PRICELE$$
May 2013
Happy Mother's Day! Inspiring Parents, Motivating Kids, Celebrating Life
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Family Album
Cousins 3 year old Riggin Fields holding 3 month old Gunner Craig 2 ½ year old Hunter Holt holding his little sister 3 month old Audrie Holt
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SCHOOL YEARBOOK STAFF - RECITALS CHEERLEADING - SPORTS - LIVESTOCK SHOWS - COMMUNITY EVENTS When you take pictures of what is special and important to you we love to see them all!
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promotes a lifetime of healthy vision 3. Vitamin C: Fruits and vegetables, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers and tomatoes, can help minimize the risk of cataracts and AMD. 4. Vitamin E: Vegetable oils, such as safflower or corn oil, almonds, pecans, sweet potatoes, and sunflower seeds are powerful antioxidants that can slow the progression of AMD and cataract formation.
(BPT) - From dry eye to age-related eye diseases, research shows that nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining the health of our eyes. Caring for eyes includes looking carefully at what you eat. Thirty million (or one out of four) Americans age 40 and older suffer from some level of vision loss. Yet only 30 percent of Americans indicate they incorporate specific foods or supplements into their diet to help improve eye health and vision, according to the American Optometric Association’s American Eye-Q survey, which assesses public knowledge and understanding of a wide range of issues related to eye and visual health. Six nutrients - antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin; essential fatty acids; vitamins C and E; and the mineral zinc - have been identified as helping to protect eyesight and promote eye health. Since the body doesn’t make these nutrients naturally, it’s important to incorporate them into a daily diet and, in some cases, supplement with vitamins.- Consuming a variety of the following foods can help protect your eyes for the future:
Health Wise
Diet rich in nutrients
5. Zinc: A deficiency of zinc can result in poor night vision and lead to cataracts; therefore, consuming red meat, poultry, liver, shellfish, milk, baked beans, and whole grains on a daily basis is important. It’s also important to remember that all foods are not created equal in their nutritional value. The Eye-Q survey also showed that nearly half of all Americans (49 percent) still believe carrots are the best food for eye health. While carrots do contain nutritional value by supplying beta-carotene, which is essential for night vision, spinach and other dark, leafy greens are the healthiest foods for eyes because they naturally contain large amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin. The AOA encourages consumers to make small dietary changes in order to experience a big impact with vision. Another good way to monitor eye health and maintain good vision is by scheduling yearly, comprehensive eye exams with an eye doctor. For a list of quick and simple recipes that promote healthy eye sight and vision or to find an optometrist in your area, visit www.AOA.org. ■
1. Lutein and zeaxanthin: To help reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), eat one cup of colorful fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, green beans, peas, oranges and tangerines four times a week. 2. Essential fatty acids: Studies suggest omega-3 fatty acids such as flax or fleshy fish like tuna, salmon, or herring, whole grain foods, lean meats and eggs may help protect against AMD and dry eye. 940.210.1769 • WISE
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Recipe Corner
How to freshen up your spring cuisine (BPT) - For food fanatics, spring is the perfect time of year to add fresh produce back into your recipes and meals. Using seasonal ingredients can really help capture and enhance the flavors of spring and bring your cuisine to life. Whether you’re using first yields from your garden or visiting the farmers market as soon as it opens, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of the season. Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, a recent winner on Food Network’s Iron Chef and a regular judge on Chopped, is a fan of using fresh nuts to enhance some of her favorite spring recipes. Here are her recommendations for taking your spring cuisine to a new level: * Spruced-up salads: Healthy greens start to appear early in spring and are a great companion to nuts. Try topping a chopped Arugula salad with walnuts or adding pecans to Dandelion greens. Radicchio is delicious with almonds and apples. Using nuts can easily expand your salad horizon.
