Warren County Connection A Publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County
July 2019
Avoid Lyme Disease By Dr. Leonard Perry, Horticulture Professor Emeritus University of Vermont
In this issue:
include minor symptoms such as skin Lyme disease is a potentially disarash, fever, headaches, and muscle bling disease of joints and the nerv- and joint pain. Very characteristic, ous system, spread by deer ticks. but not always present, is a skin rash Knowing about this disease, how it is called “erythema migrans”. This rash spread, and steps to avoid it, will al- appears as a red circular patch at the low you to continue gardening or site of a tick bite within three days to enjoying the outdoors, along with one month. As it enlarges, this patch your pets, without concern for these often takes on a “doughnut” or “bulls spider relatives. eye” appearance. This previously unknown disease was first found on children in Lyme, Connecticut in 1975. It was given its current name, ticks were identified as the vector spreading it, and in the early 1980’s research identified the cause as a spirochete bacterium. It has since become the most reported vector-borne disease in the country. It is prevalent in the Northeast, and parts of the upper Midwest, with reported cases in most every other state. While Pennsylvania, the Hudson Valley of New York, and southern New England areas are high risk, much of the rest of New England is moderate risk with only the most northern parts low risk.
As ticks like warm spots, parts of the body to watch are thighs, groin, trunk, scalp, and armpits. Ticks don’t fly or jump, so you must come in contact with them and they crawl once on a body. Ticks are generally present within 18 to 24 inches of the ground. Although there are no vaccines to prevent Lyme disease, it can be treated with antibiotics once diagnosed. Prompt treatment, however, is important. Early treatment usually results in full and rapid recovery. Permanent damage may occur if treatment is in the very late stages.
Three types of ticks can carry Lyme disease, but the deer (black-legged) Although this disease is rarely fatal, it ticks spread this in the Northeastern can cause debilitating illness includ- and North Central states. Ticks feed ing heart irregularities, facial paraly- on small rodents, birds, and deer that sis, and impairment of the nervous may carry the Lyme disease but not system. Early symptoms to watch for (Continued on page 3)
What is Your Garden Style?
4
Big Dogs, Little Dogs Get Disc Disease
6
Benefits of Honey
7
Should You Wear Sunscreen?
8
Keeping Score? What 9 Your Credit Score Says About You Cornell Chicken Barbecue Recipe
10
10th Annual CCE Golf Tournament & Silent Auction
11
Special points of interest:
Calendar of Events
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Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Warren County 377 Schroon River Road Warrensburg, NY 12885
Phone: (518) 623-3291 or (518) 668-4881 Fax: (518) 668-4912
Warren County Connection
CALENDAR Please visit our website for more events www.cce.cornell.edu/warren
Nation-wide, thousands of people in each state tap into their state’s land-grant university research and know-how to make sound confident decisions concerning family, home, business, finances, and the future. In New York State, the land-grant university is Cornell University.
Chester Challenge - This year, we are going to once again participate in the Chester Challenge, hiking eight different trails in Chestertown. Hikers who complete this challenge will be eligible to earn a pin, and be put on an official list of finishers of the Chester Challenge! These hikes will be completed in collaboration with the Lake Luzerne Senior Center, and will be fun for the whole family!
The Cornell Cooperative Extension network brings you the expertise of Cornell University, other land-grant universities across the country and locally-based Extension Educators, volunteers, and other experts through such programs as: horticulture, youth and families, leadership, environment, food, nutrition & health, home environment, and financial management.
