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February 26, 2005 Record-Eagle/Lara Neel Peg Simmons, 94, answers a question during the discussion. Five panelists in their 90s gave a talk as part of the Life Academy through Northwestern Michigan College. They discussed changes in the world they have observed, both negative and positive. Wiser, indeedPanel discusses aging at NMC's Life AcademyByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Forget growing old gracefully. These nonagenarians say aging well is as much about grit as it is grace, about keeping active, finding friends and celebrating life. "If you don't accept things that come, you don't get anywhere, and if you don't get anywhere you are stuck," said Margaret Dunn, 97. She was one of five residents age 90 and older who spent an afternoon lunch spinning folksy wisdom and telling true tales of what it's like to live long and well. The panel was convened Friday by Northwestern Michigan College's Life Academy, a program that caters to lifelong learners 55 and older. Dunn and her companions shared advice and discussed what they've been surprised, challenged and inspired by in their 10th decade. So, what has surprised 91-year-old retired teacher Betty Parker? "Getting to be this old is sort of startling," she replied. But, she's most amazed by the "whole, wonderful world available to me" - that age hasn't stopped her from exploring, enjoying friendships and learning. Friends are among a good life's necessities, Dunn said. "It's so important to keep attached to people ... ," she said. "If you can't meet people, if you can't love people, there's not much left." The 90-somethings also highlighted the many changes they've witnessed. From radio to television to the Internet, there are so many ways to communicate, they said. The observations ranged from moments of levity - "The biggest change I see is the way people drive up here. I wasn't taught to drive like that," said Peg Simmons, 94 - to earnest reflection: "I think the most amazing change in this country during my lifetime has been the drive for freedom by certain groups," said Ken Parker, 90, citing efforts by minorities and women to gain equal rights. Betty Parker and husband Ken, who founded the Antrim County News in Bellaire, talk, read and play games together. Lucile Cummings Bagley, who is "ninety-five-and-a-half," has written a book about music and suggested that a key to living well is reaching out. "Never stay at home and become a recluse," she said. Instead, Bagley said, "Don't forget the humor of the everyday," take up new hobbies, meet new people and volunteer in the community. "That is my greatest joy," said Bagley, who would "love" to go back to college and learn to play the harp. "Don't give up," Betty Parker said. "If you do have any fears, get over them," added Ken Parker. "Just stay involved, girls and boys," chimed in Simmons. "Don't sit in a rocking chair." At the end of the discussion, the 55-year-old-plus crowd got up to give their elders a standing ovation.
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