WIC clinic offers services in Douglas County

Women, Infants, and Children have a new location inside the Douglas County Community and Senior Center, 1329 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville.

WIC is a federally-funded program offering nutrition assistance and support to women and children up to age five who meet certain requirements. Services include nutrition and breastfeeding education, supplemental benefits, healthcare referrals, and more.

To qualify for WIC assistance, applicants must reside in Nevada; be a pregnant, recently pregnant, or breastfeeding woman; and meet specific income guidelines. Other caregivers and/or legal guardians providing for a child under five years of age who meet the income criteria and need support with health or nutrition can also apply for WIC on behalf of the child. An income guideline table is available online at nevadawic.org/eligibility/income-guidelines-for-eligibility/.

To schedule an appointment at the Douglas County WIC clinic, call 775-782-9038. The local office is open two days per week on Mondays and Thursdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and closed from Noon-1 p.m. for lunch. Learn more about the WIC program at gethealthycarsoncity.org/.

A new year poem

Opening the calendar on Jan. 1 always feels like both a literal and metaphorical start to something fresh and new. This shift can serve as an invitation to reflect on all that has transpired and anticipate what is to come in the weeks and months ahead.

To honor of this passage of time last year, I shared a poem titled, “New Year,” by poet and journalist Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919). Wilcox’s body of work includes two autobiographies, various books of fiction, essays, and multiple collections of poetry. It turns out that Jan. 1 also provided ample inspiration to Wilcox, as I’ve since discovered that she penned several poems with “New Year” as their title over the course of her career.

This year’s poem evokes a theme of personal resilience and strength. Though the seas may not always be smooth, Wilcox’s words are a reminder to remain hopeful in spite of uncertainty, to learn from challenges and trials before bidding them farewell, and to look toward the future with a positive outlook and expectations.

New Year

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The year like a ship in the distance

 Comes over life’s mystical sea.

We know not what change of existence

 ‘Tis bringing to you or to me.

But we wave out the ship that is leaving

   And we welcome the ship coming in,

Although it be loaded with grieving,

 With trouble, or losses, or sin.

Old year passing over the border, -

 And fading away from our view;

All idleness, sloth, and disorder,

 All hatred and spite go with you.

All bitterness, gloom, and repining

 Down into your stronghold are cast.

Sail out where the sunsets are shining,

 Sail out with them into the past.

Good reigns over all; and above us,

 As sure as the sun gives us light,

Great forces watch over and love us,

 And lead us along through the night.

Look up, and reach out, and believe them -

 Believe in your infinite worth.

Do nothing to wound or to grieve them,

 And you shall find heaven on earth.

The body needs conflict and tussle,

 To render it forceful and grand;

The soul, too, has sinew and muscle,

 Which sorrow alone can expand.

Though troubles come faster and faster,

 Rise up, brace yourself for each blow;

It is only Fate’s great fencing Master

 Instructing your spirit to grow.

The new ship comes nearer and nearer,

 We know not what freight she may hold;

Hope stands at the helm there to steer her,

 Our hearts are courageous and bold.

Sail in with new joys and new sorrows,

 Sail in with new banners unfurled,

Sail in with unwritten to-morrows,

 Sail in with new tasks for the world.

This poem is in the public domain.