Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions

Nenana Wellness CoalitionMINUTES 

January 26, 2010

 The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

There were fourteen in attendance today, including: Virginia Young, Harriet Borst, Jeannie Bennett, Audrey Roth, Walter and Andrea Tommy, Laura Vance, Merrily Verhagen, Bill & Rebecca Troxel, Tim Horn, Bonnie Reed, Art Thompson and Mike Smith We enjoyed chicken soup, sandwiches, salad and Ritz crackers with sliced cheese and raisins and walnuts for lunch. Thanks to Rosemary Allen for cooking our delicious lunch and Bonnie Reed for the cheese and crackers and raisins and walnuts.

WELCOME followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Tim Horn.

 

PRAYER: Was lead by Merrily Verhagen, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: No modifications to the agenda as presented.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted at the WIN kink at www.railbelt.com and were submitted electronically to the WIN e-      list on 1/19/10. 

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No guests today.

           

 

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

  

Nenana Health Fair- Laura reported that the planning comity had their first meeting before WIN today at 11am. They set the time of the health fair for 9am-1pm on Saturday March 27^th.  The blood draw will be $40 with additional screenings for Thyroid blood test for $30 and prostate blood test for an additional $25. Tim mentioned to ask Phyllis if there will be any vouchers available for blood tests this year. It was asked if anyone knew if Kat had gotten a sponsorship letter into the Ice Classic for the Health Fair, and it was thought that she did. Laura would follow up. Tim also mentioned they would be trying to get a message therapist or two again for this health fair and maybe a sign-up sheet for message times.  

 Envisioning Wellness: Tim was wondering if anyone had a chance to talk to Eric or Jason. Jeannie reported that Eric would discuss having someone come over here at the Board Meeting on February 2^nd. She told him to pick a Tuesday in wither February or March. Kat was going to try to talk to Jason. There was a letter delivered to Kathy Morgan at the tribe, but not knowing exactly who might be available at the moment, maybe try at a later date. It was reported that Edna Hancock is back working at NNC and also the grant administrators Robin, Victor and Charlie can be found in the little George Hall (original George Hall).  Sober Housing: No one living in it at the moment. David will be doing some more work on it. It’s a work in progress. Tim mentioned that there was some interest to have information about available addiction rehab programs in the state at the health fair. That way if people were thinking about making that change they would know what their options were.  

WIN inquired if anyone knew if there would be a potlatch for Jerel Redfox. It was shared that they were feeding people at Karen and Gopher Lord’s but that the funeral would be held in Mountain Village and that there was not a potlatch at this time.

  

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Jeannie Bennett: Biggest Loser will start tomorrow. There is between 11-13 people planning on participating at the moment. Weigh-ins will be held tomorrow (1/27/10) at the clinic between 11am-noon and 3-4pm. You will need to go to the door to the right of the kitchen double doors. Jeanie will be taking peoples height and weight. The first meeting will be tomorrow at the YERC at 7pm. Weigh-ins and meetings will be taking place every two weeks thereafter at the same time and place until May 5^th, where the grand prize will be given. For those interested in continuing through the summer, they can evaluate at that time. Winner is based on a person’s BMI (body mass index) not weight lost. Jeannie has downloaded some charts off the internet to help assist people in charting their progress. Also if anyone with expertise or training in nutrition or exercise could attend meeting that would be appreciated. Would love to find someone who knows how to work the bow flex. There was some discussion if the NNC is still involved, if not if there is another agency or entity on town that would like to take it on, or if  it would be a community club. Jeannie will look into getting the key to the YERC for tomorrow night’s meeting @ 7pm.

Rebecca Troxel: Basket ball games tonight against Monroe: boys play @ 5pm, girls @ 6:30pm. There are basket ball games on Friday against Anderson: girls play @ 6:30pm, boys at 7pm. 

Virginia: The Baha’i’ community will be doing themed devotions once a month. This month is compassion. When people talk about things dear to their heart we can learn more. This month devotions will take place tomorrow Wednesday, January 27, 2010 @ 7pm at Bonnie Reeds house. 

Bonnie: The Senior bus will go up 3 to 4 times next month. Usually goes up on Tuesday or Thursday. The increase in bus trips to town is due to the increase of appointments people have in town. The bus is available to seniors and those with a disability. The seniors will take a trip to Chena Hot Springs on February 18^th. Merrily recommended bringing flip flops because the mats from the locker rooms to the springs hurt the feet.

Tim: There is a literacy comity meeting at 5:30 at the school in Lana Davidson’s room, across from the cafeteria. The 7^th and 8^th grade are having a Chinese Culture day after reading the book, The Chinese Princess. (?) It will be held on February 4^th and they were asking for parent volunteers. Also, Tim’s baby sister turned 50 years old today. Happy Birthday!  

