HEADLINES:
It’s Prom Time!
PROMise to Keep It Safe
SCDA Membership Drive Is Successful

It’s Prom Time!

Prom – every young girl’s dream; a magical day, a big step from childhood to adulthood. Planning ahead for the day will help to make sure everything goes well.

Because it is such a special day, we’d like to offer information that might help you plan for the big event.

First, and for many, the most important item: The Dress. Department and specialty stores plan for prom season and offer a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from, as well as sale events. You don’t have to go into debt to get the ideal dress. Try to have an idea of what you’d like before you shop. You know which colors look best on you, and what styles fit your body type. Don’t choose something that you won’t be comfortable wearing, you wouldn’t want to spend the evening tugging and adjusting something that doesn’t fit well.

You don’t have to spend a fortune, either. There are many thrift stores and consignment shops that offer “gently used” items in excellent condition, at very reasonable prices. It may be worth buying something that needs minor alterations, either for fit or style. Something like changing the hemline or removing sleeves can be accomplished by a professional seamstress for a relatively minor cost. Making that alteration would also make it less likely that someone else will arrive wearing the exact, same dress. You can also add your own beading or trim to make it uniquely your style. If you already have a top or skirt that you’d like to wear, you might find a two-piece outfit that has a top or skirt that would match well with what you already have, or you could mix-and-match outfits that you find. If you shop on-line, make sure you allow enough time, not only for delivery, but to have alterations made if they are needed. Don’t limit your choices, take the time to find what you like.

Once you find your dress, you can look for shoes that will go with it. Don’t focus on numbers (sizes), find something that is comfortable as well. The shoes that are a bit snug in the store will be excruciatingly tight by the end of the night! If you buy heels and are not used to wearing them, or even if you are, wear your new shoes around the house to break them in and get used to walking in them.

Choose a purse that is small enough for the essential items you want to take. You don’t need to take all of your makeup, just the things you know you will need, like your lipstick and you don’t want to have to lug around a bag that is too big.

You might want to invest in a pretty, lacy shawl. It will come in handy if the air conditioning is too high or the night is cool, and it is something that you can always use again.

Next, your hair. Find several styles that suit you and your dress. Plan a slumber party with some friends and experiment on each other’s hair to see how it looks. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it will give you an idea of how it will look. Don’t wait until the last minute to book your appointment with a hair salon that you trust (you may not be able to get one if you wait too long), and give your stylist an idea of what you’re looking for. A slumber party would also be a good time to try out new makeup ideas. Take pictures of each other with your finished look, it will give you an idea of whether or not it works for you, and how you will look in photos on the big day. It would also be a good idea to try out any new makeup, perfume and deodorant you plan to use, to make sure you’re not allergic to them.

When you go to the salon on the big day, be sure to wear a button-down shirt. It would be a shame to ruin your look trying to get out of that snug tee shirt!

Let your date know what you will be wearing (color, style) so that he can order flowers that will go with what you will be wearing. You don’t want colors to clash, and you don’t want a big, pin-on corsage if you’re going to be wearing a strapless gown. He can also keep your colors in mind when he orders his tux. And, don’t forget to order your date’s boutonniere.

Keep your parents involved in your plans; it’s not only your big day, it’s theirs, too. Prom is so much more than just a dance, it’s a very big step in their little girl becoming a young lady, and they will appreciate being included.

When the big day comes, try to get a good night’s sleep the night before. You’ll have a better time if you feel refreshed; take a nap that day if you can. Don’t forget to eat – a good breakfast will help you get through the day without feeling tired.

After the prom, if you have digital photos, back them up! Burning them to a CD doesn’t take much time, and it will ensure that your little brother doesn’t erase them from your computer.

If you’d like to preserve your flowers, there are several options. You can press them between layers of newspaper with a flat, heavy object, to put in your scrapbook, or you can hang them upside down on a hook or hanger in a dark, dry place (this could take up to three weeks).

Take the time to plan ahead, it will make your day go much smoother. Make a list of the details, you can add to it as ideas come to mind and it will lessen the possibility of forgetting something important.

Have fun, enjoy, and be safe!

