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Govn Retired Teacher Enjoys Walter Mitty Life A testimony to the adage, "Variety is the spice of life," Witt Blair, 68, of Denton, Texas, retired from a life­ long teaching career a year early because "there were so many things I wanted to do." Blair's natural curiosity first surfaced when he en­ rolled at North Texas State University and became the first man in the school's his­ tory to major in elementary education, earning his de­ gree in 1933. "I've never regretted that decision," Blair told a writer from The National Council on the Aging. "How we educate our children deter­ mines what the future of America will be." After graduation, Blair worked as a teacher at sev­ eral different schools before becoming the dean of the school of education at North Texas State University, a /post he held for 17 years. "I left the administration to return to the classroom," Blair recalled. "I taught classes for the next nine years until I decided to re­ tire in 19*15 when I was 64." Blair's decision to retire before age 65 was reached because his retirement ben­ efits would be the same and there were a number of things he and his wife, Vir­ ginia, wanted to do. "We did some travel­ ing at first," Blair said. "Then I worked with a lo­ cal "Meals-on-Wheels" pro­ gram as a volunteer for 18 months." Like all of us, Blair har­ bored secret ambitions, fan­ tasizing himself in pursuits far removed from teaching. But unlike most of us, Blair realized one of his imagi­ nary careers when he went to bartending school. "Don't ask me why, but by Gerry Johnson I've always wanted to be a bartender," Blair said with a chuckle. "After I retired I realized I could actually be a bartender if that's what I wanted. And so I did. I've been a part-time bartender ever since I went to school. I work as a relief bartender now, mostly at private par­ ties." There were still things to do and hours to fill in Blair's days, so he became a volunteer at North Texas State's Vocational Rehabili­ tation Center. After receiv­ ing training, Blair began ad­ ministering dexterity and manipulative tests to handi­ capped persons. "Participants come in for a two-week period to get an idea of what kind of work they are most suited for," Blair said. "It's really a great program and most re­ warding to help people with disabilities get back into the mainstream. I enjoy my work at the center more than I can say." Another one of Blair's peripheral interests is the theater and he has become quite active in Denton's community theater, both as an actor and the sponsor of the First Nighter's Club, an organization that boosts community theater by spon­ soring dinner and wine on opening night. Blair and his wife play bridge a couple of nights a week and he says that "I've done more leisure reading in the last five years than in the prior 20." He also walks two miles a day as a precaution against developing high blood pressure. Added to­ gether, Witt Blair's sched­ ule in retirement is more hectic than it was when he was working. "I've just started my fifth year of retirement and we've done a great many things," Blair said. "I have never enjoyed life more than I do now." THE MYTH OF declin­ ing intellectual capacity as a person grows older is dis­ pelled by the results of a 10 year study by the National Institute of Mental Health. A group of men with an average age of 71 when the study began, were followed for 10 years. Researchers found a high quality of men­ tal functioning and very lit­ tle decline in intellectual capacity over the 10 year period. THE LIST SEEMS UKE fir EVERYONE WANTS THE WHITE HOUSE.' HI Its 22 December, 1979 Hail To December' say they all It Gave To Earth Our Christ, the Lord' •J.K. Hoyt. December, the last month of 1979, comes with happy anticipations of Christmas, homecomings and celebration. The children's magic world of Santa Claus is played out on the anniversary of the birth of Jesus' arrival in December. December 7 is the anniversary of the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor, in 1941. Martin Van Buren, 8th President, was born at Kinderhook, New York, on the 5th in 1782. Delaware Day falls on the 7th. Wyoming Day is on the 10th and Indiana Day on the 11th. Washington died on the 14th in 1799. On the 15th in 1791, the Bill of Rights became a part of the United States Constitution. The Boston Tea Party was staged on the 16th in 1773. On the 17th, in 1903, man made his first flight in an airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. On the 19th, in 1777, Washington encamped his 11,000-man