Whistlestop Express

Architect Stays Busy at 95b y J O H N B O W M A N

E PRESSThe Leading Information Resource for Marin's Active Aging MovementOCTOBER 2011 Whistlestop.org

Whistlestop

Country Lawyer Still Busy at 95page 13

Grand Mom's Friend at 90page 15

From Rocky's Pantrypage 4

Ninety may be the new 80 in some places, but in Marin County, many

nonagenarians work and act as if they were in their 50s. In this issue of Whistlestop Express, we honor a number of those 90-some-things. Ed Hageman, 95, of San Rafael continues to work as an architect Tuesday through Friday. His wife of 70 years, Bette, is 90, and they have two children, Richard Hageman, a banker, and Susan Jean Nelson, a retired teacher. He designed the remodeling and additions to the present Whistlestop building, which

he remembers as being “a little railroad building” back in the day. His work there included adding a kitchen plus the upper fl oors. The clock tower, a down-town San Rafael landmark, was his design idea. His other major projects in Marin include the Boy Scout Building on Greenfi eld Avenue and the Corte Madera Recre-ation Center. A huge project in earlier days was the re-design of the Westlake Homes in Daly City. Ed’s old boss, developer Henry Doelger, for whom he once worked, fi rst developed Westlake in the 1950s. It was

one of the earliest examples of a large-tract suburb and was featured in Life magazine. Later Doegler came to Hage-man to do the re-design. The project received heavy media at-tention and Ed was dubbed “The Wizard of Westlake.” Hageman calls himself a “meat and potatoes” designer, and he once told a San Francisco Chron-icle interviewer that, “I designed homes for people who thought they never could afford me.” He said that business has been slow during the current sluggish economy, but he just fi nished a project of four homes for a con-tractor in Novato. He also recent-ly completed work on a $3 million home in San Anselmo that Ed

85-Year-Old Wins Best in Show in Whistlestop Photo Contest

◗ Best in Show Taken by George Cunha

A majestic cheetah, ap-pealing snow monkeys, a shadowy fi gure at

a train station, and an array of Marin County vistas are among winners in the third annual Whistlestop Photo Contest. Best in Show went to the cheetah photographed by George Cunha of San Rafael at

a South African Res-cue Institute. George told Whistlestop, “Cheetahs are an endan-gered species because the grasslands, which is their natural habitat, are disap-pearing, and they have to make a living in areas where they must com-

continued on page 6

continued on page 6

Whistlestop Express OCTOBER 20112

Steve Olian, 73, of San Ra-fael, is a retired fi nancial analyst and management

consultant, but what brings him alive these days is helping to facilitate the Seniors’ Circle that meets every Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 at Whistlestop. “It is a place to explore and work out problems. It’s not therapy or fi x-it. We (the facilitators) cre-ate a safe and con-fi dential place, and then we get out of the way.” Joining Steve as facilita-tors are Hermann Clasen and Larry Gonski. The group is for people 55 and older. It is an outgrowth of CorStone (formerly the Inter-national Center for Attitudinal Healing), which was founded by Jerry Jampolsky of Sau-salito, and has been sponsored by Whistlestop for the past 15 years. Steve is delighted that the group is about 50-50, men and women, which is unusual. There are about 20 people who participate; usually 12 to 14 show up each week. There are two generations represented – those in their 60s and those in their 90s. Some-times parents and children are there together. “This is not a place to come and have your problems solved. We, all of us, give the gift of listening. Our saying is ‘Love is

listening.’ He added, “We work out our own issues. Indepen-dence is important. And we all work hard to achieve and sus-tain inner peace.” Some of the issues that come up include loss, illness, fi nan-cial concerns and isolation, which is often tied to the loss of a driver’s license.

Steve has been a facilitator for the past fi ve or six years. He and the other facilita-tors are volunteers.

