PROJECT BELIEVE

Is accepting formal dresses, tuxedos, shoes and accessories. Drop off points include East Montgomery High School, First Baptist Church Biscoe, Greg Blake’s office in Troy and Pine State Dry Cleaners in Biscoe. The prom dress closet will be open on March 13 from 8-11 a.m.

Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time Begins When: Sunday, Mar 14, 2010

Protect Yourself Against Norovirus Infection

RALEIGH – Recent outbreaks of norovirus – a common and unpleasant gastrointestinal illness – have sickened teenagers at a conference in Raleigh and many other people across the state in long-term care facilities, schools and child care centers, restaurants, and other settings.

Noroviruses are very contagious. The virus is present in the stools and vomit of sick people during illness and for a few days after they recover. People can get sick through direct contact with a person who has the virus, by touching contaminated surfaces, or by eating food or drinking liquids that have been contaminated with the virus. Noroviruses cannot be seen, smelled or tasted in food.

“Noroviruses are tough to kill”, said Dr. Megan Davies, State Epidemiologist. “The most important way to prevent spread is thorough hand- washing using soap and water. Hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus.”

The symptoms of norovirus illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Some people may also have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness. The illness begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In most people, the illness lasts for about 1 or 2 days. However, some – especially young children and the elderly – can quickly get dehydrated and might require medical care or even hospitalization. There are no specific medications to treat norovirus.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family? Follow these simple measures:

· Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after toilet visits and before preparing, serving or eating food or drink. Hand sanitizer gels are not effective against norovirus.

· Clean up vomit and diarrhea immediately.

· Stay home when sick.

· Do not prepare food when sick and for at least 48 hours afterward.

Many commonly used disinfectants are not effective against norovirus. Cleaning with a dilute bleach solution is recommended to disinfect surfaces after an episode of illness.

For more information about norovirus, see the Division of Public Health Web site at www.ncpublichealth.com. More detailed information about cleanup in private homes and in other settings can be found on the Division of Environmental Health Web site at www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/d fp_fooddefense- epidemiology.htm.
Contacts: Carol Schriber, N.C. DHHS Public Affairs Office, 919-733-9190

More tobacco cessation services now available for state employees, teachers

RALEIGH – North Carolinians covered by the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees now have additional help quitting tobacco, thanks to a cooperative effort by the N.C. Division of Public Health, the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, the State Health Plan and QuitlineNC, the state’s free telephone tobacco-use cessation service.

Tobacco use is a leading cause of a number of chronic diseases – such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease – that are life- threatening and costly to residents and to the state. Helping tobacco users quit is not only essential for employees’ health, it is also one way to reduce costs by preventing some of the adverse health consequences that result from tobacco use.

“State Health Plan members can now receive at least eight weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy patches by calling QuitlineNC at 1- 800-QUIT-NOW,” said State Health Director Jeff Engel, M.D. “This combination of telephone coaching and medication can more than triple a tobacco user’s chance of quitting successfully, compared to trying to quit on his or her own.” The Plan provides health care coverage for more than 661,000 state employees, teachers, state university and community college personnel, retirees and their dependents.

The new services reflect the recommendations of the U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services, which recommends that employers provide support to help employees quit, including cessation services and reducing the out-of-pocket cost for cessation medications such as nicotine replacement therapy. The Task Force is an independent, non-federal body of public health and research experts convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review research and make recommendations based on scientific evidence.

“As outlined in the Plan’s Comprehensive Wellness Initiative, we are committed to supporting our members in meeting their wellness goals,” said Jack W. Walker, executive administrator of the State Health Plan. “Coaching and medication combined represent a best practice in the support of tobacco cessation. For Plan members, these cessation services will make quitting both easier and less expensive. The savings will ultimately also extend to the State Health Plan and taxpayers.”

“Working with QuitlineNC to reach adult smokers who want to quit is both effective and cost-efficient,” said Charles Willson, MD, chair of the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, which provides funding support to QuitlineNC. “We applaud the State Health Plan for providing this valuable service to their members – it is both essential for employee health and good for the bottom line”.

Any North Carolina resident can call QuitlineNC toll- free at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1- 800-784-8669) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services are free and available in Spanish and English, with other translation services provided as needed. Quit Coaches are trained to help people of all ages who are ready to quit cigarettes or other tobacco products. Learn more at www.quitlinenc.com.

FIRST BANK RELAY FOR LIFE

First Bank team is selling fresh baked cookies every Friday at the Montgomery Square branch, two for $1. The team is also selling tickets for children’s photo portraits - “Puttin’ on the Ritz” - tuxedoes and formal dress, for children up to age 10. Tickets are $9.95 and get you two 8x10s, four 5x7s and 16 wallets. Deadline to purchase tickets March 17. Also watch for the team’s silent auction at Montgomery Square First Bank, April 1-23. Proceeds benefit Montgomery Relay for Life.

