Aging Well in the Gorge September 19th 2017

This last week has felt like too many long nights in a smoky bar that you just want to forget. Each morning I would wake up and wonder, “Will I be able to see the Klickitats today?” (And who would have thought the air quality would be so bad it would close school.) But after these weeks of smoky air, I am at least better informed and prepared.

For instance, I now know the type of mask to purchase (N95 respirator mask) and that it needs to fit properly to be effective. (Breathing through the mask requires greater effort and may feel uncomfortable. But if you find it easy to breathe with the mask on, you are probably breathing the unfiltered air entering around the edges of the mask.)  I now know I can go to the website www.aqicn.org to find the latest air quality index for The Dalles (or any other major city in the world) to confirm that the air quality is as bad as I think it is. And I now know that the North Central Public Health District can lend portable air purifiers which were recently set up at the Center.

But enough of these lessons learned. Hopefully this week’s anticipated rain will end this year’s fire season and cleanse the air of the unhealthy smoke that has lingered around too long. And we can put on our sweaters and coats and enjoy a sunny autumn before winter comes.  

I’ve been hearing that Pickleball (which combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis) is the rage in town - as well as across the country. Tim McGlothlin has been promoting the sport - and paid the price when he forgot he wasn’t the young man he once was. But a little encounter with the bleachers hasn’t stopped him from leading several CGCC Community Education Pickleball classes at the Readiness Center starting September 28^th and continuing for 12 weeks. The beginning Pickleball class is from 5:00 – 7:00 on Thursday nights. And on the same nights there are also two sessions of Competitive Pickleball for intermediate and advanced players: 3:00 – 5:00 or 7:00 – 9:00. The total cost is $44 for either class. You can find more information on page 24 in the CGCC Fall Class Schedule that you received in the mail. You can register online or call CGCC at 541-506-6011.

Besides pickleball, there are other Community Education classes you may find worthwhile including Medicare 101 from 1:00 – 3:00 on October 10^th, or Social Security 101 from 1:00 – 3:00 on November 8^th - which are both free. Or even Beginning Photography which teaches how to use a smartphone or other inexpensive camera to take great pictures. This 10-week class starts on September 27^th and costs $69.

For several years, the Center has scheduled northwest vocalist and crowd favorite Nehemiah Brown to perform two Friday nights a year. But this time we have scheduled Nehemiah to perform this Friday, September 22^nd from 11:30 to 1:30 during the Meals-on-Wheel noon dinner. There is no admission charge for the performance; we only ask that you buy the dinner for a suggested donation of $3.75 for anyone 60 an older or $5.50 for everyone else. Nehemiah’s performance is sponsored by The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center that provides a continuum of care bridging the gap between hospital and home whether it is short-term rehabilitation or long-term care.

In 1958 the American vocal group that recorded the number one hit “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” was the Platters. (I receive correct answers from Sandy Haechrel and this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket, Betsy Ayres.)

While browsing through the online version of my hometown newspaper, the Indianapolis Star, I came across an article about one of Indy’s own who invented a shaving cream used by millions. It was first sold as a white cream that came in tubes and during WWII was a staple item in post exchanges and military ration kits. What was the name of this shaving cream that gave you a “smooth, cool, clean, shave with no rubbing, no lather, no brush and no hot water”? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or drop it off with a recording by “Singin’ Sam”.

Well, it’s been another week, wandering and wondering. Until we meet again, as my dad always said, “Tomorrow is another day”.

“Some days you’re a bug. Somedays you’re a windshield.” Price Cobb, race car driver