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 It is a fact of life that people grow older everyday. With increasing age come changes in physical, mental and sensory abilities that can challenge a person's continued ability to drive safely. But there are a variety of safe travel options for people of all ages. The real need is a broader awareness of the solutions, rather than a narrow focus on the problem. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) believes that occupational therapy practitioners have the skills to evaluate a person's overall ability to operate a vehicle safely and provide rehabilitation, if necessary. Many are specially trained in the full scope of driving rehabilitation. Occupational therapy practitioners work with older adults as well as their families and caregivers, offering individualized assessment. They can identify individuals' unique challenges and find strategies that will help them live life to its fullest by keeping them active, healthy, and safe in their communities.  AOTA's Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, aims to promote understanding of the importance of mobility and transportation to ensure older adults remain active in the community with such things as shopping, working or even volunteering, with the confidence that transportation will not be the barrier to strand them at home.  The Martin News wishes everyone a great and wonderful holiday season.  Stay safe and watch all the drivers around you.  Merry Christmas and safe travels from The Martin News. 

 A delightful combination of sweet honey and juicy peaches in a creamy cupcake, perfect for any occasion!

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup peach preserves
For the Filling:

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
For the Topping:

1/2 cup diced fresh peaches
2 tablespoons honey
Sugar crystals for garnish
Directions:

Prepare the Cupcakes:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, alternating between the two and beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
Fill Cupcake Liners: Fill each cupcake liner halfway with batter, add a spoonful of peach preserves, and then cover with more batter until the liners are three-quarters full.
Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
Prepare the Filling:

Mix Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Cupcakes:

Pipe Filling: Once the cupcakes are cool, use a piping bag fitted with a star tip to pipe a generous amount of cream cheese filling onto each cupcake. Top with diced fresh peaches.
Finish with Topping:

Add Honey and Garnish: Drizzle honey over the top of each cupcake. Sprinkle with sugar crystals for a sparkling finish.
Enjoy these delightful Honey Peach Cream Cheese Cupcakes, perfect for any gathering or special occasion! 

Source: Daily Recipes and Tips

 Frying a holiday turkey can be tricky. Here are some tips from UGA experts to help make sure your bird is thoroughly cooked and your holiday doesn't include a trip to the emergency room or a call to the fire department.  "People who fry turkeys say it produces a moister turkey. And it's quicker," said Elizabeth Andress, a UGA Cooperative Extension food safety specialist. "But in the eyes of safety experts, the typical propane-fueled turkey fryer is a major accident waiting to happen. There are definitely safety issues to consider."  Don't use too much oil:  Some of the most serious injuries are caused by faulty or misused equipment, like unstable fryer stands, uninsulated pot handles and or fry pots that have been overfilled with oil. Filling the pot too full of oil can cause the oil to spill over when the turkey is placed in the pot. Spillovers at cooking temperatures can cause severe burns, Andress warns.  Food safety by the fryer: "You have to be sure all the harmful bacteria have been killed," Andress said. "The only way to do this is to measure the temperature of the cooked turkey in several places with a food thermometer."  First, heat the oil to 365 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.  Next, add your turkey and allow the oil to return to 365 to 375 degrees. Whole turkeys require about 3 minutes per pound to cook. To be sure your bird is safely cooked, she said, the temperature must reach at least 165 degrees in the thickest part of the breast. Some cooks prefer the innermost part of the thigh to reach 180 degrees.  Andress recommends following these safety steps: Use propane-fired turkey fryers outdoors, a safe distance from buildings and anything that can burn, never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or inside garages, place the fryer on a flat surface to reduce the risk of accidental tipping, never leave the fryer unattended, never allow children or pets near the fryer. Even after use, the oil inside the pot can remain dangerously hot for hours, don't overfill the fryer, use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching the pot or lid handles, make sure the turkey is completely thawed. Be careful with marinades. Oil and water don't mix, and water causes oil to spill over, which could cause a fire or explosion hazard and keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. And never use water to extinguish a grease fire. 

 Books and Bubbles is a fun day at The Margaret Jones Public Library every Tuesday at 10:30am.  They enjoy time together reading and doing activities.  The staff encourages you to keep books around and read whenever you can. You are providing the building blocks for language while developing a love of reading for your children.  Reading is an important skill that needs to be developed in children. Not only is it necessary for survival in the world of schools and universities, but in adult life as well. The ability to learn about new subjects and find helpful information on anything from health problems and consumer protection to more academic research into science or the arts depends on the ability to read.  Futurologists used to predict the death of the printed word but, ironically, The Internet has made reading more and more a part of people's daily lives. The paperless society is a myth. The computer's ability to process and analyze data means that endless variations on reports and other types of documents can be and are generated. Internet, itself an enormous new source of information and recreation, is based on the humble written word. To effectively utilize the web and judge the authenticity and value of what is found there, both reading and critical thinking skills are of prime importance.  The more children read, the better they become at reading. It's as simple as that. The more enjoyable the things they read are, the more they'll stick with them and develop the reading skills that they'll need for full access to information in their adult lives. Reading should be viewed as a pleasurable activity - as a source of entertaining tales and useful and interesting information.  The younger children are read to, the greater their interest in mastering reading. Reading out loud exposes’ children to proper grammar and phrasing. It enhances the development of their spoken language skills, their ability to express themselves verbally. Reading, by way of books, magazines, or websites, exposes kids to new vocabulary. Even when they don't understand every new word, they absorb something from the context that may deepen their understanding of it the next time the word is encountered. When parents read aloud to children, the children also hear correct pronunciation as they see the words on the page, even if they can't yet read the words on their own. 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, softened butter, granulated sugar, and salt until the mixture is crumbly. Press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir in the chopped pecans.
Pour the pecan mixture over the baked crust and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set.
Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Source: The Old Recipe Box

