I often include a humorous quote at the end of this column to lighten things up and to provide an incentive to read to the very end. But last week I ran out of space. So this time I am adding a little humor at the beginning. I shared this strategy with Rose and she asked if I wasn’t taking a chance that you wouldn’t read any further. Good point! So I am going to scatter a few quotes throughout as you travel the bumpy road to the end. (“An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have; the older she gets, the more interested he is in her.” Agatha Christie)

But it also started me thinking about the importance of humor, mirth (which I learned is the positive emotion that accompanies humor) and laughter. Dr. Steve Allen, Jr., son of the talk show host and comedian, said “Laughing, especially at yourself is the most powerful stress-releaser we have.” He goes on to suggest that humor not only reduces the body’s negative reaction to stress, it helps prevent such stress from occurring in the first place.

Humor is particularly helpful as we age, because it acknowledges the incongruities and absurdities of life and reminds us that we are all in this together. We all deal with the struggles and challenges of aging and yet we all are still alive and kicking and dancing or at least moving. As Bill Cosby said, “If you can find humor in a thing, you can survive it.”

The best laugh is always on ourselves (Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can.” – Elsa Maxwell at age 75) or as Robert Fulton puts it “It is a matter of laughing with ourselves, not at ourselves.” One of these days I will share with you my most embarrassing moment – which still makes me smile and turn a little red- if I can gather the nerve. But what is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you? What makes you smile or laugh?

A sense of humor is very individual. Some can be offended while others find a joke hilarious (I left out several quotes because my wife didn’t think they were appropriate for such a young audience.) But I hope I have included a quote that made you smile. (Jack Benny, “I don’t deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don’t deserve that either.”)

In June you will have another chance to take advantage of AARP’s Driver Safety Class promotion where two people (one with an AARP Card.) can take the class for the individual price of $10. To make this opportunity possible, the June class has been moved up a week to next Monday and Tuesday, June 9^th and 10^th from 9:00 – 1:00 each day. Call the Senior Center at 296-4788 to sign up for the class.

The Next Chapter Lecture on Tuesday June 10^th at 11:00 will feature Carola Stepper, Board Certified Acupuncturist and founder of Cascade Acupuncture Center. She will discuss and demonstrate “Trigger Point Therapy” including practical instructions on how to release neck and shoulder tension. Bring a really stressed partner and learn how to loosen up. (“I heard a woman ask the doctor if it was okay to have children after thirty-five. I said, “Thirty-five children is enough for any women.” Gracie Allen)

Next Tuesday, June 10^th at 7:00 pm at the Senior Center, the Notecrackers will be performing. We really appreciate their commitment to the Senior Center by performing every second Tuesday. And tonight Harold Gimlin and Friends are playing Country and Western. Show starts at 7:00. Free but donations gladly accepted.

We have scheduled a trip to the award winning Sherman County Historical Museum on Thursday June 5^th. We will carpool from the Senior Center at 9:30, visit the museum and have lunch before we return. Their newest exhibit is the Conservation, Cultivation and Clothespins Exhibit which “tells the story of how gasoline and diesel power along with electricity changed the family farm.” We have many more day trips planned for the summer which I will mention in the coming weeks. (This is where I would have added the inappropriate quote by Groucho Marxs.)

It feels like the cost of food is rising as fast as gas which is especially hard on folks with fixed incomes. It also significantly affects Meals-on-Wheels whose federal funding has been fixed for many years. In their monthly newsletter they wrote, “Starting July 1^st, 2008, we will be raising the ‘suggested donation’ to $3.50 for anyone over sixty and $5.50 for anyone under 60. We have worked very hard to keep the cost down, but found this is no longer possible with rising food costs. Less than a year ago, dry milk was around $40 for 25 pounds. It now costs $101.00 for 25 pounds. Eggs went from $12.78 for 15 dozen to $28 for 15 dozen. So the increase we are asking for will help pay for the food only. The last time that an increase was put into effect was in 1998.”

Meals-on-Wheels is also looking at possibly choosing a new name for the lunch time meal they serve in the dining room, since Meals-on-Wheels best describes the meals they send out for home deliveries. They would still be called Meals-on-Wheels but with a different name for the on site lunch. If you have any suggestions, call them a 298-8333.

That is it for another week. Until the next time, keep laughing. We can’t take life seriously all the time.

In difference to Elt Fadness the master of all Ole and Lena stories: Ole and Lena were at the drive-in movie. Ole says, “Say Lena, you wanna get in the back seat?” Lena says, “Naw, Ole, I’d just as soon stay up here with you.”

I started reading a book called “Secrets of Becoming a Late Bloomer” by Connie Goldman and Richard Mahler that I heard about while attending the “Aging in America” conference.

The book tells the stories and secrets of how older adults transformed and brought new meaning to their lives becoming late bloomers, those “extraordinary ordinary people who defies the notion that his or her best years are over, someone who responds to the late stage of life not as a crisis but as a quest.”

One of the secrets Connie identified for staying creative, aware and involved in midlife and beyond is knowing who we are. For many of us, we lived our lives trying to be what others wanted us to be or would allow us to be. We became the role or position that we held: a respected manager, a caring parent or a successful adult athlete. But when we turned 50 reaching that half way point in our adult lives and began to see the end of our working career, or we got smacked in the face with some serious event that knocked us off our balance: a major illness, or a death in the family, these life events may cause us to question who we are and what do we really want.

Through greater insight and understanding particularly through the lens of experience we have developed over our many years, we have the ability to better understand who we are. We can begin to see the possibilities and opportunities and live our lives congruently, as one late bloomer would say, where “who we want to be” becomes the same as “who we are” and we stop worrying about who we should be.

