Author Archives: mcseniorcenter

Aging Well April 16th 2013

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Now that the Center has completed its Spring Membership Drive, I would like to thank everyone who either renewed their membership or became a member for the first time. We surpassed three hundred members, the largest number in the last several years, and it is all because of you! The 2013 Membership Campaign will conclude in July, before the Center’s Annual Membership Meeting, and the goal is still four hundred members.

And a special thanks to all the Center’s Super Duper members ($50 per member instead of the regular $35 membership fee). But many have asked, “What are the benefits of a Super-Duper Membership?” I am afraid I am not allowed to say, since the Super-Duper benefits are just too Super-Duper for anyone to know. But what I can say is when that special something happens to you during the year, you will be reaping the rewards of your Super-Duper membership! Just ask the Center’s first Super-Duper Member – Patti Blagg. 

By being a member, you help support the many activities at the Center including the free 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on April 23rd featuring Dr. Mark Cullen, MCMC’s new orthopedic specialist. Dr. Cullen will speak on a topic near and dear to many of us: Arthritis and its medical and surgical care. He recently joined the MCMC/OHSU Orthopedic Clinic located at Water’s Edge having moved from Georgia where he practiced for fifteen years. Dr. Cullen is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon who has completed fellowship training in sports medicine. He cares for patients of all ages and specializes in treatment of knee and shoulder injuries and pediatric fractures.

Many times it is a treat just taking a trip out of town when you don’t have to drive and can enjoy the journey is as well as the destination. Last Saturday we enjoyed both as the Center took its first spring outing – meandering our way over the Rowena Loops to the Western Antique Areoplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River – and then through the Hood River Port District on the way back. Thanks to Jodi Chastain for driving and entertaining us with stories of the history of Wasco County.

 But we have two more day trips planned in May. The first is on Wednesday, May 1st and offers you a chance to step back in time to discover the 1880’s Victorian farmhouse and country garden that comprise the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, a national historic site located in Woodland Washington. The second trip is to see the Northwest Senior Theater perform “Broadway Highlights” on Wednesday May 15th at the Alpenrose Dairy Opera House in Portland. The NW Senior Theater is a group of experienced (55 and older) performers including singers, dancers, actors, musicians and production folks who still enjoy the “smell of the greasepaint and the roar of the crowd”. Each trip costs $25.00 which includes transportation and admission (food is on your own), but each is limited to the first twenty riders. For more information call the Center at 541-296-4788.

 I can’t remember when I last tried to mess with your mind by scrambling the Center’s Tuesday Night Music announcement, but it feels like it’s that time again. So see if you can read the next paragraph – backwards. Detataicerppa syawla era snoitanod dna emoclew si enoyreve, 00:7 ta snigeb cisuM. slanigiro nwo rieht fo lareves sulp senut rapupop gnignis eb lliw “sieddaD raguS” keew txen dnA .”namurT” si retneC eht ta thginot gniyalp ,ria thgin eht sevael llihc eht erofeb dnA

 The answer to last week’s “Remember When” question was Merthiolate: the orange antiseptic for scratches and cuts. Well, that’s what I remembered. But everyone else seems to remember either Mercurochrome or Iodine.(And now I’m beginning to have doubts about my long term memory!) (Out of all the responses, the winner of five quilt raffle tickets or a free Cherry Festival breakfast on the 27th is Jean Vercouteren.)

And sticking with common remedies from the past, this week’s question was suggested by several folks at the Center. What was the name of the ointment originally used to soothe irritation on cows’ udders after milking, but farmers’ wives noticed the softness of their husbands’ hands, and started using the product for the treatment of chapped and irritated skin? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a 10 ounce green square tin featuring a cow’s head and red clovers on the lid. 

Well, it has been another week wondering whether it is spring or fall or something in between. Until we meet again, when you want to hear the truth – listen to what is not said.

