Austin County Insider April 2021

APRIL 2021

THE LOVED LITTLE HOUSE

ERIC DICKERSON

PAYING IT FORWARD

AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

10 MOMMY MOMENT

51 ERIC DICKERSON: IN DEPTH

59 THE LITTLE LOVED HOUSE

18 Home Interior Design Tips 26 Spring Cleaning 32 Paying it Forward 38 Distance Learning Leaves Lasting Marks on Struggling Students PUBLISHER Amy Lieb EDITOR Karen Lopez WRITERS Roxanne Avery Carrie Ward Cole McNanna Nancy Naron Erin Krampitz Valerie Reddell Amanda Luksha PHOTOS Getty Images Cole McNanna Unsplash.com CONTACT info@austincountyinsider.com 281-731-2999

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Copyright © 2021 by Across The Board Media LLC - Austin County Insider.

All rights reserved. This publication or any portion there of may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

LETTER

FROM

THE

Editor Now, more than ever, it is important to keep your friendship thriving. With last year’s COVID-loneliness and life’s daily demanding tasks, friends can feel abandoned or forgotten.

Retirement, divorce, death of a loved one, loss of wages or everyday challenges can have a significant impact on one’s health.

Friends keep you mentally strong. Think about the last time you had all of your friends around you and the ease that you feel when laughing and talking.

Human contact is important in every stage of life, from infancy to elderly. Even if your friends are not in your general area, plan a trip, video call or send a note in the mail.

The key to finding long term adult friendship, is to be one. Keep them cultivated and nurtured. Be open and honest from the beginning and share stories to release built up stress. Really listen and provide the emotional support that your friends need. Just remember, this is a ‘no judgement’ zone.

Carol King sang it best in “You’ve Got a Friend” When you’re down and troubled, And you need some love and care, And nothing, nothing is going right Close your eyes and think of me, And soon I will be there To brighten up even your darkest night.

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Make the first move, contact a friend today!

-Karen

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Do you u ever feel likke when n you are cleanin ng one ro oom of your house, miraculouslly another room is dirty?

You go clean that room and the room you just finished cleaning is messed up already? Well, welcome to my life.

I have three boys, who I love more than anything but when it comes to chores it is like I am speaking another language.

I have gone through some tricks to try and find out how to make these boys clean, while enjoying it and keeping it that way without complaining. Was this fun, you may ask? Most definitely not. But when it comes to getting the house clean and having my sanity intact, I will try almost anything.

First thing I have learned is that bribery is the worst option. As great as it sounds, you soon realize they will not want to do anything unless they are being rewarded. So, try to steer clear of that option.

Second thing I did was move all my kids into one bedroom and let them have the other room as a playroom, their idea not mine. At first, I was shocked that it was working but after a mere few days I was back to square one, with now, two dirty kids’ rooms. This option did not last long and my oldest is back into his original bedroom. The rooms have maintained a better cleanliness.

The way I can get them to clean, and to keep it clean is to be involved with them while doing chores. Do not make it seem like chores especially with the younger ages. They love to compete against each other, so I have made competitions out of who can pick up the most toys in 30 seconds. So far it has worked and been fun.

We also love dance parties. When I turn the music up loud to the songs they like, we dance and clean.

Win-win!

MOMMY MOMENTS 10

When going from room to room inside your own home and stressing because nothing seems to remain clean and organized the way you had it, this is called being a mom. Being a mom, we know that we are the ones to come behind our family and clean everything. We have a way of wanting the beds made, the counters cleaned, the floor not cluttered and the toys in a particular location when not being played with.

I have made a few attempts at learning what works best for my household and keeping it clean. I have three boys and with them being all different ages, they learn differently and take attitude to different levels when being told what to do.

My oldest, who is 9 years old, does not mind cleaning as long as he thinks he is being helpful in some way or if it is his own items. He has his own room and knows where he wants his toys and games and if his brothers come in and mess it up it turns into World War 3.

My younger two boys share a room, they are 6 years old and 3 years old. They do not understand the concept of keeping an area cleaned up. So, I have worked harder with them to teach them how to clean up better.

Initially, I had learned was bribery does not work for long when it comes to having them clean up their messes. Bribery is very short term and when they are not receiving a reward for cleaning, they do not want to do it.

What seems to work best for my boys is treating cleaning like a game or challenge. They like to compete against each other. One way is counting to see who can pick up the most toys or items the fastest. Makes it fun for them because they are racing and they are counting, so it helps with their learning as well. We also love dance parties in our house so, this is useful in cleaning. We turn on their favorite songs and dance while we are cleaning. The music keeps them occupied and distracted from what we are really trying to accomplish.

You have to learn your children and the ways that work best for them.

Children are messy no matter what and some really like chores and some refuse to do it. You have to find what works best for you and your kids that makes you all happy and not want to pull your hair out. When all else fails…. Just start randomly throwing away old toys that they will not miss and will never notice is missing. Decluttering always makes for happy mommy moments.

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Bir irt ir rth thd hda day ay par art ar rty ty poi oin oi int nte ter ers rs to t

Childhood is fi f lled wit i h many it n memorab ny a le moment ab n s. Among the more nt memorab a le are children's birt ab r hday rt a part ay r ies. During their children's fo rt f rmat a iv at i e years, parent n s may nt a wrestle wit ay i h ideas, themes, etiqu it q ette, and more as they qu plan birt r hday rt a part ay r ies to rememb rt m er. Hosting birt mb r hday rt a part ay r ies that rt a touch on at all the right h notes can be easier if parent ht n s fo nt f llow a handfu f l of strat fu a egies that at a at many n parent ny n s hav nt a e been emp av m loying fo mp f r years.

