(As I’m sure most of you probably know, one of our Prosper Waco community goals is “McLennan County residents will live healthier lifestyles and access the best available care.” With that in mind Act Locally Waco is teaming up with Better Living for Texans to bring you a monthly blog post full of tips for healthy living. For more of the posts in this series, click here: Better Living for Texans. – ALW)
by Lindsey Breunig
November may have just begun but the Thanksgiving holiday will be here sooner than we think! From the food, to the guests, to travels, or planning around a football game, Thanksgiving can be simple or a day of hustle. There will always be the unexpected, but creating a plan for your Thanksgiving will help ease stress, keep the family healthy and safe, and better yet make your Turkey Day restful. Below I will talk about some tips and share recipes all in the spirit of Thanksgiving. So, let’s start planning!
Turkey 101:
There are many new and alternative ways to cook the turkey. Some will stick to the traditional oven baked while others are ready to explore new options. Whatever you choose it’s important to know which methods are safe and which are not. Remember that no matter the method – the minimum internal temperature for a whole, cooked turkey is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Always, always, ALWAYS check for doneness with a thermometer. A beautifully browned turkey can still be frozen solid inside. Doing a temperature check is preferable to worrying about getting guests sick.
When taking the temperature, insert the food thermometer in the thickest part of the food, away from bone, fat, or gristle. If your turkey comes with a pop-up thermometer, it is still recommended to check with a conventional food thermometer as an added precaution to gauge both safety and doneness.
It is also important that you carefully read the instructions for the cooking method and that you wash your hands, utensils, and counters that may have been contacted by raw turkey. You do not need to wash the turkey. Let’s look at a few safe and unsafe methods:
Safe, alternative methods include:
- The Oven cooking bag method involves preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and should produce a m
oist-heat cooking environment for the turkey (use fresh or thawed turkey for this method). - The Fried method is usually done with smaller turkeys (8-10 pounds) and peanut oil.
- The Grilled method is also used with smaller, unstuffed turkeys, weighing 8 to 14 pounds. The oven should be set between 325 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to grill a turkey.
Unsafe, alternative methods include:
- The Brown Paper Bag Method involves placing the turkey in a large brown paper bag and cooking. Chemicals in the bag may seep into the food, making it unsafe.
- The Slow-cooking overnight method puts you and your dinner guests at risk of food poisoning due to the low cooking temperature used.
- The Trash Bag method involves placing the turkey in a trash bag and marinating it for several hours at room temperature, which could result in bacteria buildup.
Sides – Ingredient stock up and recipe collecting:
Are you planning to use that favorite recipe you already have memorized? Or do you like to change up the menu? Maybe a little of both? Start collecting recipes now rather than the week of Thanksgiving. By collecting new recipes, you may find a new family favorite, introduce new flavors, or learn new ways to alter meals in a healthier manner.
Once the menu is set, it is time to hit the grocery store. While you are out now start purchasing ingredients you know you need. Take note of sales and purchase the must-have-items before going out of stock. Canned ingredients, frozen items, spices, or boxed items will last, and even the turkey can be stored in the freezer. Stock up today and reduce your risk of special ingredients being sold out or having to pay full price!
Recipe prep can sometimes take longer than the recipe implies so go ahead and prep side dishes and desserts the day before. Chop veggies or prep ingredients to avoid a cluttered counter space the day of. Veggies like onions, carrots, peppers, celery, and garlic can be stored in containers or plastic bags in the fridge to use as needed on Thanksgiving Day.
Food Safety Reminder: When re-warming up dishes, use a food thermometer to keep the family safe. Anything being reheated should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fitness:
It is well understood the calorie intake on Thanksgiving increases. (I am equally guilty!) Thanksgiving focuses on food and tradition, so why not create active traditions of your own! Participate in your local turkey trot or create your own with family and friends. Plan your route alongside your favorite designations (maybe downtown, along the river, or at Cameron Park?) and walk, run, or jog before the day even starts! Take advantage of guests visiting, create teams, and play your favorite sport – try football, softball, soccer, or kickball to name a few. Lastly, before settling in for that second slice of pie take a short walk around the neighborhood, your stomach will thank you! Just a few fun ways to burn off excess calories and spend quality time with friends and family.
A day of Thanks:
No matter what happens, if the sides don’t turn out like the picture or you need some extra gravy on the turkey – it is a day of thanksgiving. Whoever you are with, I challenge each of you to share five things you are thankful for. Enjoy the day!
Recipes to try:
Wanting to add some new recipes to the menu? Here are some unique recipes to try!
Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins – These have become a favorite of mine. Start off Thanksgiving morning in the spirit! I used dried cranberries here.
Turkey Tacos and Cranberry Salsa – Make these tacos with leftovers or use the recipe to make mini-street tacos as an appetizer! You can use ground turkey or shred up leftovers. A fun twist!
Pumpkin Pie Parfait – This dessert is a healthier alternative to traditional pumpkin pie and are a delicious way to get your vitamin A in for the day! When you see orange colored veggies that is visual sign of there being a lot of Beta-Carotene. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid that can be converted into a form of vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is important for maintaining healthy skin, teeth, skin, and promotes good vision, especially in low light.
Lindsey Breunig is a graduate of Baylor University and currently works as the Better Living for Texans Educator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. She is originally from Grapevine, TX and now calls Waco home. Here in Waco she loves to venture out to Cameron Park, visit the local Farmers Market, and try out the awesome eateries in Waco. If you see her and hear a loud bark, that’s her pup Lucy just saying hello.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Cynthia Cunningham
Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us! I know, it seems like we were just relaxing on our summer vacation. Suddenly, we are flooded with holiday commercials, sales, and music. This festive whammy can knock us off our feet if we are not prepared.
Why can’t we move calmly through the shopping, decorating, cooking and socializing? Could it be that we believe we need to have the “perfect” holidays? After all, that’s what all the holiday movies on Lifetime show us! If they can hold it all together and have the ideal holidays, why can’t we?
First of all, forget Lifetime movies!! After all, they have a whole crew who builds those amazing sets to create the ideal family home decorated beautifully for the holidays. Their lovely laid tables with the perfect food is often not real food. And their families, who get along lovingly, are actors reading a script! What does this tell us? It’s NOT real!! So we must stop comparing our lives to these shows!
So here is our reality: Holidays bring stress, anxiety, depression and just a feeling of being overwhelmed with trying to manage it all! It’s the time of year that we are more aware of the people we have lost and when we deal with loneliness. It does not matter your age, we can all be overcome with these feelings.
Secondly, the key to manage your mental health during the holidays is to be mindful of what you are expecting to accomplish. Start with a “To Do” list. Write down everything that you wish to accomplish. Next, break down the items on your “To Do” list and put them on your calendar. This allows you the opportunity to tackle things one day at a time. Seeing things that you need to accomplish on one day is less overwhelming than the whole long list. And you will feel proud each day you are able to mark off a completed item.
Thirdly, allow those around you to help. I know, the kids don’t decorate the tree exactly the way you want it done. Release that control and see how proud they are of what they have created. Or if that doesn’t work for you, sit down with the family and your “To Do” list and see who will agree to take on which task. This shows your family that you are a unit together. And you are teaching younger generations how to handle the holiday chores.
Fourth, to manage those feelings of depression, keep connected. I know this is not always easy. Find ways to volunteer within your community. There are always organizations that can use help. You will be amazed how helping others can chase away those depressed feelings. Or take advantage of the fun activities happening in your community. You could take a class on making ornaments, join a group going caroling or visiting nursing homes during their craft time. If these activities feel too much for you, ask your family and friends to check in on you. There is no shame in admitting that you struggle during the holidays. When you are open about your feelings with them, it gives them permission to be a part of helping you through the rough times.
Fifth, when dealing with a loss, embrace the happy memories. You can create a new tradition to keep the memory of your loved one alive. For example, if they had a cause that was dear to them, find a way the family can help that cause. Again, check in with your family and friends and let them know if you are struggling with the loss and ask for help getting through the holidays.
Lastly, just know that nobody’s holiday is perfect. Just enjoy the companionship that comes during this time of year. These are the memories that you will treasure in the future. Do your best to focus on these relationships because they are the true gifts of the holidays.
Cynthia Cunningham teaches mental health education classes and advocates for better care. She has been married over 30 years to her high school sweetheart and is the proud mother of an amazing daughter.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Erik Romanov
So, you find yourself sitting on the couch watching TV and while channel surfing, and you come across the Summer Olympics: All of those world class athletes performing super human physical feats of speed, endurance, and strength. Hey, who doesn’t love watching the Olympics! Definitely one of my favorites! Suddenly your adrenaline swells, and an instant burst of motivation hits you! And then…just as fast as it comes, there it goes! Well, maybe not totally gone. Whether motivated by the Olympic spirit or simply a decision to get back into shape, you make the decision to get up off the couch and commit to get regular exercise. Where do you start? How do you start? Once you start, how do you keep up the motivation? Ta da! Enter the Waco Striders Running Club!
