You’re
never too old to make a difference in the lives of others. A common method is
to donate money to an organization whose mission you believe in. But not all of
us have the financial resources to give to the extent we would like. But there
is one thing most of us do have, and that is time. You can make a difference by
giving your time volunteering at one of the many local non-profit
organizations.
The Foster
Grandparent Program is one program seeking volunteers. As a Foster Grandparent
you volunteer between 20 and 40 hours a week providing reading assistance to
children who need additional support and encouragement. To qualify you have be
55 or older and in good health; and meet certain income guidelines which for a
one person household is an income of no more than $1942 a month. If selected
you will receive a non-taxable stipend of $2.65 an hour to cover any expenses
associated with volunteering.
John
Brenne, Project Director for the Foster Grandparent Program that serves Wasco
County, will be in The Dalles on Thursday December 3rd. He will be
on the KODL Coffeebreak at 10:00 and at the Center at 1:00 to explain more
about the program and how you can become a Foster Grandparent helping young
children become better readers.
Habitat
for Humanity’s Annual Bazaar is on Saturday, December 5th at the UCC
church from 10 am until 2 pm. For many it has become a holiday tradition: a
place where you can find baked goods, craft vendors as well as soup and pie for
lunch. All proceeds go to support the good work of the local Habitat for
Humanity.
The
Center has scaled back its Saturday Breakfasts to only three special occasions each
year: Cherry Festival, Ft Dalles Days and December to celebrate the holidays.
This year’s holiday breakfast will be served on Saturday, December 19th
from 8:00 – 9:30 and is sponsored by Columbia Basin Care Facility. The menu
will feature pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon plus hot cider to keep your
insides warm. There will be a quilt raffle drawing, prizes, plus a visit from
Santa. And as Santa would tell you “Breakfast always tastes better when someone
else cooks it.”
It’s
fun to talk about the weather, but there isn’t much we can do about it. And as
in most situations in life, we learn to accept and adapt. But there will be
days this winter when the weather will make us ask ourselves: Should I drive? Are
the sidewalks too icy? Is the Center open? Why didn’t I go to Arizona for the
winter!? For those cold and slippery days, the Center will follow the lead of School
District 21. If D-21 is closed, the Center will be closed. And if there is a
two hour delay, the Center’s morning classes will be cancelled.
You
probably know there is Bingo every Thursday and Saturday nights at the Center
starting at 6:00 pm, but did you know you can purchase snacks and a simple meal
starting at 4:30. Besides candy, chips and hot dogs, every night there is a
special. This Thursday Chef Johnny will be serving his Johnny Burgers and on
Saturday the special is Chili Dogs.
For
the Tuesday Night Music and Dance on December 8th, Martin and Friends will be performing.
Music starts at 6:30, everyone is welcome and donations are always appreciated.
Patsy
Cline’s classic “Crazy” was written by the red headed stranger - Willie Nelson.
(The winner of a free quilt raffle ticket is Jesse Birge who saw Willie Nelson
perform in 2013 at one of the Maryhill Winery Summer Concerts.)
With
the latest James Bond movie in the theaters, it reminded me of a television
series in the 1960’s described as "an insane combination of James Bond and
Mel Brooks comedy." For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the
name of this television series featuring special agents 86 and 99 working for
CONTROL and fighting the evil international organization KAOS? Email your
answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or mail it
with a shoe phone or the original Cone of Silence.
Well,
it’s been another week trying to hit the nail on the head without smashing my
thumb. Until we meet again, as author and photographer Dewitt Jones said, “Celebrate
what is right in the world, so you can change what is wrong”.
No comments:
Post a Comment