“This is free and open to anyone 55 or older. No money exchanges hands.” The group meets in the Whistlestop Board Room and, they start and end every meet-ing by holding hands around the table “to symbolize that we are all connected.” Steve feels very close to the other facilitators and to every-one who participates. He appreciates the principles and guidelines of Jampolsky. “Jerry is the one who started the concept of a lay group that supports one another. He is now in his 80s and is still doing this work very actively. He travels the world and recently was spreading the word in Mongo-lia.” Jampolsky has a home in Marin and one on the Big Island of Hawaii. For information about the Seniors’ Circle, call 415-388-6161. ✦

Whistlestop PERSPECTIVE by JOHN BOWMANTable ofCONTENTS

Readers Write InMolly Light

From Rocky's PantryRocky Packard

First Place Photos

At Whistlestop

Whistlestop Activities Calendar

The Bird's Side of MarinRichard PavekCountry Lawyer Carl Shapiro

Grand MomAudrey Mettel FixmerWord Search

3

4

78/91011

1315

15

Marin Senior Coordinating Council, Inc.930 Tamalpais Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901Chief Executive Offi cer, Joe O’HehirBoard of DirectorsPresident, Dennis ThompsonVice President, Terry ScusselTreasurer, Michael RiceSecretary, Michael HingsonKaren Arnold • Eleanor Delaney • Claudia FrommJane Lott • Debbie Mills • Bill SaulBob Sonnenberg • Jeff StofferWhistlestop Express is a publication of the MarinSenior Coordinating Council, Inc. A 501 (c) 3not-for-profi t organizationThe Mission of Whistlestop:To promote the independence and well-being of Marin County’s older adults and individuals with disabilities to enhance their quality of life.Whistlestop Contact InformationMain Number 415-456-9062Whistlestop Fax 415-456-2858www.whistlestop.orgInformation & Referral Offi ce415-459-6700 • [email protected] Express Editorial, Art Direction & SalesJohn & Val Bowman Editors916-751-9189 • [email protected] Reynolds Art Directormreynolds@pacifi csun.comAdvertisingLinda Black • 415-485-6700, Ext. 306

Whistlestop Express is printed on recycled paper

To be added to, or taken off, the email list for Whistlestop Express, please call 415-456-9062, ext. 141. Or send an email, with your request, your name and address to [email protected].

Subscriptions mailed to your home are $10/year.

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'Love is listening'

Seniors' Circle — A Place to be Really Heard

Readers Invited to Write inWe love to hear from our readers. If you have an interesting story or opinion to share, please send it, 400 words or less, to Readers Write In, Whistlestop Express, 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901, or email it to [email protected].

whistlestop.org 3

ReadersWRITE INLaughing at Life’s Absurditiesby MOLLY LIGHT, SAUSALITO

I love to laugh. The absurdity of life provides fodder for a lifetime of laughs. Throughout my childhood, into adolescence and early

childhood, however, I felt either extremely seri-ous or desperately depressed. Maybe to be more honest, I usually felt serious and depressed. Life events impacted me profoundly, often nega-tively, and I did not have the skills at the time to rid myself of the sense of helplessness that seemed to follow me wherever I went. I empathized most easily with the downtrod-den and carried my “outsiderness” to every negative experience I endured – and it felt like endurance. Stand-up comedians never made me feel like laughing. Their humor seemed to me to be based on the need to degrade others for their unfortunate missteps. To me, their jokes were derived from the negative stereotyping of a particular group of people (mostly wives from what I remember). Usually, I would feel as if I were the only one not laughing. The experience served to underline how different I felt I was from most people. The older I get, however, the more I can see how much we are really all alike. Our outer shell, of course, is different, but we all intimate-ly know the experience of joy, heartbreak and absurdity inherent in the human condition. As dissimilar as all of our lives might seem on the outside, every one of us knows what it is like to experience the whole gamut of human emotions. I keep learning over and over again that it is our perspective that really makes the differ-ence. Sometimes things that appear so terribly tragic can seem humorous if we are able to change how we look at them. It is much more fun to laugh. And since things in life rarely make total sense, why not focus on life’s absurdities and let go of it all feel-ing so personal. Since we are all in it together, why don’t we look for reasons to laugh together instead of feeling it necessary to cry alone. Molly is just one of the dozens of writers who participate each week in the Remembrance Writing class. ✦

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From Rocky's PANTRYB Y R O C K Y P A C K A R D

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Low Cost Mammograms

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‘I can’t go to the hospital today. I have a writers’ group meeting this afternoon.’

