Creating a Generation of Readers

BY MEGAN TAYLOR

Jackie Kennedy once said, “There are many little ways to enlarge a child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” Books provide a wide variety of treasures for people of all ages, especially children. Stories take young readers on journeys, adventures, help them learn lessons or discover other worlds. The value of a novel and what it gives a child can never be truly measured. But, one of the main questions regarding books remains the same: how does a child become an active reader if they don’t like to read? The answer is easy and simple.

One of the most influential things a parent or guardian can do is to engage the child, starting when they are an infant. A great way to spend quality time together is when a parent reads to their newborn. Picture books with vivid illustrations can capture a baby’s attention, and stimulate their social development and thinking skills. Interactive picture books are also beneficial to older infants and toddlers. Some will encourage the child to look, point, or touch certain elements. Lastly, these types of books build vocabulary and word recognition. A baby will learn to identify images, sounds, and new words through their parent’s voice and interaction. Don’t be afraid to reread a book multiple times, either. When he or she is older, there are many early readers and chapter books available to match any child’s interests. Parents and children can take turns reading aloud sentences, pages, or chapters. Reading aloud can help a parent determine their child’s reading level and comprehension. After finishing the selection, spend some time discussing what you have read, what might come next in the plot, and your opinions on the novel. As much as you can make a child an active participant in the reading, the more likely they will enjoy and remember the process.

Once you have finished a story, go beyond the tale and make it come alive. Complete activities based on the plot and characters, go on virtual or in-person trips to places that represent the setting, rewrite your own version of the ending, or watch the movie version, if available. For example, within The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne, there is a story titled “Late Lunch with Llamas.” The plot revolves around Jack and Annie in South America, where they are on a quest to rescue a farmer’s stolen baby llama. Their adventures take them to the top of Machu Picchu and back. Some activities for extending “Late Lunch with Llamas” could include learning more about llamas, South America, and Machu Picchu, making a traditional dish from South America, or visiting a nearby animal park that is home to llamas. Books are more than just words and pictures; they open the door to many other opportunities to explore. When a child is starting to read, no matter what type of books, it is important to make sure they experience everything the story has to offer. As a child grows, it can be harder to keep them interested in reading. With tons of distractions around every corner, sitting down and reading a book may not be appealing to a thirteen-year-old. To combat this, a parent can set an example of reading in the home. First, read a book in front of your child, or factor out a time each day/week for the whole family to read in the same room together. This time could be in the afternoon, evening, or on the weekends. Second, celebrate writers and novels. Have conversations on what authors you enjoy reading or the different genre of books you prefer. Make special trips to the library often with your child. You could also have monthly themes for the various books each family member is reading. These themes can be based on the holidays within the month, such as Earth Day in April. All family members could read an environment-related book. And finally, create a nook just for books and reading within your home. This area could be used by the whole family or there could be an individual area for each reader. This special space will aid in making a person’s reading experience just a little bit better. Cultivating a generation of readers starts at home and soon after the child is born. A person can become a book lover at any age. Using these tips will bolster that love and help maintain it for a child’s entire life.

THE Fancy

Fork

BY LAUREN SEPHTON

Welcome to The Fancy Fork! Your hub for seasonal produce insight and farm-style recipes that are made to satisfy.

While the season has been cold, the abundance of Brussel sprouts is in blossom. Brussel sprouts are a cruciferous vegetable that not only makes a delicious side dish but also fuels your body with key nutrients. Being low in calories, Brussel sprouts are high in minerals, protein, fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Especially during these cold months, it’s important to have proper consumption of vitamin C as it helps support immune functions, tissue repair, and iron absorption to fight those viruses. In addition, just a half cup of cooked Brussel sprouts has over 2 grams of fiber which helps to promote a healthy digestive system by feeding the beneficial gut bacteria. FUN FACT: Did you know that this nutrientdense vegetable really is named after the capital of Belgium? Brussel sprouts were first introduced in Louisiana during the 18th century by French settlers. They became quickly adored as this little vegetable was established as a commercial crop in California by the early 1900s. Today, the U.S.A produces nearly 70 million pounds of Brussel Sprouts every year.

Crispy Baked Garlic & Parmesan Brussel Sprouts

Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. Brussel Sprouts 2 tbsp. Olive Oil 3 Garlic Cloves, crushed 4 tbsp. Parmesan, grated 1/2 tsp. Salt INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper. 2. Trim and halve the Brussel sprouts. Toss into a large bowl with 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan, olive oil, crushed garlic, and salt.

