Best years yet may june print final revised

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF WILLAMETTE VALLEY LIFE

P R E M I E R

I S S U E !

TAKE ONE!

MAY/JUNE, 2014 / VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 1

T H E P U B L I C AT I O N O F E XC E PT I O N A L L I V I N G F O R P E O P L E 5 0 A N D B E TT E R • W I L L A M E TT E VA L L E Y

Rollin’ On The River

Wheatland Ferry 8

Sunday Drive: Monmouth

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Music For Caregiver Stress

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Aurora’s Pioneer Hotel May/June 2014 • Best Years Yet

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CONTENTS 4 - Down In The Valley 6 - The Wheatland Ferry: Rollin’ On The River 8 - Sunday Drive: Monmouth 9 - The Sandwich Generation

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10 - Wellness: Using Music to Cope With Caregiver Stress 11 - Family History: Pass it on...Oral History and Your Child 12 - Retire on Your Own Terms: What is Complete Retirement Living?

13 - In The Garden: Spring is Here! Plant Something!

14 - Time Capsule: The Aurora Pioneer Hotel

PUBLISHER Randy Hill SENIOR EDITOR Erin Grace ART DIRECTION Hill Design Studios CONTRIBUTORS Angela Boweter, Loren Depping, Randy Hill, Diana Reeck, Carrie Steckl, Ph.D, Betty Jo Stockton ADVERTISING SALES L. Andrew Brown/Concept Marketing Randy Hill PHONE 503.507.1228 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 17264 Salem, Oregon 97305

Reach thousands of readers in the Mid-Willamette Valley!

Advertise in Best Years Yet Call 503.507.1228 for more information 2

Best Years Yet • May/June 2014

EMAIL bestyearsyetpub@gmail.com WEBSITE TheBestYearsYet.com

Best Years Yet is published bi-monthly. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Best Years Yet. This publication cannot be reproduced in any form without written consent from Best Years Yet. Although we have made very effort to insure the accuracy of the information in this publication, due to the passage of time and the anomalies inherent in the publishing process, we cannot be responsible for errors or incorrect information. Please contact the individual establishments to confirm information.

Copyright 2014 Best Years Yet

Senior Center Wish List Center 50+ 2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR, 97301 (503) 588-6303 • Art supplies (colored pencils, art paper, paint, glue sticks, felt markers, pens, etc.).

• Handmade winter hats and scarves of all sizes and ages.

Santiam Senior Center 41818 Kingston Jordan Rd SE, Stayton, OR, 97383 (503) 767-2009 • 8 ft. long white folding tables. Six would be a great help.

• Locking file cabinet (two or four drawers).

• Computer software (Windows 8).

• Office chairs (2).

• Room or window air conditioner (3).

• Cold drink dispenser- Coke machine (we can fill ourselves).

• Card tables (10).

• Electric Bingo board.

• Very large bulletin board - 4ft x 8ft.

• Storage cabinets with shelves and doors for kitchen.

• Games and supplies.

• TV trays (six sets of four).

Silverton Senior Center 115 Westfield St, Silverton, OR, 97381 (503) 873-3093 • 15+ passenger van/bus, plus insurance for a year.

• Endowments and/or donations for operating costs (current funding grant monies are about to end).

• Money for sponsoring programs and classes.

• 40+ large flat screen TV. • Electric scooter or electric wheelchair.

• Desktop computers or lap top computer.

• PA system.

• Volunteers: lawn mowing and yard work.

• Bookshelves.

• Smaller entertainment center for TV. • Piano (Newer).

• Items for Annual Auction, i.e. overnight stays, vacation, getaway packages or time shares, new camping equipment and camp sites.

The Senior Center wish list is a complimentary service provided to senior centers by Best Years Yet. Send your wish list for possible inclusion to bestyearsyetpub@gmail.com

May/June 2014 • Best Years Yet

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May

2 – Cinco de Micro Brewfest – Salem. The third annual Cinco de Micro Brewfest, presented

by OZ Cap LLC, features local and Northwest brews, eateries, musical entertainment and the opportunity to taste spring release brews. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club.

503.581.7383, ext. 15. CincoDeMicro. com.

3 – Peony Paradise – Salem.

Feast your eyes on hundreds of varieties of peonies in the display garden and the indoor display.

Walk the garden, bring a lunch and have a picnic. Don’t forget your camera. 503.393.6185. peonyparadise.com.

