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 October 28th 2014

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It is said laughter is the best medicine.  And although it is not a cure for major depression, according to the Mayo Clinic website, laughter can improve your mood, relieve stress and pain, and increase personal satisfaction while stimulating your heart, lungs and muscles and improving your immune system. Not bad for a couple of knock-knock jokes!
In addition to your favorite knock-knock joke, there are many other ways you can tickle your funny bone: spend time with folks who laugh, share your best jokes; read the funny pages or watch your favorite comedies. (Classic film comedies such as “Singing in the Rain”, “My Girl Friday” or “Some Like it Hot” are several of my favorites.)
Children laugh an average of 400 times a day while adults laugh just 25 times. Have you found you inner child and laughed today? If you haven’t here is a joke that will hopefully at least make you smile. It plays on a common stereotype but turns it upside down showing how clever an old codger can be.
A police car pulls up in front of grandma Bessie’s house, and Grandpa Morris gets out. The polite policeman explained that this elderly gentleman said that he was lost in the park and couldn’t find his way home.
“Oh Morris”, said grandma, “You’ve been going to that park for over 30 years! How could you get lost?”
Leaning close to grandma, so that the policeman couldn’t hear, Morris whispered, “I wasn’t lost. I was just too tired to walk home.”
For the second in the series of 1 ½ hour Creative Arts classes, Debra Jones recruited “Master Gardener” Lynn Jones, the Lawn & Garden Manager from True Value, to teach the class on November 4th using Spring Bulbs. You will have fun using your imagination to make a one-of-a-kind gift you can take home. All the supplies will be provided for a cost of only $2.00 per person, but the class is limited to only 10 people. Call the Center to sign up.
And following the dripping paint brush, we find ourselves at The Dalles Art Association and Gallery which is gearing up for its 57th Annual Art Auction – 6:00 PM on November 1st at the Civic Auditorium. Over sixty pieces of fine art have been donated to the auction by many well-known, regional artists which you can bid on – I mean, the fine art pieces, not the artists. (Although that would be interesting.)
If you haven’t already, you should stop by the Center to see the new tables purchased for Meals-on-Wheels though the dogged efforts of Donnamae Grannemann and friends. It gives the dining room a more open café feel, although many of us are still having to adjust.
And if you don’t visit the Center for lunch before the 11th, you should drop in on Veterans Day for a free dinner provided by Meals-on-Wheels for everyone over 60 in honor of our Veterans. The dinner will include turkey and dressing, green bean casserole, buttered roll, carrot salad and pumpkin pie.
It’s hard to believe, but by next Tuesday, it will already be November – the month when times doesn’t stand still but retreats by one hour on November 2nd. But it is also Tuesday Night music at the Center and returning to the top of the batting order will be Andre, K.C. and Tom. Music starts at 7:00 PM
And speaking of music. Nehemiah Brown will be making his last appearance at the Center for 2014 on Friday, November 7th. He’ll perform from 7:00 to 9:00 and the cost is $3.00 per person.
Okay, maybe it wasn’t that long ago, which could be the reason why so many still remember the Shamrock Lounge – an Irish named restaurant, serving Chinese food and where country musicians performed. (And from all the entries the winner of a free Saturday breakfast is Larry Thompson. But he’ll have to wait until the next Saturday breakfast on December 20th.)
This week’s “Remember When” question is not about a place in The Dalles, but a time. During what year, and month if you can remember, was the lowest recorded temperature in The Dalles? And for bonus points include any memories from that record cold winter. E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop it off with a hooded thermal mountain jacket.
Well, it’s been another week learning to skate on thin ice with a fifty pound backpack. Until we meet again, as the famous sage “”anonymous” once said “Falling short of perfection is a process that just never stops.”
“I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble.” – Rudyard Kipling

