Cardboard boxes are a popular form of produce packaging. As a farmer or someone who likes ordering items online, boxes easily pile up. Instead of stacking up the boxes in the trash or recycling, use these four different ways to reuse cardboard boxes on a farm or in a garden.
Biodegradable Compost
Cardboard packaging continues to grow in popularity for numerous reasons. One main selling point is that cardboard boxes are better for the environment. Their natural composition makes them biodegradable and a more eco-friendly form of waste compared to other materials.
Reusing your cardboard for compost provides many benefits, including creating nutrient-rich fertilizer mixtures and minimizing landfill waste. Shredding and soaking the strips of cardboard before putting them into your compost bin breaks them down faster and makes your composting process more manageable.
Storage for Seeds and Tools
Boxes provide a means to carry and store items. Aside from using the boxes to transport and package your fruit and veggies, reusing them as storage containers provides them with added purpose on your farm. Along with the growing collection of boxes, seeds and tools also tend to come in abundance on a farm. Storing your various gardening accessories, tools, seeds, and extra soil in leftover boxes organizes your shed and puts the boxes to good use.
Raised Garden Bed
Filling your boxes with dirt creates a makeshift pot fit for various starter plants. They hold the soil in place and eliminate the need for plastic pots. On top of providing you with a DIY plant holder, breaking down the boxes into flat sheets creates an eco-friendly and efficient garden bed base.
Placing the cardboard sheets on the ground sets you up with a foundation that blocks weeds and offers a slightly raised platform. Layer up some soil or place a large box of dirt over the sheets, and you’ve got yourself a DIY raised garden bed that requires little to no craftsmanship. As a bonus, the cardboard will deteriorate over time and fill the soil with extra nutrient fiber for your plants.
Standing Plant Labels
Plant labels create an organized and efficient tracking system. They help those with an untrained eye or less-dedicated memory know what plant stands before them each time they visit the garden. Instead of buying new plant signs, transforming your cardboard box into a DIY label with tape, markers, and skewers saves you money and makes use of the tools already on hand.
There are numerous other ways to reuse cardboard boxes on your farm, from using them as an environmental alternative to plastic to makeshift garden edging. Reusing cardboard boxes allows you to minimize your waste, make the most of the items available to you, and implement more eco-friendly practices on your farm.
For many years, Americans provided for their retirement needs through three sources: employer-sponsored pension plans, Social Security income, and savings and investments accumulated through employer plans or individual accounts – the so-called “three-legged stool.” But today, that stool is shakier than it used to be. What can you do to strengthen it?
To begin with, all three legs of the stool are facing challenges. Let’s consider them:
• Employer pensions – A generation ago, workers employed in many companies could count on a set monthly pension income to help them through their retirement years. Today, pensions – also known as defined benefit plans – are mostly found in public sector employment, as most private-sector employers have replaced their pensions with 401(k) and similar plans. These plans can be quite effective at helping build resources for retirement, but they do place most of the responsibility for saving on the employee.
• Social Security – Social Security has come under financial pressure because the workers-to-retirees ratio has declined significantly, according to the Social Security Administration’s 2021 Board of Trustees Report. A number of proposals have been brought forward on how to improve the long-term financial security of the Social Security system.
• Personal savings and investments – In terms of building savings and investments for retirement, the picture is somewhat mixed. The national savings rate has increased in recent years, but more than half of American workers still say their retirement savings are not where they should be, according to a 2021 survey from Bankrate, a personal finance website. And the same survey found that just over half of investors with a 401(k) or IRA have taken early withdrawals – that is, they withdrew money before they retired. Furthermore, we may be waiting too long even to begin saving/investing for retirement. A survey from Age Wave and Edward Jones found that respondents began saving for retirement at an average age of 38, but the majority said they should have started saving a decade earlier.
You have options for improving some parts of your own three-legged stool. For example, no matter what happens to Social Security, you can still decide when to start taking payments. You can begin collecting benefits as early as 62, but your monthly checks will be larger if you wait until your “full” retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67. You can even delay taking benefits until they “max out” at age 70.
As for a pension, you can’t control what’s available to you through your employer, but you can create your own retirement income stream by contributing as much as you can afford
to your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan and by increasing your contributions whenever your salary goes up. And you can also contribute to an IRA or other investment vehicle to further boost your retirement funds. Try to leave these accounts intact until you need them for retirement. This will be easier if you’ve built an emergency fund, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account, to pay for unexpected costs, such as those resulting from a major car or home repair. The three-legged stool may not be as universal as it once was – but you can still construct a sturdy structure to support your retirement needs in the future.
