Once again with enthusiasm – December 7^th is the end of the Open Enrollment Period for Medicare! I want to mention this once again because there is the fear that since this date is three weeks earlier than usual (so any changes can take affect at the beginning of the new year), there will be many folks who will miss the chance to review and change their current Medicare plans.

So it is not too late. And if you or anyone you know has questions, there is still help available. You can go online at the Open Enrollment Center www.medicare.gov/open-enrollment, you can schedule an appointment at the Center with a SHIBA volunteer from 1:30 – 4:00 on one of the next two Wednesdays or you can call Jean Hockman at the Area Agency on Aging (541-298-4101). And if you are the type who just can’t ask for directions even when lost, there are SHIBA and Medicare booklets available at the Center.

Now that we all have traversed the slippery slopes of Black Friday, Shop Local Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, here are three community-centric ideas for your Christmas gift list. Do you remember going upstairs at the Original Wasco County Courthouse and viewing one of their slide or tape presentations? Those presentations have now been professionally re-mastered from the original 1970’s era slide /tape presentations including The Craft of Wheelwrighting; Farewell to Celilo; Early Wasco County; To See and To Do in The Dallles and Wasco County Cherries; and Raising Wheat by Horsepower. You can purchase one for $20 or the set of five for only $80. For more information call and leave a message at 541-296-4798 or go online at www.historicthedalles.org/wcoc/original_wasco_co_courthouse.htm.

Nowadays it seems like the safest present to give is a gift card. The School District 21 Education Foundation is selling a wide assortment of gift cards from Amazon to Wendy’s and including Cabella’s and Casa El Mirador. And here is the cool part. Even though the card doesn’t cost you anymore than buying it at Fred Meyer, the foundation receives up to 15 % on the value of each card sold. If you are interested in this win-win, PK Swartz will be at the Center during lunch on Thursday taking orders. Or you can call Marion at the District offices at 541-506-3420.

And finally, the Center is starting its 2012 Membership Drive celebrating 25 years since the Center opened its doors in January of 1987. So for that newly retired someone or that loved one you just have to get out of the house, you can purchase a 2012 membership gift certificate at the front desk for only $35 per person of $60 per couple.

Tonight “For the Good Times” will be playing your favorite country hits for their first time at the Center. Then the following Tuesday the Sugar Daddies will be making one of their once-in-a-while special appearances. And you know the song – the music starts at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are appreciated. Also on Friday night the folks from the Mid-Columbia Concerts will be presenting “A Pops Evening with Mike Strickland and Clipper Anderson” at the TDW High School on Friday, December 2nd at 7:00 PM.

At the Center’s 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on December 6^th, Roger Wagner will discuss the basics of financial planning. And on the following Tuesday the 13th, John Roberts, Wasco County Planning Director, will discuss the importance of the county planning department and the challenges they face.

The name of the catalog (which Steve Jobs described as the paperback version of Google in the 60’s and 70’s) published by Stewart Brand between 1968 and 1972 was the Whole Earth Catalog. (The winner of five quilt raffle tickets was Rosalie Clarke who still has a copy somewhere – as does Don McAllister and Joann Scott) But this week’s “Remember When” question brings it back home. According to an article in The Dalles Chronicle on March 14th 1968, the Federal Communications Commission approved the first FM radio station in eastern Oregon with the transmitter atop the Klickitat Hills. Who was the owner/disc jockey of radio station KCIV which broadcast at 104.5 megacycles?” Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop your answer off with a mint condition 1960’s SONY TFM-6100W AM/FM transistor radio – and don’t forget the original headphones.

Well, it’s been another week asking myself “How many ways can I use leftover turkey?”. Until we meet again, after thirty five years the Whole Earth Catalog’s farewell message is still good advice: “Stay hungry, stay foolish”.

Ever since we were kids in school, we have been reminded during the holiday season to be grateful for what we have. But as we get older I don’t believe a holiday is necessary because every day we experience why we are thankful. Every day we can appreciate living with a wonderful husband, because we see friends who are living alone. Or if we are living alone, we can be thankful we can drive because we know many who cannot. And if we no longer can drive, we can still be grateful for the LINK and friends who take us to the many places we need to go. Every day we see and live the ways we are blessed. And as long as I can wake up each morning – and my feet touch the floor, the hot water is running and I hear the sweet sounds of my wife asking “When are you going to take out the trash?”, I know I can be thankful for another beautiful day.

For those who have lost a loved one, the holidays can be a difficult time – bringing back special memories of special times. Next Tuesday at 11:00 on the 29^th, Debby Livingston, chaplain for Heart of Hospice, will speak on the timely subject – “Grief during the Holidays”. Whether you find the holidays difficult or if you know someone who does, this presentation will be helpful.

