With identity theft rampant, identity fraud is costing 40 million Americans a combined $43 billion in 2022 according to an AARP-sponsored report from Javelin Strategy & Research. One safeguard is to keep only the essentials in your pocket or purse.

According to her article, “10 Worst Things to Carry in Your Wallet,” Katherine Skiba lists those items to keep at home in a safe place and grab only when needed – which I imagine is easier for men than for women because there is only so much you can carry in your back pocket!

Check out this list and see if your wallet or purse contains any of these items.

1. Social Security card.
2. Multiple credit cards. Choose one credit card and one debit card you wish to use the most and leave the others at home. And you may want to take smartphone photos of the front and back of all your cards, so you know whom to contact if one does go missing.
3. Checkbook or even one blank check. Okay, this one I failed. I often carry a blank check for those rare times when a credit card is not accepted.
4. Library card. Failed this one also. But who would use my library card to check out books and sell them online? A well-read thief?
5. Work ID card. I don’t think many of us work anymore where we would need IDs.
6. Gift card not fully redeemed. But if it’s not in my wallet I’ll never remember it!
7. House key. Thieves could find your address from the contents of a stolen wallet.

And under the category “What are you thinking?”

8. Your passport,
9. Your passwords,
10. Your birth certificate.

And your Medicare card? Only carry it when going to a medical appointment when you might need it. And if anyone contacts you out of the blue and asks for your Medicare information or money or threatens to cancel your benefits, immediately report it by calling 800-633-4227 (800-MEDICARE).

One exception is when you are traveling. Keep your Medicare card handy and secure in case you need it. And if you don’t have the information on your smartphone, you may want to leave a copy with a loved one in case you lose yours.

When it comes to carrying identity data in your wallet or purse, “less is significantly safer.” If you feel you have been targeted by any kind of scam or fraud, you can find free support and guidance on what to do next at AARP’s Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. Last October I gave you an example of the Caesar Shift that involves replacing each letter of the secret message with a different letter of the alphabet. See if you can decode this gardening quote by Doug Larson.

“C yggf ku c rncpv vjcv jcu ocuvgtgf gxgta uwtxkxcn umknn gzegrv hqt ngctpkpi jqy vq itqy kp tqyu.”

The crew-cut comedian who starred in his weekly show from 1954 to 1960 that included stories and sketches allegedly about his real-life wife, Alice (nicknamed “Spooky Old Alice”) was “Lonesome” George Gobel. Although he may be way before their time, I received correct answers from Lana Tepfer, Jess Birge, Rhonda Spies, Marny Weting, Dave Lutgens, Rebecca Abrams, and Jane Nichols who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Sandra Fritz.

This may take you back to your grade school days watching short films such as Disney’s Donald in Mathmagic Land on a 16 mm projector. Or this short film which is this week’s “Remember When” question. What was the 1956 thirty-four-minute short French film popular with children and educators which follows the adventures of a young boy who makes friends with an object that seems to have a mind of its own and begins to follow him through the streets of Paris? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with an original poster for the film Le Ballon Rouge.

Well, it has been another week, looking forward to the holiday. Until we meet again, stay as cool as a fresh cucumber.

“Did you ever get the feeling that the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?” George Gobel

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior Services (509-427-3990).

Answer: “A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows.”

Loneliness has been described as “when one door is closed, but the ‘other one’ has yet to open”. Or “an ‘inner worm’ that gnaws at the heart” and it can appear like an uninvited guest at any time in our lives. But circumstances we encounter as we get older: the loss of a life partner or difficulties with our hearing, seeing, and mobility, can make it easier to be more withdrawn and alone.

But we are social beings – meant to be with others. And although it may feel more comfortable just talking to ourselves (at least that person knows us), research has found that social engagement is better for both our physical and mental health. (Maybe because we find someone who will pick us up when we get down on ourselves!)

But if you are one of many who doesn’t find socializing easy or natural; and who reacts to a large group of strangers (meaning two or more) the same as you would to a dentist’s drill, you might find these suggestions helpful.

First, social encounters can be tricky, and if doesn’t go well don’t interpret it as rejection or hostility – and then blame yourself. Focus on the positive and not on what you may have thought went wrong.

Second, it may be easier to meet new friends while attending an exercise class or another group activity – something you’ll have in common to talk about instead of having to start a conversation from scratch.