This article is provided by Jeffrey O’Neal, Financial Advisor
Edward Jones 20 N Express St, Paris, AR 72855 479-963-1321 jeffrey.o’neal@edwardjones.com edwardjones.com/jeffrey-o’neal Edward Jones, Member SIPC
It has been a summer of extreme heat throughout Arkansas and the Mississippi River Valley that has seen record high temperatures and many consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Rainfall has been sparse, and many have found themselves simply trying to hang on until the fall season and the arrival of cooler temperatures. And on a late Sunday night in Paris, a welcomed hope for rain quickly turned into disaster for the entire town.
On late Sunday evening, July 17, 2022, weather warnings for thunderstorms and eventually a “very dangerous thunderstorm warning” began to arrive on our cell phones, smart watches, etc. And just after midnight, it hit. There were no tornado sirens sounding in the middle of the night, and the people of Paris were hit virtually without warning.
Image Credit: Facebook / Mayor Daniel Rogers
With the wind force of a small tornado, straight line, or a possible downburst associated with forced high speed winds rushed into the town of Paris. Trees, power lines, signage, and structural damage occurred within minutes. Approximately 2000 citizens immediately lost power around 12:05 a.m. on July 18. All of the sudden, everything was dark, and the immediate concern became the high temperature that would surely be upon everyone starting at sunrise without the possibility of electrical power for air conditioning. Refrigerated and frozen foods became an issue, and, if all of this were not enough, the pumping station for the city’s water towers were without electrical power. The reserve water levels in the tanks would begin to drop dramatically without being replenished. So, in a matter of just a few short minutes, the city of Paris was in a near state of disaster.
But as it often occurs, in the face of tragedy arises some of the most inspirational stories. The City of Paris, led by their mayor, Daniel Rogers, immediately took action to begin the long process of cleaning up the city and restoring power. The electrical restoration of the water system was the first priority, as the city needed water immediately, both for its citizens, and for fire fighting protection. But when Rogers and the rest of the city officials and maintenance initially assessed the damage in the early morning darkness, the estimate was approximately 20 downed power poles. When daylight finally came the next day, that assessment grew to many more; approximately 60 downed power poles. Rogers commented that the city was essentially rebuilding much of the city’s power grid.
Image Credit: Facebook / Daniel Rogers
In the meantime, the people of Paris were suffering from extreme heat. Many were without power for approximately 18 hours, and another significant number of homes were without power for days. The city successfully repaired the water towers to operation by noon on Monday, but asked its citizens to conserve water due to the water towers being nearly empty. According to the mayor, the tanks were within just a few feet of being dry.
Mayor Rogers was gracious enough to provide some remarks for RNN, although he was extremely busy each day leading the recovery effort for Paris. When I asked the Paris mayor for his comments, he began by saying, “This storm was the worst wind-related storm in decades for the city. Sixty plus poles are being replaced due to being broken by the high winds. The last big wind event was June 2008 and it destroyed 32 poles. In March of this year, the city council passed a resolution that I recommended to enter into a mutual aid agreement with other AMPA (Arkansas Municipal Power Association) cities. That agreement allowed us to ask for aid from those cities which really helped the city restore power within 72 hours despite the large amount of damage to the electrical system. I was able to reach out and get commitments from Jonesboro and Conway to assist in the power restoration. We also reached out to MDR Construction which is a contract crew that specializes in storm recovery.”
Indeed, the proactive and visionary leadership of Mayor Rogers, the city council, city attorney Cory Wells, and the outstanding support of the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce, led by its executive director, Tonya Fletcher, served all of the citizens of Paris well and served as a model of leadership in extreme crisis for all to see and follow. But perhaps most inspirational was the drive and determination of the citizens of Paris and the support the city received from communities surrounding Paris. Mayor Rogers commented, “I’m so proud of the citizens for showcasing the city in such a positive way to the state through their willingness to volunteer and come together to help one another. I love how our community responded.”
