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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2018)
THREE - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, August 1, 2018 A View from the Hill By Doris Brosnan July was another month of special activities and comfortable routines at Willow Creek Terrace. One hundred percent of the resi- dents viewed the fireworks on July 4, comfortably seat- ed in chairs along the entry and sidewalk. Of course, topic of discussion on our nation’s birthday was other Independence days, patrio- tism and the flag. Four days later, Donna Bergstrom celebrated her birthday by sharing her birthday lunch with all four of her daughters and her son-in-law. And four days after that, Meg Murray enjoyed her birthday lunch with husband, Rod. The community on the hill view these celebrations as super important. On the menu for some of these lunches are ter- race-garden produce, which Ron Peck has showed spe- cial interest in cultivating. Peas, beans and beet greens will soon be followed by corn, tomatoes and at least one pumpkin. The residents who view the morning discussion group as stimulating and enjoyable shared stories about pets one morning, had an education during Shark Week and had fun with a shark trivia game at the end of that week. They also reminisced about Woodies, those station wag- ons of the 40’s and 50’s known for the wooden pan- eling on the sides. Neil Armstrong’s 1969 walk on the moon was the topic on the 20 th , with some empha- sis on his stating, “We came in peace for all mankind.” Lumberjacks seemed a rele- vant topic one morning, and Gorgeous Grandmas Day brought some laughs. Old Jokes Day resulted in many groans and Hula Hoop Day provided the staff an oppor- tunity to demonstrate their hooping skills before that morning’s trivia game. Mutt Day discussion seemed a counter-balance to today’s common designer dog con- versations. The Terrace literary group continues to hold interest and to add mem- bers. Phillip Pacheco, from the local library, and Floss Watkins, Gladys Van Win- kle, Bev Norton and Laurel Cannon continue to read and discuss short stories on Tuesdays. They welcome additional interested per- sons, and in fact, welcomed visiting library board mem- ber Barb Orwick to their discussion last week. Laurel Cannon moved into the Terrace on the 23 rd and was already includ- ing the literary group as one of her new activities with her new neighbors. Laurel moved to Heppner from Ione and has already enjoyed visits with her daughter and her husband, Kathy and Frank Halver- son, as well as with familiar friends and new faces in the Terrace. August promises to be HOT, so the residents and staff will be cautious with their outdoor activities. Some plan to take in the Morrow County Fair on one day and probably the parade before the rodeo. If the weather permits, they will end the month with BBQ-Eat Outside Day, but are open to the idea of open- ing the sun room doors to the patio for cooler dining spaces. Administrator George Nairns is ready with her old family recipe for lemon- ade, to serve on Lemonade Day, the 20 th . Many serious and humorous topics are already on the calendar of national special days for the month’s discussions, as well as some tasty days that include Banana Split Day (10 th ) and Ice Cream Day (18 th ). On Aug. 24, all resi- dents, men and women, will be invited to enjoy a Fun Friday Facial opportunity. The staff and interested volunteers will be offer- ing a scrub, a mask, some massaging and lotion to all takers. According to the residents at Willow Creek Terrace, they view pamper- ing as one of the perks to life there and they are eager to welcome new faces to the four available apartments. Protect yourself from smoke With all of the smoke in the air from area fires, residents should practice safety measures to protect themselves. The Oregon Health Authority suggests the following: -Limit your exposure to wildfire smoke. -Reduce time spent out- doors. -Reduce time you en- gage in vigorous outdoor activity. -Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. -Reduce other sources MCHD approves additional funding for Irrigon clinic The Morrow County Health District Board ap- proved up to $120,000 in additional funding toward construction of the Irri- gon Medical Clinic at the board’s regular meeting Monday night in Ione. The increase will fund electrical costs and con- struction of two additional exam rooms, a restroom, two smaller rooms provid- ing office space and another room that could be used for patient behavioral health issues if the district partners with another entity, such as Community