The Bridge - Whidbey Bridge March 2016 Edition

WHIDBEY

BRIDGE

SENIOR STRIDERS: It is part of the Senior Striders’

philosophy to be all-inclusive. When participants join the club, which takes brisk walks for about an hour every Thursday, there’s no pressure to walk slower or faster than what is comfortable for them. ............... Page 3

FOR WHIDBEY ISLAND’S OVER-50 CROWD

MARCH • 2016

Old Time Fiddlers

page 2

Free

A Whidbey News Group publication

Page 2

FIDDLIN’

WHIDBEY BRIDGE

March • 2016

FUN

Group honors heritage through old-time musical gatherings

By KATE DANIEL

kdaniel@whidbeynewsgroup.com

For Chuck Page, playing the harmonica is far more than a simple passtime.

It’s a symbol of his heritage, the craft having been passed down to him by his grandfather when Page was just a boy.

Recently, it has also served as an extension of Page’s voice.

A stroke resulted in a speech impairment which inhibited his ability to sing, and diminished his confidence in speaking.

Because of this, last year Page stepped down after a six-year term as chairman of his chapter of the Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association, a non-profit organization formed to preserve and promote old-time music.

But he continues to play his harmonica at each of the group’s performances, his skill and confidence unwavering.

“Everybody has a story,” said Page’s wife, Darleen Page, herself a

singer.

Some of the players’ instruments, like the craft itself, have been handed down through generations, she added.

Despite what the name implies, the assembly is comprised of instruments as diverse as their players.

Though there are a few fiddles, there are an equal number of guitars, as well as a harmonica, mandolin, banjo, string bass and dobro. Occasionally, a hand drum, a limberjack (a wooden figure that dances when an attached board is tapped), a modified bass made of a plastic bucket with one string — derived from the old washtub basses — and spoons or sticks (in the old days, these were often made of animal ribs) are incorporated into the mix.

All are traditional, or modified traditional, and all are acoustic.

Group members also play a number of genres and styles, including country and even Celtic. The majority, however, are tra-

Photo by Kate Daniel

Wade Steele and Chuck Page play a song together during a recent Old Time Fiddlers performance at the Oak Harbor Senior Center. Steele yodels and plays guitar, while Page plays harmonica. The group performs at the center the first Friday of each month.

ditional, old-time tunes.

Historically, old-time music reflects the cultures of the early settlers of North America. Its roots are in the traditional music of the British Isles, Ireland and Africa, with French and German influences also present in certain regions.

Although the term “oldtime” dates back only to 1923, the style is said to be the oldest form of North American traditional music, other than Native American music.

Like many elements of folk culture, many of the songs were never written down; instead, they were passed down orally, sung around campfires, in fields and on the frontier.

Pieces include those that immigrated along with their singers from

abroad, as well as those like gospel, with origins in the 19th Century Southeast.

During a recent performance at the Oak Harbor Senior Center, a nearly full house of attentive audience members hummed, sang softly or tapped their toes along with a number of familiar songs.

The group, which consists of several Whidbey residents as well as those from neighboring areas of Skagit and Island Counties, performs at the center on the first Friday of each month.

The performance is relaxed; anyone who would like to takes their turn at the mic, and any who would like to accompany can join in as they please.

Though a number of the

musicians have played for years, or even decades, others are less advanced.

Some, including a young prospective member who sat in on a recent show at the senior center, are just beginning.

Darleen Page explained that the young man’s great-grandfather, also a musician, had brought him along.

Most of the members are age 60 or older, with a handful in their 90s.

Though time or maladies may hinder some performers’ abilities, Darleen Page said it’s no matter to fellow musicians or listeners.

“Everything changes (as people age), but they still love to play and they are entitled to do that,” she said.

“You do it for the love of

it. It keeps some of those people going that wouldn’t be going otherwise,” she added.

Darleen Page said the goal isn’t to produce a pristine performance; it’s about having fun, supporting one another, and preserving the old-time style.

To that end, the group also sponsors music lessons for young people interested in the old-time music tradition, and many members act as mentors for budding musicians in their community.

Whenever possible, the group also provides instruments to those who need them.

“It’s part of our heritage; it is part of our history, and it will die if we don’t make a conscious effort to keep it alive,” Darleen Page said.

