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Local Festivals: The Heartbeat of Communities

(BPT) - From the taste of cotton candy to the march of a parade, there's a unique magic in every community festival. Travel across the country, and you'll find that while many festivals have a lot in common, they also serve their communities in very specific ways. Beyond the food, sights and sounds, community festivals tell a story of people coming together.

Across the nation, festivals are vital for fostering community connections, boosting local economies and celebrating local heritage. Not only do festivals create a sense of pride and belonging, but they also attract visitors, generating tourism revenue that supports local businesses. Through these gatherings, communities can preserve their cultural heritage while also building new traditions and fostering shared memories.

The Norborne Soybean Festival, Hayward Musky Festival and Roseau Fall Harvest Festival all exemplify the value local festivals provide towns. Each of these festivals embodies the power of community gatherings, from drawing in thousands of visitors who contribute to local commerce to preserving traditions that might otherwise fade over time. By looking closely at these examples, we can see firsthand the positive impacts festivals have on their communities and understand why they are so important.

A Celebration of Community in Norborne

Each year, just as the summer nights get shorter, Norborne, Missouri, comes alive for the Norborne Soybean Festival, a cherished celebration of community and agriculture. The weekend is full of parades, competitions, games, rides and food. But it's not just about the soybeans or the rides or the music — it's about Norborne itself, its people, its past, and its hope for the future. The festival is a celebration of community, of togetherness and of tradition.

"Norborne shares a deep-rooted passion for preserving and celebrating our community's spirit and unity," said Kyle Durham, organizer of the Norborne Soybean Festival. "Every year, we watch this festival bring our community together. When we spend time together, we get stronger."

Strengthening the Economy and Culture in Hayward

In Hayward, Wisconsin, the Musky Festival is a beloved annual event that celebrates the region's rich fishing heritage, particularly its reputation as a premier destination for musky fishing. Held each summer in the heart of Hayward, the festival draws locals and visitors alike for a weekend of fun, food and festivities centered around the famed freshwater fish, the muskellunge (commonly known as the musky).

"The Musky Festival plays a vital role in boosting the local economy by attracting visitors, supporting local vendors and promoting regional businesses," said Chris Ruckdaschel, Executive Director, Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce. "What may seem like just a fun festival, actually has a huge economic impact on our town. Everyone benefits when we come together."

Honoring the Past in Roseau

Across the border in Roseau, Minnesota, the Fall Harvest Festival is an annual celebration that brings the community together to mark the end of the harvest season and the onset of autumn. Rooted in the town's rich agricultural traditions, this celebration showcases local culture, community spirit and the hardworking ethos of the region. As the festival continues to thrive, it plays a vital role in preserving the area's history and ensuring that future generations can appreciate the heritage of this hardworking community.

"We have a lot of pride for Roseau. We also have a passion for preserving and remembering the history of Roseau," said Sinnamon Krings, Roseau Promotions Director. "The Fall Harvest Festival is a chance for the community to come together, remember our roots and celebrate the traditions that have shaped Roseau."

More than a Festival

The heart of a community festival isn't just in the attractions but in the stories shared between neighbors and friends who meet at the same corner year after year. For Norborne, Hayward and Roseau, their local festivals foster community connections, boost their economies, and preserve their local heritage.

How the Cenex^® Brand is Supporting Local Festivals

To support these festivals and celebrate all they do to create stronger community connections, Cenex^®, the energy brand of CHS Inc., has launched year two of Hometown Throwdown; a contest encouraging local pride by asking individuals and organizations to share what makes their hometown festival unique. The entry period for the competition is open now through February 7, 2025. Individuals and organizations can nominate their festivals online through the Hometown Throwdown online entry form. Once the entry period has closed, five finalists will be announced on May 1, 2025, and voting will open May 1 through May 31, 2025. The grand prize winner and four other prize winners will be picked after voting closes in accordance with the rules and will be announced on June 17, 2025. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000, the runner-up will take home $20,000, third place will be awarded $15,000, fourth place will receive $10,000 and the fifth-place winner will take home $5,000.

Visit CenexHometownThrowdown.com for more information.

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6 tips for safe travels this holiday season

(BPT) - Traveling for the holidays? Whether you're having a Friendsgiving with pals or going to grandma's house for Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, you'll find the roads jam packed. According to a survey by GasBuddy, 72% of Americans plan to drive to their holiday destination, up from 41% in 2023. Stormy and snowy weather conditions won't help matters.

Here are some tips to help you arrive at your holiday destination safely, from the good neighbors at State Farm.

