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Tony St. Onge: Swimming in the Deep End

Every human starts life as a swimmer; roughly nine months later that life emerges from a fluid filled cocoon of comfort into the stark realities and uncertainty of the outside world. From that point on, for however many years each are given, most lives will be back in contact with swimming whether by choice or through an unplanned chain of occurrences.

Let’s face it, whether you live in the central Sahara desert or a lake community like Moses, it is a globally accepted fact supported by space photos that over 70%percent of the earth’s surface is covered in water. This does not even take into account the artificially formed bodies of liquid; bathtubs, swimming pools, irrigation canals and fountains to name a few. It behooves us then as land based animals to have at least a rudimentary grasp of the dynamics of water, if not developing
an outright love for the life aquatic.

That is where one Anthony St. Onge jumps in… heart first. For Tony, swimming is his life’s passion, and not just as a coach that fosters winning teams, exceptional athletes, state champions or record holders. There has indeed been his share of each in the 30 plus years of coaching, but don’t ask him to quote ‘stats’ as he does not like to keep score. His deepest joy and fulfillment come from seeing any person, young or old, take on the challenge to learn and enjoy the ‘art’ of swimming.

Growing up in the Kelso/Longview vicinity of our fair state, as a teenager St. Onge played and excelled in most sports. At the same time, Tony always loved the water, and at one time dreamed of becoming the next Jacques Yves Cousteau. In his junior year St. Onge started to look at swimming as his main focus, which lead to his training and competing in Moses Lake in the mid 70’s. Back at that time Moses Lake had one of the best facilities around the state, and here he met and made friends that continued to have an impact on his life years later, and taught him the meaning of true friendship.

St. Onge went on to attend Central Washington University along with a number of his buddies, and there he met his wife of over 33 years, Jill, who continues to share his life and passions. After a ‘game changer’ in Alaska, it was his friends and contacts in Moses Lake that saw an opportunity to tap into St. Onge’s talent and in return help him out. Offering him a position in 1977 to coach the successful Manta Rays city swim team, which he did for 23 years, has led to a colorful history of his successes. Today he serves as coach of both the high school boys and girls swim teams, as well as fulfilling the added responsibilities of Pool Manager at Moses Lake High.

For almost a decade now St. Onge has championed a program that sees every 5th grade student in the MLSD attend a two week swimming class at the high school. For many children, especially those with a fear of water, this may be their first contact with any structured training. “At this age,” says St. Onge, “there is a positive peer pressure that works with these group dynamics as the youths begin to see the fun that is involved in swimming with their friends.”

Swimming can be and usually is a lifetime activity, and while it plays an important part in the MLSD athletic system and community sports, there should be a nobler goal to a student’s involvement in any sport other than to simply excel. To be a part of a team, to learn a discipline and challenge one’s own drive and abilities against themselves, is what St. Onge believes can foster a lifetime of positive results.

Tony gives great credit to current High School Athletic Director, Loren Sandhop, who agrees school sports activities should be more than just running, hitting, kicking, or throwing some variety of a ball.

With recent changes in scholastic rules and also feeling spread fairly thin, St. Onge has chosen to now serve on the board of directors for the Manta Rays and focus more on coaching the high school teams. It was a big decision and change for him, but a great new head coach was found and St. Onge feels his work has been accomplished. His main concern is what is in the best interests of the community and the students in his care.

St. Onge and his talented staff also keep a close, mutually beneficial relationship with the city’s Aquatic Center staff. Through the high schools lifeguard/water safety classes, dozens of students each year learn valuable life saving skills and then earn a paycheck by working summers at the highly successful aquatic center. In the opinion of St. Onge, swimming is a cure all; cures anything, especially drowning. In most water related fatalities, it is the fear and panic of not knowing how to deal with the situation that ultimately kills, not the fact that water is involved.

Learning the joys and benefits of swimming can be a positive ‘life changer’ for many, and is another reason why St. Onge is so passionate about the sport; and St. Onge knows a thing or two about life changes from back when he was only 22 years old. A brand new job, a new wife; his future spread open before him, a snowy night trip across an Alaskan pass with friends, black ice….falling, rolling … blackness …a life change in a blink of an eye.

St. Onge says he never felt like saying, “Oh poor me, oh my life is over, my future is bleak”. Instead he saw an opportunity to face a new set of challenges, and make the best of life as he still had it so much better than many others; quadriplegic, brain dead…or not living all together. “Life is what you make it!” And swimming for Tony St. Onge makes life complete; for him and for the thousands of students he has trained, encouraged, inspired, and challenged over the last 34 years.