And last, but most important, give it a chance. Whether attending lunch at the senior center or a church service for the first time, most groups have established social relationships built over time. And although they’re open to new friendships, don’t expect them to welcome you like a long-lost rich uncle. Give yourself time to establish your own relationships. And as a rule of thumb, try it at least six times before you decide that it doesn’t work for you.

Life has much to offer during all stages of our lives. Get out, start conversations, and enjoy new friendships. You will discover new ideas and unique perspectives (some very unique!) and foster deeper connections with family, friends, and neighbors.

The “Getting to Know Dementia” class will be held at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center from 10:00 – 11:30 every Thursday for six consecutive weeks starting May 25^th. As a participant, you will learn what happens when a brain is changing due to some form of dementia. You will also be introduced to the GEMS® State model of the progression of dementia which explains not only what is lost, but what is retained; and the Positive Approach to Care model developed by Teepa Snow. Teepa Snow has stated, “Dementia doesn’t rob someone of their dignity; it is our reaction to them that does.” To register contact Roni Hyde at 541-705-4870 or rhyde@gobhi.org.

Brain Tease: Another one of those “Why couldn’t I think of that answer?”

“A woman had two sons who were born on the same hour of the same day of the same year. But they were not twins. How could this be so?”

One of the most lauded jingles ever written for the advertising industry that practically every boy sang in the 1960s was “Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener, That is what I’d truly like to be, ‘Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer wiener, Everyone would be in love with me.”

I received correct answers from Sandy Haechrel, Mary Pierce, Lana Tepfer, Rhonda Spies, Marny Weting, Dave Lutgens, Keith and Marlene Clymer, Pat Evenson-Brady, Rebecca Abrams, and Kim Birge this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Pat Evenson-Brady, and Donna Mollet who did remember the slang term “grody”.

This week’s “Remember When” question goes back to an early star of American television which many of you may still remember. For this week’s “Remember When” question, who was the “lonesome” crew-cut comedian that starred in his weekly show from 1954 to 1960? Call 541-296-4788, email mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, or send it with a picture of his wife “Spooky Old Alice”.

Well, it has been another week, wondering where time is running off to. Until we meet again, keep smiling!

“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful.” –Alice Walker

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior Services (509-427-3990).

Answer: They were triplets, quadruplets, etc.

May is Older Americans Month – a time for all of us to acknowledge the many contributions and achievements of older Americans. This year’s theme is Aging Unbound which reminds us to take the opportunity to explore a wide range of new experiences without defining what we can or should do by our age.

But doesn’t that seem contradictory to what I wrote last week – that according to Laura Carstensen, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, when we consider our mortality our perspective on life changes to focusing on the here and now, the everyday pleasures, and the people closest to us instead of focusing on new experiences and taking chances?

It can be. But I don’t think it has to be if you consider the idea of living intentionally – meaning to make deliberate choices to reflect what is most important in your life. Living intentionally means not sleepwalking through the rest of your years and instead doing what you really care about.

It can be finding a new passion; not to accomplish the big end but for the pleasure of doing – in the moment. So what if your painting looks like something a child would paint or some piece of modern art? It’s okay.

Or it could mean that after forty years working 9 – 5 and raising a family, you want to spend your time relaxing on your recliner enjoying your favorite classic movies from your younger days.

Or you may decide after considering your abilities and limitations, you are going to let the wind take you wherever you are meant to go.

Whether you decide to find a new passion – or not, push boundaries – or not, try new activities – or not, embrace the opportunity to change – or not, be intentional in how you want to live and observe the world with your eyes wide open. Being intentional for the rest of your life can help you maintain a positive attitude, experience more clarity, and be more present – and be amazed. It is your decision.

Brain Tease: I’ve heard this teaser several times over the years, but I still couldn’t remember the answer! Maybe you can do better.

“Six drinking glasses stand in a row, with the first three full of juice and the next three empty. By moving only one glass, can you arrange them so empty and full glasses alternate?”