Dates and locations are as follows: July 12 - Chester Creek July 19 - Dynamite Hill/ Caroline Fish July 26 - Palmer Pond August 2 - Meade/Beckman
Visit Our Web Site: www.cce.cornell.edu/warren
Who We Are
Staff Dr. James Seeley, Executive Director John Bowe, 4-H Team Coordinator Dan Carusone, 4-H Community Educator Marybeth Mitcham, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator Roxanne Westcott, Parent Educator/Energy Educator Anne Mills, Farm to School Coordinator Jessica Holmes, Master Gardener Coordinator Sharon Bellamy, Finance Manager Amy Sabattis, Public Relations/Publications Manager Michele Baker, Administrative Assistant Chris Dittus, Administrative Assistant Rand Fosdick, Maintenance
Board of Directors William Mason - President Laura Conway- Vice President Julie Pearl - Secretary William Hamelin - Treasurer Aimee Azaert Daniel Bruno Peter Benoit Ed Griesmer Jim Kneeshaw David Strainer Michael White
Extension Service Committee Chair - Andrea Hogan Douglas Beaty Jack Diamond Ben Driscoll If you have special needs as addressed by the Cynthia Hyde Americans With Disabilities Act and need William Loeb assistance with attending these workshops, Brad Magowan please make your needs known by the regisEugene Merlino tration deadline. Reasonable efforts will be Michael Wild made for accommodations.
Please note that the meeting time will be determined closer to the dates of the hikes. For more information, or to sign up for any or all of these hikes, please contact Marybeth at: mem467@cornell.edu or at: 518-623-3291. Parenting Apart - A parent program designed specifically for parents who are separating, divorcing or parenting apart from the other parent. Pre-registration required by contacting Roxanne Westcott at 518-668-4881 or rmw38@cornell.edu. 7/16 & 7/18 2019 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: TBA Queensbury/Lake George, NY.
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be affected by it. This is where the ticks pick up the bacterium, and then transmit it to humans.
them difficult to remove, as does a cement-like substance they can secrete.
Although deer are what most think of as carrying ticks, field mice in many cases may be spreading them more widely. Opossums aren’t usually thought of regarding deer ticks, but they’re a huge help with them. As most mammals wandering through grass and brush, they attract ticks but, being very effective groomers, they kill 95 percent of ticks that try to feed on them.
No matter what kind of tick you find, deer or otherwise, you probably want to remove it. DO NOT try to remove it with heat as from a match, or alcohol. This will only irritate the tick and cause it to more quickly insert more toxin. Instead, use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the mouthparts of the tick as close to the skin as possible, and firmly pull straight out. Fine-tipped is important, rather than normal tweezers that will simply squish ticks. Best to use is an inexpensive tick removal tool you can find at most drugstores.
Obviously, avoiding places where ticks live or checking for tick bites if you are in such areas is a primary means of prevention of Lyme disease. Ticks like cool, wet places such as wooded areas, piles of debris, stone walls, and high grasses. If you garden in or around such areas, be particularly watchful for ticks and tick bites. Any other activities in such areas are also at risk, such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, or walking pets. Since a deer tick must remain attached for 36 to 48 hours to cause infection, frequent checking for ticks is important. Both the nymph and adult stages of deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease. Nymphs are most active from mid-May to mid-August, while adults (the size of poppy seeds) are most active from March to mid-May and from mid-August to November. If you find ticks, remember not all carry this disease. Recent surveys in Connecticut revealed that about onethird of deer ticks carried Lyme disease, while about onehalf of deer ticks in Vermont were infected. Even better news is that in Vermont, less than ten percent of ticks carried another of the serious tick-borne diseases— primarily anaplasmosis and babesiosus. Half or more of tick bites cause an allergic reaction, but all such symptoms shouldn’t be confused with the symptoms of Lyme disease. Such non-serious allergic reactions appear within a few hours or days, do not expand or have the bulls-eye feature, and disappear within a few days. Infections from Lyme disease usually start out about two inches wide, then expand. If the red area from a bite is under the size of a quarter, this is likely not Lyme disease and should disappear soon. Unless you happen to feel a tick moving, or actively look closely for them (unless a family member or friend is nearby, a hand held mirror can be handy to check backs), you may not find them. Their saliva may act as an anesthetic so their prey doesn’t feel them. Unlike mosquitoes which “bite” and move on, ticks attach for several days of feeding. Their feeding parts contain barbs which make
Tips to prevent tick bites, in addition to avoiding their habitats, include: Wear light-colored clothing so you can spot ticks more easily. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to minimize exposure. Tuck pant legs inside socks or boots to keep ticks on the outside. Use an insect repellent containing 20 to 30 percent DEET, 10 percent for children, or picaridin. Most effective at killing ticks is permethrin, but only use this on clothing as it becomes ineffective on skin. Clothes sprayed with the latter will remain effective for up to two weeks if not washed. If not washing treated clothing, keep in plastic bags in between wearing. You also may find any number of repellents based on essential plant oils. Recent research (www.cdc.gov/ lymeunderprevention/natural repellents) showed effectiveness of several such oils such as from rosemary, garlic, lemongrass, geranium, and others. After being outdoors in high risk areas, inspect body surfaces closely. Place clothes in a hot drier to kill any ticks if on clothes. About 70 percent of people that contract Lyme disease catch it from ticks in their own yards. Tips to minimize ticks in your landscape include: Keep your yard clean and free of debris, grass clippings, and leaf litter. Keep grass mowed, especially along property edges. Trim shrubs near walks and patios, and keep groundcovers away from these and play areas. Create a three-foot wide barrier, three inches deep, between lawns and wooded areas using gravel, mulch, or wood chips. Keep woodpiles away from gardens and lawns. If you have deer nearby, or visiting your landscape, begin deer-proofing techniques. There are some articles on this on my website (perrysperennials.info).
