Green Acres FCE of Novelty recently completed making a weighted blanket for an autistic child.  It was presented to Amanda Smith, area team leader of Touchpoint: she will be delivering  it to a specific child in the northeast district.

Autism is a part of our state health study project for the FCE organization and this blanket is our contribution to that study.  Linda Harder made the blanket, with help from several others in the club. When made, the blanket has velcro closures on the sides and then is sewn into twelve equally divided channels.  To personalize the use of this blanket, 10% plus 1 pound of  the recipient's weight determined the amount of weighted materials needed for the blanket.  There are various ways and material that can be used to stuff the channels, but in this case, sheets folded tightly were chosen.  The amount of weight needed is then equally divided among the number of channels and inserted.  With the velcro closures, the weighted material can easily be removed and  laundered. 
What is a weighted blanket?  A weighted blanket works based on the concept of Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS) through proprioceptive input (PI). The gentle weight on the body is called proprioceptive input, which is pressure on the muscles, ligaments, joints, and touch receptors.The proprioceptive input from the weighed blanket overwhelms sensory input from mental and physical stresses on the nervous system, which is thought to produce the calming and sleepy feelings that people report when using the blanket.  It works on the body’s sensory integration system, which regulates our input to and from the body. The weighted blanket calms the nervous system. According to an occupational therapist, Susan Axelson, “It helps calm down your nervous system. Proprioceptive input is deep pressure in the joints, and if you get enough of it stimulates increased dopamine levels in your system, which is comforting.”Add

It's not uncommon for children (or adults) dealing with autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Sensory Intergration Disorder, or sleep difficulties to find relief with a weighted blanket.  For some, just the added pressure on or around the body has a calming effect, essentially giving the body an anchor in space.  For children, they can be helpful at bedtime, naptime, or just to have around anytime they need to comfort themselves, a challenging process for any child, but especially so for an autistic or Asperger's child.

Other people who can  benefit from a weighted blanket include those suffering from  insomnia, stress, sleeplessness, yoga,  ADHD and ADD, fibromyalgia, and restless leg snydrome. 


The presentation was made September 28, 2010,  at the Greenley Research Center near Novelty.
  Pictured are Nena Palmer,  Donna Parrish, Amanda Smith, Linda Harder, and Kathryn Wilkerson.

      The Knox County Family and Community Education is part of a National and State Organization.  It is one of many organizations who is a coalition member of “Character Counts”.  Character Counts is two things:  an educational framework for teaching universal values and a national coalition of organizations that support each other.  “Character Counts” is based on six ethical values known as the Six Pillars, which are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
     The Family and Community Education (FCE) sponsors a nationwide Essay and Artwork Contest based on the Six Pillars of Character Counts.  The contest is open to all fourth grade-level students attending public, private, or are home school.  The object of the contest is to encourage students to improve their writing and drawing skills, and to create public awareness in the achievement of students.   Each year a different character value is selected as the theme from the “Six Pillars of Character”, and this year’s theme was “CARING”.
     With the cooperation of elementary principal Marty Strange, and the assistance of fourth grade teachers Pam Richmond and Melissa Vannoy, the fourth grade students at Knox County Elementary completed their essays: The essays and artwork were then judged locally, with the first place essay and artwork being sent on to be judged on the district level.  The first place winner at the district level will be sent to state, and the state’s winning essay will then be submitted to the national level for judging.  The top three winners from across the USA will be recognized at the National FCE Convention.
     An assembly was held February 23, 2011 in the Knox County elementary seminar area with each 4th grade student being presented a “Character Counts” pencil.  The top essayists received a certificate and medal:  the medals were purchased from Hardwood Express, Kim Cardwell of Edina.   The winners are 1st place-Aria Bowman, 2nd-Lindsey Howe, and a tie for 3rd –Tadym Mason and Brandi Carlyle.  In addition to the top winners, each teacher was asked to select a student in their class to receive the “ I Can Do It” Award.  These winners were Andrew Choate and Theresa Boatman.  We were especially pleased to have family members of five of the six students present for the presentation, making it extra special for them
     Below are the winning essays on CARING from the Knox County Fourth Grade classrooms for the year 2011:

                                            1st place—by Aria Bowman

      Caring is a big thing in my life.  My friends care for me by showing me I never have to be alone.  I always have someone to look up to.  Sometimes they need Someone to look up to, too.  I pay them back for all the things they do in my life.  I pay my friends back, not just with gifts, but also with words.
    To me, caring is not just being nice.  Caring is everything someone says or does that helps.  You don’t even have to talk to show you care.  I get a lot of caring too.

