COUNTY LIFE
Nocona General moves patients into renovated wing; phase two underway
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Two weeks ago, the first patients were rolled into the new private rooms constructed during phase one of the Nocona General Hospital building project, with phase two well underway and expected to be completed in January 2019.
The dirt has been flying since last September when the $3.5 million building project broke ground. Almost two weeks ago the final certifications were completed and patients were able to see the new facilities.
Lance Meekins, NGH administrator, is happy to show off the new rooms that usher in the next era of medical care at the hospital.
This is the first major facelift for the hospital since it opened in 1974. The wellness center was opened in 2006, the radiology wing was opened in 2003, while the emergency room was moved to the north side of the medical clinic when it was built in 1994.
Nocona General is licensed as a 38-bed prospective payment system hospital with a 24-hour emergency room level IV trauma center. It operates with about 102 employees of which about 85 are considered full-time and come from across Montague County.
Phase one centered on east patient wing where semi-private rooms were converted into private rooms with a larger bathroom and sitting area. Meekins said the new rooms provide more space for family and convenience for the patient. This phase created 11 private rooms, while phase two will bring that number up to 18 private rooms and four beds in a special care unit.
Bowie will begin dressing up downtown during the annual Hanging of the Greens starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 16.
On Saturday morning volunteers will gather to hang lighted garland and wreaths on the nearly 100 lamp posts throughout downtown Bowie. These sparkling decorations will light up the area for the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Festival the weekend of Dec. 7, as well as throughout the holiday season.
Any citizen, family, student, civic group or club is invited to take part. Those with questions may call the BCDB office at 872-6246. Volunteers will meet at city hall across from the BCDB office at Pecan and Mason to receive their supplies. Please bring along a step ladder.
It’s going to be a “Candy Cane Christmas” in Bowie this year during the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Festival on Dec. 7.
Event host, the Bowie Community Development Board is planning a full weekend of activities to help launch the holiday season in Bowie.
The lighted parade is one of the weekend’s highlights and those wishing to enter should remember the deadline is Nov. 16.
Dec. 6
Festival weekend begins with Sip & Stroll With Me from 5-8 p.m. on Dec. 6.
Throughout downtown participating merchants invite strollers to enjoy wine or other drinks, and other holiday munchies as they shop stores and meet retailers. There will be live music, a holiday photo booth, carriage rides and of course lots of shopping.
Wristbands may be purchased at any of the participating merchants for $15. Strollers will receive a wine glass with their wristband, but they also are welcome to use a previous glass. Proceeds go toward downtown beautification projects.
Dec. 7
Saturday offers a full array of family-fun activities to enjoy from pancakes to floats.
The City of Bowie Fire Department welcomes families to enjoy free Pancakes with Santa from 7 to 10 a.m. at the fire hall, 203 Walnut. Toy drive donations will be accepted and there will be photos with the Big Guy.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Montague County celebrated its veterans Monday during a program at the courthouse annex in Montague.
The young men of the Trail Life Troop 1309 of Bowie posted the colors offering the American and Texas flags, followed by the American Heritage Girls Troop 1031 also from Bowie who gave the pledge of allegiance. Thad Murphy gave a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.
Jerry “Doc” Cody, Forestburg, was the guest speaker sharing a bit of his experience as a U.S. Army veteran. Cody is an active volunteer with the county veteran services office, which hosted Monday’s program.
After being drafted, he was inducted into the Army on June 13, 1967. After completing basic combat training, Cody went to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio where he trained as a combat medic.
After a 12-day leave he was sent to Vietnam where he served in the Central Highlands assigned to the 2/17th field artillery.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Top photo – speaker Jerry Cody.
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