Singing a song for ecology

Sunday, May 20, 2007

By Crystal D. Hancock

Herald-Tribune

Nevada, Mo. -- Eco-Troubadour Stan Slaughter of Lee Summit, Mo., visited Truman Elementary in Nevada early Friday morning, in hopes of enlightening the students on the importance of recycling and preserving the earth.

"It is a joy and an honor to deliver energetic and educational presentations to student assemblies," Slaughter said.

His music kept the students engaged while he reinforced educational messages. He also provided the students with facts and information about the world of recycling through the music. Students sang along with Slaughter while he played guitar and sang into his head-set microphone.

Lyrics such as, "Recycle, it's a better way. We need a solution to this throw away pollution. I've got the garbage blues," filled the gymnasium with giggles and smiles and, whether the students realized it or not, education.

Recycling and preserving are serious issues and habits that all Americans should consider, Slaughter said, adding that itizens would be amazed at the amounts of energy and earth that recycling can save. According to www.oberlin.edu, Americans should turn off the water faucet when brushing teeth. This simple act can save nine gallons of water every time one person brushes. Even the paint colors used in thehome can affect energy use. A white wall reflects 80 percent of the light that hits it; a black one reflects just 10 percent. The site also asserts that enough energy is saved by recycling one aluminum can to run a TV for three hours. If every American household recycled just one out of every 10 plastic bottles they used, 200 million pounds of plastic could be kept out of landfills every year.

It is because of startling facts such as these that Slaughter is so passionate about his work and is spreading the word of saving our earth. That passion is easy to see during his programs and performances. At the Truman assembly, Slaughter seemed to successfully balance information and entertainment, with a strong emphasis on education. He has performed in more than 2,000 appearances to more than 500,000 adults and students, at schools, conferences and workshops in 25 states since 1992. He averages two performances at over 140 schools per year, hosting at a minimum of 200 assemblies annually.

One of the most amazing things about Slaughter is that he is a throat cancer survivor. He has been cancer-free for about a month and is still going strong from the sounds of things. Although his illness kept him below the weather for quite some time, he still managed to educate and entertain students, keeping his own spirits high in the process.

Slaughter is sponsored and funded by Region-M, the Four County Solid Waste District. Missouri DNR also provides some of the funding that makes it possible for Slaughter to travel and educate children as well as adults on the importance of recycling and preserving the earth.

The program was a rapid-fire performance, aimed at holding the interest of the children.

"Student participation is an important part of my program and my educational products can continue the learning. My Web site (www.stanslaughter.com) is a great resource with samples of the albums I perform from available, composting stories and links to the best environmental resources out there," Slaughter added.

Some uses for newspapers -- after everyone's read it, of course

* Use as umbrella

* Protect car seats from muddy or wet clothing

* Cover furniture when sanding or painting

* Use to dry and polish window after washing

* Place in closed windows to eliminate wind rattle

*Make lamp shades

* Make kites

* Make paper mache art

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