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Writing for Her LifeB Y F R A N C O H E N , S A N R A F A E L

Fran Cohen has been a dedicated member of Claudia Carroll’s Remembrance Writ-ing class. One morning, on the group’s

regular meeting day, Fran awoke in such discom-fort she had to call 911. When the paramedics insisted she needed to go to the hospital, Fran said, “I can’t go to the hospital today. I have a writers’ group meeting this afternoon.” She did go to the hospital but she was home in time for the meeting. In the spring of last year, Fran won a prize in the Whistlestop Express poetry contest for the fi rst poem she ever wrote. She was 96 when Claudia helped her publish her fi rst writing anthology, Refl ections of My Life. Fran refl ects: “Living where I do, in my San Rafael Community apartment, has been an experience for me — learning to get along with so many people of different backgrounds. You can make good friends if you choose to.” She says she tries not to miss any of the activi-ties. “Who wouldn’t enjoy fi tness, brain games, painting, remembrance writing, and so many other social affairs?” Fran has traveled to visit great-grandchildren in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and to see a son in Illinois. She is grateful that her daughter, Bon-nie, encouraged her to move to California from Illinois and happy that her sister, Selma, has joined her at at her community apartments. Fran plans to keep writing and creating. “I only hope I can keep writing these stories of my life until I am 100 (or more?) Who knows?” ✦

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says “turned out very nice.” He credits some great teachers in his early school with preparing him for a successful career. He graduated from San Francisco Polytechnic High School and learned about mechanical draw-ing while taking a double load of classes. “I realized early on that I was not cut out to be a scien-tist,” he said. “But I really liked design.” He won a scholarship to an art school – the Rudolph Schaeffer School of Rythu Cre-

ative Design in Downtown San Francisco. After school, he started work-ing as an artist for Fox West Coast Theatres in San Fran-cisco, doing artwork for lobby displays. Next, he went to work for Doegler, who was famous for building the Sunset District. Hageman started as a drafts-man and later was promoted to the position of head designer. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II and then, in 1947, opened his own architectural of-

fi ce in Marin. He said he loves his work and has no plans to retire. ✦

pete with lions and leopards, which are about three times heavier. Often mothers with cubs are killed, and this organization tries to rescue the babies and raise them. For a fee, you can pet them, and they purr loudly, just like housecats. Of course, their keepers keep a fi rm hand on them. This cheetah’s name is Jacob.” When asked if he will be attend-ing the winners’ reception, George, at 85, said, “I had better say that my attendance at the reception is contingent upon my being around. To borrow a line from George Burns – ‘I don’t even buy green bananas these days.’” All winners will be honored at a reception at Whistlestop starting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, November 1. Co-sponsoring the event with

Whistlestop is Marin Filmworks of San Rafael. Judges in the contest were two prominent Marin County photographers, Terry Scussel and Marilyn Bagshaw. Other winners:

Marin Category: 1st, Donna Lunsford, 67, Sausalito, for “Re-fl ection on Mt. Tam”; 2nd, Philip Buchanan, 68, Bolinas, “Bolinas Lagoon Morning”; 3rd, Rick Budde, 68, Novato, “Firefi ght-ers at 2008 Hamilton Warehouse Fire”; 4th, John Carr, “Lake on Mt. Tam.”Nature: 1st, Catherine Dob-bins d’Alessio, 65, Ross, “Snow Monkeys”; 2nd, Jon W. d’Alessio, 65, Ross, “Albatross Takeoff”; 3rd, Michael V. Hancock, 60-plus, Tiburon, “Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel.”

