Active
Active
AA
ctivective
Senior
s
December 2020
Merry Christmas
From all of us at the Klamath
Village and Senior Center; nine
Board Members, twenty two Staff
and 125 Volunteers.
Stay warm, stay home and wear
your mask if you go out.
We wish you bundles of love,
peace, happiness and joy in this
Christmas Season.
Those pictured are a mixture of Staff,
Board of Directors and Volunteers
(not all were available for photograph)
2 • Active Seniors | December• 2020
Winter Solstice
The Sun ‘Stands Still’
The term solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning ‘the
Sun stands still’. This is because on this day, the Sun reaches its southern-
most position as seen from the Earth. The Sun seems to stand still at the
Tropic of Capricorn and then reverses its direction. It’s also common to
call it the day the Sun turns around.
In the Northern Hemisphere, astronomers and scientists use the
December Solstice as the start of the winter season, which ends on the
March Equinox.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the December Solstice is the Winter
Solstice and the shortest day of the year.
Although winter is the season of dormancy, darkness and cold, the
December Solstice marks the “turning of the Sun” and the days slowly
get longer. Celebrations of the lighter days to come and nature’s
continuing cycle have been common throughout cultures and history
with feasts, festivals and holidays around the December Solstice.
Christmas Celebrations
In modern times Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of
Jesus Christ on Christmas Day, which falls on December 25.
However, it’s believed that this date was chosen to offset pagan
celebrations of Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti. Some believe that
celebrating the birth of the “true light of the world” was set in
synchronization with the December solstice because from that point
onwards; the days began to have more daylight in the Northern
Hemisphere.
Christmas is also referred to as Yule, which is derived from the Norse
word jól, referring to the pre-Christian winter solstice festival.
Feast of Juul
The Feast of Juul was a pre-Christian festival observed in Scandinavia at
the time of the December solstice. Fires were lit to symbolize the heat,
light and life-giving properties of the returning sun. A Yule or Juul log
was brought in and burned on the hearth in honor of the Scandinavian
god Thor.
Thursday is Thor’s day
A piece of the log was kept as both a token of good luck and as kindling
for the following year’s log. In England, Germany, France, and other
Continued on Pg 4
Contact information
General Information —
Rolland Bailey: 541.883.7171
Donations — Shawn McGahan:
541.883.7171 ext. 136
Meals On Wheels Assistance
Contact Klamath Lake
Counties Council On Aging —
at 541.205.5400
Transport Dispatcher —
Cindy Dupart
541.850.7315
Bingo Information —
Linda Breeden:
541.883.7171 ext. 115
Medicare Counseling —
541.883.7171
Executive Director —
Marc Kane: 541.883.7171
ext. 117
Volunteer Coordinator —
Ginnie Reed: 541.883.7171
ext. 128
Website —
www.KlamathSeniorCenter.com
All content for this publication
has been provided by the Klamath
Basin Senior Citizens’ Center.
For questions, suggestions and
general information regarding this
publication, please contact the
Klamath Basin Senior Center at
541.883.7171.
Produced in conjunction with the
Herald and News.
SENIOR Center receptionist
Rolland Bailey
FIND YOUR PURPOSE
Nancie Carlson hardly looks 83 years
old, although she is, and that may
be because, as she says “personal
health and wellness have been my
passion” for years.
A er re ring from a
career in marke ng at a
Silicon Valley computer
company in 2001 and
moving to Klamath Falls,
she was able to translate
that passion into helping
seniors maintain their
health and wellness. “I
took courses focused on
the aging popula on”
and for a number of
years she was a personal trainer; and,
taught water aerobics, aqua jogging
and land-based classes.
She also “used to do 100K
bike rides” and although she isn’t
doing that any longer, she walks “a
couple of miles ve or six mes a
week and, because of the pandemic,
does weight training at home.” And
she writes a monthly column called
Nancie’s Corner: Senior Fitness,
which appears in this supplement.
She also delivers over twenty meals
once a week in the Meals on Wheels
program to seniors and disabled
individuals and says, “I love doing
that.”
She values that opportunity
to work with an amazing set of
volunteers and kitchen staff at the
Senior Center and especially enjoys
the personal contact with clients.
“It’s the chance” to check in with
people, to “see if they are okay and
say, ‘How are you doing?’ If they are
not okay, then the Area Agency on
Aging is alerted.
In talking to me, she helped
me to understand what
a huge and important
program Meals on Wheels
actually is. Meals are
delivered Mondays
through Fridays, and on
Fridays that includes two
extra meals--frozen ones,
as well as beverages, for
the weekend. In all, over
6,000 meals are delivered
every month. Because it’s
such a large undertaking
new volunteers are always welcome,
and people who think they might like
to do that can call the Senior Center at
(541) 883-7171ext. 128 to volunteer.
There are opportuni es to deliver
meals, but also to help prepare them
in the Senior Center’s kitchen.
Nancie volunteers at the
Klamath County Library. She’s been
a salesperson in The Bookie Joint,
right next to the library on 3
rd
Street, where there are a wealth of
secondhand books available for very
low prices, and she also helps to
maintain the library’s large collec on
of magazines.
