|
|
|
Planning the precise “who, what, where, when, why and how” of the wide variety of day trips and tours offered by the City of La Verne is no easy task. But for Peggy Maguire, the role of trip coordinator is a perfect fit that combines her passion for all things historical, love of people and extraordinary knack for organizing.
These days, in addition to going along on each trip as tour guide (her absolute favorite part of the job!), Maguire is busy finalizing the city’s day trip schedule for 2009. There are the multitude of travel shows and endless Internet searches that lead to unique trip experiences, not to mention booking the trips, negotiating transportation and costs, plus writing up the details and meeting publication deadlines for La Verne’s Recreation Guide. And although it’s not necessarily how she originally envisioned “retirement,” Maguire wouldn’t have it any other way.
An Active Retirement
“When I first retired, I was really excited,” says Maguire. “I actually went to every senior center around to check things out, thinking I would have so much time on my hands.”
It wasn’t long before Maguire enrolled in flower arranging, T-shirt painting and ceramics classes, as well as joining crocheting and bunco groups. Maguire also looked into the trips offered by the various centers, and ultimately enrolled in trip coordinator training at Pomona’s Palomares Senior Center. Next came a call to Marcie Lerner, the Director of the Senior Companion Program at Community Senior Services in La Verne.
“The Senior Companion Program was a great opportunity to become a friend to other seniors who needed help with things like transportation, getting their medications and grocery shopping,” she says. Maguire also had great appreciation for the fact that not only was she providing assistance and companionship to fellow seniors, but also helping ensure their continued ability to remain in their own homes.
“As a Senior Companion, I truly enjoyed the many wonderful people I met,” relates Maguire. “But there was one lady in particular I will always remember. At first, I was simply taking her shopping, making sure she had her medication and keeping her company. She was so sweet, always worrying about me, never herself. After awhile, she began going downhill. When she eventually became housebound, I organized her phone list so that if anything ever happened, it would be easy to know which doctors and family members to call.”
Ironically, Maguire forgot to include herself on the list. “So I ended up going for my visit,” she says, “only to learn that she had passed away. It felt like I’d lost a member of my own family. But I did have the privilege of meeting her children and finding out they were just as sweet as she was.” As much as Maguire enjoyed the Senior Companion Program, a bizarre accident in which her arm was caught in a parking gate forced her to suspend her regular program visits. “Initially, the doctors thought my arm might need amputation,” she explains. “I tried to continue my visits, but was in too much pain, and completely fatigued by both the therapy and the awkwardness of driving with my other arm. Otherwise, I would still be part of the program.”
The Early Years
While most people have a soft spot for their birthplace, Maguire actually never saw hers. It was an ironically disorganized beginning to an otherwise incredibly organized life. “My mother took a fall while vacationing in Hobbs,Texas,” says Maguire. “
So I was unexpectedly born there, but have never actually seen the town. My early years were spent in the Texas panhandle, then our family moved to Los Angeles.” Maguire’s most memorable recollections of her childhood are that she was always “up in a tree” somewhere. Those days were followed by marriage, her daughter’s birth and a move to Oregon.
“My husband and I agreed that it would be good for our daughter to be raised in a rural environment, where she could have the kind of life a city kid never could.” That’s why, nearly 40 years ago, the Maguires moved to Cherry Grove, Oregon (“where the highlight was visiting the post office”) and, eventually settled in Beaverton, where they proceeded to live a storybook life.
“We bought a farm including horses and pigs, as well as apple, pear and nut trees, grapevines and
a strawberry patch,” she says. In addition, Maguire had her own business through which she sold and rented apartments.
Needless to say, organization proved pivotal to survival. After a few winters of canning fruit and crawling over ice-cold ground to harvest nuts, Maguire organized her neighbors so that, as a group, they took a systematic approach to canning and preserving. Oregon also afforded Maguire the oppor - tunity to pursue her love of whitewater rafting.
Still, adjusting to Oregon’s continuous gray skies proved challenging on a number of levels. “I wanted to see London and Ireland,” says Maguire, “but sunny skies were a priority for my husband, so we vacationed in the Caribbean, Florida and Hawaii.” Eventually, once their daughter married and settled in Oregon, Maguire returned to Southern California. She rejoined the work force, this time in real estate finance—again, working with people—a position from which she ultimately retired.
The Joy of ‘Hidden Gems’
One of Maguire’s greatest joys is locating the little known, “hidden gem” destinations. And, naturally, she learns everything she can of the location’s history to enhance the trip for all participants. “Day trips are a unique challenge because timing is a key factor,” says Maguire. “But I’m constantly surprised at the fascinating destinations that are, essentially, in our own back yard.”
For example, Maguire followed up on a tip about the Wistaria (sic) Festival from a frequent participant on the day trips. Maguire’s internet research revealed that the annual Sierra Madre event features the World’s Largest Blossoming Plant (Guinness Book of World Records). Festival activities include tours of the property where the vines grow, an arts and crafts vendor section downtown, and food and games for crowds that range up to 10,000 in Memorial Park.
Yet another “gem,” according to Maguire, is the Old Courthouse Museum in Santa Ana. Having survived the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, the Santa Ana Courthouse features rich woods, an ornately carved judge’s bench, elaborate chandeliers and high ornamental ceilings, making “courtroom number one” the location of choice for a multitude of movies and television programs.
Maguire also maintains her enthusiasm for the most popular trip offerings such as the quick-tosell- out Pageant of the Masters. Other favorites are the Palm Springs Follies (so popular it’s scheduled twice a year), the Los Angeles County Fair, the Rose Parade and San Diego’s Little Italy, which always has a waiting list.
“Most of the trips are for seniors, but we also include the Fillmore & Western Railway Co.’s 1930s Halloween Headless Horseman train, which allows participants to bring their grandkids,” says Maguire. We also have walking trips for those who like to be active. All include transportation and some even include dinner. Plus we always do something special for the holidays. Last year, we rented a boat and toured the houses in Newport Harbor. This year, we’re going to Riverside’s Mission Inn.”
Maguire also derives immense enjoyment from sharing the trips with the numerous “regulars” who frequent the City of La Verne’s trips. In fact, she’s gotten to know so many of them that, if they’re absent from a couple trips, she’s on the phone to make sure they’re okay. It is, for Maguire, an ideal role that she enjoys tremendously. “I’ll always be grateful to former La Verne community services superintendent, Carla Sullivan, for hiring me,” adds Maguire. “I’m having a great time.”
As for “retirement”? Well, for Maguire, it’s all about visiting her daughter, son-in-law and grandsons in Oregon as often as possible. And pursuing her passions with a large—and ever-growing— extended family of people that provide a wealth of rewards, rich relationships and the knowledge that she’s making a difference
City of La Verne Trips and Tours
Your trip is waiting… and you don’t have to be a resident of La Verne to enjoy the many wonderful excursions Peggy Maguire works so passionately to organize. You may peruse upcoming day-trip opportunities by downloading the city’s latest Recreation Guide at www.ci.la-verne.ca.us/, or call the Parks & Community Service office at 909-596-8700.
|
|
|
|