The name of the 1955 – 1956 television show featuring the characters Ralph Kramden, Ed Norton, and their wives Alice and Trixie was The Honeymooners. I received correct answers from Nancy Higgins, Bruce Johnson, Lana Tepfer, Donna Mollett, Jay Waterbury, Rebecca Abrams, Rhonda Spies, Jim Tindall, and Maria Kollas this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

Last week the question was much more difficult. An unpleasant person was a fink or ratfink. I received the correct answer from Marny Wetting, Linda Frizzell, Mary Pierce, Keith and Marlene Clymer, and Bruce Johnson – who also remembered taking his first date to the submarine races along NE Marine Drive near PDX which he thought was pretty “rad”! (Remember your first date or kiss)? And the slang word for extremely gross or dirty that I remember was grody, but Marny remembered funky, and Keith and Marlene remembered scum or scum bag. It brings back memories thinking about the words we once used to confuse our “dorky” parents who were so “square”. But since there were so many possible answers to last week’s question, everyone who answered is a winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

And as usual, several weeks ago I missed Jim Burrone from Hood River.

Richard Trentledge wrote this classic jingle in an hour, and it became one of the most lauded jingles ever written for the advertising industry. For this week’s “Remember When” question, in the 1960s what did every boy wish they were? You can email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a picture of a traveling Weinermobile which will be at the Safeway in Oregon City on May 14^th.

Well, it has been another week watching the temperature zig and zag. Until we meet again, it will soon be time to get out the SPF 40.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River

Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center

(541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office

(509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior

Services (509-427-3990).

Answer: Pour the second glass into the fifth glass.

I’ve been thinking (I know, don’t believe everything your mind tells you) about the book Being Mortal written by Atul Gawande, a surgeon, writer, and public health researcher. In this thought-provoking book, he reminds us that contrary to popular culture and marketing hype, we will not live forever. And unfortunately, most of us are not prepared to deal with this eventuality. As we age, we may try to do all the right things: being mentally engaged, staying physically active, and eating right, but like the tires on a 65 Mustang, we will eventually wear out.

But there is good news. Atul Gawande highlights the research of Laura Carstensen, a professor of psychology at Stanford University. Her work has shown that as we acknowledge our mortality, it changes our perspective on life, or as she says, “how we seek to spend our time may depend on how much time we perceive ourselves to have”.

She found when people feel they will live forever or are too busy to consider their eventual fate, they are more focused on climbing the economic ladder, trying new experiences, and taking chances, because if it doesn’t work out, well, there is always tomorrow.

But when you see your future in years instead of decades your perspective and focus changes to the here and now, the everyday pleasures, and the people closest to you. You see more clearly what is important and pay less attention to the trivial. You are more appreciative of the years you have.

That may not be news to most of us, but isn’t that ironic? As we ride what is seen by many as this downward trajectory of aging, we generally are happier. What was thought to be so important during our “productive” years is no longer, while friendships and living in the present are. It is like seeing the world with sharper glasses and thinking, wow, even with all the challenges of personal losses and physical ailments, life is pretty good.

In this month’s “Through the Eyes of an Elder”, Nancy Turner shares how she learned the meaning and importance of stories and offers an opportunity to learn the art of storytelling. Check it out.

Save the date. Starting May 25^th, a “Getting to Know Dementia” class will be held at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center from 10:00 – 11:30 every Thursday for six consecutive weeks. It is open to anyone in the Gorge. Stay tuned for more information.

Brain Tease: If you were able to solve last week’s brain tease, this one may be too easy. “How many pennies can you put into an empty piggy bank?”

The name of the 1955 – 1956 television show featuring the characters Ralph Kramden, Ed Norton, and their wives Alice and Trixie was The Honeymooners. As I am writing this column, my children are home visiting – and checking up on us. (We spent days cleaning so we wouldn’t give the impression we couldn’t take care of ourselves!) So, we’ll be enjoying our time with them and next week I’ll mention all of you who submitted the correct answer for the last two weeks.

I often use the word “cool” a slang term that was popularized back in the late 1940s. But there are many other slang terms we seldom hear anymore: “wet rag” – no fun or a bore, “don’t flip your wig” – tell someone to calm down, or “gas,” – any activity or event that was either fun or funny.

For this week’s “Remember When” question, what were the slang terms for something extremely gross or dirty; and for an unpleasant person who betrayed your trust or revealed a secret – and often included the prefix rat? You can email one or both answers to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a picture of a 50s teenage couple attending a “submarine race”.

Well, it has been another week looking life in the eye and trying not to blink. Until we meet again, most things are never as easy as you first thought, nor as hard as you may now believe.

