Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 2019)
August 23, 2019 T he C olumbia P ress Senior Moments with Emma Edwards Tips for solving sleeplessness, plus making the most of naps One of the most common complaints among my senior friends is having problems sleeping. Fun things have to be can- celled due to a lack of sleep. As is my custom, I did a lot of study on this conundrum. Many solutions came through my efforts, but one that made the most sense to me is what’s called “The Mili- tary Method.” Not having such a problem myself (perhaps the oppo- site), I couldn’t try it, but it might help others, so I’ve de- cided to share it. Please let me know if it works for you. • Relax your entire face, in- cluding the muscles inside your mouth. • Drop your shoulders to re- lease the tension and let your hands drop to the side of your body. • Exhale, relaxing your chest. • Relax your legs, thighs, and calves. • Clear your mind for 10 seconds by imagining a relax- ing scene. If this doesn’t work, try say- ing the words “don’t think” over and over for 10 sec- onds. Within 10 seconds, you should fall asleep. I learned that we seniors need a good night’s sleep, preferably eight hours, to function. Then there is the nap issue. To nap or not to nap? Those who know me better than others know I schedule a nap in every afternoon. And truth be told, if I do have a restless night, it’s usually one in which I missed my nap that day. Admittedly, however, there is much said about the pros and cons of seniors taking a nap. While still in the work-a- day world, some have called it a power nap. I won’t address that, because I never had a 40-hour a week job that al- lowed naps. And yes, I know, things are different now. Isn’t there a song about that? Oh, yes! That was a song we used to sing in church over the years. Some of you may still sing it. The first few lines: “Things are different now. Something happened to me. When I gave my heart to Jesus. Things are differ- ent now.” Catchy little song. And, by the way, so true too! It’s been said that hourlong naps may boost mental abili- ty for older adults. One study suggested that a one-hour “siesta” may improve mem- ory and cognitive function in older adults. Recently, a family member who’s pushing 70 referred to an older man as an “old codger.” I got a chuckle out of that. Then I looked up equivalent names for older women. Yikes. The only one I liked was “granny.” I realize one has to thor- oughly research the etymol- ogy of such labels. Sorry, no time here! In the meantime, an old Irish proverb tells us that a good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything. 7 Bergin: Chivalrous sheriff a master at mediation Continued from Page 1 kids and their grandkids, he pointed out. “There’s nothing I haven’t seen or done in this job. I can honestly say I’ve given it my all.” He’s twice been poked with syringes, been spit on, had a finger bitten to the bone, and had knives and guns pulled on him. In 1995, a disgruntled law- breaker brought 21 grenades to his house, preparing to kill the young officer and his fam- ily. “I don’t regret one single moment,” Bergin said. “Then you have nights where you go home and lose a neighbor and friend.” Seaside Police Sgt. Jason Goodding was shot and killed while serving a warrant in 2016. “We were supposed to fix a gate the next morning.” Bergin gave a memorable and moving tribute to his neighbor and friend during Goodding’s memorial service at Seaside Convention Cen- ter. The slaying was, perhaps, the lowest point in a career with many highs. He convinced voters to ap- prove a new county jail last year after three failed at- tempts. After the 2007 storm when downed trees cut the county off from the rest of the world, he spent three years working with lawmak- ers Betsy Johnson and Deb- orah Boone to convince the Senior lunch menu Monday, Aug. 26: Salmon, brown rice pilaf, peas, spinach sal- ad, ice cream. Thursday, Aug. 29: Pulled pork, pasta salad, tomatoes, cole- slaw, berry trifle. 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. Sheriff Tom Bergin, left, and Lt. Matt Phillips talk to Warrenton leaders about the jail bond, which later was approved by vot- ers. Bergin recom- mends the county appoint Phillips as his interim replace- ment. Cindy Yingst The Columbia Press state to change its policy on removing trees adjacent to major highways. Bergin was named Ore- gon State Sheriff of the Year in 2010 by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association and Sheriff of the Year for the 15 western states in 2015. He supervised the Clatsop Coun- ty Inter-Agency Narcotics Team, which was named team of the year in 2001 by the Sacramento-based Western States Information Network. He received an FBI commen- dation for how he handled a child-abduction case. Bergin’s specialty is hostage negotiations. “Building relationships and rapport and managing a very bad scene successfully is ex- tremely draining, but also ex- tremely rewarding,” he said. A good day is “When you’ve sat with a guy in the bath- room, shotgun in his mouth, and you talk him into a more rational action with a better outcome and they come back weeks later and say ‘thanks’.” Those skills have been help- ful in other arenas. The city of Warrenton asked Bergin to moderate a conten- tious meeting on the Eighth Street Dam with directors of the Skipanon Water Control District. He helped clear the air, too, when former Port of Astoria Commissioner Steve Fulton accused a fellow candidate of wrongdoing over a friend’s “man cave” built on leased airport property. “I feel like Dr. Phil a lot,” Bergin said. “I don’t mind be- cause that’s what I raised my right hand and swore to be sheriff of this county for.” While pondering a setback and feeling the first inklings of job exhaustion, former Clatsop County District Attor- ney Josh Marquis provided Bergin with the perfect catch- phrase: “sic transit gloria mundi,” all glory is fleeting. Bergin may hang up his hol- ster, but he’ll keep the cowboy hat handy. “I will, hopefully, sit on a tractor someplace and just work with big machines,” he said. “I’m very grateful and honored to have served this county, but it’s been a crazy ride.” Free Obituaries The Columbia Press publishes free obituaries for commu- nity members who pass away. These free obituaries are 7 to 12 inches long and include a photo. We’ll do the writing for you. Those who want to write their own obituaries to honor a loved one may do so. These are $7.50 per column inch and can include a photo. Please call us at 503-861-3331or send an email to office@ thecolumbiapress.com.