* Top it off: Springtime brings garden-fresh herbs; and parsley and basil are great flavors to finish many dishes. Chop up parsley with some Fisher almonds for added texture and taste. The Fisher Nuts Freshness Seal Bag has a re-sealable closure that will keep the leftover nuts fresh after the package is opened. * Upgraded spice rub: The great spring weather makes it easy to fire up the grill. Add some ground nuts to your spice rub next time you’re cooking meat. The nuts can mellow some of the heat from the spice and add needed richness to the mix. And who can forget about dessert? Strawberries are some of the earliest arriving berries; you can’t go wrong with Chef Guarnaschelli’s recipe for strawberry crostatas with walnuts. Find this recipe and more of Chef Guarnaschelli’s favorite recipes at www.fishernuts.com/alex. ■
Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts Serves 8
Ingredients The Dough: 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus some for rolling out the dough 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
Zest of 1 lemon 3 to 4 tablespoons ice water
The Filling: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 pints strawberries, hulled and split 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch 3/4 cup Fisher Walnut Halves, coarsely chopped
Directions
1. Dough: In the food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt and lemon zest. Pulse to blend. Add the butter and pulse until crumbly. Add cold water and pulse only to combine. Form into an 8-inch long cylinder (about 2 inches in diameter) and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 2. Filling: Heat a large saute pan over high heat. Place a baking sheet next to the stove. When the saute pan is fairly hot, add the butter for the filling. When it melts and foams slightly, add the strawberries. Toss to coat with the butter and add 1/4 cup sugar, lemon zest and juice. Toss to blend and allow some of the liquid to escape from the berries and reduce. After 2 minutes, sprinkle with cornstarch, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring for an additional 2 minutes. Transfer to the baking sheet. Spread the strawberry mixture out so it cools faster and refrigerate until very cool. 3. Preheat the oven to 375 F. 4. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and cut into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a circle that is about 6 inches in diameter and about 1/8-inch thick. Flour lightly under and on top of the dough as you roll it. 5. Meanwhile, remove strawberry mixture from refrigerator and transfer to a fine strainer placed over a bowl. Strain strawberries so that almost no liquid remains with the berries, being sure not to crush the fruit. 6. Arrange the tart rounds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place 1 tablespoon walnuts onto the center of each round. Divide the cooked strawberries evenly among the dough circles. Fold the sides up tightly around the fruit to form a purse, making the fruit the center; they will open slightly during baking. Cover the opening left after folding with a few more walnuts. Refrigerate circles if they become too soft to handle. 7. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Top with any remaining walnuts. Sprinkle with sugar for added texture. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to serving plates using a wide spatula. Serve immediately.
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Laying Down the Law It’s the growing season… and planted
inside every Woodhaven branch are people who make your banking experience a pleasure, whether you’re growing a business or a family. We’ve never had to work very hard at treating you like an individual — it just comes naturally. Visit one of our branches today.
Member FDIC Independent Locally Owned
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Woodhaven National Bank 800 Hwy 287, Suite A Rhome • 817.638.5111 Woodhaven National Bank 6750 Bridge Street Fort Worth • 817.496.6700 Mansfield Community Bank 1700 E. Broad Street Mansfield • 817.473.5979 Ridglea Bank 3325 Fairfield Ave at Camp Bowie Fort Worth • 817.731.3361 Woodhaven Bank Northeast 4607 Colleyville Blvd. Colleyville • 817.656.7755 Mercantile Bank 2229 A Park Row Arlington • 817.277.2225 Woodhaven Bank 6301 N. Beach Street Fort Worth • 817.489.6500
On April 15, 2013, two young men set off bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. These men apparently believed that their actions were justified as part of their radical beliefs that their faith, as Muslims, mandated it. These men are terrorists, plain and simple. Foreign or domestic, it is up to us as individual Americans to let these people know that their radical beliefs and their terrorist acts will be met with heavy doses of lethal force and American sunshine. On April 17, 2013, another tragedy befell those men and women in West, Texas. Fourteen people lost their lives, 11 of which were firemen from 5 different departments. This significant loss of life did not go unnoticed as we saw an amazing outpouring of support from all over Texas and the United States. Despite the tragedy, Americans stepped up for our fellow man. Please say a prayer for those that lost their lives and their families who continue to grieve their loss. Despite the tough week, Americans continue to take care of business. They are back at work, back at home, and back to their lives. Boston is back open for business and the Czech Bakery in West is serving their wonderful food. Some folks ask how we, as Americans, can get back to our lives so fast. Don’t we still grieve? Don’t we care about those who died? How can you go back after all this death? To every naysayer out there, I say to you STEP ASIDE, AMERICA IS COMING THROUGH! That’s right, what sets us apart from the rest of the world is our ability to love like there is no tomorrow, fight like it’s the end of days, and persevere through all adversity. We are AMERICANS, we do not quit, we do not falter, we do not back down, and we sure as heck don’t let terrorist acts diminish the American spirit. Take the time to mourn and say a prayer for lives lost, then stand up taller than you were before, and to those that would do us harm know one thing. If you attack us, you attack all of us and we will view your actions as an assault on our very soul. We will meet you face to face and dare you to fight. You will run and hide like the cowards you are. We are Americans, step aside, we are coming through. MOLON LABE. See you next month.
James Stainton
Wise County Attorney 940.210.1769 • WISE
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On the Cover: May, 2013 In our 8th year of ‘Making A Difference’
Harrison and Henry Oberg posing in their yard full of bluebonnets.
