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How food binds us all together in good times and bad

How food binds us all together in good times and bad

By Jessica Domel

I’ve decided, after much consideration, that food has the ability to bring families, friends and foes together, brighten someone’s day and sustain our lives. That’s a pretty big responsibility for anyone or anything.

The healing power of food stuck in my mind as I was thinking about a friend of mine who is going through a pretty difficult time. I was dwelling on my lengthy list of things to do when I saw a note on Facebook about her troubles.

In that instant, my to-do list faded to the background and I began to contemplate how I could best get a casserole or plate of cookies to her home. We live hours away from each other, and while I can’t be there for her in person, I knew that a plate of my chocolate chip cookies or my King Ranch Chicken casserole would let her know I’m there.

Food can have such power in our lives.

Texas Asthma Camp for Kids offers one week-long session of fun from June 23-28

Texas Asthma Camp for Kids offers one week-long session of fun from June 23-28

From UT Health Northeast:

Children with severe asthma will have an opportunity to have fun while learning more about their disease during this summer’s week-long Texas Asthma Camp for Kids, held from Sunday, June 23, through Friday, June 28, 2013.

Children whose asthma is severe enough to prevent them from attending a regular summer camp will have priority in registration, Camp Director Rhonda Scoby said.

During the annual camp, children learn what triggers their asthma, how their medications work, and how better to manage their asthma.

“We rely on physicians and school nurses to help us identify the sickest kids, those who will benefit the most from attending asthma camp. We want kids whose experience at Texas Asthma Camp will make a real and positive difference in their lives,” Scoby said.

3 homeless pets need a family - can you help?

3 homeless pets need a family - can you help?

Gayle Helms with Pets Fur People shared with us that these three animals need a home, and we certainly hope that someone in East Texas will be the one to provide that for each of them.

First, this is  Duke, a handsome 2-year-old male Labrador Retriever mix that is available for adoption at Pets Fur People (formerly the Humane Society of East Texas) in Tyler.   

Duke has a very sweet disposition and is very well-mannered.  He would be a good fit with any family - labs are America's favorite dog! 

Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Month with these unique recipes

Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Month with these unique recipes

If you are like most of us, you are a fan of the grilled cheese sandwich! To celebrate April being National Grilled Cheese Sandwich month, try out Mama Steph's farmers market grilled cheese sandwich! You can customize it to your liking, so give it a try this weekend and enjoy!

Mama Steph’s farmers market-grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients

After 5 years in shelter, Lassiter is ready for a home of his own

After 5 years in shelter, Lassiter is ready for a home of his own

From Pets Fur People:

Poor Lassiter has been at Pets Fur People since 2008 through no fault of his own.  He is a big, sweet black lab that gets overlooked by adopters.  He is available for adoption at Pets Fur People (formerly the Humane Society of East Texas) in Tyler.

This sweet, gentle guy walks on a leash and is fun loving and playful.  He likes other dogs and needs a country home with kids to play ball with.  Won't you please open up your heart to Lassiter?  He deserves a loving family.

Lassiter has been neutered and is current on starting vaccinations including rabies. He has been microchipped for identification purposes and when adopted will receive a free gift of 30 days of free pet health insurance.  For additional information call 903 597-2471 or check the Pets Fur People website – petsfurpeople.org.

KLTV Pet Patrol: black puppy found in Whitehouse

KLTV Pet Patrol: black puppy found in Whitehouse

Andrea Tyndall shared this photo of a lost dog she found in Whitehouse. Could he be yours?

Andrea said, "Black lab puppy found in Whitehouse. Call 903-530-3626 for more information."

If you know whose dog this is, please contact Andrea.

Thanks, neighbors!

Old Mill Marketplace chili cook off and record-setting Easter egg hunt

Old Mill Marketplace chili cook off and record-setting Easter egg hunt

From Old Mill Marketplace:

Come to the Old Mill Marketplace in Canton on Saturday to put a little spring in your step with the 14th Annual CASI Sanctioned Chili Cook Off and bring the kids to take part in a record-setting Easter Egg Hunt with 13,000 eggs.

The theme of this year's cook off is "Peace, Love, Chili and Easter Eggs!" In addition to the Chili Cook Off that runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be more than 13,000 eggs hidden all over The Mountain to be discovered immediately following the cook off festivities at 4 p.m. Prizes, money or candy will be hidden in the eggs.

"The Easter Bunny, live buffalo, Indians, cowboys and wolves will all be on hand to make your day on The Mountain a fun time for all ages," said Debbie Reaves, co-owner of Old Mill Marketplace. "There will also be bargains galore in all of The Mountain shops. Shop owners will be running specials to join in on all the festivities."