The Storm and its Aftermath/4-H Reminders

June 9, 2014 Leave a comment


Everyone has their “storm stories” from last week and they are all interesting to hear. Thankfully except for a few minor injuries, the main damage has just been “stuff”. But, when it comes to cleaning up, and trying to replace this “stuff” we face the hard part.

The financial damage of the storms will continue to cause impact this year and for years down the road. Decisions must be made: whether to replant crops or not; what kind of tree to replant which might hold up better during future storms; and how or who can you trust to repair, refurbish and/or remodel damage. Of course insurance rates will likely go up after having so many claims in an area and/or individuals may choose to increase the amount of insurance they carry.

Emotional damage is also real. Our feelings of safety and security have been challenged. We experienced real fear and danger and it will be a long time before many of us take storm warnings for granted like we tend to do.

Our communities will be scarred for a long time from the damage, but what is strange to me is how after things get cleaned up it’s hard to remember what it looked like before.  We lost some big grain bins in Craig. After the crushed metal was cleared away, all that’s left are giant concrete foundation circles. It’s hard for me to imagine how it used to look. Maybe its “amnesia” and probably not necessarily a good thing, but it helps me face the future and not dwell on the past.

Hopefully everyone impacted by the storms will be able to successfully recover from its effects in as short of time as possible. And thanks to ALL who helped with the recovery, from volunteers to those employed to help with clean-up, and repair, to insurance adjustors and all the power company people and many, many more. Taking a shower by candlelight sounds better than it really was, but the hot water held out!

 

Quick 4-H Reminders:

June 16 – Aquaculture & Fishing Workshop Dodge County Extension Office, Fremont 10:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m. Registration deadline is June 11.

June 17 – Experiment with Color Composition Workshop, Creative Connections, Oakland 1:00-3:00 p.m. Registration deadline is June 11.

June 17 – Dodge County Family Livestock Judging Clinic & Contest, Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children, Leonard A. Johnson Building, 2415 North Main Street, Fremont. 6:00 Judging Clinic, 7:00 Judging Contest.

June 19-20 – Making Money Camp, Burt County Fairgrounds, Oakland.  Registration deadline is June 11.

June 24 – Patriotic T-shirt Workshop, Creative Connections, Oakland 1:00-2:30 p.m. Registration deadline is June 19.

June 26 – Let’s Paint Workshop, 4-H Kitchen, Burt County Fairgrounds, 9:00-Noon Registration deadline is June 19.

July 1 – Clover Kid Camp (ages 5-7) 9:00-Noon or 1:00-4:00 Burt County Fairgrounds, Oakland, Registration deadline is June 25.

If you have any questions about these activities please call the UNL Extension Office in Burt County at 402-374-2929.

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant

Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

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Helen (Sundquist) Eriksen Volunteer of the Year

June 9, 2014 Leave a comment


Our Volunteer Luncheon took place this year on April 9th, 2014 in honor of our many volunteers that help to make our Siouxland Center for Active Generations so successful. Beautiful floral table decorations and festive butterfly party favors created by Lorraine Huls help to create a beautiful experience for all of our many volunteers that evening.

Thank you Lorraine Huls for all of your talents and many abilities to decorate for our big event! Jill Miller was our Celebrity Singer for the evening and helped to get all of us singing and moving in the spirit of music! Central Catering provided a wonderful meal as well as decorated cakes that were the talk of the day!

Our volunteer of the year award went to Helen Ericksen for over 750 hours! Thanks for all of your talents! Humana (John Budde) was our recipient of the Community Partner award; Dr. Marc Christofferson our Above & Beyond award and Great Southern Bank (Cindy Aespotis, Amy Bohle), were also recognized as our generous Sponsors for our big event. Congratulations to our award winners and many thanks to our great sponsors and wonderful volunteers that continue to make each day at the Siouxland Center for Active Generations such a wonderful place to a part of!