army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, after the British had occupied the capital, Philadelphia. The nation acquired the Louisiana Purchase on the 20th in 1803, Washington won the Battle of Trenton, N.J., on the 26th in 1776, the turning point of the Revolution, and Woodrow Wilson, 28th President and one of the great Presidents in the view of many, was born at Staunton, Virginia, on the 28th in 1856. Andrew Johnson, 17th President, was born at Raleigh, North Carolina, on the 29th in 1808. FOOTBAU * * * By Pete Frltchle WASHINGTON, D. C. » Alabama will almost surely be matched with a high rank­ ing team in the upcoming bowl and Notre Dame won't rank very highly this year, so it won t be the Irish. But, that's a shame, in a sense, because Alabama has been beaten by the Irish twice in key bowl games. ' And Alabama hasn't played the toughest schedule in the nation this year-thus the Irish might give the Crimson Tide quite a go for it. It would be a big attraction among fans, for twice in re­ cent years the Tide has been subdued in bowl games by the South Benders. Of course, selection com­ mittees can't bypass 1979's top teams to produce this matchup. But wouldn't Ala­ bama fans like to have an­ other chance to show they can do it against the Irish, one time at least? Speaking of football, one humorist recently teased football commentators for minimizing injuries suffered in the field. Everything, it was said, is a "slight" in­ jury. A slight fracture, a slight break in a bone, a slight concussion, etc. The next thing we'll hear, accord­ ing to this wag, is that a "slight" fatality has oc- cured on the field, from which the body is being re­ moved! ME MINUTE SHUTS QUIZ 1. What was the first year in which Rick Barry was NBA scoring leader? 2. Dan Pastorini quarter­ backs for what team? 3. Who won the 1979 NASCAR Title? 4. How many times has he won this title? 5. Nolan Ryan plays pro baseball for what team? Aaswtrs To Sports Q«iz 1. 1967. 2. Houston Oilers. 3. Richard Petty. 4. Seven. 5. Houston Astros. While Christmas greens and plants are quite pretty, many are highly toxic or poi­ son if chewed or eaten. Some are holly berries, mistletoe, poinsettia, yew and Jeru­ salem cherry. PAGE 7 - PLAINUUALIiH - » KiOAK. DfcCUMtfER i, !•<» YOUR WEEK AHEAD B, MMIS Forecast Period: 12/8-12/14 ARIES You accomplish twice as much in half Mot. 21-Apr. 19 the time. TAURUS Pursuit of pleasure is your goal of the Apr. 20-May 20 moment. Accidents can happen. GEMINI Hazards in the home call for a good May 21-June 20 housecleaning. CANCER Arguments arise among family members June 21-July 22 as tempers run high. LEO Your talents as a dynamic sales person july 23-Aug. 22 bring financial gain. IRG0 Physical energy looks for outlets. Chan- Aufl. 23-Sept. 22 nel it to improve health. Lie«A Subconscious desires manifest. Secret 23-Oct. 22 probing, sheds light on the matter. ;PI0 Role of leader puts a lot of work on your Oct. 23-Nov. 21 shoulders. SAGITTARIUS Pay attention to the needs of one close Nov. 22-Dec. 21 to you. CAPRICORN Travel plans can be made. A trip can be Dec. 22-Jon. 19 a learning experience. AQUARIUS Separation from one in your circle puts Jan. 20-Feb. 18 emphasis on money matters. PISCES A dynamic individual prods you into ac- Feb. 19-Mar. 20 tion in business activities. About 70 pieces of wood go into making a violin. [ GIFT IDEAS FOR curoom Do Your Christmos Shopping Eorlyl * USE OUR CONVENIENT LAY-A WAY PLAN * We Will Hold Any Pet Until Christmas CHOOSE FROM OUR LARGE SELECTION OF BIRDS and CAGES GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE PINE TREE PET SHOP B 2,mm?hX,2° 385-6220 I THE ONE STOP CHRISTMAS SHOP. .OHH'SSPORtSTOP HE" stock* 1980 GOLF SHOES FOR MEN & WOMEN ALL SIZES! American Family's Special Homeowners Package Policy. Complete security for that special place you call home. It's the most comprehensive, home­ owners coverage we've ever offered. Call me today I'll provide you with all the information. 4811 W. 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SATURDAY SPECIAL Roast Chicken Dinner $JT00 for Two Wednesday thru Sunday Free Glass of Wine with Dinner HAPPY HOUR Wednesday thru Friday' Cocktails $1 Mixed Drinks SO* Beer 60* 4pm-6pm Free Hon D'oeuvres THE CASINO A A\ l» SAVmVH I I I S JOIN US FOR SUNDAY BRUNCH «KT IY T i l l : UATIK. . . W i t \ \ l \ )Vi: I IIKi: PIZZA <H V4HIC< IIOI< I EVE 111 V IOVTI I FOI t A 1EAK CHAPEL HILL WILL BE CLOSED MONDAYS ft TUESDAYS beginning Dec. 2 (Open for Banquets only). The Club will be dosed to the public Dec. 15. 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