If you missed the St. Mary’s Holiday Bazaar there is plenty more in the next several weeks including an Historic Christmas Open House from 12:00 – 4:00 PM at the Rorick House, 300 W 13^th, on Saturday December 3^rd; the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center’s Annual Holiday Open House from 9:00 – 5:00 with cookies and cider, Prime Rib Buffet, sale items, Christmas carols and more, and The Dalles Area Habitat for Humanity’s Annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 10, 2011. (If you would like to reserve a sales table, or can donate soup or pies for their soup & pie lunch, or baked goods for their ever popular baked goods table, please contact the Habitat office at 296-8817.) And don’t forget the Community Thanksgiving Dinner from 12:00 – 3:00 at St. Mary’s Academy. If you need a meal delivered, you can call 541-296-6417.

If tonight you aren’t getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner or on your way out of town to visit family, you can turkey trot your way down to the dance floor and enjoy the sounds of the Strawberry Mountain Band. And since this month there is an extra Tuesday, on the 29^th you can enjoy “For the Good Times”. The music starts at 7:00, anyone (including turkeys) are welcome and donations are always appreciated.

The Center’s Nu-2-U Shop will finish off this month with a half price sale. That is half-off already ridiculously low prices. And because of the many generous donations, every month there is new stuff to browse through. So stop in and see what Martha, Betty and Anita have in store for you.

Many folks remembered Frick and Frack – the two Swiss comic ice skaters who joined the original Ice Follies in 1937. (And the winner of five quilt raffle tickets is the P51 gal – Anna Monkiewicz.) But this week’s “Remember When” question is a little more recent – only forty years ago! So for the Boomers out there “What was the name of the catalog published by Stewart Brand between 1968 and 1972, which listed where you can purchase products such as clothing, books, tools, machines, seeds but also included ideas for the counterculture lifestyle?” Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop your answer off with all the materials for a geodesic dome.

And as I promised here are the remaining answers to the Brain Rattler from two weeks ago.
13.) 8 = Sides on a Stop Sign; 14) 3 = Blind Mice (See How They Run); 15.) 4 = Quarts in a Gallon; and 16.) 24 = Hours in a Day, 17). 1 = Wheel on a Unicycle; 18). 5 = Digits in a Zip Code; 19) 57 = Heinz Varieties; 20.) 11 = Players on a Football Team; 21) 1000 = W that a P is W; 22) 29 = Days in February in a Leap Year; 23) 64 = Squares on a Checkerboard; 24) 99 = Bottles of Beer on the Wall.

Well, it’s been another week searching for the right answers to the wrong questions. Until we meet again, as you gather with family you may want to remember the advice of Miss Manners “If you can’t be kind, at least be vague.”

We are fast approaching the holiday season – Thanksgiving is around the corner while Christmas is just over the hill and through the woods. Most of us will share the holidays with friends and family, but not everyone is so fortunate. Many live by themselves, socially isolated with few personal connections of any significance – making the holidays an acutely lonesome time.

But that’s not the way it has to be. Marilyn Buchannan, the volunteer coordinator for the Friendly Visitor program at the Area Agency on Aging, knows several seniors who would like someone to visit them. And it is her Christmas wish that they can all be connected with someone during this holiday season. Give her a call at 541-298-4101 to learn how you can be that friend.

You will have to wait until December, but Mark and Tracy Linebarger are celebrating twenty years since the reopening of the Baldwin Saloon by jumping head first into the holiday spirit and helping our local non-profits. During the entire month of December, when you dine at the Baldwin Saloon and use a coupon printed from their website (you can use as many coupons as you would like), 5% of your total bill will be donated to the non-profit you choose from the fifty non-profits listed on their website (For those who do not have access to the Internet, there will be coupons at the Center you can use to support the Senior Center, Meals-on-Wheels or any of the other important non-profits in The Dalles.) And that’s not all! The non-profit with the most dollars donated by the end of December will have that amount matched by the Baldwin Saloon. For more details and information, you can check their website at http://baldwinsaloon.com/.

The Dalles Meals on Wheels will have their annual Fall Bake Sale at the Center on November 17th before and after lunch. Come by and pick up a delicious dessert – or your main course depending on your eating habits – in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Why bake when you can buy!

It is once again Breakfast at the Center this coming Saturday from 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM. The menu will be a surprise but for most folks the breakfast is just an excuse to visit with friends anyway. The cost is only $5.00, $4.00 for Center members and $3.00 for children 12 and under. And as Jack always said, “Breakfast tastes better when someone else cooks it.”

