Northwest Boomer and Senior News Linn Benton Edition August 2016 by Northwest50Plus

LINN & BENTON COUNTIES EDITION AUGUST 2016 • FREE!

COAST COAST Kim and Mark Thackray rode their tandem 4,000 miles from Virginia back to Oregon By CAROL ROSEN BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Mark and Kim Thackray didn’t just imagine riding a tandem bike across the United States; they did it. During their 35-year marriage the Corvallis couple has always ridden bikes, with their two sons or by themselves. In mid-June they biked to Seattle to visit relatives, stopping in Astoria on their way back home. They also recently spent 11 days touring southern Spain. Last year, the retired couple took about four months to ride a bit more than 4,000 miles from Virginia to Oregon, allowing them to more intimately view their travels. “Riding bikes allows us more flexibility in our journey,” Mark says. The flexibility lets the couple see more of an area. “If it’s cold and rainy we can just hang out. We can find a coffee shop and hang out meeting people and experiencing the atmosphere. It’s more of an adventure cycling. It allows us to smell the

It’s traditional to dip your wheel in the ocean at the beginning (pictured here) and end of your cross-country journey. (Right) The rolling hills of Missouri. Courtesy photos

New life?

INSIDE

Page 3

DIGGIN’ IT

YOUR GARDEN ON THE CHEAP Page 4

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HEALTHY VIBES

ENJOY SUMMER, NOT ‘FALL’ Page 6

flowers and suffer from the heat. We meet more people and get a different perspective of the culture,” of each area. “It makes it easier to stop and see an amazing butterfly or wildlife or wildflowers,” Kim adds. “We don’t have to look around to find a place to park,” allowing us to experience nature and the sights more easily. “Once we were climbing a hill and a lady offered us water. It allowed us to get to know her and provided us with a delightful interaction.” The couple has biked all over Oregon and parts of Washington. Early in their married life, before kids, they biked the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Before they retired, they took vacations on bikes, often with their sons. Mark says riding a tandem allows them easy communication and the ability to ride together. “Tandem allows us to question and/or comment and provides better

See COAST p. 2

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SEE WHAT’S COMING THIS MONTH Page 5

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NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST 2016

COAST CONTINUED FROM P. 1

Courtesy photo

Kim and Mark Thackray stopped for a photo at one of two points in the Continental Divide — Hoosier Pass at 11,542 feet.

Want to go to the Coast?

You can ride the COAST TO VALLEY EXPRESS bus from Albany or Corvallis to the beau ful beaches in Newport...and beyond!

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communication,” Mark says. “Kim can point things out to me and we are together so we don’t have to wait for the other one to catch up.” Their 4,000-mile U.S. trek began in May when they disassembled their tandem bike removing the rear rack, fenders and some pedals. They lowered the seats and twisted the handlebars in order to fit the bike into a box to ship it to Williamsburg, Virginia. They had decided to ride from east to west. This allowed them to start each journey early when the weather is cooler and to finish in early afternoon keeping the sun from blaring into their eyes. After planning, packing and shipping, the couple began their trip in Virginia with “the traditional dip of the rear (tandem) wheel in the water.” Their first stop was on June 20 at the Grace Episcopal Church guest-

See BIKE p. 7

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Vol. 18 - Number 8 Oregon’s oldest & largest 50+ publication General Manater Patty Gilbert pgilbert@nwseniornews.com Managing Editor - All Editions Michelle Te mte@nwseniornews.com Graphics/Production - All Editions Pam Cooley-Newberry pcooley@nwseniornews.com Accounting - Barb Calvisky bcalvisky@nwseniornews.com Circulation pgilbert@nwseniornews.com

house. The first 50 miles took the Thackrays from Revolutionary War scenes to the Civil War period moving through Virginia. Their trip led them to farm and fruit stands. They were biking through 90-degree temperatures. Their route took them through 10 states using 12 maps. Each map offers panels covering 30 miles. They rode about 45 miles daily allowing them to cross into Kentucky in early July. There they saw Lincoln’s birthplace and met a number of friendly people, including cyclists. By mid-July, the couple crossed the Ohio River into Illinois and did a few housekeeping chores such as bike maintenance and laundry. They had ridden 1,100 miles and completed about one-fourth of their journey. In Chester, Ill., they crossed the Mississippi and moved west toward Missouri. The couple had crossed five states by Aug. 4 taking them through 2,206 miles and one tornado warning. Riding through the Ozark Mountains kept them on a roller coaster: riding up steep hills and sharply down the other side only to climb steeply again. Along the way they met a number of cyclists from various other states as well as Italy and Australia. In Kansas they passed through oil wells, soybean and wheat farms along with fields of cattle. They also toured an