New lead-based paint regulations protect residents, workers

RALEIGH – North Carolina now has stronger rules requiring the use of lead-safe work practices and other actions to prevent lead poisoning when lead-based paint is disturbed during renovation and remodeling work. Exposure to lead can be harmful to both children and adults.

Lead-contaminated dust, particularly from old paint, is the most significant source of lead exposure for children. Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead- based paint. Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million U.S. homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.

Lead exposure can cause reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays and behavioral problems in young children.

In late January, the State of North Carolina was authorized to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program. The North Carolina program, to be administered by the state Division of Public Health, has been certified to be at least as protective as the Environmental Protection Agency’s RRP program and to provide adequate enforcement.

The N.C. RRP program, like the EPA’s, mandates that contractors, property managers and other paid workers doing renovations, construction or repairs in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978, must be trained and certified, and must use lead- safe work practices. They are also required to provide the lead pamphlet “Renovate Right; Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools” to owners and occupants before starting renovation work in those buildings. This EPA publication is also available on-line at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovat erightbrochure.pdf.

“We are very appreciative of North Carolina’s leadership role in preventing lead poisoning by ensuring that work that disturbs paint is done in a lead-safe manner”, said Stan Meiburg, acting administrator for EPA Region 4. “Renovators and rental property owners play a big part in protecting children from lead-based paint hazards in their homes.”

If you are doing your own renovation work in your own home, you can learn more about protecting your family from lead-based paint and EPA’s lead program at www.epa.gov/lead or by contacting the National Lead Information Center at 800- 424-LEAD (5323).

For more information about North Carolina’s new certification and training program, including applying for certification or locating training, visit the state Web site at www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/lead. html or contact the North Carolina Lead Program at (919) 707-5950. The Web site also has a list of certified contractors, painters and renovators.

STAR HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

Meets the second Thursday of each month at the Star Town Hall from 10-11 a.m. in the board room. Anyone interested in helping with the annual festival, first Saturday of June, or in the construction of the Little Engine shelter plan to attend.

CHILD STUDY CLUB

Hamburger Supper at First Baptist Church, Troy, March 19 3:30-6:30 p.m., eat in or take out. $4 plate includes hamburger, beans, slaw, chips and homemade dessert. Proceeds benefit community schools and projects.

HOTDOG SUPPER

Montgomery Veterans Incorporated along with the Ladies Auxiliary Post 443 will host a hotdog supper and auction on March 20. The supper begins at 5 and the auction at 7 at the old VFW building. Plates are $5. Items to be auctioned include pottery, baked goods and gift certificates as well as other items.

MT. GILEAD FIRE DEPARTMENT

Whole barbecue ham sale, $50. Pick up March 27, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Contact any Mt. Gilead Fire Department member or call 439-4674 to place an order.

MT. GILEAD FIRE DEPARTMENT

Whole barbecue ham sale, $50. Pick up March 27, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Contact any Mt. Gilead Fire Department member or call 439-4674 to place an order.

Public review and comment period announced on state’s Infant-Toddler Federal Grant application, policy proposals

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Division of Public Health, Early Intervention Branch announces public review of and comment on three items:

The state’s federal Part C grant application under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA); proposed policy on fees, billing and reimbursement; and proposed policy on Infant- Toddler Program (ITP) records.
The application and the proposed policies are available for public review, as required by law, at www.ncei.org, March 3 – April 1, 2010. The public may comment on the items April 2 – May 1, 2010.

The grants are non- competitive awards available only to U.S. states and territories and not to individuals, families or local agencies. The U.S. Office of Special Education Programs offers the grants to help states and territories provide coordinated statewide systems of comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, interagency programs of early intervention service for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The application describes how funding will be used to provide supports and services to children and their families.

Proposed changes for the fees, billing and reimbursement policy are in the following areas:

the criteria used to apply the Sliding Fee Scale; the formula for calculating payments made to contracted community providers after insurance plans have paid benefits; and non-payment and collection of debt owed to the ITP.

The ITP records proposed policy primarily has three changes:

reduction of time for maintaining children’s ITP records from 21 years to 5 years after a child’s third birthday; a definition for “personally identifiable information”; and removal of a listing of ITP required forms.

From April 2 to May 1, comments on the grant application and the two proposed policies may be made by:
Email to: ei.publiccomment@dhhs.nc.gov;

Fax to: Part C coordinator at 919-870-4834; or Letter: c/o Part C Coordinator, Early Intervention Branch, 1916 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1916.

