Over the last week, the firefighters and federal, state
and local agencies have received well deserved appreciation for working
courageously to contain the Government Flats Complex fires. And with the rain and
cooler fall-like weather forecasted, the wildfire should no longer be a threat.
But they haven’t been the only ones busy. The Red Cross
and the North Central Public Health District have been supporting those
disrupted by the wildfire. In particular, they have been distributing N95
Particular Masks to anyone who is adversely affected by the smoke in the air. The
Center still has a few of the masks if you need one to add to your emergency
preparedness supply kit.
But this might also be a good time to ask yourself how
prepared are you for an emergency? You can learn more about Emergency
Preparedness at http://www.wshd.org/
including the recommended items for a basic emergency supply kit, how to make a
family emergency plan (you might not always be together when an emergency occurs)
and how to stay informed. (I learned when the power has been off for 4 hours or
more you should throw away perishable foods in your refrigerator. And thawed
food that contains ice crystals can be refrozen or cooked. Freezers, if left
unopened and full, will keep food safe for 48 hours - 24 hours if half full).
Also you might want to sign up for the Citizen Alert system
if you haven’t already. (It was used for the first time by the Wasco County Sheriff’s
department to warn residents during the wildfire.) The system enables Emergency Response Agencies to quickly get
critical information to you - not only concerning wildfires, but also severe
weather, floods, street and road closures, missing persons, law enforcement
activities and evacuation notifications. You
can receive the notifications by phone, email, or text – whatever works best
for you.
Go to the Wasco County website at http://www.co.wasco.or.us and
at the bottom of the page click on “The Citizen Alert Notification Sign up”. If
you have difficulty or don’t have access to the Internet, you can call Wasco County Citizen Alert at 541-506-2790. Or you
can always stop by the Center on Wednesdays between 9:00 – 11:00 during the Computer
Help Lab (or call and schedule an appointment) and someone will assist you in
getting signed up.
Now
that you are prepared for any kind of emergency, let’s move on to something a
little less serious - the foreign language of my youth. No, not the “Ich mag
nicht!” German I had to learn in high school, but Pig Latin of my elementary school
days. And since many of you probably also learned that secret language, you won’t
have too much trouble understanding the weekly announcement for Tuesday Night
Music at the Center. (And if you do have trouble, you can actually find a Pig
Latin translator on the Internet. No kidding!)
Onighttay
atway ethay Entercay, “Orfay ethay Oodgay Imestay” illway ebay ayingplay.
Andway extnay Uesdaytay “Ethay Awberrystray Ountainmay Andbay” illway utstray
eirthay uffstay. Ethay oorsday openway atway 6:00, usicmay artsstay atway 7:00
andway uggestedsay onationsday areway $2.00 erpay ersonpay orway $3.00 orfay away ouplecay.
The answers to last week’s “Remember When” questions
were: Twiggy - the British teenage model, famous
during the mid-1960’s; and Woody Woodpecker
- the "ha-ha-ha-HA-ha" cartoon character. (And the winner of a September
21st Saturday Breakfast is Mike Nagle.)
And how about one more “Double your Memories, Double your
Fun” - for old time’s sake? 1) What was the name of the game show broadcast on
television from 1956 to 1964 where each contestant explained her recent hard
ship story and what she needed most? 2) Who was the American jazz pianist and
singer with a soft baritone voice who was one of the first African- Americans
to host his own variety show? And both answers have something to do with “royalty”.
E-mail your answers to
mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with the classic film
noir “Double Indemnity” starring Fred MacMurray - playing a character quite
different from his “My Three Sons” role.
(And thanks to all of you who have sent in answers. Even
though I can’t always reply, it is good to hear from you, particularly the many
“Remember When” memories you have shared.)
Well, it has been another week thanking all the public
employees and volunteers who work to keep us safe and secure. Until we meet
again, there comes a time when you see your doctor so often, she is now invited
to your family reunions.
"Be kinder than is
necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of
battle." Philo of Alexandria