Natural
TEXA LIFE IN THE PINES OF SHELBY COUNTY
THE MEDICAL ISSUE naturaltexan.net
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FROM GABBY
Publisher | Editor-in-Chief GABRIELLE WEST Staff Writer
Autumn! The season that officially brings summer to an end. Of course, we will be gearing up for all the fun things autumn has to offer; festivals and cooler weather (These are always a plus here in East Texas!).
Layout & Design
In this issue, you will read about a Shelby County resident that has made an impact on the community with his volunteer work and love for helping people. Mr. Mike Belgard was so gracious to let us share his story.
TERRI LACHER BRITTNEY FORD
Cover Photo
STEPHANIE SNELL
Contributing Writers:
NACOGDOCHES MEDICAL CENTER
WHITNEY ALGER
CELEBRATIONS EVENT & TRAVEL
JHERI-LYNN MCSWAIN CO. EXTENSION AGENT
REBECCA MOTT RECIPES BY REBBECCA
Want to see YOUR BUSINESS or YOUR STORY in The Natural Texan? Please call: 936-332-8144 or email: info@naturaltexan.net
This (Medical) issue is always a FAVORITE of mine. As you may know, I am expecting a new little princess in the middle of September. As I was putting this issue together, I found myself being more passionate about all the medical staff that helps us along the way. From my doctor that takes care of me for the entire nine months, who then does everything in his power to help keep me safe and get my baby here safely, to the nurses that watch over me the entire time and the hands from the nursery to the babies doctor that helps. It’s so hard to understand what these individuals deal with on a daily basis. I am forever grateful for the hands that help me and my family throughout the years. A Very SPECIAL “thank you” to Dr. Glymph and his staff, Dr. Amy Huggins and her staff and Nac Medical for having a GREAT place to deliver a baby. I don’t know what we would do without you! HAPPY PAGE TURNING EAST TEXAS!
G
GABRIELLE CARTER WEST EXECUTIVE EDITOR
naturaltexan.net | S/O 2017 | 3
DEPARTMENTS 14
12
8
22
9 PEOPLE & PLACES
5 Local Happenings 6 Calendar of Events
THE MEDICAL ISSUE
8 Man of the House - Kentris Sweat 9 Vacation Volunteer - Ann Crisp 12 Parkman Answering the Call
14 ON THE COVER
Mike Belgard, PA-C
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WANDERLUST
20 Fall Festivals of Texas
NATURAL LIVING
22 Heart Facts 24 Mammograms 26 Recipes by Rebecca
LOCAL MARKET
29 Local Advertisers
PEOPLE & PLACES
Center ISD Ribbon Cutting
photo courtesy of Shelby County Today
AgriLife Open House naturaltexan.net | S/O 2017 | 5
new owners Center Glass Justin & Anna Lee
SEPTEMBER
21st JCC Orientation | Windham CC | 4:30 pm - 6 pm 27th Fajita Lunch | 11 am
Doo Dah Parade | 4 pm Chicken Cooking Contest | 5 pm
30th Queen’s Pageant
OCTOBER
5th - 7th Poultry Festival
21st Shelbyville Hill Festival 6 | S/O 2017 | naturaltexan.net
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THE MEDICAL ISSUE Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrew 12:14. These are the words Nacogdoches resident Kentris Sweat stands on in life and on the job. Sweat is a natural leader. Whether he is at home with his wife and eight children, preaching to his congregation at Sweet Union Church of God in Christ or multi-tasking as a buyer in materials management at Nacogdoches Medical Center, Sweat relies on his faith to help him lead in every aspect of his daily life. This May will mark Sweat’s 16th anniversary at Nacogdoches Medical Center. As this milestone approaches, Sweat recalls all that he loves about his job including the hospital culture, his day-to-day assignments and the people he works with daily. In fact, he says his role as a preacher has helped him provide the peace needed to fulfill pressing tasks at the community hospital including providing comfort to his co-workers. “I have been called on a few times to pray while at work,” said Sweat. “One time the ER staff was really shaken up over a young patient’s death after doing everything they could to revive the child. I was called to come and pray for peace for my fellow co-workers as they worked through this trying time.” In turn, Sweat says he uses lessons he’s learned at the hospital in his role as a father, pastor and community leader. “Working here at Nacogdoches Medical Center has taught me that through the task of life, the ups and downs, they will and do come,” he said. “Having a great team of people who all love and support each other and work together, helps get me through the low times and lifts me up during the good times.” With eight children – including one-year-old twins – under one roof, Sweat said his experience as a father taught him the importance of prayer and the need to stay focused, prioritize his time and be reliable in continued faithfulness. “All of this helps me to be the best employee and leader that I can be and also keeps me looking at ways to improve,” he said. As Father’s Day approaches, Sweat