Category Archives: Aging Well in the Gorge

Welcome to Aging Well in the Gorge, the Mid-Columbia Senior Center’s article series by former director Scott McKay.

Aging Well in the Gorge February 20th 2019

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Help me with this question. What does “old” look like?
Here’s the reason I’m asking. I take a diuretic and for me one of the side effects is dry mouth. And because of my dry mouth, I apparently make strange mouth contortions to moisten my mouth. It hasn’t been a problem until the other day when my wife told me to stop because, as she put it so eloquently, ”IT MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE AN OLD MAN!” Now what does that mean? Some toothless old guy gumming his saliva?
I’ve mentioned how I must keep up a certain appearance for my children to protect myself from their loving concern. But my wife? She has lived with me long enough to know I’m no spring chicken – not even an autumn rooster.
But this whole episode begs the question, what should I look like at 71? What should anyone look like when they grow older?
Should I dye my hair? Pump iron for two hours a day? Purchase the latest anti-aging creams?
The model and actress Lauren Hutton once said “We have to be able to grow up. Our wrinkles are our medals of the passage of life. They are what we have been through and who we want to be.”
I’ve decided I’m not going worry about how old I look. I’ll display my medals with pride knowing I am what I am. And if my grey hair, balding scalp and wrinkled skin (and strange mouth contortions) is the price to pay for a long and wonderful life, I’ll take it any time.
You only have a few days left to purchase raffle tickets for the Chicken Coop. The drawing will be held at the Center this Friday, February 22nd during the Chicken Dinner and Auction – the Center’s major fundraiser for the year. Tickets are $10 or three for $25.  
If you’re soon turning 65, (and congratulations, you made it this far!), you probably have questions about enrolling in Medicare. As in any health insurance program, it’s complicated and can be confusing and frustrating.
You have a seven-month window to enroll called the Initial Enrollment Period which begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65. You can go to www.medicare.gov to learn more about how to enroll.
But if you’re like me and find it more comfortable to talk to someone face-to-face, there are SHIBA (State Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) volunteers to help you through the Medicare maze. To schedule an appointment, call the local SHIBA line at 541-288-8341 or the Center at 541-296-4788. A SHIBA counselor should return your call within 48 hours.
The Center’s Loan Closet of durable medical equipment has been enlarged, organized and cleaned thanks to the help of Joyce Browne, Karen Miller and Sue Arguelles. It is one of the Center’s most popular programs, but it depends on a constant supply of donated used medical equipment. The Center currently has plenty of walkers, both two wheel and four-wheel, but is short of commodes, shower benches and toilet seat risers. You can drop off any donated items at the Center, and if the Center is closed just leave them at the front door. I haven’t yet seen any thieves running down the street with a toilet seat riser under their arm.
The title of Jacqueline Susann’s first novel published in 1966 which received poor reviews but was the biggest selling novel that year was Valley of the Dolls. I received correct answers from Vicki Sallee, Jerry Phillips, Cheri Brent, Lana Tepfer, Deloris Schrader and Lorna Elliott this week’s winner of a free quilt raffle ticket.
We’ll stick with literature for two more weeks. In 1966 Truman Capote, wrote one of greatest true crime books ever written establishing a new literary form: the “nonfiction novel”. For this week’s “Remember When” question what was the title of the book that detailed the 1959 murders of four members of the Herbert Clutter family in the small farming community. Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or return your answer with a picture of the Finney County Courthouse in Garden City Kansas.
Well, it’s been another week wishing spring would grab my snow shovel and store it away for another year.  Until we meet again, there is no wrong time to start living the life you want to live.
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.”  Walt Whitman

Aging Well In The Gorge February 13th 2019

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The look of retirement has changed over the last half century. Today many who reach retirement age want to keep working by finding a part-time “gig” for the personal satisfaction and additional income. The number of “gigsters” – older adults working part-time – is growing particularly with the current high unemployment rate. If you are willing to commit the time and the employer is willing to be flexible, it can be a win-win situation.