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Warren County Connection
What Is Your Gardening Style? Colonial America, English cottages, Mediterranean and Japanese gardens can all provide inspiration for the home garden. Find out how you could adapt each of these styles to your own backyard. Imagine walking through a garden in Colonial Williamsburg enjoying the scents of herbs, vegetables, and flowers growing abundantly in rectangular, raised beds. Now move your mind to England and relish a pretty cottage encompassed by a profusion of colorful plantings. Next, travel in your thoughts to a luxurious Mediterranean chateau to feast your eyes on symmetrical evergreen borders, expanses of lawn, and an elegant three-tier fountain. Finally, transport your mind to Japan: bask in peaceful contemplation as you cross a decorative bridge, pausing to listen to water from a bamboo water spout. If you were able to imagine yourself in these spaces, you know four major garden styles and their places of origin. Let’s look at them--and some theme gardens--in more detail so that you can decide your garden style and how to incorporate it into your own outdoor space. Colonial Garden Style Dating back to the Plymouth colony settlers, colonial gardens were designed for function and survival. The size of the garden would depend upon the size of Colonial-style Garden, Photo courtesy of the family and the Penn State Master Gardener Program amount of produce needed to sustain them. Today, the style combines a classic functional vegetable garden with pastel-colored flowers. Elements include: a formal symmetrical layout often divided into four quadrants, square and rectangular raised beds, walkways of gravel or crushed clamshells between the beds, tightly packed plantings, a well or similar stone feature as a focal point, and a picket fence or hedge surrounding the garden to keep out animals. When creating a colonial style garden, grow a variety of vegetables and herbs according to your family’s needs. Chose perennial plants that gardeners grew in Colonial times: wormwood (Artemisia spp.), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), false indigo (Baptisia australis), turtlehead (Chelone obliqua), tickseed (Coreopsis spp.), purple coneflowers (Echinacea spp.), lobelia, lupines (Lupinus spp.), Virginia bluebells (Mertensia
virginica), beebalm (Monarda spp.), peonies (Paeonia spp.), creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), and lambs ears (Stachys byzantina). Suitable trees and shrubs to add to your colonial style garden are sweetshrub (Calycanthus), catalpa (Catalpa speciosa), mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius), devil’s walking stick (Aralia), redbud (Cercis canadensis), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), American holly (Ilex opaca), smokebush (Cotinus coggygria), and lilac (Syringa vulgaris). If your home has a colonial architecture, this may be the garden style for you. Like the settlers, design your garden to suit your needs and lifestyle. Cottage Garden Style If you prefer a less formal garden, one with flowing lines and asymmetrical design, you may opt for cottage garden style. Born in England in the twelfth century, the cottage garCottage Garden, photo courtesy of den has evolved into a diPenn State Master Gardener Program verse mixture of the gardener’s favorite plants. Elements include wide and curvy borders, a riot of color, lots of potted plants, and often a fence for enclosure. Other structural elements are archways, trellises, and arbors. There is not much lawn--if any --just meandering paths between planted areas. Plants grow in the cracks between rocks. When choosing what to grow in your cottage style garden remember that England has a temperate climate without our extremes of heat and cold. You can reflect the flavor of an English garden, however, with plants appropriate to our area’s conditions. Choose old fashioned flowers like peonies, lupines, foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea), primroses (Primula spp.), hollyhocks (Alcea spp.), phlox, and yarrow (Achillea spp.) Mix in herbs and annuals as you plan for constant bloom or for interesting foliage. This style is very adaptable: you could create a garden of native plants or, conversely, you could add the rare and exotic--perfect for the plantaholic. In my cottage style garden, I grow plants that evoke memories of my English heritage or that make new memories as I garden with my grandchildren. Mediterranean Garden Style Mediterranean gardens in the coastal areas of Spain, Italy, and France are best known for their casual elegance. (Continued on page 5)
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Order and balance are goals. Elements of Mediterranean gardens are terra cotta pots, urns, tiered fountains and other water features, statuary, and Roman columns. Stone or gravel walkways, patios, and walls are common. Herb gardens are very popular but there may be less flowers in the Mediterranean garden; its color palette is mainly green. Topiaries, plants trimmed and pruned into a variety of shapes, are well liked. Plantings include boxwood (Buxus spp.), Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), laurel (Laurus nobilis), yew (Taxus baccata), rosemary, and junipers. Lemon trees in terra cotta pots decorate patios and seating areas. Vines such as jasmine, ivy, honeysuckle, climbing roses, wisteria, or grapes cover porticos, pergolas, and pavilions. If you garden in an urban area, you may like to create a walled garden in the style reminiscent of Mediterranean courtyards. A shaded outdoor patio or terrace provides an excellent space for entertaining. Japanese Garden Style Japanese inspired gardens are characterized by the inclusion of stone, wood, and water. The gardener uses these nonliving elements to symbolically represent mountains, lakes, and oceans. A sand garden is a dry garden that combines raked white sand with carefully placed rocks. The purpose of Japanese garden design is to encourage peaceful contemplation. Stone lanterns, rain chains, stone basins, waterfalls, koi ponds, and bamboo wood spouts are popular additions. Create a welcoming entrance to your Japanese garden using an arbor and potted bonsai trees. Place stepping stones through a low groundcover; include a large rock as a focal point. Enclose your garden with bamboo fencing and panels. Japanese plant palettes are limited: azaleas, Japanese maples, Hinoki cypress, conifers, hostas, and flowering cherry trees are suitable. Moss gives a feeling of simplicity and peace. If you want your outdoor space to be a place of calm and simplicity, a garden in the Japanese style may be right for you. You may place one in a small corner of your yard or transform the entire garden. Theme Gardens Introduce some fun to your outdoor space by adding a theme garden. In this type of garden, all plants and accessories are dedicated to one particular theme. Your choice of subject is limited only by your imagination. Here are a few suggestions to get you started: A tea garden. Grow pineapple sage, mint, anise hys-
sop, lemon grass, chamomile, and lemon verbena for refreshing herb teas. Use super glue to attach old tea cups and saucers together. Fix them to the top of hardwood stakes and place them around the garden, filling them with birdseed. A Shakespeare garden. Shakespeare incorporated flowers, plants, and trees into his works extensively. You could pay tribute to the Bard by including plants mentioned in your favorite play or sonnet. For example, some plants mentioned in Hamlet are fennel, columbine, pansy, and rosemary. A children’s garden. Young children might like an alphabet garden with plants’ names starting with the letters from A to Z: Apples, Beets, Carrots, etc. An Asian-American vegetable garden. Grow stir-fry type plants introduced to the United States by Asian immigrants. Recommended plants include red mustard, mizspoona, pak choi, snap peas, ‘Thai’ basil, Asian red kale, eggplant, coriander, early endive, and many lettuce varieties.
