During the month of February Teresa Goley will be conducting classes at Moog Components during both employee lunches. The focus of the presentation is 15 minute recipes. Participants are given a folder with the recipes that will be featured in the February classes. The Cooperative Extension Lunch programs are part of the Moog wellness plan and are available to all Moog employees.
Every year since 1963, May has been the month to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their contributions and achievements. It is a proud tradition that shows our nation’s commitment to honor the value that elders continue to contribute to our communities. This year’s Older Americans Month theme—“Unleash the Power of Age!”—emphasizes the important role of older adults. This May, communities across the nation will recognize older Americans as productive, active, and influential members of society. Older Americans Month celebrations will acknowledge the value that older adults continue to bring to our communities by making an effort to applaud recent achievements of local elders and inviting them to share the activities they do to unleash the power of age. Cherokee County Cooperative Extension encourages you to take part in the celebrations by sharing your Older Americans Month resolutions with the U.S. Administration on Aging. Post what you will do this May to unleash the power of age on the AoA Facebook page, and follow up by sharing a picture or story about the experience later in the year. While Cooperative Extension provides services, support, and resources to older adults year-round, Older Americans Month is a great opportunity to show special appreciation! We will continue to provide opportunities for elders to come together and share their experiences with one another, as well as with individuals of other generations. To learn more about activities and events planned for Older Americans Month, or to find ideas about what you can do to unleash the power of age, contact Cherokee County Cooperative Extension at 864-837-2210. The three local Senior Centers, Penland, Andrews, and Hiwassee Dam, also have ongoing programs for the older residents of Cherokee County. You might also contact your local Area Agency on Aging office by visiting www.eldercare.gov or calling 1 (800) 677-1116 to find ongoing opportunities to celebrate and support older Americans.
The Cherokee County Extension and Community Association was host to the West District Spring Activity Day on May 10th at the First Baptist Church in Murphy. Sue Rhodes, the West District ECA president presided over the meeting that focused on the theme “Make New Friends, Cherish the Old.” Mayor Bill Hughes welcomed the group as well as Dan Smith, the West District Cooperative Extension Director. Teresa Goley, Cherokee County Family and Consumer Sciences agent, provided a brief discussion of the health benefits from eating a rainbow of colors. There was also a silent auction and door prizes during the meeting. West District ECA members also submitted a multitude of beautiful items for the Cultural Arts contest. Cherokee County won a total of eight ribbons! Congratulations to the ECA members of Cherokee County!
Barbara Lovingood won Best of Show.
Carolyn Willer created this beautiful basket.
Ethel Fisher made these beautiful Christmas ornaments.
A bouquet of flowers was placed in memory of deceased ECA members.
A table of fresh fruits and vegetables carried the theme of eating a rainbow of foods.
Helen Dockery made these beautiful pillowcases.
Madelyn Rose won a blue ribbon for this beautiful quilt.
Ann Mingus won a red ribbon for her quilt.
Robin Johnson created this cute and colorful bear.
Every table was decorated with beautiful spring flowers.
Glenda Sneed won with her beautiful oil painting and painted gourd.
Looking back over Cherokee County’s recent experience with a category 2 tornado, it seems that many people may think that they are safe from similar storms for a while. We have all heard the old saying, “lightening never strikes the same spot twice.” What about feeling that we are safe since the last significant tornado was in 1974? Keep in mind that many residents in the Chattanooga area were just finishing up with their rebuilding efforts from storms that ravaged the area in 2011 when they were struck again with severe weather last week. In short, it could happen again and it is in everyone’s best interest to take precautions now, even if your property was spared damage from last Friday’s tornado.
According to Extension.org, a compilation of sound advice from many experts across the country, there are many things that we can do to protect ourselves in the event of future storms. Extension.org has an extensive assortment of helpful websites. A few selected articles that seem particularly relevant to our area are highlighted below. EDEN, extension disaster education network is one such resource. “EDEN works through extension educators, specialists to assist citizens throughout U.S. Whether it’s the devastation of deadly tornadoes, the toll taken by flooding, or the wrath of wildfires, disasters take a huge economic and personal toll every year. A network of educators throughout the United States is working to help citizens better prepare for, and recover from disasters.”
EDEN is a partner with the United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters.
More information about EDEN is available on the website http://eden.lsu.edu or by contacting Morgan at 334-844-5699 or morgamv@auburn.edu or Steve Cain at 765-494-8410 or cain@purdue.edu.
Considering Cherokee County’s recent tornado now is the time to make a plan-just in case.
First and probably the easiest precaution would be to make your own “Grab and Go” box.
“Use a durable, sealed waterproof box or backpack. Put in copies of everything that is in your emergency file, and add other important papers:
• Medical prescriptions, including eyeglasses
• Copies of children’s immunization records
• Copies of all insurance cards and policies
• Copies of the back and front of your credit cards
• Cash or traveler’s checks for several days of living expenses (credit cards may not work)
• Rolls of quarters (banks might not be open for several days)
• List of bills and when they are due
• Copies of the tax form 1040 for the last three tax years
• Copies of your home inventory list, which should include everything you own with serial numbers and purchase prices as well as photographs and/or video of these items
• Copies of any wills, durable powers of attorney, deeds, marriage certificates, military discharge papers, divorce papers and birth certificates”
If your home was built before building codes were initiated in the county, a closer inspection might be advisable. Most existing structures can be reinforced to protect against structure shift or to keep the roof intact in the event of damaging winds. Apparently gable walls are a particularly weak point in most buildings. “Gable walls must be able to withstand considerable pressure in high-wind storms. They are weak points in many homes. Reinforce gable end walls by bracing the gable wall to the attic floor.” Extension.org gives the reader excellent information on these two topics as related to reinforcing your home. Check the local building codes for area requirements at this time if you have questions about reinforcements.
Teresa Goley and Grady Norton preparing Caribbean Casserole at the Meal Planning Class held each Thursday at the Hiwassee Valley Pool and Wellness Center.
Each week a dish is featured demonstrating a healthier food preparation technique. This week's lesson focused on using beans as an economical meat substitute.
