Lindie Huffman, Agriculture and Natural Resources

Orchids are becoming increasingly popular as houseplants. One orchid you are likely to encounter is the Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid. It gets its name from the shape of the flower that resembles a moth in flight.

Moth orchids thrive in medium light. A window with southern exposure is ideal. You will notice that the pot is filled with a bark-type potting mix. In nature, these plants grow on trees, so they need a potting medium that is light and well drained—regular potting soil is not appropriate.

Lindie Huffman, Agriculture and Natural Resources

Traditional red and green colors are well represented in the flowers available for the holidays. Poinsettias, the most popular and spectacular holiday flowers, can combine both these colors.

The poinsettia was named for Joel Robert Poinsett, an amateur botanist and the first United States ambassador to Mexico.  He became fascinated with these native plants and sent poinsettias home to Greenville, S. C., in 1825. Although Poinsett later was war secretary under President Martin Van Buren, he is better known for the plant named after him.

The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, but for some older adults, especially those living alone or in long-term care, holidays can be met with stress, confusion and feelings of sadness and loneliness, often intensified because holidays can be further reminders of the loss of loved ones, health and even independence. During this time of year, older adults can become isolated from their friends, family and community, leading to an increased risk of depression. There are several ways to make the holidays brighter and more tolerable, however.

As you know, internet safety is a huge issue because one in five youth today are sexually solicited online, and two-thirds of those solicitations are going to teen girls.  Millions of teenagers go online every day, and most are safe. The way to stay safer is to understand the dangers and follow some simple rules to help you steer clear of trouble. By following these rules you’ll minimize the risks and have more fun.

As you know, internet safety is a huge issue because one in five youth today are sexually solicited online, and two-thirds of those solicitations are going to teen girls.  Millions of teenagers go online every day, and most are safe. The way to stay safer is to understand the dangers and follow some simple rules to help you steer clear of trouble. By following these rules you’ll minimize the risks and have more fun.

Lindie Huffman, Agriculture and Natural Resources

Once autumn leaves have fallen, mistletoe becomes highly visible on large trees throughout Kentucky.  Phoradendron, the scientific name for this parasitic plant, means tree thief.  You can commonly find these small leafy plants on twigs and branches of many hardwood species in the southern two-thirds of the United States.  Mistletoes extract water, mineral elements and food from their host tree by way of a parasite nutrient-uptake organ; hence the name, tree thief.

With the holiday season upon us, it’s important to remember to reduce holiday stress and the after-holiday bills by developing a budget for gift giving, food and entertainment expenses.

The Pendleton County Extension Office and Three Rivers Health Department will be conducting a “Waist Management” program starting the week of January 7 and will last eleven weeks.

Perks of the program will include weekly:

• Weigh-ins

• Challenges

• Prizes

• Incentives to encourage weight control

• Fact sheets on health and nutrition

Weigh-in locations will include:

1. Pendleton County Extension Office every Wednesday from noon – 6 p.m.

2. If there are at least ten participants at any school, church or place of business and an individual willing to conduct the weigh-in, we are willing to make that an official weigh-in location as well.  We want this to be easy!

Benefits and cost to program:

• Cost will be $20.00 per participant.  All money will be given back to participants at the conclusion of the program in prizes and awards

• Awards will be given to the individuals that lose the most weight by percentage and to the participants that receives the most points. (Award amounts will be determined after registration)

• Points will be given for attending planned physical activity or nutrition sessions, for completing weekly challenges and going to the weekly weigh-in

• Blood work and other free health screenings will be given to all participants

If you are interested, the steps to participate are easy:

1. Show up at the Pendleton County Extension Office on Monday, January 7 between noon and 1 p.m. or between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for the initial weigh-in, measuring and screenings.  Remember to bring your $20.00 registration fee.

2. Recruit individuals in your school, church or business to participate so that location can be used as a weigh-in location.  (Minimum of ten is needed)

3. Start making healthier lifestyle choices to better your quality of life

If you want more information on the program, please feel free to call 654-3395 and ask for Kenna Knight.

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As you know, internet safety is a huge issue because one in five youth today are sexually solicited online, and two-thirds of those solicitations are going to teen girls.  Millions of teenagers go online every day, and most are safe. The way to stay safer is to understand the dangers and follow some simple rules to help you steer clear of trouble. By following these rules you’ll minimize the risks and have more fun.

Ovarian cancer is often considered a silent killer, because many times, women do not know they have it until it is too late. Ovarian cancer accounts for three percent of all cancers diagnosed in women and is the deadliest gynecological cancer. This year, The American Cancer Society estimates that doctors will diagnose more than 22,000 cases of ovarian cancer in the United State and 15,500 American women will die of the disease.