Third Times the Charm, Scott McKay Retires... AGAIN
Scott McKay entertaining the crowd that gathered to celebrate his accomplishments and his retirement.
By Cole Goodwin
Scott McKay hosted his third retirement party this week... and he makes no promises about not hosting the fourth one in another ten years.
Scott Mckay served as Executive Director at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center in The Dalles for fifteen years, helping to grow the Center as a place of gathering and sharing in group activities during his time there.
Community members from all walks of life gathered to honor Scott for his hard work and dedication to the Center on Dec. 13th. Attendees shared stories about Scott and spoke of his legacy of youth and elderly advocacy and his commitment to community service.
Scott received several retirement gifts, including a quilt from The Quilters Guild and several travel DVD's so that he can spend some of his retirement traveling the world... from his couch.
At the end of the night, Scott gave a speech in which he thanked the many people that he had the privilege of working and collaborating with over the years.
"It's been a great 15 years," said Scott.
Scott had several pieces of advice to bestow upon the room before he said goodbye.
On living a fulfilling life.
"When I first came (to work at the Center), I remember that I was very nervous having to speak to this group before lunch… it was kind of the tradition that every lunch, you'd come out and speak to the crowd… And it's like anything you do, the first time it's a challenge," said Scott
"And I used a quote from Stephen Covey, who has given me a lot of great ideas. He said a life fulfilled is one where you live, you learn, you love, and you leave a legacy.
And I think that is so true. Many of us are leaving that legacy. And I just had to mention it because it was one of the first things I said 15 years ago," said Scott reflecting on his legacy and the legacy of the Center.
Lot’s of people gathered to celebrate Scott McKay’s retirement including, The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays, The Dalles City CouncilorTim McGlothlin, and Meadow Outdoor’s Chris Zukin.
On receiving criticism.
"I remember one of the very first reviews of the Senior Center Director at the very beginning. And John Thomas wrote up a review of that director and said, "The Center Director has to be better organized. He needs to find a place for things on his desk and in the Center Director's office,” said Scott, "I.e. Cluttered desk. The things around the office are waiting to go into storage. You see, some things never change. And I'm sure glad John Thomas is not around to look at my office now; he'd be so disappointed."
On looking into the future after retirement.
"My future is… I have no idea. Just like jumping off a cliff and hoping the water is not too deep and there are no rocks in it because you don't know exactly where you're going to land," said Scott. "But it's going to be another great adventure, I'm sure. I'm going to make sure that's the case."
On who would be a good replacement to lead the Senior Center.
"It's a perfect opportunity for anyone who's like 59. I started when I was 59, and I was so excited when I turned 60 and I could get the reduced lunch," said Scott.
Interested in the job? Apply to be the Senior Center Executive Director.
On what he's learned from working with Seniors.
"It's amazing how much I've learned working with older adults here at the Senior Center. It's been just incredible. One of the main benefits of this job is to learn about living," said Scott
Scott shared some points from a piece of writing he'd authored based on "All I Really Need To Know I Learned in a Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum.
All You Really Need to Know You Can Learn At a Senior Center
By Scott Mckay
Learn a skill without worrying about how good you are. If you like to paint, paint. Don't worry about someone saying, 'well that's a piece of crap.' No, you paint, and don't worry about what other people think.
Most things don't really matter, but some really do. I got that from Julie Reed. She talked about looking out the window and seeing some guy not dressed really well and realizing, well, that doesn't really matter, but some things really do.
Getting older beats the alternative, but it’s hard work. It is not a piece of cake. You got to really work at it.
Accept what you can't control and then adapt. A lot of times, people think adapting is giving up. But if you adapt, it's still achieving the same goal in a little different way.
Dream as if you will live forever, and live as if you will die tomorrow. This is another one of my favorites, and it's from James Dean. Live in the now.
The Five S's to avoid. This one I learned from Adeline Nor, she had the 5 S's to avoid. Sugar, sodium, pop (that one was a test for me), (going back for) seconds, and shortening.
Be like a child. Sometimes we're older, and we just need to be like a child. To see the world with virgin eyes. To find the extraordinary in the ordinary. That's what's so neat about working with kids, your grandchildren. They see the world so differently. Sometimes, it’s the first time they have seen something.
This is one that I learned from Dave Berry and the Floozies. Life is too short not to be involved in something really silly. You got to have fun.
You know, gray hair is really cool. Gray hair is hot!
"It has been a great 15 years. Like I've said I learned a lot. It's been a fantastic journey," said Scott. "And there's so many people to thank. Like everyone knows, you don't do it by yourself. Nothing gets done by yourself. If there's any success I have, it's being surrounded by really good people. I've been lucky to have great people to work with."
On aging.
"Paul Kramer, one of the things he said when they asked him how he got old was, "Well, I went to sleep at night. I got up in the morning. I went to sleep at night. I got up in the morning. I went to sleep at night. I got up in the morning… All the sudden, you're a hundred years old," said Scott.
On the most difficult thing about getting older.
"The most difficult piece of getting older is losing people, your friends," said Scott. "Looking back at the last 15 years and seeing all of those folks that aren't here anymore, and they were fantastic people and taught a lot."
Scott also received a suitcase full of cash (small bills) to help his retirement travel plans a reality.
On his secret to success.
"I discovered that one of the secrets to success is always saying yes," said Scott. "It's pretty amazing. Sometimes people come up with an idea. And I think that's not going to work, but okay, you know. Okay, we'll do it. I kind of avoid conflict, you know. I just don't like that too much. And it really turns out really well. Like, I didn't think that was going to work, but it did."
On how he does it.
"I don't know. Seems like my one great strength is longevity. Not talent. I just have a tendency to last a long time," said Scott. "Always look for the best in people. Try to find a yes. And listen. I try to consider every idea I get. I may not implement it, but I try to listen to that idea and show that respect."
Scott ended his speech by saying
"This is my third retirement, the County, The Dalles Swim Team, and The Senior Center. In ten years, I will invite all of you to my 4th retirement."
Happy retirement, Scott! Thank you for your services to Wasco County, North Wasco County School District 21 and Mid-Columbia Senior Center. See you in ten years!
Cookies made for Scott’s retirement party.