Still challenging himself on a daily basis, St. Onge states that nothing has really been taken away from him that he has not found a way to achieve or work around through other methods. He regularly swims to physically work his mind and body to develop them to their fullest potential, relishing the freedom, relief, and deep connection that immersion into this watery realm continues to give him.

Tony hopes that he can continue to be a positive influence in all of his ‘students’ lives, and that they gain something valuable from his coaching and instruction. There are basic core principals he strives to instill in each student, but feels that more importantly all simply need to participate; participating is the journey. Having lived his entire life in the ‘swimming world’, St. Onge appreciates that it really all comes down to such a simple equation; the swimmer, the water, and sometimes the clock. St. Onge honestly feels that swimming is a way to engage and involve the mind, the body, the spirit; it develops an internal drive to push one’s self further, and to explore the true depth of one’s very existence.

Filed Under: Current Issue, People

Much to Taste at the “Water’s Edge”

Wines of Washington

Years ago American restaurants used to offer three wines – white, rosé, and red. We have now given names to these wines which we call Chardonnay, White Zinfandel, and Merlot. Many of us have discovered which of these wines is least likely to offend us on a regular basis and order accordingly. Yet with a small sense of adventure one can discover many wines with pleasing flavors. One way to do this is to ask at the restaurant or wine store for recommendations, explaining which of the above we usually like to drink. Unfortunately here in the Basin we are not doted with many restaurants that have the time to train their wait staff in the intricacies of the world of wine (there are of course some notable exceptions). When in the big or small city do not hesitate to ask advice – many restaurants train their servers to enhance the dining experience.

In the case of Merlot it is easy to expand one’s horizons with a little knowledge. Merlot is one of the international varieties. It comes from the southeast of France, from the region known as Bordeaux. Bordeaux can be translated as “water’s edge” and indeed the Bordeaux region is on both sides of the Gironde River as it nears the ocean. Traditionally there are five grape varieties grown in Bordeaux – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Primarily Bordeaux wines are Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon with the other varieties added in smaller amounts. The reasons for blending different grapes are simple – it increases the complexity of flavor.

Chateau Petrus, a very famous Bordeaux, is mostly Merlot. Chateau Lafitte Rothschild contains much more Cabernet Sauvignon. Here in the U.S. we were afraid of blending for many years. However in emulation of Bordeaux many wineries in Washington are now making blends of Bordeaux varietals. Several years ago in California a group of winemakers decided to come up with a name for blends of grape varieties from Bordeaux. They chose the name Meritage (meant to rhyme with heritage) and you can now see this category on many wine lists.

When I worked for Worden’s Winery in Spokane I had just returned from learning to make wine in Europe. Thus we made the 1983 Cabernet-Merlot, the first such blend in the state. Cabernet-Merlot is now a very popular category of wine. There are those of us who make blends with all five grapes and thus persevere in following a centuries old tradition. Here at White Heron we make a meritage that we call Mariposa Vineyard Red Wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot are all difficult to tell apart in the vineyard. And they can also be difficult to tell apart as wine. If the winemaker makes a lighter style of Cabernet Sauvignon it can be very similar to Merlot. Still, of the three, Merlot tends to be the lightest and smoothest with flavors reminiscent of ripe plums. Cabernet Franc tends to be a little drier with flavors leaning towards black cherries. And Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be the driest with definite black cherry flavors and perhaps a hint of black pepper.

I am frequently asked if we add something to make wine taste like black cherries or plums. These flavors actually come from the grapes themselves and evolve as the yeast ferment the grape juice into wine.

As more and more of us plant Malbec we are starting to see people bottle Malbec by itself. It makes a smooth dark red wine with lots of fruit flavors, somewhat similar to Syrah. There are also people bottling Petit Verdot. Thus just amongst these five Bordeaux varieties we can we can taste an infinite number of blends and individual varietal wines.

Filed Under: Current Issue

Drowsy Driving

November 6-12, 2011 is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®, a National Sleep Foundation public awareness campaign to educate drivers about sleep safety. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a new study showing that the tragedy of drowsy driving is more pervasive than shown in previous estimates. Their study shows that drowsy driving involves about one in six deadly crashes; one in eight crashes resulting in occupant hospitalization, and one in fourteen crashes in which a vehicle was towed. These percentages are substantially higher than most previous estimates, suggesting that the contribution of drowsy driving to motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths has not been fully appreciated.¹

