Chamber Now - News & Opportunities Weekly

Chamber NOW April 8, 2022

Pike Chamber News & Opportunities Weekly

Adena Returns to

Pre-Pandemic Visitation Policy

Adena Health System announced that it will make a return to its pre-pandemic visitation policy, effective today, as community transmission rates for COVID-19 continue to decline and the Health System’s COVID-related inpatient census remains minimal.

“This is a moment that we have eagerly anticipated and signals another positive milestone in our return to normalcy,” said Dr. Kirk Tucker, Adena Chief Clinical Officer. “Any time visitation restrictions are put in place, we know the hardships it can create understanding the role family and friends play in a patient’s healing process. Decisions in these areas are closely monitored by our clinical and operational leaders to ensure we are protecting those trusting us with their care and those working in our facilities. We felt now is the right time to make this return.”

Dr. Tucker added that restrictions around visitation policies are not just made related to COVID-19 data, and that any future changes of the policy could be also instituted with increased trends in community-acquired infections like influenza or pneumonia.

Highlights to the return in visitor policy guidelines include:

Face masks are still required while in any Adena facility, regardless of vaccination status.
Visitation hours at all hospitals will be 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., seven days a week.
Emergency Departments: Limit of two visitors per patient.
ICU: Limit of two visitors at a time and no one under 13 years of age.
Inpatients: Recommended no more than 2-3 visitors at a time due to limited space in patient rooms. Patient can designate a support person to exercise the patient's visitation rights on his or her behalf. The support person is the only visitor permitted to stay overnight.
Labor and Delivery: Limit of three visitors at a time and no one under 13 years of age.
Nursery: Limit of four visitors at a time and no one under 13 years of age.
Outpatient/Ambulatory: Recommended no more than two visitors accompany a patient.

Adena’s full visitor policy and safety guidelines can always be found on its website at Adena.org/VisitorPolicy.

Adena Mammo Bus

Helps Make Getting Mammograms More Convenient

A mammogram is the best way to catch breast cancer in its earliest stages, when it is the most treatable. Adena’s 3D mobile mammography unit recently partnered with First National Bank of Waverly to bring mammography services onsite for its employees. Through the pandemic, there has been a dramatic increase in women skipping their annual mammograms; which can lead to breast cancer going undetected until much later stages.

To help make getting mammograms more convenient, Adena offers this onsite service to employers with a minimum participation of 12 appointments. If the health of your employees is a priority and you’re interested in the Mobile Mammography Bus coming to your business, or to learn more, contact Whitney Gentry, Manager, Community Relations, at 740-333-2710 or wgentry@adena.org.

Pictured From left: Loretta Bandy, Mammographer and Glenna Michael Technologist Assistant, Abby Walls HR Manager First National Bank of Waverly.

Grassland CRP Signup

Signup for the Grassland provisions of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) will run through May 13, 2022.

This is a working grasslands provision of CRP that allows landowners to offer hay and/or pasture acres that will remain in forage production for a 10 or 15 year contract period (subject to certain restrictions during the nesting season of March 1 through July 15). While this program benefits acreage being used for hay and pasture, the program can also apply to fields simply being maintained in grass cover.

CRP Grassland acres receive a smaller annual rental payment than other CRP options since the acres can continue to be used as hay or pasture. The benefit that most producers need is that contract acres are eligible for cost share assistance of 50% on fence, water systems, and certain management practices like brush control.

The 2022 rental rates per acre are: Jackson, Pike, and Vinton Counties - $32; Scioto County - $35.

To discuss the program in more detail or to make an appointment to talk about the program, call the Jackson-Vinton-Scioto-Pike FSA Office at 740-286-5208 extension 2 or 740-259-3075 extension 2.

THE 2021 TAX SEASON DEADLINE IS APRIL 18!!

THE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) PROGRAM IS STILL ACCEPTING TAX RETURNS!

The Workforce & Business Development Program (W&B) at Community Action Committee of Pike County (CAC)’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Free Tax Preparation Program is still accepting and preparing 2021 Tax Returns (and prior year returns!) at no-cost!

Appointments are not required. Through the Drop Off Program, tax clients must complete an Intake packet and submit the documentation required for preparing their return. To obtain an intake packet and/or speak with a trained tax representative, contact us or visit the OhioMeansJobs Career Center service window (open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm) at 941 Market Street in Piketon.

Time is running out! The Submission Deadline for all returns is April 18, 2022.

Additional information about the VITA program can be found on our website: www.workforcebusinessdevelopment.org. If you have questions regarding the VITA Program, please contact Ashley Stewart at (740) 289 – 2371 ext. 7034 or astewart@pikecac.org.

The Next Chapter

New Library Brick Fundraiser!

Memorialize a loved one, advertise your business, or show your support of the library by buying a brick! ‘The Next Chapter’ Brick Fundraiser was created to help fund the building of the New Waverly Library. You can order your personalized brick online at:

https://www.fundraisingbrick.com/online.../thenextchapter/ or fill out the form and return to any branch of the Pike County Library. Forms are also available at each branch.

Upcoming Trainings

THE CAC WILL BE HOSTING

THE GUS HOPPER 5K FUNDRAISER

The Community Action Committee of Pike County (CAC) will be hosting the Gus Hopper 5K Event on Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Pike County Senior Center at 402 Clough Street in Waverly. This fundraising event is in support of the upcoming Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball competition which is scheduled for June 11-12.

The Gus Hopper 5K Event will begin and end at the Senior Center and follow the designated route throughout the Waverly area. Registration for 5K is open and available online at Eventbrite.com (search for Gus Hopper 5K Waverly) or can be mailed to the CAC at 941 Market Street, Piketon OH 45661. In addition, registration will be available the day of the event starting at 9:00am.

“We’re extremely excited to be able to offer this wonderful community event,” stated Amber Wheeler, Chairperson for the Pike County Gus Macker. “Our community needs to be able to come together and experience family-friendly events like this and the Gus Macker. And, we’re just proud to be able to continue this tradition.”

All proceeds from the Gus Hopper 5K Event will go towards the official Gus Macker Tournament in June. The Macker Tournament is designed so that anyone can play: male or female, young and old, short and tall, the most experienced or no experience at all. This maintains the purity and integrity of the driveway game. Since 1987, the Macker tour has expanded, holding a total of 972 tournaments with over 2.2 million players – male and female from 7 years old to 50+ - and more than 23 million spectators nationwide.

Questions regarding both the Gus Hopper 5K and Gus Macker event should be directed to Amber Wheeler at (740) 289 – 2371 ext. 7007 or awheeler@pikecac.org.