Aging Well October 21st 2014

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October is Depression Awareness month. But writing about depression, is just, well, kind of depressing. It not a subject you mention when you want to liven up a conversation.  But it doesn’t have to be because depression can be treated. And with the right supports, treatment, and self-help strategies, one can feel better and live a happy and fulfilling life.
The challenge is that depression is often misunderstood, overlooked or just ignored. Many older adults feel depression is just an inevitable part of aging. And with a reluctance to talk about it, and the greater social isolation that often occurs with aging, it frequently goes unnoticed.
I always thought depression was easy to identify. It was just a severe case of the “blues”, a sadness we all experience at times in our lives. But many older adults who suffer from depression deny they are sad. Instead their symptoms may be unexplained aches and pains, feelings of hopelessness/helplessness, memory problems, anxiety and worries. They may also exhibit a lack of motivation and energy, no longer interested in socializing and hobbies; and neglecting personal care such as missing meals and forgetting meds – which just makes things worse. And unlike grief, which has its ups and downs, good days and bad, clinical depression has feelings of emptiness and despair that are constant.
The causes of depression are many. But for older adults common triggers are chronic medical conditions, loss of loved ones and friends, loneliness and isolation, the side effects of commonly prescribed prescription drugs, decreased ability to participate in activities, and the fear of death.
Professional help is recommended, but there are also many ways you can help yourself: exercising, connecting with others, managing the daily stress and pressures, getting enough sleep, eating well, participating in activities you enjoy, volunteering your time, taking care of a pet, and learning a new skill. Things we should all be doing anyway – except maybe taking care of a pet!
Depression is serious and affects more than just your mood. It affects your energy, your sleep, appetite and your physical health. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the appropriate help you can feel good at any age.
If you want to learn more, you can attend the Center’s 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on October 28th when Mary E. Zenorini, a MCMC Behavioral Health Consultant, will discuss Depression in Older Adults. Or visit online Helpguide.org, an ad-free health resource guide in collaboration with Harvard Health Publications.
For the Fall/Winter Creative Arts classes, Debra Jones has lined up another great series of 1 ½ hour classes, each with a different theme. In the first class at 1:00 on Tuesday, October 28th, you will be decorating a straw wreath with Halloween ribbons, wrapped candy and decorations. All the supplies are provided and the cost is $2.00 – but limited to only 8 people. The classes usually fill up quickly, so call the Center soon to sign up.
If you enjoy the music of Patsy Cline you will want to spend your evening at The Dalles – Wasco County Public Library on Thursday 23rd starting at 6:30 PM to hear southwest Washington’s own Elizabeth Stierle performing a tribute to Patsy Cline. And there is more music at the Center. On Tuesday the 28th, you can listen and dance to the Highline Express starting at 7:00 PM. And earlier in the day, before and after the Meals-on-Wheels lunch at the Center, you can listen to Andre Lemoreaux and K.C. Kortge.
Joseph McCarthy was the U.S. Senator, who during the 1954 Army – McCarthy hearings was asked by attorney Joseph Welch “Have you left no sense of decency?” (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Alex Currie.)
For the next several “Remember When” questions, I’ll be asking about places in The Dalles that are long gone, but not forgotten. This one comes from Truman Boler who heard that when Claude Akins was on the Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show he mentioned he had visited The Dalles while filming along the Rowena Loops and never before had he eaten at a restaurant/lounge that had an Irish name, served Chinese food and played country music. What was the name of the restaurant/lounge? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or drop it off at the Center in a fortune cookie.
Well, it’s been another week learning once again when you gotta go, you gotta go. Until we meet again, never burn a bridge – you may find it’s the only way back home.

“Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering – and it’s all over much too soon.” Woody Allen

Aging Well October 14th 2014

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It’s that special time of the year. No, I don’t mean college football and falling leaves. I’m talking about the Medicare Open Enrollment period when you have the opportunity to decide if your Medicare plan is still the best plan to meet your medical needs for next year.

You should have received and read the “Annual Notice of Change” from your current Medicare plan describing any changes for next year. Then as part of your annual review, you should ask three important questions. Does your plan allow you to go to the providers you want, such as your doctor or pharmacy? Are your prescription drugs covered? And is the plan cost effective? If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, particularly consider the latter question, because for some 2015 Advantage Plans the monthly premium has increased substantially. But the increases may be worth it – or not, and that is the choice you make.

There are several ways to compare plans. You can visit Medicare.gov/find-a-plan and use the Medicare Plan Finder, read the “Medicare & You” handbook to see a listing of plans in your county, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) where help is available 24 hours a day, including weekends.

If you would rather talk to someone in person, you can call the Center and schedule an appointment with a trained SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) volunteer.
Make sure you use this opportunity to compare plans and choose the best one for your needs. You don’t want to be unpleasantly surprised in 2015.

I apologize to everyone who came to the Center for their flu shot last Wednesday. But the good news is that the flu shot clinic has been rescheduled for Wednesday October 15th from 10:00 to 2:00 – just in time for the beginning of the flu season.

