Along my journey of growing older, I desperately tried to avoid my preconceived ideas of what old looked like: wearing hearing aids – which now I wouldn’t live without; or using a pill box – until there were too many days when I couldn’t recall if I took my morning pills or not!

Since I’ve passed those two milestones, I’ve started thinking that instead of denying my age I should celebrate my “oldness” and the accompanying joys. (I’ll leave the challenges for another day.)

But what is old? We’ve all heard it is ten years older than you are now, (which I am continuing to find surprising accurate) but is there a better way to know? So, for those of you who are curious, I found this list of “scientifically validated” indicators of old age. See how you compare with my answers.

1.      You fall asleep watching TV or reading the paper. No, but at 3:00 I do start nodding off.

2.      You become forgetful. Yes, but it’s no different than the twentysomething who can’t remember what I just ordered on my Subway sandwich!

3.      You groan when getting up from a chair or out of bed. No, but for some reason my wife thinks I do. 

4.     You say ‘back in my day’. No, I say “back in the good old days”.

5.     You have an afternoon nap. Yes, but they are now “power naps”.

6.     You don’t know the names of current celebrities. I do – if they are over 65.

7.     You have a low tolerance for teenagers. No. I find teenagers great. It brings back fond memories of my youth without having to relive those days.

8.     You only listen to music from your youth. No. I listen to contemporary music that sounds like music from my youth.

Over halfway through and looking good.

9.      You choose places to eat because they play quiet music. Yes, because I want to hear who I am talking with  – which is not easy wearing hearing aids.

10.     Choosing to meet friends for lunch or dinner rather than a night out for drinks. Yes. I need to be in bed by 9:00.

11.     You spend weekends or holidays in garden centers. No. I try to stay out of the garden – that’s my wife’s domain – thankfully.

12.     Gardening is a hobby. No. See above

13.     You forget where your glasses are. Yes, but I always find them – on my head!

14.     You choose clothes for comfort rather than style. Yes, because who am I trying to impress?

15.     You get a haircut to ‘suit your age’. No, because I’m still figuring out what my age is.

So how did you do? Did you do better than my 9 out of 15 “no” answers? If so let’s go out and celebrate – but please, not too long!

The members of the 1985 country music supergroup The Highwaymen were Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson. I received correct answers from Steven Woolpert, Barbara Cadwell, Susan Ellis, John McEwen, Jess Birge, Gene Uczen, Lana Tepfer, Tina Castanares, Keith Clymer, Margo Dameier, Mike Yarnell, Rose Schulz, Jim and Jennifer Stager, Doug Nelson and Joy Nicholson this week’s winner of a free quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Beverly Thomas and Doug Nelson.

Remember when doctors and even Santa Claus were used to selling cigarettes on television? That ended at 11:50 pm on January 1st, 1971, when the last cigarette advertisement ran on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the brand of cigarette in that television ad that tried to cash in on the women’s liberation movement with the tag line “You’ve come a long way, baby.” E-mail your answers to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a short history of the Women’s Tennis Association. 

Well, it has been another week trying to decide which way is up. Until we meet again, as they said in the old west, “Poor is having to sell the horse to buy the saddle.”

“There are six myths about old age: 1. That it’s a disease, a disaster. 2. That we are mindless. 3. That we are sexless. 4. That we are useless. 5. That we are powerless. 6. That we are all alike.” – Maggie Kuhn

The sun is out, the days are warmer, and suddenly I have this urge to start cleaning and getting rid of “stuff”. I even start thinking it might be time to downsize; find a smaller place to live. Or even fit all my possessions into a Sprinter van (an upgrade from the Volkswagen van of half a century ago) and travel to new destinations full of excitement and possibilities! But when my head clears, I realize downsizing is more a struggle than an adventure. 

“There are only four kinds of people in the world — those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Those words were spoken by Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and I’m sure many of you or even most of you have been in one of those situations.

During the pandemic, one segment of the labor force, dedicated, skilled, and yet largely undervalued and unappreciated, is frontline care professionals such as certified nursing assistants (CNAs), home health aides, personal care attendants, and dietary aides. Working where people live, they are essential to the health and well-being of millions of older adults who are most at risk from COVID-19. In addition to the care, over the last year they provided the only companionship for many isolated older adults despite their concerns for their personal health.

