Recreation, Volunteer, Employment Opportunities

    Just because you're getting older doesn't mean you should let your expertise, talent and creativity lie dormant.  By continuously learning throughout your life and offering your services to those who need them, you can give much-needed knowledge and experience back to our community.
    Consider volunteering.  As a volunteer, you're not only helping other people, but also helping yourself.  Research shows volunteering adds to your quality of life by providing new friendships, ways to stay active and involved and a means to continue learning new skills.  It also increases your health and well-being by raising your self esteem and lessening depression.  And it helps contribute to a longer, healthier and happier life.
    With so many opportunities for you to get involved, don't be tempted to stay home.  The following organizations are always looking for new volunteers and participants like you.

New Law Changes How Earnings Affect Older Workers' Retirement Benefits
A new law (effective January 1, 2000) now allows workers who have reached full retirement age (age 65 in 2000) to work without their benefits being reduced because of the amount of their annual earnings.

Under the new law, your annual earnings affect the amount of your Social Security benefits only until you reach your full retirement age. At that point, you can receive your full benefits no matter how much you earn.

Recreation
    Our county has well established recreational programming for seniors.  Manitowoc and Two Rivers have Senior Centers which operate during the day, evening and weekends.  Examples of activity programs include:
 

Fitness Programs	Craft Group	Wood Workers
Quilting	Chair Exercises	Weaving
Bridge	Sheepshead	Poker
Pool	Music Programs	Bingo
Stitchery	Watercolor Painting	Singing
Pinochle	Canasta	Dominoes
Cribbage	Bus Tours	Big Screen Movies
Line Dancing	Yoga	Computer Classes
Knit & Stitch	Golf	Dartball