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Life Reimagined AUGUST 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

By VANESSA SALVIA BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS

Imagine your life as a line drawing with a series of circles, or spirals. It starts with your birth and progresses to the oldest age you believe you will reach. The straight paths that the line follows are the points in your life which progressed relatively steadily. Some events trigger each circle, such as graduating high school and college, moving to take a job, marriage and childbirth. When you zoom in on each spiral, you see a plateau, or a time in your life when things are balanced. When a change is triggered, there is some sort of limbo period, or unsettled feelings of “in between.” Understanding past triggers and the future triggers that come with age are the basis for working through transitional periods and achieving new goals in life. Sound confusing? If so, that’s why AARP developed the Life Reimagined and Work Reimagined programs, and the associated “checkup” events held throughout the state. The spiral exercise is something guides use to help participants work through their life spiral and take the next steps, whether that step has to do with retiring, finances, new opportunities, family or relationships. “A lot of people are going through transitions and we find people saying, ‘What’s next for me?’ Like, a loss of a spouse, a new job,” says Michele Scheib, 44, one of Eugene’s AARP-trained guides for the Life Reimagined program. “Life Reimagined brought together different entrepreneurs, life coaches and ‘thought leaders’ who think about transition and, through the research, developed simple tools that

Courtesy of AARP

The spiral exercise helps to look back at your life and see the events that caused previous life changes.

work, and they’re all put together in this booklet that we use for the checkups.” Scheib and Mary Grant, 75, met about a year ago when Scheib discovered the program. “It sounded really interesting,” Scheib says. “I had been on the website and had read about the program in the AARP magazine and it clicked with me. They say it’s like a checkup for your life — you take your cats to the vet and you take your car to the mechanic and this is a checkup for your life. I’ve used this booklet myself … and we’ve seen the possibilities that can come out of the transition, and it’s positive.” Guides, who generally work in pairs, are trained by

AARP and have familiarity with the resources. They assist in the checkup — essentially a group meeting to learn about the resources, and how to approach a transitional period in a more thoughtful way. “People can come together and talk about things,” Grant says. “The checkup is a chance to help people pause

LINN-BENTON EDITION

■ An AARP program helps you work through life’s transitions

and reflect on their transition.” Bandana Shrestha, community engagement director at Oregon’s state AARP office in Clackamas, says the program was launched nationally in 2013 as a way to bring together the key thinkers on the subject of life transition. “One of the things we found out was as people get older, they’re reaching their 50s and 60s and saying, ‘I’m not done, I want to continue to do more,’” Shrestha says. “Traditional retirement is no longer valid. People are working and living differently nowadays so this idea of a new stage in life is something we’re seeing more and more of and Life Reimagined was the answer.” The transition into retirement is one change, but the tools offered by Life Reimagined can be used for approaching any challenge. “The guides are trained volunteers who work with people and help them think about their transition and grapple with it,” Shrestha says. “People can be dealing with career, money, health. People can do large goals or small goals. It’s a way to begin the conversation. It’s safe, it’s peer-to-peer, it’s a great opportunity to connect to others who are going through similar things.” The Eugene Public Library hosted a checkup in May, and offers one about every six months. Though AARP targets

the program at ages 50 and older, Life Reimagined is open to all ages, and allows participants to work at their own pace. “What I am hearing from people is this idea of going through this new stage in life seems to be really resonant,” Shrestha says. “People find it really meaningful. Aging looks different today. People have a lot to contribute and want to connect with other people to help them figure out what it looks like.” The program can help answer basic questions such as, “Where am I now and where do I want to be?” Once the answers to those questions are found, the next question becomes, ‘How do I get there?’ The program helps with the beginning and ending, and that there’s more than one path to the goal. “Our job is to get people to understand that they don’t have to be stuck,” Scheib says. “There are ways to imagine many things and select those that seem more important and most doable.” The life spiral drawing is an exercise that helps determine life patterns. It looks simple, but actually a lot of thought can go into understanding the big life changes. “When you sit down to do it you see patterns in your life,” Scheib says. “You look back on your life and think about what the trigger points were at different points in life

