Mary Lou Wilson has been delivering meals to homebound residents through the Paris Community Hospital Meals on Wheels program since 1985. Twenty-seven years later, she continues to deliver meals and has no plans of stopping.
“I like to help people and that is what I feel God wants me to do,” she said. “I enjoy talking to the people who receive meals and they all appreciate it.”
Wilson is one of several volunteers who donate their time to the Meals on Wheels program. PCH is in need of drivers to keep the program going. Drivers do not need to be a PCH volunteer to help.
The program delivers meals daily to Paris residents along two established delivery routes within the city. A typical delivery route begins around 11 a.m. and takes about an hour. Drivers are needed Monday through Friday and Sundays. They are able to bring along a friend to help deliver the meals or to just keep them company.
“Right now we have Saturdays covered,” said Patty Baker, manager of nutritional services and the program. “We understand that people go to church on Sundays and we’re willing to wait for them to deliver meals until after church ends.”
Drivers can choose how often they want to participate in the program. Some choose to deliver meals just once. Others opt to deliver them weekly, monthly, or whenever they can.
“The volunteers are the backbone of the program,” Baker said. “If we didn’t have volunteers, the program would not exist.”
The PCH/FMC Meals on Wheels program started in the early 1970s. All regular and special diet meals (excluding liquid or pureed diets) are prepared in the hospital kitchen. A lunch and dinner meal is delivered to each recipient once a day, seven days a week, except on major holidays.
Meals on Wheels delivers about 1,100 meals a month or 13,500 a year. The program has delivered approximately 500,000 meals since it began nearly 40 years ago.
“Meals on Wheels is a service that our community severely needs,” Baker added. “For many people who get meals, it’s their only visitor all day long.”
To help call (217) 465-2606, ext. 326.
Valley Life
Meals on Wheels program seeks volunteers
- Valley Life
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FAMILY TIES: While searching for my grandfather, I found my mother
I remember the afternoon my mother received the chilling news from her nephew that her oldest sister and brother-in-law had been killed in a car/bus collision.
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GRAPE SENSE: Same old whites getting you down? Try something different
If the same old Chardonnay, Riesling or Pinot Grigio is getting you down, try something different.
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TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: A Rhubarb Nut Bread for the season
Last fall we went to the Covered Bridge Festival. Gene loves to go. Anyway, I got to talking to this lady, Treva Smith, at Bridgeton.
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ENGAGEMENT: Published May 12, 2013
Stoelting-Steele
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Friends of Library plans annual book sale
The Friends of the Vigo County Public Library is planning its annual book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. May 19 in the Main Library Lower Level Meeting Rooms A, B, C and D.
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Woman’s Press Club celebrates 100 years
On Feb. 18, 1913, a group of 13 female journalists and activists met for lunch at the Tea Room in L. S. Ayres Department Store in downtown Indianapolis to found the Woman’s Press Club of Indianapolis.
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Children’s Museum to host orientation for summer volunteers
Those who are looking for a way to give back to the community and have fun at the same time are invited to attend a volunteer orientation session at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
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Walk for greyhound rescue
A family pet walk fundraiser open to all breeds is set for at 2 p.m. May 19 at Buggs Temple on the Canal Walk in Indianapolis.
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‘Food Safety: From Garden Gates to Dinner Plates’ workshop coming up in June
There is a new law on the books in Illinois called the Cottage Food Operation Act of 2011. This new law allows for the preparation and sale of certain low-risk foods in the private home without the expense of a commercially certified kitchen and for the sale of said foods at a farmers market.
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Scams are brown bag focus
The Vigo County Public Library’s next brown bag event, “Don’t Be a Victim!” featuring Amy Wardlow, is set for 12:10 p.m. Thursday at the main branch.
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Countryside, Kalorama gardens celebrating opening weekend
Countryside Gardens, owned by Terry and Jennie O’Rourke, and Kalorama Gardens, owned by Steve and Linda Gard, opened for the season this weekend. Both gardens are in Marshall, Ill. Opening days continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.
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Saturday seminar to bring nationally known genealogists to Ivy Tech
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society is offering the public a unique opportunity to learn more about the new techniques and methods now available for individuals interested in doing genealogical research on the Internet.
