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About Columbia Gorge news. (The Dalles, OR) 2020-current | View Entire Issue (June 16, 2021)
Columbia Gorge News www.columbiagorgenews.com Wednesday, June 16, 2021 B3 SENIOR NEWS Confusion, fun, and remembering a few lost words Senior Living Scott McKay I’m confused. Most of you are reading this column on June 16, but I’ve been writing it since I finished my last col- umn because my wife and I are driving to California for my son’s college graduation on Saturday. As I’m writing, that will be this coming Saturday — but for you readers, it was last Saturday! I feel as if I’m in an HG Wells time machine, not knowing which week I’m in, mine or yours! I need to start writing early because I don’t have that newspaper reporter talent of writing clearly on a short deadline. It takes me a while to be coherent. And although I do have several ideas cooking, I have nothing ready to pull out of the oven. So what can I write about on such a short timeline? I usually try to include a few thoughts about aging, provide an encouraging word or two and offer a few bad jokes. (I think they’re funny!) But now since you’re waiting and the main course isn’t ready, how about a little dessert instead, something more sugar than substance: A trip down memory lane of expressions we seldom hear anymore. I once thought it would be fun to start using the word “groovy,” as in the hit song titles “A Groovy Kind of Love” or “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy).” Remember those? But after five minutes of questioning stares as in “What DeLorean time ma- chine did you step out of?” I realized “groovy” doesn’t quite have the same appeal it once had. So get out a piece of paper and your Sheaffer pen. It’s time for a “pop quiz.” See how many of these eight words from “days gone by” you still remember. I suspect you will recall most of them, but words, as with certain smells and tastes, can bring back forgotten memories — those pre-teen years when the opposite sex was just a distraction, or conversations on the playground during re- cess, or just silly adolescent pranks. So, give it your best shot. And for your immedi- ate gratification, the answers will be included below. 1. What were “cooties”? a) Tiny cookies, b) Earrings, c) Prizes in cereal boxes, d) Imaginary infestations. 2. What was a “flattop”? a) Skateboard, b) Haircut, c) Table, d) Stupid person. 3. What were “dibs”? a) Nerds, b) Candy, c) Claims, d) Hairstyles. 4. What was a “spaz”? a) Cold cut, b) Russian astronaut, c) Uncoordinated person, d) Candy mint. 5. What was a “blast”? a) A dance, b) A Coca-Cola and Seven-Up mixture, c) A television commercial, d) A good time. 6. What were you if you had a lot of “bread”? a) Uncool, b) Fat, c) Rich, d) Smart. 7. If a person were to “go ape,” what would they do? a) Dance funny, b) Become angry, c) Dress sloppily, d) Date an ugly person. 8. What was a “pad”? a) Residence, b) Notebook, c) Article of clothing, d) Paid advertisement. (Full discloser: These questions were forwarded to me by someone, at some time, from some website.) ••• The secret Jim Lowe was looking for when he sang “Midnight, one more night without sleeping, watch- ing till the morning comes creeping” was what was behind the Green Door. (Next week I’ll also mention those who responded to last week’s question.) Growing up in Indiana during the early ’60s, I dreamed of “getting around” with a surfboard strapped to the top of a “woodie” wagon (even though I was 2,000 miles from a California beach!) inspired by the music of this band. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the five-member band known for their vocal harmonies and musical ingenuity that epitomized the “California Sound.” E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with the album “Pet Sounds” one of the most critically acclaimed and influential albums of all time. ••• Well, it has been another week cautiously looking behind the curtain. Until we meet again, perception is everything. ••• “People who throw kisses are hopelessly lazy.” — Bob Hope ••• Answers: d, b, c, c, d, c, b, a ••• Nutritious home-deliv- ered meals and pick-ups are available for anyone over 60. For more information, you can call the meal site in your area. Hood River Valley Adult Center at 541-386-2060; The Dalles Meals-on- Wheels at 541-298-8333; Sherman County Senior and Community Center at 541-565-3191; Klickitat County