Everyday I meet and hear the strories of extraordinary ordinary people: one who started singing in a local country western band, another who is learning to tap dance, another who started a college class in psychology, and another who taught a class on aging. It can go on and on.

By taking this step of finding who we are and what we want with honesty and without fear, we can redefine aging as a time of great potential for growth and opportunity with remarkable rewards. It is not easy but it is possible.

On Tuesday June 3^rd, at the Next Chapter Lecture Series, Dean Dollarhide, financial representative for Northwest Mutual, will be discussing the “The Myths and Realities of Long Term Care – The Basics”. Dean is another home town boy who has returned and is actively giving back to the community.

Next Tuesday Night, June 3^rd, the music program will feature Harold Gimlin and Friends playing down home Country and Western music. Harold is well known in the local “jamming” scene and he and his friends will put on a really nice show. Tonight the “Jazz Generations” will be performing. The dancing always starts at 7:00 PM. The admission is free although donations are gladly accepted.

Tuesday is the Senior Center Night for music and dancing but Friday night is dance night at the Cherry Park Grange, 1002 Lambert St. in The Dalles. They have line and partner dance lessons starting at 7 p.m. followed by open dancing to DJ music until 10 p.m. It is open to singles and couples of all ages (kids, teens and adults) and only costs $3 per person, $5 per couple and $6 for the whole family. For more information, call 993-3540. And if you don’t want to dance the night away, there is Gospel Music every Thursday night and Karaoke Music on the fourth Sunday of the month from 7 – 10 p.m. All at the Cherry Park Grange.

On June 7^th from 12 to 8 pm, you are invited to a Mosier Cherry Festival benefit for the Seniors of Mosier. It is described as an Octoberfest but in June. There will be food booths, arts and crafts, carnival games for the kids, bingo, desserts and dancing in the streets. For venders or anyone who has questions contact Bernie Evans at 541-490 6882. It sounds like fun and way to support the seniors in Mosier. Like many of us, Seniors of Mosier Valley are dealing with the transition from depending on the old guard to recruiting the younger newly retired seniors. They have been in existence for 28 years providing many activities including lunch every Monday and Wednesday in the community room at Mosier Creek Terrace. As Bernie Evans said, “The Seniors of Mosier Valley isn’t anything but a fun place to go relax and visit.”

Skip Tschanz has led three Wildflower Walks this spring, and he is willing to continue through the summer leading a hike on the first Monday of every month. The next hike on June 2^nd is a moderate trail hike, less strenuous than last month’s Mosier Syncline hike, and has two great waterfalls, Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls plus the bridge over Oneonta Gorge. (And there could even still be some wildflowers.) Skip suggests hikers wear traction soled walking shoes to avoid slipping and sliding and to also bring some water. This hike will start at 10:00 a.m. and we should be back to the center by 4:00 p.m. We will car pool from the Senior Center and gas donations are welcome, but not mandatory.

Just a last reminder on Thursay May 27^th at 1:00 at the Senior Center, Collette Tours will present information about trips to Branson, Missouri this October and San Antonio in March 2009.

That is it again for another week. It is always nice to have an extra day off. It gives you a little time just to catch up. So until we meet again, be true to yourself.

As I mentioned last week, May is Older Americans Month, and this year’s theme is “Working Together for Strong, Healthy, and Supportive Communities”. By working together we can address issues at the national, state and local level to improve older adults’ overall quality of life and indirectly create better care and reinforce healthier communities for all ages.

In the Mid-Columbia we are finding additional ways to work together. Thanks to the Mid-Columbia Medical Center and the Area Agency on Aging, many of the senior providers meet annually to prepare for the Senior Expo as part of MCMC’s Health Fair during the Cherry Festival. To continue these conversations beyond the Cherry Festival, a ”Network on Aging” has been formed for professionals who work in areas related to aging to provide an opportunity for networking, education and advocacy. The first meeting of this professional group will be June 5^th from 8 – 9 am at the Senior Center. A light continental breakfast will be provided. For more information contact the Area Agency on Aging or the Mid-Columbia Senior Center or just show up. By working together we can improve the health and well being of our seniors and pave the way for future generations.

Now that we have the perfect place to display the beautiful quilt hand stitched by the Senior Center’s quilters – hanging on the wall in the Senior Center lobby – it is about time to find a new home for it. People have been waiting patiently for the raffle drawing and I promised it would happen by the end of May. I will be close. At noon on Monday June 2^nd we will hold the drawing at the Senior Center. That is the good news. The bad news is you have less than two weeks to buy your winning raffle ticket.

We now have over forty classic movies for rent – mostly VHS – including “Monkey Business” with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, the Marx Brother’s “Duck Soup”, and Charlie Chaplin’s “City Lights”. We also have some of the favorite TV shows of the 50’s such as “I love Lucy”, Jack Benny and George Burns. With these classics you don’t have to worry about inappropriate language or too much skin. You can borrow them for seven days for $1 for non-members and free for members (because we know where to find you). Just check them out with the receptionist at the front desk. And to build the collection, we are accepting donations of movies from the 30’s through 60’s.

