Medical Leader Community News

MAC hosts Ky. Opry auditions

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:51:50 GMT

PRESTONSBURG - Local youth who enjoy playing musical instruments and/or singing have the opportunity to perform on stage with the Kentucky Opry at the Mountain Arts Center.

The Kentucky Opry will hold open auditions for all Junior Pro positions on Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.

Auditions are open for performers both vocalists and instrumentalists between the ages of 6 and 16.

Auditions will be hosted during pre-scheduled appointment times only.

Vocalists should come prepared to sing a verse and chorus of "My Old Kentucky Home," as well as one other prepared piece that is age appropriate.

Vocalists will have the option of singing with an accompaniment CD or karaoke CD (meaning there will be no vocals on the CD).

Vocalists who can sing both lead and harmony vocals are particularly desired.

Instrumentalists will be asked to perform two selections of their own choosing, which they feel best demonstrates their musical ability.

Because of the musical variety format of this group, Ky. Opry organizers are specifically looking for instrumentalists who can play one or more of the following: drums, bass, guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, or piano as well as be able to sing either lead and/or harmony vocals.

Local young people who are interested in auditioning for a spot with the Ky. Opry Junior Pros should contact Khrys Varney, the Mountain Arts Center's Educational Director at 606-889-9125.

She makes sweet treats

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:46:52 GMT

Medical Leader | MARY MEADOWS

SWEET: This former science teacher doesn't use measuring cups when she bakes. She adds a cup-or-so of this and a teaspoon of that to create these chocolate peanut butter cupcakes.

Medical Leader | MARY MEADOWS

THE SWEET SHOPPE GANG: Business owner Stacy Meade, left, poses with her employees, Gloria Pugh, Vanessa Anderson and Carolyn Griffith.

PIKEVILLE - It's mid-week and it's several months after her husband convinced her that she is, in fact, talented enough to turn her cake-baking hobby into a career.

She calls her aunt Pearle, who is tickled pink to watch her niece become a business owner.

"I'm so excited for you," Pearle says.

She's still not sure about it. She has so many unanswered questions: What if it doesn't work out? What if it breaks us? Are my cakes really good enough to sell?

"I don't even know what to call it. I can't even think of a name," she whines.

"Well, what would you like to call it?" Pearle asks.

"I don't know. We've tossed some names around," she replies. "We thought about calling it 'Custom Confections,' but I don't know. That just sounds too formal. I just want it to be something fun, you know?"

"I think it should have your name in it," Pearle says. "It's your business. You're doing this, so it should have your name on it. What about Stacy's Sweets, or something like that?"

The line is silent for a moment.

"You know, I like the sound of that."

Meet Floyd County resident Stacy Renee Meade, who took her aunt's advice and opened Stacy's Sweet Shoppe, located at 19 Dudley Drive in Pikeville, on Feb. 6.

Stacy, who just celebrated her 40th birthday, converted the family home into the business, which offers specialty cakes, cupcakes, homemade fudge and other "sweet treats," alongside a hearty lunch menu.

"I grew up in this house," Stacy said. "This is the house I was raised in."

In converting the home into a business, Stacy turned her brother's childhood bedroom into an office, her parent's room into a fudge-making station, and the home's former living room into the customer entrance. Her old bedroom now serves as an employee break room/ meeting room for her soon-to-be-established book club.

Stacy attended St. Francis of Assisi School in Pike County and she graduated from Mullins High School early. She was 17 when she got her diploma. By the age of 19, she was married.

She met James, her husband of 21 years, at a friend's house.

"It was just right, you know. He's just a really nice guy," she said. "You couldn't find a better person. He treats me like a princess; what's better than that? He's awesome."

He's a medical physicist who helps her around the shop on his days off. During her first week of operation, he stayed up one night until midnight helping her make fudge.

Stacy was a mother before she decided to return to school. She enrolled at then-Prestonsburg Community College and transferred to Morehead State University. She drove to Morehead every day.

The teaching field didn't fit Stacy. After she got her teaching certificate, she started teaching science at Betsy Layne High School. Six years later, she decided to throw in the towel.

"Some people go into teaching and they just love it, but it just wasn't for me," she said.

She didn't like teaching the same thing every day.

"I just told James one day, 'I'm just to the point where on Friday, I'm already dreading coming back on Monday.' I said, 'That's not fair to my students. I'm not being the best teacher I can because I don't want to be.' The next day, I went to the office and talked to the principal."

She gave the school a six-month notice because she knew it would be hard to find a replacement.

"You have to do what you love," she said. "What's the point of going to work every day if you hate what you're doing? If you're doing something that you enjoy, then you're a happy person."

She tries to teach her sons that. Her oldest son, Dalton, is working on an education degree in history at Morehead. Her youngest son, Dillon, is in high school, and he wants to be a veterinarian.

"I tell them, 'I don't care if you join the circus, if that makes you happy,'" she said. "It doesn't matter how much money you have, what kind of car you drive, or what kind of house you live in. If you're not happy with yourself, nothing else matters."

Medical Leader | MARY MEADOWS

COWGIRL: Stacy created this cowgirl cake to celebrate a niece's birthday.

Dalton, a junior at college, is beginning to wonder whether he would be a good teacher. Stacy tells him not to worry.

"If you've got an education, there are other options," she said. "If you've got an education, nobody can take that away from you."

After leaving her post in Betsy Layne, Stacy was unemployed for several years before she started working in the food service department at the Pike County School District.

She stayed there for four years.

A week after she left that job, her father died.

"You're just, kind of, messed up for a while after all of that," Stacy said of her father's death. "He left the house to me and my brother and my brother had just built a new house, so he didn't want this one."

Stacy bought her brother's portion of the inheritance. The deal was finalized in August 2011, but Stacy's husband had been encouraging her to open a cake shop months before then.

His encouragement got a bit stronger in April 2011, after Stacy received compliments for a groom's cake she made.

She used brownies to create a realistic gun cake for the groom, an avid hunter and outdoorsman.

Stacy said, "I fought it for a while, saying, "No, I'm just not good enough, I don't know that I can do that, or whatever,' but with encouragement from the family and everybody, they finally talked me into doing that."

James is glad he encouraged her.

"She has made cakes for years, just for family and friends," James said. "We've all told her to go into business for years, but when a stranger told her, she started to believe that maybe she was good enough."

