Sharing the Riches

by Kathryn Urick

October 31, 1984

Elder Teller

A stimulating day spent in “sharing the Riches” was exactly that. Ninety-one senior citizens (60 and over) registered at 9 a.m. at Des Moines Area Community college and by 1 a.m. were in excited little groups with students of the college.

The topics that kept everyone ‘babbling” were things like: differences in our society since were their age; the push-button, high-tech age is uninteresting; the norm today of “looking young”; elders living increasingly in retirement; and feelings of not being needed. All expressed their hopes, problems, complaints, values and beliefs.

Students were interested in hearing how we felt about life when growing up and becoming parents in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, followed by questions as to why we felt ‘living together’ was not appropriate.

A video tape had been prepared of life in the Amish and Mennonite communities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Expressions of admiration and wonder at these simple people who put God first in their lives and in the rearing of their children, still using the same methods of living they have always used, dressing simply and with seemingly few of the needs our modern day living demands, brought out sincere feelings of the group.

After a delicious chicken dinner, a “fired up group of senior citizens” from Shepherd Center in Des Moines REALLY entertained us by singing, dancing the Charleston, “Tiptoeing Through the Tulips,” (paper flowers on the floor) “Dolly” singing “Hello Dolly” in costume and plumed hat. The 91 of us were kept clapping an toe-tapping by a fantastic piano player.

The entire group joined hands and marched around the room singing, “Oh, When the Saints Come Marching In.” The Shepherds will be remembered for a long time – we hope they will entertain us again net year.

During the final session, which adjourned at 2:30, suggestions and ideas were heard for next year’s conference. We went home hoping time would go fast so we could stat planning to come again to CMACC. The students approve and said we were one peppy, classy bunch of “oldsters.” We all agreed!