Senior Services — Goldendale office at 509-773-3757 or the White Salmon office at 509-493-3068; Skamania County Senior Services at 509-427-3990; Seniors of Mosier Valley at 541-503-5660 or 541-980-1157. LYLE NEWS Lyle Twin Bridges Museum now open Saturdays ■ By Mildred E. Lykens After two years of pan- demic-impacted learning, the Class of 2021 can gradu- ate with pride. They did so at the Lyle Football Field June 5. First though, they cruised through Dallesport and Lyle. Building on the success of the 2020 Senior Cruise, the group followed an expanded route in both Dallesport and Lyle, departing from the old Dallesport Elementary. The Lyle’s Historical Twin Bridges Museum, 403 E. Klickitat St., is taking advantage of the break in the pan- Mildred E. demic and Lykens is opening their doors for the season Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m., through Sept. 4. Take advantage of the free admission (although there is a donation jar at the sign in book) and stroll the displays that will take you on a jour- ney back through the ages of our local pioneer families. For instance, acknowledge the changes of the tools both for women and men that have progressed over time. Upon visiting the Lyle Twin Bridges Museum, I found some changes in the displays and exhibits all to the better. The floor is more open with room to browse around. From the honorary military display, to our local Japanese families heritage, to the antique household furniture and tools of yester- year, there is an abundant supply of interest in every corner. Upon your next visit, you might find some nice surprises. It warms the heart to see the Lyle Park crowded with family members enjoying each other on a sunny day. Recently, the street was lined with vehicles stretching all around the park. It was good to see a Bar-B-Q smoking and families either playing different sports or visiting each other as they relaxed in lawn chairs. I’m sure that now that the health threat is coming to an end that we all feel the need reunite with one another. The scene brought memories of the old Saturday Evening Post’s covers of Norman Rockwell’s paintings. How about a standing ovation for our PUD employ- ees that worked so quickly to get our electricity back on recently? We certainly don’t have any complaints about their diligence and quick re- sponses when our electricity goes out. I understand the outage came from power lines downed by a fire across the river. Our firefighters and EMTs have also been busy this week with separate emergencies. We are truly blessed to have them. Send news to Mildred E. Lykens, 509-365-2273 or lykensme41@gmail.com. Oregon Master Gardener Association invites gardeners to ‘Connect, Collaborate, Cultivate’ ■ By OSU Master Gardener Association The Oregon Master Gardener Association (OMGA) will hold a virtual Mini-College on July 16-17. This year’s theme is “Connect – Collaborate – Cultivate.” Mini-College is a two day gathering of gardeners of all levels who are interested in further developing their knowledge and skills. The OMGA Mini-College is usually held on the OSU campus in Corvallis. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions during the planning process, it was decided to hold the 2021 event virtually, and open registration to all who are interested in attending. Two keynote speakers, classes and workshops on a variety of gardening topics are set for the virtual Oregon Master Gardener Association (OMGA) Mini-College. Friday’s Keynote Speaker Robert Michael Pyle will speak on the topic of “People, Plants and Pollinators in the PNW,” while Gail Langellotto, state coordinator, Oregon Master Gardeners, will address the “OSU Master Gardener Annual Report” on Saturday. The lineup of classes will cover topics on bees, pollinators, year round pollinator plants, insect pests, urban agriculture, organic vegetable gardening, Japanese Beetle in Oregon, and soil amendment. Workshop topics include Hydroponics: Grow Amazing Vegetables Indoors Year Round, OSU Plant ID Program, Pollinator Garden Design with Native Plants, and Using I-Naturalist for Insect ID. All classes and workshops are designed to stimulate gardening enthusiasm and increase horticultural knowledge. For more information and to register, visit www.master- gardenerminicollege.org. 401K Life Insurance Annuities Serving your Individual and Business Financial needs. 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