See LIFE p. 7

For Hazel, a huge benefit of living at Dallas Retirement Village is peace of mind. She feels completely safe, knowing that caring friends and staff are always close by. She also has access to the full range of care, if ever needed, which was a big part of her decision to move here. Hazel also loves staying busy—she exercises several times a week, participates on several committees and takes part in lots of social activities. “There’s something for everybody. Whatever you like, you can find it here.” We invite you to discover the security of independent living at Dallas Retirement Village. To schedule a personal tour, call 503-623-9211.

377 NW Jasper Street - Dallas, OR 97338 DallasRetirementVillage.com A Non-Profit Community Founded in Christ Since 1947. All Faiths Are Welcome.

4 LINN-BENTON EDITION

DIGGIN’ IT!

By GRACE PETERSON

Gardening on a shoestring budget

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST 2016

MASTER GARDENER

As much as I love gardening and all it entails, it can be expensive. If I’m not careful I can spend my entire month’s salary on things for the garden. There’s always something vying for my dollars and it’s not just plants. There are the pots to grow them in, the potting soil to plant them in, the water and the fertilizer to keep them alive. It can really take a bite out of the budget. What’s a gardener to do? Over the years, I’ve come up with some cost-cutting tips for the garden. I thought I’d share them with you here. First and foremost, the plants: I usually buy smaller plants that are growing in the four-inch pots instead of the more expensive gallon-sized ones. This can save me several dollars per plant. Of course, smaller plants require a bit of patience but I’ve found that most will grow quickly in our climate and before long they’ll look as good,

Photo by Grace Peterson

A leaky concrete fountain found free on the roadside has been repurposed as a lovely planter. or even better than the bigger ones at the nursery. I’m always on the lookout for a plant sale. During September and October, fall plant sales will be popping up again and it’s a great time to find gems at ridiculously cheap prices. I also check the bargain area at nurseries, variety stores and big box stores where I can “res-

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cue” a sad, neglected or spent plant. I admit, this requires me to be very selective. Often the plants are not worth the effort and time it would take to bring them back to their former glory. However, sometimes I can find a real treasure. For example, recently I spied a shelf of Dianthus (Pinks) that looked fine other

than having spent blooms. I purchased two, brought them home, deadheaded them and they look great. Of course, sharing/swapping plants with fellow gardeners is the best way to get more plants. You can learn first-hand how the plant grows and what its needs are. I purchase just about all my pots at thrift stores, the Habitat ReStore and garage sales. But even if you prefer expensive ceramic pots, you can find special deals in the fall when stores want to get rid of their stock before winter. If you have a pickup truck, purchasing potting soil, mulch and gravel by the truckload is much cheaper than buying it by the bag. Of course it takes a wheelbarrow, a strong back and a few ibuprofen afterward, but it’s worth it. Garden art doesn’t have to be expensive. I’m always on the lookout for a cool rock or unique piece of driftwood that needs “rescuing.” Of course I only take things where it’s appropriate to do so,

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never veering into private property. The beach and riversides are great places to find something special that may have washed up. Finally, I’m never too proud to accept a roadside freebie. I admit, usually I drive right past those “free” signs. Last year, however, I scored big time when I stopped for a free, fourtiered cement fountain. You should have seen me struggling to get each heavy piece, including the pedestal, into the car. But I wasn’t about to turn down such a treasure. When I got it home, I discovered that the bottom bowl had sprung a leak, which is, I assume, why they were getting rid of it. But a leaky cement bowl is perfect for growing plants! I set it on its pedestal, filled it with potting soil and planted a small groundcover and ferns. The middle bowl and top of the fountain are repurposed in other areas of the garden. I’ll always be grateful to the generous former owners who knew someone would gladly accept their cast-off. ■

AUGUST 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com

“Brooklyn,” 12:30 p.m., Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Ave. NW. Free.

Card making workshop, 2 to 4 p.m., Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Ave. NW. Free. 541-917-7777. Heart Health, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Ave. NW. Free.

July 28 River Rhythms: The

Fab Four, 7 p.m., Monteith Riverpark, Albany. Free.

July 29 (through July 31) 2016 NFMS/AFMS Show, hosted by Willamette Agate and Mineral Society, Albany. $4. Wamsi.org.

