WORTHINGTON — The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers recently presented its Champion Award to state Rep. Steven Kulik, D-Worthington, for recognizing the importance of community health centers, and consistently showing a willingness to consider a health center perspective when developing health care legislation and policy in Massachusetts.
In a statement released by the Hilltown Community Health Centers, Kulik said that he was deeply honored to receive the award and emphasized the vital role of rural community health care.
“In particular, The Hilltown Community Health Centers located in Worthington and Huntington have led the way in meeting the challenge of serving our rural communities amid the challenges of an ever-changing and complicated healthcare environment at the state and federal level,” he said.
Hilltown Community Health Centers CEO Eliza Lake said that she was happy and honored to be present at the Statehouse on May 1 for the presentation of the award.
“HCHC is so appreciative of Rep. Kulik’s commitment to the Hilltowns and its residents over the years, helping them live healthy lives with access to primary care,” she said. “We are very happy to have his work on behalf of and in support of HCHC honored.”
Hilltown Community Health Centers is a nonprofit organization, made up of two federally qualified health centers, the Worthington Health Center and the Huntington Health Center. It also includes the Gateway School-Based Health Center, located at Gateway Regional Middle/High School, and the Hilltown Community Center, both in Huntington.
For 65 years, HCHC has made its mission to provide accessible, affordable care to all Hilltown residents. In addition to medical and dental services, the group provides behavioral/mental health services, substance abuse treatment, eye care, physical therapy and laboratory services.
The facilities welcoming all, regard of their ability to pay. They also provide trained staff that can help people get affordable and comprehensive health insurance.
CUMMINGTON — Jane Emerson, a lifelong resident of Cummington, received the Boston Post cane on Friday, prior to the annual Town Meeting.
Friends and family gathered to for the presentation with gifts of flowers and well wishes for Emerson, who is 93 years old.
A tradition that dates back to 1909, the cane is presented to the town’s eldest citizen. 475 towns across Massachusetts participate in this historic practice.
Born in Pittsfield on Sept. 8, 1925, Emerson worked at General Electric in the gun motor assembly division during World War II, after which she was employed at the Cummington Post office until her retirement.
After the war she married Alvok (Pete) Emerson in 1946. The wedding took place in a hospital room as the couple had been involved in a car accident two days prior to their wedding.
Together they had three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Emerson says that she has no special reason that can attribute to her longevity, though people in her circle say that it is likely good old-fashioned Yankee stubbornness.
Her advice to younger generations: “Try not to be judgmental; sometimes you don’t know the whole story.”
WILLIAMSBURG — The Christian Outreach of the Williamsburg Congregational Church is sponsoring its annual plant and bake sale on Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The sale will take place at the Grange Hall lawn on Main Street and will feature a wide selection of plants and baked goods as well as casseroles, jams, jellies and baked beans.
The proceeds of the sale go to the church’s various mission projects, including local causes and seminaries.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at fryan.gazette@gmail.com.