Twenty years ago today was the Inauguration Day for President Bill Clinton’s second term and the first time The Washington Post covered a Presidential Inauguration in real time for the online audience. As a producer/editor on the "dot com" team (what were called by Post print journalists back then), I got to be a part of that historical moment.
My editor, Retha, and I were tasked with the very special assignment of reporting from the Inaugural Balls. I pulled a dusty bridesmaid’s dress from my closet for a rare second wearing and brought plenty of quarters along to the Washington Convention Center. After all, it was 1997. We didn’t have cell phones and we didn’t have wi-fi. So in order to make it look as though we were publishing live updates blog-style, but many years before blogs were invented, we had to use pay phones to call a copy editor in the newsroom to type in our reports.
Although our pieces were pretty snarky, the gig was unforgettably glamorous for a young journalist. I still remember how Retha tried to talk Evander Holyfield’s limo driver into dropping us off at the end of the night, a fact that didn’t make the package of stories, probably because we’d run out of quarters.
In today's age of the ubiquitous selfie, it seems impossible that we have no photos from the night. Though considering late '90s fashion norms and my quasi-Rachel-from-Friends haircut, maybe that’s for the best.
Looking at the old pages our team put together for Inauguration 1997 reminded me just how text-heavy our work was. Although people (not me at the time) owned digital cameras, we still had to upload the images directly to a computer before using them. But the lack of visuals on the site had far more to do with the fact that the majority of our audience used dial-up to reach our content at the time. Photos took forever to download in the AOL and Netscape age of web browsing.
So Much Change
So much changed between that Presidential Inauguration night and the next one. Not to mention between then and the next 20 years.
The Post embraced live, continuous news and Washingtonpost.com became, I believe, the best news site in the world for digital coverage of the 2000 Presidential election, which ended in a tie between George W. Bush and Al Gore and triggered a complicated recount in Florida. Ultimately, of course, the election went to Bush through a controversial and split U.S. Supreme Court decision; digital journalists covered the election updates constantly and thoroughly. The country needed digital journalists to step up during that time and especially, many months later after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (I was long gone by that time, though — back in the Midwest, watching the dot-com bubble burst while going to grad school.)
Print and digital reporters were finally working together to tell stories in 2000. In 1997, by contrast, the print edition of the Post sent its own reporters to cover the Inauguration and Inaugural Balls and ran the stories in the next morning’s edition. Although laughable now, The Post — like many newspapers then — still worried about scooping itself by posting a story online before it ran in print in those years.
Since that time, cell phones and digital cameras have become de rigueur reporting tools for journalists. The idea that a reporter would not live-tweet from a breaking news scene because he or she wanted to save the story for print is fairly unthinkable. Audiences now demand constantly updated, multimedia storytelling that they can comment on and share immediately. This ball night, I fully expect to see photos and video of Melania and Ivanka’s gowns on social media the second the women step out of their limos.
Two Decades of Wisdom and Innovation
I won’t be flying to D.C. to cover anything Inaugural for Next Avenue and Twin Cities PBS, but I do look forward to seeing what The Post has in store for this year’s coverage. I’ll also inevitably reminisce about that ’97 Inauguration — maybe tagging Retha and other former colleagues in a Facebook post to remind them how long ago it was and how so much has changed. That goes for both the people we were 20 years and four presidents ago as much as the work we did in those early days of digital journalism.
As bland and basic as those early pages look to me now, I’d love to recapture some of the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, DIY spirit we had back in those early dot com news days. We really went for it and were free to do so in part because traditional print journalism wasn't quite sure what to make of its online counterparts (around that time, a friend on the print side of the Post told me that since the web was a fad, I should consider returning to traditional media). We could cover the Inauguration however we liked. Our audience was fairly small then, but they were enthusiastic early tech adopters who were excited to have access (then free) to The Post in an interactive new medium.
Looking back always makes me look within and think about what I've learned over the years. I'm a digital journalist again. I’m grateful for the technology upgrades and multimedia thinking our field has gained since then, but can't help thinking that those of us who've been working in digital journalism for the past two decades need to lean not only on technical learnings but also on the wisdom we've gained from our work online. We now know more about what our audiences expect and enjoy reading than ever before. We have more access to digital documents and data. We are able to explain history as it quickly unfolds. We can use photos and video but also animation and virtual reality to really tell the story.
We've now reached another critical historical moment in time as it relates to serving our digital audience (which is now most of the news audience). Although the technological advancement in storytelling is wonderful, I have a feeling that we'll need that hard-earned wisdom more than ever.


