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Melodee Martinuk Chronicle Staff It happened one day in 1980. As she had every day for the previous 24 years Betty Barker showed up for work. Unlike every other day, however, on this morning she was told that her job had been eliminated and she was asked to take an early retirement. Barker was 60. ‘"There was no warning. When it first happened I was devastated. I didn‘t know what I was going to do with myself. Whether I would be able to support myself financially. It was a shock." Her experience is not unusual, said Irene O‘Toole, coordinator of SHINE Home Support Services. "It can be a very stressful time, with all the other changes occuring in life. Many don‘t see it a gain of their own time back, they see it as a lossâ€"of job, of friends. "If work is the prime involvement in your life, there is a tremendous empty space left that is very frightening for some peoâ€" ple...many have the feeling that they are not good for anything anymore. That they have gone to seed or have 16 hours a day now to kill." According to O‘Toole, the oftenâ€"negative experience of retirement can be turned into a positive through careful preâ€"retirement planâ€" ning. People must be aware of how their lifestyle will change after retirement, plan how they will fill those extra recreational hours, and how they will deal with the financial aspects of no longer working. ‘‘*We‘d like to see people become involved in preâ€"reâ€" tirement planning when they‘re in their early 50s, about eight to 10 years before retireâ€" ment." The need is even greater today, since the 8 fai ba\\ns Musical Message offers: e Sensational Singing & Striptease Telegrams e Marvelous Messengers including ‘‘The Singing e Bellygrams for Great Bellylaughs e F.U. Flowers for Xâ€"Friends e Red Roses, Scrumptious Sweets & Celebration Champagne Breaktasts brought by ‘‘Top Hat & On Saturday, September 12/1987 help us celebrate Create a positive with preâ€"retirement planning strategy 6 ERB ST. E. (AT KING) IN WATERLOO 747â€"1427 MHSHICEEâ€" e 5% off Singing & Striptease Telegram Orders! * 10 % off all balloons & balloon accessories in stock!! e An additional 15% off our lowâ€"priced GUND animais!!! FREE coffee & donuts to browsers FREE helium filled balloons for kids of all ages the GRAND OPENING GRAND OPENING SPECIALS of For proof of that you need only chat with Barker. Despite the shock her forced "retireâ€" ment‘‘ Barker quickly adapted and became involved in a myriad of activities ranging from softball to travel. ‘"Now I‘m busy and I wouldn‘t go back. Anyone who says there‘s nothing to do is nutsâ€"I‘m doing all the things I couldn‘t do when I was young. ‘‘I feel younger than when I worked, people say I look younger. When you‘re retired you shouldn‘t sit at home and do nothing. If you‘re physically able you should get out and do things to keep busy," said Barker. Slowly, O ‘Toole said, society is beginning to recognize the importance of preâ€"retirement planning, especially organizations like the cityâ€"run Adult Recration Centre which has been offering preâ€"retirement courses for the past five years, but even still there isn‘t enough being done. ‘"Employers are starting to take it more seriously, and that‘s very necessary. The employers are the people who have to provide greater support for the whole business of planning for retirement," said O‘Toole, noting that several local industries and the board of education are now offering preâ€"retirement planning courses for their emâ€" ployees. "If you plan carefully, retirement can be the most positive experience of lifeâ€"it doesn‘t have to mean ‘the end‘," concluded O‘Toole. trend is towards earlier retirement, second careers and living longer, O‘Toole stressed. ‘"In actual fact retirement can span early as long as your working life. If you retire at 55 and live until 90, which isn‘t that unusual today, you will have been retired longer than you would have worked. The key is to find a creative, positive use of that leisure time." e ‘Build your own Balloon Bouquet® from our Complete Selection of Super Colours e Dozens Delivered & impressive Custom imprinting e Great Bargains on GUND Bears e Balloon Drops & Beautiful Decorating Services & Special Party Supplies e Laughable Lawn Signs Balloons to go features: You may be able to hear much better than you‘re hearing â€" even if you‘re presently wearing a hearing aid. Drop by or call the pharmacy 747â€"0320 FOR AN APPOINTMENT You‘ll have a chance to sit down and talk about your hearing problems get your questions answered ... and find out about modern hearing help. Better Hearing Through Professional Care WATERLOO AND AREA RESIDENTS AT POLLOCK & WILLIAMS PHARMACY 373 BRIDGE ST. WLOO. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th AND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th THURSDAY 10:00â€"12:00 NOON FRIDAY 10:00â€"12:00 NOON Specialists in medical products and services 24â€"HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER: (519) 893â€"3250 SALES * SERVICE * RENTALS Designed for active use. COMPLETE HOME CARE CENTRES TWO LOCATIONS: GUELPH: in the Auto Mail, on No. 7, just east of 86 KITCHENER: Just off Fairway Road, on Webster between Manitou and Wilson 8.30 a m â€"12:30 p.m , 8 00 a.m.â€"5.00 p m COMPLETE HEARING TEST & ANALYSIS by a Beltone Hearing Aid Specialist HEARING TESTS SET FOR 765 Woodlawn Road West, Gueiph (519) 763â€"3250 170 Webster Road, Kitchener (519) 893â€"3250 ‘Medigas (FREE PARKING) Serving Kâ€"W for over 35 years Member: OHAA & NHAS. THEDE HEARING AID SERVICE 88 Queen St. S. Kitchener 745â€"9060