September 2011 FAMILY FAVORITES WINNERS
TEENS AND TOBACCO
Family AUGUSTA
STOP WISHING AND START LIVING FARM-TO-TABLE CONNECTION
m a g a z i n e
Henry Stephens, IV, 7, is the son of Henry and Angalita Stephens of Grovetown.
www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | Month 2010 • 1
2 • Augusta Family | July 2011
www.augustafamily.com
Family Contents AUGUSTA
VISIT US ONLINE! a u g u s t a f a m i l y. c o m
m a g a z i n e
Fresh Faces
ww w. a u g u s tafamily.co m
Publisher Kate Cooper Metts
Think your child should
SEPTEMBER 2011
grace the cover of Augusta Family Magazine? Submit a
Editor Karin Calloway
photo and application for
18
Production Art Director Miles Anderson Graphic Artist Tonietha Clayton
consideration on our Web site and they just may be the next cover kid!
Advertising Director of Advertising Adriene Goldman Our Readers’ Top Picks for Dining, Buying and Living in the CSRA.
Advertising Sales Donna Costello Maidi McMurtrie Thompson Mary Porter Vann marketing & circulation Manager Doressa Hawes
—Karin Calloway
departments
photography Chris Thelen contributors Lucy Adams Grace Belangia Charmain Z. Brackett J. Ron Eaker, M.D. Cammie Jones Jennie Montgomery Michael Rushbrook 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.
5 editor’s page 7 mom2mom
Beach Week Blunders —Jennie Montgomery
8 news&notes 11 doctor/dad Hitting the Iceberg —J. Ron Eaker, M.D.
14 healthy family Teens and Tobacco
28 time out! Wishful Thinking
Henry Stephens, IV, 7, is the son of Henry and Angalita inspiration station Stephens of Grovetown. He hosts Henry’s Corner It’s All About Connecting This Morning News 12 —Charmain Z. Brackett every other Friday morning, reporting on commucalendar nity events, education and talkin’ about other topics. Henry began my generation appearing on WRDW News David Bentley, Rebecca Moffatt 12 as a first-time forecaster when he was 6. and Fred W. Ricketson, III. —Lucy Adams
30 32 44
—Charmain Z. Brackett
16 home front Grandma’s Moving In
on the cover:
—Cammie Jones
—Grace Belangia
Photo by Chris Thelen
September q ui c k pi c k
“Wishful thinking that is based in deficit thinking and then supported by rumination can turn into a downward spiral of negativity, which, if left unexamined, can sap energy and spirit and eventually leech into other family interactions that have nothing to do with the original wish,” says Gretchen Pisano, master certified coach and owner of Sounding Board Ink in Frederick, Md. Read more about the downfalls and benefits of wishful thinking in Lucy Adams’ article on page 28.
www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 3
4 • Augusta Family | September 2011
www.augustafamily.com
editor’spage by Karin Calloway
My Favorite Things
I
t’s September and that means it’s time for the annual tallying of your votes for the Family Favorites winners. I have to tell you that although counting the votes is a bit of a chore, it is so much fun to see the final results. Speaking of favorites, don’t you think it’s a whole lot more fun to list your favorite things than to dwell on the things you don’t like? While tallying the Family Favorite votes I pondered the benefits of compiling a list of my favorite things, which in Oprah speak would be the equivalent of a gratitude journal, right? So, in honor of our big list of your local favorites, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite things. Start thinking about your favorite things and I guarantee that your day will Times Square Summer 2011 get a whole lot brighter. Favorite Place To Be: At home, in the kitchen with the Hubs cooking up something delicious. Favorite Thing To Do: Go to New York City and see as many Broadway shows as 1) I can fit into the amount of time we’re visiting and 2) the amount of money Hubs says I can spend on Broadway shows. Favorite Family Vacation Destination: New Smyrna Beach, Fla. (It’s where I grew up vacationing and when my children were little it became our family tradition, too.) Favorite Cuisine: Italian. Favorite Meal Ever: This one is hard! There have been many wonderful meals, as Hubs and I center our travel plans around where we want to dine, but I think the best of all time may have been the duck risotto I enjoyed at Picholine in the Big Apple. Oh, wait, on the other hand it could have been the spicy Hunan eggplant with minced pork Hubs and I shared at Hunan Home’s in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Favorite Day Dream: Thinking about how to make both of the above-mentioned dishes in my home kitchen. In looking over my list I’ve surmised that it’s time with family (vacations, dining, seeing Broadway shows, etc.) that are my very favorite things. What are yours? Until October,
Karin Calloway is a wife and mother of two teenagers. She’s also a journalist and recipe developer who writes the Wednesday cooking column for The Augusta Chronicle (augustachronicle.com/karin). You can follow Karin at twitter.com/KarinCalloway. Check out Karin’s cooking blog at www.karinsvikingkitchen.com. www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 5
Activities
6 • September 2011 | Augusta Family
www.augustafamily.com
2
mom m m
Illustration by Michael Rushbrook
by Jennie Montgomery
