Muhlenberg Life December

D e C e MB e R 2022

A new section that will be appearing in February 2023 is a Business Spotlight. We will spend days finding out what makes the business tick. We will discuss the best of plans, the worst of plans and everything in between.

So if you are thinking about becoming a small business owner see what others have to say. Get to know the business, owners and what makes them tick read our Spotlight articles.

Drum roll please…… the first Business Spotlight will be STAR 107.3.

Michael Davis’ first job in radio was at WMTA in Central City. Now, he and his wife, Nashville-native Casey Renee Davis, own the station.

Michael Davis, a 1997 graduate of Muhlenberg North High School, plans to promote the station as STAR 107.3. The sports teams at the school were called the “Stars,” he said.

The station will focus on local news, local programming and local events — “the way radio used to be,” Davis owner of STAR, said.

I hope you will enjoy a Day in the Life of a Radio Station. Keep watching on social media and the station to hear more about this great project.

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), often referred to as Seasonal Depression, is a type of depression that mostly affects individuals during the fall and winter months where there is less daylight, the weather becomes colder, and the body’s internal clock is disrupted causing natural melatonin to increase and serotonin levels to decrease. This combination may lead to the overwhelming feeling of sadness. However, SAD is more than just feeling blue. You may be more easily irritated, feel unexplained anger and anxiety, loss of energy, or even a lack of interest in things you typically enjoy. These symptoms are persistent and consistent. As winter progresses, these symptoms often worsen, and it seems there is no relief in sight. However, there are ways you can effectively combat the agonizing symptoms of SAD. The use of light therapy, sound therapy, and lifestyle changes can be extremely beneficial in reducing or preventing symptoms from affecting your daily life. Light Box Therapy may seem odd to some, but daily use of a light box starting in early autumn may help reduce the symptoms of SAD as the winter months arrive. Light boxes or light therapy lamps mimic natural sunlight with broad-spectrum ultra-violet light (no sunscreen required), and can be used while having your morning coffee. Using a light box for 30 minutes each morning can provide the boost you need during the gloomy winter months, and are widely available to purchase in prices that fit most budgets. Sound Therapy can help relieve the symptoms of SAD with music, spoken word, mediation tracks, and even musical instruments. But it is not just the sounds that can prove

beneficial, it is also the setting you are in and how the sounds are used. You can choose to use sound therapy in your home, your office, or even in your car, but for full benefit, finding someone that specializes in sound therapy will provide a personalized experience to calm your emotions.

In Muhlenberg County, The Sound Center at Hello Gorgeous Salon offers a customized experience that can help with your winter blues through a “profound relaxation experience” with sessions ranging from 30 minutes to 90 minutes and can be hands on with Laura Kaylor or solo based on your preferences. There are other numerous self-help options to reduce the symptoms of SAD. Whether it is a 15-minute walk or an hour at the gym, daily exercise can reduce symptoms as your body releases natural endorphins. It is also beneficial to maintain a strict sleep/ wake routine to ensure you're keeping your internal clock on track. It is always a good idea to maintain a healthy diet, but reducing sugar, caffeine, and foods high in carbohydrates can help reduce the symptoms of SAD. It is also important to enjoy extra time outside on sunny days to get as much natural sunlight as possible. This article is not meant to diagnose or provide treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder, only to provide options and resources available to help combat the winter blues. If you or someone you know are experiencing the symptoms of SAD, schedule an appointment with your doctor or mental health professional to discuss your options.

Casey Davis is a wife, mom, writer and radio host with a passion for bringing awareness to mental health.

The Legend of the Christmas Rose

Once upon a time, long ago, the day when Jesus was born, an angel came to see the shepherds. The very same shepherd who led the three great kings also told the shepherds of the newborn “King of Peace.” The shepherds took honey, fruits, and white doves as offerings. The kings brought beautiful yet precious gifts. All the shepherds left their flocks and ran to see the child. All of them took their gifts. Among them, there was a young shepherd. Now, she was tending to her family’s flocks. When she heard of the baby king, her heart became full to the brim with love and

devotion, and faith. So she decided to go see the baby in the manager. She walked down the hills and saw the three kings enter the manger where baby Jesus was being taken care of by Mary and Joseph. When she came closer, she could not gather the will to enter. When the angel, who called everyone, saw the poor little shepherdess cry, the angel understood why she was crying. “Do not cry my child,” the angel said. When the girl looked up, the angel spoke again, “Do not cry because you have no gifts, there is nothing better than blossoms given with love and that which springs to life from the bed of tears.” And with that, the angel touched the ground and a bed of beautiful roses sprang up. The shepherdess took the blossoms and went to see baby Jesus with a smile.