The Waco Striders Running Club was started back in 1979 by a simple group of locals with the same goals in mind: Get some exercise through the sport of running but, most importantly, have fun doing it. Most people in town now usually just use the moniker “The Striders.” That just sort of happened, kind of like how Federal Express became Fedex. “Striders” works great, unless, of course, you are trying to route someone to the website!
The Striders Vision and Mission statement really sum up the essence of what and who we are:
“Vision and Mission – It is the goal of the Waco Strider’s to share our love of running by bringing people together from all walks of life. We work hard to provide a safe, healthy, happy environment to run and socialize while supporting our community and local charitable organizations. This is accomplished by hosting a variety of weekly training runs, t-shirt sales and innumerable organized events throughout the year.
The Waco Striders Running Club is a non-profit organization committed to the overall health and well-being of its members. We hope to use our passion for running to build lifelong friendships, provide encouragement, improve ourselves and enhance our community”
Finding the Striders is generally not a difficult task. Weekly group runs take place throughout Waco and Woodway. If you have trouble finding them just look for the gigantic group of runners moving single file throughout Cameron Park, along Poage Park, or descending upon Whitehall Park. Wherever you find us, we always greet passing motorists and other runners with a kind smile or wave. That’s just how we are!
Oh, but once you find the Strider’s, look out! You now have friends for life! How so, you ask? Well, who looks out for your health and well-being? Friends do! Who holds you accountable? Friends do! Who keeps you motivated when the last thing you want to do is go exercise? Friends do! And who is willing to give you the shirt off their backs? Friends! Friends! Friends! We are the Waco Striders!
Probably the most impactful role we play in our local community is that of “giver.” We give scholarships to children of our members to help with college or technical training schools. We give our time and services to an array of local events to maximize the return to these other great non-profit organizations. Most importantly, we give encouragement to all who cross our paths in the pursuit of making better life choices, physical or otherwise.
This is who my Waco Striders are, and I hope others will be encouraged and not intimidated to become part of the greatest community group in all of Waco!
Erik Romanov is a 53-year old retired Air Force veteran. He is passionate about triathlons and people. He has been married 30 years with two adult daughters who both did the Ironman Waco race with him.
Whether it’s playing trumpet in the “Friday Band” at MCC, or riding with the Waco Knight Riders, or an afternoon playing with the Waco Disc Golf Association, one of the wonderful things about Waco is that there are lots of ways to find community here. Where do you find community in Waco? Would you be interested in writing about it? If so, let us know. Email [email protected]. If you have an idea for a post. You could be seeing your own picture on this page!
By Tristen Coffee
As a current intern at Prosper Waco, I can speak to the power of internships. The opportunity to get hands-on experience in a field that interests you is valuable for personal and professional development, and also helps when it comes to getting hired for that first job. A job candidate with pertinent internship experience automatically has at least a little bit of an advantage during a job interview compared to someone with no experience at all.
One of the community goals that the Prosper Waco initiative was created to support is to Increase youth employment. One strategy for making progress on that goal is to help young people get job experience through high school internships.
The Prosper Waco backbone organization and Waco ISD have worked together since 2016 to build and grow a summer internship program that pairs rising seniors with local employers to create paid internships in an industry relevant to each student’s specific career academy. This program has proven to be beneficial to students and employers alike, and will continue to develop as students from other McLennan County school districts start to participate. (To learn more about summer internships and the other education-related initiatives that Prosper Waco is helping to support, visit this webpage: https://prosperwaco.org/the-work/initiatives-and-projects/.)
Student internships are great opportunities for the individual students who participate, and they are also a part of a larger strategy of talent development for our region.
On Wednesday, November 7, Prosper Waco, the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and the Heart of Texas P-20 Regional Council are hosting a luncheon to share information about the current state of public education in Texas. Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath will give an update on the progress that has been made and the challenges we still face in regard to public education today. Local experts will provide regional data on student achievement as well as information about how area schools are working to solve problems and prepare their students for the future.
In addition to the keynote speaker, the luncheon will feature a panel of superintendents: Dr. Marcus Nelson of Waco ISD, Dr. George Kazanas of Midway ISD and Dr. Sharon Shields of La Vega ISD. Dr. Phil Rhodes will also present local workforce pipeline data, encompassing college and career readiness. This will give the community a good chance to get an insider look at how our local school districts are working to make sure young people growing up in the greater Waco area can provide the workforce we need for the coming decades.
The opportunities for businesses to work with schools in a mutually-beneficial manner will be a major theme of the event. This could look like businesses providing internships or job-shadowing opportunities, providing mentors for students, taking part in Advisory Boards, etc. The higher the quality education provided in the Waco area, the better our workforce will be down the road. Businesses typically have the resources, and high school students typically have the willingness to learn from practical experience. The collaboration between businesses and education is a win for everyone.
