Most were concerned strictly with money issues. Few worried about how they were going to spend their time. They didn't realize how overwhelming having a whole spectrum of options would be. Yet, that is the crucial issue in retirement, Stafford maintains. Except for the financial aspect, he found almost nothing written about retirement.

The next time he retired he wanted to do it right, so he began collecting data. Eventually he had so much material he was encouraged to teach a class in the subject. Marcella Fox, former president at West Valley College, proposed the idea to him. So for the past four years, he's been teaching at West Valley and Cabrillo colleges.

And from those classes and from that research has come a book he has just self-published called How to Find Interesting, Rewarding, Fulfilling and Fun Things to Do in Retirement. The next session at West Valley will be April 4, 11 and 18 from
7-9:30 p.m. Call West Valley at 408.741.2096 for more details.

In his class, Stafford uses a byword of Julia Child's: Find something you love to do--either a personal project or a volunteer job--and get deeply involved. Staying committed, healthy and solvent are the keys to successful retirement, he affirms.

The biggest value retirees receive from the class is the interaction among the participants. Small groups are formed as people explore what they want to do. Stafford's class and book offer guidelines for people to use to stay connected. Some men take over the cooking chores. But he doesn't recommend the course one husband took: Making his wife's housework more efficient. Aaagghh.

Stafford is a Saratogan who grew up in Los Gatos as Jim Gee. Indeed, he was LGHS student body president in '63. His college work was at Santa Barbara and SJSU, with an MBA earned at the University of Hawaii. His wife Dorothy is an administrator in the environmental department at SJSU.

SHOW & TELL: Assistance League will hold its fifth annual Antique Show and Tell event March 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Hotel Los Gatos, coordinated by Saratoga resident Jillian Ring. The main draw is always informal appraisals of antiques and household treasures by area professionals.

The live auction at 1:30 p.m. is headed by Chrystie De Soto and Sonia Haws. A silent auction of themed baskets is under Mary Swentzel's direction. Tickets are $50; raffle tickets are $20 for eight. The drawing prize is a wicker trunk filled with hand-sewn costumes for a 4- or 5-year-old girl. A bride's costume, Snow White, a mermaid and a princess are part of the package. Kuletos furnishes hors d'oeuvres, and wine tastings are from Cooper-Garrod Winery of Saratoga and Domaine Alfred Winery in San Luis Obispo.

Proceeds from Show and Tell benefit Assistance League projects, which include school-based reading and exercise programs and senior meals and activities. Tickets are available through Jan Ehrhardt at 408.356.4274.

Local appraisers include Denise Harr, Sherry Juanrubenis, Carol Mitchell, Sue Okey, Nikki Peters, Chuck Zanolio, art restorer David Dittman and antique columnist Steve Wayne Yvaska, an honorary AL member.

GOOD FORTUNE: The Saratoga Krummels have a black Lab named Maya, who thrives on participating in family rituals. When the family gets takeout Chinese food for an evening, Maya stands by for the fortune cookie. And stands by is the operative word. Maya waits to hear her fortune read before she accepts the proffered goodie. Wonder if she hearkens to the advice given?

In similar fashion does she participate in the cocktail hour. When the clink of ice against glass starts, Maya assumes her position--resting head and paw on the hand of one of her family members. As everyone settles into his or her accustomed libation, Maya, too, receives a treat (non-liquid) from the hand she had been expectantly resting upon.

Maya's family includes Marian and Larry Krummel and--five months of the year--Edith Wylie, Marian's mother. Daughters Sarah and Susie are grown, live in that city up north.

FILMING HORROR: Riva Rubnitz has a finer appreciation of actors now that she's had a taste of being behind the camera. She and I are part of a group from Foothill College Conservatory cast in a horror movie being filmed this spring in the Sierra foothills. Filming started at dark and continued to 2 a.m.

So it was cold, smoky from the camp fire and hard work. Writer/director is Carol Wolf, who teaches playwriting at Foothill and lives near Yosemite. A saving grace: It's a comedy horror film called Valley of Fear.

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.