Travel: 1st, Ann Rivo, 72, San Rafael, “The Rice Ballet, Viet-nam”; 2nd, Catherine Dobbins d’Alessio, “Tango Dancers”; 3rd, Janice Hughes, 60, San Rafael, “Mexican Weaver”; 4th, Elaine Bachelder, 84, Corte Madera, “Moonset at White Sand, New Mexico.”Pictorial: 1st, Gale S. McKee, 65, San Rafael, “Time Travel, Union Station, Chicago”; 2nd, Michael Hancock, “Fun in the Sun”; 3rd, Ann Rivo, “The Red Barn, Palouse Wheatfi elds, Washing-ton State”; 4th, Janice Hughes, “Willow Tree.”

First place winners are dis-played in this issue. Second and third place winning photos will be published in our November issue. ✦

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< Photo Contest continued from page 1

< Ed Hageman continued from page 1

Bette and Ed Hageman

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First Place Winners in Photo Contest

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◗ Marin: Taken by Donna Lunsford of Sausalito, from the family houseboat, looking toward Mt. Tam and Highway 101.

◗ Travel: Ann Rivo of San Rafael said of her winning photo, taken in Vietnam: “There seems to be a rather magical kind of dance the women do as they work in the fi elds. I’m sure it does not feel that way for them. But as the viewer, it is a visual delight to behold.”

◗ Nature: Snow Monkeys warming and bathing in hot springs tub in Japan, by Catherine Dobbins d’Alessio of Ross.

◗ Pictorial: Gale S. McKee of San Rafael explained, “For some reason, at that particular time, this man was the only one visible in my camera lens. He was rushing up the stairs to catch the bus to work. It was a slow aperture setting to get the blurred effect.”


Keep Learning at WHISTLESTOP

Scheduling Rides: 454-0964Cancelling Rides: 457-4630Eligibility: 456-9062 x160 [email protected] Driver Program: 454-0969

Transportation Numbers

COMPUTER/PICTURE CLASSBeginning: 2nd Friday • 2 to 4pmAdvanced: 3rd Friday • 2 to 4pmComputer Room | Fee: $15 Instructor: Gene DyerRegistration required: 459-6700Call for more information and class descriptions.

COMPUTER LAB DROP-IN CLASSMondays • 10 to Noon & Wednesdays • 10 to 2pmNeed help using a computer? We have volunteer computer tutors available to work with you one-on-one, if needed.

FACEBOOK COMPUTER CLASSTuesday, October 4 & 11 • 10 to NoonFee: $30/2-week course, due at time of registrationInstructor: Karl Hoppe | Registration required: 459-6700Prerequisite: familiarity with PCs.Interested in learning about one of the most popular social networking sites? Learn how to set up an account, how to upload a profi le picture, add photo albums, write on a wall, send messages to people, become a member of a group and more! It’s a great way to stay in touch with family and friends.this culprit – time really is running out.

ON SITE NOTARY SERVICES2nd Tuesday, 12:30 to 2pmRob Rudy, Certifi ed NotaryCall to confi rm date & time: 456-9062Fee: $2 per signature and all proceeds will be donated to Whistlestop.Rob has volunteered to offer notarial services to clients, visitors and employees of Whistlestop. Feel free to drop by and say hello. Drop-in only.

LAUGHTER CLUB2th & 4th Wednesdays • 10 to 10:30amJackson Café | 456-9062Instructor: Susan Wilkins, certifi ed Laughter Club LeaderDonations appreciatedExercise your funny bone! Express your emotions! Reawaken your inner child! Some benefi ts of Laughter Club include: safe cardiac workout, detoxify the lungs with deep breathing, lower blood pressure with laughter and stimulate the brain and release endorphins. All fi tness levels welcome. Dress comfy and wear socks.

GENTLE CHIROPRACTIC SERVICESThursdays • 10 to 11:30amFee: $5 | 456-9062 | First-come, fi rst-served basisChiropractor: Dr. Laura Agnew, Redwood Health ChiropracticDo you suffer from back or neck pain, tension headaches or aching muscles & joints? For relief from aches and pains of everyday stress and strains, visit Whistlestop to see chiropractic professionals who provide safe, gentle and chiropractic care.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC GLUCOSE & MEDICINE CHECK CLINICTuesday, October 4 • 1 to 2pmFacilitators: student nurses from Dominican UniversityDrop-in, Donations appreciatedBring all of your medications and supplements to fi nd out how & when to take them, how to store them, side effects, or possible interactions with other drugs. Don’t miss this opportunity to prevent health problems by keeping your blood pressure and meds in check!

