September 4th 2019
When we were children, play was our vocation: pick-up basketball games, playing Monopoly or charades. We did it purely for the enjoyment and amusement without any other reason. But we grew up, started working or raising a family and play took a back seat.
Now that most of us have retired we would think there would be more time to just play. But we may not have the energy of a ten year old. Let me correct that. We don’t have the energy of a ten-year old – as we are reminded when we spend time with our young grandchildren or great grandchildren.
But we still need to find time to play – doing something just for the fun of it for all the social, physical and mental benefits. It could be Pickle Ball, planting a garden or playing pinochle. (I’ll skip the pickup basketball games. I’m not sure I could even get the ball to the hoop.)
So, the saying “Play – Rest – Repeat” is advice we should consider no matter our age. Because as George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
Every non-profit has those special volunteers who put in the extra time and are always there. I want to take a moment to acknowledge two of the Center’s super volunteers. At the Center’s annual meeting in July, we presented for the first time The Betty Harlan Memorial Volunteer of the Year award named after Betty Harlan who gave so much of her time both professionally and as a volunteer to the Center and particularly The Dalles Meals on Wheels. This year Betty Dahlberg and Martha Williams received the award for recognition of their many, many years running the Center’s Nu-2-U shop which meant being there every weekday from 10:00 – 2:30 during the stores operating hours. That is truly a monumental commitment. Thank-you Betty and Martha!
Thanks for everyone for their donations and returned medical equipment because our cupboard is now full. We have all the popular items to loan: shower seats, transfer benches, commodes, walkers, rollators, and crutches.
One last reminder for those who enjoy good music. Nehemiah Brown will be performing, possibly for his last time, at the Center on Friday September 6thfrom 11:30 – 1:30 during the Meals-on-Wheels lunch which starts at 12:00. There is no cost thanks to the sponsorship by The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center, but you are encouraged to enjoy a delicious lunch for a donation of $4.00 if you are sixty and over or $6.00 for everyone else.
A couple of the many events occurring in the next several weeks are the annual community gathering for the Kiwanis Steak Feed from 5:00 – 7:00 on Thursday September 5that Sorosis Park. It’s such a tradition, I don’t think I need to say any more.
And Flagstone is having a “Spark of Creativity” event on September 14that 2:00 PM to help celebrate National Assisted Living Week. This is an opportunity for anyone in the community to share their hidden or not so hidden talents which could be painting, writing, singing or whatever creative endeavor you enjoy. If you have a specific talent to share, call Karees at 541-35-4949.
Those who two weeks ago answered correctly Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello were Cheri Brent, Dale Roberts, Michael Carrico, Barbara Cadwell, Delores Schrader, and Julie Carter winner of a quilt raffle ticket.
And from last week, the bestselling recording during the summer of 1963 was “Fingertips Pt 2” sung by thirteen year old Little Stevie Wonder. I received correct answers from Rhonda Spies, Delores Schrader, and Lana Tepfer this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.
This question came from Michael Carrico for all the Gorge natives. For this week’s “Remember When” question what was the nickname for the swimming hole in Mosier where young people swam during the 60’s and early 70’s to find a reprieve from the summer heat? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or write it on the back of a picture of yourself in a bathing suit back in the day when many of us used baby oil instead of sunscreen and never heard of skin cancer.
Well, it’s been another week, and another doctor poking my body. Until we meet again,
there will be times when you’ll feel down, but just know you will bounce back.
“To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep stepping.” Chinese Proverb