By SHARRON HUDSON

Hope you all had a memorable Valentines Day and are working on good heart health.

As February is National Heart Health Month, the Millsap Elementary students recently participated in their Annual Jump Rope for Heart-Athon.

This event has been a part of the elementary physical education program for around 20 years and teacher Mike Humphrey is diligent about keeping the tradition going. It is sponsored by the American Heart Association, which encourages good habits that are key for good health.

A local organization that has a program to support heart help is Millsap Volunteer Fire Department. As is periodically mentioned, the department offers American Heart Association CPR classes free of charge. They will endeavor to fit a class into any schedule for anyone interested. For more information, email millsapvfd@embarqmail.com or call Mark Anderson at (940) 452-2467.

Lastly, although most are aware of the signs of heart attack it never hurts to review. They are listed by the AHA as:

• Chest discomfort.

• Discomfort in one or both arms, the neck, the back, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.

• Breaking out in a cold sweat.

• Nausea, vomiting or light headedness. 

Hope this info encourages or helps someone.

With more about health, a reminder that the Millsap School Health Advisory Council will host the Third Annual Millsap Community Health Fair at Millsap High School on Feb. 21, 5:30-8 p.m., and it’s free.

There will be a myriad of booths set up and health screenings and flu shots will be available. MSHAC plans to have dentists, chiropractors, optometrists and other health-care providers on site.

You can also eat dinner there as the MHS junior class is sponsoring a baked-potato supper, with a cost of $6 for adults and $4 for kids 9 and under.

There will be door prizes and a theme basket raffle at the fair, so why not plan to take advantage of something that could be very beneficial and fun?

Club events

• The Millsap Ladies Neighborhood Home and Garden Club reported that their spaghetti supper fundraiser was a great success, with over 150 folks being served. They express their thanks to everyone who so kindly supported their efforts. The funds the club raised go toward: twice-yearly goody bags for senior citizens and shut-ins, a yearly scholarship for a MHS senior, giving funds to families in the area who have emergencies or health crises and other community needs as they come up.

The ladies enjoyed a Mardi Gras theme at their regular February meeting and the guest speaker was Millsap City Manager Mark Barnes. He gave some helpful information on the workings and plans of our city government.

The March meeting will have an Asian theme. All area women are invited to gather at the Millsap Community Center on the first Wednesday morning of each month, at around 10:30 a.m., and enjoy visiting, a potluck lunch and being a part of a group that supports the community in a multitude of ways.

• The Quilting Club invites seasoned quilters and beginners to join them. The group meets at the Millsap Methodist Church on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, beginning at 9 a.m. Currently, each quilter is just beginning work on a “crazy quilt.” This design is made with silk, satin, beads and buttons. The group is also planning to make a quilt for the Methodist Church to use in a fundraiser – their way of saying, “Thanks,” for the church graciously letting them meet there. They are a busy group with some great endeavors!

Hill-Denny Fundraiser

An event that is being highly publicized throughout the area is the Benefit for Karen Hill-Denny. This will take place at the Mineral Wells American Legion on March 2, 2-10 p.m.

The money raised will offset expenses incurred due to Karen’s diagnosis of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

The event is sponsored by her Mineral Wells High School Class of 1974 and they are doing an awesome job of putting it together. The door donation is $5 and this means you can listen to some great bands play all day long, plus barbeque sandwiches will be available for $7. There will be both live and silent auctions. Some of the fantastic items available include a hand-tooled briefcase made by Danny Mason, an $800 man’s diamond ring and a picnic table.

There will be all kinds of door prizes, plus a bake sale. To donate to the auctions or for more information, call (940) 445-4409 or (940) 682-1566. Karen is a devoted mother, daughter and friend, so please help if possible.

• Dates to remember: Feb. 18 is Presidents’ Day; on Feb. 25 the Millsap ISD board will meet at 7 p.m. in the Millsap Middle School Media Center; and on Feb. 28 the Millsap Community Center board will hold a public meeting at the center at 5 p.m.

Thanks for reading!