Volume 28 Number 12 December 2017 Dallas Scott, Editor PRESIDENT’S COLUMN– Betty Drinkard Jean Blankenship— Program Chair Merry Christmas! As they say, it’s just around the corner! I do 2018 Program Calendar hope I’ll see you at our Christ- mas Luncheon on Friday De- December 15, 2017, Christmas Social Lunch meeting at Eagle cember 15 from 12 Noon to 2 Eyrie, Noon — 2:00 p.m. (New Time and Location). p.m. at Eagle Eyrie. The facility January 25, 2018, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Pearson Cancer Center — is always so beautifully decorat- Alicia Boggs, “Congestive Heart Failure” ed, I’m sure by the time we leave there all of us will be full February 22, 2018, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Pearson Cancer Center — of the Christmas Spirit. Don’t Allison Brooks Helgeson, "Women and Heart Disease" forget my present! And, I’m March 22, 2018, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Pearson Cancer Center — Dr. also sure that each and everyone of us have been David Frantz, “Wound Care” truly BLESSED. As we reflect on 2017, we like to remember the many special times and events that April 26, 2018, Dinner Meeting: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Eagle Eyrie. we’ve had. Right now I remember the multitude Nancy Eggleston Anniversary Dinner of grand and wonderful things you have done for May 24, 2018, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Pearson Cancer Center — Dr. Mended Hearts Chapter #16. I am so proud of Scott Zindel, “Foot Care you — I brag about you to everyone. I am so honoured to work with you . With our great team June, 2018, No Meeting there has to be much success! Look at our record! July 28, 2018, Picnic: Noon to 2:30 p.m., Alliance Church - Rt. 211, Summer Social, Covered Dish Be sure and get a copy of the January / February issue of Lynchburg Living. The entire community needs to know us and what we do for them! I’m so thrilled with getting this publicity. The reporter and photographer seemed most impressed with our organization as Carol Bryant, Laurel Dodgion and I shared information. If you want to read the newsletter and do not have or use a comput- er, ask a family member or friend to print it for you. If you have not I do hope you have a special Christmas with family given Chapter #16 your Email address, please send it to Dan Cousins and friends. May you have good health and joy — at [email protected]. This will save mailing cost and get you the you deserve it. And don’t forget the reason for the newsletter earlier. season as we look forward to 2018. To access the Chapter #16, Blue Ridge Mended Hearts monthly news- Still proud to be your President. letter, use either of the web links listed below. Heartfully, Centra link; www.centrahealth.com/mended-hearts-newsletters Betty Mended Hearts Link; https://mendedhearts.gnosishosting.net/Chapters/ Resources/16 Inside this issue Cares & Concerns 2 Editor’s Page 2 Mended Hearts Chapter #16 Visiting Reports 3 Donations 3 Nature’s annual Spectacle: Where to see the leaves 4 December surgery anniversaries & birthdays 4 2017 News from the Board Meeting 5 General Meeting Notes 5 Simple Food Safety Tips for Thanksgiving 6 Veterans Day and Memorial Day should not be confused 6 Recipes for Healthy Living 7 Chapter #16 Leaders 8 Pictures from the November General Meeting 9 December 2017 Mended Hearts Schedule of Visits 10 Member Enrollment Form 11 Mission Statement 12 CARES & CONCERNS: Judy and Wayne Toler, Co-Chairs Editor’s Page—Dallas Scott Lawrence “Rita” Bryant — Rehab. Frances and I survived our first dip into the Santa and Mrs. Claus pool. We at- tended the 80th Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland Michigan. We did Cartoons and ‘posters’ by PAGES 48 hours of instruction in three days! We learned the history of Santa and about the SPIRIT of giving. We learned how to put on makeup and how to make toys. We learned about the business of Santa. Below are pictures of Santa and Mrs. Claus with school children. The logo for the school. Santa Dallas’ first time in the sleigh. Frances (Mrs. C) with the CONDUCTOR of the Polar Express. We had a won- derful trip, learned a lot of the do’s and don'ts for Santa and Mrs. Claus. I got to sing in the Santa Choir. I met many heart patients while on breaks from class. We enjoyed it so much we will be going again as a refresher because I’m sure I did not learn it all the first time. It is my pleasure and honor to serve as your newsletter editor. If