Most
of us want to stay in our own homes as we age, but we also want to stay safe.
And staying safe includes making sure your smoke detectors are installed and
working.
I was reminded
of the importance of smoke detectors several weeks ago when my wife and
daughter drove by the house fire on Fourth Street. When they stopped, they saw
flames shooting out the side of the house; could hear someone inside tapping on
one of the upstairs windows; and saw several Johnnies-on-the-spot scrambling to
get the person out. It was a truly frightening experience knowing it was real -
and not a movie.
Now
you can guess what I did the next day. I checked all the smoke detectors in my
house: replacing the ones older than ten years, which were most of them; and
making sure the others were working.
But I
found that I am not the young whipper-snapper I once was - or even as strong as
I was just ten years ago. And although I was able to get all the smoke
detectors installed, it wasn’t easy. I imagined what it would be like if I wasn’t
able to climb a ladder or didn’t have the strength to use a screwdriver.
That
is where the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue (MCFR) can help out. If you are
unable to install your smoke detectors and do not have a friend who can help,
you can call MCFR and make an appointment for someone to come and install them
for you.
MCFR
wants to save and protect lives. They have been trained to respond to
emergencies, but their worst nightmare is retrieving a lifeless body from a
structure fire. They know smoke detectors can save lives - but only if they are
installed and working.
You
can learn more about fire prevention, how to escape a fire and other MCFR services
such as FireMed memberships at the Center’s Tuesday Lecture on October 4th
at 11:00 when a representative from the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue will be
the speaker. Come and learn how to be prepared, so you can avoid the worse.
Tickets
are on sale for the Baby Back Rib Dinner on October 7th. You can
purchase them at the Center, at Klindt’s Booksellers or this Saturday they’ll
be selling tickets at the Farmers’ Market from 9:00 – 1:00. The cost is still
only $15. And thanks to the dinner’s sponsor, The Springs at Mill Creek, every
dollar raised will go to support The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels and the Center.
Andre,
KC and Joe will be playing at the Center on Tuesday, October 4th. Doors open at
6:00, music starts at 7:00, and donations are appreciated.
And
there’s more music. The popular northwest vocalist Nehemiah Brown is returning
to the Center on Friday, October 14th. With his silky smooth voice, he will
sing standards from the 50’s and 60’s including pop, country and some gospel
tossed in. Thanks to The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center, the ticket
prices are only $3.00 per person which you can purchase at the door. Doors open
at 6:00, and the music starts at 7:00
The name of the roller skating rink on
the west side of town was the By Golly. (This week’s winners of a quilt raffle ticket each are Donna
Smith and Zelta Wasson.)
It has been a while since I’ve asked a question
about pop music during the “peace and love” 1960’s. So for this week’s “Remember
When” question, who was the British singer, songwriter and guitarist who emerged
from the British folk scene during the 60’s; was often described as a British
Dylan clone and had several top ten hits in the US? Email
your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or
drop your answer off at the Center with a drawing of a mellow yellow sunshine
superman.
Well,
it’s been another week, where if it is out of sight, it is out of mind – which is
the reason for all the sticky notes around my house. Until we meet again, an
ounce of prevention is worth as much as a good insurance policy.
“We want autonomy for ourselves and safety for
those we love. That remains the main problem and paradox for the frail. Many of
the things that we want for those we care about are things that we would
adamantly oppose for ourselves because they would infringe upon our sense of
self.” Atul Gawande
No comments:
Post a Comment