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PROMise to Keep It Safe
Submitted by Robin Waldowski, Administrator

Susquehanna County Drug and Alcohol Commission

Make sure prom night is a positive experience you will never forget. Don’t drink alcohol or use any other substances that will compromise your ability to make good decisions. Automobile crashes are the leading cause of death among teens. The use of alcohol is frequently linked with other risky, potentially destructive behaviors, such as physical and emotional violence, sexual mistakes or misjudgments, injuries, such as drowning or falls and, of course, alcohol overdose. It takes one incident to turn a cherished event into a tragedy.

Tips for teens:

Plan ahead what you will say or do if someone offers you alcohol or drugs. Phrases work such as “No thanks,” (and mean it), “Are you kidding? I want to remember this night!”

Keep an eye on your date/driver to make sure they do not use alcohol or drugs, which could impair their judgment, vision and coordination. Use your seatbelt.

There are more drunk drivers on the road during the weekends. Keep a close eye on oncoming drivers, as impaired drivers tend to drive towards the light.

If you are offered a drink don’t take it just “to be cool.” As you watch others around you impaired by alcohol, you will realize that teens who chose not to drink are really the “coolest.”

Ways to have fun without drinking:

Pledge to have a safe prom with your friends.

Host a karaoke party at your house with lots of yummy snacks.

Go to a late night diner all dressed up – you’ll get lots of attention!,

Have a “Cranium” or “Act One” party and dance the night away.

Go to a midnight movie.

Visit an all-night bowling alley.

Stage an early morning breakfast or late night BBQ.

Have a costume party elaborating on your prom attire with an Academy Awards celebration.

Invite friends over for a “Scary Movie Night” and have fun coming up with your own ideas and themes.

Tips for parents:

Tell your children that you wish for them to have a wonderful, memorable prom and that you trust and support their decisions. Get their complete itinerary for the evening including who they will be with, where they are going after the prom, and a phone number to reach them. If they do not have a cell phone, let them borrow yours for the night. “We’ll be driving around” is not an acceptable response. Come to a fair decision on curfew based on their past responsibility. Don’t be vague – discuss drinking, drugs, driving under the influence and sex. Establish a couple of mandatory call-in times with your kids. And lastly, if your teenager is attending a party at a friend’s house, it is your responsibility to make sure there is parental supervision and no alcoholic beverages served. Think seriously about the example you set for your children. Know the facts about alcohol and drugs. Start talking before they start drinking. Remember, it’s up to you to be a powerful, positive influence.

Ask your teen how they plan to be safe avoiding actions they may regret. Reinforce your belief in their ability to make good judgments and act responsibly. Give your children the unconditional option of calling you at any time for help or advice. Promise not to shame, humiliate, or act out in anger in front of their friends or in general. Remember, they are reaching out to you so be there to catch their fall. This unconditional offer of help and advice should be an outstanding commitment of parents throughout their lives.

Research shows that good communication between parents and teenagers can have a positive influence on risk-taking behaviors. Teens who communicate with their parents say they want to live up to their parents’ expectations and are less likely to drink, do drugs, or engage in early sexual behavior.

The good news: Contrary to what you may hear or see, most teens aren’t drinking. 81% of adolescents age 12 to 17 have chosen NOT to drink in the past year (SAMHSA), which is a testimony to sound parenting, education, and prevention programs. Parental involvement continues to be the single, most effective deterrent to underage drinking.

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SCDA Membership Drive Is Successful

The Susquehanna Community Development Association 2008 Membership Drive is off to a huge success as local businesses, as well as individual residents have already become 2008 members. These memberships enable the SCDA to continue to get Susquehanna “Back on Track,” to strive for a better community. Each membership serves as a building block toward the goal to make the community a better place in which to live, work and play.

The SCDA’s committees have already been instrumental in the demolition of several blighted buildings, the installation of new sidewalks in the borough, planting, downtown gardens, downtown and neighborhood façade grants and grant funding for the Roundhouse River Park, holiday decorating, and events such as Hometown Days and Harvest of the Arts.

Consider being part of the progress by becoming an SCDA member. Membership forms can found in this week’s County Transcript, or picked up at People’s National Bank, Penn Star Bank or Reddon’s Pharmacy.

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