{"id":158,"date":"2025-12-10T19:33:31","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T19:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/?page_id=158"},"modified":"2025-12-15T23:34:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T23:34:53","slug":"melissa-cook-uw-extension-educator-age-blog-author","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/melissa-cook-uw-extension-educator-age-blog-author\/","title":{"rendered":"Melissa Cook | UW Extension Educator &#038; AGE Blog Author"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"158\" class=\"elementor elementor-158\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63a97eb e-con-full elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"63a97eb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2bc77c4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2bc77c4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69f3624 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"69f3624\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke-300x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-64\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/elementor\/thumbs\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke-rfwx1cabiiqge3kkwksqeswzcnvznyr98428j2mwjo.png 250w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke.png 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55fa082 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"55fa082\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff58998 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ff58998\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Melissa Cook<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cfb33cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cfb33cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">University of Wyoming Extension<br>\nCommunity, Vitality, and Health Educator<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4684dc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d4684dc\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd880b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bd880b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">My topics of expertise: <\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-055aa2d elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"055aa2d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-heartbeat\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M320.2 243.8l-49.7 99.4c-6 12.1-23.4 11.7-28.9-.6l-56.9-126.3-30 71.7H60.6l182.5 186.5c7.1 7.3 18.6 7.3 25.7 0L451.4 288H342.3l-22.1-44.2zM473.7 73.9l-2.4-2.5c-51.5-52.6-135.8-52.6-187.4 0L256 100l-27.9-28.5c-51.5-52.7-135.9-52.7-187.4 0l-2.4 2.4C-10.4 123.7-12.5 203 31 256h102.4l35.9-86.2c5.4-12.9 23.6-13.2 29.4-.4l58.2 129.3 49-97.9c5.9-11.8 22.7-11.8 28.6 0l27.6 55.2H481c43.5-53 41.4-132.3-7.3-182.1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Rural health<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-mountain\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M634.92 462.7l-288-448C341.03 5.54 330.89 0 320 0s-21.03 5.54-26.92 14.7l-288 448a32.001 32.001 0 0 0-1.17 32.64A32.004 32.004 0 0 0 32 512h576c11.71 0 22.48-6.39 28.09-16.67a31.983 31.983 0 0 0-1.17-32.63zM320 91.18L405.39 224H320l-64 64-38.06-38.06L320 91.18z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Aging in Wyoming<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-hamburger\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M464 256H48a48 48 0 0 0 0 96h416a48 48 0 0 0 0-96zm16 128H32a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v16a64 64 0 0 0 64 64h352a64 64 0 0 0 64-64v-16a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zM58.64 224h394.72c34.57 0 54.62-43.9 34.82-75.88C448 83.2 359.55 32.1 256 32c-103.54.1-192 51.2-232.18 116.11C4 180.09 24.07 224 58.64 224zM384 112a16 16 0 1 1-16 16 16 16 0 0 1 16-16zM256 80a16 16 0 1 1-16 16 16 16 0 0 1 16-16zm-128 32a16 16 0 1 1-16 16 16 16 0 0 1 16-16z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Food Preservation<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-hiking\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M80.95 472.23c-4.28 17.16 6.14 34.53 23.28 38.81 2.61.66 5.22.95 7.8.95 14.33 0 27.37-9.7 31.02-24.23l25.24-100.97-52.78-52.78-34.56 138.22zm14.89-196.12L137 117c2.19-8.42-3.14-16.95-11.92-19.06-43.88-10.52-88.35 15.07-99.32 57.17L.49 253.24c-2.19 8.42 3.14 16.95 11.92 19.06l63.56 15.25c8.79 2.1 17.68-3.02 19.87-11.44zM368 160h-16c-8.84 0-16 7.16-16 16v16h-34.75l-46.78-46.78C243.38 134.11 228.61 128 212.91 128c-27.02 0-50.47 18.3-57.03 44.52l-26.92 107.72a32.012 32.012 0 0 0 8.42 30.39L224 397.25V480c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32s32-14.33 32-32v-82.75c0-17.09-6.66-33.16-18.75-45.25l-46.82-46.82c.15-.5.49-.89.62-1.41l19.89-79.57 22.43 22.43c6 6 14.14 9.38 22.62 9.38h48v240c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h16c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V176c.01-8.84-7.15-16-15.99-16zM240 96c26.51 0 48-21.49 48-48S266.51 0 240 0s-48 21.49-48 48 21.49 48 48 48z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Health &amp; Wellness<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8398c8 e-con-full elementor-hidden-desktop e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e8398c8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00ee430 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"00ee430\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ed127e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1ed127e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke-300x300.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-64\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/elementor\/thumbs\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke-rfwx1cabiiqge3kkwksqeswzcnvznyr98428j2mwjo.png 250w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025_AGE-Blog_authors-450x-6-Melissa-Cooke.png 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ac8ce2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0ac8ce2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89f2313 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"89f2313\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Melissa Cook<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7e024e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f7e024e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">University of Wyoming Extension<br>\nCommunity, Vitality, and Health Educator<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c85fdf6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c85fdf6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-032d6a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"032d6a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">My