Golden Harvest
By Jim Forbes
Reporter
The Golden Harvest Ministries Club met January 16, 2012 in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall to hold the monthly business meeting and covered dish luncheon.
Past president, Linda Bordelon filled in for our new president, Alice West who is recovering from pneumonia. She welcomed everyone and introduced Mary Thompson, Community Liaison for Crown Health Services, who will be bringing our program.
Joe Fields led in two songs, “Down at the Cross” and “Are You Washed in the Blood” with Ruth Grayson at the piano. He also led in singing Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to the ones celebrating these occasions this month.
Celebrating their birthdays this month are: Joe D. Anderson, Fred Cruse, Jim Forbes, Dot Golding, Terry Gray, Walter Manning, Mary McSwain and Joyce Scott.
Walter and Ellen Manning, who were married 25 years ago in December, were recognized this month because they did not get to celebrate it with us last month. Joe and Linda Anderson celebrated their 54th anniversary this month.
After Eric Beecham led in prayer the guest speaker and those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries were asked to lead the rest of us to the food table which was loaded with an abundance of good food and scrumptious desserts.
Mrs. Bordelon turned the meeting over to Mary Thompson. Ms. Thompson presented a program giving general reminders about good health care which she said we probably already knew more about than she did, but occasionally we need reminders! Born in Louisiana she spent most of her life in the Houston area but now is living in Lufkin and working with Crown Health Services in Nacogdoches. Her daughter was primarily responsible for her moving to the Lufkin area as she needed someone to care for her 4 legged pets when she became a traveling nurse.
Ms. Thompson asked us what we thought was the worst place in the home to harbor germs and many answers were given but no one guessed the water faucet. The hands transport more germs than anything and when we wash our hands rather than counting we should say our ABC’s. Washing our hands is very, very important and liquid soap is more sanitary than bar soap. Sponges and scrub brushes used for washing dishes are germ catchers. Other things she listed as unsanitary were: vacuum cleaner rollers (rolling over litter sticking to cat’s paws for example), paper handled by others, key boards, cell phones, credit cards and even keeping the heat turned up causes germs to breed. She also stressed to change the filters monthly. And the nastiest thing we touch is money!
We have often heard of people charged with a crime of laundering money – could they have had their health in mind? Yeah! Uh huh!
Another fact Ms. Thompson brought up was that if we are taking a blood thinner prescription, do not drink grapefruit juice for the two mixed could cause a severe reaction.
She urged us to go through our homes and take measures preventing hospitalization. The leading cause of hospitalization of adults is falls. Three out of five adults over the age of 65 fall each year and hip fractures are most common in falls. Tripping over wires, dizziness from some medications and tripping over pets also cause falls.
She concluded her informative and interesting program by giving us handouts about Crown Health Services and the services they provide. In order to be covered by Medicare the patient must have a doctor’s orders, be home bound and have a skilled need of patient teaching, therapy or skilled nursing.
So many things that Ms. Thompson brought out were just everyday common activities in our home that could affect our well being.
Minutes were dispensed with. Kitchen help was thanked and the ones helping Syble Walker in the kitchen next month are Helen Collard and Linda Anderson. Anyone else wishing to help can join them in the kitchen as they always do.
Ann Forbes presented the sick list and urged everyone to carry the list home to help them remember the ones needing prayer. David Bain led in prayer for the sick and the meeting was adjourned.
February’s program will feature Center Mayor David Chadwick and FBC Minister of Music Eric Beecham. Members are urged to attend, and visitors are always welcome.