For example, CGCC is currently recruiting for part time instructors – a perfect opportunity for qualified retirees. You can learn more by attending the Part-Time Instructor Job Fair on Saturday, February 16th from 10:00 – 12:00 at The Dalles Campus Building 3 or visit www.cgcc.edu/jobs.
On the other hand, maybe you’d rather work for yourself as an in-home care worker or house sitter – or turning your hobby into a small business selling your handmade crafts at bazaars or on the website Etsy.
Whether working part-time for an employer or yourself, being a “gigster” can be rewarding by keeping yourself engaged and connected while earning a few extra dollars – as long as it doesn’t become a “real” job! 
The Center was rockin’ Friday night with over ninety folks attending the “50’s, 60’s, 70’s Dance Party”. We showed that older folks still know how to party – we just now have to get to bed earlier! There were all generations on the dance floor including several young adults from Dufur; and Lucille Torgerson, the impromptu queen of the evening, with her escort Mike Ballinger. And everyone had a “groovy” good time.
But the evening would not have been possible without the vision and energy of Judy Merrill, Connie Krummrich, and Widge Johnson and master DJ Randy Haines, with help from Adie Jones, Cyndi Russell and Linda Jackson plus all the donated finger foods. And I can’t forget the dance sponsors: The Springs at Mill Creek and Schultens Ford.
And yes, we will do it again!
The Center’s February Celebration concludes with a Fundraiser Dinner/Auction on Friday, February 22nd sponsored by The Springs at Mill Creek, Schultens Ford and Cousins Restaurant – who will be serving a Chicken Cordon Bleu dinner. There will be some great auction items: a night at the Wildhorse Casino with dinner for two; a night’s stay at Mcmenamins Edgefield; Portland Trailblazer tickets; and 18 holes of golf at Chinook Winds. Tickets are $35 – but we are only selling 100 tickets. You can purchase your tickets at Klindt’s (only cash or checks accepted) or at the Center.
The Dalles Blue Zones Project is initiating a series of Eat Wisely Events starting with a Potluck Moai Launch at the Center on Tuesday, February 19th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM. If you don’t remember, a moai is a term used in Okinawa, Japan to describe a social support group engaged in a common activity while sharing stories, advice and life experiences.
For the Potluck Moai bring a healthy dish to share; and then over the next ten weeks you can join a moai group of 5-9 persons meeting over 10 weeks sharing healthy meals and habits. Also, if you want to know more about cooking healthy foods for a group of friends while staying within your budget, there will be cooking demonstrations at the Center on the first and third Tuesdays of March and April. If you have questions, call 541-288-4487 or email Amy Krol at amy.krol@sharecare.com.
The 1962 book written by Rachel Carson that inspired the environmental movement is Silent Spring. I received correct answers from Carol Earl, Lee Kaseberg, Sandy Haechrel, Adie Jones, Ann Radford, Cheri Brent, Lana Tepfer, Jerry Phillips, Jeanne Pesicka and Mary Haas this week’s winner of a free quilt raffle ticket.
We’re going to keep on a literary track but this time taking the low road. For this week’s “Remember When” question what was the title of Jacqueline Susann’s first novel published in 1966 which was panned by the critics but was the biggest selling novel that year and has sold more than 31 million copies – making it one of the best-selling works in publishing history? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or return your answer written on a bottle of prescription barbiturates.
Well, it’s been another week keeping warm under the blankets. Until we meet again, you know you’re getting older when you begin telling a story with “I’ve probably told you this before, but …”
“A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.” Carl Reiner

