Over Age 65 Health Plans
This photo by August Frank, for Golden Times, features Joan Rousseau, left, and Eva Berry as they talk about the Senior Companion Program. The story starts on Page 8.
Rick Woods Trish Brown
> FEB. 2
Eleanor Mable Ellis, 90 Eleanor was born Feb. 2, 1935, in Rosalia, Wash. She moved to Clarkston the year she graduated. Eleanor was blessed with nine children from her rst marriage. She was a homemaker until she went to work at the Lewiston Morning Tribune. She married Tom Ellis in Sumas,
Wash., and welcomed six bonus children. They will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary in August.
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Eleanor is a member of the Lewiston Eagles Club. Her hobbies are baking for her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She used to bake goodies for the Eagles functions and the Special Olympics. She has also made many quilts for the
family. Today, she still bakes and cooks for Tom and herself. She can be found sewing, playing cards, watching grandchildren sporting events and playing at the casino. Happy birthday, Mom.
To submit birthdays: Birthday announcements starting at age 70 are accepted for free publication in the month of the birthday only. Length limit is 200 words. All submissions must include the name and contact information of the person submitting the announcement. Current photos
are welcome — please no dated pictures. To have photos returned, please include a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. Submissions may be sent to goldentimes@ lmtribune.com or Golden Times, P.O. Box 957, Lewiston, ID 83501. Questions may be directed to editor Dallas Marshall at dmarshall@ lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2232. March birthday announcements must be received by 5 p.m. Feb. 15.
Pre-planning your wishes gives you and your family peace of mind. Whether cremationor burial-we are proud to o er a variety of options for every budget.
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ALTERNATIVE Nursing
Back to the beginnings of area schools
Some people in Lewiston and elsewhere who are older than 75 years of age (getting close to 80), were in Sacajawea Junior High School’s first class in 1959 in the Lewiston Orchards.
Also new that year was Jenifer Junior High School located in downtown Lewiston next to Bengal Field. The two new schools for grades seven, eight and nine replaced the 1914 Lewiston Junior High School building located across the street from Lewiston High School’s 1928 building. Construction of the two new schools was financed by a $1,500,000 bond issue passed by 85% Nov. 14, 1957.
Courtesy of Dick Riggs Sacajawea Junior High School faculty from 1959: Top row, from left: Mr. Harry Warren, Mr. Cletus Sarbacher, Mr. James Jennings, Mr. Richard Riggs, Mr. Leroy Nick, Mr. Claude Johnson, Mr. Edward Smith, Mr. Edward Frandsen, Mr. Kay Kalbfleisch, Mr. Louis Ellis, Mr. Edwin Armston, Mr. Clen Wallace, Mr. Everett Kytonen and Mr. Dorsey Dent. Bottom row, from left: Mrs. Marilyn Helle, Miss Margaret Karau, Mrs. Velda Hunt, Mrs. Mary Wilkinson, Mrs. June Moulton, Mrs. Jewell McIlhargey, Mrs. Gladys Hartman and Mrs. Elvaleen King. 90 &
given the job because I had been in the Army. I will never forget watching my girls march in the Lewiston Roundup Parade.
Some of the handwritten positive student comments made me very happy then, 65 years ago, and still do now that I am 92 years old. The students knew I was moving to Seattle and wished me luck there. Here are parts of some of the comments that make me smile:
The site for Sacajawea’s 15 acres was purchased in 1955 for $26,500. The new Jenifer JHS was led by Harvey “Slug” Walker, a longtime teacher and coach in Lewiston, including my B squad football coach in 1948. Don White was my B squad baseball coach in 1949, and I played town team baseball with Ed Williams in 1953. The two “new” junior highs still seem like new to me, but they are now 66 years old. Ever since the new Lewiston High School was opened in 2020, the two junior highs are now middle schools and include grades six, seven and eight.
The May 23, 2010, Lewiston Tribune had an article called “Back to the future.” It said Sacajawea was celebrating its 50th anniversary as a school. When it opened Aug. 30, 1959, the school had 488 students and 21 teachers. I was one of those 21 teachers and may be the only one still alive. Clarence Booth was Lewiston’s school superintendent and Clen Wallace was Sacajawea’s principal. Wallace had been my principal the year before at the old Lewiston Junior High School. The 2010 article has some comments from a few of us on the 195960 staff. The late Fred Schmidt remembers having 36 students in a class once, and teachers did not have preparation periods at the time. Schmidt also said, “It was a great place
to work, and I had a wonderful 28 years there.”
June Moulton taught physical education and also enjoyed her 28 years. Kay Kalbfleisch taught eight years at Sacajawea and remembers teachers could use the paddle with discretion, and it was mandatory that teachers read the Bible to their classes first thing in the morning.
I am quoted as saying I was the assistant football coach and the head baseball coach. In football, the team had to practice on the grass a block away at the Orchards Grade School because no field was ready yet at Sacajawea. The article has pictures of class officers Steve Olson, Kathy Poleson and Steve Gabby and cheerleaders Linda Nordby, Nancy Taylor and Julie Williams. There wasn’t a baseball field, so
we had to clear out the bushes and make one. Each teacher who taught at the old Lewiston Junior High was assigned to either Sacajawea or Jenifer. A few I taught with at Sacajawea were Jewell McIlhargey, Cletus Sarbacher and Harry Warren. Mrs. McIlhargey had been my sixth grade teacher at Garfield in 1946, and Mr. Warren had been my government teacher in grade nine in 1948. Mr. Sarbacher was a World War II veteran who died young.