said he hopes his eight children, who range in age from 20 to one-year-old, will cook him dinner. “The best Father’s Day I’ve ever had was when my children gave me a basket of snacks that I love and I didn’t have to share,” he said with a laugh. And for new fathers, Sweat said not to let anything stop them from being there for the special days their children will remember. “If you have a son, teach them to be a man who provides for their families,” Sweat said. “And to your daughter, tell her how beautiful she is and how valued she is.” With his busy schedule, you might think Sweat doesn’t have time to de-stress, but as with everything in his life, his faith leads him to relax and recharge. “Music helps me to unwind,” said Sweat. “I sing, listen to my Gospel music, pray, read my word, I play the organ/ keyboard and when I’m at church, I dance in the spirit.” As for his upcoming 16-year anniversary at Nacogdoches Medical Center, Sweat says he’s looking forward to the annual awards banquet in May and he hopes to continue to let his faith lead him through the next 16 years. 8 | S/O 2017 | naturaltexan.net
When you think of going on vacation, it’s usually somewhere you can forget your cares and woes and just relax. In the case of Ann Crisp, an ER nurse at Nacogdoches Medical Center’s Emergency Room, she uses her vacations to treat the cares and woes of the world and help those in desperate need of medical aid. Since 1996, Crisp has spent ten “vacations” as a volunteer nurse on medical missions, utilizing her talents and skills to help others. Her journeys have included the deep interior of Mexico; a Mercy ship docked in West Ghana; the jungles of Belize; and the mountains of Nicaragua. Crisp stressed what a blessing her mission trips are and that she doesn’t mind all the extra hours she works to help pay for them. “Because what I am doing is God’s work. I’d rather go on missions instead of vacations,” she said. “You see how little things can be so amazing and life changing down there. “Our patients get things like vitamins, toothbrushes and warm socks. That is especially important since everyone, from young children to the elderly, wear rough rubber boots to work in the fields.” This May marks Crisp’s eleventh mission when she’ll participate in a week-long medical ministry in Ecuador, organized by The First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches. The group will consist of physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and translators. “This is my fourth time to Ecuador with this group. We base out of the city of Quito, and each day we travel by bus up the mountain sides, as high up as 12,000 feet, to different villages,” Crisp said. “The patients are always waiting for us, sometimes walking for days to get there. “We’ll set up a triage room in churches, school rooms and tents outdoors to try to help as many people as we can. Last time, we saw 900 patients over a fiveday period.” Ann Crisp’s lifelong journey to help others
first began in 1988. She was a single mother of three girls and worked as a switchboard operator at Nacogdoches Medical Center. “One day it hit me that I wanted to be a nurse. I like to help and take care of people,” she recalled. “So I told God, ‘You gave me this talent so that I can give back and help others.’ I attended Angelina College in Lufkin and became an LVN in 1992 and an RN in 1993.” The biggest challenge for Crisp is seeing patients with diseases and conditions they cannot help, like cancer or diabetes. “I see the look in their eyes that says we’re supposed to be able to fix what’s wrong, but we just can’t. So we pray with them, improvise as much as we can and hope to make them as comfortable as possible. It’s heartbreaking.” Crisp also recalls some of her most joyous moments. “We take reader glasses with us for the elderly, and the smiles on their faces when they can see clearly again is incredible. We also help a lot of kids who are deaf because of the wax build-up in their ears and are able to give them their hearing back. Sometimes, the simplest of things can affect lives the most.” Crisp has many memories of her travels, including working without electricity, canoeing through raging rapids and treating patients accompanied by the sounds of wild monkeys. However, it was a six-week stint serving in the recovery room of a Mercy hospital ship that impressed Crisp the most. “It’s like a floating city, and I worked in the recovery room,” she said. “I saw kids, five and six years old, who had cataracts removed and saw their mommas for the first time, patients with twisted legs walk again and even a tribal leader who had a giant tumor removed form his back. They are so grateful. You stand there and cry with them, and then you go on to the next patient.” So what are Ann Crisp’s favorite souvenirs from her vacations? “Endless hugs and smiles that I’ll never forget.”