1 2

AUGUST

The Essentials, 7 p.m., Monteith Riverpark, Albany. Free.

Art Tours at the Library, 10 to 11 a.m., CorvallisBenton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave.

(also Aug. 9, 16, 15, 22 and 29) Concert in the Park with Corvallis Community Band, 8 p.m., Central Park gazebo, 650 NW Monroe Ave. 541-7546624.

(through Sept. 10) 1849 Monteith House Museum, 518 2nd Ave. SW, Al-

bany. Open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday. Donations accepted.

ALL field trip: OSU’s Bard in the Quad’s 11th Season Preview, 1 p.m., 145 Withycombe Hall, 2921 SW Campus Way, Corvallis. 541-737-9405 or admin@academyforlifelonglearning.org.

(through Aug. 6) Benton County Fair, Benton County Fairgrounds, 110 SW 53rd St., Corvallis.

Corvallis Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, First Street and Jackson Avenue, Riverfront Commemorative Park.

(also 12:45 p.m. Aug. 10 and 31) Starker Forest Tour, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (also Aug. 24), meeting at Corvallis Comfort Suites Inn, 1730 NW 9th St., Corvallis.

ALL field trip: Tour of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest, 10 a.m., 200 Mullins Drive, Lebanon. 541737-9405 or admin@academyforlifelonglearning.org.

(through Aug. 7) Bard in the Quad: “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” 7:30 p.m., OSU Memorial Union Quad. OregonState.edu/BardintheQuad.

(also Aug. 20 and 27) Historic Homes Trolley Tour, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Benton County Courthouse, 120 NW 4th St., Corvallis. 541-7571544.

Music in the Park: The Flow, 6 to 8 p.m., Philomath City Park, 299 S. 23rd St., Philomath.

Master Gardener workshop: Common

Corvallis Arts Walk, 4 to 8 p.m., downtown Corvallis.

“Spotlight,” 12:30 p.m., Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Ave. NW. Free.

Tomato Problems, 1 to 3 p.m., Demonstration Garden, Benton County Fairgrounds, 110 SW 53rd St., Corvallis. 541766-6750.

See CALENDAR p. 7

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Coloring for Adults, 6:30 p.m., CorvallisBenton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave.

Caregiving 103, 10 a.m. to noon, or 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24, Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Ave. NW. Free. 541-917-7760.

and the city to bring bikeshare to Corvallis,” says Fred Abousleman, executive director, OCWCOG. “Pedal Corvallis is a healthy and affordable way to meet the transportation needs of our Medicaid members and community in general. We thank our partners for their vision and for making this program a reality and we look forward to expanding bikeshare across the region.” Pedal Corvallis’ initial financial sponsors are Sam Fit, Linn-Benton Community College, First Alternative Co-op, and Woodstocks Pizza. OCWCOG worked closely with many departments within the City of Corvallis, Benton County, Corvallis School District 509J, Oregon State Credit Union, and Samaritan Health Services to bring Pedal Corvallis to fruition. Their support and time is very much appreciated, Abousleman says. The Pedal Corvallis program is operated by Zagster, which also operates bikeshare programs in 130 other locations across the country. To learn more, contact OCWCOG’s Community and Economic Development Department at 541-924-8480. ■

(also Aug. 20) The Blend, a furniture and craft show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Floral Courtyard, Benton County Fairgrounds, Corvallis.

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Corvallis gets new bikeshare program

The Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG), in partnership with the InterCommunity Heath Network Coordinated Care Organization (INH-CCO), is launching a community bikeshare program in Corvallis. Called Pedal Corvallis, the program is targeted to help Medicaid members access medical appointments and personal trips; it also is open to all community members age 18 and older. An annual bikeshare membership costs $25. For more information, visit OCWCOG.org/ pedal. In addition to the Downtown Transit Station, Pedal Corvallis bikes are found at: ■ Oregon State Credit Union, 1980 NW 9th Street ■ Lincoln Health Center, 121 SE Viewmont Avenue ■ Benton County Health Department, 530 NW 27th Street ■ Osborn Aquatic Center, 1940 NW Highland Drive ■ SamFit / Samaritan Square, 777 NW 9th Street #310 “We are excited to partner with the IHN-CCO

Book Club: “State of Wonder” by Ann Patchett, 7 p.m., CorvallisBenton County Public Library. 541-766-6487.