Counseling Solutions or another be- havioral health agency. The board indicated it would be much less expensive to complete the additions now, while the facility is still under construction, than it would be to do it later. The increased electri- cal costs include a $25,00 charge just for Umatilla Electric to hook up the clinic with Phase 3 electri- cal power capability, which will allow for the use of medical equipment such as an MRI machine. MCHD CEO Bob Houser told the board the district is possibly looking at the end of August or September for the clinic construction completion. He told the board the recently-poured Irrigon Clinic sidewalk had to be jack hammered out, because of problems encountered when it was poured during the recent heat wave. He re- ported the IMC parking lot project and new clinic sig- nage project were awarded $33,196 from the Irrigon Community Enhancement Funds which had received monies through the CREZ distribution of funds to various agencies and com- munities. The new IMC and Boardman Ambulance signs arrived on July 24 and are in the process of installation, he said. Also at the meeting, Houser said five candidates for a community relations/ communications manager position were interviewed either by SKYPE or in person. He said MCHD had three excellent candidates and administration plans to interview two of those candidates for the district’s final decision. Houser told the board the district is firming things up on a contract with Rocky Mountain Physical Ther- apy Services/Pioneer Me- morial Physical Therapy concerning the possibility of adding speech therapy for the district. Houser said the speech therapist would have hospital office space at least three-four days a week and would see outpatients and swing bed patients. He said it is hoped to have this service available sometime this month and a contract is being firmed up. He added discussion was held about adding a physical therapy assistant to the physical therapy staff because of the large patient volume and Rocky Mountain Physical Thera- py/Pioneer Memorial Phys- ical Therapy is currently recruiting. Houser said the clinic receptionist positions in both the Irrigon and Ione clinics have been filled with Clerissa Arnold, who was hired for the Ione position, and Desi Jo Roybal, who was hired for the Irrigon position. Mike Skow was hired as a full-time mainte- nance technician to begin in early August. Still needed is a hospital RN. He said MCHD has purchased a medication return collection unit at a cost of $1,495. The unit was placed at the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office in Heppner so people may drop off their outdated, no longer used medications for disposal. Previously only one drop box had been established in the county, Blue Mountain Spanish Sound to perform of indoor smoke and dust. -Check current air qual- ity conditions. -If you have heart or lung disease or respiratory illnesses such as asthma, follow your health care provider’s advice about prevention and treatment of symptoms. For additional informa- tion or questions regard- ing the hazards of wildfire smoke, contact Shelley Wight at the Morrow Coun- ty Health Department, 541- 676-5421. Blue Mountain Spanish Sound Blue Mountain Spanish has a new CD that will be Sound will perform for the released Dec. 27 called Music in the Parks outdoor Dimensions, with 15 new summer concert series at 7 songs. Visitors are encour- p.m. on Aug. 6 at the Board- bers attend monthly meet- man Marina Park. Blue aged to bring chairs and ings, help with fundraising Mountain Spanish Sound blankets. Concessions will and general oversight of is an acoustic guitar duo be available for purchase, the day care. The board comprised of Jesse Campos courtesy of the Boardman would like to diversify its Little League. The Music and Lance Smith. members, and is hoping that Two of the most popu- in the Parks series is fund- someone who is community lar performers in the Walla ed by the Morrow County orientated with a business Walla Valley, they play Unified Recreation District or financial background all-original classical guitar and Portland General Elec- would be willing to serve. music with Latin influenc- tric and sponsored by the Please contact Petra es and have released two North Morrow Community Payne, board president at albums. Jason Valentine, of Foundation. 