Aging Well April 9th 2013

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How are you doing financially? Are you able to live comfortably; able to take vacations to faraway places? Or are you just getting by – barely able meet your basic needs: housing, food, clothing, transportation and medical?
Because economic security is an important aspect of health and well-being, Financial Health is the focus for the month of April in your Passport to Happiness Calendar – and the topic for the next Passport to Happiness event at the Center on April 17th from 3:00 – 4:30. Carol Mauser, from the Aging and People with Disabilities office, and Marvin Pohl from the Area Agency on Aging will explain and clarify different services available to support older adults including Qualified Medicare Benefits, SHIBA, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Oregon Project Independence. If you haven’t attended any of the events, it is never too late to start. And don’t forget to bring your passport – the tear off section at the bottom of your calendar.
April is also National Financial Literacy Month and on the website www.financialliteracymonth.com, there are suggestions about how to manage your finances and save money. A few examples include evaluating your health insurance annually – which means for us “mature” folks to always review our current medical plans during Medicare Open Enrollment in October; borrow instead of buy (The Dalles Wasco County Library has a large selection of popular videos to lend) and to start hand washing instead of dry cleaning one shirt a month (I’ve never heard of anyone dry-cleaning their shirts! But then, I never knew you didn’t ask for Thousand Island dressing in an Italian restaurant.)
The Center‘s first spring day-trip is to WAAAM (Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum) in Hood River on April 13th. That is the second Saturday of the month when WAAAM fires up their aeroplanes and autos so you can experience what it was like in the “good-old-days”. The cost is $10.00 for admission, (but I have four two-for- the-price-of-one coupons, so for the first eight folks to sign up admission is only $5.00) plus $7.50 for the round trip transportation. But hurry – there is only room for twelve. We will leave the Center at 9:00 AM and return by 4:00 PM.
OSU Extension, in cooperation with CGCC, is offering the Mastery of Aging Well course in a five session series on Thursdays from 10:00 – noon at The Dalles CGCC campus starting April 18th. Each session will include a 45 minute video presentation, plus an expert speaker to continue the discussion and answer any questions. The first session is on Memory Difficulties – followed byDepression in Later Life, Medication Jeopardy, Food as Medicine, and Physical Exercise in Later Life. Register by calling CGCC Student Services at 541-506-6011or online at www.cgcc.cc.or.us. And the cost is $10.00 for each session.
At the Center’s 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on April 16th, Corliss Marsh will discuss the proposed new addition to The Dalles Wasco County Library. And write on your Passport to Happiness Calendar the Friday Night Out Library Benefit and Auction on May 3rd at the Center.  Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Klindt’s Bookstore, or at the door.
And before the shallow water passes away to let the deep sea roll, playing tonight at the Center is “Martin and Friends”. And next week Truman will be serenading you with his Country Gold. Music begins at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated.
The answer to last week’s “Remember When” question was General Douglas MacArthur who at his farewell speech before Congress spoke the famous lines “old soldiers never die; they just fade away”. (And this week’s winner is Sandy Goforth.)
This week’s question is about a common antiseptic from the 50’s which is seldom used anymore. Before my mother would paint my cuts or scrapes with this orange liquid, I can still remember grimacing, because I knew it was going to sting like the devil. (But she would tell me to blow on it – which amazingly did seem to help!)  What was the trade name of this antiseptic that some called “Monkey Blood”? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with any memories of this antiseptic.

Well, it has been another week enjoying spring but just wishing the grass wouldn’t grow so fast. Until we meet again, at the end of the day don’t forget to take a deep breath – and count your blessings.

“I told my wife that a husband is like a fine wine; he gets better with age. The next day, she locked me in the cellar”

