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COVID & Health Info
March 2022
Vol. 1 Issue 3 | March 2022
A Word From Our Executive Director
Dear Residents,
Happy Birthday to all of our March birthdays!! I hope everyone is doing great. We would like to introduce and welcome our newest employee, Sarah. She will be assisting in the office and doing a little bit of everything. Please take the time to say hello, introduce yourself, and welcome her.
Also, we are excited to introduce "Rent Payment" to our new website. Residents can now make an account and pay online. There is also an option for "autopay" which allows you to set up automatic payments. If you need help setting up your account, feel free to contact our office or Tracy. Beginning March 14th, we will also be able to accept housing assistance applications online.
Next, we would like to announce two job openings. We are accepting applications for a part-time, temporary groundskeeper and a cleaning service once a week to clean our office. Applications may be submitted to our office or online at DicksonHousing.org/Careers. (Details posted online.)
Lastly, we are happy to announce some exciting events and activities coming your way. Please read throughout the newsletter and mark your calendars. We would also like to encourage more participation at the community center.
LET'S GET INVOLVED!!
Sincerely,
Sherry Lynch, Executive Director
Remember...
- Rent is due on the 1st.
- A late charge of $25.00 will be applied after the 10th of each month.
- You may now pay rent online on our website DicksonHousing.org
- Onsite rent payments must be paid by check or money order and placed in the drop box located outside of the office door. Do not put cash in the dropbox.
- "What Does Home Mean To Me" poster contest deadline will be March 21st. (Details Posted Inside)
Inside this issue:
- DHA News
- Resident Services
- Maintenance
- March Calendar
- March Events
- March Calendar
- March Recipe
- Did You Know...
It is getting warmer outside and the kids will be outside enjoying the sun. Please slow down and look out for the children.
Parents: Watch your children! Do not allow them to play in the street/parking lots. Encourage them to play smart and not take dangerous risks.
Maintenance Emergency
If you have an emergency and it's during office hours please call the office before calling maintenance.
Director, Sherry Lynch
EMERGENCIES ONLY
DHA News
- Administrative Business: All business will be handled through the service window. If you are sick, please call our office instead of making a visit.
- Website: Our website, DicksonHousing.org, now allows you to pay rent online. You will need to create an account and password. It is important to record this information in a safe place. You will need this every time you access the portal. If you need help, please contact Tracy or our office.
- Rent: If you choose not to pay your rent online, please remember that rent must be paid by check or money order and placed in the drop box. Do not put cash in the drop box.
- Sickness: As a courtesy to our staff, please let us know if anyone in your household is sick.
Resident Services
- Transportation will remain closed until further notice.
- Commodities will be available at the Dickson County Fairgrounds on March 30th. It is still "drive-thru style." If I deliver to you, please make arrangements with me if you do not plan to be home.
- Lots of things going on this month, please visit all sections of the newsletter for information.
- We would like to see the community center being used more. If you have any suggestions, we would love to hear from you. When COVID numbers improve, we will be doing a lot more. We have the equipment - Wii, television, karaoke machine, etc.-not being used. If you would like to volunteer in any way, please let me know. I always need help with planning and hosting ideas, setting up, etc.
- As your Resident Services Coordinator, I am able to help with referrals and information for services such as community health programs, benefit programs, food distribution, educational opportunities, child care... and much, much MORE! Feel free to contact me!!
Tracy Grigsby, AmeriCorps Member
Resident Services Coordinator
We want to keep our grounds looking nice. Do not throw your cigarette butts or trash on the ground. Do not dump grease down the drain or on the ground outside of your unit. Keep all toys picked up and outside furniture kept neat.
Egg Hunt
Our Easter Egg Hunt will be held in April. We are in need of candy, eggs, and volunteers. If you would like to help with any of these please contact Tracy: 615.446.9766
Bug Patrol
If you are seeing bugs, of any kind, in your unit please let us know so that we can get you on the treatment list.
March 13th is Daylight Savings Time
Remember to Set Your Clocks Up One Hour!
Today you are you!! That is truer than true!!!
There is no one alive who is you-er than you!!
- Dr. Seuss
Maintenance
- It's that time of the year again - windy season - Please do not leave storm doors propped open. The wind will damage the closer and you could be charged.