We are going to “shake, rattle and roll” the regular monthly music line up for November and December, since the Jazz Generations are taking a holiday break. Tonight Truman will be playing his usual third Tuesday but next week the popular Strawberry Mountain Band will return for your listening and dancing enjoyment. Doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00 and you can go home by 9:00. All are welcome and donations are always appreciated.

Not many folks knew Texaco was the sponsor for the NBC radio broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera, but Sandy Goforth did – which means she wins five quilt raffle tickets. And Sandy is also the source of this week’s “Remember When” question. In 1937 these two Swiss ice skaters joined the original Ice Follies as comic ice skaters and even appeared in movies including “Lady, Let’s Dance” in 1944. What was the name of this famous pair of skaters whose names became household words? Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop your answer off while wearing a pair of Alpine Lederhosen.

It looks like I am running out of space and time. So here are the answers to just the first twelve “Quantagories” from last week – you have one more week to figure out the rest. 1.) 26 = Letters of the Alphabet; 2.) 1001 = Arabian Nights; 3.) 7 = Wonders of the World; 4.) 12 = Signs of the Zodiac; 5.) 54 = Cards in a Deck (with the Joker); 6.) 9 = Planets in the Solar System. 7.) 88 = Piano Keys; 8.) 13 = Stripes on the American Flag; 9.) 32 = Degrees Fahrenheit at which Water Freezes; 10.) 18 = Holes in a Golf Course; 11.) 90 = Degrees in a Right Angle; 12.) 200 = Dollars for Passing Go in Monopoly;

Well it’s been another week looking to see what will blow across my path. Until we meet again, as my wife affectionately reminded me, “Don’t try to be humble. You aren’t that good.”

“The first rule of holes: When you’re in one, stop digging.” Molly Ivins

Wednesday (16) Whitefish with dill sauce
Thursday (17) Powerful Pork Chops
Friday (18) Swiss Burger w/sautéed Mushrooms and Onions
Monday (21) Swedish Meatballs over Noodly Noodles
Tuesday (22) Glazed Ham or Turkey with Stuffing and Gravy

Do you feel you have lost your intellectual edge? That you may not be as mentally nimble as you once were! Recent brain research suggests even though the mature brain may not be as quick, it does produce better decisions (at least that’s what we keep telling ourselves!) Here is a short quiz Dan Erickson showed me that may or may not tell you anything about your intelligence, but is fun and challenging. (Dan answered correctly 18 out of 24. I won’t testify to how many I solved – pleading the right not to incriminate my intelligence.)

Each of the following phrases contains the initials of words that will make it correct. See if you can find the missing words. (Example: 16 = O in a P. Answer: Ounces in a Pound) The answers will be next week’s column, but if you need any help, don’t look at me, call Dan.

1.) 26 = L of the A; 2.) 1001 = A N; 3.) 7 = W of the W; 4.) 12 = S of the Z; 5.) 54 = C in a D (with the J); 6.) 9 = P in the S S. 7.) 88 = P K; 8.) 13 = S on the A F; 9.) 32 = D F at which W F; 10.) 18 = H on a G C; 11.) 90 = D in a R A; 12.) 200 = D for P G in M; 13.) 8 = S on a S S; 14.) 3 = B M ( S H T R ); 15.) 4 = Q in a G; 16.) 24 = H in a D; 17.) 1 = W on a U; 18.) 5 = D in a Z C; 19.) 57 = H V; 20.) 11 = P on a F T; 21.) 1000 = W that a P is W; 22.) 29 = D in F in a L Y; 23.) 64 = S on a C; 24.) 99 = B of B on the W.

The Center is offering Old Fashion Family Bingo from 3:00 – 4:00 on Saturday November 12^th. (The minimum age is seven, but if you are under 18 you must have a parent or guardian with you.) We will sell the classic hard cards for $3.00 a piece or 2 for $5.00 – which are good for all 10 games. The payouts are $5.00 per game – except for the last game which will have a payout of $25. And to wet your whistle, there will be Root Beer Floats (or brown cows as we use to call them in the Midwest) for only twenty-five cents.

The Oregon State University Extension Service is offering several Food Preservation Classes this fall and winter and no prior experience is required. The classes are a Food Drying Basics class on November 17th from 1:00 – 3:30 PM and a Fruit Butter Basics class from 1:00 – 3:00 on November 22nd. Both will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church, 101 W 10th Street, and the cost for either class is $10 for supplies. For more information and to register contact Wasco County Extension at 541-296-5494.

