Aging Well in the Gorge May 5th 2015

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 16^th 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 1^st 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 12^th, 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