The People Who Hold Communities Together, Why Healthspan Matters as Much as Lifespan, and Safe Retirement Withdrawal Rates

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Fiction: Seven Deaths of an Empire by G. R. Matthews – As a powerful empire faces political unrest following its emperor's death, a veteran general and a young magician become entangled in dangerous conspiracies that threaten the realm's future.

History (Non-Fiction): The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill – This gripping true story recounts the elaborate planning, ingenious tunnel construction, and daring 1944 mass escape of Allied prisoners from a German prisoner-of-war camp.

Memoir: Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston – This moving memoir recounts a Japanese American family's forced relocation to an internment camp during World War II, exploring prejudice, identity, and the lasting effects of displacement.

Self-Help: Dare by Barry McDonagh – This practical guide introduces a distinctive approach to overcoming anxiety and panic attacks by changing how readers respond to fear rather than struggling to eliminate anxious feelings.

Romance: The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison – This dark psychological thriller follows a young woman who survives captivity in a secluded garden, where a ruthless collector imprisons women he calls his butterflies, revealing a disturbing story of trauma, survival, and secrets.

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Every community seems to have a few people who quietly keep everything connected.

They know who organizes the fall fundraiser, which neighbor has a ladder you can borrow, and who to call when the community hall needs extra chairs. They remember the new person's name and notice when a familiar face hasn't been around lately. They introduce the person with a problem to the one with a solution—and everyone benefits for it

They may never describe themselves as community builders or maintainers. But that's exactly what they are.

Often, the most valuable thing these people do is remarkably simple: They notice who's standing at the edge.

At a community event, they're the person who says, "Come sit with us." At a club meeting, they introduce the newcomer to three other people. When a new neighbor moves in, they stop to say hello, offer an invitation to a community event, and explain when garbage day is.

These aren't grand gestures, but they make it easier for someone to go from feeling like an outsider to feeling that they belong.

Community connectors tend to remember details.

They know someone who recently moved and the people they hired to do so. They notice that a neighbor has been away travelling and needs their packages moved inside.  They spot a dog wandering down the street and know exactly who he belongs to. They might save a newspaper clipping for someone, drop off extra tomatoes from the garden, or call because they haven't seen a regular at the weekly coffee gathering.

It's not about knowing everyone's business. It's about paying attention and extending a hand to help.

Strong communities rely on countless small tasks.

Someone puts out the chairs before a concert. Someone brings the coffee and pastries to a club meeting. Someone decorates the Christmas tree in the center of town. Someone makes the phone calls, hangs the posters, waters the shrubs, collects the donations, or stays afterward to clean up.

These jobs rarely receive much recognition, being done by seemingly invisible hands, but without them, many of the activities people enjoy would never happen. 

A person doesn't have to run a committee or organize a major event to strengthen their community.

Many small activities can accomplish this: Introduce two people who might enjoy knowing each other. Attend the local fundraiser. Contribute a book to the local reading exchange program or a can of soup to the food kitchen. Thank the person who always organizes things. Offer to take one small job off their list.

Just as it takes more than one person to form a community, it also takes more than one to keep it running. The strongest communities have myriad people filling myriad roles that keep them connected and vibrant.

A strong community isn't created only by organizations, buildings, or events. It's created by people who connect others, contribute without needing attention, and make participation feel welcoming.

Sometimes the person holding a community together is simply the one who keeps showing up.

We're looking for seniors who are embracing life with enthusiasm, purpose, and adventure. Whether you're traveling the world, starting a business, volunteering, pursuing a passion, learning new skills, or simply making the most of every day, we'd love to hear your story.

Think that might be you?

Email [email protected] with a photo and a short bio. We may feature you in an upcoming edition of Seniors Magazine.

You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy learning something new. Curiosity has no retirement age.

The discount: Albertsons

What it gives you: Select locations offer senior shopping discounts, with eligibility and participating days varying by store

How to claim it: Check with your local Albertsons before shopping

“The Day My Daughter Cut Her Own Hair”
From the life overview of Janice P., 74, Charleston, South Carolina. Shared with permission.

When my daughter, Melissa, was four years old, she decided to give herself a haircut. It happened on a Saturday morning in 1978. I was hanging laundry in the backyard, and her older brother was watching cartoons. I thought she was playing quietly in her bedroom.

When I checked on her, she was sitting cross-legged on the bathroom floor holding my sewing scissors. A pile of brown curls lay around her knees, and the hair on the left side of her head was short enough to show her ear. However, the right side was almost untouched.

I stood in the doorway, not sure whether to laugh or cry.

“What have you done?” I asked.

She looked up at me and answered calmly, “I wanted bangs.”