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EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
Wise County Sheriff . . . . . . . . . . . . . 940 627 5971 Severe Weather Updates . . . . . . . www.weather.com Emergency Preparedness Info . . . . www.redcross.org www.MissingKids.com . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-843-5678 National Child Abuse Hotline . . . . . . 1-800-422-4453 National Poison Control Center . . . . . 1-800-222-1222 National Substance Abuse Hotline . . . 1-800-662-4357 National Runaway Hotline . . . . . . . . 1-800-786-2929
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In This Issue: Health Wise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Recipe Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Laying Down the Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Dave Says . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Womens Occupational Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Wise County Wonderings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Cleaning the Right Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Protect Yourself From Pests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Your First Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 5 Tips For Procrastination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Fun & Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Wise County Animal Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23
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@ Your Library
Family Album
Area Libraries Alvord Public Library 940-427-2842 • W,TH, F . . . . . . . . . 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. • SA . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Boyd Public Library 940-433-5580 • M, W, F . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. • TU . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. • TH . . . . . . . . . . . 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Bridgeport Public Library 940-683-3450 • M,W,F . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. • T,TH . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m. • SA . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Chico Public Library 940-644-2330 • M,F . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. • T,W,TH . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. • SA . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon Decatur Public Library 940-627-5512 • M,T,TH . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m • W,F . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. • SA . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m
Makinna Hardee & Katelyn Grace Starnes enjoying some family time at Easter 2013. Happy Spring Everyone!!!! :)
It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart. - Ranier Maria Rilke
Newark Public Library 817-489-2224 • M,T,Th,F . . . . . . . . . 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. • Sat . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. • Sun & Wed closed Rhome Public Library 817-636-2767 • T-F . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. • Sat . . . . . . . . . . . 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Readers…
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Dave Says
Handling the severance Dear Dave, I’m an accountant, and my company is experiencing layoffs. I just learned that I’ll be losing my job in four weeks. I’ll receive a severance check, but I have no other savings set aside. Should I use some of the severance to pay off debt, or hold on to that money as long as I can? - Frank Dear Frank, I’d hang on to that money and pile up as much other cash as I possibly could. Right now, the most important worries are food, lights, water and shelter. Debt is not on the list. We need to take care of your basic survival needs first and make that money stretch as far as it will go. There are two bright spots in this scenario. One, you know the wolf is going to be sniffing around the door, and that gives you time to prepare. The second thing is you’re an accountant, and that’s a very marketable skill. Lots of companies are going to be looking for your kind of expertise as we slowly turn the corner and come out of this recession. Here’s another thing. The better financial cushion you have during this time, the better you’ll do when interviewing for other jobs. Things will be tight, but if you’ve saved and budgeted your money well, you won’t come off as needy or desperate. You can be confident in your abilities to add value to a different company, instead of being all freaked out and begging for a job. Then, once you’re settled into someplace new, you can start writing checks out of the remainder of the severance money and your first couple of paychecks to catch up on things! - Dave Concentrate on your quality of life Dear Dave, Several months ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I have about $30,000 in credit card debt and would like to continue getting my finances in order. My husband has been unemployed for six years due to his own health issues, but I do have life insurance, a 401(k) and receive Social Security. How should we handle this? - Vivian Dear Vivian, God bless you and your husband. I know this is a really rough time for you both. I hope you guys are sticking by each other and loving on each other a lot. That may not make these problems go away, but it will make you each stronger and bond you together in incredible ways. If I’m in your shoes, the last thing I’m going to worry
