Aging Well November 12th 2013

After retiring, many folks spend their extra time volunteering - which provides the flexibility to travel and engage in other personal pursuits, while making meaningful contributions such as mentoring young children, serving on church councils or delivering Meals-on-Wheels.

The unselfish work of volunteers is the backbone of strong, healthy communities. You can find a list of over fifty different volunteer opportunities at the Center’s website: midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com. And there is probably at least one that fits your interests and skills. But if you ever start singing the old age blues, there is nothing better to help change that tune than by making a difference volunteering.

The Center and Meals-on-Wheels are currently looking for volunteers for the Thursday and Saturday Night Bingo – specifically bingo callers, cashiers and concession workers. The time commitment is between two and five hours for only one night a month. If you are interested you can call the Center at 541-296-4788 or MOW at 541-298-8333.

The Center’s next Tuesday lecture will be presented by Rashed Al-Qarra, an AFS Student from Jordan, who he is attending Dufur High School. AFS-USA is a non-profit organization that has been a leader in intercultural learning and international exchange programs for over 65 years. As part their learning experience, AFS students are encouraged to share their culture and customs with their new community. If you want to learn more about Jordan and the Middle East, Rashed’s presentation starts at 11:00 on November 19^th.

And if you are interested in experiencing different cultures, here’s one more volunteer opportunity. Rymmel Lovell, The Dalles AFS Chapter Chair, is always looking for host families or liaisons for the exchange students. You can contact her at 541-296-6546 or tlovell@netcnct.net.

Friday, November 15^th from 7:00 – 9:00, there will be a Veterans Concert and Dance at the Center. The entertainment will be provided by Nehemiah Brown - a popular Pacific NW vocalist in the style of Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Tony Bennett. Nehemiah is himself a veteran and during the evening he will include a military anthems medley. The musical evening is sponsored cooperatively by Flagstone Senior Living, Cherry Heights Retirement Community and The Springs at Mill Creek. Admission is $3,00 and all proceeds benefit the Center.

Saturday Breakfast is just down the hall and around the corner on the 16^th from 8:00 – 9:30 am. The menu will include Texas French Toast, sausage, scrambled eggs and fruit as well as your favorite morning beverage. Cost is $5.00 for the general public and $4.00 for members.

So have you learned how to read backwards yet? Is it getting any easier? Or do you still have to ask your wife to read it for you? No matter. Here is one more chance to read the Center’s music announcement - backwards.

.selpuoc rof 00.3$ dna selgnis rof srallod owt si noitanod detseggus ehT .emoclew si ydobyreve dna 00:7 ta strats cisum ;00:6 ta nepo srood ehT .tnemyojne gninetsil dna gnicnad ruoy rof retneC eht ta gniyalp eb lliw ”namurT“ ,ht91 eht no thgin yadseuT txeN

Krazy Kat is the name of the comic strip published between 1913 and 1944 featuring the slapstick antics of Krazy Kat and his nemesis - the brick throwing Ignatz Mouse. (And this week’s winner of a free Saturday Breakfast on November 16th is Alex Currie.)

But this week instead of asking another “Remember When” question, I going to reverse the flow and ask you to send me any suggestions because, well, the lake is getting a little dry. And besides my memories are limited – a middle class boy growing up in Indianapolis in the 50’s and 60’s. One of the most popular questions was about Bag Balm which was suggested to me since I had never heard of it. (I now use it on my dry feet and would probably use it everywhere if it wasn’t for its unique aroma. I don’t want people to see me and the first thing they think of is a cow’s udder.)

But the best questions are more than just trivia. They are about an event, a person or an object - from history to popular culture – that trigger long lost memories. E-mail your question to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with the first episode of “This is Your Life” hosted by Ralph Edwards.

Well, it has been another week trying to stay upright while putting my pants on - one leg at a time. Until we meet again, at some point in life the destination no longer matters - as long as you keep moving.

“Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you've got it made.´ George Burns