Aging Well August 5th 2014

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 7^th 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 1^st.

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 12^th 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