Mid-Columbia Senior Center

Are you looking for a pretty, high-quality quilt? Would you like to support the senior center? Well, stop by and browse through the quilts we have hanging around the Center! They all have tags on them indicating price & size!

Financial Literacy Class

10 a.m. Monday, September 23rd. Presented by Washington Federal

Financial exploitation has been called “the crime of the 21st century” with one study suggesting that older Americans lost at least $2.9 billion to financial exploitation in 2010. This epidemic is under the radar. The cases tend to be very complex and can be difficult to investigate and prosecute. Elders who lose their life savings usually have little or no opportunity to regain what they have lost. Elder financial exploitation can result in the loss of the ability to live independently. It can also result in a decline in health, broken trust, and fractured families. Awareness is the first step. Planning for financial well-being and the possibility of diminished financial capacity is critical. Reporting and early intervention are vital to preventing loss and recovering loss when possible. Money Smart for Older Adults is designed to provide you with information and tips to help prevent common frauds, scams, and other types of elder financial exploitation in your community. Please share this information with others.

Did you know MCSC participates in the Bottle Drop fundraiser?

You can either bring your bottles and cans down to The Center or you can pick up bags from us to use and drop off at Fred Meyer. The bags are blue and must have our tag on them to be counted as a donation to MCSC!

AARP Smart Driver Course

The next AARP Smart Driver course will be in September. Glenna Gibson will be hosting this class on Thursday and Friday, September 26th and 27th from 9 till 12. The cost of the class is $25 for non-AARP members and $20 for AARP members. Please sign up at the front desk or call for more information. You must attend both classes to receive your certificate. Those who take this course may be eligible to receive car insurance discounts.

This week's NU-2-U shop highlights!

There are a few ways you can donate to the Mid-Columbia Senior Center …

First, visiting us, attending our classes, and benefiting from what we have to offer is the main way. We want you to be encouraged, educated, and help by our organization!

Second, you can come in and give a donation in person. There are a lot of ways to donate: you can give us your old medical equipment for the loan closet, you can donate to the NU-2-U shop, you can donate “door prizes” for our events, you can volunteer your time … or you can donate financially, of course!

To donate financially, you can visit our website or just stop by the Center!
https://midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com/

When was the last time you read Scott McKay's weekly Aging Well in the Gorge column? Discussing all kinds of topics relevant to seniors, this column is great to gain knowledge ... or have some fun!

Aging Well in the Gorge - Mid-Columbia Senior Center Welcome!

Did you know that group exercise and dance classes can reduce the chance of falls by about 15%?

Join us for line dancing at 3 PM every Tuesday for some fun exercise, music, and to meet some new friends.

Meals-on-Wheels is a separate Non-Profit that serves meals at the Center, Monday through Friday at 12 PM. They also deliver meals to those who can not prepare nutritional meals themselves.

If you are interested in signing up for home-delivered meals, call Meals-on-Wheels at (541) 298-8333. Volunteers to deliver meals are always needed, too!

Call before 10:30 AM to pick up a meal at noon at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center.

https://midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com/meals-on-wheels/

Have you ever gone to a large department store and had trouble finding what you wanted: a new shirt, bath towels - or more importantly the nearest restroom? Or have you had a medical appointment at OHSU on the hill and didn’t know how to find Suite 3200 in the Multnomah Pavilion? Each time didn’t you wish there was an information desk?...

midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com

Reverse Mortgage Question and Answer Class

Monday, September 9th. Presented By Greg Cummings

From Greg: I’m really excited about being able to come to the senior center and answer any questions your members may have regarding reverse mortgages. With so many online companies that I feel are out to make a fast buck on our elderly, I’m happy to be a local source of information regarding these products.

Are you interested in volunteering to lead a Strong People class at MCSC?

Find out more below!

I don’t know how many of you would like to stay in your own home as you grow older, but a recent study indicates 88% of adults 50 and older would like to. Which makes sense. Your home is familiar with special memories, you know your neighborhood - and then there’s all your stuff you would have to clean out!...

midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com

This week's NU-2-U shop updates! See anything you like? Come down every weekday 10-3!

Have you checked out our monthly calendar yet? You won’t want to miss these great events!
https://midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com/calendar/

We also have printed versions in the lobby!

Calendar - Mid-Columbia Senior Center Calendar Events in April 2023–March 2024 Month Year View as ListPrint View Location Categories Search Events MonMonday TueTuesday WedWednesday ThuThursday FriFriday SatSaturday SunSunday 27March 27, 2023●●(8 events) 10:00 am: NU-2-U Shop Close Close 10:00 am: NU-2-U Shop 10:00 am – 1:00 pmMa...

Come to BINGO Night!
When: Every Saturday & Thursday Night, 5:30pm – 8:00pm … doors open at 4 PM!

There will be cash prizes, and evening dinner concessions will be available at the Center. Bring your friends and try your hand at BINGO!

If you have never played before, make sure to arrive by 5:00 to get set up. We’re more than happy to take complete newbies!

Volunteers Needed

We have several volunteer opportunities at MCSC. Our Nu-2-U shop has been doing quite a business and the need for people to cashier has surfaced. If you have the time to work a shift or two per week, we would really love having you. The shifts run from 10 to 1, or 1 to 3. Training is free, and the fun is unlimited.

