Nenana Wellness Coalition
Agenda
The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate, celebrate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska.
We had ten people attend meeting today, including: Bill & Rebecca Troxel, Bonnie Reed, Kat McElroy, Mike Anderson, Cathie Gephart (and Jasper), Dana Hills, Tim Horn, and Miles Martin. We enjoyed green salad, chicken barley soup, home-made fudge and sliced apples & pecans for lunch.
WELCOME and READING OF MISSION STATEMENT: By this week’s chairperson, Dana Hills.
PRAYER: Was lead by Miles Marin, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.
PRESENTATION OF AGENDA AND CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS: There were 3 items added to the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Were posted by Rebecca to Kat; Kat will forward to the WIN e-list.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: Dana and Cathie were introduced.
Speakers/Topics
Foster Parent Recruitments—Tim Horn was contacted by Kathy Halverson who works for TCC in Fairbanks. She has been tasked with recruiting Foster Parents in our area and is interested in coming to a WIN meeting as part of that task. She has tentatively committed to October 28th, but is waiting for an okay on that from her supervisor. She mentioned a woman whose passion is working with families that have experienced sexual abuse. Tim thinks we may be able to ask this woman to help with our WIN goal of holding parenting skills-building workshops here in Nenana. She will accompany Ms. Halverson when she comes to speak to us.
Envisioning Wellness—WIN at Large. Mike confirmed that Karen Lord will be presenting 21st October as Mitch Demientieff and Edna Hancock will both be in Anchorage attending AFN at that time. Karen will be able to provide us with an overview of what the tribe is currently doing and hopefully also give us an idea of what their future plans are at this time. Per Mike, Vickie at the Senior’s does not seem to be interested in doing an Envisioning Wellness presentation. Mike says he will ask Ken Eggleston and Paul Verhagen to do a presentation on the Nenana Valley Sports Association. A date of November 18th was proposed.
Community Garden—Tim got the results of the soil sample analysis tests Cooperative Extension did of various plots at the community garden including one of hers, Rebecca’s and one from the green-house. The results varied wildly. Discussion ensued regarding ways to improve the soil and strategies to get a wider participation in the project. Dana mentioned there are grants available from 4-H, the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of America as well as Home Depot for community gardens. She mentioned a 25 thousand dollar grant received by Ft. Richardson to build a green-house. Tim mentioned she feels there is a lack of basic information and skills for gardening. Dana mentioned fruit trees grafted to Russian root stock which have been successful. She asked if a monthly or quarterly newsletter might be helpful. Tim said that they were planning a get-together to make carrot and green onion seed tapes in December. Miles volunteered to ask Jason about the situation with the berries planted at TCCC now that Brent Mitchel is no longer in residence there. Tim asked that we keep the garden on the agenda as a regular item so we can continue to revisit these various issues.
Freecycle—is scheduled for Saturday, November 8th, from 5 till 8 P.M. Kat will contact Robin at the NNC to see about using the tribal hall for this event, also to see if she has GA workers available to do clean-up. The Troxel’s will make a big pot of stew and home-made bread. Kat will bring some manner of dessert. Cathie said a rummage sale is being planned for Nov. 1st to raise funds for student leadership training. Items to be donated are being dropped of at NSLC. Items not sold will be donated to the Freecycle. A Chili cook-off Freestyle is tentatively scheduled for Jan 17th, 2009. WELLNESS THOUGHT: “Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too selfish to seek other than itself.”
Kahlil Gibran
Updates/Announcements:
today is election day.
Mike: Pumpkins will be painted and carved by NSLC students and the community are invited to come judge the winners in both categories Tuesday, Oct. 28th, followed by dinner at 5 P.M.
Tim: The book fair at the library at NCPS will run the week of Oct. 13 – 17th with the big family night Bingo for Books on Thursday the 16th from 5:30-7:00 P.M. There will be a Safari theme and photo ops. Tuesday the 14th from 10-11:30 A.M. will be a Muffins for Mom event at the library, an opportunity for adults to review and purchase books without their children.
Next Friday, October 17th is the next Village Pride/Community Safety meeting at the tribal hall, at 6:30 P.M.
School board meeting tonight in the Pit at NCPS.
Hallowe’en Carnival will be October 31st at NCPS, in the gym.
The Literacy Council is hosting a Pajama Reading Party at the school Thursday, November 20th, 6-8 P.M. with readers and story-tellers in five classrooms.
Bonnie: Senior’s Christmas Bazaar will be at the Civic Center the first weekend of December, Friday and Saturday. Tables are ten dollars per day. Vickie is the contact person for interested vendors.
Rebecca: October 29th there will be a Pit Performance for K-2nd grades at NCPS, 10 A.M. November 5th is tentatively scheduled for grades 5-12 to do an evening school concert. Also, their church is starting a Financial Seminar for 13 weeks, Sundays, at 6:30 P.M. Information on the seminar can be found at www.daveramsey.com and interested people should purchase the kit which includes books and computer programs. The class is an audio presentation.
Kat: It should be noted that WIN has been meeting weekly in Nenana for five years.
Open floor for comments/questions/discussion:
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