OT22

55+ Time

2022

Valued Financial Partner

How to protect yourself from scams

By TLC, A Division of Fibre Federal Credit Union

There are a number of tactics scammers use to manipulate victims into giving out valuable information. If you famil iarize yourself with some of the most common scams, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.

• Don’t trust that the sender is who they claim to be. Names, email addresses, and caller ID numbers can be spoofed by scammers who pose as representa tives of financial insti tutions, government agencies, and popular retailers. If you receive a call or text directing you to provide sensitive information or visit an unfamiliar website, nev er respond or click any links. Instead, contact the organization directly at a publicly published number to verify wheth er there is a legitimate need to address your accounts.

• Scammers may use incentive tactics involv ing easy money, fantas tic deals, or emotional triggers.

Secret shopper scams entice victims into depositing fake

checks to purchase gift cards and keep some extra money for them selves. Victims can learn too late that the checks are counterfeit and they end up being respon sible for all losses for the gift cards and fees as sociated with depositing a bad check.

“Get Rich” or “Get Thin” scams target consumers to sign up for a deal with recurring billing cycles that are difficult to stop.

Online shopping scams trick victims into thinking they’re getting a deal they can’t pass up. A high-ticket item might be “given away” or sold at a great value if the victim can just pay for shipping or travel expenses in advance. Of course, the item never arrives and the victim loses the cost of the expenses. Other itera tions include sites that sell counterfeit goods at a low price, or fake websites that take your payment information and then disappear.

Romance scams begin by showering victims with flattery and praise, and then claim ing to need money for various reasons so they can finally be together

in person. Common stories include need ing money for travel expenses to come visit, money for medical bills, or help paying off debt so they can begin a life together debt-free.

Scammers may also use high-pressure tactics to cause panic and com pliance in victims.

Family emergency scams create anxiety in victims who believe a family member is in need of urgent help. A commonly used story is that a grandchild travel ing in Mexico or Canada has been taken to jail and needs bail money or immediate payment for a medical emergency.

Scammers may also pose as government or law enforcement agents stating the victim or a member of the victim’s family risks arrest if a fine isn’t paid immedi ately.

Scams like these can be prevented if you slow down and assess exactly what is asked of you before acting or responding. Trust that little feeling you get if something doesn’t seem right, or something is just too good to be true. Chances are, that feel ing is spot on.

Medicare Enrollment Periods: All questions answered

If you’re turning 65 or over 65 or under 65 but on disability for at least two years, you may qualify for Medi care. It’s very important to know the different Medicare Enrollment periods to prevent lapse of coverage or paying for penalties.

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) happens on your 65th birthday: three months before your 65th birthday, the month of that birthday and three months after (7 months total). This means that if you turn 65 in May, you can enroll in Medi care Part B in February, March or April, and if you do, it will become effective May 1st. If you enroll in May, it’ll kick in June 1; in June, on Aug. 1; in July, on Oct. 1; and in August, on Nov. 1 — because, that’s how it is.

You can …

• Change or enroll on a new Medicare Advantage plan

• Enroll on a standalone prescription drug plan

• Enroll on a Medi care Supplement with a guaranteed issue.

You have 6 months of open enrollment which starts the same month that your Medicare part B starts. If you missed this enrollment period, you can be charged a higher pre mium or turned down.

Neither Medicare or Medigap cover prescriptions so you have to enroll on a stand alone drug plan.

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period runs annu ally from October 15 to December 7. You can change or enroll on a new Medicare Advan tage plan. You can also go back to Original Medicare and enroll on a stand-alone Prescrip tion drug plan from a Medicare Advantage plan, if you have a Medicare Advantage, you may switch to

Original Medicare.

You may also change and enroll on a Medi care Advantage if you’re on Medicare Supplement.

Medicare Special Enrollment Period is

when you may qualify to enroll in a plan or change the plan you may be currently enrolled in, even when the Annual Enrollment Period has ended.

You can change or enroll on a new Medicare Advantage plan or you can also go back to Original Medi care and enroll on a stand-alone Prescription drug plan from a Medicare Ad vantage plan

If you have a Medi care Advantage, you may switch to Original Medicare, enroll on a

stand-alone prescrip tion drug plan and enroll on a Medicare supplement.