- Call the office to request a work order. Please do not call maintenance directly with work order inquires-unless it is an emergency.
- If something is not working properly - especially a leak, a soft floor, plumbing - be sure to report that immediately before a minor repair becomes a major repair.
Remember to observe social distancing while maintenance or staff is in your unit.
"What Home Means To Me" Poster Contest
Every year, NAHRO hosts a national poster contest. The contest is held on a local/state, regional, and national level and reflects the theme "What Home Means To Me." On the national level, 13 winners are chosen and their posters are showcased in a NAHRO calendar. We are hoping to participate if we have enough posters.
We know that our DHA youth have many, many talents and would like to encourage everyone to participate. Participants are broken into 3 categories:
- Elementary: K-5th Grades
- Middle: 6th-8th Grades
- High: 9th-12th Grades
We will provide materials and consent/rule packages in the Community Center. Participants are welcome to work on their poster every afternoon in the meeting room or take it home.
All posters are due April 15th. They will be judged and displayed in the community center until they are sent to the regional level.
To the left, I have put some examples of winning posters. You are welcome to check NAHRO's website for more examples and information. (NAHRO.org)
Other March Events
DR. SEUSS MONTH:
In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, we will have a guest reader for the children on Fridays at 3:45 pm. We will have prizes and snacks each day.
UT EXTENSION:
Spring Break is March 21-25th. Ms. Heather, from UT Extension, will be here that Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for a fun, nutritional lesson. Each class begins at 12 pm and snacks will be served.
BINGO:
We will have Bingo on the 17th at 1 pm. Everyone is welcome to come. We will have prizes, snacks, and of course lots of FUN!!!
YOUTH PAINT PARTY:
GFWC Women's Club will be hosting a paint party for grades 1st-5th on March 24th from 6-7:30 pm at the Community Center. Because there will only be 20 seats available, you MUST register with the flyer that was passed out. Snacks will be served. Question? Contact Tracy.
SOUP FOR SOULS:
Free Lunch for March will be on the 26th. Beginning at 11:30 until 12:30 or as the food lasts. Everyone is invited-this is not for just public housing residents.
COMMODITIES:
Commodities will be available at the fairgrounds for pick up on March 30th. Pick-up begins at 9 am.
Tracy will be around throughout the month to re-sign everyone up. If you are new to the program and would like to be signed up, please see Tracy.
March 11
Guest Reader
March 13
Daylight Savings - Spring Forward
March 17
Bingo - 1 PM
March 18
Guest Reader
March 22
Ms. Heather from UT Extension - 12 PM
March 23
Ms. Heather from UT Extension - 12 PM
March 24
Ms. Heather from UT Extension - 12 PM
Paint Party - 6 - 7:30 PM
March 25
Guest Reader
March 26
Soup For Souls - Free Lunch
March 30
Commodities
March 21st-25th - No School - Spring Break
March 22nd, 23rd, and 24th - Join us with Ms. Heather from UT Extension.
Did You Know...
March 17th is celebrated as St. Patrick's Day. For more than a thousand years, the Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday, giving tradition to "Lenten". Lenten is a period in which the Irish are given permission to consume meat, dance, drink, and feast on the traditional meal. St. Patrick was believed to be the patron saint of Ireland in the fifth century. He was in Britain, kidnapped at 16, and brought to Ireland as a slave. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited for bringing Christianity to the people. The "legend" of St. Patrick was that he explained the Holy Trinity by using the three leaves of the shamrock - thus the symbolization of the clover/shamrock.
Why shouldn't you iron a four-leaf clover?
You might press your luck!
March's Recipe - Spicy Stuffed Pork Chops
Ingredients:
- 1C chopped, cooked spinach
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 pkg CHI-CHI'S Restaurant Seasoning Mix
- 1/3C Szechuan Spicy Stir-Fry Sauce
- 2 TBS Olive oil
- 2 TBS fresh lemon juice
Directions:
- In a small bowl, combine cooked spinach, cream cheese, and seasoning mix.
- Cut a pocket in each pork chop about 2-3 inches wide and almost through to the other side.
- Spoon cream cheese filling inside each chop. Secure with a toothpick.
- Grease and preheat the grill on medium.
