Opinion
Historically a hospice was a house or inn where a traveler could stop and rest. The word hospice comes from the same root as the word hospitality.
Hospice Services of Lake County is the local agency that offers hospitality for those making their final rest stop.
A hospice agency assists people at the end of life to stay in their place of residence and helps the person and their loved ones address medical, emotional and spiritual issues.
The closer we get to end of life, the clearer our priorities become. There is no longer the need to compete with others. For this journey there are no best seats. What is important is the comfort, care, and service we receive during our journey.
Hospice Services of Lake County is a professional, caring organization under local nonprofit control that cares for these travelers and their loved ones.
As we all will travel this road at some point, it is important to gather as much information as possible and plan ahead. We are all unique and have different values and styles that are important to us.
This final journey is a great equalizer. Whether you are in a lakefront villa or an old travel trailer, you will get the same high quality hospice service.
To get this service you have to sign up. We plan ahead for most significant life events, but for our final journey, many will wait until the last minute and lose some of the peacefulness that should accompany our passing. Wanting to avoid the fear, pain, and loneliness is enough to make me want to sign up early.
Hospice helps you live your fullest and given adequate time, Hospice allows things to take their natural course.
Most of us do not have a great deal of death experience, so the more we learn, the better it goes. By waiting until the last minute, it becomes challenging to provide the support and care the family and patient needs and deserves. This important transition is more difficult when rushed.
You can’t start too soon. If you believe you may be nearing the end of your journey, talk to your health professional or call hospice. If you meet certain criteria you can be admitted.
If you don’t die, that’s great. Hospice does not want to rush you. Take your time and prove everyone wrong.
We are happy if you get better. It’s better to have us and not need us, then to need us and not have us.
Call 707-263-6222 for a free informational evaluation today and limit your pain, fear and discomfort.
Dr. Robert Gardner heads the Lucerne Community Clinic in Lucerne, Calif., telephone 707-274-9299.
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- Written by: Dr. Robert Gardner
Volunteering in one’s community is one of the most rewarding things a person can do.
As authors of this column, when we are out in the community, people often come up to us and comment on the column. They ask about the theater and events, and offer their appreciation for the column and our commitment.
Both of us feel we get way too much credit. We know the theater runs on the commitment of many dedicated community members.
There are dozens of volunteers who play key roles in the operation of the Soper-Reese Theatre. When you attend an event at the theater, take note of the many volunteers who make each event run so smoothly.
You will find them in the box office selling tickets, in the lobby taking tickets or selling concessions, in the theater running the sound and lights, or working back stage to assist the performers.
Behind the scenes is a crew of four to 10 that shows up at a moment’s notice to set up the theater stage, chairs, tables, tablecloths, candles and piano. This same crew also cleans the theater, both before and after the show.
There is an individual who is the master of the ticketing system, setting up the system so tickets can be purchased online. The Webmaster makes the changes to our Web site; another volunteer puts events on the county calendars. A volunteer designs and orders posters for the marquee and playbills.
Then, after everyone else has gone home, when the show is over, a volunteer checks to be certain everything is turned off and secure.
The volunteers do these jobs for the love of community theater.
Next time you are at the theater, please offer your thanks to the many community members who are committed to the Soper-Reese Community Theatre. They deserve the credit.
Coming events:
- The Lake County Arts Council’s annual Winter Music Fest: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24;
- Lake County Live: Live on stage radio broadcast on KPFZ 88.1 FM, Sunday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m.;
- Professional Pianists’ Concert: A benefit for the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, Sunday, March 10, 3 p.m., featuring Elena Casanova, Tom Ganoung, Tom Aiken, David Neft, Elizabeth MacDougal and Spencer Brewer;
- Third Friday Live, featuring “The Funky Dozen” on March 15, 7 p.m.;
- Bob Culbertson – “Celtic Waters” CD release, featuring special guests, Saturday, March 16, 7 p.m.
Tickets are available at The Travel Center in the Shoreline Shopping Center, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The theater box office is always open two hours before show time on the day of any event, and will be open again on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. starting on June 22.
Tickets also can be purchased online at www.soperreesetheatre.com .
For all the latest in information, tickets and more go to www.soperreesetheatre.com .
We’ll see you at the theater.
Kathy Windrem and Mike Adams are part of the large volunteer group that run the Soper-Reese Community Theatre in Lakeport, Calif.
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- Written by: Kathy Windrem and Mike Adams
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