Volunteering is one proven way to stay active, maintain your mental skills and contribute to the community. One local non-profit that is doing terrific work and relies on many retired folks is Habit for Humanity. They have just opened a “Restore” store across the street from Big Jim’s, selling new and used building materials and home furnishings. They are open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 – 3:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 – 4:00 and are in need of volunteers. This kind of store has been very successful in other communities and all proceeds will go to building more homes for local families. You can see the result of Habitat’s efforts at a dedication ceremony for the Flores family’s new home at 4675 Lockwood in The Dalles, Sunday, May 25, starting at 2 p.m. Thanks goes to a group from Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, a division of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, for supplying two thirds of the funding and to the local Lutheran community for supplying half of the volunteers for building the new house. For more information call The Dalles Habitat for Humanity at 296-8817.

With the weather improving (except for that early reminder of what summer is really like – just in case we may have forgotten) Tuesday is the night to get out of the house and make your way to the air conditioned Senior Center to enjoy fine music and dancing. Next Tuesday on the 27^th our fourth Tuesday regulars “The Jazz Generations” will be playing for your dancing and listening pleasure. And tonight the one man band of Truman Boler will be playing his country Gold. Truman also played The Spring Fling Dance last Friday evening, reminded me of my high school days, when I would stay in the corner hoping that no girl would find me unattended and ask me to dance. You see I am as graceful as a fly struggling in a spider web and I would hate to crush anyone’s toes. But for all of you folks who can dance, come down and kick up your heels or at least shuffle your feet. The dancing always starts at 7:00 PM. The admission price is free although donations are gladly accepted. Everyone’s welcome.

At this time I don’t know who will be the featured speaker for The Next Chapter Lecture series 11:00 on Tuesday May 27^th, but I do know it won’t be a waste of your time. The series has been a tremendous success providing information topics from the medical to the historical and in between. We will continue this lecture series through June and then take a two month vacation before we start again in September.

Several folks have expressed interest in travel tours, so we have scheduled a Collette Vacations presentation after lunch at 1:00 at the Senior Center on Thursday May 29^th. They will be describing two tours: a six-day tour to Branson, Missouri from October 16 – 21 and a five day tour of San Antonio in March of 2009. Both trips are reasonably priced to great locations and since you won’t be leaving the country you won’t have the passport hassle.

A final reminder, the Senior Center including Bingo will be closed for Memorial Day weekend to honor the men and women past and present who have served in our armed forces.

That is it for another week. Until we meet again, I can’t think of anything else to say.

At the luncheon honoring the Senior Center’s Charter Members, Hal Sessions presented a slide show using newspaper articles and photographs saved from the early years of the Senior Center. It was a nice reminder of all the hard work and challenges involved in building this senior center. But I realized that besides supporting seniors for the next twenty five years, the building expansion will also fulfill the original vision for the center: a two story multi-purpose community facility with an elevator, an exercise room and offices for rent. It amazes me that even though times are different and approaches and styles may change, two visions twenty five years apart can still be fundamentally the same.

The Senior Center will be serving breakfast this Saturday the 17^th from 8:00 – 10:00. This month’s tasty offerings include: country fries, scrambled eggs, sausage links, biscuits, fruit and the regular beverages. We want to thank Washington Federal Savings for sponsoring this month’s breakfast and also for doing double duty by providing volunteers for last month’s Cherry Festival Breakfast. So enjoy a fine breakfast with good friends for only $5 for the general public and $4 for Senior Center members.

The Wasco County Historical Society is inviting you to join them for a trip to the Whitman Mission, a National Historic Site in Walla Walla, Washington on Saturday May 31^st. The trip will be guided by local historian Jon Carlson, retired Army Corps of Engineers and WCHS Board member. The thirty passenger bus will be leaving at 7:30 am from the upper parking lot of The Dalles/Wasco County Library with the estimated return time being 6:30 pm. The cost is $10 plus $3 admission and bring your own sack lunch and beverage. If interested contact Jan Leininger at 541-478-3429.

May is AARP Driver Safety Program Month and for this month AARP has a special promotion. Any AARP member (with a membership card) can bring a friend to the AARP Driver Safety class at the Senior Center on May 19^th and 20^th from 9:00 – 1:00 and the cost for BOTH persons will be $10 instead of the normal $10 a piece. Dennis Davis has ably replaced Dick Frost as instructor for the class (Dick has been teaching the class forever – which is a very long time – and is still busy teaching classes and coordinating the program throughout the Mid-Columbia region). And when you do see Dennis you may want to ask him what it’s like to live with a very special dancing mouse. Call the Senior Center at 296-4788 to sign up for the class.

May is also “Older American’s Month” and to celebrate the Area Agency on Aging and Meals-on-Wheels are putting together an Ice Cream Social at the Senior Center this Friday May 16^th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Senior Center. Truman Boler will be providing the entertainment with his crowd pleasing and danceable music. Here is a chance to get out of the house on a Friday night for a little music, dancing and Ice Cream.

And to “double your pleasure and double your fun”, Truman will also be performing at Senior Center’s Tuesday Night Music on May 20^th. If you already had your Friday night planned or once is not enough, come down on Tuesday night for another chance to enjoy the sounds of Truman Boler. And tonight the Notecrackers are playing for your dancing pleasure. The dancing always starts at 7:00 PM. The admission price is free although donations are gladly accepted. Everyone’s welcome.

The Next Chapter Lecture series 11:00 on Tuesday May 20^th will feature Dr. Ryan LeBreton O.D., local optometrist, discussing common problems with your vision including Cataracts/Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma. It is always nice for a home town boy to go off to college, come back and contribute so much to the community.

