Do you ever fear you will become that friend or neighbor who can’t remember when – he told what – to who? I do. Many times when writing this column I can’t recall if I have previously shared the same story, repeated the same quote – or even if I am repeating this fear of repeating myself. Is it déjà vu all over again? (I wonder if Marilyn Ericksen, my able predecessor, or even Al Nelson, who was the originator of this column, had the same experience.) But my sanity returns when I remember who my audience is! How many times have you had to go through a stack of newspapers looking for an article with the date or time that you can’t seem to remember? But if I ever do repeat myself, which I am sure I will, and you have the steel trap memory to catch me, I will honor your achievement in this column – even though you will probably be shunned by your peers for not acting your age.

It is that time again, when once a month you can let someone else do the cooking and enjoy a tasty, lip smacking, jaw dropping mind-blowing breakfast. Every month the Center rotates the menu and this Saturday, May 15th, you can feast on Texas French Toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit and the regular beverages. Breakfast is served from 8:00 – 9:30 and is only $5 for the general public and 4$ for Center members. And even though shirts and shoes are required, tips are not.

Now is a good time to get on board the “AARP Driver Safety” train with your conductor Dennis Davis. So far, there are only a few folks signed up for this month’s class on Monday and Tuesday (17th and 18th), making this your chance to get the special individual attention you deserve – unless you are the type that likes sit in the back of the class throwing spit wads and passing notes. The class is from 9 – 1 each day and the cost is only $14 ($12 for AARP members) for the materials.

Friday I attended the last performance for this year’s community concert series and enjoyed the amazing voices and talent of Gaileca – and example of the excellent artists that Patti Blagg and the Community Concerts folks bring to town. By purchasing a ticket for the next season, you can enjoy a wide variety of talented performers – missing only the big names and the high ticket prices. Individual tickets are $60, but if you are of that Medicare age – 65 and over – the tickets are only $55 for the four shows. And if you purchase your tickets by May 15 you save another $5 – that is like getting a free Saturday breakfast. For more information you can call 541-298-4352 or 541-386-3055.

You just can’t beat live music. And while there are many opportunities to listen to live music like Community Concerts, there aren’t as many opportunities to dance. But every Tuesday night at the Center you can kick up your heals, take your partner in hand and dance till the morning sun or 9:00 PM whichever comes first. Next week the always popular Truman will be back playing his “Country Gold” and tonight it is the sweet sounds of the Notecrackers. This is one gig that everyone can afford – it’s free – but you can’t afford to miss. Music starts at 7:00 and everybody is welcome.

Thanks to Del Hendrickson, the speaker for the Center’s Tuesday lecture on May 18th at 11:00 am will be Clarence Mershon, sharing stories and facts of the Historic Columbia River Highway about which he has written several books. Del met Clarence at the Wasco Pioneer’s dinner in The Dalles three years ago and recently asked Clarence to speak here at the Center. He agreed and now you have a chance to learn more about the fascinating history of this treasure in our own backyard.

You may have already seen the ads for Cirque Dreams: Illumination at the Keller Auditorium. The Center still has twelve tickets left for the matinee performance at 2:00 on Saturday May 27th for only $60 including transportation. The show is described as a stage performance where “an international cast of world-class acrobats, athletes, musicians and one of a kind artists populate this imaginative, colorful metropolis and breathe life into over 100 inventive costumes, an original musical score, and magical sights that transform the landscape of a city into thrills and disbelief.” Call the Center at 541-296-4788 to purchase your tickets.

The winning name chosen from last week’s nine entries was Joe Usatine who remembered that the Ford Mustang was first introduced at the New York World’s Fair in 1964. This week’s “Remember When” question goes back to an early star of American television which many of you may have forgotten. Who was the “lonesome” crew cut comedian married to “Spooky Old Alice” and starred in his own weekly show from 1954 – 1960? Call 541-296-4788 or email mcseniorcenter@gmail.com.

That’s another wrap. Until we meet again, savor the past, enjoy the moment and believe in tomorrow.

“The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.” Friedrich Nietzsche