Aging Well in the Gorge February 6th 2019

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You may have heard of the Blue Zones Project in The Dalles – a well-being improvement initiative designed to help make healthier choices easier. It is based on the idea that much of our health and longevity is determined by our environment, so optimizing our surroundings can add both quantity and quality to our lives.  And when the entire community participates – including the Center, schools, and restaurants – small changes can reap large dividends.
In support of this initiative, the Center is working to become a Participating Organization. This requires the Center to complete several actions within six months such as starting a Moai Walking Team, hosting plant-based cooking events, and posting Blue Zone information on the Center’s website.  
But another requirement is to encourage community members to complete a Blue Zones Personal Pledge and return it to the Center. The pledge consists of selecting at least five actions from the list below. If you are already doing some of them, give yourself a pat on the back. And then consider challenging yourself by completing several additional actions in the next six months. You can find the Personal Pledge in more detail on the Center’s website (www.midcolumbiseniorcenter.com) or pick one up at the Center. More information is available on The Dalles Blue Zones Facebook page.
1) Keep a comfortable pair of walking shoes in plain sight to provide that nudge to move naturally daily. Or maybe a speedo swimsuit pinned to the front door? 
2)  Adopt a dog. Those daily walks will keep you moving! 
3) Attend a Blue Zones Purpose Workshop. 
4) Remove all computers and electronics from your bedroom. Here most older adults have an advantage by not being addicted to their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. 
5) Designate a space in your home for quiet time, meditation, or prayer. 
6) Stock your cupboard with 10-inch dinner plates because you mindlessly eat more calories when eating off larger plates. And that doesn’t mean you can go back for seconds! 
7) Remove TVs and computers from the kitchen and dining areas. They lead to mindless eating and consuming needless calories. 
8) Own a bathroom scale and weigh yourself regularly. 
9) Attend a plant-based cooking class. Knowing how to cook plant-based dishes that you enjoy increases the nutritional quality of your meals.
10) Grow a garden at your home or adopt a plot at a community garden. 
11) Schedule a weekly happy hour with friends and a small glass of red wine – IF you have a healthy relationship with alcohol. 
12) Have a conversation about getting older. Join the Center’s “Let’s Talk” group every Friday at 11:00. Or have a honest conversation with your adult children about what you want. 
13) Belong to a faith-based organization.
I often receive comments about the “Remember When’ questions, and what I particularly like to hear is, “I’d forgotten all about that”. My goal is not to stump you, although this last week’s question was a tough one, but to bring back memories of past experiences: attending a Beatles concert in Portland, remembering where you were when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, or when you first heard classmates playing “Hang on Sloopy” at your high school’s talent show. Reminiscing is one of the advantages of aging: giving us a deeper perspective of life and of who we are. But most of the questions come from my limited experiences, an Indiana boy attending high school and college in the 60’s. So, if you can think of any questions, send them my way.
A “wet rag” was someone who was unpopular and just not fun to hang out with. Only Jeanne Pesicka answered the question correctly, although with a little coaching, and receives a free quilt raffle ticket. And from last week I missed Sandy Haechrel driving by in her “jalopy”.  
The Dalles Library has several book groups one of which is a non-fiction book group which meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM. The book they are reading for February was written by Rachel Carson and published in 1962.  For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this book that inspired the environmental movement? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or return your answer written on the back of a gallon of DDT.
Well, it’s been another week trying to keep the fire burning. Until we meet again, here’s one of Roger Rosenblatt’s rules for aging, “Just because the person criticizing you is an idiot doesn’t make him wrong.”

Aging Well in the Gorge January 30th 2019

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Over the last two years there have been major improvements to the Center thanks to the community’s support: the hundreds of individuals, foundations, The City of the Dalles, Wasco County, NWC PUD and Columbia Basin Care. An elevator has been installed, the upstairs restrooms remodeled, and all the old upstairs floors have been replaced – except one: the floor in the Deschutes room. The floor tiles are worn and falling apart – although there is one positive benefit from the floor. It reminds me how bad the dining room floor previously looked before the Center received a donation from Columbia Basin Care to replace it.
To raise funds to replace the Deschutes Room floor and for the Center’s operations, the Center will be hosting its Annual Fundraiser Dinner Auction on Friday, February 22nd sponsored by our friends at The Springs at Mill Creek, Schultens Motors and Cousins who will be catering the Cordon Bleu dinner. Doors open at 5:00, dinner served at 5:30 and the auction will begin at 6:30. But only one hundred tickets will be sold, so purchase your tickets early. The tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at the Center or Klindt’s Booksellers.
And what may be most important to some folks, the winning raffle ticket for the Chicken Coop will be drawn at the fundraiser. Purchase your Chicken Coop raffle tickets at the Center for $10 apiece or three for $25 dollars.
I know many of you don’t carry around an appointment book or have a smart phone to keep track of your schedule and appointments; and you may not even care what day it is. (If you’re retired isn’t every day Saturday?) So, I just want to remind you of two events coming to the Center in the next two weeks.
On Wednesday, February 6th at 1:00, Lucille Torgerson and Widge Johnson will be presenting their one-hour class, “As I Was Saying – Writing Your Life Story for Your Family, Friends and Yourself”. If you ever wanted to write down your life experiences to share with others, this will be a great place to start. I wish my mom and dad had written their life story so I would have a better idea of the challenges they faced and the accomplishments they achieved.
Then two days later on Friday, February 8th the Center is hosting a 50’s, 60’s 70’s dance with master DJ Randy Haines spinning his imaginary 45’s – plus trivia, Name That Tune and door prizes. It is an over 21 event because Freebridge will be selling beer and The Pines selling wine. But before you come, you may want to refresh your dance moves by watching YouTube videos of American Bandstand where I learned the latest dance moves. (Okay, maybe I should say watched. Because at dances, when I was forced to attend by peer pressure, you would usually find me along the wall trying to avoid eye contact with any girl – fearing some girl would actually want to dance with me! Anyone else remember being a wallflower back then?)
This is the last week for questions about “phrases we don’t hear anymore” and I hope it is one you remember. (I asked my wife the question and she had no idea. And she’s a smart cookie!) For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was someone called who was unpopular and just not fun to hang out with? And to give you a clue since this is a difficult one, the answer I am looking for is composed of two three-letter words. Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or write you answer on the back of an old dish cloth.
Well, it’s been another week trying to stay on the bucking horse as long as I can. Until we meet again, as I am frequently reminded, only your true friends tell you when your zipper’s unzipped.
Here’s one of those “Isn’t that the truth” quotes I heard from John Zalaznik describing how things turn upside down as we get older, “When I was younger, I exercised so I could stay well. Now I try to stay well so I can exercise.”
I didn’t receive the February menu in time for this week’s column because Denise Patton, the director of the Meals-on-Wheels program, had other things on her mind. She and Gary are first time grandparents! Congratulations.

