Woden Seniors Inc

50 years of providing Community Service to the over-50s of Canberra

By

Fortnightly News 6/11/2026

Issue 22 of 2026            6 November 2026

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DATES TO REMEMBER

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Tuesday 17 November – Club Committee Meeting

Monday 7 December – Christmas Lunch

Friday 18 December – Club closes for the Christmas break

Monday 18 January – Club re-opens for 2027

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CHRISTMAS?  YES!!  Person wearing Santa slippers

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This year’s Christmas lunch will be held on Monday 7th December.

As is usual, cost is a Club voucher or equivalent $7.00 in cash and those attending will be treated to a delicious lunch and be in the running for the hamper prizes.  Tea, coffee, water and juices will be part of the offering and members who wish to do so are welcome to bring their own alcohol.  Bookings are essential – with Polly please.

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Hampers, hampers, hampers…. Yes we are planning a lucky draw for Christmas hampers again.  To make this happen we are seeking donations of Christmassy items to fill small Christmas-themed bags as we have done previously.  Non-perishable items such as chocolate, sparkly Christmassy items, chocolate, wine, sparkly bits and pieces, chocolate and wine are most welcome.

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And this year….

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Christmas Party – Christmas Trivia!

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’Tis the season to be quizzing,

Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaa.

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15 questions, grey cells thinking,

Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaa.

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Make your teams of 4 per table,

Only 1 winner gets that label –

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Christmas themes in 15 questions

Between lunch and dessert … to help digestions.

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MELBOURNE CUP – RUN AND WON

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A very pleasant afternoon tea – and oh yes, a horse race on TV – on Tuesday.  Thanks to everyone who participated and thanks to the two attendees who donated their sweep winnings to the Club!!.

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    A group of elderly people is gathered around a table, enjoying a meal and conversation in a cozy living room.

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Thanks Roger for the photos. 

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BOOK CLUB

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From Katherine McCarthy, group leader:  our Book Club meets on the last Friday of each month.  This month we are reading fiction and non-fiction books around the theme of Japan.  Your choice of what you read.  Looking forward to seeing you on FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER at 2.00pm.

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MONDAY LUNCHES

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Have you enjoyed one of the delicious Monday lunch offerings?  Last Monday was this marvellous zucchini bake and a noodle and almond salad….  and if you roll up on Monday 9th, your $10 will buy you Coq au Vin!! 

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    The image depicts a cartoon character, presumably Bugs Bunny, with a speech bubble containing a humorous quote about avoiding repeating mistakes.

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Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au     

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COMMUNITY NOTICE

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David Smith, Federal member for Bean holds annual information forums for retirees and seniors and this year will hold two sessions at Woden Seniors – Tuesday 17 November, 2-4 pm and Thursday 10 November 2-4 pm.  Registration is essential, and interested people can register to attend either session using the link below.

Information for Retirees and Seniors

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And to finish –

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Why aren’t koalas actual bears?  They don’t meet the koalafications.

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What do you call someone with no body and no nose?  Nobody knows.

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Why did the golfer bring an extra pair of pants?  In case he got a hole in one.

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How is the moon like dentures?  Both come out at night.

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What do you call the wife of a hippie?  A Mississippi.

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The problem with retirement is that you never get a day off.

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The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age.

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Old enough to know better, young enough to laugh anyway!

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By

Fortnightly News 23/10/2026

Issue 21 of 2026            23 October 2026

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THE AGM

Thank you to the more than 50 people who attended Monday’s Annual General Meeting – your support of the Club is greatly appreciated.

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Members in attendance also enjoyed a very useful presentation by our friend and neighbour, Dr. Haisong Wang, and the excellent lunch provided by Kari, Julie, and their helpers.

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Three members of the 2025-26 Committee have retired and we thank Gail Guiliano, Jennifer Battisson and Catharine Masters for their time and effort in supporting the Club. 

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Special mention of course for Gail who has been a Committee member fulfilling a number of roles since the end of the 1970s, a record of service which is unlikely to be matched, let alone broken!!  Gail is however continuing her very long-standing role as leader of the Woden Senior Singers, our marvellous choir who take their repertoire to nursing homes in Canberra every week.  And you will note below that the Guiliano name is still a part of the Committee.  A family connection to the Club which began with Gail’s mother now spans three generations.     

