Family Living Focus by Pat Leach Indiana County Extension Agent Celebrating Midlife: The Best Is Yet To Be Don’t vegetate—rejuvenate! Have the “ho-hums” this mid- January day? A sure cure is to “escape” the day-to-day routine and plan a trip where you can enjoy a beautiful mountain land scape, see a nationally-known an tique show, participate in tours related to horticulture, history, music or horse racing! While you’re at it, why not attend some outstanding educational pro grams tailored to help you meet the challenges of today’s midlife years. Interested? Then mark your calendar for April 7-9, for the “Celebrating Midlife: The Best Is Yet To Be” Conference to be held at the beautiful Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheel ing, West Virginia. Cooperative Extension educat ors from Penn State University, Ohio State University, West Vir ginia University, and The Uni versity of Maryland are collabo rating to bring you a unique conference filled with fun and learning. With two humorous speakers and 45 different workshops deal ing with personal development, financial security, health and wellness, family connections, housing, and caregiving responsi- Increased Performance Quieter Operation www.lowes.com LOWE'S® is a registered trademark of LF Corporation. 02001 Lowe's® Home Centers, Inc. For the Lowe's nearest you call 1-800-44-LOWES. Prices may vary if there are market variations. bilities, you’re guaranteed not to have a “ho-hum” attitude at this conference! “Forty is the old age of youth, SO is the youth of old age.” Victor Hugo (1820-1885) in this quote could have been talking about us in modem times. Midlife or mid dle age is a relatively new phe nomenon because people are liv ing longer and raising smaller families. We have more years ahead in which to direct our en ergies after age 40, 50, 60 or 70. Never before have there been so many challenges, changes and choices for those of us in the mid dle years. Just to wet your appetite, here are some of the workshop titles: “Do You Want to Work Forev er,” “Smart Money Moves for Midlife,” “Caregiving Includes Caring For Yourself,” “Walking in the Footsteps of Our Past,” or “Active for Life.” Through these workshops you will be able to take normal changes in stride, consider new options, feel more in control of your life, build on the strengths of your family and prepare your self to deal with the unexpected events. Whether you come for your own enrichment or come to learn how to help others with whom you work, we guarantee you will leave more “energized” Delaware County Teens Attend National 4-H Congress SPRINGFIELD (Delaware Co.) Marisa Blagman, of Brookhaven, a student at West Chester University, and Jana Holt of Wallingford, a student at Strath Haven High School, re cently returned from Atlanta, Ga. where they participated in the 2001 National 4-H Congress. They represented Delaware County and were part of a 42-member delegation from Pennsylvania. This event was at tended by over 1,100 teens from 47 states and Puerto Rico. The four-day event was hill of interesting events, excellent workshops and well-known to enjoy the years ahead with a renewed sense of confidence. What else could you ask for? Tempted to find out more on the conference? Check out the complete conference on the web site at www.celebratingmidli fe.org or contact your local coun ty extension office. You can also write to me, Pat Leach, Extension Agent, Penn State Cooperative Extension, 827 Water Street, In diana, PA 15701 or call me at (724)465-3880. If you’re worried about getting to Oglebay Resort, don’t. The re sort is easily accessible from the PA turnpike, 1-79 South of Pitts burgh or Rt. 70 West. If you’re interested in saving money, take advantage of the early bird regis tration rate good through Feb. 1, and the special conference room rates at Oglebay good through Feb. 14. Be good to yourself and plan for this great getaway event. After all, don’t you deserve it? CTHELPE 18 Gallon «T ■ ■ "i 22 Gallon 6.2 S Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac #159650 'mmau ' •M rn an —i • The ORIGINAL Wet/Dry Vac Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 19, 2002-B5 speakers and also included a community service project. The National 4-H Congress has a long history of providing a quality ed ucational and multicultural expe rience to address the needs and issues of youth ages 15-19, while helping to develop capable, com petent, and caring citizens. Attendees had the pleasure of hearing several outstanding and notable speakers. Each speaker focused on the theme “Celebrate the Possibilities.” Dan Thurman talked about “Celebrate Our Differences. Dr. Robbie Melton, assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs for the Tennessee Board of Re gents, focused on “Serve One An other.” Katie Harmon, 2002 Miss America, spoke on the topic, “Creative Positive Changes,” and “Stand Up and Speak Out” was the title for Dan Clark, former NFL football player and writer. All speakers stressed leadership and self-deter mination. Another highlight was the 4-H member participation in Mon day’s CNN Talk Back Live show. 4-H members had a chance to voice their opinions on national television. They also received a tour of the CNN studio. Every 4-H member partici pated in the “Art of the Season” community service project. The “Art of the Season” is a holiday event held by the Children’s Healthcare System. Children from the community attend workshops to make holiday crafts. All proceeds go to the The New Shop-Vac® Contractor and Specialty Series wet/dry vacs. shop>vac Shop-Vac® is a registered trademark of Shop-Vac Corporation. TrueTrac™ and Lock On™ are trademarks of Shop-Vac Corporation. Children’s Healthcare Systems. The 4-H members manned differ ent stations and helped children create their crafts. All participants were also asked to bring new children’s books to National Congress. Over 1,300 books were collected and donated to the Children’s Health care Systems to be distributed to children and their parents to en courage reading. Improving Home Improvement' www.shopvac.com Hats and tools not included. SOOB-WEATHER Marisa Blagman Jana Holt