541-676-5466 if you would For more information Good Morning Northwest, like more information about KVEW ABC TV, says they about the Music in the Parks becoming a board member. are the “Fastest fingers concert series, contact Jack- in the Northwest.” Blue ie at 541-720-1289. Mountain Spanish Sound Day care seeks board member Heppner Day Care is seeking a new board mem- ber to serve as an active and integral team member. The day care board is an essential component of the day care’s daily function. Its mission is to help the day care provide excep- tional childcare and early education services to the community. The board supervises the budget, hires employees and ensures the facilities are maintained. Board mem- LCAC meeting to be held The next LCAC meeting will be held Thursday, Aug. 2 at 9 a.m. in the Well Springs room at the Port of Morrow located at 2 Marine Dr NE in Boardman. Heppner Gazette Times 541-676-9228 david@rapidserve.net Irrigon Clinic remodel schematics at the Boardman Police Department. Houser also reported the district’s request for $250,000 from the Ford Foundation to be used for the Irrigon Medical Clin- ic project was scheduled to have gone before their board at the end of July. In other business, the board: -received the follow- ing draft profit and loss statement for June, which showed a $201,653 profit for the month: $1,017,664 in gross patient revenue for the month; less $1,320 for bad debt and $32,061 in contractual and other adjustments, plus $149,591 in tax revenue and $32,020 in other operating revenue for $1,165,894 in total op- erating revenue; $979,267 in total operating expenses and a $15,026 non-operat- ing gain for the $201,653 gain for the month and an average monthly year-to- date gain of $8,188. -received the follow- ing information: Pioneer Memorial Hospital had seven admissions in June, eight admissions for ob- servation, four swing bed admissions, two hospital re- spite admissions, 544 total outpatients, 73 emergency room encounters, 1,749 lab tests, 113 x-ray/ultrasound tests, 43 CT scans, three MRI scans, 23 EKG tests, seven lower endoscopy procedures, 49 respiratory therapy procedures. -learned Home Health had 77 patient visits; Hos- pice had two admissions; pharmacy had 2,774 drug doses for $120,214 in drug revenue. -learned Heppner Ambulance had 38 page- outs with 31 transports for $42,844 in revenue; Boardman Ambulance had 40 page-outs with 23 trans- ports for $40,416 in rev- enue; Irrigon Ambulance had 32 page-outs with 16 transports for $22,353 in revenue; Ione Ambulance had three page-outs with no transports; there were nine flights. -received the following report: Pioneer Memori- al Clinic had 392 patient visits in June, with eight new patients, 37 seen by a nurse and 20 no-shows; Irrigon Medical Clinic had 271 patient visits with 28 new patients, 44 seen by a nurse and 39 no-shows; Ione Community Clinic had 38 patient visits, five new patients, six seen by a nurse and two no-shows. Heppner Day Care has hired a new full-time pre-school teacher, Lind- sey Roy of Heppner, who will be teaching both the three- and four-year-old pre-school classes starting in September. Roy has been working in early childhood educa- tion and care for over 10 years. She has experience with children and families in daycares, preschools and in home childcare. According to the news release, Lindsey is looking forward to working with the families and children served by Heppner Day Care. New teacher at day care Blue-green algae reported in Willow Creek Reservoir Residents are advised to avoid Willow Creek Reservoir as the water has been found to contain blue- green algae and the toxins can be harmful to humans and animals. Oregon health officials have advised that the high levels of cyanobacteria can cause dizziness, numbness and tingling that can lead to difficulty breathing or heart problems and require im- mediate medical attention. Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure due to their size and level of activity. Those who get water directly from Willow Creek Reservoir are advised to use an alternate water source, as drinking water from the res- ervoir is dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boil- ing, filtering or treating the water with camping-style filters. According to the Or- egon Health Authority (OHA), those planning to eat fish caught in water with the algae blooms should remove all fat, skin and organs before consuming them, as toxins are more likely to collect in those tissues. People should avoid swallowing water while swimming or inhaling water droplets. Although toxins are not absorbed through the skin, people who have skin sensitivities may experience a puffy, red rash at the affected area. The advisory will be lifted when the concern no longer exists. For health information or to report an illness, contact Shel- ley Wight at the Morrow County Health Department, 541-676-5421.
