Dateline Dayton – Had an interesting experience last week when our local newspaper offered this solicitation:

“Seeking older workers.”

The Dayton Daily News was pursuing a story about local residents who have reached traditional retirement age but were still working.

That could be interesting. I responded. I received a call from Dave, a reporter from the News. He interviewed me over the phone, asking if I could be available for a picture which would appear with the article and a video, for their website.

On Friday, after getting approval from the owner of CUC, a staff photographer from Cox Media came to the office. Lisa was very friendly, and she took a huge number of pictures, possibly trying to get a good one from the questionable subject matter. After that was over, she set up her video camera and recorded for 15 minutes.

Since the video is only going to run for a minute, not much of what I said will appear.

She started the questioning by asking the spelling of my name, then my age. I answered 73. But I only am 72. They corrected the error.

Next, she asked why I was still working. Said I: “I like my job, I have a great boss and I work with a friendly group of associates.” I also said that I have always worked for small companies. I don’t enjoy the luxury of having a pension to fall back on. We do have a simple IRA plan here at CUC, to which I contribute, with the company matching a small amount.

Lisa asked about children and I told her, “Pauline and I had five. Raising and educating five children just didn’t leave extra money to sock away for the retirement years, thus being able to work really helps us financially.”

I did start drawing Social Security at my full retirement age. That coupled with my salary does allow us to take a couple trips a year, attend Dragon games, dinners out and the ability to add to my collecting interests.

She asked about plans to retire. “I have no plans to retire,” I told her, “unless I can no longer drive or can’t remember the code to the security system. Presently, I have the hearse scheduled to pick me up at CUC.”

Lisa asked what would happen if I won the lottery. Right away I said, “I would be at work the next day”, but did go on to say that “I might take a couple days off”.

I did share with Lisa, and you already know, dear readers, that I went to a four-day week a year ago. In the future, I may consider going to three days.

I also told her that in addition to my job at CUC, as office manager, I serve as President of the Board of Trustees for the Learning Tree Farm. Lisa knew about the Farm because she covered a story on one of our programs some years ago. During tax season, I operate a small tax preparation service, which I’m in the process of winding down due to pending IRS regulations. I also told her about writing a weekly essay for thefrontpageonline.com

She asked if I had advice for younger workers. “Save whatever you can for retirement,” I told her. “It comes around much faster then you think.”

The article did appear in the Sunday edition of the Dayton Daily News, and there was a short video on their web-site. The article itself was devoted to a lot of statistical information, but some of what I said, along with others’ comments, did appear.

Finally, Happy 51

I hope everyone had a super Labor Day weekend. We did, celebrating our 51st wedding anniversary, which was Sunday, but we celebrated all weekend. I even worked in a little yard work,along with going out to eat Saturday night, a nice breakfast out on Sunday and our final Dragons’ game on Monday.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net