There will be plenty of the higher-dose vaccine that is recommended for adults over 65. As we age, our immune system weakens, and the higher-dose vaccine contains a larger dose of antigen which for many older adults provides a better immune response, and therefore, better protection against the flu.

The flu should be taken seriously by older adults and your best protection is a flu shot. If you haven’t already received your flu shot, the Center is an easy and convenient location so you can be protected for the upcoming flu season.

Because the AARP Smart Driver Class is upstairs and Zumba Gold downstairs, there will not be Tuesday Lecture on the 21st.  But on October 28th, Mary E. Zenorini, a Behavioral Health Consultant with MCMC, will speak about Depression in Older Adults.

Besides the Center’s Tuesday Night Music and Dance (Truman will be playing his Country Gold starting at 7:00 on October 21st), the Meals-on-Wheels folks have scheduled music before and after lunch, four times a month. On the first and third Thursdays, the popular Tom Graff performs, and then on the second and fourth Tuesdays, music is provided by Andre Lemoreaux.  

When’s the last time you took a driver’s test? Can you imagine anything has changed since then? If so, you will want to call the Center and sign up for the October AARP Smart Driver class where you will learn the current rules of the road, defensive driving skills and how to adjust to the inevitable physical changes as we age. And for the cost conscious, you can receive a discount on your car insurance. The next class is on October 20thand 21st from 9:00 – 12:00. The cost is $20 and $15 for AARP members.

It was the platinum blonde Marilyn Monroe who said “What do I wear to bed. Why, Chanel No.5, of course”. (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Lyn Dalton.) 
For the last several “Remember When” questions, I have used quotes from movies and television, songs and celebrities, and the art world. Now this week it is the world of political intrigue. During the 50’s the fear of communism was pervasive – even reaching into the U.S. Army. What U.S. Senator, who in 1952 became chair of the Senate Committee on Government Operations, was asked during the 1954 Army hearings televised live on ABC “Have you left no sense of decency?” E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a 1954 picture of Massachusetts attorney Joseph Welch.
Well, it’s been another week enjoying the ride even with all the random bumps and bruises. Until we meet again, remember the lessons learned from the mistakes forgotten.
 “Everywhere is within walking distance – if you have the time.” Steven Wright

Aging Well October 7th 2014

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Lily Tomlin said, “Reality is the leading cause of stress – among those in touch with it.” And for those of us who have stayed in touch, we have experienced the various stresses in all chapters of our lives: in school worrying about exams and first dates, during mid-life while encountering family and work decisions; and now in this, our third chapter, worrying about personal health issues, caring for loved ones and facing the ultimate reality of death.

Doctor Mike Evans, who produced the popular short video on the importance of 30 minutes of daily physical activity called “23 ½ Hours”, has also produced a short ten minute video on stress: “The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do For Your Stress”. (You can find both videos on YouTube.)

According to Doctor Mike Evans, the causes of stress are complex, with significant harmful consequences. But the current research suggests the most effective treatment to manage stress is changing your thinking style. He explains that stress doesn’t just happen to us, it passes through our brain. And our brain – that space between the action we experience and our response to what happens – is where we create the stress. In other words, it is our thinking that brings the stress.

This idea is embodied in the 90/10 rule. Ten percent of how we do in life is based on what happens to us, but ninety percent is how we respond. And we have the ability to manage that ninety percent. In the video, Dr. Evans explains in more detail how stress management can be learned through different techniques such as problem solving, avoiding thinking traps and reframing automatic thinking to healthier thinking patterns.

In particular, he points out the effectiveness of mindfulness training which combines an increased self-awareness, breathing techniques, meditation and letting go of distractions – being in the moment. 

We don’t live in a make believe Shangri-La. Consequently, reality will always offer us many challenges. But how we experience and respond to those challenges are the key to managing our stress. As the famous American psychologist William James pointed out, the greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.

Thanks to everyone who attended the 4th Annual Baby Back Rib dinner that raised close to $7,000 for The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels and the Senior Center. And to everyone who made it possible: Donna Cooper and her staff at The Springs of Mill Creek – sponsors of the dinner, Meals-on-Wheels director Nise Patton and crew for preparing the delicious ribs, Ashley Lauterbach for organizing the Silent Auction and Raffle, Hardshell Harmony for providing the perfect music for a perfect evening and all the wonderful volunteer ticket-takers, waitresses and table-clearers (busboys just doesn’t sound right!) including two of our Wasco County Commissioners – Steve Kramer and Rod Runyon. And now, let me be the first to invite you to the 5th Annual Baby Back Rib Dinner on the first Friday in October, 2015.