3. Evenly spread onto the prepared baking pan, then sprinkle with the reserved one tablespoon grated parmesan.

4. Bake for 15 minutes, flip the Brussel sprouts, then bake an additional 10-15 minutes, until crispy. Enjoy warm! Now that you’ve mastered the art of roasting Brussel sprouts, it’s time to grab your fork and enjoy the warmth of Winter season delights!

Crossnore

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The eco household

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Have you ever wished you could do more to adopt a greener lifestyle? It’s never too late to alter one aspect of your household. Perhaps you want to start saving money while investing in safer cleaning products, or have an immediate answer to the question, “What’s for dinner?” There are hundreds of ways to live with a more sustainable home!

The Five R’s

We’ve all heard the phrase, “reduce, reuse, and recycle;” yet, did you know there are two additional categories? One is “refuse” (garbage). It’s a mindset to choose green living, which implies discarding and no longer buying cleaning agents and plastic sponges that are not biodegradable or end up in the landfill.

Begin Composting

Yard and food scraps make up 25 to 50% of what we throw away. Just imagine tossing banana and potato peels, coffee grounds, eggshells, newspaper, dog hair, leaves, and grass cuttings into an open or closed bin, which will result in a nutrient and mineral enriched soil. It watered and turned or fluffed occasionally, you’ll never have to deal with an odor. It covers the fifth “R,” “rot”!

Eco Laundry

Questioning your household products is the first step to seek a greener option. Fortunately, the Environmental Working Group has a website, www.ewg.org, to determine the toxicity of cleaning agents, and aid consumers to become aware of better choices. soaps, making your own is easy and inexpensive. One recipe includes individual boxes of super washing soda (also known as soda crystals,) Borax, and baking soda, and three bars of FelsNaphtha soap (using a cheese grater) or one box of laundry flakes. After adding one cup of each, mixing thoroughly; the outcome is roughly three cents per load. TIP: Similar to other natural products, washing soda has a multi-cleaning use. Add a half cup to two cups of warm water, allow soda crystals to dissolve, and start using the solution to wipe down any non-aluminum surface. It’s great for shower curtains, blinds, and cleaning patio furniture.

Meal Planning

Saving time and money could become a winning solution if your family begins planning meals for the week in advance. Involve the family: sit down on Saturday and start discussing a menu, comprising favorite food combinations and foods already stocked in the refrigerator and pantry; then, start planning what ingredients you’ll need to buy. Older children may enjoy the responsibility for cooking dinner, side dishes or preparing a salad.

• Consider incorporating one meatless meal per week. • Start a routine, including “Taco

Tuesday” and “Homemade

Pizza Friday.”

• Looking for variety, use cookbooks with titles such as Five Ingredient

Recipes to find simple meals with just a handful of ingredients. • Reach out to friends and ask for family favorites; perhaps, it will be

a Shepherd’s pie, Mexican lasagna, homemade chicken and dumplings or chicken pot pie. Try ordering groceries online to eliminate the nonessential extras! You’ll end up learning how to make more meals from scratch, while saving substantially each month!

Growing Herbs, Fruits, and Vegetables

The term “gardening” can feel like an overwhelming endeavor. It requires time, work, and effort; however, you can control the definition by growing only foods your family or you enjoy! Think about what you would like to grow; then, choose an appropriately sized container for width and depth. • Carrots and onions require very little room; therefore, choose a small to medium-sized barrel.

• Five-gallon buckets serve the purpose of growing tomato plants. • Hang pots of strawberry plants! • Near the house or in the kitchen window, keep pots of your favorite herbs, such as Rosemary, thyme, and Sage!

Join a community garden or connect with a friend who would like to garden for self-reliance, while creating opportunities for therapy, education, and exercise!

Jen Chillingsworth, author of Clean Green, writes, “I believe small steps lead to big changes and every single change can only be a good thing for our wellbeing and the wider environment.”

February is Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Month

BY DENISE HEIDEL

Burning. Throbbing. Gnawing. Aching pain. Exhaustion. Pain that is synchronized in the joints. So, if the right knee hurts, so does the left.

We’re talking about rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, for short.

