PRESS RELEASE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FORMER HEALTH COMMISSIONER … Parkview-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary members are pictured with guest speaker Jean Wise, former Williams County Health Commissioner, at their Christmas luncheon meeting Monday, Dec. 9th. Auxiliary members donated paper product items shown here for the local Helping Hands Food Pantry and provided Christmas cards to be delivered to patients and staff at Montpelier Hospital. Shown from left to right are Joyce Schelling, Connie Dunseth, Lynn Watson, Jean Scott, Elaine Willibey, Gloria Poorman, Jean Wise, Linda Dilworth, Marty Brace, Ruth Cooley, Armeda Sawmiller, Jill Beck, Jean Darby and Patty Ledyard (seated).
PRESS RELEASE – Jean Wise, former Williams County Health Commissioner who retired in 2006, was guest speaker at the noon Christmas luncheon meeting for Parkview-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary Monday, Dec. 9th. The event was held in the fellowship hall at First Presbyterian Church in Montpelier.
Mrs. Wise was the guest of Auxiliary Vice President Elaine Willibey, who introduced her following the welcome by Auxiliary President Linda Dilworth, who led those attending in the auxiliary prayer.
“Mental Health-Positive Choices” was the topic presented by Mrs. Wise, who encouraged all to start the new year 2025 on a positive note. To finish 2024, she gave three words: “Distract, connect & impact”.
Distractions–mostly thought of as negative but can also be positive. Instead of focusing on ourselves (self), we can become distracted to focus on someone else (others) and turn a negative into positive–use a talent or skill to benefit others.
Contact—a balance is needed with people. An introvert spends more time alone, but needs to have more contact with others, while an extrovert spends more time with others, but needs to have more time for self.
According to Mrs. Wise, loneliness is an epidemic and affects one’s mental health. She emphasized seeking more contact with others such as making personal or phone visits. Becoming active in senior centers, church and community organizations results in beneficial contacts.
Impact—using an example of the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, the speaker pointed out that one life affects another life, and another, and another like a ripple effect.
Instead of thinking about our life’s accomplishments listed on a resume, we should think about what is important in our lives and how we will be remembered when we are gone, then make positive impacts in the lives of others.
Following her program on positive choices, Mrs. Wise was presented an appreciation gift on behalf of the auxiliary by Elaine Willibey.
President Linda Dilworth conducted the business portion of the meeting with the thought for the day: “My old grandmother used to say, ‘Summer friends will melt away like summer snows, but winter friends are friends forever’”, by George R.R. Martin.
Roll call was answered to “What was your favorite Christmas cookie?”. Reports were given by Secretary Connie Dunseth and Treasurer Joyce Schelling.
President Linda reminded everyone of the auxiliary’s policy—if Montpelier schools are closed due to inclement weather or the village is under a level 1 or higher, the auxiliary meeting will be cancelled. Confirmation can be attained by calling the hospital at 419-485-3154 after 10:00 a.m.
All who brought Christmas cards to sign for the card shower for patients and staff at Montpelier Hospital and donations of paper products for the local food pantry were thanked. Joyce Schelling is in charge of patient favors for December.
The next auxiliary meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13th at 1:00 p.m. in the hospital conference room. The guest speaker will be Tara Spisak, dietician for both Bryan and Montpelier Hospitals.
Roll call will be “After the holiday sweets, how do you change your diet?”. Auxiliary members are encouraged to bring guests. Armeda Sawmiller is in charge of January patient favors.
