Setting the record straight on retirement
Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 18, 2003
Donald Draayer had just retired from a career as an educator, school principal and superintendent when he ran into a colleague at a convention. The colleague had gotten into publishing, and told Draayer that he bet he had a lot of book ideas in him.
&uot;I spent my whole life translating ideas into the real lives of people,&uot; Draayer said. &uot;I knew I didn’t want to write textbooks. I told my wife I wanted to write about how to have a good time in retirement.&uot;
He jotted his idea down on hotel stationery, spoke to his friend, and two weeks later
had a contract.
Draayer’s effort has yielded &uot;Retirement Straight Talk: Stories and Words of Wisdom from Educators.&uot; A native of Hollandale and a 1953 graduate of Albert Lea High School, Draayer will be in Albert Lea this weekend for his class reunion. He’ll be at the Albert Lea Public Library, 211 E. Clark St., from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday to greet people. He’ll have copies of his book for sale. It’s also available at The Constant Reader in downtown Albert Lea.
All Draayer’s personal profits from the book, after expenses, will go to the Minnetonka School Foundation for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
&uot;Retirement Straight Talk&uot; describes all stages of retirement, from the initial whispers in the mind to raw emotions of major life change, choices, challenges and commitments in the second half of life. The book addresses the new beginnings and joy to be found in retirement to issues of economic security, housing, relationships, health, continued caring for others and spiritual well-being. Over 300 retired educators share their wisdom. Each chapter ends with the author’s own story, guidelines and questions exploring ongoing transitions in retirement.
Draayer said he chose to call upon educators to share their thoughts in his book because he’s always found them eager to share. &uot;My career has taken me all over so I know a lot of educators. I tapped into that list, extracted from what they shared and wrote a book around their stories,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s like a giant class reunion. I drew on what I was close to.&uot;
Draayer’s own thoughts at the end of each chapter were added after the publisher suggested readers needed to see more of him in the book. The book concludes with a chapter called &uot;Talking Turkey to Myself.&uot; In it, Draayer reminds people that there are lots of things to do in retirement. &uot;Happiness comes not from doing nothing, but from doing something satisfying and helpful to others,&uot; he said.
The author said he’s gotten good feedback from people who have read the book &045; not just educators, but people from all walks of life.
&uot;A lot of things in retirement sound complicated. Retirement can fall into that category,&uot; Draayer said. &uot;The book talks straight. It’s not prescriptive, but says these are the options. Helping people think through the options is what this book strives to do. I’m trying to uncomplicate something significant.&uot;
Draayer and his wife of 42 years, Mary Anne, have two grown children and five grandchildren. They make their home in Minnetonka.
Draayer was honored as Minnesota and National Superintendent of the Year in 1990-91. Part of the national honor included a $10,000 scholarship check to a graduating senior in his hometown school district. Brook Cuden was the recipient.
(Contact Geri McShane at lifestyles@albertleatribune.com, or call 379-3436.)
sitions in retirement.
Draayer said he chose to call upon educators to share their thoughts in his book because he’s always found them eager to share. &uot;My career has taken me all over so I know a lot of educators. I tapped into that list, extracted from what they shared and wrote a book around their stories,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s like a giant class reunion. I drew on what I was close to.&uot;
Draayer’s own thoughts at the end of each chapter were added after the publisher suggested readers needed to see more of him in the book. The book concludes with a chapter called &uot;Talking Turkey to Myself.&uot; In it, Draayer reminds people that there are lots of things to do in retirement. &uot;Happiness comes not from doing nothing, but from doing something satisfying and helpful to others,&uot; he said.
The author said he’s gotten good feedback from people who have read the book &045; not just educators, but people from all walks of life.
&uot;A lot of things in retirement sound complicated. Retirement can fall into that category,&uot; Draayer said. &uot;The book talks straight. It’s not prescriptive, but says these are the options. Helping people think through the options is what this book strives to do. I’m trying to uncomplicate something significant.&uot;
Draayer and his wife of 42 years, Mary Anne, have two grown children and five grandchildren. They make their home in Minnetonka.
Draayer was honored as Minnesota and National Superintendent of the Year in 1990-91. Part of the national honor included a $10,000 scholarship check to a graduating senior in his hometown school district. Brook Cuden was the recipient.
Contact Geri McShane at lifestyles @albertleatribune.com or 379-3436.