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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 29, 2019)
November 29, 2019 T he C olumbia P ress Senior Moments with Emma Edwards It’s OK if you feel nostalgic Nostalgically speaking, it seems we seniors are prone to think positively and that makes us feel good. So is nos- talgia a good thing or a bad thing? I went online and looked at some back issues of Psychol- ogy Today, a magazine that was a staple in my pastor hus- band’s office for many years. Several articles I perused seemed to emphasize that nostalgia can be a positive in- fluence on our outlook in life. An example are the senti- mental memories we have of ourselves as children trim- ming the Christmas tree. The memories could be good or bad, but more often than not we remember the good. Sentimentality is good. We all hear phrases such as, “I am very sentimental” or “Don’t be so sentimental.” Think about it. Nostalgia provides a link between our past and present selves. An- other positive feature is that we play a starring role in our nostalgic scenes. Recently, one of my daugh- ters sent me an article about Shiny Brite Ornaments from the magazine A Primitive Place, printed in Forman, N.D. When we reminisce about Christmas tree orna- ments, it can give us amazing- ly good feelings of nostalgia. As a child, I remember how careful I and my four siblings were cautioned to be with the breakable ornaments, which had some unique shapes, col- ors and sizes. If one fell and broke, we might end up in tears. There were always enough to fill the tree each year. I never knew how much Wool- worth Department Store and Germany had to do with those pretty glass balls and baubles. In reading the article my daughter sent, I learned that Christmas ornaments have a long history. The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree during the holidays dates to 16th century Germany. Trees were decorated with apples and referred to as paradise trees. Later, ornaments were made of glass and sometimes apple-shaped or round. Until 1937, most Christmas ornaments were made in Ger- many and imported. A New York business entrepreneur named Max Echardt seized on what he realized was a unique opportunity. He part- nered with Corning, a compa- ny that specialized in making light bulbs. Corning adapted some of its glass ribbon ma- chines and began making or- naments. Corning could produce 300,000 ornaments a day. The entire country of Germa- ny was producing about 600 ornaments a day. The Shiny Brite company was born with Woolworth, one of its first customers, thanks to Mr. Echardt. Until that time, Woolworth had been one of the biggest buyers of German ornaments. Eventually, they stocked the Shiny Brite ornaments in all their stores across the United States and sold millions over the next several decades. Getting back to speaking psychologically, one more thing I learned is that remi- niscing is used as a therapeu- tic technique, often with older adults. Nostalgic feelings (es- pecially for seniors) are said to affect and influence our perception of ourselves, oth- ers, and the world around us in positive ways. DAR sponsors essay contests Entries for several con- tests sponsored by Astoria Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution are due Dec. 1. The essay contests are open to several age groups. “The Voyage of the May- flower” is for grades 5 to 8; “A Sailor’s Experiences as Part of Christopher Colum- bus’ First Expedition to the Americas” is for grades 9 to 12; and “The 100th Anni- versary of the 19th Amend- ment: American Women Rise and Shine” is for all grade levels and youth groups. In addition, schools may select a student in grades 5 to 11 who demonstrates the qualities of honor, service, courage, leadership and patriotism to be awarded the Good Citizenship Med- al. For more information, contact Linda Schaeffer at 602-565-1772. Training available to prevent suicides Greater Oregon Behavioral Health and Northwest Senior and Disability Services are sponsoring classes at three different times to teach resi- dents the three steps anyone can learn to help prevent sui- cide. The sessions are meant for anyone – parents, friends, teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses, police officers, case workers, firefighters and oth- ers in positions to recognize and refer someone who’s at risk of committing suicide. The classes are from 3 to 4 p.m. or from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the Coho Room at Columbia Me- morial Hospital’s Columbia Center, 2021 Marine Drive, Astoria; or from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Bob 7 Chisholm Community Cen- ter, 1225 Avenue A, Seaside. Registration is not neces- sary and there is no fee. For more information, con- tact Suzanne Bjaranson at 503-861-4202. Talk of Towns host wins KMUN award Donna Quinn of Astoria, host of the “Talk of Our Towns” program, heard at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, received the Di- rector’s Award during Coast Community Radio’s annual meeting and breakfast Nov. 2. More than 120 members of Coast Community Radio cele- brated KMUN and each other during the event at the First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall in Astoria. Quinn has hosted the pro- gram, which includes inter- views with the region’s movers and shakers, for 15 years. Reid John- son of Seaside was named Volunteer of Quinn the Year. John- son, who works the front desk, answers phones, greets visitors and creates KMUN’s community calendar air spots and website listings. Ellen Frye of Astoria was named Programmer of the Year for her “World of Bach” feature from 7 to 9 a.m. Sundays. Kegan Rascoe of Astoria was named Rookie of the Year for his program, “Life Down- stream,” heard at 9:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. Senior lunch menu Monday, Dec. 2: Thai shrimp, brown rice with peanut sauce, broccoli, tomato soup. Thursday, Dec. 5: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, spinach salad. 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.