-Inv n olve your child. Chances are your son or dau nv a ght au h er has been plotting out ht u ut ideas fo f r his or her part r y since last year's fe rt f stiv i it iv i ies ended. Ask qu q estions a out ab u what ut a he or she would like to do this year. Seek your child's inp at n ut np u on the guest list and prefe f rred theme. Play fe a ing an activ ay i e role in part iv r y planning can rt make kids even more excit i ed ab it a out u their birt ut r hday rt a part ay r ies. rt -Focus on fu f n and making your child fe f el special. Some parent n s fe nt f el birt r hday rt a ay part r ies must be exp rt x ensiv xp i e and all-encomp iv m assing bashes. But mp u many ut n children ny simp m ly mp l want n part nt r ies that rt a allow them to part at r icip rt i at ip a e in an activ i it iv i y they enj n oy, nj eat a sweets and share the exp at x erience wit xp i h their closest fr it f iends. Recognizing this can help l parent lp n s keep their workloads and budgets in check. nt -Trim the guest list. Parent n s should not fe nt f el the need to inv n it nv i e every r ry acqu q aint qu n ance to their children nt children's s birt r hday rt a part ay r ies. rt ies Parent n s understandab nt a ly ab l don't want n to exclude or off nt ffe ff fend any n one by leav ny a ing them off av f the guest list. ff However, try r to limit ry i the guests to around 10, including the guest of honor. it

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mak ma ake ke ki kid ids ds, par are ar ren ent nts ts ha hap appy

This makes the ent n ire part nt r y more manageab rt a le. ab -Keep it i qu q iet. Make sure your child av a oids bragging ab a out u the part ut r y at rt a school or at a ext x racurricular activ xt i it iv i ies. Doing so many n off ny ffe ff fend those classmat a es who are not on the guest list. Send inv at n it nv i es directly l to homes ly rat a her than distrib at i ut ib u ing them at a school so that a no one fe at f els excluded.

-Develop backu kup ku up plans. There's no account n ing fo nt f r the weat a her, illness, at venue cancellat a ions, or fo at f od fl f ops. Alway a s hav ay a e a plan B (and, ideally av l ,a ly plan C and plan D) so that a the kids can stay at a ent ay n ert nt r ained. rt -Encourage drop-and-go. Hosting young children can be stressfu f l. And fu when parent n s at nt a tend the part r y as well, rt well ent n ert nt r aining dut rt u ies exp ut x and to an xp ent n irely nt l diff ly ffe ff ferent n level. Recruit nt i another help it l er or two and be sure parent lp n s nt know you are comfo f rt fo r ab a le wit i h them not stay it a ing fo ay f r the part r y. They may rt a ay even ap a preciat a e your looking aft at f er their children fo ft f r a fe f w hours.

-Plan fo f r addit i ional guests. Part it r of planning fo rt f r the unexp x ected includes xp being ab a le to accommodat a e a fe at f w ext x ra children. You never know when a xt sib i ling will hav ib a e to tag along or a last-minut av u e inv ut n it nv i e pops up u , so keep some ext x ra snacks and fa xt fav avors on hand just in case.

-Open gift f s aft ft f er guests leav ft a e. Opening gift av f s is time-consuming, and young ft children may a not be adept at ay a fi f lt l ering their comment n s. No one should go nt home fe f eling their gift f was not ap ft a preciat a ed. at

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Home Interior Design Tips Erin Krampitz Designs

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MAKE IT YOUR OWN REMEMBER IT’S YOUR HOME. THERE ARE NO RIGHTS NOR WRONGS IN INTERIOR DESIGN, EVERYONE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DESIGN THEIR OWN HOME. IT’S JUST A MATTER OF GETTING AN EYE FOR IT. REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE IN CONTROL, TAKING THE LATEST TRENDS INTO ACCOUNT IS WORTHWHILE BUT ALWAYS PUT YOUR OWN PERSONAL SPIN ON SOMETHING TO MAKE IT SPECIAL. YOUR HOME IS WHERE YOU SPEND MOST OF YOUR TIME, SO THE SPACE NEEDS TO REFLECT YOU. LESS IS MORE DECORATING A HOME IS ALL ABOUT LESS IS MORE. IT IS OKAY TO GET RID OF WHAT YOU DON’T NEED OR NO LONGER WANT. PRIORITIZE A FEW OLD TREASURES YOU WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT AND SAY GOODBYE TO UNNECESSARY JUNK. NOW IS THE TIME TO EVALUATE EVERYTHING AND MAKE SURE THE THINGS YOU’RE KEEPING WILL HAVE A PURPOSE IN YOUR SPACE – THIS WILL HELP YOU AVOID A HOUSE FULL OF CLUTTER. ORGANIZE WHAT YOU SAVE

BY WHERE IT WILL BE PLACED IN YOUR HOME – IF YOU CAN'T PLACE SOMETHING, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE YOU DON'T NEED IT. TRANSFORM OLD TO NEW IF YOU HAVE A BLANK CANVAS IT’S EASIER, BUT MORE OFTEN WE MUST WORK WITH EXISTING SOFAS OR RUGS ETC. LOOK CLOSELY AT THE RUG AND SEE IF YOU CAN WORK WITH THE COLORS WITHIN IT. MAYBE YOU CAN REUPHOLSTER THE OLD FAVORITE SOFA TO GIVE IT A NEW LIFE. DECIDE IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO LIKES PATTERN OR PLAIN; TRADITIONAL OR CONTEMPORARY; AND LOOK AT A COLOR WHEEL OR NATURE ITSELF TO SEE WHAT COLORS GO 19 WITH WHAT.

