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Guest Column
Jo Evelyn
Dean
The Banks County News- September 15, 1999
The beginning of school
By Jo Evelyn Dean
The beginning of school each year usually means the end of
the slower pace of summer. Area schools are starting at different
times this year. School's beginning turns our minds toward our
children. God bless our children - theirs is not an easy time.
The increase in juvenile delinquency and random violence nationwide
is alarming. Our community is so blessed with wonderful young
people. We as adults must continue to nurture them. I recently
read a sign that said "Children are 25 percent of our population
and 100 percent of our future."
Recently, the Children's Miracle Network Telethon gave a list
of suggestions for setting the example by caring and offering
words of encouragement to the youth. I want to share this list
with you this week:
·Children have the right to grow up in a world free from
violence. They should feel safe wherever they are.
·Society is measured by how the children are treated.
The children become a reflection of society.
·The community needs to be involved. When there is a problem
with the children, it is everybody's problem.
·Since most children will be parents someday, they should
be taught how to be good parents. One of the ways they learn
is by example of their parents.
·Children's time should be supervised and occupied constructively.
This includes some special time each day with their parents.
·We have a responsibility to teach our children to value
the family. Each generation passes on the family values to the
next generation.
·Children need to know whatever the situation, there is
help. Adults need to talk with the children. Then really listen
to find out what their interests are and what is troubling them.
·All children deserve love, love from the heart. They
need praise, encouragement and unconditional love.
·Conflict resolution should be included in the curriculum
so that children learn how to deal with anger and conflict in
an acceptable, constructive way.
·Adults should set the example to solve problems within
themselves and work together as a group to make some changes.
·If an adult sees a youth doing something wrong, they
have the responsibility to speak up. Adults should pull together
to make a difference. This lets the youth know the adults in
the community do care about the behavior of the youth.
Whether you are a parent, an educator, or concerned adult, you
may be the adult that makes a difference this year in some child's
life. Be an encourager.
Jo Evelyn Dean is the Banks County extension
agent.
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Editorial
The
Banks County News
September 15, 1999
Register to vote by Oct. 4 deadline
Several important city council seats are up for grabs in the
Nov. 2 election. While these elections are usually canceled due
to only one candidate qualifying for each post, we hope that
won't be the case this year. Citizens need a choice when they
go to the polls.
Everyone also needs to make sure they are registered to vote
in the Nov. 2 election. The deadline for registering to vote
in this election is Oct. 4. We encourage everyone to get out
and get registered. We also encourage anyone interested in their
community and local government to run for office.
Column
Sherry
Lewis
The Banks County News- September 15, 1999
 Y-2 krazy
A few months ago I was in a line at the
grocery store behind a woman asking for a case of some canned
food item that was on sale. While the cashier sent someone to
get that for her she proceeded to tell us how she was going to
be prepared for Y2K.
She said if we did not start stockpiling food it was going to
be too bad for us. We would probably die of starvation in a matter
of weeks. Of course, when she walked away the cashier and I had
a good laugh.
Today, you might call me a hypocrite. Guess what I've been doing
for the last few weeks. No, I haven't been buying food by the
case. Although mentally I have been considering what would happen
if we were left without electricity and other items we generally
take for granted.
My husband Chris has talked about buying a generator just in
case the power goes out. That would keep us from losing all of
the fresh vegetables we put in the freezer this summer. Also,
without electricity I will have to look for another way to cook.
I guess that is when the gas grill or propane cook stove will
come in handy. It would be like camping out without leaving the
confines of home.
I have also been thinking about the items that we use every day
and what would happen if we could not get them from grocery stores
or from the faucet in the sink.
We need water for drinking as well as food preparation. It has
been recommended that people store a gallon of water per person
per day. While I like drinking water I generally jump start my
day with a soft drink. I guess I'd better store up some of those
as well as extra coffee, bottled juice and canned milk as well.
I also need to think about food. If I asked my children what
they would want to store up, they would say chips and candy.
But I am talking about the meats and vegetables to put a good
meal on the table. I'm not big on canned meats but in a crunch
I'm sure I would not complain. I might even get to the point
that I would eat that deer meat in our freezer, but I doubt it.
What about prescription and non-prescription drugs? I think I
will buy an extra bottle or two of my favorite headache reliever,
just in case. I want to be sure I have Band-Aids, antibiotic
ointment and other items in a first aid kit.
While these sound like good ideas, I sometimes wonder it I'm
overreacting. I guess in 15 weeks we will all know for sure.
Sherry Lewis is news editor of The
Banks County News.
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