July 17, 2020
T he C olumbia P ress
Senior
Moments
with Emma Edwards
Staving off loss of brain function
Many people in the 55-plus
age group may fear an Alzhei-
mer’s-related ending to their
lives. No use sitting around
worrying about it or even
worrying about getting the
COVID-19 virus or a heart at-
tack or a stroke.
Any of these can simply
sneak up on us when we’re
not looking. Is there anything
we can do about any of them
other than worry?
My answer is yes and no.
Let’s begin with the brain.
In school, we’re taught about
the two hemispheres of our
brain. And those are simply
labeled left and right.
Those of us who’ve had
a loved one suffer a stroke
quickly become acquainted
with functions assigned to
each hemisphere of the brain.
A common one is learning
that the right hemisphere
controls the left side of the
body and vice versa. We learn
that the left hemisphere con-
trols our speech. Depending
on the intensity of the stroke,
we may find that the right
hemisphere compensates for
and helps the left with the
verbal loss.
Most parts of our brain
can be retrained by the oth-
er side, in part or in full. It’s
proven that crossword puz-
zles help sharpen our brain
and may even help prevent
Alzheimer’s Disease.
In addition to feeding the
brain, a crossword puzzle can
give you a nostalgia boost
along with helping to relieve
stress, according to Neuro-
scientist John Medina.
Others glory over comple-
tion of the Sudoku puzzle
or similar puzzles of the day
while yet other seniors enjoy
doing jigsaw puzzles on line,
at home or in a recreation
room.
Personally, I have never
conquered Sudoku, but I do
enjoy games that feed the
cognitive part of my being.
For a long while, I was in-
volved in the Lumosity brain
games, which definitely chal-
lenge a variety of our cogni-
tive skills. Their advertise-
ment encourages us to try its
program online (for free) for
one month, spending as little
as 10 minutes a day to realize
a difference.
And do remember what
the cartoon character Max-
ine says: “Age doesn’t make
you forgetful. Having way
too many stupid things to
remember makes you forget-
ful!”
By the way, I am learning
to lay out my facial covering
(mask) when I lay out my
clothes for the next day. Not
only masks, but face shields
have become popular too.
Some people, however, still
make light of masks.
I may have been one of
them in the very beginning,
but what sold me on wearing
them is knowing it’s not nec-
essarily to protect me, but to
protect others from me. It’s
almost scary to realize that
we could be a carrier and not
even know it.
Sometimes, our world situ-
ations, as well as personal sit-
uations, cause us to fear. So
maybe it’s time for us to re-
mind ourselves of 2 Timothy
1:7: “For God has not given
us a spirit of fear, but of pow-
er and of love and of a sound
mind.”
7
Graffiti, protests and more hit City Hall
Politically angry graffiti was
sprawled on City Hall and on
the private property of resi-
dents displaying pro-Trump
flags and signs early Tuesday.
“We’re investigating and
looking at video” surveil-
lance, Chief Matt Workman
said. “It’s unfortunate that
someone felt the need to ex-
press themselves like that.”
In addition, there was fric-
tion in town between some
residents and a group raising
signatures to recall Gov. Kate
Brown and another that had
organized a pro-police rally.
Some demanded the police
arrest people for harassment
or assault.
“A lot of people don’t under-
stand Oregon law,” Workman
said.
Assaults require an injury,
and harassment must include
physical contact, abusive
words likely to provoke vio-
lence or false reports about a
death or serious physical in-
jury to another.
Mayor Henry Balensifer
said it’s unfortunate that peo-
ple are using the right to gath-
er and to protest as an excuse
for lawlessness.
Off the Shelf
by Kelly Knudsen
Check out metal detectors, science kits, more things
Warrenton Community Li-
brary reopened June 15 with
masks and social distancing.
There is a steady stream of
patrons meandering in, most
saying they are grateful we
are open to browse for books
or use the computers.
The drive-through window
also is still available for pick-
ups, using our online system.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays.
WCL is also distributing
our July Summer Reading
Program
take-and-make
craft bags.
There are different crafts
and activities for kids, in-
cluding straw weaving for
young adults, design a but-
ton (bring it back to have it
made), and God’s Eye craft
supplies, to name a few.
Each participant can also
pick out a free book.
Anyone can stop down and
pick up the craft bags and
books during our open hours.
The bags and books are on
the picnic tables on the north
side of the building.
Did you know that WCL
has a Library of Things — a
service that offers things for
patrons to check out, from
guitars to games to an Instant
Pot? The collection supports
lifelong learning and creativ-
ity by providing the physical
tools necessary to explore
new areas of interest and
learn new skills.
So far, we have two acous-
tic guitars, a violin, an elec-
tric bass guitar with amp, a
kalimba or thumb piano, 15-
plus board games, three puz-
zles, and three STEM learn-
ing kits for younger children,
in addition to the Instant Pot,
all available for checkout with
your library card.
I first saw this idea at the
Hillsboro Library in Wash-
ington County, where their
collection of things has
grown to include hundreds
of items, such as a yarn swift
and winder kit, a crochet set,
a metal detector, video-game
consoles, a croquet set, and a
gold-panning kit, to name a
few.
We are always looking for
donations for our Things col-
lection (and/or books) and
could use some more puzzles.
From the WCL survey con-
ducted last year, we learned
that tools, recreational equip-
ment, and art supplies are on
the top of the list for Warren-
ton patrons.
The WCL Library of Things
supports our mission of “en-
hancing the quality of life of
patrons through literacy and
lifelong learning while con-
necting people to their com-
munity and world.”
Read on!
Kelly Knudsen is director
of Warrenton Community
Library. She has a master’s
degree in library and infor-
mation science.
Special columns in The Columbia Press
Every week: Senior Moments with Emma Edwards
Week 1: History in the Making
Week 2: Financial Focus with Adam Miller
Week 3: Off the Shelf by Kelly Knudsen
Final week: Mayor’s Message by Henry Balensifer