Warren County Connection - May 2019

Warren County Connection A Publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County

May 2019

Can Money Buy Happiness?

Many Americans are plagued by the “if-only” syndrome. Data show that most people believe if they could only get a raise, a new house, a new car, or some other material possession, they would finally be happy.

Not surprisinly, studies demonstrate that buying things does not lead to happiness.

To be sure, it is much easier to find happiness if your basic needs are met. Two Nobel-prize-winning economists conducted a famous study where they found that Americans improve their emotional wellbeing by earning more money up to a point – specifically an annual salary of $75,000. Beyond that, people may feel more accomplished, but they don’t reap any emotional benefits from their higher salaries.

In this issue: Rhubarb

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Managing Home Vegetable Garden Pests

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Warmer Weather 6 Warning: Go Slow to Prevent Heat Stroke

Netherlands. The data showed that people who chose to spend their money on time-savings services – such as meal delivery, a house cleaner or a lawn service – reported greater life satisfaction compared to those who did not.

The researchers also conducted an experiment where they gave participants – 60 adults living in Canada – $40 on two consecutive weekends and directed them to spend it on a time-saving purchase or a material But a growing body of evidence purchase. At the end of the day, they demonstrates that you can buy hap- asked the participants how much piness – essentially by buying time. A time they saved or what they purlarge chunk of this data comes from chased, and then questions about Ashley V. Whillans, a business protheir mood and stress levels. Particifessor at Harvard University, who pants who spent their money on studies how people navigate trade- time-saving purchases felt less offs between time and money. stressed and reported higher levels of well-being compared to those who In one study, published in 2017 in purchased material items. the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Whillans and What’s going on here? her research team surveyed more It’s not that people living in our modthan 6,200 adults living in the United ern society have less time. Data show States, Canada, Denmark, and The (Continued on page 8)

Paying Down Your Credit Card Debt

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Parents Making Youth Sports a Positive Experience: Spectators

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Sensational Sorbet!

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Special points of interest: 

Calendar of Events

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Warren County Connection

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Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Warren County 377 Schroon River Road Warrensburg, NY 12885

Phone: (518) 623-3291 or (518) 668-4881 Fax: (518) 668-4912 Visit Our Web Site: www.cce.cornell.edu/warren

Who We Are Nation-wide, thousands of people in each state tap into their state’s land-grant university research and know-how to make sound confident decisions concerning family, home, business, finances, and the future. In New York State, the land-grant university is Cornell University.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension network brings you the expertise of Cornell University, other land-grant universities across the country and locally-based Extension Educators, volunteers, and other experts through such programs as: horticulture, youth and families, leadership, environment, food, nutrition & health, home environment, and financial management.

Staff Dr. James Seeley, Executive Director John Bowe, 4-H Team Coordinator Dan Carusone, 4-H Community Educator Marybeth Mitcham, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator Roxanne Westcott, Parent Educator/Energy Educator Anne Mills, Farm to School Coordinator Jessica Holmes, Master Gardener Coordinator Sharon Bellamy, Finance Manager Amy Sabattis, Public Relations/Publications Manager Michele Baker, Administrative Assistant Chris Dittus, Administrative Assistant

Board of Directors William Mason - President Laura Conway- Vice President Julie Pearl - Secretary William Hamelin - Treasurer Aimee Azaert Daniel Bruno Peter Benoit Ed Griesmer Jim Kneeshaw David Strainer Michael White

Extension Service Committee Chair - Andrea Hogan Douglas Beaty Jack Diamond Ben Driscoll Cynthia Hyde William Loeb Brad Magowan Eugene Merlino Michael Wild