Aging Well April 2nd 2013

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Were you ever called a “Fraidy Cat”? Unable to go to sleep without a night light. Or teased because you were too scared to watched Godzilla. Your imagination could run wild with all the “could be’s and maybe’s” – that monster could climb out from under the bed!
But as we have matured, so have our fears. And what was never a second thought, is now something to worry about: we stumble once, we worry about falling; we find a new mole, we think skin cancer; when we can’t remember an old friend, we’re losing our memory. And then while trying to sleep, late at night, in the dark, the fear of dying creeps into our minds. (Okay those may just be my fears, but you get the point, right? And maybe a night light is still a good idea.)
And while our fears, can keep us safe: staying off tall ladders, making the mammogram appointment, and getting our daily exercise, unreasonable fears (like the monster in the closet) can keep us from experiencing new opportunities. We let the fear of a disapproving look, keep us from painting; the fear of losing a loved one, keep us from forming new relationships; and because we are afraid of looking awkward, we don’t dance.
To manage our fears, it helps to stay connected with family; enjoy the laughter and support of our friends and to plan and prepare for the “inevitables”. (I hate to remind you who are in denial, but we are going to get older; we are going to lose friends and loved ones; and someday, we will pass from this earthly existence – but hopefully not too soon!)
Life is too short to worry about how short life is; too short to play it safe and miss all the opportunities and possibilities. None of us know what is going to happen today or tomorrow, let alone ten year from now. But as we live with our fears, we can still embrace each day – while enjoying the dance as long as the music keeps playing.
While grazing on the Internet, I found this memory tip posted on the blog “Marc and Angel Hack Life”. (It seems like memory isn’t just a concern of us older folks.) To improve your memory, they suggest before going to sleep at night, reviewing everything you did during the day – in specific detail as if you were watching a video replay. At first you may not remember much, but with experience you will gradually remember the details of your day – and maybe even remember where you misplaced that missing book!  Try it for thirty days and see if it helps.
At the Center’s Tuesday Lecture on April 9th starting at 11:00, Gae and Don Wimberly will discuss The Dalles Relay for Life – scheduled for Saturday June 22nd. Relay for Life celebrates survivorship, offers hope while raising funds to end the threat of cancer.
And before the river rises and the wind starts to blow, playing tonight at the Center is “The Strawberry Mountain Band”.  And next Tuesday “Martin and Friends” will be plucking away for your dancing and listening enjoyment. Music begins at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated
The Oregon native who wrote “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and who was “too young to be a beatnik, and too old to be a hippie,” was Ken Kesey (And this week’s winner is Merry Prankster Dennis Morgan.)
But for this week’s “Remember When” question, let’s move to the Korean Peninsula. There have been bellicose threats coming from the young premier of North Korea, but that region has always been a flashpoint since the end of WWII. But on April 11th1951, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command (UNCOM) that was replaced by President Harry Truman, but returned to the states with a hero’s welcome before he “faded away”? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a picture of the Port of Inchon.

Well, it has been another week enjoying the walks down to the river and back. Until we meet again, as Mae West once said, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

“The very basic core of the human spirit is a natural passion for exploration and growth.  This growth comes directly from our encounters with new experiences; and hence there is no greater destination in life than to have an endlessly changing horizon – for each day to have a new and different sun.”

Aging Well March 26th 2013

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Senior Living March 26th
For over twenty-six years the Mid-Columbia Senior Center has played an important role supporting older adults in the Mid-Columbia Area by providing opportunities to explore, connect and contribute. And, whether you are 55 or 95; or visit the Center every day or once a month for breakfast, I am personally asking you to join the three hundred other members in supporting the Center and its mission of promoting healthy aging by sharing and caring. The membership dues are only $35 a year or $60 for a couple. And if you want to join Patti Blagg and become a Super Duper member, it is $50 per person. This is the last week of the Center’s Spring Membership drive, so mail your membership dues in now – before you forget again – to the Mid-Columbia Senior Center at 1112 W 9th Street, The Dalles, 97058. And THANK-YOU for your support.

Since watching the trailer for the documentary “Ping Pong”, about eight table tennis competitors with a combined age of 703 competing in the 80+ world table tennis championships, I have started a 60+ table tennis club at the center on Thursdays from 11:00 – 12:00 PM. Table tennis is a great sport at any age, but particularly when you are older because it has all the excitement and challenge of tennis, but easier on the body and knees. (When I turned fifty my knees went, and then at sixty it was my hearing. I am now looking forward with great anticipation to see what body part fails me when I turn seventy – and I can tell already, there will be several possibilities!).But we could really use several more players to join us – to add a little more competition, but more importantly, to remember after a long volley who was serving!

