Rural Leader Magazine December 2023

DECEMBER 2023

Cover Story

Barbershop Books Open House Held: Second Site in Georgia , pg. 11 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | DECEMBER 2023 1

Contents Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com

About Us

Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad.

Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.—

6 For New Year’s resolution success, don’t write off the end of this year

20 Sowing success: How urban students are preparing for agriculture careers

8 How today’s companies can encourage student engagement in STEM fields

24 Can money buy happiness? More than half of Americans say yes in new study

COVER STORY 11 Barbershop Books Open House Held: Second Site in Georgia

26 GRHIC and Randolph County Family Connection Host Haircuts & Hams Health and Wellness Event for Men

15 Planning holiday get-togethers?

Tips for easy and crowd-pleasing appetizers 17 Sowing success: How urban students are preparing for agriculture careers

28 Tragic loss of 3-year-old daughter drives family to advocate for flu vaccination

Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue.

As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support!

Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag

Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent.

Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com

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Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@RuralLeaderMag.com—

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* Getting more sleep (56%) * Focusing on self-care (54%) * Saving money (53%)

For New Year’s resolution success, don’t write off the end of this year Three-quarters of Americans are planning to enjoy the end of the year and not worry about their diet up from just half last year, according to a new survey.

Results of a recently released survey by Herbalife, a global health and wellness company, revealed that 72% of the 2,000 Americans surveyed want to make the most of the end of the year, regardless of what that means for their diet, compared to 54% in last year’s survey.

That attitude may help explain why respondents in the sixth annual “Writing Off the End of the Year” survey expect to gain 8 pounds before the end of the year - compared to 5 1/2 pounds last year. The results also revealed that two-thirds (66%) of respondents use the end of the year to postpone being healthy - a 24% increase from the previous year.

“The end of the year should be a time to focus on family, friends and self-care,” said Herbalife Chief 6

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To help set yourself up for success now and into the new year, Bradley recommends these six attainable resolutions to help people lose holiday weight and achieve better health: 1. Be specific. Being too general with a resolution makes it difficult to follow. Rather than saying you’ll exercise more or eat better, make your goal to work out three times a week or have a vegetable with every meal. These small, measurable and specific goals set you up for success.

2. Find a friend. A support network can be a big help on your health journey. Find a friend or group of like-minded people to support each other and keep everyone accountable. It also adds a social element that is essential for overall well-being.

3. Get moving. Physical activity is essential in getting healthy. According to guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle strengthening activity, each week. It may seem like a lot, but breaking up the physical activity into 30-minute sessions, five days a week, makes it more manageable.

4. Add protein. Protein is a nutritional powerhouse

that satisfies hunger and builds lean muscle mass. Include protein-rich foods like lean meat, poultry, eggs, legumes and seeds at every meal and snack to fuel your body and satisfy hunger throughout the day.

5. Avoid fad diets. It’s tempting to jump on the newest trend but remember there are no quick fixes for health. Fad diets do not address the core problems that cause people to gain weight and often eliminate foods that are actually healthy, which can result in nutritional deficiencies.

6. Give yourself grace. Something is always better than nothing. If there isn’t time for a 30-minute workout, do 15. If you can’t make a home-cooked meal, order out a plant-based option. If you have an off day, don’t give up completely. Focus on forward momentum even if you’ve taken a few steps back.

“Make sure you take the time to plan and prepare for the positive behavior changes you’d like to make and be kind to yourself in the process,” said Bradley.

For more healthy lifestyle tips and information, visit Herbalife.com.—

Health and Nutrition Officer, Dr. Kent Bradley.

“Identify specific, attainable actions you want to take to improve your health and your mindset, and if you can, bring your friends and family along on that health journey.”

Despite leaning into temptation at the end of the year, 68% of respondents are confident they’ll have healthy habits in the new year. And they expect it will take them an average of about 19 days to get back on track with their healthy habits, or to start new ones.

With this in mind, 47% are planning to make a New Year’s resolution for 2024, up from 32% the year prior.