There are “good vibrations” every Tuesday night at the Center starting at 7:00 PM. Tonight, if you can read fast enough, you can make it to the Center to hear John Martin and Friends. And next Tuesday on the 8^th, Truman will be singing all the gold that’s fit to play. All makes and models are welcome and like always, donations are appreciated.

The Tuesday lecture series “Along the Mighty Columbia”, concludes with Roger Nichols, local journalist, radio personality and a man of many and often obscure talents. He will share his perspective on the Columbia River Gorge Commission, both as a reporter and now as Wasco County’s newly appointed commission member. It should be a fascinating presentation.

It was Jack Armstrong “the All-American Boy” who thrilled radio audiences from 1933 until 1951. (The winner of five quilt raffle tickets is Herm Neuberger.) But this week we are going high culture. The first network broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera was on Christmas Day, 1931 when NBC’s Blue Network aired Engelbert Humperdinck‘s (for those those more familiar with low culture – the composer, not the singer) Hänsel and Gretel. What company started sponsoring Metropolitan Opera broadcasts in 1940 and continued for 63 years? Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop your answer off with a man who wears the star.

Well it’s been another week trying to find what can’t be found. Until we meet again, as Gordon often reminds me – anytime you wake up above ground, it is a good day.

“Worry is like a rock­ing chair. It gives you some­thing to do, but it gets you nowhere.” Erma Bombeck

Early last Thursday morning, I saw Phil Brady at the Chamber of Commerce’s Governmental Affairs. He had ridden his bike to the meeting and was dressed in his cycling gear. And when folks commented on his hardiness – riding his bike to work on such a crisp morning – Phil answered “I did it as a kid, so why not now.”

Well, I admire Phil for his get-up-and-go – I really should be riding my bike to work – but it made me think. How many things did I once do as a kid – which I don’t even want to think about doing now!

I’m sure you can think of many youthful pleasures now in the “no do” zone. For me, my list includes spinning amusement rides – I don’t really want to, shall I say, “share my lunch” with folks I don’t know; head stands, cartwheels and somersaults – anything where my head finds itself closer to the ground than my feet; jumping off 10 meter high diving platforms – the elder Bush can skydive to celebrate his 85th birthday, but me – I’m keeping my feet on the ground; and eating fourteen scoops of cheap vanilla ice cream (that was my record) on a sugar cone – before I ever thought of counting calories.

But there are things I do miss: making real home-made fudge – when you wore out your arm stirring the fudge “until thick”, the pure “can’t get to sleep” excitement of Christmas eves, sleeping on the mattress in the back of the Mercury station wagon on vacation trips; throwing the winning touchdown pass just like Johnny Unitas in a touch football game, and the innocence of not understanding why cartons of canned food were suddenly stored in the garage during the month of October in ‘62.

But if we are fortunate, we do grow up, move on, pursue careers, raise families and experience the wonders of this gift we are given: growing older with our eyes wide open. And while it is healthy to look back in appreciation, it is important and vital to continue to look forward with hope and anticipation. And some spring day (I’ll skip the winter) you may also see me riding my bike – just as I did when I was only a kid.

The Tuesday lecture at 11:00 on November 8th, will feature Jim Wilcox the Dalles’ esteemed Mayor and all-around-good-guy. He will be discussing the many issues facing the city of The Dalles – offering his perspective and listening to yours.

The Center’s music calendar is again following the tried-and-true monthly formula with the Strawberry Mountain Band playing tonight and John Martin and Friends playing next Tuesday on the 8th. These bands play for practically pennies providing entertaining music while helping support the Center. So come on by; drop on in and have a roof shaking good time. The doors open at 7:00 and the music keeps humming till 9:00. And as always, donations are kindly accepted.

Sounds like several folks enjoyed last week’s Brain Rattler. And you may have been one who came up with your own answers including SIS, SOS and my favorite – I. Next week I will offer more calisthenics for the brain that will test your mental flexibility and creativity.

Ralph Emory was the late night disc jockey on Nashville’s WSM radio station from 1957 to 1972 and went on to host “Nashville Now” on TNN. (And the winner of five quilt raffle tickets is Marilyn Sarsfield.) This week’s “Remember When” question (thanks to Joann Scott) is about the popular adventure radio series from 1933 – 1951 featuring the globetrotting adventures of Jack Armstrong, popular athlete at Hudson High School. What was the phrase most often found following – Jack Armstrong? Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop your answer off with a rare copy of The Big Little Book‘s “Jack Armstrong and the Ivory Treasure”.