Whatever style or theme you choose, remember that gardens change and evolve; a garden is never finished. Most important, the best gardens reflect the gardener’s personal taste and own unique style. Source: Pamela T. Hubbard, Master Gardener Monroe County, PennState Extension
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Big Dogs, Little Dogs Get Disc Disease
Warren County Connection
“Type I IVDD occurs when the jelly-like nucleus of the disc extrudes through the fibrous outer layer of the disc and presses on the spinal cord,” says Dr. Foss. “Over time, the nucleus degenerates and hardens. As a result, it can no longer function as a shock absorber.” In Type II IVDD, the fibrous outer layer starts to break down. Both the outer and inner parts of the disc bulge out and compress the spinal cord. Diagnosis Pets with intervertebral disc disease may show a wide variety of clinical signs.
Intervertebral disc disease may happen at any time The backbone, or spine, is a complex and amazing structure that is literally central to the well-being and function of vertebrate animals. Made up of a series of squat round bones called vertebrae, the spine protects the nerves in the spinal cord, which transmit impulses between the brain and the rest of the body. It also supports the weight and movement of the body. When something goes wrong with the spine, the result is pain or even immobility. Dr. Kari Foss, a veterinary neurologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, sees dogs every day that suffer from intervertebral disc disease, or IVDD. IVDD occurs when the disc that sits between two vertebrae to cushion or absorb movement in the spine deteriorates and presses on the spinal cord. The intervertebral disc is often likened to a jelly donut. It has an outer part, called the annulus fibrosus, made up of strong fibers that connect the vertebrae, and an inner part, called the nucleus pulposus, which is gel-filled and acts as a shock absorber. These structures can undergo changes that will cause intervertebral disc disease. Types of Intervertebral Disc Disease “There are two types of intervertebral disc disease,” explains Dr. Foss. “Type I is characterized by the extrusion of the disc. Dogs that have a long back and short legs are more at risk for this type of IVDD. “Type II, which is characterized by the protrusion of the disc, is more common in larger breeds of dogs. However, both types of IVDD result in the compression of the spinal cord and can occur in any dog.” Type I IVDD is very common, especially among dachshunds, French bulldogs, beagles, and Shih Tzus.
“Pets may present with just neck or back pain, or the signs may be as severe as the pet becoming unable to walk to even losing feeling in its legs,” says Dr. Foss. “The signs vary based on which disc along the spine is affected and the severity of the spinal cord injury.” No matter the severity of the signs, the diagnostic process will be the same: The first step is a neurologic examination by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian may perform a radiograph (x-ray) of the spine to look for other causes such as a disc infection or bony tumors. However, according to Dr. Foss, radiographs confirm IVDD only 60 percent of the time. Therefore, the preferred imaging techniques for this disease are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). Treatment Treatment for IVDD depends on the severity of disease. “We can offer medical management or surgery if necessary in these patients,” says Dr. Foss. Medical management consists of very strict movement restrictions for four weeks, combined with medication and is often recommended for dogs with a first episode of back pain or mild signs. “Basically the patient is on full cage rest, and only taken outside, on a leash, for elimination purposes,” she explains. Oral anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed for pain control. (Patients that become stressed by being confined to a cage may also need anti-anxiety medications.) The goal of the activity restriction is to allow the intervertebral disc time to heal. Surgical treatment is usually recommended only for patients that are unable to walk, or in dogs with recurrent or persistent back pain. Surgery consists of decompressing the spinal cord by removing the herniated disc mate(Continued on page 7)
