March Calendar of Events
One of our Extension volunteers dropped by my office and asked for a calendar of all the events for March. I pulled out my personal work calendar, and asked, “Which day?” Needless to say, there is always something going on with Extension!
March is shaping up to be a very busy month, loaded with opportunities for everyone! Listed below are the events, workshops, luncheons, and meetings in which I will be involved. If you see something that sparks an interest for you, give me a call!
- Tuesday, March 3: final day of training for new Master Wellness Volunteers, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. I have six top-notch participants, and look forward to their “Graduation”!
- Wednesday, March 4: Better Living for Texans newsletter will be prepared and e-mailed to those on the list. If you would like to be added, contact our office.
- Friday, March 6: District 4-H Food Show/Food Challenge at TAMU-Commerce in the Sam Rayburn Student Center, 9:00 a.m. If you would like to serve as a volunteer, contact me. Judges, time keepers, and runners are needed. I have four Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers lined up, but we can always use more!
- Saturday, March 7: 4-H Sewing workshop and Quilt Block workshop, Extension Office, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 4-H’ers may bring fabric and pattern for the 4-H Fashion Show, or simply come learn a new quilt block pattern. Bring a sack lunch. Be sure to call so I will know how many to prepare for! Helpers are always welcome!
- Tuesday, March 10: Community Health/Wellness Alliance meeting, Extension Office, noon to 1:00 p.m. We will be discussing the 2015 Kids’ Camp, Big Kids’ Skill Camp, and other projects of the alliance. Anyone interested in being part of this alliance is welcome to join us! Bring a sack lunch and we’ll provide the drinks!
- Thursday, March 12: I’ll be presenting a program for the Delta County Senior Citizens’ group, 10:30 a.m. If you would like to tag along, meet me at the office at 9:30 a.m. I’ll be doing a program on Food Safety.
- Friday, March 13: Luncheon!! Extension Leadership Advisory Board, Extension Program Area Committees, Youth Board, Master Volunteers, 4-H leaders, and others who would like to attend are invited to a luncheon at the Extension Office, 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. We will be discussing program needs for our county and would love to have your feedback! Please call by Wednesday, March 11 so we can adequately prepare for the meal.
- Thursday, March 26: Pharmacogenomics conference will be held at the Recreational Outreach Center (ROC), starting at 6:00 p.m. This is an exciting new opportunity to learn how you can make the most of your health by determining which medications work most efficiently for you. Through a simple, non-invasive test, you can find out why certain medications just don’t work, while others do. Watch for more information in the coming days!
- Saturday, March 28: This is a biggie! We will be hosting the County 4-H Fashion Show, Educational Presentations, Public Speaking, and Share-the-Fun contests at our office, 2:00 p.m. 4-H’ers will receive information in the March/April 4-H Gazette newsletter. Volunteers are needed to serve as judges, time keepers, and tabulation. We will also provide a photography/video workshop following the contests. Something for everyone!
- Tuesday, March 31: Taste of Home Cooking School, 5:30 p.m. Hopkins County Civic Center. If you have participated in one of these events before, you know how much fun it is! Watch for information in the newspaper and listen on the radio.
If you are interested in giving back to the community, the Hopkins County Fall Festival Board and Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board meet each month. I serve on both of those boards, and we would love to have some more volunteers who are willing to pitch in where needed! Contact me and I’ll give you the meeting dates and times for March!
Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes
Each spring, I provide this diabetes series. With timely, up-to-date, research-based information, this series has proven to be very helpful to those who either have diabetes or who care for someone with diabetes. The Spring, 2015 series has been scheduled, and I hope you will choose to take part! Below are the dates and topics for each session:
– Tuesday, March 24: “Getting Started: How Food Affects Your Blood Glucose” – we’ll discuss foods that are low and high in carbohydrates, and take a close look at how nutrition labels can help you make the wisest choices.
– Thursday, March 26: “Are You Eating the Right Number of Carbohydrates?” – we’ll take a closer look at checking blood glucose and portion control at meal time and snacks
– Tuesday, March 31: “Beyond Diet: Improving Blood Glucose Control with Physical Activity” – we’ll discuss easy ways to achieve the recommended amount of physical activity, the benefits, and ways to get started. We’ll also cover the symptoms of hypo- and hyperglycemia and how to treat.
– Thursday, April 2: “Beyond Diet & Physical Activity: Improving Blood Glucose Control with Medication” – we’ll take a look at the most common medicine options for type 2 diabetes, learn about the hemoglobin A1c, determine common visual reminders for measuring foods when away from home.
– Tuesday, April 7: “Celebrating with Diabetes: Having Your Cake and Eating it, Too!” – we’ll discuss diabetes complications and identify prevention strategies, recognize label claims, and learn to reduce sugar in recipes while still enjoying desserts
All sessions will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston, in Sulphur Springs. (We are located next door to the Southwest Dairy Museum in the former Chamber of Commerce building). Cost for the entire series is $25 – payable at the door – which covers all materials, refreshments, and door prizes. Please call to sign up by leaving your name, address, and phone number. You will be mailed a registration form to bring with you to the first session. Seating is limited to 30 people.
Closing Thought
Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there – Will Rogers
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
