Gloria Swanson, star of the silver screen and the very first woman to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, understood the importance of memoir writing. “I've given my memoirs far more thought than any of my marriages,” she once reflected. “You can't divorce a book,” she wisely added.

Pittsford resident Ron Anderson also understands why memoirs are important. Born 77 years ago in the Charlotte neighborhood, he attended the University of Pennsylvania and then served in the Army. Returning home to Rochester, he worked for 26 years as a circulation executive for the Gannett newspapers, with assignments across the country

After retirement, he and his late wife, Kay, started their own Pittsford business: R. C. Anderson Associates. Ron consulted on circulation management with newspaper clients all over the country and beyond. Additionally, they published two monthly newsletters that they sold to newspaper managers.

Ron’s job was to bring in revenue and Kay’s, to make sure some of it went to the bottom line.  “It was a marvelous partnership,” Anderson fondly recalls. He and Kay retired in 2003, and sold the business in 2007.  “We raised six kids,” Anderson adds with pride, “and they gave us fourteen grandchildren.”

Anderson’s interest in memoir writing was “accidental.” As he tells it, “In 2004, I recreated my walk from Kemphurst Road to Charlotte High School and back.  The memories just flooded into my mind.  A few days later, I wrote them all down, into my first remembrance essay.  Between then and now, I have written 103 such essays, covering all phases and aspects of my life so far.  I have self-published them into ten books of essays.  The latest one, just released, is entitled 'Life Is Good at 76!' "

Anderson makes this offer to anyone senior interested in turning his or her memories into essays: “I would be most happy to work one-on-one with anyone who wants to get started. At no charge. Just email me with your request: randers2@rochester.rr.com.”

As another Hollywood figure once asserted, “This is an offer you can’t refuse!”