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about is credit card debt. Your concern right now should be your quality of life and taking advantage of all the medical options that are available to you. That’s the primary goal. You and your husband need to use your financial resources to prioritize, but at the moment you come first. For someone in your situation, that’s not being selfish. The hard truth is this. We’re all going to die some day. Anything you own, like the 401(k), has to stand good for what you owe when you pass away. In other words, the credit card debt would have to be paid before your husband or others received anything from your estate. I appreciate your diligence and honor in wanting to make sure your debts are handled. But in this situation, so what if a credit card company has to wait a while to get paid? It will happen when it happens. Right now, you are the number-one priority. - Dave Too much for date night Dear Dave, My husband and I have a baby and are trying to live on a budget and pay off about $14,000 in debt. He wants to spend $100 a month for a date night, but I think this is too much under the circumstances. I’m a stay-at-home mom right now, and after taxes he makes about $3,200 a month. What do you think? - Ashley Dear Ashley, You win on this one. If you’d told me you guys make $150,000 a year, then I’d say he was being completely reasonable. But with your income and a lot of debt to boot, it sounds like he’s just looking for an outlet to spend some money. The good thing is you’re working together and beginning to take this personal finance thing seriously. You’re just a little bit apart on the particulars in this area. I think you back this amount down to $40 or $50 for now. That’s plenty for a reasonable dinner and perhaps a baby sitter for a couple of hours. If you have family or friends nearby, you might not have to figure baby-sitting expenses into the equation at all. Keep in mind, too, that going out on a date doesn’t have to mean spending money. Years ago, when my wife and I were broke, we did tons of stuff that didn’t cost a dime. Picnics in the park or a pretty hike through the woods are great ways to spend time together while keeping the pocketbook in your pocket. Be creative and make sure you find ways to have “us” time on a regular basis. But you’re right on this one, Ashley. You can go out and have plenty of fun together without spending a lot of money! - Dave
Dear Eric, The only time I would advise this is when your emergency fund is too big, and you have a very small amount left to pay on the house. Keep in mind that your emergency fund should be three to six months of expenses, not three to six months of income. Besides, paying off the house doesn’t fall into the category of an emergency. The fact that you have to pay for your house doesn’t catch anyone by surprise. I understand it can be very tempting to throw a bunch of money at your house, get rid of the mortgage payments, and own it outright. But I wouldn’t drain my emergency fund to make it happen—even if it meant being completely debt-free sooner. Life happens, and the moment you write that big check and weaken your emergency fund, the central unit will go out, the roof will spring a leak, or you’ll have major repair issues with a vehicle. When you do things like that, you’re just begging for Murphy to come visit. And that’s not my definition of financial peace! - Dave Preparing for life beyond college Dear Dave, I’m in college with a full scholarship. I work part time and should be able to graduate with no debt. What can I do now to best utilize the money I make? - Tyler Dear Tyler, You’re in a fantastic position right now. First, I think your main goal is to study hard and be 100 percent certain you’re graduating on time with no money issues. The next thing is to make sure you have plenty of cash on hand to make the transition to the real world. In a case like this, transition can mean anything from moving to a new city to simply finding a different place to live. You’re coming to a time in your life where you really can’t have too much cash saved. If it were me, I’d just save every penny I could and drop it in a savings account. You can worry about investing and growing your money later, after you’ve settled into your new life and have some stability. Just think how cool it would be to graduate with $20,000 in the bank. Then, when you change gears and move out into the real world, you can do some really cool things with the money that’s left. Set three to six months of expenses aside as your emergency fund, then you can even begin to think about buying a home and
investing in Roth IRAs and other pre-tax retirement plans. But your biggest investment right now is making sure you finish school and have the cash on-hand to transition smoothly afterward. And you’re in a great position to make that happen! - Dave First the baby or the debt? Dear Dave, My wife and I are following your plan. We want to start a family, but we’re still in debt and still owe about $8,000 on our car. Should we pay that off and fully fund our emergency fund before we think about having children? - Robert
Dave Says
Don’t ask for a Murphy visit Dear Dave, Is there ever a time you should dip into emergency fund savings in order to pay off your home early? - Eric
Dear Robert, When two people who are married and love each other very much decide it’s time to share that love with a family, then it’s time. You’ve done a great job of managing your money, setting goals and formulating a game plan, so there’s no reason to wait. If it were me, I’d begin aggressively paying down the car now. Then, when the doctor confirms she’s pregnant, you can temporarily push the pause button on your Total Money Makeover. If you haven’t managed to pay off the car at that point, use the money you were putting toward it to build up a big cash pile of savings, and go back to regular payments on the car after the baby comes. By doing this you really lose no ground on your getout-of-debt plan. You’re just redirecting your resources in case you need additional money down the road. But who knows? It may take you guys a while to get pregnant. And if that happens, you could have the car paid off and plenty of opportunity to save up more before the little one arrives! - Dave ■
Dave Ramsey For more financial help, please visit daveramsey.com
Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world. - Virgil Kraft 940.210.1769 • WISE
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Family Album
Lilly, Olivia, and Jorge Vazquez being silly and having fun.
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Women’s Occupational Workshop
If it‘s not one thing, it’s a Mother!
