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-
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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
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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.
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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-
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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
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