The Original Dot Com Inauguration

Shayla Thiel Stern

What happens when you take two of America's most popular hobbies — reading and board games — and build a career out of them? You get a fairy tale job with modern-day twists. Just ask Jenn Bartlett.
Jenn Bartlett, The Board Game LibrarianBartlett's formal job title — backed by a master's degree in library science — is Head of Reference and Adult Services at the Manchester Public Library in Manchester, Connecticut, where she has worked since 2014.
But on television, across the Internet and in hobby circles she is better known by the catchier social media handle associated with her passion project: "The Board Game Librarian."
As an ambassador for accessibility, inclusion and social connections, she aims to inform the public about the benefits of playing board games as a hobby and be a resource for libraries that want to start board game collections everyone can enjoy.
A Generation Gap
While working as a library assistant during graduate school, Bartlett noticed that a particular segment of public library users was conspicuously missing.
"A lot of people stop going to a library when they finish high school, and then they don't come back until they have kids."
"Part of my master's work was on programs and services that Millennials would be interested in," says Bartlett, referring to people from their late 20s to early 40s. "A lot of people stop going to a library when they finish high school, and then they don't come back until they have kids."
Bartlett had an idea about how to fill the generation gap and pitched it to her boss: What about starting a library board games program for adults? Since her husband Matt introduced her to the board game hobby several years earlier, Bartlett had become an avid player. A library board games program could serve several purposes, she proposed: access, connections and inclusion.
Bartlett says that while fostering social connections, board games offer people an opportunity to take a needed break from technology.
Fun, Unplugged
Beyond books, today's public libraries offer a variety of resources, including play-based programs and board games. Interest in board games is not limited to libraries. Statista Market Research says global board games sales will be around $3.8 billion this year; North America is the biggest market, accounting for 31% of global sales.
Bartlett says that while board games foster social connections, they also offer people an opportunity to take a break from technology.
"You're having real in-person face-to-face contact, which we've been lacking in our society — experiences without our phones," she adds. "It's exciting that there's more space for that in our lives."
Leveling the Playing Field
By making a hobby accessible to everyone in the community, libraries can help level the playing field, says Bartlett.
"You want everyone to have access because that's one of our pillars of librarianship. . . . We can do that by offering programs and circulating board games."
"There doesn't need to be any gatekeeping in this hobby. That's why libraries are fantastic," she adds. Modern board games can be very expensive, and thus are not an equitable hobby.
"If someone is a single mom with three kids, working two full-time jobs to put food on the table, (she is) barely making ends meet," Bartlett says. "You want everyone to have access because that's one of our pillars of librarianship — access for everyone. How can we do that? We can do that by offering programs and circulating board games."
Bartlett founded the Silk City Board Game Group — a tribute to Manchester's history as a silk-making center — in 2015. To remove financial, social and language barriers, the adult board game group's monthly gatherings are "come as you are" events, says Bartlett.
Free Snacks and Free Help
"We provide all of the games. We have free snacks. I have volunteer teachers who teach the games to people," she says. "They do all the heavy lifting — you don't have to read a rule book or punch out the pieces. You literally have to come in, pick a game and sit down. That's it."
Bartlett says that between 16 to 60 people attend board game program events.
Stretching a monthly budget, being green and having an opportunity to "try it before you buy it" are a few good reasons patrons should check out a library board game collection. Manchester Public Library has more than 1,000 games in its collection, including games for adults, children and teens.
"You could come in with your valid library card from anywhere in Connecticut and check out as many board games as you can carry out of my building," says Barlett.
A Game Plan for Getting Games
The Board Game Librarian has some advice for patrons who are interested in getting games at their local library. "What I say to patrons is, 'Just ask,' because they're probably not the only ones who want that service."
She also has some thoughts for librarians looking to start a collection.
"The collection here is atypical. Partly, that is because of my mentality of 'Go big or go home,'" Bartlett says. "When I'm working with other librarians across the world, I generally recommend 25 games to start with. It's a good amount. It's not too costly. You can test the waters, you can see how your patrons like it."
Small Library Is Big on Board Games
Situated 21 hours southwest of Manchester, in Yellville, Arkansas, Marion County Library is a "postage stamp" sized facility overseen by an (allegedly) loud, board-game-loving librarian.
Library Director Dana Scott, also known as "Dana the Loud Librarian," serves with Bartlett as a member of the American Library Association's Games and Gaming Roundtable.
After attending a program on making board games available in libraries, Scott says she pondered how it would work in Yellville. Seeing the gap in recreation options between Yellville, population 1,178, and her hometown, Branson, the Missouri tourist destination with 10 times as many residents, she set out to create more opportunities at the library.
"There's not a movie theater here," Scott says. "You don't have a place where you can check out DVDs. I said, 'Let's make this a one-stop shop.'"
Impromptu Match Games
Scott says that Marion County Library's board game collection debuted in 2017, and usage has been steady. The library offers several board game groups, including kids, online players and "grannies who game." That last group, which is held weekly at 10 a.m., originated as a local matchmaking project.
"A retired teacher came in who had learned that we had the game "Qwirkle," and she thought that would be fun to learn," Scott says. "A couple of days later, she returned and said, 'I couldn't play it.' "
"We have guys who come and moms who come with their one-year-olds. . . . Games are for everyone."
The next week, another disappointed patron returned the same game with the same problem — not enough partners.
"I said, I have an idea — person meet person, we have a program!" recalls Scott.
A little logistical work was required to put it in place.
"We brought them in and had a wonderful time," Scott says. "They told their friends at church and workout group, and now we have a group of 10 to 12 that come."
While initially marketed to "grannies," the group has expanded to become a diverse, multigenerational group.
"We have guys who come and moms who come with their one-year-olds," says Scott. "I don't think age has anything to do with games anymore. Games are for everyone."
Best in Play
Looking to start or expand a tabletop game collection? Bartlett and Scott recommend these games for collectors or gift-givers.


Fun and Games at the Library

Jackie Perrin

This is an installment of the “Retirement for the Rest of Us” series, a Next Avenue initiative.People who have not saved for their retirement — or at least feel they have not saved as much as they should have — often opt to do little as far as activities after they stop working. Some will say they want to save for later years; others say they want to save for their children.
Outdoorsy retirees can buy a discounted National Park Senior Pass that is good for their lifetime."There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want."
—Bill Watterson, American cartoonist and author of Calvin & HobbesYet idleness in retirement may be a false economy. Doing nothing can be bad for your health, your spirit and your relationships. Instead of economizing by skipping activities you enjoy, stay active and save money with strategies from the frugal set.
Spend Less, Enjoy More
Here are some ways that frugal retirees enjoy pursuits they like and spend less than one may think. Frugal retirees do not stay home. They talk to each other and share their thrifty ideas. Then, they eat, shop, learn, play, stay, volunteer and even work. Learn their economizing tricks below:
Shop Strategically: More than a dozen supermarket chains offer discounts to older adults on certain days of the month. As long as you have room to store dry goods and freeze perishables, stockpile staple supplies on those days. Coupons can be useful, but only if they are for products you would buy anyway and if they save you more than buying a generic version.
Compare supermarket prices with those at local vegetable stands, specialty food stores and co-ops. The co-op I use offers special senior-day discounts that more than offset the $25 annual membership fee.
Dine at a Discount: Don't feel like cooking? Start exploring. Many restaurants offer affordable meals beyond the "early bird" specials once popular with diners of a certain age. Chain restaurants in particular have developed special menus of dining options with portions — and prices — designed for the nutritional and budgetary needs of older adults.
Track Down a Deal: Chain stores and local retailers alike are offering discount days for older adults. The discounts are typically offered on days of the week with fewer browsers and buyers; Tuesdays are popular. Some stores give you a discount every day of the week or offer the same deals online.
Still not convinced that you want to go out and spend and buy new things for the discount? Not to worry, Goodwill gives older adults 10% off every Tuesday.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in BostonNever Stop Learning
Amaze Yourself: Museums frequently have free days and evenings, but you must plan ahead. Parts of the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida, are open free of charge Mondays and Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m., for example. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is voluntary pay on Wednesday evenings after 4 p.m. and free for anyone 17 and under all the time so you can take a grandchild.
The American Alliance of Museums says 37% of museums in the country were free at all times or had suggested admission fees only; most of the rest offered discounts or free admission days. Ask your local library if it has museum passes that local residents may borrow to see exhibitions with limited or no free days.
Feed Your Head: Libraries, senior centers and local recreation departments often organize discounted classes and movie screenings. College events from speakers to sports allow you to dabble in topics for free.
Fun on a Budget
Play and Save: Want to get outside and play but not fit enough for pickleball? If you live in Arizona, Florida or Texas, look for the nearest Popstroke, one of the upscale mini-golf courses by Tiger Woods. People aged 60 and over pay $15 to play 18 holes, which is $5 off the regular fee. On Monday, they can play all day (each location has two courses) for $20, or $5 off the regular price.
Local leagues for regular golf, tennis and pickleball offer solid competition at your level and come at a discount. The added bonus of meeting new players and being outside helps your physical activity so you will offset some of those discounted restaurant meals.
At least 15 states offer deals for outdoorsy retirees. Colorado, for example, will issue a lifetime discount fishing license to residents aged 64 or over; Vermont issues all veterans and residents aged 62 or over a Green Mountain Passport that allows free entrance to its 55 state parks.
In addition, people aged 62 and over can buy a National Park Senior Pass that is good for their lifetime for $80, compared with $80 annually for the regular pass.
See America, Cheaply
On the Road: With time on their hands, retirees are free to visit destinations they have longed to see. Frugal retirees travel with coolers to bring food and drinks so they can avoid the cost and calories of fast-food restaurants. They also scout out inexpensive accommodations along the way and see which have discounts for American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) or American Automobile Association (AAA) members.
Travelers can save more by trading houses with friends in another part of the country or pay for a house exchange service, like HomeExchange, to vet people for you and set up a house swap.
The bottom line is that you have to look and ask to get discounts. 
If you have a recreation vehicle, consider working at campgrounds and parks that allow you to camp in exchange for working at the site for a few hours a week. One traveling couple I know spend six weeks every summer in Maine, followed by six weeks in the fall in Virginia. Then, they have time in between for travel.
Concerts in the Park
Free Entertainment: The nice weather brings entertainment outside. Consider a concert on your local green or a performance in a large city park. Concerts, ballets and free events are prevalent in the summer weather.
A matinee is typically 40% less than going to see the movies in the evening. Or meet a friend at their home and you bring the popcorn for a friendly intimate movie experience. Retirement means more time to linger. Being comfortable extends those conversations and connections.
Volunteer for Fun: When thinking about volunteering, focus on what you enjoy. Like history? Look for groups that lead tours of an historic local home. Or volunteer as an usher at a local theater and see the show for free. Schools seek out older adults to mentor young students. And adaptive sports programs always need a helping hand. The added benefits include meeting like-minded people and not spending money in the process.
Will Work for Niblick
Work Strategically: It's not uncommon for retirees to apply for jobs at their favorite stores. The attraction is not the paycheck as much as the employees' discount. Think REI if you are outdoorsy. PGA Superstore if you love the links. For a few hours a week, you can qualify for the employee discount and show off your hard-earned knowledge of the sport, while learning about the latest equipment and trends.
There is no reason to stay home to save money in retirement. With some investigation and planning, the money you do have to spend can keep you busy for years to come. Many discounts start at age 60, or even 55, so those still working can claim the discount and put it in their retirement funds.
The bottom line is that you have to look and ask to get discounts. If you want to live like a frugal and fun-loving retiree, don't be shy. The surprises and savings that will land in your pocket make it worth it.


