Seniors approve funds for remodeling project
Senior Citizens of Marion County, Inc. approved a mill levy request May 19 from Florentine Senior Center for bathroom improvements during its monthly meeting at Ramona Senior Center.
A bid from contractor Mark Austin was changed from $1,035 to $2,800 to remodel a bathroom. The bathroom will be unisex and handicap accessible.
A request for $900 also was approved which will be used to repair the floor in a woman's bathroom in the center and make it handicap accessible. The senior center will contribute $1,400 toward the project.
Ramona Senior Center also requested funds to replace a public address system and repair a ceiling fan but no bids were presented.
In other business:
— Irvin Goertzen, transportation committee chairman, reported the committee reviewed tire bids for a public transportation van. Bids from Mike's Service Center of Marion and Rod's Tires of Hillsboro were similar. The committee chose Mike's Service Center because it would be easier to have the tires replaced since the van is housed at Marion Senior Center.
Goertzen also reported on the department for elderly transportation service changing from KDOT Section 5311 program to Section 5310.
The 5311 program requires the vans serve the general public. The 5310 program would require service only to the elderly.
The board approved participating in the 5311 program and continue to serve the general public.
Lettering on the vans will be changed from General Public Transportation to Marion Co. Dept. for Elderly.
— Virginia Downing reported more volunteers are needed for the FISH (Friends I Should Help) program. There are five volunteers who transport residents on Tuesdays and Fridays to doctors, stores, etc.
— Gary Gooszen, field representative of North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, announced the theme for this year's senior fair is "Harvest Hoedown." The fair will be held Sept. 19 at Salina Bicentennial Center.
— Lanell Hett, department secretary and transportation coordinator, reported eight trips during May, five health-related.
Pharmacy offers
bone screening
Marion Health Mart Pharmacy will provide ultrasound bone mineral screenings to the public beginning at 10 a.m. June 15 at the pharmacy, 217 E. Main Street, Marion.
June is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month. Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease that typically affects people over the age of 50. The risk is greater in women than men, and occurrences are higher among Asians and Caucasians. The disease has no symptoms, so often is not diagnosed until a patient suffers a broken bone.
Call the pharmacy at (620) 382-2135 for more information or to make an appointment.
