Aging Well July 14

Remember when Art Linkletter on his daily TV show would interview kids and they would say the “darndest things". Kids still do, well at least one still does, albeit not as young. While my wife and I were setting around the kitchen table my daughter at the ripe old age of 19 asked if we ever felt we were getting old. After we laughed, I answered, “How about every day!”

She was thinking about the sign she saw at the grocery store identifying the birth date after which one could buy alcohol and realized in a year and a half she would be 21: the age of independence, responsibility and adulthood; no longer poppa’s child and soooo old.

There are always events that remind us we are getting older whether it is the store sign, your children’s first day at school, their first swim lessons (and the first time you realized they can swim faster than you) or when they graduate from high school and then land their first job. (But as it has been said, you aren’t really old until your kids are on Medicare.) So “old” is all a matter of perspective and unavoidable. At every age whether we are 19 or 91 we experience the blessings and accept the burdens; discover the hidden treasures and the fool’s gold. And the encouragement I use to give my kids when sending them off to school is probably good for any age: “give it your best”.

“If youth but knew; If age but could.” French painter Henri Estienne II

The Center will be hosting its monthly breakfast this Saturday before the Fort Dalles Pro Rodeo Parade. The breakfast is starting at 7:30 a half hour earlier so everyone can enjoy a nice delicious breakfast (and meet the rodeo royalty) and still have time to watch the parade. It will be a busy morning so why don't you let someone else do the cooking. The breakfast is sponsored by Patti Blagg the Center's Friday afternoon volunteer receptionist and also a promotional products consultant who can find the right item to promote any business.

Tonight Boyd Jacobsen has lined up the Hardshell Harmony to play again because you can never get too much of a good thing. Everyone is welcome whether friend or foe, young or old, blue or green. It doesn't matter as long you love good music and the high energy sounds of bluegrass. Admission is free but donations are gladly accepted.

A big thanks to all the folks who have responded to the Center's request for donations to help support the expansion project. Every dollar will help make the dream come true. You can learn the latest news about the expansion and the activities for this fall at the Center's Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, July 21st at 1:30 pm. We have just sent out the meeting notices to current members and reminders to those who may have forgotten to renew their membership. It is never too late to join.

Eight folks correctly identified the Shadow as the answer for last week's question including Jim Heitkemper who also identified Lamont Cranston as the Shadow's alter ego. But the first correct answer was from Ron Sutherland. And this week’s question (and the last chance to win a free breakfast) is, "What was the name of the CBS show hosted by Art Linkletter that featured the segment "Kids Say the Darndest Things"? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com.

That’s it and I’m just a little older. Until we meet again, whether we are young or old or hot or cold “to everything there is a season”.

The best thing about getting old is that all those things you couldn't have when you were young you no longer want. ~L.S. McCandless

And as an added bonus here are some highlights of "Kids Say the Darndest Things"


0 comments:

REMEMBER WHEN


The Weekly Newsletter from the CENTER

WEEK OF MARCH 10th

THE CENTER

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF THE MID-COLUMBIA SENIOR CENTER

explore – Connect - contribute

Phone: 541-296-4788 e-mail: mcseniorcenter@gmail.com blog: www.midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com

PRESCRIPTION DRUG COLLECTION

A quick reminder: The Prescription Drug Collection will be held this coming Saturday from 10:00 - 3:00 pm at the Center. Help your community, your environment and yourself by bringing your out-of-date, unused or unwanted prescription drugs to the Center so they can be safely disposed.

BREAKFAST RETURNING ON THE 20TH – need kitchen help and business sponsor

After a two months break to get through the tough winter months, Bonnie and Edna and the rest of the fine volunteers are ready to bring you a delicious breakfast again. But we need some help. Edna just completed eye surgery and is doing well (good enough to bowl a 208 – see below) but can’t lift anything heavy for another couple of weeks and won’t be able to help Bonnie in the kitchen. If there is anyone out there who would have the time – and likes to get up early on a Saturday morning – to help our head cook Bonnie prepare a delicious Biscuits and Gravy with scrambled eggs breakfast, call the Center. Also if you know of any business that would like to sponsor the breakfast, have them give us a call. The only obligation is the $100 donation to the Center and to provide a few folks to meet and greet.

ATOMIC PIONEERS TRIP – April 28th – May 1st

The South Salem Senior Center is sponsoring a special tour of the B Reactor at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation (which was recently placed on the National Historic Registry) and have invited anyone who would be interested in learning more about this facility. This tour is offered for the first time and you will be able to go inside the reactor building to view the control room and learn firsthand about its operation. You will board Amtrak at Wishram to travel to Kennewick for Wednesday and Thursday night accommodations at the Clover Island Inn. On Thursday morning there will be a private tour of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, and in the afternoon you will explore the Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science and Technology plus enjoy a 2-hour jet boat tour of the Columbia River. On Friday you will visit historic Ft. Walla Walla, visit to the Tamastslikt Museum and stay overnight at the Wildhorse Casino hotel. On Saturday you will return to The Dalles by motorcoach with a stop at Maryhill. All meals are included. The cost is $539 per person double occupancy and $697 single occupancy. If you are interested talk to the folks at the front desk for more information.