Be prepared: transform your trunk for holiday travel. Is your trunk filled with your kids' sports equipment, your gym bag and miscellaneous items you found at a garage sale? State Farm recommends clearing all of that out and packing items you'll need if you get stranded, like hats, gloves, warm socks and blankets for everyone in the car. Also include water, flashlights and high-calorie snacks like trail mix. Don't forget phone chargers, jumper cables, a shovel and ice scraper, a tarp, snow brushes and a bag of sand or cat litter to give your tires some traction if you need to get out of an icy mess.

Be mindful of distractions. Texting while driving is the top culprit in distracted driving, according to a survey from State Farm. But that's not the only one. Grooming, checking maps, interacting with kids in the back seat, eating or even rubbernecking at an accident can cause an accident of your own. Also, be alert for wildlife and pedestrians.

Car maintenance is key. Oil changed and tires winter ready? Check! Lights all functioning and fluids topped off? Check! How about the wipers? What about your battery life? Before you go, make sure your car is in tip top shape so you get to your destination and home again safely. Even pop an extra jug of windshield washing fluid into your trunk, just in case.

Check the weather ahead. Monitor the weather along your route to know what you're driving into. You can arrange to stop in a hotel if necessary or delay your trip. The last thing you want is to be on the road in dangerous driving conditions.

Plan your route. Hop on your favorite mapping app and plan the best route for your trip, including stops for meals or overnights in a hotel. Many apps revise your route based on traffic patterns and accidents on the road ahead, so keep it on for any changes.

Fight fatigue. If you're driving a long distance, plan to take breaks every few hours or 100 miles to refuel, get out of the car, stretch and walk around for a bit. You don't want to nod off while driving.

Following these tips can help you feel confident setting out on your holiday journeys. Arriving safely to spend time with family and friends is what it's all about!

This content is sponsored by State Farm.

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Fall into Seafood During National Seafood Month with 3 Easy Recipes

(BPT) - October is here, which means fall is in full swing. It's a time of year when you can enjoy vibrant fall colors, football season and cooler weather that begs for cozy meals at home and warm comfort foods. But did you know that October is also National Seafood Month?

Whether you're cooking for family and friends or just for yourself, expand your culinary skills by adding seafood to your fall meal plans.

Why Seafood?

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans people of all ages should eat seafood at least twice a week. National Seafood Month is an awesome time to appreciate the variety of seafood available, try new flavors and incorporate more seafood into your diet.

Not sure how to start incorporating seafood into your meal plan? SeaPak (America's #1 Breaded Shrimp) offers three mouthwatering, quick and easy meals perfect to inspire your fall menu.

1. Popcorn Shrimp Flatbread Pizza

Popcorn shrimp is a sure-to-please crowd and kid favorite. Combine that with pizza, and you have a winning combination. This recipe for a crispy and flavorful flatbread pizza features ricotta, mozzarella, olives, arugula, parsley and SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp.

America's #1-selling Popcorn Shrimp is famous for a reason. With a crispy breading, these easy-to-bake and air fryer-friendly shrimp are perfect for everything from parties to meal planning.

2. One-Pot Creamy Shrimp Scampi

One-pot meals are easy to make, clean up and enjoy. This recipe for a One-Pot Creamy Shrimp Scampi takes five minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook. This no-fuss meal will impress your guests, and they'll never know it took only minutes to prep.

This quick, simple dish uses only seven ingredients: linguine noodles, spinach, half-and-half, parmesan, lemon wedges and shrimp scampi. The result? A velvety flavorful sauce, earthy spinach and buttery delicious shrimp.

3. Sheet Pan Jumbo Shrimp Fajitas

Impress your sweetheart this date night with Sheet Pan Jumbo Shrimp Fajitas. Combine spiced peppers, onions, seasoning and jumbo butterfly shrimp in a foil-lined baking sheet. Once done, you can serve the fajita mixture on steamed or charred flour tortillas and top with cilantro and avocado slices. Best of all? A one-pan meal means cleaning up takes little to no time so you can spend more time with your special someone.

Choose the right seafood products for memorable meals

When choosing seafood for your weekly meal plan, look for SeaPak. They offer versatility in cooking methods, allowing you to bake their products in the oven, sauté on the stovetop or fry in the air fryer.

Each package includes step-by-step, easy-to-follow instructions, so you'll never have to guess how to prepare your seafood and your meal will cook perfectly every time. You can use SeaPak products in any or all of these seafood recipes this fall.

Looking for a great deal on a seafood dinner? Find your favorite SeaPak products at a store near you by visiting SeaPak.com/Where-To-Buy/.

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I am your Eyeball Acquisition Specialist. Success in life, in anything, depends upon the number of persons that one can make himself agreeable to. US online shopping has been growing in popularity over the past few years, as evidenced by the increasing number of people choosing to purchase goods and services over the internet. Bigdoggpinc is helping solidify trust from gaining your confidence 1 person at a time if I have to.

Deserving More: Sherly's Journey to Managing Migraine Attacks

(BPT) - By Sherly P.