They are the unsung heroes who have shown up every day, rising to the great challenges of these difficult times. And increasingly, those of us who will need care, which will be many of us, will be relying upon these essential care professionals in the future.

There will be a special tribute to the dedicated frontline care professionals during this year’s Ageless Awards celebration hosted by Age+. The Ageless Awards celebrates older adults 75+ and their lifelong commitment to their communities across Oregon. It will be held virtually on April 22nd, 12:00 – 1:00 (pre-show at 11:30). You can register online at www.ageplus.org.

AGE+ is a non-profit organization creating innovative solutions to improve the lives of older adults with a particular emphasis on rural communities. Two years ago Age+ introduced Circles of Care in Wasco County (541-397-0724) similar to Providence’s Volunteers in Action in Hood River and Klickitat County (541-387-6404) that pairs older adults with local volunteers that provide social and emotional connections, as well as help with everyday tasks – although their services have been limited because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Also during the pandemic, Age+ has been supporting community-based organizations in the Gorge that are providing education and outreach to older adults about COVID-19 and the importance of being vaccinated to stop the pandemic.

I found last year’s celebration inspiring. I hope you will attend this year’s event honoring both older adults who continue to contribute in so many ways and the dedicated frontline care professionals in our communities.

A short interlude with comedian Steven Wright before the grand finale.

“Someone asked me if I were stranded on a desert island what book would I bring… ‘How to Build a Boat.’”

“There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.”

“I intend to live forever. So far, so good.”

The  American fitness, exercise, and nutritional expert, who had his own television show from 1953 – 1985 was Jack LaLanne. I received correct answers from Susan Ellis, Beverly Harmon, Jay Waterbury, Rhonda Spies, Barbara Cadwell, Kim Birge, Gene Uczen, Rose Schulz, Margo Dameier, Dave Lutgens, Jim Tindall, Carol Earl, Jennifer Stager, Linda Frizzell, Carl Trabant, and Barb Blair who worked as an Instructor at Jack La Lanne’s European Health Spa in California and is this week’s winner of a free quilt raffle ticket. And I’ve missed Joan Chantler and Rose Schulz whose name was written on that missing scrap of paper.

Many of you probably remember playing this “kissing” game (although whenever it was mentioned I would immediately disappear) popular among young teenagers, although apparently, its popularity has declined since the 1980s. For this week’s “Remember When” question what was the name of this game described as “the party game of choice for glandularly excited high schoolers” where you sat in a circle and – well, that’s all I’m going to say. Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or mail it with the story behind your first kiss!

Well, it has been another week, making it up as I go. Until we meet again, everyone has a piece of the truth – although for some you have to listen really hard!

“Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.” From the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

 All of us want to stop this tragic pandemic and get back to some form of normalcy. But how? 

At the beginning of the pandemic, we knew little about this new virus as it was spreading worldwide. Since those early days, there is much we have learned and much we are still learning about the novel COVID-19 and how best to keep people safe. Here is what I understand.

1.) More than 142 million doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been administered in the U.S. as of March 30. 

2.) With continuing research and monitoring, understanding of the virus and vaccines will change and consequently CDC recommendations. (Check the CDC website for the latest recommendations for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.)

3.) People who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things they had stopped doing because of the pandemic. (Yeah!) But in public places should continue to take precautions. 

4.) All three vaccines are safe and effective in preventing hospitalizations and deaths and the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines effectively prevented coronavirus infections.

5.) To achieve herd immunity, which will end the pandemic, a large portion of the population needs to be vaccinated although no one is sure what the percentage is.

6.) And most concerning, new mutant variants are appearing. But the COVID-19 virus can only mutate when they multiply and only multiply when they spread from person to person. 

The best way to stop the pandemic is by getting as many people of all ages vaccinated and following the precautions we all know. By taking these actions it will make us safer, help avoid new resilient mutations, protect those who cannot be vaccinated, and reach herd immunity. The end is in sight. I want to make sure it isn’t a mirage. 

April 5th through the 11th is National Public Health week recognizing how hard our public health departments are working with community partners to meet the COVID-19 challenge of vaccinating as many people as quickly as possible. 

