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Show Page 8 The Ogden Valley news Volume XXVI Issue II March 1, 2020 Volunteer and Make a Difference at Wolf Creek Foundation’s 38th Military Family Retreat For over a decade, the Wolf Creek Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has been supporting military families through the generosity of this community. Whether being deployed or returning from deployment, separation brings stress and anxiety to a military family that is often difficult to overcome. Through a partnership with Hill Air Force Base and Summit/Powder Mountain, the Wolf Creek Foundation sponsors weekend retreats twice a year where military families relax, reconnect, and develop much-needed skills that help the entire family cope with deployments. Meals, lodging, and entertainment, along with dedicated programming for adults and children, are offered at no cost to the family. This program has held Best Practice status within the Air Force since 2008, and several bases from around the U.S. have worked to create something similar for their area families. One of the unique qualities of this program is what is done for the children. Several base organizations, along with Air Force child development specialists, take over Snowcrest Jr. High with a myriad of activities, along with focused programming, to help these children deal with the inherent fear and uneasiness that comes with a parent’s deployment. The parents are offered three training sessions that thoroughly deal with the issues that can arise during a spouse’s deployment as well as re-integration when the spouse returns. Several seasoned officers have reported that in their 25- to 30-year careers, they have never been offered anything as beneficial to their families as this program. During a Typical Retreat • Each family receives a complimentary family photo. Many of these photos as well as pictures taken during the weekend have ended up in an airman’s helmet while on deployment. • Each child receives a teddy bear that has a voicebox for the deploying parent to record a message for their son or daughter. • Families have time to reconnect with each other in a way that is not normally possible. They can choose to participate in the daily recreation opportunities or simply spend time with each other. • Some come to a retreat after their spouse has already deployed – this is always particularly poignant. We have a great DJ that gets everyone up on the dance floor and the “Daddy/Daughter” dance is very emotional for everyone on staff. • Families have opportunities to connect with each other and the spouse left behind leaves with a support system in place. Base commanders and Chapel staff spend time getting to know the families during each retreat and families leave with the knowledge that they are not alone. • One of the unique qualities of this program is the lodging. Families stay in luxury second homes and condominiums that have largely been donated by the homeowners. Most of these families could not afford a weekend in this type of accommodation and the fact that the homeowner has donated it to them makes it even more meaningful. Your Opportunity to Make a Difference We are looking for volunteers to help serve at some of the meals during the next retreat taking place April 17-19, 2020. Your only commitment will be for one meal during that weekend. All of the meals are buffet style so a volunteer’s main responsibility will be serving occasional beverages, clearing tables and resetting for the next meal. We are looking for six to eight volunteers per meal. The real benefit of volunteering at this event will be interacting with the retreat participants. When you talk to these families you truly become aware of the sacrifice that the whole family makes for the freedom that we take for granted. We invite you to thank these airmen and their families. To volunteer please call Sue Munson at 801-388-7596. We look forward to seeing you at the next retreat! BOOK SALE cont. from page 1 FUNdamental, America Reads Challenge, and the Adult Proliteracy Literacy Tutoring Program. In the future, the Library System plans to continue this successful “Pop Up” book sale of donated materials at different branches and at select community events. Library patrons interested in being notified of these sales should sign up to receive electronic notification of sales and other happenings at the library. Sign up at <www.weberpl.lib.ut.us/news> For more specifics on the sale, visit www. weberpl.lib.ut.us/attend/used-book-and-surplus-property-sale-southwest-branch or call 801-337-2618. The Weber County Library Southwest Branch is located at 2039 W. 4000 S. in Roy. however, the new set up and high-quality items available will provide a better browsing experience of donated and used library materials for attendees. Also, please note that sorting or stockpiling on the floor will not be allowed. Also, because of space restraints, no strollers, wagons, or large bins will be allowed, and not items will be pre-sold. In addition, no electronic devices/phones for scanning purposes will be allowed. Proceeds from the sale go to support a variety of programs throughout the Weber County Library System, such as Reading is Heartworm Prevention an Important Component of Pet Care A heartworm is a large worm that can grow up to 14 inches long in the pulmonary artery (the main artery from the heart to the lungs) and the right side of the heart. It causes much inflammation and mechanical damage to the heart and vessels. The worms resemble spaghetti. Dogs acquire an infection through mosquito bites that carry the larva from an infected dog to an uninfected one. It requires temperatures over 57 degrees for one to three weeks for the heartworm larva to develop in the mosquito and become infective. When the mosquito with the developed larva bites the new dog, it then takes a month or more for the larva to develop into the last larval stage that will become the adult worm. Most of the medications used to prevent heartworm infection work by killing the larva in the first 30 days after they have infected the new dog. These medications are given once a month and kill all the larva that are in the dog’s skin or blood stream that have not yet developed into the adult stage of heartworm. It is best to know that there are no adult worms in the heart and arteries before treating with the preventive medication. You want to be sure that the dog does not need to be treated for adult worms before starting the preventive. The heartworm tests need just one or two drops of blood and for tests for antigens against the adult worms. It can be done in the veterinarian’s office and takes only a few minutes. Because it takes 6 to 7 months for the antigens from the adult worms to become detectable, testing puppies under 7 months is of no value. The best time to have your dog tested is in in the early spring. That will allow for the 6 to 7 months needed to have the antigens develop after the last warm weather in the fall when the dog could have been infected with heartworm. All dogs in Utah should be treated with heartworm preventive from the first part of May through October. It is even better to treat them year-round. Utah has a lower incidence of heartworm than southern states because of our winters and shorter mosquito season, but we do have cases diagnosed in northern Utah every year. There have been cases diagnosed in the Ogden Valley also. The American Heartworm Society has a very good website with more information. You can access it at <www.heartwormsociety.org/ pet-owner-resources> TRASH SERVICE cont. from page 1 TRAILFEST cont. from page 1 On or around April 1, 2020, you will receive a 2nd Quarter (April-June) bill from Republic Services that reflects the cost breakdown above. It will be necessary for you to communicate with Republic Services prior to April 1 if a second waste container is needed. You will be notified by Republic Services of your new pickup days. “It just lowers the price substantially. It’s going to cut the price in half,” said Weber County Commissioner Scott Jenkins. You may address concerns and ask questions during the Weber County Commission Meeting being held Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the Weber Center’s Commission Chambers (2380 Washington Blvd. 1st Floor, in Ogden). Prior to the meeting, you may address concerns or questions with John Watson, Weber County’s Solid Waste Director, by e-mail at jwatson@webercountyutah.gov or by phone at 801-399-8806. On the day of the event, families are invited to pick up TrailFest Passports from 8:00 a.m. to noon at any of the checkpoints on the Centennial Trail and get them stamped as they enjoy free activities along the trail. Last year’s trail events included fossil casting at Ogden’s Eccles Dinosaur Park, free family fishing, a bike helmet giveaway by MountainStar Ogden Regional Medical Center, and a dog comfort stop sponsored by the Golden Spike Obedience Club. TrailFest participants can bring their stamped passports to the TrailFest Health and Fitness Expo held at the municipal park just south of the Ogden Amphitheater for a chance to win great prizes during a drawing at 1:00 p.m. The Expo will feature community organization booths, great food and beverages, and healthy family-oriented activities from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information about TrailFest and the trails, visit www.tfnu.org or call 801-3932304 or email questions to <tfnu@tfnu.org> By Etta M. Baker DVM, Valley Veterinary Clinic |