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There is not a day that goes by that a volunteer is not needed and there is not a day that goes by that we say thank you enough to our volunteers.  Sylvester and Worth County have many great activities and events that occur in this great town but it could not happen without many volunteers and endless hours.  If you ever wonder how you can give back by giving your time, always contact your local Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce.  They will always have a list of events and contact names and numbers of places that you can help.  Contact your local schools and see what way they may need help as well.  It is not always giving your money that is needed.  Your time is a great thing needed.  I personally volunteer for several organizations and we could always use your help.  If you are interested in volunteering but do not know where to start, please email me at lmanley1210@gmail.com and I can help you get started.  For everyone in Sylvester, Worth County and surrounding counties that volunteer...THANK YOU from The Martin News.  We truly could not make it without you! 

National Safety Pin Day is being celebrated this week and it got me to thinking what all safety pins are used for.  I remember both of my grandmothers’ using them to pin quilts together when they put them in the frame to quilt.  They both had containers full of the big safety pins.  Recently I gave one of the safety pins to my mother so that she could help pin a dress up on me and she stuck me with it.  She thought it was funny.  I saw no humor in it what so ever.  That little safety pin was powerful.  I have also seen safety pins used in crafts where they decorate them with beads.  Safety pins can definitely be used for most anything.  What do you use yours for?

 Even though all Lunch and Learns are not being held in person, Lunch and Learns are still very important therefore the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter schedules Virtual Lunch and Learns periodically.  On Tuesday, March 29th, they held a “Managing Money: A Caregiver's Guide to Finances” Virtual Lunch and Learn.  Education is very important to all of us.  Teaching caregivers what their options are and what resources are there for them to help care for their loved ones is an important topic.  That is exactly what this lunch and learn was for.  Educating on how to manage money as a caregiver is very important.  Early on, a person with Alzheimer’s may be able to perform basic tasks, such as paying bills, but he or she is likely to have problems with more complicated tasks, such as balancing a checkbook.  As the disease gets worse, the person may try to hide financial problems to protect his or her independence. Or, the person may not realize that he or she is losing the ability to handle money matters.  Caregivers will begin to help with these tasks when needed but knowing the resources to help caregivers help their loved ones is very important.  The lunch and learn was very educational to me personally.  I learned a few things myself.  Did you know at least 78% of caregivers have out - of - pocket costs as a result of caregiving?  Caregivers play important roles and for the most part do not mind what they have to do to care for their loved one however it does impact them as well.  Many caregivers end up reducing their employment hours, taking time off from work, retiring early or quitting their job.  This can increase debt to the caregiver which can make it hard on them as well.  These are just a few of the things I learned from the presentation on Tuesday.  Please be sure to like their Facebook page, Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter so that you will know when the next Virtual Lunch and Learn will be. 

 With gardening day being in the month of April, I wanted to reminisce.  If you can’t tell by now, I love to do that.  It is good for the soul to reminisce.  When I was a little girl, my grandmother Dupree loved to take care of her flower garden.  Her flower garden was all over the place.  She had flowers in pots on the porch facing the road.  Normally you would call that the front porch because it faced the road however the way their house was set up, it was called the back porch. I loved that back porch and the walkway in front of it.  We would get out there in the Summer and water all of those plants if it wasn’t planning to rain.  Now grandmother did check the weather to see what the forecast was going to be.  After we watered all the flowers on the back porch, in front of the porch and on the sides of the walk way, we would then water all her rose bushes which were absolutely beautiful and water all the miscellaneous plants she had.  She had a green thumb for sure.  She had a little green house in her yard that had so many different plants in it that we kept watered as well.  She was so creative with flowers.  She used to fix many bouquets for the church.  She put hard work into everything she did.  Now my mother may have a touch, a very small touch of my grandmother's green thumb but my sister has many touches of her green thumb.  I on the other hand can kill an artificial plant so I just don’t even try anymore.  Gardening is therapy to some people.  It makes you feel a breath of fresh air.  I love flowers and plants, I just can’t seem to keep them alive.  As my mother is aging, she loves to have more and more flowers in her yard and on her porch.  What is your favorite plant?  Do you enjoy gardening?  Now is the time to get started and get that yard looking beautiful.  

 Isn’t it funny how a word or phrase, a holiday or a day to celebrate can remind you of a simple memory?  I was reading just the other day about April being the month to celebrate different hats and I saw where they mentioned a straw hat.  It took me back to Gordy. My daddy loved to do yard work and always wore a ball cap but as he got a little older, he bought him a straw hat.  He was the cutest thing ever with his straw hat on.  He would wear it when he was picking up pecans out at our home in Gordy.  He loved picking up pecans but wanted to make sure he kept the sun off his head and neck.  When Larry was about three months old, he loved to hold that straw hat and my daddy thought he was so sweet wanting to hold the hat that was about the size of him.  After daddy passed away, we now have the straw hat that hangs on an old straight back chair of my grandmother’s.  Both hold such great memories.  We love to look at that hat everyday.  Who knew a simple hat would bring so much joy.