topics of expertise: <\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-428c7ae elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"428c7ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-heartbeat\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M320.2 243.8l-49.7 99.4c-6 12.1-23.4 11.7-28.9-.6l-56.9-126.3-30 71.7H60.6l182.5 186.5c7.1 7.3 18.6 7.3 25.7 0L451.4 288H342.3l-22.1-44.2zM473.7 73.9l-2.4-2.5c-51.5-52.6-135.8-52.6-187.4 0L256 100l-27.9-28.5c-51.5-52.7-135.9-52.7-187.4 0l-2.4 2.4C-10.4 123.7-12.5 203 31 256h102.4l35.9-86.2c5.4-12.9 23.6-13.2 29.4-.4l58.2 129.3 49-97.9c5.9-11.8 22.7-11.8 28.6 0l27.6 55.2H481c43.5-53 41.4-132.3-7.3-182.1z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Rural health<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-mountain\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M634.92 462.7l-288-448C341.03 5.54 330.89 0 320 0s-21.03 5.54-26.92 14.7l-288 448a32.001 32.001 0 0 0-1.17 32.64A32.004 32.004 0 0 0 32 512h576c11.71 0 22.48-6.39 28.09-16.67a31.983 31.983 0 0 0-1.17-32.63zM320 91.18L405.39 224H320l-64 64-38.06-38.06L320 91.18z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Aging in Wyoming<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-hamburger\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M464 256H48a48 48 0 0 0 0 96h416a48 48 0 0 0 0-96zm16 128H32a16 16 0 0 0-16 16v16a64 64 0 0 0 64 64h352a64 64 0 0 0 64-64v-16a16 16 0 0 0-16-16zM58.64 224h394.72c34.57 0 54.62-43.9 34.82-75.88C448 83.2 359.55 32.1 256 32c-103.54.1-192 51.2-232.18 116.11C4 180.09 24.07 224 58.64 224zM384 112a16 16 0 1 1-16 16 16 16 0 0 1 16-16zM256 80a16 16 0 1 1-16 16 16 16 0 0 1 16-16zm-128 32a16 16 0 1 1-16 16 16 16 0 0 1 16-16z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Food Preservation<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-hiking\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M80.95 472.23c-4.28 17.16 6.14 34.53 23.28 38.81 2.61.66 5.22.95 7.8.95 14.33 0 27.37-9.7 31.02-24.23l25.24-100.97-52.78-52.78-34.56 138.22zm14.89-196.12L137 117c2.19-8.42-3.14-16.95-11.92-19.06-43.88-10.52-88.35 15.07-99.32 57.17L.49 253.24c-2.19 8.42 3.14 16.95 11.92 19.06l63.56 15.25c8.79 2.1 17.68-3.02 19.87-11.44zM368 160h-16c-8.84 0-16 7.16-16 16v16h-34.75l-46.78-46.78C243.38 134.11 228.61 128 212.91 128c-27.02 0-50.47 18.3-57.03 44.52l-26.92 107.72a32.012 32.012 0 0 0 8.42 30.39L224 397.25V480c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32s32-14.33 32-32v-82.75c0-17.09-6.66-33.16-18.75-45.25l-46.82-46.82c.15-.5.49-.89.62-1.41l19.89-79.57 22.43 22.43c6 6 14.14 9.38 22.62 9.38h48v240c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h16c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V176c.01-8.84-7.15-16-15.99-16zM240 96c26.51 0 48-21.49 48-48S266.51 0 240 0s-48 21.49-48 48 21.49 48 48 48z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Health &amp; Wellness<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc96235 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dc96235\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c25ee5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0c25ee5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ced329 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9ced329\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a44ad7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2a44ad7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e36d3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5e36d3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">I'm here to help! Email me your questions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1437d2c elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1437d2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d361a6 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"7d361a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"mailto:%20mcook@uwyo.edu\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-envelope\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M502.3 190.8c3.9-3.1 9.7-.2 9.7 4.7V400c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V195.6c0-5 5.7-7.8 9.7-4.7 22.4 17.4 52.1 39.5 154.1 113.6 21.1 15.4 56.7 47.8 92.2 47.6 35.7.3 72-32.8 92.3-47.6 102-74.1 131.6-96.3 154-113.7zM256 320c23.2.4 56.6-29.2 73.4-41.4 132.7-96.3 142.8-104.7 173.4-128.7 5.8-4.5 9.2-11.5 9.2-18.9v-19c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v19c0 7.4 3.4 14.3 9.2 18.9 30.6 23.9 40.7 32.4 173.4 128.7 16.8 12.2 50.2 41.8 73.4 41.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Email Melissa<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5b69b1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e5b69b1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c65fc4b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c65fc4b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2907c01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2907c01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">It's a pleasure to meet you,<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49a34f4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"49a34f4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-001aa2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"001aa2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Melissa Cook is a UW Extension Community Vitality and Health educator in <a style=\"color: blue; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/bighorncounty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Big Horn County<\/a>. She specializes in food safety, health and wellness, and healthy aging. <br \/>Her programs include Wyoming Walks for Seniors, <a style=\"color: blue; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/uwyoextension.org\/uwnutrition\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wyoming-Walks-2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wyoming Walks<\/a> with an Expert, Keys to Embracing Aging, Winter Survival Skills for Seniors, and canning workshops with occasional classes on other health and wellness topics. <br \/>Melissa holds dual master\u2019s degrees in education, with an emphasis on technology and school administration from the University of Alaska. She is a lifelong learner who enjoys people and the great outdoors.