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Celebrate Your Name Week
This week is Celebrate Your Name Week. I love to celebrate all the fun dates. So what is your full name and what meaning does it have personally? I was born as Valerie Lynn Meeks. Daddy wanted me to have the name Valerie after my aunt, which was his sister, Valerie Sue. She passed away as a teenager due to leukemia. Everyone always said I looked just like her. I went by the name Lynn. When I married, I carried my maiden name as well and dropped using my first name. So then I became Lynn Meeks Manley. I decided to keep my maiden name in with my married name because no one from this area knew me as Lynn Manley and to this day, many people still call me Lynn Meeks. Most of the people that knew my daddy and mother always referred to us as the Meeks girls, never our married last names which still works for me and my sister. So what’s your name?
Let’s Take A Walk
National Walking Day encourages the public to embrace a healthier lifestyle through walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. Adults nationwide are encouraged to make the pledge to start walking and become heart-healthy. Just 30 minutes of physical activity each day can improve heart-health. One suggested that the American Heart Association suggests is to wear red shoelaces to remind yourself of the benefits of exercise. Taking just 10 minutes three times a day to walk will help individuals live longer. In fact, studies show that just one hour of vigorous exercise will increase life expectancy by two hours. Physical inactivity doubles the risk of heart disease, which kills 1 in 3 people in every year. Becoming more active can lower your blood pressure by about as much as some high blood pressure medications. Walking, swimming, cycling, jogging, skiing, aerobic dancing or any of dozens of other activities can help your heart. They all cause you to feel warm, perspire and breathe heavily without being out of breath and without feeling any burning sensation in your muscles. Whether it is a structured exercise program or just part of your daily routine, all exercise adds up to a healthier heart. Take the first step by walking. It's free, easy to do and when you have a walking companion, you're more likely to stay motivated. Here are some tips for exercise success: Dress for success! Wear comfortable, properly fitted sneakers or flat shoes with laces and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing appropriate for the weather and the activity. Make the time! Start slowly. Gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of activity on most or all days of the week (or whatever your doctor recommends). Exercise at the same time of day so it becomes a regular part of your lifestyle. Look for chances to be more active during the day. Walk the mall before shopping, take the stairs instead of the escalator or take 10–15 minute breaks while watching TV or sitting for walking or some other activity. Don't get discouraged if you stop for a while. Get started again gradually and work up to your old pace. Don't exercise too vigorously right after meals, when it's very hot or humid, or when you just don't feel up to it. Make it fun and get started today!
Taking Care Of Your Children’s Teeth During National Children’s Dental Health Month
February is National Children's Dental Health Month! During the entire month of February, the American Dental Association (ADA) honors and recognizes dental professionals and all who are passionate about children's healthcare. Take this time to increase awareness about pediatric dental hygiene – and find out how you can best support your child's dental care. The ADA's Children's Dental Health Day was first celebrated on February 8, 1949. It became a month-long commemoration in 1981. Many years later, children's dental health continues to be promoted throughout February for National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM). Celebrating children's oral health awareness is incredibly important for the community. Tooth decay remains the most common chronic childhood disease. Continuing educational programs and prevention awareness will help motivate more parents and other adults to recognize the seriousness of children's dental disease. NCDHM raises awareness of the importance of teaching children good oral habits early to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles. Parents or caregivers are essential and can promote children's dental health this month and throughout the year. Support children's dental health by working with dental professionals on specific topics such as:
· Tooth decay
· Getting your child familiar with their dentist's office
· Preventing crowded teeth
· Healthy gums in later years
Keeping up with daily oral care and visiting the dentist at least twice a year for an oral examination and professional cleanings are steps you can take towards a happier and healthier mouth! Setting the foundation for your child earlier in life will set your child up for success in the future. Making an appointment at the dentist is one of the best ways to celebrate February's theme. The more time they spend with their dental professionals, the more comfortable they'll be when they visit. It is encouraged for children to have regular cleanings every 6 months. If you schedule an appointment in February, your child's second appointment will fall just-in-time before back-to-school in August. Did you know that toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 to 4 months, as frayed bristles decrease their effectiveness? Get kids excited about their regular hygiene routine by letting them select toothbrushes with their favorite characters and choose toothpaste that they like. NCDHM is an excellent time to toss out old toothbrushes and replace them with new ones. If your kids tend to brush their teeth unattended, take time this month to check-in on their brushing habits. Checking in with your kids and offering helpful tips and tricks will keep their teeth looking great and healthy. National Children's Dental Health month is a great time to learn about and promote good oral hygiene habits with your family. Keep up with checkups, treat the family with new toothbrushes, and ensure your child knows how to clean their teeth properly. Your whole family will know how important dental health is to their overall health.