You probably have your own opinions about how Oregon supports low income families, but what do you really know? At the Center’s 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on April 2nd ,Susan Gabay, who works for the Oregon Department of Human Service, will help you better understand how low income families are assisted in Oregon.
And before the troll comes our from beneath the bridge to “gobble me up” – let me quickly mention “For the Good Times” is playing tonight at the Center.  And next Tuesday it is back to the front of the line with ”The Strawberry Mountain Band”.  Music begins at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated
Last Wednesday, Lauren Kraemer, OSU Extension agent, discussed the importance and benefits of good nutrition at the March “Passport to Happiness” event. (The next event will be at the Center on April 17th.) I was once again reminded to eat more whole grains (which I am now doing), add color to my meals by including more vegetables and fruits (which I am trying), and to eat a variety of foods (but I like my banana every morning!). Lauren also prepared three different healthy dishes including one with Quinoa (it does taste good while taking less time to cook compared to brown rice) and a Popeye Power Smoothie (with, you guessed it, fresh spinach!) that you wouldn’t imagine tasting so good. You can find more of these “quick, tasty, and healthy recipes” plus some nutritious tips on the OSU’s web site at www.foodhero.org.
But one of the ingredients Lauren used for the Popeye Power Smoothie was a cup of Nancy’s Yogurt – which brings us to this week’s “Remember When” question. In 1969 Nancy Hamren (the namesake for Nancy’s Yogurt) met this counterculture leader and author who invited her to take care of his Pleasant Hill, Oregon farm – which eventually lead her to working for the author’s brother at a little creamery in Springfield, Ore., What was the name of the author? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a picture of “Further” the 1939 International Harvester School driven by the Merry Pranksters.
And I can’t forget, the 1971 bestseller that Frances Moore Lappe wrote claiming a vegetarian diet was better for the body and the planet was “A Diet for a Small Planet”. (And by a flip of a coin between the two entries from Jim Heitkemper and Joanne Scott (who really prefers cookies) the winner is Jim Heitkemper.)

Well, it has been another week watching soap bubbles dance in the wind. Until we meet again, the quieter you become, the more you will be heard.

“There is nothing more notable in Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent.”  Michel de Montaigne

Aging Well March 19th 2013

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As we age, our natural social support system diminishes: friends and loved ones move or pass away and there are fewer opportunities to make new friends. And without this web of caring friends and family, when there is an emergency or crisis, there are fewer places to turn to for assistance. But for many, the Meals-on-Wheel volunteer, who delivers a nutritious meal at noon, Monday through Friday, is their support system – that daily contact. And because of that regular visit, folks feel healthier, more secure and can live in their own home longer – which is a pretty big deal. You can show your support and learn more about Meals-on-Wheels by joining the local “March for Meals” at the Center at 11:15 on Thursday March 21st. And if you know of anyone who has difficulty preparing a healthy meal or anyone who would like to deliver meals once a week, contact Meals-on-Wheels at 541-298-8333. While Meals-on-Wheels is a vital nutrition program providing hundreds of meals a week, it is also much more than a meal. Over the years, the Center has loaned hundreds of pieces of medical equipment, but once again the Center’s cupboards are bare. We will accept and put to good use any kind of medical equipment, but the Center is particularly in need of wheelchairs, rollators (walkers with four wheels and the seat) and commodes. And if you are in need of any medical equipment, give the Center a call first to see if we have the item in stock. With the help of Barb Thomas and Joyce Fargher, the Center’s Travel Club is considering several day trips during the spring. If you are interested in taking trips to WAAAM (Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum) in Hood River, The NW Senior Theater in Portland, the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in Woodland, Washington or the Grand Floral Parade, call the Center. And if you have any ideas for other trips, please let us know. Now that spring is jogging around the corner, doesn’t it just make you want to start sorting and tossing and cleaning around the house and yard? (Or maybe not? Too many important basketball games to watch?) But while doing your spring cleaning, you are looking for a safe way to destroy your confidential documents without burning up the motor on your $25.00 shredder, I’ve got an answer. Gorge Security Shred is stopping by the Center every Friday between 12:00 – 12:30 to pick up documents to shred whether it is two pounds or two hundred!. (And it only costs twenty cents a pound – a quarter of what some businesses are charging.) Gorge Security Shred is a member of NAID (National Association for Information Destruction), licensed, and bonded and your documents will be securely transported in closed, locked containers to their warehouse where they are destroyed. Tracy Dugick, dietician for MCMC, will be discussing gluten free diets and healthy grain choices at the next Tuesday Lecture on March 25th starting at 11:00 AM. Gluten is the protein complex found in wheat and as more people are developing sensitivity to gluten, there is an increasing interest in the value of gluten free diets. And before the pig jumps out of the frying pan into the fire – playing tonight at the Center is “Truman”. And next Tuesday “For the Good Times” will be playing for you dancing and listening pleasure. Music begins at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated The rivalry, beginning in the 1979 NCAA Basketball Championship final, was between Michigan State’s Magic Johnson and the “Hick from French Lick (and yes there is a city in my fair state of Indiana called French Lick) Larry Bird playing for Indiana State. (And the winner is Bob Haechrel.) But enough basketball. This week “Remember When” question is about a book often found in the kitchens of the1970’s twentysomethings. What was the name of the 1971 bestseller written by Frances Moore Lappe (born in Pendleton, Oregon in 1944) that “changed the way America eats” by advancing the idea that meat production contributed to food scarcity and eating a vegetarian diet was better for the body and the planet. E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with the recipe for Ricotta Lasagne Swirls. Well, it’s been another week trying to focus on what is important instead of what is urgent. Until we meet again, it’s been said without money we’d all be rich. “It’s possible to own too much. A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure.” Lee Segall