Warren County Connection

MAY CALENDAR Please visit our website for more events www.cce.cornell.edu/warren 5/2/2019 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM - Landscape Design Seminar - This workshop covers the basics of landscape design for novice designers and those wanting to refine their approach. For more information contact Jess Holmes 518-623-3291. Location: Town of Johnsburg Library 219 Main Street, North Creek, NY 12853 5/3 - 5/5 2019 NYS 4-H Forestry Weekend at 4-H Camp Shankitunk in Delaware County - This program teaches youth (10 and over) who have an interest in forestry how to identify, measure, and calculate board feet or management theories from standing trees based on woodland plot analysis. The use of compasses, pacing, and topographical maps is covered. Must be current 4-H members and have scheduled or complete a public presentation to attend. For more information contact John Bowe at 518-623-3291. Location: 4-H Camp Shankitunk 2420 Arbor Hill Road, Delhi, NY 13753 5/6/2019 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM - Instant Pot Class - So, what can you do with an instant pot? Come and find out! For more information contact Marybeth Mitcham 518-623-3291. Location: Lake Luzerne Senior Center 539 Lake Avenue, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846 5/7/2019 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Moving on Mother's Day - Come and move your way to health, while having fun! For more information contact Marybeth Mitcham 518-623-3291. Location: Glens Falls Senior Center 380 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 5/9 & 5/21 2019 - Food Smart Families - During this program, participants will learn about nutrition and health, make and try new recipes, and participate in fun, physical-activity-based games. For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location: Big Cross Street School 15 Big Cross Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801 5/10/2019 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Healthy Diets as you Age - Do dietary needs change as you age? How can you adjust your diet to meet these needs, without compromising in taste? Come and join us for an interactive class as we find out! For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location SUNY Adirondack 640 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804 5/15/2019 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM - Wildlife Habitat Education Program - Amazing Amphibians. Meet at CCE Warrensburg and travel to Pack Forest to do a walking tour to look for frogs, toads, and salamanders. Vernal pools should be in full swing at this time of year and we will look for egg masses. No fee! Cloverbuds 5-7 and all participants will need a ride from CCE to Pack Forest. For more information contact 518-623-3291. Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension Warren County 377 Schroon River Road, Warrensburg, NY 12885 5/15 & 5/16 2019 - Food, Fun, and Fitness - During this program, participants will learn about nutrition and health, make and try new recipes, and participate in fun, physical-activity-based games. For (Continued on page 8)

Warren County Connection

Rhubarb is prone to bolting.

Here’s what to do

By Rosie Lerner, Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Purdue University

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as well-composted manure, each spring should also discourage bolting.

Weather no doubt has a role to play as well. Rhubarb is a cool season perennial that can remain productive for 815 years, if given proper care. Plant stress, such as temperatures above 90 F, prolonged drought during hot weather, poor nutrition, etc., may also promote bolting.

The bottom line is that rhubarb may bolt for a variety — and likely a combination — of several factors. Many gardeners may not know what cultivar they have, and there’s not much we can do about the weather. So, if your rhubarb should happen to bolt, remove the flowering stalks just as soon as they are visible, to which the plant will likely respond by sending up another. If you keep at it, soon the plant will return to the desired priority for foliage production.

We humans can be so difficult to please. When plants flower when we want them to, we call it blooming. But when plants flower when we don’t want them to, we call it bolting. Flowering is an undesirable trait when growing rhubarb; therefore, bolting describes the event.

Gardeners frequently ask why their rhubarb is bolting.

Well, if you think of it from the plant’s perspective, it is just a part of the plant’s natural life cycle. Flowering is part of the reproductive phase that leads to the production of fruit and seed.

But from the gardener’s perspective, the production of flowers, fruit and seed in rhubarb wastes the plant’s resources, which could be better spent on producing edible stalks or storing carbohydrates to use for the following season. And if allowed to mature seed, the resulting seedling offspring are often less desirable than the mother plant, which we paid good money to buy as a named cultivar. In fact, seedling offspring are often more likely to bolt than some of the more modern hybrid cultivars.

Seedling offspring can also be vigorous enough or just numerous enough to take over the original planting.

