Lifestyles & Community
Think green this holiday season
During the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Americans produce an extra one million tons of trash per week compared to any other time of the year. Thinking green this holiday season can include more than just boughs of holly. Whether it is shopping, choosing a gift or entertaining, small changes in your holiday habits can make big differences.
During American Recycles Week, I passed on a few tips on how to have a wonderful, gift-giving holiday season and still be earth friendly. Here are a few more.
If you are looking for green gift ideas consider nonmaterial gifts. Tickets to a sporting event, movie, play or concert are a real treat. Give a gift of your time by making a photo album, scrapbook or framing a favorite picture. Everyone appreciates a home-cooked meal or baked goodies. Fill a basket with homemade jellies, muffins and cookies. Include the recipe. Dried fruits, drink mixes and roasted nuts are always appreciated. Package gifts from your kitchen in reusable tins, baskets or jars. Give a nutritious gift to children of fruits and nuts in a stocking you made yourself. It is an old fashioned idea, but an appropriate one.
If you don’t have the time or skills to make your own gifts, then buy from one of the many talented artists or merchants in Madison County. You might also pick up some homemade gifts at one of the many crafts bazaars during the season.
You still can catch the St. Mark’s Christmas Bazaar this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will have lots of baked goods, crafts and cookie trays. You can even get a delicious homemade breakfast while you shop. St. Mark is located at the corner of Main Street and Parrish Avenue in Richmond.
Don’t forget the three Rs — reduce, reuse and recycle. Thousands of paper and plastic shopping bags end up in landfills every year. Reduce the number of bags thrown out by bringing reusable cloth bags for holiday gift shopping. Tell store clerks you don’t need a bag for small or oversized purchases. Wrap gifts in recycled holiday paper or funny papers. Use old Christmas cards for tags and hand deliver whenever possible to save energy and for a personal touch. Remember to save and recycle used wrapping paper, bags and ribbons from gifts received.
When buying gifts, check product labels to determine an item’s recyclability and whether it is made from recycled materials. Buying recycled encourages manufacturers to make more recycled-content products available.
For more information about how to enjoy an environmentally friendly and festive holiday, attend Homemade Holidays presented by Karen Grant and Cheri Stacy, Extension nutrition education program assistants. Kay and Cheri will share recipes and samples of homemade gifts such as body scrubs, pet treats, bath salts and flavored vinegars. They also will have directions for making cleaning products from items found in almost everyone’s kitchen or laundry room. A basket full of green cleaning products would be a unique and welcome gift.
Homemade Holidays will be presented Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Berea Library, 319 Chestnut Street, and from 1-3 p.m. at the Richmond Library, 507 West Main Street.
(Source: Ashley Osborne, Extension Associate for Environmental and Natural Resource Issues)
Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
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God comforts us in the midst of trials
“May the God of all grace, who called us to eternal glory by Christ Jesus, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.” (Peter 5:10)
A father who truly loves his child will discipline him so that the child can become all that he is intended to be. God, as our heavenly father, is no different, and in the midst of suffering or trial, we are encouraged to see God’s gracious hand at work refining and preparing us to be vessels for his glory. -
CPH-45 sale dates set
We have set the sale dates for the 2010-2011 CPH-45 sale season. They are Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 1 at 6 p.m.
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Cover crops for your garden
Your garden has done a great job of feeding you this season, why not return the favor?
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Extension homemakers beginning a new year
September marks the beginning of a new year for Madison County Extension Homemakers. If you are not familiar with this organization, you will be surprised by all the opportunities they offer. Read on for an overview of upcoming activities, classes and clubs.
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Say good-bye to summer with ‘ethnic burgers’
The warm days of summer soon will be winding down and it’ll soon be time to think about hardier “indoor” food, like soups, stews and goodies from the oven, but there are still a few chances to have some summer fare on the grill before the chill winds of autumn give way to the gales of winter.
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Financial tips for college students
College students are back. For the next few weeks, things will be a little hectic as they settle into their routines and we adjust to the increase in local population and traffic. Be patient.
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Join us for Farm Field Day
The Madison County Cooperative Extension Service is partnering with Eastern Kentucky University for a BioEnergy Field Day on Thursday, Sept. 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the EKU Meadowbrook Farm.
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Steaks and chops good any old time
While most serious home cooks tend to experiment with more elaborate dishes, once in a while, there’s nothing like a good old fashioned steak or chop to satisfy the appetite.
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Free soil testing program offered
Soil testing is a very important part of most any agriculture and/or horticultural operation. It allows the producer to apply soil amendments that are needed (fertilizer, lime, micronutrients, etc.) in amounts needed for maximum crop production potential.
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Demolition of old community center to begin
Hello readers. It continues to be a beautiful morning here in Paint Lick and while I am mindful of all the things I could be doing at home, I do enjoy writing to my readers. You are my reason for “pressing on.”
Members and guests of the Paint Lick Sportsman’s Club Community Center met Monday evening at the shelter and while we were appreciative of a good bunch of quality people, it would have been nice to see some different faces in the crowd. Things are looking up with the future of not only a more pleasant atmosphere, but a much nicer place to look upon as plans to take down the old building come to a pass. We do have the blessings of a demolition and recycling company out of Lexington that will donate all their time and equipment to take down what will become just another eyesore for the town of Paint Lick. - More Lifestyles & Community Headlines
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God comforts us in the midst of trials