I know many of you have already received your Flu shots, but if you haven’t yet, and you know you should, Flu shots will be conveniently available at the center on Wednesday, October 8th, from 10:00 – 2:00. The shots will be provided by Rite-Aid and they will have the regular strength, as well as the extra strength flu vaccine that is recommended for adults over 65.

For the Center’s 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on October 14th, I will show the video “The Mechanics of Aging” produced for the PBS television series “Life part 2”, followed by a discussion about how our bodies are not as cooperative as they once were and what we can do about it.

For the Center’s Tuesday Night Music starting at 7:00 on October 14th, Martin and Friends will be performing. All ages are welcome and donations are appreciated.

Andy Warhol was the American artist who said “In the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes”. (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Don McAllister.)

For this week’s “Remember When” question, I’m just going to give a quote with no other hints or clues – to make it a little more challenging. When asked what she wore to bed, what movie star (okay, one hint) answered “Why, Chanel No.5, of course”? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a recording of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President”.

Well, it’s been another week jumping from the frying pan to the skillet. Until we meet again, keep singing your song – even if no one listens.

 “When you stumble, make it part of the dance.” – Author unknown

Aging Well September 30th 2014

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Can you imagine any services or supports you could use to continue to live in your own home? Home delivered meals? Handyman services? Or maybe you are caring for a spouse or parent. What services could you use to better care for them? Respite care? A resource guide to find existing services?
In 2013 the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 21 which directed the Aging and People with Disabilities Department to develop a plan to improve and strengthen Oregon’s public long term services and supports system. But they need to hear from you: what challenges and issues you or your family face and any ideas you may have to address those challenges.
Aging and People with Disabilities Department have scheduled two meetings in The Dalles on Monday, October 6th. The first is at the Center from 12:30 – 2:00 (you can come at noon and have lunch) followed by an evening meeting at Spooky’s from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.
I would encourage anyone interested in the future of services and supports for older adults to attend one of these meetings to share your ideas and what you consider are the unmet needs. Representatives from the Aging and People with Disabilities Department as well as State Representative John Huffman will be in attendance to listen to your comments and suggestions.
Never has there been a time when so much information is available – all by just by searching on the Internet. But that now means the individual faces the difficult task, and the responsibility, of separating the false and misleading from the accurate and reliable. This is particularly true regarding health information – when the knowing the difference can affect your wellbeing.
At the Center’s last Tuesday Lecture, Molly Hamlin, from the Planetree Health Resource Center, provided the following tips on how to protect yourself from the snake oil salesmen on the Internet. You should visit sites that are set up by reputable, established medical institutions or healthcare organizations – usually identified by the .edu, .org, .net or .gov in their web address. Make sure the information is current – medical knowledge is constantly expanding. And share with your healthcare provider any health information you find on the Internet.
What you should avoid are personal web sites on health issues: “Jane’s Alzheimer’s Help Page”; sites selling products:  “Miracle Cure for Arthritis – only $29.95”; and sites that discount conventional medical practices: “What Your Doctor Doesn’t Want You to Know about Lowering Cholesterol”. Finally, as I have often stressed, do not disclose any personal information. If you do, at best you may be bombarded with unwanted solicitations, and at worst your identity and personal information may be compromised.
Two reliable resources for health information are the Planetree Health Resource Center’s web site at
http://www.mcmc.net/library. And Medlineplus (the National Library of Medicine’s website at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/) where you can find basic information on a comprehensive list of health topics including complimentary medicines, drugs and supplements, as well as tutorials and videos.
The topic for the Center’s 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on October 7th will be “Aging in Place – the challenges and benefits”. There will be several short video presentations followed by a group discussion. Everyone is welcome to participate.
For the Center’s Tuesday Night Music beginning at 7:00 on October 7th, Andre, K.C. and Tom will be performing for your dancing and listening pleasure. All ages are welcome and donations are appreciated.
And the last reminder. The Baby Back Rib Dinner sponsored by The Springs at Mill Creek is this Friday from 4:30 – 7:30 at the Center. Besides the finger lickin’ ribs, there will be a silent auction, and music by Hardshell Harmony. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Center, Kllindt’s Booksellers or at the door. All proceeds support Meals-on-Wheels and the Center.
The singing duo that recorded “Wake Up, Little Suzy”, their first #1 hit in 1957, were the Everly Brothers. (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Nadine McCracken.) 
For this week’s “Remember When” quote let’s move to the art world of the 1960’s. What American artist, a leading figure in the Pop Art Movement made the prediction “In the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.”? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a case of Campbell’s Soup.
Well, it’s been another week trying to keep this from that. Until we meet again, don’t fret over what you can’t control – it won’t make any difference anyway.