He wanted her to open earlier, but she refused.

"James wanted me to be open by Dec. 1, and I would, kind of, get scared and step back and not push it," Stacy said. In the first five days of operation, the shop produced 300 cupcakes.

"I left here at 11 last night. Wednesday night, it was midnight, and I can't even remember Tuesday," Stacy said, laughing. "I've had to bake twice today."

The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, selling specialty cup cakes, creamy homemade fudge, custom-made cakes and other sweet treats.

It also offers lunch delivery to residents and businesses in an approximate six-mile radius that stretches along U.S. 23 from the Betsy Layne Fire Department to the Kmart plaza in Coal Run. Stacy offers chicken salad sandwiches, various Panini sandwiches and other items on her lunch menu.

Lunch orders may be picked up or delivered between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The shop rotates cupcakes flavors each day, and Stacy posts the flavors of the day on the business' Facebook page. On Feb. 10, the store sold French toast and chocolate peanut butter cupcakes.

It also features banana pudding, caramel apple pie, chocolate coconut swirl, cookies and cream, orange vanilla swirl, peanut butter and jelly and Smores cupcakes.

The flavors of fudge also vary at Stacy's Sweet Shoppe, which carries traditional fudge favorites like chocolate and vanilla and fancy-filled flavors like caramel pecan cheesecake fudge and caramel vanilla fudge.

Stacy likes creating intricate details on cakes. She enjoys listening to what a customer wants and being able to bring it to life, in cake - like the gun groom's cake that made her so popular or the cowgirl cake she made with life-like cowgirl's hat and pink boots, or the PS3 controller she shaped out of Rice Krispies treats.

"I like a challenge," she said.

Stacy has three employees: Gloria Pugh, Carolyn Griffith and Vanessa Anderson, who are all family members.

"It's just a bunch of us girls down here, trying to have fun and make some sweet treats," she said.

James is proud of her.

"I had this thing in the back of my mind that she could do good making sweets and cakes," he said. "She's always made these great cakes. They're delicious. She won't brag on herself, but she's very creative and analytical at the same time. That's a strange kind of mix, but it's really good for a baker because she can visualize what people are telling her they want and then she can figure out how to make it."

That's how she created some of the best cupcakes.

Stacy, who loves French toast, decided one day that she would create a cupcake that tastes like French toast.

"I just said, 'I'm going to make a cupcake taste like that," she said. "So, I just kind of made it up with my own little thing. I don't have a recipe, or anything. I just go in there and make it. I just made it up one day."

She's been making French toast cupcakes for about three years for her family. She took three different flavors of cupcakes to a wedding shower one time, and the French toast cupcakes stole the show.

"Everybody likes my French toast cupcakes," Stacy said. "I can make my brother be nice to me by telling him he's not going to get any more of them."

She makes a lot of cupcakes, but she doesn't eat a lot of them. She does, however, have a favorite.

"I'm not a big cupcake eater, but the one cupcake that I make that I will eat is my caramel apple pie cupcake," she said. "I made it like the French toast. I was just in the kitchen one day and I said, 'I love Granny's apple pie, I bet I can make that into a cupcake. And so I just, kind of, did."

James laughed as she told the story.

"You see why I encouraged her to start her own business?" he asked. "She's done this for years."

The first cake Stacy ever made was for her father. She was 15 years old.

Stacy didn't take classes to learn how to decorate cakes. She used to help her mother-in-law decorate cakes for her children, and her skill just grew from there. She says she just gets in the kitchen "and plays to see what works."

"Now, Mom says' Stacy's the cake maker," James said.

James is the proclaimed taste-tester in the Meade household. His favorite cupcake flavors are, of course, French toast and Stacy's chocolate peanut butter cupcake.

"She's never made anything I didn't enjoy," he said.

Stacy admits that it's rare to find a person who is, as James says, both creative and logical like she is, and she admits that it may also be rare to find a former science teacher who doesn't use measuring cups when she cooks. But, it works for her.

"I've been pretty lucky," she said. "I don't think I've ever had to scrap everything and start all over again. I like to have stuff worked out in my head before I even start on anything."

She knows its right when she opens the oven and smells it.

Her shop makes everything fresh, from scratch, with ingredients bought at local stores.

Stacy still fears the unknown about starting a new business in today's economy.

"It's hard starting a business," she said. "There's a lot of stuff to do and a lot of money goes out. My husband is very supportive. He's keeping Stacy's Sweet Shoppe afloat until we get started. A lot of people don't have that opportunity-I was lucky enough to be able to try."

"I'm in so deep now, I've got no choice but to move forward," she said. "You push that fear down and you just go on. It will either make it or it won't. That's just where it is."

For more information, call 606-432-3557.

From the author-

I was driving to work one day last week and noticed a new sign on U.S. 23 near National College. When I called, Stacy answered the phone and told me that she just opened Stacy's Sweet Shoppe in the house she grew up in.

I just had to meet her.

What did I learn during this interview?

Stacy has loved baking cakes for years, but she never thought it could be anything more than a special treat she'd share with her family and friends on birthdays and special occasions. Her family and friends encouraged her to open this business, and she hesitated for a long while. Then, one day, she decided to try.

She said it best in these words:

"I've got no choice but to move forward. You push that fear down and you just go on. It will either make it or it won't."

My hat is off to anyone who can say that, and mean it.

Good luck to you, Stacy.

Free public speaking workshops offered

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:28:33 GMT

Laura Ford-Hall

PRESTONSBURG - Local residents who have a fear of public speaking are invited to attend free workshops that will help alleviate their anxiety about speaking in front of a group.

Big Sandy Community and Technical College Associate Professor of Communications and Director of Music is offering three free workshops in public speaking in Pike, Floyd and Johnson counties.

The workshops, titled "How to Entertain your Audience! No Matter The Topic, You CAN Keep Their Attention," are open to any person who would like to get over their fear of public speaking or want to take their public speaking skills to new levels.

Ford-Hall reports that the fear of public speaking, known as "Glossophobia," is the second-leading fear expressed by people all over the world, and it falls just below the fear of death as people's greatest fear.

Ford-Hall reports that three out of four people are afraid of public speaking, and when it's not addressed in the workplace or the classroom, at least five percent of the world population is somehow affected by an aversion to public speaking.

She believes the fear of public speaking has negative effects on careers and negatively influences a person's success.