May 20th is the last day to turn in your mail ballots in this important primary. Serious issues are being discussed including health care, the economy and war and peace but there has always been room for humorous look at the political events. This year we had Stephen Colbert a comedian on Comedy Central running for President and in the late 60’s does anyone remember Pat Paulson’s run for President? But again realizing there’s nothing new under the sun, I found in 1940 when Franklin Roosevelt was running for his third term, a political novice, Gracie Allen, announced her quixotic run for the White House. Since both of the major parties had qualified candidates, she decided to create her own party, the “Surprise Party”, explaining that her mother was a Democrat and her father was a Republican and she was born a surprise. Gracie had such high ethical standards that there was no vice-presidential candidate, because she had warned all along that she would not tolerate any vice in her administration. During the campaign she was asked several difficult questions. When asked if she would recognize Russia, Gracie answered: “I don’t know. I meet so many people….” and when she was questioned about what party she was affiliated, she replied, “I may take a drink now and then, but I never get affiliated.”

Like the major parties she also had a platform which she described as “redwood trimmed with ‘nutty’ pine”, with two key provisions (which she admits came to her in a dream). (1) Put Congress on a commission basis. Whenever the country prospered Congress would get ten percent of the additional take, and (2) extend Civil Service to all branches of government, because “a little politeness goes a long way.”

Well that is it again for another week. Until we meet again as I told my son last week during this election year, “Relax!”

Retirement ain’t what it used to be. In fact, William D. Novelli, Executive Director and CEO of AARP speaking at the Institute for Public Relations conference said that in the coming years as the boomers start to reach 65 we will see the end of retirement as we have known it.

My mom and dad were examples of what commonly considered retirement. When they retired they bought a second home in Florida (no one really wanted to spend the winters in Indiana if they could avoid it) and traveled, fished, relaxed and enjoyed the comforts that they so richly deserved. They both had sufficient pensions and had made wise financial investments to support their retirement.

My sister and I are examples are of what Novelli predicts retirement will look like in the coming years. When I retired from Wasco County government after serving for 20 years I continued to work, becoming the director of the Senior Center. My sister when she retired after working 25 plus years for the Fairfax school district in Virginia, went back to school, will finish her doctorate this summer and will start teaching as an assistant professor at a major university in Indianapolis at the age of 59. I don’t think either one of us can imagine ourselves not working in some capacity as long as we are physically able to do so.

My sister and I are not the exceptions. Research shows that 80 percent of boomers expect to continue working in some form past the age of 65. This could include starting a new career, a new business, or volunteering for a non-profit organization. Some will have to work (I will be paying off student loans for the next 20 years) and others will work for the fun of it.

For many, retirement is now seen as the start of the next chapter of one’s life and that next chapter will probably include some kind of work. And at 50, where one has half of their adult life ahead of them, many are viewing that as a time to start considering new adventures, activities and goals that will provide them with both choice and freedom and also personal fulfillment. Institutions including senior centers will have to adapt and adjust to these significant changes to what has been considered retirement.

Alzheimer’s is a terrible and very difficult disease for both the individual and the caregiver. Seeing a loved one drift away to the point where they no longer recognize you is heartbreaking. The Planetree Health Resource Center in partnership with the MCMC Spiritual Care Department is presenting a special health lecture on “The Challenge of Alzheimer’s” at 7:00 PM on Thursday May 8^th at MCMC’s Medical Office Building. This free presentation “will summarize what is currently known about the disease, including the signs and symptoms that lead to diagnosis, risk factors, treatment, and important things to remember when relating to a person with Alzheimer’s”. It will be presented by Judy McKellar, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association. The lecture is free, but pre-registration is required. Call 296-8444 to reserve a seat.

On Thursday May 8^th, The Senior Center will be taking this year’s first day trip to visit the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum, a non-profit museum established in 2006 in Hood River. The museum provides a living history of aircraft and automobiles with a growing fleet of 50 plus flying antique aircraft plus dozens of automobiles and military jeeps. Many of the airplanes are either the last of their make and model or the only ones left flying. The cost for the museum tour is $7 for seniors and veterans. We will carpool from the Senior Center at 9:30 and return by 2:30 with lunch in Hood River.

The Notecrackers will be returning to perform on Tuesday May 13^th at The Mid-Columbia Senior Center “playing pop standards from the ’20s – ’70s. They sing and play saxophone, flute, guitars, mandolin and strict tempo bass and drums for your dancing pleasure. With such variety, if you don’t like one song – just wait – the style will change! We try to have something for everybody. Revive old memories and make new memories of a good time”. And tonight the “Sugar Daddies” will be playing. The fun always starts at 7:00. It is free although donations are gladly accepted. All ages are welcome!

Jason Corey, local attorney, will discuss “Wills and Estates” at the Next Chapter Lecture Series, 11:00 on Tuesday May 13^th at the Senior Center. Many people were disappointed when we had to postpone his presentation last winter because of the weather. Hopefully it won’t snow this time.

Both Basic Computer classes for May are almost full but one service that we offer that is underutilized is the Help Lab on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 2:30 taught by Corlis Marsh. She is excellent in explaining the complex and frustrating world of computing. If you feel you know the basics but have individual questions about e-mail, the internet or word processing, or whatever this is the place for you.

One last plug for the “Tough Talk on Aging” workshop on Saturday the 10^th from 9:00 – 11:30 at the Senior Center with registration starting at 8:30. Aging parents and adult children are both invited. You can come together or by yourself. Many folks are talking about this workshop and I hope to see you there.

That is it for another week. I wish all the mothers, both young and old, a happy mother’s day. Until the next time, give your kids a hug.

