Rural Leader Magazine July 2023

JULY 2023

Cover Story Little heroes, big impact: How a new campaign is empowering kids to make a difference, pg. 13 GetRuralLeaderMag.com |JULY 2023 1

Contents Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com

About Us

Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad.

Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.—

5 Workforce of tomorrow: How today’s automotive leaders are training the next generation to foster an electric and connected future 8 How to spot fraud, outsmart criminals and protect yourself from scams By Martha Weaver, Retail Gift Card Association Fraud Committee Chair 10 Ready to get back to barbecue? Tips for choosing your next favorite grill 11Are your business finances in shape?

A checklist to get you organized

COVER STORY 13 Little heroes, big impact: How a new campaign is empowering kids to make a difference 15 Five tips to stay organized during the shift to busy summer schedules 17 From burnout to balance: Five ways to prioritize self-care when caring for a loved one 21 Five Ways Sweet Northwest Cherries Power a Summer Glow Up 22 Five tips to help keep your home and packages secure while you’re on summer vacation

Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent.

Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com

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Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@RuralLeaderMag.com—

Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue.

As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support!

Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag

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Workforce of tomorrow: How today’s automotive leaders are training the next generation to foster an electric and connected future As today’s leaders in the automotive industry re-imagine what the future of mobility looks like, so too must they prioritize how they invest in their future workforce to ensure they’re up for the challenge and are equipped to carry the industry forward when they’re ready to lead. With an all-electric future quickly on the horizon and autonomous mobility continuing to advance, it is necessary to invest time, money and other resources to provide college students with the training and knowledge of the electric, battery and autonomous trades, coupled with the necessary market skills to hit the ground running after graduation.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), General Motors (GM) and MathWorks are sponsoring the EcoCAR EV Challenge to help fill the talent pipeline with entry-level employees, who bring applied knowledge and hands-on experience they acquired through this competition. Managed by Argonne National Laboratory, this four-year competition and newest edition to the Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition (AVTC) series will challenge university students to engineer a next-generation battery electric vehicle (BEV) that deploys connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technology to implement energy-efficient and customer-pleasing features.

Throughout the EcoCAR EV Challenge, teams will demonstrate the potential of advanced propulsion systems, CAV technologies and other innovative solutions to analyze the energy efficiency of a 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ - a next generation BEV - provided

by GM. Students will be tasked with complex, real-world technical engineering challenges, including enhancing the propulsion system of their LYRIQ to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining consumer expectations for performance and driving experience. Year one of the competition kicked off during the Fall 2022 semester and the four-year program will conclude at the end of the Spring 2026 semester.

The participating educational institutions in the EcoCAR EV Challenge include: * Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University & Bethune-Cookman University * Georgia Institute of Technology * Illinois Institute of Technology * McMaster University * Mississippi State University * Ohio State University & Wilberforce University * University of Alabama * University of California, Davis * University of California, Riverside * University of Texas, Austin GetRuralLeaderMag.com |JULY 2023 5

* University of Waterloo * Virginia Tech * West Virginia University The first year of the competition is dedicated to planning and strategizing for the remainder of the competition. This year’s finale took place in May 2023 in Orlando, Florida, with a joint team of students from The Ohio State University (OSU) & Wilberforce University (a historically Black university) crowned the Year 1 overall first place winner.

Rounding out the top three are West Virginia University in second place and University of Alabama which finished third. As we look toward year two, which will kick off this fall, each student team will receive a Cadillac LYRIQ that they’ll reengineer to add new energy-efficient and customer-friendly features designed to address the decarbonization needs of the automotive industry.

At the cutting edge of engineering education, AVTCs empower the next generation of engineers and business leaders through hands-on, real-world technical experience. Working closely with mobility and government leaders on a curriculum specifically

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tailored to align with future industry needs, these competitions help address the toughest mobility challenges facing our nation, while building a clean energy workforce that reflects the diversity of North America.

Since 1988, AVTCs have served as the auto industry’s most effective proving ground for developing new talent - with over 30,000 students from 95 educational institutions participating over the years.

Throughout the program, students broaden their skills and expertise through interdisciplinary collaborations with their respective universities, industry leaders and subject matter experts. They also gain access to state-of-the-art testing facilities, and the latest software tools, equipment and hardware. At the end of their college career, AVTC program graduates are more likely to secure top jobs with North America’s premier employers, and often accept higher starting salaries than their peers.