Hearing Loss May Be Affecting Your Quality Of Life GET A 3-WEEK HEARING AID TRIAL* Your hearing loss may seem insignificant now but studies have linked untreated hearing loss to real-world consequences1: • Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety • Greater risk of developing dementia • Avoidance or withdrawal from social situations

(360) 678-1423

www.CoupevilleHearing.com *Per Doctor’s suggestion. **See store for details. . © 2016 Starkey. All Rights Reserved. 1/16 42327-16

Contact us today to schedule your FREE Hearing Screening

EW EY N S GR DB

THE

P OU

Locally Owned & Operated

• Fatigue, tension, stress and depression WH I

107 S. Main Street A102 Coupeville, WA 98239

BEST OF

WHIDBEY READERS CHOICE AWARDS

DR. KRISTINE JARRELL Board Certified Audiologist

March • 2016

WHIDBEY BRIDGE

Page 3

Senior Striders opens arms to all walkers

By EVAN THOMPSON South Whidbey Record

It is part of the Senior Striders’ philosophy to be all-inclusive.

When participants join the club, which takes brisk walks for about an hour every Thursday, there’s no pressure to walk slower or faster than what is comfortable for them.

“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, walkers, that’s too much for me.’ We take any ability,” said Langley resident Gillian Beattie, one of the original members of the club. “We want everybody to walk. We’ve had people who are in a situation where it’s difficult for them. We just fit them in.”

The club, which averages close to 20 walkers per session and meets at 9 a.m. in the lobby of the South Whidbey Senior Center in Bayview before carpooling to their destination, provides both physical exercise and a social platform for participants.

The walks typically occur somewhere different on the island every week.

Seventeen walkers were present when the club trekked the woods near Bounty Loop in Freeland on Feb. 4.

Temperatures were in the mid40s during the morning stroll, which the walkers started by setting a brisk pace into the woods.

There were plenty of obstacles along the route, which consisted mostly of mud and areas of standing water that required some maneuvering.

Gary Youngs, a Coupeville resident, was among the faster walkers in the group. A former employee at Boeing, Youngs said he would often spend three hours a day commuting.

Because of this, he didn’t do much socializing with people on the island.

When he retired, he missed the camaraderie of work relationships. He quickly found the Senior Striders as an outlet for both social and physical activity. Youngs said some of his favorite destinations include the Kettle Trails, which run from Coupeville to Fort Ebey State Park.

Photos by Evan Thompson

Above: Helen Shields, who founded the Senior Striders club, helped lead a walk through trails near Bounty Loop in Freeland on Feb. 4. Below: A senior strider maneuvers through a trail near Bounty Loop in Freeland on Feb. 4. The club averages about 20 walkers per hike. The group meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday for about an hour walk. All are welcome.

“This is pretty laid back,” Youngs said.

Beattie tagged alongside Jane Tidball near the back of the pack. Tidball was participating in her second walk with the group having missed a few months while recovering from a bout with cancer.

“Believe me, when I couldn’t do it, it was awful,” Tidball said.

“I really missed the walks and the people.”

Beattie echoed Tidball’s sentiments, saying she would hate not to be able to walk.

“We’ve all proven ourselves in previous lives, we don’t have to do that here, that’s why it’s really great,” Beattie said. “We all go through this stuff. We always make people feel that this is for everybody.”

In order to accommodate all health conditions of the walk-

ers, Beattie and Helen Shields, the club’s founder, take turns walking with the “less leisurely” walkers in the back.

“My whole feeling about this hike is that everybody gets to do it,” Shields said. “That’s exactly what I want, is for no one to feel like they’re holding up the group.”

Beattie has been walking with the group since 2007. When the club first started, only women attended. In the time since, however, the numbers are close to equal between both genders.

The atmosphere is light-hearted and welcoming, Beattie said.

“It’s a very loose group,” Beattie said. “I think it’s being with other people who have an interest in the outdoors and also people of an older age. It’s very rewarding.”

Shields called the club a

“leaderless” group. If Shields or Beattie aren’t present, another member often takes the reins and decides on a location to hike.

Shields said her favorite walking trails include the 100 acres of trail owned by the Whidbey Institute, South Whidbey State

Park and the Saratoga Woods.

Beattie’s preferences change every week.

“Every time I do a new trail, I say this is my favorite place,” Beattie said. “Right now, this is my favorite trail. We just discovered it yesterday.”

VOL. 1, NO. 2

WHIDBEY

BRIDGE

WHIDBEY BRIDGE STAFF Executive Editor & Publisher............................KEVEN R. GRAVES Associate Publisher.................................... KIMBERLLY WINJUM Editor.................................................................MEGAN HANSEN Staff Reporters.........................KATE DANIEL, EVAN THOMPSON Admin..................................... HEATHER SCHMIDT, JILL LIGHTY

Assistant Advertising Manager.......................... TERI MENDIOLA Advertising Sales......................... PHIL DUBOIS, NORA DURAND Creative Artists..............MICHELLE WOLFENSPARGER, REBECCA COLLINS, JEN MILLER, CAITLIN FROST Circulation Manager........................................ DIANE SMOTHERS