Frugal, but Fun, Retirees

Christine D. Moriarty

Cruises, resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfasts are some of the many options out there for an intrepid or relaxing holiday. One unique style of getaway that you may have not considered yet, though, is a farm stay.
Photo taken during the author's recent farm stay.Farm stays are a vacation option rife with possibilities. For those looking to connect with nature and the countryside while unwinding and eating fresh local produce, it's a fantastic option. Another special aspect of a farm stay is that in some scenarios, working farms allow for guest participation on the farm, sometimes in exchange for room and board.
My personal experiences with farm stays have been incredibly positive, and I've become passionate about sharing the joys and advantages of farm stays worldwide with others.
Why Choose a Farm Stay?
Amanda Edwards, the owner of Nantgwynfaen Organic Farm in Wales, United Kingdom, says, "A farm stay offers a haven away from crowded holiday resorts with their rowdy revelers." Farm stays provide a peaceful environment, located in rural areas of the world, whether among prairies in the American Midwest or near the Dolomite mountain in Italy.
Staying at a farm gives you an incredible opportunity to connect with the land you're staying on.
A farm stay might bring you back in time, in the best of ways: "A lot of visitors comment that it reminds them of when they were children," Amanda adds. Scottie Jones, the founder of Farmstay and the owner of Leaping Lamb Farm in Alsea, Oregon, explains that "many seniors, me included, may have spent their childhood on a farm or growing up with ponies or chickens in the backyard. A farm stay can often be a trip back into something not only familiar but filled with wonderful memories."
Staying at a farm gives you an incredible opportunity to connect with the land you're staying on. Many farms provide their home-grown produce for visitors, from eggs to honey to milk straight from the cow (or goat). When my family has stayed on farms, we get to see directly where our food is coming from, which can be a nice change of pace for urbanites in particular. I can personally vouch that some of the food we've had from our farm stays has been some of the most delicious and fresh we get to eat all year.
When you stay at a working family farm, you help support local agriculture and tourism. Your stay gives a boost to the local economy and allows for small farms to remain sustainable.
Another lovely thing about a farm stay is it can be an ideal multigenerational experience. Grandchildren can frolic on the farm, parents can relax, and grandparents can enjoy a dose of nostalgia along with family time.
Types of Farm Stays
Many farm stays in the United States, Europe, Australia and elsewhere involve staying in a farmhouse or separate apartments on the farm property. Depending on the property, the rooms can be comparable to an upscale hotel, or rustic and minimal. You'll have an opportunity to check out the crops and animals on the farm, and sample what's been grown there. 
Guests can enjoy the farm's produce and moreSome farm stays offer meals or breakfasts, and nearly all of them allow you to buy produce, dairy and eggs directly. If you're staying at a self-catering apartment on a farm, which is a popular option in Europe, you'll cook your own meals during your stay. Some farm stays will let you help out with some of the chores, such as feeding goats or picking vegetables. When I've done farm stays with my family, we've milked cows and harvested apples.
However, helping out with farm tasks isn't optional if you opt for a WWOOFing farm stay. WWOOF stands for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and matches farms together with volunteers. When you stay on a host farm, you're expected to help out with some tasks and chores on a daily basis, whether it's harvest assistance or animal care. In exchange, volunteers can stay there free of charge and are generally provided with some, or sometimes all, of their meals.
Vojtěch Veselý, who has hosted WWOOfers at the Biostatek farm in Valec, Czech Republic, comments that choosing to experience a working farm has concrete health benefits: "WWOOfing is based on organic principles," he points out, so guests don't come into contact with pesticides. "Working outside, fresh air helps you psychologically," he adds.
If you're on the hunt for a physically active holiday that's budget-friendly and helps support organic community agriculture, a WWOOF farm stay might be something to consider.
Things to Consider When Planning a Farm Stay
Farm stays are wonderful experiences, but if you have mobility issues, do take those into consideration before booking. "It's worth asking if there is a ground floor bedroom and accommodations for mobility issues," suggests Scottie Jones. Many older farmhouses have stairs, and on a larger farm there may be significant distances between buildings and fields. The farmers may still be able to make your stay as comfortable as possible, perhaps using a tractor or other vehicle to help you get around the property or providing collapsible folding chairs that can be taken along on a stroll.
A farm stay can be an addictive experience. 
If you're sensitive to hay but still might want to hang out in the barn, make sure to bring antihistamines along. The same applies to any animal allergies or sensitivities. A lot of farms have dogs and cats who live on the property too, so it's a good idea to ask ahead of time if you have those specific allergies as it's possible that the pets might hang out in the building you'll be sleeping in. Also just bear in mind that since farms tend to be rural, if you have ongoing health issues, it may be a long drive from the nearest hospital. If that might be a concern, try looking into farm stays that are within short radiuses of healthcare facilities.
Last but not least, consider the time of year. Are you looking for a snowy winter wonderland experience, or possibly searching for the perfect fall getaway with stunning foliage and ripe pumpkins? Every time of year has something unique to offer on a farm, but weather conditions might impact your activities.
One thing I should warn you, though: a farm stay can be an addictive experience. Caution: you may find yourself going back for more, and I fully support that!