It’s an invisible, autoimmune disease and a form of arthritis that can be developed at any age. A rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis is difficult since the symptoms are similar to other diseases. A doctor may do a blood test to measure the C-reactive protein as an indicator of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as use a visual assessment of joints for swelling, redness and warmth. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system doesn’t work properly and attacks the lining of the joints. Hands, knees and ankles are commonly affected by the disease. Those who live with rheumatoid arthritis may have good days and bad days; finding the right treatment is often challenging. But, there are some things that those who are living with the disease wish others knew:

1. Not all arthritis pains are the same. Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t the same as osteoarthritis, which occurs from normal wear and tear on our joints as we get older. It’s not that other forms of arthritis aren’t painful or valid. But, rheumatoid arthritis is considered to be the most disabling form of arthritis.

2. There is not a cure. Any treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is meant to slow the progression of the disease and minimize the side effects and symptoms.

3. Rheumatoid arthritis fatigue is a very real thing. Living with chronic pain like rheumatoid arthritis is challenging. Simple tasks like taking a shower, walking the dog and fixing supper may feel overwhelming and add to the physical exhaustion that is a symptom of the disease.

4. Not all days are created equal. When rheumatoid arthritis hits – it may hit out of nowhere. Some days may be great, and out of nowhere, the symptoms hit like a Mack truck. So, when plans get canceled because of a flare-up – give grace and understanding.

5. Understanding is appreciated, but being bombarded with advice is not always helpful. There is a ton of information available about rheumatoid arthritis. Those who have the disease are working with specialists who are addressing their symptoms accordingly. Over-the-counter treatments may work for some kinds of arthritis pain, but rheumatoid arthritis is a different kind of beast.

6. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease. This isn’t a matter of aches and pains. It’s a medically diagnosed disease of the immune system, and to an outsider – it may look like all is fine. But, not all diseases manifest themselves in visible ways.

More than 1.5 million Americans are living with rheumatoid arthritis. Most of them are women, though, as previously stated, rheumatoid arthritis can affect anyone at any age. The long-term effect of the disease can result in disfigured hands and joints.

If you, or someone you know, has any of the following symptoms – you may want to talk to your doctor: • Joints that are tender, warm or swollen • Joints that are stiff in the morning or after any period of inactivity • Fatigue • Fever • Loss of appetite

BY ELISA WALLACE COPPEDE

Winter in the Carolinas is a perfect time to curl up with a good book. Especially considering that the COVID-19 pandemic is still requiring us to socially distance and stay home more often. What better way to embrace reading than by celebrating National Library Lover’s month? This February, join book lovers across the country during the month-long celebration of school, public, and private libraries of all types. This is a time for all to recognize the value of libraries and to work to assure that the nation’s libraries will continue to serve.

Every community has a library. This quiet place can be a true refuge for many. They are a quiet place to read, think and learn. Libraries not only house countless books and research opportunities, they also offer other services to the public. For those searching for a new job, the library has numerous job and employment resources. For young adults needing to write a research paper for school, the library can offer databases and subscriptions to help scholars find credible sources for research papers. For those new to our country, local libraries often provide free English classes to help with the naturalization process. From tiny toddlers attending a “story time” and learning the power of reading, to older seniors enjoying a quiet quest to find a work by their favorite author, our local libraries can help all ages embrace the power of reading.

Considering that our neighborhood libraries do so much for their community, what are some unique ways that we can show our support? Read on for a few ways to show the love we all have for these institutions.

Consider a Contribution! While libraries always can benefit from financial contributions, this is not the only way one can contribute to this neighborhood treasure. Here are a few ways you can make an impact. First, you can nominate your library as your community, school, or corporate organization’s project for the year. Secondly, you can buy your library a subscription to a popular magazine. Finally, you can give financially to the library through inviting your company to enable a matching program for charitable giving.

Promotion, Promotion, Promotion!

Just like any business, libraries cannot run without financial support. Many people are not aware of the funding problems libraries are experiencing nationally—or in their own communities. With this said, there are a few things that one can do to help. First, you can attend local government meetings to urge city and county legislators to invest in libraries as a vital community resource. Another thing one can do is urge school and college administrators to make library funding a high priority. Finally, you can speak up for libraries at campus or community groups that you belong to. Such groups can also help get these treasures the funding they rightfully deserve.

Volunteer your time! While, of course, financial contributions will help libraries on many levels; these institutions also greatly need help running their services. One can help by donating time and energy. What are a few ways to do this?

First, an individual can offer to be a helping hand to a library’s staff. Secondly, you can offer to become a literacy tutor for struggling scholars. Finally, one can volunteer to work in one of their programs, from reading stories to children, to helping with career resources.