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Wabash Cannonball Chili for Charity Oct. 15, noon to 4 p.m. Paradise Spring Historical Park, 351 E. Market St., Wabash
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Now is the time for seniors to review their Medicare coverage, but that is often a daunting process. Seniors with Medicare can compare and change their Medicare plan from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. The new benefits in 2012 include continued help with the coverage gap (“doughnut hole”), help with longterm care costs, better coordination of care and ways to manage your health information online. To bring clarity to the challenge of reviewing your Medicare coverage, there are trained and unbiased SHIP counselors at the Dallas L. Winchester Senior Center by appointment. Wabash County residents that would like to review or change their Medicare plan can make an appointment by calling the Winchester Senior Center at 260-563-4475, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The appointments fill up fast and so seniors are encouraged to call as soon as possible to book appointments.
In Memoriam Christine Braatz, 60 Deloris Clark, 96 Phyllis Eby, 81 Randall Glassburn, 55 Robert Harris, 82 Harry McKay, 94 Vicente Soto, 60
Index Classifieds ........28 - 31 D & E ................20 - 21 Weekly Reports..12 - 14 Vol. 34, No. 30
PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326
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THE PAPER
October 12, 2011 Dallas L. Winchester Senior Center offers assistance for Medicare open enrollment period
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Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977
Public health nurse retires after 25 years of service to the community Jane Skeans relives episodes of her employment including a measles outbreak, a nursing strike and one extraordinary family reunion. by Danielle Smith DSmith @thepaperofwabash.com
After 25 years of being known by Wabash children as “The Shot Lady”, Jane Skeans retired from her position as public health nurse at the Wabash County Health Department. Jane’s employment in the healthcare field began with jobs at Marion General Hospital and Vernon Manor. “The health officer at the time was my good friend and the nurse quit and I applied for the job,” Jane recalls. “He called the next day and said ‘Can you give a shot?’ I said ‘Yes, sir, I can.” She went in for an interview and was
hired on the spot. As public health nurse, Jane’s responsibilities included giving immunizations, performing disease investigations and answering questions. Although her core responsibilities remained the same, many aspects of her position evolved over the years. “When I first started, we had about three vaccines that we gave,” she said. “Now it’s about 14 or 15. It has really grown.” Jane also recounted the 1992 measles outbreak, which brought about the system of immunizing students at their schools rather than having them all come to the Health Department. “There was a measles outbreak in 1992, and so the fifthgraders were getting a second MMR. I had college kids, kindergarteners and fifthgraders all coming in at the last minute in August just before school started,” she
“THE SHOT LADY” JANE SKEANS served as public health nurse for Wabash County for 25 years. During that time, she was reunited with her brother after 57 years apart. In 1992, she facilitated the process of immunizing students in the schools as opposed to at the Health Department. (photo provided) recalls. “I told my for all students, family and summa- dents who lived there. health officer ‘I can’t K i n d e r g a r t e n rizes Jane’s personali“She was threatdo this anymore. I through 12th grade, in ty. ened and many intimwant to go to the the schools. “When I was a teen, idations were made. I schools and do it and After 25 years, Jane Mom worked for a don’t remember her get it all done.’ He is full of stories about long-term nursing complaining, just dissaid to go for it, so her tenure as public facility and there was cussing the actions of that’s how we started health nurse. One a nursing strike,” the others and thinkin the schools.” such story, recounted Wicker recalls. “My ing it wrong.” She went on to say by her daughter, mom deeply thought Wicker went on to that the Health Lynne (Skeans) this action wrong and say that she feels this Department will soon Wicker, serves as an crossed the picket line story encompasses (continued on page 7) be offering flu shots inspiration for her to care for the resi-
Hospital Gala to feature Wabash County Has Talent For the first time, the Wabash County Hospital Foundation will feature a Wabash County Has Talent competition at its Gala fundraiser on Nov. 12 at the Honeywell Center. “We have an exciting line-up of performances for the Gala’s first ever Wabash County Has Talent competition,” said Foundation Director Karen Newhouse. “We decided to alternate the talent competition with Dancing with the
Stars, which will return next year. By alternating, we hope to showcase a wide range of talent and increase participation. “The Foundation appreciates the performers’ willingness to support the hospital and their community by contributing their time and talent. As result, we have four fabulous performances to entertain guests and help strengthen our fundraising for a very worthy cause.”
Proceeds of all Gala activities will help purchase a high-definition, narrow-band endoscopy system for the hospital’s surgery department. The new system will greatly enhance imaging of minimally invasive procedures such as colonoscopies, and help diagnose diseases in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. The performers will include: - A select group of the Wabash County YMCA staff will per-
form an exhilarating display of expressive movements that will captivate and inspire their audience of young and old alike. Performers are Bill Barrows, Patty Godfroy, Clint Kugler, Shelly Ruch and Jill Vigar. While the performance type is being kept a secret, it will be quite entertaining for all. The YMCA group is sponsored by Beauchamp and McSpadden. Manchester College Theater will perform, featuring
students Nikki Glassley, Laura Kramer and Matthew Winger. The students are actors in the college’s fall play production of Back to Eden and will perform a segment of the dramedy. They are sponsored by David and Sandra Haist. - The George Berg Quartet and WCH are partnering for a unique, musical performance with a bit of surgical humor. The quarter consists of Jim Flack, Steve Hentgen, Tim
Keaffaber and Alan Palmer. The hospital’s performers are surgery tech Chad Crites, Dr. Rose Wenrich and anesthesiologists Dr. Jared Coffman and Dr. Sam Khan. Their sponsor is Miller’s Merry Manor. - The Wabash chapter of Tri-Kappa will have 16 members performing: Donna Beck, Reta Coburn, Peggy Cordes, Deb Culver, Marilyn CusterMitchell, Lisa Fadil, Sharon Hall, Lisa Keaffaber, Paula (continued on page 7)