Aging Well in the Gorge January 3rd 2017

The Center had to cancel its New Year’s Eve Bingo Bonanza - and guess why? It wasn’t because of the snow - which thankfully was beginning to melt off. It wasn’t because I had plans to stay up all night partying – I’m lucky to stay awake past 10:00. It was because our only available Bingo caller was sick with the flu.

But she wasn’t the only one with the flu. Last week, the North Central Health District reported there has been a sharp increase in cases of influenza, both state wide and locally, as compared to last year.

Unfortunately, most reported cases are of Influenza A/ H3 which this year’s flu vaccine doesn’t cover. It is still recommended to get a flu shot since Influenza A/ H3 isn’t the only flu strain going around this season. But to reduce your risks this year, you may want to particularly practice good health habits: avoiding close contact: staying home when you are sick; covering your mouth and nose; washing your hands with soap and water; and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

If you do exhibit mild symptoms of the flu, just stay home, rest and avoid others (unless you are at a high risk or are concerned about your condition, then you should call your healthcare provider). But if you have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent nausea, purple or blue discoloration of the lips, or seizures, you should seek medical advice promptly.

Thank-you to all of you who were 2016 Center Member’s. With less than 1% of the Center’s funding coming from government sources, your memberships are critical - providing over 15% of the Center’s operating budget.

But it is a new year, and the 2017 Membership Drive has started - with an added twist. To show our appreciation, this year all 2017 members will receive a sheet of discount coupons to ten local businesses. If you use just half of the discounts in 2017, you will save the cost of the $35 basic membership.

We couldn’t do this without the support of the local businesses that are offering the discounts: Casa El Mirador Fine Mexican Dining, Sawyer’s True Value and Just Ask Rental, Cannon Packer Gift Shop, Griffy’s Quick Lube, Klindt’s Booksellers, Allen’s Food Center, Beachwood Eatery and Lounge, Ere’s Beauty Salon, Subway, and Montira’s Asian Market.

There is not an age limit to be a member, although to be a voting member at the Center’s annual membership meeting you must be fifty or older. The cost is $35 per person, $60 for a couple or $50 to be a Super-Duper member. You can pay your dues at the Center, by mail or online at www.midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com.

For the Center’s Tuesday Night Music on January 10^th, Martin and Friends will be performing. Doors open at 6:00, music starts at 6:30 and donations are always appreciated.

Continuing the countdown of “40 Great Things about Growing Older”. # 12 – More time to read to your heart’s content – especially if these cold snowy days has kept you under house arrest and you’re tired of watching television.

The two-time All-American OSU defensive lineman (and two-time NCAA wrestling champion and 1968 Summer Olympian) who caught USC tailback O.J. Simpson from behind to preserve the Beavers' 3-0 win over USC in 1967 was Jess Lewis. (Both Mary Davis and Harold Stephens were close, but the only correct answer was from Al Wynn. And to celebrate the new year, all three win a quilt raffle ticket.)

After asking an OSU sports question, I am obliged to ask a University of Oregon question - particularly since as a U of O graduate, I felt left out last week. So, for this week’s “Remember When” question, who was the 6’9” basketball forward who played for University of Oregon from 1968-1971, led the Pac-8 in scoring for two straight seasons, and his son now plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers?   Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or write it on the back of a Beach Boys album.  

Well, it’s been another week, keeping an eye on the ice. Until we meet again, it’s okay for an embarrassing mistake to spoil your dinner, but don’t let it ruin a good night’s sleep.

“Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”  Hal Borland