Beach Week Blunders After spending the annual “family week” at the beach, I’m reminded that stages in parenting are a rite of passage. My younger sister, Amy, and I have older teenagers now. We’ve reached the stage when we can once again enjoy a day on the beach: Sitting in the surf watching people other than our kids, reading a few chapters of a book and dozing off for a couple of minutes without worrying about a toddler wandering away. Simple pleasures one takes for granted…until one experiences the beach with babies! Our brother didn’t make it to the beach, but he sent his 9-year-old, Chloe. And while we love our little niece, Amy and I soon realized we’d gotten used to the relative freedom we’ve enjoyed the past couple of summers. We forgot that kids don’t have filters. Chloe was obsessed with looking for seashells...and if she wanted to search the sand beneath someone’s beach chair, she’d go for it. Amy and I took turns running after Chloe and apologizing to strangers, reminding Chloe that she had crossed into the “forbidden zone.” We had the same zoning issues in restaurants. “What’s in there?” Chloe excitedly asked as someone sat down with a festive gift bag for a friend. “Someone” being a total stranger Chloe was standing beside two tables over. Amy and I immediately shot “your turn to get her” glances at each other! We marched her back to OUR table and the older kids tried to distract their younger cousin with a guessing game. “Who do you think is older, Chloe? Aunt Jennie or Aunt Amy?” “Well...I don’t know…I guess (she’s struggling here)...I’d have to say Aunt Jennie is the youngest.” “Why?” my girls asked in stereo. “Because Aunt Amy has those dimples,” Chloe rationalized. “No,” one of the girls explained, “Aunt Amy doesn’t have dimples. Look at her smile, no dimples.” “Yes she does!” Chloe protested. “Aunt Amy has those dimples beside her eyes.” It quickly became clear that our young Chloe had confused “dimples” with WRINKLES! Don’t you just love it when a child’s faux pas works in your favor? JENNIE Montgomery anchors the evening news at WJBF-TV. She’s married to Scott and they have three children: Zack, 18, Maddy, 17, and Sky, 15. www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 7
Comparison is the thief of joy.
Photo Courtesy of Martinez Evans Little League
s n o i p m a h C State Local team wins state championship and places third in Southern Regionals.
The Martinez Evans Little League Junior League All-Star Team won the Little League District Tournament and then went on to win the state championship without suffering a single loss. The 13- and 14-year-olds, coached by Matt Brosius, Robert Tampling and John Murry, went on to finish third in the Southern Regional Tournament and 11-2 overall in tournament play. Players included: Tyler Avret, Louis Boudreaux, Austin Bridges, Kyle Cartledge, Evan Krenz, Elliott Melton, Elyssa Melton, Thomas Murphy, Jose Nogueras, Logan Stanley, Brad Tampling and Luke Wiles.
Best of Augusta Celebration! Augusta Magazine has formed a new partnership with the Greater Augusta Arts Council and Sacred Heart Cultural Center for its annual Best of Augusta Celebration. The Greater Augusta Arts Council and Sacred Heart Cultural Center will be the hosts and beneficiaries for the annual party on October 18 from 6:30-9 p.m. The event highlights many of the food and entertainment winners in the annual Best of Augusta reader poll. The results of the poll are published in the October issue of Augusta Magazine. Tickets will be $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Visit www.augustafamily.com and go to our contest section to register to win two free tickets to the Best of Augusta Celebration.
8 • Augusta Family | September 2011
-Theodore Roosevelt
Like Mother, Like Daughter Moms have a powerful influence as role models for their daughters’ physical activity, dieting behaviors, body image and self-esteem, according to a panel of experts at the Role Modeling Health Legacy Summit, hosted by the National Milk Mustache got milk?® Campaign and Family Circle magazine. The panel of leading health and nutrition experts developed these recommendations for mothers: • Eat (and Drink) Healthy Yourself. Kids will do as you do, so consume the foods and beverages that you want your children to have. Encourage lowfat or fat free milk instead of sugary drinks at every meal. • Make Meals Matter. Make family meals a positive time for you and your kids. Avoid criticism and enjoy your time (and your food) with your family. • Get Active. Be active to set a good example for your kids. Avoid unhealthy habits and find your family’s favorite ways to be active together. • Focus on the Positive. Avoid making negative comments about food, your body or your child’s body. Boost your daughter’s selfesteem by complimenting qualities beyond just appearance. For more information on role modeling healthy behaviors, the full research in “Like Mother, Like Daughter: Exploring the Crucial Link Between Mothers, Daughters, Food and Health,” and more, visit www.Facebook.com/MilkMustache or www.whymilk.com.
VISIT
US
Courtesy of Family Features
news notes
ON L INE
a u g u s t a f a m i l y . c o m facebook.com/augustafamilymagazine
Register To Win! Augustafamily.com features a bevy of contests in which you can win tickets to local live performances, parenting books, children’s DVDs and more. Just click the Contests tab to check out our current contests and enter to win. You can also enter to win prizes in contests held on our Facebook page at facebook.com/augustafamilymagazine.
www.augustafamily.com
Eating Wellwith Kim
news notes
What makes a recipe a family favorite? For most families I think memories are involved and many times favorite recipes involve a holiday.
Photo By John Harpring
A few of my family favorites include my grandmother’s sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese and most of all her brown sugar pound cake. So far the only one I have lightened is the macaroni and cheese. I just love it and had to have it more often, so I tweaked it a bit. As for the other two recipes, for now they are best left just as they are and moderate consumption will have to rule.
• 1 16-ounce box of elbow macaroni • 1 small sweet onion, finely chopped • 5 ounces reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese; shredded and divided • 4 ounces light processed cheese, cut into cubes (like Velveeta) • 1 15-ounce can no added salt diced tomatoes (do not drain) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
STOCK IMAGE
Granny’s Baked Mac and Cheese
Favorite family recipes like Grandma’s pound cake are best when consumed in moderation.