To learn more about the EcoCAR EV Challenge and to follow along on each team’s journey, visit https://avtcseries.org/ and like, follow and subscribe to the competition’s Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn channels.—

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How to spot fraud, outsmart criminals and protect yourself from scams

By Martha Weaver, Retail Gift Card Association Fraud Committee Chair Criminals are smart. And increasingly sophisticated. With technology and artificial intelligence (AI) at their fingertips, they are constantly finding clever ways to take advantage of honest, hard-working Americans. There are a variety of scams criminals use to steal money, and many are turning to more cunning methods that involve bank accounts, debit and credit cards, and gift cards.

People love gift cards; they’ve been the top requested gift in America for nearly two decades according to the National Retail Federation. But while everyday folks love giving, receiving and using gift cards, unfortunately so do criminals. Just like other payment methods, criminals use intelligent means of stealing money from gift cards - but we have some tips for how to spot them, outsmart the scammers and protect yourself.

Here are our top gift card safety tips: * Gift cards can only be used at the company on the card. If you get asked to send money or pay for another service with a gift card, STOP and contact law enforcement, even if the fraudster tells you not to talk to anyone or a loved one is in trouble. No real government agency or business will ever reach out and ask you to pay them with gift cards - and you can’t pay taxes or bail money with gift cards. * Check gift card packaging at the store and make sure the gift card hasn’t been tampered with. Look 8

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for things like ripped or torn packaging or missing scratch-off material over the top of the PIN number.

If something doesn’t look right, pick another card and show the questionable card to a store associate. * When you buy a gift card, keep your activation receipt as proof of your purchase. * Only buy gift cards from trusted sources. If you’re offered a deal that’s too good to be true, like a big discount on a gift card, it’s likely a scam or you’re getting a fraudulent card. * Store your gift cards securely and don’t share gift card numbers or PINs with people you don’t know.

If you think you have been scammed or see fraud happening, contact your local law enforcement or the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint or via this toll-free number: 1-877-FTC-HELP. You can also report IRS impersonation scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, visit their website or call 800366-4484.

The Retail Gift Card Association (RGCA) is the only nonprofit trade organization that represents the gift card industry. We have more than 100 of the world’s top brands on our roster, and together our mission is to promote positive gift card experiences among shoppers.More information about how to have amazing gift card experiences is available at GiftCardSafety.org. You can learn more about the gift card industry at www.thergca.org.—

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Ready to get back to barbecue?

Tips for choosing your next favorite grill There’s nothing like sunshine, a warm breeze and the smell of delicious food on the grill. If you’ve been anticipating getting back to grilling, wait no longer!

According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, now that temperatures are warmer, it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate everything you love about outdoor cooking. If you already have a grill, this is a great time to upgrade, so you can cook more dishes for bigger get-togethers, or to try a different kind of grill, letting you experiment with new techniques like using a smoker.

What kind of grill is best for you? It depends on your space, what you like to cook and how you like to prepare it. First, ask yourself the following questions: How much time do you want to spend cooking? If you’ve got a busy schedule, you may prefer the convenience of gas or electric grills. However, if you love spending time perfecting the perfect outdoor meal, you may enjoy a charcoal grill, smoker or kamado grill.

How much space do you have? Do you host frequent large gatherings? Go big on your barbecue size to optimize these special occasions. For a big backyard, a larger grill with a kitchen island can create a focal point for entertaining. But a premium portable or compact grill is your best option if you live in a condo or apartment, or for a cabin or other vacation destination with limited space.

What do you love to cook? Many grills offer extra features for particular foods. Think rotisseries if you love roasted chicken, or side burners for soups and stews. Crave the ‘za? Consider a grill with ample space for pizza stones.

To help you discover your next favorite grill, here are the features of five major grill types to consider when making your choice.

Gas: If you want convenience and faster meal prep, a gas grill may be right for you. As with your kitchen stove, your food can be ready to cook in 10 minutes and it’s easy to regulate cooking temperatures.

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Charcoal: If you love being hands-on with the nuances of outdoor grilling, a charcoal grill may be the choice for you. Some say charcoal provides the best flavor experience. You can use your charcoal grill for classic low and slow cooking - and high heat searing.