“Retirement at sixty-five is ridiculous. When I was sixty-five I still had pimples.” George Burns

“Age is only a number, a cipher for the records. A man can’t retire his experience. He must use it.” Bernard Baruch

Remember as a parent when your kids knew all the answers, were so disrespectful – ignoring all the rules, always wanted to know “why” and thought you were so un-cool and old fashioned. And they would never listen or talk about it. Or as a kid growing up during the “express yourself” years when your parents had all these stupid rules that didn’t make any sense, were always telling you what to do, and didn’t understand your music or your fashions. And they would never listen or talk about it.

It was tough enough to have serious discussions about wants, needs and desires back then let alone now, forty years later. Hopefully our relationships with our adult children or our aging parents are better, having survived that “rebellious” period. But I imagine the majority of us still find it difficult to talk about important aging questions; still find it difficult to listen to one another.

But these questions about how one wants to be cared for as we age need to be discussed. To help, the Mid-Columbia Senior Center is hosting a workshop “Tough Talk about Aging” to assist aging parents and their adult children learn how to better talk and listen to one another.

“Like it or not, elders and their families tend to bristle whenever issues of care and long-term planning arise. No matter how well intentioned the parties might be, these topics are highly emotional for nearly all of us. All too often, parents and their children fall into a deep abyss of guilt, shame, and frustration when discussing these concerns, yet there are creative and compassionate ways to build bridges to safely cross these dangerous chasms. This workshop will focus on identifying the major stumbling blocks regarding communication between parents and adult children, and coping with the challenges of aging with grace and love.”

We are extremely fortunate to have as the presenter Lee Paton, RN, PH.D., Clinical Director of Spectrum Elder Services, Inc. in Beaverton and a clinical gerontologist. She is a highly respected and sought after speaker providing educational programs throughout the US and Asia. The workshop will be facilitated by Lucile Torgerson who along with Kathleen Flynn helped facilitate the “Let’s Talk” discussion series at the senior center last year. Both of them understand how important this subject is and have given their time and effort to make this workshop possible. I also want to thank Pat Case of Hospice of the Gorge for all of her help.

The workshop will be held on Saturday May 10^th at the Senior Center with early registration and continental breakfast starting at 8:30 and the presentation beginning at 9:00 and concluding at 11:00. As both parents and children have grown older and hopefully wiser, we have another chance to get it right.

Last week, when I mentioned the Charter Member Recognition Luncheon on Thursday May 1^st, I forgot to thank Meals-on-Wheels for providing the special meal for the event – your choice of Chicken Cordon Bleu or Teriyaki Steak – in support of the Senior Center. At the luncheon we will recognize the Charter Members in attendance and share the story and photographs of the construction of the Senior Center. It is a fascinating history.

I don’t know how Boyd Jacobsen lines up all this great musical talent, but this coming Tuesday May 6^th the “Sugar Daddies” with Mark Womble, Dennis Williams, and Jim Ortlie will be playing. I have seen them perform around town and they are a great act. And tonight the Senior Center’s own “Young at Heart Seranaders” will be performing. The fun always starts at 7:00 and it is free although donations are gladly accepted. All ages are welcome!

Dan Ericksen, Wasco County Judge, will be discussing the “State of the County” at the Next Chapter Lecture Series, 11:00 on Tuesday May 6^th at the Senior Center. You will have a chance to ask him questions about all kinds of subjects: the budget hearings just completed last week, the county charter committee, road funding or whether he wears boxers or briefs.

In May we are starting another four session Computer Basics class on Monday from 10:00 – 11:30 taught by Laurie Fadness and on Wednesday from 10:30-12:00 taught by Richard Lyon. This introductory class covers the basics of getting started on a computer. Because there are only six persons in a class so you will receive a lot of individual attention. If you feel you know the basics but have individual questions, you are welcome to attend the Help Lab on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 2:30 taught by Corlis Marsh. Call 296-4788 to sign up.

The third “Wildflower Walk” led by Skip Tschanz is scheduled for Monday May 5^th. We will carpool at 1:00 from the Senior Center. And a Potluck and Bunco Party will be held at the Senior Center this Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 for all 2008 Senior Center members to thank them for their support.

The Wasco County Pioneer Association Annual Meeting will be held this coming Saturday May 3^rd. Registration begins at 9:30 at the Calvary Baptist Church with a salmon or ham luncheon served at 11:30. Don Schmidt will be present a program “Shaniko and the Southern Wasco County” after a short meeting at 1:00.

That’s it for another week. Until the next time, as I tell my kids, there is a reason we have two ears and only one mouth.

“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.” – George Moore. And on the lighter side “Never have children, only grandchildren.” – Gore Vidal

Senior Living April 22

Dr. Tina Castanares, Medical Director for Hospice of the Gorge, spoke at last week’s Next Chapter Lecture series. Only three individuals attended the lecture, the smallest turnout for any of our lectures. But according to Tina that isn’t unusual. Any topic about death and dying is not generally a crowd favorite; most people considering it a real downer, using 60’s vernacular. Most of us just want to live our lives believing “what will be will be” while ignoring or at least postponing preparation for our own death. But “talking about dying isn’t going to kill you.” And as Hospice of the Gorge provides compassionate and comprehensive supports for individuals who are terminally ill and their families, they also provide invaluable lessons and guidance for all of us. By better understanding death we can live our lives more fully, understand our faith more deeply and appreciate our friends and relationships more completely. As George Burns once said, “I don’t believe in dying. It’s been done. I’m working on a new exit. Besides, I can’t die now – I’m booked.”