WHIDBEY BRIDGE IS FREE OF CHARGE. COPIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE OAK HARBOR SENIOR CENTER, SENIOR SERVICES OF ISLAND COUNTY, SENIOR THRIFT AND NUMEROUS OTHER LOCATIONS ACROSS WHIDBEY ISLAND PO Box 1200 | 107 S Main St, Suite E101, Coupeville, WA 98239 360-675-6611 | Fax 360-679-2695 Copyright © 2016, Sound Publishing

READER INFORMATION: ADMINISTRATIVE: The Bridge is a monthly publication of Sound Publishing, and is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, the National Newspaper Association and Suburban Newspapers of America. Advertising rates are available at the Whidbey News Group office. While The Bridge endeavors to accept only reliable advertisements, it shall not be responsible to the public for advertisements nor are the views expressed in those advertisements necessarily those of The Bridge. The right to decline or discontinue any ad without explanation is reserved. DEADLINES: Display Ads – Contact the office for deadlines.

Page 4

WHIDBEY BRIDGE

If you’ve been entrusted to assist an elderly relative with scheduling preventive exams and putting a health care plan in place, you may struggle with knowing when it’s time to take on a greater role in other aspects of their life.

That’s why now is the perfect time to look for warning signs that your loved ones might be suffering from a decline in financial ability.

Despite years of accumulated knowledge and experience, it is likely that at some point your loved ones’ financial capability will be challenged as they age, making it more difficult to competently handle money-related matters on their own. And this decline can occur even if illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, are not present.

Establishing a plan to manage your parents’ finances is an important task in their senior years, particularly if you intend to engage other family members in the process.

A survey from the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) found that 86 percent of people want their family to help with financial matters if they become unable.

However, nearly 7 in 10 say their family dynamics prevent that from happening. According to the survey, 58 percent of families experience disagreements, conflicts or confrontation with others when aging affects financial decision making.

Whether you’re a child or family member who has been enlisted to help or even charting your own financial future, approaching these discussions

March • 2016

ing longer to complete financial tasks? Does she struggle with everyday efforts like preparing bills for mailing, reconciling bank statements or organizing paperwork?

2. Is the person missing key details in financial documents?

Are bills piling up and has he missed a payment? Is he able to prioritize his regular responsibilities?

3. Is your aging parent experiencing problems with everyday arithmetic? Maybe you recently went out to dinner with mom and dad, and while paying, they took an inordinate amount of time to calculate the appropriate tip.

with candor and an open mind is critical.

“Especially if you’re accustomed to handling money matters privately, learning to talk more candidly about your finances may be uncomfortable,” said Ted Beck, president and CEO of NEFE. “However, allowing trusted individuals to take a closer look at your accounts can help you establish a realistic plan for the future, and help flag any potential concerns.”

One way Beck recommends protecting your parents is to allow view-only access to let

loved ones help monitor for unusual activity on your banking and credit accounts. If restrictions to unauthorized users prohibit this, you can set up an alert program (via email or text) when a transaction over a set amount occurs.

Also, remember to perform regular credit checks to avoid scams and identity theft. Check the three major reporting bureaus and stagger the reports to get one every four months.

Additional tools and resources are available at smartabout money.org to help ensure your

loved ones’ finances stay healthy through these golden years.

Financial Warning Signs New dents, scratches and dings on your aging parent’s car might be a sign of deteriorating driving ability. These are pretty obvious warning signs. With impaired financial decision making, the signs may not be quite as obvious, but if you know what to look for you might be able to spot it early.

1. Is the aging person tak-

4. Have you noticed a decreased understanding of financial concepts with your loved ones? Are they having increased difficulty comprehending health care matters like deductibles, or are they having a hard time understanding the bank statements they receive?

5. Are they having new difficulty identifying investment risks?

Are they able to minimize the risks in potential investments?

Did they recently fall victim to fraud or a scam because they could not spot the liabilities?

Pay extra attention toward looking for the warning signs of mental and financial decline.

Most importantly, take the time to talk to your parents about their wishes and how you can help them.

(Family Features)

WH I

FAMILY DERMATOLOGY CO

THE

P OU

EW EY N S GR DB

“Voted Best Dermatology Clinic 2015”

BEST OF

WHIDBEY READERS CHOICE AWARDS

Robert Mizen

Reese Bliek

MSN, ARNP

MPAS, PA

Ron Wheeland MD

Charles Frosolone MD

Mary Kay Graves RN, FNP

Voted Best Dermatology Provider 2015

Please call to make an appointment at 360-682-5024 205 S Main Street, Bldg B, Coupeville

275 SE Cabot Drive, Suite A3, Oak Harbor

www.familydermco.com

1804 Scott Road, Suite 106, Freeland

From the comforts of home March • 2016

WHIDBEY BRIDGE

Page 5

S. Whidbey at Home to provide essential services for senior citizens South Whidbey Record

goods and services to help them stay at home longer and live where they want to live and do it in a way that honors their personal needs.”

