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So what does retirement look like in this 21st century?

Ask Lynn and Wally Arnold, a Kettering couple who enjoy volunteering at America's national parks. Last May, they lived in a tent for five weeks in the midst of Virgin Islands National Park in St. Johns; over the summer, they worked at Prince William Forest Park near Washington, DC.

"We loved it and we're planning to do more," says Lynn, who snorkeled every day in the Virgin Islands and said the park was "pristine and absolutely gorgeous!"

It's may not be the traditional idea of the golden years, but as the Arnolds make perfectly clear: this is not your parents' retirement.

"Baby boomers have been agents of change and want to do everything differently from preceding generations," says Miriam Goodman, a native Daytonian who interviewed retirees across the country and recently authored a book on the subject. ("Reinventing Retirement: 389 Bright Ideas about Family, Friends, Health, What to Do and Where to Live. " (Chronicle, $24.95)

The change Goodman describes is also the impetus for an new series of programs sponsored by the Kettering Department of Parks and Recreation.

"Thirty years ago, when you retired you played golf or baby sat for the grand kids or volunteered at the local church or hospital," says Nanette Buehrer, program supervisor for the Lathrem Senior Center in Kettering. "Those are still great options, but there are so many more opportunities out there now than there were 30 years ago."

Inspired by the adventures of Lynn and Wally Arnold, Buehrer is kicking off a "Fantastic After Fifty" series Wednesday, May 21. National motivational speaker Howard Stone will come to town to inspire participants about the possibilities of recharging and rebalancing their lives, and an Opportunity Marketplace will showcase options for work, learning and volunteering. Representatives will be on hand from a variety of organizations including the Peace Corps and Habitat for Humanity. Local businesses in search of good employees will be there, too.

Buehrer says the idea is to showcase ordinary people over 50 — like the Arnolds — who are doing extraordinary things. She's hoping thousands will attend.

One good resource for prospective retirees is Goodman's upbeat book, which looks more like a colorful spiral-bound community cookbook than a boring tome on old age. Chapter headings reflect the musical vocabulary of its prospective readers: "Gimme Shelter" introduces a discussion on whether to move or stay put, "You Gotta Have Friends" tackles the subject of relationships.

Goodman says in prior generations, people who retired had five or 10 years left in their lives, now they may have 20 or 30. "Anything you are going to do that is mentally or physically active is probably likely to extend your life," Goodman adds.

"Nobody says you have to do just one thing when you retire, and I encourage people to jump around," says the Fairview High School grad who now lives in San Francisco. "A retired lawyer, for instance, might want to volunteer for legal aid and help poor people, but what if he'd rather be a docent at the zoo? And what if he wanted to play the guitar at 16, but has never before had the time?"

That was exactly the case with Wally Arnold, who started out as a forestry major but ended up in an unrelated profession. But his family always enjoyed visiting national parks and camping.

"So we got excited about the idea of giving back in places that would get us out-of-doors," he says. "I view retirement as a new phase of life, not a winding down."

Arnold advises others to have some picture of what you might like to do before you retire — which may or may not come to pass. "But if it's a value or vision you have, it gives you a boost. "

One friend told Goodman that in her parents' day, gardening might have been a viable retirement option.

"Today you'd do the same thing, but then go to Europe and look at the beautiful rose gardens in France and England," says Goodman. " It wouldn't be enough just to have the garden, you'd want to do more with it, take it another step."

"The idea is to be open to anything new, to think about what you want to do and what is important to you. Retirement can be the best time of your life."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or mmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.

How to go

What: Fantastic After Fifty, a free marketplace of work, learning and volunteering opportunities for those over 50. Motivational speaker Howard Stone will give a free presentation entitled "Recharging and Rebalancing for Your Bonus Years" at 6:30 p.m. and The Legends will perform music from the '50s, '60s and '70's at 8 p.m.

When: From 5:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 21.

Where: Lincoln Park Commons and the Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., rain or shine.

Additional presentations: Stone will also present two daytime mini-workshops. Representatives from Women, Etc! will offer seminars on "Doing the Work You Love: Starting Your Own Business" and "Putting on Your Visibility Cloak." Reservations are required for the daytime sessions, fees vary from $10 to $25.

For info and to sign up: Call (937) 296-2480 or check out www.fraze.com.

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