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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (March 29, 2019)
March 29, 2019 T he C olumbia P ress Senior Moments with Emma Edwards Surviving talk with ‘the kids’ I have a book titled “What’s So Funny About Getting Old?” Another book in my collection is “Old Age Ain’t No Place for Sissies.” I even have a potholder with an old lady drinking coffee and eating a donut sit- ting with her dog in front of a computer that says, “I keep hitting escape, but I’m still here!” All the books and colorful cartoons seem to feature a lady with white hair and an interesting choice of glass- es (like me). In all fairness, I should add that when a man is in the picture he has no hair but sensible glasses. How’s that for profiling? You and I know that grow- ing old isn’t funny for many. Often, with age comes many challenges. What should “the kids” do with their aging parents and grandparents when the time comes? That’s the lead-in to talking about what happened to me last month. My “kids” are a close bunch and had put their heads to- gether (I suspect) to decide it was time to have “the talk” with Grams (me). My oldest suggested we take a tour of some senior facilities so I’ll know what’s out there “just in case.” Admittedly, that was a fun excursion. We have some amazing places in this area. I learned so much these past few months about my station in life and the options out there. “Options” was just a word until I learned of an interesting program offered by Northwest Senior and Disabilities Services (located next door to the animal shel- ter). Holly Jensen, Aging and Disability Resource Connec- tion of Oregon, is available there to discuss and educate us with our Aging Options as are five other counselors. Long story short, we’re told to call the NWSDS Salem of- fice at 503-304-3420 and they can discuss our options and do an intake over the phone. The reason we need to call Salem is because that of- fice serves all of Clatsop, Tilla- mook, Marion, Polk and Yam- hill counties and so makes for a smoother operation. A 54-page ADRC booklet, which has a gigantic amount of information about options, was an amazing resource to me in the realm of options. The booklet, “Planning for your Future,” is a toolkit for long-term services and sup- port. You could run over to the NWSDS and get one for free or call 503-861-4200 and they will mail you one. At least that would be a start. I’m convinced a key to com- fortable survival for seniors is our local NWSDS facility. Maybe too serious a subject? OK, I began with lightness so will end with a cute quip sent to me recently: “What do you call a fairy who won’t take baths? A stinkerbelle!” Have a fun week and enjoy April Fool’s Day! Mark Twain liked to say, “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” Smile and laugh a lot on Monday when you figure out an unbeatable April Fool’s prank! I like punching a few pin holes in a paper cup (not for hot drinks), changing the clocks ahead or putting salt in the sugar container. I am giggling already! Brings back memories, doesn’t it? 7 Get the ‘real’ story of Lewis and Clark Expedition The Real Story of Lewis and Clark (or How the Finns Dis- covered Astoria) opens to- night, March 29, for 10 per- formances. The play, a musical melo- drama, tells the “lost” story of how Meriwether Lew- is, William Clark and their Corps of Discovery really got to the end of the trail. The revised history version tells how they were rescued by the true heroes of the Northwest, two boys from Minnesota. The play was written by Ju- dith Niland, with music by Stanley Azen, Joyce Niland and Philip Morrill. Performances are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through April 20, with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees on April 7 and 14. Tickets are $20 for front- row seats, $15 for all others. Submitted photo The cast of The Real Story of Lewis and Clark. Children 12 and younger are $10. The troupe also offers $10 Fridays, where all seats are $10. Tickets can be purchased online at asocplay.com or at the box office, which opens an hour before show time. The playhouse is at 129 W. Bond St., Astoria. Free park- ing is available at Wauna Federal Credit Union and As- toria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce. side Pet Clinic, Pups and Suds Grooming, Kids Love Bounce House, Columbia Memorial Hospital, Fibre Federal Cred- it Union, Lum’s Auto Center, Warrenton Mini Mart, and Hampton Lumber. The goal was $1,500, but the students raised so much more. The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation agreed to match the amount raised by 10, which would mean an additional $15,000 grant if they’d raised $1,500. But students in the Honor Society, a group led by Maria Heyen, Pamela Taloncón, Mara Dowaliby and Kaisa Liljenwall and advised by Jason Edwards, raised $3,600, which calculat- ed into an $18,600 grant. The nonprofit organizations that are potential recipients of this year’s grant are Warren- ton Hammond Healthy Kids, The Healing Circle, Riverfolk, Clatsop Community Action, and Astoria Warming Center. Interviews will be conducted to determine the distribution of funds. Warrenton’s Honor Society would like to thank the orga- nizations in the community for their generous gifts, as well as the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Foundation. High school students set to distribute nonprofit funds B y B ruCe d ustin The Columbia Press Five local nonprofit groups could receive grants partial- ly raised by Warrenton High School students. The school’s CommuniCare Club sets a goal each year to do a service project. This year, they raised money from the community through bake sales, a movie night, an online guitar raffle, a winter waltz, and through partner- ship organizations. The organizations that con- tributed to this year’s fund were Coastal Screenings, Sea- Senior lunch menu Monday, April 1: Chicken and apples, brown rice, carrots, black bean soup, bread pudding. Thursday, April 4: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, coleslaw, chocolate cake. The Warrenton senior lunch program is at noon (doors open at 10:30 a.m.) Mondays and Thursdays at Warrenton Community Center, 170 SW Third St. Suggested donation is $6 for ages 55 and older; $7 for those younger. For more information, call 503-861-3502. Board opening Warrenton Senior Citi- zens Inc. has an opening on its Board of Directors and seeks applications from interested residents. Applications can be picked up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays at War- renton Community Center, 170 S.W. Third St. Applica- tions due Friday, April 19.
