Breastfeeding an urgent need in emergencies

World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7, 2009

NASHVILLE – Emergency preparedness for families involves stocking supplies and making plans for coping with a crisis situation. Those plans should also include breastfeeding for infants. The Tennessee Department of Health is working to raise awareness of breastfeeding as a crucial practice during emergencies as part of the observance of World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, 2009.

The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2009 is “Breastfeeding – A Vital Emergency Response. Are You Ready?” This theme highlights the need to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in emergencies for the survival, health and development of infants and young children.

“Children are among the most vulnerable groups during emergencies, and small children are the most vulnerable of all due to increased risk of death due to diarrhea and pneumonia,” said Glenda King, breastfeeding coordinator for the Tennessee Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. “Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.”

As part of emergency preparedness, hospitals and other health care services should have trained health workers who can help mothers establish breastfeeding to help overcome difficulties associated with a lack of clean and sanitary water, food and surroundings. During emergencies, unsolicited or uncontrolled donations of breast milk substitutes or infant formulas may undermine breastfeeding and should be avoided.

Breastfeeding is the best way to provide newborn infants with the nutrients they need. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization and other health professional agencies actively promote breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment for infants and young children. In Tennessee, health department data show 60 percent of mothers breastfeed while in the hospital after delivery.

Breastfeeding is beneficial to both mother and child. While the mother’s milk is healthy and easy to digest, it also supplies antibodies that protect infants from infections. For the mother, breastfeeding improves milk production, lessens her loss of blood, and lowers her risk for breast and ovarian cancers as well as tightening the uterus after child birth.

Tennessee health officials and lawmakers actively support breastfeeding mothers. Tennessee passed a law in 2006 protecting a mother’s right to breastfeed a child 12 months or younger in any location, public or private, where the mother and child are authorized to be present; prohibiting local governments from criminalizing or restricting breastfeeding; and requiring employers in Tennessee to accommodate breastfeeding mothers at work. The Tennessee Department of Health and WIC program, along with hospitals and health providers, stress that workplaces and communities can work together to protect this important practice by establishing a breastfeeding-friendly environment.

Each of Tennessee’s local health departments has a breastfeeding advocate who can answer questions. You may find a list of county health department locations online at http://health.state.tn.us/localdepartments.htm.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated each year from August 1 through 7 in more than 120 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. For more information about this health observance, visit http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/.

Protect yourself from tick and mosquito bites to prevent illness

TDOH reports some tick-borne illnesses on the rise

NASHVILLE – Summer is the peak time for people to be bitten by ticks and mosquitoes, which may carry diseases that can infect humans. The Department of Health tracks cases of these diseases and has noted a recent increase in human cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis, both of which are transmitted through tick bites. TDOH urges Tennesseans to follow commonsense precautions to protect themselves and help reduce the risk of illness.

Statistics from the TDOH Communicable and Environmental Diseases Services show a moderate increase of 65 confirmed cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever statewide for this year, compared to 46 for the same period last year. CEDS also reports 17 confirmed cases of Ehrlichiosis statewide so far this year, compared to 14 for this time in 2008.

“Increases in these illnesses typically occur during the summer months. The increased number of cases this year compared to last year is a reminder of the importance of preventing tick bites and controlling ticks around our homes,” said John Dunn, DVM, PhD, public health veterinarian with TDOH. “If you do find a tick on your skin, removing it promptly will reduce your risk of illness.”

Ticks are common in Tennessee, and can be found on lawns and in household landscaping as well as wooded areas. These precautions can help you protect yourself in environments where ticks are present: [Read more]

Whose idea was this, anyway?

The World’s Biggest Fish Fry?

At first glance it might seem like a stretch of the imagination, but all you have to do is drop into Paris, Tennessee, in the early spring to know that this annual festival lives up to its proclaimed title.

To begin with, Paris, Tennessee, welcomes visitors to the city with a huge sign and a sculpted catfish — a declaration that fishing and the prospect of Cajun catfish or any kind of catfish fillets are big business here.

Yes, it is about the fishing. And the people who fish. And the people who have businesses that either supply the fisher-folk. And it is about everyone who simply wants to have a good time. Paris, a West Tennessee country community at the edge of Land Between the Lakes, has created an increasingly complex and continually growing festival to supply some very simple down-home fun. It’s fairly obvious that the entire community is behind this event… eagerly awaiting the fairs, the parades, and the infamous “catfish races.”

So where did it all begin? [Read more]

Discover author Beth Britton to pen column for Christian HomeKeeper network

Beth Britton, a columnist for Discover Paris TN,  has been asked to write a weekly column for the new site, Christian HomeKeeper Network.

“This website is a great place for women to go and be encouraged and to get to know other women with similar interests. I am excited to be joining with the other excellent writers in contributing to this site.”

– Beth Britton

In additions to her periodic essay on our site, you can read Beth’s  weekly postings at my personal on site blog http://christianhomekeeper.org/ravens-nest/

Christian HomeKeeping Network is a Christian blog for women that includes articles about cooking, crafts, child-rearing, books and faith. It has an extensive list of contributing writers [Read more]

LBL 2009-10 field trip grants available

LBL (Land Between the Lakes) educational field trip grant applications for the 2009-2010 school year are being accepted now through April 30. The program is available to Kentucky and Tennessee public school districts  within 100 miles of Land Between the Lakes and grants cover the cost of transportation, admission fees, program costs and dorm expenses.

