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Creative Retirement invites Central Iowans to join in fun, learning and fellowship

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Members of the Iowa Valley Community College District’s Creative Retirement group enjoy the second annual potluck in December 2017. This year’s potluck is 11:30 a.m Friday. Those who are interested in Creative Retirement are invited to bring a dish and join the fun.

Conventional wisdom defines retirement as the end of active full-time employment.

But it does not have to mean the end of learning or having fun while socializing with peers. That is how Creative Retirement came to be.

Now in its 21st year, it is a vibrant part of the Continuing Education unit of Iowa Valley Community College District. Open to Central Iowans 50 years of age or older, it offers a host of programs for a nominal $15 annual membership which can be paid anytime.

Numerous classes or programs — all optional — are available for a separate expense.

Coming up next year are a wide variety of offerings ranging from A Fun Day in Tama-Toledo to Fun Line Dancing to Pottery to Beginning Bridge to welding.

All courses and program offerings will be described in length in the upcoming “Edventure” magazine, published by IVCCD’s Continuing Education, or online by visiting https://iavalley.edu/

Many of the courses are in Iowa Valley Continuing Education classrooms on the campus of Marshalltown Community College.

Other course offerings are in locales ranging from Marshalltown High School to the Tama Public Library.

Gary Van Den Boom of Eldora is a retired designer and writer of software systems who has been active in the group almost three years.

“I am involved with Creative Retirement because I enjoy a good discussion once in awhile,” he said. “Several years ago a friend of mine mentioned he was coming to these (Creative Retirement) meetings. We get a variety of opinions expressed. One of the best programs we had earlier this year — with attendance of approximately 40 — featured a (Jay Norwood) ‘Ding Darling re-enactor,’ Van Den Boom said.

The late Darling was a Des Moines Register & Tribune cartoonist who won two Pulitzer Prizes and was a noted conservationist.

One class especially targeted to those 50 or over is Estate Planning for Empty Nesters, taught by attorney Steve Kenkel.

The synopsis says: “This program will provide information to help one work more effectively with professional and legal advisers. Topics include: property ownership, wills, federal and Iowa inheritance taxes and more. Kenkel has been advising clients on these issues for 35 years.

Van Den Boom said a number of members are looking forward to a 11:30 a.m Friday potluck in DeJardin Hall.

“Bring a dish and join us,” Van Den Boom said.

For more information, contact Van Den Boom at 641-939-3803 or garyvadenboom@yahoo.com.

——

Contact Mike Donahey at

641-753-6611, or

mdonahey@timesrepublican.com

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