Health Care

Social Speaks: Is anybody listening to the President’s speech on health care? What are your thoughts?

Welcome Corey McCullock!

I am honored that Corey McCullock accepted my invitation to write for Kat Country Hub. I have enjoyed his writings in the past and am pleased to welcome him aboard! He is a 2013 graduate of Lyons-Decatur Northeast. This week, he is sharing his thoughts on the schools merging. His column is below.

Corey McCullock

The School Merger In the county lately, one hot topic is the school merger, which like most other topics has many different views. This particular view is from a former student who plans to move back to the area after college to start and raise a family in Burt County. The main thing that I feel would be lost with the merger in Burt County is the relationship that the students have with each other and with the teachers. With a graduating class of 12, I knew all of my classmates very well, to the point that sometimes I would consider them brother and sister, which we surely fought like in class occasionally. I feel this relationship would be lost if the county was to undergo the school merger. With classes in the area of 80 students, it becomes much harder for them to get to know each other compared to the class sizes that the schools have now. Along with not being able to know each other as well, the relationship between the student and the teacher would not be developed as well as it is now with the current class sizes. That was one of the most important things to me in high school, knowing my teachers in a way that could not be achieved in a larger school with bigger class sizes. Although the school merger would help all of the participating schools out financially, I would have to say that there is a chance I would not enroll my children into the merged school when the time came. It would have to be a decision made at the time of enrollment based on the number of students in the classes, along with other reasons, but I feel that is a very important factor. I listen to people I meet on campus talk about graduating in classes of 300, 400 or even up 550 students, and I think that it would be crazy to be one of 550 students. When I say I graduated in a class of 12, they all think it was a one room school house. I can honestly say I would not have it any other way, I loved going to school in Lyons and I hope that when I move back and I have children and they are ready to go to school, they can the small school experience that I did.

Kats’ Korner: The best is yet to be

How great is it to be 50?

Let me tell you the ways:

I can have an ache or a pain and blame it on age.

When I don’t listen to everything you said, I will blame it on age.

When I didn’t hear you (I will say I did), I will blame it on age.

When I only remember part of what you said, I will blame it on age.

When my head or thumb or any other part of me hurts, I will blame it on age (or the weather, whichever works.)

When I can remember “the good old days” I will blame it on age.

When I can remember my parents telling me my music is horrible, and I now say that to my children, I will blame it on age.

When I forget something, or as my children call it “sometimers” I will blame it on age.

I remember thinking that turning 15 was great because I could drive with a learners permit, then turning 16 and driving for “real” then turning 18 and could vote and then couldn’t wait to be 20 because that was the legal drinking age and knowing now, not one of those ages was so significant.

You know why?

The age I am now is very special to me.

I thought I would cry over being 50. I found out I was a very happy, content woman.

I have everything in the world.

A husband that I care about more than words can say. Two children that I am so proud of, and also make me crazy sometimes. Also, grandchildren that I adore.

Does life get better?

I certainly hope it does. I refuse to think at the age of 50, my life is complete.

The best is yet to be.

Social Speaks: Chocolate Covered Lays Potato Chips

Lays will soon be producing chocolate covered potato chips. What do you think of this new chip? Is it a good idea with obesity being what it is now and people trying to focus on eating healthier? Share your thoughts with other readers here.

Quote

“There isn’t much in this life but love and hard work. That is about the size of it.”

Grandpa Walton.

Obesity Editorial

While I am up later than normal, working with the television on, for no more than distraction, a commercial caught my eye.

I am not a fan of commercials, although I do understand their purpose. Advertising makes money, as I know in my business. I am by far not alone in that understanding.

The commercial I saw was promoting the new bite size Kit Kat bars.

I use to love those. I probably still would, but I don’t eat junk food anymore.

I am a believer that this country, next to Mexico, lacks in nutrition. Fast food, junk food and anything quick and easy, seem to be the “norm” of people now.

Has anyone heard the term “obesity?”

Processed foods seem to be a way of life for many people now, which is causing the battle of the bulge.

This, in turn, may cause other health effects. Being overweight can result in high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, etc.

I am aware that there are those that do play by all of the rules and still have problems, some of which are hereditary. This issue is not what I am concerned about.

I am referring to those that sit all day, eat whatever they want to, only use their thumbs for exercise and wonder why they are gaining weight.

I am not as concerned about adults, because they should know better.

I am concerned about children.

When I was growing up, we played outside all day. We never had junk food. When we got to have a soda, it was a treat!

I don’t know what or who is to blame. I will say, get these kids off the couch, take away their technology and tell them to go outside and play until the streetlight comes on!

You will be saving your child and, hopefully, other children, from obesity.

Let’s lead them on to good, healthy, long, productive lives!

They are our future!

Quote

“There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.”

Dalai Lama
R

Kats’ Korner

We have all been blessed with such a beautiful Fall season. I have enjoyed taking pictures of the trees changing colors along with the decorations in yards in the communities. I am still experimenting with my camera. I hadn’t tried to take movies with it until the other day. I decided to try it and I am posting it with my column. I decided to try it about the time a train came through. It isn’t anything new to me. It is almost in my back yard. Now, you can year what I hear many times a day. I intend to improve upon my movie taking abilities! I am researching photography extensively.

Harvest has been wonderful to watch too. I have driven many miles to observe farmers working so hard, harvesting the reaps of their fields. We are all truly blessed to have such dedicated farmers, working long hours each day to bring in their crops.

They feed America. Without them, not a one of us would be here.  Thank you for all that you do!

———————————–Kats’ Korner——————————————————–

My husband, Jeff, just started a new job. He is working much longer days and every other weekend.

I am excited for him, because he really likes this job. It is at Craig Cattle Company. Jeff was born and raised on a farm. He spent a majority of his life farming. He worked in the fields and had cattle. Not as many as he works around now, but he does love cattle and working outdoors.

I am having many more responsibilities at home now. I take care of his Golden Retriever, Tucker, a great deal more now.

He would prefer Jeff, but when it is only me, he doesn’t mind. When he knows Jeff is home, he looks at the house wanting Jeff to be with him, not me. I don’t doubt that Jeff will always be his favorite, as it should be. He will still be taking care of him. I will just be helping out when he is tired.

It is one of life’s changes, and grateful for it. The smile I see on Jeff’s face makes me very happy.

————————————-Kats’ Korner——————————————————-

The three schools in Burt County have been discussing merging. This is such an important issue. I strongly encourage citizens to attend a meeting about the issue on Tues., Nov. 5^th at 7:00 p.m. at the Lyons-Decatur Northeast gymnasium.

Everyone is encouraged to attend. The school boards of Tekamah-Herman, Oakland-Craig and Lyons-Decatur Northeast have been researching and discussing possibilities for several months now.

This meeting is a perfect time to ask any questions you may have, and to learn what the three school boards are proposing for options in this issue.

Thought for the Day: Let us remember, this is a very tough decision facing the three Burt County school boards. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Until we meet again, enjoy!

Social Speaks: Favorite teacher

With the schools talking consolidation, I was thinking of my favorite teachers over the years. My very favorite one was Mrs. McMurtry. She was a wonderful and knowledgeable teacher. I always thought she would have been a great professor.

Who was your favorite teacher? Why?