In Our Community
The Big Broadcast
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Wind in the Pines, Wind in the Corn
On my morning walk recently I was on a part of the path that had a set of pine trees on the one side of the path and a cornfield on the other side. A mountain breeze was blowing. I heard the wind in the pines and the wind in the corn, but the sound of the wind was different on the two sides of the path. The wind swished through the tens of thousands of pine needles and rustled through the thousands of corn leaves, stereophonic diversity!
The Hebrew word (the Old Testament of the Bible was originally written in Hebrew) “ruach” can mean either wind, breath, or spirit. So, too, the Greek word pneuma (the New Testament was originally written in Greek); it can mean either wind, breath, or spirit. Often, when I feel or hear the wind blow, it reminds me of God’s Spirit who can blow around, into, and out of us. Yes, the breath of God can be as close to us as our own breath! The astonishing truth is that His breath (Spirit) can give us spiritual life, resuscitating us and refreshing us. What is also amazing, and this is where the imagery of the wind in the pines and the wind in the corn comes into play, is that the Holy Spirit of God seeks to blow upon each of us in a very unique way! You and I can be uniquely empowered by God to do His good work in such a special way that no one else could take our place. This truth can provide the incentive we need to quit playing the comparison game; we don’t have to be like somebody else we know, we’re to be the unique person God’s calling us to be. This truth can also provide the antidote we need to overcome the prideful attitude that we’re better than someone else. The wind makes a unique sound depending on what it’s blowing upon. The Spirit of God, His breathing presence, can also be wonderfully different and unique for each of us, making each of us of special use to Him! “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) 
Hartig Drug Receives Fourth Consecutive Three Year AccreditationDubuque, Iowa—(09 July 2018)—Hartig Drug Company today announced that the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation (HQAA) has renewed Hartig Drug Company’s accreditation as a pharmacy durable medical equipment (DME) provider for a period of three (3) years. DME accreditation is required when working with Medicare/Medicaid and many insurance carriers and their clients. This accreditation announcement marks Hartig Drug Company’s fourth consecutive accreditation, totaling over twelve (12) years of exemplary service and accredited status.
“The accreditation will help us continue to provide the best services to our local communities but could also open up more partnerships with other local health care providers. We are grateful to HQAA and all the employees at Hartig Drug Company for helping us continue our accreditation and track record of excellence,” said Charlie Hartig, Vice-President and General Counsel of Hartig Drug Company. Federal Medicare standards require that all DME suppliers must comply with established quality standards in order to receive Medicare Part B payments and to retain a supplier billing number. These standards are very strict and accreditation is a rigorous and labor-intensive process. Some of the areas scrutinized during the accreditation process include: organization and administration, financial stability, human resources, infection/safety controls, quality standards, and performance improvement practices. About Hartig Drug Company Hartig Drug Company (Hartig Drug) is a locally-owned and operated family of pharmacies through the Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois tri-state region. Hartig Drug was founded 115 years ago by A. J. Hartig and continues to be the second oldest continuously operated family drug chain in the United States. Through community pharmacy, senior care (LTC) pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and durable medical equipment locations Hartig Drug Company is committed to providing convenient, personalized health consulting, pharmaceutical products, and consumer goods. As a local, small business Hartig Drug provides personalized services in touch with its local community roots. Our employees live, work and play in the same communities in which we operate. The connection to the community is what drives us every day to provide the best possible service and products to our customers. 
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The other day while I was preparing a veggie dish that required a medium size common beet, I casually examined its shape and realized that I was going to be eating a root. But, don’t we all eat roots if we eat certain vegetables?
There are so many other cultivated, edible roots, such as sweet potatoes, turnips, rutabagas, carrots, and parsnips that have food value. And you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy these foods. Since that first day when the word root entered my mind, I have had more respect for that little four-letter word. Actually, the very next day I went to the computer and looked into the encyclopedia for the word root. There were an unbelievable number of places to look up the word. I’m sure most of us have used the expression, “The root of the problem.” But that word has so many more meanings. Do you realize how much that word is used in The Theory of Equations? We probably remember using the root word in our math problems in school. But its meaning goes far beyond high school math. I pulled up The Grand Ole Opry, of Tennessee, and read that they claimed to have gleaned its roots from a radio show called “Barn Dance” of 1925. Incidently, Loretta Lynn, the country western singer, sang at the Opry. She once stated that she has never forgotten her roots that were so firmly anchored in the mining community where she was born. Loretta’s memory of her family’s roots brought to mind the TV series “Roots.” In 1977 Alex Haley’s Pulitzer Prizewinning best seller was aired and told the story of his ancestor’s journey throughout history. I never realized that the word “root” was so commonly owned. I also called forth guitarist Albert King. He never lost sight of his “blues” roots even though there was a change in traditional blues music. His “roots” were sealed in his rendition of the blues. Now that the root word has been described so often it’s time to bring the word back home. This is done by remembering the root cellar. You know, that dark and dingy ground cellar attached to a farm house. We had one and that is where we were sent if a tornado was spotted. Mom also kept her canned goods in the cellar. But there were spiders and cob webs everywhere so it just wasn’t fun to go there. Have you visited your “roots” lately? It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare,
it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. —Seneca |
Identity
I watch a lot of trailers (in my day we called them previews) of recently released DVD movies looking for a film that interests me. When I can’t find one to review, I step back in time to visit a Netflix rental. If you use Netflix rental or have a friend that uses Netflix rental, here is a movie that you will find totally different: Identity (2003), starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, and Amanda Peet.
On a torrential stormy night in the Nevada desert 10 strangers find themselves stranded in a run-down motel to get out of the elements. At first everything seems okay because now they can be inside and dry, but that comfort zone doesn’t last long. One by one the strangers are being killed. Which one of them is the killer and why? Another strange wrinkle is the fact that the strangers have the same birthday. We are also exposed to a completely different setting. A serial killer, awaiting execution for murder, is being evaluated by a psychiatrist for an eleventh-hour appeal. The settings are so completely unconnected that there is no way they could have anything to do with each other, which makes the reveal a major shocker. As the final credits begin to roll we can envision the director, producer, and cinematographer grinning from ear to ear as they shout “GOTCHA!” Rated R for violence and minor use of adult language. 
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