Augusta Family Magazine May/June 2013 by Augusta Family Magazine

May/June 2013 RULES OF THE ROAD TRIP Camp To be independent picking the right summer day camp ANNUAL NURSING SPECIAL SECTION

Family AUGUSTA

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PARENTING MEDIA ASSOCIATION

2013 Gold Award Winner Editorial and Design Awards Competition

Fun! SUMMER SUMMER

Ava, Jack and Annabel Miller, ages 9, 4 and 6, are the children of Scout and Jennifer Miller of Evans.

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Gifts for Moms, Dads & Grads!

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Family AUGUSTA

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w w w. a u g u s t afamily.co m Publisher Kate Cooper Metts Editor Karin Calloway

Contents May/June 2013

Rules of the Road Trip May All Your Journeys Be Worth the Destination

Production Art Director / Web Producer Michael Rushbrook

by Lucy Adams

Graphic Artist Tonietha Clayton Advertising Director of Advertising Lisa Dorn Illustration by Michael Rushbrook

Advertising Sales Elizabeth Jones Sisson Maidi McMurtrie Thompson Mary Porter Vann

21 Nursing Special Section

Lucy Adams

Audience Development Manager Doressa Hawes

departments

photography Branch Carter and John Harpring contributors Lucy Adams Kim Beavers, MS, RD, CDE Grace Belangia J. Ron Eaker, M.D. Cammie Jones Jennie Montgomery Danielle Wong Moores Augusta Family Magazine is published 10 times per year and distributed throughout the Augusta and Aiken area. Send press releases, story ideas or comments to the editor at karin.calloway@augustafamily. com or mail to 127A 7th Street, Augusta, GA 30901 or telephone (706) 828-3946. For advertising information, telephone (706) 823-3702. For circulation/distribution, call (706) 823-3722.

Navigating the “Wings of Change”

7 editor’s page 9 mom2mom

Making a Splash at the Mall -Jennie Montgomery

38 fun food Summer Sweets

40 time out! Searching for a Summer Day

10 news&notes 13 eating well with kim Going “Old School” 42 -Kim Beavers, MS, RD, LD, CDE 15 doctor/dad What Is She Thinking? 44 -J. Ron Eaker, M.D. 54 16 healthy family Get Walking

-Courtesy of Family Features

The Myths and Truths About When Babies Should Start Walking

-Cammie Jones

Camp?

-Kathy Sena

inspiration station Reaching Independence -Danielle Wong Moores

calendar talkin’ about my generation

on the cover: Ava, Annabel and Jack Miller (ages 9, 6 and 4) are the children of Scout and Jennifer Miller of Evans. Photo by Branch Carter.

Aena Alger, Ben Hepner and Gordon Jones -Grace Belangia

May/June Quick Pick “The hours, the miles, the missed exits bonded us. We talked, we argued, we sang. We persevered through smelly feet and carsickness. For us, as for the generations of happy travelers who have romanced the horizon, there was nothing more exhilarating than the ribbon of highway passing beneath our vehicle as we let the road take us to wherever it might lead next.” Read more about Lucy Adams’ family road trip on page 18.

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editor’s by Karin Calloway

Walk on the Wild Side

Joshua and Jonathan Mysona, Tripp, Bond and C.C. Calloway and Ron Mysona are all still smiling after the annual “Bataan death march” in New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

’ve been reminiscing about past summers lately. With both of my college-age children attending summer classes in Athens, there isn’t a big family vacation on the horizon for the Calloway family. No annual trek to New Smyrna Beach, Fla., to relax and spend time with my brother’s family. Nothing…nada…zip. Family vacations are great ways to make memories, and we certainly have accrued our share over the years. Most summers we stayed in the same condominium complex as my parents and our next-door-neighbors, Ron and Barbara Mysona, and their three boys. We enjoyed day trips from the beach to Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center, as well as many hours spent lounging by the pool or sitting in beach chairs at the edge of the ocean. One memory that the Calloway and Mysona kids will never forget is what my husband, Bond, likes to call the “Bataan death march.” There’s a long boardwalk nestled among tall sea oats in the New Smyrna State Park. It’s a two-mile hike and in the middle of July it was a “torture test” for the kids. They’d all try to get out of going and then they’d returned red-faced and worn out. (Bond is an American history buff and the original Bataan death march occurred during World War II in the Philippines. An annual Memorial Bataan Death March is held in New Mexico every year in March.) Bond always took a picture at the end of the “death march,” and although the kids moaned and groaned about the hot hike, I think they would have been disappointed if Bond would have decided to forgo the annual event. Part of the fun of the vacation for the kids was trying to avoid the “death march!” It’s something they still laugh and reminisce about. I hope you’re making plans to make some summer memories with your family. Believe me, time flies when you’re raising children—and having fun— and the time for memory making is now. Until July,

Karin Calloway is a wife and mother of two. She’s also a journalist and recipe developer who writes the Wednesday cooking column for The Augusta Chronicle. You can watch Karin prepare her weekly recipes in segments on WJBF NewsChannel 6 on Tuesdays during Midday at Noon and on Wednesdays during Good Morning Augusta.

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mom m m

Illustration by Michael Rushbrook

by Jennie Montgomery

Making a Splash at the Mall!

his is the time of year that takes me to the mall…a place that causes me much stress. Malls mean crowds and crowds try my patience. Malls also mean escalators, and one in particular at Augusta Mall brings back memories of a disastrous day with three little ones. It was Easter time about 15 years ago. My kids and I were outside Sears on the lower level, where at the time there was a big fountain. We’d always throw pennies into it. I think there may have been a Kirkland’s across the way, and there was definitely a chain beauty salon behind us as we tossed those pennies into the water. Sky was 2 and she was out of pennies. As I dug around the bottom of my purse feeling for loose coins, I let go of her little hand for just an instant, and that child went right to the edge of the fountain and FELL FACE-FIRST into the water. It was too deep for her to stand up, so two seconds later I was out of my shoes and knee-deep in the water, fishing out my baby. I don’t even need to tell you how quickly the crowds gathered! I was holding her (she was screaming her head off by this point), awkwardly climbing back out of the fountain, trying to act as if this was no big deal. But of course it WAS a big deal! I saw a row of hairstylists and customers staring at us from inside the glass walls of the salon. “Towels, please!” I hollered (clearly “hollered” here, not “called out” or “yelled” or “asked for”—this was a mom in panic mode HOLLERING!) as they all stood there holding blow dryers and scissors. A few girls ran out with towels and I dried Sky off enough to march her into Sears, where I plopped her into a dressing room while I grabbed a new dry outfit for her. And, it’s this image of a wet, shivering baby girl that pops in my mind on this day, as I am watching her try on dress after dress, picking out the perfect one for Prom. Has it really been 15 years since her impromptu swim in the fountain? I still can’t bring myself to walk by that hair salon! JENNIE Montgomery anchors the evening news at WJBF-TV. She’s married to Scott and they have three children: Zack, 19, Maddy, 18, and Sky, 17.

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news notes

It’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine...it’s summertime! —Kenny Chesney

Top Video Four Georgia Regents University students have earned a national award in an American Psyiological Society video competition for their short film “Hillbilly Hypoglycemia.” Videos in the competition had to present an aspect of physiology in a manner the general public could understand. The student’s short film explains the cellular mechanism of insulin uptake in general terms. Science majors Michael Ridlehoover, Alexis Wren and Zachary Minter starred in and produced the video and Trent Arant, a freshman TV/cinema major, filmed, directed and edited the piece. Ridlehoover, Wren and Minter were recognized during the 2013 Experimental Biology Annual Meeting in Boston in April and received a $750 prize. Drowning is the second-leading cause of death among children under age 14 and the leading cause among children ages 1 to 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Safe Kids Greater Augusta urges you to keep your family safe in and around water by always providing adult supervision to young swimmers and teaching your children to swim. For kids that can’t swim, Safe Kids recommends children wear appropriate-fitting life jackets or approved portable floatation devices. Safe Kids Greater Augusta, led by Children’s Hospital of Georgia, works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children ages 1 to 14. Safe Kids Greater Augusta is a member of the Safe Kids USA network. To find out more about local Safe Kids programs, call 706-721-7606, or visit grhealth. org/safekids. Read the full article about water safety at www.augustafamily.com.

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Fresh Faces

Is your child ready for their “close up?” If you think you’ve got a “cover kid,” submit their photo and information on our website and they may grace the cover of Augusta Family Magazine!

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Sesame Street Live! Enter to win one of two family fourpacks of tickets to the show on June 4 & 5.

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Mamma Mia

Take the family out for Italian at Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant at Augusta Mall. Bring your appetite for antipasti, pizza and traditional entrees all served family style seven days a week.

news notes

First Place

Jaden S. Jenkins, a 2nd grader from Lake Forest Hills Elementary and son of Jay and Bonita Jefferies Jenkins, won first place in his division of the 2013 Manufacturing Appreciation Week (MAW) student design contest. He received a $500 scholarship check, presented by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle at the MAW Governor’s Awards Luncheon held at the Georgia International Convention Center. “These young students are our best and brightest, and our future in manufacturing depends on them,” says Larry Callahan, CEO of Patillo Industrial Real Estate, as the awards were presented. Students from around the state submitted design entries featuring Georgia manufacturers and their products. Winners were named for grades 9-12, 6-8, and K-5 and will be posted online at www.georgiamaw.org with their winning artwork for this year.

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eating well with kim by Kim Beavers, MS, RD, LD, CDE

Going “Old School”

Kim Beavers is a Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator for University Health Care System. She lives in North Augusta with her husband and two children and she is the co-host of the culinary nutrition segment Eating Well with Kim, which airs at noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday on WRDW. To join the recipe club or view recipes, visit www.universityhealth.org/ewwk. You can also watch the segments at www.wrdw.com/ewwk

Photo by Avital Pinnick

ne of our friends uses this phrase all the time! You know…the term that says let’s do things how they were done back in the old days… This past month I went “old school” unwillingly when my phone froze. Naturally this sent me into a tailspin (all my contacts, pictures, apps and access to the world today—gone!). Just typing this stresses me out. (It’s possible I am slightly addicted to my phone.) Phone addiction aside, I took the opportunity to go “old school” in my recipe reviewing and searching. Typically, I do this on my computer or on my phone when at events for the kiddos—yes, I would love an iPad, but wouldn’t that just create another addiction? Anyway, I began thumbing through my recipe books and my grandmothers cherished recipe file. It was fun and nostalgic. I saw the stained and tattered page of the Brown Sugar Pound Cake recipe where in her hand she wrote “never fails” and “good.” In other recipe books I saw penned in my own hand, “the kids favorite pumpkin bread,” a recipe for steak marinade “cooked for Buford’s birthday 2007.” It was a delightful stroll down memory lane and a reminder that sometimes it is worthwhile to go “old school.” This recipe is a modification of one I found in my grandmother’s recipe file box. It was on a yellowed piece of newspaper. I hope you will enjoy it and feel inspired to make memories in the kitchen often—old- or new-school style.

Tomato-Potato Bake This recipe has it all—great color, texture and flavor.

by half. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and sprinkle with ½ the salt and pepper

2 medium or 1 large potato (skin on) 2 medium zucchini 3 medium to large vine-ripe tomatoes 3 tsp. olive oil (divided) ¼ tsp. salt ⅛ tsp. pepper 2 large cloves of garlic, minced ½ cup chopped parsley (divided) Zest of 1 lemon ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cover the potatoes with the zucchini slices. Drizzle with another teaspoon of olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper, garlic, ¼ cup chopped parsley, and lemon zest. Next, cover the zucchini slices with the tomatoes, drizzle with the final teaspoon of olive oil, remaining parsley and Parmesan cheese. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife.

