Aging Well in the Gorge May 26th 2015

Do you still have memories of summers past? Traveling across country in a ‘54 Mercury station wagon with push button shifting, cooling off in the river on hot summer nights. Or falling in love at first sight with that young woman you would eventually marry, who was wearing one of those new risqué two piece bathing suits? Ah, the days of summer when you needed no excuse to be lazy.

At the Center this summer, while most of the classes will continue as usual, there are a few changes: Tuesday Lectures are suspended until fall, and Strong Women meets only on Thursdays. But there is still music every Tuesday night and Bingo every Thursday and Saturday Nights. (On Saturday, May 30^th, the payout for the last game is $1000 if you blackout in sixty numbers. That could pay for a nice summer trip!)

Also the Center has once again scheduled a variety of Wednesday day trips, thanks to the help of Ginny McNary.  And this summer we’ll be going in every direction! On June 10th we’ll be headed east going to Pendleton to tour the Pendleton Underground in the morning and the Woolen Mills in the afternoon with time for lunch in between. (The cost for all the trips includes admissions and transportation, but you will need to purchase your own lunch.) Because the Pendleton Underground Tour starts at 10:00, we will need to leave at 7:30. The cost is $40 and limited to 20.

On July 1st we’ll head north to the Goldendale Observatory and the historical Presby Museum. Cost is $25 and limited to 12. July 8th we’ll be going south to “beat the heat” for lunch at Timberline Lodge. The cost is $20, which does not include the lunch, and again limited to 12. On July 22nd we will head west on I-84 to visit the Pittock Mansion and the Chinese Gardens in Portland. Cost is $40 and limited to 12. And we will end the season with the Portland Spirit Cruise and Lunch on the Willamette, August 19^th, and the cost is $60 and limited to 20. Call the Center to reserve your spot and create some new summer memories.

This Wednesday. May 27^th, another class of the Walk With Ease Program will start. The Walk With Ease Program is an exercise program that can reduce pain and improve overall health. If you can be on your feet for 10 minutes without increased pain, you can have success with this program. It is motivating, safe, can improve you flexibility, strength and stamina and most importantly - is fun. The program meets from 8:00am – 9:00am (before the heat) three times a week for six weeks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Picnic Shelter at Sorosis Park. The program is open to all ability levels and all you need to do to register is show up. In addition, all participants will receive a pedometer and a water bottle. For more information contact Lauren Kraemer at OSU Extension, 541-386-3343 ext 258.

Like many non-profits, the Center relies on various fundraisers to pay the bills. One of the Center’s annual fundraisers is the summer rummage sale around the end of June. If you have any decent used items that you no longer need: clothing, household goods, furniture, your husband? - drop them off outside the basement of the Center. We’ll be glad to take them – but please include instructions with your husband.

Tuesday Night Music and Dance at the Center on May 26th will feature the Elderly Brothers. Doors open at 6:00, music starts at 7:00 and ends by 9:00. All ages are welcome and donations are always appreciated.

The comedy duo who couldn’t figure out “who’s on first” was Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. (And the winner of 3 quilt raffle tickets is Sandy Goforth.) This week’s “Remember When” question was prompted by a conversation about shoes with Jenny Curtis, one of the Center’s Needle Nutzs. What was the name of the unconventional style of shoe invented in Scandinavia and first sold in America in 1970 which had thick soles and thin heels, thus featuring a “negative heal”? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or mail it with a picture of the Danish yoga instructor Anne Kalso.

Well, it’s been another week, looking for gold in the golden years. Until we meet again, you know you are getting old when what you wore as a teenager, is now a new fashion trend.

“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” Russell Baker