I
was reading an online post from a young person asking, if at the age of thirty
she still had time to make something of her life. When I read it I wanted to say
to her, “WHAT ARE YOU THINKING! It is never too late. At the age of sixty,
seventy, eighty or even ninety!”
I
thought of that question again when I scanned the Habitat supporters seated
during the celebration at the construction site of Habitat’s newest home in The
Dalles. The vast majority were over 60, some still working but most retired
from paid work, but not from giving their time to support, in small and large
ways, habitat’s mission of building affordable, safe housing for families in
the Mid-Columbia.
Habitat
is just one of many organization that can use volunteers: from walking dogs,
answering phones, and swinging hammers to reading stories, stuffing mailers,
and delivering meals. The opportunities are endless.
But
I admit, putting yourself in a new situation may be uncomfortable for many.
Like me, you may be afraid of “messing up”, although I’m getting use to that.
Or you might be worried about taking on too much responsibility. Or afraid of
“volunteer creep” when a one day commitment turns into three and you wonder,
“How did that happen. I’m retired!”
Our
communities run on the social capital of volunteers, many over 60, who are the
fuel for much of the good that is accomplished in our communities. Being
engaged, whether volunteering at your church, a service club or non-profit,
visiting friends at a care facility, or by keeping an eye on your neighbor, because
one of these days he may be keeping an eye on you, is what makes our
communities strong and vibrant.
Never
think the days when you can contribute and make a difference are behind you. It
is never too late, because the older you are the more you have to give back.
The
Dalles Art Center has announced the opening of their popular open juried show
"Gorge Artists Create". This year the theme of the show is
"water" with sixty-three works of art on display. The awards will be
announced at the art reception on Thursday, August 7th from 5:00 –
7:00 pm when you will have a chance to meet the artists, and mingle with other
art enthusiasts. And there will be appetizers for the evening provided by the Senior
Center. The Art Center is open from 11:00 – 5:00 on Tuesdays through Saturdays.
And don’t forget their annual Art Auction on November 1st.
The
LINK bus to the Wasco County Fair and the free Senior Lunch on Thursday, August
14th is beginning to fill up. If you are interested in taking the bus I would
suggest you sign up now. It sold out last year. The cost is $3.00 each way and
the LINK bus will leave from the Center at 10:00.
For
the Center’s Tuesday night music announcement, the editor seems to have left
out those five pesky vowels. See if you can decipher the music announcement for
August 12th without them.
t’s
nc gn tm fr Mrtn nd Frnds t d thr cntry thng t th Cntr n Tsdy, gst 12th. Th msc
nd dncng strts t 7:00 PM nd th drs pn t 6:00 fr th rly brds. Fr Tsdy nght msc
thr s nt chrg bt dntns fr th bnd nd th
Cntr r pprctd.
The
British actress who starred in Breakfast
at Tiffany’s with George Peppard and Roman
Holiday with Gregory Peck was the beautiful Audrey Hepburn. (And the winner
of a free Saturday Breakfast is Bev Ayers who pointed out that Audrey Hepburn
was not born in England, but Brussels Belgian.)
I
remember at night listening to baseball games on the radio when the play-by-play
announcer would create the excitement as if you were there in the ball park.
One of the best announcers was famous for his many catchphrases he used doing
the games including "How a-bout that?!" and "Go-ing, go-ing,
gonnne!!" What was the name of this play-by-play announcer known as the
“Voice of the New York Yankees”? E-mail your answer to
mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with a copy of the 1995
baseball computer game Old Time Baseball.
Well,
it’s been another week trying to remember to breathe in slowly when things
start moving too fast. Until we meet again, stay plugged-in and the power
turned on.
“Never
take someone for granted. Hold every person close to your heart because you
might wake up one day and realize that you’ve lost a diamond while you were too
busy collecting stones.” Unknown
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