While up in Coarsegold California, a small town in Eastern Madera County,  I had a chance to visit  my good friends mother. She is in her eighties and grass is not growing under her feet. Why do some grow old faster than others? I read this article from a health publication and maybe this is one of the answers.  

A strong social network can help keep your memory sharp as you age. People who had lots of contact with family, friends and neighbors had memory loss at less than half the rate of those who were socially isolated in a study done by Harvard School of Public Health. Volunteer activities, sports, joining clubs and taking classes are good ways to build a social network.

This is my friend’s mom.

 Source: American Journal of Public Health.

We all like to think that we are self-sufficient, but really, we cannot do it all alone. Sometimes we need a little help. That is where the Community Action Partnership of Madera County comes in.  Sadly, you can’t measure a community by what people do when everything is going well. You have to look at community response to less than joyous events and circumstances to get a true idea of just how tightly knit a group they are.

The Community Action Partnership is there to serve you. Even if you do not find that you are in need of their services, you may know someone who is. If you are fortunate enough to never need this type of assistance, you can rest assured knowing that your neighbors can get the help they need. And when you neighbor is back on his or her feet, they will be able to do more to strengthen the community as a whole.

The Community Action Partnership’s outreach efforts include:

Emergency Shelter and Food
Home Energy Assistance Program
Eastern Madera Escort Program
Eastern Madera County Senior Transportation.

To contact this agency call 673-9173

As the holiday season is approaching, so many people begin to collect food for those in need. At the Madera County Food Bank, you will find a wonderful place in need of your donations. “It is the purpose of the Madera County Food Bank to provide and distribute supplementary/emergency food to our community’s low-income individual, families, and Senior Citizens, in a manner that promotes health, self-sufficiency and preserves recipients’ dignity.” http://www.maderafoodbank.org/ This facility offers so much for our community, when and where, it is needed most.

The “Compassion in Action” clients are referred to the food bank by hospitals, service providers, and ministers, etc… This program offers on-going nutritional support to families who suffer from a long term crisis such as Cancer and AIDS. Their need for food is met at the Madera County Food Pantry when they cannot be met elsewhere. Compassion in Action families will receive approximately 70 pounds of food two times per month. The items donated to the family are individualized to better aid in the recovery of the client.

Another great program is SNAPP (Senior Nutrition and Produce Program). This is a service providing bags of food for low income seniors. Not only do they provide a service, but also a social outlet for our seniors. Seniors 55 and over will be given fresh fruit and vegetables each week. Seniors who are 60 and over can receive additional food once a month. They offer many sites for seniors to come together and package food for those in need. For more information, call (559) 674-1482.

Have you ever wanted to travel thru gold country? Oakhurst, California is the place for you. Whether you want to experience a full service hotel or a local bed and breakfast, this is the place to travel to. Oakhurst is a historic town located 12 miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. Oakhurst offers restaurants, antique shops, boutiques, and galleries for your enjoyment in this picturesque historic town.

Visitors should consider visiting the Little Church on the Hill. This church has roots dating back to June 1894. This deteriorating church was relocated on July 14, 1957. It was restored for public use on June 10, 1995. This is the only remaining wooden structure of its era in the entire region. This church now stands as a landmark in Oakhill Cemetery for all to enjoy.

Another place to visit should include the Fresno Flats Historical Park. Visitors should visit the museum complex which includes 2 homes dated in the 1870’s. These homes are restored and furnished. Both complexes are designated “Points of Interest” by the State of California. Visitors will also be able to visit 2 one-room schools, several farm buildings and two 19th Century jails.

Coarsegold Historic Village is another must see in the area. Nestled in the Sierra Foothills on Yosemite Highway, visitors will enjoy panning for gold and the “Old West” atmosphere. Visitors will also encounter a genuine Tee Pee. The park is ideal for a relaxing picnic lunch. Shopping for art, antique and collectibles is also available.

There is certainly more to see in the area. Why not make a trip? You might find that you won’t want to return home!

Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects more than 5 million Americans. Although the medical community has made progress in learning more about what causes the disease, there still is no cure.

Not only does Alzheimer’s affect those who are diagnosed with the disease, it also affects their friends and loved ones. If you know someone who cares for someone with Alzheimer’s, do what you can to offer concrete support. Sometimes we think that the person knows we’re there for them or we say, “If you need anything, let me know.” For someone already overwhelmed with caring for an Alzheimer’s patient, this may seem vague.
You can:
Send a card.

Ask if they need something from the grocery store or offer to help with other errands.

Take over an extra meatloaf or pot roast.

Offer to go for a walk with them

And if you are a caregiver for someone with the disease, make specific requests when friends offer to help. Your friends may be willing, but unsure of how they can really be of assistance.

There are also groups that want to provide some relief, so if you are a caregiver or know someone who is, look for these resources.

