T he C olumbia P ress
6
Senior Moments
with Emma Edwards
Serious thoughts on aging
I thought growing old would
take longer. Who knew the
years would pass so quickly?
I can’t remember the fa-
mous person who said that,
but I agree.
Is it part of aging? We still
have the privilege of living on
planet Earth and realize what
a privilege it is -- at least
that’s how I feel about it.
A great thing about getting
old is that you can get out of
all sorts of social obligations
by saying you’re tired. An-
other thing is those 10 per-
cent off days and other senior
discounts.
The meaning of life, as I un-
derstand it, is still a profound
mystery. I and many of my
peers often lament over what
still needs to be done.
Once, at a rather busy time,
Winston Churchill was said
to gaze at the ceiling and
mutter, “So much to do, so
little time.” I fall into that
slump sometimes myself. But
then I remind myself that it
isn’t all about me, so leave it
to God, Em!
This is a good time of year
to make resolutions about
our future.
Some say, “What good is
a five-year diary at age 85?”
But then I remember a lady
who started writing in one at
age 90 and lived to celebrate
her 103rd birthday.
I know. Think positive.
Maybe I’ll get a 10-year di-
ary.
Aging is simply the process
of becoming older.
There are so many books
on aging, and most are
light-hearted.
We used to think age 63
was well into that process.
But most of my “kids” are 60-
plus now and wondering who
they’ll be when they “grow
up.”
Here’s a definition of old
age that I like: “You just wake
up one morning, and you got
it.”
Some say old age is a time
when your grandchildren are
more important than visiting
the Grand Canyon.
Serious thoughts that I
picked up from Wikipedia
(the free online encyclope-
dia) in the realm of aging:
One should consider encom-
passing physical, psychologi-
cal and social changes.
It gives me a chuckle that
in giving all the stages of life
that source goes from “ado-
lescence” to “adult” and then
on to “middle age” and, ulti-
mately, to “old age.”
Therefore, we are no lon-
ger adults when we wake up
“old.”
Have you noticed when
purchasing tickets and the
like that we’re often grouped
with children. Such as “$7 for
adults and $4 for children
and seniors.”
We seniors do enjoy hugs,
not just over the holidays but
throughout the year. How-
ever, someone said “be gen-
tle” as some of us (not me)
don’t have a lot of fat on our
bones and a tight squeeze can
bruise or hurt. And be sensi-
tive because some don’t want
to be hugged.
Food for thought: “How old
would you be if you didn’t
know how old you were?”
Charles H. Spurgeon was
quoted as saying “The Lord
will make a way for you
where no foot has been be-
fore. That which, like a sea,
threatens to drown you,
shall be a highway for your
escape.”
December 15, 2017
Karen Radich, wife, mother, former WAVE, dies in Astoria
Karen A. Radich, a former couple divorced in 1956.
Navy “Wave” who worked
In addition to Tongue
at Tongue Point Naval Base Point, Radich worked in local
until its closure, died Dec. 6. fish canneries, at a flour mill
She was 96.
and as a house ren-
Radich was born
ovator.
in Koed, Denmark,
She married Luka
and immigrated to
Radich in 1962 and
the United States
the couple sealed
with her parents
their relationship in
when she was 2.
the Seattle Church
The family initially
of Jesus Christ of
settled in Utah and
Latter-day
Saints
moved to Oregon in
Temple in 1986.
1931.
Luka Radich died in
Radich
After
graduating
1993.
from Astoria High School in
Karen Radich was active
1941, she joined the Wom- in her church, the Danish
en’s Naval Reserves, known Society, TOPS and Veteran
as the WAVES (Women Ac- Ladies. In her earlier years,
cepted for Volunteer Emer- she loved dancing, bowling,
gency Services). She served traveling, clam-digging, gar-
as a pharmacist mate, 2nd dening and sport-fishing.
class, and worked as a store-
Later in life, she enjoyed
keeper supervisor at Hill Air playing pinochle.
Force Base south of Ogden,
Survivors include her son,
Utah.
Carl Hagnas of Warren-
In 1946, she married Lloyd ton; her daughter, Linda
Hagnas and they had two Millard of Corvallis; a sis-
children, Linda and Carl. The ter, Verna Hellberg of Asto-
ria; five grandchildren, five
great-grandchildren and two
great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are set for
11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at
the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, 350 Niaga-
ra, Astoria. Visitation is from
10 to 11 a.m. in the Relief So-
ciety Room at the church.
Committal services will be
at Ocean View Cemetery in
Warrenton. Alan Oja will
dedicate the grave and Navy
Funeral Honors will give the
farewell salute and taps.
Following the committal,
family and friends are urged
to return to the church for a
friendship hour and lunch.
Memorial gifts may be made
to Lower Columbia Hospice,
486 12 St., Astoria OR 97103
or to the charity of one’s
choice.
Caldwells’
Luce-Layton
Mortuary is handling ar-
rangements. Please sign our
online guest book at www.
caldwellsmortuary.com
County’s new planning head comes from Florida
Gail Henrikson, a planning
director from Florida, has
been hired as Clatsop Coun-
ty’s Community Develop-
ment Department director.
She replaces Heather Han-
sen, who served in the po-
sition from June 2014 to
November 2017. Henrikson
currently is an ad designer
for the Daily Astorian. She
will join the county Jan. 8.
Henrikson brings 13 years
of experience in land-use
planning to the po-
“Gail’s experience
sition, most recent-
and talents will be
ly as the director of
very beneficial to the
planning and zon-
… Community De-
ing for the city of
velopment Depart-
New Smyrna Beach,
ment,” County Man-
Fla. She earned a
ager Cameron Moore
bachelor’s
degree
said.
in English language
The
department
Henrikson
and linguistics and
oversees:
a master’s degree in urban
• Land use planning, such as
and regional planning from reviewing and issuing permits
the University of Wisconsin, for development in unincorpo-
Madison.
rated parts of the county, and
making sure the county’s com-
prehensive land use plan is in
compliance with Oregon law;
Monday, Dec. 18: Pork loin roast, mashed potatoes and gravy,
• Building Codes, ensuring
red cabbage, split pea soup, berry pie.
compliance with structural,
Thursday, Dec. 21: Turkey, cornbread stuffing, mashed pota-
mechanical, plumbing and
toes, green bean casserole coleslaw, pumpkin pie.
electrical building codes for
The Warrenton senior lunch program is at noon (doors
new and altered structures;
open at 10:30 a.m.) Mondays and Thursdays at Warrenton
• Code Compliance, provid-
Community Center, 170 SW Third St. Suggested donation is
ing public awareness of code
$5 for ages 55 and older; $7 for those younger. For more
requirements throughout the
information, call 503-861-3502.
county.
Senior lunch menu