Walking is one of the best and simplest forms of exercise, (just put on your sweats and walking shoes and out the door you go – or just for the fun of it wear only your walking shoes and see what kind of excitement you can stir up in the neighborhood!). But if you are one who finds it easier to achieve your fitness goals with the support of a group, you may be interested in joining the Riverfront Walking Club. Organized by Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreations for fun and fitness, the walking club meets every Tuesday and Thursday mornings starting at 8:00 AM. (And starting in July for the early risers in the audience, Anya has added a 6:30 AM starting time.) The routes vary each week: first week of the month starts at Suefert Park near DMV; second week at Riverfront Park /Marina; third week at Klindt’s Cove; the fourth week at the Discovery Center. And if there is a fifth week everyone meets at Sorosis Park. (But you may want to call Parks and Recreation at 541-296-9533 to make sure I’m not feeding you the wrong story.)
Parks and Recreation offers many other opportunities to get you ‘shakin’ and bakin’ this summer. They provide information about Geocaching – a popular high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world with many treasures called geocaches hidden here in The Dalles. And they can also lend you free GPS units which you can pick up at their offices at 414 Washington Street. There is swimming for all the amphibious types at the Ted Walker Memorial Pool with several times available on weekdays for lap swimming: 5:30 – 6:30 AM, noon – 1:00 (which is much more reasonable hour!) and 6:00 – 7:00 in the evening. If you are over 65, you can buy a Lap Swim Punch Card for ten visits for only $20.00. And for those of you who would rather stay dry, there is Disc Golf in the shade at Sorosis Park.
These are just some of the many activities provided by Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation to help you stay fit and active during the summer months. And I didn’t even mention, you could put on your knee pads and helmet and practice your “kickturns” at the new skateboard park!
If you’re like me, you could always use a reminder (how many times have I remembered an event the day after!) So once again and with feeling, the Center is holding its annual summer rummage sale this Thursday and Friday from 9:00 – 4:00. And on Saturday, to help move out the remaining bargains, there will be a bag sale from 9 – noon.
Tuesday night music at the Center will feature the Jazz Generations on the 28th with Hank and Ann Krum have been playing professionally to appreciative audiences for many years and trumpeter Bob Fiske who adds the “s” in Jazz Generations. And tonight Truman’s one man band will be playing country’s best. Tuesday night music is open to all ages, hair styles and boot types. The music starts at 7:00 and donations are always appreciated.
Last week’s question was about the novelty song “Beep, Beep” which told the story of a duel between a Nash Rambler and a Cadillac and concluded with the verse: “And the fellow rolled down his window/ And yelled for me to hear/“Hey Buddy, how can I get this car/ Out of second gear?” (And the winner of a Cowboy Breakfast on July 1th is Sandy Goforth.)
My daughter, Hillary, just returned from her semester studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea during which time my wife and I were desperately hoping there would not be an international incident between North and South Korea – which brings me to this week’s “Remember When” history question. Relations between the two Koreas have always been difficult, but on January 23, 1968 a US Navy intelligence gathering ship was boarded and captured by North Korea (and is still currently being held by North Korea and displayed as a museum ship). What was the name of this ship and for two bonus points who was the commanding officer? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, or call 541-296-4788.
Well it has been a week of new insights and old outcomes. Until we meet again, here is some wise advice I recently heard: if you don’t want to look your age, keep smiling and don’t let the little things bother you. Or as Robert Brault would say “The most valuable lesson man has learned from his dog is to kick a few blades of grass over it and move on.”