Pellet: This a great option for people seeking optimal flavor. With available pellets in hickory, mesquite and oak, you can enjoy a truly flavorful cooking experience.

Electric: If simplicity appeals to you most, an electric grill may be your best bet. Designed to produce constant heat and operate without an open flame - without charcoal or propane - they’re especially suited for apartment or condo dwellers.

Kamado: For people who love cooking all styles and who keep grilling year-round, Kamado Grills’ excellent insulation works perfectly for both grilling and smoking. They’re very versatile, use wood and charcoal, and can also roast or bake.

Few products come in as wide an array of price ranges as grills, so almost anyone who wants a grill can find one that’s within their budget. But remember - a more premium grill offers many more features to enjoy and tends to last longer, providing a stronger return on your investment.

Ready to get out there and cook? Get back to barbecue with this delicious recipe for Grilled Chicken Fajitas from food writer Brad Prose, founder of Chiles and Smoke. All you need is two pounds of chicken wings, Mexican seasonings like chili powder, chipotle powder, ginger and limes for a tasty marinade (4-12 hours), then you can wow your friends and family by grilling or smoking these flavorful wings.

Explore recipes and plenty of grilling inspiration at WhyIGrill.org - or find your new grill by locating a retailer near you at HPBA.org/Resources/Store-Locator.—

Are your business finances in shape?

A checklist to get you organized

By Irana Wasti, Chief Product Officer of BILL As a business owner, keeping your finances thriving is critical, especially if you’re looking to do more with less as many small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are. Having your finances in shape can open the door to new markets, products and services, customers, and expanded advertising and hiring.

Staying organized - especially with cashflow records - is one of the best ways to ensure your business continues to succeed. If you want to manage and optimize your finances and ensure your business finances are in good shape, follow these five simple, effective steps.

1. Go paperless. Drowning in paper? Opting out of reconciling credit cards and bank statements on paper and transitioning your accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR) to a digital system can easily declutter your finances. By switching your payables and receivables over to a digital system, you’ll virtually eliminate the need for managing everything on paper.

You can save money and time by sending payments with just a few clicks and automating recurring payments. Also, automation can optimize approval and review workflows, and reduce human error and time spent on routine tasks. With smart,

AI driven software, getting started can be as easy as taking a picture of your next bill. And it continues to pay off with peace of mind and improved efficiency in the future.

2. Secure and organize financial documents.

Without so much paper, you may find it easier to keep all your financial records organized, secure and easily accessible. For example, when customer Mount Tamalpais College adopted BILL, they were able to more easily adapt to hybrid work (physically working on site and virtually), streamline AP and spend far less time shepherding documents for signatures and approvals. If they go through an audit, they’ll have all their important documents stored in one convenient, accessible place.

3. Take a financial inventory. Another helpful step is to take a financial inventory and review your business spending habits. The goal is to gain more comfort and clarity over your finances and to use this information to make more informed financial decisions. This can be even easier if you’re using financial automation software that provides visibility into your cash flow and lets you generate reports. You should review to see if: * You can cut back or reallocate funds to better align GetRuralLeaderMag.com |JULY 2023 11

with your goals. * Your cash flow is consistently challenged, and if you can implement strategies to improve it. * Your business has any outstanding debt and if you can pay off or consolidate debt. * You can negotiate vendor contracts for better terms or switch to more cost-effective vendors.

4. Make it easier to pay and get paid. According to a study by PYMNTS, 49% of invoices become overdue. Since getting paid on time is essential to your company’s financial health, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and do a deep clean of your AR. Use your reporting system to pull up all your unpaid invoices. This will quickly give insights into which clients owe you money and if some regularly take too long to pay. If you use BILL, you can set up auto reminders to let clients know when payments are due or if anything is overdue.

Take control of your cash flow and avoid late payments by making your payment process easier.

You can do so by expanding payment options, such as accepting credit cards, ACH bank transfers, PayPal and more, so your clients can have more options to pay you. You can also consider using an online portal to enable customers to pay invoices online and set up

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autopay and flexible payment plans to improve your cash flow.