ADD FINISHING TOUCHES THE FINISHING TOUCHES ARE THE FUN PART! LAMPS, RUGS, PILLOWS, PAINTINGS AND PLANTS CAN ALL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE, BUT ARE SOMETIMES HARD TO CHOOSE UNTIL YOU HAVE THE WALLS PAINTED OR PAPERED AND CURTAINS HANGING. EVEN THE COLORS ON THE SPINES OF BOOKS IN A BOOKSHELF, A THROW ON THE BACK OF THE SOFA, OR IN A KITCHEN CERAMIC, TABLECLOTHS, CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACCENTS OF COLOR. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY PAINT REMEMBER THAT COLORS CAN CHANGE DEPENDING ON LIGHTING SO BUY SAMPLE PAINT. PAINT AT LEAST 3 GOOD SIZED PAINT PATCHES, ON THE LIGHTEST AND THE DARKEST WALLS IN THE SAME ROOM – TO SEE HOW THE NATURAL LIGHT AFFECTS THE SHADE. ANALYZE THE LOOK COLLECT PIECES AS YOU COME ACROSS THEM, THIS WAY YOU WILL PURCHASE THINGS YOU’VE FELL IN LOVE WITH. RATHER THAN SETTLING FOR WHAT’S AVAILABLE IN CERTAIN STORES OR ONLINE AT THE TIME YOU NEED SOMETHING. THIS WAY YOU CAN SPEND TIME ANALYZING THE LOOK AND COLORS OF YOUR ROOM WITH ACCESSORIES. THE MORE TIME YOU TAKE TO ADD THINGS INTO YOUR HOUSE, YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN KNOWLEDGE WILL EXPAND AS YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT WORKS BEST WITH CERTAIN FEATURES. FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU DON’T LIKE IT IS A LOT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO EXPRESS WHAT THEY DO NOT LIKE. BY PUTTING DISLIKES INTO THE EQUATION, WE CAN ELIMINATE SOME THINGS AND NARROW IN ON OTHERS. FOR EXAMPLE, A BOLD LARGE-SCALE PRINT MIGHT REMIND YOU OF SOMETHING IN YOUR CHILDHOOD THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE IN YOUR OWN SPACE. OR A WINGBACK CHAIR MIGHT BRING BACK MEMORIES OF BEING SENT TO TIME-OUT. LIKEWISE, A CERTAIN COLOR MIGHT EVOKE FEELINGS OF A PAST DESIGN TREND THAT YOU AREN’T EAGER TO REPEAT. THESE MEMORIES AND REACTIONS ARE VERY PERSONAL AND INDIVIDUAL, BUT ALSO DEFINE OUR TASTES.

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DETERMINE YOUR STYLE HOW DO YOU WANT A SPACE TO FEEL? A WAY HELP YOU DETERMINE YOUR STYLE IS TO THINK OF KEY WORDS THAT DEFINE HOW YOU WANT A SPACE TO FEEL. TRADITIONAL, FORMAL, ELEGANT? PLAYFUL, HUMOROUS, INVITING? MONOCHROMATIC, STREAMLINED, MODERN? TAKE NOTE OF DESIGN INSPIRATIONS IN EVERY FACET OF LIFE. I OFTEN USE THESE AS A STARTING POINT TO DISCUSS WITH CLIENTS WHEN I’M HIRED TO HELP THEM DESIGN THE INTERIORS OF THEIR HOMES. RECALL A HOTEL IN WHICH YOU’VE STAYED OR RESTAURANT IN WHICH YOU’VE DINED THAT PARTICULARLY STRUCK YOUR FANCY. DON’T LET EVERYTHING MATCH INTERIOR CATALOGUES ARE DESIGNED TO SELL FURNITURE, NOT TO SHOW YOU HOW YOU SHOULD BE LIVING. NOBODY LIVES THAT WAY, SO DON’T TRY SO HARD TO MATCH THAT LOOK. RATHER CREATE A LIVED-IN LOOK BY MAKING YOUR ROOM’S DESIGN ECLECTIC, NOT A SHOWROOM. USE DIFFERENT PIECES AND ACCENTS THAT CATCH THE EYE AND ADD INTEREST TO YOUR SPACE. AVOID CLUTTER DECOR ITEMS ARE GREAT, BUT TOO MANY OF THEM CAN CLUTTER THE SPACE. STICK TO A FEW BASIC DECORATIVE ACCENTS AS YOUR BASE AND ADD SPARINGLY. THIS WILL HELP CREATE AN OVERALL THEME OF THE ROOM WITHOUT IT SEEMING TOO CLUTTERED. GET A GOOD FLOW WHEN DECORATING ROOMS, IT'S IMPORTANT NOT TO THINK OF THEM AS A SINGLE ENTITY. EVERY ROOM SHOULD CONNECT TO THOSE AROUND IT IN SOME WAY. IF THEY DON'T, YOU END UP WITH A VERY CHOPPY LOOKING AND DISJOINTED HOME. DON'T WORRY THOUGH; WHEN DECORATING ROOMS, IT'S EASY TO MAKE THEM CONNECT AND FLOW TOGETHER. COLOR. STYLE. MATERIAL. FLOORING MAKE A PRIORITIZED TO-DO LIST. IF YOU HAVE A FREE DAY YOU WANT TO SPEND ORGANIZING, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START, CONSIDER MAKING A TO-DO LIST WITH THE TOP FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO THAT DAY. PRIORITIZE THEM SO THAT YOU KNOW WHICH ONE YOU ARE GOING TO DO FIRST. AS YOU GET INTERRUPTED DURING THE DAY BY OTHER ACTIVITIES, KEEP RETURNING TO THE LIST AND GO IN ORDER OF PRIORITY. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHATEVER YOU DIDN'T GET DONE, ADD IT TO TOMORROW'S LIST.

