There are many benefits to getting older: more time for
yourself, a more mature view of life and of course, grandchildren. But as all
of us can attest, there are numerous challenges and questions as we navigate
these later years.
To help answer many of those questions, the first 50+ EXPO
will be held on May 16th at the Readiness Center adjacent to the
Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles. And it is free.
The EXPO will start at 9:00 and end at 2:00 to allow enough
time for the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue to set up for their 1st
Annual Fireman’s Ball - celebrating their 20 year anniversary. Doors open at 7:30,
tickets are $20 and there will be live music featuring “Countryfied”. But back to
the 50+ EXPO.
There will be over 30 businesses and organizations represented
at the 50+ EXPO (and there is still limited space available for additional
vendors. Call me at the Center for more information) that promote healthy
living - from Curves and Avalon Bioassage to the Area Agency on Aging and Mid-Columbia
Medical Center.
There will also be speakers scheduled each hour to discuss
a wide range of topics. The speakers and topics are:
10:00, Antoine Tissot - Timmons Law Firm, “Do-It-Yourself
Advanced Directives”; and Lauren Kraemer - Instructor Oregon State University, “Staying
Active as We Age”.
11:00. Jason Smith - Hausman Advisors, “Financial Planning
Through the Ages”; and Russell Jones - Veteran’s Officer, “Veteran Support
Services”.
12:00 Lena Weinman - OD, Obstetrics/Gynecology at MCMC, “Sex
in Our Later Years”; Sherry Dufault - Flagstone Senior Living and Thomas
Keolker - Hearts of Gold Caregivers, “Growing Old Ain’t for Sissies … Controlling
Your Options as You Age”.
1:00 Colleen Ballinger - Providence Hospice of The Gorge, “How
To Connect With People Who Have Dementia”; and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, “Home
Safety”.
The purpose of the 50+ EXPO is to bring together in one
place many of the resources available for those of us over 50 to answer our
questions in order to enjoy the “Good life in the Gorge”.
Thanks to the small group organizing the event including: Thomas
Keolker, Hearts of Gold Caregivers; Sherry Dufault, Flagstone Senior Living; Sharla
Webber. MCMC; and Dave Peters, Columbia Cascade Housing. And a special thanks
to the sponsors of the 50+ EXPO: Hearts of Gold Caregivers and BiCoastal Media.
Thanks to everyone who attended the Seniors-4-Seniors Dance
at the Center on Friday night including Wahtonka staff and students and Candy
Armstrong. Kyla Mitchell, a senior at the Wahtonka Community High School, and with
the help of her cohort, Carol Roderick, produced quite a show with delicious
snacks, games and prizes, and the special five piece band that kept the dance
floor full. (I even saw a little “twisting” going on.) Everyone had a great
time and all the money raised will help support the Wahtonka Community High School’s
first graduation.
Next Tuesday at 11:00 on May 12th, I will lead a
discussion on “Ageism –Does it exist?” I will be interested in hearing about your
experiences - both negative and positive, where you feel you have been treated
differently because of your age.
Tuesday Night Music and Dance at the Center on May 12th
will feature the country sounds of Martin and Friends. Doors open at 6:00, music
starts at 7:00, all ages are welcome and donations are appreciated.
When the book Peter
Pan was adapted into a musical for Broadway in 1954, the role of Peter Pan
was played by Mary Martin – who I was reminded several times was the mother of the
ruthless oil baron from Dallas - Larry Hagman. (And the winner of three quilt
raffle tickets is Rick Wolf.)
This week I am going to keep it clean with this “Remember
When” question suggested by Lyn Dalton. What was the name of the product that
used the advertising slogans first introduced in the 1890’s, "It
Floats!" and "99 44⁄’00% Pure"? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com,
call 541-296-4788 or ship it with a clawfoot, cast iron bathtub.
Well, it’s been another week, trying not to repeat myself –
again. Until we meet again, here is more good advice heard at the Center - this
time from Bea Dick. ”There are three things to do to live a healthy life. 1.)
Don’t fall, 2.) Don’t fall and …… 3.) Don’t fall.”
“Almost
all my middle-aged and elderly acquaintances, including me, feel about 25,
unless we haven't had our coffee, in which case we feel 107.” Martha Beck
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