Enjoy the macaroni and cheese and I hope you continue to cherish old family recipes while discovering new favorites. Until next time: Eat well, live well!
Cook the noodles according to the package directions, but reduce cooking time by about 1 minute (you want them slightly under cooked). Combine cooked noodles, onion, processed cheese, tomatoes and 2 ounces cheddar. Transfer pasta mixture to an oval casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Top with remaining cheddar cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, until cheese melts and casserole is hot throughout. Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 1 cup) Nutrient Breakdown: Calories 210, Fat 4g (sat. fat 2.5g); Cholesterol 10mg; Sodium 240mg, Carbohydrate 33g, Fiber 2g; Protein 10g Kim’s note: Yes, I did use plain white noodles in this recipe. Normally I use whole grains in my recipes. However, this recipe just does not taste the same using the whole wheat noodles and taste matters in the world of food. Most of our grains should be whole, but there is room in a healthy diet for some refined grains. 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. www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 9
www.augustafamily.com
}Doctor/Dad
by J. Ron Eaker, M.D.
Hitting the Iceberg The Past, Present and Future of Medicare
S
ome said afterwards, the collision sounded like a band of demons drawing their fingernails down a blackboard. A little dramatic I admit, but the survivors of the Titanic have every right to be effusive in their descriptions. The “too big to fail” ship crumbled under the frigid waters of the North Atlantic that April night in 1912 leaving 1,500 souls lifeless and frozen. A number of spurious decisions, missteps and coincidences led to the fateful demise of the unsinkable ship, but many experts are convinced that if several key players had payed attention to the warnings and foreshadowing, the disaster may have been averted.
A Fitting Comparison The tragedy of the Titanic is a metaphor for what is happening today with Medicare, the ship that is “too big to fail” in our economy. With Medicare, this nation is heading straight for an iceberg that will rip the hull out of the program and, as a result, the system will sink, and yes, people will lose their lives. For years those who know the system best have been screaming that the current configuration is unsustainable, yet we sit on our bloated rear ends and do nothing to heed the warnings. Just as the radio messages alerting the captain and crew of the Titanic were either not received or ignored, so today’s politicians are either too ignorant to comprehend the problem, or worse, not courageous enough to make the needed changes to save the system. If the captain had heeded the reports of large icebergs even a few hours before the collision, he could have made only slight changes in his navigation and avoided the problem all together. As it was, a last minute sudden course correction was not enough to avert disaster. I fear we are in a similar situation with Medicare today, as wise and thoughtful politicians of yester-
year could have made slight modifications in the system years ago and today we would be living with a sustainable, compassionate system for the elderly. Instead, self-indulgent cowards, concerned only with the impact on the next election and their own self-interest, shoved the important decisions down the path until now the iceberg is staring us in the face. I am not sure even a dramatic course correction at this point will save the system.
Understanding the Problems Lest any of you continue to cling to the machinations of those who believe that the system is not broken, I offer the following facts. According to the Center for Public Integrity, a non-profit, non-partisan organization of investigative journalists, “Medicare is already growing faster than Social Security, and it could become bigger and more expensive than that program in the next 25 years. It is also growing faster than the economy and, if that keeps up, Medicare could cause the national debt to swell up to more than two-thirds of the gross domestic product in just the next decade.” David Nather, author of The New Health Care System: Everything You Need to Know, states, “Last year, the Medicare trustees warned that the program was facing more than $36 trillion in unfunded obligations.” In spite of those who hold that Medicare in its present form is sustainable, and there are a few of those delusional folks around, the facts are what they are: If we continue down this course unabated, the system will sink and our economy with it.
The History of the Program Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid bill into law in 1965 after initially being concerned because his own budget analysts complained that the cost could spiral out of control. He knew www.augustafamily.com
then that the system was potentially a bottomless pit for government mismanagement and spending. Remember this system was designed in 1965 with projections based on their current technology—CT scanners would not be developed for 10 years—so it was known from the outset that true costs were wildly unpredictable.
Today’s Medicare A lot has changed since 1965, yet Medicare remains essentially the same, unworkable model. There are wisps of hope that some politicians are grasping the dire circumstances of this massive ship getting ready to ram the ice berg, yet neither Republican- or Democrat-backed ideas seem to address the core issue, that of a system-wide problem and not just one of policy. If all I did for your broken leg was give you pain medicine, I would be well on my way to a malpractice suit. Treating only a symptom tends to perpetuate the underlying problem and often accelerate its ill effects. The problem with Medicare is not solved by tweaking a few policies but by looking at what role we want the government to play in healthcare. We can no longer make small incremental changes. There must be some catastrophic shift if the system is to survive, and my greatest fear is that it will continue to involve government. That is the debate we need to be having, not whether Viagra should be covered for seniors. Dr. Eaker is an Augusta Ob/ GYN and author. He and his wife, Susan, have two teenage daughters.