“Did you ever feel like the whole world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?” George Gobel on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show.

Aging Well September 23rd 2014

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If you see a couple walking along Cherry Heights by the Center with ski poles in their hands, they are not delusional lost cross country skiers searching for snow.

They are Pat and Barbara Stone who have discovered a new form of exercising called Pole Walking or Nordic Walking. Walking with ski poles started in Finland in the early 1900’s, but saw a surge in popularity in the early 1990s as elite cross-country skiers used the technique to train during the summer months. From Finland, it moved across Europe where now more than 20 per cent of Finns and about 10-15 million Germans regularly pole walk. And it is now becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. among all ages, particularly older adults.

The appeal is that by adding the poles, walking becomes a full body exercise – working more muscles and burning more calories. It is low impact, decreasing the stress on your hips and knees, and increases your heart rate compared to walking without poles. Using the poles also provides additional stability to reduce the risk of falling. But as with any exercise, to get the most benefit you should use proper equipment and technique. If you are interested, you can find more information online at Nordic Walking Online – www.nordicwalkingonline.com

It is never too late to find an activity you can enjoy with others or by yourself that gets you up and out of your chair.  As with Pat and Barbara it may be pole walking, or you may find water aerobics, chair yoga or social dancing more to your liking. As Doctor Mike Evans points out, you can do anything you want for 23 ½ hours each day – but for 30 minutes you should find some way to be active.

It’s difficult to predict when the flu season will begin, but normally it starts in October and peaks between December and February. So it’s not too early to get your flu shot. Flu shots will be available Saturday at the MCMC Health and Fitness Fair at Water’s Edge between 10:00 and 2:00 PM. And the Center will be scheduling Flu Shots in early October.

And there are additional steps you can take, recommended by the North Central Public Health District, to reduce the risks of catching the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
Wash hands often with soap and warm water for a full 20 seconds – for many viruses, alcohol hand sanitizer is not a replacement for washing with soap and water. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or your sleeve if tissue is not available. Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are coughing and sneezing (otherwise you can kiss and hug as often as you want!). Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs. And if you are sick, stay home as much as possible to avoid exposing others.

The topic for the Center’s 11:00 Tuesday Lecture on the 30th, is how aging is perceived in our modern culture and how those perceptions affect us as older adults. Everyone is welcome to participate in the discussion.

For the Center’s Tuesday Night Music on the 30th, The Dufur Boys will be closing out the month of September. And looking into the crystal ball, I can see Andre, K.C. and Tom performing on October 7th. Music starts at 7:00, over by 9:00 PM, all ages are welcome and donations are appreciated.
The comedian who hosted a television variety show and was known for several expressions including “How sweet it is” and “And awaaay we go!” was Jackie Gleason. (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Sandy Haechrel.) 
For this week’s “Remember When” question, what singing duo was known for their tight harmonies, was encouraged by family friend Chet Atkins and recorded in 1957 a #1 hit single that included the lyrics “Well, what are we gonna tell your mama?/ What are we gonna tell your pa?/ What are we gonna tell our friends/ When they say ‘Ooh la la’”? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a tape of “Little Donnie” and “Baby Boy Phi” on KMA radio.
Well, it’s been another week trying to keep a lid on the kettle. Until we meet again, don’t worry about repeating yourself – most of us won’t remember any way.

“I have a two-story house and a bad memory, so I’m up and down those stairs all the time. That’s my exercise.” Betty White

Aging Well September 16th 2014

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Although the Senior Center is a key focal point for older adult activities, I try to avoid being too Center focused in this weekly column. But because of the variety of opportunities available this week at the Center, I am going to make an exception. But I will also include the answers to the brainteasers which I forgot last week – apparently the mental stimulation isn’t always that effective.

WEDNESDAY (17th) The Center will host another Passport to Happiness event from 1:00 – 2:30. Lauren Kraemer, OSU Extension Family and Community Health specialist will demonstrate how to prepare several dishes that are easy, delicious and healthy. And I will discuss six behaviors, besides good nutrition, that support brain health: physical activity, mental stimulation, stress management, sleep and rest, and social engagement.