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The Committee elected for 2026-27 are

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President – Jenny Gregory

Vice-President – Maureen Bourne

Secretary – Christine Mackay

Treasurer – Jennifer Pratten

Committee Member – Cindy McMillan

Committee Member – Roger Tomlins

Committee Member – Kari Hamer

Committee Member – Loretta Petroff

Committee Member – Santo R Guiliano

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The image shows a table filled with a tiered cake stand decorated with colorful cupcakes, berries, and a variety of snacks and dishes, surrounded by people and a cozy, colorful setting.

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And then there was lunch. 

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IN OTHER NEWS…

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A man is seen adjusting or fixing a large, partially open window in a building with a potted plant and a car parked nearby.

AI-generated content may be incorrect.    A window cleaner is cleaning the exterior glass of a building with a brush.

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No, I wasn’t trying to dismantle the walls of the Club – and thanks to a shy volunteer that panel has been safely and securely re-affixed!! 

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The illustration depicts a cute dog in bed, looking somewhat uncomfortable, hinting at the struggle of finding the perfect sleeping arrangement.

AI-generated content may be incorrect.  I LIKE IT! EVERYONE'S COMMENTING ON MY POST!

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Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au     

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POINTS TO PONDER

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Can you cry under water?

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How important does a person have to be before they are considered

to have been assassinated instead of just murdered?

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If money doesn’t grow on trees then why do banks have branches?

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Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

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Why are you IN a movie, but you are ON TV?

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Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in

binoculars to look at things on the ground?

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I signed up for an exercise class and was told to wear loose-fitting

clothing. If I HAD any loose-fitting clothing, I wouldn’t have signed up

in the first place.

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My husband says I never listen to him. At least I think that’s what he

said.

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Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.

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By

Fortnightly News 9/10/2026

Issue 20 of 2026            9 October 2026

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DATES TO REMEMBER

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Monday 19 October – 2026 AGM

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WODEN SENIORS AGM

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2026 Annual General Meeting

Date:   Monday 19 OCTOBER 2026

Time:   11.00 AM

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Just in case you had forgotten….

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This year the meeting will be followed by a speaker and lunch as part of our ongoing Lunch and Learn series.

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Our neighbour and valued Club supporter, Dr. Haisong Wang, will give a talk on seasonal care with respect to seniors’ health with a Chinese medicine perspective and there will be an opportunity for questions following the talk.

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Following Haisong’s talk,  lunch will be served.

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A quorum of financial members is required for the AGM to proceed and we encourage as many members who can do so to attend.  The meeting will be short – and as advised above, will be followed by a talk and lunch.

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There is no limit to the numbers for the meeting – and as mentioned above, we must have a quorum of financial members present for the meeting to proceed.  And again no limit and no need to book for Haisong’s talk.

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HOWEVER BOOKINGS FOR LUNCH ON THE DAY ARE ESSENTIAL for catering purposes and will cost the usual $7 or an activity  voucher.  Bookings at the office as usual.

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AND THERE ARE NOW REGULAR MONDAY LUNCHES

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Monday 13th October – what’s for lunch?  Everyone’s favourite, Pasta bake.  $10 for a delicious lunch and good company.

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FOR SALE….

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Again, Jennie (not me!) has for sale this king single size adjustable bed frame for $700.00.  She can be contacted on 040407258.

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Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au     

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Today’s drivel….

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We live in society where a pizza gets to your house before the police

If I agreed with you we’d both be wrong

If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a few payments…

A bank is a place that will lend you money – if you can prove that you don’t need it

We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public

Evening News is where they begin with “Good evening” and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t

War does not determine who is right, only who is left

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By

Fortnightly News 25/9/2026

Issue 19 of 2026            25 September 2026

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DATES TO REMEMBER

Sunday 4 October – Daylight Saving starts

Monday 5 October – Labour Day Public Holiday – Club will be closed

Monday 19 October – 2026 AGM

WODEN SENIORS AGM

2025 Annual General Meeting

Date:   Monday 19 OCTOBER 2026

Time:   11.00 AM

Place:    Woden Seniors Club

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Members wishing to bring business before the meeting must submit it in writing, in the form of a motion, to the Office by close of business on Tuesday 6th OCTOBER.