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 accidents each year. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety analysis of the accidents resulting from drivers falling asleep behind the wheels is cause for alarm and concern. According to the study, younger drivers age 16-24 were nearly twice as likely to be involved in a drowsy driving crash as drivers age 40-59, and about 57 percent of drowsy driving crashes involved the driver drifting into other lanes or even off the road.¹

According to the Foundation’s 2009 Sleep in America poll, about one-third (28%) of Americans admitted that they have fallen asleep behind the wheel within the past year, and more than half (54%) said they have driven while drowsy.¹ The following warning signs indicate that it’s time to stop driving and find a safe place to pull over:

Trouble keeping your eyes open and focusing
Daydreaming or wandering, disconnected thoughts
Yawning frequently and rubbing your eyes repeatedly
Trouble keeping your head up
Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating and/or hitting rumble strips
Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven
Missing exits or traffic signs
Feeling restless, irritable, or aggressive.

Sleepiness can impact drivers by causing slower reaction times, decreased awareness, and impaired judgment, just like being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In fact, studies show that being awake for more than 20 hours results in an impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%.¹ The AAA Foundation surveyed police officers and found nearly nine out of every ten officers reported they had stopped a driver who they believed was drunk, but turned out to be drowsy.² It is also possible to fall into a 3-4 second micro-sleep without realizing it.

Are you in (sleep) debt?

Millions of people have a serious sleep debt which leads to drowsy driving. They can get this debt in many ways – they work the night shift, hold two jobs, stay up late, work full-time while going to school, or have other scheduling problems. When your sleep debt gets big enough, there is nothing you can do to stay awake. You might be able to remain alert when you are busy or excited, but as soon as it gets quiet your sleep debt takes over and you go to sleep.

What are the best ways to avoid drowsy driving?

Get a good night’s sleep (seven to nine hours) before you hit the road.

Take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours. Do something to refresh yourself like getting a snack, switching drivers, or going for a run.
It’s better to allow the time to drive alert and arrive alive.
Use the buddy system. Just as you should not swim alone, avoid driving alone for long distances. A buddy who remains awake for the journey can take a turn behind the wheel and help identify the warning signs of fatigue.
Take a power nap—find a safe place to take a 15 to 20-minute nap, if you think you might fall asleep. Be cautious about excessive drowsiness after waking up.
Avoid alcohol and medications that cause drowsiness as a side-effect.
Avoid driving at times when you would normally be asleep.
Consume caffeine. The equivalent of two cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours.

If you’re tired all the time, you may have a problem. A surprising number of people are tired because they have a sleep disorder that has not been diagnosed or treated. Sleep apnea, a common breathing disorder, causes the sleeper’s throat to relax so deeply that breathing stops. The sleeper gasps, wakes up briefly, and then goes back to sleep. This process repeats itself, sometimes as many as 20-100 times an hour.¹ The result is someone who has been in bed all night but still has not had enough sleep. Recognizing and treating sleep apnea is important, as it may be associated with an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Check your symptoms:

*Do you snore loudly?

*Have you been told that you gasp or choke in your sleep?

*Do you spend eight hours sleeping but still don’t feel rested?

*Do you experience early morning headaches?

*Are you sleepy during the day, or do you take naps a lot?

*Do you fall asleep at unusual times, such as at dinner or in the movies?

*Do you have trouble going to sleep, or wake up in the middle of the night?

These are all symptoms of a sleep disorder and can greatly affect your level of alertness while driving. If you have any of the above symptoms, see your physician or a sleep specialist right away.

1. “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week 2011. “Drowsy Driving – Stay Alert, Arrive Alive. National Sleep Foundation, Nov. 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. <http://drowsydriving.org/2010/11>
2. “How To Avoid Drowsy Driving.” How To Avoid Drowsy Driving. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. <http://www.aaafoundation.org>.

Filed Under: Current Issue, Health & Fitness

Designing Your Life for the Holidays

I don’t know what’s on your wish list this time of year, but I sincerely hope that like me you already have everything in life that you already need, a warm home, a joyful life and most of all, family to surround you. This is what makes the holidays meaningful. Like you, this time of year is usually the busiest time for me with home design, gift giving and just life. Something creeps up on me, a creative rush and a list of must do’s. I have never been defined by the word simple, probably the opposite. There are just too many beautiful things and ideas that I have floating thru my head. I am promising myself this year to prepare a little ahead and savor all that this season is truly about. Make it meaningful.