naturaltexan.net | S/O 2017 | 9
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Approximately a year ago, a letter was sent to a Shelby County resident informing her that she had been selected to be one of the 20,558 military veterans to take an honor flight to Washington, DC. It was to be an allexpense paid trip to our nation’s capital, complete with a guardian who would see that she would have assistance to attend all functions. As part of the Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization, she had been chosen among several thousand other veterans to fly to Washington DC, to be honored for her service and sacrifices made during World War II. After receiving her letter, her first reaction was to decline, saying she couldn’t get around without a wheelchair. It didn’t take long for her to receive a phone call to let her know that she had a seat on the plane with her name on it. She took the flight and was thoroughly overwhelmed at the reception and high honor. That woman was Margaret Ricks Parkman of Tenaha, Texas. Margaret was born in the year 1923 in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. She attended school there and graduated in 1941. During her high school years, she met her husband, Willard Parkman, when he came with his father to help build her family home in Mt. Pleasant. Willard enlisted at the start of World War II and was stationed in Africa and Sicily. They wrote letters back and forth to each other as their romance bloomed long distance. Following graduation from high school Margaret went to Fort Worth and began working at Consolidated Aircraft making bombsights for B-24 bombers, which consisted of a “bunch of tiny mirrors,” in the nose of the airplane so that the bombardier could see the position of the bombs clearly. After a year, she took a two-week vacation to Los Angeles and ended up staying on the West Coast, first taking a job at Boeing Aircraft. She then went to work with the telephone company as a switchboard operator. One day she was joking and said she was going home back to Texas, and her friend decided to go with her. After they had packed and ready to leave, the IRS showed up to inform her that they heard she was leaving town. They told her that before she could leave, she would have to pay taxes she owed. Margaret told them if she paid her taxes she wouldn’t be able to afford to go home. The tax men allowed them to leave with their bill and send the money after they returned to Texas. Once home, in 1942, Margaret saw the famous poster with, “Uncle Sam Wants You!” and decided she would enlist, but only if she would be able to go to medical school. The Army was most anxious and assured her she would get her wish. She went to boot camp in Oglethorpe, Georgia, and then on to Atterbury School of Medicine in Indiana where she received her training as a medical corpsman. Between classes and clinicals with the doctors, the female medics put in twelve-hour days. On graduation day, Margaret passed out in the hallway, waking up in a hospital where she stayed a month getting over pneumonia. Her class was shipped out before her, and she ended up being shipped to Fort Nix, New Jersey. While waiting for orders, Margaret and three other female medics
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were waiting in a room for their orders. A colonel entered the room, and only Margaret stood at attention. “You are here for a purpose and against my better wishes,” he said. He explained that they were to replace the current medics who would be shipped overseas, and expressed his displeasure of losing them. He no sooner left the room when the door opened and Eleanor Roosevelt walked in. She addressed the women and told them they were to be a part of the 8th Army, and would not be shipped overseas. It was to be a high honor for Margaret in her military service. Her years as a medic kept her in New Jersey, and she worked alongside of physicians in the military hospitals, and tending to the wounded brought in by boat. She saw much pain and suffering during this time especially assisting with the returned prisoners-of-war from the Japanese camps. She later was asked to assist at an interment camp in upstate New York, which was difficult after working with the wounded POWS. During her time in the military she was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) and would spend time recovering from the illness which caused temporary blindness, among other symptoms. Back home after the war Margaret and Willard married and began their family. They moved to Houston where Willard worked as a master carpenter, building many of the finer homes in the area. He came home one day and announced that he had been “called by God” to go into the ministry. They packed up their three small children, returned to Fort Worth where he would go to school to get his degree in divinity. From there, they moved to Washington State to start a new Baptist church, raising their children until they were ready to begin college. Their journey brought them back to Houston where their children could walk to the Baptist University. Willard and Margaret stayed until retirement. They returned to Shelby County and their family home in Tenaha. At nearly ninety-four years, Margaret has definitely answered life’s call of service to others. With Willard as her life partner, they raised three children, who in turn blessed them with nine grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren. Willard remained active in the ministry until he passed away, turning his focus on missions. With his carpentry skills and love for the Lord, he was able to help build many churches in Mexico. They were part of the Tenaha “grandparent” program, allowing them to be connected with young people in their church who otherwise would not have had the experience of loving grandparents. Throughout her nearly four years of military service, twenty-plus years in the medical profession, and years of working in various areas of church ministry, Margaret remains a calm, self-assured woman, with a laugh and smile that comes easily. Her faith is evident in her speech. Her strength has been her deep faith in God. She loved working with children, sharing God’s love in her kind ways. Throughout the telling of the story of her life, she sat, hands folded in her lap. When she was finished, she smiled gently and said, “God knows what He is doing.”