And before I sign off, if you have noticed an abnormal number of grammatical errors in this column (“piece” instead of “peace” is just one embarrassing example) don’t blame me – blame Zelta Wasson. She is my trusted proof reader who has been out action for several months and hasn’t been around to catch my mistakes. And I can’t wait till she returns!

Well it’s been another week, listening for the train coming around the mountain when she comes. Until we meet again, don’t always believe everything you think.

“If you have the choice between humble and cocky, go with cocky. There’s always time to be humble later, once you’ve been proven horrendously, irrevocably wrong.” Kinky Friedman

Are you the curious type always asking “How come? “Why?” or “What was that all about?” If so, you will want to attend the 11:00 lectures every Tuesday at the Center where you will have an opportunity to question local leaders and experts on a wide variety of topics.

Starting in November there will be a three part series of lectures focused on the natural wonder we call the Columbia Gorge. The first lecture on Tuesday November 1^st will feature Marc Berry and Dennis Davis: the two Wasco County members on the Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee, plus Kristen Stallman from the Oregon Department of Transportation. They will discuss past successes and future plans for the Historic Columbia River Highway.

On the following Tuesday November 8th, Jim Wilcox, Mayor of The Dalles (and fashion connoisseur), will discuss plans for the largest city in the Gorge – as well as issues before the city council (anyone want to talk about water rates?)

And then concluding the series on November 15th, Roger Nichols local journalist, radio personality and man on the street will offer his unique perspective of the Columbia River Gorge Commission – as someone who reported on the commission for many years and now as the newly appointed Columbia Gorge Commission member from Wasco County.

Now a quick break for some real heart-to-heart. I am concerned that many of you just whipped by last week’s brain rattler (And for those who are memory challenged, it was “What word, when written in capital letters, is the same forward, backwards and upside down?”) But you need to slow down and take these things seriously. And since I’m a nice guy, I’ll help you through this brain rattler, but only this one. Now think of all the capital letters that look the same forward, backwards and upside down. Not many, right? And if the word is the same backwards and forwards you know the last letter is the same as the first. And here is the big clue – there are only two different letters used in the word. Does that help? And now back to our regular programming.

Every Monday (except the third Monday of the month), the Center hosts what I have been calling “Lunch with TED”. TED is a non-profit organization which invites speakers to conferences around the world to talk about “ideas worth spreading”. Over 700 of these short presentations have been posted on the Internet and each Monday during lunch we watch and discuss one. This coming Monday on the 31st we will watch a twenty minute TED talk by movie critic Roger Ebert, who shares how after losing his lower jaw to cancer, and consequently his ability to speak and eat, he found his voice with the help of family and friends.

To announce the Center’s Tuesday Night music line-up, I am going to use a code called “Turkish Irish” (and don’t ask me how they came up with that name.) See if your brain can figure out this one. Thabe Strawberry Mountain Band knabows habow tabo abentertain aband yabou wabill gabet tabo sabee thabem abin abaction Nabexabt Tabuesday Nabovember 1st. Aband tabonight yabou caban labisten tabo thabe Jazz Generations whabo wabill babe plabaying pabopular fabavorites frabom thabe 50’s, 60’s aband 70’s. Thabe mabusic stabarts abat 7:00, abeveryone abis wabelcome aband dabonations abare abalways abappreciated.

Gumby debuted on The Howdy Doody Show in 1956 with his orange sidekick pony, Pokey – which is the answer to last week’s question. (And the winner of five quilt raffle tickets is Jodi Heath.) This week’s “Remember When” question goes back to my childhood days when my family would drive from Indiana to Florida for Christmas vacation. Along the way, we would listen to this disc jockey playing country music and interviewing the top country stars late at night on the only station whose signal was strong enough to cover the whole trip. Who was this late night disc jockey for Nashville’s WSM radio station from 1957 to 1972 and went on to host his own talk show on TNN? Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop your answer off with a recording of the Byrd’s “He is a Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man”.

Well it’s been another week trying to run when I can’t hide. Until we meet again, according to Zall’s Second Law, “How long a minute is, depends on which side of the bathroom door you’re on”.

“I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.” Winston Churchill

The answer to the Brain Rattler is NOON.

Tell me I’m not the only one, who panics when I can’t remember a person’s name until the next day. And tell me I am not the only one, who can’t imagine winning the lottery but believes a newly discovered skin rash is some deadly disease. And please, please tell me I am not the only one, who worries that all this worrying will certainly ruin my health.

What I once ignored because of a naïve belief in my own invincibility has been replaced by an expanding sense of vulnerability. Over the years, I have known too many who have lost the battle to the big “C”, athletes who have died of a heart attack, and active minds who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

But as you age how do you keep a positive perspective? Until working closely with older adults at the Center, I had no idea. I was just a beginner, an inexperienced freshman, believing life just goes on until – well, I never really wanted to look that far ahead.