Designing a meaningful table is so satisfying this time of year. Always set it with at least one piece of decoration that honors your families past. Shop your mothers, or grandmothers attic for vases, pitchers, platters and tablecloths. Vintage pieces add so much beauty and soul to your table and give depth to your regular china or everyday dishes. Think of creative ways to use grandmas silver tea service. Fill the tea pot with seasonal greens and branches mixed with berries and flowers. Tuck in a feather or two for a little bit of whimsy. (We love pheasant and peacock feathers this time of year)Setting a table is a lot like pulling together an outfit. Start with one piece at a time and then add and layer. Don’t let it intimidate you that everything has to be perfect and that all you plates and glasses have to match. Blending styles can character, just try to stay in the same color palate. Just have fun and try to remember to enjoy your own dinner party.

When it comes to home decorating this time of year go big or go simple but just be true to you. I think that many times people let the pressure get to them and make it much more stressful than it has to be. If you really enjoy sprucing up your home, and you don’t mind all the work, go for it. Light a candle and put on some music and get in the zone. But for those of you who find yourself with anxiety, keep it simple with a beautiful wreath, fill bowls full of ornaments, light some candles and call it good. I light candles as soon as I walk in the door. It instantly puts me in a festive mood.

Take your blinders off and don’t be stuck by “this is what we do every year.” Try something new like placing the tree in a different place or trying just lights and pinecones instead of ornaments. Or try incorporating a new color into your existing color scheme. Each year is a chance to experiment with something new.

Its written that all roads lead home for the holidays. My holiday wish to you is to take time to linger, remember Thanksgiving and Christmas’s past, savoring the present and wishing you a joyous and peaceful Christmas future!

Check out our Facebook page for decorating ideas to carry you thru till New Years. Let us help you make your home extra special this season with decorations and gifts from the heart.

Filed Under: Current Issue

Cancer? There isn’t an app for that

But there is a cancer care team in Moses Lake to help you fight back

Today, people cling to cell phones and iPods like miniature life-support systems. Online social networking provides the illusion of personal connections and the sense that someone cares, while at the same time eroding fundamental communication and value of true face to face interaction.

Then, something happens. Something terrible. You have just been told you have cancer. And seriously, you find the 492 friends on your face book page are not who you want to talk to at this moment in time. You want to talk with the people who know what is going to happen to you. You a flooded with gnawing questions in your mind and piercing fears never felt before. And worry. Everything changes. For you, as well as for your spouse, your children, and your parents, life is now different than it was yesterday. From this moment on, access to the latest treatment options is very important and a team of professional, caring people who will do everything possible to help you fight back is paramount.

You don’t have to live in a big city or even travel to one to get expert cancer care. A compassionate, caring team of cancer care professionals are right here at home. The Wenatchee Valley Medical Center has regional offices in Moses Lake (and Omak.)

So, if you reside in Moses Lake (or close by), you have this powerful team on your side. The Moses Lake Clinic’s team of specialists will work together – and with you – right beside you, all the way, providing access to the most novel and scientifically promising treatments being developed against cancer.

In your fight against cancer, not only do you have the skill of these dedicated doctors and medical professionals, but also Moses Lake Clinic is joined with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, with in-depth experience in treating all forms of the disease, including the rarest types, in adults, teens and children and brings together specialists from three internationally renowned institutions: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine, and Seattle Children’s.

What the network means to you:

The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Network gives doctors at Wenatchee Valley Medical Center (Moses Lake Clinic and Omak Clinic) access to the latest information about diagnosing and treating cancer. You can have confidence knowing your local cancer care professionals are advancing specialized care and treatment options and providing access to clinical studies for targeted cancer therapies, even before they may become widely available. Together, the latest treatments, pioneering studies, tailored prevention programs, and the best hope for a cure…is collaborated.

Face to face communication with people you trust

Your cancer care team understands the emotional toll the disease takes on patients and their families. They care. They listen. They ask about your heart (and have it mean the place you keep your feelings.) Nothing is left unanswered and you are encouraged to feel completely comfortable in expressing any fear or wonder you may have. They learn you. They respect you. They love you. And with real communication face to face…these are the people you trust your life to.

Meet your local cancer care team

Q & A with the cancer care team professionals at Moses Lake Clinic

1) What drew you to specialize in cancer care?
2) During your day at the Clinic, what inspires you the most?
3) How do you describe you? When off the clock, what do you like doing?
4) Where do you get your support, energy and stamina from to be a part of such a strong medical team?

Thomas B. Tucker, M.D.

