A Special Section Highlighting Senior Lifestyles November 22, 2012
This month’s focus: Traveling
Mary Wanderers travel extensively BY EMILY HEDGES – CONTRIBUTING WRITER Mary Odell may have the best job in the world. In fact, she says if she ever retires, the City of Golden Valley should auction it off. “I enjoy my job. I’ve met some truly wonderful people,” she said. Odell serves as the escort for Golden Valley’s popular travel program. If you ask Jeanne Fackler, senior citizens coordinator with the City of Golden Valley, she’ll tell you that Mary is one important reason for the program’s success. In fact, she is such an integral part, the program has taken on the name Mary Wanderers. For more than 20 years, the Crystal resident has led excursions all over the country. “Mary is the perfect escort. She has a positive attitude, pays attention to details, can ‘go with the flow’ if there is a glitch, and has a great laugh,” said Fackler. “Our participants, some of whom have traveled with her for 20 years, have shared her joys and sorrows. Plus, when a trip ends with chocolate, it has to be good, right?” Mary and Jeanne plan trips with the help of Alice Norman from Medicine Lake Tours. Mary says that ideas come from her and Jeanne, along with suggestions from their seniors. She finds the most popular experiences include boat and train rides, home tours, and anything involving music. Some of her recent favorites have been a train trip to Chicago; Mackinac Island; a boat ride up the Mississippi River; Bayfield, Wisconsin; Washington D.C.; and Nashville. “Every trip I take is one of my favorites,” she said. “This has been a
The “Mary Wanderers” are pictured during a bus trip to Chicago earlier this year. Photo provided by Golden Valley Seniors Program. very good year. I especially love holiday trips. They really get people in the mood,” she said. Barb Bailey, longtime recreation director for Golden Valley, began the travel program more than two decades ago that has grown in popularity each year. “Our trips are very popular with Golden Valley seniors, but we get a lot of people from the other sub-
urbs,” said Odell. “We have a wonderful following. It keeps growing and we have new people all the time.” Mary believes meticulous planning is one of the reasons seniors keep coming back to the program. And she agrees with Jeanne that chocolate doesn’t hurt. “I always have special treats, and I like to stay positive. Things are well planned, and people like that. It’s
the people that really make it for me,” she said. Odell wasn’t always a traveler. In fact, she didn’t fly in an airplane until she was 40 years old. She and her husband took their three children on small vacations. Now, when she isn’t on the go, she is probably spending time with her three grandchildren, who she says makes her WANDERERS: TO PAGE 4
2 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012
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Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012– Mature Lifestyles 3
Chanhassen senior center offers ‘armchair’ travel BY EMILY HEDGES CONTRIBUTING WRITER Chanhassen seniors are able to experience the history of the Holy Land, man a remote Icelandic weather station, sail the fjords of Norway, and take many more memorable journeys without ever leaving their own neighborhood, thanks to travel programming offered by the Chanhassen Senior Center. “Our Passport to the World program is kind of like armchair traveler series,” said Sue Bill, Senior Center coordinator for the City of Chanhassen. The popular lunchtime series features a different country and culture four times a year. A person who has traveled to or lived in the featured country leads each talk. Attendees receive passports and a sticker identifying each presentation they attend. Food and drink native to that land complete the experience. “Four or five years ago, when fuel costs began to rise, I found people were traveling less and less because of the expense,” she said. “Why not offer the chance to sit down in comfort and experience sights and sounds of various countries?” According to Bill, the community has embraced the series. Each presentation fills up quickly, drawing between 40 and 50 seniors. “People love hearing the experiences of other travelers. The programs are such a success,” said Bill. “Topics will change as presenters become available.” Chanhassen resident Fran Sheffel serves on the Senior Advisory Board. When her husband was alive, the couple loved to travel, visiting every U.S. state except Hawaii, and all of the Canadian Provinces. “It gives you the opportunity to see first hand a lot of countries
