Take “Prescription Nature” at Our Texas State Parks!
“Prescription Nature – How Cooper Lake State Park and Other Texas State Parks can Help Make You Happier and Healthier” by Steve Killian, Cooper Lake State Park Complex Superintendent As I wander through the post oak canopied forest on my four-mile Coyote Run Trail hike at Cooper Lake State Park, I’m taken with a sense of well-being and a release from my daily worries. The multiple hues of green, the chattering of a...
Why Kids Should Stay Active While Learning From Home
By Johanna Hicks, Extension Agent, Family & Community Health Agent In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, online lessons and homeschooling are the new normal in education. How does physical activity fit into this new mode of learning? Hildi Nicksic, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M, explains why physical activity is important for students during this time. Johanna Hicks Most...
Crazy Days of Summer
Johanna Hicks Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, 1200-B West Houston St., P.O.Box 518 Sulphur springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443 – phone;903-439-4909 – fax; [email protected] By Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed. Summertime around our office is busy – not so much from phone calls and foot traffic, but from camps, 4-H events, conferences and youth leadership events. We are over half-way finished with the 2019...
Epic Fail: 97% to be Exact By Johanna Hicks
Epic Fail: 97% to be Exact Many news pieces come across my desk daily, but one really caught my attention. Since a large part of my job is food safety and health, I thought this information was worth sharing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that new research shows consumer are failing to properly clean their hands when it comes to washing them before meals – 97%! The study showed that rushed and improper...
Are You Ready for the Whipped Challenge and Other Upcoming Events? By Johanna Hicks
Are You Ready for the Whipped Challenge? The buzz is building and plans are in full swing as we prepare for the 2018 Hopkins County Dairy Festival “Whipped” Challenge. Businesses, civic clubs, churches, schools, and organizations are encouraged to enter a team. So, what is the “Whipped Challenge?” If you have ever watched the popular show called “Chopped” on the Food Network, we are patterning our event after that...
Happy Mother’s Day & Summer Camps for Kids By Johanna Hicks
Happy Mother’s Day Sunday is a special day for moms all across the country. Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Father’s Day,...
Year in Review – Skills Camp By Johanna Hicks
This is the third in a series of summaries for Extension programming. Many people are not aware of the vast array of resources and opportunities that are offered through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, so I hope you are enjoying reading these summaries! Today’s column features Skills Camp. Relevance: According to Kids’ Count Data Center, 2015 statistics, the percentages of Texas children by the household’s head...
Let’s Shape Up By Johanna Hicks
Let’s Shape Up, Hopkins County! With spring in full bloom, many thoughts are turning to summer, vacations, travel…and swimming! Ugh – the dreaded swimsuit! We probably all need to build in a little (or a lot) more physical activity to get our bodies in better shape. Physical activity doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. Recommendations by the American Diabetes Association and other agencies, indicate that 30 minutes of moderate...
SSISD Education Foundation Grants Awarded Tuesday
Over $20,000 in funded Grants for Great Ideas were distributed Tuesday by the Sulphur Springs ISD Education Foundation. Foundations members Ryan McKenzie, Don Sapaugh, Miki Eddins, John Campbell, and Gena Prickette accompanied by SSISD Human Resource and Communication Director Rusty Hardin and Superintendent Mike Lamb made surprise visits to various campuses in the school district. This is the second year the foundation has presented...
Agrilife: Get in Shape; Christmas Joys Program
Let’s Get in Shape! It seems that there is a growing trend toward health and fitness. From commercials, to Facebook posts, to fitness classes, and “light” menus in restaurants, the message is clear that there are options for helping achieve a few pounds of weight loss or making heathier food choices. The problem often comes in the price tag. Classes, fitness equipment, and special weight-loss products all cost money, and I’m...