T
his is the month we pause to celebrate Mother with a day of her own. May is the month we stop and recognize Mother for all she has done for us, for the care she has provided, for the gift of her input into our lives, and for the time invested into our present and future. As a people, we pause to reflect on the “hand that rocks the cradle” and the strength it demonstrates. Particularly, in this culture, we are often so busy that we forget to observe the efforts given by our Mothers. Accept this challenge to slow down and recognize the power of Motherhood. They were the first to love us, as we were. They fed us, sheltered us and provided the elements to grow us into, hopefully, a self-sustaining human being. President Abraham Lincoln is quoted to say, “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.” I know, in my case, this is correct. I am blessed to have grown up with a mom who taught me to believe in me. Have you thanked your mother recently for placing her dreams and her life plans on hold to give of her self to you? Motherhood requires an attitude of unselfishness to be successfully accomplished. I am proud to have this type of Mother. With total unselfishness, my mom – Patricia Jean Story – seeded her life into my brother and me. She desired so much more for us than she had received in her life. She was present in my day-to-day life. Mom attended every games, every competition. Having been very involved in community service, my brother and I became her community. She made us eat when we were too busy to stop because nutrition would make us strong. She taught us to pray and depend on God - because who we were in Christ was more important that what we built or acquired. Mom led by example. I’ve been blessed to see her on her knees before God for me, reaching out and serving those in need of food and shelter, raising foster children that still today call her mom and loving my dad. She ignited my quest for education and learning. She challenged me to become all that I could be and never failed to tell me she was proud of me as I was. She was the first tear I ever witnessed and the sound of the first laughter in my life. Mom has overcome devastating loss and pain and illness only to rise stronger through each event. She has taught me how to live, with joy, each day. Even today at 81, mom is a testament of overcoming and survival. I have been truly blessed. Take time this month to thank your Mother for all she is to you. Reflect the handprints your mother has placed on your life. Examine her strength and determine to grow
stronger. Celebrate her more than just on Mother’s Day. Celebrate her daily. ■ Keitha Story-Stephenson, Ph.D.
Keitha Story-Stephenson, PhD, director of BlueSky Wellness Center, provides private consultation for individuals and corporations in Nutritional Wellness, Weight Management, ADD/ADHD Nutritional Management and other Alternative Health Care. Available by appointment in Decatur, Texas ay 506 West Walnut. You may phone 817-239-9525 or visit ainformation. Follow us on our blog, www. DrKeitha.com or www.MerchantsCircle.com Keitha also serves as CEO of SkyBlue Family Ministries. You may reach the ministry by email at DrKeitha@me.com. Tune in to Christian Radio, KDKR 91.3fm, on Saturdays at 1:30pm, for “Feeding the Family-Mind, Body and Spirit”. Or tune in through live streaming at KDKR.org for our broadcast.
They say that man is mighty, He governs land and sea, He wields a mighty scepter O’er lesser powers that be; But mightier power and stronger Man from his throne has hurled, For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. - William Ross Wallace
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Family Album
Happy 4th Birthday Jaxtin Placek!
Love Grammie, Papaw, Aunt Shellie, Uncle Bobo, Uncle Bryce, Alex, and cuz Jacob
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Braydan Vela, son of Cassandra Vela, on Easter. Picture taken by Carmen Delarosa
Wise County Wonderings W. J. MANN, EARLY DAY SHERIFF William J. Mann, intimately known as Bill, was born in Tarrant County, to James and Margaret Mann, while the faimily was waiting to complete plans to move to Wise County. His father, James, it is believed helped survey the town of Fort Worth. Margaret was the first white woman to live West of the Trinity River in Wise County. Bill attended school at Deep Creek in Wise County, and at Veal’s Station in Parker County. He was first married to a Miss Perkins who died soon after twins were born, one died with her. He then married Miss Atlanta Lindsey in Parker county. Bill served as a guide to many settlers coming into the county from Fort Worth. It is told that he was bringing a group to Wise County when one of the “blue northers” came up, and to keep the company from freezing to death, he built a huge fire, and when it died to coals, raked it to the sides and had the settlers stay in the middle until morning when they could continue their trip into Wise County. He was 20 years old when he was elected Justice of Peace at Cottondale in 1870. He served the county as sheriff fron 1885 to 1889, believing two terms was all any man should hold public office.
While serving as sheriff the family lost two little girls. Mrs. Mann said the jail living quarters were so damp, they both died from pneumonia. He was one of twenty men who pledged $1,000.00 to revitalize the Decatur Baptist College in 1898. He also served as postmaster at Draco for a short term, and from 1913 to 1915 served as a county commissioner. Bill died at his home in Paradise in 1925. He along with both wives and three sons are buried at Cottondale. One son died as an infant, one is Jim Mann who was the Acme Brick Plant manager in Bridgeport for many years. The other is Pat Mann, who owned the original Mann land, which is still owned by descendants of W. J. (Bill) Mann. ■
Rosalie Gregg
Rosalie Gregg was born near Hayden, New Mexico. Ms. Gregg graduated from Paradise High School and from Decatur Baptist College. She married Robert Nolen Gregg, Jr., who had been a Prisoner of War for 3-1/2 year during which time he helped build the railroad that led to the Bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand. Ms. Gregg has been involved with the Wise County Heritage Museum since its inception in 1967. www.wisehistory.com
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The true harbinger of spring is not crocuses or swallows returning to Capistrano, but the sound of the bat on the ball. - Bill Veeck
Family Album
Tatum Step - daughter of Jim & Erica Step of Krum Granddaughter of Roy & Janice Millican of Decatur Enjoying warm spring weather building sand castles.