 With the shorter days, cooler nights, and bright, sunny days of autumn we put on an extra jacket – especially in the mornings. Deciduous trees and shrubs do the opposite. In preparation for winter, chlorophyll production slows down and leaves eventually drop off. The colorful pigments we’re beginning to see may have been in the leaves all along but were masked by the green from chlorophyll.  Technically the yellows, golds and oranges are due to carotenoid which is in the leaves fairly constantly. Red colors are a different story. Sunny days allow the leaves to produce sugar, but the cool night temperatures prevent the sugar sap from flowing into the branches and trunk. To help the plant recover nutrients in the leaves before they fall off some trees produce anthocyanins. It is these anthocyanins that produce the brilliant shades of red and maroon. Lots of cloudy days can mean fewer red leaves. Lack of rain also affects leaf coloration and many leaves may simply turn brown and fall off rather than show brilliant fall color.  As the larger trees turn color and drop their leaves, the smaller trees and shrubs will show their fall colors. In the Gardens at Callaway, the vistas around the lakes are always good places to see leaf color. Later in the fall foliage season, be sure to drive through Overlook and Meadowlark to see the Japanese maple colors. 

 It seems as if the temperatures will soon be getting much cooler.  I do like this time of year though.  We are able to wear scarves, hats, gloves and warm clothes but sometimes people think about how they bundle up and we forget about how animals need to bundle up.  One easy thing to remember is don't leave dogs or cats outdoors when the temperature drops! Regardless of the season, short-haired, very young or old dogs and all cats should never be left outside without supervision. Dogs and cats are safer indoors, except when taken out for exercise. During walks, short-haired dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater.  No matter what the temperature is, a wind-chill can threaten a pet's life. Pets are sensitive to severe cold and are at risk for frostbite and hypothermia when they are outdoors during extreme cold snaps. Exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads can quickly freeze and suffer permanent damage.  A dog or cat is happiest and healthiest when kept indoors. If for some reason your dog is outdoors much of the day, he or she must be protected by a dry, draft-free shelter that is large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably but small enough to hold in his/her body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The house should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.  Pets that spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet's water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls rather than metal; when the temperature is low, your pet's tongue can stick and freeze to metal.  These are just a few basic tips to remember that were offered by the humane society.  Just remember when the temperatures drop to bring pets inside if possible - laundry room or bathroom works well for outdoor pets. No pet deserves to be outside in this weather, without proper houses, blankets and heat sources.  Animal control will be actively watching for violations, and as always, non-compliant owners should be reported to the Animal Control Division at (229)777-7774 (leave a message during non-business hours). Urgent issues should be reported to 911.  Thank you to everyone for keeping our furry friends safe during what could be a very, very cold winter. 

 Have you ever thought about sending a Christmas card to your family and friends or do you just send a Christmas text?  I know a few just laughed when they read that but I am being very serious.  When I was a teenager, being the youngest grandchild and a granddaughter at that, I took up much time with my grandmother.  After Thanksgiving lunch every year that I can remember after becoming a teenager, I would help my Granny Louise fix her Christmas cards.  She had them ready to mail out on December 1st or around there.  She had her address book that we went through looking at who she needed to send a card to and she looked through the address labels of those that were sent to her the year before, yes she kept them ALL!  She enjoyed sending as much as she enjoyed receiving Christmas cards.  She put a special message on each card.  I think back on those times and it brings such great joy to me knowing that time with her was so precious to us both.  I sure miss fixing those cards for her.  She kept EVERY one of her cards from year to year to glance back over.  Technology has advanced so much that many people do not send out Christmas cards any longer however last year I did for the first time in many years send them out and I am definitely sending them out again this year.  I absolutely LOVE getting cards in the mail, especially Christmas cards.  Have you started getting your cards together yet? 