“There are six myths about old age: 1) That it’s a disease, a disaster. 2) That we are mindless. 3) That we are sexless. 4) That we are useless. 5) That we are powerless. 6) That we are all alike.” Maggie Kuhn

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through

Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River

Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center

(541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office

(509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior

Services (509-427-3990).

Answer: Just one – after that it won’t be empty.

I’ve written several times about the six lifestyle behaviors that impact brain health: exercising regularly, eating right, staying mentally challenged, sleeping well, managing stress, and being social – behaviors that can keep your cognitive engine running smoothly so you can remember where you left that whatchamacallit.

We worry about forgetting names and faces, at least I do, but can you imagine not forgetting anything? You might make thousands on Jeopardy, but wouldn’t you go nuts?

Scott A. Small, MD, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Columbia University and author of Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering suggests that for most people, not only are memory lapses normal, they’re also necessary for the functioning of a healthy brain while also benefiting our cognitive and creative abilities by not interfering with access to new learning or ideas.

Besides the scientific benefits for a healthy brain, imagine how forgetting can have several other more practical benefits. You can enjoy a murder mystery again because you forgot who the culprits were. Or you can eat healthier by placing out of sight the unhealthy foods, you know the ones you really like, so you only see the healthy fruits and vegetables. Out of sight, out of mouth!

But a more serious benefit of forgetting is letting go of painful memories that can affect your emotional and physical well-being. It’s easy to forget where you parked your car, but it isn’t so easy to forget resentments, grudges, and disappointments that can contribute to depression and anxiety. The more we dwell on a hurtful memory or think about the events surrounding the memory, the stronger the neuronal connections become around the memory. But staying social, seeking friendships, and engaging with life can help you forget the hurt from those memories.

As Dr. Small points out, “The ability to forget helps us prioritize, think better, make decisions, and be more creative. Normal forgetting, in balance with memory, gives us the mental flexibility to grasp abstract concepts from a morass of stored information, allowing us to see the forest through the trees.”

So now you no longer need to apologize when you forget your wedding anniversary. You can just explain that you are trying to think better and be more creative by making room in your brain for the important stuff – although you might need to find somewhere else to sleep!

Brain Teaser: If you didn’t know the answer to last week’s teaser, you’re not alone. When I asked a small group of friends, and they were much younger than me, no one knew the answer! But this week you should find this simple math question a little easier. Give it a shot. “How many times can you subtract 5 from 25?”

The country pop duo considered by some as the greatest duo of all time and recorded the 1958 #1 hit “Wake Up Little Susie” was the Everly Brothers. I received correct answers from Bruce Johnson, Mike McFarlane, Lana Tepfer, Donna Mollett, Rhonda Spies, Jess Birge, Deborah Medina, Doug Nelson, Keith and Marlene Clymer, Steven Woolpert, and Mary Pierce whom I missed several weeks ago, but not this week because she’s the winner of this week’s quilt raffle ticket.

When Jackie Gleason starred in his own television variety show from 1952 – 1957, he played many comic characters including Joe the Bartender, Reginald Van Gleason III, and his most famous character, the blustery bus driver Ralph Kramden. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the 1955 – 1956 television show featuring the characters Ralph Kramden, Ed Norton, and their wives Alice and Trixie? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a picture of the Jackie Gleason Bus Depot in Brooklyn.

Well, it has been another week, going around in circles while trying to stay on my feet. Until we meet again, here is one of Roger Rosenblatt’s rules for aging that’s always good to remember. “Just because the person criticizing you is an idiot doesn’t make him wrong.”

“I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said, ‘Forget everything you know about slipcovers,’ so I did, and it was a load off my mind; then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn’t know what the hell they were.” Mitch Hedberg

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River

Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center

(541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office

(509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior

Services (509-427-3990).

Answer: Just once, because after you subtract anything from it, it’s not 25 anymore.

When you get behind the wheel in your car, do you know how far back you should adjust your seat? Or what angle you should position the steering wheel? Or what you should consider when adjusting the mirrors? I don’t. I just do what feels comfortable without considering what might be the safest.

Although the AARP Smart Driver Program improves our driver safety by addressing cognitive abilities and skills, we can also improve our safety by ensuring our cars are properly adjusted.

