‘Over 70’ workers are a hit

Sometimes managers at this venerable old newspaper find a winner, and the “Over 70, Seniors in the Workplace” series is one of them. Every time we run one of the stories, we get many suggestions about other workers worthy of such attention.

Readers aren’t the only people who enjoy these stories. Reporters, photographers and editors also find them fascinating. And why wouldn’t they?

Through the stories we have been introduced to some incredible people. Some come quickly to mind.

. Anna Bart, 89, of Levant works four days a week doing laundry at Bangor Motor Inn. “I get so bored sitting down,” Bart said.

. Walden Lawson, 80, of Brewer delivers pizza. “I feel about 35,” he said.

. Edith Woodward, 86, still cooks at Gouldsboro Grammar School. She has been there 47 years and has cooked there for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

We all face the prospect of being “older,” and reading about people who are active and engaged can’t help but make us feel inspired and encouraged.

There has been just one minor complaint about the series.

David Tomm of Rockland called to suggest we refer to the workers as “seasoned” and not “older.”

But he does have a vested interest, seeing that he runs the Seasoned Workforce Program in the midcoast area.

A cooperative effort of the Rockland-Thomaston, Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville and Belfast chambers of commerce, the program seeks to place seasoned workers in jobs with local employers.

Tomm said MBNA and other companies have found the effort to their liking.

“There is a changing attitude and seasoned workers are becoming more common,” Tomm said. He said companies tend to find them efficient, dependable and loyal, and they usually aren’t hungry for rapid promotion. They might also seek just part-time hours, which can provide managers with flexibility.

At 63, Tomm is far too young to qualify for the Bangor Daily News series, but he considers himself a seasoned worker and works three days a week for Procter & Gamble Co.

He says working keeps people with more years healthier and happier. The subjects of our “Over 70” series would seem to indicate that there’s some truth to that.

Some people need a level of social interaction that they find hard to duplicate outside of a workplace.

Tomm is quick to point out that demographic trends favor older workers.

About 19 percent of the U.S. work force is more than 50 years of age. In 2010, or just six years from now, census analysts say that will increase to 33 percent.

Every 13 seconds, a baby is born in the United States. Someone turns 50 every seven seconds.

Businesses are going to need older, or seasoned, workers. They’re simply going to be running out of younger workers, so to speak.

Worries about Social Security and the adequacy of individual savings also may keep people in the work force.

But people who remain working may do so just because that’s what they want to do.

David Tomm thinks so. He has already retired three times and has learned that it’s definitely not his cup of tea.

And Henry Dean, 77, of Bucksport would agree. He still rakes blueberries every summer and recently shared his story with NEWS readers.

As a veteran blueberry raker myself, I can tell you that raking blueberries is very hard work. But Dean says he has “never thought about not being out in the fields.”