Strong families play an important role in the community and contribute to a healthy society overall.  Strong families are those who create a sense of connection, closeness, emotional safety, security, and stability.  One way to maintain a strong and healthy family is through traditions.   In May 2019 the Owsley County FCS Extension Service offered the program, “Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions” to Quicksand Area homemakers.  The program emphasized ways in which the creation or maintenance of family traditions contributes to building strong families.  Thirty-four people participated in the program and twenty people completed six-month post program evaluations.  After the program, participants reported that they had intent to maintain or start a new family tradition.  At follow-up, 14 participants reported that they maintained a family tradition and 8 participants reported that they created a new family tradition as a result of this program.  At follow up, 12 participants reported that they encouraged family to participate in family traditions.  

Examples of the traditions maintained and/or created include:

·Family reunions/family get-togethers

·Started a game night during the week

·Having a meal with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren

·Give and attend birthday parties for family members

·Family Christmas breakfast (cooked since 1981)

·Thanksgiving, come together for meals and crafts

·Started cooking together with the kids

·Friday night homemade pizza

·Spend a week with sister each year

·Visited cemetery of family members

·Getting the whole family together one day a year