River Rhythms: Little River Band, 7 p.m., Monteith Riverpark, Albany. Free.

River Rhythms: Canaan Smith, 7 p.m., Monteith Riverpark, Albany. Free.

SAGE Summer Concert, 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Bruce Starker Arts Park, 4485 SW Country Club Dr. $10 suggested donation.

LINN-BENTON EDITION

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6 LINN-BENTON EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST 2016

Watch your step, enjoy your summer

I was sitting in my back yard watching my daughter practice her tumbling, amazed at how much she falls down and how she just gets up and continues on without missing a step. If I fell half as much as her, I would be in the hospital all the time with broken bones. It got me thinking about ways we change as we age and what we can do to prevent falls and injuries, especially inside our homes. There are ways we can modify our living spaces to prevent falls. Lighting: Our vision declines as we age and lighting becomes very important. Make sure your residence is well-lit, with light switches near the doorways so you can turn them on before entering a room. That will help

keep you from tripping on unexpected objects. It’s also helpful to have lights within reach of your favorite chair or bed, so you can turn them on before getting up. Tidy home: Keeping your home uncluttered can prevent trips and falls. Trust me, I know this can be difficult — I have small children and pets. Floor surfaces: Certain

floor surfaces make a difference. Carpets are good in that they are slip-resistant and offer some padding if a fall does occur, but they can be more difficult for a wheelchair or walker. Wood or laminate floors are easier for a wheelchair or walker, but they don’t offer any traction if your foot slips under you. Footwear: Wearing no-

slip shoes, socks or slippers that fit well also can prevent falls. Traction from no-slip shoes is important, especially on laminate or wood floors. Furniture: It’s important to have furniture that fits us. We should be able to sit in our chairs with knees bent at a 90-degree angle and feet flat on the floor before we stand up to prevent having to lunge up and possibly stagger and fall. Chairs that are stable and do not rock or swivel also help prevent falls. In the summer months, there are so many reasons to spend time outdoors with our families, enjoying the summer foliage and warm weather. Falls can happen easily outside as well, but you can follow some of the same tips to stay on your feet and not end up falling. Outdoor footwear: This is your most important pro-

This summer, the CorvallisBenton County Public Library is rolling out several new and exciting nontraditional collections for check out. “Libraries have always supported learning,” says Felicia Uhden, access services manager. “Our programming over the years has helped people who learn best by doing something. Now, we are going to expand our collection to include things that will let people actively explore some topics. Starting in July, the library began offering Speck air quality monitors to the public. Speck air quality monitors, which detect fine particulate

air pollution in the home, will help monitor the air quality indoors and inform about changes and trends in particle concentration. Speck monitors can be used to detect changes in air quality if you open a window, turn on a vent, wipe away dust or use certain cleaning products, for example. Speck is designed for use indoors, helping users realize when polluted outside air is coming into the house, or to recognize pollution source within the home. It is also wifi connected, so air quality data can be uploaded for analysis and shared, if desired, via the internet. Speck was developed by

Carnegie Mellon University’s CREATE Lab. Through its Libraries and Advocates program, they hope to reach 100 public libraries; in this phase, 27 libraries have been chosen. Participating libraries receive three Speck air quality monitors per branch, free of charge, and access to the Speck team for troubleshooting and support. Requirements for the program are that libraries circulate Speck monitors in their community and invite patrons to optionally share feedback and stories about their experiences. In conjunction, Speck is offering an air quality advocate

program. “We also want to build a community of local experts who can work with their neighbors and the libraries to use Speck,” says Bea Dias, project director for the CREATE Lab. Those selected for the Speck Air Quality Advocate Program receive a free Speck and training, in return for providing 10 to 20 hours of service annually. Currently, 19 advocates are on board. CMU’s CREATE Lab hopes to continue expanding its Libraries and Advocates program, but first it must fundraise to run another phase of the program. In the meantime, individuals and other li-

braries can still apply at specksenro.com/learn/libraries-andadvocates. Learn more about Speck sensors at specksensor.com. The Speck sensors are an addition to the library’s growing collection of nontraditional items available to the public, which include Kill-aWatt electricity usage monitors, videogames and the ability to request items to be printed on a 3-D printer. The library plans to expand to include “library of things,” including instruments, video equipment, tough tablets for children, and more. Call 541-766-6793 for more information. ■