You may also change and enroll on a Medi care Advantage if you’re on Medicare Supplement.

Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period

If you declined Medi care Part B because you either couldn’t afford the premium or didn’t want it, you have to wait during Gen eral Enrollment Period between Jan 1- March 31 every year to enroll on part B. Your part B will take effect on July

of the same year you applied. If you sign up after your Initial enroll ment, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty (LEP) of 10%. This is for each full 12-month period when you don’t have Part B but were eligible to sign up.

If you refused Medicare Part B because you had group insur ance through work or spouse’s insurance, you may sign up as early as the following month.

The penalty won’t apply if you have cred itable coverage when you first eligible for Medicare.

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Eating Up and Down The North Coast

By Rob Scheps

For the Headlight Herald

Great food abounds on the Oregon Coast. As a part time resident, I’ve assem bled some secret and better known spots for excellent food of all types.

Starting in Lincoln City, we’ll make our way up the Coast to Astoria. First off, a slight detour, dipping just below LC to lovely Gleneden Beach.

This tiny town has a first rate restaurant, the Side Door Cafe. Previously a music venue under the same name, this standby has excellent food. Soba, halibut,and gor gonzola quesadilla are standouts. Open Tues- Sat.

North a few miles to Lincoln City, a large town by Coastal standards, and filled with tourists. However, if you know where to eat you’ll have a great experience.

Blackfish Cafe’ is fantastic for lunch. The grilled salmon on green beans is a fre quent special and perfectly done. Ask for it. Everything is good here, no exceptions.

The Inn at Spanish Head is a landmark - a beautiful hotel with sweeping ocean views. Their Fathoms Restaurant and Bar serves seven days, all three meals. My lo cal friend suggests their tasty and inexpensive breakfast.

Going north, after passing the tiny vil lages of Cloverdale, Hebo and Beaver where there’s not much activity, stop in tiny Hemlock, just south of Tillamook.

Bear Creek Artichokes is your destina tion, right on 101. The address is listed as Cloverdale which is geographically incor rect.

Bear Creek is a bucolic multiplex, with a well stocked store, delicious cafe and for esty grounds with flowers, a greenhouse and a fishpond.

My ideal meal at BCA is the grilled cheese / artichoke dip sandwich, choco

late lava cake, and a local beer from Ft. George or Pelican Brewing. Grab an outdoor rocking chair and you’ll forget all about the beach for a bit. Owner Amanda will take good care of you.

Make your way up the road towards Tillamook. On the South end of town, find J’Andy Oyster Company in their new digs at Hidden Acres. Sweet little local oysters are worth stopping for. The deli next door has pretty good pizza too.

Entering downtown Tillamook, there’s a wide range of good food. Our focus here is Mexican food and food trucks. There are many good local options for Mexican, but I’d zero in on Luz, a quaint little joint with great (camarones) shrimp tacos; and La Mexicana, a cute restaurant in a con verted house on 3rd St. downtown. Cheap lunch specials include an extraordinary Chile Colorado, with tender beef chunks cooked in a red sauce.

Not usually a big fan of food trucks, I found three that are recommended wholeheartedly. On First Street there’s a plaza of them but Sab is my pick for tasty Thai including drunken noodles, and a killer Masaman curry. Look for the light blue truck.

Close by, out Third Street, we find Antonette’s where the MooShroom, a roast beef sub with horseradish and mush rooms wins the day. Choose the home made potato salad for your side. There are picnic tables although you order via drive through.

On 2nd Street, don’t miss Sarasota’s. Excellent coffee, baked goods, world class cupcakes, and the area’s best biscuits ‘n’ gravy. Open Tues- Sat.

At this juncture, take a side trip to Netarts, aquiet little town with great bay views.

Stop at Bay Market, where the owner makes homemade Indian food daily.

Vegetable samosas are savory while the curries, chicken or vegetable are mild and delicious. Take them home or to the beach.

If skipping Netarts and staying on 101, you’ll pass Tora Sushi which has a great happy hour 4- 6 pm weekdays. Exiting downtown, pass through a more open strip mall-ish area and find Recess, a clas sic food truck with delicious sandwiches and daily “pattycakes” influenced by owner Jen’s Indiana background. Picnic tables in the grass make a nice pastoral place to consume your meal.