Aging Well in the Gorge January 23rd 2019

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It’s almost February, that time of the year when you find out whether you paid Uncle Sam too much or not enough. There are many excellent tax preparers in the Mid-Columbia region, but if your tax situation is relatively simple, there is free help available through AARP Tax Aide. And because Tax Aide is supported by federal and private grants as well as the AARP Foundation, it is open to all ages with a focus on assisting low to moderate income persons and families.
AARP Tax Aide begins Friday, February 1 downstairs at the Center and continues every Friday from 2:00 – 6:00 and Saturdays from 9:00 – 1:00 through April 12th. In addition, there are two other sites: Tygh Valley Community Center from 9:00 – 1:00 on Thursdays; and the Rufus Community Center in Sherman County on Saturdays where you’ll need to call 541-993-1054 to make an appointment. But be patient. With new software and tax laws, lines may be especially long.
For your Tax Aide appointment, you’ll need to bring several documents: last year’s tax return; government issued identification for both tax payer and spouse even if both are not present when the taxes are being prepared; and a Social Security identification card (original, photocopy or a photo on your smartphone) for all individuals listed on the tax return.
And finally, don’t forget the obvious: all tax documents or statements that show income received and all tax documents or itemized statement that show expense incurred by you and your family.
Lucille Torgerson, with the help of Widge Johnson, just finished writing her life story and found it to be an incredible experience. They would like to help and encourage others to write their own life story by sharing what they’ve learned. Their one-hour class, “As I Was Saying – Writing Your Life Story for Your Family, Friends and Yourself” will be on Wednesday, February 6th at 1:00 at the Center. If you ever thought about sharing your life adventures, you’ll want to attend this class.
Here’s your chance to step back in time – dancing to the tunes you grew up with: “Indian Love Call”, “Wooly Bully”, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “How Sweet It Is” and the favorite of one of The Dalles’ distinguished councilmen – “Wild Thing” at a “50’s 60’s and 70’s Party!” It will be held at the Center on Friday, February 8thfrom 6:30 to 9:30 – which is past my bedtime, but I’ll make an exception. (And remind me, what was so exciting about staying out late at night when we were younger? Was it because it showed our independence? Made us feel more adult like? Or did we just want more time after dark to “neck” with our steady?)
Music will be provided by master DJ Randy Haines plus Name-that-Tune, Trivia and door prizes. Ticket are $5 per person which you can purchase at the Center or at the door. And send me your favorite song request, the song that got you on the dance floor, to  mcseniorcenter@gmail.comor text me at 541-980-4645.
The Center will also be hosting its Annual Fundraiser Dinner Auction on Friday, February 22nd. The goal is to raise money for the Center’s operations but also to replace the Deschutes Room floor – the only floor upstairs that hasn’t yet been replaced. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at the Center.
Continuing with the theme of words seldom used anymore, this week’s “Remember When” question is, What was an inexpensive, delipidated old car called which was often the means of transportation for teenagers in the 1950’s? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or write it on the fender of Archie Andrews’ red, open-top antique car.
The name of the dare used when the first dare was refused was a double dog dare or for those who liked to keep it simple a double dare. I received answers from Cheri Brent, Sandy Haechrel, Carol Earl, Jerry Phillips, Lana Tepfer, and this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket, Harold and Lucile Stephens. And I missed Jerry Phillips and Elaine who had answered galoshes. And going back even further to the blue plate special, I missed Carol Earl. Now have I caught up?
Well, it’s been another week throwing mashed potatoes against the wall – or is it spaghetti? – and seeing if it sticks. Until we meet again, let that “little light of yours” shine.
“Ever since the beginning … to keep the world spinning… it takes all kinds of kinds.” Miranda Lambert

