By By Beth Randall
October 17, 2004
It will be fun, it's free, it's for the entire family and it is only a week away, What is it? Family Matters 10th Anniversary Conference Celebrating Families. That's right mark your calendar for Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. until noon at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus.
Let me share a few details with you. We wanted this conference to be special, unique, educational, as well as a great big celebration. You see, since the beginning of Family Matters we have addressed issues such as communication skills, technology, fatherhood, abstinence, family resiliency, building self-esteem, and many more.
This year we are celebrating families and will have activities for teens and children and breakout sessions for parents and child caregivers.
This year's conference will begin at 9 a.m. with the general session emceed by Jere Hess who was instrumental in bringing Family Matters to the East Mississippi Area. The keynote speaker will be Margaret D. McGlown who is an educational consultant and founder of YouthServices Network which specializes in character development, conflict intervention, counseling, and mentoring.
Following the general session will be breakout sessions for parents and caregivers.
9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Celebrate Education
Going to School: Important new information for parents and teachers of children ages 3-7, Annjo Lemmon, Mississippi Broadcasting
Cyberstalking: Teens and parents learn how to be safe and make best use of the Internet while stressing the warning signs of social predators and their schemes, Dr. Pat Reeves, Family Life Specialist
Consumer Jungle: It's a jungle out there. Teen will learn to survive and become savvy consumers in this interactive session in the computer lab.
10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.: Celebrate Relationships
The Family Storyteller: Fun ways to have family time with a few children's books and household items, Karen Benson, MSU Extension
Going to School: This session will be repeated
Parenting: It's a Journey: A 90 minute interactive session addressing experiencing joy and handling the heartaches of parenting, Margaret McGlown
Celebrate Health: Mississippi Epilepsy Puppet Show. You don't have to be afraid if someone has a seizure. Learn what to do! Anderson's Mini-Health Fair providing screenings, blood pressure checks, and more
11:15 a.m.-Noon: Celebrate Traditions
Surviving the Holidays: creative solutions for saving money while enjoying the holiday season. Susan Cosgrove, Family Resource Management
Creative Food Gifts: Nifty ideas to save time with holiday baking and gifts all through the year. Dr. Pat Reeves, Family Life Specialist
Your Digital Camera: Tips for taking digital pictures and perfecting your images. Dr. John Giesemann, Computer Specialist
Classroom Storyteller: Extended session for childcare providers to celebrate family literacy in the classroom (11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.) The children will enjoy a puppet show, face painting, and story telling.
Of course no Family Matters Event is complete without door prizes. This year we will have some really terrific items donated by businesses in the East Mississippi Area.
Be sure to thank our major sponsors for the event. They are the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians hardy Manufacturing Company, Inc., Wal-Mart and many others.
Walk-in attendance is welcome. We do ask groups and childcare providers seeking MDHS contact hours to register in advance. Special door prizes will be given for pre-registered participants. The first 50 registrations receive Celebrate! Gift bag certificates redeemable at the conference. For information on registration, contact Karen Benson in Neshoba County at 656-4011.
This conference is collaboration between Extension Offices in Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, and Newton Counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. For more information call you county's Extension Office. The number in Lauderdale County is 482-9764.
I am looking forward to this celebration conference and hope to see you there.