5. Set new goals and plan. If you’ve reached your initial business goals, it doesn’t mean you should sit on your laurels. It’s essential to spend a little time planning the future of your business. This could include setting aside funds for future investments, building an emergency fund, preparing for potential market changes, or even succession planning and contributing more to your personal retirement accounts.

By going paperless, organizing your financial documents, doing a thorough financial inventory, reviewing unpaid invoices and planning for the future, you can ensure that your business is on the right path to meet its financial goals and thrive this year and beyond.

Financial automation does not have to be hard, complicated, or reactive. At BILL, we can help take proactive action to you get your business finances in shape by streamlining your AP and AR workflows for better visibility and control of your cash flows. To see how it works, visit Bill.com/Signup to start your risk-free trial.—

COVER STORY

Little heroes, big impact: How a new campaign is empowering kids to make a difference The world is changing fast and in ways it never has before, and although kids remain optimistic about their futures, research shows they don’t know how they can actively be participants in positive changemaking.

According to a 2022 survey by Nickelodeon, 46% of children felt that they didn’t have the power to change today’s issues. This isn’t necessarily because of a lack of confidence. The survey also found that 69% of kids said they didn’t know how to get involved in their communities. What it boils down to is that kids need to gain the skills to deal with the change around them. Even though they can’t vote, kids have a voice and can positively impact the world locally and globally.

To give kids a platform and avenues to effect change in their neighborhoods, Nickelodeon has launched the Our World campaign. This global initiative aims to inspire kids and provide the necessary tools so they can make a difference in their communities through actions big and small.

The campaign underscores that kids can exercise their individual and collective agency to address pressing issues in their neighborhoods. Through

strategic partnerships, including Ashoka and Aspen Institute, Nickelodeon provides kids access to age-appropriate opportunities to be the change they want to see.

Pathways to participation. In partnership with ChangeX, a fundraising platform, Nickelodeon has set up the Our World US Community Fund to provide resources and support to community projects that would otherwise go unfunded. From the arts to STEM to environmental sustainability, funded projects will be actively led by kids - with the guidance of a grown-up co-leader, to shape their communities for the better.

Nickelodeon and ChangeX have provided project ideas for kids to get started, such as recycling, composting, coding, environmental cleanups and community food pantries and gardens. However, children aren’t limited to these ideas. They can apply for funding of an original or existing project for consideration.

Funded projects will receive a free resource pack, mentorship and technology tools to get started. There are also opportunities for additional impact funding.

In funding these projects, the Our World campaign GetRuralLeaderMag.com |JULY 2023 13

hopes to help children realize their agency and become the changemakers their communities, and the world, needs.

Another Our World partnership is with 4-H America’s largest youth development organization which offers kids opportunities to improve the world around them. Children can join a local 4-H chapter and find like-minded peers and mentors while participating in hands-on service activities like an environmental cleanup of a park or highway, collecting and distributing essential items to those in need, planting and tending a community garden or reading to younger kids after school.

Creating a culture of kindness. Beyond working together on local initiatives, Our World also encourages children to take simple actions in their daily lives that can profoundly impact the people they meet and, by extension, their community. For example, an easy way to create change is to be kind to those around you. According to research by Nickelodeon, kids of all ages and demographics believe that

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kindness is one of the most important factors that help someone make a difference.

For example, at school, kids can look for peers sitting alone at lunch and ask them to join their table.

During a sports game, they can compliment their teammates on their skills or offer to play with them after practice to improve. These small actions can have a big impact on someone’s day and foster a positive and inclusive community. Also, acts of kindness may inspire others to be kind, too, creating a culture of kindness at their school and beyond.

Getting started is easy. Nickelodeon believes that through actions big and small, kids of all ages have the power to make a positive impact on the world and wants to help them unlock their potential. The Our World campaign will be rolling out more ideas and opportunities to support and encourage children’s civic engagement locally and globally. To learn more and get started, kids can visit OurWorld.com today.—

Five tips to stay organized during the shift to busy summer schedules As another school year ends, families everywhere are shifting gears to start preparing for their summer schedules. Between daily activities and playdates, summer classes, camp and family vacations, keeping tabs on your family’s to-do list over the summer can begin to feel as hectic as the school year. Fortunately, there are useful tools and strategies to help you remember important dates, deadlines and schedule changes that are part of every family’s summer plans.

