Commissioner College graduates seven
Seven Caswell District Unit Commissioners have earned the Bachelor of Commissioner Science Degree.
Don Fitts, Assistant Council Commissioner in charge of training for the East Carolina Council, presented awards to Sue Oliver, Carol Cantu, Cindy Deaver, Rick Haas, David Wiggins, Phil Decker and David Wooten.
The bachelor degree involves seven classes over the course of six months at Commissioner College. The degree is offered annually. This class of seven is the largest graduating class from one district at one time.
Home solutions: Keeping pollen outside
Welcome to spring time in North Carolina, with runny noses, watery eyes and everything coated with pollen. Almost all green plants produce pollen, and most by far is produced in spring, with the season lasting for six to eight weeks.
Anything that’s starting to flower is producing pollen. The amount varies widely within local areas and among geographic regions. Weather conditions play a major role. A rainy spring or late spring frost that kills flowers often reduces the amount of pollen in the atmosphere, with counts highest early in the morning on warm, dry, breezy days and lowest during chilly, wet periods.
Pollen from plants is a natural occurrence and can’t be stopped. Staying indoors, especially when the pollen count is high, may reduce some discomfort but probably will not eliminate it. There’s no easy way to evade wind-borne pollen.
Some options for reducing the discomfort include remaining indoors in the morning, when pollen levels are highest; avoiding sunny, windy days; wearing a tight fitting facemask that filters pollen if working outdoors; keeping the lawn mowed to prevent grasses from blooming and pollinating; keeping car windows closed and the air conditioning on re-circulate when traveling.
At home, keep windows closed during peak hours of the day, and replace heating/cooling air filters regularly. Obtain a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter, effective in removing pollen from the air indoors without contaminating the environment with molds.
Dry laundry indoors. Save the clothesline for pre- and post-pollen weather. Avoid travel in the country, especially on dry, windy days or while crops are being harvested.
Brush pets thoroughly before bringing them in to prevent “tracking” pollen inside. Change clothes after being outside, wash or rinse hair and remove shoes before going inside.
Wet dust and vacuum every day using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to reduce pollen residue on surfaces. When doing housekeeping chores, extremely sensitive people should wear a facemask, or may need to delegate cleaning duties to someone else.
Resource: North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Trudy W. Pickett is family and consumer science agent at the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office, 1791 N.C. 11/55. Reach her at 252-527-2191 or trudy_pickett@ncsu.edu.