Heart to Heart

Inspirational thoughts from the heart of Rev. Rick Brownlee to our readers.

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22: 37-40

This month’s inspiration deals with the another fruit of the Spirit – love. There is not a better month to discuss the concept of love than in December. This month is filled with many expressions of love both spiritually and secularly. During this month, love is expressed as we individually express love in the exchanging of gifts with the ones we love. The end of this month signals the end of the calendar year. During this time, many reflect on the past year as a metric for where we are in relation to the goals we had set just 365 days ago. Were we successful in reaching those goals and what changes need to be made for this upcoming 365 days.

The Bible is full of examples where love is being expressed through the actions of others. It begins in Genesis with God creating the earth and everything on it. He then put man and a woman in the Garden of Eden where they

had everything they would need to live forever. But as the story is told, there was only one stipulation. They could eat everything in the garden except the one tree called the Tree of Knowledge and Good and Evil. We all know this story and how man did eat from this tree and the consequences that followed. However, God still showed His love by providing a permanent solution; the death of His son Jesus who paid the ultimate price showing His love for all of mankind by paying the sin debt with His own life. The Bible, from Genesis through Revelation, is a love story that shows us just how much God loves us, His creation.

So, what does that mean for us? As the verses quoted above tell us, we are to love God with all we have and then spread this love to our neighbors. We can be successful in this command by first accepting Jesus in our heart as our Savior and depend on His love in us to flow to all that we know and meet, having Jesus in our heart allows us to show His love because we have this fruit available to share.

Recipes from The River Rat

Alisa Bolton Owens

The Crescent

Wreath

This wreath is an impressive-looking dish that is a snap to prepare. It does not take long to make, so that is a plus during the holidays. The red pepper and broccoli add a festive touch. This wreath utilizes chicken. I have made them with chopped ham, ground beef and vegetables.

INGREDIENTS

2 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls

1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

2/3 cup condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

½ cup sweet red pepper

½ cup chopped fresh broccoli

¼ cup chopped water chestnuts

1 can (5 ounces white chicken, drained, or ¾ cup cubed cooked chicken

2 tablespoons chopped onion

DIRECTIONS

Arrange crescent rolls on a 12-in pizza pan, forming a ring with pointed ends facing the outer edge of pan and wide ends overlapping.

Combine the remaining ingredients; spoon over wide ends of rolls. Fold points over filling and tuck under wide ends (filling will be visible)

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Chocolate Fudge

Christmas is just around the corner and it wouldn’t be Christmas without fudge. For many years I did not make fudge as it was hit and miss with me. The recipes I am sharing for chocolate and peanut butter fudge are absolutely failproof. 1 package semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips 1 can condensed (Eagle Brand)milk ½ cup chopped nuts (optional) Line 8x8 in pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease. Melt chocolate chips with condensed milk stirring until smooth. Add nuts if desired and pour in prepared pan. Chill and slice.

Peanut Butter Fudge

1 can vanilla frosting ( do not use cream cheese frosting) 1 jar peanut butter, smooth or creamy Line 8x8 in pan with aluminum foil and spray lightly. Empty frosting into microwave proof bowl and microwave 1 minute. Pack empty frosting container with peanut butter, place on saucer, and microwave 45 seconds. Add peanut butter to frosting, mix well, pour into prepared pan. Chill and slice. I use the peanut butter fudge recipe to make Buckeye candy . You can also roll into small balls and flatten into a disc, place between Ritz crackers and dip in candy coating.