Preheat oven to 375. Spray bottom of a 9-by13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Thoroughly scrub potatoes. Cut the potatoes, zucchini and tomatoes into very thin slices crosswise. Line the bottom of the baking pan with the thinly sliced potatoes, overlapping the slices

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Yield: 12 servings Nutrient Breakdown: Calories 50, Fat 2g (1g monounsaturated), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 50mg, Carbohydrate 6g, Fiber 1g, Protein 2g Diabetes Exchange Values: ½ Starch Kim’s note: If fresh tomatoes are not available, substitute 1 can of Italian-style stewed tomatoes, chopped and undrained.

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doctor dad by J. Ron Eaker, M.D.

What is She Thinking?

ave you ever wondered why your wife doesn’t appreciate your love affair with the remote control? Are men really from Pluto and women from Jupiter? We may not come from different planets, but brain researchers tell us that many of the differences between men and women may actually stem from differences in brain structure. This variance leads to gender-specific behavioral traits. In addition, female hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) can cause microscopic changes in cells which may influence perceptions and thought patterns.

He Said, She Said These differences can lead to behaviors that can either help or hinder relationships. God designed the sexes to be different so as to complement each other, yet these gender-specific attributes may also lead to conflict and confusion for many couples. The good news is that we can also discover ways to live in harmony with our mates. For decades scientists have known that the right and left hemispheres of the brain have different functions. It is well established that the left hemisphere predominately controls analytical, concrete, goal-oriented behavior, whereas the right side manages more spontaneous, emotional and artistic actions. Most individuals, independent of their sex, have a dominant lobe that influences their personality.

These two hemispheres are connected by a large network of nerves called the corpus callosum. This superhighway permits the free-transfer of complex information between the two lobes. When the corpus callosom is absent (as in some rare birth defects) or severed (by accidental trauma or as medical treatment for otherwise untreatable seizure disorders) the individual’s behavior and personality may become disjointed and unpredictable. A woman’s brain contains an average of 40 percent more of these interconnecting nerve fibers—a veritable superhighway for the two sides of the brain in comparison to a man’s two-lane road. How is this significant? It means that a woman can literally use her whole brain in a task, whereas a man is much more likely to use just one hemisphere at a time. This results in a woman being able to process many tasks at once, whereas a man tends to focus on conquering one task at a time.

Left, Right or Both? Men and women also use their brains differently (when we use them). Fascinating studies utilizing state-of-the-art technology show that during identical tasks, women tend to use the right and left sides of the brain equally whereas men use one hemisphere more intensively. This female “whole brain” thinking, supported by the corpus callosum interconnections but not dependent on them, gives a physiological basis for the enigma of women’s intuition. Being able to use the whole brain in processing information allows women to perceive things in a broader sense and make conclusions based on a vast array of input. This sixth sense is founded on the “whole brain” thinking that takes input from a multitude of sources to produce uncanny and often unexplainable insights. A woman’s brain has more nerve cells than a man’s in an area called the hippocampus, the area of the brain that is intimately linked to processing and expressing emotions. The hippocampus is also the switchboard for regulating the response to stress. This area is also very sensitive to the effects of estrogen, which partly explains the emotional changes seen with

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fluctuations in female hormones, i.e., puberty, PMS and menopause. Because women have more neurons in this switchboard, emotions are more closely linked to other behaviors and stress is perceived differently.

The Estrogen Connection Hormones are nature’s messengers. They are chemicals that transfer information from one cell to another, in some cases even altering the structure and function of the target cell. The development of female brain function and structure is especially dependent on estrogen. As the female fetus develops, estrogen works its magic by altering brain structure and sensitizing receptors for the important neurohormone serotonin. Serotonin is the critical “mood messenger” hormone that is responsible for the expression of various emotions, including depression. Any alteration in the workings of serotonin can present as a clinical depression or anxiety disorder. Estrogen is closely tied to the function of serotonin and that is why women are twice as likely to develop clinical depression as men. This connection with serotonin also partially explains why fluctuations in hormones (as in puberty, postpartum and menopause) can cause changes in emotions. For years, the maledominated medical fraternity downplayed this episodic mood shift as largely due to external stresses—the “it’s all in your head” approach. We now know that it is all in your head, just in the literal sense, because of the interaction of estrogen with brain cells and serotonin. One of the most important steps a man can take in helping his wife who is suffering the emotional trials and tribulations of PMS or menopause is to understand that these changes are real and based on both physical and emotional factors in addition to the stresses of her life situation. Fortunately, clarification of the roles played by hormone fluctuations and brain functions had also led to parallel discoveries of how diet, exercise and nutritional supplements can correct imbalances to restore health and wholeness. Dr. Eaker is an Augusta Ob/GYN and author. He and his wife, Susan, have two teenage daughters.

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healthyfamily }

by Cammie Jones

Get Walking The Myths and Truths About When Babies Should Learn To Walk

ith my first child, I thought she would never walk. I really wanted her to. She was (and still is) a cautious child. She really thinks about what she is going to do before she does it and weighs the consequences. If she is not comfortable with something or confident about the outcome, she is hesitant to try it. She FINALLY walked at about 14 months. It was a big day. I tried to delay walking with my next two children. I had experienced what happens when they get that newfound freedom. My second child walked at just under a year and my third at about 14 months (no hurry, honey).

Safety Alert: Early Walkers Require Increased Attention When should babies begin walking? Dr. Caroline DiBattisto, development behavioral pediatrician and assistant professor of pediatrics at Georgia Regents University (GRU), says, “The normal range is from 9-18 months old, but most learn to walk around their 1st birthday.” Bridget Detchemendy, mother of three, says her first child, Ella, walked the earliest at 10 months. “Ella crawled for about a month and then started walking,” she says. Although she fell a lot, she’s a strong-willed child and had no problem getting back up after a spill. Dr. DiBattisto says there are not really any negatives to walking early, but it does cause parents be on their toes, in more ways than one. Although you should childproof your home as soon as your baby begin crawling, those first steps are a great incentive to do a recheck of your security measures. “Make sure the bottom cabinets are secure, watch for stairs and be more alert,” she advises. Most experts agree that the best time to baby proof your house is by 6 months old. This is when parents need to down on their hands and knees and survey their house with a child’s eyes. Small objects need to be put out of reach, sharp edges and corners need to be covered and furniture that the baby may use to pull himself up needs to be secured to the wall to make sure it doesn’t fall on top of the baby. Early walkers don’t always have the ability to anticipate danger (such as steps) and are prone to falls, so parents of early walkers may find that their days of observing their baby from a seated position are over. Lauren Hargrove, mother of three boys ages 7, almost 6 and 2, says her first two boys started walking around their first birthdays. However, her second son, William, never really crawled. “He started ‘cruising’ really early and then just started walking,” she says. “Guess he was trying to keep up with the toddler in the house.” Sam, baby number three, started taking his first steps at 10 months— then running at 11 months. “As the third child, Sam is just tough,” says Hargrove. “We don’t make a big deal over falls like we did with the other two.” She says

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{ healthyfamily that her boys all fell a lot and the age when they began walking really wasn’t a factor. “Accidents are going to happen—whether you walk early or late,” she says. As for personality traits and when children walk, Dr. DiBattisto says. “All kids are different but walking early does usually point out that the child is more active and less cautious.” Children have different interests—some are happy sitting and doing a puzzle, while others want to explore and get around.

When To Be Concerned

fast crawler and he always put stuff in his mouth, which the girls didn’t have as much time to do because they walked at an earlier age,” she says. If your child is still not walking by the age of 15 months, you may want to contact your pediatrician again and just check in. “It’s always better to address an issue earlier than later so it does not get out of hand,” says Dr. DiBattisto. Also, if your child starts going backwards—they stop crawling or pulling up—then it’s a good idea to call the pediatrician.

Do Little Feet Need Shoes? If your child is not walking by his first birthday and you are worried, Dr. DiBattisto says to talk with your pediatrician at the 12-month checkup. “If your child is not progressing in other motor skills that come before walking, such as crawling, pulling up or cruising around, you can address this,” she adds. Detchemendy’s third child, Oliver, took his time learning to walk and started between 13 and 14 months. “Some challenges I had with Oliver walking later than my girls were that is was harder for me to keep up with him because he was a

When your child does begin to walk, it is important to have the proper shoes with a lot of support. “Leather and canvas soles are better,” says Dr. DiBattisto. “Shoes with more flexibility are just harder to walk in.” Dr. DiBattisto also cautions against using walkers to help your child learn to walk. “Try to avoid these so your child will learn to walk naturally,” she advises. They need to learn to crawl, cruise and walk on their own. Make sure you give your children an opportunity to move and get around with supervi-

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sion, of course. They need to explore inside and outside—you don’t want to leave them too stationery in one place for too long, which walkers tend to do. The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for a ban on the manufacture and sale of baby walkers with wheels. The wheels put babies at risk of tumbling down the stairs, getting burned because the walker elevates them high enough to reach things on the stove, drown by falling in the pool or bathtub while in a walker. These are just a few of the negative outcomes that can occur with the use of walkers. A child in a walker can move more than three feet in one second, so parents or caregivers simply cannot respond quickly enough. As for when is the right time to begin walking, it depends on the child. Some will walk early, some late. “With Ollie being a late walker, I realized that all babies learn to walk at different speeds,” says Detchemendy. “They will do it when they are ready, so don’t hurry them.” Cammie Jones is an Augusta Freellance writer and mother of three.

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Road Trip Rules of the

May All Your Journeys Be Worth the Destination By Lucy Adams | Illustration by Michael Rushbrook

“Are we going to ride any roller coasters?” my 11-year-old daughter demanded. “No. It’s not that kind of vacation,” I said. “Will we go to a water park?” “No,” I answered her, patiently. “Can we at least go to a zoo or something?” she persisted in hopes of saving herself and her brothers from long, dull hours in the car broken only by even duller visits to history museums where she would be subjected to parental readings of plaques, aloud, in public. Last July, I freed myself of a schedule, of commitments and of the constraints of time. My family and I embarked on an old-fashioned road trip. We went West young man on the I-20 corridor. For 10 days, seven states and 3,000 miles, I was Queen of the Road, taking my children to see America. With open minds and an open plan, we took advantage of the rare opportunities to see the world’s largest urban bat colony, Chisholm Trail wagon ruts, the

shortest river in the world, the house where Lee Harvey Oswald hid the gun in the days leading up to the JFK assassination, a cemetery dedicated to circus performers, the Mississippi home of Eudora Welty and the whisky-washed grave of William Faulkner. The hours, the miles, the missed exits bonded us. We talked, we argued, we sang. We persevered through smelly feet and carsickness. For us, as for the generations of happy travelers who have romanced the horizon, there was nothing more exhilarating than the ribbon of highway passing beneath our vehicle as we let the road take us to wherever it might lead next. Along the way, I learned that my children’s perspective on our American heritage is vastly different from mine. Their pop-culture frame-of-reference doesn’t include people like Bonnie and Clyde, Machinegun Kelley, David Koresh, Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, Butch Cassidy, Davey Crockett, Doc Holiday or James Burton. It doesn’t encompass plac-