But that is not the only work they do. They continue to offer a variety of services that include protecting our drinking water and ensuring the safety of local dining establishments, providing nutrition programs for women, infants and children, and offering immunizations. A big THANK-YOU to the health departments that are working to protect the health of our communities and save lives. 

“The Show Must Go On!” an online auction and fundraiser for the Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association will be held from 9am on April 8 until 9pm on April 11th. 

The event features almost 100 items: from the fine art of local artists to delicious and creative dining experiences. Also, the fundraiser will feature a performance by legendary Portland jazz pianist Tom Grant and a brand new virtual performance by the CGOA Jazz Collective. You can register for the auction at the CGOA website where you can also learn about their classes and an online performance of Fantastiks!

The name of the excessively optimistic young girl was Pollyanna. I received correct answers from Rusti Starr, Steven Woolpert, Tina Castanares, Rhonda Spies, Barbara Cadwell, Julie Carter, Gene Uczen, Linda Frizzell, Margo Dameier, Lana Tepfer, Pat Evenson-Brady, and Susan Ellis this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. Last week I missed Irene Kurzweil, Cindy Winfield, Emmett Sampson, and I’m sure there is someone else’s name written on a scrap of paper hidden among papers on my cluttered desk. 

This week’s “Remember When” question is about a bodybuilder who some consider the “first fitness superhero”. Who was an American fitness, exercise, and nutritional expert, who opened one of the nation’s first fitness gyms in 1936, and had his own television show from 1953 – 1985? (Hint: It wasn’t Charles Atlas) Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or mail it with the 1959 record “Glamour Stretcher Time” with the original instruction sheet.

Well, it has been another week, enjoying the cool mornings and sunny days. Until we meet again, these are the times when I feel safer being part of the herd. 

“Losing weight doesn’t seem to be working for me, so from now on I’m going to concentrate on getting taller.” Anonymous  

 Have you traveled less during the pandemic? My wife and I have until we were vaccinated, and felt safe enough to drive to Seaside to spend a night at the coast and walk along the too cold and windy beach. It was the first time we had driven past Hood River in fourteen months! 

Living under a cloud of COVID uncertainty and doubt; worrying about our friends, family, businesses and communities, it’s easy to slide into life’s doldrums. Jackson Rainer addresses this state of mind in his post “How to be More Optimistic” found on the Next Avenue website.

When we experience stress such as the pandemic, the hardwiring of the brain directs our attention toward the perception of threat and danger. But with the encouraging news that millions of people are being vaccinated, we may need to make intentional cognitive shifts toward a positive future rather than focusing on the difficulties.

Optimism is defined as “the cognitive ability to understand the current situation as it is and work for changing things in favor of ourselves”. Not easy when we have experienced so much negativity over this last year.

Some of us may already have an optimistic disposition: seeing the glass half full. Some of us may be more pessimistic seeing the glass how empty? And there are always a few who ask, “Who drank my water?”

However, you are inclined to see a situation, the more you look to the future and focus on ways of increasing positive emotions, the healthier and happier you’ll be. But it us up to you.

According to Hamid Mirsalimi, a clinical psychologist practicing in Atlanta, there are three steps you can take to counter the pessimism of always expecting the worse and instead increase your optimism.

1. “Analyze your thoughts and give yourself credit.”  Instead of being your worst critic,  think of your best possible self. When you encounter a challenging event, consider how much influence you have, where you’re in control and how in the past you’ve used your strengths to get through difficult times.

2. “Minimize the negative when it is realistic to do so.”

As they say “dirty diapers” do happen. When you acknowledge there are some things you can’t influence and you did all you could, it allows you to accept and then adapt for a better future.

3. “Put away the to-do list. Focus on effort, rather than results.”

Positive thinkers focus more on the process than the results: drawing for your own joy and not for other’s approval – although that is nice. And don’t ignore your emotions and feelings which have a negative effect if unaddressed. Once we acknowledge how we are looking forward, rather than what has caused emotional distress, worry lessens.

By imagining a positive future where we know what we can change and what we cannot; and viewing ourselves capable of creating more positive outcomes, we can live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

It’s exciting to hear about so many people being vaccinated. People are talking about visiting their loved ones and traveling again without the COVID worry. With momentum building and the supply of doses increasing, I’m looking forward to reaching that elusive goal of herd immunity and stopping the spread of COVID-19.

