Happily Retired

Finding Meaning and Happiness in Retirement

With Brooke Broadbent and Julie Chahal

v     Share Brooke’s retirement experiences and journey to self-discovery.

v     Examine and redefine retirement – its challenges, insights and rewards.

v     Participate in the discussion with Julie Chahal, who will discuss her book, Happily Retired: What Works and What Doesn’t.

v     View slides from the Camino de Santiago.

These informal events to meet others and exchange views and ideas about retirement will resume and become a monthly event in September.  They will normally be held on the third Wednesday afternoon of the month at the Green Door.

Watch this blog for details.  Email us at events@happily-retired.com if you would like to be on our mailing list.

Thursday, 17 June at 2 p.m.

This is the second of what we hope will become a monthly event.

Join other recent retirees for an informal discussion about adjusting to retirement.  Share your experiences and ideas and hear how others are adapting to this new phase of life.  Drop in for coffee and stimulating conversation:

The Green Door Restaurant, 198 Main St., Ottawa   K1S 1C6

Look for the poster of our book cover at the back corner.

What’s your experience as a retiree? We have met people who can’t seem to get past lamenting the loss of their career and others who continue to miss colleagues and the overall “buzzyness” of the workplace.  Still others are delighted to finally have the time and energy to pursue personally meaningful activities – time for hobbies, volunteering and grandchildren.  What’s the secret of a happy retirement?   The answer will be different for everyone, but finding out how others have handled the transition from work to retirement can be a big help.

Join us for an informal get together with other boomer (ish) retirees.  Grab a coffee, ask questions and share your experiences.

The Green Door Restaurant, 198 Main St., Ottawa

2 p.m. on Wednesday, 19 May

Julie Chahal and Linda Lucas, co-authors of Happily Retired  What works . . . what doesn’t,  will get the ball rolling.  The authors have spent a lot of time delving into their own experiences and interviewing other retirees in an effort to understand the issues of retirement and to find out just what makes retirement work.   They will share some of their insights, but the purpose of the “meetup” is to give you an opportunity to share your experiences and meet other retirees.  If you are feeling the loss of connection to your peer group at work or are uncertain about this new stage in life, come to this fun gathering and chat with some like-minded folk.

Come meet the authors between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. at

Chapters – South Keys

2210 Bank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1V 1J5

Come visit our table at the Christmas Craft Show & Gift Sale that will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Travelodge Hotel & Conference Centre, Centennial Ballroom, 1376 Carling Avenue (near Kirkwood), Ottawa, Ont.

Oct. 25: Author Linda Lucas will present her new book Happily Retired at 1 p.m. at the Alta Vista Public Library, for the Twisted Sisters Book Club.

The official book launch will be held in Ottawa, Ontario on Wednesday, 27 May 2009 at 7 p.m.

Location: The  Chambers at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Cres., Ottawa, ON K2G 5K7

This event is co-sponsored by the Ottawa Public Library.