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rial. After surgery, the patient must be confined to cage rest for four to six weeks to prevent additional injury. Prognosis According to Dr. Foss, “The prognosis for dogs with IVDD depends on several factors including the severity of the clinical signs, the severity and location of the spinal cord compression, and how quickly the signs came on.” Prognosis is often discussed on a case-by-case basis. Generally, the prognosis with surgery in dogs is good for those patients that can still feel their feet; many have an excellent chance to return to walking. Dogs that are managed medically vary with their recovery; if they have minimal to no neurologic deficits and well-controlled pain, they have a fair to good prognosis with medical management. Dogs that become paralyzed and have also lost pain sensation (ability to feel their feet) are considered an emergency, and the chances for the ability to walk again are very low, even with surgery. Prevention? Unfortunately, intervertebral disc disease can happen at any time and may or may not be related to activity such as running or jumping. “Disc degeneration is an age-related process, but Type I disc disease can start as early as two years of age,” says Dr. Foss. “We really can’t prevent degeneration of an intervertebral disc, but we try to discourage pets at risk from jumping on and off furniture and engaging in any other high-impact activities.” If you are concerned about the health of your pet, see your local veterinarian to discuss treatment plans. Source: College of Veterinary Medicine University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign
Benefits of Honey Honey has nutritional value over table sugar. By Tracie Abram, Michigan State University Extension Both honey and granulated sugar come from natural sources. However, honey, which is sold raw or pasteurized, undergoes much less processing than white granulated sugar. Honey contains the same basic sugar units as table sugar, glucose and fructose. However, granulated table sugar, or sucrose, contains glucose and fructose hooked together, whereas in honey, fructose and glucose remain in their own individual units. Fructose is sweeter than glucose, which is one of the reasons fructose is used in so many food products today. However, fructose does not convert to energy as efficiently as glucose. As a result, processed foods containing granulated sugar high in fructose convert to fat and stores more easily than honey. Raw honey is not subject to any heating or processing and even commercial pasteurized honey has only one processing step involved. Pasteurized honey is heated to prevent crystallization and yeast fermentation during storage. Table sugar is highly processed, whereby all the natural trace minerals from the sugar cane plant are removed, leaving us with "empty calories" which are devoid of nutrition like vitamins, minerals and important enzymes. One tablespoon of sugar yields 49 calories and about 15 grams of carbohydrate. Honey, which is denser than sugar, has 68 calories and 17.2 grams of carbohydrate per tablespoon. However, honey tastes sweeter than sugar so you may use less of it. The benefits of honey are numerable. Besides having minerals, vitamins and important enzymes, honey is a natural, healthy energy booster. It is an immune system builder and has both antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-tumor properties. Honey has a healthy glycemic index; meaning its sugars can be absorbed into the bloodstream gradually resulting in better digestion. We recommend trying locally grown raw honey in place of jelly and jams on peanut butter sandwiches or replacing table sugar as coffee and tea sweeteners to enjoy the natural energy boost honey provides. The hum of bees is the voice of the garden. ~Elizabeth Lawrence
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Should You Wear Sunscreen? If you follow health and wellness news, you have probably seen the building hype this year about sunscreen. Popular news outlets have been questioning if the ingredients in sunscreen pose health threats. One even questions whether sunscreen is the new margarine? (Many margarines – developed to encourage people to avoid the saturated fats in butter – contain transfats, which turn out to be more unhealthy than butter.) Just last week, a small but significant study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that some components of sunscreens could be measured in participants’ blood up to 24 hours after application, calling into question the safety of these ingredients. (For the record, the fact that people absorb chemicals through their skin is nothing new.) And yet, more than 3 million Americans develop skin cancer each year. Our understanding of how skin cancer develops is limited, but we do know that the only evidencebased strategy to lower its risk is to avoid skin damage from the sun. There are several ways to accomplish this: stay inside during the middle of the day, wear clothing and hats to cover your skin, and – of course – use sunscreen. But the evidence of how well sunscreen protects against skin cancer and whether sunscreen itself is safe is mixed. For starters, it’s difficult to study the links between sun exposure, sunscreen use and skin cancer because sun exposure across a person’s entire lifetime contributes to skin damage. By the time a participant enrolls in a study, the damage may have already occurred. In addition, it can be hard to assess how well and often study participants apply sunscreen.