It does appear that some rhubarb plants are more prone to flowering than others. Old-fashioned varieties, such as Victoria and MacDonald, are reported to be heavy seed stalk producers. Canada Red and Valentine are less likely to bolt. Plant maturity is also a factor, with more mature plants being more likely to bolt than youngsters. Dividing the crowns every 4-5 years should help rejuvenate the planting. Applying moderate amounts of fertilizer, such

Another question that sometimes comes up is whether the flowering makes the leaf stalks poisonous. The answer is no, the leaf stalks remain edible, regardless of whether flower stalks are present. However, the leafy blade portion is always poisonous due to a high level of oxalic acid.

Source: Rosie Lerner, Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Purdue University

Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. it means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections. ~ Unknown Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. ~ Henry Ford Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it. ~ Lou Holtz

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Warren County Connection

Managing Home Vegetable Garden Pests

occur in your area. An example -- butternut squash is listed as being resistant to the squash vine borer.

4. Sanitation in and around the garden is very important. Many vegetable pests overwinter in weeds or plant debris in or near the garden. Remove weeds and/or organic mulches, which can provide ideal places for insects, slugs and snails to reside. Where mulches cannot be removed, at least collect and destroy the pests before setting out transplants or sowing seed.

5. Avoid bringing insect infested plants into the garden.

Carefully check transplants for the presence of insects before purchasing and planting.

6. Consider time of planting -- could the pest be avoided by earlier or later planting?

There are a number of mechanical and/or cultural practices that may be used to help reduce insect pests in home vegetable gardens. Some are more practical than others, and the success will depend in part on your willingness to work at them. An integrated approach to pest management (combining a number of strategies) is often best.

7. Handpicking -- removing the pest by taking them off the plants and destroying them. Placing them in a bucket of soapy water (or water with dish detergent) kills most insects.

One of the most important strategies in dealing with insects is to learn about them - which ones are pests, learn about the habitat they live in, their life cycle, what they will feed on and a little about their behavior. This information will help you decide what to do. Many insects found in the garden are not pests, and some are beneficial insects.

a. Cardboard collars (or roofing paper), four inches high, placed around young transplants to prevent cutworms from cutting the stems, and squares of tar paper or carpeting placed securely around the stems of young cabbage family crops to prevent the cabbage maggot fly from depositing eggs at the base of the plants.

1. Maintain vigorous, healthy plants -- there is some evidence to suggest that plants growing under stressful conditions are more likely to be attacked and to suffer serious damage. Fertilization, liming, too little or too much water, and planting too close together can all adversely affect plants. Check the fertility and pH of soil regularly and make adjustments as needed.

Thin plants to the recommended spacing.

b. Row covers placed over plants until either the pest is gone or the plants are large enough to need the covers removed. All covers should be removed about four to six weeks into the season as temperatures during mid-summer get too hot. Some plants need to be insect pollinated or they will not yield a crop such as cucumbers, melons and squash. There are commercial polypropylene, polyester and polyvinyl alcohol covers available, but cheesecloth or screening can also be used. All of these let in light and water and allow continued plant growth. Even ventilated plastic row covers help to keep out many pests.

2. Planting the same crop in the same place year after year may cause pest buildup. Rotate crops, especially where soil insects (such as grubs, wireworms and maggots) are a problem. Do not plant crops susceptible to grubs or wireworms where grass grew the previous year.

3. Choose recommended varieties for your area, and where available, resistant varieties to pests known to

8. Physical barriers placed around plants can control some insects, including such things as:

9. Mulches: some research has shown that certain mulching materials such as aluminum foil may repel aphids, thrips and other insects. Although this mate(Continued on page 5)

Warren County Connection (Continued from page 4)

rial is expensive, it may be practical on the small scale.

10. Traps such as yellow sticky boards can be used to help monitor insect populations, but they are seldom sufficient to give control. They do help, however, to maintain whitefly populations at a low level as long as sticky material is replaced periodically when insects cover the boards.

11. Biological control by the introduction of predators, parasites or diseases is becoming more practical as we learn more about managing the pest system. Remember when introducing or maintaining predators or parasites, if there are insufficient hosts for them to feed on, the beneficial insects will move elsewhere.