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ON THE COVER - FEATURE STORY A visit to the HOPE Clinic in Center, Texas would not be complete without stopping in to see Mike Belgard, PA-C, and CEO of the HOPE Project. His enthusiasm and easy going nature will put even the most timid patient at ease. His love of people is apparent in the way he approaches his medical profession, treating each person individually, reaching out to care for physical needs as well as their mental and spiritual needs.
naturaltexan.net | S/O 2017 | 15
He was raised in Deville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, attending Buckeye High School and is an avid Panther fan. He was always interested in medicine, and dreamed of going to medical school, but he knew that the cost of becoming a doctor would not be possible after growing up in a large family. Following graduation from high school, he entered in the Navy at the age of 18 at what Mike said was the lowest level, as an E1. He trained as a combat medic in several locations including the Great Lakes Naval Base, near North Chicago, Illinois, and was sent on to the Marine base, Camp Lejune in Jacksonville, North Carolina to continue his training. From there he served with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine division for three years, traveling to places in France, Greece, and Turkey, to name a few.
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He furthered his medical training at the Aerospace Medical School in Pensacola, Florida and was stationed on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. His training in Florida included being a rescue life boat swimmer. In 1979 and 1980 he was sent to the Gulf during the Iranian hostage crisis where he stayed until he was replaced and returned to the States. After completing his service time in the Navy, Mike enrolled at the University of Northeast Louisiana in Monroe to study pre-med. He then attended college in Pineville, Louisiana, to be closer to his family. He became the chief medical officer for the Louisiana Military Academy. He was recruited into the Army National Guard stationed at Camp Beauregard.
Mike
received his B.S. Physician Associate Studies at the University of Oklahoma through the Army Physicians Assistant Program.He later received his master’s degree from the University of Nebraska. He retired from the Army Guard and Reserves in 2002, at the rank of Captain completing twenty-five years total service. While in the Reserves, he was called to serve in Desert Storm. According to Mike, “I’ve been all over the world.” Mr. Belgard came to the East Texas area sometime during 1990 and 1991, working at various emergency rooms from San Augustine, Center, Carthage, and Lufkin,Texas. He could be found in any one of these hospitals during a single week, working extended shifts at each location. He had been recruited to Shelby County by Shelby Regional Hospital to assist in opening up a rural health care center, under the supervision of Dr. Florencio Singson, working in the capacity of Physician’s Assistant and director of the clinic. It was during this time that he began a working relationship with Dr. Keith Miller. Opening the clinic was no small task. The process took approximately a year because Mike “literally had to write the manual for the hospital.” Throughout this job, Mike worked in every facet of hospital and clinic care. After a brief time working for a neurosurgeon in Tyler, he returned to San Augustine and opened Belgard Family Health, operating the clinic for approximately eight years until the death of his first wife. He returned to Center at that time, and began working with Dr. Miller again, as well as continuing to put in his hours at area emergency rooms. During the next few years he worked for ETMC in Carthage, Texas, and then assisted in the opening of Cline Family Medicine office in Center.