As older drivers, we are more likely to wear our seatbelts and less likely to speed or drink and drive, but we are also more likely to be killed or seriously injured when a crash occurs because we’re generally less able to withstand the impact of an accident.

CarFit, a free educational program created by the American Society on Aging and developed in collaboration with AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association, helps address these safety concerns by showing us how to adjust the “fit” within our cars.

During a CarFit event, you and your car will go through a 12-point checklist with trained technicians. In addition to demonstrating proper seat belt position, technicians will be checking your steering wheel tilt and head restraint; the distance from your chest to the steering wheel; line of sight above the steering wheel; mirror adjustment including blind spot checks and a quick check of all lights, horn, windshield wipers, etc.

And if your car has any of those new safety features we never would have imagined when we were kids such as lane change warnings and automatic braking, they will also be checked and explained. After the final vehicle walk-around and tire check, you will receive a Resource Bag with educational material and a copy of the 12-point checklist.

The CarFit event will take place on Saturday, April 29th from 12:00 – 3:30 in the Mid-Columbia Senior Center parking lot. Spots are limited, so to guarantee a twenty-minute CarFit checkup, call the Center to pre-register. Or if you like to wait till the last moment, stop by and see if they can fit you in.

Also, volunteers are needed as technicians and support help. To register to be a CarFit volunteer, call the Center at (541) 296-4788. And for further information, you can email Dick Frost at kc7vpf@aol.com.

We can have this CarFit event in the Gorge thanks to the efforts of Mosier resident Dick Frost, a long-time Smart Driver instructor and the CarFit State Coordinator.

BRAIN TEASE:

Brain Tease: When trying to solve this one, remember we often make the mistake of assuming what isn’t. “A donkey is tied to a rope 6 feet long and there is a bale of hay 8 feet away. How can the donkey get to the hay if he does not bite or undo the rope?”

The name of the hair gel introduced in 1965 and marketed as a setting lotion for rollers to give you that perfect ‘Do” was Dippity-do. I received correct answers from Nancy Higgins, Rhonda Spies, Donna Mollet, Virginia Nelson, Kim Birge, Melissa Hayes, Marlene Clymer, and this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket Pat Evenson-Brady who found you can buy a vintage partially used jar of Dippity-do on e-Bay for only $48.88! But why? And last week I missed Bruce Johnson, Anna O’Donnell, and once again Nancy Higgins.

Because of their tight harmonies, this singing duo influenced many top recording artists including the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees, and Simon & Garfunkel. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this country pop duo considered by many as the greatest duo of all time, and who recorded the 1958 #1 hit single that included the lyrics “Well, what are we gonna tell your mama?/ What are we gonna tell your pa?/ What are we gonna tell our friends/ When they say ‘Ooh la la’”? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a photo of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant who wrote many of the duo’s hits.

Well, it has been another week, enjoying the blossoming colors of spring. Until we meet again, there are times to live loud and times to be still. The hard part is knowing when.

“Write a wise saying and your name will live forever.” Anonymous

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior Services (509-427-3990).

Answer: The other end of the rope is not tied to anything!

As you grow older, think of the benefits. You no longer have to worry about how to ask that cute girl to the middle school dance, what your children are doing after the football game on Saturday night; and the annual performance review so you can obtain that needed job promotion. We’ve been there, done that.

But now there are other worries. What other part of my body will need to go to the shop for repair? How am I going to get myself off the couch and stay active and engaged? (I’ve found a bowl of ice cream is an effective reward although some may consider that counterproductive!) How am I going to plan for long-term living arrangements on a fixed income?

These are some of the challenges we face as we age. To learn more about how to address these challenges and make the best of the coming years, you are invited to attend the Aging Well Learning Series which will be held once a month from April 19th through August 16th.

On April 19th the first presentation in the series will be “Aging and People with Disabilities Long Term Services”. You will learn about the services available for older adults and people with disabilities at home, in the community, and in care facilities.

The next will be a “Community Resource Panel” on May 24 when you will hear from a variety of organizations that support older adults: 211info, Alzheimer’s Association, CAPECO Money Management Program, Circles of Care, and Hood River Valley Adult Center.

The last three presentations will be “Disaster Preparedness for Older Adults and their Caregivers” on June 21st; “Staying Healthy and On Your Feet” on July 19th; and “Having the Tough Conversations” on August 16th.