                                            2nd place—by Lindsey Howe

    Caring means be thankful, and kind.  I got the idea from school.  If you see someone at school alone or sad, you can cheer them up by playing with them.  If you don’t know what to play, think of ideas before you go over to them.  When you go over, be kind to the people and play with them even when you are playing with your friend.  I think you should treat other people like you want to be treated.  Maybe the person you are nice to will be happier.  Then maybe she will look around and help another person.
        
                                           3rd place (tie)—Tadym Mason

    I think caring means to give interest, or show that you care.  Last year, Evan and I were going to go and give out Veteran’s Day cards.  So, we wrote thank you messages on the cards.  Then, we put stickers on them.  Next, we walked down to the Senior Housing, and personally gave them to each veteran.  The veterans thanked us and seemed happy.  Last, we said, “You’re welcome”.  Then, we joined our Kids Can group again.  Finally, we went to the Knox County Nursing Home and gave those Veterans their cards.  They were so happy they wanted their pictures with us.


                                    3rd place (tie)—Brandi Carlyle

    Caring, to me, means to take your time and help someone who is in need of care.  I’ve shown caring by reading to the blind.  The blind love people to read to them, since they can’t tell what the words are.  If the blind need to go somewhere, you can help by helping them to find their way.  The number one thing you need to do is to speak clearly when you read.  Another thing you could do, is find braille equipment.  Then, you could the blind how to read Braille.  This shows that you really care.

                            “I Can Do It” award—Theresa Boatman

    Caring is when you help somebody.  If they are sad you can make them happy.  A lot of people care about their elders in the nursing home.  The nurses help them get out of bed.  Nurses help them change their clothes.  The cooks give them good food like chicken strips and apple sauce.  The doctors give them medicine so they can feel better if they are sick.  Our church goes every Tuesday to the nursing home to sing for them.  The only reason I know this is because my aunts and my mom work at the nursing home in Edina.

                        “I Can Do It” Award—Andrew Choate

                                    Lost Dog

    One night my friend lost his dog and I found it.  I remember going to his house and noticing that his dog was missing.  I told him that he was down at my house and he slept on my porch.  I took care of him until today. Then I took him home and gave him back to you.

Knox County Senior Girls Honored with a "tea"

The Knox County FCE organization honored the Knox County Senior girls with a “tea” on Tuesday, afternoon, May 3, 2011 in the elementary school cafeteria.

Linda Harder, president of FCE, welcomed the senior girls, their mothers, grandmothers, and other guests to the annual event.  She then talked about some of the organization’s accomplishments since being established in 1936 and the current activities of the organization on the state, county, and local level. Linda introduced each of the FCE members, and the length of time they have been in the group:  ending with our 76 year member, Irene Gardner.

The group attending then enjoyed watching fifteen senior girls model their prom dresses.  Pam Franke introduced each girl, and read a description of the dress as they took their turn modeling. Each girl then had the opportunity to introduce her guest(s) for the afternoon.

FCE had asked that several teachers complete the following sentence for each girl…”You have made a difference because…” and those completed sentences were  also read. 

Following the style show, Karisha Devlin, Agricultural Business Specialist of the University of Missouri Extension, gave a short talk on “top ten list of advice on things I wish I would have known when I was in your shoes.”

Door prizes were awarded to the guests.  These were generously donated by various businesses and individuals in the community.  Each senior girl was the recipient of at least one door prize, with mothers and grandmothers also in the drawing for the rest.  A picture was taken of each girl along with her guest(s). The picture was enclosed in a folder which contained their “you make a difference” comments as well as the class officers, and class colors, flower, motto…a nice keepsake of senior year.

The afternoon came to an end with everyone enjoying refreshments of cookies, punch, nuts, and mints provided by the Green Acres FCE.

KNOX COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PROCLAIM MAY 15th as "DAY OF THE FAMILY

Knox County Association for Family and Community Education with Missouri and the National Association for Family and Community Education join forces in promoting National FCE “Day of the Family”, in order to increase awareness of family issues and stimulate efforts to respond to problems affecting family situations.  The well being of the family is dependent upon the development of the value system; and promotion of spending time together as a family, including sitting down together for meals and doing family activities away from the TV.  Reading is also an important part of every facet of our lives.   Simply by reading to your child and letting your child read to you reinforces the foundation of all learning.   Individuals taking the time to spend with their families can foster communication, love and understanding within each family and strengthen their communities.