Tonya Fletcher, executive director for the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce, reinforced the mayor’s comments by adding, “The biggest comment I would make about the recent storms is the willingness from the community and surrounding areas to bring support to help our community has been heart warming. Everyone from the City of Paris, Paris school district, local businesses, neighboring communities, churches, law enforcement, outside agencies and individuals have stepped up in a big way to help those in need. The Chamber staff was able to help organize many areas of need from water, cooling stations, food preparation, food delivery, notifications to the community, donations for needed items, and so much more.” Local businesses, such as the restaurant “Smokin Taters BBQ” provided meals and hydration for the power line crews who were working hard to restore power to the city.
Image Credit: Facebook / Smokin Taters BBQ
Communities surrounding Paris, such as, but not limited to Scranton and Magazine have jumped in to provide aid and assistance to Paris in the aftermath of the storm. Many of those communities came to the assistance for Paris without being asked. It is just what good neighbors do, and Paris owes each of these communities a return of the favor if they are ever in need, as well.
Anyone who is familiar with Paris knows that the town is known for its beautiful trees. Unfortunately, many of those trees were damaged. Some fell on homes and businesses, some blocked streets and brought down both power lines and poles. Chism street was especially affected, but was certainly not alone as damage occurred all over the city.
As of press time for this story, much, if not all of the power for the town has been restored. The Thursday morning temperatures from last week cooled a little with much of the morning being overcast and providing welcomed cloud cover for the town and the many electrical crews that were still working to install new poles and power lines. But the morning clouds gave way to extreme heat again that afternoon.
All in all, the town of Paris and its people were blessed that the damage was not any worse that it turned out to be. In fact, I can’t help but to have a renewed sense of compassion and empathy for those people and towns who have gone through a devastating tornado. This event was bad enough; I cannot imagine it being any worse.
The town was blessed by so many who came running to us to help clean-up and restore our town. They possibly saved lives by restoring power, air conditioning, and water to the citizens of Paris. The out of town power crews worked many long, hot hours on a power system that was not that of their own home towns, but they came to our aid, and we are grateful.
And to our mayor and all of the civic leaders in Paris, thank you from a grateful town. Your actions were a model for great leadership, and we are lucky to have you serving our great town. Thank you for taking time to post video updates on social media each day, so that we were not left wondering what was happening, and when things would be better for all of us. And thank you to the great towns throughout Logan County and the surrounding region for being awesome neighbors and coming to our assistance. Each of you is why western Arkansas is such a great place to live.
Perhaps Chamber director Tonya Fletcher summed it up best by saying, “One thing is for sure, we as a community joined together as family in time of need. I hope that momentum continues and we all remain thankful.”
So, citizens of Paris, you have banded together to quickly restore your town from an unexpected, violent storm, and you have much to be proud of. Better times are coming as the fall and the start of a new school year are just around the corner. Hang in there, but take pride in how you have all persevered through a very tough time. You are…PARIS STRONG!
When Paris head football coach Jeff Weaver was hired in 2021, he brought with him the reputation of being a “program builder.” Since his hire, Weaver has brought several new events to Paris to help build interest and support for the Eagles football program. One of the most popular, and perhaps the most fun event for the coach, is its annual “Moms 101” Night.
“Moms 101” has been held each summer in late July, preceding the official start of practices for the upcoming football season. Weaver brought the event to Paris, along with another that will be held this week when the Eagles sponsor the two-night “Pee Wee Football Camp” at Eagles Stadium. In holding each of these events, Weaver is quickly building support from his football parents, interest and support from the community, and is building a base of football athletes for the future of the program. That point was illustrated again last week when the Eagles football moms turned out with near perfect attendance to run drills, offensive football plays, and hear a word from the head coach on what he wants from his players.
The Paris football moms and their sons who play on the team, had a great time. Smiles were abundant and laughter could be heard all over the gym. The event is normally held in the football stadium, but this year’s edition was held indoors due to the extreme heat.
RNN Sports / Jim BestRNN Sports / Jim BestRNN Sports / Jim Best
At the end of the night, players sat with their moms and reflected on the thoughts that Coach Weaver had about the program goals. Coach Weaver has repeatedly said that if all we are doing is teaching our players how to be good football players, then we have failed them. His desire to to see his players grow into fine men, treat women respectfully, and go on to becoming good husbands and fathers. If his players do that, then he feels like to program has met its goals.
As a reporter who has followed Coach Weaver and his staff over the past few seasons, I would simply add that he is meeting his goal. His kids love him and play hard for him, and he enjoys great support from the players families and the Paris fans. This is a program that everyone in the community can be proud of.
