'Come to the Table'

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

Red Willow County Judge Anne Paine suggests to McCook Elementary students Wednesday morning that they encourage their families to sit down often and eat together as a family. “Eating together builds strong family bonds, lowers stress and the likelihood of obesity as adults, increases nutrition and boosts vocabulary,” Judge Paine said. “Turn off the TV and your cell phones,” the judge said. “Talk to each other. There are lots of things to talk about.” She urged students to appreciate the efforts of their parents to prepare a meal. “Don’t say, ‘Oh, yuck! Meatloaf again!’ Be appreciative … say thanks,” she said. The judge said coming home for a meal together “can be your down-time. Your time to settle down. Relax … relax together. Bond as a family.” “Come to the Table Nebraska” and “Through the Eyes of the Child” strive to “nurture, protect and restore” children and families, and are initiatives of the Nebraska Court Improvement Project.