The 2024 “Top 5” New Year’s Resolutions are: * Eating healthier (68%) * Exercising more (66%) GetRuralLeaderMag.com | DECEMBER 2023 7

Technology mentors to send “Jake from State Farm” (in doll form) nearly 100,000 feet into space from the company’s park in Bloomington, Illinois. Participating students learned about the science behind meteorology and the tools used to predict and understand weather patterns.

The company has also initiated several programs encouraging girls and women to pursue STEM fields.

Although women comprise nearly half the U.S. workforce, they only represent 27% of STEM workers, and are significantly underrepresented in STEM majors.

To bridge this gap, State Farm supports groups and programs including: Employee Resource Group (ERG) - Women and Technology provides technology and leadership-level connections, personal development and exposure for ERG members, connecting them with internal resources, role models and opportunities to build skills and develop professionally.

Educational Milestone - Girls Who Code offers an event at the State Farm Park Center in Atlanta office location, plus virtual opportunities, for girls to participate in a seven-week coding camp. Over 100 girls participated each summer over the last six years.

State Farm Tech Astra is an innovative program

giving female students opportunities to explore the vast possibilities of STEM. For over a decade, State Farm has empowered more than 2,000 fifth through eighth grade girls to experience coding, robotic and engineering challenges in a safe, fun setting.

Hundreds of State Farm employees volunteer time to support this program, which provides collaborative, inclusive events led by women and tailored to provide hands-on experiences in interactive small groups. The program recently expanded to include fifth through twelfth grade girls.

STEM Program in Schools - State Farm advocacy engages the community to promote IT in grades K-12 with local school districts. The company also provides charitable funds to support numerous STEM programs for young students run by colleges and universities.

Supporting STEM education can help provide a better future for students seeking high-paying, satisfying careers, and for businesses needing this talent to meet the demands of ever-evolving technology.

Learn more about how State Farm is encouraging young students in STEM fields at TechAstra.StateFarm.—

How today’s companies can encourage student engagement in STEM fields

Did you know at least one quarter of today’s workers have occupations connected to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)? That equals approximately 35 million people, according to a National Science Foundation report from 2021.

And the field keeps growing - while gradually becoming more diverse, although women and people of color are still underrepresented.

With the rapid evolution of technology in every aspect of life, from the Internet of Things and augmented reality to cloud computing, machine learning and AI, the need for more employees with STEM skills and knowledge is critical. U.S. companies face a workforce shortage crisis, especially those requiring a STEM background. Students from elementary school through higher education need encouragement to pursue these subjects to fill this dire need, and to help them ensure their own professional, personal and financial success in the future.

How companies benefit from involvement in education: Companies providing financial support, mentorships and creative approaches to engage students in STEM topics will reap the benefit of a better 8

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prepared future workforce. For example, State Farm Insurance has been a strong supporter of educational efforts for years, launching programs that bring the excitement of STEM learning to students nationwide.

The pervasiveness of technology today emphasizes how crucial STEM backgrounds are for a wide range of jobs - even those you may not think of as STEM related. Today’s insurance industry, for instance, involves detailed analysis of complex data which is supported using machine learning and AI, plus understanding the science behind weather, and being able to model trends and use satellite imagery to settle claims after a disaster. Skills in research and data analytics are crucial components in this field.

What State Farm is doing to encourage STEM education: To ensure that all students can excel at rigorous, relevant STEM learning and become successful employees in the future, State Farm has been building community relationships, engaging students in technology and providing mentoring opportunities to create awareness and excitement about IT careers.

One example of their many efforts is a recent weather balloon launch by State Farm Enterprise GetRuralLeaderMag.com | DECEMBER 2023 9

COVER STORY

Barbershop Books Open House Held: Second Site in Georgia Randolph County Family Connection, Inc. and Unique Images Barbershop and Salon co-hosted an Open House for Barbershop Books. Barbershop Books is a nonprofit literacy organization based in New York that was founded in 2013 by Alvin Irby, an educator and comedian. The mission of the program is to inspire African American boys and other at-risk children to read for fun.