I love birthdays and guess whose birthday is in November?? That’s right, you guessed it… Mickey Mouse!  Mickey Mouse is a funny animal cartoon character and the official mascot of The Walt Disney Company. He was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at the Walt Disney Studios in 1928. An anthropomorphic mouse who typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves, Mickey has become one of the most recognizable cartoon characters in the world.  Mickey first was seen in a single test screening (Plane Crazy). Mickey officially debuted in the short film Steamboat Willie (1928), one of the first sound cartoons. He went on to appear in over 130 films, including The Band Concert (1935), Brave Little Tailor (1938), and Fantasia (1940). Mickey appeared primarily in short films, but also occasionally in feature-length films. Ten of Mickey’s cartoons were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, one of which, Lend a Paw, won the award in 1942. In 1978, Mickey became the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Beginning in 1930, Mickey has also been featured extensively as a comic strip character. His self-titled newspaper strip, drawn primarily by Floyd Gottfredson, ran for 45 years. Mickey has also appeared in comic books and in television series such as The Mickey Mouse Club (1955–1996) and others. He also appears in other media such as video games as well as merchandising and is a meetable character at the Disney parks. Mickey generally appears alongside his girlfriend Minnie Mouse, his pet dog Pluto, his friends Donald Duck, and Goofy, and his nemesis Pete, among others. Originally characterized as a mischievous antihero, Mickey’s increasing popularity led to his being rebranded as an everyman, usually seen as a flawed, but adventurous hero. In 2009, Disney began to re-brand the character again by putting less emphasis on his pleasant, cheerful side and reintroducing the more mischievous and adventurous sides of his personality, beginning with the video game Epic Mickey.  This information provided by Disney is very interesting to read.  There’s so much that I didn’t even know about Mickey.  How about you?

 I love to see how days are recognized throughout the year.  They have any day you can imagine!  I almost got tickled with this day they recognize.  It is push button phone day.  Did you know that Bell Telephone introduced the first commercial push-button telephone on November 18, 1963? It was installed first in Carnegie and Greensburg, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh. The push-button phone replaced the rotary dial phone, which had been in use for decades. Customers had to be convinced to use the new phones. The push-button telephone was only one part of the package that completed the modern telephone system. One other major part was automating the signals sent down the wire after you pushed the buttons. To fill this gap, touch-tone dialing was also introduced on November 18, 1963 to speed the transmission of telephone numbers. Rotary dial phones had used pulse dialing, a much slower method of routing a call to an exchange to connect with another number.  Until rotary dial phones were introduced, telephone operators at an exchange grabbed plugs on the end of long cord and pushed them into a jack on a board, connecting someone placing a call with the party they were calling, or with a long-distance operator in another city. “It happened in the ‘60s” website is the great website that I found this information on and there is so much information on there that is so interesting.  Reading on push-button phones took me back to when I was a little girl.  I can remember both of my grandmothers having the round circular dial phones.  It seemed like it took forever to dial the number you needed.  Then I can remember them getting the push button phones but it still was a little slow but nothing compared to the phones before them.  We thought we were something when our grandparents got the push-button phones.  With all the technology we have now, our children were basically introduced to cell phones from the beginning so they have no clue about push-button phones, much less the ones we had to spend round and round to dial.  It’s amazing to me when I think about the times when I was growing up.  None of my grandparents, grandmothers and grandfathers included, even knew what a cell phone was probably.  I know my daddy’s parents never had a cell phone and I don’t think my mother’s parents did.  Technology has come a long way but to me when I was growing up, those were the good ole days! 

Ingredients:
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 oz packet taco seasoning
½ cup salsa
1 cup queso
6 large flour tortillas
12 oz Mexican shredded cheese blend
Sour cream and guacamole, optional

Directions:
Prepare Chicken Mixture: Place the chicken thighs, taco seasoning, and salsa into your slow cooker. Set the slow cooker to low for 4 to 6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Shred Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, add the queso to the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the chicken into the queso mixture. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated with the queso.
Assemble Quesadillas: Spread the chicken mixture evenly on half of each flour tortilla. Sprinkle the chicken mixture with the shredded cheese, then fold the tortilla over the top to create a quesadilla.
Cook Quesadillas: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Place a quesadilla in the skillet and cook for about three minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip the quesadilla using a spatula, and cook for an additional two minutes, or until the other side is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Serve: Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and cut it into individual pieces. Serve hot with sour cream, guacamole, or your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Prep Time: 15 min | Cooking Time: 4-6 hrs | Total Time: 4 hr 20 min | Servings: 6

Source: Homemade Recipes

 Get ready to kick the habit and become victorious over tobacco. The American Cancer Society Great American SmokeOut event is your chance to triumph over addiction. Every November, the American Cancer Society sets aside the third Thursday to encourage smokers to go the distance, and to finally give up smoking.  About 34.1 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. As of 2018, there were also 12.2 million cigar smokers in the US, and over 4.3 million who smoke tobacco in pipes which is another dangerous and addictive form of tobacco.  By quitting, even for one day, you will be taking an important step toward a healthier life which can lead to reducing your cancer risk. It’s a race for your health, and it starts today. Today’s the day that quitters win.  After 55 years of smoking, my daddy was able to quit.  He lived 5 more years and said breathing was so much easier without smoking!  If you are interested in stopping to smoke, please consult your doctor and see what he can do to help you.  There are medications to help you along with programs that will step you down off of cigarettes.  My uncle believed in chewing gum to stop smoking.  See what will help you today to try your best to stop.