Oregon Garden’s Movies in the Garden series

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rab some popcorn and a picnic blanket! The Oregon Garden in Silverton has announced the return of its popular Movies in the Garden series, which screens cult classics throughout the summer. The movies are shown on a big screen in the Garden Green – the heart of the Oregon Garden – every Thursday night July 10 through August 28.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the shows begin at dusk. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring pillows and blankets, as well as sweaters to stay warm after the sun sets. There will be food, snacks, beer and wine available for purchase; no outside food or beverages are allowed. Well-behaved pets on a leash are welcome.

For more information about the movie series, pricing and the Oregon Garden itself, visit oregongarden.org or call 877-674-2733.

15 - 18 – Keizer Iris Festival – Keizer.

Soak up warm spring sunshine as you stroll through 10 acres of gardens. Bring a picnic lunch and marvel at over 500 colorful iris varieties. Various events all month long. irisfestival.com.

Movie Schedule

16 – The Detroit Lake Fishing Derby– Jefferson. Detroit Lake Recreational Area Business Association (DLRABA) is excited to host the popular annual fishing derby. All ages are welcome to participate with many fishing and raffle prizes. Come join the fun!

Participation fees vary.

July 31: “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” PG

July 10: “The Wedding Singer,” PG-13 July 17: “Office Space,” R July 24: “The Other Guys,” PG-13

August 7: “The Princess Bride,” PG August 14: “Pulp Fiction,” R August 21: “The Wizard of Oz,” PG August 28: “Grease,” PG-13

22 – Polk County Bounty Market.

Features growers, producers and artisans from the Polk County area. Special events such as cooking demonstrations, youth booth, family activity day, kids days and more. 503.623.2564. dallasoregon.org

June

7 – State Parks Day/Silver Falls Challenge Foot Race – Sublimity.

Begin the day with a dash over the creek and through the woods.

Take advantage of free camping in regular tent and RV campsites.

Day use is free on Saturday.

503.874.0201. racenorthwest.com.

7 – Carousel’s 13th Birthday Celebration – Salem. Free activities! Help us celebrate our 13th anniversary of being open to the public. Enjoy $1 rides all day, birthday singing and cake at noon (cake while supplies last), face painting and chalk art activity.

Salem’s Riverfront Carousel.

503.540.0374.

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Oregon Brewers Festival toasts 27th year of celebrating craft beer

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n a sun-soaked July afternoon, there’s no better place to sip suds with friends than the Oregon Brewers Festival, one of the nation’s longest-running and best-loved craft beer festivals. Nearly 85,000 fans will travel from around the world to take part in the 27th annual event, which will run July 23 through July 27 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. Event hours are noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. There are no advance tickets sold for the festival; all purchases are made on-site.

In the main tents, the Oregon Brewers Festival will serve up more than 30 beer styles from 86 craft breweries from around the country.

There are 88 different beers available: one per brewery plus two gluten-free offerings. From Belgians to braggots, pales to porters, radlers to reds and sessions to saisons, there’s a style for nearly every palate.

New this year, the Oregon Brewers Festival has invited eleven brewers from the Netherlands and one from Germany to send their beer to be featured in the festival’s Specialty Tent, an area where an additional four dozen vintage beers, barrel-aged brews, blends and esoteric one-offs are offered. The European brewers will be in attendance and available for daily Meet the Brewer sessions at the event.

For a complete list of participating breweries and additional information, visit oregonbrewfest.com.

Portland Rose Festival Fireworks

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he Portland Rose Festival begins this year on an awe-inspiring note: an amazing nights of fireworks!

Be there on Friday, May 23 for the Opening Night RoZone Fireworks Experience presented by Pacific Power, the Portland Rose Festival’s kick-off event.

The show is one of Oregon’s largest

Best Years Yet • May/June 2014

fireworks displays, with thunderous pyrotechnics set to soar above CityFair beginning at nightfall.

May 23, 2014 Tom McCall Waterfront Park rosefestival.org/event/openingnight-fireworks

OREGON BREWERS FESTIVAL

CALENDAR

DOWN IN THE VALLEY

DOWN IN THE VALLEY

Work Projects Administration

Impressions: The Reality of the American Dream

March 11, 2014 to July 27, 2014

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Lunar viewing

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tar parties are a great way to get out and gaze out at the beautiful Oregon night sky while meeting other people interested in astronomy.

On Saturday, July 12, the angle of the sun will cause deep shadows to fall on the moon’s surface, making its highlands and craters more easily visible. To enjoy these favorable viewing conditions, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Rose City Astronomers, and Vancouver Sidewalk Astronomers have organized free Star Parties at Rooster Rock State Park and Stub Stewart State Park starting at 9 p.m. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, here’s your opportunity to view the moon, stars and other celestial objects up close and personal through telescopes. Viewing highlights include Saturn, Mars, the waning gibbous moon, several star clusters, and more!