These five presentations will take place from 11:30 to 12:30 at the FISH Food Bank Community Meeting Room at 1130 Tucker Road in Hood River. Bring a lunch or snack and hear what you can do to live well.

If you are aware of the benefits of technology in today’s digital world, (you may even be reading this column on the CGN website), you should consider becoming a trainer to lead a Senior Planet technology course in the Gorge. Senior Planet courses teach with a purpose: to help older adults be more socially engaged, financially secure, healthier, and creative in our digital world.

To become a new trainer, you will need to attend five virtual one-hour classes starting the week of May 15. There are two options: Tuesdays at 9:00 am or Wednesdays at 2:00 pm. If you are interested in being a trainer, contact Roni Hyde at 541-705-4870 or rhyde@gobhi.org before the end of this month.

Brain Tease: See if you find this one too easy. “You are running in a street marathon and you overtake the person in last place, what position are you now in?”

The name of the “greasy” hair gel that used the tag lines, “a little dab will do ya!’ was Brylcream. I received correct answers from Afton Franger, Lana Tepfer, Jay Waterbury, Donna Mollett, Doug Nelson, Keith Clymer, Marny Wetting, Rhonda Spies, Rebecca Abrams, Sandy Kice, Jess Birge, Tina Castanares, Barbara Telfer, Pat Evenson-Brady, and this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket is Hood River High School Class of 1962 graduate Ken Jernstedt.

But the most intriguing answer was “Wildroot Cream Oil” submitted by Linda Frizzell which I’ve never heard of. Have you? According to Wikipedia, in the 1950s it was also associated with the greaser subculture when teenage boys slicked their hair down into a ducktail style.

Before hand-held hair dryers became popular, I remember my younger sister using this hair gel which was introduced in 1965 and marketed as a setting lotion for rollers. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this woman’s hair gel that could give you that perfect ‘Do”? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a picture of a Beehive hairdo – maybe from your high school yearbook?

Well, it has been another week, starting and stopping; starting and stopping. Until we meet again, if you use GPS when driving, you’re missing out on the adventure of getting lost!

“A flower blossoms for its own joy.” — Oscar Wilde

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through

Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River

Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center

(541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office

(509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior

Services (509-427-3990).

Answer: This cannot happen. You cannot overtake the person who is in last place, as there is no one behind them!

I’m trying to hold back the slow, methodical footsteps of time. I do all the right things. I exercise five days a week; I keep mentally stimulated by playing brain games and working the online NYT crossword puzzles (I use autocorrect!); I keep my sodium intake low and eat a daily variety of vegetables; and I stay socially active by working parttime and volunteering. But then I realize, I’m no longer the young whipper-snapper I used to be.

How do I know? Friends start giving me tissues when my nose, without informing me, starts dripping like an old pipe; I mention Ma Bell to my adult children and they want to know who she is; and among my younger friends, I’m the only one who knows how to spell Alzheimer’s! I can now empathize with the woman who was looking for someone with younger legs to mow her yard because at 87 she had finally reached the age when she couldn’t “cut the mustard, let alone the grass!”

I can’t stop the quickening passage of time. (Well, I can but I don’t like that alternative!) Instead, I will learn to embrace my age with humor and determination while enjoying this precious life adventure.

Which leads to this month’s “Through the Eyes of an Elder” a monthly column where over the past three years, a diverse set of “eyes” have shared their touching and moving examples of how to embrace your age. The column is made possible thanks to Columbia Gorge News and the efforts and vision of Tina Castanares and the Aging in the Gorge Alliance. Please check out this month’s column “It is never too late – or too early – to ‘Talk About Aging’”.

AGE+ is a non-profit supporting older adults, particularly in rural Oregon. In 2019, AGE+ established Circles of Care in The Dalles and is now active in the Hood River Valley through a partnership with Hood River Valley Adult Center and Providence Hood River.

Another initiative of AGE+ is the Ageless Awards to be held on April 20^th which recognizes Oregonians 75 years or older who have lived their lives making significant contributions to their communities. These honorees are examples of the many individuals in our communities who defy ageist stereotypes, demonstrate the positive impact of older adults, and inspire others to do more in their communities. This year one of the five honorees has Gorge connections: Ed Edmo, a tribal member, poet, and storyteller, who grew up at Celilo Village and has spoken many times in the Gorge.

