Senior Living January 22, 2008
Because there are so many activities to share, I am going to forgo my opening ramblings and get straight to the activities of the week starting with the “Next Chapter” Lecture Series. This coming Tuesday the 29th, Jason Corey, a local attorney with Dick, Dick and Corey, will discuss and answer questions about “Wills and Estates”. You will have a chance to learn how to make sure your desires are fulfilled and your family protected after you are gone. The presentation will begin at 11:00 at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center and you are invited stay afterwards for lunch. Even though we have speakers scheduled through May, we are still looking for more. If are interested in a particular topic, or you know of someone who would speak on a subject relevant to seniors and juniors, give the Senior Center a call. We hope to make the “Next Chapter” Lecture Series a regular date on your weekly calendar. I also need to make a correction regarding the popular Reverse Mortgages presentation by Jim Bishop of Westcorp Mortgage. It is scheduled for February 19th and not March 19th.
Book Club
Is there anyone who would like to start a book club focusing on aging issues? It can be during the day or in the evening. Two particular books have recently been recommended to me: Boom! Voices of the Sixties: Personal Reflections on the 60’s and Today by Tom Brokaw and The Art of Aging: A Doctor’s Prescription for Well-Being by Dr. Sherwin Nuland. Give the
NU-2-U Shoppe: Every once in a while Bette Dahlberg and Martha Williams think we aren’t moving the used clothes out of the NU-2-U Shoppe fast enough and we need a $1-a-Bag sale. I believe we are already selling these good quality used clothes for far too little and now they want to sale them for even less. But they are the boss and you are the winners. So this Thursday from 10:00 – 1:30 at the
Smart Program
After Dr. PK Swartz (I spelled it right this time) made his presentation at the Next Chapter Lecture Series he encouraged folks to volunteer for an very effective and rewarding program called SMART (Start Making A Reader Today). They are looking for caring adults who can volunteer one hour a week to read with a child at risk of low literacy. If you are available during the day, this is a real opportunity to help a child learn one of the most important life skills, reading. For more information you can contact Cheryl DeHart at 993-1025 or e-mail her at dehartc@gorge.net.
Cards
If you enjoy Pinochle or Bridge there are opportunities to play both at the Senior Center. Pinochle is every Thursday at 1:00 and participation is increasing (I need to buy two more card tables.) and Bridge is every Friday at 1:30. This is a great way to enjoy old friends and meet new ones while exercising that grey matter between your ears. But I am still waiting for someone to start a poker club.
The AARP Tax Aide Program starts Friday, February 1 and will be available from 4:00 – 6:30 on Fridays and from 9:00 – 2:00 on Saturdays in the Senior Center basement. This valuable program provides free tax preparation for seniors and others who need help in completing their tax returns. Ronell Currie, who coordinates the program in the Mid-Columbia area, wants everyone to know they have the ability to file your taxes electronically and can do Washington state returns.
Tonight at the Senior Center, the Jazz Generations will be playing their Big Band Sound starting at 7:00. Tuesday Night Music is one of the most popular programs at the Center not only because of the fine music, but also because it is a great opportunity to get up and dance. (And it is dancing, not shaking like I much of the younger generations do.) It is fun to watch couples moving gracefully in rhythm and together. Next Tuesday the 29th, the Senior Center’s own “Young at Heart” Serenaders will recreate a Mitch Miller Sing-Along for your enjoyment with printed lyrics available.
From the Bulletin Board: Do you want to learn more about plants, gardening and how to develop a “Green Thumb”? Applications are now being accepted to become a Master Gardener. Classes begin Wednesday February 13 and applications are due by January 21. To learn more about Wasco County Master Gardeners call Lynn Long at 296-5494 or pick up an application at Hughes Feed and Grain, The Dalles Library or OSU Extension.
We are seeing new faces all the time at the Senior Center. If you want to stretch your mind and your body or you want to put a smile on your face or you just want to hang out and read, come down to the Senior Center. It is a great place with great folks. And as with any family or community, we do have our differences of opinion. I have found from 20 years in local politics that good people can disagree, and that is not bad. There are times however when differences are due to misinformation and need to be clarified. Specifically, you can be member of the Senior Center at any age and we would like anyone who supports our mission of “promoting healthy aging by sharing and caring” to join. But to be a member that votes at the general membership meeting in July you need to be at least 50 years old, with a few exceptions, and not 60 as some have suggested.
So until the next time, stay current and remember, if at first you don’t succeed, listen.
Meals-on-Wheels Menu:
Wednesday (23rd) Taco Casserole and Salsa
Thursday (24th) Salisbury Steak and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Friday (25th) Stew and the Friday Salad Bar
Monday (28th)
Tuesday (29th) Lasagna
Tuesday: Yoga 9:30; Next Chapter Lecture Series: Heather Runyon – Financial Planning 11:00; Music: Jazz Generations 7:00
Wed: Seniorcise 9:15; Open Computer Lab 10:30 – 12:00; “Young at Heart” Serenaders 10:30; Strong Women 2:00
Thursday: Yoga 9:30; Tap and Clogging 10:00; Pinochle 1:00; MOW Bingo 6:00
Friday: Seniorcise 9:15; Open Computer Lab 10:30- 12:00; Bridge 1:30
Saturday: Coffee and Cards 9:00; MCSC Bingo 6:00 PM
Monday: Blood Pressure Check 10:00; Seniorcise 9:15; Open Computer Lab 10:30-12:00; Quilters 10:00; Hearing Aid Service 12:30; Strong Women 2:00
Tuesday: Yoga 9:30; Next Chapter Lecture Series: Jason Corey “Wills and Estates” 11:00; Music: “Young at Heart Singers” 7:00 pm