Your Second Act Begins
In life, the first act is always exciting. The second act … that is where the depth comes in.
For advice scripted in the movies, that pronouncement from the 2010 movie Grown Ups is worth considering.
Now that you’re newly retired — or are planning your retirement — you’ll have time that needs filling.
You can use those newly empty hours to reconnoiter all the selves you could have been and the lives you could have lived.
Bay Weekly has started the work for you. In this year’s Retirement Guide, we’ve researched ways to help you enrich your life.
Be thankful that you’ve chosen Chesapeake Country to retire.
It’s the perfect setting for your second act.
Go Back to School — Without Worrying over Grades
Explore new hobbies; learn practical skills; sharpen your mind and form friendships with classmates and instructors who share your interests.
Do you want to learn to dance for your daughter’s wedding? Be able to speak Italian for the trip of a lifetime? Ever been interested in making jewelry or trying your hand at painting? Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold can help you achieve your goals. More than 400 classes are offered each term.
The Lifelong Learning Department at the college offers a wide variety of non-credit classes for all ages.
You can also give the gift of learning. Consider giving a grandchild a week of summer camp through the Kids in College program.
And if you don’t want to sign up for a class and have a few friends interested in the same topic, the school offers Pop-Up Classes. The college can plan a class for you in one of their topic areas such as dance, decorative arts, jewelry or floral design.
The department — a part of the School for Continuing Education and Workforce Development — is always interested in hearing what classes the community would like to see offered.
For a list of available classes — or to suggest a new class — visit www.aacc.edu/lifelong-learning.
Take Advantage of Last-Minute Travel Opportunities … and Travel Medicine
When you spot a sweet deal on your dream cruise that sets sail next week, don’t let worries about getting into your doctor stop you from hopping aboard.
One of the many perks of retirement is the ability for flexible travel. But that means you’ll also need to quickly pack your bags; have your passport at the ready and schedule appointments for travel medicine.
“It is important for people travelling to places where they may need vaccines to allow time for the vaccines to be delivered,” says Ginni Morani, owner of AFC Urgent Care in Edgewater. “We carry most vaccines on site due to the short shelf life and order as we need them. Delivery is quick.”
“We check recommended vaccinations based on where you are travelling and provide a consultation and administration of those shots,” Morani says. “Once someone decides on what vaccines they will get, we order them and schedule the administration.”
AFC also helps you assemble any medications necessary to help protect against malaria, food and water-borne illnesses and motion sickness.
So pack your bags and get ready to fill some blank pages in your passport.
Become a Farmers Market Regular
One of the many benefits of retirement is having the time to focus on eating healthier. Local farmers markets make a great place to start. There you’ll find a bountiful selection of fresh, local goods from fresh produce and meats to home-canned jams and jellies and homemade desserts.
Take your time and explore all that the markets have to offer. Many producers can recommend new ways to serve their offerings.
At the Anne Arundel County Farmers Market, the person selling the product at market is the one who grew, picked, raised or prepared it. That means they can tell you pretty much everything you’d want to know about what you’re about to take home.
And if you’re 60 years of age or better, you may be eligible for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The program — which runs July to November 30 — provides seniors with six $5 checks to spend at participating farmers markets.
“Some markets — identified in the farmers market directory — will match the senior check dollar for dollar,” says Weida Stoecker, Maryland agriculture education coordinator.
May food producers at the Anne Arundel County Farmers Market do match the money provided by the state.
To be eligible, your family income must be no more than 185 percent of the federal poverty level. For a couple, poverty level is now set at just below $17,000.
“Seniors can apply through their local county Department of Aging,” Stoecker says.
Easy Living on the Bay
Life’s late years are golden on the shores of Chesapeake Bay. Resident-shareholders at Baywoods of Annapolis, a full-service continuing-care retirement community, enjoy waterfront views and 14 secluded acres all their own.
Quality of life continues with lectures and classes, including from St. John’s College tutors, fine dining, fitness classes, clubs and a lively community.
Baywoods offers independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing on site as well as short-term rehabilitation service.
Reconnect on a Group Travel Adventure
Group travel creates shared experiences and builds stronger relationships. Retirement is a fine time to plan a trip with your loved ones.