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 11
FALL FUN
www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | May/June 2010 • 13
FALL FUN
healthyfamily}
by Charmain Z. Brackett
Teens and Tobacco
Illustration by Carolyn Calloway
Teenage Smoking Has Many Risks, Including Increased Difficulty Quitting in Adulthood
W
hether he’s leaping across the Bell Auditorium stage as the White Stag in the Columbia County Ballet’s Roar of Love or spinning and jumping as the Candy Cane lead in the troupe’s Nutcracker, Michael Viator needs all his available lung capacity. Since smoking would interfere with the 17-year-old Richmond County home schooled student’s love of dance, he doesn’t even consider touching cigarettes. “If you are smoking, you are not healthy. Your energy level can go down. In order to dance, you have to have a lot of energy,” he says. Michael’s mom, Jennifer Seigler, also a nonsmoker, says she always emphasized to him the importance of taking care of his body. “I showed him pictures on the Internet of what smoking does to the body,” she says. Their faith has also played a role in him keeping his body healthy. “Our bodies belong to Christ and we want to live a long life,” she says.
Young Smokers Are Top Age-Group of New Smokers While there are teens like Michael who take a stand against tobacco, there are many who do not and statistics show teen tobacco use is still a major problem, according to Dr. Martha Tingen, professor and co-director of the Child Health Discovery Institute, and Charles W. Linder, M.D., endowed chair in 14 • Augusta Family | September 2011
pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Department of Pediatrics, Georgia Health Sciences University. “There are basically 3,000 new smokers every day,” says Tingen, who is currently working on three smoking studies involving children and teens and, in some cases, their parents. According to the studies, the number one age group for those trying tobacco for the first time is between the ages of 10 and 13, she says. Every two years the Centers for Disease Control conducts the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey of high school students. Over the past 20 years, the numbers of teens smoking has decreased. In 1991, 70.1 percent of high schoolers had tried cigarettes, while in 2009, 46.3 percent of all high school students had tried cigarettes. Also, the number of high school students who had smoked cigarettes for 20 or more days had decreased from 12.7 in 1991 to 7.3 in 2009. But to Tingen, these numbers are still too high. “Yes, we have made positive progress, but when 50 percent are still trying cigarettes, it’s a problem,” she says. Although the numbers have dropped in 20 years, Tingen says they’ve held steady for the past four.
Dangers to Teens Who Smoke Teen brains and nicotine have an unusual connection not found in adult brains. “It’s been shown there is something unique about the teen brain bewww.augustafamily.com
tween the ages 12 and 19 and nicotine dependency,” Tingen says. “The adolescent brain is especially sensitive to nicotine addiction.” This connection makes it more difficult for people who started smoking in their teens to quit. Tingen gives an example of a 60-year-old woman who started smoking when she was 13 would find it more difficult to quit than a 45-year-old who started at 25 or even a 75-year-old who started at 25. The American Lung Association’s Web site says “people who begin smoking at an early age are more likely to develop a severe addiction to nicotine than those who start at a later age. Of adolescents who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, most of them report that they would like to quit, but are not able to do so.” According to the CDC, smoking is linked to many diseases. Not only does it cause lung cancer, but it causes other cancers such as cancers of the bladder, kidney and cervix, uterus and stomach. It can also cause lung diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis and chronic airway obstructions. Also, it can lead to coronary disease. Parents who smoke in the home put their children at risk for these diseases as well, even if the children never take up the habit. “Smoking is the only behavior that can adversely affect someone else at the blood-cell level,” Tingen says Second-hand smoke causes 3,400 annual deaths due to lung cancer and 46,000 annual deaths to heart disease, according to the CDC.
Tingen says she personally knows someone whose parents were heavy smokers and the individual, who never smoked, has stage III lung cancer.
Why Teens Smoke
Tingen says there are many reasons teen-agers smoke. “Parents are a great influence,” she says. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, “Research shows that children who have a parent who smokes are more likely to smoke and to be heavier smokers at young ages. When parents quit smoking, their children become less likely to start smoking and more likely to quit if they already smoke.” (www.tobaccofreekids.org) Peer pressure, weight control and tobacco company marketing strategies are other reasons why teens smoke. Tingen says many female teens often take up the habit to keep their weight under control. “Smoking speeds the heart rate up in an unhealthy way,” she says. “The body doesn’t get the benefit of exercise.” While the heart is in its smoking-induced, revved up state, the body can burn more calories, but the cost weighs more than the benefit, she says. Another draw comes through tobacco companies who Tingen says have taken up some campaigns that anger her. She’s seen them put appealing bands of color around the cigarettes and offer them with matching lipstick, she says.
An Ounce of Prevention Tingen says it’s much better for teens to never pick up the habit than to try and quit. Prevention starts with parents and it’s not just by parents giving their teens all the reasons not to smoke. “They should talk about it and model it, but they should have a great relationship with their children,” she says. Tingen says studies show parents who have at least one meal a day at home with their children reduce the chances of their children engaging in risky behaviors such as smoking and using illicit drugs and have overall better relationships with their children and teens. Also, children who have good relationships with their parents tend to pick friends they know their parents would like. Likewise, bad relationships tend to influence children to pick out friends their parents won’t like. Tingen has also worked on a study that shows prevention programs work better when giving children and parents the life skills to say no to tobacco when pressured in social settings or by peers. Tingen says she’d like to see this type of program implemented in schools. Charmain Z. Brackett is an Augusta freelance writer and mother of three.
www.augustafamily.com
Some smoking statistics from the American Lung Association: • Among adults who smoke, 68 percent began smoking regularly at age 18 or younger and 85 percent started when they were 21 or younger. The average age of daily smoking initiation for new smokers in 2008 was 20.1 years among those 12-49 years old. • Exposure to pro-tobacco marketing and media more than doubles the chances (2.2 times) of children and adolescents starting tobacco use. • One study found that teens exposed to the greatest amount of smoking in movies were 2.6 times more likely to start smoking themselves compared with teens who watched the least amount of smoking in movies. • Smoking is responsible for one in five deaths in the United States. • Cigarette smoking costs the economy more than $193 billion in annual healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 15
2 0 1 1
2011
Family AUGUSTA
f a v o r i t e s
Your Family Favorites • By Karin Calloway Who has the best children’s menu? Where should I take my car for maintenance? Which dance studio is tops for toddlers? What’s a quick spot to pick up a ready-made dinner? We’ve counted your votes and have the answers to these questions and a whole lot more in this annual Family Favorites special section.