Here are some tried-and-true strategies for keeping everyone in your household on track, from the end of this school year through getting ready for the next one.

1. Set action time each morning. Often feel like small tasks get pushed? When you know you have to schedule an appointment for a family member, do you say to yourself, “I’ll do it later” or “I’ll do it tomorrow,” but then tomorrow turns into a month

from now?

No need to fret, set daily “Action Time” to keep you on track! In the morning, take 10 minutes to schedule those appointments and cross small tasks off the list. A little each day will help you to stay productive and maintain organization for the family and yourself.

2. Write. It. Down. With so much happening every day, your brain is bound to get overloaded, which can cause you to forget things you intended to accomplish. All of a sudden, you’re standing in front of your freezer staring at frozen meat and have no idea why you opened the freezer in the first place.

When something pops up that you need to remember, whether you are on the go or at home, jot it down with Post-it® 100% Recycled Paper Super Sticky Notes. They are convenient enough to keep on hand wherever you are - in the car, your pocketbook, GetRuralLeaderMag.com |JULY 2023 15

bookbag, office desk, etc. and have 2X the sticking power to stick and re-stick to most surfaces. We especially love that they are made from 100% recycled paper so there is no guilt with use.

3. Use a family calendar. Having a centrally located, family wall calendar is one of the easiest ways to stay organized. Fill out your family calendar using Post-it® Super Sticky Notes which will allow you to easily add or move things around when schedules change. Coordinate different colors for camps, appointments, vacations, family game nights or whatever - and read your calendar with ease whether rushing out the door or during your morning action time.

4. Coordinate by color. To help you stay ahead of the chaos, let each child choose a different color Post-it® Note, so you’ll know which reminders or events relate to each child - and they’ll know how to find their own items on your family calendar. With so many colors to choose from, including collections like Wanderlust Pastels, Oasis and more, kids will

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find it fun to get involved in the process.

Kids can also use them to write notes to you, and you can use them to leave cheerful, encouraging messages while assigning weekly chores. They’ll last as long as you need, maintaining their sticking power throughout the summer and beyond.

5. Make it a family affair. Get kids involved by having them help manage their summer schedule.

Encourage them to fill out their own notes so they can keep up with friends’ birthday parties and any other important dates. They’ll soon get in the habit of organizing themselves, while also helping you stay up to date with important happenings in their life.

Getting organized can be a challenging - and rewarding - task to complete. With the right tools and strategies that work for you and your family, getting organized may be the first thing you’re able to cross off your to-do list this summer. Find more tips on how to stay organized all year long at Post-it.com and follow @Postit on Instagram.—

From burnout to balance: Five ways to prioritize self-care when caring for a loved one In honor of World Caring Day, a global celebration of compassion and support, we delve into the vital role of caregivers and the significance of self-care in their lives.

Whether you’re a parent, spouse, sibling, grandparent or other relative or friend caring for a loved one, you play a vital role in their well-being. Caring Bridge - a nonprofit that provides no-cost dedicated, private, ad-free space for communication, support and connection for a loved one’s health journey - is bringing awareness to the role of family caregivers and how they can care for themselves. Read on to learn about the three signs that you may be in a caring role and tips on nurturing yourself today and beyond.

Do you care for a loved one? Often, family carers don’t realize they’re in a caregiving situation. For example, a husband may temporarily take care of his wife, who’s broken her leg and help with activities and tasks she can’t do independently because of her injury. Or perhaps an adult child finds that their mother increasingly relies on them for care after a dementia diagnosis.

Whether a medical condition is temporary or permanent, many family members become care participants in their loved ones’ lives without knowing it or

meaning to. Here are three signs that you may have transitioned into a care role. * You have increased responsibilities for the well-being and care of a loved one. This may include providing emotional support, managing medical appointments, assisting with daily activities or coordinating care services. * You’ve had lifestyle adjustments, such as changes in routines, living arrangements or career choices, to care for your loved one. * Your relationship with the person who receives your care and others in your life has changed. You may feel stronger bonds with the person you care about and experience strain or tension in your relationships because of your responsibilities.

Not all of these signs may apply to everyone. Family care participants have a variety of experiences.

Whether they identify as a caregiver, carer, care participant, care partner or avoid labels altogether, they provide invaluable support to their loved ones.