This event will be held at the Baylor Club (1001 S MLK Blvd). Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for networking and a “School Spotlight,” and the luncheon itself will kickoff at 11:30. This event will not only provide clarity on where we are with public education today, but will also spark conversations about how we can build a world-class workforce and ultimately strengthen our economy. On behalf of the P-20 Council, the Chamber and Prosper Waco, we hope to see you there!
Tristen Coffee is a senior Journalism/Public Relations major with a concentration in Marketing at Baylor University. She is currently the PR/Communications intern at Prosper Waco. Originally from Temple, TX right down I-35, Tristen has loved calling Waco home for the past going-on-four years and is excited (but not quite ready) to see where life takes her after graduation in May.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
(This post is a part of a regular series “Trails & Trials,” a monthly adventure series inspiring others to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of cycling, running or swimming in Central Texas. For more posts in this series, click here: Trails and Trials. – ALW)
By Natasha van der Merwe
“Race with courage and gratitude!”
“Never ever give up!”
“Keep moving forward!”
“Finish with a smile!”
“H.O.P.E. Hold on Pain Ends”
“Believe and be fearless!”
The inaugural Bicycle World IRONMAN(R) 70.3(R) Waco Triathlon was a smashing success based on the 3,000 triathletes in attendance. World class pros and locals remarked about the incredible Waco hospitality and breathtaking courses winding through Cameron Park and beyond. Throughout the three-day event, I had the opportunity to strike up conversations inside IRONMAN Village.
I asked fellow triathletes about their ‘go-to mantra’ for race day. These were their responses. All well-known phrases people have learned to hold onto during tough times. Words that inspire, give hope, and motivate. Many of these words have also come from overcoming hard times, not only in the sport, but in their lives. Athletes overcoming loss of family, beating cancer, depression, or a substance addiction. All have found a way to be positive and chase a lifestyle and goal to be proud of.
One of the simplest concepts of sports psychology is developing positive self-talk during a race. It’s also one of the hardest sports psychology skills to master. Personally, learning how to master positive self-talk during a race has more appeal to me than learning how to better my swim, bike or run. I know through experience that working on the mental side of my race day preparation can go much further than the physical preparation when it comes to having my best race. Research supports the theory that an athlete who continually practices positive self-talk will improve his or her sports performance.
Knowing that a positive mind can overcome any pain or fatigue one may be experiencing, I have put this theory to the test not only during a race but also during one of my very long five hour training rides on a cycle trainer indoors. On the indoor training days, I typically watch Netflix or past coverage of Ironman races. This particular day, I decided to fill all five hours of cycling with motivational videos found on YouTube. All five hours of positivity left no room for negative self-talk, fatigue or doubt. A collection of different videos shared one same message, “Whatever you put your mind to, and work hard enough at, you can achieve.” To this day, that was the best training ride of my life. Instead of being completely exhausted at the end, I was more invigorated than I was before I started the ride.
I took this learned lesson into my next race – IRONMAN Wisconsin(R). I spent the day before the race watching my favorite 20-min motivational video three times, memorizing my favorite lines. I watched it once more on race morning as I ate my breakfast and stretched out in the hotel room. I walked to the start line that morning more energized than I had ever felt in my ten-year racing career. I felt like nothing could bring me down.
As the race began, I adopted two mantras from that video for my race focus. I started with determination “I can. I will. I must.” and ended with resolve “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
I was drawn to using “I can, I will, I must” because it was short, memorable and had a great rhythm to it. As my arms turned over in the swim, and with every pedal stroke, I was able to repeat it over and over. One would think I would get bored of it, but surprisingly enough it was such a powerful phrase that for me in those moments, every time I repeated it I felt stronger.
During the marathon portion of the race, I used “ It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” as a pep talk to myself after what had happened earlier in the race. For the first time in my racing career, at the very start of the bike course, my right side glute started cramping. I could not lift my leg to pedal and found myself standing on the side of the road stretching. I watched the advantage I had gained swimming disappear, as the athletes I had passed in that part of the event came flying by me. Ten minutes of stretching later, my body released and I was able to get back on the bike and restart my day. If it were not for the mental preparation I had done before the race, I am 100% sure my day would have ended right there or I would have gone on to have a terrible race. Instead, I was able to close the race with one of my best IRONMAN(R) performances and without one single negative thought for the rest of the day. Definitely an accomplishment I am proud of.
So, how do you create your own mantra?