And guess what…there’s more! Go to our Web site (www.augustafamily.com) for the complete listing of categories and winners.
WRDW News 12
Chris Thelen
Our cover child, Henry Stephens, is part of the team at WRDW. The station came in a very close second place for Favorite Television Station.
18 • Augusta Family | September 2011
www.augustafamily.com
2 0 1 1
2011
Family AUGUSTA
f a v o r i t e s
The Family Y
Arts/Music/Dance
Not only is The Family Y the top vote-getter for Family Workout, they also topped our votes for YearRound Children’s Sports Program.
Visual Art Instruction
Is your child a budding Picasso, Monet or Kandinski? Then you’ll want to check out instruction opportunities at these vote-getters: Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art takes the lead, followed by Art Factory. The Artist’s Guild of Columbia County comes in at third.
Toddler Dance Lessons
If you’ve got a tiny twinkle-toes at home, Kane & Co. is our readers’ top pick for little dancers, with Columbia County Ballet and Augusta West coming in close behind.
Jazz/Hip-Hop Dance Lessons
The votes were tight in this hoppin’ dance category, with Augusta West Dance taking top honors. Kane & Co. and Columbia County Ballet tied for second and Martinez-Evans Dance Studio and Pulse Dance tied for third.
Traditional Dance
If ballet is your child’s thing, our readers give a big thumbs up to The Augusta Ballet School. Columbia County Ballet comes in at a close second and Augusta West Dance and Kane & Co. tie for third.
Cheer Dance Lessons
Our readers think the team at Hayden’s Gym is red hot! Second place goes to Gymnastics Gold and Augusta Cheer Academy takes third place.
Drum Instruction
Your little drummer boy or girl can find great instruction at Rock Bottom Music according to our readers’ top pick. Center Stage Music wins second place while IDRUM2U/the Augusta Academy of Drumming comes in third.
Sports Place for a Family Workout
When our readers hit the gym they head to area Family Y locations with programs for parents and children. Gold’s Gym received the second most votes as a family friendly place to workout followed by Omni Gym in third.
Tumblers tiny and not-so-tiny can receive top-notch instruction at Hayden’s Gym, your top pick. Gymnastics Gold takes second place followed by the Family Y.
Martial Arts Program
Bow, kick and spar at your top spots for martial arts instruction: Seigler’s Karate Center (first), Greubel’s Mixed Martial Arts (second) and CSRA Defensive Arts and Premium Martial Arts (tied for third).
PHOTO Courtesy of THE Family Y
Gymnastics Instruction
www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 19
2 0 1 1
2011
Family AUGUSTA
f a v o r i t e s
Tennis Program
Kids and adults can get their game on at your top picks for tennis. First place goes to Petersburg Racquet Club and Newman Tennis Center is the second place winner. MACH Academy and West Lake Country Club tie for third.
Family Sporting Event
When the kids say, “Take me out to the ballgame,” our readers oblige by taking them to watch the Augusta GreenJackets, our top vote-getter. Your second favorite way to enjoy a little sporting action with the family is by attending an Augusta Riverhawks hockey game. In the spring, families can head over to Aiken and attend the annual Aiken Trials, the first leg of the Aiken Triple Crown and our third place winner.
Family Fun Annual Family Event
Families favor the Fourth of July fireworks as their favorite annual event, followed by Arts in the Heart of Augusta. Kackleberry Farm’s annual cornfield maze is a fall tradition that comes in at third.
Campground
Pack up the sleeping bags, stuff the cooler and head on over to Hickory Knob State Resort Park in South Carolina for our reader’s top choice in area campgrounds. Mistletoe State Park in Appling wins second place followed by neighboring Winfield Campground at third.
John Harpring
Day Trip
There are mountains to the north and beaches to the east, but Augusta Family Magazine readers like to head up I-20 to Columbia for their family day trips, where they can enjoy the Riverbanks Zoo and EdVenture Children’s Museum. The sites in Atlanta are second and heading southeast to Savannah comes in third.
Photography
Boll Weevil
When our readers are craving something sweet, their top spot, according to their votes, is Boll Weevil, winner of Favorite Desserts.
Horseback Riding Lessons
Young horse lovers have quite a few options for equestrian training in the CSRA, but Blue Alms brought in the most votes followed by Hilltop Stables in second and Quiet Haven Stables, located in Appling, in third.