In the photograph of her
you’ll no ce that Nancie’s mask
is prominently displayed. That’s
because she feels strongly about the
need to wear a mask, to do our part
helping keep others in our community
safe.
ABOUT OUR VOLUNTEERS
By Carol Imani
December • 2020 | Active Seniors • 3
We are well into the holidays now with Thanks-
giving behind us and Christmas just ahead. Having
given thanks we are now into giving. If there is
one gift I wish we could all give and receive it
would be that we give each other some grace.
We are in a serious pandemic in which it
seems we can’t nd consensus on how best to
manage it, and we just emerged from a divisive
election challenged to move ahead as one. Many
are struggling to balance personal freedom
with responsibility. We can’t have one without
the other. These are trying times. It has been part
of the American culture that we emerge stronger from
having managed through a crisis, and we will again if we all come
together in mutual respect and embrace the responsibilities needed to
move ahead. We may have to temporarily sacri ce some freedoms for
the greater good.
It’s unfortunate that all in-person group activities have been sus-
pended at the senior center in order that we not endanger some of our
most vulnerable citizens, our older adults. We do this without reser-
vation and have found that our patrons have been understanding and
willing to sacri ce. Most grew up in an era of all for one and one for all.
I respect the leadership that our Governor demonstrates in trying
to manage a divided people. It’s a no win job. We must realize that
leadership is a responsibility we must all share. It is likely that the
latest restrictions put in place for our safety will be extended for quite
some time. Lifting those restrictions will come sooner when we all
pull together and lead each other through tough times. The Governor’s
statement that resonated with me was, “you don’t want to be in an
ambulance with nowhere to go.” Now we read that our hospital is
lling quickly with COVID-19 infected patients. Our small rural town is
not immune.
Critical services that continue to be provided by our senior center
include Meals-On-Wheels, transportation services, and our SHIBA pro-
gram that must provide help with Medicare’s open enrollment period
ending December 7th. Many of our exercise classes can be accessed
online now.
Seniors continue to need services at home and need our help simply
remaining connected with others. Our volunteer coordinator remains
on duty to assist and to pair those in need with those willing
to step up as volunteers. We are especially in need of volun-
teers to help deliver Meals-On-Wheels. Our reception desk
remains open to take your call weekdays from 8:00 am to 4:30
pm, Monday through Thursday,
and from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on
Fridays. Call us at 541-883-7171.
It is our hope that we can reopen
our in-person services as soon as
possible, but that day depends on
the collective effort of all to contain
this virus.
All of us at the senior center wish
you a very Merry Christmas. Let us all
work together toward a happier new year.
Come Celebrate Life With Us! All Are Welcome!
Welcome
Marc Kane, Center Director
Safety precautions protect us all
or mail this form to : P.O. Box JE, Klamath Falls, OR 97602
BUILDING AND MAINTAINING A SUPPORTIVE
COMMUNITY FOR SENIORS
Klamath Basin Senior
Citizens’ Center
Name:
Email:
Street Address:
City: State: Zip:
Amount of Contribution:
Does your employer have a matching gifts plan?
Yes
No
My check is enclosed payable to KBSCC.
Or charge my contribution to my:
Visa
Mastercard
AMEX
Discover
Card # Exp. Date CSC
Recurring monthly contribution:
Yes
No
To make a fully tax-deductible contribution to
the Klamath Basin Senior Citizens’ Center
www.klamathseniorcenter.com
4 • Active Seniors | December• 2020
European countries, the Yule log was burned until nothing, but ash
remained. The ashes were then collected and either strewn on the fields
as fertilizer every night until Twelfth Night or kept as a charm and or as
medicine.
French peasants believed that if the ashes were kept under the bed, they
would protect the house against thunder and lightning. The present-day
custom of lighting a Yule log at Christmas is believed to have originated
in the bonfires associated with the feast of Juul.
TimeandDate.com
Winter Solstice
Continued from Pg 2
SHIP TALK
AARP recently ran an article I found
very interesting – and it’s excellent
fodder for this column. So let’s get
going.
1. Not signing up for Medicare
at the right time.
As you approach 65, you’ll want to
enroll in what the government calls
the initial enrollment period (IEP).
This seven-month period is three
months prior to your birthday month,
your actual birthday month, and three
months after your birthday month.
If you don’t sign up during IEP you
get another chance during Medi-
care’s annual general enrollment pe-
riod, which is January through March.
Coverage will not start, however, until
July. AND your monthly premium for
Part B will likely cost you more - be-
cause you’re late.
2. Blowing your special en-
rollment period.
And of course, besides the two ex-
amples above, there are also special
enrollment periods (SEP). If you are
65 or older, when you stop working
and lose your health insurance cov-
erage (or your spouse’s health insur-
ance coverage) you’ll need to sign up
for Medicare. You have eight months
after losing your employer coverage
for this SEP. This lets you sign up
for Medicare without facing that late
enrollment penalty. Note: Medicare
does not count retiree health insur-
ance or COBRA as job-based cover-
age. So if that’s the insurance you
have, you’ll need to re-read mistake
no. 1 above and sign up for Medicare
when you turn 65 or face that late en-
rollment penalty.
3. Delaying enrollment when
your job insurance is sec-
ond in-line.
