You don’t get things done by
complaining or by wishing upon a star. You have to put on your boots and get to
work. And over the last year, there have been several examples of community organizations
who like the “little engine that could”, never gave up: Wonderworks, the
children’s museum that was featured on the front page of Sunday’s paper, The Dalles/Wasco
County Library’s new children’s space, and the Civic Auditorium which received $745,000
from the Oregon state lottery for their theater.
Another community success was
celebrated last Tuesday when The Dalles Chamber Ambassadors held a ribbon
cutting for the opening of the Center’s new addition. It was a chance to
recognize all the individuals, local businesses and foundations that made the
new addition possible. And although every successful fundraising campaign needs
hundreds of small donors, there is usually one major donor who makes the
project possible.
For the Center that person was Roberta Heisler. She donated $50,000 earlier in the fundraising campaign, and then after it was decided to hire a general contractor even when we didn’t have all the necessary funding, she walked in and gave the Center another $25,000 which took us over our fundraising goal.
For the Center that person was Roberta Heisler. She donated $50,000 earlier in the fundraising campaign, and then after it was decided to hire a general contractor even when we didn’t have all the necessary funding, she walked in and gave the Center another $25,000 which took us over our fundraising goal.
But also in every project, someone
has to have the drive to keep pushing the project forward even when everyone
else is wondering whether it will ever happen. For the Center’s UpLifting
Elevator Project, Joan Silver was the engine that drove the UpLifting Elevator train:
writing all the grants and keeping everyone on task.
Joan is an example of the
older adults throughout this community who decide to use their “retirement” years
to make a difference - not for financial gain or for personal recognition. And
you know who they are. They are found in your service clubs, churches and other
organizations - folks who are giving back to build a healthy community for
everyone.
But unfortunately, Joan can’t
move mountains - or elevator inspectors. So you aren’t able to ride the
elevator yet. It still needs to go through the elevator company’s inspection
process and then the final inspection by the State of Oregon. We will announce
in August when the elevator will be operating. But until then, you are now able
to use the enclosed stairs instead of walking outside and around to the downstairs’
back doors.
Last Tuesday was a busy day at
the Center. Besides the ribbon cutting, in the afternoon the Center held its
annual membership meeting - which included a delicious dinner catered by Cherry
Heights Living. At the meeting, the membership approved changes in the bylaws
to allow up to eleven board members from the current seven. If you are
interested in serving on the Center’s board, call the Center for an
application. But one caution, it is a working board!
Every
second and fourth Tuesday at the Center, we push back the tables and the band
sets up, so you can dance, dance, dance from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. And as I
mentioned last week, on Tuesday, August 1st, Truman will be back in
town for one night playing his Country Gold. And no matter if your hair is
silver, blonde or a nice beaver orange, everyone is welcome and donations are
appreciated.
In
the 1960’s animated commercial, a rabbit was always trying to trick a group of
children out of their bowl of cereal, but was always caught and told “Silly
rabbit, TRIX are for kids”. (This week I
received answers from Sharon Hull, Kim Birge, Tiiu Vahtel and this week’s
winner of a quilt raffle ticket, Darlein France.)
This
week’s “Remember When” question is once again about advertising slogans from
the 50’s and 60’s. What was the name of the liquid detergent soap that in 1968
was advertised as being strong enough to remove the “ring around the collar”?
Email your answers to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at
541-296-4788 or send it with a kitchen utensil used to whip eggs.
Well,
it’s been another week, trying to keep all the eggs in one basket. Until we
meet again, as Marcia Lacock reminded me, stay cool, calm and collected.
“[A]
youthful old age is the rich and mellow autumn of life... the mind is ripe in
wisdom... the intellect is still active and vigorous... spiritual character has
reached its full terrestrial maturity of virtue.” W.J. Hunter, "How to
Keep Young," Health Magazine, October 1899.
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