During medical training, I found myself drawn to cancer care because I enjoyed taking care of cancer patients the most. It was always great to cure patients with cancer when that is possible, but it was satisfying to help patients live longer when that was our goal, and even to help them be comfortable and pain-free in their final days when that was the best thing we could do.
What inspires me the most is the patients themselves and their families, and the grace and strength that they demonstrate in dealing with illness.
Off the clock, I play with my five kids- they are an active bunch and love to come and go and do fun things. They range in age from 2 to 10. I also am busy now being involved with my kids’ School Advisory Committee, and the Central Washington Hospice Foundation Board.
I get my support and energy from God, my family, and my partners and fellow workers in the Clinic.

Thomas B. Tucker, M.D.

Katie Kemble, DNP

Initially my mother, she profounded impacted my life and creativity. Working with this special population has been very rewarding.
My relationships with my patients.
I enjoy creating community-based cancer survivorship programs with the EASE Cancer Foundation (Exercise and Survivorship Education). I enjoy traveling and immersing myself in other cultures. I also enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing with friends and family.
My husband is very supportive and we work together, with like-minded friends, creating sustainable community-based programs for cancer survivors. We also enjoy doing research and designing interventional studies for cancer survivors.

Katie Kemble, DNP

Julie Smith, M.D., Department Chairman for Medical Oncology

I initially became interested in cancer and blood disorders in Junior High School, and did multiple science fair projects having to do with blood cells. I graduated from college with a degree in Medical Technology, specifically with a focus in Hematology. After college I worked at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah in their Hematology lab. It was my responsibility to look at all of the blood smears and bone marrow samples under the microscope of children with cancer. I realized then that I needed to be more involved in the lives of patients and families with cancer–I was “hooked”. I went to Medical School specifically with the goal of becoming a blood and cancer doctor. I have never looked back. Taking care of cancer patients “feels like home to me”. I cannot imagine doing anything different with my life.
It never ceases to amaze me how amazing my patients are. I am continually in awe of patients and families. My patients are my heroes.
I am married to a wonderful husband and father who has supported me for decades with my decision to be a physician. I am a mother to a 13 year old daughter and 9 year old son. My family is my reason for being. I enjoy playing the piano, gardening, and spending time with my loved ones.
I have the honor of working with an amazing group of physicians, nurses, medical assistants and others who would give anything and everything to help each other and our patients. I would trust my life with these people. We laugh together, we cry together, we hold each other up when down. These people are my family. Families hold together through good, through bad, thick and thin. There are some days that we have good, bad, thick and thin all in the same day!

Julie Smith, M.D.

Annie Andersen, ARNP

I was personally draw to Cancer Cancer because of the relationship I developed with each and every patient I took care of. I began my career as an in-patient oncology nurse. I would sit for long periods of time, during the middle of the night, getting to know these people. They all taught me something valuable and important about life. After attending graduate school and obtaining my Nurse Practitioner degree, I went back into Oncology for this reason.
Many things inspire me on a daily basis. Whether it is “figuring out” the complicated case or seeing a long term patient who is just coming in for a yearly exam. There are so many aspects of Oncology that are inspiring. When a patient smiles, that makes me smile.
I describe myself has someone with passion, whether that is in the office or at home. When I am “off the clock” I am usually home. I love gardening, landscaping, and Montana. I love long walks and runs with my husband and my neighbor’s dog. Yes, our neighbor’s dog Buddy almost always goes walking and jogging with us. Buddy believes he has two homes, His and ours. I laugh every day as he makes his way to my door, ready for another round of outdoor activities. Thank goodness our neighbors don’t mind.
I believe strength comes in numbers, and we all draw from each other. Each member of this team is dedicated, experienced, genuine, and intelligent. I find these things makes us strong. I personally know that each one of us, including myself, draw our support/stamina, as a group and as individuals, from our families, our spouses, and our faiths. This provides a fantastic support network for our patients and for each other.

Annie Andersen, ARNP

Mandy Robertson, M.D.

1) Cancer. I refuse to let it rule my life or others. The relationships I have with patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and colleagues who have cared for those with cancer are different than any other specialty.
The people and families I care for.
First, I am never ‘off the clock’. Medicine is part of my life all the time. I love what I do and am privileged to get to be a doctor. I can’t imagine doing anything else for a career. I treasure the relationships, which are more like friendships, with all the people I care for and the people I work with. I read on average 12-15 medical journals a week, attend numerous medical conferences in ‘off’ hours, spend vacation time attending out of town medical conferences, and sometimes make house calls after hours. Being a doctor is a huge part of who I am.What I do besides being a doctor is spend as much time that I can with my 3 beautiful daughters and husband, running, skiing, biking, hiking and traveling. I rarely sit idle. Wenatchee Valley and the surrounding areas offer too much to pass up.
My family, regular exercise, good nutrition.