Michelle Long

Contributing Columnist

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Here we are almost halfway through 2016 — much quicker than I thought would happen. I say that every year. I’m told of the phenomenon of time moving swifter the older you get, and I really believe it.

It also passes faster when you’re having fun, so you can always tell yourself that you’re just having loads of it, not really growing older. I think age is something to be proud of. There’s life experience and the learning that comes along with it, the people we meet throughout the journey, and either encouraging the next generation to do some of the same things, or warning them not to.

Sure, the passage of time puts lines on our bodies and causes things to move around a bit from where they started, but such is life and aging. Jimmy Buffett sings that “wrinkles only go where the smiles have been.” They also go where we frown, scowl, and squish up our nose, so we might as well enjoy the ride.

Recognizing the inevitability of aging and the things that come along with it, Christine Milling of Hospice Care of Tri-County, Gail Dorroh of Brook Health Care, Laura Sharp of Woodmen Life, and YOUR Chamber got together and planned a Senior Expo for last week.

What started as an idea ended up with thirty vendors catering to adult seniors and their caregivers. There were also talks on medication synchronization by Dr. John Pugh of Prosperity Drug, life planning by Woodmen Life, animal therapy with Theresa Halfacre of Hospice Care of Tri-County, advanced care planning with nurse practitioners from Bernardo Geriatrics, scams to watch out for by Sheriff Lee Foster, and how to live to be 100 presented by Dr. Mike Bernardo.

Many seniors and their caregivers were in attendance to gather information about the journey of aging and the things that need to be considered. In Newberry County, we are fortunate to have people and services to work with us on the prevention of many illnesses and diagnoses, the things to plan for as we age, and also to take care of us and help us through the processes when we need them.

Every week in the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, we guide people, young and old(er), to parks to play, shops to browse, businesses for services, and health care professionals to care for them.

Here at your Chamber, we strive to build business and connect community. Contact us to get involved. We are located on the first floor of Community Hall on the corner of Main and Caldwell Streets in downtown Newberry.

See Liz, Becka, or Michelle to assist you. On Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., you will find either Mr. Mike or Mrs. Margaret and Mrs. Jackie. We will help you be as busy as you want to be so that you can live your life to the fullest.

Michelle Long is executive director of the Newberry Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at michelle@newberrycounty.org.