that you may have an interest in. You’re hearing from people who have been there,” said Sheffel. “It’s wonderful for a lot of people who can’t travel anymore.” Fellow Advisory Board member Marlyn Mauritz also tries to attend as many travel series presentations as possible. “It’s wonderful seeing people experience places they can no longer travel to,” said Mauritz. “We usually have a waiting list. Those programs go so quickly.” Mauritz credits Bill, the city staff and community of Chanhassen for the success of this and many other programs at the center. “We have quality help from the community. Sue does an excellent job. The community and the city are so supportive,” said Mauritz. The Senior Center added another opportunity for armchair travel through Lifelong Learning presentations offered through Augsburg College, College of the Third Age. Retired professors from the Twin Cities come and give presentations approximately one-and-a-half hours in length on topics selected by Bill from a list of more than 75 options. The next presentation in this series is called Jerusalem: The City of God. Taking place on Dec. 4 at 10 a.m., attendees will learn about the city that is viewed by Jews, Christians and Muslims to be the City of God. The lecture will give an overview of the ancient and modern day history of Jerusalem, including pictures and stories from recent travels to Jerusalem. Reservation deadline is Nov. 27. The program fee is $3. The Chanhassen Senior Center is located in the lower level of City Hall at 7700 Market Boulevard. Residents from surrounding communities are welcome. For more information, call 952-227-1124 or go to www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us.
Susan Baker shares her experiences about her trip to Morocco during Chanhassen Senior Center’s Passport Lunch Program. Photo by Chanhassen Senior Center.
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4 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012
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Tips for using a travel agent With money tight these days, it’s imperative that when looking to take a much-needed vacation, consumers avail themselves of the services of a professional travel agent who is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents. “Being a travel agent is more than just selling travel. It takes training, attention to detail and expertise to keep clients happy and coming back,” ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo said. “Travel agents are there for their clients before, during and after the trip and when the unexpected happens. We provide value, expertise, convenience and personal service to our customers and understand that travel planning isn’t just about places, it’s about people. “There is no doubt that today’s travelers have more options than ever before, from destinations, packages and pricing to booking methods and itineraries. But the most important decision a traveler can make is selecting the right travel agent, such as a professional travel agent who is a member of ASTA,” added Russo.
Here are just a few reasons to use a professional travel agent: * Customer advocacy: If you have a problem with a particular part of your travel experience, the agent is there to act on your behalf to see that restitution is made. ASTA, for example, is the only travel industry association aggressively fighting to improve the travel experience, and air transportation in particular, for all consumers, not just those with access to the Internet. * Personalized service: Instead of an impersonal voice thousands of miles away, travel agents are your neighbors. They know what you want and what you value in your travel experience. * Professional advice: Travel agents are there to make sure you get where you want to go, when you want to go and for the lowest price. * Time: Instead of checking a long list of travel Web pages, which only provide rates and fares for the companies that have contracted with them, why not go straight to the source? A travel agent has all the information at
their fingertips, saving you a few hours in front of a computer screen. Every travel agency is different and accordingly, some are better suited to a given consumer than others. Here are some tips provided by ASTA on choosing a travel agent who is right for you: * Go with the Pros: Look for the ASTA label. Through its continuing education and training programs, ASTA prepares its members to operate high-caliber, competitive businesses. * Ask about Fees: Good agents will notify their clients of any additional fees, including service fees, up front. Doing otherwise is pointless, as the fee will appear as a separate charge on the client’s credit card bill. * Check Credentials: Many agents have been trained in business management, travel and tourism or geography. Others have supplemented their agency experience with extensive education and training courses. Some travel agents are Certified Travel Counselors (CTC) through the Travel Institute or Master Cruise Counselors (MCC) through the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Odell
Wanderers FROM PAGE 1 heart smile. She especially loves to take them to Gopher football games. She is a season-ticket holder, although she will admit, she goes mainly to hear the band. Mary may also be found leading a crafting group at the Senior Center. Volunteers hand-make a variety of paper crafts for local groups, such as the Good Samaritan Home, Golden Valley Rehab, and the Dinner at your Door program. “I just like doing things. I have a very good time, and I just love this job,” said Mary. Golden Valley Senior Center will host a travel show at the Senior Center located at 200 Brookview Parkway in Golden Valley on Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. Seniors are invited to come hear about upcoming travel opportunities over coffee, pie and ice cream. There is a small fee to attend. The group also hosts a travel show at the Hopkins Senior Center the end of March. For more information, call (763) 512-2339 or go to www.goldenvalleymn.gov.