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es like Waco, Texas, and the Natchez Trace. Until we crossed the Red River into Oklahoma, when I sang it, they’d NEVER heard the Broadway song, Oklahoma. When I quoted, “Remember the Alamo,” they all mumbled, “Okay, we’ll try.” I also learned a lot about taking a road trip with children. Travel Light When packing to leave, remember that every night you will unload the car. Every morning you will reload the car. Every day you will ride in the car with the possessions you’ve selected to accompany you. My oldest son insisted on bringing his guitar on our trip. For ten days, due to its delicate nature, we choreographed our packing around it. It went in and out of hotel rooms with us and made back-seaters whine when it slid forward and knocked their noggins. By the time we

arrived in Hot Springs, Ark., I wanted to use it to bust mailboxes as we passed them at 60 mph. Clean Out the Car at Every Opportunity Because the idea is to cover ground between sites, many snacks and even meals are consumed in the car. Trash accumulates rather quickly and begins embarrassingly escaping in national parks or creating odors worse than the ones created by the boys in the backseat. For a couple of days we endured an aroma so bad that if the police had pulled us over, they would have booked me on the suspicion of transporting a dead body. We were almost to the Rio Grande before I finally uncovered and disposed of the rancid sandwich meat someone anonymously stuffed in a crevice. Use a Road Atlas Yes, GPS is the standard technology for getting from point A to point B, but on a road trip, if you do it right, you don’t always know what point B is. A road trip is mostly about driving in a general direction, not to a specific location. An atlas reveals all the places you can go, if you get the notion. More than that, there are still many remote, rural locations where a GPS device cannot pick up a signal. Use Social Media Open a facebook account. Or an account on any social media platform. It’s the simplest method for keeping a daily journal and enabling family and friends to ‘travel’ with you. I used facebook from my Droid to track our trip. I checked in at all the places we visited. I wrote status updates about what we were doing and seeing there. I uploaded pictures. Now that we’re home, the details of our trip are recorded and saved in my facebook history. The key is free A long road trip can cost as much as staying in a nice resort. Expenditures include meals, gas, lodging, attraction admission fees and sundries. To save money, skip high-cost amusements like the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum. So much of America is free. There’s no charge to tour The Alamo or to visit Tupelo’s Elvis museum or to touch Arkansas’s hot springs or to wander Birmingham’s decrepit Sloss Furnaces or to experience other attractions both big and small. Lots of must-sees, like the National Military Park in Vicksburg, Miss., and the 8th Air Force Museum in Barksdale, La., are low cost.

Another way to watch the budget is by staying in hotels that offer free breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Buy snacks and drinks at grocery stores instead of convenience stores. Fill a cooler with supplies for picnics. A couple of our best stops were lunch on the Natchez Trace one afternoon and on the banks of the San Antonio River on another.

jority of Americans are flattered to be asked and eager to help. Some even go out of their way. Americans are good people who are proud of their homes and their heritage. For just the price of asking, for example, Joe Minter’s wife allowed us to tromp through the folk art jungle in their Birmingham, Ala., backyard, known to locals as Joe Minter’s African Village in America.

Take an iPad or Laptop

Maintain a Tad of Cynicism

Mapping a loose plan day-by-day is easier than planning the entire vacation before departing. While enjoying the complimentary breakfast, use the hotel’s gratis Wi-Fi, the road atlas and an iPad to plot an itinerary for the day. Consult your atlas to determine what cities and towns you’ll pass through or near and search the Internet for points of interest in those places. Doing this gave direction to our days without locking us into anything. Without my daily research session, I never would have known how to find the dirt and gravel route to the remains of the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco or had the desire to pass through Broken Bow, Okla., the adopted home of many southerners following the Civil War.

Friendliness and honesty are not the same and do not necessarily coexist within an individual. In my desire to teach my offspring that they live in a great nation and that they need not fear accepting help, I made a very grave error that cost me a bundle. On the corner of Houston Street and Main in downtown Dallas, I paused to get my bearings, preparing to recite a detailed account of this location’s historic significance to my less-than-riveted children, more impressed with Dallas’s July heat index than with Dealey Plaza, the site of JFK’s assassination. Over my left shoulder someone instructed, “It’s the second window from the top all the way on the right. See, it’s still open.” I effused my gratitude, recognizing the building as the famous Texas School Book Depository. Looking pleased, the man offered, “I’m one of the tour guides down here. I can tell you a little about this area,” which he insisted on doing sans compensation. I trusted him. He toured us, of course, to an ATM machine. Lesson learned.

Be Flexible Austin, Texas, was not on our agenda, but on our way to San Antonio I made a quick decision to exit the Interstate. That evening we witnessed, for free from the Congress Avenue Bridge, the world’s largest urban bat colony take flight. Without flexibility, we would have missed this wondrous piece of nature. Devise a plan, prioritize stops, cover ground, but be constantly willing to go off script. You never know when you might, like us, be inadvertently swept into a vigorous march on the Mississippi State Capitol. Seek Balance Sure it should be educational, but keep it fun, too. Visit as many oddities as mainstream sites. Give the kids choices and get their input about what they would like to see and do. Allow them to stretch their legs in an entertaining place once in awhile. In Dallas, my children inexplicably opted to go see a giant patio chair in front of a furniture store instead of Machinegun Kelley’s house. Outside of Birmingham, we took a lunch break at Bass Pro Shops. Believe in the Generosity of Others

It begins with an atlas and ends wherever the tires run out of road. Not everywhere we end up is somewhere we want to be, like standing in front of an ATM machine removing money for a conman, but a road trip makes the journey worth the destination. Our ramble crossed Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. I discovered that children are remarkably tolerant of wanderlust and elucidations on everything from assassination conspiracy theories to Fort Worth’s Hell’s Half Acre and its infamous visitors. In a way, I think I brought my brood along as witnesses to my personal journey, but I know they traveled their own journeys on that ribbon of highway, too. Dust from the byways and back roads left a residue of memories as vivid and enjoyable as the firsthand experience. Though I maybe had more fun on the actual trip, they’ll derive more joy from retelling it, reliving it together, later. They’ll give voice to our once-upona-summer, 10-day, seven-state, 3,000-mile story again and again through the coming years.

When traveling outside of the scope of a familiar hundred-mile radius, the need to ask a stranger for information is inevitable. My experience is that the ma-

Lucy Adams is a freelance writer and the author of Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run. She lives in Thomson, GA with her husband and their four children. Contact Lucy at lucybgoosey@aol.com.

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Augusta Family | May/June 2013 • 19

NURSES

Navigating the “Wings of Change” Articles by Lucy Adams Cover and Article Photography by John Harpring

Nurses Shop & Dine

2012 Nurse of the Year Angeline “Missy” Pratt

ince 2002, Angeline “Missy” Pratt has occupied the seat of Assistant Vice President of Perioperative Services at Georgia Regents Medical Center. Beneath the skin of that title, however, she is a nurse—an OR nurse. She began her career in the mid 60s as a aurgical aervices staff nurse at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Fla. By August of 1972, she had advanced to the position of assistant director, overseeing the daily activities of 10 operating rooms. In 1974, she was promoted to director of surgical services. Then, as now, she was keenly aware of not only the patient experience, but also the procedures that keep a busy OR functioning effectively and efficiently. “I prefer to see challenges as opportunities,” Pratt, a natural problemsolver, enthusiastically says. Still, she is at heart a nurse—a dedicated nurse. Her humility enables her to see to the core of matters, break down barriers and practice determined optimism. Because she believes that a positive attitude greases the wheels, she arrives at GRMC every day with a smile on her face, even if she doesn’t feel like smiling. Like anyone who has real passion for what she does, the job is not about earning a paycheck. It’s about the change she can affect each day that she works at it. Standing with the other nominees for 2012’s Nurse of the Year, she marveled at the attributes and accolades used to describe the winner. “I was thinking, ‘Wow! I’ve got to meet this person!’ Then they called my name,” she remembers. “I could not assimilate what was being said,” she recounts, explaining that her name had to be called several more times before she responded. Invested with sincere respect for her colleagues in the profession, she never thought she would receive the award, saying, “I was totally unprepared for the honor.” No matter how much she and her managers and staff accomplish, she is always looking forward to what more can be done. “You can never relax and say, ‘Well, we can coast for awhile now,’” says Pratt. In her current position she oversees 22 OR suites, perfusion services, anesthesia services, recovery units, purchasing and supplies for the OR department, endoscopy, central sterile processing and same-day OR services. During her tenure she has appreciably reduced costs, reduced staff turnover and increased patient satisfaction, among other successes. One of the most pressing issues she and others in powww.augustafamily.com

Augusta Family | May/June 2013 • 23

Here’s your chance to tell us your Family Favorites...those people, places, restaurants, schools and spots for family fun that make our city such a unique place to live. Cast your vote for those places and people you think deserve recognition for a job well done, focusing on places that are family friendly. No photocopies accepted. One ballot per reader please! All ballot categories must be completed in order for votes to be considered. Fold ballot, place in envelope and mail with correct postage to:

AugustA FAmily mAgAzine P.O. Box 1405 • Augusta, GA 30903 DEADLINE: July 11, 2013• Online voting available at www.augustafamily.com

ARts/musiC/DAnCing Visual Art Instruction Jazz/Hip Hop Dance Lessons Traditional Dance Lessons Music Lessons (piano, violin, drums, etc.) Performing Arts Group

FAmily Fun Annual Family Event Day Trip Traditional Family Photographer Non-Traditional Family Photographer Indoor Playground Indoor Playground Overnight Trip Picnic Spot Rainy Day Outing Story Time

FOOD Breakfast Spot Burgers Desserts Drive-Thru Date Night Restaurant Restaurant-Chain Restaurant-Locally Owned Fries Pizza Chicken Fingers Mac & Cheese

24 Family | May-June 2013 2013 24••Augusta Augusta Family | May/June

Place To Get Coffee Healthy Menu Place for Ice Cream Kids Menu

Toddler Party Place Elementary Age Party Place School/Class Parties Party Supply Store

liFestyle/meDiCAl

sCHOOls

Auto Service Financial Institution (Bank or Credit Union) Place for Children’s Haircuts Computer Repair Service Place to Get Coffee Veterinarian Dog Groomer Kennel Pediatrician Pediatric Dentist OB/GYN Orthodontist After-Hours Medical Care Family Vision Care

meDiA Radio Station Television Station Local website Favorite Part of Augusta Family Magazine

PARties Birthday Cakes www.augustafamily.com www.augustafamily.com

Daycare Elementary School Middle School High School Tutoring Service

sHOPPing Car Dealer

Baby Clothes Boys Clothes Girls Clothes Consignment Shop Grocery Store School Supplies Toy Store

sPORts

Children/Teen Sports Program Family Sporting Event Gymnastics/Cheer Instruction Martial Arts Program Swimming Lessons Tennis Program Family Fitness Center

Reflection of Nursing Spirit Award Winners

he following registered nurses have been selected by their workplace peers as the 2012 Spirit of Nursing Award recipients. These professionals have demonstrated effective quality nursing practice in a positive manner within the healthcare system to impact healthcare outcomes. The award criteria states that these individuals:

Nurse of the Year Angeline “Missy” Pratt looks over a report with Sue Johnson, perioperative office coordinator at GRMC.

• Collaborate effectively with other healthcare colleagues • Demonstrate integrity and adhere to the nursing professions’ code of ethics • Develop strategies including appropriate actions to improve nursing • Promote the image of nursing and the profession both within the workplace and in the community and • Exemplify the spirit of care and commitment to nursing every day, whether delivering direct client services or leading others.

“Our focus right now is to train staff for today and tomorrow.” -Angeline “Missy” Pratt sitions similar to hers cope with is the downturn in the number of nursing school graduates entering the specialization of OR nursing. The average age of OR nurses creeps up every year, getting closer and closer to retirement age. Natural attrition threatens to reduce the pool of skilled OR nurses. Pratt explains the influence of these circumstances: “Our focus right now is to train staff for today and tomorrow.” In an ideal world, Pratt would reinstitute nursing student rotations through the OR. Since that is beyond her scope and control, however, she works closely with Georgia Regents University’s nursing program to place two nursing students in externships each year. In addition, she recruits experienced staff from outside of the facility. Furthermore, in keeping with her character of encouragement, she urges employees from within to advance their education so that OR assistants become surgical technicians and surgical technicians enroll in nursing school. Pratt’s concern for her staff is reflected in their concern for their patients. “They really are vested in the care of the person,” she says. “It shows their heart. I’m grateful for it.” Underneath her administrative hat, when she puts all of her plates down, Pratt is a nurse. She’s a nurse who understands that it’s the seemingly little things that put a patient and his family at ease. The big things are kept at bay because of her sincere attentiveness to the details of managing the little things.

