The Windsor Journal

Happy New Year to you all! Hopefully 2012 brings health and happiness to you and your families. Changing the calendar means an opportunity for a ‘fresh start’ and forming new habits, particularly for children. Having kids develop good oral care habits can’t happen soon enough. In light of February being National Children’s Dental Health Month, I want to give some pointers for kids to develop good brushing habits. First, some surprising facts:

18% of 2-4 year-olds have tooth decay

One out of 6 kids has decay that goes untreated

7% of kids under 17 have lost at least one tooth from decay

Tooth decay is 5 times more common that asthma

Some simple brushing habits to start your child with once they’re able to begin brushing on their own include using a toddler sized soft brush and putting a pea- sized amount of children’s toothpaste on it. Have your child get used to handling the brush and allow them to place it in their mouths on their own. Having a young one mimic you while you brush will certainly spark their interest and adding music to make it fun helps a lot.

The actual brushing involves using the brush gently, in a circular motion, starting with the upper front and working toward the back. Make sure the inner tooth surfaces are brushed too as well as the biting or ‘top’ sides. This is where mom and/or dad may need to help angle the brush appropriately. Once the uppers are done, the same steps can be used for the lowers. Sometimes the brush needs to be guided around the tongue to avoid a reflexive gag but with repeated practice, kids can be ‘desensitized’ as he/she gets accustomed to where the brush needs to go.

After about 30 seconds on the uppers and the same for the lowers, have your child rinse and spit out. It doesn’t harm anyone to every once in a while brush the tongue either.

Hopefully we can bring increased awareness to children’s health care needs and keep kids as healthy as possible. February (or sooner!) is the time to start forming good oral health habits that last a lifetime.

For a church, the bottom line is not always the bottom line.

Despite facing the looming expenses needed for repairing the leaking roof of Grace Episcopal Church on Broad Street, and despite perennially empty coffers that forced painful sacrifices over the past year, the historic congregation took recently a look at the proceeds from its annual Holy Spirit auction, and decided to do what it always does this time of the year: help those in need.

Last Monday, during a small ceremony at the church's vestry, Vestry Warden Max Kuziak handed a $3,000 check to Windsor Community Service Council treasurer Lisa Boccia. The donation will mostly support the town's Food and Fuel Banks, while $500 dollars will aid the purchasing of diapers for toddlers of families in need.

The ceremony was also one of the first official acts of the new rector of the church, Rev. Harry “Chip” Elliot.

Father Chip replaced in November Rev. David Parachini who retired last May. Noted for his warm smile, the new Rector was for more than a decade head of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, in Manchester, until medical issues forced him to retire. Still, serving the church is not a profession but a calling, Father Chip says, and when his medical issues were resolved, he started once again looking for a parish he could serve – preferably on a less intensive schedule than before. With Grace Episcopal looking also for a part-time Rector to fit the constrains of its leaner budget, it was a match made in heaven.

Father Chip brings some unique experiences to Windsor. He left a very successful career to follow his calling, and received his Master of Divinity from from Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, the school Martin Luther King studied. He is married, and his wife Susan is special education teacher in South Windsor. They have three kids, and two great grandchildren.

Despite having served in a number of posts before he came to Windsor, father Chip didn't hesitate a second, when the Windsor Journal asked him this week how he felt in his new position.

“I think that Grace Church in Windsor is the best parish I've ever been in,” he responded. “I think the people of Windsor, the people of this parish are absolutely fantastic. They are so warm, and welcoming and the people of the town are so warm and welcoming, and I just feel a lot of positive things happening here in Windsor.”

Boccia was equally warm about the church's support of the town's less fortunate.

“When we saw the amount of the check, we couldn't believe it,” she said. “It is very much needed, and it's great that the members of Grace Episcopal are doing this.”

The presence a black bear in his back yard prompted a Poquonock Avenue octogenarian to fetch his rifle and take aim at the animal, even after it scampered up a nearby tree.

After the animal fell mortally wounded in front of the Windsor Animal Control Officer who was nearby trying to scare it off, John Rocha, 82, was charged with fourth degree negligent hunting since he was within 500 feet of nearby occupied dwellings when he fired his .30-caliber hunting rifle.

Rocha will need to go to court to answer the charges brought by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police.

Although black bears, whose numbers are booming in New England, are not considered endangered it is still illegal to kill them, state DEEP officials say.

The Windsor bear-human encounter might have been expected. Nearby residents spotted the female black bear and its cubs all summer here as they rummaged around backyards, attracted to bird feeders. But only one cub was with the mother bear Tuesday.