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Nominations for the Management Committee must be on the prescribed form, giving the consent of the candidate and signed by two members of the Club. Completed  nomination forms must be handed in to the Office by close of business on Monday 12TH OCTOBER.  Forms are available at the Office.

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This year the meeting will be followed by a speaker and lunch as part of our ongoing Lunch and Learn series.

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Our neighbour and valued Club supporter, Dr. Haisong Wang, will give a talk on seasonal care with respect to seniors’ health with a Chinese medicine perspective and there will be an opportunity for questions following the talk.

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Following Haisong’s talk,  lunch will be served.

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A quorum of financial members is required for the AGM to proceed and we encourage as many members who can do so to attend.  The meeting will be short – and as advised above, will be followed by a talk and lunch.

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There is no limit to the numbers for the meeting and the talk….. HOWEVER BOOKINGS FOR LUNCH ARE ESSENTIAL for catering purposes and will cost the usual $7 or an activity  voucher.  Bookings with Polly as usual.

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MONDAY LUNCHES

Following on the success of the winter Mondays soup lunches, Kari will make and serve lunch EVERY MONDAY as an ongoing activity.

Even if you don’t usually come to the Club on Monday – you might like to make a delicious, home-made Monday lunch one of your regular activities! 

The $10 cost is a real bargain so why not come along because in addition to the great food, there is also an opportunity to enjoy some good company.   Bookings not required – just come along    

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MORE CARPARK REPAIRS

Several workers are busy working on a roadside construction site, with one man using a shovel and others in yellow vests.

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A sunny Saturday morning enhanced by the sound of cutting, shovelling and pounding and the smell of asphalt mix… the things some people will do for entertainment!!

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Many many thanks to Sue and the team of Ron, Clint, Stephen, Maria, Jonathan and Richard for a job well done and for helping to make the Club’s carpark a safer place to walk.

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THE HIGH TEA

Last week’s High Tea fundraising event was a great success.  I am reliably informed that it was enjoyed by all in attendance and that the Club’s finances have received a welcome boost.

Thanks to Kari for the organisation and to Maruta, Thelma, Monica, Helen, Julie and Kim for their contributions and assistance on the day, and thanks to the many members who donated items for the raffle baskets. 

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FOR SALE….

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A friend of one of our members has a no longer required shower stool @ $30.00 and a long handled grabber @ $10.00 for sale.  

Please contact Jenny on 0404 072 258 if you are interested.

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  THERE WAS NO WORM

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Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au     

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COMMUNITY NOTICES

Promoting the rights of seniors

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Older people may raise concerns with the ACT Human Rights Commission about health services, age or disability discrimination, retirement villages, residential care, in-home support or other professional and government services. A senior may enquire anonymously, or lodge a formal complaint about abuse, neglect or financial exploitation they experienced. More information: https://www.hrc.act.gov.au/promoting-the-rights-of-older-canberrans 

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The Australian Government also promotes the Elder Abuse Phone Line. 1800ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) is a free call that automatically connects callers seeking information and advice on elder abuse with the existing phone line service in their area. More information: https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/protecting-rights-older-australians#Phone

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Canberra Art Biennial sculptures

The Canberra Art Biennial runs until 31 October 2026. There are some temporary sculptures around town that are good fun. If you’re in Civic, perhaps have a good laugh at The Crab perched on the portico of 40 Marcus Clark Street: https://canberradaily.com.au/canberras-big-crab/ . More information: https://hercanberra.com.au/city/arts-exhibitions/2026-canberra-art-biennial/

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Seniors and pensioners kit

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The Australian Government released a free Seniors and Pensioners Kit explaining current pension rates, concession cards, health services and aged care support. You can get a copy from your federal member of parliament. ACT residents can contact the office (or check website) of any of Andrew Leigh MP (Fenner), Alicia Payne MP (Canberra) or David Smith MP (Bean). Nearby NSW residents can contact the office (or check website) of Kirsty McBain MP (Eden-Monaro) or Fiona Phillips MP (Gilmore).