Thanks to Ronell Curie and all of the AARP volunteers that filed over 2000 tax returns in the Mid-Columbia area, about 500 more tax returns than last year. Much of the increase was due to the Economic Stimulus package that required anyone who wanted a payment to file a tax return. For seniors who haven’t yet filed a return because they don’t usually need to, you still have until October 15^th to file in order to get your Economic Stimulus payment. If you have any questions you can call Jean Hockman at the Area Agency on Aging, 298-4101, or the Senior Center, 296-4788, and we will line you up with someone who can help.

On Thursday and Saturday nights, there is always bingo at the Senior Center, and Cherry Festival week is no exception. There have been good turn-outs these last several weeks and we want to thank everyone for helping support Meals-on-Wheels and the Senior Center. And to get in the Cherry Festival spirit, at this coming Saturday night’s bingo we will be serving Cherry Pie and Ice Cream. So enjoy the parade and all of the activities around town; then put a cherry on top of the day by taking a chance on a fun evening of bingo. Doors open at 4:30 and the games start at 6:00.

As part of the Cherry Festival activities on Saturday morning, Edna, Bonnie and Sandy will be serving a full breakfast from 7:30 – 10:00 including pancakes, country eggs, oatmeal, fruit and the regular beverages. Start the day with friends; meet King Bing and Queen Anne, the Cherry Sweethearts and most importantly the judges for the parade entries.

The Senior Center has scheduled a Charter Member Recognition Luncheon at noon on May 1^st to express the center’s appreciation for the original members who helped build the Mid-Columbia Senior Center. We want to share photographs of the initial construction that has served the senior community so well for the last 21 years and also show the plans we hope will continue to serve the seniors for the next quarter century. We believe there were over 350 charter members and we are sending invitations to those for whom we have addresses, but we are afraid we have an incomplete list. If you know of anyone that was an original charter member, let them know that they are invited to this special luncheon.

The Senior Center will also be hosting a “Members Only” Potluck and Bunco at 6:00 pm on Friday May 2^nd to thank all of our 2008 members. If you haven’t played Bunco, it is a fun, fast-paced dice game that is easy to learn. And if you haven’t joined, this is our last call for members. For those who have been procrastinating or have forgotten (procrastinating is not a good excuse but forgetting we understand) we will be sending out reminder cards.

Tuesday Night April 29th “The Young at Heart Serenaders” will be performing. This will be your chance to sing-a-long to the old time favorites. And tonight “The Jazz Generations” will be playing. The fun always starts at 7:00 and it is free although donations are gladly accepted. All ages are welcome!

On Tuesday April 29th, at 11:00 the Next Chapter Lecture Series will feature Dr. Matthew Proctor, MD, an ear, nose and throat specialist. Dr. Proctor is just another in a list of outstanding local speakers for this lecture series. Make this series a habit. Learn something new and keep abreast of what is happening in your community.

That is it again for another week. Enjoy all the Cherry Festival activities. Until the next time, I will leave with you a poem by Maya Angelou. I was fortunate to hear her address the Aging in America conference sharing some of her life experiences as she was about to turn 80.

On Aging by Maya Angelou

When you see me sitting quietly,

Like a sack left on the shelf,

Don’t think I need your chattering.

I’m listing to myself.
Hold! Stop! Don’t pity me!
Hold! Stop your sympathy!
Understanding if you got it,
Otherwise I’ll do without it!

When my bones are stiff and aching,
and my feet won’t climb the stair,
I will only ask one favor:
Don’t bring me no rocking chair.

When you see me walking, stumbling,
Don’t study and get it wrong.
‘Cause tired don’t mean lazy
And every goodbye ain’t gone.
I’m the same person I was back then,
A little less hair, a little less chin,
A lot less lungs and much less wind.
But ain’t I lucky I can still breathe in.

Senior Living April 15

While at the Aging in America conference I attended a workshop on “Seeking the Balance: Positive Aging and Disillusionment”, curious about the connection between the two. Although it was difficult, many people shared their disillusionments whether with an employer, a spouse, a political candidate or retirement (no one returns my phone calls anymore!). But positive aging and disillusionment are two sides of the same coin. Through our disillusionments – the removing of illusions – we have an opportunity, if we want to take it, to learn more about ourselves; to understand who we are beyond our job or career. Knowing that this may lead to better self understanding does not remove the grief, or regrets or even anger, when reality strikes. As an example, realizing that we cannot avoid the gradual but continuing loss of independence (what a disillusionment that is) may motivate us to take control of our future and start to eat better, exercise better and live better to maintain, as long as possible, our independence and quality of life. While disillusionment is painful, it can also be just another bump in the road toward a vital, active and resilient life.

Spring finally showed itself this last weekend. People were out enjoying the day, in tee-shirts and shorts, walking along the sidewalks and working in their yards. With the warmer weather there is more activity, more chances to exercise, and another opportunity to mention the importance of exercise for both the body and mind. It was reported in the April edition of Brain Health e-tips from OHSU that “research continues to confirm that exercise benefits the brain”. What is good news for seniors is that according to several national experts “exercise doesn’t have to be brutal. Walking and swimming are excellent, as is lifting light weights at home or riding a stationary bicycle. Walking for 45 minutes two or three times a week will improve your overall fitness, your balance, your mood…and your brain! Best of all, it’s never too late to start.” So when Nike says “Do it!” you don’t have to run a marathon or swim the English Channel. Just get up and “Move It!”