Warren County Connection
Dermatology recommends sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. But which ones are the safest and work the best? The non-profit Environmental Working Group publishes an annual sunscreen report that rates more than 1,000 sunscreens and 600 moisturizers. The products are labeled on a scale of one to ten based on industry, government and academic data sources and a review of the technical literature on sunscreens. The products are rated based on the potential health hazards associated with listed ingredients and the amount of sun protection the product offers. The report also includes an extensive online database that allows you to search for a sunscreen product. This year’s report has some interesting observations summarized in a tip sheet for consumers. Among them: Don’t be fooled by high SPF. Products labeled with a high SPF only provide marginally-better protection compared to products with a lower SPF. For example, an SPF 60 sunscreen does not provide twice as much sun protection as an SPF 30 product. Many sunscreens include a vitamin A additive that may speed the development of skin cancer. The sunscreen industry adds a form of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate to some sunscreen products to help prevent aging. But studies show it may trigger development of skin tumors and lesions when used on skin in the presence of sunlight. Sunscreen doesn’t protect skin from all types of sun damage. The sun’s ultraviolet rays cause damage other than sunburns by generating free radicals that damage skin cells. Sunscreens help, but not completely. Not applying enough sunscreen, not applying frequently, and using products with poor UVA protection can lead to skin damage we cannot see with the naked eye. Some sunscreen ingredients affect hormone production and cause allergies. Sunscreens are designed to penetrate the skin so they will last, but this often means they are absorbed by the body. Studies show some of the ingredients may disrupt hormone production or cause skin allergies.
Researchers categorize skin cancers into two main types: melanoma and non-melanoma. Some data show that sunscreen is more useful in preventing non-melanoma skin cancers. There is also limited evidence that sun exposure and sunburns increase one’s risk for developing melanoma, the deadliest form or skin cancer. But there are also many studies that find sunscreen does not reduce one’s risk for developing either type of skin cancer.
The take-home message: Choosing a sunscreen that fully protects your skin from the sun without increasing your risk of other health problems can be a tricky proposition. But a little bit of research can go a long way into finding a product that is safe and effective. As long as a sunscreen is not hazardous, the evidence shows it may help lower your risk of developing skin cancer.
Despite the mixed evidence, the American Academy of
Source: Evidence-Based Living, Cornell University
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Keeping Score? What Your Credit Score Says About You Your credit score tells lenders and other businesses how likely you are to pay back debts on time. A higher score will improve your chances of getting a better offer on a loan, insurance, utilities, housing, and more. But, while this number is important, it might not be free to access. And you have more than one score. Scores for different purposes are calculated different ways. What goes into a credit score? FICO, or Fair Isaac Corporation, is the largest company that provides software for calculating credit scores. FICO has shared the relative weights of the five categories that make up a score at http://bit.ly/ukFCS_MWficofactors. The biggest influence on a credit score is payment history. Creditors want to know if you’re reliable. They look to your report to see if you pay your bills on time regularly. The next biggest influence is the amount of money owed relative to your credit limit. Only use a small portion of your available credit at a time. In other words, don’t “max out” your credit cards or lines of credit. Pay as much as you can on your debts and keep that credit available. If you’ve had debt sent to collection, a foreclosure, or a bankruptcy, it may impact your credit score for several years. The rest of the score is made up of three categories: length of credit history, frequency of new credit, and types of credit used. Credit history looks at how long you’ve had accounts open, so don’t close accounts unless there is a compelling reason to do so.
loans, mortgage loans, or school loans. What is a “good” credit score? Most credit scores range from 300 to 850, however many different scoring models may be used. Your score is based on your credit report, so it is important to check and make sure all information is correct. You can get one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Go to www. annualcreditreport.com or call 877-3228228. You may dispute information you believe is incorrect or too old to be included. Most negative information can be removed after seven years. If your score is under 600, your credit may be considered “poor” and you may not get approved for a loan or unsecured credit card. “Fair” and “good” scores can be anywhere in the 600s to mid-700s. These scores may be good enough to get you approved for credit, but you might not get the best terms. Still, you should be able to shop around and compare options between lenders. Generally, scores over 740 are considered “very good” and scores over 800 are considered “excellent.” These scores may lead to better rates and more options in repayment periods and other terms. However, there is no “magic number” that guarantees better rates and terms, and everyone’s situation is different. Each lender has different strategies to determine credit risk, interest rates, and terms. How do you know what your score is? Your free annual report does not include your score. You may purchase your score, but know that it may not be the same score lenders would use. Other groups may claim to offer a “free” credit score, but it’s not truly free if you must sign up for a program or purchase a product. However, sometimes your score is free. When you apply for new credit, the lender may disclose your score. Some credit card and loan companies will share your credit score with your monthly statement or online. Scores may be available to those seeing a non-profit credit counselor. The CFPB recently published a list of organizations that may offer free credit scores at http://bit.ly/ukFCS_ MWfreecreditscores.
