Holiday festivities with immediate family members or just a few friends rather than larger gatherings may feel different than normal, but you can make the most of the situation with these tips to add intimacy and special meaning to celebratory moments:
Forney Messenger Photojournalist Larry Golden sent in a few photos of Christmas decorations from the area.
**THANKSGIVING (in the “old days”) at the Themer household (the years we did not go to the “extended Schroeder or Themer Family” gettogethers in Oklahoma) meant Wednesday night “Service of Thanksgiving” at Hope Lutheran Church in Dallas and then waking up on Thursday to the wafting aromas of all Mom’s cooking that had already begun at least the day before. I most remember the turkey, ham, giblet gravy, creamy white potatoes, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top, two types of cranberry sauce/fresh salad, whole seasoned green beans, congealed orange salad, brown-and-serve rolls and Mom’s home-made bread (often with cinnamon rolled into it or wholegrain), iced tea, and of course, corn-bread dressing with very little or no sage! I remember eating until I just had to lie upon the floor to get ready for the pumpkin and pecan pies, and sometimes apple and cherry to boot! And, we did not eat until everyone was gathered around the table so that we could say our common table prayers and then have Dad’s “prepared” prayer that fit what was going on in the world at that time. And, if there were people at our Church who also were not “going home for Thanksgiving” that year, Mom and Dad invited them to be a “part of our Family.”**
Family gatherings are different in 2020, but memorymaking is still occurring no matter if there are 2 or 8 at the table. Once the meal is complete and the dishes are done, the feelings of home, hearth, and family will be bathed in the rosy afterglow of another holiday celebrated. Forney ISD will be on holiday until Monday when teachers and students will again take up the tasks of teaching and learning. Both of these activities will occupy many hours for all of them as well as their respective “support staff”, para-professionals, administrative positions and the all important position of parents.
The importance of a good night’s sleep is welldocumented. Numerous studies have found that the effects of a good night’s sleep go beyond boosting energy levels and improving alertness. A better sex life, less chronic pain and an improved mood are just a handful of the documented benefits that a good night’s sleep can provide.
In recognition of Veterans Day, the City of Mesquite has extended the deadline to Dec. 18 for the public to purchase a personalized brick to be installed at the new Mesquite Veterans Memorial located at 425 S. Galloway Avenue. The cost of each 4” x 8” brick is $50 and includes three lines for a personalized inscription. The public can visit www. MesquiteVeteransMemorial.org to get details and to order a brick.
Gabriel Reyna of Forney, TX, was one of nearly 600 University of Dallas undergraduate students named to the spring 2020 Dean’s List for earning a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher. Reyna is majoring in Biology.
One periodical labelled this event as “Faux FAIR Fun—Fill the gap this year with State Fair food and online activities.”
Exercise benefits the body in myriad ways. Studies have shown that routine exercise can help people effectively maintain healthy weights, sleep better at night and have more energy throughout the day. But exercise also may play a role in preventing one of the world’s most deadly diseases.
It’s good to have the necessities when traveling. For some families that might mean Doritos and a good cheese dip, or maybe carrots and low fat-ranch.
The City of Mesquite has announced it is offering its residents access to free mental health counseling and referral services through a new partnership with the AZAR Foundation. Residents can call 833-298-9111 to schedule a virtual or in-person session for individuals, couples and groups.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 8.8 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 report having a mental illness. Among those who reported such illnesses, 42 percent indicated their illness went untreated. Substance abuse disorders also are more common among 18- to 25-year-olds than many people may think. SAMHSA notes that 5.1 million young adults report having a substance abuse disorder, and 87 percent of those with disorders are not treated. More information about mental health and substance abuse, including how to find treatment, is available at www.samhsa.gov.
Boy Scout Troop 339 recognized its most recent Eagle Scout, Peter Morgan, in an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony on October 25. Peter is the youngest of ten children of Frank & Dorothy Morgan of Forney.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 936, Forney, TX 75126
Physical Address: 201 W. Broad St., Forney, TX 75126
Phone: 972-564-3121
Fax: 972-552-3599