12. Pesticides may also be used as a part of the pest management program. Be sure to use only the amount you need, and to treat only the crops that need treating. Spot treatments are effective and may be practical for home gardens. Before using any pesticide check the label – the crop you want to treat, and the pest you are treating, must both be listed on the label. If not, do not use the pesticide. a. It is important to note that just because a pesticide may be botanical in origin, it does not meant that it is non-toxic. Some botanical insecticides are more toxic than some of the commonly available synthetic chemicals. b. Biological pesticides, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.), a bacterium that attacks caterpillars, are an alternative to some chemical pesticides. c. Insecticidal soaps are also an alternative to some chemical pesticides and may be useful for certain pests, especially aphids, in the home garden. d. Diatomaceous earth (silicon dioxide) a desiccant, is sometimes used for control of insects, slugs and snails. Once it gets wet and compacted, however, it loses effectiveness.

No matter which methods you choose, try to keep a record of what you did and whether it was successful. Such a record should be a great help in the future when you are faced with similar pest management decisions.

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For further reading, see Cornell’s publication Pest Management Around the Home, especially “Vegetable Pest Management” (Chapter 12 in Part 1; Chapter 13 in Part 2). http://ipmguidelines.org/Home/ Prepared 1988 by Carolyn Klass, Senior Extension Associate, Dept. of Entomology, Cornell University Updated 2009

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” ~ John Muir, The Mountains of California “The Peace of Wild Things - When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.” ~ Wendell Berry, The Selected Poems of Wendell Berry

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Warmer Weather Warning: Go Slow to Prevent Heat Stroke

Warren County Connection

If you suspect your dog is experiencing heat stroke, your first step should be to cool the dog down with cool water. Ideally, place a fan near the wet dog to accelerate the cooling. Then call your veterinarian.

“The faster you cool the dog, the better chance he has of surviving,” says Dr. McMichael. “And if you are using water from a hose, be sure that the water is cool before spraying the dog. When the hose has been sitting in the sun, the water may be very hot.”

Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention The approach of summer brings a spike both in temperatures and in cases of heat stroke in dogs. Dr. Maureen McMichael, a boarded emergency and critical care specialist who heads the emergency service at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, urges owners to acclimate their dogs to the increasing heat before engaging them in strenuous exercise.

“Heat is bad, and exercising in the heat is very, very bad,” warns Dr. McMichael. “Many heat strokes happen in early spring on a warm day, when owners take their previously inactive pet on a run.”

Treatment for Heat Stroke Veterinary treatment will continue the effort to lower the dog’s body temperature and then attempt to reverse the systemic damage done by the heat. The veterinarian will generally place an intravenous catheter to administer cool fluids. Treatment to address other consequences of heat stroke may include giving a blood transfusion or gut protectants and providing supportive care.

Some pets are more sensitive to heat than others.

“Dogs don’t sweat like people do. They use panting to cool themselves, so dogs that have trouble breathing are going to be more susceptible to heat stroke,” says Dr. McMichael. “Dogs that are obese, and dogs that have flat faces, such as boxers and bulldogs, are at higher risk of heat stroke.”

Take It Slow She advises re-introducing your dog to heat and exercise gradually. “When it is warm, take them on a walk rather than a run. Never, ever force them to exercise. Always err on the side of stopping, wetting them down with cool water from a hose, and giving them cool water to drink.”

As you and your furry friend begin to enjoy the warm weather, don’t forget the importance of a cool drink of water and a break in the air conditioning. Even after your pet is accustomed to summer heat, avoid exercise during the hottest times of the day, offer plenty of breaks, and be on the lookout for signs of fatigue or illness.

Simply being overheated is referred to as heat exhaustion. Dr. McMichael says if this happens, “dogs will often slow down, pant a lot, and sometimes stop running, if they are on a run.”

If you have questions about heat stroke in dogs, contact your local veterinarian.

Heat stroke, in contrast, is a serious condition that involves significant damage to organ systems, such as the liver, blood, and bone marrow. It requires immediate medical attention.