I had a morning threehour block and then the same in the afternoon with a total of 59 students. The classes I taught were English, reading, spelling, history and geography. Besides coaching for $180 for each sport, I was the unpaid director of the girls drill team. I had been
“I wish you could be my ninth grade teacher.” “You are the nicest teacher I have ever had.” “I loved being in your class, you are a big hearted and great guy.” “Good luck to a swell guy. I know you will go far.” “Good luck to the best teacher I had in the eighth grade.” Even though it was 65 years ago in 1960, I still hear from Carol Brigham Latta, an honor student in my class. Her handwritten note to me says that she immensely enjoyed my class and felt that it was the best class she would ever have, and that I have a good sense of humor. She ends her note with a poem that says, “Just two little words, remember me.” I received her 2024 Christmas card from Vancouver, Wash., where she is a retired college director of nursing students. As for me, I loved being a teacher more than being a school administrator.
Riggs, 90, is a lifelong Lewistonian. He’s an avid Warriors fan, a retired educator, coach and school superintendent and volunteers his time at the Nez Perce County Historical Society. He can be reached at bdriggo@gmail.com.
Cottonwood Community Hall
506 King St., basement, Cottonwood, (208) 7922465, meals at noon Tuesdays.
Craig Mountain Senior Center
413 Nezperce St., Winchester, (208) 9246581, meals at noon Wednesdays.
Daley Senior Care
30302 Harley Lane, Culdesac, (208) 791-7438, meals at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
Friendly Senior Citizens of Troy
100 S. Main St., Troy, (208) 835-6092, dinein or pick-up; noon Wednesdays.
REGIONAL SENIOR MEAL SITES
Grangeville Senior Center
108 Truck Route, Grangeville, (208) 9832033, meals are at noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Juliaetta-Kendrick Senior Citizens Center
104 S. Sixth St., Kendrick, (208) 289-5031, meals from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.
Kamiah Senior Center
125 N. Maple St., Kamiah, (208) 935-0244, meals at noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Lewiston Community Center
1424 Main St., Lewiston, (208) 743-6983, meals at
noon Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Moscow Senior Center
412 E. Third St., Moscow, (208) 882-1562, noon Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Nezperce Senior Citizens
501 Cedar St., Nezperce, (208) 937-2465, noon Mondays and Thursdays.
Orofino Senior Center
930 Michigan Ave., Orofino, (208) 476-4238, noon Tuesdays and Fridays.
Palouse Senior Meals
220 E. Main St., Palouse, (509) 878-2301, meals at noon Wednesdays.
Pomeroy Senior Center
695 Main St., Pomeroy, (509) 843-3308, noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Potlatch Senior Citizens
Potlatch Senior Citizens Meal Site, 645 Pine St., Potlatch, (208) 875-1071, meals at noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Pullman Senior Center
190 SE Crestview St., Building B, Northside Entrance, Pullman, (509) 338-3307, meals at noon Tuesdays and Fridays.
Riggins Odd Fellows Building
121 S. Lodge St., Riggins,
(208) 628-4147, meals at noon Tuesdays.
Spud Hill Seniors
401 Line St., Deary, (208) 877-1717, meals at noon Tuesdays.
Senior Round Table
549 Fifth St., Clarkston, (509) 295-8685, noon Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays.
Weippe Hilltop Senior Citizens Center
115 First St. W., Weippe, (208) 435-4553, meals noon Mondays and Thursdays.
Pullman Meals on Wheels (509) 397-4305.
Valley Meals on Wheels (208) 799-5767.
For the LewistonClarkston Valley
> Monday-Friday
Co ee, 10 a.m. to noon, Valley Community Center, 549 Fi h St., Clarkston.
> Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Co ee, 10 a.m. to noon, $1 donation, Sixth Street Senior Center, 832 Sixth St., Clarkston.
Fit and Fall Proof, 9-9:45 a.m., Congregational Presbyterian Church, 709 Sixth St., Lewiston. Fit and Fall Proof, 10:45-11:30 a.m., Orchards United Methodist Church, 1213 Burrell Ave., Lewiston.
> Mondays and Wednesdays
Yoga/low-impact exercise, 9-10 a.m., Valley Community Center.
> Mondays and Thursdays
S.A.I.L. (Fit & Fall Prevention) class, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Valley Community Center.
> Mondays and Fridays
Fit and Fall Proof, 10-11 a.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church, 2200 11th Ave., Lewiston.
> Mondays
Painting group, noon to 4 p.m., Valley Community Center.
Dance practice, 6-7:30 p.m., Sixth Street Senior Center.
> Tuesdays
Blood pressure checks, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m., Valley Community Center. Bingo, 2-4 p.m., Valley Community Center.
> Tuesdays and Thursdays
Fit and Fall Proof, 8:15-9:15 a.m., Elks Lodge, 3444 Country Club Drive, Lewiston.
> Wednesdays
Bingo 10-10:45 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sixth Street Senior Center.
Bridge, 12:30-4 p.m., Valley Community Center.
Line dancing, 2 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., Valley Community Center. Zumba, 5:30 p.m.,
Sixth Street Senior Center.
> Thursdays
Footcare, Valley Community Center. By appointment only: (253) 218-7091.
Line dancing, 10:30 a.m., Valley Community Center.
Card games, 1-3 p.m., Valley Community Center.
> Fridays
Country jam, 10 a.m. to noon, Sixth Street Senior Center.