Coming of age in Puerto Rico, life was vibrant. As a family matriarch, I baked, cooked, and cared for 30+ relatives. My house was always the center of our family's activities. Unseen against the backdrop of family events, tables of food and the paradise that is Puerto Rico was my daily experience of living with migraine disease. I never allowed chronic migraine to slow down my education, career or impact my family, but it wasn't always easy.

Through my early 30s, my migraine attacks were mild and manageable. I earned two master's degrees, opened my own bakery, worked as a professional counselor and became a university professor. I also raised two rescue dogs, traveled the world, and maintained a busy social life.

Everything came to a crushing halt, and my migraine began to spiral out of control, after a serious injury in October 2012. I opened my eyes after an eight-hour surgery, but I didn't register the back pain because I was in the throes of the most excruciating migraine attack of my life. Immediately after surgery, my migraine symptoms intensified to include sensitivity to daylight, certain foods, and smells. Light sensitivity was impacting me so severely that I shifted to a nocturnal schedule to avoid daylight, making me feel like a vampire.

This rapid change started years of cycling through neurologists and various treatments in my desperate attempt to regain some control: acupuncture, vitamins, infrared light, yoga and even Himalayan sea salt in my coffee. Nothing worked for me.

Migraine pain became my new normal, robbing me of my health and happiness, and before long, the impact of my migraine disease was too much to bear. I lost my job, abandoned my studies, and retreated from family functions and socializing. The emotional low point came when my own loved ones accused me of exaggerating or faking my symptoms. The severity of it all led to self-isolation, anxiety, and depression. Medical professionals implied my suffering was just "in my head." I decided that I deserved more out of my migraine treatment plan and a neurologist who listened, believed, and validated the severity and impact of my migraine disease over my whole health. Finally, a recommendation led to a new neurologist who was both a migraine specialist and living with migraine herself. Finding her was my turning point as she combined migraine expertise with human empathy.

When I first visited her six years ago, she helped me understand the impact migraine was having on my life, and she was the first person in five years to validate the severity of my condition. I told her my migraine treatment plan wasn't working, and I needed to make a change. We developed an action plan to get a clearer picture of possible triggers for my migraine attacks. Armed with this information, we set out in search of a different treatment plan that would help address the severity of my disease and limitations. While I was in the waiting room for a follow-up appointment, I came across a brochure for VYEPTI^® (eptinezumab-jjmr), a prescription medicine used for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. What jumped out at me with VYEPTI is that it's administered by a healthcare provider four times a year (every three months) via intravenous (IV) infusion. I brought the brochure to my neurologist to discuss it during our appointment. Together we discussed the potential benefits and risks of VYEPTI, and we decided to give it a try. After starting treatment with VYEPTI, I noticed my overall migraine symptoms were becoming less severe.

Finally, I started being able to go back out on my balcony and enjoy the sunshine. Before long, I was experiencing intervals where I would go three or four days without a migraine attack — a huge improvement.

In patients with 4 or more migraine days a month, VYEPTI has been proven to reduce monthly migraine days over months 1-3 compared to placebo. However, individual results may vary and you should not receive VYEPTI if you are allergic to eptinezumab-jjmr or any of the ingredients in VYEPTI. See additional Important Safety Information for VYEPTI below.

With more migraine-free days, my house is once again the home to my family. I'm finally making plans! I'm even going to a concert soon, since it seems I can enjoy music again. I also plan to go back to school to get my Ph.D. in naturopathy. Migraine disease taught me the importance of putting myself first because I deserved more. With my migraine attacks less frequent and severe, I feel like my mental and physical health has improved. The biggest reward were the words from my therapist of 20 years, "finally, I see you again!"

Check out the doctor discussion guide on vyepti.com to get started today.

APPROVED USE
VYEPTI is a prescription medicine used for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not receive VYEPTI if you have a known allergy to eptinezumab-jjmr or its ingredients.

VYEPTI may cause allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction: rash; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; if you have trouble breathing; hives; or redness in your face.

Before starting VYEPTI, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including any prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of VYEPTI include stuffy nose and scratchy throat, and allergic reactions.

These are not all the possible side effects of VYEPTI. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For more information, please see the Prescribing Information and Patient Information or go to vyepti.com.

© 2024 Lundbeck. All rights reserved. VYEPTI is a registered trademark of Lundbeck Seattle BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. EPT-B-101669

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Ready-To-Use Glucagon Emphasized in Latest Diabetes Guidelines

(BPT) - If you or someone you care for is living with diabetes, you know it's important to stay up to date on the latest diabetes management guidelines. These updates for healthcare professionals from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Endocrine Society highlight some key changes about who is at risk for low blood sugar, and what you should do if you are at increased risk.

What are the updates?