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More useful thoughts for the day…

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• Money can’t buy you happiness, but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.

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• It’s hard to be nostalgic when you can’t remember anything.

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• The male is a domestic animal which, if treated with firmness and kindness, can be trained to do most things.

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• Don’t worry about avoiding temptation – as time goes by it will avoid you.

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• Doctor to patient:  I have good news and bad news.  The good news is that you are not a hypochondriac.

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• By the time we are wise enough to watch our step, we’re too old to go anywhere.

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By

Fortnightly News 11/9/2026

Issue 18 of 2026            11 September 2026

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DATES TO REMEMBER

Monday 14 September – last soup day for 2026

Tuesday 15 September – Club Committee meeting

Saturday 19 September – High Tea

Sunday 4 October – Daylight Saving starts

Monday 5 October – Labour Day Public Holiday – Club will be closed

Monday 19 October – 2026 AGM

HIGH TEA  FUNDRAISER                A delicate porcelain cup with a floral pattern is filled with cream, accompanied by a pink rose and gold spoon.

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Saturday 19 September – 2.30 for 3.00pm.

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Absolutely not to be missed !!
Great food.
Great company.
Live music on arrival.

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A bargain at $35.00 per head. 

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This is a fundraiser for the Club and we would love to see you there.   And why not take the opportunity to bring a friend to show them our fabulous Woden Seniors?

Please let Polly know if you are planning to attend so we can be sure there will be a plentitude of yummies.

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As before, there will be a raffle, and a basket for donations of non-perishable items for this is at the front office.

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THANKS…

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If you have noticed that things are looking brighter and cleaner at the Club – feel free to say thanks to Kari and her willing helpers.  This week Ron, Roger, and Vince gave the glass areas a thorough clean – under supervision of course……

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                       A man is holding a phone in front of a glass door, possibly taking a picture.

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OFFICE TRAINEE

Members will have noticed that there are occasionally people who are NOT Polly undertaking the office duties.  Polly has a backlog of leave due and is taking it in occasional small blocks.  I’m not sure if the Committee members taking on these duties are the answer – there is a new trainee who might put us all out of a job.

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A humorous illustration depicting a person suggesting to use a coffee table as a message board to avoid dusting.

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Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au     

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Don’t blame me for this one…. (thanks Peter)

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What is usually referred to as ‘black humour’…..

Old Fred’s hospital bed is surrounded by well-wishers, but it doesn’t look good. Suddenly, he motions frantically to the pastor for something to write on. The pastor lovingly hands him a pen and a piece of paper, and Fred uses his last bit of energy to scribble a note, then dies.

The pastor thinks it best not to look at the note right away, so he places it in his jacket pocket.

At Fred’s funeral, as the pastor is finishing his eulogy, he realizes he’s wearing the jacket he was wearing when Fred died.  “Fred handed me a note just before he died,” he says. “I haven’t looked at it, but knowing Fred, I’m sure there’s a word of inspiration in it for us all.”

Opening the note, he reads aloud, “Move! You’re standing on my oxygen hose!”

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By

Fortnightly News 28/8/2026

Issue 17 of 2026                     28 August 2026

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DATES TO REMEMBER

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Wednesday 2 September – sausage roll day

Monday 15 September – last soup day for 2026

Saturday 19 September – High Tea

Monday 19 October – 2026 AGM

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SAUSAGE ROLLS….

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Another opportunity to partake of the yummy home-made sausage rolls.  Available at the Club from 10.30am onwards on Wednesday 2nd September until they run out, so don’t be late!

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MONDAY SOUP DAYS

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Many thanks to the weekly soup-makers for this winter’s delicious offerings.  Last day for this year will be Monday 15 September so again, don’t miss out.  As always, the funds raised from these very enjoyable lunches support Club activities, especially our annual Christmas lunch.

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HIGH TEA  FUNDRAISER                  

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Last year’s High Tea was a brilliant success, both as a social occasion and as a fund-raiser for the Club.  So of course we will do it again!

Put Saturday 19th September, 2.30 for 3.00pm in your diary – and be sure to RSVP to Polly to book a place.  Cost is $35.00 per head. 