> Sundays
Dance lessons, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Sixth Street Senior Center.
> Feb. 2
Community Center.
> Feb. 11 and 25
Foot care, Valley Community Center. By appointment only: (253) 218-7091.
Karaoke, 6:309 p.m., Valley Community Center.
> Feb. 4
Karaoke, 6:30-9 p.m., Sixth Street Senior Center.
> Feb. 15
Sons of Norway, 12:30-3 p.m., Valley Community Center.
> Feb. 6 and 20
Dance and covereddish dinner, 6 p.m., Sixth Street Senior Center.
Knights of Columbus 67th Annual Sausage Dinner, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Holy Parish Catholic Church, 1109 Chestnut St., Clarkston. Adults $16, children 6 to 12 years old $7 and children 6 and younger free.
> Feb. 5
Card/board games, 3-4:30 p.m., Valley
> Feb. 24
Seaport Quilters, 6-9 p.m., Valley Community Center.
To submit your event for the senior calendar, email goldentimes@ lmtribune.com. For more information about events at the Sixth Street Senior Center, see the calendar at sixthstreetsrcenter.com.
February 8, 2025 • 5:00pm 6th AN N UAL 4 - H CWF
Tickets: At the Door Nez Perce Co. Extension o ce: 208-791-8847
Help us go to the National Citizenship Washington Focus Conference in Washington DC
Feeling overwhelmed? There’s help.
Call or text 988
Nez Perce Count y Fairgrounds | Lewiston.
WA-ID Volunteer Center, in the Lewiston Community Center at 1424 Main St., strives to provide individualized volunteer opportunities for those wishing to serve in Lewiston, Clarkston, Asotin, Pomeroy, Moscow and the Orofino area. Information and other volunteer openings can be found at waidvolunteercenter.org or by calling (208) 7467787.
Volunteer needs include:
Tutors — Help students to be proficient readers by the third grade. Oneon-one reading tutoring in schools for students below reading grade level. Volunteers need to be able to commit to at least an hour a week for the school year. Background check required.
Food bank help — Volunteers are needed to repack frozen and dry foods for distribution. Front counter volunteers and drivers for morning food pickups also are needed.
AARP tax preparer — Do you feel comfortable with computers? Can you spare a couple of mornings a week?
AARP Tax Aide Program needs volunteers to help prepare free basic tax returns for seniors and low-income individuals. No experience necessary. Training and
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
materials are provided.
Project Warmup — Crafters are needed to make hats, scarves, mittens and lap blankets (yarn is provided). Completed items are donated to local nonprofit agencies. If you have yarn to donate, our volunteers will put it to good use.
Companions — The Senior Companion program provides companionship and respite care to the elderly and disabled. It allows low-income senior volunteers an opportunity to assist those who need minor help to continue living independently. Senior Companions visit clients in their homes, but it is not an in-home care program.
Medicare counselor — The State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program trains volunteers to assist local seniors with Medicare questions for Asotin, Garfield and Whitman counties.
Local hospital auxiliary — Volunteers are needed to greet people, deliver flowers, staff the courtesy cart, deliver mail, assist in the gift shop, create baby and child items, do clerical work, provide hospital tours and more.
Lewiston City Library
— Volunteer needs include circulation support, tech tutors and programming support.
Museum docents
— Skills include meetand-greet abilities, friendly personality and the ability to answer questions about the displays at the center. Training is provided.
Transportation — Drive seniors or disabled community members to and from destinations across the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance.
Garden and park volunteers — General lawn maintenance, weeding, sweeping, etc. Training provided. Community service approved.
Interlink Inc. is a nonprofit organization in Clarkston that matches community volunteers to people needing assistance to remain independent in their own homes. For information about becoming a volunteer and volunteer opportunities, call (509) 751-9143. Volunteer applications and additional
information also can be found online at interlinkvolunteers.org. Volunteer needs include:
l Drivers to transport senior citizens to appointments. Drivers are paid a mileage stipend.
l People who can do small home safety repairs for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
l Volunteers interested in serving as volunteer helpers in the Interlink office.
l Volunteers willing to help compile a senior social directory.
Friendships formed
Senior Companion Program, which came to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley a few years ago, creates lasting bonds between its participants, among other benefits
By KAYLEE BREWSTER FOR GOLDEN TIMES
Friendships aren’t often formed by filling out a form, but for six individuals in the Senior Companion Program, that’s exactly how it started.
The program takes individuals who perhaps live alone, are homebound or have other circumstances that would cause loneliness and pairs them with a companion.
Eva Berry, 87, was referred to the Senior Companion Program by the Commission for the Blind. She has macular degeneration, which makes her legally blind so she can’t drive. Joan Rousseau, 71, is Berry’s companion to help with her eyesight. The two have been together since March.
Judy Hanby, 83, has macular degeneration and lives with her husband, Dick Hanby, 87, who is hearing impaired; the two have been married for more than 50 years. Their daughter, who lives in North Carolina, was concerned about her parents getting older and wanted them to be able to spend time apart, which is how she found
out about the Senior Companion Program.
That’s where Theresa McGovern came in.
McGovern, 63, had retired and wanted to do something meaningful and then she learned about the program. Judy Hanby and McGovern have been paired up since August.
Lane Phillips, 83, and Earl Fitz, 59, have been friends for the past four months. Phillips was looking for a trustworthy and reliable person to provide live-in care as he is handicapped, but then found out about the Senior Companion Program.