FEATURE STORY naturaltexan.net | S/O 2017 | 17
Mike Belgard was not just known as “Mr. Mike,” in the Because of Mr. Belgard’s deep faith in God and his love East Texas area. His love for the Lord and for people
of people, it was only natural that he would become
led him to a call into the ministry. He began pastoring
an important part of the HOPE (Health Opportunities
at White Rock Baptist church, and then later at the
for the People of East Texas) Project, a non-profit, faith-
Patroon Baptist Church, as he continued to work in the
based medical care facility. It was founded by Colonel
various emergency rooms and clinics.
Jean Diebolt, RN, FNP, and was originally opened in a
As he shared about his early years of serving as a medical care provider and in the capacity of a pastor, he laughed, saying, “I’ve probably seen every person in San Augustine County, Shelby County and Panola County at least once over the twenty-seven years working in the clinics and hospitals and pastoring a church.”
warehouse in East Center, Texas in August of 2003. The clinic was then moved to downtown Tenaha, Texas in the later part of 2003. The facility offered care to an overwhelming number of patients, keeping the clinic open well into the late evening hours of 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm, assisting patients who had nowhere else to go. Mike received a call from Col. Diebolt, asking him to consider helping out at the clinic.
“I prayed about it after she told me what it would involve. It was what I always wanted to do, to be able to help people. So, I decided to work for HOPE at the end of 2012.” The clinic was founded on the principle that medical care would be provided to all who needed treatment, regardless of their ability to pay. Over the years, that care would be extended from family medical to encompass more specialized needs, including dental, obstetrics, and mental health. Their mission has been to provide comprehensive treatment for both short term and long term care patients. When Col. Diebolt was ready to retire in 2015, the Board of Directors began their search for a new CEO. Mike Belgard was on CEO search committee for the Board, helping in the evaluation of possible candidates. Their search continued without finding a qualified candidate, and the need for leadership was becoming crucial to the
18 | S/O 2017 | naturaltexan.net
success of the clinic. Mike continued to pray about situation and finally decided to take the position. The Board approved completely. They had thought Mike would have been right for the job, but knew that he already had a full schedule. Two years later, with Mike Belgard as the CEO, the HOPE Project has been not only financially successful, but is looking toward expansion in the San Augustine and Carthage areas. The mission statement remains the same as when the clinic first began. Throughout their years of operation, they strive to provide medical care to as many people who are in need of treatment, but cannot afford the rising costs of health care. Medical charges are based on a sliding health-care payment basis, according to income and ability to pay, keeping the costs well below the standard charges in other facilities. The HOPE staff is committed to treating each patient with compassion, respect, and the care they deserve. It is their desire to make a difference in not just the lives of their patients, but in the surrounding communities as well.
For Mike the HOPE Clinic is more than just a medical grandchildren. Over the years they have taken several facility. It is an opportunity for ministry. He said, “not a mission trips to Haiti, Guatemala, and Mexico, spreading day goes by that I don’t have opportunities to pray with
their love of God’s Word to those in need. He loves
our patients.”
to play guitar and enjoys songwriting.
When Mike is not in the clinics, or pastoring at the Chireno Baptist Church, he enjoys time with his wife, Connie, of twelve years, their five daughters, Rebecca,
His columns,
“I’m Just Sayin,” can be found in the local papers where he shares his personal thoughts with humor and faith applied to everyday life.
Erin, Jillian, Elizabeth, and Darcie, and their nine
“God has blessed me in so many ways,” Mike Belgard said about his family, saying he has been blessed more than he deserved. This same strong faith and love of family carries into his everyday practice at the clinic. “This, for me, is not a medical practice. This is a mission project. Everyone of my employees are on board with this. We live in the world; we are not perfect. I come to work every morning because I believe that is what God wants me to do.”
FEATURE STORY naturaltexan.net | S/O 2017 | 19
WANDERLUST
These are just a few of the fun fall festivals Texas has to offer. A trip to one of these locations would make a great weekend getaway for the whole family or just a group of friends!