"No matter what your topic is, people are people...They get bored," Ford-Hall said.

"In today's society, they want to be entertained. If you entertain them, they will listen. They will 'get' your message."

Ford-Hall earned her Bachelors in Communication from the University of Pikeville with minors in Music and Theatre. She also earned a Masters degree in Communication: Public Speaking and Public Relations. She performed for 14 years on stage with the Kentucky Opry and has spent eight years working in BSCTC music, theatre and communications department.

"The key is to be prepared, to learn how to control your nerves, to read the audience, and to be entertaining," she said.

"I want to teach others how to get over their fear. I am more comfortable on stage than anywhere else, and I know that is the opposite from most people."

The free workshops will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at BSCTC's Mayo campus in Paintsville, on Feb. 27 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on BSCTC's Prestonsburg campus and on March 19 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on BSCTC's Pikeville campus.

To register, call 606-424-2498 or e-mail laura.hall@kctcs.edu to provide your name and address.

Registrants will receive a packet in the mail with all information needed to attend the workshop.

Curves rolls out red carpet: SilverSneakers members get in free

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:18:22 GMT

Medical Leader | SUBMITTED PHOTO

SAVVY SENIORS: Arlene Starr and Betty Parsley exercise in a program set up by Curves in Williamson, W.Va. Members of Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program are now eligible to join Curves at no cost.

WILLIAMSON, W.Va - Seniors who want to get into shape, meet new people and forge lasting friendships need look no further - and it won't cost a thing.

Curves of Williamson is rolling out the red carpet to members of the Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program.

SilverSneakers members are now eligible to join Curves at no cost.

An award-winning program, this is one of the nation's leading exercise programs designed for older adults.

"We are so pleased to welcome local SilverSneakers members to Curves of Williamson," club owners Vicky and Yossi Hayon said. "As you age, your risks for debilitating disease increase, and being overweight or obese significantly adds to that risk. At Curves, we have programs that help women of all ages do the three most significant things they can do to decrease their risks -- manage their weight, exercise regularly, and eat heathy."

Four women who are taking advantage of the program, Patricia Tingler, Arlene Starr, Betty Parsley and Willa Gay Reynolds, recount the benefits they are reaping from the program.

"This was one of the best decisions I've made," Tingler said. "We kept saying we were coming to Curves and finally we just did it! I might not run up and down the stairs like I did at the age of 20, but I do a lot better."

Parsley said it's easier to manage her arthritis since she began exercising.

"I can also apply some of the things I learned in physical therapy which helps," Parsley said. "I'm feeling much better and I love the ambiance here."

Reynolds said exercising gets her out of the house and helps stave off depression.

"It has also improved my bodily skills and I sleep better at night," Reynolds said.

There are 6,500 Curves locations and more than 2.5 million women in the U.S. who are eligible for the SilverSneakers program.

For more information, call 304-235-0555.

Pikeville police: tax return call is scam

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:14:30 GMT

PIKEVILLE - The Pikeville Public Safety Department reported on Feb. 14 that scammers are targeting local taxpayers.

The phishing scam involves tax returns.

Victims are receiving calls from a private telephone number and the caller advises them that an issue has come up with their tax return. They ask for the victim's bank account number so the tax return can be deposited correctly.

The Pikeville Police Department warns local residents to not release any account information to callers who seek bank account information.

Local residents may check with their tax preparer to verify the validity of these types of calls.

Pike will be reimbursed for salt

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:13:35 GMT

PIKEVILLE - The Pike County Fiscal Court will soon receive over $30,000 to aid in covering the expense of salt for the winter of 2010-2011.

A Jan. 26 letter sent to Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford, Kentucky Department of Rural and Municipal Aid Commissioner Don Pasley stated the check was being processed and will soon be sent to the county.

"This is definitely good news," Rutherford said.

"Economic times are tough right now and this is surely a good bit of news in regard to our fiscal situation."

Pasley stated the funds are to aid the county in covering excess salt expenditures used for snow and ice removal last winter.

As the price of salt continued to rise along with the demand during the harsh winter of 2010-2011, the county's allocated funds for salt were depleted and, after switching providers, the county had to spend extra money for salt.

The money from the state is to cover that over expenditure.

Frankie Stacy, Director of Purchasing for Pike County, said the county had already purchased its allotment of salt for the winter by early December 2010.

Turner: "You can make a difference"

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:12:36 GMT

FRANKFORT - Our representative form of government was designed to give the people of Kentucky a voice, and to ensure elected officials are approachable and attentive to their constituents' needs. It is one benefit of the Commonwealth having a "part-time" legislature. Most of the year, we live and work in our hometowns, right beside the people we serve at the Statehouse.

The Framers' original intent was for a loud citizen voice - but some people question just how much influence they have on our work in Frankfort today. For those doubters, I have an answer. The fact is that a small group of concerned citizens can still impact - and even initiate - legislation meaningful to them and their unique needs. The evidence can be found in the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 75 from the chamber this week.

Members of the Amish community in Kentucky felt that a current requirement for a bright- orange triangle mounted on the back of their horse-drawn buggies was a violation of their religious convictions. So they wrote to their lawmakers and worked together with them toward a safe solution that would not go against their religious beliefs.

The resulting legislation allows for white or gray reflective tape to be used as an alternative. The provision requires at least 100 inches of it outlining the back of the buggy, as well as several feet of tape on both sides and the front. Some supporters feel it is even safer than the orange emblem, a beautiful example of citizen-motivated legislation identifying even better solutions to the issues facing us.

We also passed several education-related bills this week. Senate Bill 95, which cleared the Senate on a 37-0 vote, encourages elementary schools across the State to establish summer learning programs for low-income students. Research shows that the achievement gap for disadvantaged students widens over the summer. This measure encourages schools to utilize a variety of existing resources, including community and business partnerships, to keep those students engaged and learning through summer day camps.

Senate Bill 38 (passed unanimously) focuses on keeping high school students interested in learning. The bill would create a career and technical education curriculum in the public school system. Supporters hope the new curriculum will prevent at-risk students from dropping out before graduation by preparing them for careers in local business and industry that do not require a college degree.

