People, Places & Events

Rotarians hear about new health provider in Athens
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–What began in a church meeting in May, 2008, soon developed into a project that was “way too big” for just one church.
At their weekly meeting Friday, Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake members heard chief medical officer Dr. Gary Williamson and chief administrative officer Layton Holt describe plans for a new Athens medical facility, the Disciples Clinic.
 

Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
Layton Holt (left), chief administrator for Disciples Clinic of Athens, and Dr. Gary Williamson, chief medical officer, were co-speakers at Friday’s Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake luncheon.
 

The Disciples Clinic is a new concept in low-cost medical care for the working uninsured of Henderson County, Williamson explained.
“A large percentage of people who go to the emergency room have to, because they have no primary care doctor,” he said. “The clinic is strictly for working people who have nothing (no insurance).”
The patients must work at least 20 hours a week, which puts them at the poverty level.
“We hope to serve as a bridge for those who are trying to get on their feet,” he added.
The clinic started as an outreach ministry of the First Christian Church of Athens.
It was incorporated in August, and is now a community-wide, nondenominational project also supported by civic leaders and health care professionals of all faiths.
“We need volunteers in all capacities,” Holt said. For example, he said the clinic needs office workers to answer phones, interview patients and enter data, as well as medical staff.
The clinic will occupy a building owned by the First Baptist Church of Athens, which is donating the building’s use free. At one time, the building served as a church for the Hispanic community.
“The clinic is modeled after the plan for the Bethesda Clinic in Tyler,” Holt said.
While the clinic will be able to prescribe medication, it will not prescribe narcotics.
“We will not store narcotics on the property,” Holt added.
In other business, Rotarians were reminded:
• Clothes for Kids will take place at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Walmart. Volunteers are needed to help the children shop. Rotary will spend about $115 per child on approximately 40 children.
• the “book-give-away” at Kemp Elementary School is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Rotary will give a book to every elementary child to call their own and to take home with them in conjunction with the Reading is Fun-damental (RIF) program.
• Make-A-Difference Day takes place Saturday, Oct. 24.

Chamber offers leadership classes
Special to The Monitor
MABANK–The Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is still taking applications for Leadership Cedar Creek Lake, class of 2009-10.
For anyone not familiar with leadership classes of this type, the purpose is to develop new community leaders and enhance the skills and community awareness of existing leaders.
Participants also learn basic techniques to become better team players and to form bonds in business, civic and personal dealings.
Class graduates are better prepared to take on the role as members of boards of directors and in elected positions, such as city council and school boards.
According to Chamber president Jo Ann Hanstrom, the fee for the class has purposely been kept low ($350) without compromising content.
“Our program is planned to keep the time away from work to around three hours one day a month and the past four years’ experience has shown that this is about right for our class size,” Hanstrom said.
“We’re doing a couple of classes a little differently this year by expanding the presenter base, so we may have to adjust the time accordingly as we go along, but it will remain a half-day program,” she added.
For lake-area citizens interested in further developing skills as a community volunteer or an elected local official, this class is the perfect starting point.
Orientation is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20, and classes in fire/police, county government, city government, legislative, health care, education, and economic development will take place over a nine-month period.
For questions or to receive an application, contact the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (903) 887-3152 or e-mail info@cedarcreeklakechamber.com.

Senior health fair set Oct. 13
Special to The Monitor
KAUFMAN–Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman will host a senior health fair from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the hospital’s community room.
The health fair, which will include seasonal flu shots, blood pressure checks and cholesterol screenings, is free and open to senior citizens.
“We’re delighted to provide this service to seniors in the local community,” community outreach representative at Texas Health Kaufman Pat Jackson said.
“These are important health issues for seniors to stay on top of,” he added.
The flu vaccines are being provided by Your Health Team of Kaufman. The shots are available to seniors 65 and older.
For more information about the senior health fair or other community events hosted by Texas Health Kaufman, call (972) 932-7394.

Come Adopt Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake
The domino effect is a chain reaction that occurs when a small change causes a similar change nearby, which then will cause another similar change, and so on. My name is Domino, and I got my name not only because I’m black and white like a domino tile, but also because my outgoing, cheerful personality causes my doggie roommates to smile. This also causes our human friends to smile, which even causes the kitties in the cat room to smile. I am an 8-month-old male Pointer/Terrier mix. I love children, other dogs, and even get along great with kitties. I’ve had all my shots and am ready to be adopted. If you’d like to experience the domino effect, I am sure to put a forever smile on your face when you take me to my forever home. I currently live with a foster family, so if you would like to meet me, call my friends at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake at (903) 432-3422 to make an appointment. You can also email them at dogshsccl@yahoo.com.
	We have many animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals. The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220 County Road 2403 in Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422 after 11 a.m. We are closed on Wednesday and Sunday.
For further information visit our website at petfinder.com