Whatever you do, have fun with it and ENJOY! It is YOUR home so, YOU DO YOU!

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Sipping on Summertime Sweets

ingredients

instructions

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Spring Cleaning 26

Warmer weather, longer days, Easter and flowers all mean spring is finally here! It’s time to shake off the winter doldrums, get motivated and clean and organize your home.

The tradit tradition of annual spring cleaning is richly steeped in history dating back to the 1800s when lamps were lit with whale oil or kerosene and subsequently heated with coal or wood.

According to the Washington Post, the biggest annual housecleaning took place in the spring because winter left homes coated with a layer of soot and grime. Proper cleaning required opening windows to let the soot out, which could only be done during warmer weather.

Motivation to clean occurs naturally in the spring because although we don’t fully hibernate like bears, winter makes humans sleepier and sluggish. With less hours of daylight, melatonin, the hormone of darkness, is produced causing sleepiness. Melatonin provides a circadian and seasonal rhythm with higher igher levels when nights are longer (autumn and winter) and lower wer levels when days are longer (spring and summer). This phenomenon causes us to have less energy to thoroughly clean our homes during the winter months. As the days start getting longer, we become re-energized by more sunlight as we produce less melatonin.

Brighter days means more sunlight streaming through the windows reminding us to not only wash the windows but also clean up dust inside the house that is now more visible.

Cleaning your entire house can be overwhelming, timeconsuming and exhausting, so relax, make a schedule and take it room by room. Here are some tips:

1. Work from top to bottom. Start from the ceiling and work down, forcing debris downward. A vacuum with an extension hose is a great tool to get rid of the cobwebs and dust on top of ceiling fans. A microfiber fan duster is also a great tool to grab dust and dirt off blades while minimizing debris that could normally fall to the floor. Use a damp cloth to clean baseboards.

2. Easily clean windows without chemicals. For sparkling windows, use an E-Cloth window cleaning pack that includes a microfib microfiber glass scrubbing cloth and polishing cloth.

Dampened the cloth with water to clean windows, frames, sills, glass, and mirrors. The glass & polishing cloth erases streaks for a perfectly clear finish.

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3. Don’t forget the walls. People usually clean their floors but forget the walls. Not all dust settles on the floor and other surfaces so use a damp towel to wipe down walls and blinds.

4. Kitchen nuances: Using a damp cloth, wipe down your cabinets. It’s amazing how much grease and grime accumulate from every-day cooking. Go through your refrigerator and pantry and throw away awa old and expired items. Sanitize and rinse inside surfaces of the refrig refrigerator. Use appropriate cleaners for appliances including a cleaning crème for smooth top ranges and a gentle or steam cleaner on stainless steel to avoid scratching. Sweep and mop behind appliances. Clean the oven and microwave.

5. Bathrooms need love too. For an easy tile and grout cleaner, mix ½ cup baking soda, ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide and one teaspoon of natural liquid dish soap. To clean a glass shower door, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and thoroughly saturate the glass. Let the vinegar soak in for at least 10 minutes and even longer if there’s significant build-up. Dip a scrub sponge into baking soda and scrub the glass. o clean a toilet bowl, flush first and after the water refills the tank, pour in bleach. Let it sit about five minutes and then scrub with a toilet brush. Flush and it’s sparkly clean!

If you have a shower curtain, clean it and the liner or buy a new one. Go through cosmetics and throw away anything expired. Wash the bathroom trash can.

Go through your medicine cabinet and get rid of expired or no-longer-used prescription prescriptions. The Drug Enforcement Administration sponsors a national prescription drug take back day in communities across the country and many have their own programs. Check with local law enforcement or your pharmacist.

Consider installing a new bathroom fan which is great for ventilating moisture during showers and removing odors.

6. Breathe Deep. Replace HVAC filters the first day of each season. Air conditioner ducts build up dust during winter and upgraded filters catch unwanted particles, so they don’t enter your space. It’s an inexpensive way to make sure you are breathing clean air.

7. It’s Laundry Day! Launder throw pillow covers and throw blankets. Shake out rugs.

Take the extra blanket off the bed. Launder or shake out dog beds.

