Remember to protect your skin this spring and summer

Photo:Jeff Denlea/Pexels
(StatePoint Media) Whether you are getting outside to start planting flowers for this spring and summer or heading out to enjoy watching kids play their spring sports, don't forget that sunscreen. Like most people we tend to prioritize skin protection when spending time outdoors, but skin damage from UV rays and free radicals can occur inside too.

Consider these tips and insights this summer:

Indoor and Outdoor Hazards
If you’re already taking measures to protect skin while outdoors, that’s great. The sun is responsible for up to 90% of visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. But you don’t have to be at the pool or beach to be susceptible to sun damage.

Whether you’re driving your car or you’re inside your home, it’s important to keep in mind that your skin can be exposed to free radicals from the sun’s rays through windows. What’s more, blue light from digital screens -- ubiquitous these days -- can also be harmful to skin. Additionally, damaging free radicals can be generated by pollution, certain foods, like those with a high glycemic index and red meat, exercise, alcohol and more.

Topical Care
Be sure to apply a topical SPF daily to your face and body. Keep in mind that some fabrics don’t offer complete protection, so wearing sunscreen even on areas of skin that are not directly exposed to sunlight is a good idea. You can offer additional protection to sensitive areas like your scalp by wearing a hat. And of course, take good care of your eyes with sunglasses featuring UV blocking.

Double Up
Ultimate skin health comes from a combination of defensive layers. Double down on your skin’s health from the inside out with a daily supplement, such as Heliocare Daily Use Antioxidant Formula.

Eighty-seven percent of U.S. dermatologists recommend taking Heliocare to help protect skin from free radicals, like those produced by the sun’s UV rays. Dermatologist-recommended, this natural, dietary supplement contains 240 milligrams of a powerful antioxidant formula derived from the extract of Polypodium leucotomos (PLE), a tropical fern native to Central and South America that’s been used for centuries as a remedy for skin-related conditions.

Unlike other skincare supplements that contain PLE, Heliocare has a clinically-established, proprietary antioxidant formula, Fernblock PLE Technology, which aids in eliminating free radicals in the body.

"Ultimately, no one is immune to skin damage. Taking a supplement like Heliocare each day is an excellent precaution to help your body protect itself from the damaging effects of free radicals," says New York-based dermatologist, Rachel Nazarian, MD. "By neutralizing the outcome of these harmful atoms, it can help to promote a healthy appearance of skin."

To help keep skin healthy and radiant, avoid free radical damage in the first place and prioritize a comprehensive skin care routine, even when indoors.

To learn more and to access additional skin care information, visit heliocare.com.

SJO dedicates athletic complex to long-time supporter

Former St. Joseph-Ogden Athletic Director and head football coach Dick Duval speaks during the dedication of school's athletic complex to district long-time employee and volunteer Glenn Fisher. A close and respected friend of Fisher for 32 years, Duval regaled stories of his extraordinary dedication in the caretaking of school's athletic fields, scoreboards and facilities.

"He has wired every scoreboard here, inside and out, and the controls and the power for them. He installed play clocks. He installed locker room clocks. He installed the lights around the basketball backboards," Duval told spectators before the start of SJO final home football game of the 2020-21 season. "Glenn has done it all because he loved SJO. He loved doing things to benefit the kids, no matter what it took."

Fisher passed away at the beginning of the year on January 7.

Duval also underscored Fisher's humility.

"Glenn is up there in heaven shaking his head at us because he did not want this," he said, relating a story about the moment he and the group shared with his old friend the school board's decision to name the facility after him. "In my 32 years of knowing Glenn, I never heard him swear until that day. He swore at me. He didn't think he deserved it. He didn't want it."

"I told him tough," Duval said. "It's already done. It's gonna happen."

The athletic complex includes the track and football field, the football practice field and the gym as well as both the softball and baseball fields located on the school grounds.

SJO FFA plant sale coming soon

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School FFA plant sale will be April 29-May 1, May 6-8, and May 13-15.

"We chose to push it back a week from last year to allow us to get a little closer to our Illinois frost free days, and because I have students this year that are working the greenhouse," wrote FAA faculty advisor Darcy Nekolny on Facebook. "We look forward to seeing everyone in two weeks!"

Photo by Amir Esrafili/Unsplash
This will be the organizations third installment of the plant sale. It is a chance for students at SJO to get practical horticultural experience. Proceeds from the sale is to support the school's greenhouse operation help expand students practical knowledge on agriculture and growing practices.

Vegetables that will be available include San Marzano Roma tomatoes, Better Boy tomatoes, a yellow tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, cucumbers, broccoli and cauliflower. There will also be a selection of herbs including red basil, basil, rosemary, thyme, and spearmint.

Decorative flower and ornamental for sale include coneflowers, daylilies, hostas, begonias, impatiens and more.

Credit card only pre-orders will be taken via the same ChedderUp platform used last year. Shoppers can purchase plant in-person with cash or check only.

More information will be available on the FFA's Facebook page.

SJO wins! Spartans undefeated at Dick Duval Field


St. Joseph-Ogden linebacker Xander Rieches celebrates after sacking Bloomington Central Catholic quarterback Jadyn Ellison for a loss during the Spartans' last home football game of the 2020-21 season. The Spartan (2-3) defense held BCC to just 10 rushing yards and allowed just 165 yards passing on the way to a 22-3 victory on Friday. SJO plays their final game of the season this Saturday at Monticello. Game time is slated for 2pm.
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)