Fitz moved to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley a year ago from Bremerton, Wash., after retiring six years ago, and he was looking to volunteer in the community. At first he was thinking of coaching baseball, but then he found information online about the Senior Companion Program. The more he learned about the program, the more interested he became. So he signed up.
While the program has been around for 50 years, it’s only been offered for Nez Perce, Asotin and Latah counties recently.
for life
It’s funded through a federal grant that was awarded in 2020 and, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a slow start. People weren’t wanting to go into other people’s homes and older people, who were more susceptible to COVID-19, were hesitant to have visitors.
Two years ago, Linda Wells was hired as the Senior Companion Program manager to get it off the ground. Now there are 15 companions for about 35 clients. Most companions have
at least two clients. Wells, along with WA-ID Volunteer Center Executive Director Cathy Robinson, are working on getting Latah County up and running with more clients and companions, which is difficult since they don’t have an office there.
There are no specific requirements for the clients other than being lonely or homebound and not living in a nursing home or care facility. Companions, on the other hand, have to be 55 or older and there are
income requirements as well. The program is funded by a federal grant and is part of the AmeriCorps Seniors Program, which is a division of AmeriCorps.
“There’s nothing in the valley,” said. “There panion program doesn’t cost the anything.”
Other services home health cleaning or transpor tation cost money.
Companions are volunteers but they do get a nontaxable hourly stipend. They aren’t caregivers, health care workers or house cleaners. They are required to give five hours a week to the program, but can take personal time off. Information about becoming a client or a companion is available at waidvolunteercenter. org or by calling 746-7787.
Earl Fitz, left,
August Frank/For Golden Times
Eva Berry, left, and Joan Rousseau play Rummikub together Jan. 15 in Lewiston.
waidvolunteercenter. calling (208) nothing like it valley,” Robinson is no comprogram that the client services like care, house transpormoney. The program also provides respite care for those who are caring for family members. The companions aren’t cleaners or caregivers, they’re friends.
companions also benefit by giving them a social structure, some extra money and giving back to people.
“It’s with a capital C,” Judy Hanby said. “It’s a real positive, positive thing.”
The program helps the senior clients, but
“ ‘Purpose’ is a huge word when it comes to being a companion,” McGovern said. “No doubt about it, it’s the first word that comes to my mind.”
Getting paired up
After an application is completed by a companion and a client signs up, Wells talks with both the client and the companion to make sure they’re a good fit for the program. For the client, that means making sure they know the person coming to visit them isn’t going to be pro-
viding health care, but instead offer friendship. She does a home visit to see if they have animals and to make sure the home is safe. Companions must pass a full background check and go through a 20-hour orientation.
“I want it to be safe for my companions as well as for the clients,”
Wells said.
During that process Wells has gotten to know the clients and the companions, their personalities, their likes and dislikes, and their hobbies.
“So there’s a little bit of matchmaking involved — personality matching,”
Continued on Page 10
August Frank/For Golden Times
Lane Phillips, and Phillips’ cat, Sundee, are pictured in Phillips’ home on Jan. 16 as they talk about the Senior Companion Program in Clarkston.
Robinson said. It even can go beyond matching personalities. Wells used the example that if someone has a soft voice, they wouldn’t be a good match for someone who has hearing difficulties.
Wells also tends to pair up women with women and men with men. That can be difficult because there’s not a lot of male clients. Wells said that for a long time, there was only one man who was a companion so she “loaded him up with clients.” Fitz is the second male companion and she recently recruited two more.
Even though there are companions for men, Wells said some men still don’t want to be part of the program. Robinson said some men feel like they’re losing their independence if they ask for help from someone else.
Sometimes when companions and clients start off, they can be “a little reluctant.” But Wells said once they’re matched, it doesn’t take long for friendship to grow.
While Fitz has three men he’s a companion for, he has a special connection with Phillips.
Both are sports guys, from fishing to baseball, and Phillips was a professional baseball player. Both of them have sons who played baseball for Lewis-Clark State College. With their love of LCSC baseball, they are planning to go to the Avista NAIA World Series together this year. Phillips hasn’t been able to go to the Series in a while because he didn’t have transportation, but this year Fitz will be able to take him.
At other times of the year, the two sometimes watch games together or will call each other during games. Phillips said that Fitz tends to root for the losing team.
“We got a little bit of the sarcastic humor between us on that,” Phillips said.
Fitz is a Minnesota Vikings fan, which lost 27-9 to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL playoffs. Phillips was calling Fitz during the game as they were losing. Fitz told him he wasn’t accepting calls, but Phillips just kept calling back. Fitz doesn’t mind the teasing from Phillips since he’s
been retired he’s missed that camaraderie from co-workers.
“I worked pretty much all my life and I always had a good time at work,” Fitz said. “A lot of it had to do with giving and taking, the razzing during the day and it’s nice to have that back.”
What they do
Companions help their clients go to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping or fun outings together. Companions also help clients connect with resources, one of the benefits Wells highlights. She’s seen com-
August Frank/For Golden Times
Judy Hanby, left, and Theresa McGovern talk about the Senior Companion Program on Jan. 16 in Clarkston.
panions help clients get hearing aids, phones for the hearing impaired, get a grant to fix someone’s stairs or find someone to clean their house. All companions are given a list of resources as part of their training and the list is updated monthly.
Rousseau has also helped Berry with her banking and prescriptions, labeling them so she can see them. While Berry needs help with her eyesight she’s in good shape physically, which Rousseau has learned when they go grocery shopping.