- Cook pork chops for 6-8 minutes on each side, brushing with sauce during cooking, until chops are cooked as desired.
Spilled Grease??
Oops! Someone spilled grease on the floor. No worries. Pour salt on the spot immediately. The salt will soak up the grease and prevent staining. After 5-10 minutes, sweep up the salt and clean the area with hot water and white vinegar.
National Nutrition Month
March is "National Nutrition Month!" Let's take a look at a few healthy nutritional facts...
Research shows that children who start eating nutrient-rich foods at a young age are more likely to make those same good eating habits later in life. Sometimes it can be easy for families to fall into those unhealthy food habits. However, with some practice, it's not too late to steer your child toward healthier choices.
Focus on Nutritious Foods - Make sure there are plenty of healthy choices available in your kitchen. Prewash and cut fresh fruits and veggies and put them in an easy-to-reach place in the fridge. Children tend to feel more independent when they can make choices on their own, so keep a variety of healthy foods stocked.
Introducing healthier foods may not be as exciting as cake or a cookie, but stick with the plan and celebrate the gradual changes. Encourage them to try a carrot with their salad or an orange slice with breakfast. If they don't like it, don't force it... just try again. Healthy eating is a learned behavior. Just as kids learn to roller skate or ride a bike by falling numerous times, they learn how to eat healthier by trying new foods at least 10 times.
Did You Know...
Dr. Seuss's real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel and that Seuss came from his mother's maiden name? Even though he was a very successful book writer, he had a permanent case of stage fright, at age 14. Former president, Theodore Roosevelt, was to thank for that. Geisel was a top seller in Boy Scouts and was anticipating a medal. However, Roosevelt was only given nine medals. When he got to Geisel, who was last in line, he bellowed, "What's that little boy doing here?" and was quickly whisked off stage.
** Dr. Seuss was rejected 27 times before his first manuscript was published.
** Dr. Seuss had no biological children. His first wife was unable to bear children and did not have any children with his second wife, although she had two daughters.
** When asked how he connected with so many children despite having his own, he answered by saying, "You have 'em, I will entertain 'em."
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."
- Dr. Seuss
Did you know...
- Dragonflies have 6 legs, but can't walk??
- There is no butter in buttermilk?
- Giraffes can't cough?
- Gorillas can't swim?
DHA Community Center Gym
- 8-11 AM Walking
- 1-3 PM Adult Free Play
- 3-4 PM Youth Free Play
If School is on a scheduled break, the Free Playtime is reversed for Adults and Youth.
Masks ARE Recommended!!!
(Be Aware That Changes May Occur At Any Time)
DICKSON HOUSING AUTHORITY
Sherry Lynch - Executive Director
Phone: 615.446.9371 & 615.446.4708
Fax: 615-441-1391
The Dickson Housing Authority's mission is to provide safe, decent, and sanitary housing conditions for low-income families and to manage resources efficiently. The Dickson Housing Authority is to promote personal, economic, and social upward mobility to provide families the opportunity to make the transition from subsidized to non-subsidized housing.
FYI... Some Things Never Change!!
MAINTENANCE
Non-emergency maintenance issues should be reported to our office during business hours - 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
Maintenance Emergencies before/after business hours should be directed to maintenance directly. (See phone numbers listed on the front of each newsletter.)
Emergencies Include:
- Suspecting Gas leaks
- Water leaks may create a safety hazard or property damage.
- No heat/air conditioning in concerning weather conditions.
- Flooding
- Any situation that may pose danger or property damage.
You will be charged a minimum of $40 for NON-emergency, after-hour calls.
RENT
Rent is due on the 1st of each month.
A $25 late fee will be applied if rent is not paid by 4:30 pm on the 10th.
If rent is not paid by the 15th, an eviction is issued.
Residents are required to report all income changes within 10 days of the change.
Please discuss all income adjustments, changes in the household, employment changes, etc. with Tosha Curtis, Public Housing Manager.
CHARGES
- Trash Collection $10
- Key Replacement $10
- Locks Changed $25
- Lock Out Charge
- After Hours $40
- Disabling Smoke Detectors $50 each
- Monthly Pet Fee $10
- Pet Deposit $300
- Maintenance Labor
- Rate During Hours $23.84 Hr
- Rate After Hours $40.00 Hr