On the scheduled day of an OMSI Star Party, interested visitors are encouraged to call the OMSI Star Parties Hotline at 503-797-4000. Press #3 then #5 on the phone or check the OMSI Star Parties web site (omsi. edu/starparties) for possible weather-related cancellations. The event starts at sunset and is free with $5 parking per vehicle. Warm clothing and a flashlight with red light are recommended. Personal telescopes and binoculars are welcome.

To reach Rooster Rock State Park, take I-84 east over the Sandy River to exit 25. The park is located 22 miles east of Portland.

To reach L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, take US-26 west of Portland and turn right on OR-47. The park is located 23 miles west of Portland.

“Creativity is not so much a boundless well, but an all-you-can-eat buffet of elements for your creative endeavor.

Eventually you’ve eaten your fill, and it’s time to digest and then make something.

But at some point, it will be time to return to the restaurant.”

—Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

ordan Schnitzer Museum of Art presents a student-curated selection from their large holdings of WPA prints, which have been on long-term loan to the museum from the U.S. Government since 1956. This exhibition was organized in support of the Eugene Public Library’s 2014 Big Read project, this year promoting F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”

The prosperous and optimistic “Roaring Twenties” saw economic growth, technological advances, and consumerism boom in American metropolitan areas, but was followed by years of high unemployment, devastating drought, bank closures and other difficulties. In this new, troubling reality, leisure activities such as going to the cinema, listening to the radio, and engaging with art took on new importance and provided a small escape for those living through the Depression. The hardships of this period inspired the enactment of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) by the U.S. government in 1935.

Under this program, American artists were able to earn livable wages during the Great Depression.

Printmaking allowed for increased experimentation in multiple media and for original artworks to be distributed widely in large numbers.

In “WPA Impressions: The Reality of the American Dream,” isolation, woeful faces, confusion within the crowd, and desolate landscapes are contrasted with images of revelry, ambition, and hope for better times to come. In the same way that “The Great Gatsby” provided meaningful commentary on American life in the 1920s, WPA prints documented and interpreted Americans’ experiences during the 1930s.

See more at jsma.uoregon.edu.

CALENDAR 7 – David Douglas and the Western Hemisphere Orchestra – Monmouth. Acclaimed trumpeter, Dave Douglas, joins WOU’s Western Hemisphere Orchestra for a fantastic evening of music.

Douglas’ unique contributions to music have garnered distinguished recognition, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, an Aaron Copland award, and two Grammy nominations. Western Oregon University-Rice Auditorium.

503.838.8333. wou.edu/sfa.

13, 14, 15 – Newport Celtic Festival – Newport.

Organized by the Celtic Heritage Alliance, the Newport Celtic Festival & Highland Games is one of many year-round events which support its ongoing mission to promote and preserve Celtic culture on the Oregon coast. Each summer, visitors from all over the Pacific Northwest flock to Newport, Oregon to join in this celebration of Celtic culture which spans the seven Celtic nations of Brittany, Cornwall, Galicia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland & Wales.

14 – Marian Estates Annual Fathers Day Car Show.

1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m, Registration starts at 11:00 a.m. (same day to compete) or preregister anytime. Bring your hot rod or oldie and compete for trophies.

Free hotdogs, popcorn and snow cones! Fun for the whole family.

Call Kris for more information at 503.769.3499 ext 1186. 390 SE Church St. Sublimity OR, 97385. Please join us for The Auxiliary Annual Fathers Day Bake Sale. 9am to 2pm, followed by the Fathers Day Car Show.

All proceeds go to enriching the lives of all residents at Marian Estates.

22 – Santiam Heritage Foundation Garden Tour – Stayton. A self-guided walking tour of Stayton/Sublimity area gardens. Proceeds benefit the Charles and Martha Brown house. 503.769.8860. brownhouse.org.

May/June 2014 • Best Years Yet

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Rollin’ O N

T H E

T H E

WHEATLAND FERRY

R I V E R

Currently, only three ferries continue to operate in Oregon, all of them in the Willamette Valley. Two of these are the Canby and Buena Vista ferries. The third, Oregon’s oldest continually operated ferry, is the Wheatland.

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regon’s major waterways boast a bounty of photographic and recreational opportunities. However, many folks want something else out of them: they just want to get across. If you need to traverse a swiftly moving current or expansive river today, you will probably cross a bridge. Early in Oregon’s history, you might just as likely have gone by ferry.

Ferries have been crisscrossing Oregon’s waters since the 1820s. In fact, it was commonplace to see ferries navigating the rivers of the Willamette Valley in the mid-1800s, according to Marion County senior ferry operator Ed Watson.

