NEW AT THE LIBRARY: A way to go online and learn to become proficient in many of the computer programs now being used in various businesses and professions and just for you. Our main library in Port Lavaca is now making available to all residents classes online in the following software programs: Computer & Internet Basics, E-mail Basics, Social Media (Facebook, etc.), OpenOffice, Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. All you have to do is to visit our Library, sign up at the desk and then go online. What a painless and non-stressful way to learn!

Just found the newest book by a very unusual author; entitled The Ballad Of Tom Dooley as written by Sharon McCrumb. I’m sure that most of us remember listening to the Kingston Trio perform that ballad back in the 60’s. I was extremely fortunate at that time as the Group would take lessons and rehearse from a musician in Berkeley, and a number of us students would worm our way into the rehearsal hall to listen. But the author emphasizes that her story is not as it is related in the ballad; her family roots date back to the late 1700’s in the mountainous area between North Carolina and Tennessee and so she knows the area and people, and she did extensive research in the facts of these characters.

Beautifully written in very colloquial English, one feels as reading the words, you are there in person. Her characters, truthful yet somewhat fictionalized, are very believable. You can see the comeliness of Ann Melton as she is described with a stunning mop of black hair on a face of perfection; you can also sense her laziness and sloth and total disregard in caring for her husband and children. The narrator, Pauline Foster at times seems belligerent at her fate and the realization that she will die soon and dreadfully despite medical attention. And, as for Tom Dula (the actual name of the protagonist, Tom Dooley), he is somewhat of a good-for-nothing man, living off his mother, who somehow survived the horrors of the Civil War. These are residents of the mountainous area in North Carolina; education is lacking throughout, and the poverty is amazing. Yet each person lives and struggles day by day, each looking for a little extra something in those bleak days. I loved the book, and have read earlier one of her previous novels, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

A somewhat fun book to read yet unusual in its facts was General Howe’s Dog by Caroline Tiger. You ask, as did I, about the part a dog could play in an important battle of the Revolution, and why it mattered. But the animal not only was a force in the behavior of the Generals, Howe and Washington, but also assumed an unusual role. Additionally, the author narrates the importance of one battle, and its effect upon the total conflict, but also describes the personalities and background of each important character. I found this was a very pleasant way to learn more of the happenings of the War of our beginnings

We still have books for sale at the Library thankfully with donations from residents coming in regularly. Luckily for Shirley and me we have received a number of current books that cover a variety of subjects; even some for handcrafting special items. The monies received from these sales go to add to our DVD collection and to purchase additional books – many times those missing from a series. Do come and check them out! You won’t be disappointed.

“When an old person dies, a Library burns down.” – Karin Gillespie

Victoria College’s Workforce and Continuing Education Department, in partnership with Boston Reed College, is offering training classes for Electronic Health Records (EHR) System Technologist. VC students may choose to enroll in online classes for the 18-week course starting on either Sunday, Nov. 13 or on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Electronic Health Records (EHR) System Technologists assist healthcare providers in selecting, implementing and maintaining electronic heath records system. Additionally, EHRTs take the lead in training healthcare professionals in the use of an electronic health records system.

The course includes training on the essential components of the electronic health record and health information exchange essentials. Training also includes system selection and implementation, along with project management and the fundamentals of change and human factors. This interactive, online course features live, weekly teleconferences. Tuition for this non-credit course is $3,600 and includes workbooks, online program access and a certificate of completion.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), hospitals may begin to qualify for government substantial incentive payments for the successful implementation and effective use of electronic health records (EHRs). The goal is for hospitals to increase use of comprehensive EHR systems in order to help control health care costs. As the requirement for hospital use of EHRs increases each year, employment of EHRST professionals by physicians and healthcare provider offices, vendors and government organizations is expected to continue its rapid growth. To meet this demand and fulfill federal requirements, professionals must be trained to assist healthcare providers with their new EHR systems.

For more information about how to register for this course or any other Workforce and Continuing Education program, please call the Workforce and Continuing Education Office at 361-582-2528 or find more information online at www.VictoriaCollege.edu/continuingeducationworkforcetraining.

Send completed entry form by November 8, 2011 to:
Fax: 361-983-5309 or Email: nefritsch@yahoo.com
Any question, please call:
Neil Fritsch @ (361) 552-3145 or (361) 920-5346
Jerry McClendon (361) 484-0779

Being a pastor, I am always concerned with other people’s health – probably more interested in you being healthy than I am in my own personal health. I am always interested when someone goes into the hospital for any reason. I am wondering what would keep someone out of our services. There are three areas that are vital to you being able to help others – like being around for your children, grandchildren, etc. Our Lord’s example was in these areas of His life and He taught us to follow a good plan in the physical, spiritual, and emotional parts of our lives.