Cherish an antique today is celebrated on April 9th.  There are so many fun days to celebrate that I find on brownielocks.com and I love to write about them.  Many of them bring back such great memories of my childhood that I love to remember and share with others.  With antique day, I had to put much thought into it simply because I have many things that are antique and bring back so many wonderful memories.  My most favorite item that is antique is my grandmother’s straight back chair.  It is an old wooden chair from 1940 that has a straw bottom.  She used to sit in it for many years while she quilted.  She loved that chair and I did too.  I love it even more now that it is in my house.  I have it sitting in an area of my living room with other antique items.  In the chair I have my daddy’s picture of him in the United States Army and his old straw hat.  He wore that hat everyday when he walked outside in the sunshine.  I love to look at that chair and those items.  Such great memories flow and maybe even a few happy tears from time to time.  I know you are probably wondering why I put my daddy's things in it.  I did that because he used to build my grandmother's stuff and do anything she wanted.  He loved her so much so since they are both gone on to Heaven now, I bring both of them back together.  My son, Larry, loves to hear stories of her.  He loved her and used to call her Granny Lou.  That was his great grandmother and he can remember standing at her bed and just carrying on a conversation of who knows what with her.  Memories are wonderful to have and hold on to.  It is what gets us through most days when we think we can’t go on.  One thing I added in the most recent months is my daddy’s old ladder.  I kept it just the way it was.  It has paint splattered on it from his days.  I love it leaning up against the wall in the corner.  I love what it represents.  Antiques are so important to have because of the memories too.  I hear many people say they don’t keep their items because they have nowhere to keep them where they will be safe from the weather.  Start thinking of ways that you can use your items in your house.  My sister has an area in her house too with antique items displayed.  And remember it doesn’t matter what others think about how you have things displayed, only matters what you think.  

Guess what day is celebrated in April?  Oh yeah it’s New Kids on the Block!  I used to LOVE New Kids on the Block.  I had a room full of their stuff.  I could sing every song without skipping a beat but couldn’t remember spelling words.  My daddy and mama would always say that didn’t make a lick of sense to them.  How funny was that?  I can remember having a birthday cake that was New Kids on the Block too.  I thought I was something!   I went to one of their concerts and then I had tickets to go to another and they cancelled.  I was heartbroken!  I cried! Now to see them as they have gotten older, I just laugh but they are still handsome!  I still love them.  They are great to listen to and see where they have come since their career days of the young group known as The New Kids on the Block!

Did you know that with active supervision and some basic safety tips, every day at the playground can be a walk in the park.  Playgrounds are so much fun and children love to play on them but as parents we don’t think about the dangers until something happens.  Falls are the most common type of playground injury, accounting for more than 75 percent of all playground-related injuries. Lack of or improper supervision is associated with approximately 45 percent of playground-related injuries.  Simple tips can prevent these injuries or less of them.  Be sure to actively supervise your children on playgrounds. It won’t be hard – they’ll probably be calling for you to watch them climb, jump and swing.  That is for sure.  When I used to take Larry and his friends to the park in Sylvester I would hear many times “Watch me do this”.  I loved those days!  Another simple tip is take your kids to playgrounds with shock-absorbing surfaces such as rubber, synthetic turf, sand, pea gravel, wood chips or mulch. If your child falls, the landing will be more cushioned than on asphalt, concrete, grass or dirt. Always dress appropriately for the playground.  Remove necklaces, purses, scarves or clothing with drawstrings that can get caught on equipment and pose a strangulation hazard. Even helmets can be dangerous on a playground, so save those for bikes.  And one of the most important tips is to teach children that pushing, shoving or crowding while on the playground can be dangerous.  These are simple tips and some that we mostly go by already but if we don’t we need to definitely start.  Have fun at any playground but stay safe while playing. You can find more information like this at playgrundsafety.org.  Stay safe and enjoy these Spring and Summer days at the park… A place where everyone has fun, children and adults!