Swimming Lessons
Under Age 3—The Family Y, the Augusta Aquatic Center and the Dolphin Academy are great spots to teach tiny tots to swim, and you voted them your favorites in that order. Over Age 3—Again, The Family Y takes top honors, followed by the Dolphin Academy program at Petersburg Racquet Club in second. For Adults—No surprise here…The Family Y is your top vote-getter for adult swimming lessons, followed by the Augusta Aquatic Center in second. 20 • Augusta Family | September 2011
Preserving your family memories and capturing the ages and stages of your children’s lives is made possible through pictures. Traditional Children’s Photography—If you like to go the traditional route, our readers’ favorite photographer is Michael O’Byrne. Portrait Innovations comes in second with Barry Koenig following closely behind at third. Non-Traditional Children’s Photography—For more something a little more out-of-the-ordinary, Branch Carter takes the top votes. Windmill Photography wins second and Kevin Jiminez comes in third. Maternity Portraits—They’re growing in popularity and Heather Deas of Heather’s Fine Photography is our readers’ top pick. Hillary Odom comes in second, followed by Fitz Symms in third. Family Portraits—For family portrait photography, Kevin Jiminez takes first place followed by Branch Carter in second and Michael O’Byrne in third.
Indoor Playground
When the little ones need to dispense of some of their youthful energy, head on over to Monkey Joe’s, the Family Favorite winner for indoor playgrounds. Our readers also get their “jump on” at Jump City (second place). The playground in the Augusta Mall is the third pick in this category and for a good reason—bribery. Your kids just might behave while you shop when they’re promised a visit to the Mall’s playground during your outing.
www.augustafamily.com
2 0 1 1
2011
Family AUGUSTA
f a v o r i t e s
Museum
Your child doesn’t have to be a budding artist to enjoy the special children’s activities offered at our readers’ favorite museum: The Morris Museum of Art. Each month the museum offers an Artrageous children’s activity as well as Toddler Time. The Augusta Museum of History comes in second followed by EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia.
Performing Arts Group
Entering its 24th season of entertaining class field trips and local families, Storyland Theatre wins Family Favorite performing arts group. The upcoming season will include musical productions of The Princess and the Pea and Jack and the Beanstalk. The Augusta Players, which offers a season of dramatic and musical performances as well as a youth theater production, comes in second and their 2011-2012 season has many family friendly offerings including Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat, A Christmas Carol and The Sound of Music. Entertaining children throughout the CSRA is what our third-place winners, Tara Scheyer & the Mud Puppy Band, do best.
Story times at local libraries are a wonderful way to encourage your children to become lifelong readers and the Family Favorite story time location is the Columbia County Library. Appleby Branch Library comes in second with the new Augusta Library downtown taking third.
Dining Burgers
Who makes the best burger in Augusta? Our readers give that honor to Five Guys Burgers and Fries, which is expanding with a new location coming soon in Columbia County. If you’re in the mood for a gourmet burger and endless steak fries, head on over to our second place winner, Red Robin. And, while Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar is known for their “flaky shrimp and moister oysters,” the secret is out: Their Beyond Burger is awesome. It’s served on a from-scratch bun and comes in third.
Desserts
You’d better ask for an extra fork or two if you’re ordering dessert at Boll Weevil—our first place winner. Their desserts are super delicious and super huge! Our second place winner’s desserts are no less delicious and it’s no surprise that French Market Grille and French Market Grille West made our list. Third place goes to a new arrival on the Augusta dining scene, Tutti Fruitti frozen yogurt.
Family Restaurant
When dining with the family our readers rate Fatz Café as top pick for chain restaurant, with Moe’s and Cracker Barrel coming in second and third. Wife Saver is a life saver when it comes to family dining at a locally owned restaurant, winning first place. The Pizza Joint comes in second with Papa-N-Sons following at third.
PHOTO Courtesy Storyland Theatre
Story Time
Storyland Theatre
This performing arts group has been entertaining children for more than two decades, so it’s no surprise they were voted Favorite Performing Arts Group.
Pizza
Pizza-loving Augusta Family Magazine readers like to keep things mellow, picking Mellow Mushroom as their top spot for pizza. Pizza Joint comes in second and newcomer, Marco’s Pizza, takes third.
Chicken Fingers
Our readers like nothing but 100 percent chicken breast meat in their chicken fingers, as evidenced by their vote. Zaxby’s is their favorite place for chicken fingers, followed by Chick-Fil-A at second and Wife Saver in third.
Pasta
On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese…our readers head on over to first place winner, Giuseppe’s, for their favorite spaghetti (with or without the meatball). Luigi’s wins second for their Greek-style sauce and Olive Garden takes third.
www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 21
22 • Augusta Family | Dec 2010 - Jan 2011
www.augustafamily.com
2 0 1 1
2011
Family AUGUSTA
f a v o r i t e s
Pasta (con’t)
When it comes to the South’s favorite form of pasta, good old macaroni and cheese, the custardy version served at local Wife Saver restaurants takes top honors. S & S Cafeteria comes in second and our editor’s daughter isn’t the only one who loves the white cheddar mac & cheese at local Panera Bread restaurants. Their version ranked third in our vote.
Hot Dog
When the hankering for a hot dog hits, our readers head to Sonic as their first choice spot for hot dogs, followed closely by Papa-N-Sons in second. Nathan’s Hot Dogs at local Bruster’s locations comes in at third.
Healthy Menu
When our readers are looking for a healthy meal they like to hear “Welcome to Moe’s” upon entering their top choice for healthy menu. DiChickO’s Peri-Peri Café, a recent addition to the Augusta dining scene, comes in second with a menu that offers 12 items under 400 calories and delicious dishes featuring their amazing DiChickO’s Peri-Peri Sauce. Coming in at third is Einstein Bros. Bagels.
Kids Menu
Logan’s takes the steak (instead of cake) when it comes to our readers favorite kids menu. Atlanta Bread Co. comes in second with their casual, family friendly fare and Carrabba’s comes in third with their Italian and American Bambini Menu.