Let’s talk about physical health. To get started, we need to go to our favorite medical doctor (lots of luck with that one!) and get a physical, along with a full panel of blood work. These procedures will provide you and your doctor some guidelines and markers to help you progress. A good doctor will probably tell you to lose weight, eat fewer sugars and fats, and to begin an exercise program. Be a good patient and follow his advice, and you will be glad you did. Your energy level will be greater and you will not be like the person who told me, “as long as there is a pill for my problem, I will eat whatever I want.”

Do what my dad has always taught me, “Eat good food, just not too much of it!” The better food you eat, the better you will feel and the more strength you will have to do the things you want to. Junk food may be “comfort food”, but it is food that will add very little to the long range goals of your life. For me, it is controlling portions. – I like good food and a lot of it! When I leave the table and twenty minutes later I am not stuffed, I have made a good decision about the amount of food I consumed.

With good food, it is important that I exercise. Almost every time I go to the doctor, he will ask me about my activity level. I tell him about all the things I do and the stairs I climb every day to get my meals and find my bed, and he always tells me I need to do more. I complain that I do not have the energy nor the time to invest in more exercise, and he assures me that if I would exercise more I would have more energy to exercise. – That does not make sense to me, but he tells me it’s true! Then I remember my “trump card” – it is a fact that 50% of all doctors graduate in the bottom half of their respective class – just maybe he does not know best!

Let’s talk about rest. There is a law of physically resting from your normal activity and work that is paramount to spiritual, physical, and emotional health. The Creator rested one day out of the busiest week of His existence! We need to take a break from our normal activities. It might be that we need to sleep in, do some yard work, sort our socks, or go sit in our deer blind or boat with our favorite flavored iced tea. We need to have a 24-hour block of time each week that is ours…, OK, maybe we can be quick and rest only 23 hours. “Workaholism” will erode all aspects of one’s life. Having time away from our normal activities will bring refreshment to every area of our lives.

Let’s talk about meditation. Now, don’t try to make me fit into some Eastern religion and have me join some circle of friends where we hum and allow our minds to wander! No! I am talking about having something to meditate on that will strengthen my inner person. I believe that God’s Word is worth thinking about. Many do not know the value of the Bible because they have not taken the time to read it and meditate upon it. There is not enough room to write down all the benefits of God’s written and inspired Word. Reading the Bible is very important, but meditating on it is equally important. Please do not misunderstand, but the amount of the Word you read is not as important as meditating, thinking, memorizing, and musing on smaller portions. It is like the difference between an all-you-can-eat Golden Corral meal and a sit-down dinner experience at Jamill’s, a five-star restaurant in Tulsa. The portions will be smaller, but your meal will be enjoyed much more. Meditating on God’s Word is giving time for the God of all creation to speak directly into our own hearts!

Let’s talk about prayer. Prayer is not just talking to someone about something we can not do and wishing someone else would do it for us! Prayer is an opportunity to talk personally with the Creator of the universe. It is learning how to give Him all my concerns and trusting Him to help me with them. It is often just sitting quietly in His presence with no agenda and no requests. Most of our prayers are a sort of encounter with our “Cosmic Santa”, where we present our lists and wait for our packages to be delivered on our chosen “Christmas Day”. But true prayer involves telling God how much we appreciate being born, how grand it is to be an American, and how we love the freedom that He helps to provide. It is taking time to recognize that He is an important part of our lives and let Him know it! There seems to be so many things that are “out of control”, that prayer allows me to sit down with the One at the controls and learn what He is planning.

Healthy is a worthwhile goal, not only for this life, but for the life to come. When I have exhausted this physical life, I want to be sure I am ready for my eternal life. It is in having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that I am ready to live here and hereafter. My life in Christ makes me want to be healthy in the areas of the physical, spiritual, and emotional. The better my life is here determines to a large part the kind of life I will have eternally.

When it truly comes down to basics, how healthy are you?

2011 Winter Texan Welcome Expo – November 17th, 2011

Bauer Community Center – 10:00 a.m. ‘til 2:00 p.m.
Door prize giveaways every hour. Serving FREE refreshments!

This is the time for our winter visitors to showcase the businesses and clubs here in Calhoun County.

Come and see what our community can do for you!

For more info call the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce (361) 552-2959