Aging in the Gorge January 16th 2019

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I still remember my cardiologist walking back into the exam room with a smile on his face and telling me, “Guess what? You have AFib.” (It does reduce the anxiety when your doctor gives you such news with a smile.)
You may also be one of the nine percent of older adults 65 or older who have Atrial fibrillation or AFib. I have learned one of the most serious complications of AFib is stroke. And if you are at five times greater risk of having a stroke, it is probably a good idea to be able to recognize the signs of a stroke and know how to respond. Every minute counts and fast treatment can lessen the brain damage and a stroke’s debilitating effects.
In their efforts to raise awareness about stroke, the American Stroke Association (ASA) and the National Stroke Association (NSA) promote the acronym FAST which stands for:

Facial drooping – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arm weakness – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech difficulty – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
And Time – Don’t drive yourself to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Call 911 for an ambulance so medical personnel can evaluate your condition and begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room. Stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within three hours of the first symptoms, so note the time when any symptoms first appear.
FAST covers most but doesn’t cover all the signs and symptoms. If a person suddenly has trouble doing something they normally would be able to do, it’s possible it could be a stroke. In addition to facial drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty, sudden confusion, trouble with their vision, sudden difficulty walking or a sudden severe headache are also possible symptoms.
Finally, it is helpful to know there are two types of strokes: hemorrhagic and ischemic. In a hemorrhagic stroke, a weakened blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding tissue. An Ischemic stroke is when a fatty deposit, or clot, obstructs a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain.
Ischemic strokes are much more common accounting for about 87% of all cases.
If your symptoms go away after a few minutes, you may have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Although brief, a TIA is a sign of a serious condition that will not go away without medical help. But because TIAs clear up, many people ignore them. Paying attention to a TIA can save your life. Tell your health care provider about your symptoms right away.
People with AFib are at greater risk of a stroke, but anyone can experience a stroke. In fact, stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S. If you want to learn more, the ASA and NSA websites offer detailed information including diagrams and animations about strokes and how they affect people.
I received two different correct answers for last week’s question. Cheri Brent, Louise Wooderson, Laura Comini, Lana Tepfer, Diana Weston, Sandy Haechrel and Mary Haas (this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket) remember calling the rubber boots you slipped over your shoes Galoshes. And Bob Haechrel and Gary Conley remembers them as overshoes. And from some week before (I lose track of what was when), I missed Cathy Wilson’s answer Oceans Eleven and she even emailed a picture of the Rat Pack – the personification of 60’s sophisticated cool; and Marta Moser and Ron Nelson who answered correctly “Blue Plate Special” all of whom are also winners of a quilt raffle ticket each.  
You may remember back in the day when someone would egg you on by daring you to do something – usually something you knew you shouldn’t. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was a dare called that was twice as challenging and used when the first dare was refused? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with a DVD of the movie A Christmas Story.
Well, it’s been another week trying to keep my balance. Until we meet again, as hard as you may try it’s hard to have a big head when you keep making silly mistakes.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” Albert Einstein

