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If You're Interested, I'm Available...
Or, Memoirs of a Retired School Teacher
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 The word “tour” has become a central part of my world recently. What is a “tour”? If you had approached me many years before with this word, I would have immediately thought, “Oh I’m going to see places with which I am not familiar and about which I always wanted to learn! And, of course, this was what happened to my husband’s and my delight. We took many tours!! Now the word “tour” has changed in meaning […to me]. It is now an obligation, which I love. I am the tour giver now and my specialties relate to the arts, which I love, and to “people care” which is also a major concern of mine.
The phone rings and when I answer, the person on the other end asks, “Are you available on such & such a date and at this time?” I collect myself, check the calendar, and respond.
The tours at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers [University] are always a source of stimulation to me. The exhibits are usually fascinating and my concern is always “how do I make the material meaningful and enjoyable to the groups listening to me?”
The ages run from adults to pre-schoolers. I must reach out to each of them and make “the tour” very special and memorable. It is certainly that to me. The adult tours emphasize painting technique, artist’s backgrounds, subject matter and viewing pleasure.
Children’s tours focus on their reaction to the artist’s work, the details they notice, the life of the artist and technologies.
This continues to be a great experience for me.
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When I am assigned a tour at the museum, I find myself looking at the historical eras of many different countries. The Zimmerli has a huge exhibit of Russian Art dealing with original icons to contemporary work depicting stars of ballet and theater, as well as background scenes of various shows. The museum also has an incredible collection of non-conformist art which was purchased by Norton Dodge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norton_Dodge) and, secretly taken from Russia when this art was not acceptable to the reigning Communist regime.
The French, Italian, and Japaniese colletions also require my learning the historical backgrounds of the periods depicted. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge this presents me. The ever-changing “newer” exhibits are incredibly thrilling.
Of course, the Zimmerili maintains a Children’s Section, which offers artistic knowledge to pre-school, and school age classes. The material stimulates imagination and appreciation of artistic offerings.
My other tours involve areas of Arbor Glen [a retirement community in New Jersey] and the people who want to learn about what the facility offers them and members of their family. The potential residents have specific needs, which they want to have addressed. I try to assure them that their needs would be fulfilled with competence and warm caring actions. The tour now is different but alike in the several ways I have to “reach” the individuals and satisfy their wants. I try also to incorporate some humor in my talks so that I see smiles and relaxed composure. Questions are encouraged in both tours so that a comfortable knowledge results in an appreciation of the information. The content of the question helps me supply the material necessary to accomplish my goals—educating the “tourist”!
Now you understand why the word “tour” is a multifaceted word to me!
Dorothy Indeck
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Dororthy Indeck is a retired school teacher who lives Bridgewater, New Jersey and who spent years teaching gifted elementary school children.
She is well know in the community, a member of the "Red Hatters", a docent at the Zimmerli Art Museum, and frequently volunteers/ushers at a local community college.
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