Time for Travel in Davidsonville specializes in group travel — especially international travel — and has first-hand experiences with the resorts and locations they recommend.
Time for Travel offers low deposits for groups and easy online payment plans.
Group ideas include: family reunions, church or religious groups and college sorority or fraternity groups.
Get Professional Help in Estate and Business Planning
Attorney Rose C. Crunkleton in Dunkirk has extensive experience to assist you in planning for the future.
Services she provides include estate plans — which address how an estate will be divided in case of the client’s passing — as well as who would make financial and health care decisions. She can also prepare wills, powers of attorney, trusts, advance directives, LLCs, buy sell agreements, special needs trusts, deeds, beneficiary designation letters and other estate planning documents.
Crunkleton can also assist you in obtaining guardianship of an incapacitated individual.
After creating an estate plan, Crunkleton’s office is available to help in the event the person passes away. She can assist in the court’s probate process and the fair distribution of assets.
Good estate planning prevents or minimizes scenarios such as exposure of asset to creditors; excessive court costs and legal fees; accidental disinheritance; and other situations.
Enjoy the Cruise-Ship Lifestyle Every Day
A full-service beauty salon. Yoga classes. Movies in the theater. A café.
Brightview Senior Living in Annapolis invites you to live the cruise lifestyle at home.
Classes, social activities, volunteer opportunities, fitness classes, games and more are part of the daily offerings at Brightview.
Apartments include washer, dryer, full modern kitchen with dishwasher and microwave, lots of closet space, oversized windows, individually controlled heating and air conditioning and spacious full bath(s).
Days begin with free continental breakfasts, and evenings bring happy hour.
The campus features upscale independent living, assisted living and memory-care rental apartment homes.
Get Fit
Chesapeake Health & Fitness in Deale has added FUNctional Fitness to its line up. Offered on Tuesday and Thursday at 12:15pm, the class is designed to help you move. It’s a low impact workout that focuses on balance, stretching and core strength conditioning.
By training your core through movement, you can improve your performance not only in the gym but also everything you do — from carrying groceries to cleaning.
Although perfect for retirees, the class is also good for those new to group fitness classes; looking for a more low impact option; recovering from an injury or suffering from arthritis.
The class is not just functional; it’s fun. You’ll make friends while exercising.
The class features a warm up with low impact cardio and strengthening exercises using functional movements such as front and back, side to side and rotational moves. The class also includes balance and stretching and ends with a cool down.
If you feel like the moves are too much at any point, listen to your body and modify as needed. Certified instructors are on hand to show alternative moves that may be more comfortable while still making a great workout.
The class is included with membership. Nonmembers pay $10 per class. If you join in September, memberships start at $29.99 per month, and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win two free months of membership dues.
Free Cancer Screenings for all Maryland Residents
No-cost screenings for colorectal cancer are available through each local health department in the State of Maryland.
If you are age 50 and older and have not had a colonoscopy, call your local health department to inquire about the program.
The program can help pay for screenings for those without insurance as well as those with insurance who have deductibles and copays.
The Calvert County Department of Health reminds you: Remember, cancer screening saves lives.
Fund New Pursuits with a Second Income
Chesapeake Country is home to successful consignment and auction businesses you can use to earn extra money.
“Look at it as a great second source of income,” says Teri Wilson, owner of Second Wind Consignments in Deale.
Second Wind will give you a tub to tuck away at home and fill with your goods you’re ready to part with. “Make a commitment and have a regular appointment with the consignment shop,” Wilson says. That’s the best approach to using consignments to make money.
Second Wind takes up to 20 items per consignment.
If you don’t have items at home, consider becoming a flea or antique market regular. Some of Wilson’s consignors have turned a tidy profit on reselling smart finds.
“The items that sell best are the things you’d use everyday,” Wilson says.
At Bunting Online Auctions in Dunkirk, weekly online sales are an option for reducing your household. “We offer a clean-out service that will take the entire estate,” says Dawn Bunting, owner of Bunting Online Auctions. “If you are looking to downsize slowly over time, we can accommodate that as well. We take consignments any day that we are open — aside from Friday mornings when people are collecting their auction winnings from the night before. No need for an appointment; just swing by when it’s convenient.”
