Ahh, Spring is in the Air! Time for Weddings!
If you are the least bit familiar with my educational programming, you are aware that marriage education and diabetes education are a few of my favorite things! (I also like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, but that’s another song!)
I’ve received good response for the 2016 spring Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes series thus far, and want to encourage anyone who is interested in attending to contact my office. These sessions do not take the place of a physician’s visit, but they do provide valuable information on managing diabetes. The series information is based on and approved by the American Diabetes Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and includes both nutrition and diabetes self-management topics. Although the series is targeted toward people with type 2 diabetes, those with type 1 or pre-diabetes also benefit from the information provided. The sessions will take place at the Extension Office, from1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 4, 7, 11, 14, and 18. A one-time fee of $25, payable at the first session, covers materials, refreshments, door prizes, and more. Give us a call at 903-885-3443, or go to http://hopkins.agrilife.org
and click on “events” and we’ll give you more information.
Now, on to my other favorite thing – marriage education! Each week in the local newspaper, I notice several couples who have applied for a marriage license and could have saved $60! Not only that, but they could have received valuable information and skills to put their marriages on strong footing. The Twogether in Texas marriage education workshop is offered for engaged, married, or seriously dating couples. Upon completion of the workshop, engaged couples receive a certificate to take to the County Clerk’s office to receive a $60 savings when applying for a marriage license. The certificate is good for one year, so even couples who are not planning to get married until later in the year or early 2017 may still take advantage of the upcoming workshop.
The next Twogether in Texas workshop is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B. W. Houston, Sulphur Springs. I will cover marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals & dreams. Videos, group discussion, couple interaction, and hands-on activities will keep the workshop interesting. We’ll have plenty of coffee, water, refreshments, and lunch. There is NO CHARGE for the workshop. The state of Texas recognizes the importance of marriage education on the well-being of families and communities, thus the $60 savings when applying for a marriage license. Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up.
Hopkins County 4-H’ers Excel
Now that the dust has settled from the recent NETLA Junior Market Show (literally!), we want to recognize an entirely different area of 4-H involvement. County 4-H Roundup contests were held recently as an opportunity for our Hopkins County 4-H members to showcase their project work. Educational presentations, public speaking, food show and fashion show contests involved 21 Hopkins County 4-H’ers. Most will advance to District 4-H contests to be held at Texas A&M –Commerce, on April 15 and 16. The local contests provide excellent experience in speaking in front of a group and/or going through an interview process. Those participating and advancing to district are:
Educational presentations: Senior – Pilar Ortiz, Health (Childhood Overweight);Intermediates – Elida Miller, Public Speaking; Adam Johnson, Open (Types of Bows); Honesty Bridges, Ag/Natural Resources-Open (Alternative Types of Energy); Juniors – Judah VanRijn, Horse (Use of Essential Oils in Horses); Alexis Villarino, Ag/Natural Resources (Owls); Christian Ebel, Open (Hydraulic Jacks); Zia Miller, Promote 4-H; Eric Bridges, FCS Open (Food Chain).
Food Show: Senior – Aleigh Bessonett, Fruits & Vegetables; Intermediate – Jorja Bessonett, Dairy; Juniors – Jolie Sweat, Fruits & Vegetables; Clover Kid (not eligible for District due to age, but still deserving of recognition!), P.J. VanRijn, Dairy.
Fashion Show: Senior – Aleigh Bessonett, Buying, Semi-formal to formal; Intermediate – Jorja Bessonett, Construction, Everyday Living; Juniors – Judah VanRijn, Construction, semi-formal to formal; Kami White, Construction, Everyday Living
Intermediate, Savannah Allen also plans to participate in District Educational Presentations after giving her Beef demonstrations to our staff. Junior, Ethan George plans to participate on the district level in Educational Presentations (Beef), Food Show (Grains), and Fashion Show (Buying, Special Interest).
First-time high point individuals (“rookies”) in each contest were: Christian Ebel, Educational Presentations; Jolie Sweat, Food Show; and Kami White, Fashion Show. Thanks to Sulphur Springs Dodge for sponsoring prizes for these individuals! We look forward to reporting the results of the district contests next month! Until then, if you see any of these 4-H members, congratulate them for a job well done!
Closing Thought
Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it – Andy Rooney
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