Unique Images Barbershop and Salon is the second site in Georgia to become a Barbershop Books affiliate. Featured on TED, NPR, P, the New York Times, Black Enterprise, CNN, and MSNBC, Barbershop Books has distributed over 50,000 books and engaged more than 15,000 children throughout the United States. Barbershop Books distributes boyapproved books to a national network of barbershops and provides early literacy training to barbers.

A Barbershop Books promo was held Sunday November 12th from Noon until 1 PM at Unique Images Barbershop. South Georgia Starz Academy of Albany sponsored the event. Eleven boys ages 5-13 received a free haircut and books.

The official Barbershop Books Open House was held Tuesday, November 14th from 4-6 PM. Participants received free books, food, and treats.

Randolph County Head Start, a valued community partner, donated the free books.

Christopher Drake, a Field Representative for Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., attended.

Randolph County’s Barbershop Books initiative was made possible by Congressman Bishop’s Literacy Matters Cohort funding. Approximately 125 children and their parents/guardians attended the Open House. View photos of the event at www.Facebook. com/rcfcinc.

Unique Images Barbershop and Salon is owned by Freddrick B. Cannon and located on 40 East Dawson Street, Suite 34 in Cuthbert. Contact Randolph County Family Connection at 229-732-3796 or write to rcfcinc.org@gmail.com for more information about the Barbershop Books Program.—

Karson James, age 7, is excited about the Barbershop Books Program at Unique Images in Cuthbert.

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Kayden Garrett, age 9, reads while getting a haircut by Freddrick B. Cannon, owner, Unique Images Barbershop and Salon in Cuthbert.

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Planning holiday get-togethers?

Tips for easy and crowd-pleasing appetizers Do you love entertaining friends and family with plates of delicious food around the holidays, but feel pressed for time and ideas when it comes to making tasty appetizers? You’re in luck. SeaPak offers a variety of craveable, affordable and easy-to-prep seafood options that come together in just minutes in an oven, toaster or air fryer - perfect for even impromptu holiday get-togethers. Even better, you can use these frozen pantry favorites to create mouth-watering recipes that might just turn into your next holiday traditions.

Here are some ideas for stocking your freezer so you’ll be ready for the busy holiday season: * Parmesan Encrusted Butterfly Shrimp is SeaPak’s twist on their famous Jumbo Butterfly Shrimp with unique and irresistible flavors. It brings the traditional favorite up a notch with crisp Parmesan, Italian herb breading and a tomato Romano sauce for dipping. * Shrimp Scampi is America’s No. 1 frozen shrimp scampi and never disappoints! Whole, tail-off Shrimp Scampi comes perfectly seasoned in a delicious garlic butter sauce with a hint of red bell pepper and herbs for extra flavor. * Calamari is a restaurant-quality appetizer that’s ready in minutes. Wild-caught calamari rings in an oven-crispy breading come with a tomato Romano sauce that everyone will want to gather around - no recipe needed!

These options also provide great opportunities to add more seafood to your diet. Seafood is an excellent source of high-quality protein, along with different nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Eating a variety of seafood ensures that you get a broad spectrum of essential nutrients to contribute to your overall health and well-being - while enjoying the fun and flavor of these family favorites at the same time.

Recipes to amp up the flavor for your next holiday party If you’d like to bring even more holiday cheer to your next get-together, try these two recipes using SeaPak Shrimp Scampi that will wow your guests with unexpected twists on this seafood favorite.

Merry Shrimp Martinis 5 minutes prep time; 17 minutes cook time. 6 serv14

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ings.

Pair these festive bites with seasonal cocktails or mocktails for a fun and fast party appetizer that everyone will love.

Ingredients 1 (12-ounce) package SeaPak Shrimp Scampi, frozen 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon horseradish 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons hot sauce 6 celery sprigs Garlic Crostini: Thinly sliced ciabatta bread 1/2 cup reserved SeaPak Shrimp Scampi butter Directions Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat 1-2 minutes. Heat oven to 400F. Place shrimp in skillet and saute 7 minutes. Pour off 1/2 cup of scampi butter and reserve for crostini.