Helen (Sundquist) Eriksen grew up in rural Craig, NE and is a graduate of Craig High School. She is the daughter of Johnnie and Beatrice Sundquist formerly of Craig, NE and Oakland, NE.

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The Great Tomato Challenge

June 7, 2014 Leave a comment


John Wilson

John Wilson

Over the years, I’ve observed an informal competition between gardeners to see who can produce the first ripe tomato. I’ve actually had people stop me in the post office or grocery store to tell me how close they were to having that first tomato… or first BLT sandwich! Their “green thumb” efforts are being challenged again this year by Mother Nature.

We’ve had a lot of rain and driving winds, perfect conditions for early blight to develop. Early blight usually starts on the lowest leaves and gradually moves up the plant. Once a leaf is infected, you cannot cure it, but you can prevent it from spreading to other parts of the plant with a fungicide labeled for use in the garden. You will need to repeat these applications every 10 to 14 days… or more frequently if it rains… to protect the new growth. Always observe the waiting period between a fungicide application and when you can safely harvest and eat your tomatoes.

Other things you can do to help prevent the disease this summer is to mulch your tomatoes if you haven’t done so already. In addition to helping keep a more constant moisture level in the soil and preventing the soil from getting too hot around the roots which injures them, mulching also reduces the likelihood of soil particles containing this disease from splashing onto the leaves.

That leads to the second thing you can do to help prevent this disease… always water tomatoes at the base of the plant, not with a sprinkler. A sprinkler, or rain, splashes soil on the plant… and they also keep the foliage wet. The disease needs moisture on the leaf surface for the spore to germinate and infect the leaf. You can’t control the rain, but don’t add to the problem with overhead irrigation.

Staking or caging tomatoes will help reduce the severity of this disease because it keeps the plants upright and promotes better air circulation which causes the foliage to dry faster which reduces the possibility of infection occurring. It also prevents the fruit from coming in contact with the soil which may lead to blemishes or decay… and it makes harvest much easier.

To prevent this disease in future years, clean up all plant debris from tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant this fall and remove it… because the same disease can infect all four of these plants. Don’t put this plant material in your compost pile or till it into the soil. The disease overwinters on plant debris and could infect these plants next year. Also rotate where you plant these in your garden so you don’t plant any of them in an area next year where any were planted this year.

One other thing that occasionally foils competitors in the great tomato challenge is when they fertilize their plants, particularly with a nitrogen fertilizer. It’s almost amusing (to me, not to them) when someone calls in and asks why their dark green, healthy looking, six foot tall tomato plants are not putting on any tomatoes. These calls usually come with a statement like, “These are the best looking tomato plants I’ve ever grown… and they aren’t setting any tomatoes!”

Tomatoes like nitrogen fertilizer and applying it early will promote these monster plants… BUT… nitrogen fertilizer also keeps plants in a vegetative state (growing leaves and stems) rather than letting them transition to a reproductive state (setting on fruit). Delay fertilizing your tomatoes until they have already set on a couple tomatoes that are the size of a marble. Then fertilize in moderation because overfertilizing is one of several factors that contributes to blossom end rot. We’ll talk more about blossom end rot another day as tomato harvest draws nearer.

For more information on disease control in tomatoes, or other vegetables in your garden, contact your local UNL Extension office.

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Learn About Diabetes

June 6, 2014 Leave a comment


Yes, we have come a long way since we first began working in the field of diabetes education. We now know that the complications associated with diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Our growing knowledge of various foods and their effect on blood sugar levels enables people with diabetes to eat food they like, choose when and how much to eat, and still control blood-sugar levels.

 

It is the best time in history to have diabetes, especially in light of the difficulties our parents and grandparents would encounter had they been diagnosed decades ago. Today people with diabetes can choose from a wide variety of non-nutritive sweeteners and can even figure out how to fit sugar-containing foods into their meal plan. With carbohydrate information now readily available for most foods, diabetics can easily learn to count carbohydrates at each meal. This allows diabetics to fit virtually any food into their meal plan.

