When you get older you find the body is not as resilient as it once was – which is nothing new to anyone reading this column. And when that body needs to be serviced by your local medical mechanic because of an illness, knee surgery or a recent fall, you may need some medical equipment to help you get back on your feet. Because Medicare doesn’t always cover the cost or the equipment is needed for only a few days, the Center expanded its loan closet to include many of the common pieces of medical equipment.
But because the program has been such a success, assisting hundreds of folks a year, the cupboards are once again bare. To continue to assist folks, the Center is in need of shower benches, transfer benches, wheelchairs and even toilet seat risers. (We have plenty of hospital beds, and aluminum walkers.) If you have any medical equipment, that fortunately you no longer need, the Center would be glad to take it off your hands, so we can put it in someone else’s – to help them in their successful recovery.
Steve Lawrence is the speaker for the Center’s 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on March 20th discussing the Wasco County Veteran’s Services Office. But Steve is also bringing newly selected Veteran’s Services Officer Russ Jones. This will be a great opportunity to meet Russ, learn more about the services the office provides and ask any questions about veteran’s benefits.
“Old Fashion Bingo” at the Center is back again on March 17th from 3:00 – 4:00 PM. This is a once-a-month chance for the whole family, including grandma and the grandkids (anyone over 7), to play bingo as we did when we were kids (you know – up, down or diagonal). Bingo cards are only $3.00 and to make it interesting there are small cash prizes: $5 to the winner of each of the first nine games, and $25.00 for the blackout on the last game. And anyone twelve and older (if you are under 18 you need to bring your parent or guardian) can stay around for the Saturday Night Bingo starting at 6:00 PM.
When the garden supply ads are in the newspaper, the sun screen lotion displays are out, and my wife starts making a list of what “we” need to do in the yard, you know spring is around the corner and time to start thinking about the garden. And also time for me to remind folks about a little gardening gem called “Garden Highlights” produced by local master gardener Marty Miller. The latest bi-monthly, no cost, full color edition for March/April is now available electronically (You can receive one by emailing Marty at gardenhighlights@hrecn.net) or you can pick up an old-fashion paper edition at the Center.
After a two month break, it is time to get back into the 3rd Saturday Breakfast habit starting on March 17th from 8:00 – 9:30 – this month sponsored by the good folks at Flagstone Senior Living. The menu includes flapjacks, scrambled eggs, sausage with fruit and your favorite beverage – all for $5.00 or $4.00 for Center members. And as Jack use to say, “Breakfast always tastes better when someone else cooks it.”
Tonight at the Center, the Martin and Friends will be playing so you can kick up your heels and stretch your toes. And then next week, Truman will be singing his County Gold. Everyone is welcome to join the excitement starting at 7:00. And to keep the lights on and feed the musicians, donations are always appreciated.
I finally stumped Ben Neumayer last week, but not Joann Scott who – even though she thought he was “Phoney Baloney” – remembered Paul Peterson as teenager Jeff Stone on the Donna Reed Show. But this week is the beginning of March Madness, so this week’s “Remember When” question (for another free Saturday Breakfast) has to be about basketball. From 1971-1978 the U of O basketball team was coached by Dick Harter and twice beat #1 UCLA. What was the nickname Dick Harter gave his team? Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it to the Center with a pair of basketball shoes worn by Ron Lee.
Well, it has been another week trying to get though life without tripping over my own feet. Until we meet again, forgive the past, live in the present and don’t worry about the future.
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.”
Douglas Adams
Wednesday (14) Salisbury Steak
Thursday (15) Irish Potato Feed with all the Toppings
Friday (16) Fish or Chicken Nuggets
Monday (19) Chicken Fried Steak
Tuesday (20) BIRTHDAY DINNER Turkey and Gravy with Dressing
