Newspapers / The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.) / Jan. 22, 1981, edition 1 / Page 1
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287J3 The News record SERVING THE PEOPLE OF MADISON COliN^ 80th Year No. 4 PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN THE COUNTY SEAT AT MARSHALL, N.C. THURSDAY, January 22, 1981 15c Per Copy DR. DON ANDERSON, Ken Gum- . mels, James Ledford, and Virginia Anderson are a few of the members of the partnership of Brookwood Investments and (Photo by Scott Fitzftnld) Madison County Convalescence. This partnership designed and secured the funds for the Nursing Home Project. Flu Bug Hits Area Residents By NICHOLAS HANCOCK Editor While incidences of Bangkok flu have reached epidemic proportions in neighboring Buncombe Coun ty and in other areas of the state, Madison County residents seem to be faring well under the influenza at tack. A check with area doc tors and medical clinics revealed that while numerous people are showing up with T.u-like symptoms, the term epidemic would probably not apply to the local area. Dr. Otis Duck of Mars Hill said patient traffic had been "pretty heavy for the last few days" with symptoms which resemble cases of flu, "but I've seen worse," he said. Dr. Duck said he can't be sure if what his patients have is the Bangkok Strain A in fluenza, but he suspects some of the cases to be that. In order to >now for sure, two blood specimens must be obtained three weeks apart for analysis. "It's a matter of fin ding out what you had, not what you've got," Duck said. When asked what age range his "flu patients" are in, Duck said he has treated patients "from one to 101 years old." His centenarian patient is the only one that has been hospitalized with the flu symp toms. Dr. Ron Plemmons of the Hot Springs Medical Center commented that it was hard to say just how many flu patients the center has treated in the past two weeks. He said most of that center's patients have been school-aged children and young adults, and added that the center was seeing more patients than usual for this time of year. Laurel Medical Center's Dr. Chipper Jones reported he has seen a few people with flu-like symptoms, "but not a whole lot." He has treated several people with respiratory il lnesses, mostly young adults and middle age people. "I would say most of our patients would fall between the ages of 15 to 60, not many elderly peo ple," Jones said. Dr. Spencer at the Marshall Walnut Medical Center could not be reached for comment, but the receptionist confessed that she thought she had it herself. In Buncombe County, an estimated 15 to 20 percent of the county's population has the flu, according to Dr. James Tenney, Buncombe County health director. He said large numbers of people are visiting doctors, emergen cy rooms and clinics to try to get rid of the virus. "These things just have to run their course," he said. He estimated the epidemic would last from two to. three more weeks there. In other areas of the state the viral infection is taking its toll. Davidson College was forced to cancel classes one day last week, and Mecklen burg County schools reported more than one-fourth of their students have been affected. Some hospitals in Western North Carolina are reporting high absenteeism among nurses and staff because growing illness among the workers. Doctors and health officials are advising the public to avoid crowded places like department stores and malls to avoid catching the Bangkok bug. Firemen Save Widow By SCOTT FITZGERALD 1 On January 5 at 4:30 a.m. Met. Louise Dance came face to face with a nightmare that became a reality. Mrs. Dance was awakened by Jackie J?nkins, a Marshall volunteer fireman. Mrs. Dance's house was burning. The fire which started in the calling over the back porch was spotted at 4 a.m. by Greg Massey and fUxmy Buckner who were on their way to work at Ingle's grocery store. They notified Jackie Jenkins who set the rescue operations in motion Mrs. Dance, a native of Marshall, is a 66 year old widow who has lived in her white frame bouse for the last 17 yean. "This was my first fire and let us hope it is definitely the last!" she said MRS. LOUISE DANCE and her dog, Chuck are now resting safe and sound in a neighbor's house. Just days before, a fireman carried her from her burning home .< ill time, the entire Mrs. Dance now St people are never *Uy ef IflW.'Tf it iM?l't I ful jeb the I'm very lucky that I dkta t low more than I did." she said. II to not known when Mrs Dance will be able to move back inU he home She is Madison Manor Nursing Home Scheduled To Open In Spring By SCOTT FITZGERALD On Tuesday, Jan. 13, Madison Manor Con valescence, Inc. held its first press conference to inform the area of the progress that has been made on Madison Manor, a 100- bed nursing home to operate in the county. The nursing home which is now nearing completion will provide intermediate and skilled care to its patients. The Manor will provide on-staff physicians and physical therapists to provide complete medical and convalescent care. The project which began construction last April, was designed through a non-profit organization in Madison Coun ty known as Madison County Convalescence, Inc. which was formed in 1973. The organization is headed by James Ledford, Mars Hill businessman and county com missioner chairman. Other members of the board include Robert Edwards, Virginia Anderson, Dr. Don Anderson, and Asheville attorney Larry Leake as acting secretary, v The organization has form ed a partnership with Brookwood Investments in Atlanta, who have designated investment bonds to fund the building and supplying of the project. The funding of the project amounted to $1,900,000 which covers the purchase of