Even when you have employ-
er-based coverage. Some employers
can designate Medicare as your pri-
mary health coverage and only con-
tinue to cover you as a secondary
insurance. And this secondary insur-
ance will only cover you if you have
Medicare. Conversely, if your job in-
surance is still primary, Medicare will
cover you as a secondary. Bottom
line here is to ask your benets man-
ager or human resources department
at your job what their policy is and
what you need to do.
More mistakes will be covered next
month. In the meantime, be sure to
give us a call at
541-883-7171 at the senior cen-
ter and make an appointment with a
certied counselor if you have more
questions.
Anne Hartnett, SHIBA Coordinator
COMMON MEDICARE MISTAKES
Follow our Facebook page for more information
about our Outback Thrift Shop sales, etc.
Following guidelines, we hope to open the Outback
Thrift Shop this month.
Lakeview December 2020 Events
Meals will be distributed from the Lobby. This means a step closer for
everyone.
Following guidelines, we are closed now until December 2nd.
TRIPS
Following guidelines, our Transportation appointments are being
kept on schedule.
Lakeview Local operates 8-5 on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the
month. The service is FREE, so call to schedule a ride. We require
24 hours advance notice.
First three Tuesdays, 7:30 AM Klamath Falls Trips for Medical
Appointments & Shopping. ( $20.00 donation when you sign up.)
Medford, Bend $30.00
We are now oering weekly trips from Lakeview to Alturas.
Free monthly shopping trips from Christmas Valley to La Pine the 1
st
and 3
rd
Wednesday of the month.
Free day of local transportation in Lakeview scheduled on the 1
st
Thursday of the month.
Birthday Lunch 2
nd
Friday .
Tuesdays & Thursdays stop in for a puzzle swap. (Bring some to trade/
share and take something new for you!)
We provide home delivered meals weekly.
You can reach us at:
11 North G Street, Lakeview Oregon 97630
(541 )947-4966- X 101
We have a Volunteer position open for someone
qualied to take Blood Pressures on Mondays before
the lunch hour.
December • 2020 | Active Seniors • 5
SPOKES Unlimited
is looking for people who need help due
to COVID 19, you must meet these require-
ments:
1. You MUST be a person with a disability.
2. The need must be from the time period from
January 20, 2020 to the current date.
3. The need is a result of COVID 19 (does not mean
that you had COVID 19). Examples:
a. You lost your job because of COVID 19
b. Having a hard time connecting to services
because ofces are closed due to COVID 19 and
you have no way to communicate with them.
c. You are nding it hard to meet expenses
because COVID 19 has created higher prices for
your needs
If you meet requirement number 1 and 2 above,
call and talk to our Independent Living Staff, they
will assess if you might meet the requirements
for these funds. Determination will be case by
case.
Contact SPOKES Unlimited
541-883-7547
Take Control of Your Healthcare Today!
Establish with a primary care provider.
1, 3
A primary care provider (PCP) is someone who knows you
and is in your corner. A PCP will track your health progress and
help you receive the best care possible. Your PCP can work with
a team of healthcare professionals to coordinate your care. Most
importantly, a PCP can help you get access to care when you need
it. No more waiting in lines at urgent care. Make sure to let your
health insurance company know who your PCP is if they do not
already know.
If you have not established care with a PCP, call your health
plan for assistance selecting a one or visit their website! If you
know someone already, call today! It can take time for an initial
appointment.
Communicate with your provider.
2, 3
Your PCP will ask about your health history and any want
to know any changes that may develop moving forward. During
your initial appointment, it is important to ask questions and
understand you know what happens next.
Foc us on prevention.
3
It is important to see your PCP even when you feel good, so
you can stay healthy. PCP visits are for more t han just treating you
when you are sick. Make sure to schedule annual wellness check-ups
because they oer health maintenance, early dis ease detection, and
potentially disease prevention.
Take your medication correctly.
4
You have control of your health, so make sure to follow the
medication routine your provider gave to you. Taking medications
correctly can help maintain your health and quality of life. You may
even be able to avoid a trip to the hospital.
➢ Always take your medications at the same time and tie it with a
daily routine (like brushing your teeth).
➢ Keep a calendar to track when you
took your medications.
➢ Use a pill container and rell it on
the same day each week.
➢ Talk with your provider or
pharmacist if you have questions
about the directions, concerns about side eects, or cannot
aord the medication.
➢ Medications ➢ How you feel
➢ Breast cancer screening ➢ Physical activity
➢ Colon cancer screening ➢ Immunizations
➢ Fear of falling ➢ Bladder control
Remember to talk to your provider about:
Medication Routine
Correct Dos e
Correct Time
Correct Frequency
-Patricia Pahl, Quality Management Analyst
Source 1: mayoclinichealthsystem.org; Source 2: ahrq.gov
Source 3: mayoclinic.org; Source 4: fda.gov
1. Cream soft butter, adding sugar gradually.
2. Add egg yolks, slowing blending. Add flour gradually.
3. Work dough around a cherry to form a ball, about 1 inch
across, but you can make them smaller or larger.
4. Place on a greased cookie sheet (or, on parchment) and
bake slowly at 325 F for 20 minutes, or until golden
brown.