“I can barely keep up with her when we’re in Rosauers or Albertsons,” Rousseau said. “It’s practically running behind her.”
Berry gave up driving last March because of her eyesight, which also meant giving up her independence, a difficult thing to do.
“(The Senior Companion Program has) been such a blessing in my life, I don’t know what I’d do without them. They’ve helped me stay in my home,” Berry said. “If it wasn’t for her (Rousseau’s) help I would probably be needing care in my home or assisted living.”
The two also do fun activities together like play Rummikub together — the game has large tiles so Berry can see the numbers. Berry and Rousseau say the game is fun and good to keep the mind working. The length of Rousseau’s stay sometimes depends on the game.
“I want to stay if I’m winning, otherwise I might go home,” Rousseau joked.
For McGovern and Judy Hanby, they will go for
coffee, take a walk or sit and talk.
“It’s just good to have a friend that’s not living in the same room,” Judy Hanby said. “So it’s given some independence to both (her and her husband) — given us some space.”
McGovern has also helped the Hanbys move boxes in storage and assisted with technology, getting family photos off their phones to be printed.
“Theresa (McGovern) has been an absolute gift because we are really age-appropriate, not lowtech, no-tech people, and she has really helped us with our phones,” Judy Hanby said. “And we need a lot of help because we don’t remember.”
McGovern and Judy Hanby also talk about their families and spend time getting to know each other. Her help with technology has made the Hanby’s family conversations easier. The Hanby family don’t have to worry about their parents as much now that McGovern is visiting on a regular basis. The relationship also benefits McGovern, who lost her parents 25 years ago.
“So it’s kind of neat to be around people that remind me of my parents in a way,” McGovern said. “It just feels good to be able to help.”
Fitz takes Phillips swimming to help him walk in the water. The two have also gone fishing together — Phillips was especially happy behind the wheel of the boat. One day Fitz brought over some old baseball cards and Phillips got out his memorabilia. But most of the time, they just talk sports
and Fitz listens to Phillips’ stories.
Most of the companions visit their clients once or twice a week depending on each of their schedules. Both the companions and the clients always look
forward to the visits.
“The people that do it, we love it,” Rousseau said. “They truly love being the companions, they take a real interest and concern for them (the clients).”
McGovern has told
others she knows to become a companion and has recommended clients to the program. Judy Hanby sees a lot of need for the Senior Companion Program and she spreads Continued on Page 12
We bring compassion
team of clinical professionals works every day to deliver the high-quality hospice services you need.
Continued from Page 11
the word as much as she can.
“We can’t say enough positive about you guys, seriously,” Judy Hanby said. Friendships formed
While the Senior Companion Program gives clients the ability to live at home, friendship is the greater gift.
Judy Hanby and McGovern said they became friends almost immediately and have shared a lot of laughs together.
“As far as I’m concerned, we’re friends for life,” McGovern said.
“As far as I’m concerned, that’s mutual,” Judy Hanby said.
Before Fitz showed up, Phillips was having issues with loneliness, depression and dealing with his loss of mobility, especially after being an athlete.
“Earl (Fitz) is a companion, but it’s almost gone to the place now where he’s my brother,” Phillips said. “I’ve had a lot of depression, a lot of depression, (but) since Earl has started to come, I can say with all honesty it’s helped a lot
from that standpoint.”
His family has seen a change in Phillips — they can tell he seems happier, and he is. Instead of just him and his cat, Sundee, he has someone else to converse and share a meal with.
Fitz was also dealing with loneliness after moving to the valley and didn’t have much to do.
Like Phillips, Fitz had a pet dog he turned to for support but he knew he needed a social life.
“It’s been really, really enjoyable and it just makes me feel a little bit more of the community,” Fitz said. “It’s not a work thing to me anymore or a volunteer thing any more. It’s kind of our little family thing that we all do together and try to bring a little bit of happiness and pay it forward.”
When companions come in for their monthly meeting, Wells loves listening to their stories of what they’re doing with their clients. It’s all stories of getting their lives back after losing their independence and getting rid of loneliness that gives them a new lease on life.
Companions take clients to places that others might take for granted, like going for ice cream or to Costco for a hot dog — for many clients, it’s the first time they’ve done those activities in years. Wells heard a story of a companion who took her client on a car ride through the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.
“And she literally got tears in her eyes. She had not been out like that for years. No one had taken her, and her companion took her,” Wells said. “It just touched her so much, just a wonderful day for her. Those are the kinds of things that you’re really making a difference in the lives of people.”
Rousseau can’t say enough good things about the program and getting to meet Berry. The help that Rousseau has given her has bonded their friendship.
“We have a good time together,” Berry said. “Now we’ve become very good friends, (Rousseau’s) more like a sister to me.”
Brewster may be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune. com or at (208) 848-2297.
Lane Phillips, right, talks about the Senior Companion Program next to Earl Fitz on Jan. 16 in Clarkston.
August Frank/ For Golden Times
Mice are rather nice — for the most part
The terri ed lady stands on a chair, raises her skirt, screaming and glares at the tiny creature looking up at her from the oor. That’s the typical picture that pops into the mind when you think of mice. However, I’ve had some fun encounters with those little rascals.
My dad had two weeks of vacation from the railroad each summer. He used that time to drive grain truck for the McIntosh farm in Tammany to supplement our income. When I was 3 years old, they were short on truck drivers and he worked sunup to sundown, exhausted and almost falling asleep on the way home. The McIntosh family suggested we move to a little house they had on the property. It was so kind of them. Mom worked in their garden and I roamed like a free-range chicken.
didn’t appreciate mice building nests in his shop. As soon as the cats discovered them, he would nish them o .