Crossings were both private and public, as operators often competed with one another to do the job cheaper or faster than someone else. Ferries carried individuals and their personal possessions, livestock and draft animals, as well as agricultural goods and other items. Eventually automobiles entered the mix, as they hitched a ride across the state’s rivers and bays (not to mention the Columbia River, which employed numerous ferries transporting travelers between Oregon and Washington).

In the post-World War II era, the creation of the interstate highway system gave rise to explosive growth in automobile travel. The more people drove, the more demand they had for roads that were quickly and easily driven.

Technology improved. Accordingly, local, state and federal governments responded by constructing more and better bridges. Ferries began to fall by the wayside.

Currently, only three ferries continue to operate in Oregon, all of them in the Willamette Valley. Two of these are the Canby and Buena Vista ferries. The third, Oregon’s oldest continually operated ferry, is the Wheatland. Located 6

Best Years Yet • May/June 2014

near Maud Williamson State Park, the small community of Wheatland on the Willamette’s west bank, and Willamette Mission State Park on the east, the ferry links Yamhill, Polk and Marion counties. As such, it remains a vital access point for residents and travelers alike. The nearest bridge either north or south of the ferry is approximately 15 miles.

The first Wheatland ferry was built around 1843 or 1844. Understandably, no records exist to verify this.

According to Watson, wooden ferries often had a lifespan of around ten years—even one to two years would not have been uncommon given the stresses put on a homemade wooden craft by a river’s debris and current. In his book, Oregon Ferries, author Charles F. Query credits construction of this first Wheatland ferry to early Oregon pioneer Lindsay Applegate (dualing historical sources also credit the ferry to Lindsay’s brother, Jesse, or

to both men together). The ferry had a load capacity described as “one horsedrawn wagon” and its power source was characterized as “mule power and a strong rope.” Shortly after its construction it was sold to the man who would become its first operator, Daniel Matheny. To those who ride the current ferry, Matheny’s name is exceptionally well known.

Query tracked the existence of six wooden “Wheatland Ferries” (though Watson believes there may have been more). Only the last of these was capable of carrying an automobile. It featured the first appearance of an onboard gasoline-powered engine and the ferry’s first propeller. This last wooden ferry remained in service until about 1937. Original operator Matheny was succeeded during the life of either the first or second of these wooden ferries, but his contribution to the ferry has survived longer than even he might ever have guessed.

In 1937 Marion and Yamhill Counties assumed the ferry’s operation.

The first of the modern-era Wheatland ferries, this newly-built vessel featured gas power and propellers as before. For the first time, though, it also featured a new name, the Daniel Matheny. There have been five of these ferries over the years. Each replacement bears the name

of the ferry’s original operator followed by the new ferry’s accordant Roman numeral, marking succession.

As technology and the times have changed, making the 580-foot trip across the Willamette (depending on the river’s level) has evolved as well.

The current ferry, Daniel Matheny V, which went into service April 1, 2002, is a “cable ferry.” That is, steel cables are used to support the ferry’s passage, bracing it against the river’s current.

One cable lies under water on the downriver side, and one is suspended overhead on the upriver side. Three other suspended cables also assist in generating power for the ferry’s two electric motors. For a time, the Daniel Matheny V operated its motors using an onboard diesel generator, which its predecessor lacked. When fuel costs rose dramatically a few years ago, the diesel generator was no longer costeffective, so it was removed and the ferry returned to obtaining its power from the overhead lines. Operators do have a portable generator that can be employed in case of power outages.

This prevents vehicles and passengers from being stranded if the ferry were sitting idle.

A trip across the Willamette requires only about eight minutes from loading to unloading, depending on the heaviness of traffic. Passage itself takes

only about three minutes. Daniel Matheny V has a carrying capacity of nine cars (those less than 22 feet long), three more than the previous ferry. The cost is $2 per vehicle unless it is oversized.

“Passengers and bicyclists are free,” Watson says. “We don’t mind extra passengers. We can have 50 people on board at a time,” enough for the number of life vests available, as law requires. “We get a lot of bicycle groups on board,” he adds. Passengers get an unparalleled up-close look at the Willamette River from the ferry’s deck.

However scenic, Watson sees the Wheatland’s day-to-day operation as more practical, in contrast to another local ferry still in operation, the Buena Vista. A ferry operator since 1995, he notes that the Wheatland’s mainstay traffic is predominantly agricultural

and commuter in nature. “(On the Buena Vista), there was a horse and carriage, a grandson taking his grandmother across the water on the same carriage she crossed over on as a little girl,” he describes. On the Wheatland, the three full-time and four relief operators are apt to cross very large commercial and farming vehicles like semi-trucks and combines along with auto traffic. RVs and olderstyle “U-Haul” moving vehicles prove too long for the ferry, though.

