Lifestyle

Prior to the annual lighting of the City of Van Christmas Tree Nov. 20, the second grade choir at Van Intermediate School, under the direction of Michael Williams, sang a medley of holiday favorites for the crowd in attendance in downtown Van. Photo by David Barber

Gregg Beverly (left) was recognized for having the “Top Protein Bale” Nov. 4 during the 2021 Hay Evaluation Clinic and Dinner held at the VZC Farm Bureau building in Canton. Recognizing Beverly is VZC Extension Agent Tommy Phillips.

Various factors affect an individual’s risk for type 2 diabetes. An impairment in the way the body regulates and uses glucose, or sugar, as fuel, diabetes is a chronic disease that researchers estimate affects nearly half a billion people across the globe. One recent study conducted in affiliation with the International Diabetes Federation examined global diabetes data published between 1990 and 2018. That study represented 138 countries and researchers ultimately estimated that diabetes could affect 700 million people by 2045.

UT Health East Texas is offering a free, virtual seminar at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. The seminar will feature a presentation on Type 2 Diabetes: What You Need to Know by Kurtis Kostan, MD, board-certified internal medicine physician with UT Health East Texas Physicians Clinic on Three Lakes Parkway in Tyler.

The City of Van is planning a busy holiday season as events scheduled for the months of November and December have been released. There will be a Snow Slide downtown from 2-6 p.m.

National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is Nov. 15-22 at Believers Eastern Church, located on the Gospel for Asia campus at 1116 St.

The Van Zandt County Fire Marshal’s office issued a sobering reminder to county residents Oct. 31, warning that the risk of grass fires remained extremely high despite no burn ban being in effect.

It looks to be another odd year for holiday celebrations. The biggest question likely on most minds is do we make merry in person or virtually? No matter your plans, the Postal Service is ready to do its part to handle your special holiday greetings and gifts. But we also need you to do your part, and that is to make sure you get those packages and good wishes to your Post Office location on time.

Breast cancer is a complex disease that affects millions of women across the globe each year. Though the American Cancer Society reports that only about 4 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States are under age 40, women of all ages can take steps to protect themselves against this deadly disease.

No one, regardless of their age, occupation, skin color, or socioeconomic status, is immune to cancer. In fact, individuals might be hard pressed to say no one in their family and/or circle of friends has been diagnosed with cancer at some point.