Bryan Completed Requirements for National Professional Qualifications for Fire Officer I
The Sylvester Fire Department is proud to announce that Mr. Barrington Bryan of the Sylvester Fire Department has completed all the requirements for National Professional Qualifications for Fire Officer I. This is an arduous process that requires discipline, commitment and dedication to complete.
His course of study included over 114 hours of classroom time which included Acting Officer in Charge, Transitional and Interpersonal Leadership Training and Fire Department Supervision.
The Sylvester Fire Department is proud of this major accomplishment and looks forward to watching Barrington achieve major goals in his career with the Sylvester Fire Department, which allows us to better serve the public.
Well done Barrington.
August Captured Gold at Skills USA Post Secondary Firefighter Competition
Albany Technical College Firefighter student and Sylvester Fire Department Firefighter Carnal August rose to the occasion capturing Gold at this year’s Skills USA Post-Secondary Firefighter Competition.
Competing against five of the top post-secondary firefighter students in the state, Mr. August demonstrated exceptional skill, discipline, technical knowledge, and professionalism throughout every phase of the competition. From hands-on evolutions to cognitive testing and professional presentation, he represented Albany Technical College along with Sylvester Fire Department with pride and excellence.
With this victory, Mr. August now advances to the 2026 Skills USA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC), which will be held June 1–5, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia World Congress Center. The NLSC is the premier national event showcasing the very best career and technical education students in the country.
This achievement reflects not only Carnal’s work ethic and dedication, but also the strength of Sylvester Fire Department and Albany Technical College’s Fire Science Technology program and its commitment to preparing industry-ready firefighters.
Source: City of Sylvester Fire Department
It’s Time to Organize!
Organization doesn’t just happen—it’s a result of conscious actions. Practice this method until it becomes second nature reports All You magazine. Start by tackling a particular room armed with a trash bag, a giveaway box, a box for items you want to sell and a box for things that belong in another room of your home. Make quick, unemotional decisions: If it’s broken, obsolete or redundant, get rid of it. Sort through all the items that will stay in the room, matching like with like. Cluster books together with other books, DVDs with DVDs and outerwear with outerwear. Don’t comingle dissimilar things—it makes it hard to find what you need and creates visual chaos. Make inventory of what you’re holding on to, then determine how the items should be stored and what types of furniture and containers you’ll need. For example, “To keep these stacks of sweaters and T-shirts separate, I can use shelf dividers. Now that I’ve counted my CDs, I know I need a CD organizer with eight shelves.” Find solutions that work with your personal habits. For example, if you’re a no-fuss type, just grouping things together might be enough, so store pictures in photo boxes marked by year. If you are more detail focused, use photo albums. Don't stop until every object or type of object has a place where it lives all the time—be it a tray on your desk for your cell phone or a hook for your keys. Then, commit to returning each item to its home after every use. Soon, putting items away will become a habit. Getting organized is a great March task! It is always great to clean up and out after each season. Keep things packed and organize which will make it easy to find when you need it and it makes it easy to store. And always remember when packing things up that you label all the boxes and containers!
Navigating Decisions
May I Borrow A Pencil?
Children have to make many different kinds of decisions throughout their lives. You can help your child learn decision-making skills he or she can use now and in the future. Here’s how: Start small. Let your child make daily choices, such as picking out an outfit for school or deciding whether to take or buy lunch. Give them options if they need help, but let them have the final say. They will be gaining experience in making decisions on his own. Plot a destination. Help your child figure out what he or she wants to accomplish. If they decide that they want to finish their homework before dinner, they may have to choose between phoning a friend and starting their homework right away. Thinking about the end result can make decisions easier. Step back. Allow your child to experience the consequences of his or her choices. For example, if they wear a T-shirt to school when it’s snowing outside, they may be too cold to enjoy recess. Experiencing consequences – good and bad – will help develop your child’s judgment and give them a better idea of where their choices will lead him. Discuss results. Without criticizing, ask your child how they think a particular decision worked out. Would they do it again, or choose to do something different? They will learn to evaluate their own choices, which will help her or him make better decisions in the future. At the end of discussing things, the decision ultimately is in the parents hands but letting the children learn how to make decisions is part of a great learning process. We want to help our children be productive citizens when they enter this big world called Life!