Another proposal aimed at increasing the number of high school graduates in Kentucky cleared the Senate by a 35-2 vote. Senate Bill 109 would give local school districts the authority to adopt a policy requiring students to stay in school until age 18, or actual graduation if that comes first. Districts implementing such a policy would be required to offer an approved alternative education program that would help meet the needs of students most likely to drop out. The curriculum outlined in SB 38 would meet those qualifications. If made law, the provisions would take effect in the 2014-2015 school year. The bill does not go far enough. I support raising the statewide legal dropout age to 18. I hope we vote another bill this session that addresses that issue.

This is just a one-week snapshot of the legislation we are working on this session. There are many other issues being discussed in the Capitol. I encourage you to join in those discussions. You have a big say in the laws affecting you. As always, I stand ready and willing to listen to your thoughts and concerns. Our committee meetings, and chamber proceedings, are open to the public and aired on KET. If you cannot drive up, then tune in.

To learn more about the Kentucky General Assembly and the work of the 2012 Regular Session, visit our home page, lrc.ky.gov. You can also call 1-800-633-9650 for a taped message containing information on legislative committee meetings. To check the status of a bill, you may call the toll-free Bill Status Line at 1-866-840-2835.

To leave a message for me, or any legislator, call the General Assembly's toll-free Message Line at 1-800-372-7181. You can also e-mail me directly johnnyray.turner@lrc.ky.gov.

(NOTE: The Medical Leader does not endorse political candidates or legislation.)

Combs' legislative perspective

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:10:41 GMT

FRANKFORT - One of the biggest issues this legislative session - stopping prescription drug abuse - took a major step forward early last week, when Governor Beshear and House and Senate leaders voiced their bipartisan support for plans to take quick action.

There is no doubt that something needs to be done. We are seeing far more Kentuckians die from prescription drug overdose than on our highways, and our rate of abuse is well above the national average.

Under legislation filed by House Speaker Greg Stumbo, the state would move its prescription drug monitoring system - known by its acronym, KASPER - from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the Attorney General's office. Local prosecutors would also be included among those having access to this program, further highlighting our goal of giving law enforcement and medical licensing boards what they need to pro-actively find and then stop this abuse.

In addition, the legislation would require all prescribers to take part, since less than half of our doctors and pharmacists are now enrolled. By doing this, we would make it much harder for those abusing these drugs to doctor shop, and physicians acting improperly would be less able to move drugs such as OxyContin with little to no oversight of their patients.

At the same time, we are making sure that those patients who need this type of medicine - and doctors who are doing their job correctly - are not adversely affected.

As this bill begins moving through the committee process, the Kentucky House approved several other bills last week that have a lot of potential as well. Under House Bill 308, for example, the state would assume more oversight of our for-profit colleges. This would give us a better chance to make sure that students attending these schools are truly getting the education they deserve.

House Bill 37, meanwhile, would give our elementary and secondary schools more freedom to improve learning by letting them to do such things as alter the school calendar and offer alternative programs after normal schools hours. These "districts of innovation," as they would be called, would be voluntary.

On a personal note, I had the honor to join with my House colleagues last week in recognizing the families of those fallen soldiers from Kentucky who have died in the last year protecting our freedom. Their willingness to serve on our behalf will never be forgotten.

This week, we reach the halfway point of the legislative session, but much of our work remains. I truly appreciate those who have contacted me with their thoughts or concerns on issues affecting the state, but I would like to hear from more.

If you would like to write, my address is Room 373, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.

You can also leave a message for me or for any legislator at 800-372-7181. For those with a hearing impairment, the number is 800-896-0305.

I hope to hear from you soon.

(NOTE: The Medical Leader does not endorse political candidates or legislation.)

Stumbo introduces legislation

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:42:14 GMT

Medical Leader | Photo courtesy of LRC Public Information

FRANKFORT: House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, discusses a plan at a Capitol news conference to curb prescription drug abuse as Gov. Steve Beshear looks on.

FRANKFORT - With the two main goals of rooting out fraud and reducing the state's deficit by potentially millions of dollars, Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo announced on Feb. 14 that he is filing legislation that would give whistleblowers strong financial incentive to step forward if state tax dollars are being misused.

"Kentucky's False Claims Act would extend far beyond Medicaid," said Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg. "I want to see this used not just in that program, but anywhere fraud with state tax dollars is taking place."

He noted that the act has a long history in the country, dating back to the Civil War. The federal government created a new False Claims Act in 1986, and now more than two dozen states have their own version.

Under the Speaker's bill, those found guilty would be liable for up to three times the amount they had fraudulently billed the state; whistleblowers will be eligible to receive anywhere from 15 to 30 percent of the monies recovered as a reward for their service. Other civil penalties and attorney fees would be an additional cost for those found guilty.

Stumbo pointed to successes other states have seen using their False Claims Acts.

In 1998, for example, California recouped $30 million from a computer manufacturer found to have sold the state defective computers; and in 2005, that state got $43.1 million from a company not fulfilling a contract to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment to San Francisco schools.

In 2001, Texas got $14.5 million from a hospital that had filed false paperwork, reported charity work it didn't do and offered financial kickbacks.

"These recoveries would not be possible if we just focus on Medicaid, as some states have done," explained Stumbo. "I believe we must fight fraud on a broad front."

Since 1986, according to the False Claims Act Legal Center, more than $25 billion has been recovered by False Claims Acts, with a substantial portion coming from health care companies.

"With this one bill, we can improve oversight of critical state-run programs like Medicaid; we can be better stewards of each taxpayer dollar; and we can give pause to those criminals who think they can get away with stealing the tax payers' money," Stumbo said. "There is only so much our law enforcement and auditing officials can do and a limit to how far they can reach; this will put every citizen on the look-out for fraud."

The legislation calls for the whistleblower to begin legal proceedings and gives the Attorney General the option to join on behalf of the state, with that office eligible for a portion of any amount awarded. Stumbo noted that he had pushed similar legislation while he was Attorney General, and hoped that "this time we can get it across the finish line." He added that both the current Attorney General and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services - the main enforcers of the bill - have helped form the legislation.

The Speaker's bill could make Kentucky eligible for 10 percent more money recovered under Medicaid fraud. This is subject to federal approval, but it would let Kentucky receive up to 40 percent of the funds rather than 30 percent, which mirrors the traditional rate the state provides as part of its match for the $5 billion-plus program. The remaining funds would principally go to the federal government and the one who brought the initial legal action.

He said that the law does not create new levels of fraud, but offers an avenue for more cases to be prosecuted. It also does not apply in tax-related cases or those solely involving local governments.