5. Cool completely. Then, shake in confectioners sugar.
6. They are light, and melt-in-your-mouth good. Enjoy!
• 1 cup butter
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 ¾ cups flour
• Maraschino Cherries
BUTTERBALL CHRISTMAS COOKIES
• Readyin:30min.•Yield:36Cookies•Calories:93ea.
6 • Active Seniors | December• 2020
YOGA Class Continues On
ZOOM!
In-person YOGA classes at the se-
nior center have resumed with in-
structor Kim Carsen. Classes are
at 4 and 5 pm. A mask is required. Classes also continue
to be available on ZOOM on Mon-
day, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 to 10 am, so you
may watch and participate at home. To participate at
home you will need a ZOOM meeting ID number and
password. E-mail Kim a day or two before class time and
she will send you the number and password. Her e-mail
address is [email protected].
Kim Carson
Cher Owens Andrew Hyun Charlotte Opp
S. A. I. L.
Stay Active & Independent
for Life
You Can Regain Your Vigor
You can slow down the aging pro-
cess and feel younger by exercising
regularly.
The Senior Center has had to
suspend our SAIL classes, temporarily. In the mean-
time, you can exercise at home, using our SAIL video.
You can nd it at the Senior Center web
site klamathseniorcenter.com. Look for
Health and Exercise Classes, then Click
on SAIL- Stay Active & Independent for
Life.
The video is just a half hour long
and it will help your body and your immune system to
be stronger.
We hope to start classes again in December. Call
the Senior Center to nd out if the classes have re-
sumed.
Phone 541-883-7171. 10:30 -11:30.
Meet the Tai Chi Team
Classes are Tuesdays
Beginner/Intermediate 11am to 12 pm
Intermediate/Advanced 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Intermediate/Advanced 6 pm to 7 pm
Buried in Treasures
This is a class for people who have too much
stuff, otherwise often called hoarding disorder,
and want to learn to be healthier about the
amount of stuff they have in their home.
Classes start on December 4th at the Klamath
Senior Center.
10 am to 11:30 am every Friday for 16 weeks.
Participants may take the Senior Center bus to and from the
class.
Please contact Kathleen Rutherford for more information:
[email protected] 541-622-9562
December FOOD BOXES
The Senior Center will be distributing food boxes on
December 10th
Call before December 8th to reserve your box
541-883-7171
Pick-up begins at 10 am on Thursday the 10th
AND ALL “IN-PERSON” ACTIVITIES
ARE ON HOLD DURING THIS RECENT COVID
outbreak . Please call the center after December
2nd for any schedule changes. 541-883-7171.
December • 2020 | Active Seniors • 7
What Happens When You Volunteer?
The first thing that happened to me when I volunteered was I had a sense of responsibility and accountability. I
had already worked for my living and I wanted to fill my spare time with something fun, kind of a “no brainer”
thing. Well, I soon changed my mind about that! (The “no brainer” thing) I found myself in the middle of
something life changing and life giving. I found purpose again. I began to use my brain, my talents and my
personality again. I was no longer just a retired person who traveled or knitted or watched
TV. I was someone who helped another person find a purpose. I was a
Volunteer Coordinator.
Now days I do more than help find volunteers for the Senior Center, I also help older adults find volunteers to
help them with house work, yard work, fire wood, rides to medical appointments, deliver Meals on Wheels and
so much more…
Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Those were just words to
me until I became a volunteer.
Give yourself the best gift of all this year. Become a volunteer.
Ginnie Reed,
Volunteer Coordinator,
The Village and Klamath Basin Senior Citizens’ Center
541-883-7171 ext. 128
8 • Active Seniors | December• 2020
Long before the advent of Christian-
ity, plants and trees that remained green
all year had a special meaning for peo-
ple in the winter. Just as people today
decorate their homes during the festive
season with pine, spruce, and r trees,
ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs
over their doors and windows. In many
countries it was believed that evergreens
would keep away witches, ghosts, evil
spirits, and illness.
Germany is credited with starting the
Christmas tree tradition as we now
know it in the 16th century when de-
vout Christians brought decorated trees
into their homes. Some built Christmas
pyramids of wood and decorated them
with evergreens and candles if wood
was scarce. It is a widely held belief that
Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protes-
tant reformer, rst added lighted candles
to a tree. Walking toward his home one
winter evening, composing a sermon, he
was awed by the brilliance of stars twin-
kling amidst evergreens. To recapture the
scene for his family, he erected a tree in
the main room and wired its branches
with lighted candles.
In 1846, the popular royals, Queen
Victoria and her German Prince, Albert,
were sketched in the Illustrated London
News standing with their children around
a Christmas tree. Unlike the previous
royal family, Victoria was very popular
with her subjects, and what was done at
court immediately became fashionable—
not only in Britain, but with fashion-con-
scious East Coast American Society. The
Christmas tree had arrived.
By the 1890s Christmas ornaments
were arriving from Germany and Christ-
mas tree popularity was on the rise
around the U.S. It was noted that Euro-
peans used small trees about four feet
in height, while Americans liked their
Christmas trees to reach from oor to
ceiling.
The early 20th century saw Ameri-
cans decorating their trees mainly with
homemade ornaments, while the Ger-
man-American sect continued to use
apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies.
Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright
colors and interlaced with berries and
nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas
lights, making it possible for Christmas
trees to glow for days on end. With this,
Christmas trees began to appear in town
squares across the country and having a
Christmas tree in the home became an
American tradition.
• In 1979, the National Christmas
Tree was not lighted except for the top
ornament. This was done in honor of the
American hostages in Iran.
• The tallest living Christmas tree is
believed to be the 122-foot, 91-year-old
Douglas r in the town of Woodinville,
Washington.
• The Rockefeller Center Christmas
tree tradition began in 1933. Franklin
Pierce, the 14th president, brought the
Christmas tree tradition to the White
House.
• In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge
started the National Christmas Tree
Lighting Ceremony now held every year
on the White House lawn.
• Most Christmas trees are cut weeks
before they get to a retail outlet.
• In 1912, the rst community Christ-
mas tree in the United States was erected
in New York City.
• Christmas trees generally take six to
eight years to mature.
• 98 percent of all Christmas trees are
grown on farms.
• More than 1,000,000 acres of land
have been planted with Christmas trees.
• 77 million Christmas trees are
planted each year.
• In 1963, the National Christmas Tree
was not lit until December 22nd because
of a national 30-day period of mourning
following the assassination of President
Kennedy.
• Teddy Roosevelt banned the Christ-
mas tree from the White House for envi-
ronmental reasons.
• In the rst week, a tree in your home
will consume as much as a quart of water
per day.
• 34 to 36 million Christmas trees are
produced each year and 95 percent are
shipped or sold directly from Christmas
tree farms.
• The best-selling trees are Scotch
Pine, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir
and White Pine.
Article Title, History of Christmas Trees
Author History.com Editors
Website Name, HISTORY
Publisher, A&E Television Networks
Oh, Christmas tree
Nancie’s
Corner
By Nancie
Carlson,
Blues Zones
reporter,
health and
wellness
counselor
As a longtime tness professional with my passion for helping to
maintain the quality of life for the aging population, I am ummoxed
by the resistance to wearing masks.
Wearing a mask is a health and safety precaution.
Nothing more. Nothing less. It behooves us to honor
our fellow citizens, especially the aging and disabled
population, during this viral epidemic. We mouth the
words that we care for others, but do we? Further, is
this a terrible, no good infringement on our rights or is it
a responsibility to care for our fellow humans?
I have even heard whispers that the aging population
is an expendable population. We are at the end of our
years, you say.
We can have a discussion, even a heated argument,
about rights, but here the focus is on our responsibili-
ties as citizens of this community.
Mask Wearing Guidelines (paraphrased from the CDC
website)
• Wear a breathable mask with at least two or more layers. Cloth
and nonwoven masks are available locally or online. The non-
woven, disposable masks are typically 3-layers. N95 masks are
reserved for healthcare workers.
• Secure the mask tightly over your nose and mouth and under your
chin tted snugly against the sides of your face. It is common to
see people wearing masks under their nose. That is not protective
to you or others.
• If you are using a cloth mask, hand or machine wash it in hot
water, rinse and dry after each use. It is helpful to have 2-3 cloth
masks, rotating them.
• Wash your hands before putting on a mask and do NOT touch the
mask when wearing it. Remove carefully by the ear loops.
• Children under two or folks with genuine breathing problems
are not required to wear a mask. But, for those saying they
have breathing problems in protest, consider that real breathing
problems occur when you or someone you love is on a ventilator
ghting for life.
• Face shields alone are not currently recommended. Be sure to use
a mask underneath the face shield.
Finally, please do your research on the virus, masks, and other mitiga-
tion efforts.
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-get-
ting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
Klamath County Public Health: https://www.klamathcounty.
org/1041/2019-Coronavirus
My View on Face Masks
December • 2020 | Active Seniors • 9
Access critical information from local organizations:
• Business & Employee Resources
• Education Links
• Financial & Housing
• Food Access
• Links for Individuals & Families
• Well - Being Tips
Brought in partnership by the Healthy Klamath Coalition
and Blue Zones Project.
WE’VE LAUNCHED A COVID-19
COMMUNITY RESOURCE HUB AT:
In a typical year, the holidays can be
stressful, and this year will likely be no
exception. One of the best ways to manage
our anxiety and stress is to carve out some
downtime. In the original book The Blue
Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From
the People Who’ve Lived the Longest,
author Dan Buettner refers to this as
“Down Shifting”. In the United States, we
tend to value busyness over taking a quiet
break, but research is showing just how
important it is to Down Shift. Among the
cultures where people live the longest,
the act of taking a moment away from the
busyness of life is a common practice.
This holiday season, we felt that it was
important to share a few tips on how we
can all carve out a little time for ourselves
to put our longevity at the forefront.
to longevity, Forbes magazine
1
shares
that taking time for yourself helps people
by more creative, productive, and have
better emotional and mental health. In
addition to the list of ideas shown in the
image, here are a few more thoughts on
how to take advantage of downtime and
Clean or organize a space in your home
Do a puzzle
Get out in nature
Learn a new hobby or pick up an old one
Write in a journal
There are also some great tips on stress
and well-being as well as links to mental
health resources on www.healthyklamath.
org/COVID-19.
If you have resources you’d like to
share, please reach out via email at
Stay well this holiday season, enjoy some
downtime, and Live Longer, Better®.