And by the way….players….your moms showed they have football skills too!
Hello, everyone! Hot is an understatement. We need to pray for rain. I feel so bad for those working out in this heat.
Don’t you just love it when your friends remind you of some of the crazy things you have done in your life? One of those friends would be Curtis Feimster. He had to remind me of how I ordered a pizza from Greenwood, Indiana. I’ve only been to Indiana once and I did not order a pizza. Let me tell ya’ll the story.
The three E’s wanted Domino’s Pizza one evening and I googled the phone number and just put in Domino’s in Greenwood. So, I called the number and ordered my pizza. I drove to Greenwood, Arkansas to pick it up. I go to the drive-thru and said “I’m Sheri Hopkins and I have a pizza order to pick up.” They disappear and return and said, “We don’t have a pizza order for you.” What? Yes, I ordered two large pepperoni pizzas. Disappears again and comes back and asks me how long ago, etc. Still, no pizzas. Well, I must be crazy. On my way back home I get a phone call and the guy says “You have a pizza order for pick up at Domino’s.” I noticed he was not from Arkansas. I asked, “where are you calling from?” Guess where he was calling from? Greenwood, Indiana! I said, “Sir, I live in Arkansas and I’m sorry I must have ordered from you instead of the Domino’s in Arkansas.” He was very nice, and he apologized and I guess they got to eat my two large pepperoni pizzas. I won’t make that mistake again. I get my states right now when I order pizza.
That’s just one on a list of many. How about the time Cathy Smith Barnett was going to beauty school and I let her “frost” my hair? For you young peeps, that is what we called highlights back in the golden days. Let’s just say platinum blonde is an understatement. Let’s try fluorescent blonde to be exact. People around me had to wear sunglasses to be able to look at me. It took forever for it to grow off. I will tell ya the old saying that blondes have more fun is a true statement. Cathy and I used to work together and we sure had a lot of fun and laughs together.
Back to Curtis Feimster, we used to work together when we got out of high school. We worked at TES, Inc. Curtis was always entertaining us. He would sing songs, dance and act crazy. Good times with good friends. Don’t take your friends and family for granted because time is short and make time to call, text, or get together.
This week’s recipe is meatloaf. I love meatloaf. Nobody at my house likes meatloaf, so I have to invite people over to get to eat it. Make this meatloaf, some mashed potatoes, and gravy, green beans, or corn whichever you prefer. Remember HeeHaw? We always watched that show with our daddy. Cousin Lou Lou said, “yum, yum.”
MEATLOAF 2 pounds of ground beef (I use ground chuck) 1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix (You can use Beefy Onion Soup Mix also. I usually add half of another package, but that’s just me.) Bread crumbs or saltine crackers (If I use saltines, I crush them fine. I don’t use a whole sleeve, just use your best judgment. You don’t want the meat mixture to be dry.) 3/4 cup of milk 2 large eggs 1/3 cup ketchup (You can add a little more if you like) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I just line a cake pan with aluminum foil and spray with Pam. In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef with the soup mix, and add the milk, eggs, and ketchup. Mix well, then add your crumbs or saltines. Mix well, then pour the mixture into your pan and make it into a loaf. Cook in the oven for 55-60 minutes. I know this is a simple recipe but some folks don’t know how to cook. This is easy and you can add a couple of veggies and have a meal.
The Paris Lady Eagles ended the 2021 season with a culminating victory in the state tournament finals to win the Class 3A state championship. Many seniors who had contributed for several years in the program ended their high school careers with a state title. Those were heady days for the Lady Eagles volleyball program, but that year has been long over, and for the past several months, a new generation of Lady Eagles has been working hard to continue the championship pedigree of the Paris program. And for Paris, it will not be easy.
Paris graduated several seniors from last year’s team, and the Lady Eagles will face a determined Hackett Lady Hornets team that certainly has not forgotten the loss in last year’s final, and has a strong nucleus of returning players in 2022. Paris will have their work cut out for them, and to be ready to compete this year in post-season play, the Lady Eagles will have to improve and come together as a unit more and more with each passing week of the season. There is unquestionable talent on the roster, but their is also a significant number of players who will be playing their first year of varsity volleyball that must step-up early for Paris to be successful.