However, to care for others, it’s critical that you also care for yourself. Your well-being should also be as much of a priority as that of your loved one. Here are five ways you can care for yourself while participating in care for others.

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1. Practice stress management. The extra responsibilities of being a care partner can be stressful, especially if you have no or minimal help and support. It’s important to take breaks from caring and focus on your needs.

Consider engaging in activities that can help reduce stress to maintain your well-being. Some healthy ways to manage stress include deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, walking, running, spending time with friends or any activity you enjoy.

2. Care for yourself. You work hard, and it’s important to remember that you deserve care too. Set time aside every day to take care of you! Take a walk, read a book, watch a movie, paint or write. Anything that makes you feel happy and relaxed is worth doing so you can prioritize yourself while still helping others.

If your financial situation allows, enjoy a spa day, get a manicure and pedicure or book a massage.

These forms of self-care can get you out of the house and allow you space and time to focus on nourishing yourself.

Don’t wait until you feel burnt out to enjoy some self-care. If your schedule and budget allow, set regular weekly or monthly appointments that you can look forward to and know that you can also receive care.

3. Prioritize your health, It’s easy for carers to ignore their health when they’re busy helping others with daily tasks. However, you can’t neglect your health. Just like airplane safety videos remind you, it’s important to put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.

Take stock of your health. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a preventative care visit or need another medical appointment, it’s a good idea to book now so you can work it into your schedule. You can also care 18

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for your physical and mental health by eating a balanced diet, exercising, journaling and sleeping well.

4. Maintain relationships. Many people who care for their loved ones say they feel overwhelmed, isolated and lonely as they support their family member’s health journey. These feelings aren’t just emotional burdens.

According to findings by the U.S. Surgeon General, prolonged loneliness is akin to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Also, poor social relationships, social isolation and loneliness can increase your risk of heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32%.

To improve your stress response and minimize the negative health effects of stress, it’s important that you stay socially connected. Schedule regular get-togethers with friends, pursue hobbies or interests with others and reach out for help when needed.

5. Find community. Not everyone understands what you’re going through in your specific caring situations. Still, many people provide care to family members just like you. You can feel less alone, ask for advice and find community with other family caregivers through support groups.

One way you can share your experiences, build connections, find comfort and receive valuable insight from others who understand is by visiting CaringBridge.com. Here, you’ll find resources and a community that can help you feel less alone and overwhelmed in your role as a carer.

You can also create a CaringBridge site to easily communicate health updates to a group of loved ones. The nonprofit solution is no cost, easy to use and designed to share your family member’s health journeys all on a private communication platform with no ads. To learn more or make a donation, visit CaringBridge.org.—

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Five Ways Sweet Northwest Cherries Power a Summer Glow Up Summer is here, and everyone deserves a glow up to feel their best this season. Of course, looking good on the outside relies, in part, on what goes inside. One snack provides a powerful punch of glow-friendly nutrition in a convenient, compact and naturally delicious package: sweet Northwest cherries.

Glow up with fresh, sweet Northwest cherriesGrowers in the Northwest are harvesting sweet cherries now, stocking produce sections across the nation with this summertime superfruit. Sweet cherries deliver a juicy burst of flavor, while boasting an abundance of nutritional benefits sure to help maintain a healthy glow all summer long. Here are a handful of ways they do it: 1. Healthier skin. Sweet Northwest cherries give skin a boost of nourishment, especially darker varieties, like Bing cherries, which are rich in antioxidants.

Antioxidants help stabilize free radicals that can otherwise lead to oxidative stress that, in turn, may speed skin’s aging. Sweet cherries are also packed with vitamin C, which plays a crucial role in collagen production for a healthy complexion.

2. Reduced stress. Sweet cherries are a natural source of serotonin, which studies have found to be an important factor in reducing stress and improving mood. The phenolics in cherries, which work as antioxidants, also appear to offer some protection against cell-damaging oxidative stress. Plus, adding sweet cherries to the weekly shopping list can alleviate another type of stress: finding a tasty and nutritious snack that will please the entire family.

3. Better sleep. In addition to being a natural, plant

source of serotonin, sweet cherries have melatonin and tryptophan. In studies, these three compounds have been shown to help improve the quantity and quality of sleep, both of which are critical to giving the body - including the skin - ample time for repair and restoration. Consuming a serving of cherries about an hour before bedtime may aid in stabilizing and regulating sleep patterns.