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Cleaning the Right Way To Remove Allergens
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ore than 40 million Americans suffer from allergy problems, and 25 million have asthma. If your cleaning routine doesn’t specifically focus on allergen control and removal, you may be only moving dust around, sending allergens and irritating cleaning chemicals into the air which can affect allergy and asthma symptoms. To maximize your cleaning efforts and reduce allergens, consider these simple tips from the asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program, the healthy home initiative of the nonprofit Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA): * Use a certified vacuum that has a high efficiency filter with tight seams and seals to prevent particles from leaking out while you vacuum. Also, choose a style that requires minimal exposure during canister emptying or bag changes.
* Certain cleaning products can also contribute to airborne irritants, especially if they contain harsh chemicals, strong odors or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Choose products that contain none of these irritants, but also beware of “green” labels, as some of these solutions may be made with natural allergenic ingredients, such as lemon, coconut or tea-tree oils. * Rodent dander and cockroach particles are common household asthma triggers. However, some pesticides may do more harm than good for people with asthma and allergies. If you have a pest problem, look for an exterminator with expertise in integrated pest management and experience treating homes of people with asthma. ■
*Dusting improperly can actually increase airborne dust particles in your home. Use moist cloths or special dry dusters designed to trap and lock dust from hard surfaces. Use vacuum attachments to remove dust from soft and upholstered surfaces.
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Protect yourself from summer’s backyard pests ants, including at least one queen. By attaching themselves to their victims and injecting venom through their stingers, they can sting animals and humans repeatedly when threatened or searching for prey. These ants are reddish-black and range in size from 1/16 to almost half an inch long. Many bees, wasps and yellow jackets are social insects and live in colonies. Unlike bees, however, wasps and yellow jackets are capable of stinging multiple times. Many can exist where humans live, and can be dangerous if disturbed. All three insects can wreak havoc on outdoor fun, especially since they are attracted to food, garbage cans and sugary soft drinks. Bee, wasp and yellow jacket stings can cause significant and life-threatening allergic reactions in about 3 percent of people who are stung, according to the Mayo Clinic. While stings are usually not life-threatening to most people, they can be painful, become infected and aggravate skin disorders or allergies. (BPT) - Warm weather is here for the next few months, and Orkin recommends preventing these backyard pests from that means you’ll be spending more time outdoors with family being summertime bothers by remembering the following tips: and friends - and more time with summer pests. Mosquitoes, fire ants, bees, wasps and yellow jackets are some of summer’s * Clean up spilled food and drinks immediately, and keep food worst bugs. And those pests can be more than a mere nuisance. stored tightly, especially during outdoor picnics. In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 5,300 cases of West Nile Virus throughout * Rinse out cans before recycling, and empty garbage cans and the United States. West Nile Virus can be a serious disease for recycling bins often. a few people (about one in 150), according to the CDC. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have milder * Seal cracks around doors and windows. symptoms, while most people who get the disease (about four * Keep gutters and downspouts clean and keep plants away from out of five) will not show any symptoms at all. “The best way to protect yourself from mosquitoes is to take your home’s foundation. ■ the proper precautions,” says Orkin entomologist and technical services director Dr. Ron Harrison. “Use insect repellent when spending time outdoors, empty any standing water from around your home, and either stay inside or wear long sleeves and pants if you must be outside during dusk and dawn, because that is when mosquitoes are most active.” Fire ants prefer warm, sunny conditions, and are most common throughout the southern United States, but have been found as far west as California and as far north as Maryland. Their mounds can grow up to 2 feet around and stand more than a foot tall. These colonies can contain several hundred thousand
We hope that, when the insects take over the world, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics. - Bill Vaughan 16
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Your first resume - dos and don’ts * Do utilize your college’s career services department. Advisors can assist you in formatting and tailoring your resume and may be able to provide you with job leads. They can also help you prepare for the actual interview. * Do list your work-related and non-work-related accomplishments. Make sure the non-work accomplishments still showcase your benefit to a potential employer. For instance, if you planned your sorority or fraternity annual philanthropy, focus on the leadership skills you utilized and the organization the event benefitted. If you’ve completed a marathon, list that as well. It showcases your ability to stick with a project and follow through. It could also wind up being a pretty interesting topic of conversation during the interview. Just be prepared to discuss your skills and accomplishments, when asked. (BPT) - If you’re heading out into the workforce for the first time, there’s plenty of prep work to do. An employer’s first impression of you could very well be your resume. Christine Pacheco, director of career services at The Art Institute of Colorado, and Kristin Frank, director of career services at The Art Institute of Phoenix, share the top dos you should include to get noticed and get your foot in the door - and the don’ts that could get your resume tossed in the trash. First, the dos:
Which brings us to the don’ts: * Don’t embellish. Because you will be asked about your marathon or how you increased your company’s ROI during your three-month internship, make sure everything you put on paper is true. If not, it could come back to bite you.
