Aging Well December 13th

Aging Well in the Gorge No Comments

Often I am asked, “Is it hard to come up with something new each week?”  And I answer “Heck yes!” (or something close to that.) And it ain’t getting any easier!” Since I started writing this column, I have a greater empathy for preachers who have to write a sermon every week that both inspires and keeps the congregation awake. (I wonder if anyone uses this column as an antidote for insomnia.) But my point is – help! If you have any ideas, I have my baseball glove ready to catch anything you throw my way. And I will take no offense, because as my parents told my wife before we were married “He can use all the help he can get.”

During this season of hope and peace on earth, Tracy and Mark Linebarger, and their many volunteers are once again serving a free Community Christmas Eve Dinner from 3 – 6 PM at St, Mary’s Academy. But unfortunately, as you may have heard, someone is going door to door, asking elderly and shut-ins if they would like a home delivered meal on Christmas Eve and then asking for donations.

But Tracy would like everyone to know – that is not the way it works. The only way to request a home delivered meal (or if you have any questions) is to call Tracy at 541-296-3067. And donations to the Christmas Eve Dinner can be made at Columbia State Bank – not by door to door solicitations.
But this is an unfortunate reminder that during any time of the year – winter, spring, summer or fall, it is good advice to never subscribe, donate or “sign on the dotted line” from anyone who is going door-to-door. You don’t need to be a victim of another unscrupulous rip-off.
You may have missed the Cascade Singers but there are several more musical delights you can savor this coming weekend. Two are scheduled at St. Peter’s Landmark including the annual Community Concert of Handel’s Messiah starting at 7:00 PM on Saturday. Then the next day, Sunday the 18th starting at 7:00 PM, the musical group Barley Draught will create an evening of “unabashed holiday sentimentality” with old-fashioned Irish ballads, Christmas carols, fiddle tunes and stories. For both events, admission is by donation and all proceeds go to the Landmark Preservation Fund. And also on Sunday, but earlier in the afternoon at 2:00 PM, the Gorge Winds Concert Band offers their own brand of holiday cheer with their 11th Annual Christmas Concert at the Civic Auditorium. This is also a donation affair.

It is time for the Center’s annual Christmas Breakfast this coming Saturday. Once again the breakfast is sponsored by Mill Creek Point who have lined up “Harmony of the Gorge” to provide the musical entertainment and of course Santa and his mischievous little helper: Linda. The menu will be flapjacks with fruit topping, scrambled eggs, ham, fruit and your favorite beverage all for only $5.00. Serving starts at 8:00 and will end a little later at 10:00.

Because of the success of the last holiday bake sale, Meals-on-Wheels is hosting one more delicious goody sale Thursday the 15th – before, during and after lunch. Every dollar from the bake sale helps support the important work of Meals-on-Wheels. And yes they still could use more drivers.

If you haven’t heard the Strawberry Mountain Band you are missing a barn-raising good time. And tonight is your chance starting at 7:00 PM. Then next week you can dance to the smooth sounds of Truman and his Country Gold. Donations are appreciated and everyone is welcome.

The book written in 1923 by the Lebanese American artist, writer and poet Kahlil Gabran was “The Prophet”. (And the winner of five quilt raffle tickets is Mary Davis – class of ’63.) But switching from the sacred to the worldly world of football, the college football season will soon be concluding with a crescendo of bowl games. And in football lore it is often heard “Win one for the Gipper.” What school did the Gipper play for and who played him in the movie that made the quote famous? Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop it by the Center with an original picture of college football’s “Four Horsemen”.

Well, it’s been another week looking for one of those three hundred days of sunny skies the chamber of commerce promised. Until we meet again, keep riding herd on life’s little pleasures.

“Generosity is not giving me that which I need more than you do, but it is giving me that which you need more than I do.” Khalil Gibran

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