Tillamook County Wellness
Santa Visits Tillamook
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Headlight Herald
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
VOL. 133, NO. 48 • $1.50
Tillamook’s Bunny turns 102 Saturday Card Shower planned in celebration
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Joe Warren jwarren@countrymedia.net
unny, a resident at Kilchis House, turns 102 years old Saturday, Dec. 11. Her family, along with the staff at Kilchis House in Tillamook, where she has lived for the past 18 years, has planned a card shower and cookie feast to help her celebrate this milestone. Bunny was born Elda Bess on Dec. 11, 1919. She was born in Lamar, Colorado. Her dad nicknamed her ‘Bunny’ and the name stuck. “She loves bunnies,” said Carol Hyatt her daughter in law. “Anything bunnies.” According to Sandy Somerakis, an administrator at Kilchis House and one of Bunny’s close friends, the employees of Kilchis House put up a concrete bunny in the garden at Kilchis House and according to Carol, Bunny lifted the 20 pound statue and put it in her room she loved it so much. Bunny married Edward Hyatt in 1938 after high school. Edward was a policeman in Rawlins, Wyoming for 20 years. Everyone called Edward by a nickname, Ted. They had two children, Ted and Kathy. Her daughter, adopted, lives in Idaho. Including Bunny, there are five generations alive. Bunny has three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren as well as 14 great-great-grandchildren. Ted said that his dad and his dad’s brotherin-law worked on Donner Pass, cutting right away for PG&E. They lived up there for three years. They lived in tents in the snow while they worked. The couple moved from California to Wyoming. Bunny worked as a head cook at Rawlins Memorial Hospital for several years. “She cleaned houses for people, she did laundry for people, made wedding cakes, she sewed, and was the president of the VFW, the women’s thing, for years,” Ted said. Bunny and Edward moved to Tillamook in 1970. Edward passed away in 2002. Her sister-
in-law turned 103 years old in June. “They are the best of friends all of these years,” Ted said. Bunny loves to sew, cook and garden. For trips with the family, she would do all the cooking, for up to 22 people. “Our family liked to camp for a few week each year in Yellowstone and Bunny would do all the cooking,” Ted said. Bunny has a sewing machine in her room at Kilchis House, and although she no longer sews, she won’t allow it to be taken out of her room. In her younger years, she was a boot stomping piano and harmonica player. Carol said she has always been very active and has always been active in church when she is able. “During COVID shutdowns, Kilchis House hosted Zoom performances for the residents. “When some honky-tonk music came on, Bunny would wake up and her hands would start playing along, just like she was playing the piano herself,” Sandy said with a laugh. Bunny has been a resident at Kilchis House for 18 years. She has a plant that she brought with her when she moved in that is now 65-70 years old. It is a Christmas cactus that the staff has been taking care of. “She made all of what is called aprons, that the residents wear here,” Carol said. She also made quilts for Kilchis House. “They were lap robes,” Carol said. “She’s never smoked or chewed tobacco or drank alcohol,” Ted said when asked what Bunny’s secret is to be living so long. “She does swear occasionally.” Bunny still has a remaining sister. Her two brothers, one of them being her twin, passed away. When Bunny turned 100, she received 110 birthday cards. Carol said they had hoped to beat that number this year. Everyone is invited to drop off a card on Saturday, say Happy Birthday to Bunny and grab a cookie. Comments to: jwarren@countrymedia.net
Carol Hyatt Bunny’s Daughter, Bunny and her son Ted Hyatt stop for a picture after lunch at the Kilchis House in Tillamook. Photo by Joe Warren
Omicron likely to reach Oregon soon
COVID-19 update: Upcoming vaccine events Dec. 10-11
State health officials urge residents to get vaccinated David Rupkalvis Country Media
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s a new variant of COVID-19 begins to spread around the globe, state officials are urging residents to get vaccinated before Omicron becomes a serious threat. The new variant has established itself in South America and appears to spread more easily than the Delta variant that spread around the globe and caused cases and deaths to spike on Oregon. Initial reports in South Africa show the Omicron variant spreads easily, but most cases are less severe with many reporting cold-like symptoms. Dr. Dean Sidelinger , the state epidemiologist, said work is ongoing to learn more about Omicron, but he said one thing is for certain - it will get to Oregon. “Omicron has not yet been detected in the Oregon, but we expect it will be in the coming days due to its reported high transmissibility,” Sidelinger said. “Oregon has one of the most robust variant surveillance systems in the United States, and so far, no cases of Omicron have been detected. What we do know is that the basic prevention steps we have long talked about remain the best ways to protect yourself against Omicron, Delta or any variant of COVID-19 that is circulating. Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19 infection and transmission, including
most circulating variants.: While it is too early to tell if Omicron can be stopped with the vaccine, Sidelinger said the success in keeping people out of the hospital and alive in Delta shows the vaccine is effective, even if someone catches COVID. “The vaccines have remained highly effective against other variants, and we expect the same to be true with Omicron. We should have early answers in the coming weeks,” he said. “The best way to protect yourself against Omicron, or any variant of COVID-19 that is circulating, is to be vaccinated. Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19. Those who are not yet vaccinated should get their first COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Those due for a booster – all adults either two months after a Johnson & Johnson vaccination or six months after a Moderna or Pfizer vaccination – should get it as soon as possible. Wearing a mask when inside public places as well as social distancing and handwashing remain incredibly important in the face of
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an emerging variant and high levels of community transmission.” Some reports have shown Omicron is in California, which means it is just a matter of time before it moves to Oregon. While Sidelinger said that will cause some stress, he said taking preventative measures are the best steps to remain safe. “We know that news of Omicron’s emergence will cause many people to experience some anxiety about the unknown,” he said. “We also know there is a great deal of “pandemic fatigue” as cases, hospitalizations and deaths are reported daily. COVID-19 continues to disrupt our lives. I share these anxieties as we continue to face COVID-19.” To learn about vaccines in Coos County or to make an appointment to receive a vaccine, visit cooshealthandwellness.org.
