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PAGE 3 November 2024
Gadsden State Cherokee students and employees are collaborating with the Rotary Club of Cherokee County on a food drive to support local families receiving services from the Family Care Center. The community is encouraged to join this effort by donating stuffing mix, cranberry sauce and canned vegetables to help families in need enjoy holiday meals. Donations will be collected through November 30 in the lobby of Gadsden State Cherokee in Centre. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Rotary Club on this meaningful project,” said Marie Roberts, Gadsden State Cherokee’s library assistant and organizer of the food drive. The Family Care Center plays a critical role in supporting local families by providing food and essential resources. By joining forces with the Rotary Club, Gadsden State Cherokee students and employees hope to make a greater impact and ensure that more families have a reason to celebrate on Thanksgiving and Christmas. “We’re committed to making a difference in our community, and this food drive is a way to show our support for those facing hardships,” Roberts said. “With the help of our students, faculty, staff and the entire community, we’re hoping to brighten the holiday season for many families in our area.” Food Drive
Difference in Heart Attack or Heartburn As Thanksgiving and other holidays approach, many Americans look forward to all of the festivities, spending time with family and friends, and indulging in traditional holiday dishes. But, what many people don’t know is that during the holiday season there may also be a higher risk of two health conditions - heartburn and heart attack. “These conditions are not the same and not related, but sometimes they can be hard to tell apart,” said Sawan Jalnapurkar, M.D., a Gadsden Regional Medical Center affiliated interventional cardiologist. “Heart attacks are more likely to feel like pain, pressure or a tight squeezing feeling in your chest. Heartburn feels more like a burning sensation and can cause a bitter or sour taste to travel to your mouth.” Heartburn is very common, and can be avoided. In fact, the American Gastroenterological Association estimates that more than 60 million Americans experience it at least once a month. Rich holiday meals, overeating, and drinking alcohol can trigger heartburn, making it even more common during holiday periods. Dr. Jalnapurkar shares tips to help prevent the discomfort of holiday (or anytime) heartburn. These include: Eat smaller, balanced meals to avoid overloading your digestive system; Avoid spicy foods and choose low- fat, low-acid ingredients to reduce heartburn triggers; Stay hydrated with water and avoid alcohol consumption; Don’t lie down after a big meal. Instead, take a walk to stimulate digestion and reduce blood pressure; and Manage symptoms with over-the-counter medications that usually bring fast relief. “We want people to enjoy the holidays and not to feel sick,” said Dr. Jalnapurkar. “It’s all about knowing how to stay well in the first place and finding that sweet spot between overindulgence and moderation.” If heartburn does not subside, or becomes more frequent, it’s important to talk to a gastroenterologist. Ongoing heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), which can result in more serious complications if left untreated. Heart attacks also occur more frequently during the winter holidays, especially on Christmas Day and during the last week of the year. The holidays can be a stressful time. Normal routines are often disrupted. People get busy and tend to sleep less. They are likely to eat and drink more. Winter weather can lead to constricted vessels caused by cold temperatures, resulting in restricted blood flow. Heart attack symptoms can include tightness, discomfort or pain in the chest. Pain may also be felt in the jaw, neck, arm or back. Other signs include shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. “Don’t ignore the warning signs of a heart attack because you are afraid of spoiling the holidays,” said Dr. Jalnapurkar. “Fast care is critical. During a heart attack, the heart’s tissue is damaged and that can happen very quickly. Fast medical treatment can be the difference between life and death.”
Gadsden State wins statewide award for clean-up project Gadsden State Employees attend the PALS Governor’s Awards Ceremony. From L to R: Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State, Lynn Patterson, Stacie Tucker, Theresa Miller, Randi Wright, Pam Johnson. Photo Courtesy of Gadsden State
Gadsden State Community College was recognized by Coca-Cola UNITED during the annual Alabama PALS Governor’s Awards Ceremony. The College was recognized on Nov. 12 at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery for its Don’t Drop It on Alabama project. This is the second year in a row that Gadsden State was recognized with this statewide award. “We are incredibly honored to receive this award,” said Lynn Patterson, director of Student Activities at Gadsden State. “The amount of litter our students and employees removed during this project is a true testament to their dedication and commitment to preserving our community’s natural beauty.” During the Don’t Drop It on Alabama event, student groups competed in cleaning up streets and public common areas in Gadsden, Anniston and
Centre. As a result, they collected 7,950 pounds of litter, the highest amount among the Alabama Community College System. Participating campuses included the Ayers, Wallace Drive, Valley Street and Cherokee campuses. The litter collection earned Gadsden State a $1,000 prize. Joining Patterson for the presentation by Gov. Kay Ivey were Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State; Pam Johnson, dean of Institutional Effectiveness; Clerk, Stacie Tucker; Randi Wright, director of Gadsden State Cherokee; and Theresa Miller, of the Valley Street Campus. “This award is not just a recognition of our efforts but a reminder of what we can accomplish together when we work toward a cleaner, healthier environment for all,” she said. Patterson made the clean-up project a competition to see which
student organization could collect the most garbage. The Student Government Association prevailed in the competition. Second place went to the Lady Cardinals Volleyball Team with third place going to the Men’s Tennis Team. The winners received prize packets of Gadsden State swag. Coca-Cola UNITED is a longtime partner of Alabama PALS, a statewide organization dedicated to making the state more beautiful by sponsoring programs focused on cleaning up litter in Alabama’s streets, streams, campuses and coastlines. Through education and annual anti-littering campaigns, Alabama PALS has partnered with Alabama counties, cities, communities, schools and other organizations to enhance the Alabama environment by preventing littering and picking up litter.
Downtown Gadsden is getting in the holiday spirit and, as a more relaxing and enjoyable alternative to the big box stores “Black Friday” chaos, holiday shoppers are invited to Plaid Friday on November 29, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Plaid Friday is a nationwide initiative that encourages shopping local for holiday sales. PLAID FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 29, 2024 GADSDEN'S HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT
Santa Claus will be in downtown from Noon until 3 p.m.
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