Family Living Focus by Nancy Crago Allegheny Co. Cooperative Extension Keep Connected This Year You probably had the chance to connect with relatives and friends whom you seldom see or hear from during the year over the holidays. At our home, we celebrated with adult children and their families. We received letters from family and friends describing the year’s events in their lives. There were special ac tivities or visits arranged between youth groups and organizations serving elderly. Our holidays are special be cause they are a time for younger and older people to interact with each another. I recently read study results that indicated during a period of one month, only five out of 25 teens could recall having any di rect communication with an eld erly person. In the New Year, most of the younger people and older people are returning to their separate worlds, even those who live in the same community. Nephews and nieces are preparing to go back to college, the grandchildren have resumed school and activities, and the adults have returned to their separate routines. What can we do to keep con nected across generations all year and not just at the holidays? How can we overcome obstacles in our society, including geographic dis- SANTA'S HELPE Increased Performance Quieter Operation $67 12 Gallon 5.0 Peak HI Wet/Dry Vi #159648 www.lowes.com LOWE'S® is a registered trademark of LF Corporation. ©2OOl Lowe's® Home Centers, Inc. For the Lowe's nearest you call 1-800-44-LOWES. Prices may vary if there are market variations. tance, family separation, age grouped activities and separate living arrangements, that isolate the young and old and prevent interactions between young peo ple and old people? One of the things I look for ward to is a letter I receive every January from one of my neph ews. The words are simple and spoken from the heart. In addi tion to thanking me for his gift, he always tells me something about what he is doing at school or in one of his activities. His let ter encourages me to continue our conversation. Keeping con nected through letters to this nephew and other young mem bers of my family who are sepa rated geographically strengthens our bonds of understanding and fondness for each other. We learn about each other’s interests. Knowing how young people in my family spend their time, the challenges they experience, and what they think keeps me from accepting stereotypes about young people. So, think of some one you know, block out some time, and write a letter to him or her this week. If you are connected electroni cally, you may consider corre sponding by e-mail. Sharing an interest about computers can help both young and old develop some new skills! Another way to 18 Gallon 6.25 Peak HP Blower Vac . #159682 \ keep in touch is by phone calls. One of my favorite Family Circus cartoons brings home the impor tant connection between grand parents and grandchildren. The cartoon shows a little girl holding up a phone receiver, looking up to her mother, and asking, “Mom, can we call Grandma? I like having her in my ear.” Being needed and wanted brings purpose to older peoples’ lives. Having a positive effect on children’s lives brings older peo ple a sense of fulfillment and completion. Young people, sup ported by caring adults who have lived through many changes, re ceive the gift of hope for the fu ture. They enjoy learning from these experts who love and ac cept them even when they break a dish or fail a test. There are also other ways for interacting across generations. How about making an audiotape or video tape? This month a group of high school seniors in my hometown were recognized for their achievements in interacting with elderly people living in a local nursing home. The students used information collected from re corded interviews with the elder ly people to develop an exhibit that traces the history of the area where these elderly people lived. Whether it’s through face to face visits, letters, or phone calls, make a New Year’s resolution to communicate with a relative or a friend in your community. Keep ing connected across generations throughout the year is what is important. If you are interested in receiv ing additional ideas on ways to initiate communication across generations, contact the family living agent at your local Cooper ative Extension office and request the Intergenerational Tool Kit. Other resources are also avail able. $00%! Everyday I IbT Low Price A Mfg's Mail-In U Rebate Keystone Degrees To Be Awarded HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Following are names of several Keystone Degree candi dates who will be receiving de grees during Farm Show ceremo nies on Monday, Jan. 7 in the Large Arena. See remaining can didates listed in the Special Farm Show Section of this paper. Steven Klinger My Chapter HG Parkinson. How Old I Am: 17. Parents’ Names: Clyde and Barbara Nishnick Jr. and Jeff and Mary Klinger. Where I Live: Hickory. The Offices I’ve Held: Green hand president and chapter chaplain (two years). These Are My Favorite Activ ities: Anything mechanical in ag riculture. Committee Memberships I’ve Enjoyed: Fruit fund raiser. My Favorite Experience In FFA: National convention 2001. What I Hope To Accomplish In The Future: I hope to attend NADC and receiving my two year degree in auto mechanics The Career I’d Most Like To Have: Agricultural mechanic. Things I Most Enjoy About Being An FFA Member Meet ing new friends and going to new places. Eric Kneller My Chapter Troy. How Old I Am: 18. Parents’ Names: Silas Kneller and Denise McNeal. Where I Live: West Burling ton. The Offices I’ve Held: Chap ter president. These Are My Favorite Activ- After Mail-In Rebate* $B9 16 Gallon 6.0 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac #159649 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 5, 2002-B9 The New Shop-Vac® Contractor and Specialty Series wet/dry vacs. Improving Home Improvement' shop'Vac The ORIGINAL Wet/Dry Vac Shop-Vac® is a registered trademark of Shop-Vac Corporation. TrueTrac and Lock On™ are trademarks of Shop-Vac Corporation. * Rebate offer expires 12/31/01 Hats and tools not included. ities; Football and hunting. Committee Memberships I’ve Enjoyed: Citrus committee. My Favorite Experience In FFA: Land judging. What I Hope To Accomplish In The Future: Owning my own farm. The Career I’d Most Like To Have: Farming. Things I Most Enjoy About Being An FFA Member The trips. Jonathan Kosa My Chapter Headwaters. How Old I Am: 18. Parents’ Names: Kurt and Laurel Kosa. Where I Live: Ulysses. These Are My Favorite Activ- ities: Committee Memberships I’ve Enjoyed: Flower bulbs, citrus sales, donkey basketball, and banquet committee. My Favorite Experience In FFA: What I Hope To Accomplish In The Future: Attend college and major in political science. Things I Most Enjoy About Being An FFA Member I really enjoyed the camaraderie in our chapter. I also enjoyed the FFA field trips. FFA fie at v m Tg www.shopvac.com
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