Date Night Restaurant
When it’s parent’s night out, our readers’ top choice for a “just the two of us” restaurant is Bistro 491. French Market Grille and French Market Grille West are second choices for some alone time, followed by Calvert’s. John Harpring
Lifestyle Auto Services
Our readers say that the folks at Butler Automotive (first place), Jiffy Lube (second place) and Milton Reuben (third place) make car maintenance a breeze.
Sonic
This popular spot wins two categories: Favorite Hot Dog and Favorite Drive-Thru.
Family Friendly Employer
Who better to pick the most family friendly employer in the C.S.R.A. than our Augusta Family Magazine readers? They’re parents and they picked Doctors Hospital as tops. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, in Aiken County comes in second. Third place is a tie between First Bank and University Hospital.
Media
We may distribute 15,000 copies of Augusta Family Magazine each month, but our readers also voted us their top local Web site. Many of our voters get their news at The Augusta Chronicle’s Web site, the second top votegetter. Third favorite local Web site goes to www.augustaschoice.com.
Local Publication
Radio Station
For family friendly radio listening, local Christian radio station 88.3 WAFJ is our top vote-getter for radio stations. News-Talk Radio WGAC takes second and can now be heard on 95.1 FM in addition to the AM 580 stop on the dial. Country music also is a radio favorite, with Kicks 99 in third place.
Television
Local Web Site
Our local ABC affiliate, WJBF, brought in the most votes for Family Favorite television station with CBS affiliate WRDW coming in a close second. Third place goes to NBC affiliate WAGT.
Thanks, guys! We love you, too. Augusta Family Magazine takes top honors as your favorite local publication. The Augusta Chronicle comes in second as your favorite local read, followed by skirt! Magazine.
Favorite Augusta Family Magazine Feature
Well, the votes proved that our readers our magazine and Web site, but what do they love about us? Our detailed calendar comes in first and our in-depth features written predominately by local writers comes in second. Seeing local faces and reading what they have to say about life, family and fun makes Talkin’ About My Generation your third favorite feature of our magazine.
www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 23
John Harpring
WJBF NewsChannel 6
Our local ABC affiliate takes top honors for Favorite Television Station.
Medical
OB/GYN
Pediatric Dentist
Children should begin regular dental checkups at age one and our readers picked Dr. Lee Baker at Center for Pediatric Dentistry as their favorite pediatric dentist. Dr. David Brantley at Pediatric Dental Specialists comes in second followed by Dr. Phillip Miller.
Place To Get Your Teeth Cleaned (Parent)
Parents need to take good care of their teeth, too, and our readers picked Dr. Steven Goldberg as their favorite local dentist. Second place is a tie between Dr. Walter Anderson and Dr. Joseph Dromski and third place goes to Evans Family Dental.
Orthodontist
Making beautiful smiles is what they do, and Dr. David Carter and Dr. T. Barrett Trotter tied as the top vote-getters. Dr. Michael Rogers takes second place, followed by Dr. Barbara J. Utermark in third.
After-Hours Medical Care
Accidents and illnesses often happen in the “off hours” and when they do our readers’ votes show they choose the emergency room at Doctors Hospital as their top choice for after-hours care. Urgent MD got the second most votes, followed by University Hospital Prompt Care in Evans in third.
Veterinarian
Family Vision Care
Our readers’ favorite place for their annual eye exam, as proven by their votes, is Broome Family Eye Care. Eye Care One comes in second and The Eye Guys win third.
Pediatrician From checking bumps and bruises to annual physicals and immunizations, our readers voted Pediatric Partners their first place Family Favorite pediatricians. Dr. Karen Foushee, a partner in Pediatric Partners, won the second most votes. Tied for third are Dr. John David Allen and Dr. Reginald Pilcher. 24 • Augusta Family | September 2011
Your OB/GYN is your partner in bringing your baby into the world and our readers cast the most votes for OB/GYN Associates of Augusta as their top practice. Dr. Donna Adams Pickett takes second place. Third place is a tie between Augusta OB/GYN and Women’s Health of Augusta.
Pets need care, too! Acute Care Veterinary received the most votes for local veterinarian followed by St. Francis Animal Hospital. Third place goes to Dr. Edward Gross at Care More Animal Hospital.
Parties Boys’ Birthday Party Place
Keeping active is key to a great boys’ birthday party. Our winners provide lots of opportunity to move, with Monkey Joe’s receiving the most votes. Adventure Crossing offers multiple party options and they come in at second. Third place is a tie between Gymnastics Gold and Jump City.
www.augustafamily.com
Elementary Age Birthday Party Place
Whether it’s a party for boys, girls or both, our readers voted Putt Putt Golf and Games their Family Favorite for children in elementary school. Jump City comes in second and Red Wing Roller Way and the Wilson Y Splash Pad tie for third.
Girl’s Birthday Party Place
Tumbling fun ranks top according to your votes, with Gymnastics Gold taking top honors in this category. For a more “girly” experience, consider our second place winner, Tea With a Duchess. Parties at Neapolitan Cupcake & Gift Shoppe take a sweet third.