On the other hand, don’t open accounts unless you truly need them. Opening too many accounts in a short period of time may cause you to look like a riskier consumer. The types of credit used considers whether you have various types of credit, such as credit cards, installment
If you want to improve your score, it may take time. Concentrate on paying bills on time, paying down balances, and resist taking on new debt, and you may be well on your way to a better score. Source: University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
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Cornell Chicken Barbecue Recipe (Dr. Baker’s Original) By Marybeth Mitcham, MPH, Nutrition, Food Safety, and Healthy Living Educator, CCE of Warren County Summertime is synonymous with barbecue, and no barbecue recipe is as famous in New York State as Dr. Baker’s Cornell Chicken Barbecue Sauce. This recipe, originally created in in the 1950’s by Dr. Robert Baker, a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Animal Sciences at the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, was established out of a desire to help poultry farmers, by promoting their industry. Prior to this, barbecue primarily consisted of beef and pork, so Dr. Baker’s innovative sauce, which creates an incredibly tender and juicy barbecued chicken, revolutionized the barbecuing world! Here is a link to Dr. Baker’s original publication, Barbecued Chicken and Other Meats - https:// ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/handle/1813/2652/ bbq.pdf? Now, some people might be concerned with using raw egg in a marinade, so if you fall in that category, please note that you can use pasteurized egg product in lieu of an egg. It is also important to note that the possible pathogenic bacteria that can present in raw egg should be killed by the vinegar in the sauce. The egg is an important component of the sauce, helping the sauce to stick to the skin of the chicken, so it does need to be left in the recipe. With that being stated, please make sure that you discard any leftover sauce (do not save it for later use!), and make sure to use proper food safety techniques for preparing, handling, cooking, and storing the chicken. Also make sure to use a thermometer to ensure that the cooked chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit! If you try the Cornell Chicken Barbecue Sauce this summer, please let me know how it turns out! Enjoy!
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Cornell Chicken Barbecue Sauce 1 cup cooking oil 1 pint cider vinegar 3 tablespoons salt* 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 egg Beat the egg, then add the oil and beat again. Add other ingredients and stir. The recipe can be varied to suit individual tastes. Leftover sauce can be stored in a glass jar in a refrigerator for several weeks. (Adapted from Cornell Cooperative Extension Information Bulletin 862.) * Adjust the quantity or eliminate salt to meet individual health needs and taste. Barbecued chicken basted frequently during cooking will be saltier than chicken that has been lightly basted. To Barbecue the Broilers: Place the broiler halves over the grill, and flip every five to ten minutes, basting at each turning. Test the chicken to see whether it is done using a meat thermometer. If the meat thermometer reads at least 165°F in the breast and thigh, the chicken is done.
Summer Safety Tips Summer is here and the kids are out of school! This means it’s a great time to explore the great outdoors. However, before you go outside make sure that you help children stay safe by following these simple tips. Prepare and take a first aid kit wherever you go. Check the kit regularly to replenish Band-Aids and other materials for cuts and scrapes. Schedule outdoor play time to avoid the sun’s peak hours, which are generally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Make sure children have access to shade and plenty of drinking water when outside. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF30. Apply to children’s exposed skin at least 15 minutes before heading outside, even on cloudy days. Reapply every 2 hours and after children get wet. Apply insect repellent if children spend time near areas with biting insects. Read and follow instructions carefully. Do not use repellent with more than 30 percent DEET. Supervise children at all times during water play. Create guidelines with children and enforce them during play, such as no running near water or splashing other children. So make sure you take advantage of summer time activities and be safe! Source: NC Cooperative Extension
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4 Person Scramble Individual players are welcome and will be placed within a team. Contact Amy Sabattis or Dr. James Seeley at 518-623-3291
Cronin’s Golf Resort Warrensburg, NY August 24th Tee Time: 10am
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