Despite her refined English accent and pristine appearance, at 83-years-young Doreen Squire Ficara isn't afraid of a little hard work. As a matter of fact, she relishes it.

As the executive director of the Carmel Arts Council, Doreen can be found working as early as 5:30 in the morning or as late at 10:30 at night. She's well-known in this community as a fundraiser extraordinaire (and sometimes the "Queen Mum of Carmel") with an unabashed zest for life and not an ounce of compunction about asking for donations to her causes. There is little doubt that the "arts movement" on which Carmel is hanging its future development hat is in part due to Doreen's dedication to the arts in general and in particular "The World's Smallest Children's Art Gallery" which opened in January 1998.

With 77 million Baby Boomers approaching their 65th birthday, one might think that retirement has never been so popular.

Yet for a number of reasons -- ranging from a depleted retirement account following some turbulent stock market years to simply the desire to continue working -- that's not necessarily the case. The number of people over the age of 60 who desire full-time, gainful employment is astounding.

Unfortunately, this segment of the population is often overlooked in terms of job placement. Myths like "older workers are unwilling to learn new technolgoies" and "older workers are not as flexible" often times prevent a hire that makes sense otherwise.

Recently, Ellen Miller, Ph.D., executive director of the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Communities, addressed the issue with Tom Schuman, editor of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce BizVoice. Check out the video for her insight into the issue of employment and our aging population.

For more information about older adults in the workforce, visit WorkforceWise.com.

"I know one thing for sure," says Barbara Boyd. "From adversity good things can come."

And indeed, that has certainly been the case in her life.

In 1970, her family's home went up in flames when a faulty furnace caused a devastating fire. And, despite the horrible experience, she laughs about things like the firemen recognizing her as a local celebrity and recounts the generosity of people, including station owner Eldon Campbell, in providing them with clothing and personal items while they lived in a hotel until they could find a permanent home.

That home is the same home in which she resides today. She looks around the collection of photos and mementos that surround her and says, "It was really a blessing; had it not been for the fire, we would have never moved in here."

The doorbell rings and Barbara Boyd bounds up the stairs to the door with the gusto of someone in their twenties.

“You’re pretty spry going up those stairs,” I comment … wondering if at age 52 I could do as well. Then she shares her fitness secret. “You know what I do?” she asks, sinking back into her comfy couch with a twinkle in her eyes and her so-familiar smile. “I play the Wii every night. First I play tennis, then I bowl, then I box … that will really work you out. Then, I dance.”

I don’t know why I would be surprised. Now in her early 80s, Barbara Boyd has never been one to do the expected. From the time she hit the airwaves in 1969 at age 40 with no on-air experience but confidence to place her in the lime light time and time again, she has made history … much to her own surprise.