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Evening Thyme Garden Club to host garden fair at Clark County Fairgrounds
The Evening Thyme Garden Club will present the 15th annual garden fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday at Clark County Fairgrounds in Marshall, Ill., with free parking and admission.
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Student mentoring program offers one-on-one technology instruction
The Connecting Generations Mentoring Program can help those who would like one-on-one instruction on how to use the Internet or other technology.
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CULINARY COURSES: Clabber Girl Classroom Kitchen provides variety of cooking courses for the Valley
There are a few taste-bud-tantalizing-perks for having America’s leading baking powder producer in your backyard. For nearly 120 years, Clabber Girl has been a staple in Terre Haute. In 1899, Hulman and Company began offering up what was to become one of the oldest brands in the country, Clabber baking powder. In 1923, the company changed the baking powder brand name to Clabber Girl.
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CHRIS DAVIES: Keep sodium levels in mind when sweating buckets
Salt, or sodium, is vital to life. Too much or too little sodium can cause all kinds of problems in your body. How much sodium do we need if we are exercising consistently?
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YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Union Hospital creates community garden
Union Hospital will be opening a community garden on its campus in mid-May. Before they embarked on such a challenge, they looked to their neighbor Indiana State University for advice.
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TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Try this when you’ve got to avoid salt
I have a good friend in an assisted living complex. She went to her doctor last winter and he told her she had to leave off the salt. My mother used this when dad couldn’t have any salt.
I like to keep this on hand. In summer when it’s real hot I keep in refrigerator. Keep in an air tight container. -
NEWSMAKER: May 5, 2013
Carolyn Whitcomb Jeffries was installed as president of the State Huguenot Society of Indiana on April 21 at Meridian Hills Country Club of Indianapolis.
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ANNIVERSARY: Published May 5, 2013
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Abel
Larry and Rose Abel will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
The couple will have a reception in June. -
ENGAGEMENT: Published May 5, 2013
Nasser-Haynes
Kayla Kristine Nasser and Geoffrey Miller Haynes, both of Terre Haute, were united in marriage on Sept. 22, 2012, at Crosslane Community Church, officiated by Brett Wilson. -
RIVER OF SOUND: Composer sees symphony bring his musical imagination to life
David Watkins smiled as he stood on the Tilson Auditorium stage. The audience stood, too, applauding.
Two of his compositions had just been performed by the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Neither piece — “A Wabash Portrait” and “River Fanfare” — had been played publicly in decades. -
GRAPE SENSE: The greatest thing to happen to wine since screw caps
Wine industry innovation has been pretty limited beyond winemaking. Arguably, screw caps and synthetic closures have been the most influential innovations in recent years.
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TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Healthy Granola Bars good for everyone
I always liked Granola bars. Also Granola, to eat by handful. Pat Coolley always keeps granola on hand to nibble on. I don’t like raisins so I use dried cherries or cranberries instead. Instead of brown sugar use Splenda or your choice. I also use sugar-free syrup. So my husband, Gene, can eat these bars, too. This recipe comes from Rose Hill Community Church.
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Marie Cunningham celebrates 95th birthday
Marie K. Cunningham of Terre Haute will celebrate her 95th birthday on May 5, 2013, during an open house from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the activity room of Cannon Inn.
A party with cake, coffee and punch is planned. -
Engagement: Published April 28, 2013
Royer-Higgins
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Anniversaries: Published April 28, 2013
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Stephens
Mr. and Mrs. Everett Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Schroer
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The Beauties of Spring: Stunning array of wildflowers bloom each spring in Collett Park
Groundskeepers put off the first mowing of Collett Park each spring.
Admirers of the place, Terre Haute’s oldest park, like it that way.
A stunning array of wildflowers covers the 21-acre lawn for a few short weeks. Those plants, known as “spring beauties,” emerge in March, bloom in April and go dormant by May, when the brilliant waves of white and pink flowers disappear. -
YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Intern working to improve city's sustainability
In 2012 officials with the Institute of Community Sustainability at Indiana State University arranged for a meeting with Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett. The meeting resulted in the placement of an unpaid sustainability intern in the Mayor’s office.
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TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Make these party potatoes in advance
I always enjoy mashed potatoes. I never thought you could improve them. But this is so good.
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