Fast forward to my rst house a er marriage. We were watching TV in the living room when my eye caught a movement. It was tiny and gray. It scampered to the middle of the room, stopped and sat up on its back haunches to watch “The Ed Sullivan Show.” It was so cute. Every night it made a return visit. He especially liked to watch “Hee Haw.”
A er a few months, we were given a black cat. Our mouse companion never returned. Our Clarkston house had several mice visitors. My rst experience was hearing a loud crunching sound in the washroom all the way to the other end of my house in the bedroom. The door was even closed. I tiptoed to see what was going on and there sat a mouse
chewing on dried beans from my pantry shelf. Who knew a chewing mouse could be so loud. We got a cat. Sure enough, no more mice — until, the cat grew old, fat and lazy.
I love my honey cough drops from Germany. They’re soothing and immediately stymie a cough. I kept them in the kitchen drawer by the sink. Allergies hit. I reached for a drop. What in the world? All that was le was the hard outer shell of each. Something ate all the honey from the center. You guessed it — a mouse. I couldn’t nd the culprit, until I pulled out a seldom-used bottom drawer where I keep my cookie cutters. There laid a very fat, very dead mouse. He overdosed from honey. He was a good example of the saying, “Too much of a good thing.”
One cat brought a mouse gi into the house and drop it on the oor. The mouse quickly scurried away while the cat just sat watching. Oh, dear. I was sitting on the patio one day when a movement caught my eye. Yes, a mouse. The tiniest I’ve seen since I was 3. Just a baby. It was adorable. I let it scamper away. That was a mistake. That winter I set traps in my storage area and caught 14 mice in a month. It was time to get
another cat.
Since we homed our gray tabby, Felecia, we’ve had no more invasions. It helps that two neighborhood, orange tabbies now patrol my yard.
I’m sure these tiny, fuzzy guys have a place in God’s creation. I still think mice are nice, and adorable, but I’m convinced they’re not a good house companion.
Chase Hoseley is a freelance writer and retired kindergarten teacher who lives in Clarkston. She can be reached at shoseley8@gmail.com.
1215 Evergreen Court, Clarkston, WA • www.egeral.com
In the 35 years that we have been around we have found that people need a little help now and then, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to have a fun time!
One laundry day a er scrubbing clothes on the washboard and Mom was hanging them on the clothes line, I came running across the eld hollering, “Look Mama, look.” I held something cupped in my hands. Mom’s immediate fear was, “I hope it’s not a baby rattlesnake.” She ran to me. I was grinning. “It’s nice and so but it’s got stickers on its feet.” I opened my hands and a baby mouse sat there quivering. That’s when I fell in love with those tiny guys called mice.
For some reason, Dad
My son brought two cats home when he moved back from California. No more mice problems until they discovered the little prey making their home in the ivy of my yard.
Each of our residents are free to enjoy a worry-free lifestyle, because we provide the necessities. Things like housekeeping, laundry services, group activities, and caregiver support* are all included in the monthly rent! Plus, we’re conveniently located on TriState Health’s campus. So come by and take a look around.
Storms, a face-plant and unforgettable moments with friends
It’s a beautiful summer day in the Swiss Alps and I am at such a high elevation that when I look across to the Matterhorn, it is difficult to pick it out from among the other peaks. I wish you could see it. An avid skier, I have only skied a few times in Europe. Yet each time was quite an adventure.
aerial tram that took us to the top of the mountain. Though there were only a few runs served by a T-bar, it was glorious to be skiing on top of the world. A new adventure — I had never skied in summer on glaciers, and it was a beautiful day so we skied in shirtsleeves.
The first time was with my two daughters. We spent enough time in Zermatt, Switzerland, to have a day on the slopes.
The day would have been perfect but I had the most uncomfortable boots ever made.
The restaurant at the top was first-rate and the ladies’ room had the most
ask her opinion.
“Just let the driver worry about the roads. You go have fun,” she said. Yes, the roads were bad, and the climb to the ski area was treacherous with some corners so sharp the bus had to make three-point turns. Needing equipment, I had to find the rental shop. Oh no, it was at the top of the mountain. After two chairs lift rides, one ending in a face-plant in the snow as I hopped off, I got some skis. Happily, I had a great time again.
hands with nice warm water, and then bubbly soap showered them. Oddly enough, that was one of several memorable things that day.
My next time skiing was when I was teaching in Holešov, Czech Republic. The teachers at my school had arranged a bus trip to the resort at Semmering, Austria. I had purchased my skis in a nearby town, and not wanting another painful ski boot experience, I had brought my own boots from Idaho.
The charter bus was to pick us up at 4 a.m. three blocks from my house. Carrying all my equipment I opened the door, and whoa, it was pitch black. I learned then the town turned off all streetlights in the middle of the night.
Trudging along in my clunky ski boots with my skies slung over my shoulder and traveler’s checks in my pocket, I managed
to find my way to the bus. There awaited another surprise — our bus driver was the spitting image of Elvis Presley.
Semmering is a pass not too far from Vienna and is the location for annual professional ski races. It was an excellent ski area with many super runs. At the top was a nice restaurant basking in sunshine, where I enjoyed lasagna at lunchtime. It turned out to be a wonderful day on perfectly groomed slopes with several new friends.