Jessica Simmions

Karen Andrews

Colby Dean

Amedisys

Augusta Technical College

Arnisha Seaward

Celestine Dunbar

Ella Ealy

Charlie Norwood VAMC

Chi Eta Phi

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Augusta Family | May/June 2013 • 25

Reflection Of Nursing Spirit Award Winners

26 â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta Family | May/June 2013

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Linda Watts, RN, BS, BSN, MSN, right, is chief nursing officer for University Hospital. She is pictured with Candy Mae Russell, RN, CPN.

Spotlight on Nursing:

Wings of Change

ince its beginning in monasteries and convents organized around the mission of rendering aid to the sick and destitute, nursing has evolved into a highly skilled profession requiring rigorous training. Though a heart for nurturing the ill, the fragile, the afraid, the vulnerable, the dying is still an essential component of the job, in today’s healthcare system nurses are challenged to use complex technologies, perform or assist in performing medical procedures and competently attend at the bedside of multiple patients while also remaining mindful of keeping costs down, communicating with the family, maintaining safety standards and documenting patient condition. With the Affordable Care Act on the verge of going into full effect in 2014, more change is on the way for the healthcare industry.

Reflection of Nursing Spirit Award Winners

Birgit Stokes

Melinda Woodell

Lutricia Jordan

Kristin Bourassa

Cara Collins

Mary Duckworth

Dwight D Eisenhower Army Medical Center

GAPAN

Georgia Regents Medical Center

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Augusta Family | May/June 2013 • 27

Karen Smith, RN, BSN, MHA, serves as vice president and chief nursing officer at Doctors Hospital of Augusta.

“Compassion and empathy remain key components of nursing care. However, nurses now must also master new technology while striving to meet increasing regulatory standards and more diverse patient populations.” -Karen Smith

Who better than nurses to discuss transitions in the provision of healthcare? A panel of four nurse administrators representing distinctly different types of hospital facilities answers questions about the changing role and challenges of nursing professionals. All of these experts have extensive experience in bedside care and nursing administration. Robyn Stowell, MSN, MHM, is the chief nursing officer (CNO) at Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Trinity Hospital was founded in 1952 as a Catholic hospital with the mission to extend the work of Christ. It operates as the only faith-based hospital in the CSRA. Trinity is part of for-profit Community Health Systems. Lynda Jones Watts, RN, BS, BSN, MSM, is University Hospital’s CNO. University Hospital is a community, not-for-profit facility. University is the only Magnet accredited facility in the CSRA and only 1 of 5 in the state of Georgia that holds this distinction. Karen Smith, RN, BSN, MHA, serves as the CNO for Doctors Hospital of Augusta. Doctors Hospital is owned by parent company Hospital Corporation of American (HCA). Like Trinity, it is

Reflection of Nursing Spirit Award Winners

Dana Dudley Georgia Regents Medical Center

Jennifer Edmunds Georgia Regents Medical Center

28 • Augusta Family | May/June 2013

Samantha Hughes

Holly Hula

Wendy Kubala

Amy McKeen

Georgia Regents Medical Center

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a for-profit hospital, but it has no religious affiliation. David Davis, (Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army Retired) RN, MSN, is chief nurse executive, Department of Medicine, at Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, a Department of the Army US Army Medical Center located on Fort Gordon. Approximately 43 percent of the registered nurses are active duty military with a minimum of a bachelors degree in nursing. The other 57 percent are Department of the Army civilians. Many of the administrative and special project nursing leaders have multiple demands placed on them from outside of the in-house chain of command, specifically, by the Southern Regional Medical Command and the US Army Medical Command, both located at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

How has nursing changed in the last quarter century?

STOWELL: The main differences I see are in technology and the shift from reusable to disposables in almost everything we use. Technology has become more safety conscious and what took hours before can often be completed in minutes. The focus still remains on the patient, but we are now as focused on the entire patient experience and maintaining a high reliability, error-free environment utilizing evidence-based medicine to achieve better outcomes overall for the patients we serve. Watts: Twenty-five years ago all nursing documentation was done on paper. Today, nurses document in the electronic medical record. Twenty-five years ago there was not much focus on how long a patient remained in the hospital. It was not uncommon to see a patient come in the hospital the day or evening before surgery that was scheduled the next day. Today many of those surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis where the patient comes in the morning of the surgery and goes home the same day. We have also seen many advances in healthcare over the last 25 years in regards to joint replacements, as well as early treatment and interventions for heart attacks and strokes. Babies born premature today have a much higher chance of survival than they did 25 years ago. Nursing today is more challenging that it was 25 years ago in regards to ensuring all elements of care are documented in the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record to meet the evergrowing regulatory and public reporting standards.

David Davis, RN, MSN, is chief nurse executive, Department of Medicine, at Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

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SMITH: Nursing is an ever-changing profession. I began nursing over 20 years ago and change has been a constant force. Demands are greater on nurses today than they were 20 years ago. Compassion and empathy remain key components of nursing care. However, nurses now must also master new technology while striving to meet increasing regulatory standards and more diverse patient populations. DAVIS: No role in healthcare has changed as dramatically over the past 25 years as nursing. The nearly universally recognized symbol of nursing—the female nurse with her starched white cap—is gone and we have all exchanged our pressed white uniforms for different colored scrubs or business attire. Nurses have traded their paper notes for computers and their push-button nursing station telephones for portable smart-phones and email. Moving from the predominant role of the bedside nurse developing care plans and charting assessments and changes in patient condition, the nurse today must be competent in human-machine interfacing with a wide variety of high-tech machines and computer informatics and their corresponding software. Nurses have had to become highly skilled in providing much more complicated care with increasing acutely ill patients. As technological, medical and administrative changes have impacted nursing, the role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) has emerged. These APRNs often diagnose the patient, determine treatment and prescribe medication, a privilege only held by physicians in years past.

Q Robin Stowell is chief nursing officer at Trinity Hospital of Augusta,

“The Affordable Care Act will allow people access to care where previously they may have slipped through the economic safety net that currently has some holes in it.” -Robin Stowell

How will the Obama Administration’s Affordable Care Act affect the provision of nursing care in your facility (and those similar to it) as well as the nursing profession as a whole?

STOWELL: The Affordable Care Act will allow people access to care where previously they may have slipped through the economic safety net that currently has some holes in it. With more insured patients coming to the hospital and seeking early intervention, nursing may be able to impact or improve chronic disease management, decrease mortality and improve the overall health of the previously uninsured population. WATTS: As a result of the Affordable Care Act we will see changes in healthcare facilities to ensure that healthcare workers provide services that optimize quality and cost. Our structure, processes and outcomes must be aligned correctly for the future. We will see the role of the bedside nurse and nurse leader change as we see our care delivery model change from a short-term episodic experience

Reflection of Nursing Spirit Award Winners

Vijay Nair

Shannon Snellgrove

Fayette White

Jean Pawl

Rebecca Rule

Georgia Regents Medical Center

Georgia Regents University College of Nursing

30 • Augusta Family | May/June 2013

www.augustafamily.com

Vivian Bugg University Hospital

to awareness and management of care transitions that incorporate prevention, rehabilitation and chronic and long-term care. As a profession, we will see the need for Advance Practice Nurses accelerate over the next several years as the shortage of physicians becomes more evident. SMITH: I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if anyone has a definitive answer to this question yet. We do anticipate an increase in services and know that nurses will play an important role in delivering primary care. We are hopeful that additional funding will be provided that will allow more nursing students to enter our educational institutions and allow experienced nurses to pursue advanced degrees. At our facility we are prepared to provide the nursing resources that would allow us to meet growing needs for healthcare. DAVIS: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uncertain.

What are the most critical current nursing issues in your particular type of facility? What are some ways these issues are being resolved?

STOWELL: We need to work with academic nursing programs to clinically educate nurses better so they can function at a higher level immediately after graduation and in their first nursing position versus spending several more months in hospital orientation. This is not typical for just our hospital, but all hospitals. With hospitals having to tighten their belts to make healthcare more cost effective and streamlined, we need better clinically educated nurses to be able to think critically and assume patient care quickly. Although virtual lab simulation training is very beneficial, typically students in nursing schools spend only six to eight hours a week in clinical settings delivering limited actual patient care. WATTS: The Augusta area is fortunate to have a wide variety of healthcare facilities available to the community. It also is a very transient community with steady flow of folks moving in and out for military or business reasons. This brings challenges in maintaining a steady nursing workforce. University is proud of its heritage and the fact that we have a high number of staff with many years of service and longevity with the organization. We are constantly looking to recruit and retain the best nurses for our team. We work closely with the area nursing schools through collaborative efforts. We serve as a clinical rotation site for many of the area nursing programs, as well as have several staff serve as preceptors for nursing students. Several of our clinical nurse educators also serve as clinical instructors to help support our local nursing programs.

Karen Childs-Smith

Vera Freed

Lynne Giles

University Hospital

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32 â&#x20AC;˘ Augusta Family | May/June 2013

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SMITH: One critical issue for healthcare is a nursing shortage as nurses retire or pursue other opportunities in nursing that take them away from the bedside. At Doctors, we have a strong focus on recruiting the right candidates and constantly working to retain the nurses who practice here. We provide ongoing educational opportunities and tuition reimbursement to support higher education. Nurses must also find ways to improve communication related to disease management and care processes. Advancements in electronic medical records are helping bridge the communication gap that often occurs across the healthcare continuum. DAVIS: The Army Medical Department and Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center are clearly distinct from their private sector counterparts, with their robust and predictable deployment of our Army nurses and medics. These much-needed professionals are moving in and out of our hospital continuously, with the typical deployment lasting approximately nine months before their return. This obviously makes staffing in those units with high military presence a big challenge. Layered on top of the deployments are our military nurses and medics who are transferred from Eisenhower AMC every two to three years, requiring a replacement and usually taking great knowledge and skills with them. Because of the military global operational tempo that constantly moves our military staff, the chief nurse executives must be nimble in response times, hyper-flexible and adept at re-engineering processes and workflow business models to create and maintain efficiency, safe nursing staff levels, competency and performance in such a constantly changing environment. I am personally trained in Lean Six Sigma process re-engineering and workflow and all of the chief nurse executives are assisted by a full-time staff of highly educated and trained workflow analysts, who often times seem to work miracles in a system that demands much of its nurses and staff.

Robin Stowell, right, studies computerized patient records with Amy Moody, a nursing director.

What healthcare and/or nursing issues will be most troublesome in the coming years? How can these issues be pro-actively addressed?

STOWELL: I am concerned about upcoming physician shortages. As baby boomers age and more people gain access to care under ACA, do we have enough physicians, particularly in primary care? I believe we need to attract and empower more advanced practice nurses to extend the reach of current and future primary care physicians. I also believe that the patient-centered medical-home concept can help reach out to those with chronic diseases and aide in better disease management and prevention, thereby keeping them out of the hospital. WATTS: The change from fee-for-service to a bundled payment plan system brings numerous challenges to healthcare organizations and providers. Questions connected to ensuring we are providing the right care in the right environment with the right provider(s) abound but must be answered. Organizations are in the throes now of developing

“I believe we need to attract and empower more advanced practice nurses to extend the reach of current and future primary care physicians.” -Robin Stowell

Reflection of Nursing Spirit Award Winners

Nancy Gooding University Hospital

Meghan Lloyd

Lynette Mosely

Sandra Murphy

University Hospital

Lisa Patton

Lisa Pete

University Hospital

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Augusta Family | May/June 2013 • 33

Reflection of Nursing Spirit Award Winners and operationalizing their plans for economic survival. From a nursing standpoint, comprehensive integration of evidence-based care protocols and guidelines are gaining acceptance both by nurses and physicians. Standardizing protocols based on evidence supports better patient outcomes in a cost-efficient manner.

