The Mid-Columbia Senior Center is in the middle of its 2016 Membership Drive and more than half way towards the goal of 450 members. Individual and business memberships provide over 15% of the Center’s operating budget so the membership drive is a big deal for the sustainability of the Center. But during the membership drive, folks often ask, “What do I get for being a member?” Well, honestly there are very few tangible benefits. Whether you are a member or not, you can participate in all the Center activities – the Center is not a private club. But then why join? Because without its members, the Center would not be the valuable resource it is – helping older adults live healthy and meaningful lives.
But whether you are a member or not yet a member, here is a short quiz to test your knowledge of the Center, although there is much more to know and experience. (The answers will be in next week’s column or on the Center’s website.)
1. The Center has how many movement and exercise classes? A) 2, B) 3, C) 4. D) 5, E) None – old folks just stay home and watch TV.
2. Because the Center was built with a federal grant only individuals over 62 can use the facility.
A) True; B) False
3. What percentage of the Center budget comes from public funds? A) 5%; B) 15%; C) 30%; D) 100% – because seniors are entitled to it.
4) The initial concept for the Center included two levels, but because construction costs exceeded the available funding, the basement was not included. A) True; B) False.
5) Once a year, Colonel Wright students walk to the Center to play bingo because: A) They need the exercise; B) They like the smell of old people; C) We want them to get hooked on playing Bingo; D) As a school reward for good behavior.
6) In supporting older adults, the Center provides space at no or little cost for: A) Medicare Counseling (SHIBA), B) AARP Tax Aide, C) AARP Smart Driving Classes; D) All of the above
7) To give back to the community, the Center provides space at no cost to: A) Opportunity Connections for their Annual Meeting; B) ARC Friendship Club; C) 4-H Leatherworking Club, D) Boy Scout Troop #365; F) All of the above.
8) The Center has a close relationship with the City of The Dalles because the City donated the land and also wrote the federal grant for the Center. Who was the city planner that wrote the grant? A) Scott Keillor; B) Dan Durow; C) Jack Leasch; D) Daffy Duck.
9) The relationship between Meals-on-Wheels and the Center is: A) None, because we are the same organization with the same board; B) Difficult because you can’t imagine how hard it is to share the same space; C) Supportive and respectful because we share the same mission of promoting healthy aging; D) We’re in love!
You’ll notice several changes to this year’s “Go Red for Women’s Heart Health” event. Instead of a two day event, it has been combined into one day on Saturday, February 6thfrom 10:00 – 1:00. You’ll still find the Heart Health Expo including Health Screenings, Stretching Stations, Chair Massage and more, plus a soup and bread lunch ($3 cash) at the Heart Health Café; as well as the Heart Truth 3k/5k/10k Walk/Run starting at 10:00. It will be held at Kiwanis Pocket Park on Klindt Drive. At the 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on January 26th, Linda Stahl, from Planetree Health Resource Center, will explain more about the “New and Improved” Go Red event.
At the Center on January 6th starting at 6:30 PM, the band Country Road will be performing for your dancing and listening pleasure. Everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated.
The only sisters to win Oscars for Best Actress were Olivia de Havilland – To Each His Own (1946) and Joan Fontaine – Rebecca (1940). (The winner of a free quilt raffle ticket is Betsy Ayers.)
This week’s “Remember When” question is about a popular comic book series. Who was the lazy, skinny, quirky, but clever best friend of Archie Andrews? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or mail it with a copy of Archie #1 published in 1942.
Well, it’s been another week waiting for the sun to come home. Until we meet again, there’s nothing wrong with trying a little tenderness.
“My memory isn’t gone. It’s just on vacation, but I expect it back soon.” Andre Lemoreaux