Operators have to watch for these vehicles, encouraging their drivers to find an alternate route.

“That’s something pretty natural to us that gets lost in the daily use of the ferry by the public,” he explains.

“Otherwise, you sit there and wait for a tow truck.”

Another fact that might get lost on travelers is how little downtime the Wheatland experiences. Still jointly operated by Yamhill and Marion Counties, Marion County assumes responsibility for the ferry’s management. Because local traffic relies heavily on the historic ferry, managers try to solve maintenance issues before they arise and, when needed, perform as much maintenance after operational hours as possible.

“It’s a boat,” Watson laughs. “We do continual maintenance on it, but we

try to do more pre-maintenance,” rather than waiting for repair emergencies. “That’s been management’s policy and it’s working very well.”

Aside from times when the river level is at 15.8 feet or higher (“the road sits at that level…you’d have to bring your own ramps to board,” Watson says) or is too low, have there ever been times when the reliable Wheatland has run into uncharacteristic trouble— trouble that rendered it inoperable?

“Twice that I’m aware of,” Watson explains. In both instances the ferry’s mainline cable broke causing the ferry to come loose and travel downriver.

According to a retired supervisor, one of these instances was due to an act of vandalism. In both cases, the ferry soon came to a stop, but in order for it to return to its proper location a tug boat from Portland had to be dispatched for assistance.

These are extreme exceptions in the ferry’s 160-plus-year history. “There’s always fun, little interesting things going on,” Watson adds with a laugh.

Fun and interesting. This short trip across the Willamette is both of those things. It’s also a piece of living western Oregon history—one not to be missed.

— Photos and story by Loren Depping

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S U N D AY D R I V E

Destination: Monmouth Museums, restaurants and parks all make for a great day out

The fountain in Main Street Park.

Pioneer families from Monmouth, Illinois settled in the area in the early 1850s.

The town was almost named Dover, but Ira F.M. Butler broke a tie vote on the town name, and Monmouth won out.

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ocated between Salem, the state capital, and Corvallis, home of Oregon State University, Monmouth is a small town with a lot to offer. Home of Western Oregon University, the Paul Jensen Arctic Museum, the Polk County Museum and a vibrant downtown center, Monmouth is located about an hour’s drive from the Cascade mountain range and the Pacific coast. Founded in 1856, Monmouth was named for Monmouth, Illinois where some of its earliest settlers immigrated from.

Entertainment, Art and History One of the first things you notice when you arrive in the quaint downtown area is Main Street Park.

Nearly a full block in size, this nicely designed park features a fountain, play structures and a gazebo. With its central location, it is perfect for spending a leisurely sunny day with your family.

Live music is offered at a number of coffee houses, bars and businesses.

Each Wednesday during the summer, the town will host the Monmouth Music in the Park series held at Main Street Park. Two big 4th of July celebrations will also be held

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Best Years Yet • May/June 2014

– one in Monmouth as well as one in its nearby sister town of Independence.

One of the most unique offerings of Monmouth has got to be the Jensen Artic Museum located on the Western Oregon University Campus.

It is the only museum on the West Coast devoted solely to collecting, preserving and teaching about Arctic culture and ecology. The museum’s permanent and temporary exhibits allow you to explore the world of the Arctic in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Pioneer families from Monmouth, Illinois settled in the area in the early 1850s. The town was almost named Dover, but Ira F.M. Butler broke a tie vote on the town name, and Monmouth won out. Most of the early settlers in the area were members of the Disciples of Christ church and were opposed to the sale of alcohol.

In 1881, an ordinance forbade the sale of alcohol within city limits, and the town remained dry until 2002 when the ban was ended.

Dining There are a number of great places to eat in Monmouth. Rick’s Place

is situated in the historic Mulkey Mercantile building and has been offering great coffee, breakfast and lunch offerings for over 15 years.

It’s a great place to relax and have a cup of coffee or a bite to eat in an unhurried atmosphere. If you are a lover of Indian food like I am, you will be happy to find “A Real Taste of India” located on Main Street in Monmouth. This restaurant is new to the area and offers some of the best Indian food in the Valley with a bright and pleasant dining area.

Wineries Tasting rooms at many wineries are open throughout Polk County.

Check out Emerson Vineyards, a family-owned winery near Monmouth. The drive to the winery is some of the most beautiful in the Willamette Valley, and at the end of your trip there you’ll be rewarded with a tasting of some really fine wines.