Lauren Redlund

Melissa Rimmer

Leanne Smail

University Hospital

Sara Smith

Susan Tuten

University Hospital

Roseanne Williams University Hospital

34 • Augusta Family | May/June 2013

Joyce Pompey USC Aiken School of Nursing

SMITH: In the coming years, we will still be focused on ensuring that we have enough nursing professionals to meet the demands of those seeking care. We address these issues by partnering with local educational institutions to provide learning environments that support educating our future nurses. We also begin introducing healthcare careers to high school students so that we get them interested even before they enter college. DAVIS: U.S. healthcare, driven by capital and innovation, has produced what seem like miracles in care. However, in the U.S. we manage to deliver superior healthcare with costs that continue to escalate at a pace far greater than the national rate of inflation. Our future challenge is to find the keys to unlock the problems with access to care, the delivery of primary care, establish reasonable care guidelines and control costs. The U.S. has the most technology driven healthcare system in the world, but it has significant problems we’ll have to resolve. Electronic health records (EHR), often assumed to be critical in improving communication, often do not even communicate with each other. Rather than make data sharing easier, EHRs often create enormous and wasteful time for the healthcare provider. Technology has a place in our future, but providing better evidence-based and cost-effective care to more people will have to be our objective and it will undoubtedly be our challenge. In a recent study conducted on behalf of the American Hospital Association, this (nursing) shortage has caused emergency department over-crowding and patient diversion, inpatient bed reduction due to staffing, the discontinuation of programs and services and the cancellation of elective surgeries. This is compounded by the fact that the average age of the working registered nurse today is 50. Not nearly enough new nurses are joining the ranks as the current retirement-eligible generation leaves the workforce. This growing gap between highly educated and trained registered nurses and higher patient acuity is a prescription for danger. Creating a culture of retention includes employing more registered nurses instead of replacing them with less skilled workers, an enhancement of the nurse executive role instead of diminishing it and the deployment of more nurse managers instead of fewer. The results of these changes place an emphasis on the nurse-patient relationship, more time spent on direct patient care, improved mentoring of other nurses and strengthening of the nurse executive’s clinical leadership.

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funfood }

by Courtesy Family Features

Summer Sweets

Cookies and More from TLC’s “Cake Boss”

ou might have a favorite cookie or brownie recipe—but did you know you could make it even better by adding a simple, familiar ingredient? With a few expert tips from Buddy Valastro, author and star of TLC’s “Cake Boss,” you can take your sweet treats from good to great in no time. • Start with Quality Ingredients—When you start with better ingredients, you end up with a better cookie or brownie. Use real butter, high-quality vanilla and great tasting chocolate. Here, Buddy shares some of his favorite recipes that use M&M’S candies to add an extra special touch to family favorites—making them even better. • Chill the Dough—Leaving cookie dough in the refrigerator gives it more body and results in a fuller and better tasting cookie. Plan ahead so you can refrigerate your dough at least one hour—or, even better, overnight.

Ultimate Peanut Butter Brownies Prep time: 10 to 15 minutes Bake time: 30 to 40 minutes Yield: 32 brownies 4 ounces semisweet chocolate 1 cup canola or vegetable oil 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups M&M’S Peanut Butter Candies, divided

• Keep It Uniform—Use a small ice cream scoop to keep your cookies the same size. This not only helps them look professional, but bake up evenly and consistently.

pan. In 3-quart saucepan, gently combine the semisweet chocolate and oil over very low heat until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In separate bowl, combine sugar, eggs and vanilla extract until blended. Add in chocolate mixture. Slowly sift in remaining dry ingredients and mix until combined. Fold in 1 ½ cups candies. Spread batter into pan. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup candies and press lightly. Bake until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Simply Sweet Cannoli Prep time: 20 minutes Yield: 24 1 cup Snickers Bars, finely chopped 1 ½ cups part skim milk ricotta ⅓ cup sugar ½ teaspoon grated orange zest 1 resealable plastic bag 24 mini cannoli shells, unfilled ½ cup M&M’S Chocolate Candies Combine chopped candy bars with ricotta, sugar and orange zest. Spoon mixture into resealable bag and snip off a ½-inch corner. Fill cannoli shells by squeezing in filling from each end. Decorate both ends with chocolate candies.

• Pans Matter—Bake cookies on light-colored, non-insulated cookie sheets without sides. Metal pans will cook brownies faster than glass pans, which means cooking times will vary. Start checking your brownies early to test if they’re ready and prevent over baking. You can find more sweet baking tips and recipes at www.facebook.com/mms.

38 • Augusta Family | May/June 2013

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a rectangular 13-by-9-by-2-inch

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Amazing M&M’S Cookies Prep time: 10 to 15 minutes Chill time: 1 hour to overnight Bake time: 8 to 14 minutes Yield: 24 to 30 cookies 1 cup (2 sticks) butter ⅔ cup brown sugar ⅔ cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups flour 1 ¼ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt 1 ¾ cups M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies Preheat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, cream butter and both sugars until well blended. Add egg and vanilla extract, and mix to combine. In separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda and salt together. Slowly add dry ingre dients into butter mixture and stir until combined. Fold in candies and chill dough for 1 hour or overnight. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto lightly greased tray, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies, or 12 to 14 minutes for crispy cookies.

Milk Chocolate Minis Cookies Prep time: 10 to 15 minutes Chill time: 1 hour to overnight Bake time: 7 to 12 minutes Yield: 24 to 30 cookies 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened ¾ cup firmly packed lightbrown sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ⅓ cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt

1 ¾ cups M&M’S Milk Chocolate Minis Candies 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional) Preheat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, cream butter and both sugars until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix to combine. In separate bowl, sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Slowly add dry ingredients to butter mixture, and stir until combined. Fold in candies and walnuts, if desired. Chill dough 1 hour, or overnight. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto lightly greased tray, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes for chewy cookies, or 10 to 12 minutes for crispy cookies.

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Augusta Family | May/June 2013 • 39

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by Kathy Sena

Searching for a Summer Day Camp?

Photo courtesy of augusta preparatory day school

These Tips Will Help Save Your Sanity

Summer camps can provide children with an opportunity to explore their interests, make new friends or learn life skills such as cooking.

still remember the Excel spreadsheet my husband created when our son was in grade school. We were trying to patch together multiple summer-day-camp options that would be fun and enriching for him and that also would, frankly, help us out with childcare while we both worked. We talked with friends, read everything we could get our hands on, poured over websites…and cobbled together a plan. What we didn’t have was great advice—like the tips from our experts, below— on how to go about the whole process. With this advice, you’ll know where to start looking, what questions to ask—and you’ll even nab a few tips on what to do once you’ve chosen the right camp(s) for your child. Happy summer-camping!

ation. Most day camps offer mini or full days with extended hours for working families before and after the regular camp-day hours,” adds Batterman, who also has held several leadership positions with the American Camp Association (ACA) (http://www.acacamps. org). “With older children, you will be looking into either a traditionally based program (which often includes swimming, sports, arts and outdoor-adventure activities and instruction) or short-term specialty programs with an emphasis on a particular sport, theater, dance or magic—or even something like robotics or culinary arts,” he says.

Ask Around

“The age and interests of the child help to determine which type of camp experience will fit,” says Howard Batterman, of Blue Bell, Pa., owner and director of Sesame/Rockwood Camps and Rockwood Adventures Teen Travel Program. “With very young children ages 4 to 5, the length of the day and the week is a consider-

Of course, the Web is a great source of information on local day camps. A complete list of CSRA day camps can be found at www.augustafamily.com. Word-of-mouth suggestions can be the best sources of info, Batterman says. Parents from your child’s school, neighbors and relatives are often happy to share their experiences with day camps, he adds. It’s even helpful to ask a favorite babysitter if he or she went to day camp or perhaps worked at one. Be sure

40 • Augusta Family | May/June 2013

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Know Your Child

to ask “What did you like about the camp? What did you dislike? Would your child want to return to the same camp again in the future?” Some parents also ask their Facebook friends for recommendations when looking for camps. As you ask around, start creating a short list of camps that you want to consider.

Schedule a Visit— and Bring Your Questions “Schedule a time to visit, along with your child, and tour the facilities with the director,” suggests Batterman. Ask questions. Are lunch and snacks provided or do kids bring food from home? Is there care taken for children with food allergies? Is there a nurse on staff? Is transportation provided to and from your home? If so, how is that done? What is the staff-to-camper ratio? (This varies based on the age of the campers. For the younger campers, Batterman recommends a 3:1 camper-to-staff ratio. For older campers, a 5:1 ratio.) How are children grouped? Is there a swim program? If so, what certifications do the people hold who are running that program? What is the interview process

{ timeout for the staff? Have staff members had extensive background checks and been fingerprinted? What type of training do staff members receive?

Check Out Camp Security

What procedures are in place to sign-out a camper? At Batterman’s camps, for example, each family is mailed ID cards before the start of camp. Child-custody and parental restrictions should be strictly enforced, he notes. Also, staff should be wearing camp t-shirts or some other type of uniform and should wear photo ID on a lanyard, says Batterman. “This ensures that each staff member is identified,” he adds. “If a stranger is on camp property, they are easy to spot.”

Ask About Visitation Policies, Accreditation Batterman suggests looking for a camp with an open-visitation policy for parents. “This is important because it tells the parents that the camp has nothing to hide,” he says. “Parents should be able to stop by camp at their leisure to visit their child.” (Always be sure to check in upon your arrival, as the camp will need to keep track of all visitors for security reasons.) As for accreditation, ask if the camp is ACA accredited? The American Camp Association is the governing body of both day and residential camps. “Camps that are accredited must comply with more than 300 standards for the health, safety and welfare of campers and employees,” says Batterman.

Heading To Camp Once you decide on a camp, you’ll want to make sure your child has a great experience. These suggestions from Donna Schwartz, associate executive director of Siegel JCC day camps for children and teens in Wilmington, Del., has these suggestions: • Pack wisely. You will likely receive a “what to bring to camp” list from the camp before your child’s first day. Will your child be carrying her stuff around with her all day at camp? If so, pack minimally required items and considerhaving your child use a small backpack. • Keep food safe. Will your child’s lunch be refrigerated? If yes, pack it in a brown paper  bag labeled with his name and group name. If no, pack it in an insulated lunch box (also labeled) with  an ice pack.  • Remember the sunscreen. How much outdoor time will your child get? It’s always a good idea to  slather your child with sunscreen before she is sent to camp, but if there is  a lot of swim time and outdoor time, send more sunscreen along, to be re-applied  by the staff.  • Do not send along toys or electronics. Camp is about socializing,  making new friends and trying new things. If you send along electronics (assuming they are even allowed at the camp), your child will be more isolated and focused on playing Angry Birds instead of enjoying camp activities. Plus, electronics have a way of getting lost at camp. • Label everything. Your child inevitably will lose something. You  are more likely to get an item back if it has his name on it.  Kathy Sena is a freelance journalist specializing in parenting issues. Her son has done everything from science experiments to basketball to swimming at summer day camps. She still swears by her trusty Excel spreadsheet.

