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"Eggs in a Basket, Pigs in the Pen, Over the Fence: Let's Play Again!" Games can improve cognitive and motor skills. This program will bring back some memories and provide a gift to share. Presentation by Perry Township's Rosie Bishop.

by on December 26, 2022

More than forty folks attended the Christmas Lunch and Learn for a presentation by Rosie Bishop, a former Perry Township teacher. Rosie came to demonstrate how games can improve cognitive and motor skills of both young and old.

Prior to the start of Rosie’s demonstration, St. Nicholas himself brought words of wisdom to the group. His favorite recent read was the “40 Day Being Challenge” with emphasis on scripture study and solitude. St. Nicholas was adamant he was not Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, or other identities sometimes given to him. He is the Bishop of Myra. He was born in 270 A.D. to wealthy Christian parents which later enabled him to help the less fortunate with his family’s wealth. The “stocking hanging” tradition started after he dropped gold in stockings hung to dry by poor young girls in a family. The girls would not be marriageable without a dowry which the family could not afford. Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. which produced the Nicene Creed. Emperor Constantine would become the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. He is often asked about his triangular headdress which is called a miter. This is the official headdress of a bishop His favorite scripture is Psalm 82:3.

The group transitioned from St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, to Rosie Bishop of Perry Township. Rosie passed around individual bags of five “jacks” and a rubber ball. Her childhood years were spent playing the various skill levels of the game of jacks. There were competitions within elementary schools with champions going to play against other schools. She does this teaching now to various groups such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and any group that asks her. She willingly furnishes the ball and jacks.

Words can’t describe the frenzy that took place as the seniors attempted to duplicate Rosie’s skill. You have to watch the video...

Submitted by Lamont Cranston (AKA ???)

Reviving the Tech-Free (green!) game of Jacks

The game of Jacks started with stones and bones in ancient times. Many elders you might know can teach you the game. The young can learn to build better brains by working small muscles for greater eye-hand skill. Play in groups or practice alone. Mainly, enjoy the fun!!!

Jacks Games (For each game, play Onesies, Twosies, etc., through the number of Jacks used.):

Basics (Onesies, Twosies, etc.) — One hand bounces ball and picks up Jack with same hand. Then hand off to non-dominant hand.

Skips or Eggs in the Basket — Bounce ball with dominant hand, pick up as Basics but skip it into other hand.

Ups — Basics move, then Jack in dominant hand UP, bounce again into other hand.

Downs — Basics move, the Jack in dominant hand DOWN, bounce again into other hand.

Pigs in the Pen — Cup non-dominant hand on the table; with dominant hand slide Jack along the table into the pen.

Pigs over the Fence — Non-dominant hand on its side on the table forms the fence; bounce as for Basics but hand the Jack onto the table, across the “fence.”

Crack the Egg — As Basics but tap Jack onto table before picking it up.

Sweeps — As Basics but sweep the jack toward you.

Scrubs — As Basics but scrub the Jacks back and forth.

Around the World — As Basics; toss the ball and swing hand around the ball.