8. Declutter. Clutter has psychological influences signaling your brain that work isn’t done. Stud Studies have shown that a home that is not organized and efficient adds to stress. Take time this spring to organize closets and make a “donate” pile. Dust and organize the home office and clean out that dreaded junk drawer.

9. Lighten up; It’s spring! Add new colorful pillows or art to your space. Replace window treatments, towels, table linens and bedding to transform your rooms for spring and the upcoming warm weather.

Now for the most important part of spring cleaning, according to Joanna Gains from Magnolia…reward yourself when you finish. “For me, that’s eating a chocolate cupcake, laying in the hammock and just relaxing for an hour or so. Go ahead and treat yourself! You’ve done a good thing and your whole family is going to benefit from this for the rest of the year.”

Where to donate: Goodwill in Sealy: 979-627-7747 Habitat for Humanity of Austin County (household items): 979-865-2855 28

AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

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DISTANCE LEARNING LEAVES LASTING MARKS ON STRUGGLING STUDENTS

By Valerie Reddell

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Declining COVID-19 case counts and climbing vaccinations are delivering hope that life will resemble something normal in the near future. Now parents and educators are turning their focus to the effects of distance learning and social isolation have had on children. And more importantly, how do we fix it?

Education experts say the impact is much greater than what can be addressed by some remedial instruction in the next few weeks or months.

Sealy ISD Superintendent Dr. Bryan Hallmark points to a statewide study on impacts from the hastily implemented distance learning program put in place for the last two months of the 2019-2020 school year.

"From two months of distance learning, most students got six months behind," Hallmark said.

Over the summer months of 2020, Hallmark said administrators adjusted the scope and sequence of basic concepts in the curriculum to help students master the content they needed to succeed at the next grade level.

That re-tooling had to be done quickly and without a clear outline from the state as to what the 2020-21 school year would look like.

In July and August, state leaders publicly bickered with local health authorities who wanted to keep classrooms closed during COVID-19 spikes, according to the Texas Tribune. Eventually, the state removed some of local district's authority to make those decisions.

Students from families identified as economically disadvantaged face greater challenges to being school success during the best of times. The additional obstacles posed by distance learning made those hurdles far higher.

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Fewer devices in their household and lack of access to high-speed internet made it difficult or impossible for students in lowincome families to complete lessons.

The Texas Education Agency responded with grants to help districts purchase devices and make them available to students who needed them, triggering a new crisis – supply chain issues.

It probably should have been obvious that nearly simultaneous orders from 1,029 school districts would mean delays, given the great toilet tissue crisis of last Spring. If Walmart has trouble getting toilet paper to us, what's the waiting list for a Chromebook going to be?

So even though the state was offering to make the purchase, thousands of young Texans still had trouble accessing a device to complete their assignments. That magnifies the effect of income disparity among students and it likely will create a large divide in student performance for several years.

Children at Risk, a Houston-based non-profit led by Dr. Bob Sanborn predicts low-income students could fall behind by as much as two years after three semesters of remote learning.

The impact is even greater for younger students who are working to master foundation skills like reading.

For example, most adults can recall having some difficulty with learning to regroup (or borrow) to enable subtracting numbers with two or more digits. Other adults may still cringe at the thought of finding a common denominator to add or subtract fractions.

A student who does not master those math tricks will struggle greatly with algebra and geometry, subjects that are required to graduate high school. College bound students are more likely to have to complete remedial classes before diving into for-credit college classes.

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Distance learning for Texas public school students fell into two modes: Synchronous and asynchronous.

Synchronous learning (often nicknamed Zoom school) requires students to log in to a virtual classroom using videoconferencing software so that teachers can address students as a class or individually. It offers more opportunity to interact, but younger students need an adult at their side throughout class time.

Asynchronous learning provides lists of assignments and resources, but does not require students to be logged in to their classroom at any specific time.

Sealy ISD used asynchronous learning since it was a better fit for the technological assets the district had. This method also allowed more flexibility for students who may not be able to complete assignments while their parents are at work.

Hallmark added that asynchronous learning helps families who lack adequate devices or for all children in the household to work on lessons simultaneously; or internet service that can meet that demand.

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When the 2020-2021 school year began, 80 percent of Sealy students returned to in-person instruction. The district relied on distance learning to allow students to keep up with their classes if they were quarantined or had to miss school for more typical reasons.

An army of education experts are reporting a growing lack of motivation among K-12 students after several months of distance learning, even among youth who loved school prior to the pandemic and planned to major in math or science in college.

This particular consequence largely may be a result of social isolation, and could resolve when society resumes more normal activities.

The lack of connection interferes with students’ ability to measure their own well-being.

Without the one-on-one interaction with teachers and peers, students who are struggling with an assignment are more likely to simply give up.

For students who rely on the school district for help with mental health issues, the isolation is far more damaging. Rural communities, students of color and low-income families rely on school-based mental health services. Reducing access to those services puts additional stress on the family and further reduces the chances of student success.

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Some distance learning environments require a student to keep their camera on during class. As a consequence, aspects of their home life are exposed that the student would rather keep private.

Few of us would want to invite our entire classroom into our home, regardless of our socioeconomic reality. But pressure to do so during an already stressful period can be particularly damaging.

Emotional trauma resulting from the pandemic is greater in communities of color, mental health experts say. Parents are more likely to be essential workers who not only are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19, but they also are seeing higher degrees of grief and loss among coworkers and friends.