"This legislation has a lot of potential, and I'm hoping we can move it through the House quickly," Stumbo said. "The sooner we can get it enacted, the sooner we can bring about the kind of accountability Kentuckians deserve - not just in Medicaid, but everywhere in state government."

(NOTE: The Medical Leader does not endorse political candidates or legislation.)

Senator Turner honored

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:39:39 GMT

FRANKFORT -Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Johnny Ray Turner, D-Prestonsburg, received the second annual Paul Patton Education Advocacy Award from the Kentucky Valley Education Cooperative Board of Directors.

Turner was honored for his efforts on behalf of public education in eastern Kentucky while serving in the General Assembly.

"As an educator for 28 years, education has always been a top priority while serving in Frankfort," said Turner, who serves on the Senate Education Committee.

"It is an honor to be recognized for the work that I do, but I don't do it for the recognition, I do it because education needs a champion. The education of our children is important for our future and it is our teachers who impact them with knowledge."

A retired educator, Turner has sponsored successful legislation to give fair treatment to teachers and other school personnel for the time they work.

"Turner's experience as an educator and his ongoing commitment to improving opportunities for students across the region and the state contribute to making him a powerful advocate for education," said Jeff Hawkins, KVEC Executive Director.

"We are proud that Senator Turner is this year's recipient of the Patton Education Advocacy Award. His tireless efforts on behalf of students are recognized across the region and across the state."

KVEC's mission is to cause and support educational progress by fostering: visionary leadership; positive systemic change; effective communication; cooperation innovation and shared responsibility.

Turner currently serves on the following committees: Education, Natural Resources and Energy, Transportation, State and Local Government, Rules and Committees on Committees.

He also serves on the Energy Special Subcommittee. As a member of Senate leadership, he holds a seat on the Legislative Research Commission.

(NOTE: The Medical Leader does not endorse political candidates or legislation.)

Make a difference in a child's life

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:38:18 GMT

Marcellus

All he wants is a loving family.

Marcellus is a happy, sensitive and cute young man.

The 16-year-old is viewed as a leader by his peers, and he enjoys that role.

Marcellus has sweet smile and generally a kind and sensitive disposition. He loves plants and anything to do with horticulture. He also enjoys fishing, riding his bike, building things and just being outside.

At times, Marcellus has trouble expressing himself. He needs a family who will be patient and encouraging.

He says all he wants is a loving family.

The Special Needs Adoption Program (SNAP) recruits adoptive families for Kentucky's children who are legally free for adoption but have no identified adoptive family.

SNAP children can have a physical, mental or emotional need, but not all do. They may be a part of a sibling group, had multiple placements or be a member of a racial and/or ethnic minority group two years old or older.

Basically, they are in SNAP because no one stepped forward to adopt them.

Unfortunately, some SNAP children may never be adopted and will be left to exit foster care at the age of 18. They are on their own, without a family.

For a foster child, adoption means having a place to go when dorms close for the holidays; someone to cheer them in their cap and gown; someone to walk them down the aisle; or someone in the waiting room to carry their firstborn child out to.

Kentucky has a critical need for adoptive families to provide safe, loving homes to nurture children into adulthood.

Adoption offers so much promise for a family looking to make a difference for a lifetime.

For more information, call SNAP Specialist Jennifer Cochran at 502-564-2147 or visit chfs.ky.gov.

Medicare: General enrollment

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:36:23 GMT

Need Medicare Part B? If you're eligible, now is the time to sign up. The general enrollment period for Medicare Part B runs from Jan. 1-March 31. Before you make a decision about general enrollment, let us fill you in on some general information.

Medicare is a medical insurance program for retired and disabled people. Some people are covered only by one type of Medicare; others opt to pay extra for more coverage. Understanding Medicare can save you money; here are the facts.

There are four parts to Medicare: Parts A, B, C and D. Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and other services. Part B helps pay for doctors' fees, outpatient hospital visits, and other medical services and supplies not covered by Part A. Part C allows you to choose to receive all of your health care services through a provider organization. These plans, known as Medicare Advantage Plans, may help lower your costs of receiving medical services, or you may get extra benefits for an additional monthly fee. You must have both Parts A and B to enroll in Part C. And Part D is the Medicare Prescription Drug Program.

Most people first become eligible for Medicare at age 65, and there is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B. In 2012, the standard premium is $99.90. Some high-income individuals pay more than the standard premium. Your Part B premium also can be higher if you do not enroll during your initial enrollment period, or when you first become eligible.

There are exceptions to this rule. For example, you can delay your Medicare Part B enrollment without having to pay higher premiums if you are covered under a group health plan based on your own current employment or the current employment of any family member. If this situation applies to you, you can sign up for Medicare Part B without paying higher premiums:

Any month you are under a group health plan based on your own current employment or the current employment of any family member; or

Within eight months after your employment or group health plan coverage ends, whichever comes first.

If you are disabled and working (or you have coverage from a working family member), the same rules apply.

Remember: Most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B when they become eligible. If you don't enroll in Medicare Part B when you first become eligible to apply and you don't fit into one of the above categories, you'll have to wait until the general enrollment period, which is January 1 through March 31 of each year. At that time, you may have to pay a higher Medicare Part B premium.

For more information about Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website at medicare.gov. or read the publication on Medicare at socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html.

For more information about online services just call your local Social Security office in Pikeville at 888-676-2942.

The office is located at 333 Hambley Boulevard in Pikeville. Representatives are available to answer questions.

