It’s never too late to get an education - or your diploma.

When Ed Daubenspeck’s father died in 1919, leaving Ed and his 16 siblings, Ed left school to work to help support the family. Ed had only just graduated from eighth grade.

But today, at the age of 99 years, Ed has his high school diploma and the respect of all who know him for his perseverance and good example in pursuing his diploma despite the fact that 88 years have passed since he was last a student.

Read the AP story at Fox News.

Juanita Bland is 75 years old, disabled and lives in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. She was in her specially equipped van when the electric side door on the van became stuck open. She couldn’t get out of the van so she waved down a passing good samaritan.

The man helped her close the door and then asked for a ride. He seemed nice so she agreed and he rode with her for a few blocks before alighting and getting into a white sedan parked on the street. The man then drove off.

What Juanita didn’t know was the good samaritan she had given a lift to had just robbed a local bank branch.

“When I think back now of what could have happened, I feel blessed that I’m OK,” Bland said.

Juanita found out she was driving the getaway van when a friend called her. She had heard on the police scanner that the robber had gotten into Juanita’s van and worried that Juanita had been abducted.

If you look up the term golden ager at dictionary.com you will find a narrow definition that gives no insight into seniors and retirees of today.

The title Golden Agers refers to more than just a demographic. Golden Agers of today belong to a savvy, privileged group. They have lived through wars, real and Cold. They have listened to the Golden Age of Radio and watched the Golden Age of Television. They have been witnesses to the greatest explosion of scientific knowledge and technology in the history of mankind. They weren’t born with a TV remote or a computer mouse in their hands but they can use technology as well as any youngster who was. They are truly a generation whose feet are in two centuries, enjoying the advances in science and medicine of the current period but remembering the lessons and the pleasures of the last.

I like the dictionary.com definition of golden age:
“the period in life after middle age, traditionally charaterized by wisdom, contentment and useful leisure”.

Labels mean nothing, they are conveniences of the media. Whether you call them seniors or oldsters, boomers or elders, what is clear is that they belong to a generation that doesn’t take retirement lying down. They are involved, active and knowledgeable.

They are Golden Agers.

“America’s oldest teenager”, Dick Clark, is selling a lifetime of memories.

Fifty years after the first “American Bandstand” show aired, the 76-year-old Clark is auctioning off some impressive music memorabilia including a bass guitar played by Beatle Paul McCartney and a harmonica played by Bob Dylan. You can read more about the auction here.

Dick Clark is well-known for his years as the host of American Bandstand, the show our parents didn’t want us to watch (making it all the more attractive). In addition, he had success hosting the game show $25,000 Pyramid. His Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve debuted in 1972 and has become a tradition that continues to the present. Although Dick suffered a stroke in 2004, he struggled back to return as host of the New Year’s special in 2006. Many stroke survivors praised him for being a role model for those dealing with recovery from stroke.

Dick Clark is famous for his longevity, youthful appearance and energy. Although slowed by the stroke, Dick has battled bravely back and has been in front of the cameras doing what he does best: entertaining.

Dick Clark’s 77th birthday is Monday, November 30th so we here at Golden Agers would like to wish him a happy birthday a little in advance.