The Emerson Vineyard tasting room is open on the weekends from noon to five. Visit their website at emersonvineyards.com.

Sandwich Generation Positives Outweigh The Negatives

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andwich Generation is a term becoming nearly synonymous with our baby boomer generation. A term coined in the 80’s, it means that we’re the ones finding ourselves squarely in the middle of family demands—from our children and from our parents.

The math is simple enough – we boomers are in our 40s, 50s, or 60s, our children are in their teens or 20s, and our parents are in their 70s or beyond.

Whether conscious of it or not, more and more of us are joining the ranks of the sandwich generation.

Our parents are living longer than prior generations, and our children (echo boomers) are taking longer to launch or returning to the nest (boomerangs). Our folks may have various health issues accompanying their advanced ages, and our children have their own sets of issues that prompt their return or make them stay home longer. Much like Webster defines “sandwich”, we now find ourselves “inserted or enclosed between two things of another quality or nature.”

Sandwich Generation – Statistics The sandwich generation is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the number of parents living with their adult children increased from 2.2 million in 2000 to 3.6 million in 2007 – a 63% increase. Studies conducted by the Pew Research Center indicate that one in every eight middle-aged Americans – that would be us right now – is currently caring for at least one child and a parent under the same roof.

Other studies show that women (75%) are much more likely to be the care provider than men (25%).

It’s estimated that at some point in their lives, 50-66% of all adult women in the US will provide care for an elderly parent or in-law.

The Positives Lest we think of our membership in the sandwich generation as more akin to a prison sentence,

we remind ourselves of some real positives. First and foremost may be a renewed sharing of family values – remember reading about those from the 50s? Some of us even lived them! Our children might learn some family history from their own grandparents, not to mention some valuable life insights. In turn, our parents may no longer feel isolated or abandoned just because of age, in fact feeling more connected with day-to-day life and events. Everyone can celebrate family moments, and cherish them for a lifetime.

Another positive could be the pooling of resources, whether by desire or economic necessity. The down economy in recent years has likely deflated the value of portfolios and property alike, for us as well as for our parents. And if we ourselves are struggling with wages lost from reduced work hours and furloughs, the pooling of remaining resources could make them stretch much further. In cases where the numbers are more favorable, it might make sense to add onto our own home or to relocate to new accommodations.

Besides meeting an immediate need, dwellings that provide “in-laws’ quarters” may very well have an enhanced value in the future. After all, we may be the first generation to be sandwiched, but we’re certainly not going to be the last!

The upshot here is that once again

we find ourselves being the drivers of another major trend, based squarely upon life realities. Whether a bump in the road or even a detour, we can

still reach our destination as long as we plan accordingly and appreciate the trip!

Adapted from baby-boomers-r-we.com

the Western Swing Time Radio Show

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WELLNESS

Using Music to Cope with Caregiver Stress Boost energy and improve emotional well-being • Carrie Steckl, Ph.D.

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hat do you use music for?

As a distraction during a mundane task, or to help you forge through your grueling workout? Do you listen when you’re happy or sad? Anxious or bored? In an age when music is available 24/7 on the radio, on computers, and on our iPods, it seems worthy to think about how music can help caregivers cope with the stress they face when caring for a loved one.

Interestingly, a study conducted jointly by the University of North Carolina, the Duke University Medical Center and the U.S. Army recently looked into how music helps some people cope with stressful life events. The researchers interviewed 65 older African-American adults about their music preferences, particularly when they are feeling burdened by stress.

They found that these people not only enjoyed listening to religious music, but that participating in the music through singing helped them feel strengthened, comforted, uplifted, and find some peace in their situations. The songs centered around five major themes: •

Thanksgiving and praise

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Instruction and advice

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Memories of ancestors

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Communication with God

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The afterlife

Although the study focused on African-American elders and religious music, there may be value in applying the conclusion across cultures and musical preferences. For instance, perhaps you don’t enjoy religious music but find that country music provides advice on developing strength through adversity. Maybe classical music brings you a sense

Whatever music you prefer, remember that it will likely affect your mood. If you are blue and want to feel uplifted, you may want to listen to something upbeat or religious. of thanksgiving that offers a new perspective to the challenges in your life. Or perhaps your musical tastes are eclectic, changing and adjusting along with your needs.

Whatever music you prefer, remember that it will likely affect your mood. If you are blue and want to feel uplifted, you may want to listen to something upbeat or religious. This can help tremendously in regard to boosting energy and improving emotional well-being. On the other hand, music can sometimes compound an already downtrodden outlook. This is not recommended!

We can – and should – use music to our advantage, especially when faced with daily caregiving challenges.