You can watch the Ageless Awards and hear the honorees’ inspiring stories by registering online at ageplus.org. Or you can attend a Watch Party at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center on April 20^th from 11:45 to 1:00.

Brain Tease: See if you can read this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson while walking backward. Actually, walking backward may not be a good idea.

.yleneres dna llew ti nigeb llahs uoy ;yad wen a si worromoT .nac uoy sa noos sa meht tegrof ;ni tperc tbuod on seitidrusba dna srednulb emoS .dluoc uoy tahw enod evah uoY .ti htiw enod eb dna yad hcae hsiniF

The name of the song Henry Mancini composed with lyrics by Johnny Mercer for the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s was “Moon River”. I received correct answers from Tina Castanares, Donna Mollet, Bruce Johnson, Kim Birge, Marny Weting, Rhonda Spies, Debbie Medina, Dave Lutgens, Pat Everson-Brady, Linda Frizzell, Doug Nelson, Lana Tepfer, Kirk Taylor, and Nancy Higgins who wins a quilt raffle ticket because I’ve missed her not once but twice! And last week I also missed Mary Pierce, Rebecca Abrams, and Rose Schulz.

In the 60s the makers of Vitalis launched an advertising campaign ridiculing grown men who still used that “greasy kid stuff.” For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of that “greasy” hair gel that used the tag lines, “a little dab will do ya! Use more only if you dare but watch out! The gals will all pursue ya! They’ll love to run their fingers through your hair.”? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with the original TV commercial.

Well, it has been another week peeking around the corner. Until we meet again, keep an open mind but don’t let your brains fall out.

“Never test the depth of the water with both feet.” African Proverb

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through

Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River

Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center

(541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office

(509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior

Services (509-427-3990).

In her February 16^th opinion piece in the Washington Post titled “Gen Z might not want to drive. Gen Old shouldn’t”, 84-year-old Elaine Soloway, urges her generation to “Please STOP driving!”

That may be a little extreme and stereotyping older adults – although she lives in Chicago and who would want to drive in any large city? But even around here, we’ve probably known someone we think should stay off the roads, hang up the keys, and sell the car.

But when to stop driving is one of the most agonizing decisions we make as we get older. Driving is a sign of independence. It allows us to visit friends, attend our favorite activities, and buy groceries on our own and when we want.

There are excellent door-to-door transportation options in the Gorge if you decide not to drive. I’m not there yet. But if I’m going to continue driving, I need to learn how to drive smarter. My automatic pilot isn’t as dependable as it once was. And the best way to learn to drive smarter is to complete the AARP Smart Driver Course.

Over 16 million drivers have completed the course and ninety-two percent of the participants say they’d recommend the AARP Smart Driver course to a friend. The course teaches proven driving techniques to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. You’ll learn about the effects of medication on driving; how to maintain the proper following distance; handling left turns, right-of-way, and roundabouts; and the proper use of safety belts, airbags, and new technology found in cars today.

You’ll also learn techniques for how to adjust your driving to compensate for the age-related physical and cognitive changes many of us experience such as how to reduce driver distractions. And after completing the course, when one of your children is driving, you’ll have the confidence to gently scream, “YOU’RE DRIVING TOO CLOSE!”

The AARP Smart Driver course will be held at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center on April 26^th from 1:00 – 4:30 and April 27^th from 11:30 – 3:00. You’ll need to attend both sessions to receive your certificate. The cost is $25 per person or $20 for AARP members and you should bring your driver’s license and a pen. Call the Center at 541-296-4788 to sign up. It is open to all Oregon residents.

For those of you who are unable to attend the course, you can take it online by logging on to the AARP Smart Driver Course website. You don’t experience the interaction you find in an in-person class, but it’s convenient and self-paced with sixty days to complete the course.

Brain Tease: This week see if you can solve this ‘series teaser’ where you try to complete the following sequence of numbers. Ready, set, go!

What number comes next? 35, 79, 1113, 1517, ?

The name of the frightening 1968 psychological horror film about a story of Satanism and a young wife’s pregnancy was Rosemary’s Baby. I received correct answers from Lana Tepfer, Bruce Johnson, Rhonda Spies, Dave Lutgens, Deborah Medina, Steven Woolpert, Maria Kollas, who pointed out Rosemary’s Baby is pretty tame compared to horror films nowadays, and Sharon Mounsey this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Linda Frizzell.

