Snowbirds Living in the Philippines : Ongoing Activities Led By Residents and the THD Library

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Ongoing Activities Led By Residents and the THD Library

THD is the community for you if you want to get involved with numerous activities for seniors both coordinated by THD management as well as its senior residents. One of the many reasons, why I chose THD is because I wanted to play bridge again after a hiatus of 2 decades. The above photo listed all the activities led by residents with THD management blessings and encouragement.

Patty Healy and I bid and made 6NT during one of our Wednesday Afternoon Games at Churchill's Pub

I am involved with four bridge groups and one of the Mahjong led group. There is bridge here at THD every day. The Monday and Friday Group with 2 tables is coordinated by Lee Cruise. The other day, Lee asked me if I will coordinate the Monday Group beginning February and I send yes.

On Tuesaday afternoon, there are 2 bridge group (one table each). One is coordinated by Linda Bottom and the other by Jane Williams. On Wednesday there is one table coordinated by Phil Paris.

On Thursday AM, there is one table for beginners coordinated by Lee Cruise.

Regarding mahjong, there two groups playing American Mahjong. On Thursday Afternoon, I lead a table of four playing Hongkong Style Mahjong. On occasion, I play Philippine style mahjong with Daughter Dinah and Susie Bramson.

The other activities led and run by THD Activity Directors are: Aqua Fitness Exercises, Strength, Balance and Stretch Exercises, Zumba, Chair Volleyball, corn hole, ladder ball, movies, happy hour every Friday Afternoon, Trivia Party, shopping and lunch excursions, musical and art programs and Residents Talks and special education program on Television.

We have a decent book collection in our Library. If you have questions about the library, our resident librarian, Georgia White( 760-408-7979) may be able to help you. I took some photos of our library as well as the Bulletin Board with flyers of our current and coming activities.

The library has a Mystery Book, Fiction and Non-Fiction, and Biographies Sections. There are several coffee table books on art, photography, history, national parks, geography, and sports. Your book donation is welcome. When I moved here at THD, I donated hundreds of books as well as more 24 coffee table books on art, photography, gardening, cooking, history, and sports. I was not aware THD has a library that may able to use books donated by its residents. I kept one coffee Table book, my son's book and of course my own two books( see photos below).

My Newly Printed Blog Book-Chateau Du Mer Beach House and Conference Center, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines covering period from October, 2023 to January 4, 2024

THD management had a meeting with Residents a couple of weeks ago, revitalizing and planning a new February issue of The Heritage Herald- Resident's Newsletter. Gaylen Carson had the first meeting recently of a new activity here at THD-the Creative Writing Workshop.. There are several good resident writers and a retired journalist here at THD. I see no reason why we can't have an active monthly newsletter and Writing Workshop.

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Joys of Retirement

I have been retired from USFDA since 2002. At first, I feel I have lost my identity as an individual or have lost my contribution to society. However, within a few weeks all these feelings were gone. It started when my wife and I started baby sitting one of our grandchildren. As some economics professor states: "Your children are your capital investments, but your grandchildren are your profits. That is why you love your grandchildren more than your children". I really agree with the statement. Retirement also gives you lots of time to do things you like to do, such as your hobbies and of course travel. In my case, I turned my hobby of gardening and landscaping into a small business in the Philippines. This endeavor was planned about five years before 2002. That year my wife and I started construction of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque , Philippines. The next year we built a beach house, followed by a Conference Hall two years later. Needless to say, planning and executing the landscaping was a challenge and very enjoyable. With the help of local labor, I not only enjoy the time gardening and landscaping, but also help improved the economic situation of the province by providing work and jobs to the local residents. With plenty of time, I have engaged into two specific activities as follows: First, I created a website for my small business. By trial and error, I created and design the website, www.chateaudumer.com I have never been a computer nerd or expert. But with plenty of time and patience, the fruits of my labor could be enjoyed if you visit the website above. The second activity, I have not done before was to utilize on-line activities, such as shopping, paying bills ( save you stamps) and playing computer games in the Internet. I really enjoyed playing duplicate bridge on line. You play with players all over the world and can chat in between games. But be careful, you are not spending too much time in the computer. It is very addictive. With a lots of time, my wife and I devoted more time on our favorite humanitarian project. For the last 15 years, we have been involved with medical mission to the province of Marinduque. For details please visit the website: www.marinduqueinternational.org As a summary, the joy one gets on retirement is very specific for an individual. Some enjoy their free time by learning new activities, getting involved with humanitarian projects or spending more time with their grandchildren. Others hate it, since they missed their former jobs and co-workers. Others with no children still enjoy retirement by traveling, turning their hobbies into business or more community involvement. Of course those that retire and hate it, is believe to die earlier than those that enjoy their retirement years. So, plan your retirement as early as you can. The happier you are on retirement, the longer you will live.