- Submitted by Jennifer Hopkins, Claims Representative, Social Security Administration

Obituaries

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:35:21 GMT

Agnes Joyce Stanley, 93, of Hurricane, W.Va., formerly of Huddy, widow of Trimble Stanley, died Feb. 7. Survivors: nephew and caregiver Burl (Ruth) Blackburn of Hurricane, W.Va.; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 10 at R.E. Rogers Funeral Home. Burial: Mountain View Memory Gardens, Huddy

Rita Lois Barnes, 63, of Sweeden, died Feb. 12. Survivors: husband John Will Barnes; mother Imal Ward Ramey; children Camala J. (Phil) Ferguson; Shana D. (Ronnie) Bentley, Nicola N. (Rob) Oakes; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 14 at Lucas & Son Funeral Home. Burial: Annie E. Young Cemetery

Sylvia Ray Howell, 66, of Teaberry, widow of Green Howell, died Feb. 12. Survivors: brother Leonard Ray of Michigan; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 15 at Lucas & Son Funeral Home. Burial: Sam Hall Cemetery, Bear Fork

William Kevin Lozier, 41, of Ohio, died Feb. 8. Survivors: wife Anita L. Berlash Lozier; parents Lynn A. Lozier, Bortha L. Cooper Burch; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 11 at Lucas & Son Funeral Home. Burial: Annie E. Young Cemetery

Glenna Aileen Wilson Thacker, 63, of Ivel, died Feb. 6. Survivors: mother Eunice Wilson; husband Bobby Gene Thacker; children Scott Thacker and Tyler Thacker, both of Ivel, Heather Kilpatrick of Florida, Greg Thacker of Toler, and Jeremy Thacker, of Betsy Layne; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 12 at Lucas & Son Funeral Home. Burial: Davidson Memorial Gardens

Helen June Price, 60, of Hellier, died Feb. 13. Survivors: children James H. Price of Hellier, Janie (Jeff) Coleman, Jeannie (Jim) Fogle, both of Elkhorn City; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 16 at Thacker Memorial Funeral Home. Internment: Rose Hill Cemetery, Caney Creek

Glema Sue Thacker, 59, of Pikeville, died Feb. 11. Survivors: children Ramsey D. (Rebecca) Kendrick, Jessica R. (Ryan) Bowling and four other daughters; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 14 at Thacker Memorial Funeral Home. Burial: Annie E. Young Cemetery

Sylvia Coleman, 65, of Island Creek, died Feb. 9. Survivors: children Randolph Coleman, Frank Coleman Jr., Jessica Keathley, all of Island Creek, Terry Coleman of Hurrican Creek, Paul Coleman of Broadbottom; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 12 at the Island Creek Old Regular Baptist Church. Burial: Ned Adams Cemetery, Island Creek.

Thomas Clark Farley, 63, of Pikeville, died Feb. 7 after a long courageous battle with diabetic renal failure. Survivors: brother Claude (Betsy) Farley; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 10 at Hatfield Funeral Home. Burial: Dotson Cemetery, Ransom

Christine New, 69, of Naugatuck, W.Va., died Feb. 7. Survivors: siblings Ernie (Ann) New, Tommy New, both of West Virginia, Evelyn (Bill) Workman of Ohio; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 11 at Victory Christian Center. Burial: Mt. View Memory Gardens, Maher, W.Va., under direction of Hatfield Funeral Home

Garnet Jean Jackson, 74, of Ohio, died Feb. 10. Survivors: husband Thomas Jackson; daughters Debbie (Will) Liddil, Darlene (Mike) Hatfield, both of Ohio; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 15 at Community Funeral Home. Burial: Ward Family Cemetery, Kimper

Curtis Robinson, 90, of Pikeville, died Feb. 13. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Survivors: wife Lucy Taylor Robinson; children D. Blake (Jane) Robinson, Gatha Justice, both of Pikeville, Camella (Bud) Runyon of Hurricane, W.Va.; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 16 at First Christian Church of Pikeville under direction of J.W. Call Funeral Home

John Howell, 79, of Harold, died Feb. 12. Survivors: wife Wanda Justice Howell; daughter Ruth (Tommy) Adkins of Harold; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 15 at Upper Toler Church of Christ. Burial: Justice Cemetery, Harold, under direction of Nelson Frazier Funeral Home

Estill Blankenship, 84, of Teaberry, died Feb. 13. Survivors: wife Mary Mitchell Blankenship; daughter Peggy Osborne of Teaberry; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 15 at Samaria Old Regular Baptist Church, Teaberry. Burial: Osborne-Blankenship Cemetery, Teaberry, under direction of Nelson Frazier Funeral Home

Charles Edward "Cooper" Hall Jr., 42, of Garrett, died Feb. 8. Survivors: mother Peggy Slone Prater of Garrett; stepfather Frank Prater of Garrett; children Barry K. Hall of Prestonsburg, Lakeland Hall of Auxier; stepson Darrian Meek of Paintsville; stepdaughter Felicia Hensley of Ohio; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 12 at Rock Fork Old Regular Baptist Church, Garrett. Burial: Vanhoose Cemetery, Wayland, under direction of Nelson Frazier Funeral Home

Mason Tyler Brewer, of Hager Hill, the infant son of Josh Brewer and Tamra Compton, died Feb. 9.Other survivors: brother Nathan Brewer; grandparents Verlie and Brenda Compton, Russell and Joyce Brewer; other family members. Funeral: Feb. 11 at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home. Burial: Goble Cemetery, Prestonsburg

Cooley Medical opens in Prestonsburg

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:34:12 GMT

Medical Leader | SUBMITTED PHOTO

NEW FACILITY: Tracy Syck, Jerry McBrayer, Will Bowman, Jerry Sparkman, Sandy Johnson, Cindy Howard, Trina Allen, Gary Bailey, Jared Arnett, Ashley Bailey, Kathy Ramsay, Tracy Bailey, Joe Steele and Brad Hall celebrated the opening of Cooley Medical's ninth store location in Prestonsburg.

PRESTONSBURG - The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce helped Cooley Medical celebrate its expansion in Prestonsburg with an open house ceremony on Feb. 8.

Celebrating the opening of its new facility at 400 University Dr., Suite 104 in Prestonsburg, Cooley Medical now has two Prestonsburg locations and nine other locations in Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia.

The home medical equipment supplier has been in operation for three decades as one of the region's largest retail suppliers of home health products and services.

"The pride that our employees take in caring for the customer continues the philosophy of the Cooley and Bailey families that started our company 30 years ago," said Cindy Howard, regional manager.

"For that philosophy alone, the business continues to grow with the help of all our fantastic employees and loyal customers."

Cooley Medical covers all aspects of health care with a home infusion pharmacy, Durable Medical Equipment, home oxygen and respiratory products, power mobility and safety and rehabilitation products.

The company accepts major insurance plans, is a Medicare provider and a national network provider of durable medical equipment to the United Mine Workers of America.

For more information, call 606-886-1931

Upcoming MAC Events

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:52:52 GMT

PRESTONSBURG - Several events will be held in the coming weeks at the Mountain Arts Center.

