Henry County Homemaker Newsletter

CLUB NOTES: –Thanks to the Eminence Club for their donation of $25 for a 4H Camp scholarship! If anyone else wants to donate make checks to “Henry County 4H Council” and designate for 4H Camp Scholarship.

Thanks to Betty Chilton for the donation of birdseed and a bird feeder to Second Wind Dreams; thanks to Wanda Roberts for her donation of a big bag full of bingo prizes for the Nutrition Bingo Game I play each month at the Senior Citizens Center.

Second Wind Dreams: Our committee will be meeting at 1:30 on the first Tuesday of each month at the Extension Office so if you would like to join us please stop by! We have completed over 160 dreams now!!

May 14-16: State Homemaker meeting in Lexington: Attending from Henry County will be Saundra Smith, Colleen Douglas, and Gin Wells and Maryellen Garrison. Good luck to our Blue Ribbon winners from the Area Cultural Arts Exhibit that will be entered into the state competition. They included: Ruth Earl Harrod (Knitting, Original Design Jewelry and Beaded Jewelry); Yvonne Clark (Mixed Media Jewelry, Pen and Ink with Oil Roughing, and Pen and Ink) and Malissa Beatty (Acrylic Painting, Black Pencil, Doll Making, Metal Painting, and 3-D Carving).

Registration: 5:30 to 6:00.
The program will be a fascinating update on “The Milton/ Madison Bridge” by Trimble County Judge Randy Stephens.
The dinner will be catered by Lisa Hill and the cost is $13.00. The menu will be:
Chicken and Rice
Corn Pudding &Vegetable
Romaine Salad & Rolls
Dessert and Beverage

We will again have a Silent White Elephant Auction and everyone is asked to bring a personal care item (shampoo/deodorant/soap/toothpaste etc.) to donate to the Family Resource Center.

Make checks to Henry County Homemakers and mail to us at Box 246, New Castle by May16.

Don’t forget to get the Award forms for Reading, Perfect Attendance and Club of the Year to Maryellen before May 18!

Club Responsibilities: Busy Bees-Door Prizes; Eminence-Caterer; Farmerette-Program; Jericho-Table Decorations; Make ‘n Mend-Door Prizes; Town & Country-Clean Up.

UK 150th Birthday!: In celebration of the University of Kentucky's sesquicentennial, we will be sharing some history this year. Here we highlight the story of Pierre Whiting, commonly referred to as "Dean Pierre," who worked at the university for 57 years starting with UK when they opened! Whiting's own memory dated back to Civil War troops that bivouacked on what is now UK’s campus. As a young man, Whiting carried water and mortar to men who were working on the first campus building, the Main Building. He served first as a janitor at White Hall, which was then a men’s dormitory. Whiting went on to become the janitor at the Main Building for the remainder of his service.

In 1930, the New York Telegram published a series of features concerning famous characters on American campuses and Whiting was highlighted as UK’s representative.

From a good health point of view, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It provides a morning “jump-start” for your body and brain, boosting energy and improving memory and problem-solving skills. Eating breakfast can actually help you lose weight, by fighting off hunger for the rest of the day and helping you say “no” to high-calorie snacks and “yes” to healthier food choices for lunch and dinner. It can help regulate your blood sugar and control cholesterol levels. People who regularly eat breakfast have lower rates of diabetes and heart disease.

But what you eat for breakfast does matter — coffee and a doughnut are not enough! A healthy breakfast should contain choices from the following food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products. A whole-grain breakfast cereal with sliced fruit and low-fat milk is one good choice. Another might be a glass of fruit juice and a slice of whole wheat toast with peanut butter. Eggs, a good source of protein, can also be part of a healthy breakfast. If you don’t like traditional breakfast foods, you can have lunch or dinner foods instead, like a sandwich on whole grain bread or a slice of leftover veggie pizza. The important thing is to give your body the fuel that it needs to get your busy spring days off to a healthy start.
Source: Sandra Bastin, Extension Specialist for Food and Nutrition, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture

Can Older Adults be Active too? Being physically active is important for everyone, including those who are aging. No matter what you age, it is never too late start being active. If you have not been active for a long time and would like to get back into exercise or you are feeling your age some days, here are a few questions and answers that may help get you feeling good about moving around and getting active:

• Why should I start to exercise now, if I have not exercised in years? No matter how active or inactive you were in the past — it is never too late to start being more active NOW! There are many benefits you can get from being physically active such as, better blood circulation, more energy, lowering health risks and increased time living independently. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about what you plan to start. They can give you some tips and encouragement along the way.
• Is it safe to start an exercise program if I am taking several medications? It is always important to talk to your healthcare provider about what types of physical activity you are currently doing or plan to do in the future. The healthcare provider can talk to you about your specific medications and physical activity. For many people, exercise can actually help manage a disease or health issue. Although usually you will be cleared to start your routine, the healthcare provider may ask that you start under some supervision first.

• Are there certain exercises that are gentle on the joints? Exercises that are considered to be gentle on the joints are cycling, rowing, elliptical machines and any water exercises.
• How much physical activity should I be getting? If you have not been very active start with just 5 minutes of activity or for as long as you feel comfortable. Over the first few weeks you should work up to 30 minutes of activity per day. The more that you are active the easier it should be to stay active and keep moving. You may want to go a group class to meet others your age who are being active.

Remember that no matter your age, starting to be physically active is good for your body and your mind.

Reference: American Council on Exercise. Fit Facts: Fitness for Older Adults – Frequently Asked Questions. 2009. Source: Nicole Peritore, HEEL Program Coordinator, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture