The Coshocton County Beacon November 27, 2019 | Page 12

Upcoming programs at the OSU Extension Office David Marrison | Contributed COSHOCTON - Hello Thanksgiving Coshocton County! We are a mere 24 hours away from one of my favor- ite holidays—Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday because I love food! And believe me, tomorrow I will get my fill of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie and succotash. My stomach is ready! Speaking of Thanksgiving dinner, the American Farm Bureau Federation has released their annual price survey for the typical items found on the Thanksgiving Day table. This includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, coffee, and milk. This year they have estimated the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people to be $48.91 which is just one cent higher than last year. Farm Bureau began the Thanks- giving dinner survey in 1986 as an informal way to gauge price trends around the nation. However, Thanksgiving is about more than food. Most importantly, it gives us time to pause and reflect on what we are thankful for. I know our entire Coshocton County Extension staff is humbled and grateful for the passage of the OSU Extension renewal levy earlier this month. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your continued support of our extension programs. Speaking of programs, we are approaching the time where farmers start looking to see if any year-end tax ad- justments need to be made before the end of the year. To help farmers with these tax adjustments, OSU Extension will be hosting a Farm Tax Update on Monday, Dec. 2 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Coshocton County Services Building in Room 145. During this update, I will be sharing year-end tax planning strategies and more about taking the new Section 199A deduction for Qualified Business Income. I will also discuss changes to equipment depreciation, like-kind exchanges, and the deferral of crop insurance payments. This is no registration fee for this program. However, courtesy reservations are requested so pro- gram materials can be prepared. Call 740-622-2265 to make your reservation. Farmers and landowners will also want to circle Mon- day evening, Dec. 9 on their calendar as we have invited Peggy Hall, OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Director, to come to Coshocton County to provide a “Winter Ag Law Update.” This meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Frontier Power Community Room located at 770 South Second St., Coshocton. Some of the legal topics which will be addressed at this meeting include farm leases, grain contracts, line fence law, noxious weeds, nuisance complaints, estate planning, leasing land for hunting, and the legal aspects of growing hemp. Don’t miss this chance to learn more about the legal issues which are impacting agriculture and our local farms/families. There is no charge for this program, but reservations are being requested so that adequate program materials can be printed. Call 740- 622-2265 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot. Additionally, we are excited that Hall will stay over- night and be the featured speaker at the Dec. 10 Farmers Breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. During the breakfast, Hall will focus on water drainage issues. The breakfast will be held at the Coshocton Inn & Suites located at 115 N Water Street, Coshocton. The breakfast buffet is $9 per person and no reservations are needed. The breakfast is sponsored by the Coshocton Soil & Water Conservation District, Farm Service Agency and OSU Extension. In celebration of Thanksgiving, I would like to share a quote from legendary basketball coach, John Wooden who stated, “Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books - especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.” Have a good and safe Thanksgiving! David Marrison is Associate Professor and Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension. Marrison can be reached at 740- 622-2265 or [email protected] CFAES provides research and related educational pro- grams to clients on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information: go.osu.edu/cfaesdiversity. Standing Oaks of East Central Ohio hopes to open temporary shelter By Beth Scott [email protected] COSHOCTON – Standing Oaks of East Central Ohio hopes to have temporary shelter open in the community in the next six weeks. The shelter will be in a location downtown and easily accessible to those who are homeless in our community. The shelter will be open each night during the winter months from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. and hired and volunteer staff will be on hand throughout the night. “It’s a good start,” said Kathy Robbins, president of Standing Oaks. “It gives us a chance to help people and share Jesus with people.” The shelter will accommodate about 20 people, and the organization is looking for items that need to be purchased to make available for people seeking shelter at that location. They are also looking for people in the community who could staff the facility. Staff will work approximately 32 to 36 hours a week and go through three levels of training. EMS will train in CPR, first aide, and Narcan application, and a mental health agency will provide training as well. “We will also provide training in how to be a good listener and have conversations with people, not to make promises they can’t keep, but to connect them with ser- vices available in the community,” said Joe Sanders, vice president of Standing Oaks. Standing Oaks hopes to have a permanent facility for homeless in the community and is currently in the process of a three-year plan to make that a reality in Coshocton. Both Robbins and Sanders said that when ap- plying for grants from the state, they are refused funding because there is no permanent shelter in the county for people who are homeless. Donations from the community are also greatly appre- 12 THE BEACON Beth Scott | Beacon Joe Sanders and Kathy Robbins stand with donations for people who are homeless at Coshocton First Baptist Church. ciated. The organization has enough funding to provide the temporary housing but needs more to continue services. They have already received donations of items from members of the community that will be used for the temporary shelter. “It’s been overwhelming and wonderful because this can’t be fixed by two people,” said Robbins. “I feel that the homeless in our community is the responsibility of those who live here. We are followers of Jesus Christ, and that is what we are called to do. It means a lot that the community is willing to pitch in and help because I think it’s a bigger issue than people realize. When you see how eager people are who respond, that just takes your breath away.” Robbins collects supplies such as hygienic items, sheets, blankets, and non-perishable food for the home- less in the community. Last winter, there were believed to be about 40 people in Coshocton who were homeless. “It’s just an incredible amount of people,” said Sanders. The organization is asking for donations specifically for mats or cots that people can sleep on and for cleaning supplies needed to clean the facility. Monetary donations can be dropped off or mailed to Grace United Methodist Church, 422 Walnut St., Coshocton. Make checks out to Standing Oaks of East Central Ohio, Inc. Donated items can be dropped off at NewPointe Church, Coshocton First Baptist Church, or 1690 Bow Lane, Coshocton. Items that can be donated include any non-perishable food items or snacks including drinks such as hot chocolate or instant coffee; self-care items, backpacks, tarps, blankets, coats, gloves, scarves; hygien- ic items such as wipes, deodorant, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, shampoo, toilet paper, paper towels, tampons, pads; and miscellaneous items, first aid kits, small flash- lights, antibiotic creams, tissues, nail clippers, mints, and notepads, pencils, and pens. “We just want to give God all the glory,” said Robbins. “This project belongs to Him.” For more information on how you can help, call 740- 622-0300. www.coshoctonbeacontoday.com NOVEMBER 27, 2019