News

Saturday, December 11, will be the third annual Antlers and Tutus Fun Run benefiting the Forney Education Foundation. There is still time to register for this event if you want to participate. The Foundation thanks our sponsors for underwriting this event– Devonshire Community for Hosting, Smoothie King for Title Sponsorship—and the Event Sponsors Big Jay’s Sign and Shirtworks, Camp Gladiator, Brookshire’s, and Chick-fil- A. These sponsors understand how helpful FEF is to the students in Forney ISD and that fundraisers like the fun run aid in the mission statement of the Foundation, which is to help light the way for teaching and learning.

It is hard to look at the news lately. There are so many things going wrong I can’t help but feel helpless that I can’t change things. However, there are things I can change. Particularly my relationship with my family, especially my wife.

Last year, many local inperson events, such as popup holiday markets or craft fairs, moved online. This holiday shopping season, some event organizers are continuing to play it safe and keep things virtual. This means scammers can reuse last year’s trick - creating phony copycat events that charge for admission and steal your credit card information. Plus, con artists have had a year to practice, making these fraudulent virtual events appear even more legitimate.

Holiday foods can be made healthier through some simple recipe alterations, said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.

Besides the ubiquitous “pumpkin spice,” nothing says “autumn” more than tart cranberries. Cranberries are a major component of Thanksgiving feasts, turning up alongside and atop turkey as well as in quick breads and desserts. Cranberries are loaded with health benefits, which include reducing the risk for ulcers and preventing gum disease. Also, just eight ounces of cranberry juice cocktail contains 137 percent of the daily recommended value of vitamin C.

I was an early proponent of online shopping. I lived in a rural community without much access to retail, so it was a natural fit. I even experimented with grocery purchases when it was a new and novel thing. I wrote about the crazy packaging practices of my delivery orders back in 2017. Yes, I was that cutting edge.

There are plenty of options for decorative trees during the holiday season. Texas A&M AgriLife experts have ideas and tips for a live or cut Christmas tree, including an increasingly popular option — live container-grown or balled-and-burlap trees.

In an effort to restore faith to foster children and their biological families in crisis during the holiday season, the Gift of Hope project is now underway in Kaufman County, and your generosity is needed and appreciated!

Christmastime is here! This Saturday, December 4, the holiday season kicks off with two local holiday events. Families have two opportunities to come out and enjoy a free day of fun, one in downtown Forney and one in downtown Crandall.

The Forney Education Foundation will host its 3rd Annual Antlers and Tutus Fun Run on December 11th at 8:00 AM in Devonshire at Griffin Elementary. This event will include a 1-mile fun run and timed 5K with 5K runners eligible for placement medals of 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the following age groups, both male and female: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+. Visit www.forneyisdfoundation.org for more information and to register.

Oftentimes, it’s difficult to know what to write in these columns. I have moments of inspiration, sure. I keep a running list of topics on my phone’s notepad in case of sudden onset topic syndrome, those middle of the night moments where my eyes fly open at 3 am and I shout, “That would make a great column!” But there are times, especially around the holidays, where I don’t want inspiration. Caring or sharing are not ideas I welcome. I just want warm tea, Earl Grey, preferably, extremely soft socks, my pj pants that look like sweats but are 2 sizes too big, and my memories. I want to curl up in the arm of my couch with my favorite throw blanket and a down pillow, Poe the rescue Dachshund in my lap, and 2 big poodles in the floor. I want the television on, only for background noise. I want to sip tea, let the tears stream down my face, and think about my only daughter and how, no matter how many different ways I try and spin the story, she isn’t coming home for Christmas. And, while it’s probably not the column you wanted from me this week, it’s the one you’re getting. Because, Christmas ain’t for sissies.

Those of us that hunt and fish and spend a great deal of time in the outdoors can be somewhat difficult to shop for. Oh, a gift card from one of the big outdoors stores can always be put to good use but really cool gifts under the Christmas tree is what makes a fisherman or hunter smile! In this week’s column, I’ll list a few items that you might not know about but it’s a good bet the angler or hunter on your shopping list would be thrilled to have. Many of these items are not available at local stores and will have to be ordered but there is still plenty of time to do your shopping via the UPS truck!

While you’re working, you may be contributing to an individual retirement account (IRA), which can provide a taxadvantaged way to save for your future. So, is it ever a good idea to tap into your IRA before you retire?