Next up is tiny Bay City, which has a lot of good food for such a small town.

For breakfast, Downey’s has standard fare on a high level, while Mana’s Kitchen does baked goods really well. Don’t miss the fresh scones.

The Landing is the only bar in town, and they serve up unpretentious and really good burgers and soups .

Finally drive out on the spit West of town to the Fish Peddler, one the coast’s best seafood markets. Perfect clam chow der with oyster shooters that you can take and sit with by the bay.

Next stop, Garibaldi. Two food trucks on the South end, a great little breakfast truck next to Sea Baron, with tasty fish and chips. More on this later. On the North end of town, try Pirate’s Cove for excel lent local seafood dinners, good cocktails, and stunning views of Garibaldi Bay.

Rockaway Beach - two sneaky places to share.

Littoral is a hip, beachy cocktail bar that recently moved from the North End to the Upper Crust Pizza building. Owner Siobahn has discerning taste with great beers, cocktails and desserts on offer. Funky mood music completes the picture. Open Thurs - Mon. at 4 p.m.

Just north of there is RB Little Store,

the greatest small deli on the North Coast. Amazing sandwiches - egg salad, grazer and li’l cheese are faves. They also carry a selection of groceries and fresh vegeta bles providing everything you need for a beach weekend. Open Wed-Sun. Wind your way next to the cute sleepy village of Wheeler. The star here is Salmonberry Saloon. Tremendous handmade pastas by co-owner Chantelle combined with wood fired pizzas; fat, juicy Netarts oyster shooters; a full bar and a very pricey but over the moon chocolate mousse. Caution - very popular, arrive early. They’re open just Fri- Mon. 5-9 p.m. Sit on the back porch viewing the bay for a peaceful hang with mountain views and birds.

Nehalem is just around the corner wending North. The stars here are the twin businesses of Buttercup in front, Riverside Fish and Chips in back. Either way, enjoy eating on the Nehalem River. Buttercup specializes in the cool tandem of chowders and ice cream. The ice cream is amazing with rotating flavors. The chow ders include a Thai Green Curry chowder, made while you wait. Add seafood to it and you have a bowl of perfection.

Follow the red footsteps shaped like fish to the back yard where Riverside serves, from a truck, possibly the very best fish and chips on the North Coast. Light, flakey and delicious.

Don’t miss Wanda’s Cafe on the way out of town for great pastries and breakfasts.

Manzanita is a gorgeous town with long beaches. Yolk has excellent break fast. Manzanita News and Espresso has dished up great pastries, coffees, and a killer magazine selection for over twenty years. There is a cozy patio too.

Up the road to Cannon Beach, a jewel of a town. A few disparate recommenda tions here. The Wayfarer traditionally has the best crab cocktail. Driftwood Inn is known for clam chowder. Lazy Susan Café is a long beloved breakfast spot; and

Laurel’s Wine Shop has a fabulous selec tion of wines from all over the world. She’s glad to help you find the perfect bottle for your tastes.

Seaside: Rather crowded, so sometimes it’s easier to drive through. However there’s a great seafood market, Bell Buoy, and Nonni’s Italian Bistro earns unilateral raves.

Astoria, the final frontier. This old city in the Upper Left corner of Oregon has really come up in the last few years. Tons of hotels and restaurants. But let’s look at two hidden favorites you might not find on your own.

Detour a bit East on the Warrenton / Astoria Road, where you’ll find an area known as Jeffers Gardens, rarely seen by tourists. Taps Espresso is a great place but the name is a bit of a misnomer. They are a coffee shop in the morning, and a bar and grill in the afternoon. Great burgers, great bartenders, and a cute patio make this a perfect lunch stop off the beaten path.

Up the hill en route to Astoria Column, a well known landmark, you will find a sneaky place: Peter Pan Market and Deli. Cozily ensconced in a residential neigh borhood, Peter Pan serves delicious sand wiches and paninis. They also have grocer ies well stocked and a small front porch.

On Pier 39 (39th Street) on the North end of town, drive over a rickety wooden bridge. Park if you can and enter the old Bumble Bee Cannery building which is now a free, cool, self guided museum. Across the hall find the excellent Coffee Girl. Great lunches, pastries, coffees and a killer view of the Columbia River if you want to sit outside. The magnum opus here is the chocolate zucchini cake, the best I’ve ever had. Creamy and moist with perfect frosting: maybe you’ll be lucky that they have it when you visit.