Brush reserved scampi butter on bread slices. Place on baking sheet and bake 10 minutes.

Add tomatoes, lemon zest, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to skillet. Stir to incorporate. Bring to simmer.

Portion shrimp and sauce into serving dishes. Garnish with celery sprigs and garlic crostini.

Mini Shrimp Scampi and Spinach Quiches 12 minutes prep time; 13 minutes cook time. 12-15 servings.

Spinach adds a bright earthy note to the savory flavor of Shrimp Scampi in these delightful mini quiches that are perfect for a crowd.

Ingredients 1 (12-ounce) package SeaPak Shrimp Scampi, frozen 2 (1.9-ounce) packages frozen mini phyllo cups 1/2 (5-ounce) package baby spinach, chopped 2 large eggs 1/2 cup whipping cream 1/4 teaspoon salt GetRuralLeaderMag.com | DECEMBER 2023 15

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Directions Heat oven to 375F. Arrange phyllo cups in mini muffin tins coated with cooking spray; set aside.

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add SeaPak Shrimp Scampi and cook for 5 minutes. Add spinach and cook about 1 minute. Set aside a few whole shrimp to garnish; keep warm.

Cut remaining shrimp into smaller pieces. Use a slotted spoon to divide shrimp mixture evenly among phyllo shells.

Whisk together eggs, cream, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Pour egg mixture carefully into shells.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until eggs are set.

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Garnish the top of a few of the mini quiches with reserved shrimp. Drizzle quiches with additional pan sauce before serving, if desired.

With these seafood tips and recipes, you’ll have a lot less stress when it comes to hosting holiday celebrations with family and friends. Find these and many more delicious, easy-to-prep products and recipe ideas to elevate your next get-together at SeaPak. com.—

Sowing success: How urban students are preparing for agriculture careers Imagine a high school where classrooms connect to a barn with goats, students care for alpacas, and cows graze in the distance. You’re probably picturing a rural community, but this is situated in Chicago.

The Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences is a magnet high school within the Chicago Public Schools system. Students don’t just graduate with a typical high school curriculum. They also leave with technological skills and agricultural knowledge, giving them a major step up in college and beyond.

Despite the urban setting, the school sits on 73 acres of land, with 32 acres filled with livestock, beehives and a market garden. As part of their studies, students tend to the animals, manage crops and take their harvest to the school’s farmstand to sell to the community.

“In their last two years of education, students have mini-majors: Animal science, agricultural mechanics and technology, biotechnology in agriculture, agricultural finance and economics, horticulture and landscape design, food science and natural resources and environmental management,” said Noelle Coronado, lead agriculture teacher and National FFA Organization chapter adviser. “Everything they do in these ag classes has an instructional portion and a hands-on project that benefit the school, its animals and crops, and the local community.”

Connecting the dots: Many of the pathways overlap in ways the students didn’t consider before attending the school. For example, the school’s alpacas

play a key role in the agricultural environment of the school. Kaili Norwood, a senior in the animal science pathway, is responsible for caring for the school’s three alpacas and has seen firsthand how the various areas of study are interconnected.

“Right now, some of the students are working to turn the alpacas’ stool into fertilizer to use in the market garden’s soil, providing great nutrients for the crops,” says Norwood. “I’d never thought about how animal science is agriculture before, but now I definitely get to see how it’s all tied together.”

This isn’t the only connection. The agricultural finance students manage many aspects of the farmstand, like selling the student-grown produce. The farmstand connects to the barn, where students sell the products they’ve created in the hands-on portion of their classes, including soy candles, zucchini bread, goat milk lotion and alpaca wool spun yarn.

These experiences have opened students’ eyes to the wider world of farming.

“We’re getting to see what problems farmers face and where the money they spend on their farm goes, including crop protection and general management of their farms,” says Zachary Gonzalez-Murillo, agricultural finance and economics pathway student.