Signs of Heat Stroke Dogs with heat stroke may have bloody diarrhea related to damage to the lining of the intestine, and they may bleed from wounds because the coagulation system is impaired. Damage to bone marrow may hinder the formation of platelets. Heat stroke can also cause brain swelling, seizures, and death.

Source: College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign

Warren County Connection

Paying Down Your Credit Card Debt

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to pay down your credit card debt. Your dollars go further towards debt than they do accumulating small amounts of interest in a bank account. However, do not use your emergency savings fund to pay down debts. You still want to keep three months of income in your emergency savings fund.

Cut the Fat Once you have looked to savings accounts for extra dollars, it’s time to begin shaving dollars off your budget.

When governments find themselves in debt, they turn to austerity measures (i.e. cutting spending or increasing revenue) and you should too.

According to NerdWallet’s 2018 annual analysis of household debt in the United States, the average household with credit card debt has an estimated $6,929 in revolving balances. What’s more, as many as 1 in 11 indebted Americans thinks that they will never be completely debt free. If you are among those American households with credit card debt then paying down your debt is priority one in terms of your household finance.

Consider the following suggestions to help you finally break free from debt for good.

Diagnose the Damage You can’t begin to develop a viable solution until you understand the nature and scope of the problem. Gather all of your bills and statements and list all of the debt you owe. Determine how much you owe on each individual credit card and arrive at a grand total. It may be painful to finally see all you owe totaled in one number, but it is important to gain some perspective on the extent of your debt.

Plan Your Success Now that you understand the problem, it is time to develop a plan. The way out of debt is the same as the way into debt: A dollar at a time.

Prioritize the credit cards that have the highest interest rates. These are the cards that pose the greatest threat to your financial health because the credit card with the highest interest rate is the one you are paying the most on relative to your principal balance. Therefore, these are the debts that you will want to tackle first.

Also, be sure to actually write down your plan. You may think that you can develop a plan in your head all the same, but there is something to be said for committing to your plan by putting pen to paper.

Borrow from Yourself If you have money in savings, you may consider using it

Begin by looking at your discretionary spending. Is there room to cut spending on entertainment or eating out?

Are you packing your lunch every day and making your own coffee at home? Small changes in your day-to-day spending habits can add up to savings that will help you eliminate your credit card debt.

When governments get into debt, cutting spending isn’t their only option. They can also increase revenue. In terms of your personal finances, that means looking for supplemental income. You may consider a part-time job on the weekend, selling unwanted items at a consignment sale, or babysitting for the neighbors. Any additional income helps to create a savings margin that will get you headed in the right direction.

Communicate with Creditors Occasionally, creditors may consider lowering monthly payments, waiving fees, or even reducing your interest rate. You could also discuss your payment plan with creditors and ask for some leniency.

Consolidate Credit Card Debt If you cannot reduce your debt with any of the steps mentioned above, then you may consider consolidating your credit card debt. However, beware: There are lots of potential traps that can push you even deeper into debt. For instance, some debt consolidation loans offer low interest rates that are not fixed. In other words, they are teaser rates that will later be increased. Also, although consolidating your debt may reduce your monthly payment, it may be because you will be paying over a longer period (and thus paying more money overall).

Whatever you choose, be sure to compare loan terms and interest rates so you know how the loans compares to your existing debt over time.

Source: Alex Elswick, MS, Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, Department of Family Sciences, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service References: NerdWallet, Annual Household Survey, 2018

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that people across the world who live above poverty levels have more free time than ever before, yet they feel more stressed about a lack of time. But there is some evidence that people with more money choose to spend time on stressful activities, such as commuting and shopping. And because they perceive their time as economically valuable, they feel pressure to make the most of it.

Whillans research demonstrates that buying time can serve as a buffer against those stressful feelings by helping people feel like they have more control over their time.

In addition, the evidence shows that valuing time over money promotes social connections, which leads to a host of benefits. People who prioritized time over money were more likely to make new friends and socialize with work colleagues. And research shows that couples who use their money to save time feel more satisfied in their relationships.