READING & BOOK SIGNING: THUNDER DOGNew York Times Best Seller ListMonday, October 10 • 2:30pmDonations appreciated | Reserve your seat: 456-9062Speaker: Michael Hingson, authorEveryone has their own memories and experiences that

COMMISSION ON AGING

Thursday, October 13 • 9:30-11:45 amWhere: Dance Palace; 503B St., Pt. Reyes StationPresenters: Roger Kovacks, Bolinas White Caps; Chloe Cook, West Marin Senior Services; Cynthia Hammond, Afternoon at the BeachTopic: Community-driven solutions to age in place in rural Marin

Next Meeting: November 10 • 10 am at Tiburon Town Hall

whistlestop.org 9

HALLOWEEN TEA DANCE Friday October 28 • 5 to 7pm Fee: $3 | RSVP: 456-9062Get into the Halloween spirit and come dressed in costume. Join us for refreshments and dancing. Costume contest with a winning prize of a $25 gift card.

COMING SOON IN NOVEMBER!Thanksgiving Luncheon• Blood Pressure, Medicine Check and Flu Shots• Cedars Art Show• Art Class – Beading Bracelets• Gladdy Gold Book Club•

IN-KIND DONATIONS NEEDEDMah Jongg sets, decks of cards, books and yarn If you have items to donate: 456-9062

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESContact: Debbie at 456-9062 or [email protected]

Jackson Café servers• Front Desk/Center Host(ess)• Board or Card Game Leader• Tax Return Preparers - Requires use of a computer-• based software, training is provided. If you have a desire to help others, please volunteer. Commitment is from January to April.

defi ne 9-11, 2011 for us. What lessons can we still take away from that tragic and defi ning day? Can positive ideals and principles come out of the ashes? Michael explores these questions as he shares his story of survival and growth, and how he escaped and went on living because of his own strong and fearless sense of survival, as well as his hero and friend, his guide dog Roselle. Michael will take you step-by-step through his own experience of the attack fi rsthand. Thunder Dog will be available for purchase.

OKTOBERFEST LUNCHEONThursday, October 20 • 11:30 to 2pmJackson Café | Cost: $6 for 60+, $9 under 60No reservations needed, fi rst come-fi rst served.Please join us for a delicious meal and live entertainment provided by Bread & Roses! Menu: beef sauerbraten, braised red cabbage with apples, spaetzle, & apple strudel

MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMORY/MAINTAIN YOUR BRAINFriday, October 21, 11 to 12:30pmCaboose 1 | Donations appreciatedPresenter: Shelley Dombroski, Alzheimer’s AssociationRegistration required: 456-9062This informative and interactive program will teach you the difference between normal memory loss and dementia. Learn tips and strategies for improving memory, and suggestions to maintain a brain-healthy lifestyle.

AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM Saturday, October 22 & 29 • 9 to 1pmJackson Café | Pre-registration and prepayment required: 459-6700 | Fee: $12/AARP members/$14 non-members. Cash or checks payable to AARP accepted.Sharpen your driving skills through the AARP Driver Safety program. This course was developed to help drivers 50 years or older adjust to age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. Medication and its effects on driving will also be addressed. At the end of this course, a certifi cate of completion, which may save you money on auto insurance, will be given. You must attend both sessions in order to get credit for completing the course.

MEDICARE’S ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIODThursday, October 27 • 10:30 to NoonBoard Room | Donations appreciatedFacilitator: Julie Bennett, HICAP | Register: 456-9062Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7. Your effective date for any changes to your Medicare Part C and/or Part D will be January 1, 2012. Join HICAP for an informative presentation. You will get up-to-date information on what’s new with Medicare and help to narrow down your options.

