Chances are you know someone who has Parkinson’s disease. If not, you may be familiar with the actor Michael J. Fox, perhaps the most well-known person with Parkinson’s, a progressive, degenerative neurological disease. Suzie Lefever, MA, PT, ATC, of San Juan Physical Therapy says she is seeing more people with Parkinson’s all the time. About  Continue Reading

On the first Friday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm people of all ages and abilities gather at the Mullis Center for a fun evening of swing dancing. Instructor Bill Gincig, who comes over from Orcas, has a wealth of knowledge and experience in dance. He explained to me that “swing” encompasses; rhumba,  Continue Reading

By Peggy Sue McRae… The smells of summer, Nootka roses, Ocean Spray, and seaweed often trigger memories for me of childhood summers spent at the beach in my grandparents cabin. Perched on a rocky point with water on three sides the cabin was affectionately named, “The Barnacle”. Decorated with garlands of fishing floats strung by  Continue Reading

A day trip to the mainland was never so easy. This week I got on the Mullis Center van for the Mt Vernon trip. Every month the van makes two mainland trips to facilitate members of the Mullis Center with medical appointments or shopping needs, one trip to Mt Vernon and one to Bellingham. The cost  Continue Reading

By Peggy Sue McRae – Music is good for your brain. Most of us have experienced hearing a piece of music and being transported in time. Play me the Rolling Stones, Jumping Jack Flash, and its summer, and I’m a teenager. That is because when we hear music, unlike other activities that are located in  Continue Reading

Story by Peggy Sue McRae… There is a plaque on the outside of the Mullis Center that reads, This land is a gift to the seniors of San Juan Island to honor the memory of our grandparents George and Emma Mullis and our parents Frank and Belle Mullis – from Ina Mullis Gustin, James and  Continue Reading

Island Senior is written by Peggy Sue McRae… Last week I stopped by the Village at the Harbour to participate in a Memory Café. Memory Cafe programs originated in England about 15 years ago and have since become popular throughout Europe and the United States. The goal of the Memory Café is to provide a  Continue Reading

By Peggy Sue McRae – If you are an athlete your career may end before you reach 40, other careers may offer retirement at 50 or 60, but if you are an artist, you may be hitting your stride at 80. Michelangelo, Monet, and Matisse created some of their greatest works when they were in their  Continue Reading

By Peggy Sue McRae… It said on the poster “60’s attire encouraged” so I put on my love beads and pinned a peace sign to my jacket before attending the Mullis Center’s, March for Meals to a 60s Beat, a benefit for Meals on Wheels and More. This special lunch was well attended by tie-dye  Continue Reading

Having just celebrated my sixty-fifth birthday I am now a bonefide senior citizen. Some may set a lower bar, but at sixty-five there is no denying it. I have officially attained elder status. Before bemoaning getting older in our “youth culture” let me say, there are indeed some benefits to reaching this benchmark. For one  Continue Reading

Some of you may remember when island seniors used to gather at the old Grey Top Inn at the fairgrounds. With an active base of volunteer labor and local fundraising efforts, island seniors refurbished the old Home Economics building into what for a number of years provided a home for senior services and senior activities.  Continue Reading