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inspirationstation}

by Danielle Wong Moores

Reaching Independence

Camp TBI Is a Fun Overnight Camp for Kids Who Suffered Brain Injuries

Campers at Camp TBI experience typical summer camp activities at the Camp Twin Lakes facility in Rutledge, Ga., a fully accessible campsite featuring a zip line, pool, lake, treehouse and much more.

n the video, Tyler Shelton’s smile is radiant, brighter even than his shock of blonde hair. He’s giggling—and even though his gait has been affected by a traumatic brain injury, it doesn’t keep him from dancing in time to the music during Camp To Be Independent’s annual Talent Show. The images were taken about four years ago, but Tyler’s mom Tammy Shelton says his smile is still just as bright—and he’s just as joyful to be a camper at Walton Foundation for Independence’s annual week-long, spend-the-night camp, offered free every summer to children and young adults ages 8 to 21 who have been affected by an acquired brain injury. These can include injuries at birth, stroke, brain tumors or trauma. “(Camp TBI) is the one time of year that he can be just a kid,” says Shelton. “He doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable, no one is staring. But it’s not just that— the experience at camp taught him to be more independent—just being able to do small things: climb a rock wall, go on a zip line, all those things that are part of a normal camp experience. Just to be able to be on his own, in a safe environment, to spread his wings.” It’s a feeling that many other campers and their

families have expressed, says Alice Salley, the foundation’s associate development officer and camp director. “Parents tell me they’re wiping away tears when it’s over, for weeks—and they start asking when it starts back again pretty much right away,” says Salley. “Another mother talks about how it’s so important because her son gets to be just like every other kid—a cool teenager. Nobody notices the wheelchair, he’s just one of the gang. It’s just a special time for them to be accepted.”

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Full Access for All Ability Levels The Walton Foundation launched Camp TBI 14 years ago as part of its mission to provide opportunities for adults and children with acquired disabilities in this region. The camp is held annually at the Camp Twin Lakes site in Rutledge, Ga., a fully accessible campsite featuring spacious cabins, gym and amphitheater, medical lodge, media center with a teaching center and photography room, an arts center for dance and drama, a library, arts and crafts building, an accessible playground and pool, riding ring, biking paths, climbing wall, zip line and more.

Every single activity at camp is designed so that children at every level of ability—even those who are wheelchair bound—can participate. At the zip line, for example, it’s common to see children—faces beaming—as they experience that first-time rush of zipping high through the trees, all from the safety of a specially designed harness, and then are caught in a hug at the end of the zip line by their counselor. At Camp TBI, annual volunteers from the occupational therapy program at Georgia Regents University serve as counselors—and each camper has one or two counselors assigned to him or her. The counselors help supervise children with gait or mobility issues, track needed medications and assist with activities as needed. “We are so thankful for our partnership with the OT school,” says Salley. “That’s a very unique part of our camp that gives the parents a lot of comfort…A lot of our kids need that sort of support.”

Steps Toward Independence As with the foundation’s other programs (which include adaptive golf and wheelchair tennis through-

{ inspirationstation out the year), the overall goal of Camp TBI is to further these children’s goals of true independence. “Each counselor will contact the guardians and the child before camp, and they will set a goal together,” says Salley. “It can be as simple as brushing their teeth or learning to swim or conquering their fear of the zip line, whatever they choose. During that week, the counselor will work with them to reach their goal.” Some of the children might not reach their goals during that week—and that’s important too. “It’s important to help them along the way to learn how to accept that they are going to have challenges in their life,” says Salley. “But the act of trying and all that goes into that is a learning experience…They get so excited when they reach their goal or when they come close.” It costs about $40,000 for the foundation to offer the camp, and up to 50 kids can attend Camp TBI every year at no cost—through donations from individuals, grants and from the annual Undercover Artists Show fundraiser each April. Because Camp TBI is a rarity in the world of specialized camps, campers often travel from all across the country to attend. “The majority comes from Georgia but we have kids coming from all over the U.S., including Califor-

nia,” says Salley. “There are not a lot of camps like this out there specifically for brain-injured children.”

Independence and Much More Many campers attend for years until they graduate out at age 21. “One camper who aged out last year has always told us that coming to Camp TBI is like coming home,” says Salley. “They look forward to it all year.” As for Salley, she joined the foundation two years ago. After her first year working at camp, an opportunity opened up to be the camp director. “My hand was up,” she says. “If you go, you fall in love with it. There’s something special about our kids. They’re so accepting of each other, they recognize each other for the struggles that they share and they’re just the kindest group of kids you have ever been around. They work so hard and are so appreciative and so thankful for what we do to make this camp happen—it fills your heart.” If you are interested in learning more about Camp TBI or if you would like to make a donation, contact Alice Salley, Walton Foundation for Independence, at 706-826-5809 or email alsalley@wrh.org.

Volunteer staff and accessible equipment allow all campers to participate in camp activities.

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Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all their Sesame Street friends are taking to the stage to share their love of music in Sesame Street Live “Elmo Makes Music.” Elmo and friends will teach children that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together. June 3 & 4 at 7 p.m. at the Bell Auditorium. www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com.

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Special Events May 1 & June 5. Let’s Talk Self-Esteem. Seminar for older teens and adults, led by Tara Tanksley Stallings, Certified Life Coach. 6-7:30 p.m. Registration required. For more information, call 706-772-2432. Diamond Lakes Library, Hephzibah. May 1. Cirque Du Soleil Presents Quidam. Featuring an international cast of 52 world-class acrobats, musicians and singers. 7:30 p.m. James Brown Arena. For tickets, www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com. May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. Evans Towne Farmers Market. Features artisans, musicians and children’s activities. 4:30-7 p.m. Grounds of the Columbia County Library. www.evanstownefarmersmarket.com. May 3. Lobster Races. One hundred thoroughbred lobsters compete in several heats leading to the main races. Local food vendors, children’s activities, rides and games and music performances. Gates open at 6 p.m. Main races 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Newberry Street. Downtown Aiken. 803-649-9500 or www.lobsterrace.com. May 3-4. Columbia County Relay for Life. May 3, 7 p.m. May 4, 7 a.m. Evans Towne Center Park. Contact the local American Cancer Society office for information. 706-731-0152. May 3 & 4. Consign for Kids. Benefits Children’s Hospital of Georgia. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Crossbridge Baptist Church, 3130 Skinner Mill Rd. Call 706-721-4004 or email castewart@gru.edu for information. May 4. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta Plane Pull. A tug of war between a FedEx Airbus and 25 people. Augusta Regional Airport. 706724-5901 or www.rmhcaugusta.org. May 4. Derby Day. The Augusta Training Shop’s annual fundraiser and spring social event. Enjoy watching the Kentucky Derby live while sipping mint juleps paired with Southern cuisine. Live entertainment, raffles, silent auction and hat contest. 4-8 p.m. Legends Club. www.augustatrainingshop.com or 706-738-1358. May 4. Annual Pendleton King Park Plant Swap and Sale. Bring plants to trade or sell, purchase plants and garden items, and ask gardening questions. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Pendleton King Park. 706-228-3559. May 4. CSRA Mustang Club Car Show. Food and live entertainment. Benefits the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Rebecca Erryn Moon Foundation. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Evans Towne Center Park. 706-825-1674.

May 7. “Realizing the Dream,” A Children’s Law Day Celebration. Celebrate Law Day 2013 with stories, songs and other fun activities designed for kids. Led by Assistant Public Defenders from the Augusta Judicial Circuit. Registration required for groups of six or more. Best for ages 2-5. For more information, call 706-772-2432. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Diamond Lakes Library, Hephzibah. May 10. Doing the Most Good Dinner. Terry Bradshaw, four-time Super Bowl champion quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, serves as the evening’s motivational speaker. Salvation Army Kroc Center. 706-434-3182. May 11. Mead Hall Strawberry Festival. Enjoy games, contests, entertainment, a bake sale, food and plenty of freshly-picked strawberries. Proceeds benefit the school. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mead Hall School. Aiken. 803-644-1122. May 11. Art in the Park 2013. Event includes performances by the Columbia County Ballet and other local arts groups, a variety of vendors, artist demonstrations, activities for the kids, food and a sidewalk chalk contest. Sponsored by Columbia County Arts. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Columbia County Amphitheater. www.columbiacountyarts.org. May 11. National Train Day Celebration. Come celebrate National Train Day and National Railroad Week at the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum. Guided tours of the museum’s exhibits, music, activities, stories for children and much more. 803293-7846. May 17-18. Aiken Garden Show. Garden tours, exhibitors, vendors, luncheon, workshops, educational programs and a wine and cheese reception. Proceeds benefit the Aiken Garden Club Council. Aiken County Historical Museum. 803-641-6777 or www. aikengardenshow.org. May 18. Mayfest. This outdoor concert is filled with live gospel, R&B and Hip-Hop. National, regional and local artists. An array of vendors are also on site. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at May Park, 622 4th St. Contact Perry Broadcasting at 803-279-2330. May 11. Mother’s Day Breakfast. Make your mother feel appreciated by bringing her to a delicious breakfast at the Kroc Center. 10 a.m.-noon. Salvation Army Kroc Center, Broad Street. 706-364-KROC. May 18. Web Afternoon. Speakers and attendees will be people from a variety of disciplines who all share a common passion. 1-6 p.m. Imperial Theatre. 706-722-8341.

the Revelers and the Crosstie Walkers. Traditional Southern fare will be on the menu to supplement your toe-tapping experience. Thomson, Ga. www. blindwillie.com. May 18. Thunder Over Augusta. Live music, aerial demonstrations, food vendors, exhibits and a spectacular fireworks show to celebrate Armed Forces Day. Free admission. Evans Towne Center Park. www.thunderoveraugusta.com. May 21. SMART Goal Setting for Teens. Teens, learn how to set goals and objectives for school, work and life. Snacks provided. 4-5:30 p.m. Registration required. Call 706 772-2432. Diamond Lakes Library, Hephzibah. May 24. Community Block Party. For children ages 14 and under. A free kick-off to summer vacation for the community children. Free food, live performances, radio remotes, giveaways and more. 3-7 p.m. at MLK Blvd. at Turpin Street, Augusta. For more information, please call 706-722-5613 or 706-821-1754. May 24-25. Banjo-B-Que. Bluegrass festival and competition barbecue sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Evans Towne Center Park. www.banjobque.com. May 27. Memorial Day Concert. The Augusta Concert Band presents this annual concert live on the Savannah River. 7-9 p.m. at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater. Call 706-825-9124. May 31. Magician Chad Crews Magical Safari With Books. Besides lots of strange animals, the program will also include story telling, music, laughter and, of course, several books will also be highlighted. 10-11 a.m. at the Maxwell Branch Library. May 31. Under the Crown Colonial Dinner. The dinner, featuring a guest speaker, colonial fare, wine and ale, is a prelude to the Under the Crown weekend event, June 1-2. North Augusta Living History Park. 803-279-7560. June 1. Mudbugabeaux N Brew Festival. A crawfish boil and craft beer festival presented by French Market Grille West. Event will include a crawfish eating contest, t-shirts and more. 3-11 p.m. at the Augusta Common. For more information go to www. Frenchmarketwest.com or call 706-855-5511. June 1. Summer Beach Blast. Featuring the Jimmy Buffet tribute band, Son of a Sailor, and the Swinging Medallions. 7 p.m. Lady Antebellum Pavilion at Evans Towne Center Park. 706-650-5005.

