on quality time with our

children rather than with each other.

In the past year, we've made a conscious effort to change

that focus. Every three to four weeks, we find somewhere

to enjoy time together. Even when those gatherings include

our adult children or others, we focus on each other in a

way we seem to have missed for many years.

A hand to hold is more important when you know it won't

be there tomorrow. A hug is easier to treasure when the

next one is three weeks away.

Looking back, it's easy to see we didn't put enough effort

into our relationship. It's also easy to find excuses.

Workaholic behavior. Exhaustion from my untreated sleep

apnea. Disagreements allowed to remain in roiling boil ra-

ther than confronted and settled directly. Treating

compromise as lose-lose rather than win-win.

Those excuses don't matter now.

Time matters. Connection matters. Love matters.

During our first year of living apart, we've managed to

strengthen our marriage; an outcome I wasn't sure would

happen when the year started. Increased flexibility and

adaptability aided our strengthening.

A year ago, I would have laughed if you had predicted my

wife would join me on a strenuous five-mile mountain hike,

but she did just that in the Smokies. She would have also

bet that at least one piece of the Ikea furniture I voluntarily

spent three days assembling for her New York apartment

would have collapsed by now. I'm no longer annoyed at

losing time to her passion for judging figure skating, in part

because she only does it on weekends I'm not around. She's

no longer annoyed to come home after a long day at work

to find the house in greater disorder than when she left.

When she comes home from work, her apartment is exactly

as she left it.

It doesn't mean it's always easy to be apart. When three

weeks stretches into four or more, I sometimes struggle to

remain upbeat. On these occasions, I remind myself that at

least some studies show "absence makes the heart grow

fonder" to be more than a platitude. As our next time to-

gether approaches, marking one year apart, I can feel the

validity in that phrase.

Butterflies kick in -- swirling, dancing and darting in the

range of hues I felt when we first met. One year apart but,

perhaps, closer than ever.

Today’s BoomeR 25

Enjoy Your Then and Now Lazy Days of Summer!

By John A. Vardallas

Founder/CEO, TheAmericanBoomeR.com

As a 60 plus Boomer, I am fascinated by the constant trend towards retro nostalgia in terms of music, life-style, clothing and recreation (to name a few) that is generic to our generation. Something that struck me this year in the "less is more" theme category is the re-turn to relearning how to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

This resonated while on my routine walk around my community park which I started with my husky dog eight years ago, to maintain health, and I have contin-ued since she passed away three years ago. Commu-nity neighborhood parks have always played a signifi-cant role in my upbringing during the 1950s/60s while growing up in Chicago.

Our neighborhood park was the maypole of our life ac-tivity from after school sports to all summer informal kid gatherings and organized events.

The park served as a place where all from the commu-nity were welcomed to enjoy the open spaces it provid-ed, especially in an urban environment. It was a place where one could come to participate or just enjoy ob-serving nature, sports, activities and even one’s best friend (dogs). I remember the excitement that the music from the Good Humor Ice Cream truck (that pulled up daily at 4pm) stirred up inside us and running with our allowance money of nickels and dimes to get a chance to taste that cool "pop" or "dream-cycle" bar after a sweaty game of little league baseball play.

I remember hanging out with my buds Tommy, Nicky, Billy, Bobby and Donnie every day during summer after they did their house chores and meeting at the big weeping willow tree at the park to strategize our daily agenda for that given day. In addition to riding bikes, climbing trees, a once a week matinee movie, or taking a bus to a park pool or a lakefront beach, our day was made up of simply enjoying being all together, playing baseball, whiffle ball or a Chicago only game--Slow Pitch Softball.

There were no Disney Worlds or water parks for us---the closest we came to those was a lawn sprinkler and a plastic slippy-slide with our garden hose.

There were no cell phones or electronic time reminders given by our parents to check and keep track of. We all

abided by the same rule from our families---just be home in time for supper or before dark. Nobody worried about crime and all trusted each other, where doors stayed unlocked and that someone familiar would look after each kid in the neighborhood.

Many local community parks today seem abandoned compared to when we boomers occupied them. Fami-lies mistrust the environment and fear for their children playing un supervised, not to mention the effect of the use of personal technology items on kids—i-Phones/i-Pads etc. Today, one can only see an occasional par-ent playing with kids on the monkey bars, a pet owner walking his best friend in the park, or a lone bike rider on the path.

I love the days when I experience my park brimming with activity-- even though it may only be solo joggers and scattered bike riders, group yoga sessions, multi-ple families on the plastic gyms and swings, a pick-up game of “horse” or a team playing summer Frisbee football.

These present day images bring me back in a retro way longing for my care-free summer days of my youth. My neighborhood park has in essence become my local summer sanctuary – a local place where I can escape a to a few times a week to maintain some physical ex-ercise, clear my mind of the daily stressors of life, smell the honey suckle and hear the birds and voices of hap-py children just playing. And sometimes, I can hear that tune from the local ice cream truck that really sends me back and gives me a good momentary feeling memory.

One needs not to feel the need for a great travel adven-ture to a far-away place for a nostalgic getaway--- sometimes just a summertime walk around your neigh-borhood park can work just fine and do wonders for your health and psyche in bringing you back for a mo-ment to really enjoy your then and now lazy days of summer!

FF–– Being OldBeing Old

26 Today’s BoomeR

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The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!

Peggy Smithson

(262) 716-4301 Ift.seniorstrategies@gmai.com

Today’s BoomeR 29

B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE

The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!

B2B—BUSINESS 2 BOOMERS MARKETPLACE

The Marketplace for Everything Boomer!

30 Today’s BoomeR

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