The Paris schedule will again be very challenging, as the program will face a good variety of good 3A programs from around the state, as well as some 4A programs. The conference favorite will be the Hackett Lady Hornets, but an improved Booneville Lady Bearcats program, and a Charleston Lady Tigers program that is always in the competitive mix in the upper tier of the conference will certainly be factors. But, again, for Paris, the focus for the Lady Eagles will be on one match at a time, looking to improve with each opportunity on the floor.
Recently, I asked the Lady Eagles’ head coach, Jordan Devine, to respond to a list of questions that I had for her and the program as they prepare for the 2022 season. Devine, who had announced last school year that she was stepping down and “retiring” as a coach in the district, was asked later in the year to return as the Lady Eagles’ coach. She agreed to do so for this season, and her presence will bring continuity to the program in a year that is already labeled as a transition year with the heavy loss of players from a year ago due to graduation. Coach Devine cares greatly for her players, especially those remaining players from last year’s roster, as well as the newcomers to the program. She wants them all to have a good year during this year of change.
When I asked Coach Devine what she thought her team’s strengths and weaknesses were for this year, she commented, “This year’s team will be a fun group to watch. You can tell they all love to play the game and are out there putting out their all on every point. I think we will compete well. I see our strengths being our returning players in key spots. Our weaknesses may be that we have a lot of new faces. We are a brand new team that has to learn how to play together.”
Key returning players will have a heavy load on their shoulders this year. Coach explained, “Our key players include Brailey Forst at middle blocker. She is an all around player that you will see do just about everything this year. She is confident and wants the ball. Reagan Lowery and Rachel O’Neal at the DS/Libero (defensive specialist) position will be key for us. They are both great leaders on the floor with a lot of experience. Abbigail Walker is our returning setter from the end of last season. She is a hard worker and has a huge drive to win games. Karsen Hart will return for us at middle blocker; she keeps getting bigger and bigger at the net and can hammer the ball. We will also see her at serve and receive.”
There are several key newcomers that must work to fill the shoes of last year’s senior class. Coach Devine continued, “For us to be successful, key newcomers will be Claire Zeiler, Annabelle Perry, and Lauren Reames. All sophomores, they will be taking over the front line for us at outside / opposite hitters. Faith Sanders will be a senior that you will see on the floor this year. Juniors Carsyn Johnson and Kendri Martinez will play at the setter and DS positions. Both are upperclassmen but are new to the varsity roster.”
There are several important non-conference games on the Lady Eagles’ schedule that will play an important role in giving the new team experience against very good competition. This will be an important phase of the team’s development as they compete in the conference and in post-season play. Highlighted non-conference games include Russellville and Pulaski Academy that will be played at Paris Gymnasium. Coach Devine said, “In September, we will be playing Greenwood and Greenbrier on a Saturday which will be two good challenges for us. We play Episcopal in Little Rock during the month of September, as well.”
RNN Sports Image
Looking forward to conference play, the 3A West conference will look the same for the Lady Eagles with the exception of losing Waldron to the 4A classification. The member size of the conference will be smaller in 2022. Coach Devine remarked, “We can absolutely compete for a conference title.” The Hackett Lady Hornets will be the favorite to win the regular season conference title, but the two matches with Paris, plus possibly a third in the district tournament should prove to be very important to both schools. Hackett has had the upper hand in the previous meetings between the two schools with the exception of a stunning win by Paris in the finals of last year’s district tournament, and in the state championship final in Hot Springs. All of this just adds to the intensity of what has already developed into a vicious rivalry the past few years.
For Paris fans who are used to seeing their Lady Eagles dominate opponents, it may be a season of patience that is required each week. The team will get better with each week, but may struggle early as the team develops chemistry with the new members of the starting lineup. I asked Coach Devine if she thought there would be growing pains early in the season and she said, “Yes, probably some growing pains early. I am already seeing some during the camp season. Key with this young team is to keep their confidence up early. We will go through some growing pains but will be patient and work through it. We will take the leadership from our seniors, buy into it, and then…get after it!”
The personality of this year’s team is in stark contrast to the seriousness and the often reserved emotions of the past two years. This group, from observation, seems to be much more loose and relaxed. Coach Devine told me that what she likes about this team is, “They are a really fun group. I love their support for each other. At Branson (summer camp) they supported each other through every game. Rachel, Brailey, and Reagan have definitely emerged as the team’s leaders. Claire Zeiler has had a great camp season so far. She has a lot of power and is working on her control. Lauren Reames has only played volleyball for a year and is giving hitters fits with her blocking.”
RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best
In a program with a championship pedigree, the goals are the same each year. According to the coach, “Our goals and expectations never change. I don’t have to set those; the girls do. And realistically, we can reach our goals. Do we have the work to do? Yes. But I believe in this team and their abilities.”
And Coach Devine, the Paris faithful believes in you! In just a few short weeks, the 2022 Lady Eagles will begin a new era of Paris volleyball. The Paris coach concluded by saying, “Come out and watch this awesome group of girls play the sport they love! I promise you won’t be disappointed!”
The season begins Monday, August 22 when the Lady Eagles host Trinity at 4:30 p.m. I will see you then, and good luck to Paris for a successful 2022 campaign!
By Rebekah Hall U of A System Division of Agriculture
For Arkansas 4-Hers, all roads lead to State O-Rama. Hundreds of youth, county staff and volunteers will flood the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus from July 26-29 for the event, which features state-level competitions, workshops, tours and socials. This is the first in-person State O-Rama since 2019.
Priscella Thomas-Scott, extension 4-H events coordinator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said 4-H staff, agents and club leaders are looking forward to the event’s return.
“We’re excited. You know you’re doing a good job when you have parents and kids that come up and say, ‘Hey, we’re looking forward to going back to State O-Rama,’” Thomas-Scott said. “This means a lot to the youth in our program.”
Thomas-Scott said more than 300 4-H members, county staff and volunteers from 51 of Arkansas’ 75 counties are registered for O-Rama. The event’s schedule is packed with socials, including a lip sync competition, a glow party, dances, and a “county night out.” This year’s keynote speaker is Laymon Hicks, a youth motivational speaker and author. Hicks will host a workshop titled “Be Your Own Star.”
4-H members can also attend a workshop about resolving food insecurity and participate in the 4-H Lego Challenge.
The election of the 4-H state officer team also takes place at State O-Rama. Thomas-Scott said this election is a “highlight of the event.”
“Our officer team members took the necessary steps of being involved with our program and putting in the hard work to get to this point,” Thomas-Scott said. “It’s definitely a rite of passage for them.”
Students who qualified at their district O-Rama competitions in June will compete in district qualifying contests in areas such as animal science, bait casting and sportfishing, wildlife, photograph, forestry, performing arts and more. 4-H youthalso will compete in the program’s state-only contests, which include welding, archery, parliamentary procedure, impromptu public speaking, grassland plant identification, and Family and Consumer Sciences skill-a-thon.
Thomas-Scott said that in addition to the competitions, State O-Rama is an important opportunity for 4-H members to experience a college campus and learn about degree offerings.
“Every 4-Her might not go to college, but at State O-Rama, they’re exposed to a college experience, they’re exposed to learning about different degree paths that are available on campus,” Thomas-Scott said. “It’s not just about the competition, but about having new experiences and going outside of their comfort zone. That’s what I love about this event.”
4-H youth can learn about the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and other college degree offerings at the 4-H O-Rama College Fair and Bumpers College Picnic. Students can also head off campus to tour the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food, a program of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm ofthe Division of Agriculture. The program provides hands-on learning for farmers and food entrepreneurs, providing them with necessary skills and resources to develop sustainablebusinesses.
State O-Rama also includes a 4-H awards winner and donor dinner, as well as the 4-H Awards of Excellence ceremony, which recognizes the state scholarship winner, state record book winners, and the nominees for the Governor’s Award. As 4-H’s highest honor, the Governor’s Award is available only to former record book winners. Finalists go through an interview process and have lunch at the Governor’s Mansion with the governor and his wife, and the award is based on the student’s involvement with 4-H.
Thomas-Scott said the time and effort it takes to coordinate State O-Rama is more than worth it.
“It’s a lot of work, but it pays off when you see the kidsenjoying themselves and learning new skills that they can take home with them,” she said. “Plus, they love to have a good time. It’s tiring for the adults, but it’s all about the kids.”
4-H is a youth development program operated by theCooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The program teaches participants life skills through the “learn by doing” model. Program participants gain knowledge through non-formal, science-based, experiential education activities.