There is definitely not just one way to make a great mantra. I’ve created mantras from all kinds of sources: coaches, workouts, things I randomly think about, or even something a friend or training partner has said to me. Whatever creates a repetitive, believable, positive image for you can work. Here are a couple of general qualities you can use to create your own mantra:
- Keep it short and simple. You’ll be saying these words repeatedly through the day. You don’t want to have to think about the words. It should just come naturally.
- Relate your words to other successes. Mantras are most effective if they help you recall other successes you’ve had. It could be a great workout or a strong race you’ve accomplished.
- Think of the form you will use. On the run, a mantra I have routinely used in the past is ‘Tall and Light’ or ‘Quick Feet’ just repeated over and over again to match my run cadence. I find it especially helpful later in the race when the fatigue really hits.
As I wrap up memories from this past weekend, I hope all IRONMAN(R) 70.3(R) Waco triathletes can join me in celebrating a job well done. From mishaps to mantras, every triathlon provides a unique learning experience that can be carried on to the next race. Then again, races are like life, there are always challenges so no matter what you face, remember this one simple phrase, “There will be a day I cannot do this, today is not that day.”
Natasha van der Merwe is originally from South Africa. She is mom to a 19-month old girl, former professional tennis player and tennis instructor, and a professional triathlete representing Bicycle World and Waco Running Company. She has multiple top 10 finishes in Ironman and 70.3 events around the world. She is Director of Team Programs for Bicycle World, Texas.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
The Historic Waco Foundation has launched a strategic process to understand Waco’s story from a number of perspectives in order to form future partnerships and programs that would offer the greatest benefit to the community. This post is one in a series to share with you how that work is progressing and how you can get involved. For the rest of the posts in this series, click here: Historic Waco Foundation Series. — ALW
By Clint Lynch
America today is in a revolutionary state of mind. We continue to tear down prohibitive, outdated norms and work hard to build new ones that benefit our entire country. Look at the Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements – both have had a tremendous impact on how we look at our past. As a historian and someone who works with the local historical community, I am seeing Wacoans eager to address our complete history, including the pieces that are all too often not discussed.
I am a current board member and the incoming vice president of the Historic Waco Foundation, and I am seeing a transformation of this 50-year-old organization as we broaden our work to follow our long-held mantra: Preserve, Educate and Inspire. Yes, Historic Waco Foundation is stepping outside of the historic homes and beginning to listen to the community to help tell all of Waco’s history, not just a small part of it.
The Waco community has made great strides in recent years to create a space for listening to the stories that have for so long remained unheard by the general public. In 2016, Historic Waco Foundation hosted the black history exhibit “Footprints of African Americans in McLennan County.” The project took more than a year to curate and spotlighted major, yet largely unfamiliar, contributions by local African Americans to the region.
Among the artifacts that filled the second floor of Historic Waco Foundation’s Fort House during the exhibit’s four-month run was a rare recording of Jules Bledsoe, a pioneer in American music and the first African-American artists to gain regular employment on Broadway. The exhibit also highlighted many of the individuals who have significantly contributed to the betterment of Waco, such as Mae Jackson, Waco’s first female African American mayor, and longtime Waco ISD board member, Emma Harrison.
Historic Waco Foundation that same year hosted “Historia Hispano: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and History in Waco.” The exhibit explored Waco’s rich Hispanic history that began long before Texas became part of the United States.
Still, here in Waco, many stories remain untold, and the people and places our communities care about have not received the attention they deserve. What’s more, because the traditional preservation movement was slow to help in the past, many Waco-area communities have already taken on efforts to articulate their stories themselves.
Historic Waco Foundation wants to support these efforts and build a more inclusive organization – one that engages people from all backgrounds and works alongside, not in place of, these efforts to understand the people and places that matter to everyone – and we realize that the only way to do that is to listen.
We recently held a gathering of community leaders to hear some of those stories. That said, if we are serious about telling our complete story, and we are, we know that nothing short of robust community input will suffice. And while recognizing our communities’ collective history is the first step, Historic Waco Foundation’s work will not end there. We will continue to explore and support valuable initiatives and partnerships with organizations like Waco’s Hispanic Museum and the Central Texas African American Heritage Foundation in a continued effort to be a Historic Waco Foundation for all of Waco.
Submit your comments, question and stories to Historic Waco Foundation by email at [email protected] or by mail to Historic Waco Foundation, 810 South 4th Street, Waco, Texas 76706.