PEPPER I am a shy, little lady that has the elegance of a classic beauty. I am a 2-year-old short coat Chihuahua mix. I would prefer a calm, tranquil environment. I was given a lifesaving opportunity through a START “Rescue Me” transport from California. My puppies and I were given second chances at finding our forever homes. My pups are now ready to find

their homes and it is my turn. I would thrive in a peaceful, calm home with older children or adults only. Come on by and let’s see if we are the perfect match. Pepper and all our other adoptable animals are waiting at SafeHaven Humane Society, 32220 Old Hwy 34, Tangent. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday to Monday. Can’t make it to the shelter? See all our adoptable pets online at safehavenhumane.org. SafeHaven is a nonprofit full adoption humane society that does not euthanize animals for population support. Not ready to adopt but want to make a difference in the lives of the animals? Call 541-9282789 for more information about volunteer opportunities, becoming a foster parent, making a donation and more. ■

By SARAH REDFERN, RN SAMARITAN WILEY CREEK COMMUNITY

tection against falls on patios or grass, or trips over tree roots. No-slip shoes and sandals are best when you’re outdoors. If you’re wearing sandals, make sure they have an ankle strap so they don’t slip off. Tidy patios: If you have a patio where you like to enjoy the summer weather, make sure it’s uncluttered and picked up like the inside of your home. Watch out for any wet spots from sprinklers or rain showers. It does still rain sometimes in the summer, unfortunately. In the yard: Watch your step when you stroll through the yard. Exposed tree roots and bumps in the lawn can send you tumbling if you’re not careful. So keep your indoor and outdoor space tidy, safe and well lit, because we don’t bounce as well as we used to. ■

Corvallis library now loans air quality monitors

Volunteers needed for wildlife survey

The McKenzie River Ranger District is seeking volunteers or citizen scientists to assist with two projects, Hummingbirds Forever and Bioblitz. Hummingbirds Forever! is focused on educating the public and creating awareness about the importance of hummingbirds and other pollinators in our daily lives. A Bioblitz survey will focus on Western Bumblebees. “This is a great opportunity for you to be a part of and contribute to these exciting surveys and ultimately, the conservation of wildlife,” says wildlife biologist Cedric Maforimbo, who is from Zimbabwe and visiting the McKenzie River Ranger District for several months. “At the same time, you will be building your skills, enjoying the outdoors and the beautiful sights there.” Interested volunteers should contact Cedric Maforimbo at cmaforimbo@fs.fed.us or 541822-7251. All ages and fitness levels are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Monitoring dates are: July 22; Aug. 10, 12, 17, 25. If there is an interested group available for volunteering on dates not shown, please con-

tact Cedric, as there is some flexibility with the schedule. The surveys will be conducted in meadows and will focus on hummingbird identification and their use of flowering plants. Western bumblebees, which are a declining species, will also be surveyed. Through citizen science and site surveys, researchers hope to obtain a clearer comprehension of pollinator presence, their use of nectar producing plants, and the distribution of these pollinators. Should you not be able to join one of the meadow surveys, you can visit the “Hummingbirds Forever” booth at the Chain Saw Art Festival in Blue River on Saturday, Aug. 6. Here you can learn more about hummingbirds, other pollinators, their preferred native nectar producing flowers, and how you can help hummingbirds and other pollinators.through planting, citizen science surveys and/ or observations. For additional information, visit: http://www.audubon.org/content/how-create-hummingbird-friendly-yard and fs.fed.us/ wildflowers/pollinators/documents/AttractingHummingbirdsFS-1046April2015.pdf. ■

Adopt me ...

AUGUST 2016 • www.nwboomerandseniornews.com from forest fires in Idaho. They even viewed the back roads of Wyoming’s Yellowstone Park. Another cycling couple told them they could rent a small car allowed on the park’s roads. On Sept. 3, Mark and Kim rode into eastern Oregon on the Oregon Trail near Baker City where they took some time off due to frigid rain. On Sept. 12, they met their son Grant in Eugene for dinner. They finally reached the Pacific Ocean for a ceremonial dip of the front tire. Mark then lifted the bike over his head for tradition. Although they used their tandem for the cross-country trip, the couple has seven other bikes. They used to have two tandems, one for their sons to ride with them. Mark and Kim have lived in the Northwest most of their lives. Their married life began in Vancouver, Wash., where he worked for Hewlett-Packard. They moved to Barcelona,