Farm Stay Getaways Are Relaxing, Eco-Friendly and Fun

Naomi Kaye Honova

As we age, staying physically active becomes more important than ever to maintain balance, strength and mobility. At the same time, older adults need to ensure that fitness options support their current fitness level and health status, avoiding a "one size fits all" approach. A program designed specifically for older adults can give you the confidence and support you need to be active, whether you've been working out your whole life or are trying to exercise for the first time. 
Fitness programs exclusively for older adults can offer community and connection at a time when those things have become more challenging. They offer purpose, positivity and a way to stay on top of evolving technologies, trends and pursuits. Over the years, some of these programs have evolved beyond fitness to support activities that promote overall health and well-being. SilverSneakers®, for example, offers health education workshops, opportunities for social connection and mental enrichment and community classes at local parks, community centers and senior centers.  
In addition, its partnerships with companies like GetSetUp, a virtual learning community, and Stitch, an online and in-person social community, offer opportunities to connect with others who have similar interests.(1)
To understand just how impactful these programs are, you need only ask a participant about their experience. You're likely to hear words like, "community," "fun," "life-changing" and even "life-saving." SilverSneakers, one of the oldest and most prominent of these fitness programs invited its members to send in love letters as part of the program's 30-anniversary celebration. Here is just a sampling: 
"You turned my life around and I am very grateful … You helped me lose 30 pounds. More importantly, you offered community, fun, and support, all from the comfort of my home." –  Holly 
"SilverSneakers saved my life. What a blessing these exercises have been for me. And such an assortment to choose from -- thank you so much SilverSneakers for giving me back my health, my life and my hope for the future. Bless you all who have put this together for me and for all our precious seniors!" – Aen 
"SilverSneakers allowed me to go to a gym at no cost. It not only helped me financially but got me in better shape." – Bruce 
"I want to thank the instructors that are giving us personal attention and love and feelings of belonging. Even though I am just a member of a class of 500 or 300 or 600, I feel so taken care of." – Kathleen 
"SilverSneakers has been a game changer in my life." – Ollie  
As Richard Ashworth, President and CEO of Tivity Health, which provides the SilverSneakers program, explains, "Our brand truly comes to life through the stories of our members. These individuals make SilverSneakers special, creating community bonds that extend beyond fitness. They constantly teach us new things, and in sharing their experiences, they also show us the true breadth and depth of our impact."   
That's not to say that when these programs started, they weren't simply focused on fitness. Mary Swanson founded SilverSneakers in 1992, inspired by her father who survived a heart attack to create a fitness program specifically designed for older adults. It began as a chair-based fitness program in 15 locations in Phoenix and Tucson, and with changes in federal senior health programs, the increasing popularity of group fitness, and growing awareness of the importance of physical activity for healthy aging, SilverSneakers began to evolve. It expanded from SilverSneakers Classic to SilverSneakers Circuit to SilverSneakers Yoga. In 2013, the program introduced more local options with the SilverSneakers FLEX® network, a community fitness network with more than 70 types of unique classes taught in neighborhood locations. When Baby Boomers reached eligibility, they sought fast-paced, higher intensity group exercise classes, so SilverSneakers BOOM® was born. 
This legacy of evolution has continued into the digital age. SilverSneakers now engages with members on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became more important than ever that this group maintain a sense of community while staying well. SilverSneakers accelerated the launch of its virtual suite of fitness and holistic health offerings, interest-based social connection opportunities, mental enrichment and personalized member content. These changes appear to be resonating, with most members continuing to use these offerings even with the return of in-person activities.  
Today, SilverSneakers provides health and fitness benefits for those 65 and older that include live online fitness classes, on-demand workouts and a network of more than 22,000 fitness locations.(2) The program serves Medicare Advantage members in all 50 states from more than 70 health plans and has more than 2 million SilverSneakers.com accounts. Now, older adults are not only staying more active, but they are also living longer, more vibrant and more productive lives.  
SilverSneakers is celebrating 30 years in this active aging revolution with a series of virtual and in-person events, a members-only specialty class, an in-person reception, and more. More information is available at https://www.silversneakers30.com/.  
Always talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program. 
GetSetUp and Stitch are third-party service providers and are not owned or operated by Tivity Health, Inc. (“Tivity”) or its affiliates.  Participating locations (“PL”) are not owned or operated by Tivity Health, Inc. or its affiliates. Use of PL facilities and amenities are limited to terms and conditions of PL basic membership. Facilities and amenities vary by PL. 

Empowering Active Aging: The Benefits of a Senior Focused Fitness Program

Odds are, you played The Game of Life as a kid and Trivial Pursuit when that board game hit the shelves in 1981 but haven't rolled the dice with either one since. New versions — reinvented for older adults to compete against their grown children and grandkids — might get you back.
Studies show that board games can create meaningful connections for older adults, improve cognition and reduce the risk of dementia.That's because of a request the games' maker, Hasbro, had for its then vice president for business development, Ted Fischer, and his Joy for All division, which had created interactive, battery-operated Companion Pets for lonely and isolated older people.
Reimagining Iconic Board Games
"Hasbro said, 'We are hearing some feedback that our board games are not as inclusive or as easy to play as they could be. We think there's a big opportunity to sort of reimagine these iconic games for older adults and we think you should do it,'" Fischer recalled. "It took us about four seconds to say 'yes.' We think there should be fun at every stage."
"We think there's a big opportunity to sort of reimagine these iconic games for older adults and we think you should do it."
Studies have shown that board games can create meaningful connections for older adults, improve cognition and reduce the risk of dementia.
Joy for All was given access to Hasbro's entire games catalog and decided to focus on The Game of Life, Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble. (Joy for All is now part of a company that Fischer cofounded and runs, Ageless Innovation).
Before updating the games, "we did a lot of testing with things that were either frustrating [for players] or were opportunities," said Brian Shulman, an Ageless Innovation consultant.
When interns were asked to play the old Game of Life with their families, the participants stopped halfway through because they didn't find it fun. That cued the game reinventors to get to work to make The Game of Life — as well as Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble — more fun, faster and more intergenerational.
Making Games More Fun, Less Frustrating
The result is the recent rollout of The Game of Life Generations, Trivial Pursuit Generations and Scrabble Bingo whose boxes say they're for players aged 8 to 108 (Game of Life Generations and Scrabble Bingo) and 16 to 106 (Trivial Pursuit). Last fall, AARP and Ageless Innovation held hundreds of Reach Out and Play events around the country.
Brian Shulman, an Ageless Innovation consultant, said the new versions reimagined the earlier games in two ways: functionality and content.
"Sometimes, the fun of it is not playing as your own generation."
Improved functionality meant increasing the font size and contrast on cards; making game pieces easier to grasp, sometimes three-dimensional and offering short instructional YouTube videos for people who didn't want to read through the rules of play.
The games are also much quicker than previous versions since today's players are often time-crunched and with shorter attention spans than in the past. Two of the three ways to play Scrabble Bingo can be completed in under 15 minutes. The Game of Life Generations takes about 45 minutes.
To make Trivial Pursuit and The Game of Life intergenerational, the new versions are peppered with pop culture references keyed to boomers, Gen Xers, millennials, Gen Zers and the Silent Generation.
Trivial Pursuit Generations has 1,500 questions and each card has ones specifically for all five generations.
For instance, one card has a question for the Silent Generation about the Allied invasion of Normandy; for boomers about LBJ's War on Poverty; for Xers about "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland; for millennials about the tech giants known as FAANG and for Gen Zers about Dr. Oz running for the Senate in 2022.
The Trivia Can Get Personal
You can also ask each other personal trivia questions since 30% of the cards are blank, with a cue on it such as asking about a player's first kiss or first job.
You don't have to play as the generation you are. "Sometimes, the fun of it is not playing as your own generation," Shulman said.
The Game of Life Generations has Action cards with options varying on which generation a player chooses. "As a boomer, you get coupon cards. If you're a millennial, you get side-hustle cards," said Fischer.
But the references, intended to be humorous, occasionally smack of ageism. A Greatest Generation member can be told "You forgot how to use your phone again;" a boomer can get a card saying, "You're struggling with the presentation again. Stupid technology. Stupid millennials laughing at you."
A New Take on Retirement
As in many earlier versions of The Game of Life — called The Checkered Game of Life when that depressing one was introduced in 1860 — retirement is the goal. To get there, the Generations version has cards playing into today's real world.
You can now choose a life path either with a career requiring a college education (like lawyer or architect) or one that may not (like firefighter or florist). Your real estate purchase can be anything from a $100,000 tiny home to a $600,000 city penthouse.
After all players retire, the wealthiest one wins. "It isn't retire and your life is over or you become destitute," said Shulman.
That's a much different view of retirement from the 1960's Game of Life. In that one, if a player tried to become a Millionaire Tycoon, a bad spin of the wheel would send them to the Poor Farm and out of the game.
Intergenerational Games
The company has also launched two memory-card games based on reminiscence therapy: the photo-matching game Past & Present Pairs and the chronology one Lifetime Lineup. Both are for two to six players aged 8 to 108.
"The idea is to stimulate conversation and bring back memories," said Shulman.
Since Past & Present Pairs asks players to match photos of similar items from today and years ago, it's especially apt for someone with dementia to play with their child or grandchild.
"If the match is a telephone, it's an old rotary dial phone and an iPhone," Fischer said. "We've found the game elicits great conversation between generations."
Lifetime Lineup lets you write yourself or your family into the game, with blank cards to note events that happened at certain times in your lives.
What's Coming Next
Joy for All intends to re-introduce three to five Hasbro games every year, making them age-friendly and intergenerational.
Some might be played remotely on computers and tablets. "The question is: How do you do it in a way that's inclusive and easy and fun for folks to play?" Fischer said. "We think we have to have some digital versions to make them inclusive to all."