Zging Well in the Gorge January 9th 2019

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My wife and I are back home in The Dalles where it’s nice to once again sleep in your own bed and return into your regular routine. There is something to be said for the familiar.
It was a nice trip visiting my son and daughter. (I still don’t know what they really do.) And I think I passed another year where they won’t feel the need to take care of me – yet! But there was something I did for the first time – and no, it wasn’t bungee jumping.
Most of us probably don’t enjoy the patronizing attitude of some younger folks who often “assume” we can’t do anything on our own – that we have to be assisted opening doors, getting into a car or going online. I know they are trying to be nice and respectful, but couldn’t they just ask instead of assuming.
But once in a while it is expedient to play into those stereotypes – in other words, playing the “Age Card” to get out of a sticky situation.
That occurred when my daughter’s best friend invited us to dinner the night we flew in to San Diego. We hoped to spend the little time we had with our daughter, so for the first time we decided to play the “age card” and asked my daughter to tell her friend, “You know, my parents are older, flights wear them out and they do go to bed awfully early!’ And it worked. No hurt feelings and we spent more time with our daughter.
I would be interested to know if you ever played the “Age Card” – when you didn’t want to change a tire or repair a leaking pipe under the sink when knew you could. Email me your experiences to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com.
The Center’s AARP Smart Driver class occurs every third Monday and following Tuesday of each month – and if you check your new 2019 calendar that means the 21stand 22nd of January. The class is from 8:45 am to 12:05 pm on both days and the cost is $20 ($15 for AARP Members). Call (541) 296-4788 to sign-up. And after the class, you can enroll in CarFit – a free 20-minute session which helps you adapt to your car, and adjust your “fit” within it, in order to reduce your risk of injury during a crash.
They say people are more afraid of giving a speech than dying. But I would rank above both of those dancing on stage in front of your friends. That’s why I admire anyone who participates in “Dancing with the Gorge Stars”.
This fundraiser for the Mid-Columbia Community Concert Association will be held Friday, January 11th at 7:00 PM at The Dalles High School. If you aren’t familiar with the event, it is where six friends and neighbors from the Gorge are paired with a professional dancer from the Utah Ballroom Dance Co.; practice a dance routine for hours; and then perform it in a beautiful costume – which sounds pretty intimidating to me but makes for a very entertaining evening. You can purchase tickets at the door or at Klindt’s Bookstore, Lines of Designs and The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce.
The term commonly used by diners and cafes from the 1920s through the 1950s that referred to a low-priced meal was a “Blue Plate Special”. (I received correct responses from Cheri Brent, Jeannie Pesicka, and this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket Mary Davis who emailed me an online clipping of a 1926 ad in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper for Halloran’s “Landmark for Exceptional Cooking” which served Blue Plate Specials. And from the previous week, the only response I received was from Cheri Brent.)
When I was a child there were many things I was made to do by my mother that I didn’t enjoy. One was when on rainy days I had wear over my shoes those thin rubber boots with buckles. Because they had to be tight fitting, they were always difficult to put on and take off. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what do you remember calling those rubber boots you slipped over your shoes? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with a forecast for heavy rains.
Well, it’s been another week wondering what lessons I’ve learned. Until we meet again, you always discover something new when you’re lost.
“If you want an interesting party sometime, combine cocktails and a fresh box of crayons for everyone.” Robert Fulghum