Couple the consequences of those higher risk occupations with the greater number of incidents of racially motivated violence over the past year, and it’s no mystery that many students will need help learning to overcome the emotional impact of the last 18 months.

Hallmark says the intense craving for normalcy and socialization has meant a reduced need for teachers and administrators to imposed disciplinary action this year.

Administrators across Texas are drafting plans for what summer school could look like. Hallmark is considering making it more of a summer camp experience. No matter what the format, a structured environment that allows students to learn together and build mastery and confidence on topics they expected to learn if 2020 and 2021 had been more typical years.

Experts in mental health and child development are offering varying themes on the same basic advice. This summer is an important time to arrange plenty of activities for your child that allow play, creative activity and companionship while keeping screen time to a minimum.

Details on summer activities in the Austin County area will be announced in the coming weeks.

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3 techniques to keep mosquitoes out of your backyard oasis The value of a retreat-like backyard was never more apparent than in 2020. Over the last year-plus, much of the world has been forced to stay home as a global pandemic has claimed millions of lives while countless others have had to fight to survive in hospitals. It's no surprise people have looked for a respite from the harsh realities of living during a deadly pandemic, and many turned their attention to their own backyards to provide such an escape.

The online home remodeling platform Houzz reported a 58 percent annual increase in project leads for home professionals in June 2020. Contractors who specialize in outdoor spaces saw the biggest increase in demand. A revamped outdoor space can provide the perfect retreat for homeowners who want to get away from it all. But one winged, unwelcome guest can quickly transform an oasis into an uninviting space.

Mosquitoes make their presence felt in many areas each summer. These pesky, often hungry insects can carry disease, and their bites can be painful and itchy. Homeowners can try these three techniques to keep mosquitoes out of their backyards.

1. Remove standing water.

Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, who don't even need a lot of water to successfully breed. A daily walk around the property may uncover kids' toys, empty flower pots or other small receptacles that can collect water. Even clogged gutters can lead to the accumulation of a small amount of water, and that can be enough for mosquitoes to breed. Remove these potential breeding grounds when you find them, and do so each day, as mosquitoes mature from eggs to nymphs in roughly four days.

2. Mow regularly.

Mowing the lawn so the grass never gets too high is another way to make a backyard less hospitable to mosquitoes. The pest experts at Terminix¨ note that mosquitoes seek tall grass to protect them from the elements, including wind and hot summer sun. Mowing enough so grass never gets too high in summer can make backyards less inviting to mosquitoes.

3. Plant with mosquitoes in mind.

The home remodeling experts at HGTV note that plants can be part of homeowners' strategy to repel mosquitoes. Various plants have mosquito-repellant qualities. For example, bee balm releases a fragrance as it grows, and mosquitoes don't like that fragrance. Homeowners can speak with a local lawn and garden professional for recommendations about plants that can thrive in their region and repel mosquitoes at the same time.

Mosquitoes can make it hard to enjoy a backyard oasis. But various strategies can help homeowners keep these unwanted guests out of their backyards.

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4 tips for backyard barbecue success

When the weather warms up, the opportunities to enjoy more time outdoors increase. For many people that means firing up the grill to cook dinners in the backyard and also to host friends and family for outdoor gatherings around the patio.

Barbecuing is enjoyed around the world and is especially popular in the United States, where even presidents have touted the virtues of cooking outside. Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter and even Ronald Regan hosted barbecues with tasty grilled or smoked food during their terms.

Barbecues are especially popular in spring and summer. Memorial Day often marks the unofficial kickoff to the summer barbecue season. After Memorial Day weekend, the smell of barbecue often can be detected on a nightly basis in suburban neighborhoods. Follow these tips to make backyard barbecues even more successful this year.

1. Make food safety a priority. A successful barbecue is one in which everyone goes home sated and stuffed with delicious foods. However, ensuring people donÕt fall ill also is vital. Keep in mind that the temperature outdoors impacts the rate of spoilage for raw and cooked foods. Always keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold (place items on ice or in coolers). The Food and Drug Administration, advises moving leftovers indoors promptly and discarding any items that have been sitting outside for longer than two hours at room temperature. Items should be moved indoors or discarded even more quickly in especially hot conditions.

2. Learn how to smoke. Grilling is one skill, and smoking is another. As the popularity of food smokers has increased, prices have come down. Novices can visit barbecue competitions and talk to professionals about their tips for smoking foods, or learn more by watching tutorials online. Smoked foods take a lot of time to cook, allowing hosts an opportunity to mingle with guests.

3. Keep things simple. Serve only a handful of items to cut down on the amount of preparation required. Two main proteins and maybe three side dishes is adequate. Chips or other pre-made snacks can fit the bill.

Condensing options also reduces how much you have to manage. Be sure to have options for those with food allergies or intolerances when planning the menu.

4. Set up clusters of seating. Grouping sets of chairs at tables around the yard encourages guests to mingle.

Also, it helps space out people for social distancing and avoids a bottleneck around the food.

Make the most of barbecue season by embracing strategies to be successful hosts and hostesses.

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IN D U LGE YOUR PE A N UT CRAV INGS

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Despite changing scenery following a blockbuster trade that sent him to the Indianapolis Colts after the strike-shortened season in 1987, he led the league in rushing the following year and became the first Colt to do so since Alan Ameche in 1955.