* Don’t send before you proofread. “We still see typos and missing names, email addresses or phone numbers,” says Pacheco. Few things annoy hiring managers more than that kind of easily avoided carelessness. It tells an employer that you do * Do look at the job description and then tailor your resume to not have attention to detail and that you complete sloppy work. the specific needs of the job, advises Frank. Your skills need to In an era with spell-check, most of this can be easily avoided. match what the employer is looking for. Pacheco stresses the importance of key words that should be included in your resume. * Don’t use that “cute” email address you created in college. A “Your resume could be scanned electronically and if key industry hiring manager will be hard-pressed to take “partygirl@email. words and words from the job description are not in it, it will com” or “lovetheladies@email.com” seriously, warns Frank. get tossed before it ever gets to a human being,” she says. That * Don’t include irrelevant info on your resume. A philanthropic means you should be tweaking your resume for each job. event you organized for your fraternity is a plus, the spring * Do ensure you’ve completed at least one internship to include break trip you spearheaded may not impress, nor will your on your resume, even if your program of study did not require award for most parties attended in a semester. Make sure the it. Explain how you contributed to the organization and how you information you include showcases your responsible side. Your made yourself stand out. Make sure to stress the professional future employer does not want to imagine you calling in sick skills you honed during that time. If you’ve done freelance and because you stayed out too late the night before. contract work in your field, create a ‘freelance/contract work” * Don’t go on and on. “I’ve seen executive-level resumes that section and list all your clients. stuck to a page or two,” says Pacheco. Make sure your resume * Do list your membership and participation in professional is clear and to the point. ■ organizations, and if you haven’t joined a professional organization for your field, do so immediately. “It’s important to show a genuine interest in your industry,” explains Frank. Make sure to also list any professional certifications you’ve earned while still in school.18
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DON’T DELAY!
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4 Tips to Minimize Procrastination.
rocrastination may be a tendency as human as eating and sleeping, but certain children seem more vulnerable than others and may need some assistance. In The Procrastinating Child (2002), Rita Emmett conceptualizes procrastination as a nasty habit both children and adults can correct. What is the cause of our frequent delays, and is there really more to it than laziness or fear? Carleton University researcher Timothy Pychyl studies procrastination and believes to understand it we must take into account “self-defeating behavior including: emotions, self-regulation, the role of personality interacting with situation and how we perceive reward.” Here are some tips to increase productivity gleaned from the expertise of Pychyl and other experts on the topic. 1. Ditch the Nike Logo. To combat the tendency to put things off, expert and author of The Now Habit (2007) Neil Fiore suggests transforming the thought “I don’t want to” into “I wonder what will come?” Sound simple? This sort of attitude adjustment is powerful. In a sense, the subtle shift in mindset tricks the brain into a more productive mode. Another effective shift in thinking is switching from the attitude “Just do it” to “Just get started.” Carleton University researcher Timothy Pychyl (2008) conducted a series of studies on procrastination and found that the participant’s perception of the tasks they needed to get done was significant. Once we get started on a task, it’s rarely as bad as we thought. The phrase “Just get started” was more powerful in helping participants see the thing they wanted to do was not really that frightening. And it’s okay if the task doesn’t get finished right away. As Pychyl writes “Even if we don’t finish the task, we have done something, and the next day our attributions about self are not nearly as negative. We feel more in control and more optimistic. You might even say we have a little momentum.” 2. Forgive Yourself. Pychyl’s 2010 study revealed that to stop putting off a task, forgiving onesself is effective to stop procrastinating. When you self-forgive, the chance you will delay getting down to business in the future will decrease. Apparently, the negative emotions surrounding the task are eased with forgiveness. It may also be helpful to talk to your child about how perfectionism robs productivity. Kids need to be reminded it is okay to make mistakes so explain “not perfect” is altogether different from “fail.” One of the best ways to help them become more comfortable with accepting mistakes is through modeling. Seeing a parent acknowledge their own daily errors (and responding with humor and compassion for the missteps) is both a gift and permission to be more accepting.
3. Think small chunks & Remove the STING. Emmett recommends helping children break overwhelming tasks into smaller chunks. If your child has an upcoming test and simply cannot get the gears in motion to prepare, help her get organized. Look at the task of test preparation as a series of baby steps. Help her make a short list for a plan of attack. A great strategy for older kids and their parents from Emmett’s book: *Select a task you’ve been putting off. *Time yourself and take one hour to accomplish the task. *Ignore everything around you, such as the phone and other tasks *No breaks. *Give yourself a reward once the task is complete. 4. Set expectations & Write it down. Parents can influence their children’s productivity by setting firm rules at home, offering rewards, and making lists. The basic rule of “No TV until your homework or housework is done” is an obvious place to begin to curb the procrastination. Screen time can be suspended or offered as a reward for successful time management.