A second area we need some help with would be Bingo concessions. This is a twice a week event on Thursday and Saturday afternoons. We prepare a small meal for the Bingo participants to eat before Bingo time. This is a fundraiser for MCSC. You do not need to be a gourmet chef to do this. We make simple foods such as toasted cheese, chicken salad sandwiches, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs, and quesadillas. You can cook whatever your favorite food may be. Don’t worry, we will give you ample training time before you are set loose to be on your own. Come in and talk with me (Rob) and I will get you all set up. The time commitment is small, and the friendships are great.

Let's Look Together Class

Thursday, August 15th @ 10:30: Deschutes Room

Presented By Scott McKay

There are times when we all need some extra help to get through a difficult situation in life, and we often don’t know who to ask or where to go for help. Perhaps it is a health concern, a financial problem, a need for help at home, a legal matter or something else that worries us.

If you or a friend are looking for help, finding that help is just a phone call away. Join us for “Let’s Look Together” where you will learn about ADRC (Aging and Disabilities Resource Connection) and 211INFO, two statewide resources that will tell you about and often connect you with agencies in the community that may be able to assist you. To learn more about ADRC and 21INFO and how they can help you, attend the Age+ presentation “Let’s Look Together” on August 15th at 10:30 at the Center.

This week's NU-2-U shop offerings! Have you stopped by our shop yet this week? Come by!

Alzheimer’s Awareness Benefit Concert: Friday, August 10th

Lewis and Clark Festival Park

I normally avoid talking about events that are not at MCSC. This event that is being spearheaded by Scott McKay is one I support. Scott has been working to make Wasco County and The Dalles a “Demetia Friendly Community.” He is partnering with Randy Haines (former local DJ) to hold the final Neon Nights Concert in The Dalles. Randy and his family wanted to use this concert to benefit the local people who are dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Please see the flyer below for more information or contact Scott for more information. We have a donation portal on our website that can be used to give to this cause. It is under the tab that reads Alzheimer’s Awareness. On this tab you can donate to the Neon Nights fundraiser as well as Dementia Friendly Fundraiser. As with the donate button for MCSC, all your donations stay locally and support your neighbors.

Not only will Kerry offer us two guided tours through the Portland Art Museum. She is also planning to continue her monthly art appreciation classes. In August she will begin the next class. It is called “Looking Closely: How to Look at, Talk About, & Appreciate Art.” During this class she will help us to take time to study and appreciate individual paintings from different eras and genres. Classes are the second Tuesday of every month from August 13th thru December 10th in the Deschutes Room at 10 a.m. All are welcome.

We enjoyed a wonderful and positive meeting again this year. We were able to go over a few changes to the bylaws as well as selecting and re-electing board members. Please welcome Cathy Bush as she assumes her new position on the board. Cathy has been a driving force in the operation of our Nu-2-U shop. Cindy Johnson, who is one of our front desk people as well as a SHIBA volunteer was appointed by the board to complete the last year of Jess Birge’s term. Jess had resigned earlier this year. Thank you to both ladies who have offered to serve. The next board meeting will be on Wednesday, August 14th at 1 p.m. and guests are welcome to attend.

Check out our August newsletter to find out more about what's happening at the Center!

https://mailchi.mp/50278d954033/august2024?e=4fe980bd78

Friday Movie Continues After Lunch (around 12:30)

August 2nd: Freaky Friday
August 9th: Clue
August 16th: The War with Grandpa
August 23rd: Adventures in Babysitting
August 30th: Pardners

Don't forget - we still have medical equipment available in our loan closet ... and we still take donations!
Our stock depends entirely on donations. If you would like to donate medical equipment, contact us or stop by!
We might have ...
Toilet Seat Riser
Transfer Tub Bench
Sliding Transfer Bench
Shower Seats
Commode
Toilet Safety Frame
Clamp-on Bath Rail
Bed Rail
Wheel Chair
Transfer Chair
4-wheel Walker (Rollator)
2-wheel walker
Knee Scooter
Crutches
Canes
Quad Canes
Forearm Crutches

Check out our upcoming Senior Trips!

Aug. 15th-Sternwheeler
Sept. 5th - Portland Art Museum
Sept. 7th - WAAAM Fly In
Sept. 18th - Dufur Living History Museum and Potlatch
Oct. 10th - Gilliam County Museum
Oct. 18th - Goldendale Observatory

We have sign-up sheets for the trips at the front desk. Payment is requested when you sign up so that we can purchase tickets ahead of time. A refund policy is in place for cancelations. If you are interested, ask about it at the desk when you sign up. The trip policy guide will also be available on our website. midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com

I've found after living in the same house for almost forty years, I’ve collected way too much stuff. And there comes a time when I am still physically able, to start clearing out the clutter. Decluttering your home can be a chore. But there are tips to help: begin by choosing one small area to organize, sort items into three piles: Keep, donate, and toss; find a specific home for everything you intend to keep; group similar items together; and if you buy something new, get rid of something else....

midcolumbiaseniorcenter.com

Thank you again to all our wonderful business sponsors!