Aging Well in the Gorge January 2nd 2019

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Do you still make New Year’s resolutions? My resolution had been to decide what I want to be when I grow up – and I’m running out of time! But you may have something more practical such as one of the most common resolutions: losing weight and exercising more.
If your resolution is the latter, here are six suggestions from the National Council on Aging on how to move more and sit less during the winter months when the temperatures drop, sidewalks are slippery, and winter weather hinders outdoor activities.
1. Explore arthritis-friendly exercise videos. Check out these short videos with exercises focused on reducing joint pain through stretching and building strength. There are options for working out your upper and lower body, as well as trying out Tai Chi, all in your own home. https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/exercise/videos/
Also, the Arthritis Foundation’s “Walk With Ease” self-directed program is a physical activity and self-management intervention developed for people living with arthritis and/or other chronic health conditions who want to be more physically active. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/walk-ease.
2. Find an exercise class near you. It can be hard to stay motivated while exercising alone. Find an exercise class that can offer different options for activities and provide an opportunity to meet up with friends. You can find classes at Water’s Edge, The Dalles Fitness and Court Club and at the Center. One popular class that has been proven
effective is “Strong Women” (and men) which is available at the Center and CGCC.
3. Go mall walking. Okay, you aren’t going to find an indoor mall in The Dalles, but you can walk a good number of steps around Home Depot – if you don’t stop to check out the latest refrigerators or power tools. There is a “Mall Walking Resource Guide” found at https://www.cdc.gov/prc/mall_walking.html.
4. Take steps to prevent falls. If you do walk outside, take precautions to avoid slips and trips on icy sidewalks. Check out how you can “Winterize to Prevent Falls” at
https://www.ncoa.org/wp-content/uploads/Winterize-to-Prevent-Falls2.pdf
5. Get a workout to go. Go4Life’s “Workout to Go” guide has several options for exercising in your own home, including hand grips, wall pushups, and arm raises.
6. Find an indoor community pool or track. We don’t have an indoor track – at least until the Youth Center is built, but there are pools available at Water’s Edge or The Dalles Fitness and Court Club.
Whatever you do it needs to be fun. It can’t be a chore. And the mantra “No Pain, No Gain” you can forget. You aren’t preparing for the Olympics. Remember to take your time. You aren’t exercising the body you once had, but the body you now have!
“Give the Gift of Warmth” is the theme of this year’s Annual Blanket Drive hosted by the Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). On Saturday, January 12, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at 523 East 3rd St. (across the street from Sawyer’s Ace Hardware) you can drop off NEW or gently used (and washed) blankets, socks and other warming items. All items collected from this drive will be donated to The Warming Place in The Dalles, and to Gilliam & Sherman County Emergency Management.
For more information about this blanket drive or the Medical Reserve Corps, contact Tanya Wray at tanyaw@co.wasco.or.us. (541) 506-2631 or visit the North Central Public Health District webpage at www.ncphd.org.
The name of the 1960 American heist film starring five of the Rat Pack: Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Joey Bishop was Ocean’s Eleven. (Once again because of the holidays I am writing this early, so I will include the correct responses in next week’s column.)
There are several colloquial phrases I remember from growing up in Indiana that I seldom hear anymore. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the term commonly used by restaurants, especially diners and cafes, from the 1920s through the 1950s that referred to a low-priced meal that usually changes daily? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with the 1926 advertisement in The New York Times for “The Famous Old Sea Grill Lobster and Chop House” where you could still get “a steak-and-lots-of-onion sandwich for a dime”.
Well, it’s been another week living day to day. Until we meet again, keep learning, moving and always keep dreaming.
“I know. I’m lazy. But I made myself a New Year’s resolution that I would write myself something really special. Which means I have ’til December, right?” Catherine O’Hara

Aging Well in the Gorge December 26th 2019

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Haven’t we been here before – reaching the end of another year wondering how it passed so quickly; hoping for the best but knowing around some corner we could be slapped in the face like a gust of wind on a frigid day. Do we play it safe, avoiding any corners and wishing for the best? Or do we work to make the best of every day?
Here are some tips from the Aging in the Gorge Alliance, with a few embellishments of my own, on how to make the most of every day particularly during the holidays.
Get out. Check your local newspaper for different events. There are usually many even during the winter months. Can’t drive? Invite a friend or family member to join you. Or have company over. Go for a walk and enjoy your neighborhood decorations.
Volunteer. Whenever there is a discussion of how to improve your health or ways to be happier, volunteering is always mentioned. And there is a reason. Helping others can counteract stress, anxiety, depression and increase self-confidence and a sense of purpose. Check out the Chronicle’s Gorge Giving Guide and you will find over fifty non-profits many of which need volunteers.
Drink responsibly. Drinking a glass of wine a day is a Blue Zone recommendation. But excessive drinking can increase feelings of depression. The recommended limit for older men is 14 drinks per week and 7 per week for older women.
Accept your feelings. There’s nothing wrong with feeling down from time to time. Be kind to yourself and reach out to family and friends.
Talk to someone. Having some holiday blues is usually temporary. However, lingering feelings of sadness can be a sign of something more serious. But help is available. Reach out to your health care provider if these feelings linger for more than 2 weeks. If you are dealing with any kind of grief, there is a Grief Support group lead by Gwen Thomas every first and third Thursdays at the Center at 10:30 am.
The end of the year means it’s time to renew your Center membership or if you are not a member to become one. The dues are $35 per person or $60 for a couple; and if you want to give a little more you can be a SUPPER DUPER member for $50 apiece. By becoming a member, you are supporting the Center’s mission of enhancing the community by sharing and caring.
After a week break, Saturday Night Bingo will be back in business on December 29thwith an “End of the Year” Party. It will be an exciting night because there’s a guaranteed payout of $1000 on the last game – no ifs or buts. And that is in addition to more than $1000 paid out in the other games. Come and enjoy an evening of fun and see if you are the lucky one who could take home $1000. The minimum buy-in is $10 and the games start at 6:00, but if you are new you should arrive by 5:30 to give yourself time to learn the games.
Meals-on-Wheels will be closed New Year’s Eve but open on New Year’s Day, so you can welcome in the new year with a delicious noon meal with friends. And although the Center’s classes are cancelled for Monday and Tuesday, the Center will be open most of the day in case you have questions or need medical equipment.
Bing Crosby starred in two Christmas classic films Holiday Inn with costar Fred Astaire and White Christmas with Danny Kaye.  (I received correct answers from Cheri Brent, Jeanne Pesicka, Sandy Haechrel and the winner of a quilt raffle ticket Jerry Phillips.)
Last week it was movies with Christmas themes, so this week how about a movie about a New Year’s Eve heist. For this week’s “Remember When” question what was the name of the 1960 film about a plan to rob five Las Vegas casinos on New Year’s Eve and was the inspiration for a trilogy of heist films released from 2001 through 2007? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or write your answer on the back of a picture of the Rat Pack: Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Joey Bishop.
Well, it’s been another week waiting for the bell to ring in the new year. Until we meet again, may your dreams come true in the new year.
“Over and over I marvel at the blessings in my life. Each year has grown better than the last.” Lawrence Welk