Our cultural perceptions of time and money are at play here because Americans tend to put a premium on busyness. People who have extra money are considered successful and well-off, but those who have extra time might be considered lazy. But in reality, having free time to enjoy leisure activities and spend time with loved ones is a key component of well-being.

The take-home message: Forgo those designer shoes or that new gadget. Instead, pay someone to do a household chore that you don’t enjoy. The evidence shows it’s actually good for you!

Most great people have attained their greatest success one step beyond their greatest failure. ~Napoleon Hill

Warren County Connection (Continued from page 2)

more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881. Location: North Warren Central School Route 8, Chestertown, NY 12817 5/16/2019 3:30 Pm - 5:00 PM - Teen Dish Gardening Class - Learn how to design, plant and take care of your own dish garden. For more information contact Jess Holmes 518-623-3291. Location: Lake George Public Library, 336 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845 2/18/2019 9:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Wild Edibles Program - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County will be presenting a program on Wild Edibles on Saturday, May 18th from 9am-4pm at the CCE Education Center in Warrensburg. Cost will be $20 per person. What wild plants are able to be safely eaten? Are certain parts of plants safer than others? What about the timing of harvesting? This interactive class, open to the general public, will cover identification, harvest, and preparation techniques of a number of safely edible wild plants. Please note that this class will be held, rain or shine, so make sure to dress accordingly! Participants should plan to pack a lunch. Registration is required and can be done by calling the CCE office at: 518-668-4881 or email mem467@cornell.edu. Location: Cornell Cooperative Extension Warren County, 377 Schroon River Road, Warrensburg, NY 12885 5/21 & 5/22 2019 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Parenting Apart - Child focused program for families who are restructuring after a divorce/separation or the break-up of a relationship. Communication skills, understanding of the legal process, tips for successful parenting apart will be shared. Preregistration required by calling Roxanne Westcott 518-668-4881. Location: Queensbury/Lake George Warren County, NY 12885 5/31/2019 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Nutrition Education Program - During this program, participants will learn about nutrition and health, and make and try new recipes. For more information about this program please contact Marybeth Mitcham at mem467@cornell.edu or 518-668-4881.

If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans With Disabilities Act and need assistance with this workshop, please make your needs known by the registration deadline. Reasonable efforts will be made for accommodations.

Life on the Lighter Side A woman’s mind is cleaner than a man’s: She changes it more often. ~Oliver Herford Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. ~Robert A Heinlein Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes. ~Jim Carrey Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand. ~Kurt Vonnegut

Warren County Connection

Parents Making Youth Sports a Positive Experience: Spectators

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mote physical activity, fun, life skills, sportsmanship, and good health. Youth sports that foster personal competence help youth develop their abilities to do life planning, to be self-reliant, and to seek the resources of others when needed.

Competition Versus Cooperation Experts cannot agree on whether competition helps children develop essential social skills, or if it does nothing more than cause conflict and discrimination. Some feel that competition is part of human nature, something that is faced in everyday life. These scholars feel that competition helps children learn skills that will be important throughout their lives. Others feel that cooperation, not competition, is valuable to a positive youth sports experience. Cooperative games are those that encourage children to work together instead of against each other.

This publication is written to assist parents in fostering a positive climate that enables children and youth involved in sports to enjoy themselves and reach their full potential.

Sports can be a fun and engaging way for children and youth to learn some important lessons about life. Studies suggest that participation in sports can be very beneficial, fostering responsible social behaviors, greater academic success, and an appreciation of personal health and fitness. Participating on a team also can give children or youth an important sense of belonging.

The atmosphere set by organizations, parents, and coaches is a major factor in determining whether or not youth will have a positive experience in a sports program. A “win-at-all-costs” atmosphere can be harmful to a developing youth. This bulletin is the second in a twopart series written to assist parents in fostering a positive climate that enables children and youth involved in sports to enjoy themselves and reach their full potential.

