Bucket list dreams do come true
KEET-TV and Tracey Barnes-Priestley are at it again, with 11 Humboldt County residents taking part in season 2 of the locally produced series, “What’s on Your Bucket List?”
This six-week series — which premieres Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on KEET or online at www.keet.org — highlights the experiences of local residents, all over the age of 60, as they explore some thing or some place in Humboldt County that has always intrigued them. Whether by land or sea, in the air or traveling the rails, this season traverses the county in all directions.
Barnes-Priestley, the host and producer, is enthused about the lineup for the second season.
“Once again, we had the best bunch of people apply to be on the show. Their bucket list dreams were varied and proved to be great fun for all of us at KEET to be involved with,” she said.
The show encourages older people to re-think and re-define their bucket lists. BarnesPriestley, a retired therapist and life coach who specialized in aging issues, said, “So often age creates more and more limitations. Some are quite real, like finances, resources and physical challenges.
But others are more about how easy it is to buy into aging stereotypes, putting limitations on ourselves that don’t need to be there if one is willing to take a deep breath and try something new.”
The people selected to participate this season faced some stiff competition, with close to 50 applicants vying for just 11 spots.
Barnes-Priestley noted making the final selections is always challenging.
“It is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, matching the person with their request, not duplicating activities from season one, while trying to locate and secure the many wonderful businesses and organizations who help us make the magic happen,” said BarnesPriestley, who received support from OLLI, Cal Poly Humboldt, to help the shows finally all come together.
“I feel like each one of our guests is an ambassador of positive aging,” she said. “They saw an opportunity and decided to go for it. And consider this as well: It’s one thing to try something a little different or risky. It’s quite another to do it in front of a television crew. I really admire them.”
People’s reason’s for applying were as varied as the things they wanted to do. Irma Silva, a Humboldt County native grew up with a father who worked the railroads. While she got to ride on a number of different trains as a child, one was always off limits.
“I saw the call for bucket list applications and thought, now’s my chance,” said Silva.
“Wait until you see her smile as she ride’s the rails in a very special little train,” Barnes-Priestley added.
Mary Ann Madej applied because, as a relatively new grandmother, she wanted to model healthy aging for her granddaughter. Thanks to the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center, she does.
“It’s impressive at any age,” Barnes-Priestley said.
Two guests wanted to try their hand at very different art forms, while another had not been able to explore one of Humboldt County’s most beautiful attractions because of physical limitations.
Barnes-Priestley said, “The smile you’ll see on her face, her delight says it all. She had all of us in the best mood that day, just getting to be along to share her joy was a real treat.”
Barnes-Priestley reflected a moment before continuing. “To be honest, while KEET was happy to support a second season of ‘Bucket List’ right away, I was slow to sign on. My co-producer, Jan Ostrom, who was first and foremost my very good friend, had passed away. She taught me so much, encouraged me, and was just one of those people who made me laugh! For months, I couldn’t imagine doing the show without her. But New Year’s of 2022 rolled around and when I thought back on the most fun I’d had over the last few years, every time I returned to hosting and producing ‘What’s on Your Bucket List.’ It’s really something to be given the opportunity at this point in my life — I’m now 71 — to learn something so new and challenging, work with a really positive crew, while making people happy! How could I pass up another season of that?”
In closing, Barnes-Priestley returned to the show’s lineup noting the season ends on a high note.
“We close this season with a special evening in a couple of different ways. But I’m not going to give it away. I will say that one of our very daring applicants had a dream, but she would only try if I joined her. How could I say no?”