Radon - A Silent Killer

Radon – A Silent Killer

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas. Radon is released harmlessly from the ground into outdoor air, but it can accumulate and reach harmful levels when trapped in homes and buildings.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Since radon does not have an odor and is invisible, people tend to downplay the health effects and ignore the possibility that there might be a silent killer within the walls of their home.

Cherokee County has been designated as a Zone 1 County by the US Environmental Protection Agency, which means the average home will test over 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), the level at which it is recommended that you fix your home. Houses in the same neighborhood can have very different levels, so every home should be tested. Testing homes for radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon test kits can be purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores, directly from radon testing companies, or are available for free during January from the NC Radon Program. A limited number of radon kits will be available in the Cherokee County Cooperative Extension office in January. They will be available on a first come basis. The Cooperative Extension Office is located in downtown Murphy at 39 Peachtree Street, suite 103. Should your home be found to have elevated levels of radon, the problem can be fixed by qualified contractors for a cost similar to that of many other home repairs. In our area, the cost can be from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the home.

The NC Radon Program urges residents to take action during this year’s National Radon Action Month by testing their homes for radon. Radon poses a serious threat to our community’s health, but there is a straightforward solution. For more information on radon and to receive your free radon test kit, please contact your Cooperative Extension office at 837-2210 or visit the NC Radon Program’s website at www.ncradon.org.

A New You for 2012

A new you is within reach. With New Year’s resolutions we see the age-old commitment to lose weight and improve eating habits. Just as other habits that we try to change sometimes need help, this challenge is no different. There are many resources available to help but there is one in Cherokee County that may be your best option. Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less is a national and state supported initiative sponsored by Cooperative Extension.
This program features weekly strategies, group support, and educational materials to help you with your weight management goal. While there is a weekly weigh in, pounds lost are not the only benchmark of success. Many people realize inches lost before actual pound reduction. Call the Cherokee County Cooperative Extension Office today and sign up for the Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less program. There are two different opportunities that you can take advantage of:
Session 1 Hiwassee Valley Pool and Wellness Center, Murphy
Each Thursday starting January 19th 9-10 am

Session 2 Agriculture Learning Center, Ranger
Each Tuesday and Thursday starting January 19th 4-5 pm

Session 2 is different in that a workout is included with the program. You only need to bring an exercise matt and a set of light dumbbells for each class.

The cost for session 1 is $10.00.
The cost for session 2 is $20.00.

Both programs will run for approximately 15 weeks.
Contact Teresa Goley at 837-2210 to register and obtain more information.

Local Ladies are Enjoying Sewing

Vickie Dumford, Cathy Bevin and Vicki Watson proudly displaying their totes made in the Cherokee County Sewing and So-On Class!

Grape Creek Extension and Community Association Sew Up Some Love

Who doesn’t love a Teddy Bear? The members of the Grape Creek Extension and Community Association demonstrated this in a big way with their Victory Junction Bears. The Victory Junction Gang Camp is a camp for terminally ill, and chronically ill children located in Randleman, NC. The camp was created in the memory of Adam Petty, teenage son of Kyle Petty. Adam was killed in a racing practice accident in 2000. The Victory Junction Gang Camp is open year –round for campers. When the campers arrive at VJGC, they receive a hand made Teddy Bear. The bears must be made using black and white checkered fabric. Cherokee County Victory Junction Bears are certainly well represented since the Grape Creek members assembled over eighty bears for the campers.
The teddy bear committee worked tirelessly cutting, sewing, and stuffing the Victory Junction Teddy Bears. The rest of the club was very supportive and assisted in the efforts to complete the bears and deliver them to the camp located in Randleman, NC. Since part of the Grape Creek ECA mission is volunteer work, what better way to show the great spirit of Grape Creek volunteerism than the labor of love involved with the Victory Junction teddy bear project.

Photo 1 – Teddy Bear Committee
Left to right:
Robin Johnson, Ann Mingus, Sue Rhodes, Jan Rose, Madelyn Rose, Joyce Pastore, Carolyn Willer

Photo 2 – Grape Creek Members
Left to right:
Front row: Glenda Sneed, Neva Jean Whitener, Madelyn Rose, Francis Fisher, Glenda Sanders, Vera Bond, Clydie Rogers
Back row: Ethel Fisher, Joyce Pastore, Jan Rose, Carolyn Willer, Jane Kidd, Della Johnson, Jenny Keith, Ann Mingus, Helen Dockery, Shirley Whitener, Sue Rhodes, Robin Johnson.

Photo 3 – Sue Rhodes
Photo 4 – Robin Johnson

Preparing for 4-H District Activity Day

There’s nothing that quite compares to a project completed. At the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year two students met with me each day after school to learn basic sewing skills. Leah Wood, fifteen and Alyssa Marescalco, thirteen consequently applied these skills to a presentation to be used at the North Carolina 4-H District Activity Day that was held on June 23rd in Cullowhee. Leah decided to focus her presentation on “The Shock Factor of Fashion.” Alyssa took a different approach by researching the history of brocade and damask fabrics both woven on the Jacquard loom. Leah and Alyssa both learned many sewing techniques including how to operate a different type of sewing machine, the serger. Leah fashioned her dress of emerald green satin after one that was worn in the movie musical “Burlesque.” Alyssa decided to construct a garment that would have been typically made from brocade. Her Shakespearean period costume featured a soft white under dress layered with a brocade over dress. The dark teal over dress was trimmed with silver. The bodice and the sleeves of Alyssa’s dress both featured silver lace ups. The girls have been working on their presentations since they completed the actual costumes that will be worn to illustrate their individual topics. Hopefully the girls will take the skills that they learned this year and apply them to a project for the 2012 District Activity Day.

Pictured: Alyssa Marescalco

Teresa's Purple Peppers

Purple. Purple, and more Purple! My purple plot has started producing. I have harvested purple eggplant, purple peppers, purple Brussel sprouts, and even purple green beans! The purple green beans are so tender and without any strings. It is so fascinating to watch them cook-they go from deep purple to green! The best part is that you know that you are getting antioxidants from the purple phytochemicals. Keep watching the blog as more purple is harvested!

Vickie Dumford and Her Sewing Skills

Vickie Dumford is the master of recycling using her sewing skills. She recently purchased curtains that simply did not give her the desired effect that she was after. In true Scarlet O’Hara style, Vickie took those curtains and made a lovely mandarin styled dress. She learned the new skills of applying a zipper and a mandarin style collar. Vickie is a great student who is eager to learn more sewing skills in the “Sewing and So-On” program that is scheduled to begin July 11th at the Agriculture Learning Center in Murphy, NC.