Aging Well March 12th 2013

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Henry Ford once said “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
If you agree with Henry Ford, there have always been ways to keep your mind active and young: libraries, museums, classes, local lectures and book clubs. But in the last five years, there has been an eruption of online possibilities to learn even more. You can hear more about DYI (Do It Yourself) education at the Center’s Tuesday Lecture on March 19th when I will discuss and show examples of the many online options for life long leaning including iTunes U, Couresa, and the Khan Academy (if you want to see if you can now learn what you didn’t in your high school math classes). So even though you may feel like your body is waiting in line for the salvage yard to open, you are never too old to continue exploring and discovering the worlds around you.
The Third Saturday Breakfast at the Center is back! We took January and February off, but now that the weather is warmer and the days are longer, it is time to fire up the griddle. On the 16th from 8:00 – 9:30, Bonnie and friends will be serving a breakfast casserole with bacon, muffin, fruit and your favorite morning beverage. Come join the gang because as Jack always said “Food tastes better when someone else cooks it.”
Medicare 101, a free SHIBA presentation on the ABC and D’s of Medicare, will be held at the Columbia Gorge Community College on March 19th in the evening from 6:00 – 9:00 PM so those of you who are still working a day job can attend. Medicare has provided financial security and improved health for millions of older Americans, but like any insurance coverage it is not simple. If you are turning the big “65” in the next year, this is your chance to better understand the benefits and choices ahead of you. Preregistration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome according to space. Register by calling 541-506-6000or visit the website at https://webreg1.cgcc.cc.or.uc/CE/classes.asp.
It is time for all of us fair weather walkers to lace up our walking shoes and hit the pavement while enjoying the spring air and sunny skies. And soon Parks and Recreation, in partnership with OSU Extension, will be implementing the “Walk With Ease” program: a six seek walking club designed by the Arthritis Foundation to reduce pain and improve overall health. But better yet, how about becoming a “Walk with Ease” program leader? Lauren Kraemer at OSU Extension is looking for a few good feet to lead the way. If you are interested, contact Lauren at lauren.kraemer@oregonstate.edu.
The Center’s next Creative Arts class led by Debra Jones will be held on March 26th from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. The attraction this time will be creating easy to make Easter Cards and decorations for the holiday.  The supplies are provided thanks to several generous donations (but if you have your own scissors, bring them along), so all you have to do is show up with $2.00 in your pocket. If you are interested call the Center soon, because the class is limited to the first ten people.
And before the rooster crows and the hens cackle – playing tonight at the Center is “Martin and Friends”. And next Tuesday Truman will be back crooning for you dancing and listening pleasure. Music begins at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated
Bob Cousy was the point guard for the Boston Celtics who led the Celtics to five straight NBA Championships. (And this week’s winner is Jim Ayers.) With college basketball’s March Madness starting in a week, you may remember the 1979 NCAA Championship final between two Midwest “State” schools (still the highest Nielson rated final in NCAA history) that began an unmatched rivalry between two future NBA MVPs. Who were the two players?  E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with an autographed picture of the “Hick from French Lick”.

Well, it’s been another week listening to be buds sprouting in the night. Until we meet again, you know it is a good day when you can remember that you did take your morning vitamin pill!

 

“No matter how one may think himself accomplished, when he sets out to learn a new language, science or the bicycle, he has embraced a new realm as truly as if he were a child newly born into the world.” Frances Willard author of “How I Learned to Ride the Bicycle”

