Community News Ahead of Winter Storm
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Oakland News
By Linda Aldy
As I write, we are all awaiting a tough weather event. A few of my editors have requested an early column, so I don’t know yet the impact of the storm, which will have hit when you read this. Having been employed with Entergy during the epic ice storm of 1994, I know that they are expecting things to be rough because they are comparing this to that one. Just 1/4 inch of ice weighs 250 pounds on an electric line; so it’s not just tree limbs falling on lines in this storm—it’s the weight of the ice.
In 1994, the ice took down lines, poles, and then even the big transmission towers. Be safe, and don’t get out on the roads unless necessary. Check on your neighbors. Protect people, pets, and pipes. Pray for those who are required to be out—utility workers, emergency personnel of all sorts—fire, medical, law enforcement, road and bridge workers. Mayor Stephanie Patterson and Oakland officials have been working hard to ensure the least disruption, especially of water and sewer pumps, during outages.
The Oakland community was saddened to learn of the death of Belle Caulder. Mrs. Caulder was 91 years old and the oldest active member of Oakland Baptist Church. I believe I was told she had been a member for 67 years. Our condolences to her family, especially her children, John Thomas Caulder Jr., Roy Gene Caulder, Lisa Caulder Smith, Mark Caulder, and Michelle Caulder Sneed. I’m not sure how Mrs. Caulder did it, but she kept up with people and events in the community. When I would stop by with my mom for a visit, she always knew what I had going on and was interested in learning more! She will be missed.
I was delighted to discover during a recent meeting of the In Her Shoes non-profit board this week that Farmacy Marketplace was selected by Kansas State University as one of five in-depth case studies of businesses and organizations that have pioneered solutions to increase local food access in grocery stores. In addition to the grocery store, there are mobile grocery stores making stops in various towns. There is now a distribution warehouse in Quitman County as well as a poultry processing center in the works. Oakland is connected to all of this through In Her Shoes, which runs the Farmacy Marketplace grocery. In Her Shoes is a non-profit, which means the pricing is probably better than other for-profit grocery stores. I also discovered that Marquitrice Mangham, who founded and runs In Her Shoes, named the non-profit after seeing a homeless girl on a train in the middle of winter and thought to herself, “I don’t know what I would do if I or my daughter were in her shoes.”
One of the primary purposes of bringing groceries to these small towns is to give local farmers an opportunity to sell their products. The Farm Business Enhancement Program is designed to ensure small farmers can be successful. If you are a farmer or want to raise produce for this next year, contact the group now to find out what is required to be a vendor. There are some virtual workshops that begin on Feb. 5 and run through March 31 that you will need to join. Email bhargav@inher shoesinc.org for more information or call 706-773-8815.
I recently read an article focused on Harvard scientist Rudolph Tanzi, who specializes in brain health and aging well. We’ve heard it, but here’s a memory jogger for you! There are six daily habits he recommends.
Aim for 7–8 hours of high-quality sleep each night. Adequate rest is essential for brain function and memory.
Minimize chronic stress, which has been linked to accelerated cognitive decline.
Maintain an active social life. Loneliness is associated with a higher risk of neurodegenerative conditions.
Engage in regular physical activity to boost blood flow to the brain and support the growth of new neural connections.
Challenge your brain by trying new activities to strengthen neural pathways.
Follow a brain-healthy diet to support long-term cognitive health. He personally follows the Mediterranean diet.
Don’t forget to put Sat., May 2, on your calendar for Oakland’s Yalo-Ribbon Festival. We have Danica Hart of Chapel Hart fame as our featured musical act. If you are interested in being a sponsor or vendor, contact Chamber Executive Director Sue Donohue Smith at execdir.oaklandareachamber@gmail.com
Speaking of learning new things, just in case you don’t know who Danica Hart is, here’s a little info to make sure you put the Yalo-Ribbon Festival on your calendar. She is a dynamic singer-songwriter and electric personality, and a former member of the country music trio, Chapel Hart. Known for her powerhouse voice and joyful spirit, Danica infuses energy, faith, and fire into every performance. Grounded in her Christian faith, she aims to be an inspiration for a joyful life, spreading love, light, and kindness wherever she goes. Through her music, motivational moments, and random acts of kindness, she reminds everyone of their worth and the importance of a positive lifestyle. Whether she’s singing her heart out, sharing her story, or simply connecting with fans, Danica Hart lives to uplift others—and she invites you to join her on this remarkable journey, celebrating the spirit of songs like “You Can Have Him Jolene” and many more! And SHE IS COMING TO OAKLAND!!
Please share your news with me at oakland areachamber@gmail.com or leave a message at 601-853-3942.
