Courtesy photo Kay Chandler, far right, was elected to the Pilot International Board as a director.

Chandler elected to Pilot International Board

Wendy’s word

It was all there, and then BAM! My entire inbox deleted everything, and all of Decatur’s chat flew out to cyberspace. I don’t know what happened; perhaps it was a virus. Regardless, it made for an interesting twist while on vacation and trying to get my columns in from seven hours away. (If you submitted something for Chatterbox between July 28 and Aug. 4, you may want to resend it.)

Thanks to friends and the fact that I did remember some of the e-mail addresses, I was able to call and get some help. It was nice to actually talk to some of those people whom I often only hear from via e-mail.

In this technologically advanced world we live in, let us not get so consumed that we forget to do things the old-fashioned way. Pick up a phone and make a call or drop someone a handwritten note. You will be glad you did, and so will they.

Now let’s see what the “chatter” is for today...

On international board

Kay Chandler of the Pilot Club of Decatur has been elected to the Pilot International Board as a director. During the recent convention in Norfolk, Va., she competed against five other Pilot International members from around the country to earn this honor.

Chandler, a past district governor for Pilot International, will serve a two-year term while staying active as treasurer of her local club. She has been employed by Solley Construction in Decatur for more than 30 years and is a longtime member and supporter of Pilot.

“We are so proud of Kay and this outstanding accomplishment,” said Sherrill Biehn, secretary of the Pilot Club of Decatur.

Pilot International was founded in 1921 as a volunteer service organization. The historic inspiration for the name was the riverboat pilot who would steer a true course through calm or troubled waters. The motto, “True Course Ever,” and the nautical wheel emblem are often seen at the entrance to communities throughout the world.

Membership in Pilot International consists of 25,000 adult and youth volunteers from the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.

NAMI picnic

Members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness drew more than 200 to their annual picnic recently. Guests represented group homes in Athens, coordinated by Cathy Cox; Decatur, headed by Debra Brown; and Moulton, coordinated by Melissa Prater. All group homes are under the leadership of Cathy George.

Everyone enjoyed the summer day, complete with barbecue plates and Pepsi products, that was organized by Marilyn Volonino, NAMI president. Travis Vines provided musical entertainment.

John Tinger, American Legion district chaplain and NAMI member, opened the festivities with prayer.

Among those present were Rep. Bill Dukes; Charles Cutts, executive director of North Alabama Regional Hospital; Anita Thomas, North Alabama Regional Hospital social worker and family educator; Lisa Coleman, clinical director from the Mental Health Center; Scott Kincaid, program director from the Mental Health Center; Linda Pierce, case manager from the Mental Health Center; Mental Health Association executive director Sue Brantley; Nina Blackburn, coordinator of Friendship House; and Ann Denbo, president of Friends of North Alabama Regional Hospital.

“NAMI looks forward to this event each year and could not do it without the support of the American Legion and its commander, Willard Tapscott,” said NAMI officer Brenda Tinger. “It was great fun, and even though we were tired when we got home, we realized the joy was well worth it.”

Alzheimer’s AARP topic

Morgan County Chapter 234 of AARP met recently for a program on Alzheimer’s and related issues and a covered-dish meal featuring Randy Towry’s smoked brisket.

Don Thomas, president, opened with the pledge to the flag, singing of “My Country ’Tis of Thee” and a devotion entitled “Grace.” Wayne Wagnon offered a prayer.

Norma Jean Melder introduced guest speaker Sue Brantley, executive director of the Mental Health Association in Morgan County. Brantley explained that dementia is the umbrella under which Alzheimer’s, alcohol dementia, hardening of the arteries and some later stages of Parkinson’s disease are grouped.

A new database program allows patients to be registered with the local police department, which facilitates locating them if they wander off and become lost.

Nina Blackburn, who directs the Alzheimer’s program for the Mental Health Association, told the AARP group, “It is our goal to be a part of a national mission to make sure that everyone’s brain ages successfully. If depressed, get treatment, have at least five friends, walk 30 minutes daily, eat right and keep blood pressure under control.”

For more information, call the MHA at 353-1160.

Marilyn Geron also spoke on her experience with caring for an Alzheimer’s patient.

“Through the support and information I received from the Mental Health Association, I was able to feel in control of his care, even during the two years he was in a nursing home,” said Geron.

Wagnon, the legislative chairman, shared highlights of the 2007 AARP Alabama legislative agenda, including long-term care, age discrimination laws, identity theft protection and pre-need funeral service contracts. Members were urged to become familiar with these issues and to call their state legislators with concerns.

The Aug. 28 program will feature the Morgan County Dulcimer Association. The public is invited to attend beginning at 11:45 a.m. in the lower fellowship hall at Central United Methodist Church.

That’s all for now. It’s been great chattin’ with ya!

Let me know what is going on in your little corner of the world. If it’s special to you and features any of the great people who live in our community, then it will make a great Chatterbox item. Just e-mail me at ddchatterbox@yahoo.com, or call me at 350-5730. I look forward to hearing from you.

Email This Page