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Whistlestop ACTIVITIES This Month at Whistlestop TIME CLASS MISC. COST 9:30–10:30 AM Reading Club for 454-0998 Free Spanish Speakers 10:00–11:00 AM AM Monday (Discussion) 457-0586 Free 11:00–12:30 PM German Social Group Open Free 11:15–NOON Movement & Music Open Free 2:00–4:00 PM ESL 457-8811 Free 4:00–5:30 PM Citizenship Class 454-0998 Free

9:15–10:15 AM Whistlesizers (Exercise) Open $2 10:00–2:00 PM Asian Social Group 454-1552 Free 10:45–11:45 AM Cardio Exercise Class Open Free 11:00–2:00 PM Manicurist Appt. Needed Free 1:00–3:00 PM Learn Spanish Open Free 2:00–3:00 PM ESL Vietnamese 454-1552 Free 2:00–3:30 PM English Conversation 454-0998 Free 2:00–4:00 PM Remembrance Writing Open $5 2:30–3:30 PM Balance Class Open $10

9:15–10:15 AM Whistlesizers (Exercise) Open $2 9:30–11:00 AM Chiropractic Services Open $5 10:00–NOON PM Knit!!! 454-099 Free 10:00–2:00 PM Asian Social Group 454-1552 Free 10:30–NOON Watercolors with Hilda Open Free 2:00-3:30 PM English Conversation 454-0998 Free 2:00–4:00 PM Remembrance Writing Open $5 3:00–4:00 PM Basic English for 457-0586 Free Spanish Speakers

9:00–10:15 AM Tai Chi Qigong Sugg. Donation $10 9:00–2:00 PM Chair Massage Open $4/8min. 10:00–11:30 AM Seniors' Circle (Support) Open Free 10:30–NOON Mah Jongg Open Free 10:00–2:00 PM Computer Lab Open Free 10:45–11:45 AM Corazón Latino Open Free 2:00–4:00 PM ESL 457-8811 Free 3:00–4:00 PM Basic English for 457-0586 Free Spanish Speakers

9:00–2:00 PM Chair Massage Open $4/8min. 11:00–1:00 PM WS Knitters 1st Fri. Arts & Crafts Free 1:30–3:30 PM ACASA (Support/Training) Peer Counseling Free 1:30–3:30 PM Practice Spanish (Club) Open Free 2:00–4:00 PM Friday Movie 1st, 3rd & 5th Fri. $2 2:00–4:00 PM Arts & Crafts w/Vicky 457-0586 $2-$3 3:00–4:00 PM Yoga with Kelly 456-9062 $3

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The Caboose, Computer Lab, Board Room and Jackson Café are all located at Whistlestop’s Active Aging Center – 930 Tamalpais Ave., San Rafael.

LUNCH MENU60+ PRICES/ UNDER 60 PRICES

Main Entrée$4.00/$6.75

Sandwiches$3.75/$5.00

Soup du Jour$1.75/$2.25

Hamburger w/Fries$4.25/$5.25

Salads$2.50/$4.00

OTHER ITEMSTuna Salad Side $1.25Fresh Fruit $1.50Beverages $1.00Desserts $1.50

Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:00pmLocated in Whistlestop Active Aging Center

Jackson Café

whistlestop.org 11

The Bird's SideOF MARIN b y R I C H A R D P A V E K

PHOT

OS ©

RIC

HARD

PAV

EK

Tidy Disposal System

Now that the TV ads are promoting the virtues of toilet paper’s ability

to make you feel ‘really clean’, I guess it’s acceptable for me to write about Poo Bags. Poo Bags

are the Tree Swallows’ approach to waste disposal and clean nests. When the baby Tree Swallows – who eat furiously all day – do their little business, they do it right into tiny Poo Bags. (The ornitholo-gists call them “Fecal Sacs” which, being French, is much more gentile.) Just how the fecal sacs form at the exit of the alimentary canal, I have been unable to determine. But I do know that the waste mate-rial goes right into these little sacs, which the parents periodically pick off with their beaks and carry a good distance away from the nest box, where they dump them. This sac business is certainly a good thing for

the nests. If there weren’t a good disposal system, the small tree cavities or nest boxes the Tree Swallows use for raising their chicks would soon fi ll up with excrement. Well, there is not much more I can say about fecal sacs and remain gentile, except for this one thought. Wouldn’t it be nice if our grandbabies presented us with pre-packed Poo Bags that we could just carry out to the garbage? No smell, no wiping. That’s something the gene-splicers and bio-molecular tinkerers could take up that we could all get behind. (No pun intended.) Except the folks who make dispos-able diapers of course. Every weekend I email an unusual bird photo to Express readers. If you’d like some-thing nice to look at in your Inbox, email me at [email protected]. ✦