Grants awards are based on matching funds, the number of students and LBL programs in which the school participates. These programs are geared for the K-12 student population and meet curriculum guidelines in science, social studies and the arts/humanities. The USDA Forest Service sponsors the program in conjunction with Friends of Land Between the Lakes amd Murray State University Center for Environmental Studies.

For more information, visit the follow website: www.friendsoflbl.org or call 270-924-2038.

LBL is managed by the US Forest Service and  the US Department of Agriculture, working with Friends of  Land Between the Lakes.

Applications available online for 2009 “World’s Biggest Fish Fry” events

The annual Jaycees 2009 World’s Biggest Fish Fry will run from April 21-26 with most activities at the Henry County Fairgrounds in Paris/Henry County, Tennessee.  All 2009 WBFF entry forms and applications  for Arts and Crafts, Grand Parade,  Small Fry Parade, and Jr. Fishing Rodeo  Fish are now available online at http://www.worldsbiggestfishfry.com/

The entry deadline schedule is as follows:

• Arts and Crafts: Deadline April 11. $100 per 10X10 booth.
• Grand Parade: Deadline April 22 (fees paid at time of entrry). Commercial Ad, $50. Cars/Motorcycles: $25. Car Clubs, $10 per vehicle (must be actual club).  Trailers, $50. Float/Boat $20. Marching Unit: $5.
• Small Fry Parade: Dealine April 23 @ 5 p.m.  $5 per entry.
• Jr. Fishing Rodeo Entry: Deadline — Bring forms to Williams Lake on day of event.

Please refer directly to the entry forms  and applications for the listed categories.  These forms will also be available at our Headquarters which will be opening on March 28th on East Wood Street next to Paint Plus. [Read more]

UT-Martin Civil Rights Conference includes Native American Civil Rights struggles in Tennessee

Examining ‘Tennessee Segregation: Civil Rights’ focus of ninth annual Civil Rights Conference

MARTIN: “Tennessee in Segregation and Civil Rights” is the theme of the University of Tennessee at Martin’s ninth annual Civil Rights Conference  running through Feb. 27.

The Rev. James Lawson, who led the successful struggle against segregation in Nashville, will offer the conference keynote address at 7 p.m., Feb. 26, in Watkins Auditorium of Boling University Center. While at Vanderbilt University’s Divinity School, Lawson organized and trained students to challenge segregation in Nashville. Under his tutelage, the Civil Rights Movement made Nashville one of the first Southern cities in which segregation fell.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on visiting Nashville in 1960, proclaimed that, “I came to Nashville not to bring inspiration, but to gain inspiration from the great movement that has taken place in this community.” Lawson trained many future leaders of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, including Diane Nash, James Bevel, Marion Barry, Bernard Lafayette and John Lewis. [Read more]

Youth Baseball sign-ups scheduled

Henry County Youth Baseball sign-ups are being held February 21st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Paris Civic Center. Additional combined sing-ups and try-outs will be held February 28 and March 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at McNeil Park.

Fees are $40 for the first child, $20 per sibling in the same household with an $80 maximum per family.  Sign-ups are open to all youth between the ages of 4 and 18 years of age.

Players must try-out only if they moving up from Rookie to Minor League or are nin-years-old and have never played in this league before.  All games from T-Ball to Major league will be played at McNeil Park.

Helping Hand Radio Auction continues

The Helping Hand Radio Auction 2009 continues through January 25 with Monday-Saturday broadcasts over WTPR-AM 710; weekdays the auction airs from 12:45 p.m. until — they are done. Auctions on Saturday start at noon and continue through sell-out.

Listen to KQ 105.5 for Saturday night auctions. The auction phone line is 644-1695 and the office phone is 644-1833.

Auction headquarters is located at the Enoch Community Building at the Henry County Fairgrounds.  The facility is handicap accessible.

Auctioneers are Fred McLean, Cindy Snyder, Gayle Griffith, William Atchinson, Bill Williams, Doug Taylor, Ray Compton, and Noel Hatman.

Donated items are accepted through 9 a.m. Label all items with community or group, name of donor and a description of each item. For a complete auction schedule, call 644-1833.

Holly Jolly Christmas Parade steps off Dec. 12

The Holly Jolly Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Henry County Jaycees, steps off in downtown Paris on Friday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Float entires are being sought; entry forms must be turned in or mailed in by December 11 with an accompanying entry fee of $20. The guidelines for float entries include:

• Trailers must be no longer than 16 feet and must be pulled by an ATV or small tractor of 20 hp or less. You may also in a vehicle/wagon, or march.
• Commercial entries will be allowed only if they are Christmas decorated; not just driving through to advertise business. No large floats or boats.
• No objects (candy, gum etc) can be thrown to the spectators.
• All animals must be properly restrained at all times.
• Participants must be at First United Methodist Church no later than 6:00 p.m. and will be entered in the line of march in the order at which they arrive.The Jaycees reserves the right to refuse any entries.

Trophies will be awarded for Best Decorated, Most Christmas Spirit, “Clark Griswold” Award (most lit entry). Please note the category for which your float will be judged.

Send entries to PHC Jaycees, P.O. Box 867, Paris TN 38242. For further information, call 707-0459 or 642-5925. All proceeds will be donated to Families for Paris Parks for playground equipment.

Next Page »