I cannot believe that fall and the Holiday Season is here already!! It seems to me that time is passing more quickly than ever this year. Maybe it is just that I am getting older, so my perspective on life is changing. As I write this short column, it is raining outside. I am reminded of the Johnny Cash song "Folsom Prison Blues" - "I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when." I sure would like to see the sun soon!!!!

I have spoken with several farmers in the past few weeks. They are all "biting at the bit" to get into the fields and get this year's harvest season rolling. My dad and I were talking on the phone this week. He mentioned that this harvest season was reminding him of a couple of Octobers back in the 70's when rain really hampered harvest. I remember those years. Harvest was still going on at Thanksgiving. Let's hope that doesn't happen this year.

Memories are a good thing to have and create. Such as, I remember the sunshine (haven't seen it for quite some time), and would really like to see it again soon! I remember the 70's and harvesting corn in the mud. I remember the smell of turkey cooking and the taste of mom's apple pie. I remember my girl's faces the first time they got to visit Santa. However, my family and I like to make new family memories this time each year surrounding the Holidays. I sincerely hope that you too will have the opportunity to create new memories for you and your family.

Your Extension office has been busy as always preparing and presenting outstanding educational material and programs. Our 4-H year is off to a great start. We have at least two new clubs starting up this year. One of them is a Cloverbud Club for kids ages 5-8. If you have a child or grandchild that would be interested in getting a jump start in 4-H, give us a call. As always, watch our website, http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/piatt, and your local paper for upcoming programs. Remember, if you have any suggestions for programs, I would welcome your phone calls or emails. Or, just stop by the office if you are in town. Thanks again for support Piatt County Extension programs.

Enjoy the Holidays.

- Doug Harlan, County Director

Currently the national law allows people to collect unemployment benefits for 79 weeks. 79 weeks is already an extension of the usual time limit for unemployment, and yet, legislation is being considered that would extend this benefit time. Why? Because many people have been unemployed for longer than 79 weeks, and the number of people unemployed continues to increase.

"My colleagues and I are hearing different financial questions from people now than we did a few years ago," says Kathy Sweedler, University of Illinois Extension Educator. "This is a very difficult time for people financially and their financial situations are often complicated. They may need a wide range of different kinds of financial advice, and they need to know how to find a reliable adviser for their particular needs."

Before you start working with a financial professional, it is worth taking the time to compare two or three financial professionals in order to choose someone who is a good match for you. Be aware that anyone can call themselves a financial advisor! You want to choose someone who has appropriate education and experience. Interview financial professionals and ask many questions. University of Illinois Extension's website Choosing a Financial Professional, http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/financialpro/, discusses how to evaluate a financial professional's credentials and explains how different financial professionals are paid. At this website, you can download a free interview guide.

Unemployment, and problems that arise with reduced income, is a very stressful situation. One out of eight households with a mortgage is currently delinquent on their loan or in foreclosure. According to Sweedler, "We know that people are especially vulnerable to fraud during times of stress."

"If you're having trouble paying your mortgage payments, contact a qualified housing counselor," Sweedler recommends. She suggests visiting HUD's website at www.hud.gov or calling (800) 569-4287 for a list of qualified housing counselors.

When purchasing investments, take a few simple steps to protect yourself. Before you invest, take time to check that both the investment and the person selling the investments are legitimate.

1. Check that the investment option you're interested in is registered with your state's securities regulator. If it is not registered, then this is likely a fake investment. Don't invest!

2. Who is selling you the investment? Check the financial professional's background and references. In Illinois, a simple way to check on an investment option or a person's licenses and disciplinary records is to call the Illinois Securities Department, toll-free 1-800-628-7937 or visit their website at: www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/securities/.

For more information on how to recognize and avoid investment fraud, visit www.RetireWell.uiuc.edu.

- Kathy Sweedler, University of Illinois Extension Educator, consumer and family

The holidays should be a joyful time for you and your family. But for many families, it's tough to find the extra cash for holiday expenses. Credit cards solve that problem for now, but can create other problems. Nearly one-third of adults say they usually spend more than they plan on for holiday gifts.

To control holiday spending, start by making a written plan for spending and gift giving. Set spending limits for gifts for each person, as well as for the other items in your spending plan. Start looking for bargains early. Think about cutting back on what you usually spend during the holidays. Talk with friends and family about not exchanging gifts, drawing names so you give fewer gifts or setting dollar limits.

Decide if you are going to use your credit card. If you decide to use only cash, leave the credit cards at home. If you need to use a credit card, just pick one to use for holiday spending. It's much easier to control your spending on one card than on three or more. Write your spending limit on an envelope and put it in your wallet. When you use your credit card, write the amount on the envelope and subtract it from your limit. The envelope can hold receipts. Stop using your card when you reach your limit!

There are a lot of ways that you can cut down on holiday spending. Make gifts by hand or give gift certificates promising your time or talents. The gift that each of us remember as most special is usually the one that involved someone's time and thought, not large amounts of money.