Till next time, Richard


Whistlestop PROFILES Cece Cadieux, 92Lives at Bennett House in Fairfax

Her secret of a long and healthy life:“I stay very active. Gardening and walk-ing, I do not have a car. I have a very

healthy diet – lots of vegetables and fruits. I never got fat.” Cece spends almost every day in the extensive garden at the Bennett House. She takes

care of about 10 rose bushes as well as a vegetable garden, including arugala. Some of the same people show up with her every day, giving her a support-ive community. Cece grew up in Southern California where her fourth grade teacher identifi ed her as an exceptional singer. She has

sung all of her life, mostly classical music, some professionally. She sang on the radio in Hollywood and in some light and regular operas as a mezzo-soprano. “I never paid once for lessons – it all came through scholarships.”

She taught singing lessons, mostly private, for many years, and loved doing that. “One of my students, when she was a junior or senior in col-lege, won a prize that took her to Paris. I was very proud of her.” She and her late husband, Frank, regularly played doubles tennis, including com-peting in many tournaments, and she continued playing until recently. ✦

Paula Ross, 91Lives in Fairfax

Her secret of a long and healthy life: “I be-lieve in moderation; I don’t overdo things. Also, I volunteer – a good way to stay ac-

tive.” She has a dog, cat and fi sh, which contribute to her upbeat spirit. Paula facilitates the German Group at Whistlestop, Mondays, 11 to 12:30pm. group Most of the students are German-born and have little chance to con-verse in their fi rst language. Paula is a Holocaust survivor, born in Vienna, Austria. She came to the U.S. in 1939, working hard to learn English. She enlisted in the U.S. Women’s Army Corps (WACs). She was recruited to translate for German Prisoners of War in a camp in New Jersey. Paula’s work was kept secret and she had to agree she would not receive any promotions. “I was an eternal PFC,” she said, laughing. “But I was grateful to be alive and I was and still am very patriotic.” She used the GI Bill to further her education in Los Angeles and became a chiropractor. She practiced for many years and also was a midwife, delivering babies in LA. She was married and has two children. She also volunteers at Wild Care as a wildlife rehabilitator. ✦

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whistlestop.org 13

‘Country Lawyer’ is Still Doing His Job at 95B Y V A L B O W M A N

Carl Shapiro loves going to work every day because he doesn’t know who might walk in the door needing his help. He

has had a law offi ce in downtown San Ansel-mo since 1967. Carl is the oldest practicing attorney in California and he still goes to the offi ce Monday through Friday. He has represented the poor and marginalized because he says he would rather have plaques on the wall than be on the golf course. His wife of 65 years, Helen, went to law school at the age of 57 and at the age of 94, she was the oldest prac-ticing female lawyer in California. They called themselves country lawyers and both did lots of pro bono work. Carl, known for his strong liberal views says, “She and I had things we wanted to say and this was one of the ways to say it.” Helen died in 2005. Asked about his se-crets of a long, happy life, he replies, “Just plain luck fi rst of all. I survived cancer and accidents but here I am. And secondly, I agree with the folks at Harvard who say you need to face challenges, intellec-tual and other, to keep going. He also credits his family and friends. Carl still lives in his Fairfax home with his daughter, Sylvia, and his grandson. “I do the cooking, Sylvia preps and my grandson does the dishes.” He also is grateful to his neighbor, Yvonne Roberts, who is the develop-ment director at Whistlestop. “She helps me with the gardening and gives me things I need without my asking and has helped make it possible for me stay in my home.” Carl is proud of the work he has done with death row inmates. “I represented more people on death row than anyone else as far as I know. In the fi rst 12 to 13 years of practice, I appeared before the California State Supreme Court more than most lawyers do in a life-time. My proudest achievement was getting reversals in two death penalty cases in the same day.” Growing up in Cleveland, the son of an at-