The first bulletin (“Role Models”) focused on the benefits and risks of youth sports, discussed parents as role models, and provided practical tips for parents. This bulletin explores the issue of competition versus cooperation in youth sports, discusses the role of parents as spectators, and identifies some things parents should look for as consumers of youth sports programs. A related bulletin provides advice for coaches.

As was noted in the first bulletin, few children possess the talent to play competitive sports at the highest level.

Thus, this publication takes the perspective that the primary goals of youth sports programs are to foster the development of general physical competence and to pro-

More than likely, it is some combination of competition and cooperation that promotes healthy development for children and youth. Competition in itself is not bad. It can serve as a means of social comparison, necessary for adolescents to see how they are unique from others. Taken to the extreme, however, competition can cause individuals to act in ways that are unacceptable and unsportsmanlike. As one researcher noted, “the mildestmannered father or mother may scream like a maniac at the finals of the local soccer tournament.” Most of us, if not all of us, have witnessed similar behavior. We see this type of behavior present from little league games all the way up to the professional level. The wise saying, “it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game,” is lost among the intense competition existing in some youth sports programs today. When coaches and parents teach their kids that winning is everything, the ugliness comes out in everyone.

Parents should seek out or establish sport programs that emphasize cooperation and mastery during childhood and youth. A mastery perspective allows the young athlete to accept failures and learn from them, and to focus on improvement and not just on winning. Competition should be introduced gradually, for several reasons, during this period. First, competition restricts participation; such inactivity is inappropriate for children. Playing a sport is about learning and developing skills, which cannot happen if the young person is sitting on the bench all the time. Second, competition tends to emphasize the winning instead of the skill learning, creativity, and fun. If youth are going to improve their skills and enjoy themselves, they need to focus their energies on the playing (Continued on page 10)

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and learning of a sport, not on the outcome of winning.

Third, competition can create a high level of anxiety, which can make it quite difficult for youth to learn and have fun. It increases the likelihood that they will drop out of the sport. By introducing competition gradually, children and youth are able to enjoy themselves while learning.

Parents as Spectators Parents are most visibly supportive in their role as spectators on the sidelines for youth sports. Of course, parents are excited and want to see their child play; however, it is important that they keep their emotions under control and set a positive example. Here are some things for parents to remember:  Applaud and cheer for everyone on the team, not just your child.  Avoid insulting other team members and those of the opposing team.  Talk to the parents of the other team members.  Be respectful of the officials during the game. After the game, thank the officials.  Focus on the positive, and compliment players, coaches, and officials.  Be positive and congratulate the winning team. Do not forget to congratulate the losing team on their efforts.

Choosing Wisely: Organization Sports The goal of most organized sport programs is to teach youth life’s important lessons and to help them develop personal competencies. Evidence from research, however, suggests that far from encouraging sportsmanship, prolonged expo-sure to a “win-at-all-costs” atmosphere actually results in less commitment to values such as honesty and fair play. When searching for good sports programs for positive youth development, parents may want to keep the following guidelines in mind:  Sports programs should have policies that are fair and equitable. Youth should be included in the creation of those policies. Make sure experiences are appropriate for the age of the participants.  Sports programs should apply policies consistently— no players should “get away” with anything simply because they have the best ability.  Sports programs should provide orientation to staff, coaches, parents, and youth so everyone knows what is expected ahead of time. (Expectations about conduct, fairness, and honesty should be included.)  Sports programs should not allow coaches to play favorites.  Sports programs should expect adults to keep emotions under control. Adults should set positive exam-

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ples for youth.

Sports programs should encourage youth to enjoy themselves as much as possible. Remember, youth play sports because they are fun; therefore, being fun is the goal of a quality sports program.

Sports programs should help youth learn from their experiences. Coaches and parents should spend time after a game talking with youth about what they did well and what could use improvement for next time.

Sports programs should conduct follow-up activities such as a post-season meeting to celebrate successes and make plans for future changes and improvement.

Sports programs should encourage coaches to maximize the social aspects of sports by promoting interactions among team members and between teams.

