News
Blue Mountain Eagle
The deadline for What’s Happening items is 5 p.m. Fri-
day. Call Cheryl at the Eagle, 541-575-0710.
WHAT’S
THURSDAY, APRIL 28
Bi-annual Cycle Tourism meeting
• 1-4 p.m., 431 Patterson Bridge Road, Juniper Hall
Room, John Day
The meeting’s topics will include the state of Oregon’s
media plan to bring tourists to the area, and free “tour-
ist-friendly” listings for businesses. The last hour will be
spent working on the Old West Scenic Bikeway and mapping
off-road routes.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 29-30
Colored pencil and ink class
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Keerins Hall, Grant County Fair-
grounds, John Day
Internationally recognized artist, author and illustra-
tor Nancy Coffelt of Baker City will teach the class, spon-
sored by the Grant County Art Association. The cost is $20
a person. Call 541-987-2138 or email eloiseboren@gmail.
com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 30
Ron and Carol Hyder Memorial Shoot
• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kimberly Rock Products pit, milepost
9 on Highway 402
Events include jackpots, Annie Oakley, plus men, wom-
en and children competitions. There will also be an auction
with gift baskets and other goodies up for bid and a taco
feed, too. Auction donations are welcome. The cost is $3 per
shoot. Proceeds will go to the Monument Fireworks Fund.
Call 541-934-2143.
Beekeeper open hiYe ¿ eld day
• Noon to 4 p.m., Diamond Hitch Ranch, between mile-
posts 106 and 107, Kimberly
HAPPENING
The field day is for seasoned honeybee managers and be-
ginners to learn about healthy brood, good queens, spring
management and more. Another field day will be on June
4. Call 541-934-9101 or email apricotapiaries@gmail.com.
TUESDAY, MAY 3
Alzheimer’s class
• 1:30-3 p.m., DHS office, 725 W. Main St., Suite E, John
Day
The Alzheimer’s Association Oregon Chapter will hold
a class, “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips
from the Latest Research.” The class is free and open to
the public, but registration is required. Call 1-800-272-
3900. For a list of upcoming classes, visit www.alz.org/
oregon.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
The annual fundraiser benefits Blue Mountain Hospice. The
fee is $20 for adults, $15 for children ages 6-18, free for
children 5 and under with an adult or $50 per family. For
more information, call 541-575-1648 or email mgibson@
bluemountainhospital.org.
Genealogy seminar
• 9 a.m., Mt. Vernon Community Center
The Grant County Genealogy Society presents a spring
genealogy seminar with guest speakers, Connie and Ger-
ry Lenzen. The four topics include “Navigate FamilySe-
arch Like a Pro,” “Put Your People in Their Place,” “Ex-
ploring Your Roots: In American Land Records” and
“Exploring Your Roots: In the Courthouse Records.” The
cost is $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Lunch is includ-
ed. Call 541-932-4718 or email gcgsociety94@yahoo.
com.
AARP Smart Driver course
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., John Day Senior Center
The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for oth-
ers. Those who successfully complete the course may be
eligible for auto insurance discounts. Call Ron Dowse,
541-575-4268 or 541-792-0587, or sign up at the senior
center.
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SATURDAY, MAY 7
Strut, Stride, Straddle and Stroll
• 7 a.m., Blue Mountain Hospital, John Day
Participants can choose from a 13-mile bike ride, 10K
run, a 4-mile run/walk or a 1.5-mile stroll. Registration is at
7 a.m.; transportation will be offered to the starting points.
All events will finish at the hospital. There will be prizes for
the youngest and oldest participants, and prizes for all youth.
O utlook
SENI R
PRAIRIE CITY –
We were honored with
music presented by the
Grant County Jammers
before the meal on April
20. They had nine
musicians and two
Rose Coombs
singers this time. Good
foot-tapping music all
around. Quite a few of our “patrons” came early to hear them at 10:30.
The Food Bank brought over a quantity of refried beans to give
away. Due to the heat wave that went through this week, Iva, Helen and
Donna served iced tea this morning. Then when all the rest of the diners
came, we had to put out more glasses! I’d say that was a hit!
There were 86 names on the registration book and our four deliverers
handled most of the 31 take-outs. Buzz led the flag salute and Jack
Retherford asked the blessing. Royce Dotson won the $5 in trade
donated by Prairie Hardware & Gifts. Chester Willis got the certificate
donated by Chuck’s Little Diner. Thanks again to our three local
businesses that have given these door prizes for years. The winners are
most appreciative.
We had two candidates join us for lunch: Jim Hamsher and Julie
Ellison. They had lively conversations with the people before, during
and after the meal.
Ah, yes. The meal. Cranberry/raspberry juice, bread & butter pickles,
zucchini, red Jell-O with topping, turkey rice pilaf and a delicious
Prairie City
Seniors
A11
blackberry tart for dessert. Lorna, Angie and Rick chose to walk over
from Blue Mountain Care Center rolling along Dorothy Blasing, Otho
Laurence and Marilyn Randall. Ivan Nance rolled in also with his dad,
Ralph, and another friend.
We had lots of helpers before, during and after the meal. You are
appreciated very much. The Board of Directors held their monthly
meeting after the meal. They are trying to get a list of priorities so we can
pursue more grants to improve the building. If you have an idea, let
someone know. We like input!
I got the last 4 feet of sod dug out of the proposed garden/flower bed.
This also gives time for the weed seeds to sprout and the missed quack
grass pieces to show their leaves so I can dig them out - again. This yard
also has old clover and dandelions with roots 3 feet long. Hard to budge
them when there is only 6 inches of dirt on top of the rocks.
For those who don’t know, this is where the gold miners had their fun
100 years ago. So 90 percent of the houses that are built north of the
highway are built on mining tailings. Which makes me wonder if the
creek bed, which is over against the hill now, is where it was then. Hmm.