As before, there will be a raffle, and a basket for donations of non-perishable items for this is at the front office.

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2026 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

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Members will know that we usually schedule our Annual General Meeting in September, but due to the unavailability of a couple of key participants, we have postponed this year’s meeting until 19th October.  Official notice and calls for notices of motion and nominations for Committee positions will be published closer to the time.

This year the meeting will be followed by a speaker and lunch as part of the Lunch and Learn series.

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NAME BADGES

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Polly has some name badges which have been ordered but not yet collected.  Is yours among them?

And Maureen is taking orders now for another batch of badges.  They cost $3.00 each, and Polly can take your order and money.

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Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au     

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For the morning haters….

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* Good morning is a contradiction of terms.

* Never face facts;  if you do you’ll never get up in the morning.

* I hate mornings, they start too early.

* Morning comes whether you set the alarm or not.

* I like coffee because it gives me the illusion that I might be awake.

* There should be a rule against people trying to be funny before the sun comes up.

*Birds scream at the top of their lungs in horrified hellish range every morning at

     daybreak to warn us all of the truth;  but sadly we don’t speak bird.

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COMMUNITY NOTICES

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By

Fortnightly News 14/8/2026

Issue 16 of 2026                     14 August 2026

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ANOTHER MEMBER IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

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Queanbeyan City News last week published these great photos and an equally great story about Margaret Wright,  as part of a series on remarkable Canberrans.

Many members will know that Margaret leads the Recorder Orchestra which fills our Hall with the sounds of Mozart and Vivaldi, Handel and Rachmaninoff, folk songs and sea shanties every Wednesday afternoon.

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             The image depicts a group of elderly people gathered in a room, holding various musical instruments and standing in a circle.

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                              A person is holding a beautifully decorated traditional wooden instrument, possibly a violin or a similar stringed instrument.

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Congratulations Margaret, and what a wonderful story!

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Click on the link below to read the whole article.

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https://citynewsqbn.com.au/2026/margaret-shares-the-wright-way-to-learn-and-give/

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KARI’S LOSS – OUR GAIN

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A family member moving to Norway has resulted in some very welcome donations of household items which really wouldn’t fit in the overhead locker.  Importantly, we now have a very spiffy new (and much needed) mini-fridge in the Anne Murray room.

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Just fall down, that's how you know you're young. If people laugh, you're old. If they panic, you're old.

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Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au      

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Something to drive us all craaaazy!!

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Eye halve a spelling checker

It came with my pea sea

It plainly marks four my revue

Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.

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Eye strike a key and type a word

And weight for it two say

Weather I am wrong oar write

It shows me strait a weigh.

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As soon as a mist ache is maid

It nose bee fore two long

And eye can put the air roar rite

It’s rare lea ever wrong.

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Eye have run this poem through

Eye am shore yore pleased to no

It’s letter perfect awl the weigh

My checker tolled me sew.

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By

Fortnightly News 31/7/2026

Issue 15 of 2026                          31 July 2026

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LUNCH AND LEARN SESSIONS – more to come

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This excellent series is now complete, and the feedback has been uniformly appreciative of the talks and of the food and socialization which followed.

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Plans are being hatched for some further sessions – so keep your eyes peeled for more information to come.

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AND SPEAKING OF FOOD…

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Soup and bread are available for lunch on Mondays for $7.00 or a voucher, and there is often some left over for those who might like to take some home.  The proceeds from soup sales go to providing our Christmas lunch.

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We are always happy to hear from anyone who would be willing to make a pot of soup – we have a roster at the office if you would like to pick a day that would suit – and to let us know what soup you will make.  

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AND MORE FOOD….

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The first Wednesday of the month (5TH August) is coming up…. and that means Kari’s magnificent sausage rolls which are available from about 10.00 onwards on the day.  If you haven’t partaken of these culinary delights yet – what are you waiting for??  A bargain at $5 each.

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DO YOU HAVE A PARKING PERMIT?

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If so, please please please remember to display it when parking at the Club.  The parking team (volunteer members!) who monitor for illegal parkers will greatly appreciate being able to walk straight past your car when doing their rounds.