Willeford said that the organization’s website is expected to launch in March. The website will include applications to become members, volunteers, and a trusted businesses. It will also provide background information about the organization and those running it. The program is currently volunteer-run, though Willeford and Ament said they hope to hire paid staff when finances allow them to do so.

A calendar of local events in the community that may be of interest to members will also be on the website, as well as an archive of monthly newsletters.

Willeford said that she

regularly communicates with the South Whidbey Senior Center in Bayview, which serves as a hub for senior citizens living on South Whidbey, in an effort to ensure they do not step on one another’s toes.

“We’re clear what were doing complements what the senior center is doing and is in no way trying to interfere or take anything away from them,” Ament said. “We’re trying to fill in some of the gaps and serve some people they may not be able to reach.”

Willeford’s hope for the program is to debunk the notion that aging is a “teen sport.”

“That image sticks with me,” Willeford said. “On South Whidbey, we have tribes and this is another way to increase the tribe of people who will then

Photo by Justin Burnett

Lynn Willeford helped start and organize South Whidbey at Home, an organization that helps seniors age in place.

care for each other. That’s pretty important when you get older. We all want to

stay active as we get older, and this is a way of giving and giving back.”

J. Johnson Insurance, llc Jim Johnson

Naomi DeMartini

jjins@whidbey.com

jjinsure@whidbey.com

Independent Agent/Broker

• • • •

Independent Agent

Health & Life Insurance Individual & Family Plans-Direct or Exchange Medicare Plans Group Plans for Small Business

360-341-1848

Ken’s Corner Plaza, 11042 SR 525 Ste 112, Clinton, WA 98236

EW EY N S GR DB

“local people serving local people”

THE

P OU

South Whidbey at Home is drawing closer and closer to what leaders hope the non-profit organization will become.

The organization, which will help the 55 and older crowd by providing and coordinating volunteer help for a variety of services, will hold its third public meeting at 2 p.m. on April 2 at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Freeland.

A soft opening for the program is expected to come sometime after the meeting in April, while a full launch is slated for mid-June.

With the help of volunteers, professionals and other staff, services will include rides to the grocery story, friendly visits, bike rides, errands and other day-to-day activities, with the goal being to allow members to live independently while staying active and engaged in the community.

The number of attendees at the first two meetings — nearly 300 people combined — was a positive indication for Lynn Willeford, board president of South Whidbey at Home.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Willeford said. “We just keep moving ahead not sure exactly how things are going to work, but we know where we’re going to end up.”

South Whidbey at Home is offered two types of memberships — full and supporting. Full memberships will cost $240 per year per household and grant full access to volunteer services, South Whidbey at Home’s list of trusted businesses, as well as social and education activities. Full-time members must live within the non-profit’s designated zone of reach, which are homes within the South Whidbey School District or south of Classic Road.

Supporting memberships, where signees can be of

any age or address, will cost $240, with the added wrinkle that members can claim $200 of their dues as a donation on their taxes if they choose.

The goal is that members and volunteers will live within 20 minutes of travel time between each other.

Willeford said that 350 people have signed up for the organization’s mailing list and have indicated interest in either becoming a volunteer or signing up for the program.

Allan Ament, board vice president, said the program serves two major purposes.

“It’s community building,” Ament said. “It’s neighbors helping neighbors. That’s one of the reasons we all live on South Whidbey and how supportive we are here.

Secondly, it will provide access for seniors to

WH I

By EVAN THOMPSON

BEST OF

WHIDBEY READERS CHOICE AWARDS

Celebrating 75 years of serving Skagit and Island Counties OAK HARBOR

Call 360-544-5843 for an appointment

ESCROW DEPT. 360-679-5055 TITLE DEPT. 360-675-2246 • Toll Free 800-829-5263 PATTY FAKKEMA, ISLAND OPERATIONS MGR 1080 NE 7th Avenue, Oak Harbor

FREELAND

ESCROW DEPT. 360-331-4838 • Fax: 360-331-4837 CHRISTA CANELL, BRANCH MANAGER/LPO Christa@Ltco.com 5595 Harbor Avenue, Ste. C, Freeland James St. Bellingham, Sunset Square, Ferndale, Oak Harbor, Marysville, Redmond, Mill Creek and Snohomish.

www.LTCO.com

Page 6

WHIDBEY BRIDGE

March • 2016

Protect yourself from scams

By KATE DANIEL

kdaniel@whidbeynewsgroup.com

When Coupeville resident Joan Wortman answered a call from an adult male claiming to be her grandson, she knew immediately she’d become the would-be target of a common scam.