Familiar Board Games Get an Intergenerational Refresh

Richard Eisenberg

With the 32nd season of "Dancing with the Stars" having recently wrapped up, dance is still in the air. If you enjoyed the music, the moves and the rhinestones, you might want to try ballroom dancing yourself. It could even be your New Year's resolution — ballroom dancing is a great way to get and stay in shape.
Exercise can come in many different flavors, including dance—and research has shown that it's easier to exercise regularly when you're having fun.This is true at any skill level, meaning you don't need to be "Dancing with the Stars" material to benefit from dancing the cha-cha, waltz, or paso doble. (Though if you've got the skill, flaunt it!) 
The benefits of exercise for all age groups are well-documented by organizations like the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), but much of their advice is generic; they say get 150 minutes of cardio per week, but how you get that exercise is up to you.
It could even be your New Year's resolution — ballroom dancing is a great way to get and stay in shape.
This is your reminder that exercise can come in many different flavors, including dance—and research has shown that it's easier to exercise regularly when you're having fun. 
While running is excellent for folks who enjoy it and for those whose bodies can handle high-impact activities, dancing is a great way to mix up an old exercise routine or start a new one altogether. Enter ballroom dance!
Ballroom Dance Benefits
Beyond the flashy costumes and catchy music, research pinpoints three specific benefits associated with ballroom dance. It's beneficial as a form of exercise, a way to enhance cognition and an opportunity to socialize.
It's beneficial as a form of exercise, a way to enhance cognition and an opportunity to socialize.
As a form of exercise, ballroom dance has been surprisingly well studied. One study noted that ballroom was the most researched type of dance among the 50 studies they examined. Their analysis concluded that any form of dance benefitted balance and might contribute to metabolic health. 
Another study noted that ballroom could improve one's reaction time outside of dance. Though many studies focus on the health benefits of dancing for healthy adults, a 2021 study focused specifically on how ballroom dance impacted the lives of cancer patients. 
The Impact on Brain Health
The researchers found that ballroom increased patients' activity levels, emotional health and connection with their dance partner, all supporting their overall well-being. Beyond its fitness benefits, ballroom dance has also been associated with cognitive benefits. A 2022 study offered ten-week courses in ballroom dance and music for older adults; those who attended either course experienced increased cognition. 
A preliminary study in late 2022 found that social dancing was "safe and feasible" for dementia-at-risk adults; though more research is needed, they also found less brain atrophy in the dancer group than in the treadmill-walking group, suggesting that dance is more beneficial for brain health.
Regarding the social benefits, one study found that ballroom dancing offered "social and emotional interactions" that other forms of physical activity, such as lifting weights or running, might not. This made the ballroom uniquely suited for people seeking socializing and exercise time.  As a 2020 thesis notes, one of the ballroom's biggest draws is its ability to offer a "human connection" to dancers.
'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'
Ballroom dance has a lot of jargon — but don't let it intimidate you. The most accessible way to learn any type of dance is through group classes. This is also a great way to mix exercise with socializing. 
Group classes are taught by trained professionals at either a ballroom dance studio or in a school gymnasium through a continuing education program. Though ballroom dancing is done in pairs, you will not need to bring a partner to class. The commitment and buy-in are generally low for group instruction.
When you know a few moves, you have even more options, ranging from intermediate classes to events like studio parties.
To teach new moves, classes are split into leaders and followers. Historically, these have been men and women, but those gender roles don't hold strictly true anymore. Professional instructors dance both parts, and some even compete in same-sex partnerships. (Think Jojo Siwa and Jenna Johnson on Season 30 of "Dancing with the Stars.") So don't feel tied to gender roles if you want to learn one or both sets of moves.
Once you've found a group class, sign up and try! Your instructor will be able to answer any questions you have along the way. When you know a few moves, you have even more options, ranging from intermediate classes to events like studio parties. The latter allows dancers to practice moves from their lessons, meet other dancers and enjoy light refreshments. 
Though instructors may be present at these events, they don't typically offer feedback, making this a low-pressure way to dance for fun and maybe make a few new friends.
For more intensive instruction, opt for private lessons, where an instructor will give you, or you and a partner, individual instruction. This is great if you want to make your dance lesson a date night or if you want to try dancing in a showcase or competition down the road.
Do I Need Special Clothes Or Shoes?
Not at first! Unlike tennis, which can be pricey in terms of equipment, court time and instruction, ballroom dance is more financially accessible. Athletic clothing is an excellent choice for any dance class, but you can also wear dress clothes if you prefer that sharp-dressed Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers look. 
Though executing more advanced moves in street shoes can be challenging, this is an excellent way to try dancing without purchasing anything.
As long as you can move (and potentially sweat) in your outfit, it's fine for dance. What you wear on your feet matters more. To start, some dancers wear dress shoes or sneakers. Though executing more advanced moves in street shoes can be challenging, this is an excellent way to try dancing without purchasing anything.
Dancing in socks is another option. (And a surprisingly common one — I spent a few years dancing in socks.) For this, any thick pair of socks will do. If you're enjoying ballroom, though, it's worth it to invest in a pair of ballroom dance shoes. These look like dress shoes but have flexible, suede bottoms that allow dancers to slide across the floor quickly.
There are a few different styles. Practice shoes are a good bet, but if you plan on competing, leaders typically wear the dance version of an Oxford dress shoe; followers wear an open- or closed-toe heel, depending on the dance style. The height of that heel is up to the individual dancer. 
Most shoes start around $100. You can find them in person, at some dance studios or dance stores, or online. Major brands include Capezio, Bloch and Aida, though many others exist. You can always ask your instructor for suggestions.
See you on the dance floor — cha-cha on!