Later while I was teaching in Slovenia, the school chartered a bus to go to a ski resort in the Julian Alps. The day before the trip, weather got bad — rain on the coast where I lived, but huge amounts of snow in the uplands. My sweet landlady suggested that I stay at home because the roads might be dangerous. Concerned, I called another teacher to
Lunch was unusual. It was served at 1 p.m. in a lodge that was more like a school cafeteria, where we all went at the same time and ate the same thing. I was pleased when a student of mine, somewhat of a scamp, asked me to sit with him. At day’s end, we adults sat outside and sipped hot spiced wine.
My last trip was with Slovene friends. We drove north through Italy to Nassfeld, a resort high in the Dolomites. It was amazing, with some runs going down into Austria and others down into Italy. The chairlifts were feats of engineering soaring high onto towering rocky peaks. It was another wonderful day. A perfect ending to my ski adventures in Europe was enjoying a drink with my good friend in the late afternoon sun.
Johnson, of Grangeville, worked in three different European countries — Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovenia — in the 1990s and early 2000s. She can be reached at johnsondixie@hotmail.com.
ADVENTURES OF AN EXPAT
Dixie Johnson
Courtesy of Dixie Johnson
Dixie Johnson at Nassfeld, Austria, ski area on March 31, 2003.
Processing contentment
Recently a friend asked, “What makes you always so happy?”
“Hmm, I’ve never really thought about it, but happiness is so fleeting, maybe contented or satisfied is where I’m at,” I answered. But her question left me thinking about when my mind was quiet enough to notice small things like the steam from a hot cup of tea or the drop of water sliding down the side of the glass containing a cold beverage. Some of what follows are things that leave me with released tension, a sense of freedom or some still, childlike wonder.
1. The flicker of flames in a bonfire, gas fireplace or a lit candle, and the way shadows are cast in the glow.
2. Watching the shower of bronze and gold leaves fall to the earth in warm autumn winds.
3. Seeing the sky at dawn or the close of day as it changes from watercolor pastels to blazing orange and red, then back again to the rose and lavender hues as the sun disappears.
4. The sunshine settled on frost-coated shrubs, grass and trees that sparkle like jewels.
5. Road trips on the backroads where whitetail deer flag by, circling hawks dive at prey, where golden fields shimmer, or farmers are working to till, sow or harvest.
There are fragrances that I enjoy like the bath bomb in my tub, the stargazer lily, or roses in my garden, puppy breath, and the wafting scent of fresh bread or cinnamon rolls in the oven. There’s something special in the
air when there’s freshly cut wood or coffee perking first thing in the morning. The smell of leather reminds me of childhood when Dad and I tooled pieces to lace together to make billfolds.
Sounds that make me feel joyful include a child’s laughter, a rooster’s crow, noisy birds that wake me from deep sleep on a spring morning, geese honking as they fly in formation, songs with upbeat tempo and happy lyrics. The music from a pan flute always relaxes me.
I love a warm towel fresh from the dryer, a tiny dog on my lap, spending time with friends and loved ones and a big, long hug. There’s a childlike sense of abandon when I hear the ocean’s roar, what looks like an endless expanse of water and sky and examining shells littered along the shore. A waterfall makes me want to explore. There’s something soothing about the sound of water.
Oh, and I love turtles.
GALLIVANTING GRANNY
Hazel Christiansen
They’ve always fascinated me.
Seeing the valley from atop the Lewiston Hill or sliding into my own bed after an absence is always comforting.
The success of someone I’ve mentored makes me feel as though my contribution mattered. Giving always has its own reward. The things that make me content are rarely things I’ve bought or acquired. They don’t have a price, but they are priceless. There’s peace in knowing that prayer is powerful and answered. What makes you feel the tension slip from your shoulders? Have you ever asked yourself what makes you feel content, satisfied, or happy? I’m just curious.
Christiansen lives in Lewiston. She can be reached at petpal535@gmail.com.
FREE Syringe Collection
Drop o your used sharps for safe disposal
Every Thursday at Asotin County Health District 2pm-5:30pm
All sharps must be in a hard and sealed container for drop o Containers must have been emptied and thoroughly rinsed. Pick up a free sharps container anytime!
LEWISTON SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM —
When: Noon, Mon./Tues. and 11:30 a.m. Wed.
3 Orange chicken
10 Eggplant parmesan
17 Closed for holiday.
24 Taco mac and cheese
4 Sausage Cajun casserole
11 Lasagna
18 Salisbury steak
25 Tuna casserole
All meals served with: hot veggies, salad, fruit and bread.
5 Chicken fried steak
12 Barbecue meatballs
19 Chicken pot pie
26 Chicken enchiladas
WSENIOR ROUND TABLE NUTRITION PROGRAM — When: Noon, Tues./Thurs./Fri.
• Where: Lewiston Community Center, 1424 Main St., or call for delivery at (208) 743-6983. On-site meals are every Monday through Wednesday. • Cost: $4 suggested for seniors 60 and older; $5 for nonseniors • Note: Menu is subject to change.
W TH F M
SENIOR MENUS FOR FEBRUARY
• Where: Valley Community and Senior Center, 549 Fifth St., No. F, Clarkston, or call (509) 758-3816 for delivery. • Cost: Donations appreciated for seniors 60 and older; $8 for nonseniors • Note: Menu is subject to change.