A lasting impact: The students’ studies and projects don’t just benefit their local community at present. The school’s staff believes students will continue to apply their knowledge after graduation in higher education programs and agricultural careers.

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“We’re grooming the next generation of farmers,” says Brittney Kee, horticulture science teacher. “We have budding agronomists, soil scientists, greenhouse producers and urban farmers.”

The lasting impact of the high school is evident in alumni’s contributions. A former student donated the school’s most recent addition to its alpaca family, and many teachers remain in contact with former students working in the industry. Also, seven of the 10 agriculture department staff are alumni. They wanted to give back to a place that was so formative in their youth.

“My life-long mentor still works at the school and is a huge reason for my career change that led me back here as an educator,” says Coronado. “I don’t think I would ever want to leave this position. I love watching students have these light bulb moments about how much agriculture plays a key role in their day-to-day lives.”

Moving forward: Schools like this one help students prepare for careers in agriculture, providing them with networking and internship opportunities that many high school students typically don’t receive.

All students are members of their FFA chapter, attend a two-week summer education program after sophomore year and can apply for a paid summer

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internship before their junior and senior years. When applying for college-level internships or an entry-level position at a company like Syngenta, these activities help them stand out from their competition.

That said, not all students who attend the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences pursue careers in agriculture. However, all leave understanding agriculture’s importance and how they can be better stewards of the land, their food and the industry that keeps the world moving. They also bring an urban voice to a traditionally rural field, offering new perspectives and ideas to the industry.

To learn more about urban agricultural education and the wider ag community, visit SyngentaThrive. com.—

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Sowing success: How urban students are preparing for agriculture careers Sowing success: How urban students are preparing for agriculture careers (BPT) - With less than 2% of the U.S. population involved in farming and ranching, many are unaware of their food’s backstory. Noticing the gap, Chad and Jeana Steiner decided to launch their own agritourism destination in Washington to make a difference.

When the Steiners purchased an empty lot a couple hours east of Seattle in Chelan, Washington, they saw an opportunity to realize their dream of providing agricultural education. Eight years later, the land hosts a flourishing farm where visitors learn how food goes from farm to fork and wine flows from grape to glass.

The seed of an idea: Love for agriculture is central to the Steiners’ relationship. They met in their National FFA Organization (FFA) chapter and both enjoy working outdoors. Between undergraduate and graduate school, Chad worked for Ste. Michelle Winery, where he first got the idea to start his own vineyard. He also grew his agricultural knowledge during his 12-year tenure with Syngenta.

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In 2014, the Steiners moved from Sacramento, California, and bought property in Washington to open their own vineyard.

“With Chad traveling for Syngenta, touring apple orchards and seeing every farm culture on a mass and small scale, we began to understand how disconnected people are from farming,” said Jeana. With this in mind, the Steiners looked beyond running a traditional vineyard toward creating a space where people could reconnect to farming.

Fruitful expansion: The Steiners’ three young boys inspired the farm’s next expansion. After relocating to Chelan, the couple looked for family fun as Halloween approached. When they discovered the nearest pumpkin patch was over an hour away, they saw an opportunity.

“I talked to Erin Moran, the local principal, and did an experiment with the fourth graders,” said Jeana. “They helped us plant the pumpkin seeds, and the following fall, they all came back to pick out a pumpkin.”

The pumpkin patch is now in its fourth year. Since then, the Steiners added U-Pick apples and U-Pick flowers to the farm activities. “Last season, there was a grandma with her granddaughter who was so excited to pick an apple for the first time. It was amazing to see a memory they will be able to share forever,” said Jeana.

As business on the farm increased, visitors expressed interest in learning what happens behind the scenes. With a focus on education, the Steiners began free public farm tours that typically included about 30 people.

“We tailor the tour to what’s going on with the farm at the time,” said Chad. “I like to wrap these discussions into the big picture of why growers do certain things, such as apple thinning.” Apple thinning, he explains, helps produce a certain size of apple.

