It is going to be one of those hurry-up-and-keep moving kind of days. The calendar is full; I have once again over committed - I think it runs in the family. But it seems when I need more time, those precious minutes I do have pass so quickly. Maybe that is why, at least at my age, time seems to go so much faster. I know I don't have forever anymore and I have noticed the sun beginning to set. But aren’t the most beautiful times of the day, the sunrise and sunset? As I try to accomplish all that I want before I punch the time clock for the last time, I should lean back, take a deep breath and enjoy the expansive and glowing sunsets in life. And like the early explorers, not fear what is beyond the sunset but accept, when the time comes, the ultimate adventure, discovering what lies beyond this world we know.
But while you contemplate life's mysteries, you might want to waltz down to the Center on Tuesday nights. On the 9th, you can listen and dance to the Notecrackers who are back playing a gentle breeze of fine tunes. And although you may not have been dancing since you were a babe on your daddy’s knee, you can always learn - there is nothing better than taking someone in your arms and dancing your cares away. And playing tonight are The Rhythm Ramblers who are beginning to build quite a following. Bring your friend, your companion, your lover and discover what all the talk is about. The music starts at 7:00 and it's absolutely, unequivocally and unbelievably free. But don’t miss the fine print "donations are warmly accepted".
You may not be aware but the Wasco County Court is no longer. Not surprisingly, many people thought that the Wasco County Court was actually a judicial court instead of the legislative and administrative body for the county. But with the new reorganization creating a Wasco County Board of Commissioners, the confusion has been removed and the people of Wasco County are better served. You can learn more about the changes in county government and the challenges ahead at the Center's Tuesday Lecture at 11:00 on the 9th. Dan Ericksen will make his annual pilgrimage to the Center to share with us his thoughts on county government and also give you a chance to ask him any questions you may have.
And Dan's mother, Marilyn Ericksen, former Senior Center board president, Senior Living columnist extraordinaire and long time Original Courthouse board member is doing fine and feeling as good as when she was twenty - well maybe not that good. She will be the first speaker for this year's Original Courthouse Regional History Forum series that begins Saturday the 6th at the Original Wasco County Courthouse behind the Chamber of Commerce. The topic will be "Nine Lives: the Little Courthouse that Refused to Die" about the history of this local historical treasure built in 1859.
Virginia at the Mid-Columbia Council of Governments wants me to mention that the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) still has a few positions available. This program builds on the idea that older Americans are dependable, reliable and energetic employees and a valuable resource for businesses, non-profits and public agencies. SCSEP is a work based training program for older workers; providing subsidized, part-time (up to twenty hours a week at minimum wage), community service work based training for low-income persons age 55 or older and have a family income of no more than 25% over the Federal poverty level. If you are interested and think you qualify for this program or just have questions, contact Virginia at 541-298-4101.
There were several responses to last week's "Remember When" question including Jim Ayres who said he would be embarrassed if he didn't know that Bart Starr was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers when they won the first two Super Bowls in '67 and '68.
Today advertisers buy 30-second commercial spots during the Super Bowl to show their latest and greatest commercials, but in the early days of television, the whole time slots for the television shows were owned by the sponsors such as Grape Nuts, Maxwell House Coffee, and Lucky Strikes. Which leads to this week’s question "What company/product sponsored The Burns and Allen Show"?
Well, another week, another step in the stairway of life. Until we meet again, I’ll leave you with this Red Skelton quote I heard at the Center, "If I wake up and not surrounded by roses, I'm doing fine".
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"Remember When"
TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR SUNDAY MARCH 28TH 1:00 PERFORMANCE only $65 including transportation
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2nd
THE CENTER
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF THE MID-COLUMBIA SENIOR CENTER
explore – Connect - contribute
e-mail: mcseniorcenter@gmail.com blog: www.midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com/
BOOKS AND A SILENT AUCTION
You may have noticed at the back (or front depending on which way you are looking) of the dining room is a table full of books. They were donated to the Center several months ago and we finally brought them upstairs for you to look through and see if there is anything you would like to buy. The hardback books are now only $1.00 and the paperback $.50. You can pay Martha at the NU-2-U shop or at the front desk. Also we are starting a Silent Auction for a chair you will find next to the table of books. The highest bid currently is $25 but you can offer a higher bid until Friday at 4:00. The highest bid at the time will get the chair. I am thinking of auctioning off other items that folks might be interested in throughout the year to raise a few dollars for the Center.