I encourage you to gather a collection of songs that you find helpful in dealing with stress and that foster good feelings. Put that collection on your iPod, a CD, or any other medium that works for you, then hit “play” when you need a dose of caregiving encouragement.

Source: JB Hamilton et al., “‘You Need a Song to Bring You Through’: The Use of Religious Songs to Manage Stressful Life Events,” The Gerontologist, Volume 53, Issue 1, accessed May 15, 2012, doi:10.1093/geront/gns064.

The Eagles

1

Our Top 10 Songs To Help You De-stress “Someone To Watch Over me” George Gershwin

“It’s Been A Long Long Time” Harry James and Helen Forest

“Love Me Tender” Elvis Presley

“Take It Easy” The Eagles

“Come Away With Me” Norah Jones

“When I Fall In Love” Nat King Cole

“What A Wonderful World” Lewis Armstrong

“Old Days” Chicago

“Sunny Side of the Street” The Sentimentalists with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra

Advertise in Best Years Yet Call 503.507.1228 for more information 10

Best Years Yet • May/June 2014

“Here Comes The Sun” The Beatles

F A M I LY H I S T O R Y

Pass it on...Oral History and Your Child Share your family history with your grandchildren

M

y phone rang during dinner the other night. It was my 8-year-old grandson with a genealogy lead. A woman driving down the street had noticed his family’s fairly unusual surname on the mailbox and had stopped to ask if their family was related to her cousin. It turns out that there was a connection. Another contact made.

As we busily gather data and sort it into physical or digital files, let’s not forget to share it orally on a continuing basis. Although we probably remember our grandparents as being old, most of us are the grandparents now. If we don’t share the family history passed to us, it may be lost. Our grandchildren — especially those whose families have broken up or are scattered throughout the world — are fascinated by the tales of their family.

Although we probably remember our grandparents as being old, most of us are the grandparents now. If we don’t share the family history passed to us, it may be lost.

Tell stories of your own childhood.

It doesn’t seem that long ago to us, but it’s ancient history to the under10 set. When you go to historic sites, point out how the displays relate to your family. Was greatgrandpa a blacksmith? Visit the blacksmith shop at Fort Vancouver and talk about the importance of the blacksmith’s wares. Was grandma a farm wife? Visit Philip Foster Farm on the Oregon Trail and talk about how hard life was at that time. When you hear that a child in your life is studying the American Revolution

(or any period in history), pull out the information you’ve gathered about ancestors living in that time.

My grandkids are still indignant over the British treatment of their 8th great-grandfather who was transported as a 12-year-old for supposedly stealing a handkerchief.

They’ll remember that time in history by being able to relate to it.

Talk to kids, yours or anyone else’s, to help make history real for them.

Your book on the family may never happen, but the information stored in the memories of those future generations will keep history alive.

Written by Betty Jo Stockton and previously published in Treasure Chest News, the newsletter of the Central Florida Genealogical Society. Used with permission.

May/June 2014 • Best Years Yet

11

RETIRE ON YOUR OWN TERMS

What is complete retirement living?

Making the right choice in the beginning will save time and emotional anxiety • Angela Boweter more support and care. A new place, new faces and a loss of your support system, all happening practically overnight.

Imagine being uprooted and moved across town, away from your spouse, friends, or family during a very difficult time in your life—the time in your life when you need more support and care.

Couples can face separation due to opposite care needs. Often times they can find themselves in two different communities because one of their care needs changed or escalated.

Seniors who once had strong

PHOTO BY SAL FALCKO

C

ouples, family members and friends never age at the same pace. When a couple or a senior chooses a stand-alone independent living community or assisted living facility, what happens when their care needs change and start to escalate? They have to hastily move during a very tender and difficult time in their life. The senior resident or couple who is in need of a higher level of care, once again must shop, tour and transition into another community that is able to meet their care needs.

Imagine being uprooted and moved across town, away from your spouse, friends, or family during a very difficult time in your life—the time in your life when you need

community that offers complete retirement. The purpose of a complete retirement community is to allow residents to age in place, staying near their spouse’s, friends, and family—their support systems.

bonds with their fellow community members can find themselves uprooted and moved across town, away from the community they called home for several years.