Through Airbnb and VBRO, the Steiners made their guest house available to visitors who want to stay on a working farm. Tourists from California to England have visited the property. “I was honestly blown away by the interest of people that wanted to come and stay,” said Jeana.

“Chad is really well-versed in winemaking,” says Connor Flanagan, a visitor at Chelan Valley Farms.

“The knowledge he brings to the table is invaluable, and it’s super interesting to hear the story behind the grapes.”

In light of their success with the vineyard, the couple was able to finally fulfill their other agricultural dream by opening Lagrioth Winery, named after the combination of the words “lake,” “agritourism” and “growth.”

Harvesting guidance: For growers interested in agritourism, the Steiners say a crucial first step is deciding whether it will be a hobby or a main income source. Chad stresses the importance of determining input costs, time involved and which crops and agritourism operations can drive revenue.

Once you have a customer base, knowing how to grow it is critical. For the Steiners, promotional efforts were key to growing their customer base and the farm’s success. Social media, local media and the Chamber of Commerce weekly bulletins are important marketing tools for the Steiners.

Jeana adds that having an experienced mentor was helpful. Niki Allision, a local farmer who sells flowers, helped mentor the Steiners when they were getting started. The Steiners now mentor others.

“I had someone call a few days ago who has property but just doesn’t know how to get started,” says Jeana. “He asked if he could come on the farm tour and see behind the scenes with our animals.”

Like all growers, the Steiners experience times of hardship. “There have been days where we wonder how we are going to do this,” says Jeana. “It’s just Chad and me. We don’t have outside investors. We hope to carry this forward and make a difference in people’s lives.”

To learn more about Chelan Valley Farms, please visit Chelan Valley Farms. Visit SyngentaThrive.com to read more on agritourism.—

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Can money buy happiness?

More than half of Americans say yes in new study How much money would make you happy? According to the average American, the price tag comes in around $1.2 million.

New research from Empower, a leader in financial planning, investing and advice, reveals 6 in 10 Americans believe money can buy happiness, though just 17% say financial contentment is about reaching a certain net worth. It turns out that a little goes a long way and incremental financial wins can make a massive impact on Americans’ well-being.

“Every generation has grappled with questions of how to calculate financial happiness: hard work, a lot of planning, consistent savings, and even a little bit of luck, in just the right measures,” says Carol Waddell, president of Empower Personal Wealth. “A spirit of financial confidence prevails, with 7 in 10 saying they have clear financial goals and Americans continue to envision a bright future.”

The financials of happinessWhile the study found that 7 in 10 Americans (71%) believe more money would solve most of their problems, for a third (32%) a relatively attainable gain of $15,000 would make a meaningful impact in their lives, boosting their feeling of financial happiness for six months. That number surges to 42% with a $25,000 gain, and just $5,000 would do it for 17%.

Indeed, happiness manifests in big and small ways.

The majority of Americans say it’s on-time bill payment (67%) and living debt-free (65%), while roughly half say it’s the ability to afford small luxuries without guilt (54%) and home ownership (45%). Over half say their contentment can be found in spending on experiences with those they cherish (53%) and in optimism for what’s next, including retiring on their own terms (37%).

Readying for retirement Nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) say they’re currently experiencing financial stress, with today’s economic pressures like inflation (81%), rising interest rates (66%) and student loans (32%) dampening their sense of prosperity. Half report carrying debt (54% overall, and 72% of Gen X) and nearly 4 in 10 (36%) say that they couldn’t handle an unforeseen expense over $500 without real worry.

In the current financial environment, Americans

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now expect to retire three years later, at age 63. Those with a less detailed financial plan (or no plan at all) don’t expect to clock out until age 70, five years later than planned.

For about 4 in 10 Americans (37%), and exactly half of Gen Xers, retiring by a certain age is the meaning of financial happiness. The majority (84%) are taking steps to reach this target, including putting more money into retirement savings (39%), shortterm savings like a high-yield account (31%), and working with a financial advisor (26%). A quarter of savers (25%) are paying off debt more aggressively than they would otherwise and 22% are delaying a major purchase like a car.

