An exciting adventure into St. Luke’s Hospital

I recently had an unexpected and unplanned ten day stay in St. Luke’s Hospital in the City of Newburgh. It had been many years since my last hospital stay. Even though my adventure there was a necessity and I had the best medical care I’d still prefer to be somewhere in a wilderness area -- under the worst environmental conditions -- fishing, hunting and surviving.

I'm especially grateful to the many nurses, doctors, aides, and myriad other professionals who touched me in one way or another. The Staff of 4th Floor North was especially good to me and made my stay very comfortable, peaceful and without pain -- I was in good hands.

I didn’t realize, until my hospital stay, that my own Family Doctor (Dr. Rohan) was also a fellow outdoorsman/hunter. He happened to notice that I had a Cabela’s Master Catalog sitting on the window sill and commented that he is also a customer of Cabela‘s. Little things sometime mean a lot when you‘re not sure of things to come.

Dr. Levin who did a fine job of explaining, reassuring me and asking all of the questions that would determine what my problem might be. He asked all of the important questions like an interviewer, methodically and completely much like Lt. Columbo but completely different in his attire. Dr. Levin dresses very sharp, neat and bright. Thank you for the endoscopy and the great explanations.

And Thanks to Dr. Horn who removed my Gall Bladder (laparoscopic). He had to work a little longer and harder than normal to get the job well done. Thank you Dr. Horn for your dexterity and expertise in the field of Laparoscopic Surgery.

I found that the St. Luke’s Hospital Staff who touched me, in different ways, to be professional and caring -- this always puts the patient at ease -- it did for me. From the moment that my Cousin Mike dropped me off at the front door and into the Admitting Office, to the time that I was discharged and picked-up at the front door by buddy Nick -- I felt that I was in good hands. The rooms and halls are very clean and well maintained with a pleasant atmosphere throughout. The outdoor sights from many of the patients rooms offer magnificent views of the Hudson River, Mt. Beacon and the Storm King Mountains. From the window of my room on the 4th Floor North, the view of the City of Newburgh looked very green with all of the tree tops covering the many homes and streets below.

I'm also appreciative and grateful to all who called, sent cards, flowers, emails and visited me in the hospital -- Aunties, Uncles, family and friends -- thank you all.

Thanks to Nick, Tony and Cousin Mike for taking care of my house, pets, all of the birds, Sootie the cat and Fuzzie the duck.

I’ve got a feeling, that this year for the first time in many years, I won’t be making that natural “grunt call“ that I‘ve been used to during past deer seasons. For some readers who may not know what a “grunt call” means. It is a call that is used by some hunters to attract a White-tailed buck into shooting range. The White-tailed buck generally makes this sound when chasing a doe (female White-tailed deer) in estrus. Some say that it is similar to the sound of a human burp.

So take care of yourselves and just say a prayer of gratitude that you are in good health, feeling good and don't be so afraid of that Colonoscopy -- I had one while in the hospital and the procedure went very well. God Bless and hope to see and communicate with you somewhere down the trail. Perhaps we’ll meet this Fall in the woods, fields and waters of New York State.

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SPARC announces a special NYSDEC guest speaker for their next meeting on Thursday, September 12, 2002 at 7:30 PM.

The Stewart Park and Reserve Coalition will be holding a meeting on Thursday, September 12, 2002. NYS DEC Senior Forester Bob Herberger will be discussing the Stewart Buffer Lands. The meeting will start at 7:30 PM and will be held at the Little Britain Grange on Route #207 in New Windsor, NY. The public is invited to attend.

The grange is located 1.7 miles West of the main Stewart Airport entrance on Route #207. Attendees coming from the West or North should know that it is approximately 200 yards East of the intersection of Drury lane and Route #207.

Mr. Herberger has been managing the Buffer Lands aka the Stewart State Forest for several years. The lands support a multitude of recreational uses that currently take place on the Buffer Lands. Mr. Herberger formerly managed the NYSDEC's Stony Kill Farm in Dutchess County, NY. He has taken a deep interest in the Stewart Buffer lands and has worked very hard to accommodate all of the user groups. He is currently reviewing the unit management plan for the Buffer Lands and will be happy to answer all questions following his presentation.

There will also be an update on the fight to save the Buffer Lands

SPARC has been working for 15 years to save the 7,000 acre Stewart Buffer Lands West of Drury Lane as open space and as a multiple use outdoor recreation area, wildlife habitat and as a Noise and Safety Buffer Zone for the Airport. These public lands are used for hunting, fishing, trapping, birding, biking, hiking, farming, dog trials, bike and foot races.

I hope to see you all at the meeting.

For more information call Sandra Kissam at 845-564-3018 or email sparc@frontiernet.net. Trail maps of the Buffer and refreshments will be available at the meeting.

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Black Rock Fish and Game Club of Cornwall will be conducting Hunter Safety Courses in September, October and November.

Class #1 will be held September 30, October 2 and 3 -- all 3 days -- 6 PM to 10 PM.

Class #2 will be held October 14 -- 8 AM to 5 PM and October 15 -- 6 PM to 10 PM.

Class #3 will be held on November 11 -- 8 AM to 5 PM and November 12 -- 6 PM to 10 PM.

For more information and to register for a class call Black Rock Member Owen Purcell at 914-769-7741. All classes will be held in the Black Rock Club House on Route 32 in the Town of Cornwall. The classes are free of charge but pre-registration is a must.

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Have a safe and productive Fall hunting and fishing season. Remember to wear fluorescent orange and be sure of your target and beyond. If your hunting and fishing pursuits require you to use a boat be sure to wear proper flotation devices.

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Outdoor Liaisons appears every other week in the Times - Frank can be reached at the Times or email forthebirds39@earthlink.net or 845-562-0941. Please visit my website at www.outdoorliaisons.com

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