All of this can be completely avoided by simply choosing a

Mature Living Choices

Location

Buy-In, Monthly Rental #Units

Amenities

Ho

Community Name

us eke Tra epin g ns po rta Uti liti tion es Pla Inclu nn de d ed Me Activ mo itie ry s Ca re

Best Years Yet guide to Complete Retirement Communities

Marian Estates Campus

390 SE Church Street Sublimity, OR 97385 503.769.3499 1.800.440.2669 Call for a tour.

MarianEstates.com

Dallas Retirement Village

377 NW Jasper St. Dallas, Oregon 97338 Phone: 503-623-5581 Fax: 503-623-2901 dallasretirementvillage.com

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Best Years Yet • May/June 2014

“No Buy-In” •Independent Living: Cottages, Garden Homes •Assisted Living •Nursing Care •Alzheimer’s & related disorders special care & rehabilitation available. Call for detailed information.

“No Buy-In” •Independent Living: Apartment, Townhome •Assisted Living •Nursing Care •Alzheimer’s & related disorders special care & rehabilitation available. Call for detailed information.

Marian Estates is located on 38 beautiful acres in Sublimity, just minutes from Salem and offers Complete Retirement with No Buy In. Home cooked meals and choices are offered campus wide. There are no scheduled meal times in Independent living, dine at your leisure from a full menu or allow us to delivery to your home. Assisted Living and Nursing residents enjoy up to six different meals options for lunch and dinner.

Other amenities include, full gym, walking paths, bank, beauty/barber shop, gift shop, party hall, pharmacy services and life enriching activities.

An immaculately kept 30 acre campus situated among rolling farmland, vineyards, and yet close to all the necessary amenities; all levels of care in a single beautiful setting: different styles of independent living, assisted living, memory care, and a renowned skilled nursing center with rehab & therapy; a full host of activities, wellness programs, and travel opportunities; soon launching our new “Lodge” community center and new Lodge residences.

IN THE GARDEN

Spring is here! Plant Something!

You are only limited by your imagination • Diana Reeck It’s not too late to plant lettuce as long as you buy varieties that are resistant to the summer heat. grow for yourself, the better.

We can plant almost anything if May is consistently warm. Use starts to grow broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and spinach. Beets and carrots are best grown from seed. It’s also time to plant all those warm weather veggies we have been waiting for, like beans, cucumbers and squash. At the end of the month, plant starts of tomatoes, peppers and basil to give them the extra warmth they need.

It’s not too late to plant lettuce as long as you buy varieties that are resistant to the summer heat.

PHOTO BY GARDENING IN A MINUTE

W

e are fortunate to live in the Willamette Valley, one of the best growing areas of the world. For us, gardening is only limited by imagination. Nurseries are bursting at the seams, shelves full of vegetables and perennials. Annuals have arrived; trees, shrubs, and vines abound. Our energy level is high as the days warm up and the light lingers longer. It’s a good thing too, because there is a lot of work to do.

There are so many reasons to garden, not least of which is the opportunity to fill our plots with fresh vegetables. When you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you have complete control over of what has goes into them, not to mention the savings that comes from raising your own food. With droughts across the country, the stock of produce is down and prices are expected to go up dramatically. The more you can

There are hundreds of lettuce varieties available through mail order seed catalogs, but the best bets have been bred to thrive in the Pacific Northwest, so look for local seed companies. Territorial Seed in Corvallis and Nichols Garden Nursery in Albany both have great selections.

Even if you are new to gardening, you can still build raised beds or grow vegetables in containers – just fill them is with bulk potting mix from a local nursery.

It pays to use the best potting

mix available. Consider planting one raised bed with ever-bearing strawberries, like the Seascape or Tristar varieties. Picking bowls of luscious strawberries at the peak of ripeness throughout summer is an inexpensive luxury.

Browse the nursery aisles. Ask questions. Join a garden club that offers informative speakers and garden tours of their member’s gardens. The Salem Hardy Plant Society is a good resource in the midValley. But most of all, embrace your inner gardener and plant something!

“Down in the Dirt with Diana” A radio show where we talk about all things gardening Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, Noon -1:00 on KMUZ 88.5 FM, The Mid-Willamette Valley’s Community Radio Station.

Also streaming live on all your digital devices.

Past shows available on the KMUZ archive link www.kmuz.org May/June 2014 • Best Years Yet

13

TIME CAPSULE

The Aurora Pioneer Hotel

T

he Aurora Pioneer Hotel was constructed in 1867. After 1870 it became the most popular stop on the Oregon and California railroad line.The Aurora hotel soon became far-famed. The “supreme effort” of Aurora cookery was a noodle soup with boiled chicken served alongside.

As Henry T. Finck wrote in (Food and Flavor 1913), “One of the most

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Best Years Yet • May/June 2014

precious things the members of the German colony brought from the old country was the skill to cook a savory meal.

With the coming of the Depression, business slacked and the hotel was torn down in 1934.

Photo courtesy of the Old Aurora Colony Historical Museum, Aurora, Oregon.

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