The power of planning. The majority of Americans (73%) say a solid financial plan would bring them happiness, and they would like help to get there: 57% of Americans wish they would have gotten advice sooner. Nearly half of Americans (45%) say they haven’t gotten the financial advice they need, including 55% of Gen Zers and 57% of Millennials. But those who already have a plan are proof of its power: Americans with a more detailed financial plan are three times as likely as those with a less detailed plan to report greater happiness around financial freedom (75% versus 24%), their plans to achieve financial goals (78% versus 23%), and the overall state of their finances, such as their net worth and debt balances (73% versus 19%).

“The financial professionals at Empower combine the power of advice with technology to help Americans get on the path to financial freedom,” explains Waddell. “With their financial goals in mind and a solid plan to reach them, savers can spend more time doing the things that make them happy - in their working years and beyond.”

Access the full Financial Happiness report on The Currencyâ„¢.

Methodology: “Financial Happiness” survey of 2,034 Americans ages 18+ commissioned by Empower and fielded by The Harris Poll from August 7 to August 14, 2023.

RO3246362-1123 Freddrick B. Cannon, owner of Unique Images Barbershop and Salon in Cuthbert, gives a free shave to a participant of the Haircuts & Hams event.

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GRHIC and Randolph County Family Connection Host Haircuts & Hams Health and Wellness Event for Men The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC) embarked on a challenge to meet the health and wellness needs of rural Georgia citizens through a state-of-the-art approach via partnerships with barbers and beauticians. The sole mission of the Barbershop & Beauty Shop Health Initiative is to bring health promotion programs where many people feel most comfortable in their communities.

On November 4, GRHIC partnered with Randolph County Family Connection for a Haircuts & Hams wellness event, which aimed to bridge the gap in engagement with the male demographic in the county. More than 80 men attended the event held at Unique Images Barbershop and Salon in Cuthbert.

Kuanita Murphy, PhD, executive director of the Randolph County Family Connection, saw a need to directly engage with the male population after noting their absence from community events. “I always noticed that we have plenty of women and children at events,” said Dr. Murphy, “but the male demographic was not engaged at all.” Inspired by a similar event done in the surrounding area and the success of Family Connection’s previous barbershop talks, a plan for Haircuts & Hams was developed.

During the Haircuts & Hams event, participants had their height, weight, and blood pressure checked by the Randolph County Health Department and glucose measured by Mercer Medicine Clay County, which also provided educational material on diabetes and glucose range guides. The event also featured information on telehealth from Giving Health and medication management from Jessica Jones, PharmD, from Shellman Pharmacy.

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Following their health screenings, participants were treated to a free haircut and received a ham.

Haircuts were provided by Unique Images Barbershop and Salon. Freddrick B. Cannon, the barbershop owner and operator, expressed a commitment to reshaping the narrative around male wellness in his community. “I want to be able to interact with the guys and let them know that we are thinking about them, and they’re not forgotten,” said Cannon. He said that showcasing community care for men will inspire them to take a more proactive role in their health and well-being.

Sen. Freddie Powell Sims recognizes the many challenges faced by her constituents in rural Georgia.

She first alerted GRHIC to the Haircut & Hams program. With the local hospital’s closure in Randolph County, immediate access to health care and disease prevention has become a concern. Sen. Sims supports events like Haircuts & Hams for their lasting impact on the community. “I want people to spread the word. Let folks know that, okay, we may not have our hospital here, but there are so many [other] things that can be done to facilitate our needs,” she said.

Preliminary plans are underway to offer similar events to other rural Georgia counties in Spring 2024 and beyond. For more information on the Barbershop & Beauty Shop Health Initiative, contact Harvey Lee Moody III at moody_h@georgiaruralhealth.

Read the story on georgiaruralhealth.com.—

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ents may avoid experiencing this painful loss.

“While we could never undo our failure to help protect our daughter through vaccination, we can at least help other parents. My hope is that every time I share Emily’s story, it will motivate people to take action to speak to their doctor or pharmacist about flu vaccination to help protect themselves and their loved ones from flu.”