The incident was the talk of the town with some residents siding with the elderly resident, an experienced hunter, and some contenting the bears ought to have been left alone to do what bears do.

In the state’s view, Rocha was in the wrong, and he obtained a lawyer to defend himself.

But the bear encounter is one that is likely to become increasingly more common in Windsor and other Connecticut towns as wildlife populations rebound around New England with the demise of farmland and re-growth of woodlands, the preferred habitat of Ursus Americanus.

As is nearly always the case, in the meeting between human and bear, human won.

Officer Thomas LePore of the Windsor Police Department recounted the incident Thursday:

“Around 1:10 pm yesterday we a resident called in and told us that two were two bear in the Poquonock Avenue area. The animal control officer was dispatched and he saw two bears, so he pointed his pyrotechnic device, which is called a banger- it's a small weapon that shoots a firework, an M80 firecracker to scare the animal out of the area. The larger of the two bears ran immediately towards a backyard into a tree line, and the little bear stayed and didn't run. The animal control officer returned to his vehicle and got his shotgun that is equipped with rubber slugs that are nonlethal. So he shot the little bear in the hind quarters, and it ran towards the bigger bear which was in the woods. As he walked back to continue scaring the bears out of the area, that's when he heard a gunshot from his left, and he saw the elderly male who was identified after that as Mr. Rocha, and saw the big bear fall from the tree that it had climbed. The animal control officer yelled at him [Mr. Rocha] before he shot the second bear. He called for assistance from the officers on the shift, and we took the weapon from Mr. Rocha, and the DET was notified because the bear had been killed, and they came and they took over the investigation.”

According to the DEEP, the dead bear was 5-6 years old and weighed approximately 250 lbs. There was damage to Rocha’s bird feeder.

DEEP spokesman Dennis Shain said Rocha was charged not just for killing the bear, but for discharging his weapon too close to occupied homes.

Since the state has the discretion to regulate what can and cannot be hunted, and bears are not on the state’s list of game, they cannot be hunted legally, according to Shain.

“There are no provisions for hunting black bear in Connecticut, so it is illegal to shoot them,” he explained. “The only exception is that we would exercise what we call 'enforcement discretion' and not be likely to charge someone with illegal shooting if a bear was reasonably judged to be an imminent threat to someone's safety.”

“Negligent hunting” is the term DEEP uses if there is a violation of the rules and regulations regarding hunting seasons and/or governing terms and locations under which you can discharge a firearm – in this case, firing a gun within 500 feet of an occupied building. Officer LePore said Rocha used a .30 caliber rifle. Although he killed the bear with one shot, if he missed the bullet could have traveled far in excess of the intended target in a populated suburban area.

John Rocha is a distinguished-looking older man who lives in a well-kept house abutting the Poquonock cemetery. An American flag flies in the front yard. Although his lawyer asked him not to comment on the case, he told the Windsor Journal there was one thing he wanted to say: During the incident he was terrified.

“These bears can shred someone to pieces,” he pointed out.

That is also where the case rests. DEEP charged him, alleging that the bear was fleeing the scene and posed no danger. Rocha's said his phone is ringing off the hook with angry callers.

Lawyer Salvatore Bonano plans on representing Rocha at the Superior Court in Enfield Jan. 17. Bonano declined to talk about the case.

“The facts have not been in yet,” he commented. “I look forward to see what the full picture shows. I stand by my client and he asserts innocence. I stand by him and we'll see what the facts divulge.”

Rather than be afraid of the bears, residents need to take steps to remove food sources that attract these voracious eaters. Often the bears are less afraid of people than people are of them.

Officer LePore says those who live in the area should understand that “the wildlife is here, and we can coexist with them.

“Obviously, you don't want to leave your garbage cans out,” he notes. “If you have a bird feeder, and you do have bears coming into your yard, you want to take away all the attractive that will bring the bears into your yard. You go on a picnic and you don't leave your food uncovered thinking that flies aren't going to land on it. You have to take measures to protect those things.”

Why aren’t the bears hibernating for the winter?

According to the DEEP’s Shain, not all bears hibernate all the time.....some are awake and roam for food in winter at various times. More likely to happen when, as is the case now, there is no snow cover making food more easily available.

There are more than 500 bears in Connecticut, DEEP estimates, most of them in the western part of the state. But there some in the east too, and they are expanding in numbers and range as they are healthy, breed and have young and have no real predators.

Numbers are still on the side of human beings. But the last time a bear was shot in Connecticut was five years ago in April, 2007 in Barkhamsted when a man was charged after killing a bear on his property.