The Senior Citizen’s Prom is this Friday April 18^th from 5:30—8:30 at The Dalles Civic Auditorium. This year’s theme is “In the Still of the Night” with entertainment provided by “The Jazz Generations”, TDWHS Choir and Jazz Band and Michael Ladouceur on Piano. The Dalles Wahtonka High School Key Club is again organizing this year’s event working hard to make this an entertaining evening for the “older” generation. So even if you don’t consider yourself “old” remember what age you thought “old” was when you were in High School and come on down to the civic and enjoy an evening of music and dancing. You can purchase tickets at Klindt’s Bookstore, the Senior Center or at the door for $5.00.

Tuesday Night April 22nd “The Jazz Generations” will be performing again at the Senior Center. Hank and Ann Krum, Bob Fiske and David Fretz play the big band style of music for your listening and dancing pleasure. And tonight Hardshell Harmony an energetic Bluegrass group will be performing. The fun always starts at 7:00 and it is free although donations are gladly accepted. All ages are welcome!

On Tuesday April 22nd, at 11:00 the Next Chapter Lecture Series will feature Dan Spatz, Foundation Director for The Columbia Gorge Center, providing an update on the College construction both in Hood River and The Dalles and also on the Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation. This lecture series is an easy way to learn something new and keep abreast of what is happening in your community.

Several times, I have mentioned the increasing participation in Wii bowling at the Senior

Center. But in doing so I have neglected to mentioned what many of us did indoors before the “Age of Technology”, namely, playing cards. We offer three opportunities to play cards and meet new friends at the Senior Center: Pinochle on Thursdays from 1:00 – 3:30, Bridge on Fridays from 1:00 – 3:30 and on Saturdays Cribbage from 9:00 – 12:00.

It is almost Cherry Festival time with The Dalles gearing up for a full week of activities. Mill Creek Point Assisted Living Facility is presenting the Northwest Cherry Festival Very Cherry Dessert Contest and Main Dish on Monday April 21 at the Senior Center with judging at 5:30 and sampling at 6:30. Admission is free. On Saturday the 26th, the Senior Center will be serving a full breakfast from 7:30 – 10:00 for those who want someone else to do the cooking on a busy parade day morning. (Because of the Cherry Festival breakfast there will not be a breakfast on the third Saturday, April 19^th.) And after the parade stop by the Senior Expo tent on Fourth Street to learn more about the many local services provided for seniors.

Well that is it for another week. Until the next time, as I try to sort through my illusions, I am thinking reality wouldn’t be so bad if it just wasn’t so honest.

“Perhaps middle age is, or should be, a period of shedding shells; the shell of ambition, the shell of material accumulations and possessions, the shell of ego. Perhaps one can shed at this state in life as one sheds in beach-living; one’s pride, one’s false ambitions, one’s mask, one’s armor. Was that armor not put on to protect one from the competitive world? If one ceases to compete, does one need it? Perhaps one can at last in middle age, if not earlier, be completely oneself. And what a liberation that would be!. Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Senior Living April 8^th 2008

Congressman Greg Walden visited the Senior Center last Friday along with representatives from the IRS to encourage seniors to fill out their tax return this year even if they don’t need to. Congress passed the Economic Stimulus Package that will send those who qualify a stimulus payment check for at least $300. But to receive your payment you need to file a tax return. If you haven’t yet filed, and you want your stimulus payment sooner than later, you need to file by April 15^th. If you have questions the AARP Tax Aide Program at the Senior Center can help, but this Friday from 4:00 to 6:30 and Saturday from 9:00 to 2:00 are the last days they will be providing assistance. If for some reason you do not file by April 15^th, don’t give up. Seniors have until October 15^th to file a return but your payment will come much later.

Whenever there is a new program, there always seems to be unscrupulous individuals waiting to take advantage of folks. Greg also made a special point of warning people about potential scams concerning the economic stimulus payment. Simply, never give any confidential information such as your social security number or checking account numbers to anyone particularly over the phone. If you have questions call a trusted friend, the Area Agency on Aging or the Senior Center for help.

With the race for the democratic nominee for president too close to call, we are reminded again how important it is to vote. And seniors do vote. In the 2004 presidential election, the national voting rate for citizens 55 and older was 72 percent compared with 47 percent among 18- to 24-year old citizens. But you may not get a ballot if you have moved and haven’t changed your mailing address with the county clerk. The post office does not forward your ballot to a new address. If you have changed your mailing address or if you want to change political parties to vote for a specific candidate, you will need to contact the county clerk by April 29^th.

The Senior Center Will bowlers have scheduled their first competition challenging the Boy Scout Troop that meets at the Senior Center. The scout troop is a real asset to the Senior Center: hanging Christmas lights, planting flowers, and cleaning up around the center. But although we appreciate their support, we are looking for total domination. We are going to practice real hard this week (although for some of us, the more we practice the worse we get). I have heard that during spring vacation several of the scouts were up till 1:00 a.m. practicing their Wii skills. If you are interested in watching (no snickering allowed), the Wii challenge begins at 7:00 on Monday April 14^th. If we can survive this one, next up will be The Dalles Wahtonka High School Bowling Team.

If you are interested in local trips and Broadway plays, meet at the Senior Center at 1:30 on Tuesday April 15^th. We have planned several day trips including trips to Portland to ride the tram, Sherman County to visit their historical museum, and Hood River to see the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum. But we also want to know what Broadway plays in Portland you want to see. There is a great lineup of shows for the 2008-2009 season, but we need at least 20 people to receive the group rate. If there is a strong interest in any plays, we will purchase the tickets now so we can reserve the best seats. Goodies and refreshments will be provided.

