Aging Well December 27th

Does anyone make New Year’s resolutions anymore? That once a year chance to reflect on the past and commit to what you want to do different in the New Year. Or do you feel it is a lost cause – a meaningless effort that never really accomplishes anything. Well, that may be true. But there is nothing wrong at taking time to think about the future and what you would like to accomplish: what hills to climb, books to read, and new friends to meet – things that make life worth living. So even though they may seem out-a-date, New Year’s resolutions do suggest an optimism that we can change and the future will be brighter. And when times are difficult and challenging, I like to believe there is always a little room for acting as though all things are possible.
 

Now that it is almost the end of this tax year, I was reminded by Ben Neumayer of one important way you can financially support the arts and local history in Wasco County. It is the Oregon Cultural Trust. And it is easy as 1-2-3. First you donate to one of the arts, heritage and humanities non-profits listed at http://www.culturaltrust.org including nineteen in Wasco County such as The Civic Auditorium, The Discovery Center, Wasco County Historical Society, St. Peters, the Original Courthouse, and Cascade Singers. Second, you contribute the same amount to the Oregon Cultural Trust. And finally, on your tax return you claim a tax credit for the total contribution to the Cultural Trust. This way you reduce your state tax obligation, and support the arts, heritage and humanities in Wasco County and in the state of Oregon. It is a win, win, win.

At 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3rd, at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center, Sheila Dooley, Director of The Dalles-Wasco County Library will discuss the Library Design Study initiated by The Dalles-Wasco County Library Foundation and supported by a $5,000 Technical Assistance Grant from the Ford Family Foundation. The design option resulting from the study will also be presented. In addition, Lyn Craig, Director of the Libraries of Eastern Oregon, will discuss how other libraries have funded similar projects and the grant opportunities available.

The reason why for this design study is the concern of The Dalles-Wasco County Library Foundation about the lack of a separate children’s area in the library.  The children’s area is located in the open main part of the library and is overcrowded disturbing nearby adults. Also there is not an appropriate space for the popular story time and other children’s programs which are currently held either outside, in the library meeting room, or in the main part of the library.

At the Center, it is the entertaining” Hardshell Harmony” grazing in the bluegrass tonight. And next Tuesday January 3rd we round the bases again and start off the new year with the rousing Strawberry Mountain Band who will show you how to “walk the dog”. The music starts at 7:00, everyone is invited and donations are appreciated. And as Danny Kaye and Vera Ellen would say “The best things happen when you’re dancing”.

And one last reminder for the forgetful types. You have until the end of the year (which is only four days!) to enjoy a delicious dinner or dessert or both - at the Baldwin Saloon and have 5% of your total bill donated to a non-profit of your choice. At the Center, you can pick-up a coupon to designate the non-profit or you can print off a coupon at the Baldwin Saloon website.

It is “White Christmas” the 1954 movie about two army buddies trying to save the lodge of their WW II commanding officer - not to be confused with the answer to this week’s Remember When” question. (And the winning name drawn out of Santa’s stocking cap for a $10 bingo Saturday Night Bingo packet is Dennis Morgan - who does have a copy of the movie if you want to borrow it!) But for this week, “What 1942 film starring Bing Crosby - and this time Fred Astaire, is about an entertainer who retires to a farm in Connecticut and opens up a lodge (but for only eight nights a year) to a packed house on New Year’s Eve?” Email your answer to the mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or bring it to the Center with the score for “White Christmas”.

Well, it’s been another week celebrating what’s right so I can work to change what’s wrong. Until we meet again, it’s hard driving into the New Year when you’re always looking in the rear view mirror.