The name of the popular student study guides with the yellow and black covers was CliffsNotes. I received correct answers from Joanie Gilbert, Susan Ellis, Steven Wollfest, Tina Castanares, Barbara Cadwell, Lana Tepfer, Jean Harmon, Katherine Schlick Noe, Margo Dameier, Jess Birge, Dave Lutgens, Linda Frizzell, Rhonda Spies, Gene Uczen, Carol Earl, and Marilyn Wall this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. (For clarification not everyone actually used CliffsNotes – at least that’s what they said!) Last week I missed Jennifer Stager.

There were many ways to “bare” yourself during your youth: skinny dipping and mooning (which I am sure none of you ever did!). But this craze was one of the biggest and strangest trends of the 1970s and was the inspiration for the novelty/country song written and sung by Ray Stevens. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this fad? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with a video of the 1974 Academy Awards.

Well, it has been another week, racing the leaves down the sidewalk on a windy day. Until we meet again, one thing I’ve found during the pandemic is I look much better wearing a mask!

“There’s a lot of optimism in changing scenery, in seeing what’s down the road.” Conor Oberst – musician

I’ve been around the block enough that each time it seems to get longer and I think back to when I would ask my mother “Do I have to?” But now there is no one to tell me, “You better before your father gets home!”

So how do you stay motivated instead of sitting on the couch in front of the 40’ flat-screen TV enjoying an episode of Midsomer Murders for the third time? (Ah, the benefit of a poor memory!)

In her web post, “The 5 Things I Want to Learn in My 60s”, Melissa T. Shultz describes the way she stays motivated, challenging herself to discover new experiences. 

How? By creating her own What’s Next? list: a positive, purposeful, ongoing set of goals that keeps her pointed in the right direction and always looking forward. 

So this week how about finding some time to create your own What’s Next? list. And to spur your imagination, below are Melissa’s five goals on her What’s Next? list – and I’ve added a few suggestions of my own.

1.) “How to Find My Voice Without Words” – learning to express herself through painting. Or you could add understanding modern art to your list, so the next time you go to an art museum, you’re not asking yourself “What was he thinking of?” 

2.) “How to Make and Drink a Martini”. Or maybe something more appealing: researching and tasting local wines starting by taking the OSU course “The Sensory Evaluation of Wine” in Portland.

3.) “How to Mentor Better”- by speaking “with” instead of “to” someone. You could volunteer mentoring students at your neighborhood school where you’ll find yourself invigorated by their youthful energy or really, really tired!

4.) “How to Plank for More Than 3 Minutes” – by understanding what is required to build muscle. Or you could study and take up Tai Chi: a low-impact, slow-motion exercise that can improve muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. And can help prevent falls!

5.) “How to Make My Grandmother’s Chicken Soup.” Or how about learning to bake, such as a delicate loaf of baklava you saw on The Great British Baking Show?

These are some ideas to start you thinking about what would be on your What’s Next? list. By setting goals, it can help you find your motivation, rekindle memories, tap your creativity, and seek and fulfill your Big little dreams. 

I often must be reminded about what I need to do otherwise it will slip off my radar – and let’s face it, my radar is getting smaller every day. So, as a reminder, you have until March 19th to complete the Community Survey for Older Adults online at www.capeco-works.org or you can call 541-705-5434.

A random view on aging: “We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.”

The singer who first performed “Me and Bobby McGee” written by Kristofferson was Janis Joplin. I received correct answers from Susan Ellis, Steven Wollfest, Barbara Cadwell, Patty Burnet, Rhonda Spies, Julie Carter, Ricki Duckwall, Sandy Haechrel, Kim Birge, Margo Dameier, Gene Uczen, Pat Evenson-Brady, and Dave Hanson this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

Remember in high school or college when you were stressing out trying to finish reading the novel in a week – and then in the bookstore, you found your salvation? For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the popular student study guides with the yellow and black covers first published in 1958? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with the Classic Illustrated comic book Robinson Crusoe.

Well, it has been another week, enjoying my memories while not always trusting them. Until we meet again, it’s the wonderful time of the year when flower buds once again poke their sleepy heads out to see if it’s time to get out of bed.

“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

Nutritious Home delivered meals and pick-ups for anyone over 60. 

