Area Dentists Aim to Clean Up Your Mouth; 3rd Graders Recognized at Kiwanis
Doctors’ Janos Fullop and David Wells took very different paths to their profession. Dr. Janos T Fullop, a brother of the Wabash General Hospital Orthopedic Surgeon, hails from Mt. Carmel and says he always knew he wanted to work in the medical field. Not surprisingly, Fullop played college football and eventually went to SIU-Edwardsville. It was there he was able to prioritize his career goals, pointing out that he knew he wanted to be his own boss and work with his hands. He settled into Dentistry and became an associate of Dr. Uebelhack in 2012. Dr. Wells was phased in as Dr. Uebelhack transitioned into retirement by 2014.
Wells grew up in Grayville and originally graduated from SIU-Carbondale in 1998 with a degree in Agriculture. He worked at Midland Ag (now Nutrien Ag Solutions) in Carmi and later for Pioneer where he admits he was getting bored being a “bean counter” essentially. Following the events of 9/11, Wells signed up for the military joining the Navy as an intelligence officer serving until 2009. At age 32, Wells says he made the difficult decision to go back to school, a feat he says was difficult after being out of “that school schedule headspace” for so long, but he “got through it”. Wells says he always knew he wanted to come back home to work and the relationship with Fullop came naturally.
The two doctors run operations in Mt. Vernon, Indiana with locations at 803 East 4th Street (Fullop handles operations there) and 1900 West 4th Street (Wells takes the lead at this location) known as Southwind Dental Center. Wells also runs what’s affectionately known as Northwind Dental out of Grayville at 610 North Court and says he holds hours on Friday only at that location.
The pair finished up their presentation with more than two dozen “Fun” Facts about dentistry and oral hygiene. Among them: Tooth Decay is the 2nd most common disease in the U.S. after the common cold, 33% of Americans have untreated tooth decay, the plaque on your teeth contain more than 300 different species of bacteria, and Coconuts are a natural anti-bacterial food and can help reduce the risk of developing gum disease and cavities.
In other club business, five 3rd graders were recognized as “Most Valuable Bulldogs” for showing exemplary behavior, attitudes and grades during the 3rd Quarter and were rewarded with being a guest at the weekly luncheon. Included are Noah Collard, Quincy Acord, Markley Knight, Dixie Niehaus, and Cordell Lucas.
The civic club is currently raising Good News dollars for next year’s Cheer for a Cure event. Club members are encouraged to donate a dollar at the beginning of each meeting and in return get the floor to relay good news in their personal or work lives. The new Progressive 50/50 raffle reached it’s new high point and produced the first winner of the new means of giveaway. Rod Matsel’s ticket was drawn and he plucked the winning (Orange) ball from among the bucket of golf balls. He won $38 for his combined luck and skill. Toby Brown was also a winner Thursday, taking home a $10 Huck’s gift card.
Finally, the public is reminded the Carmi Kiwanis Club Peanut Day is coming up this Saturday from 8am to noon at a new location. To coincide with this year’s CRSL
Opening Day Ceremonies, Kiwanis has moved it’s fundraiser to the intersection of Stewart and Hillsdale/Beck. This route will provide the club with high traffic of hundreds, if not thousands of White Countians headed to Bradshaw Park for festivities there.
Next Thursday, Kiwanis welcomes Ferrell Hospital Surgeon, Dr. Pathi as a guest speaker. You’re welcome to attend a Carmi Kiwanis meeting as a guest by contacting one of the club’s nearly 80 members and the club is always entertaining new members. For additional information, contact current Kiwanis President, Katelyne Wolff at First Bank’s main branch in downtown Carmi.
