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Neil's Anecdotes
In this section you will find various anecdotes and information contributed by Neil Hiltunen, a founding member of ARD.
Barcelona
If you're looking for a hotel in Barcelona, here's one that is perfectly located in the center of the old city, the Hotel Colon. The personnel are friendly and speak English well. It faces the square in front of the old cathedral and is just off the busy streets so there is little traffic noise. A great walking location just a few short blocks from La Rambla.
John Nelson's meeting
9/21/09 Forty seven dentists and spouses attended our workshop with John Nelson, co-author of What Color is Your Parachute for Retirement. Our evaluations showed a positive response ranging from 86%-96% for the various questions. Generally, people enjoyed the workshop format and would like to attend another workshop. Members can go to the "ARD Forum" in the side bar under "User menu" to join in or see the discussion about the workshop.
Jay Willis, a dentist from Mississippi, said this when registering for the workshop, "I thought the seminar topic was too pertinent to my life right now to miss." (8-23-09)
RODEO
9-12-09 Last Thursday I attended a seminar in Salem, MA and happened to be sitting at a table with a senior dentist who mentioned that he had a "rodeo" meeting coming up. Of course, I had to know what he meant by "rodeo". It turns out his RODEO meeting was for Retired Old Dentists Eating Out. I'll bet this sort of gathering is happening with increasing frequency all across the country and world. ARD is this and much more, because we include younger dentists, not yet retired, with whom we share ideas and explore oportunities. Our mission is creating and bringing these groups together. With organization, these small groups have enormous potential. -N
Old Boat
8-19-09 This morning, I had an old boat. It's 25 years old, tired, but gets the job done. I went over to Richardson's in Sebago Basin to refuel, and a passing boater called out, "I like your vintage boat." Hmmm, I like "vintage"...much better than "old". Today, I have a vintage boat that is proud to still be around...like a lot of us. -N
Where to Live in Retirement
I was talking with Shelburne, VT, dentist, LeeAnn Podruch, who addresses retirement in her seminar, "Ready, Aim, Retire!". She told me about a great website, www.bestplaces.net. So I checked it out, and am impressed with the ease of comparing cost of living, crime, climate, and schools of virtually any city in the country with any other. One can insert annual income and see how much more or less one would need to live in another city. This is an unusually helpful website for retirement planning.