BRAIN GAMES - by door going into dining area

In the Monday Brain Fitness class, we do several brain games that test your mental prowess. I have placed several of the games in a rack next to the double doors to the dining room. You can pick some up and take them in with you when you eat or take them home. But we are not responsible if they drive you nuts!

MARCH 16TH TUESDAY LECTURE 11:00 – “TBA”

I am scurrying to find a speaker for next Tuesday’s lecture. Once I find out I will post it at the Center and send out a Public Service Announcement to all the media. Stay tuned.

MONDAY NIGHT Wii BOWLING

The Jolly Wii Bowlers are getting back to full strength (15 last night) with a new bowlers every week – and that is without the regulars Pat and Earl. Jack decided he had enough of Charley flying high every week and he was going to do some soaring of his own. He may not have reached the moon but he did into the stratasphere with a 239. Charlie wasn’t far behind with a 225 and Millie was next door at a 223 which makes another week over 200. Zelta who just missed 200 last week made sure there wasn’t going to be a repeat with a 220. Edna finally got her groove back even after a little eye surgery and rolled a 208. But Louise was as close as could be without being the same, again broke 200 with 207 but had to settle for a tie with Betty who may have been cold for a couple of games but was hot for at least one (and I told you last week she would break 200!). For those who couldn’t quite make it to the dizzying heights of 200 were lead by Dick who rolled a 188. Dee was next with a 181 and I will go out on a wing and a prayer and predict she will reach 200 next week. Herb was back from his vacation in Portland rolled a 172, Albeana was at 171, Alveana 171 and then the threesome of Carol, Susan and Betty R followed with scores of 166, 150 and 149 respectively. When folks get back from their winter hiatus and several folks get back to full strength we may need to get one more Wii. You just can’t have too much fun!

TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC AND DANCE Tuesdays 7:00 pm

Fine listening and dancing music!

March 16 - Sugar Daddies March 23 - Jazz Generations March 30 - Dufur Boys

(Sunday March 28 2-5PM. Jammers)

GENTLE REMINDERS

AARP tax aide– basement of center

Fridays from 4 - 6:30 and Saturdays from 9:00 – 1:00 until April 10th

MASSAGES - Friday March 26th from 2 – 5 pm ($20 for 20 minutes)

Provided by Debra Lutje - Center’s Seniorcise and Yoga instructor and a licensed Massage Therapist.

QUILT TICKETS - $5 per ticket and only 200 tickets will be sold

CENTER BOARD MEETING EVERY 2ND TUESDAY 1:00 – Next Meeting April 13th

TUESDAY LECTURE SERIES 11:00 am

Explore and learn about the world around you!

16th TBA March 23 MCMC

March 30 Jerry Tanquist Restoration of the Harris Canyon Water Tower and the Harry Carleton Story

April 6 Jeff Eagan - Exploring and Connecting using the social networking site MyOver50.com

April 13 Keith Mobley The Wasco County Charter

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!

SAM SILVER: CONSTRUCTION/HOME REPAIR 541-980-4019 HATTENHAUR DISTRIBUTORS

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

Wednesday (3) Seniorcise 9:15; Computer Basics 10:00; Billards1:00; Strong Women 2:00; Steps to Wellness 6:00

Thursday (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
Friday (5): Seniorcise 9:15; Learn the Wii 10:00; Wii Bowling Practice 11:00; Bridge 1:00; Pinochle 6:00; AARP Tax Aide 3:00 – 6:30
Saturday (6) AARP Tax Aide 9:00 – 1:00;Cards and Cribbage 9:00; MCSC BINGO 6:00

Monday (8) Seniorcise 9:15; Quilters 10:00; Brain Fitness 1:00; Strong Women 2:00; Wii Bowling Night 6:30

Tuesday (9): Yoga 9:30; Tuesday Lecture “TBA” 11:00; Tai Chi 1:00; Computer Help Lab 1:45; Tuesday Night Music “Sugar Daddies” 7:00

Wednesday (10) Seniorcise 9:15; Computer Basics 10:00; Billiards 1:00; Strong Women 2:00; Steps to Wellness 6:00

SATURDAY BREAKFAST SPONSORS - 2010

MARCH – No Sponsor yet

APRIL - CHERRY HEIGHTS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 541-296-6880

US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY OPEN HOUSE – THURSDAY MARCH 11 7 PM

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is sponsoring an open house at 7 P.M. on March 11 at The Dalles Yacht Club (at the marina) to celebrate the opening of a Detachment here in The Dalles. Refreshments will be served; there will be door prizes; and information about the new Detachment will be available. All are welcome and there is no cost or obligation. For further information--(541) 298-5334

“To further entice you, here are a couple of Navy stories from little Jimmy Gordon.

This new Navy recruit had just been issued his snazzy uniform and was feeling handsome and foxy. He was walking down the wooden dock counting the spaces between the pier boards. His head was down and he was oblivious to everything. Splash!! He came to the end of the pier and found himself among the ocean waves. The moral of this story: When you're out of slits, you're out of pier.”