Aging Well January 29th 2013

Living a long and rewarding live is much about accepting and adapting – knowing your limitations without giving up your dreams. Even though you may no longer be the spring chicken roaming the barnyard, it is even more important to stay active and open to new adventures.

In that spirit, you will want to attend the Tuesday Lecture at 11:00 on February 5^th when Marsha Morrison demonstrates Zumba Gold. I know you are probably thinking “Oh, right. You expect me to dance around in tight leotards with a bare midriff like the cheerleaders for the Portland Trailblazers? Who are you kidding?”

But wait! Zumba Gold has been designed to keep all the exciting Latin and other international dance rhythms that has made Zumba so popular, but modified for the active older adult. It provides a safe and effective workout in a party like atmosphere with friends of your own generation. And ask yourself - why should the younger generations have all the fun? And I promise - there will be no mirrors!

But if Zumba Gold is not your type of energy drink, there are a variety of other exercise and movement opportunities for the active older adult - from walking along the riverfront trail to taking water aerobics classes at the Fitness and Court Club or Water’s Edge. And at the Center there are classes including Seniorcise, Chair Yoga, Strong Women and Tap and Clogging. Accepting your limitations is not giving in. Adapt and keep moving on!

While talking to Bill Johnson several weeks ago, I learned that the nine thousand plus photographs of the history of Wasco County collected by the Wasco County Pioneers Association are stored at the Discovery Center where they have been scanned and electronically archived. Described as one of “one of the greatest treasure troves of photographic history archives in the State of Oregon” you can view these photographs on line at http://oregondigital.org/digcol/cgdc/. And for a small fee, anyone can order a high-resolution copy of one of the historic photos by calling the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center at 541-296-8600.

And speaking of history, The Dalles archeologists Eric Gleason and Jacqui Cheung will present the first program of the 2013 Regional History Forum Series Saturday, Feb. 2, 1:30 p.m., at the Original Wasco County Courthouse, 410 W. 2nd Place, The Dalles.  Their topic is "The Modoc War: Archeology and Historic Photos."

I feel like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland – late once again. But the Center is finally kicking off its 2013 membership drive with renewal reminders hitting the mailbox this week. I’ve heard the reasons why many of you are not members: the center is just for old people, you’re just too busy or you keep forgetting to mail the check. But enough of the excuses! Make this year the year you join hundreds of others in supporting the Center’s mission of promoting healthy aging but offering generations opportunities to explore, connect and contribute. Membership dues are $35.00 per person or $60 per couple. And if you want to become a Super Duper Member (with membership benefits so super-duper we can’t tell you what they are) it is $50 per person.

And before the sun sits - playing tonight at the Center is Annie Lane. And next week we start back at the top of the charts with The Strawberry Mountain Band jump starting the month of February. Music begins at 7:00, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated

In the popular beer commercial from the 50’s, whenever a customer wanted a beer he would yell out to the barmaid, “Mabel, Black Label.” - a beer brewed and distributed by Carling. (And the winner of five quilt raffle tickets is Bob Thouvenel.)

With help from the Needle Nutzs, this week’s “Remember When” question is from the television series (1965 – 1970) created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry and starring Don Adams and Barbara Feldon. It was described as an “insane combination of James Bond and a Mel Brooks comedy” and featured an array of gadgets including the often used “shoe phone”. What was the name of the bungling secret agent in this television series? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with a 1965 Sunbeam Tiger Mark I red convertible that was driven in the opening credits.

Well, it’s been another week, taking one step at a time. Until we meet again, remember the best kind of exercise - is the exercise you will actually do.

“My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the heck she is.”  Ellen DeGeneres