Clint Lynch is the General Manager of Oakwood Cemetery and Historic Waco Foundation’s incoming vice president. He attended Sam Houston State University where he received a degree in history and political science. In 1998, Clint became a historian with the State Cemetery in Austin where he had the opportunity to use both his love of Texas history and politics. After spending several years as a funeral director in Abilene and Wichita Falls, Clint returned to his hometown of Waco in April 2016 to join the staff at Oakwood Cemetery.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Gwendolyn McNuckles
I am experiencing a transformational experience. I am serving as an Election Official at The First Assembly of God Early Voting location on Bosque Street in Waco, Texas. This location has recorded the highest number of early voters in Waco for this election thus far. At the closing of the polls Saturday night more than 10,000 people had cast their ballot there. Many commented this is a record turnout.
My assignment is to be a greeter. I help people move through the line to the check-in desks judiciously. It is a blessing to me to serve in this capacity. Registered voters from all walks of life pass me. No matter how people are categorized, at that moment we are ONE. WE are a homogeneous group with one purpose. To use our right as citizens of the United States to cast our vote for the candidates and issues of our choice freely and without hindrance.
The lines are longer than anyone can remember in recent history. Some are frustrated for the wait time. In previous elections, we have been able to walk in and out. We forget short lines meant lack of participation. To have a government that reflects our views and needs we must participate. As I stand at my post, I celebrate these long lines. Many people comment with the same pleasure at seeing people using their rights. Although I realize no one wants to stand in a long line for any reason. I am grateful for the challenge. I enjoy the position. You meet the nicest people in the voting lines. I have personally met over 5,000 people while working.
This experience is growing and strengthening me. For example, I am learning it is important to take the time to communicate to people when change occurs. I am learning when I explain things using my best logic, sometimes that is understandable to others…other times, not so much. I am learning to listen to the opinions of others who don’t agree with my brilliant plan. After I have listened with empathy and not anger, I ask them to provide suggestions that will better suit the situation. I hear many thoughts that have not occurred to me and try as many as I can. These experiences are teaching me to be loving, caring, flexible and to work together with people who don’t agree with me.
Voting in the United States of America is a precious right. It has been a long hard fought journey to ensure every citizen can take part in the process. It is something we have grown to take for granted. I often hear people say they don’t vote because one vote does not count. Susan B. Anthony and the Women Suffragettes marched in the streets, were beaten and jailed fighting for the right for women to vote. Martin Luther King, Jr. the Freedom Riders and many others marched, were beaten, bled and died for the right to vote. The minimum age to vote was changed from 21 years old to 18 years old because our young people were dying in the Viet Nam War at the age of 18. They were fighting and dying to preserve our freedoms that we now take for granted in this nation at 18, but could not vote until the age of 21.
Some think if they are prayed up and place all their trust in God, they need not vote. They fail to remember even Jesus paid his taxes and instructed all of us to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. No matter how spiritual and religious we may be, there has been a provision to have a voice in protecting the civil liberties we hold dear. Our right to assembly in our churches was established through the governmental system. Everything I have cited above requires prayer, to be sure, but they also required civic action. We will continue to need prayers and faith in God, but we also have a civic duty to participate in the governmental process.
When I met my husband, Roosevelt McNuckles, our first date was Sunday school and our second date was to register me to vote. Roosevelt was born and raised in Mississippi. He said, “If people were being killed to keep them from voting; it must be important to vote.” Although he is no longer with us, I remember the lesson well. I have never missed an opportunity to cast my vote or encourage others to do so. The system we use in this country is not perfect. It is fraught with many complaints and challenges. I charge you: Do not to allow anything to convince you to give up your right to express your wishes for the path this nation will take. Exercise your right to vote.
Early voting is available in McLennan County until Friday, November 2. For dates and times for early voting, click here: Early Voting Times and locations.
After Friday, polls will be closed until election day, Tuesday, November 6. Voting times and locations on election day are slightly different from early voting. For election day voting times and locations, click here: Election Day Voting.
Gwendolyn McNuckles moved to Waco, Texas in 2011. She is a proud to call Waco her home. Gwendolyn’s background is in human resources. She enjoys public speaking, teaching and community service. Gwendolyn is the proud owner of Connections and Reflections, an event planning company that works with individuals and organizations to plan any size event.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Eric R. Jeter
In the midst of the opioid crisis, communities across the country face increased demands for prevention and substance use services.
According to the CDC young adult’s heroin use has more than doubled within the past decade. More than 90 percent of people who use heroin also use at least one other drug, 45 percent of people using heroin are also addicted to prescription opioid painkillers and that prescription opioid drug overdoses has increased threefold in the last three years. In addition, an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States are afflicted with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) related to prescription opioid pain medicines in 2016. There’s an increasing number of infants born with opioid dependency and rising rates of diseases such as Hepatitis C, and HIV. It is safe to say that the United States is facing a very real crisis.