May I Borrow A Pencil?
May I Borrow A Pencil?
How many times have we all asked that question? More times than I can remember personally. Everyone always needs a pencil! March 30th is National Pencil Day. My friend Judy, from North Georgia, takes pencils to a whole new meaning. When I met her in 2001, she collected pencils. She has so many different kinds of pencils. Around 2003, my daddy built her a pencil holder that held about 250 pencils and she filled it up. It was the coolest thing he built and neat to see all of her pencils. It’s the smallest things in life that make us smile.
American Diabetes Association Alert Day
American Diabetes Association Alert Day is observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March. This one-day “wake-up call” informs the American public about the seriousness of diabetes and encourages all to take the diabetes risk test and learn about your family’s history of diabetes.
Diabetes Facts:
Diabetes impacts approximately 34.2 million Americans.
That’s about 10.5 percent of the U.S. population.
Of those living with diabetes, 7.3 million – 1 in 7 adults – don’t know they have it.
The risk of developing diabetes increases with age. But there are other factors, too.
Ethnic background may increase your risk.
An additional 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year. There are two types of diabetes. While Type 1 diabetes is not as preventable, it can be managed well with insulin injections. Managing Type 1 diabetes might also require frequent blood sugar monitoring, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Education is key to learning how to manage symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. However, type 2 is much more preventable, and some actions can be taken.
Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes:
Eliminate sugar and refined carbs
Work out regularly and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle
Make water the primary beverage
Maintain a healthy weight
Quit smoking
Eat a high fiber diet
Optimize Vitamin D levels
Take natural herbs, such as curcumin and berberine, that increase insulin sensitivity. Type 2 diabetes is not preventable for everyone. However, making healthy choices provides the best chance of not getting it. In the United States, 9 out of every 10 cases of diabetes can be avoided if the above lifestyle changes are implemented. Families, schools, workplaces, communities, and healthcare providers can all work together to make healthy choices easy ones. The observance encourages you to discover if you or loved ones are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Consider taking this fast and easy Diabetes Risk Test.
Visiting Still Pond Vineyard, Winery & Distillery
I love day trips more than overnight trips for sure. And one place that I love to go is Still Pond Vineyard. Driving 30 miles south of Albany, past fields of peanuts, corn, and cotton, you turn on to a road of red Georgia clay. Drive a couple of miles down this road and all of the scenes are those that you would expect to find in rural Southwest Georgia. Then you round a bend in the road and see what some have called Shangri-La… acres and acres of Muscadine vines (also known as Scuppernongs and Swamp Grapes) and the unexpected discovery of Still Pond Vineyard and Winery. Over 130 years ago, during the height of the Civil War, the discovery was just as exciting. Sitting on the banks of an isolated pond was a still, turning out peach brandy to provide comfort, relaxation, and escape for exhausted Confederate soldiers…thus the name Still Pond. Through the years, the legend of Still Pond was enhanced by other proprietors of the still. Still Pond Vineyard owner Charles Cowart remembers, ” When I was growing up the Hunt brothers lived here and were known for the spirits they delivered around. Dad used to pick them up and bring them home. He told about finding one of them under a pine tree one morning with frost on his beard. Evidently the croaker sack of liquor had been sampled too liberally during deliveries and he did not make it home.” The Legend Continues… Today, the Legend of Still Pond continues, but with a much more legitimate (and legal!) direction. Charlie Cowart Sr. started over 45 years ago by planting a few muscadines, a grape variety native to the South… Still Pond Vineyard was born. The vineyard did well and Charlie Sr., along with his wife Peggy, continued to expand the vineyard with additional plantings each year. After the deaths of the elder Cowarts, son Charles and his wife Susan took over the operation Still Pond. What started out as a location for weary Confederate troops to gain a little comfort with a bottle of peach brandy has now become one of the largest commercial vineyards in Georgia. Charlie Cowart Sr.’s small planting of muscadines has grown to become a commercial operation that is a reliable supplier of fresh Muscadine juice for a growing list of wineries across the Southeastern United States. Whether you call them Muscadines, Scuppernongs, or Swamp Grapes, this grape, native to the South, is a wonderful source of great taste.
Source: Still Pond Vineyard, Winery & Distillery
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