SENIOR NEWS DECEMBER 2016

Senior Activity Center, 1699 Homes Avenue, Ashland OR 97520

tel: 541‐488‐5342 Online at: ashlandseniorcenter.org tty: 711

HOLIDAY PARTY! Wednesday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m.

You are invited...to come celebrate the Holidays with us at our Food & Friends luncheon. There will be good food, conversation with friends (and you might even make some new ones) and, possibly a visit from a certain white-bearded man in a red suit! Please sign up ahead of time so we can plan for the number attending, or call us at: 541-488-5342. Hope you can join us!

Christmas Carols in French Wed., Dec. 7 at 12:45 p.m.

A group from OLLI at SOU will perform the French Christmas carols that they have been practicing. They will sing many of the old favorites, including... Silent Night, Jingle Bells and many more in French. The audience can hum along with the tunes and, for those who can read and pronounce French, they will have a few extra copies of lyrics. Everyone is invited to sing the warm-up song Frere Jacques: “Frere Jacques, Dormez-vous? Sonnez les matines. Ding, dang, dong.” Come join in the Holiday fun!

Heartfelt thanks to Ashland Fire and Rescue for the delicious 8th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for our Ashland Seniors! Hats off to you all! Gratitude

Go ahead—make my day!

I believe in affirmation. I think people do not get enough of it. It’s as simple as a meaningfully stated “thank you” or a tender smile at someone who looks a little blue. It’s an authentic “Well done” or a personalized “Good job.”

Perhaps you offer simple words of gratitude when someone unexpectedly holds the door open as you enter a building. I still think back on—years ago I believe‐‐when a small boy, who could not have been more than six or seven years old, held open a heavy door for me. My genuine gratitude prompted a sweet, lilting laugh from him—as well as from his proud mom standing nearby. I still feel good about that exchange years later Affirmation given, affirmation received—and then returned yet again. See how simple this can be?

Maybe you already do it well. Maybe you reliably say “thank you“ when a friend compliments you on your new haircut or your husband does the dishes after a dinner party. Or maybe you exude an anony‐ mous air‐sent “thank you” when your computer does not crash after you get a virus warning—or the toast does not burn even though the setting encouraged exactly that. If you in fact do have a computer virus or the toast burns to a crisp, there may be other words you use—but, for now, let’s stay with a positive outcomes and the more gracious approach.

By the way‐‐if you’re the recipient of a simple ‘thank you” there’s no need to discount the affirmation— “You are very welcome” will suffice. Maybe emphasize the “very” just a little?

I looked up the research on the power of a simple thank you. There has not been as much study as the topic deserves. But there was evidence to suggest that positive and optimistic expectations lead to better health. A Duke University Medical Center study involving over 2,000 patients found that the optimistic folks were 30% less likely to die over the 15 years following their cardiac surgery. Now that’s definitely something to be thankful for. It might even deserve an outright hallelujah.

Another way to look at gratitude involves the ‘Count your blessings theory.” As illustration, “Having problems at work?” Be grateful you have work. Or be grateful for challenges and problems—because at least then life is not boring. I’m getting a little circular here I know, Thank you for not calling it to my attention too harshly.

Here is one more notable illustration on the power of gratitude. It’s drawn from a 2013 Harvard‐ affiliated study asking students to critique one another’s writing by using (or not using) affirmations. The assessed measurement of self‐worth in students who were given a tersely non‐affirming critique plummeted as compared to those who were given some acknowledgement in the critique provided.

The students given built‐in affirmation not only had a heightened sense of self‐worth but the affirming feedback triggered more broad‐based thoughtful, helpful behaviors toward others. I think of that as circular in the best sense.

Researchers call it “the gratitude effect” Go ahead—start it moving in your household or your neigh‐ borhood. Thank you. Very. Much.

Sharon Johnson M.S. CAPS Associate Professor Emeritus, Oregon State University Executive Director Age‐Friendly Innovators Inc.