The ADA and Endocrine Society now say that you should have a prescription for ready-to-use glucagon if you are at risk of developing low blood sugar.^1,2 You're considered at risk if you take medications like insulin, sulfonylureas or meglitinides.

If that's you — or someone you care for — talk to your doctor today about your risk factors. Very low blood sugar is common, costly and life-threatening.² That's why the new guidelines recommend that those at high risk of low blood sugar have access to ready-to-use glucagon.

Glucagon is a hormone that helps raise blood sugar levels, and ready-to-use options provide ease of administration during a low blood sugar emergency. Even though the guidelines have been updated, many people living with diabetes, who should have ready-to-use glucagon, don't have it. The guidelines acknowledge that glucagon prescriptions are low, and that more needs to be done to protect those at risk.²

How to ensure your rescue plan aligns with the guidelines

Use the checklist below to make sure your diabetes toolkit is up to date.

1. Take a fresh look at your low blood sugar emergency plan. Does it include a ready-to-use glucagon option?
2. Learn about ready-to-use options like Gvoke HypoPen^® (glucagon injection), the ready-to-use rescue pen anyone can use³ with confidence.
3. Speak with your healthcare provider about your risk and if Gvoke HypoPen is right for you.
4. Get a prescription for ready-to-use glucagon and fill it right away.
5. Always keep it with you.
6. Educate friends, family, and coworkers about the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar and what they can do to support you should you experience a low blood sugar emergency in their presence. That includes where to find your rescue tool, when to use it, and how to use it.

Staying on top of evolving diabetes care guidelines is important. With the right plan in place, you can face very low blood sugar with confidence.

Learn more about Gvoke HypoPen.

INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY

GVOKE is a prescription medicine used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in adults and kids with diabetes ages 2 years and above. It is not known if GVOKE is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age.

WARNINGS

Do not use GVOKE if:

• you have a tumor in the gland on top of your kidneys (adrenal gland), called a pheochromocytoma.
• you have a tumor in your pancreas called an insulinoma.
• you are allergic to glucagon or any inactive ingredient in GVOKE.

GVOKE MAY CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, INCLUDING:

High blood pressure. GVOKE can cause high blood pressure in certain people with tumors in their adrenal glands.

Low blood sugar. GVOKE can cause low blood sugar in certain people with tumors in their pancreas called insulinomas by making too much insulin in their bodies.

Serious allergic reaction. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have a serious allergic reaction including:

• rash
• difficulty breathing
• low blood pressure

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

The most common side effects of GVOKE in adults include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• swelling at the injection site
• headache

The most common side effects of GVOKE in children include:

• nausea
• low blood sugar
• high blood sugar
• vomiting
• abdominal pain
• headache
• pain or redness at the injection site
• itching

These are not all the possible side effects of GVOKE. For more information, ask your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

BEFORE USING

Before using GVOKE, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• have adrenal gland problems
• have a tumor in your pancreas
• have not had food or water for a long time (prolonged fasting or starvation)
• have low blood sugar that does not go away (chronic hypoglycemia)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if GVOKE passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you can use GVOKE while breastfeeding.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

HOW TO USE

• Read the detailed Instructions for Use that come with GVOKE.
• Use GVOKE exactly how your healthcare provider tells you to use it
• Make sure your relatives, close friends, and caregivers know where you store GVOKE and how to use it the right way before you need their help.
• Act quickly. Having very low blood sugar for a period of time may be harmful.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you how and when to use GVOKE.
• After giving GVOKE, your caregiver should call for emergency medical help right away.
• If you do not respond after 15 minutes, your caregiver may give you another dose, if available. Tell your healthcare provider each time you use GVOKE. Low blood sugar may happen again after receiving an injection of GVOKE. Your diabetes medicine may need to be changed.

HOW TO STORE

• Keep GVOKE pre-filled syringe and HypoPen in sealed foil pouch until time of use.
• Keep GVOKE kit vial and pouched syringe together in original carton until time of use.
• Store GVOKE at temperatures between 68°F and 77°F.
• Do not keep it in the refrigerator or let it freeze.

Keep GVOKE and all medicines out of the reach of children.

For more information, call 1-877-937-4737 or go to www.GvokeGlucagon.com.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information for Gvoke

References:

1. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 6. Glycemic Goals and Hypoglycemia: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S111-S125. doi:10.2337/dc24-S006.
2. McCall AL, Lieb DC, Gianchandani R, et al. Management of individuals with diabetes at high risk for hypoglycemia: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(3):529-562.doi:10.1210/clinem/dgac596.
3. Valentine V, Newswanger B, Prestrelski S, Andre AD, Garibaldi M. Human factors usability and validation studies of a glucagon autoinjector in a simulated severe hypoglycemia rescue situation. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2019;21(9):522-530.

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