The Oakhurst Lutheran Church has an Alzheimer Caregivers’ Support Group for people who are helping person with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia that meets every second and fourth Tuesday from 10-11:30 am. The group is meeting today, but if you cannot make this meeting, plan to attend future meeting.
For more information call Valley Caregivers at 800-541-8614 or call Carol at 559-683-4045.

There is an urgent need for volunteer English tutors in Madera County. Immigrants eager to learn to speak, read and write English are anxiously waiting for tutors. To meet Madera County’s growing need, the Mountain Area Literacy Council (MALCO) has scheduled a two-part tutor training workshop. The workshop will be offered on consecutive Saturdays, September 22 and 29, at the Oakhurst Branch Library located on 49044 Civic Circle Drive in Oakhurst, California.

• Part 1: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, September 22
• Part 2: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, September 29

MALCO currently has 19 adults awaiting tutors on its waiting list. Volunteers are urgently needed. For information or to sign up for the workshop, contact Agnes Frye at 559-641-7691.

Madera County has long followed our nation’s path as a melting pot. Our descendants are a diverse lot including many nationalities: Mexican, German, Irish, African Americans, English, Italian, American Indian, Filipino, Asian Indian, Danish, Polish, Scottish, Norwegian, Swedish, Portuguese, Dutch and French. First lured by the Gold Rush and then the timber industry, people of diverse cultures flocked to Madera County in the mid 1800s. The stunning natural scenic beauty of the Sierras and lush fertile soils of the San Joaquin valley enticed them to stay. Our thriving agricultural and recreational industries continue to draw people to Madera County.

The 20th annual Smokey Bear Run steps off in scenic Bass Lake, California this Saturday, September 22. Fun for the whole family, the event features a 10K run that is part of the Valley Runner of the Year Series, a 2-mile fun run/walk and 1/2-mile and 1/4-mile kids’ races. The race has been designed for all ages and fitness levels and provisions have been made for wheelchair racers. Proceeds benefit local charities.

Races begin and end at Recreation Point off Road 222 in Bass Lake, California. Racers should check-in at Recreation Point before 7:45 a.m. on Saturday. You can register online or at the event from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Entry fees are as follows:

• Adult: $17 pre-register, $20 race day
• Kids: $7 pre-register, $10 race day

The first races begin promptly at 8 a.m. For a map to the event and race details, visit the race website.

This year proceeds will support the Harry H. Baker Boys and Girl’s Club, Madera County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue, and the Madera County Sheriff’s Explorers Post 104. Come enjoy the great fall weather in beautiful Bass Lake this weekend, get fit and support our community. See you at the race! 

The Sierra Hiking Seniors will be hiking to Ostrander Lake on Monday, September 17. Meet at the trailhead across from the Payless Shoes located at 40032 Highway 49 in Oakhurst, California. Seniors can choose from a 12-mile hike to the lake or an easier 6-mile hike. The 12-mile hike has a 1,700-foot elevation gain.

The 12-mile group will start out from the trailhead at 7 a.m. The 6-mile group will meet at the trailhead at 8 a.m. to carpool to their starting point. For additional information, contact hike leader Bob at 559-877-4948.

With the Sierras on our front doorstep, hiking is a favorite pastime of Madera County, California residents. Hikers should practice safety and be prepared for quickly changing mountain weather. If you’re planning a hike into the mountains, practice these safety tips:

• Share your plans. Leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member before you start out on your hike, particularly if you are hiking a challenging trail or plan to stay overnight. If you don’t return on time, your friend can notify the authorities.
• Be prepared. Even if you only plan to take a short day trip of a few miles, always carry basic safety supplies. When you hike, make sure you pack the following: sufficient water or purifiers, rain gear, flashlight, matches, a “space blanket” (something lightweight to keep you warm and dry through the night), a compass and a map.
• Beware of cell phones. You can take one, just don’t rely on it. With relay stations few and far between, cell phones often don’t work in the mountains. If you do carry a cell phone, make sure you take the phone number for the local sheriff’s office. Dialing 911 will put you in touch with a regional center that may not be familiar with local area rescue agencies and procedures.
• Drink water. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Bring water from home or purify it. Never drink untreated fresh water from streams or lakes. Giardia is a serious problem everywhere in the mountains. Spread by wild animal feces, the nasty intestinal parasite is ingested by drinking tainted water and can cause years of suffering in humans. Boil fresh water vigorously for 5 minutes before drinking to kill the parasite.
• Avoid pests. Learn to identify and avoid pests, including: poison oak, ticks and snakes.
• Don’t tresspass. Stay off private posted land.
• Good advice. Follow the old camping motto: Take only memories, leave only footprints. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect our wilderness areas.

Yosemite National Park offers wonderful hiking trails for hikers of all skill levels from strolling duffers to serious back-country trekkers. For more information on hiking in Yosemite, click here. Happy hiking!