FOOD AND FRIENDS Lunch Is Served DECEMBER MENU 11:30am - 12:30pm

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 3 4 5 6 7 SPAGHETTI ROAST PORK KING RANCH 1 WhitePORCUPINE Chicken Chili 2 BraisedSHAKE &Beef BAKE Tips w/MEAT SAUCE w/GRAVY CHICKEN BAKESeasoned MEATBALLS Carrots OverCHICKEN Noodles Italian Blend Vegetables Whip potatoes Scandinavian Blend Spinach/RomaineSr Cream/Chive Pota ‐ ItalianLyonnaise Blend Potatoes Veg Whole Kernel Corn w/Gravy Vegetables Salad toes PeasBroccoli & Onions & Carrots Garlic Roll Green Beans & Toma‐ Marinated VegetableFrench RollGreen Peas PeachOat CrispBran Bread Peach Cobbler toes Salad Rye Bread Ginger Cookie Cracked Wheat Roll PeanutChocolate Butter & VanillaBar 3 4 5 AmericanSPAGHETTI 6 Roast BeefROAST PORK7 Meatloaf 8 Waikiki Chicken 9 Beef Patty w/ Goulashw/MEAT SAUCEw/ Gravy w/GRAVY w/ Creole Sauce Rice Pilaf Peppers & Onions GreenItalian Peas Blend VegetablesWhipped PotatoesWhip potatoes Sour Cream/Chive Broccoli Cuts Parslied Potatoes Whole Kernel Corn w/Gravy Whole KernelGarlic Corn Roll ScandinavianGreen Beans Veg & TomaPotatoes‐ Sunshine Salad Mixed Vegetables Seven GrainPeach Roll Cobbler Onion Bread toes Green Beans Sugar Cookie Rye Bread Cranberry Crunch Zucchini Brownie Sunflower Seed Roll Mocha Fluff Bar 10 11 Birthday12 Cake 13 BEEF PATTY CHICKEN VEGETA‐ MACARONI BAKED HAM 14 12 Turkeyw/GRAVY Divan 13 Beef StewBLE STIR FRY14 Macaroni& CHEESE 15 Spaghettiw/MUSTARD SAUCE 16 BeefMEATLOAF Mushroom Colcannon Potatoes Oven Braised Potatoes w/RICE Escalloped Tomatoes w/GRAVY Green Beans Steamed Spinach and Cheese w/ MeatSeasoned Sauce Carrots Patty Country Trio Vegetables Green Peas/Mushrooms Garden Vegetable Parslied Potatoes Seasoned Carrots Chuckwagon Corn Escalloped CountryBran Trio Rye Veg Bread Whipped Potatoes Multigrain Bread Marin Spring Garden Salad Mixed Vegetables Birthday Cake Squash Bread CornmealSugar Roll Cookie Multigrain RollSalad TomatoesSunflower Seed RollZucchini w/ Green Peas Fresh Orange Apple Crisp Broccoli Cuts Red Peppers Dill Bread 17 18 Onion19 Roll Garlic20 Bread 21Gingerbread Grace’s Chocolate Birthday Cake Cookie

19 Chicken 20 Baked Fish 21 Roast Turkey 22 Baked Ham 23 Home Tetrazzini w/ Tarter Sauce w/ Gravy w/ Cherry Sauce Delivery Only Broccoli Cuts Parslied Potatoes Delmonico Potatoes Sweet Potato Cuts Meatloaf w/ Gravy Whole Kernel Corn Country Trio Veg Capri Blend Veg Peas & Onions 22 23 24 25 26Whipped Potatoes Potato Wheat French Bread Bran Rye Bread Herb Bread Mixed Vegetables Bread Lemon Square Chocolate Pudding Frosted Pumpkin Bar Dill Bread Mixed Fruit Crisp Applesauce Cookie

26 27 BBQ Chicken 28 German 29 Sweet & Sour 30 Beef Tomato Sandwich Meatballs Chicken w/ Rice Macaroni Closed For Oven Braised Rotini Pasta Green Beans Mixed Vegetables The Holiday Potatoes Brussel Sprouts Carrot Mandarin Steamed Spinach Oregon Bean Medley Seasoned Carrots Salad Multigrain Bread Pineapple Tidbits Cherry Whip Almond Cookie Blushing Pears SENIOR ACTIVITIES CALENDAR DECEMBER 2016