May 18. Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival. The line-up includes Buddy Miller, Tab Benoit, Jim Lauderdale, Anson Funderburgh, Randall Bramblett,

June 1 & 2. Under the Crown. A weekend filled with new ways to learn and experience the history of Augusta and North Augusta. Historical Reenactors will be at the Living History Park to allow a glimpse of the

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calendar period of the American Revolution. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Living History Park, 299 W. Spring Grove Avenue, North Augusta. 803-279-7560. http://www. colonialtimes.us/index.html. June 2. 28th Annual Children’s Miracle Network Celebration. Broadcast from the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. Miracle stories featuring local families, interviews and more. Volunteers work a phone bank accepting donations. Noon-6 p.m. Call 706-7214004 or visit www.giving.gru.edu/CMN. June 3 & 4. Sesame Street Live—Elmo Makes Music. Elmo and friends teach children that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together. 7 p.m., William B. Bell Auditorium. 706-724-2400. www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com. June 11. Snakes, Lizards, Turtles and (Maybe) a Gator. Presented by the Savannah River Ecology Lab. Experience local reptiles and amphibians up close. 10-10:45 a.m. at Diamond Lakes Library, Hephzibah. Required registration for groups begins May 13. For more information call 706-772-2432. June 25. Free Asthma Screenings. Respiratory therapists from Children’s Hospital of Georgia will screen children for asthma and provide educational materials. Call Jennifer Anderson at 706-721-3225 or visit grhealth.org/kohlscares. June 26. Vegetarian Cooking Demonstration. Join Ame Johnson of the CSRA Vegetarian Society for an informative demonstration featuring healthy, affordable plant-based proteins. 6-7:45 p.m. at Diamond Lakes Library, Hephzibah For more information call 706-772-2432

May 1. Alice in Chains. The legendary heavy metal band performs. 7:30 p.m. Bell Auditorium. www. georgialinatix.com or 1-877-4AUGTIX. May 3-4, 10-11 and 16-18. The Fox on the Fairway. A hilarious romp that pulls the rug out from underneath the stuffy denizens of a private country club. Dinner, 7 p.m. Show, 8 p.m. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre. 706-793-8552. May 3. Masterworks VII. Vocal/choral music with the Columbia County Orchestra. 6-9 p.m. Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center. 706-755-5849. May 3. Parallels. Presented by Dance Augusta, this production features Andrew Kuharsky, Peter Powlus and Amanda Hulen. 7 p.m. Imperial Theatre. Tickets 706-722-8341 or www.imperialtheatre.com. May 4-5 and 10-11. The Nerd. An uproarious comedy production. May 4, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. May 5 at 3 p.m. Aiken Community Playhouse. 803-648-1438. May 8. Little Big Town. The CMA Vocal Group of the Year takes the stage. 7:30 p.m. Bell Auditorium. www.georgialinatix.com or 1-877-4AUGTIX. May 10-11. Aiken Bluegrass Festival. Featuring some of the best bluegrass musicians from around the country. Benefits STAR Riding (Specialized Therapeutic and Recreational Riding). Highfields. Aiken. www.aikenbluegrassfestival.org. May 10-12. The King and I. The Augusta Players closes its season with this beloved Rogers and Hammerstein production. May 10 and 12, 8 p.m. May 11, 3 p.m. Imperial Theatre. For tickets, 706-826-4707 or www.augustaplayers.org.

Museum and Science Event May 1. Brown Bag History Talk: Southern Cooking. Presentation by Barbara Howard Ross, chef/owner of 5 O’clock Bistro. Bring a lunch—beverages provided. Refreshments, 11:30 am. Lecture, 12:30-1 p.m. Augusta Museum of History. 706-722-8454. May 1-June 31. The History of African American Golf With a Focus on Caddies. A multimedia exhibition illustrates the impact and contributions of African Americans on golf with a focus on the historical experience of caddies in Augusta. Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. 706-724-3576. June 5. Brown Bag History Talk: Fashion Flashbacks with Amanda Klaus. Bring lunch—beverages provided. Refreshments, 11:30 am. Lecture, 12:30-1 p.m. Augusta Museum of History. 706-722-8454.

May 11. Pops! Under the Stars. Symphony Orchestra Augusta performs. 7:30 p.m. Lady Antebellum Pavilion. 706-826-4705. May 17-18. A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That. Annual youth production by the Augusta Mini Theatre. May 17, 8 p.m. May 18, 3 and 8 p.m. Augusta Mini Theatre. www.augustaminitheatre.com. May 24-June 8. The Drowsy Chaperone. It all begins when a die-hard musical theater fan plays the cast album of his favorite show, only to have the musical literally burst to life in his living room. May 24, 25, 31 and June 1, 7, and 8 at 8 p.m. May 26 and June 2 at 3 p.m. Aiken Community Playhouse. 803648-1438.

p.m. Bell Auditorium. For tickets, www.georgialinatix.com or 1-877-4AUGTIX. June 7. American Pops! Presented by the Columbia County Choral Society. Includes familiar standars, Broadway medleys, music Americana, barbershop quartet and light jazz. Augusta Preparatory Day School Hull Fine Arts Center. Call 706-868-7294 or go to ccchoralsociety.org. June 7-July 26. Gertrude Herbert Exhibits. The works of printmaker Chad Tolley and plein air painter Dick Dunlap will be on display. 506 Telfair St. 706722-5495. June 10. Gertrude Herbert Summer Quarter Classes Begin. Classes for adults and children in a wide variety of media. Visit www.ghia.org or call 706-7225495 to request a free course catalogue. June 10-14. ENOPION Theater Conservatory Summer Camp. A well-rounded theater program with the goal of developing talent in children. Three age groups: Grades K-1, 2-5 and 5-8. Held at the Salvation Army Kroc Center on Broad Street. Demonstration performance at 7 .m. on the last day of camp with desserts by The Kroc Center Cafe on the Canal. Call Carol Rezzelle at 706-771-7777 or go to www. enopion.com. June 10-July 26. Gertrude Herbert Summer Art Camp. Ages 5-12. Explore a wide range of visual media arts in a relaxed setting. Six sessions. Morning camp sessions from 10 a.m.-noon and afternoon sessions meet from 12:45-2:45 p.m. 605-722-5495. June 12. Excerpts from Aesop’s Fabels. A children’s presentation by the Patchwork Players and hosted by the GRU Literacy Center. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Call 706-737-1625 for tickets. June 17 & 18. Earth, Wind & Fire Now, Then & Forever Tour. 7:30 p.m. James Brown Arena. 706-7223521. www.augustaentertainmentcomplex.com. June 25. AJADACO African Drum and Dance. Have fun while learning about West African traditions. Required registration for groups of 6 or more begins May 13. All ages will enjoy the performance. 10-11 a.m. at Diamond Lakes Library, Hephzibah. For more information call 706-772-2432. Morris Museum of Art 1 Tenth St. 706-724-7501 or www.themorris.org. May 2. What’s in the Box? Leap Into Landscapes. Learn about landscape paintings while viewing the exhibition First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson and Her Circle. Then create a landscape with help from the surprise in the box. 10-11 a.m. Morris Museum of Art. Advance registration required. 706-828-3867.

The Arts, Music and More

May 25. Hymns for the Fallen. A performance of music and readings by the Augusta Choral Society in recognition of service men and women. 7:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Cultural Center. 706-826-4700.

May 1. Pinocchio. A children’s performance presented by the Patchwork Players and hosted by the GRU Literacy Center. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Call 706-737-1625 for tickets.

May 28. Dreamgirls. The sensational new production of Dreamgirls tells the story of an up-and-coming 1960s girls’ singing group and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. 7:30

May 5. Artrageous! Family Sunday: The Art of Clowning Around. Enjoy a fun performance by magician and balloon artist Pammy the Clown. Then

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calendar create sculptures inspired by the museum’s collection. Free. 2-4 p.m. May 19. Music at the Morris: Shannon Whitworth. A special mix of Southern blues and Americana music. Free. 2 p.m. May 25. Saturday Special: Printing Party With Matt and Michelle. Create a linoleum block print as well as a series of multiples to share with the group. 2 p.m. Morris Museum of Art. Supplies included. Preregistration by May 22. 706-828-3867. June 2. Artrageous! Family Sunday: Story Time Fun. Author, illustrator, and storyteller Chris Rumble presents an interactive, feel-good performance. Afterwards, create a watercolor painting inspired by the show. Free. 2 p.m. June 6. What’s in the Box? Creating with Clay. Hear a short talk about clay in the galleries and create your own sculpture with a surprise from the box. Registration required by calling 706-828-3867. 10–11 a.m. June 13. Exhibitions Opening. The opening of two great exhibitions, North Carolina Pottery from the Collection of Dr. Nancy Farmer and Dr. A. Everette James and Tradition/Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft and Traditional Art. A reception will follow a talk by Dr. Everette James and

Scott Power, regional supervisor/preservation specialist at the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office. 6-8 p.m. Free. June 16. The Garden City Chorus. The Garden City Chorus sings a rousing selection of four-part harmonies. 2 p.m. Free. June 17–Friday, June 21. Georgia Regents University Art Portfolio Prep for Rising High School Students. Explore drawing, painting, basic sculpture techniques and art history in a college setting with Georgia Regents University art department faculty. Designed especially for students in grades 9–12, this camp provides a college experience, while giving the students the tools to build their fine art portfolio. Limited space is available; register early by calling 706-828-3808. All materials included in camp fee. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. every day. June 22. Saturday Special: Poetry Slam. Enjoy a diverse range of spoken-word performances as Anthony Page presents a poetry slam featuring 2012 S.P.A.R.K. Competition winner Sassette West and others. 6–8 p.m. Free. Sports Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club 706-854-1049 oraugustasoccer.com

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May 21-23. Soccer Academy Camp. Boys and girls ages 7-11. 6-7:15 p.m. June 24-27. Goal Keeper/Striker Camp. Boys and girls ages 9-18. 8-11 a.m. Augusta GreenJackets Home Game Schedule Lake Olmstead Stadium 706-736-7889 or www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. Sunday games, 2:05 p.m., all other days, 7:05 p.m. May 1-3 vs Hagerstown May 4-7 vs Asheville May 13-15 vs Rome May 16-19 vs Savannah May 27-29 vs Hickory May 30, 31, June 1, 2 vs Charleston June 7-9 vs Lexington June 20-23 vs Kansas June 24-26 Savannah Columbia County Recreation Department 5445 Columbia Rd., Grovetown 706-863-7523 Through May 10. 2013 Summer Co-ed Basketball Registration. Age 9-16. Leagues 9 and 10, 11 and 12, 13 and 14 and 15 and 16. Register Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Season runs May 25–July 5.