How families can help protect themselves: “Seasonal flu is a very contagious respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs, and it should be taken seriously5,” explained Dr. Smith. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu can cause mild to severe illness. People may experience some or all of these symptoms, which usually come on suddenly, and can include5: * fever * cough * sore throat * runny/stuffy nose * muscle/body aches * headaches * fatigue (tiredness) * vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

Emily Lastinger pictured at age 3, shortly before she dief from flu.

Tragic loss of 3-year-old daughter drives family to advocate for flu vaccination “Influenza took our child Emily from us.” Joe Lastinger and his wife had no idea how serious flu could be. When their 3-year-old daughter Emily got sick, they took her to the doctor right away where a test confirmed she had influenza (flu). They brought her home and kept her hydrated and ensured she was rested, but it got progressively worse over the weekend. Within three days of her diagnosis, Emily passed away.

“Her absence is a constant in our lives,” Joe said.

“Every milestone - whether hers or those of our other children - is missing something. While we experience the joy of such occasions, there is almost always a time when I catch my wife’s eye and know that we both are thinking of Emily.”

Flu can impact anyone of any age, race and gender.1 While some people may be at higher risk for serious complications - such as young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions such 28

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as asthma, diabetes or heart disease - anyone can become seriously ill due to flu.2,3 For this reason, pharmacist and GSK vaccines educator Dr. Leah Smith encourages vaccination of those six months of age and older as soon as possible, especially with the holidays in full swing and people gathering with loved ones.

“While most flu activity in the U.S. occurs from October through May, the peak is usually between December and February,4 so it is not too late to get your flu vaccination.”

“And, reminder - it takes about two weeks after flu vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body. Holiday travelers visiting family and friends should take this timing into consideration when making a plan to get vaccinated.

However, even if you’re less than two weeks out from your trip, it’s still worth getting vaccinated, as some protection is better than none,” said Dr. Smith.5 Joe wants to spread his message so that other par-

In addition to vaccination, Dr. Smith also recommends healthy habits such as frequent handwashing, plus staying away from anyone who is sick - and staying home from work or school when you are ill to help prevent spreading flu to others.6 Where you can receive flu vaccination. If you’re the “Chief Health Officer” of your family, you probably want to help protect your family from the flu, especially during peak flu season. Fortunately, flu vaccinations are usually quick and accessible. You and your family can get vaccinated at most doctor’s offices and clinics, and you can also receive flu vaccination in pharmacies, urgent care clinics, college health centers and even some schools or workplaces.

Some pharmacies even have walk-in vaccinations.7 Flu vaccinations are usually free for people with medical insurance, including those with Medicaid, Medicare, ACA plans and private plans.8 For those without insurance or a primary care physician, speak with your local pharmacist or health department about your options for flu vaccination.

“The singular bright spot to our story with Emily, is that we have had the opportunity to connect with other families who are on the same journey and can work together to reach other parents with our message,” explained Joe, who is a founding member of Families Fighting Flu - a nonprofit group dedicated

to sharing education and awareness of the seriousness of influenza.

You can make a plan to help protect yourself and your family from flu today. Learn more about the importance of yearly flu vaccination at FluIsAFamilyAffair.com.

References: * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices United States, 2023-24 Influenza Season. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/rr/pdfs/ rr7202a1-H.pdf. Accessed August 29, 2023. * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Influenza (Flu). Available at: https:// www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm. Accessed July 25, 2023. * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm. Accessed July 25, 2023. * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Flu Season. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/ about/season/index.html. Accessed July 25, 2023. * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Symptoms & Complications. Available at: https:// www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm. Accessed July 25, 2023. * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventive Steps. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/ prevent/prevention.htm. Accessed September 27, 2023. * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Summary: ‘Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)-United States, 2023-24’. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/summary/summary-recommendations. htm#timing. Accessed November 16, 2023. * U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

How to Pay. Available at: https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/get-vaccinated/pay/index.html. Accessed August 1, 2023.

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