TUESDAY LECTURE – “STATE OF THE COUNTY”
You may not be aware but the Wasco County Court is no longer. Now don’t start thinking that you don’t have to pay your parking fines or speeding tickets anymore. I am talking about the governing and administrative body for the county which use to be made up of two county commissioners and a county judge. But as you can imagine it was confusing for many people who thought the Wasco County Court was actually a judicial court and the judge was really a courtroom judge. But the governing body has been reconfigured and is now the Wasco County Board of Commissioners which I feel will serve the people of Wasco County even better. You can learn more about the changes in county government and the challenges ahead at the Center's Tuesday Lecture at 11:00 on the 9th. County Commissioner Dan Ericksen will be here to share his thoughts on county government and also give you a chance to ask him any questions.
Wii BOWLING RESULTS
The Jolly Wii Bowlers were back at it again after a month to rest up their limbs and thumbs and to learn a few new tricks after their strenuous fall competitive season. The turnout was low (missing were several regulars including Earl, Pat and Eleanor whom we all hope to see next week) for this first night back, but the competition was hot and heavy. At the top of the heap were Millie, Charley and Dee all in a group hug. Millie had the high score for the evening at 228, Charley was one pin behind at 227, and Dee couldn’t get much closer with a 226. Not bad after a month’s long layoff. Next was Jack at 191, almost reaching 200, Alvena close by keeping an eye on Jack at 185. Then came Edna at 180, thinking there are times when you don’t want to be in the air flying to Hawaii, Zelta at 175 and Betty at 168. They all guaranteed they will break 200 next week. And pulling up the rear with a smile on her face was Albeana at 141. If you are interested, there is always room for one more. Monday nights at 6:30 except the second Monday potluck at 4:30 pm.
TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC AND DANCE Tuesdays 7:00 pm
Fine listening and dancing music!
Coffee and Goodies – Free admission but donations appreciated.
Feb. 2nd. Rhythm Ramblers Feb. 9th. Notecrackers
Feb. 16th. Truman Boler Feb. 23rd. Sugar Daddies
Sunday, Feb. 28th. 2-5PM. Jammers and coffee, pie, ice cream.
TUESDAY LECTURE SERIES 11:00 am
Explore and learn about the world around you!
Feb 2nd “Choice and Happiness” – Short video lectures
Feb. 9th “The State of the County” Dan Ericksen
Feb. 16th “Friendly Visitors” Marilyn Buchanan
Feb 23rd Presentation by MCMC
REMINDERS!
ORIGINAL COURTHOUSE REGIONAL HISTORY FORUM 2010
Nine Lives: the Little Courthouse that refused to Die Saturday, February 6th 1:30 pm @ 410 W 2nd Place
Historian and long-time Original Courthouse board member Marilyn Ericksen delves into the fascinating history of our historic building.
GO RED For Women – Feb. 5 & 6
Friday Feb. 5th – Heart Expo The Dalles Civic Auditorium from 11am – 2 pm;
Saturday Feb 6th – 3k/5k The Heart Truth Walk/Run The Dalles Marina 10:00 am (on-site registration 9:30 am)
“STEPS TO WELLNESS” starting February 3rd
6:00 – 8:00 pm Senior Center More information call Eli Bello at 541-296-4610.