Sports programs should encourage coaches to make use of “teachable moments.” Teachable moments are game situations in which something significant has just happened (e.g., a nasty foul, a false start, or an accidental collision). Coaches that stop the game and ask their players to think about how they could have behaved in that situation are taking advantage of a teachable moment.

Finally, sport programs should be conducted on a youth model rather than an adult model. The main reasons that youth ages five to seventeen play sports are to have fun and to spend time with their friends.

When children play informally, they follow certain roles. First, the sport must be action-filled. Second, everyone must participate regardless of skill level.

“Do-overs” are acceptable and keep the less-skilled players engaged. Third, the sport must be exciting. In fact, most of the time, games are organized not to determine a winner but to promote excitement. For example, if scores are being kept, rule modifications are encouraged and often serve to keep the game close and exciting.

Conclusion When we are caught up in competition, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that sports are supposed to be a fun, rewarding, and learning experience for youth. Keep this in mind when you are providing sports opportunities for children, so that they can get the most from their experience.

Source: Prepared by Daniel F. Perkins, associate professor of family/youth resiliency and policy in the department of agricultural and extension education.

PennState Extension

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Warren County Connection Warren County Connection

Sensational Sorbet!

By Marybeth Mitcham, MPH, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator, CCE of Warren County Warmer temperatures are finally here in the North Country, letting us know that summertime is only a mere few weeks ahead! I don’t know about you, but during the summer, I crave light and cool food and drinks. One of my favourite things to make and eat is sorbet. This frozen dessert usually has only a few ingredients – namely, fruit, water (or juice!), and sometimes sugar or other sweeteners. As such, it contains less fat than ice cream, and is a light treat during hot months. A word of caution: sorbet is not at all low-calorie, so remember to enjoy this in moderation!

Although many sorbet recipes call for an ice cream machine, you do not need one to enjoy these cool treats, but instead can freeze the pureed mixtures in any freezer-safe container in your freezer. Just a note that since sorbet does not contain added fat, the frozen mixture will turn very hard if frozen for an extended period.

Here are a few sorbet variants that are delicious. Try them out, and let me know what you think!

Strawberry Basil Sorbet Ingredients: 1 lb. fresh strawberries rinsed, hulled, and sliced 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup freshly chopped basil 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice Instructions: 1. Mix strawberries with sugar until well-coated. Cover and let stand for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

2. Puree the strawberries and their liquid with the basil and lemon juice in a blender or food processor until smooth.

3. Chill the mixture thoroughly, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions (or in a freezer -safe container until frozen). *Recipe adapted from Two Peas and their Pod

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Ridiculously Easy Pineapple Sorbet Ingredients: 1 20-ounce can pineapple chunks packed in juice Instructions: A few hours (or days) beforehand, open the can of pineapple and pour it, juice and all, into a freezer-safe container; a large, flat one works best. When it is frozen hard, remove it from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes. Use a table knife to break the block of pineapple into several large chunks; then put it into the food processor. (If your processor is small, you will have to do this in more than one batch.)

Process the pineapple, stopping often to push the chunks under the blades, until it is a smooth, creamy consistency. This will take a few minutes, and you may have to be patient as the friction of the blades heats the pineapple slightly, allowing it to blend smoothly. Serve immediately. If you have leftovers, return them to the freezer and reprocess briefly before serving later. *Recipe adapted from Fat Free Vegan

Fresh Cranberry Sorbet Ingredients: 1 package (12 ounces) cranberries* 2 ripe pears, peeled and cored 1/2 cup agave nectar (or other sweetener), or to taste 1/2 cup water (approximately) Grated rind of one orange Instructions: Put all ingredients into the food processor and puree until smooth. Pour into a shallow pan or dish and place in the freezer. Let it freeze until solid. About 15 minutes before serving, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw for about 10 minutes. Put it back into the food processor and process until it becomes fluffy. If necessary, add a little cold water to aid in blending. Serve immediately. *You can use frozen cranberries, but be prepared to process in small batches before adding the other ingredients. *Recipe adapted from Fat Free Vegan

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