In Our Community
"Hi Ho Silver" was a catch phrase during the golden days of radio that everyone who lived through those times were very aware of. I suppose even if you didn't live at that time, The Lone Ranger is somewhat known to most people due to the movie that came out several years ago starring Johnny Depp.
The radio program started in 1933 over station WXYZ Detroit with an actor by the name of George Seaton who in future years became a famous film director-producer. The role was then passed on to an actor by the name of Earle Graser who really brought the Ranger into popularity during the 30's. Unfortunately, in 1941 Graser was killed in a car accident. So what do the folks at WXYZ in Detroit do but choose an actor by the name of Brace Beemer. Beemer began his radio career in Indianapolis in 1922 and then joined WXYZ in 1932. He played the masked rider until its last episode in September 1954 . In all, there were 2,958 half hour programs. The lead character's distinctive voice, however, proved to be a handicap. Beemer was unable to get back into radio because sponsors believed that his voice was indentified too closely with The Lone Ranger. An adventurous boy, Beemer somehow enlisted in the Army in World War 1, then suffered wounds while serving in France with the famed "Rainbow Division." He was barely 14. Earlier in his career he had been the narrator and Sergeant Preston on Challenge of the Yukon in 1941 and 1953-54. I heard a story recently that when Beemer went on personal appearances, the actor who played Tonto, John Todd, was a small stout former stage actor who looked nothing like an Indian. So apparently, the producer hired Jay Silverheels who was an Indian, to appear with Beemer at these appearances. Who would have thought that Silverheels would eventually play Tonto on the TV series. AM 1370 KDTH’s Big Broadcast, which is on Sunday nights from 6 to midnight, plays The Lone Ranger fairly regularly. So tune in and once again hear the thundering hoofbeats of the “Great Horse Silver” and hear “Hi Ho Silver” once again. Accessible mental health care
Veterans no longer have to pay the copays for the first three outpatient visits for mental health and substance use disorder care during each calendar year ... until the end of 2027. If any copays were paid going back to June 27, 2023, those costs will be reimbursed automatically.
There is a rule however: The outpatient appointment has to be with a mental health professional at the VA or someone in the VA’s approved network of community providers. For new patients at the VA, the waiting times for appointments have decreased over the past year with primary care falling 11% percent and mental health visit wait times coming down 7%. That’s quite an accomplishment, since last year the VA provided over 116 million health care visits, which was 3 million more than the previous highest year. At the same time, over 400,000 veterans enrolled in health care in the past year, and the Crisis Line fielded over 1 million calls, up 15% over the previous year. An important note: Any veteran in acute suicidal crisis can go to any health care facility for emergency care, whether it’s a VA or non-VA facility. This rule has been in place since Jan. 17, 2023, but too many don’t know about this option. The veteran is eligible for up to 30 days of inpatient care or up to 90 days of outpatient care. Being signed up in the VA health care system is not required, and there is no cost to the veteran, including for ambulance transportation. There are a couple of rules to make sure the VA ends up paying for this care. The facility must be an emergency department at a full medical facility like a hospital. An urgent care facility doesn’t count. The VA must be notified within 72 hours. Ideally, it’s the facility that will call VA at 1-844-724-7842, but a friend or relative can call as well. See www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/providers/info-EmergencyCare.asp for more informattion. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc. |
Ten Words
Joni Eareckson Tada was 17 years old when she became a quadriplegic after breaking her neck in a diving accident. Few of us can imagine the struggles and adjustments she faced. Now in her 70s, over 50 years later, Joni has impacted millions of lives because of her disability through her organization, Joni and Friends, and her books, speeches, music, and art. She shared in an article appearing on the Desiring God website ten words that changed everything about her view of suffering.
The ten words were part of a conversation that took place with a friend, Steve Estes, when she was newly released from the hospital and barely out of her teens. The ten words? “God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.” One of the age-old questions is why a good God allows pain, disappointments, suffering, and death in His creation. We all have our reasons for asking the question, just like Joni did. It’s helpful to ask our questions in the right way. Joni writes, “I wasn’t asking with a clenched fist, but a searching heart.” So should we. It’s also helpful to resist the temptation to blame God. Yes, God is sovereign and in ultimate control of everything, but it’s obvious he permits things to happen of which he does not approve. Again, we ask why. It shouldn’t surprise us that we can’t always figure out what God is up to. After all, he has infinite knowledge and wisdom and we don’t. Somehow, in his perfect ways, he can use the hurt in the world, and what’s hurting us, for good. The most grievous example of human suffering was Jesus’ execution, God in the flesh dying on the cross. Yet, this horrible injustice resulted in the greatest expression of love and provided the way for God to save people for eternity. It’s the ultimate example of gain from pain. In Joni’s case, God has used her pain for much gain. Steve told Joni, “He [God] wants your affliction to be a platform to win others to Christ.” Now, over 50 years after her accident, Joni rejoices in “being used of God at Joni and Friends to save lives by telling people with disabilities the good news.” Yes, God has his plan and purpose for everything we face and whatever we’re going through. He also is willing to be with us as we grow through it if we let him. Tim Keller, who died from pancreatic cancer, wrote in his book, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, “Suffering is unbearable if you aren’t certain that God is for you and with you.” Let’s reaffirm those ten words that changed Joni’s view of suffering. “God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.” A scripture Steve Estes shared with Joni Eareckson Tada: “Though he [God] brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone”(Lamentations 3:32-33). Note: The article by Joni can be found at www.desiringgod.org. Search “ten words” to access the article. At one point in my lifetime I decided to stop having a birthday every year. I decided to go from decade to decade. That way when my birthday came up I knew I would have another ten years to look forward to my next birthday. And just think what can be done in ten years. Well, it made sense to me! And I am still counting by decades. Following are a few memories of past decades that occur in every persons’ lifetime.
Our first decade starts when we are born. Decade One takes in learning to hold up your head, to eat, sit, crawl, walk, talk, laugh, and how to get what we want by crying or holding our breath or just by being sweet. Soon we learn that everything isn’t “mine” and we have to share. We rush by that decade quite quickly. Actually, in the first five years we have learned at a rate we will never match again. Decade Two becomes more challenging because we are on our own somewhat but need help from others to learn responsible behavior. And yet that decade provides us a lot of time for fun and laughter, and time to think about our future education plans. In my third decade I was a witness to the 1961 Space blastoff whereby a human first went into space. In an office where I was employed our boss let us stop work so we could listen to the radio broadcast of the spaceship that carried the first human being into space. Yes, there are a number of good and bad highlights within the span of a decade. When the forth decade comes around it is like being on a journey. You probably planned your occupation or career to suit your lifestyle and are now well into a lifetime of experiences. In my fifth decade I became a grandmother and looked forward to watching my grandchildren grow into copies of their parents. “Ha! Ha!” In my sixth decade a friend told me that her mother told her that at 60 you get your second “wind.” I got very excited to think about my next decade. Oops! I kinda missed that boat because of a mishap, but still looked forward to the next decade. My seventh decade gave me great-grandchildren. Wonderful! They are such a great blessing. But as can be expected with aging, decades can bring some surprises. I got rickety bones, and sagging muscles. I hadn’t invited them to my seventh decade birthday bash but they came anyway. My eighth decade has so far been a welcome gift. I hope you readers of The Golden View can see how much fun it can be to look forward to the next ten-year birthday party instead of one birthday a year. Of course, it’s okay to accept a birthday present each year, if it is offered to you. Double Ha! Ha! |