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If you have misplaced your permit card, please just let Polly know and she can make you a new one.  Or if you receive an infringement notice by mistake, please bring it in to Polly who can check that we have the correct number plate registered in our database.

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POT- HOLES

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A quiet Saturday morning and the pot-hole elves went to work with cold asphalt mix and muscle to address some of the many rough patches in the Club carpark.  Well done team – and I believe they are just waiting to see how the first ones go before filling some more.

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                BANMIN

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YPjv0St0ZIA6Romn.png    The image depicts a humorous quote suggesting that if someone is truly happy, they should remain in bed.

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(Thanks Judy)

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Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au      

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And of  course, today’s drivel: 

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You know you’re aging when your actions creak louder than your words.

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I used to be indecisive – but now I’m not sure.

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If you’re old enough to know better, you’re too old to do it.

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Age is when you are warned to slow down by a doctor instead of a policeman.

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It’s also when your old classmates are so old and grey and wrinkled that they don’t recognise you.

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Age is strictly a case of mind over matter.  If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

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If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we’d be millionaires.

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By

Fortnightly News 17/7/2026

Issue 14 of 2026                          17 July 2026

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DATES TO REMEMBER

Tuesday 21 July – Club Management Committee Meeting

Friday 24 July – Online safety and scam awareness talk

Tuesday 28 July – SPICE Program – see table below.

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Lunch and Learn

Thanks Sue Allen for the following:

Members who have attended the previous Lunch and Learn sessions have found them valuable. And when followed by such delicious lunches cooked by Kari and Julie, the survey responses were glowing.

The recent talk by Dean and Daniel from Fifth Gear, on Driving As We Age, was really positive. Especially interesting were the practical aids that are available for drivers who may need assistance with the pedals or steering wheel.

The final two Lunch and Learn Sessions are filling rapidly and come quite close together. The first is led by Hayley Bradley from the AFP talking about scams and personal safety and security.  This takes place FRIDAY 24th July at 12 midday followed by lunch at 1pm. Lunch will be Kari’s famous sausage rolls with mashed potato and vegetables.

The last Lunch and Learn session is on TUESDAY 28th July  at 11.30 a.m. The presenter is Dr D’Cunha speaking on the Spice program and ways to build support in the community for people with dementia and their carers. This session will be followed by a lunch of chicken curry and rice.

Booking is essential for the lunch on these days with a charge of a voucher or $7.00. If you wish to come to the talk, but not stay for lunch we would appreciate you letting us know so we can assure there are enough chairs out and any information is available to all.

As these will be last sessions under the funded government grant program, we would like feedback as to whether to continue these talks and if so what format you would like.

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Date

Time

Speaker/s

Topic

Friday 24th July

12.00

Act Police Seniors’

Liaison Officer

Hayley Bradley

Online safety and Scam Awareness

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Tuesday

28 July

11.30

SPICE Program

Dr. Nathan D’Cunha

Dr D’Cunha works on the Spice Program which provides support for people with dementia. 

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Member Contribution

Thanks Vince Condon for these pics of a recent shop window display near his home, which brought back the memories below!

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The first tellies were very expensive. Our first TV was rented and had a very small screen and stood on four tall, spindly legs. I think it was an Astor. Its black and white picture used to get terribly distorted most of the day and night. Talk about aggravating! The rentals company set up another TV right next to it sharing the same rooftop antenna. 

So for a week we were a two TV family, which suggested we were wealthy – which we certainly weren’t.  Anyway, by this time Dad was wondering whether our house, being in a suburb on the fringe of Melbourne, was too far from the transmission towers and we would never get to enjoy what others were raving about on talkback radio. 

The rentals company concluded that the first TV wasn’t defective and that both were suffering electrical interference from an unknown external source. About a week afterwards the interference ended. It was thought that builders had been using power saws and drills on a construction site before finishing  the project and moving on. (Back then power tools had metal alloy casings before the manufacturers moved to casings made out of very strong plastics. Sadly a friend of our family was electrocuted while using one of the early drills with a metal casing.)