Knowing where to eat always enhances a vacation on the Oregon Coast or just a day trip, so try the places above and enjoy.

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OUR TIME 55+ 2022

Publication of the Tillamook Headlight Herald and Country Media. Inc.

Second Street, Tillamook, OR 97141

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advertise contact Katherine Mace, headlightads@countrymedia.net or call 503-842-7535

Warren

Celebrate Life at Every Age at Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers

By Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers

You wake up in the morning and enjoy a delicious breakfast with friends and neighbors, with the cook ing and cleaning all taken care of.

From there it’s off to a fitness class to get your body moving, followed by a crafting hour where you can let your imagination roam.

After a lunch which includes a vari ety of tasty options to choose from, you and your friends show off your musical abilities at karaoke, where you take turns belting out your favor ite tunes.

From there it’s time for happy hour, and then dinner prepared once again by a talented kitchen staff, without you having to lift a finger to either cook or clean up.

And it all happens right outside your front door with an entire neigh

borhood of people to join you in all the fun.

That’s a day in the life at Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers.

Our team takes care of all the de tails so that you can enjoy life on your terms. With a dedicated care staff tending to your health and wellness needs, and a life enrichment team here to help create moments of joy and camaraderie, there’s a little bit of everything at our community.

Independent and Assisted Living Options

At Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers, we have both independent and assisted living.

Independent Living is for older adults who continue to enjoy their favorite activities, while maybe wanting to do less work around the house. Independent Living residents

are still able to take care of dayto-day tasks like dressing, hygiene and personal care, but are ready to spend more time enjoying life and less time worrying about the small stuff.

In assisted living, residents might need some assistance with dressing, hygiene, medication management or other routines. Our team is here to help residents get the most out of life, while creating events and programming that promote longevity and independence.

Celebrate Life at Every Age with Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers

At Prestige Senior Living Five Riv ers, our goal is to provide quality care with a strong focus on wellness. We believe that it’s not enough to simply care for those we serve, but to also provide residents ways to stay ac

tive and engaged by nurturing body, mind and spirit.

Our community proudly offers Celebrations, a wellness-focused lifestyle program designed to help you celebrate life and feel your best, no matter your age.

Celebrations is focused on six well ness categories that allow you to explore different hobbies, pastimes and skills. Through these six catego ries, we promote both physical and mental health with industry-leading programming, providing you with fulfilling, engaging activities to build the life you love at Prestige.

Are you ready to celebrate life with us?

For more about our Celebrations lifestyle program or our community, visit us online at prestigecare.com/ FiveRivers or call us at (503) 842-0918 to schedule your visit.

At Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers, we believe that it is not enough to simply care for those we serve, but to also provide residents ways to stay active and engaged by nurturing body, mind and spirit.

Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers T: (503) 842-0918 prestigecare.com/fiverivers

CELEBRATE LIFE AT EVERY AGE

Our independent and assisted living community proudly offers

Celebrations, a wellness-focused lifestyle program designed to help you celebrate life and feel your best, no matter your age.

Contact us for more information on how to live your best life!

Rockaway Beach Big Tree Trailhead provides easy access to cedar preserve for all ages to enjoy

The Cedar Wetlands Preserve was annexed to the City of Rockaway Beach in 1980 in an effort to pre serve the lush, diverse environment and for all members of the commu nity to be able to visit and experi ence this rare 45 acre old-growth forest.

While options for hiking can sometimes be challenging for families with strollers and for those with disabilities, this ADA (Ameri cans with Disabilities) complaint boardwalk runs from Highway 101, straight to the 154 foot Western Red Cedar tree that is Rockaway Beach’s oldest resident. The raised board walk is 4 feet wide with turnouts, curbs and railings.

“It’s basically exactly the same way it was 100 years ago, you get to experience all of the diverse nature without getting muddy,” Bill Hassell, the ambassador of the Rockaway Beach Big Cedar Tree Boardwalk said.

The area also contains many large trees native to the area and a wide variety of indigenous flora, with Heit miller Creek running throughout.