BIKE CONTINUED FROM P. 2

exotic animal farm with giraffes, kangaroos and ostriches. Plus, they went through Dodge City and toured Boot Hill Cemetery. In Colorado, the Thackrays crossed their third mountain range, the Rockies, after the Appalachians and the Ozarks, hitting the highest point of their journey at Hoosier Pass at 11,542 feet. They crossed the Continental Divide twice at Hoosier Pass and again at the 9,683-foot Willow Creek Pass. Moving on, they reached Wyoming, which was the seventh of the 10 states they would ride through. They viewed the Grand Tetons and lots of prairies going over the same ground as pioneers taking the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer and California trails as well as Pony Express riders. Traveling into Montana they encountered heavy smoke

LIFE CONTINUED FROM P. 3

and what caused changes. You begin to see patterns. If people can actually write down some of the things they wish for then they tend to strive toward it. It gets you thinking about your vision for the future so you can move toward it.” Grant appreciates that the tools are there to help you look at possibilities from all sides. A circle made of smaller circles labeled with “Reflect,” “Connect,” “Explore,” Choose,” “Repack” and Act” is a tool designed to see where possibilities might lead. “The sphere represents the

different actions that you would take,” Grant says. “You might want to start by reflecting on where you are and when you might want to make changes in some way. Then you explore what that option would entail. What would I need to do it, and who can help me with it?” The next move is into the Connect sphere. She says after choosing a path, people may need to “repack” a bit. In other words, “If I do this what does it mean for that,” she explains. “If I say I will do X, how will that affect people around me, or will it? Then you reassess. You can move on once you’ve considered all the possibilities and what might be complicating factors.”

LINN-BENTON EDITION Spain, again working for HP, finally moving to Corvallis about 15 years ago. Kim worked part time in the chemistry department at Oregon State University. She also has worked at the Soup Cycle where she organized soups and salads for delivery and managed a Thursday delivery route. The two retired last year, allowing them to travel as well as keep fit doing other activities such as skiing, canoeing, hiking and camping. They are happy in Corvallis. “Corvallis is a good town. It’s a small town with little traffic and bike lanes. Because of the university it’s also offers culture such as shows, talks and concerts,” Mark says. The couple attributes biking to keeping them fit. “It’s more interesting than the gym,” Kim says. “I ride my bike because I like to eat chocolate chip cookies and other foods,” Mark quips.■

Of note

Life Reimagined lifereimagined.org

Oregon AARP resources aarp.org/or AARP still is accepting volunteer guides of all ages. There are other programs available that always rely on volunteering, such as the Fraud Watch program, which Scheib has joined. Because the program is so new, neither the guides nor the AARP are tracking the results of the Life Reimagined program. But Scheib says it would be nice to hear the out-

CALENDAR

CONTINUED FROM P. 5

Avoiding Scams, Fraud and Identity Theft, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Ave. NW. Free. 541917-7760.

Rotary Movie Night: “The Wizard of Oz,” Avery Park, Corvallis. RotaryGreaterCorvallis.org for time.

(through Aug. 28) Northwest Art and Air Festival, Timber Linn Park and Municipal Airport, Albany. Entertainment,

comes at future meetings, if participants are willing. Both, though, have seen positive results from it. Grant’s 80-year-old partner was not part of the Life Reimagined program, but he found himself in a situation where a long-term goal had not panned out. She says he didn’t really seem like he had been paying attention to the Life Reimagined process, but he began using the tools to explore a new possibility. He had been hoping to place his lifelong collection of antique tools and knives in a museum, but when that did not come to pass, he readjusted and now rents some space where they are displayed and sold.

CLASSIFIED

car show, fireworks, hot air balloons, kid zone. Nwartandair.org or 541917-7777.

Letter Writing Social and Stationery Exchange, 2 to 4 p.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library.

Majestic Theatre Public Monthly Forum, 7:30 p.m., 115 SW 2nd St., Corvallis.

Send your calendar items to: Calendar 4120 River Road N. Keizer, OR 97303 or email mte@nwseniornews.com by the 6th of the month for the following month’s publication.