Addison Oktoberfest – Addison, TX September 14-17, 2017 If you can’t make it to the real Oktoberfest, this is the next best thing! Addison is just north of Dallas, and their annual Oktoberfest is considered one of the most authentic in the United States. Visitors can enjoy German food, beer, live music, children’s activities, and, of course, the famous polka dancing! This festival will appeal to guests of all ages!
20 || S/O J/A 2017 20 2017 || naturaltexan.net naturaltexan.net
By Whitney Alger, Owner Celebrations Events and Travel celebrationseventsandtravel.com
Plano Balloon Festival – Plano, TX September 22-24, 2017
This festival is unlike any other! It consists of 45 hot air balloons, skydiving, fireworks, live music, a ½ marathon, and children’s entertainment. Guests are even allowed to ride in the balloons for a small fee!
Dripping with Taste Wine and Food Festival Dripping Springs, TX - September 9, 2017 This festival may seem like it is geared only toward adults, but although there are many adult activities such as wine tasting, beer gardens, and a cigar bar, there are many children’s activities, too! The grape stomping is, perhaps, the most popular, and fun for the whole family! There are also special chef demonstrated cooking lessons and bartending demonstrations showcasing special festival-exclusive drinks.
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NATURAL LIVING
Jheri-Lynn McSwain, M.Ed., M.S. County Ext. Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences 936-598-7744 | jlmcswain@ag.tamu.edu
Just Try It: Replace Bad Habits with Good Exercise Habits Your goal should be to make exercise a regular habit over time. The more you can stick with it, the easier that is. Making physical activity pleasurable is a good way to start. Try switching up some of your regular habits. For instance: • If you usually sit down after dinner, try taking a walk in the neighborhood, around your yard, or up and down a staircase instead.
• If you flop on the sofa and watch TV in the evening, try following along with an exercise video for 30 minutes first.
• If you tend to socialize with friends at bars and restaurants, try meeting them for a weekly Saturday walk in the park or joining a gym or team sport together. 22 | S/O 2017 | naturaltexan.net
Here are five heart facts with the intent of motivating people toward healthy change for a healthy heart. Being physically inactive at the lowest level puts you at higher heart risk than smoking. Only about 40 percent of people are getting enough activity to meet the guidelines.
Sitting is an independent risk factor for heart disease. Even if you exercise regularly, it’s still smart to decrease your sitting time throughout the day.
Arteries are only about 4 millimeters in diameter. It doesn’t take too much of those fatty, greasy foods over the period of a decade or two to start clogging up the arteries. If an artery is blocked off for 30 minutes or more, then the area of the heart muscle that artery supplies will become corroded or die. That’s why it’s so important that someone having a heart attack get care soon. Talk to a doctor about the ABCs of prevention to reduce heart risk factors before a cardiac event occurs.
By age 80, there’s a 60 percent chance you will have high blood pressure. It’s a heart fact: As we get older, blood pressure rises—along with risk of stroke and heart disease. The problem is that most people don’t feel the blood pressure is high until it’s too late. That’s why it’s important to go to your doctor and have your blood pressure checked.
Cardiovascular disease causes an average of one death every 37 seconds in the United States. It claims as many lives each year as cancer, chronic lung disease, accidents and diabetes combined. So it’s important to know the warning signs of a heart attack.