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Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012– Mature Lifestyles 5
Bloomington woman travels 7 continents... alone Not much intimidates this active mother of 8 BY EMILY HEDGES CONTRIBUTING WRITER There is little that intimidates Bloomington resident Mary Greeman. Raising eight children as a young widow taught her how much she could accomplish with hard work. Traveling to all seven continents alone taught her how far she could get with determination and a smile. Greeman’s first trip overseas was in 1955. All alone, pregnant, and with a three-month-old son, Greeman crossed the ocean in a propeller plane to meet her husband, Joe, who was sent to Japan as an Army medical service officer. “We didn’t even know if we’d have medical care when we got there,” Greeman recalled. “It was very scary being there just after the war.” After their stint in Japan, the Greemans returned to Bloomington, opened a pharmacy, and grew their family. In 1973, with eight children and a foster daughter spanning from preschool to high school, Greeman suddenly found herself alone when Joe was killed in a tractor accident. Forced to close the business, Greeman found a way to raise all eight children on her own. “You can do it being a single parent. You just have to work hard,” she said. Although life was difficult without Joe, Greeman was determined to give her children the chance to travel. In 1976, after selling their farm, she used the money to take the entire family on a two-week bicentennial trip in an RV, including stops in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, Boston and Niagara Falls. Once her children were ready to go off on their own, she decided it was time for her to do the same. “I made the commitment that I wanted to go to all seven continents,” she said. It helped that her daughter Liese
worked for Northwest Airlines and was able to get her free tickets and exclusive discounts. She also took advantage of opportunities to travel with her son, Tony, a linguist and international businessman.
First, China In 1987 she met Tony in China, where he had attended college. She recalls a memorable dinner in Jilin at the home of one of Tony’s former teachers. The man, who had been a general in the Chinese army and fought against the Americans in Korea, was nervous that Greeman might bear him ill will. To show respect, he prepared black dog, a delicacy. “I became a vegetarian that night,” said Greeman. “I claimed I was a vegetarian from then on to avoid eating dubious meats.” She and Tony went to Inner Mongolia where Greeman recalls the bluest sky she’s ever seen, and a starry night around a campfire singing Beatles songs, the only ones known by everyone, no matter their language or nationality. On that trip, Greeman remembers seeing the Terra Cotta soldiers, riding a camel for the first time, and taking a boat trip on the Yangtze River. In 1988 she went on a solo tour of South America, visiting Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. She returned to South America in 1994 on her way to and from Antarctica on board a scientific expedition of about 60 passengers. “It wasn’t a luxury cruise, but a small ship of mostly scientists. There were lectures every day. Once we arrived, we’d take inflatable zodiacs to shore five or six times a day,” she said. Ironically, Antarctica wasn’t as cold as Minnesota while she was there. Her best memories were of seeing penguins, and an entire day spent in a zodiac playing with whales. “They would come up and under, swim away and zoom back,” she recalled. “It was so exciting, and I suppose a little scary.” After her return home, Greeman
was shocked to learn the ship she had been on was actually a Russian spy ship that was intercepted by Interpol on the voyage following hers.