The grape vine is starting to leaf out. The deer wandered through and
bit off the tops of the tulip leaves, but never touched the narcissus or the
corn lilies. Now what’s up with that?! Remember Sarolta saying that her
garden was safe because she built two fences around it? And they
weren’t that tall. But the deer wouldn’t jump two fences. Hmmm, again.
Isaiah 35:6 “Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue
shout for joy…”
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• Cataract
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JOHN DAY
EYE CARE
541-575-1819
www.johndayeyecare.com
BIOSMILE
Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry
165 NW 1st St., John Day
541-575-0363
Open
Monday-Thursday
DrJ@BiosmileDental.com
We offer a wide range of primary
care and medical treatment.
Zachary Bailey, MD • David Hall, MD • Nora Healey, FNP
Shawna Clark, DNP • Emily Lieuallen, DO • Dana Shuey, DNP
Available Monday - Friday
180 Ford Road, John Day • 541-575-0404
A Fine Senior Menu
Open Everyday at 5 a.m.
JOHN DAY –
On April 18, a lot of you
missed a great breakfast for
lunch. There were only 24
diners. We had corned beef
hash with baked eggs
Alma Joslin
nestled on top. Then add
hash brown patties,
cinnamon rolls and fresh
strawberries - a fantastic meal. Those of you who have a preconceived
notion that our Monday meals are smaller should try one. We all had our
tummies full when we left.
There were 24 meals delivered by Rick and Ethan Rhinehart, plus 10
frozen meals to shut-ins. Veanne Weddle took the Mt. Vernon route as
well.
Bonnie Kocis and Margaret Glass greeted us while Ron Dowse led
the flag salute. Cathy Altnow asked the blessing. Our servers were from
First Christian Church. Serving were Cathy Altnow, Karen Barrietua and
Ron Dowse.
Veanne announced Ron will be holding an AARP drivers course
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, here at the center. Bring your
lunch as there will just be a short lunch break. Those of you who want to
go to the OTEC meeting in Baker City on April 30 need to get signed up
as there are only a few seats left.
John Day
Seniors
Thanks goes out to Anita Linn and Carl Armstead for bringing in a
whole lot of eggs to give away.
Ben Luethe won the Len’s Drug gift certificate and David Pasko won
the free meal.
On April 21, we had a smaller than usual turnout. Only 44 diners for
a dinner of cheesy chicken pesto with bowtie pasta and veggies in a butter
sauce, along with French bread and a berry cobbler for dessert. Dennis
and Linda Dickinson delivered an additional 33 lunches.
The entree was furnished by First Christian Church, which was
represented by Ron and Roberta Dowse, myself and Karen Barrietua. We
were served by Sherry Feiger, Nancy Elliott, Jean Willey and Marge
Conlee, who represented United Methodist Church. Margaret Glass and
David Pasko greeted us while Sherry asked the blessing and Jean led the
flag salute.
Veanne thanked Benita Comini for the rhubarb donation. The
discussion previously about name tags was noted on and approved. Name
tags will be made available if you want to wear one.
Gene Essex won the Chester’s Thriftway gift certificate and Gregg
Starr won the Valley View lunch for two.
Thursday, April 28, we will have southern fried pork steaks with
mashed potatoes and gravy. Monday, May 2, we will have baked cod
with a homemade roasted tomato sauce.
Proverbs 24:19, 20 “Do not fret because of evildoers, don’t envy the
wicked for the evil have no future; their light will be snuffed out.”
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Located in the Blue Mountain Hospital
Assessing your abilities as an aging driver
Keith J. Thomas, MD, FACS
When a person first earns a driver’s license, they’ve earned more than
just the right to legally operate an automobile. To many drivers, a
driver’s license is a symbol of freedom and self-sufficiency. The
significance of a driver’s license never truly dissipates, which makes it
difficult for aging individuals to address their abilities as a driver and
whether or not they can still safely share the road with other motorists.
Though many drivers can safely stay behind the wheel well into their
golden years, others begin to recognize their skills are starting to
diminish as they approach senior citizen status. For those who want help
gauging their abilities as a driver, some self-examination can help.
Assess your eyesight
Healthy eyes are essential to being a safe driver, and drivers can assess
their eyesight in a number of ways. In addition to visiting an eye doctor
for an eye examination, drivers should look for signs that they’re having
difficulty with driving. For example, if signs and street markings aren’t
so easy to read anymore, or if the glare of headlights at night makes it
difficult to see.
Assess your comfort level
To assess your comfort level as a driver, ask yourself the following
questions before getting back behind the wheel.
• Is it troublesome to look over your shoulder and change lanes?
• Has steering become difficult?
• Has your reaction time when switching from the gas pedal to the brake
pedal decreased?
Board Certified General Surgeon
Office Hours by Appointment • 541-575-1311
241 S. Canyon Blvd. John Day • 541-575-0529
Aging drivers should weigh a host of factors when determining
if it’s still safe for them to be on the road.
If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions above, then it could be
that you’re beginning to lose strength, coordination and/or flexibility,
which can make it more difficult to operate a motor vehicle.
T roy Hanson - Funeral Director
Honestly address loved ones’ concerns
Aging drivers are often the last to notice if their abilities behind the
wheel are starting to diminish. Loved ones are often put in the position of
talking to aging drivers about their abilities, and this can cause friction. If
loved ones have expressed concern about your abilities as a driver,
honestly address these concerns, even if it’s initially hurtful or
embarrassing to do so. Your loved ones are sharing their feelings out of
genuine concern for your well-being, so don’t look at it as an assault on
your self-sufficiency.
Senior Outlook is published the fourth week
of each month. Contributions of topics, articles
and happenings are appreciated.
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