Enjoying the game? Take it a step further and begin a whole new career as a second act. Wilson opened Second Wind after working as a buyer at Annapolis Lighting.
Jane Walter and Paula Tanis put a hobby to good use by opening an antique shop in Deale after retirement. “Paula and I love antiques, meaning beautifully made and worn old things,” says Jane Walter, co-owner of A Vintage Deale. “We get to indulge ourselves doing something we enjoy.”
Walter offers this advice. “Be prepared to devote a daily chunk of time to it, as well as invest in it financially from time to time,” she says.
Eat, Drink and Learn a Little History
Nearly 35 million Americans report having Irish heritage. If researching genealogy is your new retirement hobby, or if you simply enjoy learning some history, be sure to watch for upcoming Irish history dinners.
Our local Irish Restaurants — Galway Bay in Annapolis, Killarney House in Davidsonville and Brian Boru in Severna Park — pair authentic Irish dinners with expert presentations on subjects of Irish and Irish-American history.
Past presentations include the Music and Song of Ireland, St. Patrick and Famous and Infamous Irish Americans in History.
Held during February and March, the dinners feature a special Irish meal, starting with soup and ending with bread pudding. Most dinners are held 3 to 5pm.
The Irish Restaurant Company is currently finalizing the schedule for 2020, so stay tuned.
Try Wine or Beer and Food Pairings
Now that you’re frequenting the farmers markets and family-operated local grocers for fresh, homemade ingredients, learn what wines to serve with them.
Wine expert Rik Squillari, owner of Harvest Thyme in Davidsonville, hosts wine dinners featuring fellow wine connoisseurs as guest speakers.
In October, wines from Bordeaux take center stage and are paired with dishes such as Coquilles Saint Jacques, duck confit and house-made rabbit pate.
“Guests will learn more about the wines and styles from that region,” Squillari says. “How and why each wine matches up with the food with which it’s paired.”
The cost to attend is $100, which includes tax and gratuity.
No expense has been spared to give you an expert experience. Squillari reports that one of the wines being poured runs $90 a bottle.
The October event is sold out but the next wine dinner on November 12 still has space. It focuses on wines from France’s Rhone Valley.
Don’t worry if one or more of the dishes features an item you can’t — or don’t like — to eat. Harvest Thyme happily adjusts selections for vegans, vegetarians and other food preferences.
If wine isn’t your preferred beverage, consider one of the Harvest Thyme beer tasting events.
On October 3, five beers will be paired with five courses. The selected beers are in keeping with the season: cider, pumpkin ale and an Oktoberfest-style beer will make appearances. No reservations are needed for this event; simply walk in to dine that evening and ask for the special beer tasting menu. The price for the prix fixe menu — complete with beer pairings — is expected to run $45 to $50.
To be the first to hear about upcoming dinners, sign up to receive the restaurant’s newsletter at www.harvestthymetavern.com.
Downsizing: Make the Most of Your Move
When it’s time to move from a large family home to a smaller, more manageable one, keeping things simple is the key to a quick transition. Duke Spence of Exclusive Estate Sales of Maryland and Kevin Guerrieri of Keller Williams Flagship of Maryland have forged a partnership specializing in downsizing your possessions and selling your home.
Exclusive Estate Sales is the oldest and largest business of its kind in Maryland. Spence and his team of gemologists, appraisers and coins experts will organize, sort and sell your items. They will make the daunting task of figuring out what to do with your unwanted and no-longer-needed possessions less stressful. Their expertise will maximize your estate sale profits.
Guerrieri is a “real estate consultant with the heart of a teacher.” A seasoned downsizing and right-sizing expert, he and his team use all the latest technology to market your home. His goal is to sell your home quickly and at the best price.
Financing Your Retirement
Whether you are getting ready to retire or are already enjoying this next phase of life, Edward Jones in Prince Frederick helps you make sure your finances keep up with all you have planned during retirement.
In addition to reviewing your retirement income strategy — savings and spending — an Edward Jones advisor can help you build in contingencies.