I grabbed the scissors from her and called my mother, who had been a hairdresser before she retired. She arrived with her little case of combs and clippers, took one look at Melissa, and said, “Well, we can’t put the hair back now.”

She trimmed the rest as evenly as she could, but Melissa still ended up with a haircut that made her look like a very serious little boy. To soften the effect, we bought her a ribbon headband that she could wear in public. She tried it on before we went to church the following morning.

For weeks, strangers complimented her on her “cute little haircut.” Melissa accepted these remarks, acting like she had planned the outcome.

Her hair eventually grew back, of course. Melissa is fifty-two now and has two daughters of her own. When I told her this story a few years ago, her recollection of what happened was quite different than mine. She insisted that she had wanted to “help” me by saving money on a trip to the salon.

I still have the sewing scissors that she used. I keep them in a drawer she never opens.

***

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Online Solitaire
Rediscover the familiar pleasure of arranging a deck of cards, or challenge yourself with a variation you've never tried before. This free website offers hundreds of solitaire games, from classic Klondike and FreeCell to Spider, Pyramid, and lesser-known variations. Everything runs directly in your browser, so you can settle into a quick game whenever you have a few minutes to spare.

Google Arts & Culture – Puzzle Party
Turn famous works of art into interactive jigsaw puzzles that you can solve alone or with friends and family online. Choose from hundreds of paintings and illustrations, adjust the difficulty, and gradually piece together images by artists such as Vermeer and Andy Warhol. It's a relaxing way to appreciate beautiful artwork while enjoying the familiar satisfaction of completing a puzzle.

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Square dancing combines music, movement, and a little teamwork into one lively activity. Instead of memorizing an entire routine, dancers follow instructions from a caller, who announces movements as the music plays.

It's a welcoming way to enjoy dancing, meet new people, and learn something different. And you don't need previous dance experience to attend a beginner class.

Traditional American square dancing typically involves eight dancers arranged in four couples, forming a square.

The caller guides everyone through a sequence of movements, such as do-si-do, allemande left, and promenade. Each movement has a particular pattern, and dancers learn to recognize the calls as they gain experience.

For an introduction to the terminology, explore Callerlab's square dance resources, which provide information about square dance programs, calls, and instruction.

Many square dance clubs offer introductory lessons, open houses, or beginner sessions where newcomers can learn the basics.

The United Square Dancers of America's club directory is a useful starting point for locating square dance organizations and events.

You can also explore Where's the Dance?, a directory featuring square dancing and related dance activities.

When contacting a club, ask whether they have beginner lessons, whether you need to bring a partner, and what type of dancing they teach.

You don't need a traditional square dance outfit to attend your first lesson. Comfortable clothing and shoes that allow you to move and turn easily are usually sufficient.

Some clubs enjoy traditional Western-style clothing or full skirts, while others keep things casual.

Bring water and arrive a little early so you can meet the instructor and learn how the evening will work.

One of square dancing's greatest appeals is the sense of cooperation. You're not simply dancing beside other people; you're working together to complete patterns as the caller introduces them.

Mistakes are part of learning, and even experienced dancers occasionally end up facing the wrong direction.

If you enjoy your first session, consider attending regularly. Familiarity with the calls makes the dancing more fluid, and returning to the same club gives you opportunities to build friendships.

Before long, those once-unfamiliar instructions may start to feel like a second language—and you'll be moving through the square without having to think about every step.

You don't need a new stereo system to enjoy music, podcasts, or audiobooks from your phone while driving. Depending on your vehicle, you may be able to connect wirelessly or with a simple cable.

Most modern vehicles support Bluetooth, which lets your phone send audio to your car's speakers wirelessly.

With your car parked, open its audio or settings menu and look for Bluetooth, Phone, or Pair Device.

On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth. On Android, open Settings > Connected Devices > Pair New Device.

Select your car from the available devices and confirm any matching code. Once connected, choose Bluetooth Audio as your car's audio source and play music from your preferred app.

If your car has an AUX input, you can connect your phone using a compatible audio cable. Some phones require a headphone-jack adapter.

Vehicles with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto can display compatible music apps on the dashboard screen.

For older vehicles without these options, a Bluetooth FM transmitter can send your phone's audio through an unused FM radio frequency.

Set up your connection and choose your music before driving to minimize distractions.

Today: Lake Garda, Italy

Italy’s largest lake, and less a expensive alternative to Lake Como, is surrounded by colorful waterfront towns, mountain scenery, gardens, and inviting cafés. It offers many of the pleasures of northern Italy in a setting made for slowing down.

Ingrid’s Tip: Use ferries whenever possible instead of driving from town to town. You’ll avoid parking headaches and get some of the best views of the lake along the way.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object. Think you know it? Reply with your answer and show off your brainpower.

Today’s clue: Metal container used to store homemade baked treats.

EKAC NIT

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