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Summer Camps

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calendar Through May 10. Summer Lacrosse Registration. Ages 8-13. Leagues 8–10 and 11–13. Register Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Season runs June and July. Recreation Programs Champions Made From Adversity P.O. Box 980, Evans, Ga., 30809 706-364-2422. www.cmfa.us This nonprofit organization strives to advance the lives of people with physical disabilities and their families through sport and leisure opportunities. Current weekly schedule: Monday—Adapted fitness at the Kroc Center, 2-4 p.m. and wheelchair basketball at Garrett Elementary School, 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday—Swimming at Fort Gordon, 9-11 a.m., and quad rugby at the Kroc Center, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday—Wheelchair basketball, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday—Swimming at Fort Gordon, 9-11 a.m., and Adapted Fitness at the Kroc Center, 3-5 p.m. Friday—Adapted cycling at the uptown VA, 1:302:30 p.m. The Family Y Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs. Register at any branch or online at www.thefamilyy.org or call 706-922-9622. May 10 & June 14. Freedom Friday at Family Y of Augusta South. It’s hard to find time for yourself when your spouse is overseas. Let your kids, ages 8 weeks to 12 years, have a fun evening at the Y from 6-9:30 p.m. Free for active duty military families. May 11 & June 8. Parent’s Night Out at Family Y of North Augusta. A fun night at the Y for ages 2-12. Preregistration required. Pizza provided. 6-9:30 p.m. May 18 & June 15. Parent’s Night Out at Family Y of Aiken County. Open to children ages 2-12 with care from 5:30-9 p.m. Kids enjoy activities and fun while parents enjoy a night out. May 25 & June 22. Parent’s Night Out at Marshall Family Y, Wilson Family Y and Family Y of Augusta South. Fun, entertaining night from 6-9:30 p.m. for children ages 2-12 at the Marshall Family Y, ages 4-12 at the Wilson Family Y and 8 weeks to 12 years at the Family Y of Augusta South.

day or Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon. Drop and Shop. Held at the Marshall Family Y, the Family Y of North Augusta and the Family Y of Augusta South. Drop your kids off and take the morning to go shopping, hang out with friends or just relax. No reservation needed at Augusta South. Thursdays from 9 a.m.-noon at the Marshall Family Y. Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-noon for ages 8 weeks to 4 years at Augusta South, 6 months to 12 years at North Augusta. The Salvation Army Kroc Center 1833 Broad Street, Augusta. www.krocaugusta.org. 706-364-KROC or info@krocaugusta.org. Ongoing. Home School P.E. Monday-Friday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. for ages 5-12. Call to register. May 3. Kid’s Night Out. Kids’ Night Out activities may include swimming, gym play, inflatable and crafts. Dinner included. Ages 2-12. 6-10 p.m. May, 10, 17, 24 & 31 and June 7, 14, 21, & 28. Kroc Tots Activity Hour. Action-packed play date for mothers and toddlers featuring children’s literature, art and craft projects and social play. Inspire your toddler’s social growth, cognitive and physical development as well as their creativity and individualism with a fun-filled morning. Ages 18 months to 5 years. 9:30 a.m. May 13-25 or May 29-31. Lifeguarding Class. Call Shawn McNair, aquatics coordinator, at 706922-8334. May 31. Family Movie Night. Free movie in their state-of-the-art theater. Seating is limited, so reservations are suggested. Refreshments will be available for purchase and children must be accompanied by an adult. 6 p.m. HOSPITAL PROGRAMS Doctors Hospital Call 706-651-BABY (2229) or go to doctors-hospital. net for registration and class location. Pre-registration required for most programs. May 4. You’re a Big Girl Now. For girls ages 9-12 with their mothers. Information on puberty and adolescence. Call for time.

May 25 & June 22. Parent’s Night Out for Children of Deployed Soldiers at the Marshall Family Y. Fun, entertaining night for children ages 2-12. 6-9:30 p.m.

May 9. Baby 101. Learn about infant development, newborn behavior, bathing, crying, diapering, swaddling and feeding. 7-9:30 p.m.

Family Y Mother’s Morning Out and Drop and Shop Programs

May 18 & 19. Short and Sweet. A weekend childbirth class covering the process of labor and delivery, comfort techniques and childbirth, medication/ epidurals and relaxation and breathing techniques. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Mother’s Morning Out at Family Y of North Augusta. Ongoing program for ages 2 to 4 at the Family Y of North Augusta. Kids learn basic educational curriculum and receive rotating instruction in creative arts, swimming and sports. Monday and Wednes-

52 • Augusta Family | May/June 2013

May 25. Safe Sitter. Teaches students ages 11-13 safe and nurturing childcare techniques, manage-

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ment and appropriate responses to medical emergencies. Call for time. May 28. The Daddy Class. Taught by an experienced dad, this class talks about the joys and challenges of fatherhood and ways to support mom. Call for time. June 13. The Happiest Baby on the Block Educational Session. Teaches moms, dads and other family members the techniques they can use to calm a fussy baby and to help baby sleep better. Georgia Regents Medical Center Register online at gru.edu. Ongoing. Support Group for Families Who Have Lost a Baby During Pregnancy, Childbirth or Early Infancy. Call 706-721-8299 or visit their Web site. May 1, 8, 15 & 22. Childbirth Education Class. This free four-week class is designed to inform and prepare expectant parents for the birthing experience. Topics include relaxation and breathing techniques, pain management choices, labor comfort measures and copin g skills, massage techniques, rebozo techniques and care for mother and baby after birth. Call 706-721-9351 or visit gru.edu/ classes for more information. May 3 & 15, June 6 & 19. Safe Kids Greater Augusta Presents Cribs for Kids. Learn how to provide a safe sleep environment for your child. Families who demonstrate a financial need will receive a portable crib, fitted sheet, sleep sac and pacifier for a small fee. 5:45-8 p.m. on May 3 and June 6, 9:45-noon on May 15 and June 19. Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way. Call Rene Hopkins, RN, at 706-721-7606 or go to gru.edu/safekids. May 3 & 8, June 7 & 12. Safe Kids East Central Safety Seat Inspection. Four out of five car seats are used incorrectly. May 3 and June 7 at Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way (schedule an appointment to make sure yours is installed properly by calling Rene Hopkins, RN, at 706-721-7606). May 8 and June 12 at Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Substation, 650 Ronald Reagan Drive (call 706-541-3870 to make an appointment). May 7 & June 4. Autism Spectrum Disorder Support and Resource Group (The “A-Team”). Provides support for families, caregivers and friends of children with autism spectrum disorders including autism, Asperger’s and PDD NOS. 6-7 p.m. Children’s Hospital of Georgia, First Floor, Family Resource Library, Room 1801. Call Family Services Development at 706-721-5160 for more information. May 9 & June 13. Car Seat Class. Car seat safety, education and training. Financial assistance is available to Medicaid and Peach Care-eligible families. Safe Kids Office, Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way. Call 706-721-7606 to register. 5:45-8 p.m. June 5. Your Amazing Baby. Learn about baby’s first hours, diapering, bathing, sleep and crying patterns and more. Both parents are encouraged to attend.

calendar Registration required. Call 706-721-9351. June 11. Breastfeeding Class. A free class led by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to help expectant parents gain knowledge and support to ensure successful breastfeeding. 7-9 p.m. in the Georgia Regents Medical Center, West Entrance, First Floor, Patient and Family Resource Library. To register, call 706-721-9351 or go to www.gru.edu/classes. June 12. Infant CPR Training. Learn the core skills of infant CPR and relief of choking. Taught by a certified instructor. Registration required by calling 706721-9351 or visiting gru.edu/classes. Ongoing. Safe Kids East Central Child Safety Seat Inspections. By appointment at the following locations: Safe Kids Office, Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way—contact Rene Hopkins at 706721-7606. Martinez Columbia Fire Rescue, Engine Company 3—contact Jamie Champion at 706860-7763. Ongoing. Safe Kids East Central Car Seat Classes. By appointment at the following locations: Sake Kids Office, Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way or Martinez Columbia Fire Rescue Headquarters. Contact Rene Hopkins, Safe Kids Coordinator, at 706-721-7606.

includes information on playtime, hand washing, telephone calls, infant and child feeding, diapering, sleep time and emergency care. For ages 11-14. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Lunch included in registration fee. University Health Care System Call 706-774-2825 or logon at www.universityhealth. org/calendar for information. Registration is required for most programs. Support Group. For parents, families and friends who have lost infants through miscarriage, death, ectopic pregnancy or stillbirth. Meets the first Monday of each month. Young Women with Breast Cancer. Meets the third Friday each month. A support group for women in their 20s through 30s dealing with breast cancer. 12:20 p.m. at the University Hospital Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205, 818 St. Sebastian Way. May 13, 17, 24 & June 1 (Tuesdays), May 15, 22, & 29 (Wednesdays), June 17, 24, July 1 & 8 (Mondays), June 4, 11, 18 & 25 (Tuesdays), June 4, 12, 19 & 26 (Wednesdays). Prenatal Education. This four-week series of childbirth preparation classes is designed to inform and prepare all expectant parents regardless of birth plans. Class topics include various states of

labor, breathing and relaxation and how to care for yourself and your new baby. 7-9 p.m. in the Women’s Center Third Floor Classroom. Registration required. May 17 & 18 or June 7 & 8. Weekender Childbirth Preparation Class. A complete childbirth preparation class designed for those with time constraints or fluctuating schedules. Friday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 16 or June 20. Breastfeeding. This class is designed for the expectant mother who plans to breastfeed. If you want in-depth information on how to evaluate breastfeeding and get off to a good start, this class is for you. Call 706-7742825 to register. 7-9 p.m. at Babies R Us, 4225 Washington Rd., Evans. May 23 or June 27. Introduction to Infant CPR. Do you worry about knowing how to revive your baby should the need arise? This class provides an opportunity to learn and practice infant CPR on mannequins and learn other aspects of infant safety. Space is limited, so early registration is suggested. 7-8:30 p.m. Submit calendar entries to Karin Calloway at karin. calloway@augustafamily.com or enter your event online at www.augustafamily.com.

Trinity Hospital of Augusta Call Women’s Health Services at 706-481-7727 or visit trinityofaugusta.com for information and registration. May 4 & June 1. Saturday Express Lamaze Childbirth Education. Helps mother and support person understand the final stages of pregnancy as well as labor and the birth of your baby. Covers natural and medicated deliveries, Lamaze coping techniques and more. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 6 & June 5. Infant CPR. Learn how to respond in an emergency situation using infant mannequins and a simple step-by-step method. 6-8 p.m. May 7. On Being a Girl. Girls ages 9-12 with their mother, a female relative or friend will discuss physical and emotional changes of puberty. 6-9 p.m. May 7 & June 4. Childbirth Education 101. Learn about the signs and symptoms of labor as well as labor and delivery. 6-8:30 p.m. May 11 & June 8. Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding. Two popular classes offered together. 9 a.m.-noon. June 10. HUG Your Baby. This class profides Help, Understanding and Guidance for young families as they prepare for the birth of their infant. 4-5 p.m. June 15. Childcare and Babysitting Safety. Program emphasizes that the number one priority of a childcare provider is to be responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the children in one’s care. Course

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Augusta Family | May/June 2013 • 53

Talkin’ About My Generation

Three residents representing three age groups share their reflections on family, life and fun.

by Grace Belangia photos by John Harpring

Gordon Jones, 51, of North

Augusta, is founder of Guardian Watch Corporation. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children ages 19, 6 and 3. Likes To: Read, run, jump, play. (He is World Champion at Beach Ultimate and a 4A SC State Soccer Champ.) Favorite Possession: My faith. Favorite Family Activity: Traveling. Summer Plans: Head to the mountains of North Carolina and the beaches of South Carolina. Friends Say He’s: Persistent. Favorite Indulgence: Peanut M&M’s. Message in a Bottle: Be prepared. Biggest Fear: Not being prepared. Keeps Him Awake at Night: Keeping my family safe and prosperous. Ice Cream Flavor: Coldstone’s chocolate with Oreos and Butterfingers.

54 • Augusta Family | May/June 2013

Aena Alger, 7, of Evans, is the

daughter of Fred and Betsy Alger. She has two sisters, one dog, two cats, 10 chickens and a baby brother on the way.

Ben Hepner,

18, of New Ellenton, S.C., is the son of Dave and Janine Hepner. He has two brothers.

Likes To: Do ballet.

Likes To: Play xBox, go out to the movies and hang out with friends.

Favorite Possession: Strawberry (a stuffed cat).

Summer Plans: Visit a couple of my friends up in Washington, D.C.

Summer Plans: Ballet and vacation Bible school.

Favorite Possession: iPod.

Favorite Family Activity: Tea time.

Favorite Family Activity: Hanging out with them at home.

Greatest Hope: To be able to help people in the hospital.

Favorite Place To Be: Outside on a clear, starry night.

Is Reading: Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson.

Favorite Indulgence: Driving at night with the convertible top down during the summer.

Finds Inspiration: Going to sleep and dreaming. Biggest Fear: Thunder. Song Playing in Her Head: “Spring” by the Four Seasons. Ice Cream Flavor: Vanilla.

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Keeps Him Awake at Night: Worrying about life—grades, girls, college, scholarships. Is Reading: American Sniper by Chris Kyle. Ice Cream Flavor: Birthday Cake.