According to Hassell, the board walk itself is 3000 feet long from parking lot to the tree, where there is a picnic table and some benches for visitors to enjoy. The walk is open daylight hours year round with a park ing lot that can hold 10 cars and an ADA toilet. The Old Growth Cedar Preserve Project was completed in June 2020.

“The entire thing was done with respect for nature,” Hassell said. Con tractors ensured nothing was dam aged during construction by using unique diamond-shaped piers.

The Big Cedar Tree has been esti mated to be approximately 500-900 years old by the Nature Conservancy Committee. The ongoing theory is that this cedar was among those few coastal trees to survive the impact of a tsunami wave in 1700.

With visitors now numbering around 300 people each day, the

The centerpiece of the Old Growth Cedar Preserve is a Western Red Cedar that is several hundred years old. It is 49 feet in circumference. Photo by Katherine Mace

boardwalk is one of the most easily accessible hikes on the Oregon Coast.

“It gives a good feel for what it’s like to be in an old-growth forest and I think more people would enjoy it if they knew it was there and how easy it really is for anyone to explore,” Has sell said.

To experience Rockaway Beach’s

largest treasure for yourself, access the Old Growth Cedar Preserve Trail head just off Highway 101 north of Spring Lake near E Washington Street (by the Welcome to Rockaway Beach sign).

The Old Growth Cedar Boardwalk is dedicated to former Rockaway Beach City Manager Terri Michel.

Photo by Katherine Mace

Courtesy photo

Seaside Outlets offers wide variety of shopping plus holiday events

Seaside Outlets invites you to visit this fall and holiday season. We are a family friendly mall located along side Highway 101 in the north part of Seaside next to Coming Attraction Theatres Seaside Cinemas. We fea ture popular national brands as well as local busi nesses includ ing KSWB Radio Clatsop 98.1 FM & 840 AM.

Advantage Dental and CMH Medical Group provide healthcare and pharmacy services at their Seaside Outlets location.

Here at Seaside Outlets you will find a wide variety of apparel, accessories and footwear for all ages. Services include dental & health care clinics, a pharmacy, an English-style pub, Japanese dining, Funtastic Arcade and a party supply store.

Join us this year for these upcoming events:

• Halloween Trick or Treat

Oct 31, 3-6 P.M.

• Early Open Day After Thanksgiving Sales Event

Starts 7 A.M.

• Kiwanis Christmas Trees for Sale

Early December

• Pictures with Santa

December 10 & 11, 11 A.M.-4 P.M.

December 14, 4 P.M.-7 P.M.

• Christmas Eve Open 10 A.M.-5 P.M. (Closed Christmas Day)

• New Year’s Eve Open 10 A.M.-5 P.M.

• New Year’s Day Open 12 P.M.-5 P.M.

Visit our website and facebook to keep current on store specials, holiday events and employment opportunities.

Youngsters enjoy trick or treating our stores 3-6 P.M. on Halloween.

We offer Pictures with Santa in December.

The Seaside Outlets directory features coupons good through 2023.

The Seaside Outlets is also home to one of the best wine and beer shops on the Or egon Coast, with over 500 imports and microbrews, 16 rotating taps, 1000 wines, free daily wine tasting and a relaxed bar and seating area. Our directory booklet contains money-saving coupons and can be picked up here or downloaded from our website.

Responsible Guidelines can help to reduce the risk of Problem Gambling

Gambling is an activity that carries risk. For some people gambling can lead to problem gambling. Problem gambling is any gambling behavior that disrupts a person’s life. Consequences of problem gambling include relationship strain, financial hardships, co-occurring substance use, and increased sadness. One way to avoid these consequences is to utilize responsible guidelines if you choose to gamble.

Guidelines Include:

• Create a healthy life balance. Engage in non- gambling activities such as walking, connecting with friends, doing a puzzle, reading, or another hobby.

• Never gamble to cover pain.

• If you gamble, do so for entertainment only.

• Never gamble using money that was ear marked for other purposes.

• Never gamble while using substances.

• Set a dollar limit and stick to it.

• Set a time limit and stick to it.

• Never chase lost money.

• Expect to lose.

• Never gamble on credit.

• Gift responsibly never give youth gambling products as gifts.

• Become educated about the warning signs (see below).