For more information about 4-H, contact your local county extension agent or visit https://4h.uada.edu/.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
Temperatures hovering in the triple digits may have you yearning for a day on the water. Whether you’re catching some deep brush pile crappie, catching big river catfish or just catching some rays on a pleasure boat, it’s important to keep in mind that too much of a good thing can be damaging to your health.
Overexposure to the sun and indulging in too many alcoholic beverages top the list of dangers that can turn an otherwise relaxing trip to the lake into a nightmare. Each year, wildlife officers and other first responders are called to boat ramps and banks throughout the state in response to someone who’s had a little too much of either.
Most people remember running around during the heat of summer in a bathing suit or T-shirt and shorts enjoying that “healthy tan” as a side effect of a day on the lake. Now, we know better. Not only can too much sun cause a nasty sunburn, but it can cause long-term damage to the skin and even skin cancer. Here are a few tips from Capt. Tod Johnson who works in the AGFC’s Hot Springs Regional Office and spends more than his fair share of days on the water.
We all scream for sunscreen
The most obvious thing anglers and boaters can do is to remember the sunscreen. Don’t settle for suntan lotion or suntan oils if you plan to be out for more than an hour, as well.
“There are plenty of sunscreen options, with different scents and gimmicks, but the main thing to pay attention to is the sun protection factor,” Johnson said. “The higher the SPF number.”
A sunscreen’s rating doesn’t stand for the number of minutes it’s good for, instead it indicates the amount of UV radiation the liquid shields the skin from. An SPF of 30 allows 1/30th of the sun’s radiation through, meaning it would take 30 times longer to receive the same effects as unprotected skin, but that’s only if it stayed on. Even water-resistant sunscreens will only last for a couple of hours before they begin to deteriorate from moisture, be it lakewater or perspiration.
“It’s just good practice to reapply every couple of hours,” Johnson said.
Bring your own shade One easy way to beat the blisters is to stay in the shadows. On some rivers and lakes, there may be plenty of trees overhanging the shore to offer some shelter, but if you know you’re going to be fishing or boating out in the open, invest in a sunbrella.
“I see a lot more boats out there with canopies or tops nowadays,” Johnson said. “Even the bass boats we patrol in all day have retractable canopies to block the sun. Not only does it help with exposure, it feels a little cooler than if you’re just sitting in the sunlight.”
Dress for the occasion A tank top or T-shirt may have been common years ago, but many anglers you see today cover up a bit more.
“We see a lot of fishermen wearing thin, long-sleeved shirts made of UV-protective materials.” Johnson said. “Some die-hard anglers have even adopted wearing lightweight facemasks and gloves to prevent too much exposure to the sun.”
Johnson says people wanting to cover up should pay attention to the UV protection rating of the clothes they choose for days on the water.
“A plain cotton shirt doesn’t block all the UV rays, but new materials that do protect you are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day,” Johnson said.
Dodge high noon Anglers can beat the heat and the sunburn if they simply avoid those hours when the sun is beating down from straight overhead. Summer fishing often is best during the first few hours of daylight and dusk, leaving a lot of time to bake in the sun between. Instead of slogging through a sweaty day on the water, get to the lake early and catch up on some naptime on shore once the sun is high. If you’re not an early bird, head out an hour or so before sunset and enjoy that end of the fishing day. Just be sure your navigation lights work properly so you can make your way back to the ramp safely if the fishing picks up and you stay out a bit later than planned.
Hydrate with real water Sun not only stings the skin, but it saps your body of moisture, which can cause dehydration. Sugary or carbonated drinks can magnify the drying effect of the exposure to UV rays. It’s always smart to have some extra drinking water nearby and remember to take an occasional drink, even if you don’t feel all that thirsty.
“Alcohol isn’t something to rehydrate with, either,” Johnson said. “A lot of people may think a cold beer or alcoholic beverage will work, but alcohol actually reduces the amount of water that gets into their cells.”
Aside from contributing to dehydration, alcohol impairs judgment and can cause very dangerous situations for boaters and their passengers. The effects of alcohol are more potent when out in the summer heat because of natural stress factors like the sun, wind and waves rocking of the boat.
“A person who might have a drink or two at home and not feel anything may discover that same amount of alcohol really impairs their response time, balance and judgment when they combine it with the common surroundings of summer boating.”
This summer, be safe. Take the simple steps that could save your life. Summer heat and alcohol are such mundane things that their dangers are easily overlooked. Bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen or protective clothing and pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you decide to drink, be aware of the added effects of the sun and don’t operate the boat. A designated driver is just as important on a boat as he or she is in a car.