Hilary Dorsey Staff Writer
illamook County had 16 COVID-19 cases over the last weekend, from Friday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 28. There were 28 cases for the 7-day case count, from Nov. 21 through Nov. 27, Tillamook County Health Department reported. “Our 14-day case count is 53,” Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Ed Colson shared during a community update Tuesday, Nov. 30. “That’s from Nov. 14 through Nov. 27.” From Nov. 1 through Nov. 28, the county had 160 cases. Eighty of those individuals were unvaccinated, 59 were vaccinated and 21 were unknown. The county is at 45 COVID-related deaths, with 36 of those unvaccinated, eight fully vaccinated and one had no vaccine record, as of Nov. 28. Colson said there is one confirmed outbreak and 12 pending investigation. Oregon Health Authority reported no new workplace outbreaks as of Wednesday, Dec. 1. “Testing remains available from our health center at our 8th Street acute care clinic,” Colson said. “Appointments are required.” Make an appointment by calling 503842-3900. Adventist Health and Rinehart Clinic also have COVID-19 testing available. “Early, safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 is available in Tillamook County,” Colson said. “It’s monoclonal antibody therapy. This therapy must be started as soon as possible within 10 days from a positive test.” This therapy requires provider referral,
FREE WEBINAR
For Busy Caregivers with Christy Yates WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15 11:00 AM PST
Colson added. Talk to your health care provider right away if you have COVID-19 symptoms. The walk-in vaccine clinic is open for the month of December at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and from 1-5 p.m. on Wednesday. You can receive a first, second or booster dose at this clinic. Two vaccine events are scheduled for Dec. 10 and Dec. 11. A pop-up clinic is set for 3-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at the Nestucca K-8 School. A vaccine event will also occur from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Tillamook Air Museum’s holiday event. All vaccines will be available at both events. “Also, our partners Adventist Health, Rinehart Clinic and our pharmacies have vaccines available,” Colson said. Colson said scientists are currently studying the new Omicron variant. Oregon Health Authority is continuing to monitor the variant closely. “As we learn more, we’ll share information on how best to protect yourself and keep your loved ones and your community safe,” Colson said. People should choose to get vaccinated and receive a booster dose if it has been six months since their series of Pfizer of Moderna or two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. “Masks are still required in all indoor public areas, on public transit, in K-12 schools, and in health care settings for all 2 years old and older,” Colson said. “Masks and physical distancing of 6 feet are highly encouraged at private residences when gathering indoors with people outside your household and outdoors when unable to maintain 6 feet of distance.”
Here at Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers, we know that caregiving for an aging loved one can add stress and responsibility to an already busy life, especially if you also have kids you’re raising in the process. It’s called the Sandwich Generation – middle aged adults who are raising a family while also tending to the needs of an aging parent, or parents. If you’re a caregiver in the sandwich generation, we have a free webinar coming up with an expert on the topic. The webinar will be with Christy Yates on Wednesday, December 15 at 11 a.m. Pacific time. She is a licensed educational psychologist, school psychologist and mental health professional with over 40 years of working with various populations.
To sign up for the free webinar, visit PrestigeCanHelp.com Prestige Senior Living Five Rivers 3500 12th St. · Tillamook, OR 97141 (503) 842-0918 · www.PrestigeCare.com