The world is a wonderful place that’s best experienced with others.
That is the idea behind our year-old Retiree Society, a merry band of Retired Club Members engaging the world at their pace, and not looking back. The Society is growing, and I am delighted.
Isolation continues to be a chronic (and growing) problem for seniors. We talked about that a year ago with Club Member Ramon Bernal, Recreation Supervisor for Active Adult Centers, Rec and Parks. “In many cases, the impact of social isolation can be just as harmful as catching COVID or the common cold,” he told us. That is exactly the reason we created the Retiree Society.
Managing the Society is more than a work task for Club staff; they consider it a personal mission. Lupe Lira, Director of Digital Marketing, and Dulce Lopez, Retiree Coordinator, continue to build a suite of fun doings that encourage friendship, fellowship and fun. Activities include book clubs. Purpose seminars. Movie outings. Museum tours. Animal sanctuary visits. Guided bus tours. And the Society is headed to Nevada next month to embrace more Members.
Retired Club Members, do yourself a favor: Sign up for a Retiree Society event or two. It’s the least we can do for you.
Above and Beyond
Every year we publish the stories of the bravest of the brave – the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Dept. who enter harm’s way every shift and sometimes pay the price. We once again present our coverage of the annual Above and Beyond ceremony. I encourage you to read them, and thank LA’s Finest when you see them. (Thanks to Dana Katz at the LA Police Foundation for her assistance.)
Honoring Service
The Club celebrates municipal employees who have dedicated their lives to public service. I review our popular retirement and In Memoriam lists in Alive! each month, and periodically I like to highlight those who have amassed especially lengthy public service. This month I recognize Van W. Smith, who recently retired from the LADWP after an astonishing 56 years of City service. (That means Van started the same year as Dr. Ed Krupp at the Griffith Observatory.) Congratulations, Van, for your amazing career and incredible dedication!
Worth Considering
Today is a good day to have a good day. Really. Hold onto your joy. Bring that joy to your Thanksgiving table, and serve it generously to all who hunger for it.
I wish everyone a beautiful Thanksgiving of warm gratitude.
¡Gracias por leer!