4. Revived muscles. Sweet cherries contain anthocyanins, which give Bing cherries their deep red color and have anti-inflammatory properties. Such qualities have been shown to help muscles recover more quickly after exercise, making cherries an ideal accompaniment to a range of summertime activities.

5. Steady energy.The whole family can keep glowing with the high-fiber, low-glycemic-index benefits of sweet cherries. Sweet cherries boast a lower glycemic index than most other fruits, helping blood sugar stay level while spoiling taste buds all summer long. A cup of sweet cherries also delivers about 3 grams of fiber, making sweet cherries a perfect graband-go snack with staying power.

On the next grocery run, be sure to add a bag of sweet Northwest cherries to the cart to fuel a summertime glow up. Fresh, sweet Northwest cherries are available now through August. For recipes, preservation tips - to maintain a glow year-round and inspiration on incorporating sweet cherries into everyday diets, visit: www.nwcherries.com.—

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Five tips to help keep your home and packages secure while you’re on summer vacation Ready to take that long-awaited summer vacay?

Before heading out for fun in the sun, make sure you’ll be able to fully relax and enjoy your break by taking a few steps to help keep your home secure including deliveries that might be made while you’re gone.

Here are some tips and tools to help increase your peace of mind while you’re away from home.

1. Alert your neighbors - but not social media Before your trip, chat with trusted neighbors to let them know you’ll be on vacation. Those extra eyes on your home can help you feel better about taking off. Just don’t post about your trip on social media there’s no need to let the world know you’ll be out of your house.

2. Help make your deliveries safe. Instead of worrying about a package arriving while you’re gone, use Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery, a convenient, secure way to receive Amazon packages and groceries. With In-Garage Delivery, drivers scan your package to receive one-time access to deliver inside the garage. No need to give out garage codes or let the driver in yourself. Porch pirates don’t stand a chance and it also helps protect from weather damage, so you can keep any packages secure until you’re home.

Amazon Key is free for Prime members and easy to set up. Plus, it gives you more flexibility and con22

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trol over your Amazon deliveries by allowing you to select a preferred delivery method and choosing when and where you want your packages delivered inside your garage or to your doorstep. At checkout, just select In-Garage Delivery and Amazon Key will take care of the rest. You’ll receive real-time notifications every step of the way, and by adding a Ring Camera (sold separately), you can even watch your packages be safely delivered in real-time.

3. Monitor your home while you’re away. You can set up Motion Alerts to notify you when there’s activity at your front door with a Ring Video Doorbell or near one of your Ring security cameras. You’ll be able to see what’s happening in real-time and choose to use Two-Way Talk as needed to chat with someone on your property. For additional whole home protection, the Ring Alarm Security Kit works on any house, condo or apartment. You’ll have peace of mind that your home is always protected, so you can just relax and enjoy whatever you’re doing, wherever you are.

“With services like Amazon Key-In Garage Delivery and the Package Detection feature on Ring Video Doorbells, you can worry less about deliveries going missing while you’re away,” said Paul-David Shrader, Head of Amazon Key for Consumer. “Many customers say just the sight of a video doorbell or camera is

enough of a deterrent in getting trespassers to leave their properties.”

4. Set timers for lighting. Another important tactic while vacationing is to use lighting to make it appear someone is home. You can connect smart lights to your home security cameras to have lights turn on/ off, or set up light schedules with Alexa to turn lights on and off at certain times each night. Even if you just set one lamp near a front window, it will look like someone is home.

5. Pre-set your HVAC. Completely turning your HVAC off to save money can be a bad idea. Not only will it look like nobody’s home if your AC unit isn’t running while it’s sweltering, but you could also damage internal structures of the house due to excessive humidity. On top of that, your AC unit will have to work non-stop to get the temperature back down when you return, eliminating cost savings you

hoped for by shutting it off completely. A good rule of thumb is to raise the temperature about 5 degrees from your usual setting when you leave town. To be able to adjust the temperature while you’re away, consider installing a smart thermostat that you can control remotely.

Following these few simple steps, you can ensure your home and packages will be safe and secure, whether you’re on the road or on the beach.—

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RuralLeaderMag.com | JULY 2023