Is it beginning to feel like spring? Because we are getting closer with the first day of spring (or the vernal equinox as the say in the more educated circles) arriving on March 20th. And just like flowers sprouting in the gardens and ants climbing on the kitchen counters, the Center is busy with activity. So stay with me as I share with you many of the spring activities at the Center.

 Another sign of spring is the return of the Center’s Saturday Breakfast from its two month winter hiatus. We’ll still working on the menu but the serving line opens at 8:00 but you better get up by 9:30 to enjoy a delicious breakfast for only $5.00. And remember, as Jack always said “Breakfast tastes better when someone else cooks it!”

 It’s also time for the Center’s Spring Membership drive. With the UpLifting Elevator Fundraiser picking up steam, one of the ways the Center can show community support when applying for grants for the elevator is by the number of Center memberships. So the Center has raised the bar for 2014 to a goal of 500 members: an increase of 100 members over last year. And we are about half way there. The cost is still $35 per person or $60 per couple; and then there is the Super Duper membership for $50 per person. In addition, this year we added the convenience of buying your membership online. Go to the Center’s website and click on the “Buy Now” button under membership.

 Debra Jones is continually growing the creative arts program at the Center and her latest is the Creative Arts Spring Series – two Tuesday classes in each of the months of March, April and May. You can choose which classes you want to attend, but you need to call the Center to register for each because space is limited. The next class on drawing with watercolors and pen and ink is from 1:00 – 2:30 March 25th. This class is open to all skill levels; particularly a great way for beginners to learn to use watercolors. Debra Jones is the instructor and the cost is $2.00. For more information you can contact Debra at 541- 298-2131 or visit the Center’s website at midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com for a full listing of all the creative arts classes.

 The good news is that “Barley Draught” will be playing at the Center on St. Patrick’s Day starting at 7:00 PM to raise funds for the Center’s Elevator. It is an over 21 event with Irish Beer, Irish pizza and Irish Soda Bread.

 But the bad news is that you will have to make a choice, because also on Monday folks will be celebrating St. Pat’s Day at Old St. Pete’s with the Cascade Singers, a Children’s Choir, and the Almost-All-Irish – Almost – All – Brass – Band. Music starts at 7:00 at the St. Peter’s Landmark. Admission is a free-will offering to benefit the St. Peter’s Landmark.

 And there is always music at the Center every Tuesday from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Truman will be playing his Country Gold on the 18th. And on Sunday the 16th, the Pie and Music Jam will be making its monthly stop at the Center from 2:00 – 5:00. And it is free.

 The answer to last week’s question is Mad Magazine whose mission has been described as “being ever ready to pounce on the illogical, hypocritical, self-serious and ludicrous”. And the goofy looking boy often found on the cover? It’s “What – Me Worry!” Alfred E Neuman. (And the winner of a free breakfast this coming Saturday is Mad Man (Dennis) Morgan.)

 This week’s “Remember When” question was inspired by an email from Marv Elsberry reminding readers not to forget these famous flyers of WW II. To send a message to Japan and to boost American morale after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, in April of 1942 sixteen B-25s, each with a five member crew, took off from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet to bomb Tokyo and five Japanese industrial centers: What was the name given to these eighty WWII heroes? And for bonus points, what was the name of the 1944 Hollywood movie based on the raid? E-mail your answers to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send your answers with a picture of the B-25 nicknamed “The Ruptured Duck”.

 Well, it has been another week feeling good until I don’t. Until we meet again, as Paul Newman once said “It is useless to put on your brakes when you’re upside down”.

 “In retrospect it becomes clear that hindsight is definitely overrated!” Alfred E Neuman