Cha-Cha Your Way to Better Health

Natalie Schriefer

Though he'd been working in various artistic mediums for years, Mo Willems first entered the picture book landscape in 2003 with "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!," the story of a pushy bird who insists he has every right to take control of a motor vehicle. It was a book, Willems says, that was unlike anything he'd ever created before.
Mo Willems"All characters are planted," he tells Next Avenue. "They are little idea seeds and you put them in your notebook, which is a garden, and they grow. Some of them don't, and some of them are invasive, and some of them become the characters you hope them to be. The Pigeon was not one of those things. He just showed up one day, fully formed and angry that I was writing about other things, that I just wasn't focused on him."
This fully formed, temperamental "rat with wings," as Willems refers to him, became a massive hit. "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" went on to receive the Caldecott Honor, considered one of the most prestigious awards for children's books, and was followed by seven additional Pigeon titles, which have sold more than six million copies combined in North America. Many of Willems' other works, including the "Elephant and Piggie" series and the "Knuffle Bunny" trilogy, have become bestsellers and award winners, as well.
"All characters are planted. They are little idea seeds and you put them in your notebook, which is a garden, and they grow." 
Now, he's releasing his first book aimed at adult audiences. The Pigeon turns 20 this year, and he's ready to share some advice. "Be the Bus: The Lost & Profound Wisdom of the Pigeon" aims to help young-at-heart readers ponder The Pigeon's take on life. Simultaneously, a special 20th anniversary of the original picture book will be published, featuring an exclusive board game.
With all of his work, Willems aspires to have — and encourage — fun. He prefers that his books be played, not just read, and he says his goal is to "spark readers to make or create for the fun of it." He recently spoke with Next Avenue about creativity, art making and why "Sesame Street" was his graduate school.
Congratulations on 20 years of The Pigeon! Where did the idea for this cranky character come from?
A long time ago, [my wife and I] took a month off and we moved to Oxford, England, where I had spent some time when I was young, and I decided I was going to write the great American picture book. I was going to be in this little house and sit in the garden and write every day. About halfway through the trip, this pigeon started showing up in my notebook, complaining that I wasn't writing about him. So, to placate him, I made a little sketchbook. At the time I was doing animated films and my production company was making these little sketchbooks, so more or less what the first book ["Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!"] ended up being was this sketchbook, which I just thought was a gag book for clients and friends. 
My wife was working as a school substitute teacher and librarian, and she started reading [the sketchbook] to kids. She was the one who was like, "This is a children's book that you made." To which I was like, "Pfft. No. You don't know what you're talking about." Obviously, she was right. So, it's really a weird thing. The pigeon bypassed a whole bunch of steps that I usually take when I'm creating a character and was both in design and personality pretty close to fully formed from the beginning.
What made you decide to write "Be the Bus," the new book of Pigeon-isms for adults?
The Pigeon is, for worse or for worse, somewhat part of my personality, and kids have now grown up with this pigeon. And this is the first book that The Pigeon is in any way cognizant of the fact that it's in a book. If you were to tell The Pigeon beforehand, "You are in books and people laugh at you," it would be shocking news for it. First of all, it'd be like, "I'm in books? These are tragedies! Every one of them ends poorly. I never get what I want! But now it turns out, children are laughing at me?!" The Pigeon would molt into nothingness. So here's the chance for The Pigeon to get some revenge and write what it thinks a book about The Pigeon should be.
With all of his work, Mo Willems aspires to have — and encourage — fun. He prefers that his books be played, not just read.Early on in your career, you worked for "Sesame Street." What did that experience teach you about writing for younger audiences?
It taught me that I wanted to do it. It took me a couple seasons. I was writing sketch comedy, and it took me a while to realize that what I like about writing for new people at the party [children] is that they don't know where the bathroom is, they don't know where the crudité is, they don't know where the keg is. So you get to write about fundamental things, which are essentially philosophy, love, hatred, jealousy, wanting to drive a bus — those core Greek values. If you're writing for adults, you're writing about the latest band or something in politics or news or celebrity, and it's all very ephemeral. And as someone who doesn't really watch enough pop culture, I couldn't keep up.
The other thing that was great at "Sesame Street" is — and I do recommend this for anybody who wants to write children's books — you learn so much and your name isn't on it. If I write a script that isn't great, the worst that a kid could say was, "Elmo wasn't as funny today." You could learn and discover and have a rhythm without your name on the cover, with all of the support of the other writers and the performers who knew how to make something work. You could also start to find your own voice in that space. So for me, it was going to graduate school.
The first time I read "Knuffle Bunny," I was so taken by the combination of drawings with photographs. How do you determine from series to series or book to book how you want it to look visually?
It's casting. Think about: you're casting your character, you're drawing them, you're figuring out what is the paper and what is the technique. With the "Knuffle Bunny" books, it's a small story. And the rule that it breaks is, usually a picture book is about a kid the age of the reader or a year or two older. This book is about a character that is a year or two younger than the intended audience. It is the first time that a child can have nostalgia and start to say, "What was I like when I was a kid?" So the physical format of the sculpture — I think of books as sculpture — is it's a photo album. The photographs are black and white because you are reminiscing. You're going back in time and you're turning the pages and looking at the photos. The whole thing invites you into a certain sort of space.
"I was happy to do the 'Lunch Doodles' because I believe that if I'm afraid, maybe other people are."
The key with that book was the amount of work taking objects out of the photographs, getting rid of all the air conditioning, all of the trash, all of the things that your eyes get rid of naturally, that when you see in a photograph they're somewhat shocking. I needed it to be emotionally true, more than visually true, and that was the trick. So every book, there's a reason for [the appearance]. The shape of the book, whether it's tall or big or wide, is all integrated into what the story is. You never know when it's right, but you definitely know when it's wrong, so you just do it until it stops being wrong.
Not long after you were named the first-ever Education Artist-in-Residence at the Kennedy Center, COVID-19 hit and you began hosting "Lunch Doodles" from your home studio. That series was so helpful to kids as well as parents; what impact did it have on you personally and on your work?
I was happy to do the "Lunch Doodles" because I believe that if I'm afraid, maybe other people are. It gave me a bit of solace and gave me some agency, because I think we all felt like we had no control. I did have a little bit of control; I would write this thing, and my son would shoot it, and my wife would help me and we would build props, and then we would shoot and then it would go on air. It was something that we did as a family, and being together as a family was very important at that time.
"I only choose things I know nothing about. There's a gleeful terror in it. I'm now working on my third opera. What do I know about opera? I know nothing about opera."
I started to see in a deeper way the balance between science and art and the value of art as solace. Not just looking at or experiencing art, but the making of it. I feel like we as a culture are discouraging art making unless it is a living-making. We don't discourage sport-making. We play basketball, we play kickball, we go running. Music is a physicalized form of emotion, sport is a physicalized form of understanding oneself, and drawing is a physicalized form of empathy, because you are thinking of what you are drawing. Even if it's a teapot, you are thinking about what is the teapottiness of that teapot. 
So being able to draw and paint really became a solace. I started making very large-scale abstractions. Just the making was super great for me. And the idea that I could encourage the making to people who will not make a living at it, who don't aspire to that, but just [participate in] the joy of making and the power of that, that was really important to me and it became more so in that time.
So many of us are afraid to try new artistic things for that very reason you just mentioned — that unless it's for external validation, it's not worth it. For example, when I try to write fiction, I often quit because I'm afraid people won't like it. Do you have any advice on how to enjoy the process and not get bogged down with fears about the outcome?
If you are writing something, you are writing it for other people, absolutely, but you're not writing it for everybody. If I expected everybody to love this new Pigeon book, I'd be sorely disappointed. Sorely, sorely disappointed. It's okay! You don't have to love my work. That's not what it's about. There's power in the doing. If your kid is inclined to write a letter, or write a poem, or write silly lyrics, that's your opportunity to do a verse, as well. A part of what makes this easier is to do it in tandem.
We put out a big thing of butcher block paper every night on the dining room table. We have crayons, we draw every night. And we have family and friends who do not consider themselves artistically inclined and they say, "I can't draw." And we say, "You do not have a choice. This is not about whether you can or can't. Write a laundry list. Write your name over and over again. Do whatever." And by the end, everybody's drawing. There's no judgement, it's all going to be recycled. But the conversation flows through the drawing. You see [someone say], "I like the color you're using there. You know, I remember I once went to England and it was so green. It was like this crayon, only a little bit more so..." It becomes a larger thing.
You've worked in so many different artistic mediums, both on your own and through the residency at the Kennedy Center. Do you ever think, "I can't create art around dance or symphonic music. I know nothing about those subjects!"
Oh, yeah, that's why I do it! I only choose things I know nothing about. There's a gleeful terror in it. I'm now working on my third opera. What do I know about opera? I know nothing about opera. But, you know what? You go to someone who's a great opera singer and you say, "I know nothing about opera, except [that] opera is about big emotions and children's books are about big emotions. There's got to be a commonality there." And then we make opera. I don't see any point in trying to do something that I already know how to do. So the answer to your question, why [write] "Be the Bus"? Because I haven't done that before. That's enough reason.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?
Hmm. [long pause] That I have one. [laughs] That I get to do these things. I get to play in all these different sandboxes. It really is remarkable. Often, I am doing something I have never done with people who are doing something they have never done. So I'm working on an opera with someone who's never done stuff for children, or I'm making a cartoon with actors who usually are on Broadway, and a trumpeter who does jazz and hip hop, but has never made kids cartoons. None of us have done it. That's exciting! That I get to have a career is a gift, and I certainly deeply appreciate that opportunity. And the idea that for whatever reason, people seem to say yes to these terrible ideas is just so great. I almost have a moral obligation to do them.