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 Adv Tai Chi 9‐10:30 2 Insurance Assistance Adv Line Dance 10:45 10:00 ‐ 1:00 Mac Instruction 2:00 Blood Pressure 11‐12 Happy Holidays to by appointment Birthday Friday 11:15 Mah Jongg 1:00 ‐ 4:00 Movie 12:30 You and Yours! “You Can’t Take It with You” 1939 (2 hr 6 min) 5 Beg/Int Tai Chi 6 Discussion Group 7 Yoga 9:15 &10:30 8 Adv Tai Chi 9‐10:30 9 Insurance 9:15 –11:00 9:30 ‐ 11:30 Computer Tutor Adv Line Dance 10:45 Assistance at The Grove Mac Instruction 12:30 11:00 by appointment Mac Instruction 2:00 10:00 ‐ 1:00 Computer Tutor Line Dancing 1:00 Christmas Carols by appointment Movie 12:30 11:00 by appt Cribbage Group 1:00 Mah Jongg 1:00 ‐ 4:00 “Stagecoach” Line Dancing 1:00 Somatics 2:45‐4:15 In French 1939 (1 hr 39 min) 12:45 pm

12 Beg/Int Tai Chi 13 Discussion Group 14 Yoga 9:15 &10:30 15 Adv Tai Chi 9‐10:30 16 Insurance 9:15 –11:00 9:30 ‐ 11:30 Computer Tutor Adv Line Dance 10:45 Assistance at The Grove Mac Instruction 12:30 11:00 by appointment Mac Instruction 2:00 10:00 ‐ 1:00 Computer Tutor by appointment by appointment Blood Pressure 11‐12 11:00 by appt Line Dancing 1:00 Holiday Party Mah Jongg 1:00 ‐ 4:00 Movie 12:30 Line Dancing 1:00 Cribbage Group 1:00 “A Christmas Somatics 2:45‐4:15 11:00 Memory” 1997 (1 hr 36 min) 19 Beg/Int Tai Chi 20 Discussion Group 21 Yoga 9:15 &10:30 22 Adv Tai Chi 9‐10:30 23 Insurance 9:15 –11:00 9:30 ‐ 11:30 Computer Tutor Adv Line Dance 10:45 Assistance at The Grove Mac Instruction 12:30 11:00 by appointment Mac Instruction 2:00 10:00 ‐ 1:00 Computer Tutor by appointment by appointment 11:00 by appt Line Dancing 1:00 Mah Jongg 1:00 ‐ 4:00 No Movie Today Line Dancing 1:00 Cribbage Group 1:00

Somatics 2:45‐4:15

26 27 Discussion Group 28 Yoga 9:15 &10:30 29 Adv Tai Chi 9‐10:30 30 Insurance Closed 9:30—11:30 Computer Tutor Adv Line Dance 10:45 Assistance Mac Instruction 12:30 11:00 by appointment Mac Instruction 2:00 10:00 ‐ 1:00 For the Line Dancing 1:00 by appointment Movie 12:30 Holiday Cribbage Group 1:00 Mah Jongg 1:00 ‐ 4:00 “Julie & Julia” Somatics 2:45 ‐ 4:15 2009 (2 hr 3 min)

FRIDAY MOVIE MATINEES SHOWTIME 12:30 p.m.— POPCORN PROVIDED

FRIDAY, December 2 -You Can’t Take It With You (2 hr 6 min) NR 1938 In this Frank Capra classic, Tony and Alice meet and fall in love. But things are far from rosy: He's the son of a millionaire, and she and her wacky family live in a house that's in the way of the senior Kirby's construction project. Will an office building literally stand in the way of true love? Stars: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore FRIDAY, December 9 - Stagecoach (1 hr 39 min) NR 1939 With rumors buzzing about an Indian raid, the Overland Stage is on its way when it is met by notorious outlaw, Ringo Kid, escaped from jail and seeking vengeance on those who framed him. Will the travel- ers band together against the threat down the road where the Apaches could strike without warning—or will they band together? Stars: John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, and more… FRIDAY, December 16 - A Christmas Memory (1 hr 36 min) NR 1997 Award-winning adaptation of autobiographical story by Truman Capote about Buddy, age 7, who is dumped by his parents at the home of elderly spinster relations, where he embarks on a series of adven- tures in the Depression-era rural South. Stars: Patty Duke, Piper Laurie, Jeffrey DeMunn, more… FRIDAY, December 23—No Movie FRIDAY, December 30 - Julie & Julia (2 hr 3 min) PG-13 2009 This heartwarming, truth-inspired tale about Julie, who decides to spice up her uneventful life by cook- ing all 524 recipes in Julia Child’s culinary classic “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” Stars: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, more...

Ashland Senior Program 1699 Homes Avenue Ashland, OR 97520