 Being smart with your money is more than just opening a savings account. Money smarts include smaller things you wouldn’t think are important, but in the long run these tips can end up saving you hundreds of dollars! You need to know every way to be smart with your money in this day and age. With prices increasing, debts rising, and demanding needs, this article with 7 ways to be smart with money is just for you!  You would probably be very surprised if you realized the amount of money you spend per week just by going out. A movie here, bowling there, coffee every now and then, or an occasional shopping spree can really add up. Remedy this problem by limiting yourself to going out once a week. The rest of the time, get creative with your friends and think of free entertainment options. This is one great way to be smart with your money!  Try and cut out unnecessary bills.  Take a look at the bills you have. Are there any unnecessary bills you are paying? Do you really need the expensive phone plan you have, or a landline in addition to your cell phone? Cable and Netflix are awesome, but if you are never home to watch them, it’s pointless. And with so many places now offering free Wi-Fi, there’s another bill you can drop. This technique can really help you to be smart with your money.  Another great idea is to open a Savings Account.  One of the best ways to be smart with your money is to open a savings account. Then, make it a priority to put a little money in it with each paycheck. You may only be able to afford to put $20 or less in there, but in time that small amount of money will add up. You never know when you will need emergency funds or when something may come up, so it’s always nice to have a little money put back.  Have you ever thought to avoid small purchases?  Avoiding small purchases on a whim is one way to be smart with your money. Do you really need a snack or drink every time you stop for gas? Do you have to buy a coffee every morning? Is the latest issue of Cosmo that important? Try cutting out small purchases like these and see where your account stands. It may be hard at first, but just be patient, and give some time for this new habit to kick in. You’ll find yourself saying no to bigger items after you kick the smaller ones!  It is always good to think before you buy! One thing to really watch out for when you shop is telling yourself you HAVE to have it. Ask yourself these two questions: "Do I really need it?" "Can I afford it right now?" If you can answer both of these questions with a yes, then go for it. Be proud of yourself, knowing you are being smart with your money!  A great way to save money is to leave the credit cards at home.  If you have a credit card, it’s a wise choice to leave it at home in a safe place. Only carry it when you know you will absolutely need it.  Credit cards encourage splurging, so it’s better to limit yourself to cash and what you can afford. This makes a great way to be smart with your money!  One way that everyone can save whether it is for personal use or business is watch for sales.  Why pay full price for something when you can get it for a better rate? A final tip for being smart with your money is to always look for bargains. If you know there is something you are going to need soon, be on the lookout for sales, or a used, less expensive version. When you are grocery shopping, keep your eyes peeled for markdowns, and print out coupons online. And this same tip applies to shopping for clothing and accessories!  These ways to save money will add up and really help you save a buck! If you put these tips into practice, you won’t be disappointed. Being smart with your money is rewarding because when you stop buying unnecessary items, you have enough money left over to buy things you really want or need. Who knew that cutting out your morning coffee could pay for a new digital camera? These great tips came from an online money matters site.  However these tips are so true.  I have stopped and thought about ways to save and even used some of these tips before reading them on here which makes me feel great!  Now let’s start saving them pennies! 

 Spring has sprung! Birds are chirping and flowers are blooming. The warmer weather welcomes fun in the sun. The seasonal shift also is a great time to shed light on skin cancer.  Skin cancer is the most common cancer impacting Georgians. In most cases, skin cancer is caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays, an invisible type of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sun lamps. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the most commonly diagnosed skin cancers. Melanoma is the third most common, and deadliest, form of skin cancer.  Anyone can develop skin cancer! People with lighter skin face a higher risk of developing skin cancer; however people with darker skin tones may often be diagnosed with skin cancer at a later stage, making it more difficult to treat. In fact, legendary reggae musician Bob Marley died at 36 years old from melanoma that had started under one of his toenails.  The following tips may help to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer:

1. Wear sunscreen. It is important that sunscreen be worn year round. Be sure to select sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection.
2. Cover up. Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, sunglasses, and wide brimmed hats.
3. Avoid tanning. Stay away from tanning salons! Tanning bed use can lead to skin cancer.
4. Stay in the shade. This is extremely important during midday hours.

There are currently no routine preventive screenings available to check for skin cancer. Follow the tips shared above to reduce your risk. Also, regularly observe your body – all over - for changes!  Remember: If you notice any changes to your skin, see a dermatologist (doctor who specializes in skin diseases). When caught early, skin cancer is treatable.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

 Can you believe they celebrate a day called “two different colored shoes” day??  How funny is that?  It definitely brings back funny memories to me.  When my mother was working at General Motors, there were some early mornings for her.  She would have to get up early to get to work long before the sun came up.  She would not want to turn on many lights because she didn’t want to wake my daddy up, so sometimes she would turn on a small light.  Well that small light did not always lead her to the right colored shoes.  She had a pair of shoes that she loved.  She had a navy blue pair and a black pair.  Well one morning, very early, she grabbed her shoes, put them on and headed to work.  Those comfortable shoes always made mama have a great day until she looked down that particular day and had a navy blue one and a black one on.  That was so funny to me and daddy but mama did not find it as funny as we did.  Always check your shoes on those early mornings! 

 Now this day makes me smile big time!  I love grilled cheese sandwiches.  I like plain grilled cheese sandwiches.  I like grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches.  I like grilled BLT sandwiches with cheese.  All my sandwiches have to be plain though.  Absolutely NO mayonnaise.  My daddy could not stand mayonnaise and neither can I.  That could come from the fact that when my mother was pregnant with me, all she ate was mayonnaise sandwiches so I had enough of that for nine months.  So now I just stick with grilled cheese sandwiches.  Where do you like grilled cheese sandwiches from?  My favorite plain grilled cheese sandwich is from Ed’s Truck Stop.  They grill it to perfection.  My favorite grilled tomato and cheese sandwich is from 3 Squares.  It is always so good.  My most favorite place for a Grilled BLT with cheese comes from Fat Boys.  It is the smallest cut up bacon and is very crispy.  It is the best!  Daddy and mother used to make the best of the best grilled cheese sandwiches when we were little.  They would cook them on the stove.  I now cook ours on my George Foreman grill.  Who makes your favorite sandwich?  And if you cook them at home, how do you fix the best grilled cheese sandwich?