The silver lining in this cloud is that there are effective medications to treat opioid use disorder. The use of these medications in treatment is called MAT, which stands for Medication Assisted Treatment.
Many treatment programs and behavioral health providers are increasingly now provide MAT. Cenikor Foundation, a leading treatment provider with locations in Texas and Louisiana, offers MAT as one of multiple treatment methods.
In August 2018, Cenikor’s Waco Facility began offering MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) services for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in its 3015 Herring Avenue location. Opened in 2012, Cenikor Waco provides treatment services for individuals affected by substance use disorders in its detox and short stay residential programs. With the addition of MAT to its treatment services, Cenikor Waco is widening access to treatment for the community and providing patient-focused treatment designed to meet individual needs, thereby changing and saving more lives.
The goal of the MAT program offered by Cenikor’s Waco Facility is to support an individual’s efforts to remain abstinent from opioids and other drugs of addiction through the use of counseling, medication and case management services. The philosophy of the program is one of compassionate care with an emphasis on participant safety and personal responsibility.
Medicated-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA- approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.
As we seek to provide services to help those with an opioid use disorder achieve lasting sobriety, we recognize that no treatment is “one size fits all”. Cenikor is committed to partnering with patients to design a treatment that best meets their needs. At Cenikor, we use new ways to gauge success beyond simply whether a patient in recovery has stopped using opioids. Our comprehensive approach aims to reduce relapse overdoses and infectious disease transmission among numerous outcome measures.
We continue to work with our referral partners as well as health care professionals to ensure individuals with opioid use disorder continue to have access to the most effective therapies.
Cenikor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, proudly serving over 1,000 clients per week to achieve better health and better lives. For more information please visit www.cenikor.org or call 1-888-CENIKOR.
Eric R. Jeter has been with Cenikor Foundation since 2012. As Construction Manager he oversaw the construction and opening of Cenikor’s Waco facility. After successfully running the Waco short stay and detox program he advanced to Regional Director. Eric now manages the Waco, Austin and Tyler locations. Eric is deeply committed to Cenikor’s mission and helping those in need achieve better health and better lives. Additionally, Eric is the President & Owner of locally owned business Jeter Property, a custom home building and remodel company located in Waco.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Rebecca McCumbers Flavin
Early voting is underway! In this blog post, we provide important information to help you make your plan to vote.
1. Plan when to vote:
Early Voting begins Monday, October 22 and continues daily through Friday, November 2. Polls are open:
- Monday, October 22 through Friday, October 26, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday, October 27, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Sunday, October 28, 1:00 PM-6:00 PM
- Monday, October 29 through Friday, November 2, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM
That means you can vote anytime beginning October 22nd until Election Day EXCEPT for November 3, 4, and 5. If you miss early voting, then plan to cast your ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6; polls are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
If you received a ballot by mail, those should be returned by 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 6.
2. Plan where to vote:
McLennan County has vote centers, and you may vote at ANY center, not just the one closest to your house.
During early voting, you have 5 vote centers to choose from:
- McLennan County Elections Administration Office
214 North 4th Street, Suite 300, Waco, 76701 - Robinson Community Center
106 W. Lyndale, Robinson, 76706 - Waco Multi-Purpose Community Center
1020 Elm Street, Waco 76704 - First Assembly of God Church
6701 Bosque Blvd., Waco, 76710 - Hewitt Public Safety Facility
100 Patriot Court, Hewitt, 76643
On Election Day, there are even more vote centers to choose from.
Choose a place and time that is convenient for your daily commute. Keep in mind that lines are often shorter during Early Voting.
If you need a ride to the polls, Waco Transit is offering free rides on Election Day. Simply present your voter registration card, or an “I Voted” sticker to the driver to obtain free passage. In addition, Uber and Lyft are offering free or reduced-price fares, depending upon where you live.
3. Plan what you need to bring to the polls and what you should leave behind.
Plan to have the proper ID. Texas law requires that voters present a photo ID at the polls. There are seven forms of photo ID accepted at Texas polling places:
- Texas Driver’s License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate (issued by DPS)
- Texas Personal identification card (issued by DPS)
- Texas Handgun License (issued by DPS)
- U.S. military ID card that includes your photograph
- U.S. citizenship certificate that includes your photograph
- U.S. passport book or card
These IDs will be accepted if they expired less than four years ago, with the exception of citizenship certificate, which must be up to date. If you do not have one of the required photo IDs, you may present an alternate form of supporting identification. You will also be asked to complete “Reasonable Impediment Declaration” to accompany this alternate form of ID, as described here.