Take a Moment During the Holiday Season to Down Shift
By Kendra Santiago, PR & Marketing Manager for Blue Zones Project – Klamath Falls
Source: Morin, A. (2017 August). 7 Science-Backed Reasons You Should Spend More Time Alone. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.
forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2017/08/05/7-science-backed-reasons-you-should-spend-more-time-alone/?sh=d7044f1b7ee3.
10 • Active Seniors | December• 2020
Do You Believe?
Children believe in Santa Claus,
Tooth Fairy, the Easter bunny too
For they bring joy and excitement
They’re magical… it’s true
When you wish upon a star
Twinkling high in the night sky
Do you believe in your dreams
Never needing to ask why
Do you believe in yourself
In the life of many others
Through both happiness and heartache
Do you believe in the miracle
Of Jesus birth long ago God’s gift to us all
This Christmas season is the perfect time
As we celebrate with family and friends
To thank God for all our blessings
Believing in the miracles HE sends.
Sharon (Johnston) Pappas ©
Sharon (Johnston) Pappas ©
There is fric on in the air,
And it’s ge ng cold at night.
It’s an elec on year, and
People are up- ght.
The pandemic is upon us,
And we respond as we should.
What else can we do? We respect
Each other, and that is good.
I have faith in God, and
I pray every day.
Hoping that things get
Be� er, in every way!
It’s amazing how quick
Autumn starts to appear,
Reds and gold stand out,
And it all becomes clear.
When the weather cools,
The winds become strong.
They have a purpose, so look
Around, and know you belong.
It rained last night, and
It cleaned the air.
I’m happy to say, “I don’t
See smoke any where.”
I opened the window, and
Let the freshness inside.
It felt so good to not smell
Smoke that I cried.
The res have taken a toll
On all in this land.
It tainted the air, and it
Wanted to expand.
Thank God for our re
Fighters, they work so hard.
They are focused, and commi� ed,
And are always on guard!
So hold on everyone. A
Change is on the way.
I think things will get
Be� er day by day!
A LOOK AT TODAY
By Sharon Hudson
Writer’s Corner
Expressions of
Heart and Mind
Mumkin’s Recipes For Life...
December • 2020 | Active Seniors • 11
He was my Pop. He lived and died in a world
that was very different from what it is now. His
death had a profound impact on me at the time
and each year that it is behind me, it still has a
lasting impact whenever I look over my shoulder
at the past.
If the grave had visiting hours and I could
go ask him how he wanted to be remembered, I
think he would probably say, “I don’t. So saddle
up and move on pilgrim.” He was a John Wayne
kind of guy.
While my thoughts are romantic and would
give me closure, deep down it’s not quite that
simple. My Pop and I were close, shing together
on Waubee Lake from spring until end of fall. As
we shed from his pike boat, he would tell me
stories of his life. Through the, too few, years we
had together, I mentally collected those stories
and added more as he lived.
This is how I remember him:
As a child, he lived on a farm in Indiana and was
pretty much your average farm boy, helping with
the animals and doing other farm chores. His
family was Pennsylvania Dutch and his parents
would speak in German when they didn’t want
the kids to know what they were talking about.
He loved the movies and would save money from
doing extra chores and other odd jobs, to be able
to walk into town, to the only theatre close by,
and see a movie.
One day he walked into town to see one of
the black and white monster movies that was
playing. When the movie let out, he was walking
home in the dark, when he noticed a big, bright
full moon behind him. He walked a little further,
looking back over his shoulder from time to time
and the moon seemed to get bigger and closer.
He got the impression that the moon was chasing
him and he became so frightened, that he ran
the rest of the way home with the moon close
behind.
When he got into high school, he joined the
basketball team and was the star of the team.
His school went undefeated all of the years he
played.
WWII broke out and he joined the Army. He was
stationed in India for a while and ended up in the
Aleutian Islands, waiting for a Japanese invasion
that never really came. While he was there, his
base ran out of fresh meat, so he and a couple
of his buddies went hunting. They killed a polar
bear and were dragging it back to base, when
they were stopped by a DNR Ranger. The Ranger
conscated the bear, claiming it was an illegal
kill since none of them had hunting licenses.
After the war, he got a job as a Fireman on the
railroad. He was working with an Engineer
who loved to tease him. They were on a train
travelling to Chicago one time, when they passed
another train hauling a load of pigs. The Engineer
pointed out the cab window and said, “Look,
George, there goes a load of remen!” My Pop
looked out the window, and replied, “You must
be right. They are too clean to be Engineers.” The
Engineer suddenly realized he had met his match
and showed nothing but respect for my Pop from
then on.
In 1955, the year I was born, he moved my
Mom and two sisters to Elkhart, Indiana, and
joined the police department as a patrolman.
While on patrol one night, he was chasing an
armed robber through a junk yard, along a row
of derelict cars. He lost the robber in the cars
and returned to his patrol beat. A few days later,
the robber was apprehended. When he saw my
Pop at the station, he asked him, “Aren’t you the
big cop who was chasing me through the junk
yard?” My Pop nodded yes and the robber said, “I
was hiding in one of the old cars. If you had come
down one more car, I would have shot you dead.”
This had no effect on my Pop; to him it was just
part of the job.