Laura: Will be attending RHS for the last month of February through the first week of March. Kat McElroy is out at Commission meetings in Anchorage and Maryellen is attending her HUMES classes in Bethel this week.

Mike Smith: Got in contact with people at UAF’s Native Knowledge network. Because the language of this area (Minto and Nenana) is being lost, would like to do something if people are interested in learning the language. Have been learning a bit, but would love to get a class with others in town who know the language. UAF has a limited amount of information that they send, an MP3 with about 60 phrases and a couple books. I would like to eventually develop some software, for myself and others interested, to help learn the language. I am looking to see if UAF have grants available to help with the development of that type of software.

  WELLNESS THOUGHT: You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him.
       - Anonymous    

ADJOURNMENT: 1:15 P.M.

Nenana Wellness CoalitionMINUTES 

January 26, 2010

 The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

There were fourteen in attendance today, including: Virginia Young, Harriet Borst, Jeannie Bennett, Audrey Roth, Walter and Andrea Tommy, Laura Vance, Merrily Verhagen, Bill & Rebecca Troxel, Tim Horn, Bonnie Reed, Art Thompson and Mike Smith We enjoyed chicken soup, sandwiches, salad and Ritz crackers with sliced cheese and raisins and walnuts for lunch. Thanks to Rosemary Allen for cooking our delicious lunch and Bonnie Reed for the cheese and crackers and raisins and walnuts.

WELCOME followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Tim Horn.

 

PRAYER: Was lead by Merrily Verhagen, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: No modifications to the agenda as presented.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted at the WIN kink at www.railbelt.com and were submitted electronically to the WIN e-      list on 1/19/10. 

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No guests today.

           

 

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

  

Nenana Health Fair- Laura reported that the planning comity had their first meeting before WIN today at 11am. They set the time of the health fair for 9am-1pm on Saturday March 27^th.  The blood draw will be $40 with additional screenings for Thyroid blood test for $30 and prostate blood test for an additional $25. Tim mentioned to ask Phyllis if there will be any vouchers available for blood tests this year. It was asked if anyone knew if Kat had gotten a sponsorship letter into the Ice Classic for the Health Fair, and it was thought that she did. Laura would follow up. Tim also mentioned they would be trying to get a message therapist or two again for this health fair and maybe a sign-up sheet for message times.  

 Envisioning Wellness: Tim was wondering if anyone had a chance to talk to Eric or Jason. Jeannie reported that Eric would discuss having someone come over here at the Board Meeting on February 2^nd. She told him to pick a Tuesday in wither February or March. Kat was going to try to talk to Jason. There was a letter delivered to Kathy Morgan at the tribe, but not knowing exactly who might be available at the moment, maybe try at a later date. It was reported that Edna Hancock is back working at NNC and also the grant administrators Robin, Victor and Charlie can be found in the little George Hall (original George Hall).  Sober Housing: No one living in it at the moment. David will be doing some more work on it. It’s a work in progress. Tim mentioned that there was some interest to have information about available addiction rehab programs in the state at the health fair. That way if people were thinking about making that change they would know what their options were.  

WIN inquired if anyone knew if there would be a potlatch for Jerel Redfox. It was shared that they were feeding people at Karen and Gopher Lord’s but that the funeral would be held in Mountain Village and that there was not a potlatch at this time.

  

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Jeannie Bennett: Biggest Loser will start tomorrow. There is between 11-13 people planning on participating at the moment. Weigh-ins will be held tomorrow (1/27/10) at the clinic between 11am-noon and 3-4pm. You will need to go to the door to the right of the kitchen double doors. Jeanie will be taking peoples height and weight. The first meeting will be tomorrow at the YERC at 7pm. Weigh-ins and meetings will be taking place every two weeks thereafter at the same time and place until May 5^th, where the grand prize will be given. For those interested in continuing through the summer, they can evaluate at that time. Winner is based on a person’s BMI (body mass index) not weight lost. Jeannie has downloaded some charts off the internet to help assist people in charting their progress. Also if anyone with expertise or training in nutrition or exercise could attend meeting that would be appreciated. Would love to find someone who knows how to work the bow flex. There was some discussion if the NNC is still involved, if not if there is another agency or entity on town that would like to take it on, or if  it would be a community club. Jeannie will look into getting the key to the YERC for tomorrow night’s meeting @ 7pm.

Rebecca Troxel: Basket ball games tonight against Monroe: boys play @ 5pm, girls @ 6:30pm. There are basket ball games on Friday against Anderson: girls play @ 6:30pm, boys at 7pm. 

Virginia: The Baha’i’ community will be doing themed devotions once a month. This month is compassion. When people talk about things dear to their heart we can learn more. This month devotions will take place tomorrow Wednesday, January 27, 2010 @ 7pm at Bonnie Reeds house. 