Hood River Valley Adult Center – Call 541-386-2060. 

The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels – Call 541-298-8333. 

The Sherman County Senior and Community Center – Call 541-565-3191 by 10:30 AM and leave a message with the number of meals needed and names of each person.

Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office call the 509-773-3757 or the White Salmon office call 509-493-306.

Skamania County Senior Services – Call 509-427-3990.

Seniors of Mosier Valley – Call 541-503-5660 or 541-980-1157 at least one day in advance to order a Grab-N-Go meal. Monday and Wednesdays from 11-11:30.

It is 2:15 on a Saturday afternoon. As I am writing, my eye lids are slowly, unwillingly closing; my fingers are typing a row of ZZZZZZZZZZZZ’s; and I know, from these telltale signs, it must be time for a short nap. 

Whether it is painting a sunset illuminating the Columbia Gorge, writing a poem expressing the indescribable joys of grandchildren, or creating a walking stick out of a hand carved handle attached to a discarded pole, these are all creative acts: fashioning something unique and personal out of the ordinary.

As part of the human race, we are meant to create – evident by young children building forts out of discarded boxes or our prehistoric ancestors drawing on cave walls. It is who we are. But many of us have been told verbally and silently – we aren’t good enough. And we got the message. We lost interest in the creative arts and the creative process and spent our time pursuing careers, raising families and rooting for our favorite basketball teams – Go Blazers!

But as older adults, we are finally able to free ourselves from those internalized constraints learned over so many years and start exploring new forms of self-expression. We can start enjoying what we once lost, stumbling toward new personal discoveries by trying, testing, and trying again. It can start today or next week in art classes, at home or in the workshop – whether you are 65 or 95.

And just maybe, as an added benefit, while absorbed in these creative pursuits, the aches and pains and daily challenges we all face might just be forgotten – at least for a while.

In this month’s “Through the Eyes of an Elder” Antonia Rojas shares her story of how she found her creative spark as a young child and nurtured it, turning that small spark into an enduring flame. She writes about how she now sees that “life is art”, how “dreams are the stuff real life is made of” and that you can express yourself “where no one sees”. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read Antonia’s beautiful story of how she found her passion and still pursues it to this day.

I know Amy Mollett at the Center in Hood River and myself in The Dalles have been receiving a tremendous number of calls regarding AARP Tax Aide Program. They have been working hard but are very limited in the number of volunteers and resources, so please be patient. (Patience seems to be a theme during this pandemic!) Next week I will share the latest information, or you can skip the middleman and email Tax Aide at gorgetaxaide@gmail.com.

Some advice from the “all-knowing” Internet.

1. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice. 2. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target. And my favorite, 3. You’re never too old to learn something stupid. 

The female singer who recorded “I Fall to Pieces”, “She’s Got You,” and “Crazy.” before her untimely death in a 1963 plane crash was Patsy Cline. And there are plenty of Patsy Cline fans out there because I received correct answers from John McEwen, Anna O’Donnell, Steven Wolpert, Barbara Cadwell, Candy Armstrong, Tina Castanares, Jim Ayers, Lana Tepfer, Anne Saxby, Sandra Fritz, Diana Weston, Sandy Haechrel, Dave Lutgens, Vern Johnson, Margo Dameier, Kim Birge, Keith Clymer, Verna Browne, Pat Evenson-Brady, Lou Gehrig, Gene Uczen, Nona Moore and this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket, Sandra Fritz who believes Patsy may still be “Out Walk‘n After Midnight”. And last week I missed Jim Ayers.

This book is often referenced in political discussions because of its themes of nationalism, surveillance, and censorship. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what is the title of this classic literary example of political fiction published in 1949 that popularized commonly use terms such as “Big Brother”, “doublethink”, “Thought Police”? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with a poster of the Party’s three slogans.

Well, it has been another week, wondering “Why?” Until we meet again, there are many older adults who could learn the new technologies but just refuse to – and there are days when I think they made the right decision. 

“In retrospect, it becomes clear that hindsight is definitely overrated!” Quote from Alfred E Neuman, the “What, me worry?” kid.

Nutritious Home delivered meals and pick-ups for anyone over 60.

Hood River Valley Adult Center – Call 541-386-2060.