But at the Center I have found remarkable people who have and still are experiencing what life is all about. I have learned from them that life means losing loved ones and knowing the sun will still rise; that life is discovering new pleasures when you no longer can do others; and that in life – days are finite, the nights are often long and there are no guarantees.

These folks are my role models – who live life with grace, dignity and large doses of humor and humility. And they have taught me to accept what I can’t control, while still influencing what I can. And no matter what life hands you – whether it is on a silver platter or on the bottom of a farmhand’s old boot – remember to always say “thank-you”.

The class “Digging up Bones – An Introduction to Genealogy” led by Edna Miller is going well. And to help you discover those rare blossoms on your family tree, Edna has invited Lorna Elliot to speak at the next class at 1:00 on October 25^th. Lorna is responsible for maintaining the genealogy section at The Dalles Wasco County library and will discuss the genealogical resources available at the library.

Oregon’s SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) produces a Medicare Guide every year which is now available on line at www.oregonshiba.org. So you can shop and compare, the Medicare Guide includes the cost, coverage and availability of all the prescription drug plans, Medigap plans and Medicare Advantage plans in Oregon. The Area Agency on Aging will receive the hardbound SHIBA Guides in November, but if you would like one now, the Center can print one for you. If you need additional help you can call the Center (541-296-4788) to schedule an appointment with a local SHIBA volunteer on Wednesday afternoons starting October 18^th. Or you can call Jean Hockman for an appointment at the Area Agency on Aging at 541-298-4101.

Next Tuesday October 25^th the Jazz Generations will be playing big band and popular favorites from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. And tonight, Truman will be entertaining you all with his smooth interpretation of county classics. The doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00 and when you leave at 9:00 you’ll be glad you came. And donations are always appreciated.

Is it time for another quick Brain Rattler to shake things up in that cranium of yours? Yes? No? Don’t bother me, I’m trying to read? This week it is “What word, when written in capital letters, is the same forwards, backwards and upside down?

The 1959 Pulitzer Prize winning novel that explored the fictional confirmation of Secretary of State nominee Robert Leffingwell – a former member of the Communist Party was “Advise and Consent” written by Allan Drury. (And the winner of five quilt raffle tickets is Don McAllister.) This week’s “Remember When” question takes us back to stop motion clay animation long before the days of Will Vinton and the California Raisins. You probably remember Gumby, the green clay human like character first created in the early 50’s, but what was the name of his orange sidekick pony? Email your answers to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop your answer off with an original Howdy Doody marionette.

Well it’s been another week looking both ways before crossing the street. Until we meet again, keep looking to the stars but watch where you step.

“Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it.” Author Unknown

Let’s see if you were paying attention last week. Do you remember that the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP for the Medicare junkies) runs a month earlier this year – from October 15^th until December 7^th? Do you remember this is your chance to change prescription or Medicare Advantage plans? And do you remember where you put your car keys?

I can’t help you find your car keys, but I can pass along the following suggestions provided by SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) for those folks who – after reviewing what their current insurance plan is going to provide next year – decide to look at new plans. 1). Update your list of prescription drugs so you can determine if your current prescription drug plan is still the best for you. Each year insurance companies reevaluate what drugs they will cover and at what level. 2). Use the plan finder on the website Medicare.gov. It uses your prescription list to compare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage health plans in your area. If you need help, Jean Hockman from the Area Agency on Aging and her volunteers, all trained by SHIBA, can assist you on Wednesdays from 1:30 – 4:00 at the Center starting October 19th. 3). Contact your doctor, hospital, and pharmacy to make sure they will accept any new health and drug plans you are considering. 4). If you have limited income and assets, check to see if you qualify for extra help with prescription drug costs.

And it is confirmed. Donna Delikat from the state office of SHIBA will explain the “A,B,C and D’s of Medicare” this Wednesday, October 12th, starting at 1:30 in the Center’s dining room. (We want to make sure there is enough room this year.) If you want professional, unbiased information about Medicare, this is the meeting you should attend.

It was quite a night. And thanks to the approximately three hundred guests who attended the Baby Back Rib Dinner, it was a real success. Denise Patton, director of Meals-on-Wheels, and her kitchen crew cooked up some mighty-fine, finger-licking ribs, board members from both organizations kept everything moving smoothly and Hardshell Harmony provided just the right mix of live music. It almost looked like we knew what we were doing. Mark your calendar for October 5th, 2012, when we’ll be back again serving up more lip-smacking baby back ribs.