torney, Carl went to Harvard 75 years ago. After graduation, he started law school at Berkeley, but it didn’t feel right, so he worked as a cook and in the Richmond shipyards. After a stint in the Army, he went back to law school on the GI Bill, graduating from Univer-sity of San Francisco night school. He started a practice but he worked in the mornings as a carpenter, going home to change clothes before heading for his law offi ce. He says that prac-ticing law is “a hard and grubby life, but it is worth the struggle to help people. That’s what we’re supposed to do. Not just make money.” ✦

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Roger Pease, 90Lives in Mill Valley

His secret of a long and healthy life: Main-tain a good diet; walk every day (don’t amble); friends are important; fi nd activi-

ties to keep you involved; and don’t forget to keep a smile on your face. In the early 40s, Roger joined the Army Signal Corps Motion Picture School at MGM Studios in Culver City. Soon after, he was in a small, detached unit based in Calcutta, India. He had many experiences with the OSS, America’s fi rst intelligence agency, which organized a 10,000-man underground Thai army that was never discovered by the Japanese. The fi lms he made were used for army records and newsreels. Roger walks or does something physical every day. He sings in a choir and is active in Sons In Retirement (SIRS). He’s served twice as president of Branch 47 and was honored with a Lifetime Membership Award last year. He volunteers at the Tiburon Thrift Shop and as an usher at the Marin Civic Center theaters. He photographed two children’s camps for slide shows this summer. He has been widowed twice after two happy marriages totaling 63 years. His recent wife, Eddi Erwin Pease, was an infl uential member of the Driftwood Ladies group, who host an annual fundraising event to support Whistlestop. He loves his two families: his son, Scott, an architec-tural photographer, Scott’s wife, two granddaugh-ters and two great-grandchildren, and Eddi’s four children, who have warmly accepted him. Roger’s advice about happy later years? “Some things we have control over and some things we just have to accept and do the best we can. I am fortunate to have good genes. But after that, it is up to you. Attitude is ev-erything.” ✦

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whistlestop.org 15

Grand MOMby AUDREY METTEL FIXMER

Inspiration from my Elders

Word SEARCH

Remember how you always looked up to the “older” ones? When you were four they were the six-year-olds; they went

to school. But when you got to school yourself, it was the eighth graders and to them it was the high school kids, who looked up to the col-lege kids. Despite loving the 20 years I spent as a full-time homemaker, I looked forward to a career and then retirement. And now there’s Gordy Simonson. Gordy was in his 90s when he fi rst inspired me. I marveled at his energy when I’d see him planting and tending to the fl owers around our church. He wintered in Florida for 36 years so he could golf year round, and he rode his bike daily. When he had been widowed for a year, he met the vivacious Doris on the golf course. Within a year they were married; long court-ships don’t work when you’re 84. Some say that Doris has kept Gordy alive. They eat healthy and their daily routine in-cludes a brisk early morning walk with other seniors in the halls of our local hospital, a bike ride and a nightly soak in the hot tub. Others, however, credit Gordy’s upbeat, positive attitude toward life. “I’ve never heard Grandpa say a mean word about anybody or be afraid of anything,” says his grandson Brad. “He was in his 90s when he fi rst saw a jet ski and insisted on going for a ride. And once when I went over there I found him standing in the river in his waders, repairing their river wall. I said, ‘Grandpa, you can’t do that! Someone might come along with a motor boat and the waves will knock you over.’ He answered, ‘Well, I’m doing it, aren’t I?’” Gordy and Doris celebrated their 20th wed-ding anniversary and are looking forward to his 105th birthday in November. Perhaps we will ring the church bells that he donated to the “old church” 55 years ago, then paid to have moved to the new church. Gordy no longer ap-pears on the golf course, but he still makes it to Sunday Mass. I want to be like Gordy when I grow old. Gordy is my hero. ✦

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