 

Stacie Petersen, B.S.N. and Certified Diabetes Educator will review the latest information of medications available to assist in holding blood sugar levels in tighter control.  Included in her review will be the different types of medications and the way they work in a person’s body.

 

Fitting diabetes into your lifestyle is the key message. Diabetes does not have to dictate how you live.  University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension and Franciscan Care Services of West Point invite you and your family members to participate in a new and exciting diabetes educational program. The series of programs is being offered via the two-way interactive distance education facilities. Participants will learn about current issues related to diabetes from educators with over 20 years of team-teaching experience.

 

Monday, June 9, is the second of three programs in the “2014 Control Diabetes for Life” series. Topics that will be addressed during the two-hour program are: “Medications: What They Are and How They Work”, “Sleep Well Tonight”, and “Update on Sugar Substitutes and Sugar in Beverages” along with other helpful hints. Participants will sample a new recipe for a diabetic appropriate food. Team teaching the program will be Deborah Willcox, R.D. and L.M.N.T., and Stacie Petersen, B.S.N. and Certified Diabetes Educator both of Franciscan Care Services in West Point and Debra Schroeder, UNL Extension Educator in Cuming County.

 

Participants have the opportunity to attend the program from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Wisner-Pilger, Pierce, Howells-Dodge Consolidated Schools and Ainsworth Public High Schools. The same program will be repeated from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at West Point-Beemer, Laurel/Concord, Arlington and Tekamah-Herman High Schools.

“Control Diabetes for Life” is a joint project of University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, Franciscan Care Services of West Point and the schools hosting the presentation. The program is offered free-of-charge. “Control Diabetes for Life” will help participants learn to control diabetes and prolong the onset of complications from the disease. These sessions are designed to supplement the education that you receive from your local diabetes education team and are not a substitute for diabetes classes through your local health care providers.

Participants are asked to pre-register for “Control Your Diabetes for Life” by calling the Burt County Extension Office at402/374-2929 Please register by Friday, June 6, so the proper number of handouts may be prepared.  Nebraska School Food Service Association has approved this session for two hours of continuing education credits for food service staff for attending.

 

Control your diabetes for life!  Start by attending the June 9 distance education program.  Call today to register!

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

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4-Hers Recognized for Communication Skills

June 6, 2014 Leave a comment


Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

Several area 4-Hers competed and received awards at the Northeast Regional

4-H Public Speaking Contest held on May 22, 2014 at the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk, Nebraska.

Fifty-eight youth from 17 counties throughout the state competed in their respective age division in the 2014 Regional 4-H Speech competition.  Additionally, twenty-eight contestants from nine counties in the northeast district competed in their respective age division in the 2014 Regional 4-H Public Service Announcement (PSA) competition.

4-H members earn the opportunity to participate in regional competition by winning their age division at the county level.  Contestants may compete in one or both categories and are awarded purple, blue, or red awards in recognition of their accomplishments in speech or PSA. In addition, the top four individuals in each division received medals.  The four winners of the senior division speech and PSA competition are given the opportunity to compete for awards at the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest to be held in Grand Island during the Nebraska State Fair.  All youth competing in state competition and staying for awards will receive special awards. The top two speech and PSA winners in State 4-H Public Speaking Contest receive scholarships.

A 4-H Interview Skills Contest was also held which had contestants choose one of three potential jobs, fill out an application for the job, create a resume and then take part in an interview for the position. Cody Bachtell of Tekamah took part in this contest and received a purple ribbon and 4th place medal in the Intermediate Division.