He retired from the police department after 21
years, at the rank of Assistant Chief. During the
entire 21 years, he never pulled his gun.
He and my Mom moved to a lake cottage on
Waubee Lake in Milford Indiana, his home town.
Shortly after they moved, he decided to run for
county sheriff. In his John Wayne cinema reality,
he thought he was undefeatable. He lost the
by Gary Hartter
Remembering the Life and Death of an Indiana Farm Boy
- or -
John Wayne, the Moon and an Indiana Farm Boy
12 • Active Seniors | December• 2020
It’s a me for love.
It’s a me for thought.
It’s a me for gis, hand
Made, or store bought.
It’s a me to be kind, and
Remember the season.
It’s a me to think of baby Jesus,
Who gives this me a reason!
Colored lights add life to
A world adorned in white.
Helping Christmas me
Twinkle and be just right.
There is Christmas cheer
With smiles and song.
Hugs come in handy, and
You feel like you belong.
An old fashioned sleigh ride
Through wintry terrain
Add memories of a fun oung,
And over me will remain.
It’s a good me to cook with
Your favorite recipe in mind.
Bringing pleasant smells, and
Tasty food. The best you can nd.
The Christmas cactus is
In full bloom.
Sing there quietly
In the other room.
The kids can be fun, and
Set the tone for the day,
Waking parents up early with
Santa hats on, and ready to play.
Presents y open that
Are under the tree.
Everyone is happy, and
Responds with glee.
The day is pleasant, and
Full of tasty food.
Laughter comes from deep
Within, and sets the mood.
A Yule log and hot chocolate
Signal the end of the day.
Cuddle with your other, enjoying,
Warm company your way.
LET IT BE CHRISMAS
By Sharon Hudson
election to the incumbent by a landslide.
He fell into a deep depression and began to frequent bars, drinking beer
heavily.
My Mom put up with it for a while, nally confronting him saying if he didn’t
quit drinking, she would leave him. He turned his back on alcohol and never
had a drink after.
He had left the police department as a 3 pack a day smoker, a habit he
picked up during the war. At one of his doctor’s visits, he was told he had
to quit or the cigarettes would kill him. He quit and put tobacco in the
rearview mirror, but the cigarettes never quit him.
He bought a pike boat and took up shing to keep busy.
He had four grandkids by the time my daughter was born. She must have
been special to him because he always called her “Little Lady.” He never
saw her fth birthday.
In the late 1980’s, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and lived for a year
taking chemo. When the doctors decided the chemo wasn’t working, he
was tattooed for radiation therapy. At his rst treatment visit, the doctor
told him to just go home, there was nothing more they could do for him.
He died shortly after that and was cremated. His box of ashes stayed in my
sister’s closet for three years before the family got together to decide what
to do with him.
We scattered his ashes in and around Waubee Lake, the lake he loved as a
boy and where he and my Mom had retired.
After the memorial ceremony, everyone drove home, except me. It was a
beautiful, early fall night and I decided to walk back home alone following
the shore of the lake. As I was walking home, I noticed a light reecting off
the surface of the water. I turned around to see a big, full harvest moon
behind me. I continued on my way home, glancing back over my shoulder
occasionally, to see the moon getting bigger and more beautiful as it
followed me home.
He was a farm boy, a high school basketball star, a soldier in WWII, a reman
on the railroad, a policeman and a sherman. He was my Pop.
Scott Stevens, M.D.
Physician/Surgeon of the Eye
Mark Fay, M.D.
Physician/Surgeon of the Eye
Jonathan Fay, M.D.
Physician/Surgeon of the Eye
New Patients
Welcom
2640 Biehn St
|
KlamathEyeCenter.com
|
541.884.3148
December • 2020 | Active Seniors • 13
Together we can
help you plan
541-882-2902
Know
your
options
www.klamathhospice.org
so you can
live each
moment to
the fullest.
Kiwanis Holiday Store
Your support makes a dierence.
*Any order of $25.00 or more we will deliver directly to your doorstep if you live
in the Klamath Falls urban area.
*Our See’s Holiday Store at Diamond Home Improvement opens on Black Friday
(Nov. 27th). Stop by and take a look at the latest See’s catalog and place your
order or buy it o the shelves. Booth hours are 11 am to 3 pm
•Henley HS Key Club •Triad HS Key Club •EagleRidge HS Key Club •Klamath Union HS Key
Club •OIT Circle K Club •Steen Sports Park dugouts •SMART Reading Program •Children’s
Fair •F.I.R.S.T. LEGO Robocs •F.I.R.S.T. Tech Challenge Robocs •F.I.R.S.T. Robocs Challenge
•Kiwanis Doernbecher Children’s Cancer Program •Gospel Mission •Food Bank distribuon
at 2 locaons •Dolly Parton IMAGINATION program •Klamath County Food Bank •Boy
Scouts Eagle and Cub Scouts •Folk Music Alliance program •Klamath Outdoor Science School
•Klamath Senior Center •Internaonal Programs: Eliminaon of neo-natal tetanus •SIGN
Fracture Care •Friends of the Children
Kiwanis Club of Klamath Falls 2019-2021 Projects:
Tis the season for gifting your
clients, employees, family an
friends with a gift of
See’s Candy!
