Page 24 - Tracy Anderson Issue

Artha Zahniser

Photo by Dawn Nicoli
which would allow me to be around people. I decided that I wanted to
get my real estate license, so I invited my husband to meet me for lunch
at the airport and I told him I was quitting my job. At first he was a bit
surprised, but he too realized that I was unhappy in my current job and
was supportive of my new endeavor.
Artha started her successful Real Estate career in 1973 and worked in
the same field for close to 40 years. Unfortunately, her marriage ended
in 1978 along with some of the dreams she had for her future, but it was
her career that kept her going through it all. Up until a few years ago
Real Estate was her life. About 5 years back she decided to take on a
new career. This new career was born our of an obvious need that Artha
personally experienced. She decided to go into the field of insurance
and specialize in Insurance for seniors.
I asked her what it was about this field that drew her to this new career
path. She explained that when she turned 65 she felt it was extremely
complex trying to navigate her way through the Medicare system and
understanding the many options from which she had to choose. So she
decided this was an area that she could truly help other seniors through.
Artha explained. “I had a recent experience with a client that truly
explains why I like working with seniors in this capacity so much. I am
in a position to listen to them, answer their questions about Medicare,
and help them find a health policy that truly helps them. I recently guided
a senior to leave a policy that was not helping her medical situation,
and introduced her to a policy and company that was better suited to
her needs. I cannot elaborate on exactly what her situation was, but her
medical condition was worsening, and she could not get the help she
needed. This accomplishment is exactly what makes my commitment
worthwhile.” I asked Artha what some of her biggest challenges were in
life. It wasn’t those early years living through the rations of wartime; it
was after her marriage ended. “I thought I would be married and have
my 50th wedding anniversary, but I missed all of that. My husband
changed and I had to let him go. It took me years to get over it. He
passed away 17 years ago and it’s been within the last 5 years that I
24 finished the mourning. I dated and did all I could do to meet people
and have fun. I met some wonderful people, but still had a place in my
heart for him.” This outgoing beautiful lady shared one of the toughest
times she had and still remembers it like it was yesterday. “Going out
places by themselves was a terrifying experience for me. The first time
For most of us we learned about rationing at the beginning of World War I was faced with this was, at a Real Estate event in Sacramento, that I
II from our history books, but I had the pleasure of sitting down and
getting to know the most wonderful woman who actually lived through went to right after my divorce. Somehow I got separated from the group
that I was with, and I didn’t really know the town, so I called down to the
these tough years. Artha Zahniser grew up in Oklahoma during this restaurant in the hotel and made a reservation for one. I was nervous
difficult time. Her mom and dad were resourceful and used their ½ acre about it, not knowing if I could go down and eat by myself. I didn’t
of land to grow most of the food that fed their family. Artha adds, “I think want to look or act weird. The Maître d acted like they did this all the
growing up at this time in our country really shaped who I became.”
After school she got a job with the Air National Guard as a Clerk Typist. time. So I told him, since I am by myself if a man or woman come in to
eat and they are also alone it would be fine with me if they want to join
“It was a good job and it paid better than most jobs at the time. I worked me before the meal. I knew that there were a lot of realtors in town, so
at the Ontario Airport for the Air National Guard. I worked in a hangar sure enough the waiter came over and said there is a gentleman here
and I was the only woman there, so I got treated very well. I got treated who is by himself, would it be okay if I had him come over? The waiter
like a Queen.” I smiled as she told me the story and couldn’t help but
ask her if that is where she met her special someone? “Yes,” she introduced us; he was a contractor bidding on a local job. Since we had
some things in common that we could discuss, we had a lovely dinner
admitted, “I fell for one of the pilots. We married and moved to together. When we were done I asked for my check the waiter said it
Oceanside. It was a small town then, with only about 15,000 people was taken care of already, the man who sat across from me had paid for
living there.” my check.” I had to admit this was not a bad strategy to use when travel-
When her husband got out of the air force they bought the company that
was running the Oceanside airport. “He was doing charter work, we had ing on business and forced to eat alone.
Despite her busy schedule, Artha still plans every day thinking of ways
a partner who did instructing, and I did the office work taking care of the she can help others. She has been involved in many charities
books. We were there for just a few years then we opened another fixed helping the homeless, fixing up a local park that provides a daycare
base operation at Palomar airport.” center for mentally and physically handicapped children, working with
Artha’s husband loved to fly and he would often take Artha up in the
planes with him. “I thought about learning to fly, and I even started taking the local chamber, working with the humane society, and working for the
Wounded Warriors.
lessons, but unfortunately found out that I had vertigo.” So although After spending time with Artha, it is hard to believe that she actually was
Artha was grounded, she kept herself very busy as a salesperson and that little girl living through the early days of World War II. She is so full
customer service rep that spent much of her day talking to customers. of life and laughter that I actually was surprised to hear her say; “I’ve cut
In 1972 Artha and her husband sold their business, but Artha was asked
to stay on as a bookkeeper. She did so for about a month and then back on my work load a bit now that I am 82.” All I could think was I only
hope I am so full of life, love and energy when I’m in my 80s.
realized that she hated her new position, which required her to sit look- For More Information Contact:
ing at a wall doing the books, having little interaction with the public.
It was at this point that she realized how much she loved dealing with Artha Zahniser
Bridlewood Insurance Services, Inc.
people.
“I had been thinking about it for a long time, but this new position really 760 805 8211
brought home the point that I needed a career change, particularly one Artha@bridlewoodinsurance.com