The voice on the other line, who greeted her with a “hello grandma” was distinctly mature, far different from her grandson’s tone, that of a developing adolescent boy.

The caller said he’d gotten into a car accident and needed some money; Wortman’s real grandson isn’t yet old enough to drive.

“I think you just have to have a little common sense in dealing with them,” Wortman said in a recent interview.

She and her husband have received a few such calls, calls associated with what is commonly referred to as a “grandparent scam.”

The Wortmans have also received several from scammers claiming to be Microsoft technical support aids, telling them there is something wrong with their computer.

These are more frequent, every 10 days or so.

According to the AARP Fraud Watch Network, grandparent and tech support scams are two of the most common

types of schemes specifically targeting senior citizens. Others include “sweetheart scams,” wherein the conman or woman courts the victim through an online dating web site, eventually asking for money; foreign lottery scams, in which the scammer sends a phone call or letter notifying the would-be victim that they’ve won a foreign lottery, but must pay taxes or a “processing fee” to collect the winnings; travel scams, touting deep discounts available to members who pay a fixed fee — often thousands of dollars; fake checks, which prey on individuals selling merchandise on eBay or Craigslist; and charity fraud, in which scammers pose as representatives of a non-profit collecting money for a cause or group, such as the victims of a recent natural disaster.

Identity theft and investment fraud are also quite common, according to AARP, with the former including phishing and theft of sensitive documents, as well as “bogus job opportunities.” The latter includes “free lunch” which involves attending a seminar with a one-time-only opportunity to invest immediately; oil and gas scams asking the victim to invest in innovative drilling techSouth Whidbey Senior Activity Center 14594 SR 525 Langley, WA 360-321-1600

CONGREGATE MEALS-MULTIPLE SITES, MEALS ON WHEELS, ADULT DAY SERVICES, MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION, INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE, CLASSES IN FITNESS, YOGA, TAI CHI, HEALTH, COMPUTERS, ARTS, HISTORY & CURRENT EVENTS, CRAFTS, BRIDGE, CHESS, GAMES, TRIPS, TOURS, AND HOLIDAY EVENTS.

MONDAY THRU FRIDAY, 8:30 A.M.-4:00 P.M.

Join us for Buddies for Buddies, March 1st, 2-4pm

nology; and the gold coin scam, which aims to persuade victims to buy gold and silver coins which are in fact being sold at 300500 percent over their actual value.

According to the FTC, Washington state ranked second highest in the nation for per capita cases of elder financial fraud in 2014. Two Washington metropolitan areas, Seattle at number two and Olympia at number six, were in the top 10 nationwide.

“I feel that they prey on vulnerable seniors,” said Hazel Welliver, executive director at Harbor Tower Village in Oak Harbor.

Welliver said she’s assisted a few would-be scam victims, many of whom had fallen prey to sweepstakes scams, including her 93-year-old father, who often calls to say he’s won, though the prize, like the contest, never proves to be real.

Jean Mathisen, who spent eight years as head of the AARP Washington Fraud Fighter Call Center in Seattle and several years prior as the manager of the Senior Rights Assistance Program with Senior Services of King County, noted that scams related to healthcare are also quite common, particularly Medicare fraud.

Mathisen suggested citizens make a copy of their Medicare card, stow the original in a safe place, and cross out the number on the copy, leaving the letter at the end.

They can then carry the copy on their person.

The number is the individual’s social security number, she explained, making it an easily accessible tool for scammers.

Throughout her career,

Mathisen said she spoke with hundreds of individuals who had been taken advantage of. Scams affect more than just the victim’s bank account, she noted.

“It’s not only money that’s lost, it’s family relationships,” she said.

She explained that when individuals pay thousands of dollars to scammers, expecting a return on their investment, without telling their spouse, it can take a toll on the relationship. In addition, she said, people close to the victim such as family members or caretakers are often the ones taking advantage.

A True Link Financial report on elder financial abuse in 2015 found that seniors lost $36.48 billion annually to elder financial abuse, nearly 12 times the previously reported $2.9 billion.

Of that amount, more than $6 billion is stolen by caregivers or family members.

AARP suggests proactive tips such as enlisting a third-party advisor to keep an eye on finances, keeping a minimal amount of cash in the home, and hiring from a reputable care agency.

In regard to potential telephone or email-based scams, Mathisen suggests gathering as much information as possible and requesting a mailed copy of all documentation before sending any money. Alternatively, if on the phone with an individual who seems disingenuous, AARP suggests simply hanging up the phone. n Additional resources can be found at econsumer. gov, naag.org and ftc.gov

Photo provided

By taking the time to enjoy what you eat, you can develop a healthier relationship with food.