EASTERN STAR

Boston Butt Sale, April 2. Contact Mike Underwood, 576- 0068 or Gene Griffith, 573- 1214, for more information or to purchase a Boston Butt.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Book signing and talk for N.C. inspirational fiction author Michele Andrea Bowen, April 17, at 1 p.m. in the library meeting room.

Bowen’s books include:
Church Folk, Second Sunday, Holy Ghost Corner, and Up at the College. Free to the public and refreshments will be served.

Antique tractors wanted for 2010 Got to Be NC Festival

RALEIGH — Registration is now open for the antique tractor and farm equipment display at the 2010 Got to Be NC Festival. The annual event will be held at the N.C. State Fairgrounds May 21-23.

Antique tractor clubs, collectors and restorers can register their antique farm equipment for free at www.ncagfest.com. Participants are encouraged to complete an application early, and registration is required. Last year, more than 500 antique tractors were on display from owners in North Carolina and surrounding states. In all, the three-day festival showcased more than 1,000 pieces of farm equipment.

The Got to Be NC Festival, presented by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will feature a carnival, live music, food and wine expo, tractor pulls, draft horse pulls, classic cars, Harley- Davidson motorcycles, lawnmower racing and a barbecue cook-off.

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to midnight May 21 and 22, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 23. Admission and parking for the festival are free. There is a fee for grandstand events.

Other free events at the fairgrounds that weekend include the Raleigh Health and Fitness Expo, the Choplin Marine Boat Show, Wake County 4-H Horse Show, Fiber Fest and the State Fairgrounds Flea Market.

For more information about the Got to Be NC Festival, including a full schedule of events.
NCDA&CS Public Affairs
Division, Brian Long,
Director
Mailing Address:1001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-1001
Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Phone: (919) 733-4216; FAX: (919) 733-5047

College Students Urged to Get H1N1 Vaccination

RALEIGH — State Health Director Jeffrey Engel strongly urges young adults, including college students and teens, to get their H1N1 vaccinations before returning to campus from the winter break. According to statistics gathered by the N.C. Division of Public Health, people of college age are the least likely to be immunized against H1N1.

More than 495,000 students are enrolled in colleges in North Carolina. Vaccination efforts to date have reached just over 60,000 people between 19 years old and 24 years old statewide. Campus immunization campaigns appear to have reached just a fraction of that number. The latest estimates indicate that fewer than 13 percent of the H1N1 vaccine doses provided by the state went to traditional college- age students.

“Our young people are our greatest resource, and we want to make sure they remain healthy,” Dr. Engel said. “The holidays are a perfect time for parents to ensure that their teens and college students are vaccinated against H1N1.”

As of Dec. 15, North Carolina had reported 76 deaths from H1N1. While pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and young children are most at risk for complications, this strain of flu has had a disproportionate impact on young, healthy people.

“We have good supplies of H1N1 vaccine on hand,” Engel said. “The peak of seasonal flu is approaching in late January. Getting both vaccinations now is the best way to protect yourself and your family against both seasonal and the H1N1 virus.”

For updated information on vaccination clinics near you, visit flu.nc.gov.

Blood Drive
Open Mobiles in Montgomery County:

April 08, 2010 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Montgomery Community College/Bldg.
200 1011 Page St. ,
Troy, NC

April 16, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
Star Municipal Building
Main Street,
Star, NC

May 04, 2010 2:30 PM- 7:00 PM
Candor Baptist Church
100 E. Church St. ,
Candor, NC

June 11, 2010 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
First Health
Troy 520 Allen St.,
Troy, NC

July 13, 2010 2:00 PM- 7:30 PM
First Baptist Church of Troy
401 E. Main Street,
Troy, NC

July 21, 2010 10:30 AM- 3:00 PM
Southern Correctional Institute
Glenn Road,
Troy, NC

August 20, 2010 1:00 PM- 5:30 PM
Star Municipal Building
Main Street,
Star, NC

October 07, 2010 8:30 AM- 1:30 PM
East Montgomery High School
157 Eagle Lane,
Biscoe, NC

October 14, 2010 8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
West Montgomery High School
147 Warrior Drive,
Mount Gilead, NC

November 11, 2010 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Montgomery Community College/Bldg.
200 1011 Page St. ,
Troy, NC

January 25, 2011 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM
First Health
Troy 520 Allen St.,
Troy, NC

February 09, 2011 8:30 AM- 2:00 PM
West Montgomery High School
147 Warrior Drive,
Mount Gilead, NC

February 17, 2011 8:30 AM- 1:30 PM
East Montgomery High School
157 Eagle Lane,
Biscoe, NC