land, the cost of the building of the complex and supplying the home with medical and domestic equipment. The partnership has formed a managing agreement with Mediplex, Inc. Mediplex is a medical administrating com pany located in Jackson, Miss., that will be responsible for the management and ad ministration of the nursing facility. The bonds that Brookwood issued will be paid back through percentage ad justments of the profits that Mediplex receives through the operation of the home. The bonds were set up on a interest plan that called for their complete payment in 20 years. At that time, the facili ty and the land become the property and the responsibili ty of Madison County. The nursing facility will also provide 60 to 70 jobs for the residents of the county. The facility will need nurses, aids, and staff members. Among the staff positions is the need for a head administrator, a medical director and a direc tor of nursing. Bobby Arnold, director of administration and finance at Photo by Scott Fitzgerald Madison Manor Convalescent Home Mediplex said, "We would like to hire as many as we could from the surrounding area. We would also like to involve Mars Hill College in providing internships, and we would like to include the CETA program as well." The facility is being furnish ed to provide a comfortable and livable atmosphere for its patients. Also every precau tion is being taken to meet the state fire codes for the home. Allen McGinnis, architect of the project, said, "Each room is spacious and the halls open and pleasant. We don't want to present a hospital nature. We are sure the patients will be very comfortable." The staff and faculty will be state licensed and the home already has an approval from Medicaid. Most of the cost to each patient will be funded by Medicaid and Medicare. The average per person would be approximately $30 to $40 per day. Upon opening the facility, Mediplex will only admit 4 to 6 patients per day. This is to in sure that each patient is plac ed with ample aid and space. The facility will begin hiring staff personnel in the not dis tant future. Ramsey: Hard Session Ahead Special to the News Record By JINCY MESSER With all his usual pomp and resplen dent is his red bow tie, Secretary of State *Thad Eure swore in 118 House members when the North Carolina General Assembly opened its 134th ses sion at noon last Wednesday. Across the hall in the Senate 50 senators took the oath of office. The legislators are in high gear and ready to move along with the state's business. A feeling of being stingy with spending but keeping the state progressive is floating around in the air. And there's a "Mountain Man from Madison" in the driver's seat of the House. A mountain flavor spilled out all around as droves and herds and busloads of mountain folk from the 44th House District poured in to see Liston Ramsey entrenched as House Speaker. The House Gallery bulged and overflowed into the halls as friends, constituents and proud relatives packed in. Rep. Earnest Messer nominated Ramsey and praised him as being "honest, one whose word is his bond, tough as the mountains when he needs to be and knowing the legislative pro cess from A to Z." There were batches of seconding speeches lauding the nominee's capabilities. Of course the Rep. Liston B. Ramsey election was primed ahead of time and moved without a hitch. There were no dissenting votes even amongst the 24 Republicans. Throughout all the t'do Ramsey's wife, Florence, and daughter, Martha, sat close by and didn't miss a word. I kpow Liston is glad they heard all the adulation. In his acceptance speech the newly elected Speaker warned that this ses sion would be hard and should "direct its efforts toward eliminating empty minds, empty stomachs and empty pocketbooks." Staff officers were elected and Ramsey appointed some committees and promised their completion by the Monday night session. Speaker Ramsey owns up to being a partisan Democrat and addicted to politics. He promises to be on hand for at least two Speaker's terms and maybe longer. It's going to be downright refreshing to have a Speaker who's not seeking a higher of fice. Well, mountain folks do things up whole hog. The evening bash and feed and reception in Ramsey's honor was right on target. A beaming Speaker Ramsey, Gov. Jim Hunt and Lt. Gov. Jimmy Green greeted in the reception line and gawked as folks came on and on. There were oodles of finger-lick in' goodies, fancy meat balls and ham and roast beef biscuits (but no collard greens and corn bread) and lots of socializing around mountain style. 'Twas a great day! Less than three hours after he was sworn in for his fourth House term, Rep. Jack Gardner of Smithfield, brother of actress Ava Gardner, died (Continued on Page 3) r? On thm Inside ? . ? K ' i Peter Gott Instructs MHC Students In Traditional Log Cabin Building See Lay-out Page 3 . . . In the meantime, Mrs. Dance is staying with her next door neighbor. Mr* Robert Allen whoa* aon is on the fire department. "Everyone has a an helpful in taking me in jaring for me. I Just hop* it won't ever happen again," d*ector? when he Moved hock. she said. Definitely Ooce the bone is stolen, I'll fb Bluff Home Fire Man Saves Two Sons By KEVIN MOKLEY A. Bluff man and his two children narrowly escaped death at they (led (Tom a rag ing fin home oq Jan. II. Johnny Payne i children he gat out of bed to check. When be got bo the kit chen be found it engulfed in flames and had barely enough two boya. Daniel, three, Douglas. k , ho Payne was not sure of the ?use of the fire but he
The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.)
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Jan. 22, 1981, edition 1
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