FRIDAY (19th) Nehemiah Brown returns to the Center – sponsored by Columbia Basin Care Facility. He’ll be singing hits from the 50’s and 60’s in the style of Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett. The theme is a Hawaiian “Luau” so you can wear your Hawaiian shirt one more time before fall officially arrives on the 23rd. The music starts at 7:00, ends by 9:00 and costs only $3.00 per person. 

SATURDAY (20TH) Saturday Breakfast is back. This month the breakfast is sponsored on behalf of the AARP Smart Driver Program and during the breakfast, Dennis Davis, Oregon’s AARP Smart Driver Instructor of the Year will be recognized. The menu will feature pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage with fruit and coffee for $5.00 and $4.00 for Center members. Breakfast starts at 8:00 and we start cleaning up at 9:30 am.

SUNDAY (21ST) The third Sunday is the monthly stop for the Pie and Jam express. From 2:00 – 5:00 local musicians of all stripes and feathers come and “jam” – playing country favorites for everyone’s listening and dancing pleasure. And for that mid-afternoon snack, there is pie and ice cream for sale during intermission.

MONDAY (22ND), The Dalles Toastmasters Club has started a new meeting at the Center on Monday nights from 6:00 – 7:00 to accommodate folks whose work schedule doesn’t allow them to attend the regular Tuesday noon meeting at CGCC. Whether you are working or retired, Toastmasters is an opportunity to enhance your leadership and communication skills in a supportive and pressure free environment. Everyone is invited and if you have any questions, contact Mary Linebarger at 541-298-2829.

TUESDAY (23RD) Do you want to know where you can find accurate and reliable health information you can trust? At the Tuesday Lecture starting at 11:00, Molly Hamlin, from the Planetree Health Resource Library, will explain and demonstrate how you can search for reliable health information using MedlinePlus – the website for the National Library of Medicine.

And on the 23rd there will not be Tuesday Night music at the Center, but The Dufur Boys are scheduled to play on the 30th, and Andre and Friends on October 7th.

And now with a drum roll, here are the answers to the Brainteasers from two weeks ago. And if you can’t remember the questions, you’ll find both the questions and answers at www.midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com.

) Meat. 2) There is no dirt in a hole. 3) Incorrectly (except when it is spelled incorrecktly). 4) Mt. Everest. It just wasn’t discovered yet. 5) Johnny. 6) You would be in 2nd place. You passed the person in second place, not first. 7) The river was frozen. 8) Both boxers are female. 9) Take the first letter of each word and place it at the end. It will spell the same word backwards. 10) It contains each number, zero through nine, in alphabetical order.

The name of the 1964 British – American black comedy starring Peter Sellers in three different roles and included “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here. This is the War Room!” was Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Dennis Wygal.)

This week’s “Remember When” quote is not from a movie but from its second cousin – television. Who was the comedian that hosted a television variety show first telecast in the 50’s and would end his opening monologue by saying “And awaaay we go!” E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a picture of Crazy Guggenheim – one of Joe the Bartender’s regulars.

Well, it’s been another week trying to jumpstart at ’48 body. Until we meet again, if you ever forget your lines, make up a new story.

“A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.” Andre Maurois

Aging Well September 9th 2014

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We all change. And although changes occur throughout our lives, they now seem more onerous and unwanted – particularly when they affect our driving abilities. Driving is important in staying independent, but it is also one of the most complicated activities we encounter: a balancing act of perception, attention, memory, decision making, and action control.

Unfortunately, that balance is often affected by age related changes – which many of us can’t avoid: vision problems, hearing loss, slower reaction time, loss of strength and flexibility. Grudgingly, we accept this reality. But we can also adapt by modifying our behaviors in the following ways

Before driving off, make sure you check yourself, your vehicle and all around you. Then while driving stay alert, keep an eye out for the other guy and expect the unexpected; and keep an adequate space between your vehicle and others to give yourself time to react if you have to stop suddenly – even though from my experience on congested roadways, some eager driver always fills the gap.

At some point, you may want to avoid higher risk situations: night driving, congested streets and intersections, bad weather and busy times of the day. And although it is a difficult decision, there just may come a time when you have to give up the keys.

These are suggestions from the AARP Smart Driver course which is offered monthly at the Center. In the course, you will update your knowledge of the rules of the road; and learn about normal age-related physical changes and how to adjust your driving to compensate. Because the course helps reduce auto accidents, auto insurance companies provide a discount for those who complete the course. If you are seventy or over, it is recommended you take the course every two years and for those of you under seventy – once every three years.