Henry Mancini, one of the greatest film composers of all time, wrote the scores for the Peter Gunn television series, the Pink Panther films, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s which included this song described as a “romantic song in which the romantic partner is the idea of romance.”

For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the song Henry Mancini composed with lyrics by Johnny Mercer for Breakfast at Tiffany’s and became Andy Williams’ theme song? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with the iconic black Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film. (It’s for my wife!)

Well, it’s been another week, trying to keep my mind on the road. Until we meet again, as Robert J. Sawyer once said  “Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.”

“Why is it that our memory is good enough to retain the least triviality that happens to us, and yet not good enough to recollect how often we have told it to the same person?” Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through

Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River

Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center

(541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office

(509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior

Services (509-427-3990).

Answer: 1921…just keep adding two, 3…5…7…9…11…13…15…17…19…21

When you listen to a favorite old song, smell a certain perfume, or browse through a picture album, does it trigger images and emotions long forgotten? This nostalgia, the emotions caused by remembering something from the past, has been described by Angela Carter as the vice of the aged. “We watch so many old movies our memories come in monochrome”. And John Thorn uses the Greek description to define nostalgia as the pain of not being able to return to one’s home and family.

Nostalgia is often considered detrimental to your emotional well-being. If you are constantly comparing your current situation to the past and wishing you could return to the “good old days”, it can create a sense of loss, isolation and a corresponding disconnect from the present.

But according to the 2013 New York Times article written by John Tierney “What is Nostalgia Good For? Quite a Bit Research Shows”, nostalgia has many positive benefits. It can provide psychological comfort and support – counteracting feelings of boredom, loneliness, and anxiety. It can raise self-esteem, increase optimism, and bring couples closer together when sharing common nostalgic experiences. And it can bring back memories that remind us that our lives do have meaning.

We can’t go back – time moves in only one direction, and we shouldn’t live in the past. But we can benefit from looking back and recalling the many fond and often embarrassing memories: listening to the Indianapolis 500 in the backyard with all the aunts and uncles; making a basket for the opposing team in a grade school basketball game (But I did get the sportsmanship award that year!); and driving my high school steady home in my grandmother’s ’63 Buick Skylark convertible.

Cherish the memories, but don’t get stuck. The comforting memories of the “good old days” can provide the confidence and strength to look forward to new adventures – and future memories.

Several weeks ago, I mentioned the Klickitat County Newsletter but I don’t want to ignore the folks in Skamania County. The Skamania Senior Services in Stevenson offers a variety of community-based services including their Swiftwater Senior Newsletter. The March/April newsletter is posted online and includes information about the Medicare Savings Program; calendars with activities and menus for March and April; and a Nutrition Tip by Sally Munoz, Nutrition Manager. You can also check out the Skamania County Senior Services Facebook page for the latest.

Brain Tease: Last week’s puzzler was a Dr. Seuss quote which was relatively simple to decipher if you knew that all the letters in the words were strung together and then separated into indistinguishable words. For those who didn’t figure it out, here is the Dr. Seuss quote from last week.

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.” – Dr. Seuss

The name of the game show where a panel tried to guess contestants’ occupations and also featured a “mystery guest” where the panelists while blindfolded would attempt to determine a celebrity guest’s identity was What’s My Line. I received correct answers from Steven Woolpert, Mary Pierce, Chuck Rice, Rebecca Abrams, Bruce Johnson, Dave Lutgens, Kim Birge, Lana Tepfer, Donna Mollet, Keith Clymer, and Marny Weting this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I didn’t miss anyone – at least that I know of.

In January I asked a question about the 1954 movie Godzilla which scared me out of my childhood pajamas. But years later I saw another movie that I found even more terrifying.

For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the frightening 1968 psychological horror film about a story of Satanism and a young wife’s pregnancy starring Mia Farrow, Ruth Gordon, and John Cassavetes and written and directed by Roman Polanski? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788, or send it with a copy of the book of the same title written by Ira Levin

Well, it’s been another week, looking under the couch for that word I’ve forgotten. Until we meet again, only a real friend will tell you when your zipper is unzipped.

“No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere.” – Sheryl Crow

Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through

Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) – Mondays and Wednesdays; Hood River

Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center

(541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333)

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office

(509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068); Skamania County Senior

Services (509-427-3990).