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Do you really know The Villages, the world’s largest retirement community in central Florida? There have been numerous depictions of The Villages by those who don’t live there. Jack and Pam O’Brien moved from Pittsburgh and say The Villages is the perfect place for them to work on their writing, volunteer, enjoy fun ways to exercise, and spend time with their new friends. Hear our guests share what it’s actually like to be residents in The Villages, on Episode 98 of Retire There with Gil & Gene.
In December of 2021, Jack O’Brien published The Roundabout Way: Stories from the Villages, Florida, a compilation of fictional short stories with The Villages as the background.
The Answer to Each Is the Same is one of Pam O’Brien’s books of poetry.
For more information about The Villages or make a visit to check it out.
Author
Jack O’Brien was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. He attended Syracuse University and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He worked in radio from the ages of 16 to 25. Most of his career involved generating creative content in advertising and in creative strategic planning for client companies. Some highlights include creating JRO Advertising; serving as President Larson O’Brien Advertising and PR; creating TheContinuingArchitect.com which provides AIA (the American Institute of Architects) approved continuing professional education for architects and is accredited. He then wrote The Roundabout Way: Stories From The Villages, Florida in December 2021, a compilation of fictional short stories with The Villages as the background. This year, he sold TheContinuingArchitect.EDU to publishers of Architectural Products Magazine before officially retiring.
His interests include writing, art ( he is a juried member of Associated Artists of Pittsburgh), sculpting and painting, tennis, gardening, travel, languages. Jack is married to Pam Schmitt O’Brien.
Author
Pam O’Brien was born in Buffalo, New York and grew up in Erie, PA. She graduated from McDowell High School and from Allegheny College, Meadville, PA, where she earned a BA in Spanish. She received a Master’s in English from Gannon University and was a member of the English faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, Main Campus, for 19 years. She retired as an Emeritus Lecturer in 2018.
While raising their three children she also held a number of jobs, including vice president of a marketing firm, copy editor for a technical publishing company, Spanish teacher, and writer.
Pam is retired, but she still writes poetry, volunteers at the local library and the VA, has volunteered with Marion County, Florida teaching English as a second language to immigrants, and with anti-poverty programs spearheaded by the ladies of her neighborhood and church.
She has published five books of poetry and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Pam enjoys writing, reading, spending time with her grandkids, and traveling.