The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels – Call 541-298-8333.

The Sherman County Senior and Community Center – Call 541-565-3191 by 10:30 AM and leave a message with the number of meals needed and names of each person.

Klickitat County Senior Services – Goldendale office call the 509-773-3757 or the White Salmon office call 509-493-306.

Skamania County Senior Services – Call 509-427-3990.

Seniors of Mosier Valley – Call 541-503-5660 or 541-980-1157 at least one day in advance to order a Grab-N-Go meal. Monday and Wednesdays from 11-11:30.

Do ever feel you’re not as sharp in conversations, or you can’t complete a hike with friends, or you don’t want to take a trip because of how many times you’ll have to stop (and we know the reasons why!) You feel you’ve lost the confidence to meet any challenge and you avoid doing the things that have made life worth living.

You are not alone. According to an article in the June 2019 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch, it’s not uncommon to lose confidence as we age because of the life changes we face: retirement, health issues and loss of a loved one. Self-esteem generally peaks at the age of 60 and then starts to decline.

The reason is during midlife we typically are working, involved in relationships, and more adventurous. In contrast, as older adults we often lose these roles as we enter the later stages of life.

The best way to regain confidence is to remind yourself of your capabilities, focus on what you can do and build from there while addressing what keeps you from feeling confident.

Here are five strategies that can help you gain greater confidence and realize that your best days lie ahead.

1. Look good. When you look good, you feel good – which my wife often reminds me when she buys that nice outfit.  

2. Challenge yourself physically. Set a goal you can realistically meet and create a plan to achieve it. Besides improving your physical and mental health, it can build confidence in your ability to be active. But I’ve always found the first month is the hardest.

3. Learn something. Activities like learning to paint or playing an instrument; or studying a foreign language can show that you can accomplish new things – although for me it takes a little longer to learn something new – okay, a lot longer! And if you make mistakes, it doesn’t really matter.

4. Stay connected. Lack of confidence can make socializing a challenge. Try volunteering where you can meet new people, use your skills, and you find rewarding.

5. Seek help. If you feel down or anxious or you’ve found other obstacles to feeling more confidant, help is always a good thing.  

Finally, don’t believe the age stereotypes. Age does not determine whether you have the ability to be successful at a given task. Often we fall into the trap believing we can’t do something when there are many reasons we can.

It’s true you can’t do everything you once did but with confidence you can still live an active and satisfying life – just stay off that ladder!

“This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her dog.  It was obvious she thought her dog understood her. I came into my house and told my cat. We laughed a lot.”

The name of the parking valet in the television series 77 Sunset Strip who was constantly combing his “piled-high, greasy-styled teen hair” was Edd “Kookie” Byrnes.

I received correct answers from Diana Weston, Sandy Haechrel, Lana Tepfer, Julie Carter, Sandra Fritz, Kim Birge, Tina Castanares, Carol Earl, Gene Uczen, Rose Shultz, and Ed Stager this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

I was more into soul music, but I know there are a lot of country and western music fans out there. For this week’s “Remember When” question, who was the female singer who recorded “I Fall to Pieces”, “She’s Got You,” and “Crazy.” before her untimely death in a 1963 plane crash? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with a DVD of the 1985 motion picture Sweet Dreams.

Well, it has been another week, wondering “Have I said that before?”. Until we meet again, I can now look forward to spring guilt-free having had our winter snowstorm.  

“Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” Elbert Hubbard

Nutritious Home delivered meals and pick-ups for anyone over 60.

Hood River Valley Adult Center – For Meals-on-Wheels call 541-386-2060. Pick up a drive-thru meal from 11:30 AM until 12:45 PM.

The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels – Call 541-298-8333 to sign up for home-delivered meals. Call before 10:30 AM to pick up a meal at noon at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center.

The Sherman County Senior and Community Center – Call 541-565-3191 by 10:30 AM and leave a message with the number of meals needed and names of each person.

Klickitat County Senior Services – Call the Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-306).

Skamania County Senior Services – Call 509-427-3990.

Seniors of Mosier Valley – Call 541-503-5660 or 541-980-1157 at least one day in advance to order a Grab-N-Go meal. Monday and Wednesdays from 11-11:30. Pick-up at the Mosier Senior Center. Delivery is also available.