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a409af e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2a409af\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5913c21 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5913c21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Check out my articles<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2195b0a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2195b0a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-620b923 elementor-grid-2 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"620b923\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-731 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-mental-health tag-melissa-cook\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-letting-go-without-losing-you\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-300x90.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-790\" alt=\"Older Adult Couple on a swing looking at each other talking\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go-768x230.png 768w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Letting-go.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-letting-go-without-losing-you\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Letting Go Without Losing You\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>As we age, we watch our hair turn gray and the wrinkles appear, as if our mirrors have quietly switched to \u201chigh-definition honesty mode.\u201d It\u2019s a process we observe over decades, one strand, one line, one mysterious ache at a time. <\/p>\n<p>Aging has a way of quietly rearranging our lives.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-letting-go-without-losing-you\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Letting Go Without Losing You\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-572 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-mental-health tag-melissa-cook\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-surviving-cabin-fever-with-resiliency\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners--300x90.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-573\" alt=\"Wyoming Couple with Horses\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners--300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners--1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners--768x230.png 768w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Flitners-.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-surviving-cabin-fever-with-resiliency\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | Surviving Cabin Fever with Resiliency\u202f\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>I returned home from work tonight, and before making dinner, I opened the freezer, slipped out a half-gallon of my favorite ice cream, and dished out a small bowl. I stood in front of the heater, savoring every spoonful of peanut butter and chocolate chips while feeling the warmth from the fire on my backside and toes.\u202f<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-surviving-cabin-fever-with-resiliency\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | Surviving Cabin Fever with Resiliency\u202f\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-390 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-mental-health tag-melissa-cook\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-the-healing-power-of-gratitude-for-senior-well-being\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.14-1-300x90.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-395\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.14-1-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.14-1-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.14-1-768x230.png 768w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.14-1.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-the-healing-power-of-gratitude-for-senior-well-being\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | The Healing Power of Gratitude for Senior Well-Being\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>In recent years, gratitude has gained attention not just as a feel-good practice but as a powerful tool for improving mental health, especially among older adults. Research supports that gratitude has the power to heal.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-the-healing-power-of-gratitude-for-senior-well-being\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | The Healing Power of Gratitude for Senior Well-Being\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-374 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-age-blog category-mental-health tag-melissa-cook\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-the-friendship-factor-in-healthy-aging\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"90\" src=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.10-1-300x90.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-378\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.10-1-300x90.png 300w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.10-1-1024x307.png 1024w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.10-1-768x230.png 768w, https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Age_Quat-3.10-1.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-the-friendship-factor-in-healthy-aging\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAGE | The Friendship Factor in Healthy Aging\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Discussions on healthy aging often focus on eating right and staying active, but equally important is staying socially connected. Strong social ties improve mental health, reduce the risk of depression, ease loneliness, and even extend life.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/age-the-friendship-factor-in-healthy-aging\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about AGE | The Friendship Factor in Healthy Aging\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Melissa Cooke is a UW Extension educator dedicated to enhancing community vitality and supporting older adults in Wyoming.<br \/>\nOn the AGE blog, Melissa writes about aging with dignity, connection, and resilience\u2014covering topics such as lifelong learning, community engagement, and rural well-being. Her work provides readers and caregivers with tools and inspiration to build stronger intergenerational communities and promote healthy aging across the state.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-158","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=158"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/158\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":437,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/158\/revisions\/437"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyoextension.org\/age\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}