 So, the builders decamped and finally our family could join civilised society to watch in the comfort of our lounge room The Cisco Kid, The Texas Rangers, The Lone Ranger and Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. Ecstasy!  We children had some growing up to do before Mum and Dad would let us watch Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock and,  later on, The Twilight Zone especially when the authoritative voice of Rod Serling said words to the effect: ‘Do not try to adjust your television as we are in control. You are about to enter another dimension.’

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I’d be happy to print any clever, funny, interesting or otherwise! contributions from members……

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WANTED

Kari is looking for donations of some decorative jugs to be used for the Club kitchen area décor.  Polly will be happy to receive your contributions.  Many thanks.

FREE TO GOOD HOME

        
       

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This child-size toy kitchen bench was part of the set-up for this year’s Book Fair but won’t be needed again.  If you have or know of a child who would love to have this – be the first to let Polly know!

       

                       .

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au      

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A few quotes from well-known people:

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Santa Claus had the right idea – visit people only once a year.

–Victor Borge

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Be careful about reading health books – you may die of a misprint.

–Mark Twain

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I never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.

–Zsa Zsa Gabor

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Only Irish coffee provides, in a single glass, all four essential food groups:

alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.

–Alex Levine

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What’s the use of happiness?  It can’t buy you money.

–Henny Youngman.

By

Fortnightly News 3/7/2026

Issue 13 of 2026                          3 July 2026

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DATES TO REMEMBER

Tuesday 7 July – Fifth Gear Motoring presentation – see table below.

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CONGRATULATIONS GAIL!!

Just wonderful to be able to share this well-deserved recognition of our Gail.           

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LUNCH AND LEARN

Below is a table of the remaining sessions in our Lunch and Learn program.

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The last three sessions are on the dates/times set out in the table below and will be followed by a hot lunch. 

The cost of the lunch is $7.00 or a voucher for a maximum of 25 people, so it is essential that you book specifically for whichever lunch session/s you wish to attend.

Anyone may attend the information component session/s free of charge – however we would still appreciate you letting us know if you plan to attend the session but not the lunch so we know how many chairs to put out.     

 

Date

Time

Speaker/s

Topic

Tuesday 7th July

11.30

Dean Chapman

Fifth Gear Motoring

Tailored session to show how to stay safe and confident when driving plus vehicle modifications and aids.

Friday 24th July

12.00

Act Police Seniors’

Liaison Officer

Hayley Bradley

Online safety and Scam Awareness

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Tuesday

28 July

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11.30

SPICE Program

Dr. Nathan D’Cunha

Dr D’Cunha works on the Spice Program which provides support for people with dementia.  The program includes education, a peer support system finding ways to build confidence, stay connected, or reconnect with friends and family

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A MESSAGE TO ALL JIGSAW PUZZLERS
We are seeking volunteers to check the puzzles that are donated to us for the bookfair.  We need people to take a puzzle home and complete it to ensure it still has all its pieces.  Then to pack it up and bring it back so we can sell it next year. 

Interested?

Jigsaw puzzles we want checked will be on the library shelf in the Anne Murray room.   Simply take a puzzle home, follow the instructions inside the box and, when finished, return the puzzle to the book fair sorting table in the annex.

The library shelf will be restocked each week so please be patient   If there isn’t a puzzle there when you look there soon will be!

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SOUP ROSTER

Sue Allen and I would love to hear from anyone who would like to make soup for one or more of our Monday soup lunches.  These lunches raise funds for the Club.  The main beneficiary is the annual Christmas lunch, but many other small projects and items have been supported by this initiative.

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Polly has a roster sheet for anyone interested to indicate a date and type of soup and your contribution will be much appreciated by the many soup connoisseurs among us!

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                                                .

           

                       .

Jenny Gregory

President

Woden Seniors Inc

PO Box 345, Woden ACT 2606 Tel: (02) 6282 2573

Email: president@wodenseniors.org.au      

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Thanks to Ron – a source of lots of the drivel that appears at this end of the Fortnightly News……..

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I’m getting stronger with age.

I can now lift $100 worth of groceries with one hand.

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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it.

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Taking steps to overcome my hiking addiction.

I’m not out of the woods yet.

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My resolution was to read more.

So, I enabled the subtitles on my TV.

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Is the opposite of a croissant a happy uncle?

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