Mo Willems Wants You to Have Fun

Sandra Ebejer

While scrolling through Netflix suggestions one winter evening, I noticed an odd title: "Crash Landing on You." The premise: a South Korean businesswoman, blown by fierce winds while paragliding, crashes just across the border, where a North Korean captain decides to help rather than report her.
Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin in 'Crash Landing On You.'A rom-com set in the DMZ? I stumbled onto the show that is, for many, the gateway to Korean drama, or K-drama. I gobbled the 16-episode story like popcorn, pulled along by a thrilling plot with a graceful mix of drama and comedy. One year later, I had 22 K-dramas under my belt. Many of them, like "Crash Landing," (or "CLOY," in the lingo of drama fans), left me emotionally intoxicated.
These were stories with so much heart and great story arcs, about wisdom and growth, family connections, respect for elders, with minimal sex and violence. The characters might face pain, poverty, estrangement, injustice or a zombie pandemic. There might even be a heartbreaking ending. But in the end, you felt uplifted, wiser, hopeful.
What Makes a K-Drama? 
The term K-drama refers to a Korean television series, and they've been booming in popularity on Netflix in particular. They usually consist of 16 episodes, each lasting roughly an hour, and only one season. Most fans appreciate seeing one entire story arc in a season, with resolution at the end. A K-drama also features original soundtrack music (called OSTs) by top Korean composers and performers.
These were stories with so much heart and great story arcs
The South Korean entertainment industry, with the aid of government investment, has poured substantial resources into K-pop and K-dramas. The acting and the production values have leapt in recent years, with thoughtful, movie-worthy cinematography. "They've come up with a winning formula: the right number of hours, beautiful OSTs and a feel-good message," says Dafna Zur, associate professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and scholar of Korean literature at Stanford University.
Before "CLOY," all I'd known of South Korean entertainment was the term "K-pop" and the name of its most influential band, BTS. I'd gathered it was teenybopper stuff. The global explosion of Korean pop culture is often thought of as a youth phenomenon. But, by inquiring, I learned that a sizable number of fans, like me, are older than 50.
As for me, I had grown weary of American TV series that were artistically good but left me feeling empty. Korean dramas were a balm for tough times. I found I wasn't alone.
Dr. Dafna ZurPlenty of Us "Ahjummas" and "Ahjussis" (Middle-aged Women and Men 
… as well as "halmeonis" and "harabeojis" (men and women of grandparent age.) I put up a post on the large and active Reddit K-drama group, asking for thoughts from fans who were over 50. I expected a mere handful of responses and was shocked to receive roughly 150 well-thought-out, enthusiastic comments.
Steven Ho, 52, of New York, has been watching K-dramas as a "chaser" for "heavier, cynical western dramas." They fill a void left by American streaming services. Ho also appreciates the "comfort shows that aren't too maudlin."
One young woman said that her parents, in their late 70s, have watched K-dramas since their retirement and evangelized their friends to watch. It was, she thought, a way to rebel against the trends of entertainment at the time, such as shows — "Breaking Bad," "Dexter" and "Mad Men" —fronted by anti-heroes, or never-ending serialized procedurals.
Inspiring and Universal Themes 
K-dramas appear in every genre: romance, comedy, rom-com, thriller, slice of life, drama, historic, legal, medical, sci-fi and horror. They're not preachy, but wholesome virtues predominate: the values of sacrifice for others, the healing power of love, honesty, integrity and community.
"Audiences are delighted to see how underdogs overcome challenges and come out as winners at the end." 
"I believe there is a powerful nostalgic imagination of innocence in Korean drama," said Saena Dozier, Ph.D., Korean Department head consultant at LanguageBird, a language program for secondary students. "Innocence that is less associated with nationhood and national identity but more associated with a universalistic and utopian way of existing within a collective community." 
"Another reason for Korean drama's global popularity," Dozier said, "is its narrative focus on society's underdogs. Audiences are delighted to see how underdogs overcome challenges and come out as winners at the end."
Respect for Elders, and a Woman's Outlook 
Korea, like other East Asian countries, is built around Confucian values, one of those being filial piety. As a western viewer, I was struck by the integrated role of elders in K-dramas and the respect with which they are treated. Grandparent figures are often the anchors for a troubled main character or for the community in general.
In "Navillera," a 70-year-old man pursues his lifelong dream of performing ballet, and not just as a hobby. He is as serious as his 24-year-old teacher, who aspires to the world stage. He provides much-needed moral support to his troubled teacher, and together, they help fulfill each other's dream.
In "Navillera," a 70-year-old man pursues his lifelong dream of performing ballet, and not just as a hobby.
The majority of K-drama writers are women, and this is reflected in the storytelling and the development of characters. Many viewers say they appreciate the healthier view of masculinity depicted in K-dramas. Men show tenderness and the full gamut of emotions. And it's not uncommon for the female lead to be older than the male lead.
Romances tend to be very slow burn, where the touch of a hand in episode 12 packs more voltage than a bedroom scene in episode 2 of a western drama. In thrillers, men and women, both, often literally take a bullet for each other.
Korea: The Particular to the Universal 
Many viewers develop a broader interest in Korean language and culture. Sometimes fandom is shared between generations. Lisa Craig of Mt. Juliet, Tennesee, is one of two Redditors I spoke with whose interest in Korea began with sharing their daughters' enthusiasm for super-K-pop band BTS. Craig and her daughter Chelsea are traveling together this spring to visit filming sites, eat Korean food and absorb the history and culture.
So how did a country the size of Indiana develop such an outsize global footprint in business, technology and entertainment? Dafna Zur explains that South Korea, like Japan and Israel, is a resource-poor country that relies on the ingenuity of its people to be prosperous. "They have no natural gas or oil, so the nation counts on people's creativity as well as their work ethos, on which they pride themselves."
K-drama snacksEducation is highly valued. Speaking of her students who are fans of Korean entertainment and culture, Zur said, "Our students today know what took me years to figure out: Korea holds the key to economic, political and cultural puzzles today."
It's Just Good Stuff
Above all, K-dramas are good stories, well told. Randy Burleigh, of Opelousas, Louisiana, had a long list of what he enjoys about K-dramas, among them: main characters who strive to do the moral thing, "no quick fix to everyday problems, you'll be in for the long haul to get any resolution (and what a payoff it is!), and most importantly, wholly entertaining. I know without a doubt that I will be thoroughly entertained throughout the life of the show: I will be invested in the characters, I will laugh, cry and smile with them, and be cheering by the end!"
When people face adversity in K-drama stories, the solution generally lies in the healing power of love and community. That message is a great gift from the South Korean entertainment industry to a hurting world.
Recommendations
"Crash Landing on You""My Mister""Navillera""Mr. Queen""Hometown Cha Cha Cha""Dear My Friends""Hospital Playlist"
MyDramaListThe Reddit groups r/kdrama and r/kdramarecommends


