Livingston Volunteers for Family & Community Livingston Parish
LVFC P.O. Box 158
Newsletter Livingston, LA 70754
Phone: 225-686-0158
February-March 2019 Website: www.lsuagcenter.com

A Look Ahead...
February 25 LVFC 1st Timer Scholarship to Convention application due to Sharyn Lobell, Parish President
March 14 LVFC Council Meeting, Extension Office, 10:00a.m.
April 5 LVFC Appreciation Luncheon, Bethel Baptist Church - Livingston
April 8-14 AgMagic, Parker Coliseum
May 14-16 LVFC Board Meeting & Convention, Lafayette


Lady Bugs

The Lady Bugs constructed fidget lap blankets for Hospice in His Care. This group continues to braid plastic bags into mats for the homeless. They are also working on the Appreciation Luncheon. To learn more about Costa Rica, Ronnie Bencaz spoke at a recent VFC meeting.

Albany News
Spreading the Christmas cheer were the members of the Albany VFC Club. They adopted two families for Christmas. They also hosted Their Annual White Elephant Sale where they bid on unwanted Christmas items. They are very excited to report that they made $400 from their sale which will be the start to their Cancer Service Fund.

Port Vincent News
Members of the Port Vincent VFC recently held a baby shower for A Door of Hope. They plan to make Valentine cards for a Veteran's home in the Laplace/Reserve area.

Can Do's News
These ladies have been busy constructing more walker caddies. Plans are to donate them to Golden Age Nursing Home. They are also working on planning parish Fun Day.

Mark Your Calendar for the LVFC Appreciation Luncheon
The Livingston VFC Clubs have been very giving of their time and talents this year. They have worked to strengthen individuals, families, and communities through education, leadership and action. On April 5, the LVFC Clubs will gather to share our successes. Please mark your calendar to attend the LVFC Appreciation Luncheon that will be held Friday, April 5 at Bethel Baptist Church in Livingston. More information will follow in the invitation.


LVFC First Timer Scholarship
Did you know that 20 mini grants in the amount of $100 each are awarded annually to Louisiana VFC members? If you are planning to attend the State Convention in Lafayette and this will be your first-ever LVFC Convention, you should consider applying. Deadline to submit your application to our LVFC President, Sharyn Lobell is Monday, February 25. Sharyn's mailing list address is: 40118 Cassidy Lane, Ponchatoula, LA 70454. Contact me if you'd like a copy of the application.

Measuring Your Fitness Progress
How Can I tell if I’m getting More Fit?

If you’ve been exercising regularly, you’ll soon be able to tell when it’s time to move ahead in your activities. Signs that you’re making fitness progress are:

*You have more energy.
*Your overall mood and outlook on life have improved.
*It’s easier to do your usual daily activities.
*Climbing a couple of flights of stairs or lifting the same amount of weight is getting easier.
*It’s easier to get in and out of your car.
*You can get down on the floor and play a game with your grandchildren, and get back up again more easily when the game is over.
*You’re sleeping better at night.
*You have less pain when you move around.
*You notice improvement in the symptoms of an ongoing health condition.

How Often Should I Check My Progress?
Do these simple monthly tests to see if you are continuing to progress and need to update your goals. Each month you will likely see an improvement.

Endurance. Pick a fixed course and see how long it takes to walk that distance. As your endurance improves, it should take less time.
Upper-body Strength. Count the number of arm curls you can do safely in 2 minutes.
Lower-body Strength. Count the number of chair stands you can do safely in 2 minutes.
Balance. Time yourself as you stand on one foot, without support, for as long as possible. Stand near something sturdy to hold on to, in case you lose your balance. Repeat on the other foot.
Flexibility. For this test, sit toward the front of a sturdy chair, and stretch one leg straight out in front of you with your heel on the floor and your toes pointing up. Bend the other leg and place your foot flat on the floor. Slowly bend from your hips and reach as far as you can toward the toes of your outstretched foot. How far can you reach before you feel a stretch?

Source: Go4Life from the National Institute on Aging at NIH

Kindest Regards,

Layne Langley
Area Nutrition Agent

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