Aging Well in the Gorge August 9th 2016

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Often I write about the importance of volunteers to the Center and to all the local non-profits in the area. At the Center, volunteers have started and lead most of the activities including many of the exercise and movement classes, card games, quilters and more.
But the Center is always looking for new ideas, and if there is something you enjoy and think others might also, we can find a space for you. For example, Edna Chandler enjoyed playing Dominoes when visiting her family in Hawaii and now she has started a Dominoes group at the Center every Tuesday at 1:00. Evelyn Brown enjoys playing the Ukulele and is now leading a small Ukulele class for all levels on Wednesday afternoons at 3:00. Everyone is invited to join either of these new activities or any of the other activities at the Center. You don’t have to be a member to participate – although we hope you will see the Center’s value and eventually become one.
I’ve heard so many stories about the joys of having grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren that one of these days I hope to enjoy the pleasure of my own grandchildren – although coaching seventy enthusiastic, young swimmers on The Dalles Swim Team fills in quite well.
So I’m sure you have stories of your most memorable experiences with your grandchildren. And as you may have read, the Center, with the help of The Dalles Chronicle and BiCoastal Media, is asking you to share those special stories in 300 words or less. Mail them to the Center at 1112 W 9th Street, The Dalles, OR 97058, email them to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, or just drop them off at the Center before September 3rd. There will be prizes for the best ones including a grand prize of a $300 Shilo Inn gift certificate. The Dalles Chronicle staff has graciously offered to do the judging, and to keep it fair no names will appear on the entries being judged. And to make it sound like one of those national contests – all entries become the property of the Mid-Columbia Senior Center.
Jean Vercouteren would like to me to help spread the word that the Gray Century Ranch, begun in 1868, will be the subject of a free presentation by fourth generation co-owner Nancy Gray Proctor at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13th, at the Moody/Rorick House located at 300 W. 13th St., The Dalles. As the presentation will be held outside, lawn chairs are welcomed.
If you are planning to attend the free County Fair Picnic on Thursday, August 18that the Wasco County Fair and Rodeo, but don’t have a ride, the LINK is providing a bus to take the first fourteen folks who call the Center and sign up – for free. The bus leaves the Center at 10:00 to arrive at the fair in time for the 11:00 picnic. The County Fair Picnic is made possible by the generous support of Flagstone, Area Agency on Aging, Hearts of Gold Caregivers and Canyon Rim Manor.
There’s always music and dancing at the Center on Tuesday nights, and on August 16th, the Simcoe Boys will be playing. Doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00, and donations are appreciated.
My parents allowed me to do many things that are considered unsafe today, but I had to wait one hour before going swimming. For some reason they thought I would drown from cramps. (This is a little embarrassing, although not unusual, but I can’t remember who told me their correct answer last week. So whoever you are, could you tell me again. But I did remember that I forgot Kay Havig from the week before, who called in the correct answer to the “Beep, Beep” question and wins a quilt raffle ticket.)
The Republican and Democratic National Conventions use to be rough and tumble affairs before television came along. Now the conventions are often described as “sanitized, made–for-television, infomercials”. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what year was the first televised national convention and who was the anchor? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or mail it with a picture of “the most trusted man in America”.
Well, it’s been another week, looking forward to sweater weather. Until we meet again, not all that is said was worth saying.
“Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you’re just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric.” Pam Brown

Aging Well in the Gorge August 2nd 2016

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Can you tell the difference between the color of lemonade and apple cider? It could come in handy during the summer and I’ll tell why later.
Last week’s heat wave reminded me of the importance of staying hydrated – especially for older adults who are more susceptible to the dangers of dehydration. But it is not always easy to drink enough fluids, but here are some simple tips I found on Familydoctor.org.
1.) Keep a bottle of water with you – and don’t lose it. (By the way, if you find a purple metal water bottle with “SMILE” printed in bold white letters on the side, please return it to me. It was my favorite!) 2.) If you are the forgetful type, drink on a schedule. For example, drink water when you wake up; at breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and when you go to bed. Although I skip the water before bed. It only adds another bathroom stop during the night and I don’t need any more. 3.) If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime. 4.)  If you like to sweat, be sure to drink water before, during, and after a workout. 5.) When you’re feeling hungry, drink water. Thirst is often confused with hunger, but real hunger is not satisfied by drinking water.
But how much water do you really need?
Although there is no hard evidence to support the popular recommendation to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, it is close to what the Institute of Medicine recommends for women which is nine total cups of fluids a day; and for men thirteen cups a day. Or drink enough so you go to the bathroom every two to four hours. And the obvious, drink water when you are thirsty. Thirst is an excellent indicator of your hydration needs.
But there are other considerations. You may need more water if you are eating a diet high in sodium. Avoid sugary fluids with their unnecessary calories, but not necessarily caffeine – which has a mild diuretic effect, but doesn’t seem to increase the risk of dehydration. Taking a lot of medications without drinking enough water could also put a strain on your kidneys. If that is a concern, talk to your health care provider.
Now you have ideas on how to stay hydrated and how much you should drink, but we are all different, so how can you tell if you are actually hydrated?  An easy way, although maybe a little distasteful, is to check your urine. And this is where we get back to that first question I asked. If your urine is pale like the color of lemonade, you are in good shape. But if it’s dark like apple cider, you need to increase your intake of fluids.
I never use to drink much water. I could run 26 mile marathon without taking a sip. But I’ve changed after finally realizing how important water is to maintaining good health – especially at my age.
There’s always music and dancing at the Center on Tuesday nights, and on August 9th, Martin and Friends will be playing. Doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00, and donations are always appreciated.
The 1958 novelty song “Beep, Beep” sung by the Playmates describes the driver of a Nash Rambler passing a Cadillac at 120 mph and yelling, “Hey, buddy, how can I get this car out of second gear”. (The winner of a quilt raffle ticket is Jim Heitkemper.)
Back in the 50’s and 60’s, there were different ideas of what was safe and what wasn’t. I didn’t wear a bicycle helmet; I put raw eggs in my milk shakes; I used baby oil instead of sun screen: and my sister and I would sleep on the mattress in the back of the Mercury station wagon while my mom and dad drove to Florida. But during the summer we were constantly reminded to wait an hour before doing what? Email your answer for this week’ “Remember When” question to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or mail it with a copy of a Sandra Dee Coppertone ad.
Well, it’s been another week trying to catch the next wave. Until we meet again, don’t stop. The race isn’t over until you cross the finish line.
“I think fish is nice, but then I think that rain is wet, so who am I to judge?” Douglas Adams