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Mammograms can cut breast cancer deaths as much as 1/3. That is why the American Cancer Society recommends women aged 40 and older be screened for breast cancer with a mammogram once a year. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. It is the best method used to detect breast cancer early and prevent death since the cancer is easier to treat at that point. Using a mammogram for breast cancer screening can reduce death from breast cancer by about 20-35% in women aged 50-69 years old. Due to education about breast cancer, more women are getting mammograms, and the death rate has gone down. However, low income, rural women are at greater risk for dying from breast cancer since fewer of them get mammograms. There are a variety of reasons why low income, rural women may not be getting mammograms. Among them is the fact that they may not have easy access to mammogram screening facilities. Another reason is the cost keeps them away. Others may just want to avoid the chance they may find out that they have breast cancer. Unfortunately, as women get older, their chance of developing breast cancer increases. With increasing age, it becomes even more important to be screened regularly. While screenings may not be as readily available in some rural areas, it is often available in nearby medical centers. Find out if a local hospital does breast screenings. If not, contact a larger urban hospital and inquire if they have mobile mammography units that go out into your rural community, and when and where they will be in your area. For individuals who may not have transportation to medical services, check to see if your area might have a service to transport rural citizens to urban locations that provide more services. There may be a fee for their service, but that fee may be waived for persons who meet certain income requirements. If cost is a factor, check with your local clinic and inquire if they offer the Breast and Cervical Cancer Service (BCCS) program. This is a program the Centers for Disease Control funds to assist low income women. To qualify for the program, a woman must be low-income as defined by BCCS policy, uninsured, under age 65, a Texas resident, and a U.S. citizen or qualified alien. To find out if you qualify for a free or low-cost mammogram and Pap test and where to get screened in your area, call 1-512-458-7796. For women over age 65 and some who may be specially qualified, know that screening mammograms are covered once every 12 months If you are an individual who just does not want to know if you have breast cancer, remember that early detection does save lives. The death rate for breast cancer is greater among low-income, rural women as a whole because they are the ones not getting mammograms. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas are working together to inform Texas women about breast cancer prevention. For more information on how to access resources and to schedule a mammogram in your area, contact your Shelby County Extension Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences at 936-598-7744. Jheri-Lynn McSwain, M.Ed., M.S. Co. Ext. Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences 936-598-7744 | jlmcswain@ag.tamu.edu
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FOCUSED CARE OF CENTER
Our #1 Goal: Get You Well & Back Home! 128 Nacogdoches Street Center, Texas 75935
Located on Center Square
Dr. Thomas and his staff are here to serve Shelby County and surrounding areas!
This year we have successfully returned 72% of the patients admitted after hospitalization back to their home! Key Diagnoses Treated:
Knee Replacement • Stroke (CVA) Pneumonia Sepsis • Fractures • Infection/Wound Care • Cardiac
Administrator • Hollie Adams
936-598-2483
501 Timpson Street, Center TX 75935
It Takes a Minute to Change a Life!
Monday - Thursday | 8 am - 5 pm Friday | by appointment
936.427.9070
SERVICES AVAILABLE: 24 hour Skilled Nursing Care Physical , Occupational and Speech Therapies I.V. Fluids, Antibiotics and T.P.N. Wound Care, Including Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Trach Care, Bi-PAP and C-PAP Pain Management
*Accepting Most Insurances* Thomas Youngblood, DDS General Dentist
Banking Made Easy! Center: 111 Selma St. | (936) 598 - 5688 Center North: 1110 Hurst St. | (936) 591 - 0134 www.shelbysavingsbank.com naturaltexan.net | S/O 2017 | 25
Egg & Kale Breakfast Tacos Ingredients: 6 large taco tortillas or pitas 3 tablespoons olive oil; divided 10 large eggs 3 tablespoons water 2 large bunches of black kale, ribs removed and roughly chopped 6 ounces smoked gouda (or cheddar), shredded Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a large baking sheet with pitas and set aside. Crack eggs into a large mixing bowl, add water, salt and pepper and beat well; set aside. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add kale, stirring well to coat, then cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. Once the kale has reduced by half, reduce heat to low and let it cook – stirring occasionally – for another 4 minutes while you make your eggs. *At this point you can place your pitas in the oven to warm up! Using the remainder of oil, scramble eggs well. Sprinkle with cheese. Season kale with salt and pepper, and remove from heat. Remove pitas from the oven, and fill each shell with a scoop of eggs, then top with crispy kale. Serve warm. Salsa/hot sauce optional. 26 | S/O 2017 | naturaltexan.net
Veggie-Stuffed Tuna Collard Wraps Ingredients: (4-6 wraps) 8-10 large collard leaves 1 can tuna 1 tbsp finely minced parsley 1 tbsp finely minced fresh dill 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage 1/2 cup shredded purple beets 1/2 cup very thinly sliced cucumber 1 carrot, shredded 1/4 cup creamy herb dressing or homemade spread/dip of choice Instructions: Wash the collard leaves and pat them dry with a towel. Using a sharp knife, remove the thick stems from the middle. Drain the tuna and mix it with the parsley, dill and lemon juice. Prepare all of the other fillings as indicated. Layer a couple of collard leaves as your wrap, then arrange a little bit of each of the fillings in the middle of the end nearest you. Fold the bottom of the collard wrap (the end nearest you) up and the edges in towards the middle. Roll it up like a burrito and secure with toothpicks as you repeat for all the remaining leaves and fillings.
