Basically, a ghost town is any historical town or site that leaves evidence of a town’s previous glory.

This could be in many forms — all businesses closed, municipal services at a minimum, rubble and old nails strewn about, ruins of former buildings, etc.

Some places that are categorized as ghost towns; however, still have people living in them and though sometimes they don’t want to be called a ghost town, most historians will continue to reference them that way if the reason or purpose for its original “boom” is gone. Other places which are considered truly “real” ghost towns, having very little left but foundations, sometimes still make use of an old cemetery.

Ghost towns of Mower County tells the stories of those towns that have been lost to time but helped shape the early landscapes of our county’s history.

At 3 p.m. on Wednesday, the Senior Center will host Ghost Towns of Mower County presented by Dustin Heckman, Director of the Mower County Historical Society. Many reasons led to each town’s demise. This program will identify common themes among the towns and give background to each community. Please stop by or call 433-2370 ext. 0 for the front desk to sign up. Walk-ins welcome. Hope to see you there.

 Program will help others avoid falls

It has happened to all of us (even the most well coordinated). You are walking, sun is shining, IPod playing, smiling to your fellow walkers who too are enjoying their walks. Then suddenly and without warning, you lose your footing and ungracefully tumble to the ground. After a quick but covert look around to see if anyone witnessed the spill, you shake it off, re-insert your headphones, and again, you are off walking, having suffered little more than a temporarily bruised ego.

Unfortunately, something as simple as an unintentional fall can actually result in serious injury or even death, particularly for those over the age of 65. And, whether you are a senior citizen or are close to someone in their golden years, you cannot turn a blind eye to these statistics on falls.

In 2007, more than 21,700 Americans died as a result of falls and more than 7.9 million were injured by a fall including over 1.8 million older adults who had a fall-related injury that resulted in an emergency room visit. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among older adults 73 and older and the second leading cause of death from ages 60-72. More than one-third of adults age 65 and older fall at least once each year.

Falls are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma among adults over 65. And, alarmingly, every 35 minutes an older American dies as the result of a fall.

Now, don’t you want to know how to prevent a fall? We want to tell you. at 10 p.m. on Friday the Senior Linkage line will present “How to prevent a fall.” To sign up for this stop by the front desk or call 433-2370 ext 0. See you there. You are always welcome at the Senior Center.

 Upcoming Events

Monday: Yoga, 7 a.m.; blood pressure, 9 a.m.; Naps, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Exercise with Evie 1 p.m.; Zumba, 5:35 p.m.; Zumba, 7 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; art class, 1 p.m.; Zumba, 3 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4 p.m.; Silver Sneakers, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Yoga, 7 a.m.; Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge, 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; Ghost Towns of Mower County, 3 p.m.; Zumba, 5:30 p.m.; Zumba, 7 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie 9 a.m.; Caregivers Support Group, 10:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo 1 p.m.; art class, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.; computer class, 2 p.m.; Zumba, 3 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4:05 p.m.; Silver Sneakers, 4:30 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; How to prevent a fall, 10 a.m.; cards (Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Zumba, 5:35 p.m.

 Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

July 2, four tables playing

1st Betty Jorgenson, 2nd Loretta Nelson, 3rd Judy Bungum, 4th Bud Higgins, 5th Harriet Oldenburg, 6th Pat Swenson

Tuesday Duplicate Bridge

July 3, five tables

1st Gail Schmidt, 1st Ray Schmidt; 2nd Larry Crowe, 2nd Dick Hansen; 3rd Dave Ring, 3rd Joyce Crowe; 4th Jim Fisher, 4th Bud Higgins; 5th Vandy Newman, 5th Steve Howard

Tuesday “500”

July 3, four tables

1st Wayne Chilson, 2nd Lois Anderson, 3rd Barb Dickman, 4th Eddie Hall

Pinochle

1st Dave Solomonson, 1st Hilton Henschen, 1st Dorothy Schloo

Friday Bridge

July 6, four tables

1st Joanne Maxfield, 2nd Quentin Fiala, 3rd Russ Vaale, 4th Jaynard Johnson, 5th Lois Johnson, 6th Theresa Baldus

Weekly Cribbage

No Results

Weekly “500”

July 6, five tables

1st Dennis Bray, 2nd Willard Ballantyne, 3rd Beulah Luthe, 4th Helen Broitzman

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Meatloaf

Tuesday: Roast turkey

Wednesday: Baked ham. Alt: baked cod

Thursday: Chicken broccoli bake

Friday: Swiss steak