Aging Well March 5th 2013

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It is a new month – a month of changes with daylight savings time starting on Sunday; the first day of spring on the 20th and Easter Sunday ending the month on the 31st. But March is also Nutritional Health Month in your Passport to Happiness Calendar. There you will find tips and suggestions about eating well such as when filling your plate, one half should be fruits and vegetables, one fourth lean protein (less than three grams of fat per serving) and the remaining quarter whole grains such as whole wheat, brown rice or quinoa. (I had never heard of Quinoa – pronounced “KEEN-wah – but it is a favorite for many folks because it only takes 10 to 15 minutes to cook; tastes great by itself; has the highest protein content of all the whole grains, and is a gluten and cholesterol free. But if you are still not sure, just for you, I will try it and report back next week.)
You can learn more about the benefits of healthy nutrition at this month’s Passport to Happiness event at the Center on Wednesday March 20th from 3:00 – 4:30. And if you don’t have a Calendar yet, there are still a few left at the Center.
My wife tells me you need to hear something seven times before you remember it. (I wonder why she’s telling me!) But with that in mind, the iPad and Kindle User’s Groups meet tomorrow, the first Wednesday of the month: iPad users at 1:00 and Kindle users at 2:00.
And on the 12th, the first Creative Arts class, an Introduction to Watercolors, will meet at the Center. Last week, I pointed out the value of finding your inner artist and this class will be a great place to start the search. The Creative Art classes will be held every second and fourth Tuesdays in March, April and May from 1:00 – 2:00. Supplies are provided and the cost is only $2.00. It would be helpful if you called the Center to sign up, but if you are a last minute procrastinator, come anyway – we will make room.
If you feel your breathing difficulties are in charge of you, the Pulmonary Rehab Program at Water’s Edge can put you back in charge of your breathing. Susan Benedict, the Pulmonary Rehab Coordinator at Water’s Edge, spoke at last week’s Tuesday lecture about the benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation: a 10-week program that consists of physical conditioning, education on all aspects of lung disease and stress management. With a team of health professionals, you can improve your breathing and your peace of mind. If you have a been diagnosed with a chronic lung disorder, or experienced shortness of breath that compromises your lifestyle and want to learn more about lung disease and ways to breathe easier, talk to your health care provider or call Water’s Edge.
It’s been a while since I have tested your mental skills – or as the literary detective Hercule Poirot calls them – your “grey cells”.  So see if you can read the following announcement for Tuesday Night Music at the Center.
Nd bfr th rster crws – plying tnght t th Cntr s “The Strwbrry Mntn Bnd”. Nd nxt Tsdy Mrtn nd Frnds wll pt thr bst ft frwrd. Msc bgns t 7:00, vryn s wlcm nd dntns r lwys pprctd.
Motown was the recording company that charted110 top ten hits from 1961 – 1971 with their roster of stars including The Four Tops, The Supremes and The Miracles. (And the winner of five quilt raffle tickets is Alex Currie.)
But enough of TV and pop music, it is time to remember one of the greats of professional basketball during the 50’s and 60’s. Who played point guard for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963, won the NBA MVP in 1957 and teamed with center Bull Russell to lead the Celtics to five straight NBA titles from 1959 – 1963. E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with the #14 jersey that is currently hanging in the rafters of the Boston Gardens.
Well, it’s been another week, trying not to answer questions when I don’t know the answers. Until we meet again, keep your eyes open and your feet moving.
“I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.”—Theodore “Dr. Seuss” Geisel

Aging Well February 26th 2013

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If I asked the question “What kind of artist are you?” you might answer by saying, “Art is just for the gifted and professionally trained and I am neither”. Or “Art is a waste of time and I always had more important things to do”. Or you might even to try to evade the whole question by mumbling something about never being interested in “artsy” stuff, but “How about those Seahawks!”
The Korean author Young-ha Kim in his TED talk “Be an Artist. Right Now!” believes there is an artist in all of us – waiting for opportunities to emerge from the shadows of neglect. And we would all be better off and happier if we listened to our inner artist. .
Remember when we were young children. We would unabashedly show off our pictures even though the colorful scribbles on scrap pieces of paper told a story only we could understand. As children we just created because it was fun. But as we grew up we were told to make something “good” and “artistic”. Our creations were compared and evaluated and most of us (I can at least speak for myself) couldn’t meet those “adult world” standards. We learned to fear the judgment of our parents, teachers and friends.
But Young-ha Kim believes we need to reconnect with our inner artist that has been too quiet for too long. And ignore the fear of judgment while getting lost in the play of creating even if the results aren’t considered “good” and are just temporary – like sand sculptures on the beach. Whether it is drawing, writing or glass painting, he suggests we experience again the joy in the moment and the pleasure in the creation. As Vincent Van Gogh said “If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
Now are you convinced to release your inner artist? Yes? Maybe? I think I’ll watch the Seahawks! If so, starting in March there is a new Creative Arts program at the Center  – thanks to the efforts of Debra Jones who will be leading each class. The classes will be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays in March, April and May from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. They are open to everyone and each class will offer a different creative experience. The first class on March 12th is an “Introduction to Watercolor”, and on the 26th you will have the opportunity to create easy-to-make Easter Cards and decorations. Each class is only $2.00 and all supplies will be provided. Call the Center for more information.  But wait, there is more!
At The Dalles Art Center there is a “Beginning Watercolor Workshop” with Gayle Weisfield. But you better hurry because it is this coming weekend on March 2nd and 3rd from 10:00 – 4:00 PM. To learn more about Gayle go to her website at www.gayleweisfield.com. Then on March 23rd and 24th from 10:00 – 4:00 PM, Ed Labadie will be teaching a “Polish Your Sketching and Painting Skills Workshop”. For information and costs for either class, you can call the Art Center at 541-296-4759 (the center is open on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 – 5:00 PM) or go to their website at www.thedallesartcenter.org.