Make lists for everything so there can be no excuses. Adolescents are especially prone to selective memory even when rules are clearly articulated. Notes are more effective than nagging for gentle reminders of chores, appointments and expectations. Hopefully these suggestions will help you feel proactive in helping your children develop better habits that will serve them well through adulthood. ■
Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
Michele Ranard has a husband, two sons and a master’s degree in counseling. 940.210.1769 • WISE
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Family Album
Katelyn Grace Starnes enjoying the spring weather on Easter Day!
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Here are cousins Audrie Holt and Gunner Craig on their first Easter. Both babies are 3 months old.
Fun & Games Across
1. Mgr.’s helpers 6. Woofer output 10. Cereal choice 14. Fuel for a debate 15. Brand for Bowser 16. Child’s building block 17. Beth follows it 18. Great thing in China 19. Came down 20. Pseudonymous surname 21. Favorite libation of grandmothers? 24. Chicago political name 26. Sent a message the old-fashioned way 27. Nicknaming sportscaster Chris 29. Column in math 30. Light ___ 31. Cursory inspection 36. Kindergarten breaks 37. After the deadline 39. Morally reprehensible 40. They might cause unglamorous hands 42. Gave up, as land 43. “The Farmer in the Dell” syllables 44. Odalisques’ places 45. Word with high, low or user 49. Turn a deaf ___ (ignore) 50. Maps to places one might hear “Bolero”? 52. Word found on a dipstick 55. “I’ll take ___ a compliment” 56. “. . . unto us ___ is given” (Isaiah) 57. How some shares are purchased 59. Highlander 60. Long, narrow shoe size 61. Smelling a rat 62. Designer Schiaparelli 63. Historical periods 64. Bridge seats
Down
1. Not much 2. Fledgling pilot’s challenge 3. Fast numbers by Will Smith? 4. Word to the wise 5. Rhodes, for one 6. Off-color 7. “There oughta be ___!” 8. Hair problem 9. Good financial condition 10. World-weary
onlinecrosswords.net
11. Kick back 12. Quick and graceful 13. Worthy of attention 22. “The Billion Dollar Brain” novelist Deighton 23. “Anything ___?” 25. Pennsylvania Dutch 27. Boston or Chicago, e.g. 28. Morales of “My Family” 29. Common sculpture subject 32. Hard to miss 33. Primates seen on home movie rentals? 34. Before middle sch. 35. Cincinnati’s “boys of summer” 37. Type of pregame party
38. 41. 42. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 51. 53. 54. 58.
Busch partner Celebrity groundhog Dealer’s deal Own, in Dundee Word with purchase or asking Honey badger Squashed O’s Roman holiday Best, Ferber and Millay Macbeth’s burial place Blowgun weapon Prohibitionists It gets into hot water
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Wise County Animal Shelter
Wisecounty Animalshelter on Facebook Or look for the volunteer ran FB page Urgent Animals at the Wise Co Texas animal shelter Ways you can help the shelter. Donate suppliesCanned and dry dog/cat food Dog/cat treats (No rawhide bones) Kitty Litter Dawn dish soap Bleach Laundry detergent Batteries (9v and AAA) for scale and chip scanner
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Volunteer your timeCome walk dogs, bathe and groom, interact with cats Donate to sponsor adoptionsEach adoption Is $25.00 you can sponsor adoptions by making a check payable to the Wise County Animal Shelter and mailing it to Brenda Argraves, 425 Hilltop Drive, Decatur, TX 76234. Brenda will post on Facebook when your sponsor fee has been used. She will mail you a receipt from the shelter once your funds have been used. Donate to sponsor spay/neuter couponsMail a check made payable to shelter volunteer Brenda Argraves to 425 Hilltop Drive, Decatur, TX 76234. She will pass out coupons to new pet owners who adopt from the Wise County shelter for spay/neuter discount. Make sure you write in the memo section on the check what the donation is for. Foster for rescue groupssometimes when rescue groups are willing to pull a dog or cat from the shelter they need someone to foster the animal until they can have it transported to it’s new home or until it can be adopted. If you would like to find out more about becoming a foster please Contact Shelly Sessums on FB or go to her website at www.safeandsoundanimalrescue.com and fill out the foster application. Donate directlyDonate directly to the shelter for general needs- drop by or mail a check to 200 Rook Ramsey Decatur Texas 76234
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