Now that the Center has completed its Spring Membership Drive, I would like to thank everyone who either renewed their membership or became a member for the first time. We surpassed three hundred members, the largest number in the last several years, and it is all because of you! The 2013 Membership Campaign will conclude in July, before the Center’s Annual Membership Meeting, and the goal is still four hundred members.

And a special thanks to all the Center’s Super Duper members ($50 per member instead of the regular $35 membership fee). But many have asked, “What are the benefits of a Super-Duper Membership?” I am afraid I am not allowed to say, since the Super-Duper benefits are just too Super-Duper for anyone to know. But what I can say is when that special something happens to you during the year, you will be reaping the rewards of your Super-Duper membership! Just ask the Center’s first Super-Duper Member – Patti Blagg. 

By being a member, you help support the many activities at the Center including the free 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on April 23rd featuring Dr. Mark Cullen, MCMC’s new orthopedic specialist. Dr. Cullen will speak on a topic near and dear to many of us: Arthritis and its medical and surgical care. He recently joined the MCMC/OHSU Orthopedic Clinic located at Water’s Edge having moved from Georgia where he practiced for fifteen years. Dr. Cullen is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon who has completed fellowship training in sports medicine. He cares for patients of all ages and specializes in treatment of knee and shoulder injuries and pediatric fractures.

Many times it is a treat just taking a trip out of town when you don’t have to drive and can enjoy the journey is as well as the destination. Last Saturday we enjoyed both as the Center took its first spring outing – meandering our way over the Rowena Loops to the Western Antique Areoplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River – and then through the Hood River Port District on the way back. Thanks to Jodi Chastain for driving and entertaining us with stories of the history of Wasco County.

 But we have two more day trips planned in May. The first is on Wednesday, May 1st and offers you a chance to step back in time to discover the 1880’s Victorian farmhouse and country garden that comprise the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, a national historic site located in Woodland Washington. The second trip is to see the Northwest Senior Theater perform “Broadway Highlights” on Wednesday May 15th at the Alpenrose Dairy Opera House in Portland. The NW Senior Theater is a group of experienced (55 and older) performers including singers, dancers, actors, musicians and production folks who still enjoy the “smell of the greasepaint and the roar of the crowd”. Each trip costs $25.00 which includes transportation and admission (food is on your own), but each is limited to the first twenty riders. For more information call the Center at 541-296-4788.

 I can’t remember when I last tried to mess with your mind by scrambling the Center’s Tuesday Night Music announcement, but it feels like it’s that time again. So see if you can read the next paragraph – backwards. Detataicerppa syawla era snoitanod dna emoclew si enoyreve, 00:7 ta snigeb cisuM. slanigiro nwo rieht fo lareves sulp senut rapupop gnignis eb lliw “sieddaD raguS” keew txen dnA .”namurT” si retneC eht ta thginot gniyalp ,ria thgin eht sevael llihc eht erofeb dnA

 The answer to last week’s “Remember When” question was Merthiolate: the orange antiseptic for scratches and cuts. Well, that’s what I remembered. But everyone else seems to remember either Mercurochrome or Iodine.(And now I’m beginning to have doubts about my long term memory!) (Out of all the responses, the winner of five quilt raffle tickets or a free Cherry Festival breakfast on the 27th is Jean Vercouteren.)

And sticking with common remedies from the past, this week’s question was suggested by several folks at the Center. What was the name of the ointment originally used to soothe irritation on cows’ udders after milking, but farmers’ wives noticed the softness of their husbands’ hands, and started using the product for the treatment of chapped and irritated skin? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a 10 ounce green square tin featuring a cow’s head and red clovers on the lid. 

Well, it has been another week wondering whether it is spring or fall or something in between. Until we meet again, when you want to hear the truth – listen to what is not said.