The younger bear, which is over 100 pounds and old enough to take care of itself, was tranquilized by DEEP officers and taken to another location.

Hopefully it learned to avoid humans and bird feeders.

The Holiday Season is quickly coming to an end and New Years is just around the corner. The New Year is a time for resolutions and new beginnings. We often make resolutions for ourselves such as dieting, joining a gym, and spending more time with our families. However we rarely think about how our pets can benefit from the New Year.

Just like people animals get overweight, out of shape and need exercise and dieting. Studies have been performed which show that dogs with a fit body condition live an average of 1-2 years longer than their obese counterparts.

For our canine friends consider a New Years Resolution of increasing their exercise. This can be achieved by taking a 20 minute walk with your dog once a day (this will also benefit your health), playing fetch, and going to the park, etc.

Cats will also gain from an increase in exercise and environmental enrichment, especially house cats. Boredom can be stressful in cats and may be associated with the development of obesity and other health issues. Their environment can be enlarged safely with outdoor enclosures or supervised outdoor activity such as walking your cat on a leash or harness. You can also consider simply resolve to dedicating 10-20 minutes per day of play time and socialization with your cat. Focus on their hunting skills with feather toys and small fur or plush toys.

One of the leading diseases in dogs and cats is obesity. So this New Years put your pet on a diet and stick to it! Decrease the number of treats and table scrapes you feed your dog or cat. For dogs instead of biscuits or raw hides, give your pooch a carrot or baked sweet potato. Limit the amount of food you are giving you pet. You can achieve this by switching from free feeding where animals can graze on as much food as they like all day to scheduled meals with a measured amount of food.

Small changes can make a big impact on your pet’s health. So in 2012 don’t forget about your furry friends.

With Holidays upon us our thoughts turn again to our troops who serve abroad. Recently we heard from three of our package recipients, and what they told us warmed the hearts of all those involved in the Send Hometown to the Troops program of Win-TV.

First we heard from Brenden Cutler. His cousin, Clarice Cutler, recently picked up two packages we had prepared to send him. Brenden came back from Afghanistan earlier than expected, and we had not sent his packages. Brenden is now in California with his family, having served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. Clarice called him to welcome him home and tell him about the boxes that would be coming to him, as he will not be in Windsor for while. Ag and Jack O’shea had “adopted” Brenden while he was deployed, and to them Brenden was not just their “adoptee” he was their “son.” They had personal Christmas presents for him besides the usual treats, and I did not want to take the chance of him not getting them.

Clarice was kind enough to send us the message that she was given by Brenden.

“It was like they could read my mind,” she told her. “If I was craving gummy bears they would show up the next day, Girl Scout cookies, toiletries, all those things showed up. My men and I appreciated all that we received, and the letters and cards from kids in particular were great to get and share. Please let all of the people that have done so much know that we really appreciate all they are doing for us.”

The second message was from Tracie Coy, who is not from the area but is triage nurse who takes care of injured. She emailed me also. We send sweat pants, tee shirts, and pj bottoms to her for the injured, and she was letting me know that she will be in Afghanistan for at least another month and will let me have a replacement name when she leaves. She shared that she had just used a pair of sweat pants and tee shirts on an injured soldier.

Many are going to say WHY DOESN’T THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE CLOTHING? Think about an accident. Does the ambulance carry clothes for the victim? One never knows when and where victims will be hurt and injured, how far a hospital is, etc., hence the need for extra supplies at triage units at bases. It’s a situation of storage, and not knowing. Hence we send these items to this group every now and again. We have done this for others medic over the years also.

We also received news from Dan Nolan. Dan sends messages often as he has access to a computer, which is not the story with everyone. He told us that he and his group are in a training situation, during which they have met some of the area children. He has given them soccer balls, and candy, snacks and is now going to be giving them coats, hats mittens that some of us will send to him. Some of these children have never had a pair of shoes on their feet never mind mittens. Dan is a good will ambassador as well as a very charitable soul both at home and abroad.

On behalf of those who take part in our program: thank you all who have helped our Troops over the years. We hope you enjoy seeing what some have had to say about you and Windsor.

Keep up the good work in 2012 and until all our men and women return safe and sound.

And for those who want to help, any goods or donations may be delivered to WIN TV 599 Matianuck Ave. Windsor Ct. 06095. Regarding jackets please call me at 860-688-5821 as we do not need an overabundance and we do not have room to store at Win TV.

On behalf of all us at WIN TV, Thanks for all you do.