Just over the mountain, headed our way, is the Center’s Third Saturday Breakfast on October 15th sponsored by The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center. This month’s menu includes Texas French Toast, sausage, scrambled eggs, fruit, and your choice of beverages. We start serving at 8:00 – or whenever Tom Bailey arrives – and keep serving till 9:30 for the late risers. The cost? $5.00 for the general public and $4.00 for our loyal members. And for our young friends under thirteen on their way to soccer practice, breakfast is an even $3.00.

The speaker for next Tuesday’s 11:00 lecture on the 18th will be Julie Reynolds who will explain the important work provided by the Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living. EOCIL is a nonprofit community-based resource and advocacy center that promotes independent living and equal access for all persons with disabilities.

Tonight, Martin and Friends will be playing country western for everyone’s enjoyment. And next Tuesday on the 18th, Truman will be singing his Country Gold. The doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00 and it is all over too quickly at 9:00. And donations are always appreciated.

The children’s educational television show that aired form 1951 – 1965 was “Watch Mr. Wizard” with Don Herbert as Mr. Wizard. (And last week’s winner was Joann Scott. And ask her about her exploding homemade root beer!) For this week’s “Remember When” question, it’s back to literature and not your comic book type, but award winning literature – stuff I never read. What 1959 Pulitzer Prize winning novel (and best seller for the year) explored the fictional confirmation by the United States Senate of Secretary of State nominee Robert Leffingwell – a former member of the Communist Party? Email your answers to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or write it on the back of a photograph of former Wyoming Senator Lester Hunter.

Well it’s been another week looking for my git up and go that got up and went. Until we meet again, just because you know your friends are lost, doesn’t mean you know where you’re going.

“It’s good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling.” Mark Twain

The mornings are darker, the days wetter and sooner or later Oregon State will win a football game. So what time is it? Howdy Dowdy time? Miller time? No, it is Medicare open enrollment time! – the time to change your health plan or drug coverage. Open enrollment begins early this year on October 15th and ends December 7^th. (The new timeline is to ensure Medicare has enough time to process any changes before coverage begins on Jan. 1.) But don’t panic. You have time and there is help to guide you through the annual renewal period for your Medicare benefits.

The go-to person in this area for free, unbiased, one-on-one assistance is Jean Hockman at the Area Agency on Aging. She and her bevy of volunteers will be providing help at the Center every Wednesday from 1:30 – 4:00 during the enrollment period, but you will need to call her at 541-298-4101 to make an appointment. (Or you can call the Center at 541-296-4788.) Jean and I have also tentatively scheduled SHIBA’s (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) training on the “A,B,C and Ds of Medicare” for Wednesday October 12th starting at 1:30 in the afternoon. This training was well attended last year and covers all the basics of Medicare and is particularly helpful for the “newbies” to Medicare.

But most importantly, SHIBA suggests you make sure you keep the “Annual Notice of Change” letter from your insurance company. This letter outlines any changes to your Medicare benefits or costs in 2012 and is critical in deciding whether to change plans. And next week for folks, who are considering changing plans, I will share additional suggestions provided by SHIBA.

Since it is Medicare time, the 11:00 Tuesday lecture on the 11th will be a live Webinar (a one way seminar on the web) describing the changes in the Medicare 2012 enrollment period including what’s new and how to be savvy consumers. The webinar is sponsored by the National Council on Aging and covers what you should know about this annual enrollment period for Medicare.

Folks have been calling to find out when the Center will be offering flu shots – and now we have a date. On Thursday October 6th from 11:30 until 2:00, Marcia Medler and her associates from Visiting Health Services will be giving “guaranteed-to-be-painless” flu shots for your health and well being – conveniently at the back of the dining room. Just bring your Medicare card or otherwise the cost is $20.

Your last reminder. Don’t forget to bring a friend to the Baby Back Rib Dinner – a fundraiser for both Meals-on-Wheels and the Senior Center – this Friday from 5:00- 7:30 at the Center. It is only $12 for adults and $5 for children. We’ll be waiting for you!

On Wednesday October 5th, the Fellowship of Churches is sponsoring a presentation about the Carter Center – founded in 1982 by former President Jimmy Carter. Barry Nickelsberg will discuss the Carter Center and its mission of “Waging Peace, Fighting Disease and Building Hope” starting at 5:30. The event will be held at the 1st United Methodist Church at 305 E 11th.

Tuesday night music on the 11th will feature Martin and Friends playing down-home hoe-down music for your listening and dancing pleasure. And tonight the crowd pleasing Strawberry Mountain Band will be entertaining the masses starting at 7:00. Everyone is invited and donations are always appreciated.