In regards to the Klamath Hospice 8th Annual Remembrance
Run/Walk, I would like to write a few memories that often enter my
mind while walking and enjoying the beauty of nature that surrounds
me.
I was somewhat anxious because I wanted the experience to be a
positive one for them and myself. Early in life my Dad had told me
that it was a good idea to leave my religious and political views at the
door. Good advice I tried to keep.
I think often of an elderly gentleman that for the most part was
quiet and did not share his personal life or mention his family. But his
love for his country showed when he took on the daily task of caring
coast. She added that she had not seen her for a while, and sadly, she
mentioned probably would not ever see her again. Later she told me
her sister loved the card but the unspoken words between us were like
a dark cloud in the air. Miles cannot separate hearts that care.
I think most of us perceive ourselves as superhuman and
unknowingly stretch our mental and physical limits if we become a
is the most reluctant to sign up for the hospice services, waiting at the
door and the auto running in the driveway. The changing of the guards.
So many things in life are out of our control and we don’t have the
have.
Peggy Thomas, Klamath Hospice Volunteer and member of the
KBSCC Writing Class.
National Hospice and
Palliative Care Month
14 • Active Seniors | December• 2020
Are you struggling to connect with others?
Are you feeling lonely, sad, or worried?
Are you feeling hopeless about your life?
Unidentied contributions in October for Meals, Transportation and Other Services
amounted to $737.
The Senior Center would like to especially recognize the following individuals for their
regular and/or recurring gifts during 2019 amounting to at least $600 for the year. They
were the following:
Reser Family Foundation
First Presbyterian Church
Geraldine Schindler
Dorothy Winters
Refuge City Church
Lynette Harvey
Howard McGee
Jon Schnebly
Joe Primm.
Burl Parrish
Joyce Moore
Elizabeth Western
Patricia Henderson
Ernie Palmer
Art & Delores Errecart
Mary Waters
Geraldine Schindler
Stan Neitling
Lynette Harvey
Dorothy Winters
Howard McGee
Jon Schnebly
Burl Parrish
Mary Ellen Sargent
Linda Bourcy
Donna Hill
Refuge City Church
Jim Calvert
Rose Chapman
Ernie Palmer
Donna Maloney
Patricia Henderson
Cheryl Gibbs
Jonny Jones
Klamath Energy (Avangrid) Sends Grant Funds
COVID-19 Directives Cause Havoc With Fundraising
DONORS REPORT
Thursday and Saturday evening bingo fundraising games were again suspended in
November causing the center to lose a major source of income. The center depends
on these games to provide much of the income needed to provide matching funds for
other grants and to complement funding for many of our programs. As this is written it
is not clear how long the suspension will be. We are hopeful that Klamath residents will
recognize this loss and help out with personal donations. This is a difcult time to ask
when so many organizations make request at this time of the year. Although all in-per-
son activities were suspended Meals-On-Wheels and Transportation services continue
to operate. Meals-On-Wheels deliveries reached an all-time record high in November
with more than 6000 meals delivered.
Kudos to all those at Klamath Energy (an Avangrid subsidiary) for stepping up at this
very challenging time with a grant for $500. Every grant, large or small, is as important
as another.
A big thanks to all our individual contributors for their monetary support of our
ongoing programs and to those who make donations when participating in programs
that don’t expect to be acknowledged by name. We are grateful to all who support the
Senior Center. October donations of $6,900 were received from the following organiza-
tions and individuals:
The Center continues to encourage you to be a recurring giver. These types of gifts
are so important to the Center because they add stability to our funding. They also send
a clear message to everyone that you have trust in the Center, its future and its impor-
tance to our senior neighbors.
You can become an on-going or recurrent giver by authorizing the Center to charge
to your card periodically, such as monthly. You can also contribute by mail, personal
visit or with a single telephone call to the Center. There is a giving form on page 3 of
this publication.
The IRS has determined that we are a tax exempt organization under section 501(c)
(3) of the IRS Code. Our Federal Tax ID # is 46-0716639.
December • 2020 | Active Seniors • 15
NO MENU PUBLISHED THIS MONTH
CONGREGANT MEAL PATRONS NEEDING A FOOD BOX
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Food boxes will be available during the COVID-19 meal site closure to those who would otherwise have attended our congregant meal.
Boxes are limited so you must call ahead to reserve a box.
Persons picking up a food box will be required to provide information for the Food Bank and will also be required to register with the senior
center as always.
A box of food will be provided for pick up at the blue colored side doors (double door) for curbside pickup. It is not
necessary to enter the building or get out of your vehicle.
It’s not too late to enroll in Medicare Advantage, Deadline is Mon, Dec. 7th!
43906-1
$
0 Premium
$
0 Deductible
$
10 PCP
ATRIO Health Plans has PPO and HMO D-SNP plans with a Medicare contract and a contract with Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid). Enrollment in ATRIO Health
Plans depends on contract renewal. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings call 1-877-672-8620 (TTY 711).
Y0084_MKG_NP10_2020_M
There’s value to having a local agent - at no cost to you.
Our ofce is still open and we can even help you over the phone. Call us today!
(541) 882-6476
New Location: Klamath Memorial Park • 541-883-3458
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16 • Active Seniors | December• 2020
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