Bonnie: The Senior bus will go up 3 to 4 times next month. Usually goes up on Tuesday or Thursday. The increase in bus trips to town is due to the increase of appointments people have in town. The bus is available to seniors and those with a disability. The seniors will take a trip to Chena Hot Springs on February 18^th. Merrily recommended bringing flip flops because the mats from the locker rooms to the springs hurt the feet.

Tim: There is a literacy comity meeting at 5:30 at the school in Lana Davidson’s room, across from the cafeteria. The 7^th and 8^th grade are having a Chinese Culture day after reading the book, The Chinese Princess. (?) It will be held on February 4^th and they were asking for parent volunteers. Also, Tim’s baby sister turned 50 years old today. Happy Birthday!  

Laura: Will be attending RHS for the last month of February through the first week of March. Kat McElroy is out at Commission meetings in Anchorage and Maryellen is attending her HUMES classes in Bethel this week.

Mike Smith: Got in contact with people at UAF’s Native Knowledge network. Because the language of this area (Minto and Nenana) is being lost, would like to do something if people are interested in learning the language. Have been learning a bit, but would love to get a class with others in town who know the language. UAF has a limited amount of information that they send, an MP3 with about 60 phrases and a couple books. I would like to eventually develop some software, for myself and others interested, to help learn the language. I am looking to see if UAF have grants available to help with the development of that type of software.

  WELLNESS THOUGHT: You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him.
       - Anonymous    

ADJOURNMENT: 1:15 P.M.

Nenana Wellness CoalitionMINUTES 

January 5, 2010

 The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.

There were nine in attendance today, including: Virginia Young, Bonnie Reed, Art & Terry Thompson, Irene & Miles Martin, Kat McElroy, and Merrily Verhagen. We enjoyed a chicken, broccoli, carrot, cabbage and pasta casserole, with sliced cheese & Ritz crackers and home-made chocolate cake for lunch.

WELCOME followed by the READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Bonnie Reed.

 

PRAYER: Was lead by Tim Horn, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: No modifications to the agenda as presented.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were posted at the WIN kink at www.railbelt.com and were submitted electronically to the WIN e-list on 12/29/09.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No guests today.

           

 

SPEAKERS/TOPICS:

  

Wellness & Community Development- Jeannie Bennett made copies of the letter she and Miles generated inviting key community members to present at the next three Envisioning Wellness presentations towards our goal of doing a community visioning process in April. Kat passed copies out for group perusal. It was suggested that we change the order of the paragraphs to make the letter more succinct. Some minor editorial corrections were suggested. Kat will regenerate the letter and forward it to WIN at large for final approval. Miles mentioned that he has already talked to the mayor, Jason Mayrand, who says he looks forward to presenting and to working with WIN members as we develop strategies for fostering a stronger community. Miles said he had a conversation with the mayor regarding the proposed refuse transfer site for Nenana. The city has funding to create a transfer site but no funds to operate it. It is actually cheaper for people privately to contract with Lawson’s to have their garbage hauled to the Denali Borough land fill than it would be for Nenana to pay to have our transfer site serviced.  This lead to general conversation regarding the eternal question: what to do with our trash.

 

Nenana Health Fair- Cherrie has said that the Ice Classic would be willing to entertain a request from WIN for funds for the 2010 health fair. They need to receive a request by Friday, in time for their next meeting. Merrily asked Karen Harvey if she would be able to act as out site coordinator but Karen has other constrains upon her time this Spring. Kat called Laura Vance who agreed to act as site coordinator, perhaps splitting the job duties with her fellow RHS student from Healy, Liz Reeves.

 Sober Housing – Kat McElroy shared a copy of an article from the Anchorage Daily News about a proposal in that city to re-utilize an old motel for damp housing to get chronic inebriates off the streets. It cites harm reduction research that indicates that domiciled people maintain better health & safety, have better access to health and social services, and often can use such transitional housing as a stepping stone to permanent abstinence. The concept is extremely controversial.   WELLNESS THOUGHT: Many hands make light work. Anonymous  

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Tim: our first home basketball game will be January 15^th with the next one scheduled for the 29^th.

Bonnie: Seniors had their board meeting last night. Their annual meeting is set for February 17^th, after lunch at the Senior Center. There will be three board seats up for election then. They took a bus trip to Fairbanks today. The North Star Council on Aging In Fairbanks might buy the old Nenana Senior’s bus.

Joe Kraus popped in. He announced that John Grimes had resigned from Nenana Student Living Center, effective 10/02/10. Joe will be taking on administrative duties at the NSLC while Mike Anderson will take on day-to-day operations.

Virginia: all three of her kids are on break from college. Roland is in Thailand. Brooke and Margaret are at home with Virginia in Nenana.

Kat: Busy milking cow, feeding and watering cows and chickens, collecting eggs, making cheese.  

   

ADJOURNMENT: 1:15 P.M.