Congregation Beth Ahm synagogue in Windsor recently hosted a Chanukah Celebration for its members and area residents. Families brought their own menorahs (candelabras) for a "community lighting" at the start of the event. The synagogue's Rabbi Alan Lefkowitz led songs and activities and the children made holiday crafts. Everyone enjoyed homemade potato latkes made by members of the congregation. Congregation Beth Ahm is a Modern Conservative synagogue that welcomes interfaith families and includes members from throughout Greater Hartford. For more information about Congregation Beth Ahm, call (860) 688-9989 or visit www.congregationbethahm.org.

Pictured: Rabbi Alan Lefkowitz and the children light the Chanukah menorah.

This October's historic snow storm is a reminder that winter weather can wreak havoc even during unexpected times of the year.  The lengthy power outages, coupled with frigid temperatures, created a dangerous situation for hundreds of thousands of CT residents, especially seniors.  Now, as we approach the official start of winter,
there's no better time to educate seniors on best tactics for staying safe in the cold.
 
"Preparation can go a long way in keeping an elderly person healthy throughout the winter season," said Sharon Gauthier, President of Patient Advocate for You.  "We want to empower people to take charge of their own
safety, especially those who live independently."
 
Sharon Gauthier is President of Patient Advocate for You, a company committed to guiding patients, especially seniors, through the healthcare system.  As a patient advocate, Gauthier serves a guardian angel type role,
watching over those who have difficulty making decisions on their own.
 
First and foremost, every senior should have an emergency plan in place for the winter season.  This plan should include a designated person who will check in on a daily basis, be it by phone or in person.
 
Common sense goes a long way.  When going outside, even for a very short period of time, it's critical that seniors dress warmly with buttoned coats, a hat and boots.  Also be mindful and hold railings for support when it's icy outside.  A fall can lead to an instant and dramatic downgrade in quality of life for someone who is elderly.
 
"I also advise seniors to put a cordless phone or cell phone in their pocket when heading outside, even if it's only to check the mail," said Gauthier. "We know that when a fall or other accident occurs, the more immediate the response, the better the outcome."

Every senior should have a storm safety kit that includes a flashlight and extra batteries.  Every house should have a few gallons of water on reserve and your food supply should be enough to feed you for three to five days in
the event you're snowed in.  Also, for those who rely on prescription medication, a two-week supply should be maintained at all times.

"While many of these tips are common sense, some older people have trouble accepting that we may not be able to do what we did last year," said Gauthier. "Don't treat the seniors in your life as if they're old, infirm, and forgetful even if they are. Take a light and caring approach when reminding them of winter hazards."

Patient Advocate for You is a company that specializes in managing all facets of care for patients in need of assistance navigating the healthcare system.  Most commonly, the company is brought on to help individuals living
in the sandwich generation- caring for their own children and elderly parents at the same time.

Patient Advocate for You provides the following services:
ï         Scheduling & attending appointments
ï         Communicating to physicians an accurate depiction of a patient's medical history
ï         Serving as an oversight of care that's delivered to patient
ï         Support, coordination and collaboration with healthcare team
ï         Crisis Intervention

Sharon Gauthier has nearly two decades of experience working in the healthcare profession.  She's a graduate of the St. Francis School of Nursing, University of Hartford Bachelor's Degree Nursing Program (BSN), University of Hartford Master's Degree Public Health & Community Nursing (MSN).  She has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Capital Community College & St. Joseph's College.  Gauthier also holds an RN Patient Advocate Certification and is the recipient of several awards for clinical excellence and care.
 
Gauthier is also involved in patient advocacy on a national level.  She
serves on the planning committee of the national conference of The National
Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants.  She is also leading a
seminar at the Professional Patient Advocate Institute's national conference
in Orlando, FL this December.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is again cautioning consumers that chicken jerky products for dogs (also sold as chicken tenders, strips or treats) may be associated with illness in dogs. In the last 12 months, FDA has seen an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China. These complaints have been reported to FDA by dog owners and veterinarians.

FDA issued a cautionary warning regarding chicken jerky products to consumers in September 2007 and a Preliminary Animal Health Notification in December of 2008. After seeing the number of complaints received drop off during the latter part of 2009 and most of 2010, the FDA is once again seeing the number of complaints rise to the levels of concern that prompted release of our earlier warnings.

Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be fed occasionally in small quantities.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

FDA, in addition to several animal health diagnostic laboratories in the U.S., is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. FDAís Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (VLRN) is now available to support these animal health diagnostic laboratories. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA continues extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified a contaminant.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem and its origin. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their state or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.