And before the toast is burned – playing tonight at the Center is “For the Good Times”. And next Tuesday it is back to the top of the charts with The Strawberry Mountain Band.   Music begins at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated
The actor who played grandpa Amos McCoy in the television comedy The Real McCoys was
Walter Brennan – who I have heard from several reliable sources owned a ranch in Joseph for a time. (And the randomly selected winner of 5 quilt raffle tickets is Karl Vercouteren.) But this week it is back to popular music – specifically R&B, my favorite kind of music during the sixties. What was the name of the record company founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. that included such artists as the Temptations, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and charted 110 top ten hits from 1961-1971. E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a picture of Hitsville USA – the recording company’s first headquarters..
Well, it’s been another week, trying to dodge the monster under the bed. Until we meet again, to paraphrase Salvador Dali, “Have no fear of being perfect. It will never happen!”
“Think left and think right and think low and think high.  Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” Dr. Seuss

Aging Well February 19th 2013

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To be safe, you keep your door locked. But if you are home alone and incapacitated from a health emergency, have you ever thought how the emergency responders will enter to provide you the necessary care?
Recently, a representative from the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue spoke to the Meals-on-Wheels lunch crowd at the Center describing the advantages for older adults of installing a Lock Box at their home.
He pointed out that if someone is incapacitated at home and the doors are locked, when the emergency responders arrive, there is no way they can enter unless through a forced entry. But with a Lock Box installed, which you can purchase through Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, the emergency responders can remove the entrance key from the Lock Box, enter the residence and provide the needed help. Afterwards they can return the key to the box. You don’t need to hide a key under the doormat, or hope your neighbor is home. There are no monthly monitoring charges, and Lock Boxes range in price from $165 to $265 – cheaper than replacing the front door. And they are UL listed against physical attack. To learn more about the advantages of installing a Lock Box at your home, call the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue at 541-296-9445.
Norovirus has recently been in the news. It is commonly referred to as “stomach flu” a gastrointestinal illness which results in some combination of diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. And is often confused with Influenza – a contagious respiratory illness. But if you are like me who thinks that constantly using the alcohol sanitizers will prevent you from catching the Norovirus bug, I recently learned from Teri Thalhofer, director of the North Central Health District, to think otherwise. Alcohol sanitizers are not enough to prevent the spread of Norovirus. Instead you should wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, as well as disinfecting surface areas. (And I have been told a good rule of thumb is to wash your hands for as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice. But I would suggest if you are in a public restroom – not to sing it out loud!)
Unfortunately, there is not a vaccine for Norovirus. And if you have it once, it won’t protect you from having it again – which just doesn’t seem fair. So wash your hands often while singing Happy Birthday and maybe you can avoid spending several days in close proximity to the bathroom.
Every Monday the Center’s Quilters lay bare their fingers and thumbs, stitching together beautiful quilts to raise funds for the Center. But this time they have out done themselves. They have just completed a quilt incorporating fifteen cloth historical pictures of The Dalles. It is a one-of-a-kind quilt that you can now see displayed at the Discovery Center, and later will be moved to “A Whole Ball of Yarn” shop at 421 E 2nd street downtown.  For a chance to win this lovely historical themed quilt, you can purchase raffle tickets at the Center for $1 apiece.
A couple of quick reminders – because I know there is the possibility you have no recollection of what I wrote last week. The Passport to Happiness event for February on the importance of social health will be Wednesday (20th) from 3:00 – 4:30 at the Senior Center with Julie Reynolds leading the discussion. And the Zumba Gold class starts also on Wednesday from 9:00 – 9:45 in the Center’s basement.
And before the weather turns warmer and the ants start to gather on the kitchen counter – playing tonight at the Center is Truman followed next week by “For the Good times”. Music begins at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated
Jerry Lee Lewis sang the #1 hit “Great Balls of Fire which was recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis Tennessee. (And the randomly selected winner of five quilt raffle tickets is Jenny Garner.) But back to the early days of television – a storehouse of memories from when television was young, innocent and black and white. This actor, born in 1894, won three Academy Awards for best supporting actor but is probably better known for starring in the TV comedy “The Real McCoys” from 1957 – 1963. What was this actor’s name? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with the recording of “Old Rivers” released in 1962.
Well, it’s been another week, looking for the cherry on top.  Until we meet again, explore the impossible – you may be surprised.
“Remember—when you are falling on your face you are actually moving forward.” Anonymous