The Story of the Christmas Spider

A poor but hardworking widow once lived in a small hut with her children. One summer day, a pine cone fell on the earthen floor of the hut and took root. The widow’s children cared for the tree, excited at the prospect of having a Christmas tree by winter. The tree grew, but when Christmas Eve arrived, they could not afford to decorate it. The children sadly went to bed and fell asleep. Early the next morning, they woke up and saw the tree covered with cobwebs. When they opened the windows, the first rays of sunlight touched the webs and turned them into gold and silver. The widow and her children were overjoyed. From then on, they never lived in poverty again.

Manners can be defined as “a person’s outward behavior towards others.” They are etiquette rules that show polite and respectful behavior. Manners are dictated by acceptable social norms. Like other values and beliefs, they can, and do alternate based on cultures, social groups and expectations.

Within our society, there are certain manners that people still find respectable to show and teach the younger generations to abide by as well. At the root of having manners is a general care and consideration for others. You are thinking outside of yourself for a moment and adding that “personal touch” to different aspects of life.

With manners, you build empathy and relationships with others. They are social skills. For example, saying “please and thank you” shows regard for others with appreciation and gratitude. Apologizing is an example of taking responsibility for your actions. Asking questions about others indicates your interest in other people’s lives. These manners are mainly spoken ones that we learn growing up, but there are also unspoken ones that are implied throughout society.

These unspoken manners may seem “old-fashioneded” to some, but they are the etiquette norms that never go out of style. Again, they all relate back to having that general care and consideration for others. Some of these manners include not doing loud yard work

in the early morning hours during the weekend, taking the time to send handwritten thank-you cards, putting away the electronics at dinner and reaching out to those in need. To complete this list of spoken and unspoken manners, I asked people while I was in town to help me. These were some of the responses I received:

• Bringing a small hostess gift when invited to a party, holiday event, etc.

• RSVPing. I think it’s common courtesy to let someone know if you will or will not be attending.

• Returning things you borrowed in a timely manner.

• Holding the door open for people.

• Not overstaying my welcome as a party or house guest.

• Helping my host with chores or whatever I can.

• Saying ‘yes and no, ma’am’ and ‘yes and no, sir’ to my elders.

• Being on time.

Sometimes it can be hard to remember your manners, especially when life gets tough. But they can take you far in life. What manners do you think should never go out of style?

From the Publisher

The older you get the more you know how the distance between Halloween and New Years gets less and less. I can’t believe we've been in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky a year now. This time last year I knew two people here and where the Walmart was. I have come a long way! I have learned so much about the Muhlenberg County and the people who live here. So, armed with fifteen plus years producing newspapers and magazines, I decided Muhlenberg needed a magazine. Believe it or not, this is the 3rd issue. I've learned that this county has a heart of gold.

I could not possibly thank all the many people who have helped support this venture. We will be changing up things a little for the 2023 editions, so please follow us on Facebook and our website to see what is happening and new specialty issue we will add. Issue 4 will hit the streets on February 1st.

I look so forward to seeing old friends and making many more in 2023. Before we know it Thanksgiving will have come and gone so It’s time to gather around the Christmas tree, share good food and good company, and give thanks for the love of friends and family! Thinking of you this holiday season and wishing you all the best for a prosperous and happy New Year.

LouAnnBrownlee

CONTRIBUTORS

Publisher - Comsen, k, Inc., Lou Ann Brownlee

Editor - Rickie Brownlee

Business Development - Rhonda Coleman Layout/Design - Lisa Ison

Casey R. Davis

Alisa Bolton Owens

Amy Comstock

Lou Ann Brownlee

Rickie Brownlee Magazine Contacts

(270) 641-0767 Office www.muhlenberglife.com muhlenberglife@gmail.com

Muhlenberg Life is a publication of Comsen, Inc.

Bi-monthly copies are distributed throughout our county in over 20 rack locations as well as local businesses. We welcome your comments, articles and advertisements. Subscriptions are available for $40 per year. The viewpoint of the advertisers, writers and submissions are not necessarily those of Comsen, Inc. The Publisher makes no claims as to the validity of any charitable organizations mentioned. Muhlenberg Life is not responsible for errors or omissions.