How to develop better eating habits Have your healthy New Year’s habits already begun to fade? Recharge your resolutions in March during National Nutrition Month and remember the importance of developing and following sound eating habits.

The 2016 National Nutrition Month theme, “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right,” encourages you to take time to enjoy food traditions and appreciate the pleasures, great flavors and social experiences that food can add to life.

Here are a few ways you can “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right,” this National Nutrition Month: n Enjoy Food Traditions and Social Experiences: There is an obvious social component to food. Whether it’s a nightly family dinner, a special occasion or social gathering, food often plays a central role. Enjoy the food at these gatherings while also taking time to appreciate the company around you.

Research indicates that family meals promote healthier eating and strengthens family relationships. n Appreciate Foods’ Pleasures and Flavors: Take time to appreciate the flavors, textures and overall eating experience.

In today’s busy world, we often eat quickly and mind-

Let us help you plan for the decisions you’ll need to make Pre-arranging Benefits: Burley Funeral Chapel 30 SE Ely Street Oak Harbor, WA 98277 360-675-3192 www.burleyfuneralchapel.com

• It takes the burden off your loved ones • It allows you to put your house in order • You can select every aspect of your funeral now and guard against inflation • Provide peace of mind, knowing you are not making anyone responsible for your last wishes • You plan together, not alone • No emotional overspending

Call today for more information.

Visser Funeral Home 432 3rd Street Langley, WA 98260 360-221-6600 www.visserfuneralhome.com

lessly. Instead, savor your food, eating slowly one bite at a time to focus on the different flavors and textures. Stop and take time in between bites.

Eating slowly not only allows you to enjoy your food, but it also can help you eat less by giving your stomach time to tell your brain you are full. n Develop a Mindful Eating Pattern: How, when, why and where you eat are just as important as what you eat. Think about where you eat the majority of your meals. Do you eat lunch at your desk or dinner in front of the television?

Instead of multitasking through meals, take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to find a nice place to mindfully eat. n Consult a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist: A healthy lifestyle is much more than choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables.

It’s also essential to make informed food choices based on your individual health and nutrient needs.

A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can educate you and guide your food choices while keeping your tastes and preferences in mind. RDNs are able to separate facts from fads and translate nutritional science into information you can use.

Find an RDN in your area by visiting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics site at www.eatright.org The site also contains articles, recipes, videos and educational resources.

Follow National Nutrition Month on Facebook and Twitter using the #NationalNutritionMonth hashtag By taking the time to enjoy what you eat, you can develop a healthier relationship with food.

(Statepoint)

March • 2016

WHIDBEY BRIDGE

Page 7

OAK HARBOR SENIOR CENTER

SENIOR SERVICES MENU The Nutrition Program depends on 133 volunteers who drive for Meals on Wheels or assist in the dining rooms and kitchens.

Volunteer drivers provide connection to the community for isolated homebound participants, while dining room volunteers help in the busy dining rooms, cleaning and serving. Meals are served at South, Central and North Whidbey locations. For volunteer information, call 360-321-1600.

Oak Harbor Senior Center Special Event for March: Luck of the Irish Dinner and Music 5 p.m. Friday, March 11. Tickets cost $20 per person, available for purchase at the OHSC.

MONDAYS 9 a.m., Quilting Class 9:30 a.m., Muscle Conditioning 9:30 a.m., Wii Bowling 11:30 a.m., LUNCH 12:30 p.m., Ping Pong 1 p.m., Art with Dottie 5 p.m., Tai Chi

File photo

Bingo is held at noon on Thursdays at the Oak Harbor Senior Center.

WEDNESDAYS

TUESDAYS 9:30 a.m., Cardio Fitness 9 a.m., Lapidary 11 a.m., Mexican Train 11:30 a.m., Chess 12 p.m., Line Dance 12-4 p.m., SHIBA Counseling 1 p.m., Knitting Circle 1 p.m., MAC SIG class (second Tuesday) 2 p.m., Vision Impaired Support Group (fourth Tuesday) 6 p.m., Pinochle 7 p.m., Stamp Club (second & fourth Tuesdays)

7 p.m., Wire Wrap

9 a.m., Lapidary 9:30 a.m., Muscle Conditioning 10 a.m., Mahjongg 11:30 a.m., LUNCH 12:30 p.m., Party Bridge 12:30 p.m., Ping Pong

THURSDAYS 9 a.m., Lapidary 9:30 a.m., Aerobics 10 a.m., Wii Bowling 10 a.m., Creative Writing 12 p.m., Bingo 12:30 p.m., Cribbage 1 p.m., SVC History Class