Things to leave behind.
Texas law prohibits the use of electronic devices within 100 feet of a voting station. You may not bring electronic devices into the polling places, nor may you take photographs inside the polling places. If you use the Vote 411 voting guide, plan to bring a paper copy with you; you will not be able to use your phone to access the guide. If you take a selfie, make sure you are more than 100 feet beyond the polling place.
You are not permitted to bring or wear campaign material into a polling place. Leave hats, buttons, t-shirts, etc. supporting candidates in your car.
4. Get informed about the races and candidates on your ballot.
VOTE411 is a non-partisan online voters’ guide provided by the League of Women Voters Education Fund. Just plug in your address at Vote411.org, and you will receive personalized election information, including a list of races and candidates and races on your ballot. Vote411 has a great feature where you can compare candidates’ positions side-by-side. You can print out your ballot with candidate choices and bring it with you to the polls.
Once you have made your plan to be a Waco, TX voter, share your plan friends and family members to help them make their plan to vote, too!
Rebecca McCumbers Flavin serves as Co-Communicator for LWV-Waco, leading the taskforce that focuses on voter registration and get out the vote activities. Dr. Flavin is also a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at Baylor University. The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a non-partisan organization that for nearly 100 years has advocated protecting the right to vote and encouraging the exercise of that vote. The Waco chapter was reformed in 2017 as a League-at-Large under LWV-Texas.
In the past year LWV-Waco has hosted several events, including a voter candidate forum for the March 2018 Primary and the November General elections, voter registration drives, a movie night, and an educational walk co-hosted by Waco Walks. To join or learn more about LWV, follow us on Facebook by searching for League of Women Voters of Waco, or contact the local chapter at [email protected].
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Cheryl Allen
If you have a child in the public school system, you probably already know — this is Red Ribbon week!
Red Ribbon is a national campaign observed annually on the last week of October. It highlights the benefits of living drug-free. It also provides a valuable opportunity for adults to engage children and youth in dialogue about making positive life choices, including avoiding harmful substances. This year’s theme “Life is a Journey, Travel Drug-Free” reminds us of the importance of avoiding substance abuse throughout our lives.
The Red Ribbon campaign began in 1985 when drug dealers killed DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) agent Kiki Camarena. Camarena grew up in a dirt-floored house with hopes and dreams of making a difference. He worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out it. He told her, “I’m only one person, but I want to make a difference.” After his death, his friends began wearing red ribbons to honor the sacrifice made by Camarena, and as a symbol of their commitment to live drug-free lives.
The movement spread and in 1988 Congress established Red Ribbon Week to bring awareness to the value of living drug-free, and to pay homage to all men and women who have made sacrifices in support of our nation’s struggle against drugs.
Many schools have special activities planned, and VOICE is assisting them by conducting educational presentations and distributing red ribbons, banners, and other items.
The Red Ribbon campaign is an important, but small, part of VOICE’s work. As a nonprofit funded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, VOICE offers a variety of free programs in schools and the community. Using an evidence-based curriculum, we teach healthy living skills, including tobacco, alcohol, and drug prevention. Visit texasschoolsurvey.org/report for data that reflects the critical need to reach children and youth at an early age.
VOICE also provides support for VASA (Voices Against Substance Abuse). This coalition is comprised of individuals from a variety of sectors who meet regularly to address ways to create a drug- and alcohol-free culture for youth in McLennan County. We encourage anyone who is interested in serving to contact us.
One of VASA’s initiatives is to encourage residents to dispose of unused prescription medication properly. On October 27, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) is conducting a Drug Take-Back Day in our community. Please visit takebackday.dea.gov for times and locations. Another option is to take the drugs to a permanent disposal site at the Baylor Police Department or come by the VOICE office where we can provide disposable bags.
When children and youth choose not to abuse drugs, the communities and individuals benefit. Students who remain drug-free do better in school, are less likely to end up in the judicial system, and have a better chance of becoming productive citizens. With that in mind, effective drug abuse prevention education is a good bargain for our communities. The cost of a school-based prevention program is approximately $220 per student compared to the $4,000 per student costs associated with substance use treatment, emergency room visits, lost productivity, etc.
Please visit voiceinc.org for information about programs that address substance abuse prevention in our community.
This Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Cheryl Allen. Cheryl has served the community professionally and as a volunteer for many years. She is the Director of Program Development for VOICE and is an adjunct lecturer in Civic and Community Service at Baylor University.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.