Greetings from Vermont -- Prime Life Times

 "Greetings from Vermont" 

is my latest published article in the

March 2023 PRINT edition of

Prime Life Times, 

the cover story on page A-1.

I welcome your comments.

When life gives you lemons, make applesauce -- News-Gazette

 "When life gives you lemons, make applesauce" 

is my latest published article in the

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

print and online

Guest Commentary Voices

Sunday February 19, 20923.

I welcome your comments.

Teaching Genealogy to Kids

 

Teaching Genealogy to Kids

By Debra L. Karplus

For several years, I had the privilege of being asked to teach a Sunday school class to groups of about half a dozen middle school preteens.  I had a tremendous amount of fun and satisfaction getting to know these highly motivated delightful youngsters and sharing my passion for genealogy with them.

The first of the five weekly one hour classes was introductory; though most of the students knew each other, I didn’t know them, and I asked them to share why they chose to be in the class and what they hoped to learn.  The responses were mixed.  Class two was about interviewing techniques with living relatives and writing family stories.  In the third class, we discussed and displayed different types of genealogy charts, pedigree, ancestor, family group, and so on.  On week four, we learned about online resources.  The last class was a wrap up of the first four and unanswered questions were addressed.

I received very positive comments on my class, and to the best of my knowledge, nothing negative. 

But personally, though admittedly my standards are often higher than is reasonable, I felt disappointed in how I taught this class.  Essentially, I made the mistake of bringing computers into the class on the second of the five weeks.  Preteen kids tend to be electronics “junkies”.  The kids were more inclined to “play” instead of do any real research. 

And truly, most of my students missed the mark on how databases are to be used for genealogical research.  One child sitting at the computer raised his hand and asked me “why can’t I find my dad on the database, I want to learn more about him”.  I impatiently snapped at him “your Dad is sitting a few feet away in the lobby, don’t research him, ASK him”. 

I emphasized with the class that now is the time to get stories from their living relatives, particularly their older ones, and many happily still had at least a few living great grandparents.  The genealogy databases are useful for researching data about family members that are no longer around.

As most teachers will tell you, like the students, I learned so much from my experience teaching genealogy to young people.  If asked, I would teach a class like this again, and it would be even better!

 

Your resume

 

Is it time to resume resume writing?

By Debra L. Karplus

Recently, I shocked friends and family when I told them I’d just applied for a job.  I won’t share too much about it right now, as it may not materialize, but don’t be surprised if you come to your favorite spot and I’m welcoming you.  And, no, I am not an aspiring Walmart greeter!  But it might be nice to round out how I spend my time, so part-time employment could be satisfying.

The job application had an option to attach a resume.  As a long time retiree, I’ve not applied for a job in decades.  The last time I updated my resume, might have been 15 or more years ago; it looked stellar. I was even one of the speakers at my national therapy association annual conference, c. 2006.  Since then, I’ve let my Illinois therapist license go inactive status, and much of my time is spent in frivolous pursuits.  If we are what we do, then I may indeed be in a bit of trouble.

Looking online, it seems resume writing today is a lot easier than it used to be.  These days, you can just plug in a bunch of info about yourself after selecting an appropriate online template, and the computer does all the work for you. 

From what I could tell, resumes provide the same information to potential employers as they always did.  Work experience generally is listed first.  In these past few years most of my work, such as tutoring at a local elementary school, has been volunteer.  Even my writing, for this and several online and print publications has mostly been on a volunteer basis, as I’m typically unpaid, though passionate about writing.

Education usually comes next.  Wow, what would I list?  Since 2014, I ‘ve taken numerous engaging classes through OLLI, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Illinois, I took some pickle ball lessons at the Savoy Recreation Center from Lexi a few years back, duplicate bridge lessons through Parkland College Community Education, and horseback riding from Meg in Tolono in the summer of 2020.  Wouldn’t that look impressive on my resume?

Many resumes have a section on memberships.  I’ve let all occupational therapy memberships lapse, national and state.  But now I’m a member of numerous local and out of town gyms, thanks to my Medicare supplement plan benefits.  Additionally, I’m a member of Amtrak’s Guest Rewards program as well as several frequent flyer programs, American Airlines, for example.  Being a member of some religious organizations and of The Illinois Club is great for enhancing my social life and would impress someone looking to hire me.  Right?  I’m also very proud to serve on the Champaign-Urbana Chevra Kadisha committee. Curious?  Do an online search to learn more!

Perhaps most notable is my membership in the National Mah Jongg League, Inc., in good standing, I might add.  I bought my Maj card for $9 and with that purchase came the membership.  I certainly have a diverse set of interests that would make me super marketable in today’s work-a-day world. But, I’m not a member of any homeowner’s association; I hope that doesn’t jeopardize my chances of getting a minimum wage job here in town.

Some resume temples ask you to provide information about hobbies.  That’s an interesting thing.  Taking care of a townhouse seems somewhat of a hobby.  Spending most summer days, rain or shine, at Indian Acres Swim Club would imply that swimming is a serious hobby for me.  But if I want to be completely honest, I must admit, that many days I’m so busy gabbing with people, anyone willing to listen to me really, that I forget to get into the pool.  I might need to have total disclosure with any potential employer for fear of possibly misrepresenting myself thus being subject to unexpected libel suit!

If my job application, sans resume, lands me a job interview, I hope I am not asked “what are your long term goals” or “where to you want to be in 5 years”; I might not give it enough thought and would respond that at I would hope to be walking and talking or at least breathing.  A 20 year old human resources person might not understand that in a face-to-face interview wearing masks and/or sitting six feet apart, or if we “met” on Zoom.

At social gatherings we are often asked “what do you do”.  I want to believe that I am much more than the activities that fill my calendar.