20041201 Baugher’s and Diabetes

Westminster Advocate

Baugher’s and Diabetes

Labels: Restaurants, Baugher’s

December 1st, 2004 by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff (528 words)

November was National Diabetes Month, and I recently had the honor of recognizing Baugher’s Restaurant and its Manager John Jordan for their work raising awareness and funds in the fight against diabetes.

I take diabetes seriously, for just like many folks in Carroll County, diabetes is a part of my family history of over six generations in Carroll County. In my family, it was known as having the “sugar” problem. I have a nephew who has Type I diabetes. (It used to be called juvenile diabetes.) Several adults in my family have Type 2 diabetes. I know we are not the only folks with a personal experience with this disease.

As I grow older, like many folks in Carroll County, I need to start learning more about “the problem with sugar.” Right now, what little I do know is from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), which says that 6.3% of Americans have diabetes, but nearly one third are unaware that they have the disease. This means that out of 160,000 Carroll Countians, as many as 10,080 could have this disease, but 3,360 may not know it. Some diabetes symptoms include: frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability, and blurry vision. If you have one or more of these diabetes symptoms, see your doctor right away.

John Jordan, Baugher’s Restaurant and its employees have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the dangers of diabetes and have raised money towards research for the prevention and cure of diabetes. It has been a privilege to watch Baugher’s Restaurant as they have organized walks, pie eating contests, and other fundraisers. Last March, patrons “voted” for their favorite Baugher’s employee by donating money to the ADA. The employee who collected the most money kissed the pig's snout while the loser kissed the other end. (Yes, you read that correctly, you get to kiss a pig whether you win or lose.)

The Baugher family has a 100-year history of leadership (and risk-taking) in our community, so such involvement is not a surprise. Baugher’s Restaurant is one Westminster landmark easily recognized by folks throughout the state.

Ed and Romaine Baugher were married in 1932. Their son, Allan was born in 1935, delivered at home by Dr. Bare for $12.50. In 1947, they built Baugher’s Restaurant for approximately $75,000. According to a family history, when the restaurant opened in January 1948, public opinion was that the restaurant would fail. Indeed, the restaurant did not make money until the 1960’s. In the late 1960’s, I would go to Baugher’s with Tom Senseney, Bobby Warner and Scott Bair, Jr. Then, Baugher’s for Breakfast was where community leaders would meet and discuss the pressing issues of the day. As a child, I would watch with rapt attention, consumed in observing the intense discussions. Particularly impressive to me was, no matter how much they disagreed, they were always friendly, respectful and courteous.

So if you are excessive thirsty and hungry, or irritable with blurry vision; don’t just assume that you are having a temporary reaction to holiday guests – see a doctor just to be sure, you’ll win and you won’t have to kiss a pig.