Warning Signs Include:

• Spending more and more time gambling.

• Increasing gambling time and places.

• Increasing bet sizes.

• Creating special occasions for gambling.

• Canceling plans to gamble.

• Increasing intensity of interest in gambling (constant high tension/excitement). • Gambling to escape problems. • “Chasing” losses with more gambling. • Boasting about winning and evasive about losing.

• Exaggerated display of money and possessions. • Decreasing desire to engage in other activities and interests.

• Frequent absences from school, work and home.

• Withdrawal from family and friends.

• Diversion of funds earmarked for other purposes.

If you notice warning signs in someone, you know it would be beneficial to start a conversation with them about gambling. In the conversation show concern, discuss the impacts of problem gambling, and share information about free problem gambling treatment services. For more conversation, tips and other prevention resources visit the Oregon Problem Gambling Resource at www.opgr.org. Local prevention resources are available at the Tillamook Family Counseling Center.

To learn more call (503)842-8201.

Free and confidential problem gambling treatment is available locally at the Tillamook Family Counseling Center, for more information about local treatment call (503)842-8201. For more information about problem gambling treatment, call the Oregon Problem Gambling Resource helpline at (877)695-4648.

We Talk About Everything Hablamos sobre todoa

el trabajo, la vida y las apuestas. Hablar sobre las apuestas puede ayudar a evitar que tu amigo desarrolle problemas con las apuestas.

Tips:

Consejos para la conversación:

Problem Gambling Treatment is Free and it Works:

• Comparte información sobre recursos para problemas con las apuestas

• Para ver más consejos para la conversación, visita www.opgr.org

El tratamiento para los problemas con las apuestas

es gratuito y funciona:

Tillamook Family Counseling Center

(503) 842-8201

Oregon Problem Gambling

Resource(OPGR)

(877) 695-4648

Centro de asesoramiento familiar de Tillamook

(503) 842-8201

Recurso de Ludopatía de Oregon

(877) 695-4648

The Columbia River Maritime Museum

3 Reasons to celebrate …. Lots of reasons to visit!

Join the Columbia River Maritime Museum as we celebrate the return of the Lightship Columbia from her recent drydock restoration in Portland, the opening of our newest exhibit, Shipwrecks!, and our 60th anniversary.

The Lightship Columbia headed to Portland in Octo ber 2021 for repair and restoration work. While undergoing her face lift, the engine room and other areas below deck that have been closed to the public since 1979 were modified into new exhibit spaces. Columbia made her way back the Museum in July. Decks are once again open for visitors.

Opened in June 2022 is Shipwrecks!, our newest exhibit focuses on the terror and fascination surrounding the shipwrecks on our shores – what causes them, how we respond to them, their far-reaching impacts, and new maritime archeological techniques being use to study them.

Founded in 1962 by illustrator Rolf Klep and others, the Columbia River Maritime Museum is Oregon’s office state maritime museum, the first museum in Oregon to be nationally accredited, and is widely regarded as among the finest maritime museums in the United States.

BECOME A MEMBER!

Family Memberships start at $65, and include unlimited free admission to the Museum and the 3D theater for a year. Business Memberships are also available, offering increased name recognition in the community, promotion to Museum members and visitors, and employee benefits and incentives.

MORE INFORMATION about 3 REASONS to CELEBRATE … LOTS OF REASONS to VISIT available at www. crmm.org. Fun for the entire family – MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED!

We will look for YOU at the Museum!

Strategies for physical and mental well-being

Reaching one’s fiftieth birthday in optimal health is an accomplish ment to be proud of. The hard work required to be healthy in midlife includes adhering to a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. Once individ uals cross the threshold and enter their 50s, they can look to some additional strategies to maintain their physical and mental well-being for decades to come.

• Get a pet. Many people 50 and older qualify as “empty nesters,” a term applied to adults whose chil dren have grown up and moved out of their homes. Some empty nesters experience a phenomenon known as “empty nest syndrome,” which the Mayo Clinic notes can be marked by feelings of sadness or loss. Pets can help people over 50 with no children at home overcome feelings linked to empty nest syndrome. The University

of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 86 percent of pet owners felt their pets make them feel loved while 73 percent said their pets provided a sense of purpose. Pets also can ensure individuals over 50 stay physically active and provide opportu nities to connect with other people.

