AURORA Senior citizens stay in the loop as greeters at Six Flags

Greeters offer guests wisdom and enthusiasm and stay young in return.
By JOHN SKENDALL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AURORA -- Jim Pewton, 76, has made good use of his retirement, planting grass, flowers and trees at his home in Aurora and spending time with his 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
But there were things he wanted to do with his grandchildren that cost more than his retirement savings budget allowed. And one can plant only so many trees.
So when Pewton's grandson, a ride operator at Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, suggested he apply for a job at the local amusement park, he said, "Why not?"
Pewton, 12 years retired from a career in quality control, began work this month as a greeter at the former Geauga Lake Park and SeaWorld.
Like more and more seniors these days, Pewton has decided to enhance his retirement by going out and getting a summer job.
A new program of greeters began this season at Six Flags, made up of five people over 45, and five who are 60 and older.
Mutual benefits
The program makes use of their maturity and dependability while the seniors keep themselves active in a community of diverse ages.
"I like people, and I like kids more," Pewton said. "It's a friendly place."
Sporting a Six Flags polo, graying hair and a firm handshake, the new greeter hands out brochures and advice and shows he still has a lot to give.
Pewton, father of nine, said he wants to use the extra income on hobbies he shares with his grandchildren, such as fishing, boating and skeet shooting.
Other friends of Pewton's have found retirement work as part-time janitors and cooks in schools, but he said he has the good job.
Also stationed just inside the gates, awaiting the energized and question-filled summer park-goers, is Donna Adams, 58, of Aurora.
Adams said she offers guests a feeling of friendliness and comfort, and considers herself not just a greeter but an "ambassador of good will." She said having mature greeters adds a bit of enthusiasm to the job.
So far, the greeters have been only a little shocked by the styles and habits of young people.
"I've seen a whole lot more tattoos than I expected," Adams said. "One had them all the way up their legs."
People dress for summer even if it's 50 degrees out, she added. "I know I'd be cold."
Something different
Len Shaw, 77, of Aurora, veteran of two wars and former sales manager at an insurance company, said he likes to "get out and mess around." Shaw said he can't get out to play golf as much as he used to because of a bad leg, so he has been working guest relations at the park for a few years.
"It kind of raises your spirits a bit," Shaw said. "It breaks the monotony of just going shopping."
The greeters work at Six Flags from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. two or three days a week.
"There's a lot of retired people out there who feel their lives are over and there's nothing to do," said greeter coordinator Ida Hamilton. "This is gratifying because they can help somebody."
Hamilton said the greeters welcome patrons as they arrive, then walk through the park later in the day and get a friendly hello and are asked advice on rides for children or about park facilities.
The park also employs seniors in catering and food service and as ticket takers and sellers. Park officials say they began the program to improve customer service.