Benefits of taking a vacation every year

The “tourism advisory board” guys actually played a few hands of pitch last Friday night for the first time in several weeks. Other than the shock of Danny Boy and I actually winning a couple of games, I think that I have Fred convinced to do a little tourism promotion in Canada this next couple of weeks when he and Toni take flight to visit the grandson. At least I thought he was serious when he agreed to my suggestion to schlep a case of Experience York along with him. His immediate answer of “Sure!” came kind of quick. I’m beginning to think he was just placating me, and plotting to leave town before I can get those brochures to him. I know how he works.
 Congratulations to Henderson on their Mosquito Days last weekend. What a great weekend for this annual event, and, as always, the food was outstanding. We got up early and made the trip over to start the day off right with the pancake feed at the barn at the Heritage Park, where the cakes and coffee were hot and ready. A great variety of fun activities filled the rest of the day for everyone.
From the Travel Industry Association comes some very interesting research facts of the personal benefits of travel and taking a vacation. Taking vacations can improve health in several measurable ways. Some of the more interesting facts I ran across:
 
Health Benefits
— An annual vacation can cut a person’s risk of heart attack by 50 percent.
— Blood pressure, heart rate and levels of epinephrine, a stress hormone, decline on holidays of only one or two days.
— Middle-aged men at high risk for coronary heart disease who take frequent vacations annually are 21% less likely to die of any cause, and 32% less likely to die of their coronary heart disease.
— Homemakers who vacation only once every six years or less have almost twice the risk of developing myocardial infarction or coronary death than do homemakers who take two or more vacations a year.
— Leisure has been found to contribute to overall well being by helping people maintain both their physical and mental health.
 
Relationship, Educational, and Cultural Benefits
— Women who take more vacations are more satisfied with their marriages.
— Even the anticipation of vacation travel generates an increase in positive feelings about one’s life as a whole, family, economic situation and health.
— Life satisfaction also increases during vacation, and these effects continue after returning home, according to a study of employees at the University of Tennessee.
 
Career and Productivity Benefits
— Burnout decreases significantly during two-week vacations, according to research.
— Overwork costs employers about 150 billion a year in stress-related absences.
— There’s a good chance the benefits of vacation will go straight to the bottom line. According to a study by American Express, more than a third of small-business owners say their best ideas---come not at work, but during their downtime.
So there you go . . . verification of what a lot of us have known all along. Vacations, long or short, near or far, are good for us . . . good for our health, marriage and personal relationships, our creativity and our jobs. It’s a tough assignment for each of us, but get out there and have at it!
 
For your calendars:
Things in Waco will be heating up with Waco Western Days this Friday and Saturday, July 18 & 19. Friday’s events include a street dance at Hunter’s with the Jim Rice Band with “Ride-A-Bull” mechanical bull. Saturday’s schedule features Morning Roundup Breakfast, a multitude of games and activities in downtown “Cowtown”, stage show, horse breaking clinic, parade, water games, horseshoe tournament, chuckwagon BBQ, watermelon feed, Cowpoke pageant, campfire entertainment and a fireworks display. One of Nebraska’s local celebrations at its best, with something for everyone of all ages. See you there.
Look for the Annual Sidewalk Shop and Flea Market this Saturday in Yorktowne Centre, sponsored by the York Area Chamber of Commerce. There will be many bargains offered by your York downtown retailers, as well as booths with local craft and flea market items. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come early for the best deals in town!
July 20, the Wessels Living History Farm will host a Model A Rodeo. Call Dale Clark at 710-0682 for more information.
And don’t forget to add Bradshaw Days on July 26th to your calendars as well. This day-long annual celebration offers a car display, ice cream social, burger cookout, contests, games for adults and kids, and one of my favorite reasons for the drive over . . .  the homemade pies. Plenty of fun and food for your Saturday’s enjoyment.
York Summer Games are coming to town August 8-10. Stayed tuned for more on this exciting, fun, new event for all York residents.  Fun mental and physical events are offered for participants of all ages.
Also scheduled for August 7-10 is “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, which will be staged at the York High School Theater. Under the direction of Dr. Clark Roush, this is one of my favorite musicals of all time, and features an extraordinarily talented cast from both York and the surrounding area. This is one show you won’t want to miss. Look for more information in my next column.