Public Speaking Contest
Junior Division:

Elise Anderson, Lyons, Blue
Arianne Brokaw, Lyons, Blue

Caleb Schlichting, Lyons, Red

Intermediate Division:

Top Four Winner: Rayna Hladky, Tekamah, Purple
Ribbon Placings:
Brayden Anderson, Lyons, Purple
Layne Miller, Lyons, Purple

Public Service Announcement Contest

Junior PSA: Ribbon Placings:
Andrew Schlichting, Lyons, Blue
Caleb Schlichting, Lyons, Blue

Intermediate PSA: Ribbon Placing
Cody Bachtell, Tekamah, Blue

Senior PSA: Ribbon Placing

Amelia Schlichting, Lyons, Blue

Public speaking is a communication with many career possibilities.  Present 4-H members and 4-H alumni have identified communication skills as some of the most important life skills gained through their 4-H experience.  The Nebraska State 4-H communication program is sponsored by the Nebraska Rural Radio Network, which includes KRVN, KNEB, and KTIC.  The Northeast Regional contest is conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension with support from Northeast Community College.

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

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Happenings at Oakland Heights

June 6, 2014 Leave a comment


Oakland Heights News by Nancy Silvey

         A new month has arrived and it blew on in. Next week on Tuesday June 10th we will be going to Golden Oaks at 11:15 am for their Potluck dinner. Then on Thursday June 12th at 2:30 pm Charlie Davis will be here for some entertainment. We have one Birthday next week we would like to wish Virginia Simpson a Happy Birthday on June 10th.

Church Service for Sunday June 8th at 2:30 pm will be given by

Residents and staff at Oakland Heights having a ball tournament. Photo courtesy of Oakland Heights.

Residents and staff at Oakland Heights having a ball tournament. Photo courtesy of Oakland Heights.

SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA the Salem Covenant Church with refreshments served afterwards. On Tuesday June 10th at 9:30 am is Catholic Mass given by Father Paul.

Activities for the week of June 9th   to June 13th   are as followed, , Reading with Marilyn, Reminiscing Group, Sing a Long, Game Day, Bingo w/Evan. Free, Reading Group, Bible Fellowship,   Let’s Play Ball, Crafty Cooking, Friday Bingo, Saturday morning movie, and Lawrence Welk.

Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Mary Donovan, Seth Anderson, Dani Moseman, Anne Anderson, Marge Maller, Di Ruwe, Bonnie Fleischman, Pat Anderson,   and Mary Alice Pearson.

Guest’s signing the Guest book this past week was:   Doris Kilgore to visit with Iona Long, Janice Rich here to visit Ann Gahan. Also visiting was Brooke, Paisley and Hadley Peterson to see Iva Anderson, Beth and Merlin Moseman here to see Mildred Moseman.

 

 

 

 

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Semi on its Side From Stormy Nebraska Weather

June 3, 2014 Leave a comment


This semi was a victim of strong winds from the storm going through eastern Nebraska, just north of Uehling, today. Photo Credit/Kristi Dahlgren.

This semi was a victim of strong winds from the storm going through eastern Nebraska, just north of Uehling, today. Photo Credit/Kristi Dahlgren.

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Tornado Watch

June 3, 2014 Leave a comment


The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch in effect until 7:00 p.m. for southeast Iowa, west central Iowa, east central Nebraska, northeast Nebraska and southeast Nebraska.

Please stay tuned for updates and be alert!!!

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Oakland Swimming Pool

June 3, 2014 Leave a comment


Strong storms possible today, we will keep you posted on here if we close early! Otherwise our hours today are 12-1 adult swim 1-5 open swim 6-8 open swim.

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Caregiver Support Group Meeting

June 3, 2014 Leave a comment


The monthly Caregiver Support Group will meet at the Bancroft Senior Center, this coming Monday, June 16 at 2:00 p.m. The meetings are very informal; various topics are discussed and those who attend are encouraged to share their ups and downs of being a caregiver. The information that is shared by those in attendance is kept confidential. If you are a caregiver and have never attended a meeting, please feel free to come and join us.

 

 

 

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