Alice Miller, instructor with Bryan YMCA exercise programs including chair yoga, was guest speaker for the CHWC-Montpelier Hospital Auxiliary meeting Monday, Nov. 9th at 1:00 p.m. in the conference room.
Auxiliary President Joyce Schelling called the meeting to order, welcomed everyone, and then turned the meeting over to Deb Barry, program committee member, who introduced Alice and her assistant for the demonstration, Deb Clum.
“Fitness, Fun & Friends” is the theme for Alice’s class on chair yoga which is one of five YMCA Silver Sneakers exercise programs offered at the Bryan facility. Other classes include water aerobics and deep water aerobics. Silver Sneakers programs are designed to help develop better flexibility, posture and balance.
Alice began with deep breathing exercises which can help lower blood pressure and enhance the immune system. She and Deb then demonstrated various chair yoga exercises including shoulder rolls, “cow & cat” stretches, “sun god”, “tree”, “stork”, “owl”, and eye muscle workouts.
Chair yoga can be done individually or as a group. Classes at the “Y” are taught at 8:15 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Some insurances offer the Silver Sneakers program at no cost.
Following the demonstrations, the regular auxiliary meeting continued with the auxiliary prayer and included veterans and members of the military in honor of Veterans’ Day on Wednesday. Auxiliary member Gloria Poorman, a Marine veteran, was recognized for her service.
Roll call was answered with “What is something you are thankful for this week?”. Reports were given by Secretary Connie Dunseth, Treasurer Barb Dietsch and various committee chairmen. Vivian Brown, hospital gift shop manager, and volunteers were thanked for their help during the Hospital Gift Shop Open House held Friday, Nov. 6th. Cindy Zimmerman is in charge of patient favors for this month.
Plans were discussed for the annual “Lighting the Way to Christmas” memorial program sponsored by the auxiliary to be held Sunday, Dec. 6th at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Montpelier.
Bill Priest will serve as master of ceremonies with the program including Phil Ennen, President and CEO of Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers, Rev. Dee Custar with invocation and benediction, Rev. David Tilly delivering the memorial message, and Miranda Harris, vocalist, House of Prayer, Montpelier, and Ned Horton, organist, providing music. Cookies, coffee and punch will be served in the fellowship hall after the program. The public is cordially invited. Greeters will be Marty Brace, Connie Dunseth, and Gloria Poorman.
Luminaries and angels dedicated to the memory of of deceased family and friends, especially those during the past year, are available by contacting Barb Dietsch (ph: 419-485-3229) by Nov. 30th and will be included in the roster of names read during the memorial program.
Volunteers from the auxiliary will be assisting with the semi-annual Book & Gift Fair scheduled Monday, Nov. 16th from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the hospital conference room.
The annual Christmas luncheon and meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 14th at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church, Montpelier. A representative from Sarah’s House will be guest speaker. Auxiliary members are asked to bring a Christmas card for the hospital card shower. Instead of a gift exchange, members are asked to bring canned goods, paper products, personal hygiene items and/or cleaning supplies to be distributed to See & Do and Helping Hands food pantries in Montpelier. Reservations for the luncheon should be called in to Treasurer Barb Dietsch by Dec. 7th.
Thought for the day was “The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them” by Mark Twain. After the meeting, refreshments were served with Armeda Sawmiller and Carol Ericksen serving as hostesses.
INFORMATION PROVIDED