FRIDAYS 9 a.m., Quilting 9 a.m., Tai Chi 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., AARP Tax Aide 11:30 a.m., LUNCH 12:30 p.m., Pinochle 1 p.m., Line Dance 6:30 p.m., Old Time Fiddlers (first Friday) 7 p.m., Country Dance (second Friday)

SATURDAYS Ping Pong, Billiards and Pinochle

COUPEVILLE HUB FOR SENIORS All activities begin at 1 p.m. at the Coupeville United Methodist Church on Main Street. Lunch is served every Wednesday at noon. Contact Glenda Cantrell, 360-720-2955 or Glenda@islandseniorservices.org

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2 11:30-1:30 p.m., Information & assistance representatives available 1 p.m., Bingo

THURSDAY, MARCH 3 1 p.m., Falls and injury prevention, SAIL exercise class led by Mary Waters.

Deliveri

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 1 p.m., Skin screening with Dr. Reese Bliek from Family Dermatology. Come to this informative discussion and receive a free skin screening voucher for an appointment at the Family Dermatology office.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 1 p.m., Local Foods on Whidbey presented by the Whidbey Island Conservation District.

Whidbey Island farmers grow an abundance of products for local consumers.

Join us for tips on how to find local produce and how to use this fresh local bounty in your diet.

TUESDAY, MARCH 1

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

Sesame Chicken

Chef’s Choice

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2

FRIDAY, MARCH 18

Beef Satay w/Peanut Sauce

Baked Macaroni & Cheese

THURSDAY, MARCH 3

MONDAY, MARCH 21

Chef’s Choice

Pulled Pork on a Bun

FRIDAY, MARCH 4

TUESDAY, MARCH 22

Chile Rellano w/Cheese

Corned Beef Sandwich w/ Coleslaw

MONDAY, MARCH 7 Salisbury Steak & Potatoes

TUESDAY, MARCH 8 Pasta Salad w/Salami

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 Meaty Lasagna & Salad

THURSDAY, MARCH 10

1 p.m., Falls and injury prevention, SAIL exercise class led by Mary Waters.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 1p.m., Island Eye Care with Dr. Rob Johnson, who will continue to discuss the

Chicken Marsala

THURSDAY, MARCH 24 Chef’s Choice

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 Fish Alyeska w/Cream Sauce

Chef’s Choice

MONDAY, MARCH 28

FRIDAY, MARCH 11

Four Cheese Ziti Bake w/ Marinara

BBQ Chicken

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

TUESDAY, MARCH 29

newest and latest eye procedures, including no eye drop cataract surgery.

MONDAY, MARCH 14

WEDNESDAY MARCH 30

TUESDAY, MARCH 15

1 p.m., Dr. Hassapis with Whidbey General Hospital General Surgery Clinic will discuss procedures with an emphasis on colonoscopies and prevention of certain cancers.

Turkey Pesto Burgers

Delicious Beef Stew w/ Vegetables

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16

THURSDAY, MARCH 31

St. Patty’s Corned Beef & Cabbage

Chef’s Choice

Chicken Picatta w/Rice

Cream of Broccoli Soup

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

PROPANE

1.29

$

9

Gallon*

*500+ Gal. Delivered Price subject to change

ng Your Real Estate Dreams

CALL FOR OTHER QUANTITY PRICING PAM MOCK

Text/cell: 360.661.7314 pam@cbwhidbey.com

CATHY WILSON

Text/cell: 206.718.8159 homes@twinfirs.com

~ Team Power ~

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

Combined 20+ Years Experience

Special Pricing For Commercial Customers

Neighborhood & Group Deliveries • Guaranteed Price Plans Locally Owned & Operated Best Propane Value in the NW

1-800-929-5243

Visit us @ www.apppropane.com

380 SE Barrington Dr.

Oak Harbor 360-675-2235

1690 Main St., Ste. 103

Freeland

360-331-8424

Page 8

WHIDBEY BRIDGE

March • 2016

What’s happening at the S. Whidbey Senior Center?

Travel Travel Presentation

by Collette for “Colors of New England,” Oct. 7-14.

Tuesday, March 15, 3–4:30 p.m.

Quil Ceda Creek Casino Tuesday, March 8, Depart Bayview Hall 9 a.m. Return 4:30 p.m.

Gates Foundation Visitor Center “Arrive curious.

Leave inspired.”

Thursday, March 17, Depart Bayview Hall at 8:30a.m. Return 4:30 p.m. Register by March 11.

Seattle Center Chihuly Glass Exhibit & Space Needle Saturday, March 19, Depart from Bayview Hall at 9 a.m. Return 5 p.m.