4 Chili dogs/tater tots/peas and carrots/peach crisp
11 Barbecue meatballs/fettuccine alfredo/green beans/Jell-O with fruit/juice/roll
18 Spaghetti with meat sauce/broccoli/ cauliflower/fruit cocktail/garlic toast
25 Birthday dinner: Roast pork/mashed potatoes with gravy/juice/roll/cake/ice cream
6 Breakfast casserole/hashbrowns/veggie medley/mandarin oranges/cookie
13 Chicken strips/white cheddar mac and cheese/peas/pickled beets/pears
20 Salisbury steak/mashed potatoes with gravy/corn/peaches/roll
27 Hamburger rice casserole/green beans/ pickled beets/applesauce/roll
MOSCOW SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM — When: Noon, Tues./Thurs.
7 Italian wedding soup/salad bar/cheddar biscuits
14 Vegetable lumberjack soup/salad bar/garlic toast
21 Chicken and dumpling soup/salad bar/ cheddar biscuits
28 Vegetable beef/salad bar/garlic toast
• Where: 1912 Center, 412 E. Third St. or call (208) 310-3779 for delivery. Cost: $5 suggested for seniors 60 and older; $7 for nonseniors. • Notes: Soup (starting at 10:30 a.m.), salad bar (at 11:30 a.m.) and dessert are available daily. Menu is subject to change. • Online: users.moscow.com/srcenter.
4 Ham/au gratin potato casserole/cauliflower/peaches/bread
11 Meatloaf/mashed potatoes/seasoned carrots/roll
6 Stuffed cabbage roll/roasted potatoes/mixed veggies/roll
M W TH F
18 Oven-baked salmon/wild rice/broccoli/peaches/bread
T25 Roasted pork loin/rice pilaf/buttered veggies/peaches/roll
13 Mini turkey croissant/potato salad/juice
20 Cheddar cheese omelet/sausage links/biscuit/potatoes/juice
27 Penne pasta with meatball marinara/green beans/fruit/bread
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
VALLEY MEALS ON WHEELS — FEBRUARY MENU
HOT: Chicken fried steak/mashed potatoes/carrots
2 3
SACK: Uncrustable/ yogurt/apple
9
HOT: Turkey/ stuffing/squash
SACK: Ham/ veggie cup/chocolate pudding
HOT: Ham/ yams/corn
SACK: Seafood salad/ chips/peaches
HOT: Pork loin/ rice/mushrooms
SACK: Egg salad/cottage cheese/banana 10 11
HOT: Chicken cordon bleu/scalloped potatoes/broccoli
SACK: Tuna salad/garbanzo bean salad/Rice Krispie treat 16
HOT: Chicken fried steak/mashed potatoes/carrots
SACK: Uncrustable/ yogurt/apple 23 24
Menus are prepared by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and are subject to change. Meals are delivered to established clients between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. 365 days of the year, with delivery guaranteed by 1 p.m. each day. Individuals can have a hot meal delivered to their residence for $4 per day or a hot meal and a sack lunch for $5 per day. More info: (208) 799-5767. 7
HOT: Veggie lasagna/ broccoli
SACK: Ham/pasta salad/Jell-O fluff 4
HOT: Beef stew/roasted potatoes/carrots
SACK: Chicken salad/ spinach salad/cookie
HOT: Pot roast/ mashed potatoes/ carrots
SACK: Chicken salad/ crackers/banana pudding 17
HOT: Ham/ yams/corn
SACK: Seafood salad/ chips/peaches
5
HOT: Chicken cordon bleu/mac and cheese/green beans
SACK: Egg salad/marinated cucumbers/cookie
12 1
HOT: Italian baked chicken/mashed potatoes/broccoli
SACK: Roast beef/marinated mushroom salad/bread pudding
HOT: Teriyaki chicken/rice/ cabbage
SACK: Roast beef/ pea salad/cake 18
HOT: Veggie lasagna/ broccoli
SACK: Ham/pasta salad/Jell-O fluff 25
26
HOT: Lasagna/ corn
SACK: Ham/ celery sticks and cucumber/orange 19
HOT: Chicken cordon bleu/mac and cheese/green beans
SACK: Egg salad/marinated cucumbers/cookie
HOT: Meatloaf/ baked beans/ cauliflower
SACK: Roast beef/pickled beet salad/applesauce 6
HOT: Tater Tot casserole/peas
HOT: Pasta bolognese/ peas
SACK: Tuna salad/ green salad/cake
HOT: Sweet-andsour meatballs/ rice/peas
SACK: Turkey/green salad/cookie
HOT: Stroganoff/ noodles/cabbage
SACK: Turkey/ broccoli salad/ pineapple 8
HOT: Chicken strips/mac and cheese/green beans
SACK: Turkey/ tomato, rice-and-feta salad/mandarin oranges 13 15 14
HOT: Pork loin/stuffing/ cauliflower
SACK: Uncrustable/ carrot-raisin salad/pears 20
HOT: Meatloaf/ baked beans/ cauliflower
SACK: Seafood salad/ chips/coleslaw
HOT: Tuna noodle casserole/green beans
SACK: Egg salad/potato salad/peach cobbler 21
SACK: Roast beef/pickled beet salad/applesauce 27 28
HOT: Pasta bolognese/ peas
HOT: Ribs/roasted potatoes/corn
SACK: Uncrustable/ green bean and onion salad/blondie dessert
HOT: Sweet-andsour meatballs/ rice/peas
SACK: Turkey/green salad/cookie 22
SACK: Tuna salad/ green salad/cake 1
HOT: Stroganoff/ noodles/cabbage
SACK: Turkey/ broccoli salad/ pineapple