And from last week’s brain rattler, the wise man told the Arab sheik’s two sons to – switch camels. The two brothers then raced to the city because they were riding the other brother’s camel and wanted that camel to finish first.

It was in the television series “The Fugitive” that Dr. Richard Kimble played by David Janssen was accused of murdering his wife Helen Regan Kimble. (And the winning name drawn was Mary Davis.) This week’s “Remember When” question jumps from murder to science. Before there was Bill Nye the Science Guy, this 1951 – 1965 educational children’s show starred Don Herbert as a science hobbyist who would demonstrate various science experiments for the neighbor boy Jimmy. Again for five quilt raffle tickets, what was the name of this Saturday morning children’s television show? Email your answers to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop your answer off with a vacuum sealed container of dihydrogen monoxide.

Well it’s been another week wondering to myself “Have I said that before?” Until we meet again, there is no reason why the second time around can’t be better than the first.

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” John Wooden

Falls are common but most importantly – they are largely preventable. That was the key message from National Falls Prevention Awareness Day that was observed last Friday. And to promote greater awareness and understanding of older adult falls, the National Council on Aging identified common myths – and the realities.

Myth 1: Falling happens to other people, not to me. Reality: 1 in 3 older adults fall every year in the U.S.

Myth 2: Falling is something normal that happens as you get older. Reality: Falling is not normal and can be prevented by strength and balance exercises, managing your medications, having your vision checked and making your living environment safer.

Myth 3: If I limit my activity, I won’t fall. Reality: Limiting your activity does not prevent falls, but remaining active, increasing your strength and range of motion does.

Myth 4: As long as I stay at home, I can avoid falling. Reality: Over half of all falls take place at home. Remove clutter, throw rugs, and poor lighting and add grab bars in the bathroom, a second handrail on stairs, and non-slip paint on outdoor steps.

Myth 5: Muscle strength and flexibility can’t be regained. Reality: Exercise can partially restore strength and flexibility. It is never too late to start.

Myth 6: Taking medication doesn’t increase my risk of falling. Reality: Medications affect people in many different ways. Talk to your health care provider about potential side effects or interactions.

Myth 7: I don’t need to get my vision checked. Reality: People with vision problems are more than twice as likely to fall as those without visual impairment. Have your eyes checked at least once a year and update your glasses.
Myth 8: Using a walker or cane will make me more dependent. Reality: Walking aids are very important in helping many older adults maintain or improve their mobility and independence.

The bottom line is that there are four actions you can do to reduce your risk of falling: exercise; have your health care provider review your medicines; have your vision checked, and make your home safer.

September is the kickoff month for this year’s United Way Campaign. And with your Chronicle last week, you received a brochure explaining the value of your local United Way. I encourage you to give to this community effort that supports over thirty non-profit organizations in the Gorge. United Way does make a difference.

The Tuesday Lecture at 11:00 on the 4th will feature Jim Gordon, local Long Term Care Ombudsman. He will discuss the purpose and value of the Ombudsman program and also share the insights he’s gained from being an Ombudsman volunteer.

Did you figure out last week’s code? I used a “space code” which doesn’t change the order of the letters but changes where the spaces between the words occur. But this week it’s back to normal. Tonight the Jazz Generations will be playing for your listening and dancing pleasure. And next Tuesday on the 4^th, we recycle the monthly line up, starting at the top of the dance card with the Strawberry Mountain Band. So everyone and everybody bring your dancing shoes. The music starts at 7:00 and donations are always appreciated.

So you have made it this far. How about a little brain challenge to see if your brain is still firing on all cylinders – or at least three out of four? An Arab sheikh tells his two sons to race their camels to a distant city to see who will inherit his fortune. The one whose camel is slower wins. After wandering aimlessly for days, the brothers ask a wise man for guidance. Upon receiving the advice, they jump on the camels and race to the city as fast as they can. What did the wise man say to them? (Answer in next week’s column.)

The ol’ pea picker was Tennessee Ernie Ford who in 1955 recorded the #1 hit “Sixteen Tons”. (And the winner of five quilt raffle tickets was Lola Sinclair.) This week’s “Remember When” question is from TV in the 60’s. Again for five raffle tickets, what was the name of the show whose premise centered on the mysterious murder of Helen Regan Kimble? Email your answers to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop your answer off with a phonebook from Stafford, Indiana.

Well it’s been another week waiting to see what’s on the other side of the leaf. Until we meet again, as our children have taught us – only by stumbling do we learn to walk.

“Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.” Dandemis