CLASSES

Clubs

Adaptive Equipment and Gait Aids-Check Up and Usage: Tuesday, March 8, 3-4:30 p.m. in the Evergreen Room. Instructor: Wendy Gilbert, Physical Therapist Creating An Intentional and Purposeful Retirement: Tuesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 1-2:30 p.m.

Note: After class, join instructor Gail Rognan for a “Meet the Author” event on Tuesday, March 8, 3-4 p.m. to discuss her book, “I Lost Two Boobs and Gained Two Balls, One Woman’s Journey to Finding Her Voice.”

Beginning Clogging Thursdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 3-4 p.m.

Senior Striders Thursdays, 9-11 a.m.

Advanced Tai Chi Tuesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 8:45-9:45 a.m.

Photo by Evan Thompson

Clogging class will be held from 3-4 p.m. each Thursday during the month of March.

Beginning Tai Chi Tuesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10-11 a.m.

Tai Chi in the Afternoon Mondays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, 3-4 p.m.

50 Plus Yoga Tuesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 4:45-6 p.m.

Fridays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 4:45-6 p.m.

Programs Free Time at the Center!

Tuesday afternoons, 1:30-4 p.m. and Friday evenings, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free use of Dining Room and Fireside Room.

“Buddies for Buddies” Wednesday, March 1, 2-4:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room, Hosts: Fred & Sharon Lundahl ~ “Music for the Eyes”

Line Dancing – Beginning Wednesdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 9-10 a.m.

Line Dancing – Improver/ Intermediate Wednesdays, March 2,9,16,23,30, 10-11:30 a.m.

Improved Cataract Experience!

We just improved the cataract surgery experience with the introduction of Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery and a “Dropless” post-surgical regimen!

Island Eye Care is pleased to offer Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery using the FDA approved LenSx® laser. The LenSx® laser Dr. Robert brings a new level of customization to Johnson, MD cataract surgery, allowing Dr. Johnson to tailor each procedure specifically to your eyes.

NO DROPS after cataract surgery! Dropless - is a formulation of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication which is administered in the back of the eye at the end of cataract surgery. This approach eliminates the need for post operative drops in most patients.

If you are considering cataract surgery, call today for an appointment with Dr. Johnson to see how either of these options will improve your cataract surgery experience!

OAK HARBOR

231 SE Barrington Dr, Suite 208

360.240.2020

FREELAND

1804 Scott Rd, Suite106

360.321.6662

Learn to Play the Recorder Mondays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, 10-11 a.m.

Tune In – Tone Up/ Celebrate the Ukulele!

Tuesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Laptop Pre-Flight Check: Windows, Mac, iPads Monday, March 7, 12-1:30p.m.

Painting with Deon Matzen Wednesday Classes March 2, 9, 16, 23, 1-4 p.m.

Thursday Classes March 3, 10, 17, 24, 6:30-9 p.m.

Friday Classes March 4, 11, 18, 25, 1-4 p.m.

iPads for Seniors: iPads only (two meetings, two sessions offered) Monday, March 7, and Tuesday, March 8, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Register by March 4) Windows Laptop Q&A Tuesday, March 8, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Meditation for Everyone Wednesdays, 4:15-5:15 p.m.

Crafting Connection Thursdays, 10 a.m.Noon, South Whidbey Center Crazy Quilters Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. South Whidbey Center Veterans Writing Group March 1&15, 1-3 p.m.

Free to military veteran or family member of a veteran.

Games & Fun Bingo Night Wednesday nights, 6:30 p.m.

Bridge n Monday Party Bridge, 9 a.m.-Noon. n South Whidbey Men’s Bridge, Thursdays, 8:30-11:30 a.m. n Thursday Twilight Bridge, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Cribbage Tuesdays, 1:30-4p.m.

Chess & Go Mondays, 6-10 p.m.

Mahjong Mondays, 1-3 p.m.

Mexican Train Dominos Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m. in the Dining Room.

Oak Harbor Hearing Aid Service ACHIEVING BETTER HEARING...

IT TAKES MORE THAN HEARING AIDS, IT TAKES A PARTNERSHIP

Jeanette Fiorini Hearing Aid Specialist Owner

If your loved ones have mentioned your hearing isn’t what it used to be Come in for a Free Screening and take advantage of our exclusive 60 day FULL money back guarantee.

Hear us when we say... ”You are our #1 priority” • Recommendations suited to your Lifestyle needs • 12 month no interest payment plans

Oak Harbor Hearing Aid Service Serving Whidbey Island Since 1988

285 NE Midway Blvd · Suite 3 · Oak Harbor (Across from the Big Log Building)

Locally owned and operated

360-675-5193