Crash Landing on Me: A Surprise Passion for Korean Drama

Barbara J. Tuttle

I always thought a special bonding trip with each grandchild was a wonderful idea. Age ten is perfect, the ideal time while they still adore me, can endure travel delays but don't miss their friends too much. 
Then COVID extended the timeline, and all of a sudden, I realized my oldest grandchild had turned eleven. She'll attend middle school soon, so if I'm to cement our bond while the magic of childhood is relatively intact, I needed to get moving. I developed a tentative trip, then asked for her parents' blessing.
Having a great time while traveling with children takes planning, awareness and communication.Mandy (not her real name) was thrilled at the idea of visiting Washington, D.C. We'll tour the nation's capital, then spend time with my family in Maryland. Her eyes widened when I mentioned the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Mandy leaned forward and squeaked, "We studied the national monuments at school!"
Working out, some downtime and morning coffee are important to me, whereas Mandy wants lots of pictures of monuments.
Having a great time while traveling with children takes planning, awareness and communication. Consider the following tips to help produce a trip that is fun and rewarding for both generations.
Tips for a Successful Trip 
Planning is part of the fun. Set the travel date early. I was surprised at how much of her summer was already blocked off by March, and glad we found a time that worked for both of us. Mandy immediately told her friends about the trip; clearly she was excited. I told her we'd start with the Hop-on Hop-off bus, since it would allow us to see the hot spots and spend time exploring what interests us most. This flexibility is perfect, since we can decide what we want to do while there.
Mandy and I got together to brainstorm questions and the top three things she wanted to do on the trip, then we reserved the flight together. I'll book a hotel, then wait a month or so before our next planning session.
Take individual desires into account. Working out, some downtime and morning coffee are important to me, whereas Mandy wants lots of pictures of monuments. I'm trying to take energy level, attention span and safety into account for both of us. 
I'm a fan of lists, and will rely on our top three to five things when planning and traveling. This will help me remember that pictures are among her top three desires, so I'll remain patient while she strives for ten perfect Reflecting Pool photos.
I might even list what I want to avoid. I'm not a fan of long lines, so I'll plan outings to avoid crowds. If my plans don't work, we might pass the Smithsonian line and return later in the day. We'll take Mandy's dislikes into account as well. The dislikes conversation can branch into a discussion of concerns, which is also a great conversation to have.
The author and her granddaughterMake lists. I'll create a packing list with Mandy. It's easy to mark items off as they go into the suitcase, and this will ensure we take everything we need. When I mentioned ponchos as a great summer option, none of my grandchildren knew what I was talking about. We marched down the hall to the utility closet where I unfolded a lightweight orange poncho. 
The younger two loved it, but Mandy said she'd rather carry an umbrella.  (I'll pack an extra poncho but keep in mind she is old enough to select fashion over getting wet.)
Discuss limits. I'll find out what parental rules regarding electronics (screen time, social media, texts, calls) will be in place during our trip. I told Mandy that D.C. is different than our small town, so we'll need to stay together while traveling. I asked her to gather friends' addresses so she can send postcards. Mandy says she knows about postcards, but I imagine addressing one will lead to a wide-eyed conversation about how we did things "in the old days." I'll ask her to pack downtime activities like reading, drawing or journaling to engage her while flying or in the evenings.
Attend to siblings. Mandy's siblings will be disappointed when they discover they're missing a trip and airplane ride, so we are trying to soften the blow. Of course, I'll take each sibling on a fun trip when they turn ten or eleven. Mandy and I hold our planning sessions while the siblings are busy with other activities. Mandy's parents will take the siblings on an outing while we are gone and Mandy will return with a fun gift for each of them.
Be prepared. Make sure you know about allergies and medication for your grandchild. TSA doesn't require identification for children under 18, but suggests checking with individual airlines. Keep in mind that if you are flying with a child that looks 18 (or age your airline considers as "adult"), you might need to prove their age, so it is a good idea to have legal ID or a birth certificate on hand. I plan to carry a signed medical release form so I don't have to wait for parental permission in case of emergency.
My goal is to say "yes" to every one of her requests, without running out of time, money or energy. 
Have Fun. I hope to pack in as many treats, views and experiences as possible. My goal is to say "yes" to every one of her requests, without running out of time, money or energy.  Who knows, I may end up with a lifelong travel companion!
Strengthening Our Relationship
In addition to fun, I consider this trip (as well as other methods of reaching out and connecting) to be mental health insurance. The teen years can be extremely tough. When, sometime in the future, Mandy feels lonely, excluded or unworthy, I hope she'll remember that no matter what, her grandparents love her. 
While her grandfather won't join us on this trip, she can count on him to make silly faces, tell ridiculous Dad jokes, and be incredibly patient and kind. I'll always listen, cook healthy meals, and spend time with them. All these actions translate to love, something grandparents excel at.


How to Plan a Fun Summer Trip With Your Grandchild

Carol Morgan Milberger

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