you have any comments on this newsletter, please feel free to send them to me at [email protected]. I can also be reached at (434) 610-4314. Please feel free to email me or call me. Dallas Scott, Editor Accredited Visitor 434-610-4314 [email protected] 2 ESTHER TUCKER — DONATIONS & GIFTS VISITING REPORTS Donations made to Chapter #16: Patients Visited YTD Surgery Anniversary donations 50/50 November 2017 Cookbooks Patients visited — 190 1755 New Members (Including H.R.) Golf Tournament Home Recovery — 14 170 Belk Charity Day Family — 34 334 Membership Dues Pre-Op — 17 126 Memorials Post-Op — 125 1125 Donations: We appreciate all donations to Chap- ter #16. Thank you so much! Hours — 102.25 1047.85 Please send your memorial gifts to: Blue Ridge Mended Hearts Chapter #16 Lynchburg General Hospital November was another very busy month for the Mend- 1901 Tate Springs Road ed Hearts Visitors. You have made a difference in 190 Lynchburg VA 24501 patients’ and families’ lives. Keep up the great effort! You make an impression with each visit and improve the likelihood that patients’ and families’ lives will be improved by your visit. **BE SURE TO CONSULT Meet and Greet Welcoming Registration folks YOUR DOCTOR*** Hospitality Chair—Ruby Davis 434-845-5245 2017 Greeters The Blue Ridge Heartbeat is written for the education Date Name and information of our members and others concerned with heart health. It is not or intended to be a substi- 12/15/17 Christmas Social tute for the advice of your own physician. Contact your doctor or health professional about any of your 1/25/18 symptoms or concerns. Don’t try anything new with- out consulting your doctor first. 2/22/18 3/22/18 Dallas & Frances Scott 4/26/18 Chapter #16 News 5/24/18 7/28/18 Picnic Rita Bryant’s NEW new address is Runk & Pratt Liberty Ridge, 31 Monica Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502. Please 9/27/18 drop him a card and let him know you’re thinking of him. 10/25/18 Betty Drinkard, our dedicated President, is still going 11/15/18 through testing. Prayers and words of encouragement are in order. 12/15/18 Christmas Social 3 December Birthdays Carol Bryant Gene Gallagher Mended HeartsTM Prayer Kris Krishnamoorthy Terrell Maddox David Shelton We ask for your blessings, Lord. We ask for strength, that we may pass it on to others. December Surgery Anniversaries We ask for faith, that we may give hope to others. Charlie Johnson 1999 We ask for health, that we may encourage others. We ask Lord, for wisdom, that we may use all of your gifts well. In 2018, you can contribute more Getting rid of household germs can help to your 401(k) you avoid colds You can give yourself a good chance to stay healthy this There's good news for 401(k) savers in 2018: winter by thoroughly washing your hands and attacking They can put $500 more into their plan. germs where they hide. The IRS has announced that the 401(k) In the kitchen: Sink handles, sinks, and counters are the contribution limit has been raised to $18,500. biggest offenders. Clean sinks, sink drains, and counters That is the first increase since 2015. with antibacterial soap at least once a day. Wash your sponge in the dishwasher to kill germs. The new limit also applies to 403(b), Thrift Savings Plan and 457 plans. Fresh vegetables and fruits: They may carry salmonella, campylobacter, or E. coli, say microbiologists at New York The limit on catch-up contributions for employees University. Rinse them thoroughly. age 50 and over remains the same at $6,000. In the laundry: Add bleach to a load of white clothes that The deduction phase out limit was also increased. includes underwear. It kills virtually all of the germs on This means that if your Modified Adjusted Gross underwear so they don't spread. Move the load immedi- Income exceeds certain ranges, the amount you ately to the dryer and dry at a high temperature. can deduct is reduced (or phased out). In the bathroom: Use a disinfecting cleaner on the bathtub weekly. If someone with a skin infection uses the tub, Single taxpayers: The phase out is $63,000 to wash it with bleach right away so you don't pick up the $73,000, up from $62,000 to $72,000. germs. Married filing jointly: Phase out rises to $101,000 Shared devices: Use antibacterial cleaner frequently on tel- to $121,000, up from $99,000 to $119,000. ephones, TV remotes, door handles, and shared key- boards, especially if someone in the household has an ill- Individual contributors: The phase out range rises ness.