The course is offered from 9:00 – 12:00 on the third Monday and Tuesday of most every month – in September it will be on the 15thand 16th. The cost is $20.00 and $15 for AARP members. If you are interested, call the Center to sign up.

In addition, the Center’s Saturday Breakfast on September 20th, sponsored on behalf of the AARP Smart Driver Class, will recognize The Dalles’ own Dennis Davis – the #1 rated Smart Driver instructor in Oregon.

A couple of quick reminders from the history file. The once in a hundred year Mosier City Centennial celebration is on Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th. At 1:00 on Saturday in the school gym, there will be a presentation on Ortley, the 1911 former city on 7-Mile Hill. And on Saturday at 4:00 and Sunday at 2:00 “Voices from the Past” will be presented. You can learn more at www.mosier100year.com.
And if your interests lean more towards family history, on Saturday the 13th at 1:00 at the Discovery Center, the Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society presents the first of a 3-part series that will get you started on the right path. September’s topic is “Get Organized”, followed by “Get Started” on October 11thand “Get It Right” on November 8th.
As several people pointed out, it’s Tuesday Night music at the Center – not Saturday night which is busy with Bingo. So let me try again. TUESDAY Night music is back at the Center with Truman playing on the 16th. Music starts at 7:00 and everyone is welcome. And don’t forget Nehemiah Brown will be singing the easy listening hits from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s on Friday September 19th. The cost is $3.00.
“Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry,” were lyrics from the song “American Pie” sung and written by Don McLean and inspired by the tragic airplane crash that killed McLean’s idol, Buddy Holly as well as Richie Valens and the Big Bopper. (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Ed Anghilante.) 
This week’s “Remember When” question is a back to movie quotes – this one from the highly acclaimed 1964 British – American black comedy starring Peter Sellers (in three different roles) and George C Scott. In what movie was it said “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here. This is the War Room!”? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it by air express on a B-52 bomber.  
Well, it’s been another week trying to line a pig’s ear with a silk purse – or something like that. Until we meet again, learn something new every day – just try not to forget it by the time you fall asleep.  

“When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” Viktor E. Frankl

Aging Well September 2nd 2014

Aging Well in the Gorge No Comments
Because of Labor Day, I had less time to write this week’s column, so I decided to keep it simple and include a pop quiz for some mental stimulation. I found these brainteasers on two 2012 posts written by Holly Green for the Forbes Magazine website to show how our preconceived notions combined with our brain’s tendency to see what it wants to see, greatly affects our decision making abilities.
Although you may have heard some of these brainteasers before, I am sure you will be stomped by at least one of them. The answers will be included in next week’s column or if you have delayed gratification issues, they will be on the Center’s website, www.midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com, under the tab Brainteasers. And as a reminder, mental stimulation is just one of six components of brain health with the other five being physical exercise, social engagement, stress management, nutrition and a good night’s sleep.
1. A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh? 2. How much dirt is there in a hole that measures two feet by three feet by four feet? 3. What word in the English language is always spelled incorrectly? 4. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world? 5. Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child’s name?
Now these next five are a little more difficult – at least that’s what my brain told me. 6. If you were running a race and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place would you be in now? 7. A man stands on one side of a river, his dog on the other. The man calls his dog, who immediately crosses the river without getting wet and without using a bridge or a boat. How did the dog do it? 8. Two boxers are in a match scheduled for 12 rounds. One of the boxers gets knocked out after only six rounds, yet no man throws a punch. How is this possible? 9. What is unusual about the following words: revive, banana, grammar, voodoo, assess, potato, dresser, uneven? 10. What makes this number unique — 8,549,176,320?
After enjoying the Kiwanis Steak Feed on Thursday, September 4th from 5:00 – 7:00 up at Sorosis Park, you can look forward to Friday, October 3rdfor the Baby Back Rib Dinner at the Center sponsored by The Springs at Mill Creek. The Ribs and all the fixin’s will be served from 4:30 until 7:30, and during that time there will be a silent auction that includes a Wildhorse Casino Package consisting of a free one night stay plus dinner and passes to the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute. The musical entertainment will be provided by one of my favorite blue grass bands, Hardshell Harmony. The cost is still $15.00 per person and tickets are now available at the Center. All funds raised from the dinner will be split between Meals-on-Wheels and the Center.
Saturday Night music is back at the Center with Martin and Friends playing on the 9thfollowed by Truman on the 16th. Music always starts at 7:00 and continues until the wee hours of the night – which for me is 9:00 pm. Everyone is welcome and donations are appreciated to support the band and the Center.
Last week’s quote “If that plane leaves the ground and you’re not with him, you’ll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life,” was from the movie Casablanca and spoken by Humphrey Bogart to Llsa (played by Ingrid Bergman) when he persuades her to fly to Lisbon with her husband Victor Lazlo. (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Robert Griswold.) 
This week’s “Remember When” question is not about a quote, but lyrics from a song, released in 1971, that told the metaphorical history of “rock and roll” from 1959-1969. What singer recorded the song that included the lyrics “Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry,” and whose tragic death was the inspiration for it? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a 12 inch apple pie.
Well, it’s been another week trying to squeeze two square pegs into one round hole. Until we meet again, you may never forget, but there will always come a time to forgive.