Dickerson ran for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first seven seasons and became the first to accomplish that. He also went on to become the fastest player in NFL history to rush for more than 10,000 yards in only 91 games.

In his 11-year career, he was selected to six Pro Bowls and named All-Pro five times after he led the league in rushing thrice with the Rams and once with the Indianapolis Colts.

Out of all of the times his name cracked the record books, Dickerson said his rookie rushing record stands out among them.

“I think the one (record) I look at most and means the most to me is my rookie rushing record,” Dickerson said in his Hall of Fame bio. “You get one shot at that. You don’t get several.

You don’t get 10. You get one.”

In 2020, Dickerson was named to both the College Football and High School Football Halls of Fame and represents his hometown in all three football shrines.

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“It's an honor, it shows that I did a good job playing football at all levels,” Dickerson said. “Because it was a sport that I can say when I played football, I loved it. I mean, I loved everything about it. I remember the smell of the grass when it came football season. … I can think about when I was a kid and I couldn't wait to put my uniform on and I wanted to wear my football pants to school, that's how much I loved it.”

Dickerson was honored with a ceremony after he was named to the pro football Hall of Fame and has a sign at the football stadium memorializing the occasion. He also has a full-length picture hanging in the halls of Sealy High School near the football locker room to remind players that anything is possible.

“It means a lot because I am from here, I played here. It shows that I did do something that was good and that I was a good player,” Dickerson said. “I'm really pleased about that because the big thing is that I know one day I'll be gone, and my kids can come look at this, my grandkids can come look at stuff and say, ‘That's my grandpa,’ or ‘That's my dad.’”

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BY NANCY NARON SEALY AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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The little house that was dearly loved by the Hackbarth family of Sealy began its long life located behind the Hackbarths’ first store built in Sealy in 1880 at the northwest corner of Front and Main Streets. The small house built by John and Louise Hackbarth was one of the first homes built in Sealy and has cypress clapboard siding and a metal roof. When the Hackbarths later built a two-story, Victorian-style house at 5th Street and Eagle Lake Road, they moved the small house and attached it to the rear of their new, much grander home. In 1924, the Hackbarths tore down their Victorian era house and replaced it with a Craftsman style bungalow that still stands today. Again, the small house continued to be a part of the Hackbarths’ life, as they placed it in the backyard of their new Craftsman house.

The Hackbarths’ little house in Sealy could possibly be the oldest “tiny house” in the county, as it is only 280 square feet. In 1989, the Hackbarths’ daughter, Irma Dattweiler, donated the small house to the Sealy Area Historical Society. The house is currently located within the Sealy Historical Park at the intersection of East Main and Silliman Streets. Furnished with antiques originally belonging to the Hackbarths and other Sealy families, the little house is charming and comfortable.

The first Hackbarth Mercantile store on Front Street was a wood frame building and was replaced in 1886 with Sealy’s first brick commercial building. In 1889, a fire caused by an alcohol explosion burned all of the early commercial structures on the north end of Front Street, with the exception of the Hackbarths’ twostory brick building.

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Early in the morning, peddler wagons would leave the Hackbarth Mercantile store carrying goods, including sugar, salt, flour, coffee and calico, to farms throughout the county. There were chicken coops on the backs of the wagons to carry chickens and ducks from the farms back to the store, along with lard and eggs produced by the local farmers. In the evenings, the peddler wagons returned, and the live fowl were placed in coops behind the store.

In 1930, the two-story Hackbarth Mercantile was demolished and replaced with a new store for the Hackbarths’ grocery business, and, in the 1960s, that building was demolished to make way for the new post office.

Given the Hackbarths demolished their first two commercial buildings and their two-story Victorian home to make way for new structures, it can be said that, for the most part, the Hackbarths looked to the future, and not the past, with the exception of their first tiny house in Sealy. Clearly, the small home held a great deal of sentimental value for the Hackbarths.

John and Louise Hackbarth were well known throughout the county, as were John’s brother, Fritz W., who opened Hackbarth Lumber in 1885, and their many children and grandchildren. John was an active founding member of the Good Roads Association that was organized in 1910 for the purpose of assessing property values and establishing tax rates to maintain county roads. The Good Roads Association consisted of representatives from all of the communities in Austin County. Similar associations sprang up all over Texas and led to the establishment of the Texas Department of Transportation by the Texas State Legislature.

John August Hackbarth was born in Kuykendall (New Bremen) in Austin County in 1852 and his wife Louise Reibenstein Hackbarth was born in 1862 in Industry, their parents having emigrated from Germany. John and Louise were fixtures in Sealy and Austin County and played significant roles in a number of social, civic and political organizations. Their contributions to the development of Sealy and Austin County had their start in a tiny house that has stood the test of time.

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Restoring the Historic Charm of Austin County 64

History abounds in the old homes and buildings of Austin County - some have already been restored to their original beauty and others are still hidden under years of dirt and dust just waiting to be rediscovered. Across the county, there’s a boom of restoration by residents who want to give these treasures new life and preserve our history for generations to come.

“History is so important to learning about our culture and our life,” said Lois Coan, President of the Bellville Historical Society. “We learn from the craftsmanship and creativity of the people who built these buildings. They cut no corners. They did perfect work and are still standing 100, 150, and 200 years later.”