To find a chart for recording your holiday spending, go to the University of Illinois website (http://urbanext.illinois.edu/home/index.html) and click on Credit Card Smarts.

The holidays are fast approaching and you're short on funds, here are some suggestions for low-cost gifts that have the potential of pleasing both the giver and the recipient, said University of Illinois Extension family and consumer economics educator, Evelyn Prasse. These ideas could also be used for birthday, baby shower or anniversary gifts.

"Often it doesn't take much imagination to go to the store and quickly buy something. People appreciate a gift that's taken thought and effort on the part of the giver," said Prasse.

Here are 10 suggestions for giving and wrapping a good gift without breaking your budget:

1. Bake special treats and include the recipe. Cookies, quick breads, cakes and pies make wonderful gifts.

2. Give a little girl a dress-up box of your old clothes, jewelry and hats.

3. Give a special treasure that you own to someone else to cherish and then pass to someone else.

4. Take pictures and create a photo album of special times.

5. A gift certificate sharing your time or talent is always appreciated. Try coupons for babysitting, massages, house cleaning, meal preparation, whatever talent you can share.

6. Encourage a budding artist with a decorated box of art supplies or items from which to make puppets and masks.

7. For group gift exchanges, suggest drawing names so you will only need to buy one gift.

8. Or have a white-elephant exchange. Someone may treasure the item you don't want.

9. Instead of spending a lot on wrapping your gift, sew special one-of-a-kind fabric gift bags.

10. Or fashion beautifully wrapped gifts out of recycled newspapers, Sunday comics, or brown paper bags.

- Evelyn Prasse, University of Illinois Extension Educator, family and consumer economics

One of the joys of the fall and winter season is curling up in front of a warm fireplace. Proper fireplace use and maintenance, along with a commitment to safety, will keep the enjoyment from turning into tragedy.

"Before building your first fire of the season, inspect the fireplace and the chimney for cracks, creosote buildup and other potential blockages. Bird or animal guards need to be in place on top of the chimney," advises Duane Friend, University of Illinois Extension natural resources educator. "Another option is to have a professional chimney sweep check and clean the system."

It's important to use wood that has been sufficiently dried. Ideally, the wood should be split and allowed to dry for a year before use. Dried wood burns with less smoke and burns more evenly than green wood. Do not use painted or pressure-treated wood or particle board. To reduce sparks coming into the living area, place a screen in front of the fireplace.

"Make sure the damper is open before starting a fire, and keep it open even when there are just smoldering embers left in the fireplace," says Friend. "Never use flammable liquids to start the fire."

Keep flammable items like rugs and curtains away from the fireplace. Also, avoid roaring fires which can start chimney fires from soot and creosote in the flue. Have a fire extinguisher, such as a class ABC extinguisher, close by. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should also be used and regularly checked.

A fireplace requires a large amount of air. In tight homes, Friend says to make sure there is enough fresh air so that a reverse draft does not set up, which could bring carbon monoxide fumes from furnaces or water heaters into the house.

Make sure all ashes are thoroughly cool before disposal. Place ashes in a metal container with a lid, on a noncombustible floor or on the ground, away from potential ignition sources, until they are cool.

For more information on fireplace safety, visit these websites:

http://web1.msue.msu.edu/imp/mod02/01500595.html

http://www/uaex.edu/news/january2006/0113burn.htm

- Duane Friend, University of Illinois Extension Educator, natural resources

During the holiday season, many families gather for special traditions and share memories. But for grandparents who are parenting again, the holidays may bring on a sense of sadness. Families who are separated by military deployment may find the holidays especially difficult. How can you help? Use this holiday season as an opportunity to discuss traditions your family has enjoyed.

You could even start some new traditions to build memories of your family as it is now. Traditions are special activities that we repeat regularly and that have special meaning to those who participate.

Traditions give family members a sense of belonging and can help give families stability. Values and beliefs are strengthened through traditions. When we share these activities again and again, it reinforces the importance of family for young people.

Traditions don't have to be extravagant affairs, and they don't have to cost extra money. Sometimes our family traditions change along with family — it is okay to adapt a tradition to fit your current situation. If your grandchild's parent is in the military, take pictures or videos of the family participating in holiday traditions to send to the deployed parent. The important thing is to do activities together as a family to build memories.

Here are some ideas for simple family activities that could become your own holiday traditions:

· Include children in holiday baking. Make cookies or quick breads to eat together and share with others.

· Go caroling with a family or with a group. Visit neighbors, friends or shut-ins.

· Prepare a special recipe that has been handed down through the generations for holiday meals. Let the children help.

· Set aside a time to watch holiday TV specials together or rent holiday movies to watch together.

· Read special holiday poems or books. Look for stories that have meaning for your family.

- Amy Griswold, University of Illinois Extension Educator, family life