Tuesday Night April 15^th at the Senior Center, Hardshell Harmony will be performing. They are an energetic Bluegrass group emphasizing traditional Bluegrass music playing the standards of the masters from long ago. Hardshell Harmony will make your toes tap and your hands slap with high energy music that people can sing along with and have a grand time. The fun always starts at 7:00 and it is all free although donations are gladly accepted. Enjoy good friends and great music! All ages are welcome!

On Tuesday April 15^th, the Next Chapter Lecture Series will feature Hospice of the Gorge discussing their services and end of life questions. They are a comforting resource in the community and provide essential care at the end of one’s life journey. The presentation will be at the usual time 11:00 at the Senior Center.

That is it again, but I seem to have made a few mistakes in last week’s column that I sent from Washington D.C. while attending the Aging in America Conference. When I returned, a note from Skip Tschanz was waiting for me changing the date for the Wildflower Walk. But as fortune would have it and as several friends reminded me, I had forgotten to include the date in the column. So for those who want to spend a beautiful afternoon in nature’s glory walking through the Dalles Mountain Ranch Nature Preserve, meet on Monday April 14^th at 1:00 to carpool from the Senior Center. Sign up at the Senior Center front desk or call 296-4788.

That wasn’t too bad, but I also repeated the previous week’s Meals-on-Wheels menu which I know Zelta, my reliable proof reader, would have definitely caught. My apologies to those who came for dinner expecting Spaghetti but were served Stuffed Peppers instead.

But mistakes are inevitable and as Al Franken said “Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it’s a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from.”

Until the next time, don’t always act your age. Life is too short.

April 1 2008

When you read this column, I will be in Washington D. C. preparing to attend the “2008 Aging in America Conference” of the National Council on Aging. It is a four day event with hundreds of workshops covering a wide array of topics from Arts and Aging to Death and Dying. The biggest challenge is deciding which workshops to attend. My primary focus is the operation and management of a senior center but I also hope to learn more about brain development, wellness, and creative arts for seniors: information that will help the senior center fulfill its mission of “promoting healthy aging by sharing and caring”.

We always need to keep learning and stretching as we age, while also realizing that the latest is not always the greatest. As I learn valuable new information about aging and about new directions for senior centers, I am reminded it is still all about relationships. We are human beings with our own complexity. As more things change, the more things remain the same. And although the science textbooks I used in high school 45 years ago may be out of date and inaccurate, the life lessons from the classics of Homer, Shakespeare and Dickens are still relevant today.

Next Tuesday, April 1^st, Les Vaughan will be performing a variety of musical styles including gospel and country. And tonight the “Jazz Generations” with Hank and Ann Krum and Bob Fiske will be playing. Hank has played throughout the western United States and always enjoys playing at the Senior Center. All ages are welcome, coffee and goodies are provided and admission is free but donations are appreciated. Every Tuesday from 7:00 -9:00 PM.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the ancient Chinese medical technique of Acupuncture? At the Next Chapter Lecture Series at 11:00 on Tuesday April 1^st, Carola Stepper, RN, Lac, will be discussing “New Solutions to Eliminate Pain” through Acupuncture. Carola has a background in Home Health and Hospice Nursing since 1989 and has studied Chinese Medicine at the nationally accredited Oriental College of Oriental Medicine, in Portland, Oregon. As an Acupuncturist she has worked part-time for four years at Mid-Columbia Medical Center, treating patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for cancer. Her purpose is to help her clients to get well naturally with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs and to provide effective information and inspiration in self care.

If you are uninsured and need help paying for your medications, the “Help is Here Express” is coming to The Dalles on Thursday April 10 from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm at the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Station parking lot, 1400 W. 8th. It is a chance to learn if you qualify for one or more of 475 patient assistance programs, many of which offer free or nearly free prescription medicines for those in need. The “Help is Here Express” is a large bus equipped with computer terminals and phones so people can find out (for free) if they may be eligible for help. Trained specialists will be on board to make sure the process is quick and easy. The express is sponsored by America‘s Pharmaceutical Research companies. It sounds like a nice interim service while we wait for a broader solution of affordable health care including prescription coverage for all Americans.

There are plenty of opportunities in the Gorge to stretch your lungs and test your pitch by singing in a choir or ensemble (for those who want to sing in more public places than the shower). Delpha Mills who guides the “Young at Heart Serander’s” at the senior center would like to invite you to sing with them. They practice at the center every Wednesday from 10:30 – 12:00 and have enjoyed sharing their musical talents at such places as Flagstone and Columbia Basin Care Facility. If you are tired of practicing duets with your dog or feel you are not quite ready for American Idol, this is the opportunity for you.

I want to announce this a little early to give you a time to practice and test your favorite recipes. The Mill Creek Point Assisted Living is presenting the “Northwest Cherry Festival Very Cherry Dessert Contest and Main Dish too!” on Monday April 21, 2008 at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center. You can pick up entry forms at The Dalles Chamber of Commerce or the Senior Center. Entries have to be received by 5:00 pm Friday April 11th. For more information contact Mary at The Dalles Chamber 541-296-2231. Awards will be presented for Best Cherry Main Dish and the Very Best Very Cherry Dessert with three categories for each: Adult – 19 and over, Junior – 18 and younger, and Commercial. There is no additional entry fee.

Well that is it again. It has been about seven months since I started writing this column (I was very fortunate to have Marilyn Ericksen continue as I got my feet on the ground.) and you know, after a while the well starts to run a little dry. But from the conference on aging, I hope to replenish the groundwater with new insights and knowledge that I will be able to share with you. Until the next time, remember there are times to keep your heart open and your lips shut.