Luau on the Links Benefit Golf Tournament at Rockwind supported Aloha Style by community, golfers, sponsors, and volunteers
One thing that is “par for the course” around Lea County, is that the substantial community of golfers love golfing for a good cause, and have helped the young and old alike from one end of the county to the other through golfing in benefit tournaments. The recent Luau on the Links Benefit Tournament helped raise money for Seniors Standing Strong, a Lea County nonprofit organization that helps many seniors who are 65 or older by paying for some serious needs that seniors can not afford on a fixed income.
One hundred golfers registered to play in the tournament, and due to the outpouring of support from sponsors and golfers, the net for the nonprofit organization was $14,000.00.
Hospitals, agencies that work with senior citizens, and a network of other organizations and individuals refer seniors in need, 65 or older to Seniors Standing Strong. In many cases, these seniors are having to make a choice between buying food or paying a utility bill, or they are living with serious plumbing, air conditioning and dangerous heating problems that affect their quality of life.
Thank you Lea County for your tremendous support for senior citizens who live here.
Some senior citizen have already qualified for a Habitat for Humanity home in Hobbs. Could you be next?
The apartments will be built in the Glorietta/Montgomery Street area, and you may qualify to purchase a brand new unit and have a low monthly payment. A qualifying senior would make “not more than” $48,000/year to qualify. The estimated cost of one of the approximately 1,000 square foot apartments would run about $93,000.00 on a 20 year mortgage. The monthly payment would be somewhere in the vicinity of $590.00 per month at 0% interest. The first duplex is expected to be completed in August or September of this year, and are two bedroom, one bath apartments. If you are interested, please call Sandra at Habitat for Humanity at (575) 397-4398. The units may also include a help ramp. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing organization working locally and in nearly 1,400 communities across the United States and in approximately 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward this vision by building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live.
How does Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program work?
Families and individuals in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity. Phone: 575-397-4398 during regular business hours.
Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:
1. The applicant’s level of need.
2. Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
3. Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.
As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners.
Seniors, looking for something fun to do?
Lea County Veterans Exhibit is open at Lea County Museum in Lovington. Plus, there are hundreds of other exhibits and a lot of Lea County history to see there.
Hours of operation
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Admission is FREE to all exhibits and most programs!
Arrangements can be made for other times (except Sunday) by calling 575-396-4805.
The Lea County Museum is located at 103 S. Love Street in Lovington.
Jal Senior Center activities galore
Every month, Linda Randall takes a birthday cake to the senior centers in Lea County. On her recent Jal trip, she found seniors sporting unique hats.
FDA: alcohol and medication affects on older folks
As we age, the need to take more and different kinds of medications tends to increase. Also, growing older means that our bodies respond differently to alcohol than at a younger age. You should be aware that:
Some of your medicines won’t mix well with other medications, including over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies.
Many medications do not mix well with alcohol.
Changes in body weight can influence the amount of medicine you need to take and how long it stays in your body. Body circulation may slow down, which can affect how quickly drugs get to the liver and kidneys. In addition, the liver and kidneys may work slower, which can affect how a drug breaks down and is eliminated from the body. Due to these changes, medicine may remain in your body longer and create a greater chance of interaction. To guard against potential problems with medicines, become knowledgeable about your medication and how it makes you feel.
- Take steps on your own:
- Read the labels of your medications carefully, and follow the directions.
- Look for pictures or statements on your prescriptions and pill bottles that tell you not to drink alcohol while taking the particular medication.
- If you are taking medications for sleeping, pain, anxiety, or depression, it is unsafe to drink alcohol.
- One alcoholic drink a day is the recommended limit for anyone over the age of 65 who has not been diagnosed with a drinking problem. That’s 12 ounces of beer, 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, or 5 ounces of wine.
- Talk to your health care professional about all medicines you take, including prescription; over-the-counter (OTC) medications; and dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbals.
- Tell your doctor about any food or medicine allergies you have.
- Keep track of side effects, and let your doctor know immediately about any unexpected symptoms or changes in the way you feel.
- Go through your medicine cabinet at least once a year to get rid of old or expired medicines.
- Have all of your medicine reviewed by your doctor at least once a year.
Watch out for skunks
Rabies confirmed in five skunks in Eastern New Mexico
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) reports that De Baca, Curry, Quay and Colfax counties have had rabies confirmed in skunks this year. The NMDOH is warning pet owners throughout New Mexico to make sure their dogs, cats, horses and other livestock get vaccinated against rabies.
Residents and visitors are reminded to be aware of strangely behaving wild animals or oddly acting unowned domestic animals. Pet owners are encouraged to keep their pets on a leash to prevent an exposure to a wild animal and to have their rabies vaccinations up-to-date.
~Judy Hanna