From the Kitchen of
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Cauliflower Pizza Bites Ingredients: 4 cups grated cauliflower 3 eggs 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Fillings: Meat(s) (about 4 oz) of your choice Veggies: bell peppers, onion, olives, artichokes, spinach or whatever you choose. Instructions: Preheat oven to 400° F. Combine grated cauliflower, eggs, oil, and seasonings in a large bowl. Add in your desired fillings. Be sure to not use too many or they won’t hold together. I use 4 ounces of meat, and about a cup of veggies.
Straight talk from someone who knows you
Fill the muffin tin by packing the filling into them. Be sure to press down to help them form.
Sound financial advice means only making recommendations that line up with your goals and risk tolerance.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
Thoughtful guidance: It’s how we make sense of investing.
Serve with your favorite marinara sauce. Vicky R Hudson, AAMS® Financial Advisor
MKT-9650-A
.
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832 Hurst St Ste 1 Center, TX 75935 936-598-5011
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
Garrison Nursing Home & Rehabilitation
406 Cora Street | Center, TX 75935
936.598.2923
windhamfamilydental@gmail.com
For all of your General, Restorative & Cosmetic needs
333 North FM 95 Garrison, TX 75946 -------------------936.347.2234
NEW State of the Art Therapy Gym
LOCAL MARKET
Triple J FEED 936-598-4087
604 Loop 500, Center
a Great Service Since 1951
CHECKING | SAVINGS | LOANS 1.800.424.2786 WWW.DOCHESCU.COM Membership Makes The Difference! MEMBER NCUA
naturaltexan.net | S/O 2017 | 29
LOCAL MARKET
Center
Chiropractic Shawn Riley, D.C. Neck Pain | Low Back Pain | Headaches Non-surgical Disk Herniation Treatment MEDICARE, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD and most Insurances accepted.
(P) 936.598.5200 | (F) 936.591.0505 201 San Augustine St., Center, TX 75935
CENTER FLORAL the flower market
246 Haley Dr | Center, TX | 936.598.6286
135 Shelbyville St | Center, TX 75935 936.598.2413 | centerfloral333@gmail.com
WWW.PGSNF.COM
4D Farms
Specializing in: Chicken House Cleanout & Spreading Hay Hauling & Hay Sales Cattle Hauling
Bryan Dillard 936.488.1107
Clay Thompson 936.591.4861
936-569-6288 621 Russell Blvd Nacogdoches, Texas 75965 Fax 936-560-3864
M-TH: 9 am - 5 pm Friday: 9 am - 12 pm
You Don’t Have To Do It Alone! www.heartbeat-of-nacogdoches.org Free, confidential consultation for options you can live with including: Parenting Classes | Prenatal Referrals Limited Obstetrical Ultrasounds | Adoption Referrals
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LOCAL MARKET R & D Distributing, LTD. 936-598-5361 936-598-3511 Fax: 936-598-3346 Robert Griffin 936-590-0537 P.O. Box 1507
David Griffin 936-590-0539 Center, Texas 75935
114 114 Nacogdoches Nacogdoches St St || Center, Center, TX TX
(936) (936) 598-6111 598-6111
Jodi Fountain Owner/Broker
town-country-re.com
your
see
ere? h s s e busin o Want t
info@naturaltexan.net naturaltexan.net | S/O 2017 | 31
BE TREATED. NOT SEATED. When an emergency strikes, differences matter. At Nacogdoches Medical Center, the difference is that you will be treated quickly by our award winning medical team, not seated in a room, waiting for hours. That’s why readers of The Daily Sentinel chose our ER as “Best of Nacogdoches”. So remember, in an emergency choose the ER where CARE MATTERS...WHERE YOU MATTER. Choose Nacogdoches Medical Center.
TWO CONVENIENT ER LOCATIONS 4920 NE Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches, Texas 5100 Loop 500 East, Center, Texas
www.NMCHealthNetwork.com