“You will have bad times, but they will always wake you up to the stuff you weren’t paying attention to.” Robin Williams 

Aging Well August 26th 2014

Aging Well in the Gorge No Comments
How many times have I heard that folks don’t come to the Center because it is just for old people – as if there is something wrong with being older. Is it a fear of catching some kind of “old age” contagion that will cause you to lose your cognitive abilities or sense of humor?
I meet folks every day at the Center ranging in age from fifty to ninety plus, and they don’t exhibit the common stereotypes of “old”: tired, unhappy, crouched over with a walker or cane – although you will find walkers, and canes and the occasional wheelchair, but they are used by folks to come to the many activities at the Center. They are tools to stay active and engaged. 
But what is “old”? Bernard Baruch stated “Old age is ten years older than I am”. And according to the 2009 Pew Research Study “Growing Old in America: Expectations vs. Reality” he isn’t far off the mark. The study found that as people grew older, they felt relatively younger. Among adults 65 and older, 60% felt younger than their age. And for those between 65 and 74, a half said they felt 10 to 20 years younger.
In terms of chronological age, academics have categorized old age into three sub groups: the Young Old 65-74, the Old 75-84 and the Oldest Old 85 plus. But chronological age doesn’t really help either, because it doesn’t correlate with biological age. As Leonard Hayflick points out in his book How and Why We Age, time itself produces no biological effects. Events occur in time but not because of its passage. In fact, there is really no reliable measurement for determining our biological age; and appearances alone don’t determine how old we are.
The reality is we all start aging the moment we are born; we cannot stop it or reverse it – contrary to what they may tell you in various advertisements. Arriving at the point of being “old” is an individual experience which resists any absolute definition.  
The greatest challenge may not be determining when we become old, but changing the perception of what old is: moving from the demeaning stereotypes of old age to a full picture of the blessing and burdens of getting older. My Aunt Mo, who I quoted last week, is one example of many who break the stereotypes of old age, But she is also proud of being old at the age of 99 and isn’t afraid of the label. It is something she works at – and every day she relishes the chance.
The Center is looking for musicians interested in playing good danceable music on Tuesday nights. Unfortunately, the pay is just a share of the donations – but it could be your first step to Nashville stardom. If you know of anyone who is interested have them call the Center.
But there is still plenty of music at the Center. For Tuesday nights in September, we have Martin and Friends playing on the 9th, Truman on the 16thand The Dufur Boys on the 30th. Donations are suggested to support the band and the Center. Also there is the Pie and Jam on Sunday, September 21stwhich is free with Pie and Ice Cream for sale. And on Friday, September 19th, the popular NW vocalist Nehemiah Brown will be back once again to perform for an admission price of $3.00.
The mustached, henpecked, cigar-chomping, comic strip character wearing gloves and a top hat was “Barney Google (with the Goo-Goo-Googly Eyes). (And the winner of a free Saturday Breakfast is Herm Neuberger.) 
For the next several weeks, I am going to add a little “Chubby Checke”r twist to the “Remember When” question by giving the hint in the form of a quote. For this first week, the quote is “If that plane leaves the ground and you’re not with him, you’ll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.” In what movie and by what actor were those lines spoken? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with the lyrics to “As Time Goes By”.
Well, it’s been another week trying to keep the boat upright and water tight while enjoying the ride. Until we meet again, eat slowly while savoring each bite.

“Old age is far more than grey hair, wrinkles, it is “that” feeling that it is too late and the game finished, and the stage belongs to the rising generations. The true evil is not the weakening of the body, but the indifference of the soul.” Andre Maurois