Flaherty talks of new book at Troutbeck

AMENIA — No matter chronological age, who doesn’t want to be better than ever?

For advice on how to do that, fans of Jim Flaherty will want to read, “Embrace Your Age: You can be better than ever.” A number of those fans crowded into the lodge living room at Troutbeck on Wednesday, Jan. 18, to hear Flaherty read excerpts that were nothing short of a pep talk for seniors.

Flaherty describes himself on the book’s cover as “an optimistic octogenarian with a bright future,” and for those who know him, at 87, that’s about right. His career path pinnacled when Flaherty was a top advertising executive managing worldwide accounts. That career pivoted when he came upon the historic ruins of a hotel and conference center in Amenia known as Troutbeck that begged to be returned to life, and so it was, and is now a thriving destination for corporate events and special occasions. He and partner Bob Skibsted made that happen.

It was clear throughout his successful career by any standards that Flaherty knew how to write, a talent that developed early in life and continued to serve in many capacities.

The afternoon program was replete with anecdotes, amusing and serious, and wisdom about publishing and about living. The snippets came from the book’s chapters where titles ask jarring questions of the reader, done with intention by Flaherty.

“Would you want to be your friend?” is one such probing question. Flaherty suggests that everyone should work at being a friend to others.

“It’s very strange for me to be sitting here,” Flaherty began, gesturing around the familiar building reclaimed from messy resident raccoons in years past.

His first two books had been fiction before he switched to writing non-fiction, Flaherty said. “The problem in writing is to have an idea,” he added.

“I am concerned and annoyed when I see people in their 60s and 70s retreating from life,” Flaherty said, recommending that everyone should wake up each day with a goal in mind.

“Keep working on yourself; it leads to a better life,” he advised, adding, “It’s all up to you.”

Once asked to describe his life’s meaning in six words, Flaherty said he wrote, “I am present: living, giving, loving.”

“Embrace Your Age” can be ordered from Oblong Books in Millerton or directly from Amazon.