Paris High School head girls basketball coach Jonathan Vire and members of the senior girls basketball team hosted a youth basketball camp last week at Paris Gymnasium. Campers attended four days of camp from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The camp featured basketball skill work, competition, and fun for the participants. The first year camp is part of the new coach’s approach to re-building the foundation of the senior high basketball program.
RNN Sports Photo / Jim BestRNN Sports Photo / Jim BestRNN Sports Photo / JIm Best
When RNN asked Vire about the camp, he commented, “We had a great week. We had 20 campers, and with the storm on Monday night, I thought that was an impressive number of participants, especially for our first year. All of the girls that attended worked hard, had fun, and I felt that they each got better at something, and that is what it is all about. Overall, I felt like it was a successful week.”
Each camper received a camp t-shirt with their registration fee. The turnout was impressive, and should be a big factor in making basketball fun for children and encouraging them to continue playing.
By Tracy Courage U of A System Division of Agriculture
With Arkansas’ prolonged drought taking a toll on trees across the state, now is the time for homeowners to lend some extra attention to their trees that may be in distress.
“People have been calling about their trees losing leaves or starting to get their fall colors way too early, or the bark cracking,” said Krista Quinn, a certified arborist and an agricultural agent with the Cooperative Extension Service’s Faulkner County office, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “These are all signs of drought distress.” The prolonged lack of rain and high temperatures across Arkansas has depleted moisture from soil in many areas.
“The two best things we can do to minimize drought damage to trees is to water them and lightly mulch them,” Quinn said. “Watering and mulching trees now may not be enough to get them to produce new leaves or start growing again this season, but it can minimize damage and make them better able to withstand other environmental and pest pressures during the coming year.” Older trees require hundreds of gallons of water over a week, but their root systems can tap into deeper water sources that younger trees cannot access. Younger trees, especially those in harsh urban conditions, need extra care.
“Turf grasses can usually recover,” Quinn said. “They will go dormant and turn brown. Some trees will also go dormant as a strategy for dealing with drought, so just because it’s defoliating doesn’t mean it’s dying, but it is stressed.”
Homeowners may face time or financial constraints when it comes to caring for their landscaping. Some municipalities may also request that homeowners reduce water use for irrigation like sprinklers and landscape watering to maintain the community water supply.
“For anyone who is trying to maintain their landscape through drought and heat and feel like they have to make decisions — I honestly think trees are the priority,” Quinn said. “They’re expensive to plant, and large trees are irreplaceable. The hot temperatures make us appreciate the shade from a tree even more.”
Tree Watering Tips ⦁ Water under the entire tree canopy and not just at the trunk. ⦁ For newly planted trees, water the area just outside the root zone to encourage roots to grow out away from the trunk into the native soil. ⦁ Irrigate infrequently, but deeply. Watering once a week is usually sufficient as long as the top 4 to 6 inches of soil is wetted. Dig a small hole after watering to make sure the water has percolated through the soil. ⦁ Watering trees in clay soils, compacted soils, or on slopes can be difficult since the water often starts to runoff before the top 4 to 6 inches of soil is wetted. Use a soaker or drip irrigation system to apply a low volume of water over a longer amount of time. Another option is to cycle the water flow on and off every 20 to 30 minutes. Water for 20 minutes, then let the water soak into the slope for 20 minutes, then water again for 20 minutes until the needed amount of water has soaked into the soil. ⦁ Water in the evening or early morning to minimize evaporation. ⦁ Use sprinklers, soaker hoses, watering bags, and buckets to water trees. ⦁ Newly planted trees have a better chance of surviving if they are watered during dry spells for the first two years after planting. Tree Mulching Tips ⦁ Apply a 2- to 4-inch-deep layer of mulch over tree roots. ⦁ Keep mulch material away from the tree trunk. The goal is to keep the tree roots moist and the trunk dry. ⦁ Mulch as much of the area under the tree as possible, preferably to the outermost edge of the tree’s canopy. ⦁ Many different organic products can be used as mulch. Bark, shredded wood, grass clippings, straw, pine needles, and dried leaves are all good options. ⦁ Mulch does not need to be reapplied every year. ⦁ Having a mulch layer more than about 4 inches deep can harm trees.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