AARP tax aide starting February 5th – basement of center
The Tax Aide starting Friday February 5th, Fridays from 4 - 6:30 and Saturdays from 9:00 – 1:00 until April 10th
CENTER BOARD MEETING EVERY 2ND TUESDAY 1:00 – Next Meeting Feb. 9th
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTRIBUTE
SMART PROGRAM (541) 993-1025 CASA VOLUNTEERS (541) 386-3468
VA VOLUNTEER DRIVERS 541-506-2502 MEALS-ON-WHEELS DRIVERS 541-298-8333
THE DALLES ART CENTER 541-296-4759 RED CROSS-The Dalles 541- 296-3210
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY 541-296-8817
OUR BUSINESS SPONSORS!
HEARTS OF GOLD CAREGIVERS HEARS THE ANSWER 298-5558
QWIK-CHANGE LUBE CENTER 296-2460 OREGON TRAIL INSURANCE - 298-2395
STATE FARM INSURANCE DOUG SAWYER MEADOW OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
BARRY RENTS 298-7368 A-OK PACK AND SHIP 296-3345
TODAY’S RAYS 298-8938 CASCADE HEARING AID CENTER 296-3300
THE DALLES DISPOSAL SERVICE 298-5149 PATTY KASEBERG, CPA 296-3369
CHERRY HEIGHTS RETIREMENT 296-6880 KLINDTS BOOKSELLERS
TURNER’S HOME FURNISHING 296-6659 AND STATIONERS 541-296-3355
INFORMATION AND SERVICES
Area Agency on Aging 298-4101 Seniors & People w/ Disabilities 298-4114
Veterans’ Service Office 506-2502 CAP (Energy Assistance) 298-5131
Life-Span Respite 298-5131 Pioneer Potlatch 298-4354
AARP Money Management 298-4101 Legal Aid of Oregon 1-800-228-6958
Housing Resource Center 296-5462 Transportation Network (Link) 296-7595
Center for Living 296-5452 Wasco County Public Health 506-2600
Ombudsman 1-800-522-2602 La Clinica Family Health Center 386-6380
Mid-Columbia Medical Center 296-1111 Planetree Health Resource Center 296-8444
Visiting Health Services 296-7280 Hospice of The Gorge 296-3228
Senior Center Activity Schedule
Wed. (3) Seniorcise 9:15; Computer Basics 10:00; Billards1:00; Strong Women 2:00; Steps to Wellness 6:00
Thurs. (4) Yoga; Tap and Clogging 10:00; Wii Bowling Practice 11:00; Computer Basics; Pinochle 1:00 – 3:30; Meals-on-Wheels BINGO 6:00
Fri. (5): Seniorcise 9:15; Learn the Wii 10:00; Wii Bowling Practice 11:00; Bridge 1:00; Pinochle 6:00; AARP Tax Aide 4:00 – 6:30
Sat. (6) AARP Tax Aide 9 – 1;Cards and Cribbage 9:00; MCSC BINGO 6:00
Mon. (8) Seniorcise 9:15; Quilters 10:00; Brain Fitness 1:00; Strong Women 2:00; Wii Bowling Night 6:30
Tues. (9): Yoga 9:30; Tuesday Lecture “State of the County” 11:00; Tai Chi 1:00; Computer Help Lab 1:45; Yes, You Can Draw – Advanced Class 2:00; Tuesday Night Music “The Notecrackers” 7:00
Wed. (10) Seniorcise 9:15; Computer Basics 10:00; Billiards 1:00; Strong Women 2:00; Steps to Wellness 6:00
SATURDAY BREAKFAST SPONSORS - 2010
JANUARY – NO BREAKFAST
FEBRUARY – NO BREAKFAST
MARCH – No Sponsor yet
APRIL - CHERRY HEIGHTS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 541-296-6880
APPRECIATION
“The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully” by Joan Chittister
“A burden of having to confront these lost years lies in the fear that I have missed most of my life while I was living it head up and running.”
A blessing lies in the fact that I not only come to appreciate the past, but also the present in a whole new way.”
"KIDS IN CHURCH" forwarded to me by Little Davy
▪3-year-old, Reese: "Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name. Amen."
▪A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am."
▪After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, "That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys."
▪One particular four-year-old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
▪A Sunday school teacher asked her children, as they were on the way to church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."
▪Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers."
▪A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5 and Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'" Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"