“For him to have made this commitment is a huge deal,” she says. “I don’t know how directly this work affected him but certainly I was able to slip him some tools or at least provide some support.” Scheib is still working out her own process, but she too, has gained a new vocabulary and a new set of tools to work out her journey. “When I’m thinking about my life I think about the circle,” Scheib says. “I definitely have been in the explorer stage. I’m not ready to choose yet, but I definitely use this language. And I think in the repack stage, ‘Is this really what I want to do? What will I have to give up?’ I use it all the time.” ■

ADS

Ads must be RECEIVED BY the 6th of the month PRIOR to publication Go to www.NWBoomerandSeniorNews.com for ad form and instructions.

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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowlingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD Toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The Toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

brin, Keizer, OR 97303, position to take in503-981-8614. bound calls from home. Must be self motivated. HUD SUBSIDIZED UN- Set your own schedule ITS for senior citizens but 5 hours per week is 62 or older, disabled mimimum requireand/or handicapped, ment. For more inforavailable at this time. mation call We are committed to 503-299-4095. providing equal housing opportunities. All For Sale utilities paid. Glenwood Manor, 1687 NW JAZZY SELECT ELITE Division St., Corvallis. ECLECTRIC wheelchair. 541-753-3408. Capacity 300#’s, maximum speed 4 mph. HUD SUBSIDIZED UN- Battery charge 15 ITS for senior citizens miles. Asking $1600 62 or older, disabled firm. Call 503-581and/or handicapped, 1484. available at this time. We are committed to Cemetery Plots providing equal housing opportunities. All FOR SALE: CEMETERY utilities paid. Millwood LOTS, 1 & 2, section Manor, 2550 14th Ave 103, block 8 and lots 1SE, Albany. 541-928- 6, section 102, block 8. 2545. Belcrest Cemetery. New they sell for $3995; our Help Wanted price $2000 each. Contact Linda ThomasINBOUND CALLS FROM Bush, U.S. Bank at HOME. A U.S. Biotech 541-465-4120. Co. is looking to fill a

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since 1927. Free app- Coast League, etc. raisals. 531 SE M.L.K. Alan, 503-481-0719. Blvd. Ask for Doug. 503-226-3719. HIGHEST CASH PAID TODAY FOR DIABETIC CASH FOR PRE 1980 TEST STRIPS GUARANsport & non-sport gum TEED! Free local pickup or cigarette cards, since 2010. We will model kits, comic beat anyone local by books, old toys, old car 20%! Call us NOW to or ?? Private collector. get the MOST CASH 503-313-7538. TODAY!! Help others. CALL 360-693-0185. 30+ YEARS TRUSTED, REPUTABLE ANTIQUES HAVING A GARAGE BUYER. ALWAYS BUY- SALE? ADVERTISE ING: old photos, postIT IN THE cards, costume CLASSIFIEDS! jewelry, most anything antique or vintage. NOTICE: Oregon state Please call 503-422- law (ORS 701) re8478. quires anyone who CASH FOR GOOD CONDITION reloading equipment & supplies. 541-905-5453. BASEBALL & SPORTS MEMORABILIA wanted. Buying old cards, pennants, autographs, photographs, tickets, programs, Pacific

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8 LINN-BENTON EDITION

NW BOOMER & SENIOR NEWS • AUGUST 2016

Picture yourself living at Mennonite Village... AN Not-for-Profit Not-f ot-fforr-Pr Profit fi Contin CContinuing ontii uing Care ontin Car Carre RRetirement etir irement Community CComm om unit omm ity Providing Pr Prooviding Life-Enriching Liffee-Enriching Services Servicces A 275-acre setting,, Mennonit Mennonitee VVillage provides 275-acre community community in a rrural ural setting illage pr ovides spacious living spaces levels shortt driv drivee frfrom spaces ffor or all lev els of rretirement etirement – just a shor om Corvallis, Corvallis, Salem, Salem, or Eugene. Eugene. With With award-winning award-winning healthcare healthcare and beautifully landscaped grounds, Mennonitee Village landscaped gr ounds, Mennonit Village is an inclusive inclusive community community of amazing people. people.

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• • • • •

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541-928-7232 Mennonite Mennonite Village Village considers considers and admits people age 55 and older without regard national regard ttoo rrace, ace, ccolor, olorr, na tional origin, religion, religion, gender, genderr,, sexual sexual orientation, orientation, or disability. disability.

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