Because of the Memorial Day weekend, I am writing this column early. So I am going to keep it short and sweet – sharing a few “going-ons” interspersed with some one-liners just to keep it interesting. .
The Friendly Visitor program, operated by our local Area Agency on Aging (AAA), provides social visits to isolated or home bound seniors. The program is currently looking for twenty to thirty empathetic volunteers who are interested in spending time with isolated seniors – sharing stories, playing cards and just being a comforting presence. If this appeals to you, call the AAA at 541-298-4101. And if you know someone in need of companionship ask them to call the AAA, or you can refer them to the AAA who will contact them to see if they would be interested in a friendly visit. Maybe you can help provide that welcome “hello” that most of us take for granted.
“I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.”
Isn’t it frustrating! Your children never call anymore – all they want to do is email. Even worse, some of your best friends have traded in their pen for the keyboard. And because you don’t have a computer and don’t want one (even though your kids are going gaga wanting to buy you one) you feel like an outdated model T Ford. If you are in this situation, the Center will help you get online, set up an email account and send and receive emails. And then once you learn to email, any afternoon at the Center, you will be able to confidentially check your emails with friendly help nearby to quickly answer all of your questions. I won’t say it will always be easy but I know it is possible. Call the Center for an appointment, so we can get you connected and finally get your pesky kids off your back!
“Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”
I was beginning to panic, but we sold all the tickets for Riverdance. Unfortunately several folks procrastinated and missed out. But we still have two more performances scheduled this August and you might want to purchase your tickets now to make sure you don’t incur a similar fate. The Center has Sunday matinee tickets for Les Miserables on Sunday August 7th and Momma Mia on August 28th. Once again the tickets are only $70 including transportation but there are also four tickets available for $40 apiece if you want to drive into Portland on your own.
“We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.”
Now that Memorial Day has passed and summer has unofficially begun, you can dance into the swing of summer with the sounds of the Sugar Daddies tonight at the Center. And next Tuesday on June 7th the Strawberry Mountain Band will be playing for your enjoyment. The music starts at 7:00 and donations are always appreciated.
“The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”
Many folks remembered the song “Does Your Chewing Gun Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Over Night” but Mary Davis (proud member of the class of ’63) was the only one who sent in the correct answer: Lonnie Donegan, the British King of Skiffle. And check out the videos of Donegan from the 50’s and 60’s on YouTube and you can see why he was the most successful British musician before the Beatles.
Now that it is warming up, I’ve started wearing a vest and t-shirt which brings me to this week’s “Remember When” question. What was the name of the television character, played by Art Carney, who was Ralph Kramden’s best friend? And for bonus points what was the name of the lodge they both belonged to. E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or write it on the back of a map of the New York City sewer system.
Well, it has been another week watching the water rise. Until we meet again, there are times to live loud and times to be still. The hard part is knowing when.
“Why can’t we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn’t work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves and then we have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.” Snoopy