Aging Well in the Gorge December 19th 2018

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There is nothing like seeing snow on Christmas morning. For me it is the one day when snow has a magical quality and I can feel like a child once again. But my wife and I won’t have that chance this year because we will be visiting our children in California over the holidays where fifty degrees is the definition of freezing.
Ever since our children left the roost, we have always looked forward to visiting them: learning how they are getting along (just fine without mom and dad!); checking out the coffee shops in their neighborhoods; and again asking “Exactly what do you do at work?“
But it can be a little stressful making sure I don’t spontaneously say something I’ll regret in front of their friends – or worse their “significant other”. Or worrying that the gifts we bought are something they will actually use.
And now there is one more thing I have to fret about: I have to pretend what I’m not: a spry 45-year-old.
I’m trying to prepare. I have been practicing getting off the couch without groaning, eliminating anything from my conversations related to recent medical conditions, and making sure I know when my nose is dripping. Also, I have been concentrating on putting my underwear on without tipping over; avoiding any scary noises emanating from my mouth while eating; and thinking how to sneak in covert naps so I can stay up past my normal 9:00 bed time and still avoid yawning at 10 in the morning or falling asleep in the early afternoon.
It’s not easy, but the charade is essential. The more my children think I am getting old, the more they will feel they need to “help” us old folks in deciding what my wife and I should be doing the rest our lives. (We’ll do just fine thank-you!). Nonetheless it will be a great visit because I know I can pretend for at least one week I’m twenty-five years younger – I hope!
As the end of 2018 approaches, this is your last chance to donate to your favorite non-profits to lessen your tax burden while supporting important community organizations. And this year consider contributing to the Oregon Cultural Trust as well. If you make a donation to any of Oregon’s arts, heritage and humanities non-profits including twenty-two in Wasco and Sherman Counties (listed at www.culturaltrust.org) and make a matching gift to the Cultural Trust, you can then claim your contribution to the Cultural Trust as a tax credit. The Oregon Cultural Trust is an innovative public-private fundraising and grant making program that funds local coalitions including the Wasco County Cultural Trust Coalition that annually distributes $500 to $1000 grants to area schools and non-profits which in the past has included the Center.
The Center and Meals-on-Wheels will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Also, several Center classes will not be meeting during the holidays, so call if you are not sure about your class.
Warren Beatty’s popularity took off when he starred with Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde, the landmark film portraying two criminals who moved from small time heists to robbing banks during the middle of the great depression. (I received correct answers from Diane Weston, Sue Ortega, Sandy Haechrel, Lana Tepfer, Kim Birge, Jeanne Pesicka, Cheri Brent and this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket Rhonda Auskin. And I thought I checked my phone messages last week, but as it has happened way too many times what I thought wasn’t – so I missed Ruth Radcliff, Diana Weston and Carol Earl who back then had three different dates who all took her to see Dr. Zhivago!)
The holiday season is an ideal time to watch some of the Christmas classic movies. Two of my favorites are the 1942 Holiday Innwhich introduced the Christmas classic ‘White Christmas’ – the best-selling single of all time, and the 1954 movie White Christmas. Both starred Bing Crosby with music by Irving Berlin. Although it was not initially intended, Bing Crosby had a different male costar in each of the two movies. For this week’s “Remember When” question who were they? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or write your answer on the back of a 1942 78 single release of “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby on Decca Records.
Well, it’s been another week trying to keep it simple. Until we meet again, have a very Merry Christmas!
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” ―Peg Bracken