Many of the current projects preserve as much of the old construction and character as possible while making the buildings functional for today.

Reesa Ueckert and her daughter Kara Rathbone have worked together to restore more than 15 homes and buildings in Bellville. They are moving swiftly on their latest project at 404 East Main, the former San Bernard Electric Co-op headquarters, and later the Bellville ISD Administration Building.

Built in 1942, the building will return to its mid-century, art deco roots based on inspiration from the original Bellville High School and Blue Bell Building in Brenham built during the same time period.

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After sitting abandoned for 15 years, Ueckert said there were actually no big surprises. In fact, the building’s original pine paneling, windows, ceiling, and even door hardware are being preserved. Now known as The Offices on Main and The Warehouse, it will house eight offices for rent, a large conference room, a retail space, and a large event space which includes the warehouse, a new rooftop lounge, and large outside patio.

Rathbone says the restoration not only creates a new purpose for the building but also stirs old memories.

She said her aunt walked through and reminisced about earning extra credit in high school by filing papers at the BISD Administration Building, and Ueckert laughs about the time she got kicked off the bus and had to meet with the superintendent in his office.

The team of Ueckert, Rathbone, and family matriarch Merlene “Ma” Byler also brought Bellville’s Hellmuth House back to its original beauty. Built in 1906 as a 25th wedding anniversary gift for C.F. Hellmuth’s second wife, the home has changed hands several times in the last century and was in need of a renovation.

While the goal was to make the house liveable, taking it back to its original era was key. A month was spent removing three layers of paint from the cypress siding and then sealing and repainting the exterior of the house. All of the original woodwork inside was also stripped and restained. Byler spent about six months designing, hand cutting and applying the wallpaper on the walls and ceilings of each room. They also took time to procure Victorian era furniture for each room.

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As we walked through the immense house, Ueckert and Rathbone tell the story of the original family owners with a passion that goes much deeper than a remodel. For instance, different types of wood were used in each part of the house depending on how it was used.

The wood in Mr. Hellmuth’s original office prevented men’s boots from scuffing the floor while another wood was used in the entertaining areas.

Mr. Hellmuth also had a window in his office overlooking the train depot where he would “watch his money rolling in,” as Rathbone said.

The swinging doors allowing cooks and the help to walk in and out have been restored and are still in working order. The spacious second-story balcony features a large walk-through window with glass that slides up into the frame of the house.

While this mother-daughter team has made the beautification of older homes and buildings their mission, they are not the first or only ones to see the value these projects create for the community both in restored culture and increased business opportunity.

“I hope people cherish what we have.

That’s what makes Bellville unique. I also want to love our town and the only way to love our town is to help our town,” Ueckert explained.

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Ueckert credits Pam Traylor and her husband at the time, Martin Card, with saving the Bellville Square in the 1980s when many old buildings were torn down in favor of new construction.

They showed the community that they could take a building back to what it was and make it beautiful.

Sealy’s downtown has also undergone major transformations recently giving new life to the old. Nancy Naron, President of the Sealy Area Historical Society, pointed to the great lengths owner Jeff Trevino is going to restore the exteriors and interiors to their original appearance of the old Texas Theatre, the Meyer Drug Building and Kroeners’s Variety Store.

Naron’s own home at 613 Ward Street in Sealy was built in 1893 with restoration complete in 2008. When she and her husband, Dennis Holder, restored it they were able to preserve many of the original materials including all of the original windows.

Hairstylist and member of the Sealy Area Historical Society Angela Leschper is anticipating the renovation of the old Sealy Five and Dime into The Salons, which is being spearheaded by new owner Erin Krampitz of Erin Krampitz Designs.

Krampitz has helped restore about 10 homes and buildings in Sealy with one being her own home. It was built in 1955 by Reece Kveton for her husband’s great uncle, Clarence Krampitz.

During its lifetime it was home to the first pool in Sealy, and Kramptiz says people still remember taking swimming lessons in that pool.

“Ever since my husband, Andy, and I got together we both loved the architecture of this house. We would drive by it dreaming of how cool it would be to fix it up. Not only was the house appealing to us but it is located on a huge lot with plenty of room for the kids to run and play,” Krampitz said.

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While making it their own, the Krampitz’ kept many of the home’s mid-century modern characteristics such as the low profile and large windows.

“It was such a fun project and we had such an amazing team working on it with us. It is our sanctuary and we love it here,” she said.

Up next for Krampitz is the restoration of a farmhouse in Cat Spring built in 1909. She’s heard it was originally a church, and in 1967 Raymond and Rosie Navarro bought it.

“The first time I went to see it, I knew I had to have it. I could feel the positivity radiating through it,” she said. “The old porch Mr. Navarro would sit on and wave to all of the cars spoke to me.”

Krampitz says plans for the farmhouse are under wraps for now, but it will become a weekend retreat for her family once complete.

There are still many homes and buildings across the county that could use some love and care. When planning a restoration project Naron recommends following the National Trust for Historic Preservation Guidelines, which says only replace original materials if more than half of the item is beyond repair. These projects are expensive so another option is to use materials similar in appearance and color to take the home or building back to as close to the original as possible.

The restoration of old homes and buildings not only brightens neighborhoods and city blocks but also reignites cherished memories of people, families, and stories that came before.

Fortunately, preservation projects like these will ensure history can be enjoyed for hopefully hundreds of years to come.

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