MAC officials recently released the following concerts, performances and competitions that will be held in the facility.

Bluegrass legand Melvin Goins is hosting his Homecoming Concert this weekend. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 18. Tickets range from $15 to $18. One of our local talents, CJ the DJ, a.k.a. Carl Jarrell Jr., will debut his new CD during the show beginning at 6 p.m. CJ's newest offering will feature 14 tracks in all.

The MAC and Remix Films will present a showing of the documentary "The Very Worst Thing" featuring the 1958 school bus disaster in Floyd County at 7:30 p.m. on March 2. Tickets are $8.

Floyd County country music singer Tyler Stephens will perform at the MAC with special guest Josh Addair at 7 p.m. on March 3. Stephens, of Martin, completed two albums by the time he was 18 years old and then landed a recording deal with independent record label Big Appal Music. Tickets are $15.

Local high school and home-school students will take the MAC stage on March 9-10 at the annual Big Sandy Idol competition. The competition finale will be held on March 10. Winners receive a scholarship to attend Big Sandy Community and Technical College, an album recording and a spot with the Big Sandy Singers group. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults.

The Appalachian Community Theatre will is presenting the Kentucky premiere of "Legally Blonde the Musical" at the MAC on March 16. Based on the hit movie, the musical stars Madison Tackett, who starred in Into the Woods at Pikeville High School in 2010, as Elle Woods. The show, rated PG-13, is presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International. Tickets are $10. Performances will also be held at 7 p.m. on March 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25.

Country music legend Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys will take the MAC stage on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $17.

For more information, call 888-MAC-ARTS, 606-886-2623 or visit macarts.com.

KSP picks legend with V8 power for raffle

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:50:58 GMT

KENTUCKY - Local residents have a chance to win a 2012 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic and help the Kentucky State Police educate children at Trooper Island in a fundraising raffle.

Trooper Island is a free summer camp for underprivileged boys and girls age 10-12 operated by the Kentucky State Police on Dale Hollow Lake in Clinton County.

It is financed entirely by donations, no public funds are used.

Each year, the camp hosts approximately 700 children, providing good food, fresh air, recreation, guidance and structure and esteem-building activities designed to build good citizenship and positive relationships with law enforcement officers.

Raffle tickets are $10 each and may be purchased from any KSP trooper, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Office or at any KSP post in the state.

Only 20,000 tickets will be sold.

The winning ticket will be drawn on Aug. 26 at the Kentucky State Fair.

Ticket holders do not have to be present at the drawing to win. Raffle winner is responsible for all tax and license fees.

Visit kentuckystatepolice.org for more information.

Spell-tastic! Emily Keaton wins spelling bee title � again

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:48:52 GMT

Medical Leader | SUBMITTED PHOTO

GRAND CHAMPION: Emily Keaton won the Pike County Grade School Bee for the fourth year in a row. She poses with her trophy and Pike Instructional Supervisor Tonia Hopson.

Medical Leader | SUBMITTED PHOTO

WINNERS: These Pike County Grade School Spelling Bee winners pose with their trophies after the competition. From left are: second runner-up Dalton Rife of Majestic; first runner-up Ewa Sulicz of St. Francis; and grand champion Emily Keaton of Christ Central.

PIKEVILLE -Christ Central's Emily Keaton, who last year went on to be the top speller in the state, has again won the Pike County Grade School Spelling Bee.

The seventh grader took the win after successfully spelling the word "muscular." She was the winner in the Seventh Grade competition. Emily is a daughter of Andy and Jill Keaton.

First runner-up in the contest was Ewa Sulicz of St. Francis School, a sixth grader, who also won her grade level. She is a daughter of Adam and Katarzyna Sulicz. The second runner-up trophy went to Fifth Grader Dalton Rife of Majestic Elementary, the winner in his grade level as well. He is a son of Avis and Duane Rife.

Other grade level winners and runners-up were: Fourth Grade-Winner- Lindsey Scaggs of Bevins, Runner-Up-Lakin Puckett of Elkhorn City; Fifth Grade-Runner-up-Drake Puckett of Mullins; Sixth Grade-Runner-Up- Leann Tackett of Virgie Middle; Seventh Grade-Runner-Up-Hannah Adkins of Mullins; and Eighth Grade-Winner-Amanda Arts of Mullins, Runner-Up-Patricia Hurley of Kimper.

The winning coach was Kim Newsome of Mullins who had three winners in the competition.

The Spelling Bee was held at the First Presbyterian Church of Pikeville. Bruce Hopkins was the pronouncer. Judges were Tonia Hopson, who also served as Master of Ceremonies, David Slone and Rosalind Stanley. Also assisting was Kelli Thompson.

Susie Johnson was the coordinator of the event.

Keaton will take on other top spellers in state competition in March.

These students earned the top spots during their school spelling bees. They competed against other school winners in a district face-off:

Floyd students earn awards

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:41:01 GMT

PRESTONSBURG - Floyd County Superintendent Henry Webb recently announced middle school and high school division winners of the Jenny Wiley Academic League.

Webb said, "The school district is committed to excellence and this encompasses our academic teams. As a result, the Jenny Wiley Academic League is becoming more competitive. The Board team and I congratulate the individual students who placed for the season and Allen Central Middle for placing first overall. We want to extend our appreciation to the students, parents and staff members for all you do in making this opportunity possible for our kids."

Middle School

Final Standings:

1st Allen Central Middle

2nd Wesley Christian

Quick Recall:

1st Wesley Christian

2nd Allen Central Middle

Written Assessment:

1st Allen Central Middle

2nd Wesley Christian

Math

#1 Cheyenne Combs Allen Central Middle

#1 Eric Clark Betsy Layne Elementary

#2 Zachary Hall South Floyd Middle

#3 David Stratton Wesley

#4 Cora Boyd Allen Elementary

#4 Bradley Davis Allen Elementary

#4 Morgan Wells Wesley

#5 Sierra Conn Allen Elementary

#5 Austin Yates Betsy Layne Elementary

Science

#1 Byron Cox South Floyd Middle

#2 Jordan Pack Allen Central Middle

#3 Allison Hyden Allen Central Middle

#3 John Stratton Betsy Layne Elementary

#4 Dawson Lewis Allen Elementary

#5 Josh Griffith Betsy Layne Elementary

Language Arts

#1 Sarah Hackworth Adam Middle

#2 Rebecca Wilkes Wesley

#3 Zachary Hall South Floyd Middle

#3 Morgan Wells Wesley

#4 Hannah Halbert Allen Central Middle

#5 Serena Bartley South Floyd Middle

#5 Brianna Paige Hall Stumbo Elementary

Arts & Humanities

#1 Sarah Hackworth Adam Middle

#2 Alex Shepherd Allen Elementary

#3 Amanda McKinney Stumbo Elementary

#4 Deanna Kidd Stumbo Elementary

#5 Dawson Lewis Allen Elementary

Social Studies

#1 Sydney Hackworth Wesley

#2 Jordan Pack Allen Central Middle

#3 David Stratton Wesley

#4 Alex Shepherd Allen Elementary

#5 Dalton Price South Floyd Middle

English composition

#1 Sarah Hackworth Adam Middle

#2 Lakeisha Crum Allen Elementary

#2 Byron Cox South Floyd Middle

#3 Allison Hyden Allen Central Middle

#4 Rachel Hampton Allen Central Middle

#4 Nathan Brinager Betsy Layne Elementary

#5 Jordan Adkins Betsy Layne Elementary

Webb said, "I want to congratulate Betsy Layne High School's team and all the students who have excelled on our academic teams this year. The Jenny Wiley Academic League is becoming more challenging as our students and coaches are raising expectations and advancing the level of competition. We look forward to the final quick recall tournaments at the end of this month and the Governor's Cup Competition in early spring. Once again, we want to thank the students, staff and community members who make all this possible for our kids."

High School

Final standings:

1st Betsy Layne High School

2nd Prestonsburg High School

3rd Allen Central High School

4th South Floyd High School

5th Wesley Christian

Math

#1Tyler Price ACHS

#2 Chase Thacker BLHS

#3 Chase Baldridge PHS

#4 Ethan Layne ACHS

#5 Jeremy Varney SFHS

Science

#1 Kyle Layne ACHS

#2 Tyler Price ACHS

#3 Latracia Burchett BLHS

#4 Ethan Layne ACHS

#5 Savannah Meade BLHS

#5 Bradley Prater BLHS

Language Arts

#1 Maggie Wilkes Wesley

#2 Laken Keathley PHS

#3 Thomas Case ACHS

#3 John Thompson PHS

#4 Kirklin Collins BLHS

#5 Alex Ben Tackett SFHS

Arts & Humanities

#1 Maggie Wilkes Wesley

#2 John Thompson PHS

#3 Alex Ben Tackett SFHS

#4 Keri Watkins ACHS

#5 Thomas Case ACHS

Social Studies

#1 Aaron Curnette PHS

#2 Kirklin Collins BLHS

#3 Austin Curnette PHS

#4 Nicholas Sparks PHS

#5 Tyler Harmon Wesley

English composition

#1 Chelsie Hoover SFHS

#2 Leanna Hall BLHS

#3 Megan Little ACHS

#4 Megan Akers BLHS

#5 Angel Thorsnberry PHS

#5 Charly Hyden SFHS

Kimper students going digital

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:39:57 GMT

Medical Leader | SUBMITTED PHOTO

TECHNO MATH: Kimper student Madison Lawson uses an iPad provided by the school to complete math problems.

KIMPER - Kimper Elementary School in Pike County recently participated in Digital Learning Day, a national celebration of innovative teaching and learning through digital media and technology.

Kimper students from kindergarten through eighth grade joined 18,600 teachers and 2 million students in 39 states to participate in the Feb. 1 observance.

"Kimper Elementary School may be small in student population, but technology integration into their curriculum is happening in a big way," said Suzanne Preece, the schools' Student Technology Leadership Program coach.

"Many different forms of technology are used on a daily basis to assist in student learning and educators have found students are retaining information better with the assistance of technology."

Activities focused on several different digital media and technology.

In kindergarten, teacher Crystal Mullins taught the months of the year using a Smartboard.

In second grade, teacher Kim Canterbury used the Smartboard and the River Deep Program for her class' math lesson.

In seventh grade, Pam Walton's language arts students worked on their persuasive writing essays in the school's computer lab.

In fifth grade, social studies students took an interactive "Brainpop" quiz using Promethian Buzzers.

For more information about how Pike County Schools are using technology in the classroom, contact District Technology Integration Specialist Patty Johnson at 606-433-9345.

Energy Express seeks applicants for reading, nutrition program

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:37:52 GMT

WILLIAMSON, W.VA. - Are you a college-bound or current college student looking to make the most of your summer?

Would you like to be part of a unique program that works to enrich the lives of 3,000 West Virginia children each year?

Energy Express in Mingo County is seeking applicants for site supervisor positions as well as AmeriCorps mentors and community coordinators to serve in the upcoming summer.

All positions will serve from June 7-July 27. The postmark deadline for site supervisor positions is Feb. 24.

The unique statewide program - administered by West Virginia University Extension service and AmeriCorps - is an award-winning, 8-week program designed to maintain and improve children's reading skills in the summer.

The program is designed to provide learning opportunities and nutrition during the summer months, when children are most at risk for falling behind on reading levels - a preventable loss known as the "summer slide."

Last year, over 200 children participated in the Energy Express program in Mingo County. Programming will be held at Burch Middle, Dingess Elementary, Gilbert Elementary, Kermit K-8, Matewan Elementary and Riverside Elementary.

Energy Express mentors make learning fun for small groups of school-age children through a safe, enriching environment focused on reading and language arts activities.

Beyond the scope of the classroom, mentors will also eat nutritious, family-style meals with children, make family visits and complete a community service project.

Positions are not limited to college students. Adult-age individuals interested in Energy Express can apply for a community coordinator position.

The community coordinator recruits volunteers to assist Energy Express children during reading, writing, art, drama and non-competitive recreational activities.

Other community coordinator duties include raising awareness and involving both the community and family members in children's learning. All AmeriCorps members, community coordinators and mentors, will also complete a team service project that benefits the local community.

In return for their 300 hours of service, AmeriCorps mentors and community coordinators receive a $1,850 summer living allowance and a $1,175 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award valid for up to seven years to pay for college tuition or loans. Postmark deadline for mentors or community coordinators is March 1, 2012

To apply online for site coordinator, mentor or community coordinator position, visit energyexpress.wvu.edu.

The selection process begins March 1.