Aging Well February 12th 2013

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We are all social beings, connected through shared experiences of loves lost – and found; of breaks and falls and trips to the doctor; and of past memories and dreams for the not so distant future. We all share the human condition – trying to understand and live this unsolicited gift we have been given. But there are times when we can get disconnected from life – stuck in our own sorrow and self-pity; isolated in our own losses and miseries; when we may not even want to get out of bed, let alone get out of the house. And then we need a pair of jumper cables to get reconnected to life.
Fortunately, there are many places where you can find those jumper cables to get reconnected to life. You can find them though a child by becoming a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters or helping a child learn to read through the local SMART program. You can get connected with others through a new or forgotten hobby. Enroll in an art class at The Dalles Art Center, purchase a ukulele at Columbia River Music and practice with the local ukulele players or join the Mid-Columbia Car Club and restore that 56’ Chevy.
Social health and the benefits of staying connected and engaged with others is this month’s focus in your Passport to Happiness Calendar. (And you better have your calendar hanging up next to your icebox or lying on your coffee table, because it provides more than telling you what the date is! Each month the calendar features a healthy food recipe, insights to enhance your personal well-being, a comprehensive listing of agency and service resources, as well as a schedule of events that are of specific interest to older adults. And if you don’t have a calendar, call the Center to find the closest location to pick one up.) This month’s event focusing on the importance of social health will be held on Wednesday, February 20th from 3:00 – 4:30 at the Center. Don’t forget to bring your Passport card (the tear off at the bottom of your Calendar) to get stamped. At the end of this year, there will be a Passport to Happiness celebration where participants with complete (or nearly complete) passports will be awarded various prizes including gift certificates to various local businesses.
The Center was “rockin and rollin” more than usual last week. Brenda Green and Marsha Morrison gave a lively and moving (as in moving your body) demonstration of Zumba Gold – filling the classroom with energy and fun. And for those who can’t wait till the next class, Zumba Gold will start on Wednesday February 20th at 9:00 in the Center’s basement. (And the Center has made special arrangements, so the cost is only $3.00 a class.)
Also last week the iPad and Kindle users groups met (they meet every first Wednesday of the month) and everyone was busy exploring and sharing new ways to use their electronic devices. If you think the Center is just a bunch of “old” people, you are missing all the fun and excitement!
And before the seeds start to sprout – playing tonight at the Center is Martin and Friends followed next week by Truman. Music begins at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated
The author of over eighty Perry Mason novels and short stories that were the basis for the Perry Mason television series (which I have been told is the longest running syndicated television series) was Erle Stanley Gardner. (And the randomly selected winner of five quilt raffle tickets is Jess Birge.)
To find the question for this week’s “Remember When” I had to go back to my grade school days. Who sang the #1 hit “Great Balls of Fire? – the first 45 RPM record I ever bought (and promptly lost at school the next day). And for those who thought that question was too easy, what was the name of the studio where the song was recorded? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a copy of the “million dollar quartet” recording session from Tuesday December 4th1956.
Well, it’s been another week, peddling in the sand as fast as I can and not getting anywhere. Until we meet again, when you experience life’s quirks and whims – celebrate the ups and don’t get stuck in the downs. 
“It’s paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.” ― Andy Rooney