• Prioritize learning. Whether it’s taking music lessons, going back to school or mastering a new hobby, learning has a profound effect on aging brains. For example, a study published in the journal Psychological Science found that memory function is improved by engagement in demand ing everyday tasks. That study re ported that people who learned new skills experienced greater memory improvement than people who only socialized or participated in activities that were not as cognitively engaging.

• Make an effort to improve balance.

Various factors contribute to a decline in balance as adults age. For example, a decline in muscle mass that begins when people are in their 30s is a nor mal part of aging. Over time, that natu ral decline affects strength and agility. Balance exercises can be a valuable component of a fitness regimen that help individuals reduce their risk for falling as they advance through their 50s and into their 60s and 70s. That’s a significant benefit, as the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one out of every three adults age 65 and older experiences a fall each year, and as many as 30 percent of those falls lead to serious injury.

• Embrace your inner socialite. Socialization is important for people of all ages, including individuals 50 and over. A study from researchers at Michigan State found that valuing friendships was a strong predictor of health and happiness among older adults. Opportunities to socialize with friends may increase as people navigate their 50s and children move out or become more independent. Individuals can take advantage of opportunities to socialize whenever possible.

Various strategies can help people maintain mental and physical wellness as they make their way through their 50s and beyond.

Latest news from Tillamook Air Museum

• The museum brought down the A-4 Skyhawk that was the “plane on the stick” at HWY 101 and Long Prairie Rd. for over 25 years. We plan to work with the Navy on the restoration of the aircraft and it will become a static display within the museum.

• We’re also working on our latest display the B-52G cockpit. The display is nearly done, and we are planning a grand opening for it in early spring.

• The museum also recently received a 1942 PT-17 Stearman aircraft donated by the Jefferey Austin Living Trust.

• The museum will host our annual Veteran Day Celebration on November 11th this event it put on by our local VFW Post 2848.

Tips on making new friends after

The early years of midlife are a hectic time for many people. Around the time many people reach their late 30s and early 40s, they’re balancing the responsibilities of a ca reer and a family. But as people enter their 50s, some of those responsibilities tend to be less significant, leaving more time for recreational pursuits.

Hobbies and other pursuits outside of work are often more fun when enjoyed with friends. People over 50 undoubtedly recog nize that it’s not always so easy to make new

friends, even though it’s undeniably benefi cial to have supportive relationships into your golden years. A 2017 study from research ers at Michigan State University found that valuing friendships was a stronger predictor of health and happiness among older adults than valuing family. Those results align with an earlier Australian study that found Aus tralians age 70 or older tended to live signifi cantly longer if they had more strong friendships.

Making friends after 50 might not be as sim ple as it was during your

school days, but these strategies can help men and women in midlife build new friendships.

• Identify your inter ests. Fiftysomethings who have spent the last couple of decades building a career and raising a family can give some serious thought to their interests outside of work or passions they hope to pursue now that they have more time to commit to such pursuits. The more interested you are in a given activity, the more likely you are to stick with it. And the longer you stick with some thing, the more likely

you are to meet likeminded individuals (i.e., future friends) willing to make similar commit ments.

• Utilize social me dia. In years past, men and women over 50 may not have had any readily available tools to reach out and connect with new people. Social media has made it much easier to build such connections. Even the most obscure pas sions likely have a social media group of locals devoted to them, and these groups can be great ways to meet new people. A local runner’s club may have its own

social media accounts, and local governments and community groups often share information about sports leagues and other groups via social media.

• Sign up for group outings. Communities often sponsor group outings to museums, the theater, sporting events, and other day trips. Signing up for a bus trip to a local mu seum presents a great opportunity to meet people who share your interests, providing the potential to build last ing friendships built on a foundation of shared interests.

• Broaden your horizons. Just because you’re in your 50s doesn’t mean your friends have to be. Don’t hesitate to invite young er or older acquaintanc es and colleagues over for dinner or on weekend excursions. Friends come in all shapes, sizes and ages, so you could be missing out if you’re not willing to extend a hand in friendship to people of different ages and backgrounds.

Making friends after 50 can be challenging. However, various strate gies can help men and women over 50 connect with new people.