FCE’s mission to strengthen individuals, families, and communities through education, leadership and action has remained the same since the organization was established 75 years ago.

Members of the Knox County Green Acres FCE club met with the county commissioners at the signing of a proclamation designating May 15 as “Day of the Family”.

 Pictured:  Commissioner Terry Callahan, Presiding Commissioner Evan Glasgow, Commissioner Terry Marble.  Standing are FCE members Linda Harder, Shirley Beers,  Donna Parrish, Pam Franke, and Marsha Pinson.

Knox County FCE hosted the fall meeting of the Northeast Missouri District on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at the Edina United Methodist Church.

Their theme was “Black & White FCE Bling”:  to carry out the theme, all attendees were requested to wear black and/or white, along with their “bling”.  Bling is a Jamaican term meaning anything flashy or shiny.  The term can also be explained as an imaginary “sound” that is produced when the light is reflected by a diamond. (the ‘sound’ of light hitting diamonds).  Since this year is FCE’s 75^th diamond anniversary, it seemed fitting to use bling to help us celebrate.  

Four counties were represented at the meeting:  Randolph, Adair, Clark, and Knox.  Morning snacks were available prior to the opening business meeting.  Quick breads, muffins, juice, and coffee were enjoyed by the 29 registrants.  Linda Harder, Knox Co. president welcomed all to our county.

Clark County led the pledges to the US and Missouri flags.  Randolph Co. gave the thought for the day.  NE District Director, Betty Mayo, from Randolph County, had the roll call, with Knox County having the most club members present, thus receiving the traveling trophy.

Betty also gave information of various meetings and projects coming up. Child Advocacy Day (Doll day to the legislators) will be March 28, 2012. The spring FCE district meeting will be hosted by Adair County the first part of May. The NE district will host the MAFCE State Conference in 2012, which will be October 3-5 at the Hannibal Quality Inn.  The NE District will give 4 places for the FCE Essay & Artwork contests.  National FCE convention will be July 19-26 in Kentucky.  We should be receiving recipes soon to test for the MFA magazine. 

Donna Parrish of Knox County, gave a Diamond Reflection and thanked all for being volunteers in the organization, whether we are the simple facets—like an emerald cut, or more sophisticated, like the marquis cut.

Throughout the day, Pam Franke presented some “Bling” activities, noting that “we are the ‘bling’ that makes FCE sparkle and shine. She highlighted her activities by using her Premier Design Jewelry.

The morning speaker was Jennifer Mayfield, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, located in Memphis Missouri.  She told of her experiences as a nutritionist/missionary on two different reservations in Nebraska, and the programs that she does here in northeast Missouri.

Geneal Young talked of the MAFCE Alumni Group and the various projects and ways they have supported the Missouri Association for Family & Community Education through the years. MAFCE Alumni consist of the current and past FCE state board members.  Linda Harder also gave brief information on the MAFCE Foundation, which is set up to receive memorials, honorariums, and donations. The foundation periodically adds these donations to CD’s the foundation has established.  The interest earned from the CD’s is then awarded in the form of grants to FCE members for their community education projects.

Betty mentioned that she is the MAFCE State Chairman for International studies and next years’ educational lesson will focus on Egypt.

A catered meal of rosemary pork loin, cheesy potatoes, glazed carrots, layered salad, and rolls was enjoyed by all.  Topping off the meal was a decorated cake using our theme, and celebrating FCE’s 75 years of volunteerism. (The cake was baked by Jennifer Bryant.)

After lunch, Amy Miller was the speaker.  She is employed by Preferred Family Health, and is the  SPIRIT Project Coordinator in the Knox County Schools and works with the students on character education and drug prevention.  She is aiding our fourth grade teachers  with the student  FCE essay and artwork program that we sponsor each year.  She engaged us in some of the activities that she has done with the fourth graders, and also gave some ideas and tips on how to help the teachers use the information, so we have more students who participate district-wide.

Time was then given for the ladies to bid on silent auction items.  Door prizes and winning bids were then distributed before adjourning.  Many of the ladies then journeyed to the St. Joseph Catholic Church where Deacon Ken Berry gave a short history of the church, and showed the renovations recently completed on this beautiful historic building in Knox County.