African circle tour In 1999, Greeman checked Africa off of her list when she embarked on a month-long Grand Circle Tour. Traveling alone, she visited South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Batswana, and Egypt. The last continent she visited was Australia. In 2005 she met Tony in Sydney for a three-week tour of the country. Although at this time she could only do small amounts of walking without the help of a wheelchair, Greeman insisted on visiting the Outback. Greeman has traveled to dozens of countries in Europe over the
years. One of her favorite memories is the time she toured Scotland in the company of the International Clown Convention. “Every time we’d go into a pub they’d make balloon animals,” she recalled. While she may have completed her goal to visit all seven continents, Greeman’s traveling days are far from over. This past summer she toured historic Route 66 by car with her daughter MariJo and grandson Mac. For Christmas, she plans to visit her son Bobby who is living his retirement in Panama. Her advice to other seniors thinking of traveling on their own: “Expect the best. Don’t worry about fears. They are unfounded in most cases. Go with a good attitude, learn what you can, and remember a smile goes a long way,” she said.
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6 Mature Lifestyles – Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012
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The Big Apple is terrific destination for seniors tour BY EMILY HEDGES CONTRIBUTING WRITER Curtis Hedstrom, 68, had always wanted to travel to the Big Apple. When he saw a notice in the Lakeville Senior Center about an upcoming trip, he thought the time was right to finally go. “I had wanted to go to New York City, but I didn’t know where to stay, or what parts were safe. I thought if I go with a group, I won’t have those issues,” he said. Creating turnkey travel experiences for seniors like Hedstrom is a priority for Senior Center Coordinator Linda Walter. “They have no worries about booking sightseeing tours, where to eat, etc. It’s all taken care of up front. They have the chance to meet new people and enjoy the company of others rather than just going on a trip by themselves,” said Walter. The 40 seniors who toured New York City together were from all over the country, including seven from Minnesota. Also traveling from the Lakeville Seniors was Kathy Hames, 67, who like Hedstrom had never been to Manhattan before. “I had wanted to go to New York for a long time,” she said. “My friend, Bev Sellentine, and I went together and just had a blast.” Both Hames and Hedstrom said the vibrancy and energy of the city was their favorite part of the experience. “I loved going to Times Square. There were people everywhere. I liked the action,” said Hames. “When we went to Ellis Island, and I found my father’s family name on the wall.” She also loved seeing the 911 Memorial. “It was touching. All the names of the victims were there,” she said. “We went into the museum and
Lakeville Seniors travelled to New York City Sept. 611, 2012. Kathy Hames poses with “King Kong” found at the top of the Empire State Building during her trip to New York City with the Lakeville Seniors.
watched a film about the experience. It was hard to watch.” During the group’s backstage tour of the theater where they saw Mary Poppins, she was able to live out a life-long fantasy. “I broke into a little soft shoe on
stage and sang New York, New York,” she recalled. “Now I can tell people I sang and danced on Broadway.” Hedstrom particularly enjoyed walking the city streets and seeing so many sites he’d always heard
about, including Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the Ed Sullivan Theater and Carnegie Hall. He found a few things he saw were not what he expected. “Taxis were cheaper than I thought they would be. The restaurants weren’t as big, and the number of them was amazing,” he said. Hames said that she can now mark New York City off of her bucket list, and that traveling with the Lakeville Seniors is as easy as it gets. “A shuttle bus comes to your home to pick you up. It’s all included in the price of the trip,” she said. “I feel it is important to offer trips like this to the community,” said Walter. “If we didn’t, some people would not get the chance to go. Our trips are so convenient for people. All they have to do is pay the money and everything else is taken care of.” Upcoming trips planned with the Lakeville Seniors in 2013 are: Hawaii, Jan 31 to Feb. 9; a riverboat tour of the upper Mississippi River, July 4-13; Canada and New England cruise, Aug. 31 to Sept. 8; and a Bahamas cruise, Nov. 10-17. The mission of the Lakeville Senior Center is to focus on the wellbeing of individuals aged 50 and older in order to enhance the emotional, physical and psychological aspects of their lives. The Center strives to provide programs of interest for seniors of all ages and to be a fun, friendly place for seniors to come to meet friends and enjoy the day. The Lakeville Senior Center is located in downtown Lakeville, just behind the Post Office at 2011 Holyoke Ave. It is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday Friday. For more information, call (952) 985-4622 or go to www.lakevillemn.gov.
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Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012– Mature Lifestyles 7
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