Start today by exploring the resources at www.edwardjones.com. Then work with a financial advisor to create a personal strategy that will help you live the retirement you want.
Ready. Set. Explore!
Newly retired mail carrier Ralph Easterday’s shared his travel goals: he and wife Ruth plan to visit every national park in America in their Dodge Roadtrek [Ralph Easterday Delivered, Vol. XXVII, number 35, Aug. 29 – Sept. 4; www.bayweekly.com/node/50069].
You too can explore our beautiful country by vehicle.
Road Tips Courtesy of Centreville Trailer Parts
• Always carry a mounted spare tire.
• Be sure to get bearings serviced before the trip, and always carry a set of bearings and seals in your toolbox.
• Carry multiple power cord adapters — some parks have 30 amp and some have 50 — so you can hook up at different locations.
Try Your Hand at Making Anew
Learning a new skill changes your brain chemistry for the better; increases your ability to learn; helps you adapt to change; and could stave off dementia.
Art — specifically, being creative — is especially conducive to mental and physical well-being.
If reading about Chesapeake Country picker Barby Harms of The Mermaid’s Cottage piqued your interest in a refurbishment project of your own, she’ll get you started.
The third Saturday of each month in Port Republic, Harms’ Chalk Paint Techniques class teach you to paint and distress. You’ll work on a sign that you’ll complete to take home and display.
“The class will give you the knowledge and confidence to start your own project,” Harms says.
Cost is $55. This is hands-on leaning, so wear clothes you don’t mind getting decorated with paint.
To sign up, e-mail Harms at [email protected].
Depend on 35 Years of Globetrotting Knowledge as You Explore the World
Now that you have more time to travel, will you take an adventurous trek or relaxing island getaway? And how?
Travel agent Wendy Snyder with Life’s a Trip Cruise and Travel helps you choose your experience and assists you as adjustments are needed or challenges pop up.
“A hotel made an error when one of our clients was traveling in Scotland,” Snyder says. “I was able to get them booked at a five-star resort at no additional cost.”
“A client who is a missionary called me from a hospital bed in Uganda and needed to get home,” Snyder adds. “I found him flights to leave the country that night.”
Snyder, who opened her agency 35 years ago, has traveled the world.
A full-service agency specializing in luxury travel and worldwide itineraries, Life’s a Trip is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“I try to make myself available for my clients day and night,” Snyder says.
Spend Time Helping Others
As you look to do some good with your newfound free time, Patuxent Habitat for Humanity will happily fill hours for you. Here you’ll find a variety of opportunities, from physical tasks to those not requiring any muscle at all.
“Our office staff and ReStore cashier need assistance on a part-time basis,” says Sharon Farbizio, Patuxent Habitat’s director of finance. “We have opportunities that don’t require a lot of physical exertion, such as running the cash register, filing, pricing, cleaning and placing items in the showroom.”
Handy retirees skilled at electrical repairs, fixing scratches and dents are also needed. “If you like to tinker or build things, we have many wish list items,” Farbizio says.
Gift wrapping pros can put their skills on display by helping out at fundraising events. If you like to help raise funds but are challenged when it comes to wrapping, try joining the fundraising committee.
The Habitat wish list goes on.
“If you are a retired professional who still enjoys your area of expertise, consider becoming a member of our board,” Farbizio says.
There’s also the opportunity to help in the home building. “Our home builds are a labor of love,” Farbizio says. “All members of the community are welcome to help. If you are an experienced carpenter we may ask you to help our younger volunteers by teaching them your skills.”
To feel connected to the community, Farbizio recommends joining a home build. “Everyone involved is either learning or teaching. We become one big family before the home is finished.”
Volunteering is a rewarding way to spend your time. That’s a truth proved everyday at Habitat, where you’ll be working with people who need anything you have to give.
“Our veterans in need are the most humble of all,” Farbizio says. “It is so heartwarming to be able to help them and to give back to them for helping keep us safe and free. Our local veteran families in need deserve to continue to live with dignity in a safe and familiar environment.”
To volunteer, contact Patuxent Habitat for Humanity in Lexington Park at 301-863-6227.