Schools Preschools—From babies to preschoolers, choosing childcare can be one of a parent’s most difficult choices. Our readers top pick in this category goes to Sunshine House, followed by Oakbrook Country Day Preschool. A Child’s World comes in third. Elementary Schools—The Family Favorite elementary school goes to Stevens Creek Elementary as our top vote-getter. Episcopal Day School comes in second followed by a tie for third between River Ridge Elementary and Westminster Schools. Middle Schools—For middle schools, Stallings Island Middle School received the most votes. Augusta Preparatory Day School and Riverside Middle School tied for second with Augusta Christian Schools coming in third. High Schools—Like the previous two categories, your picks for top high schools are a mix of public and private schools with Lakeside High School taking top honors. Augusta Preparatory Day School and Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School tie for second place. Westminster Schools comes in at third place. Tutoring Service—When their children need a little extra help with their schoolwork or addressing specific learning issues, your top vote-getter is M.A.E.S. Education Center. Learning Enhancements received the second most votes, followed by A+ Reading in third.
Consignment Shop
Our readers are savvy shoppers and Kid to Kid brings in the most votes for favorite consignment shop. Uptown Cheapskate received the second most votes and Upscale Resale comes in at third.
Car Dealer
Shiny, bright and new…or gently used, our readers’ favorite place to shop for cars is a tie, with Gerald Jones and Sunbelt Nissan getting the most votes. Milton Reuben wins second place followed by Bobby Jones Ford.
Family Computer Store
You voted PeachMac as your top spot for family computers and service, followed by the Apple Store in second. Apple and PC users can both satisfy their computer needs at Best Buy, your pick for third.
Toy Store
Learning can be fun! At least that’s what your top vote-getter, Learning Express Toys, thinks. Our readers turn to Toys R Us (second place) when they want a huge selection of toys from which to choose. The Toy Box in Surrey Center comes in at third.
Organic Produce
Earth Fare in Martinez is your favorite place to shop for organic produce with Fresh Market at a close second. And our readers also rely on thirdplace winner Augusta Locally Grown for farmer-to-consumer local organic produce and products.
Best Place To Buy a Ready To Heat Dinner
When you want an at-home meal but don’t want to cook, your votes show that you head to Publix for something to heat-and-eat. Second place is tie between Lil’ Dutch Bakery for to-go casseroles and Earth Fare for a plethora of ready-made dinner options. Third place goes to Very Vera.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries This casual-dining chain is the first-place winner for Favorite Burgers.
Shopping Baby Clothes—Who doesn’t ooh and ah over baby clothes? Those tiny T’s, baby booties and special occasion baby clothes are just too adorable. Our readers voted Baby Banks as their favorite place to shop for baby clothes followed by Posh Tots. Babies grow so quickly that it’s no surprise that Kid to Kid in Evans is a booming resale business specializing in children’s clothing and garnering third place in this category. Children’s Clothing—Our readers top pick for cute kids clothes at great prices is Kid to Kid in Evans. The Gap at Augusta Mall received the second most votes followed by a tie for third between Justice and Posh Tots. Boys Clothes Up to Size 8—There are four winners in this category, and three of them can be found at Augusta Mall. The Gap takes first place, followed by Dillard’s in second. JC Penney and Posh Tots tie for third place. Boys Clothes Up to Size 20—Our readers votes show that they think Dillard’s is the top place to shop for growing boys. Kid to Kid comes in second followed by The Gap in third.
John Harpring
Clothes
www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 25
Fall Fun
www.augustafamily.com
}FunFood
Courtesy of Family Features
Solve the Dinner Dilemma
I
f you’ve ever wandered around the grocery store, desperate for a dinner idea, or stood puzzled at your pantry waiting for inspiration to strike, relax. These tips and a super-fast recipe from the mother and son team of Sandy and David Hu, creators of the Special Fork mobile recipe Web site, can help you solve the dinnertime dilemma any night of the week. Their focus is on everyday answers: all their recipes take no more than 30 minutes of prep time.
• Rice is Nice—Keep this budgetfriendly staple on hand to create a satisfying meal in no time. Sandy says you can use it to make a Mock Rice Pilaf, a Summer Rice Salad with fresh farmers’ market finds or tasty fried rice with bacon and veggies. • Sandwich for Dinner—Whether it’s the French Croque Monsieur, Vietnamese Banh Mi or good old Sloppy Joes, in a pinch, serve sandwiches. • Speedy Solutions—Build your repertoire of quick-fix meals, like Thai Stir-Fried Pork and Basil (Kra Prao). This tantalizing, authentic dish takes just 20 minutes from start to finish and your kitchen will smell as heavenly as a Thai restaurant in no time. To see a how-to video visit http://goo.gl/PTFwc. You can find more recipes like this at www.SpecialFork.com. • Answers on the Go—If you need a quick din-
Courtesy of Family FAVORITES
• Double Duty Ingredients—Pick up an extra rotisserie chicken so you can eat one tonight and use the other one to make a delicious homemade chicken noodle soup tomorrow. Turn flatbreads into pizza crusts and use leftover grilled steak in a savory salad. ner idea away from your computer, just whip out your iPhone, Blackberry or Android phone and search www.SpecialFork.com for a speedy answer. Special Fork will generate a shopping list from your recipes so you can organize your shopping on your phone. And, the shopping list links to selection information about produce and meats to help you buy wisely.
Kra Prao (Stir-Fried Pork and Basil)
Makes 2 generous servings
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 Thai bird’s eye chiles or other small hot chiles, seeded and minced • 1 pound ground pork • 2 teaspoons sugar • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons fish sauce For more ways to solve the dinnertime dilem- • 2 cups Thai basil leaves or regular basil, lightly ma, follow Special Fork on Facebook (www.face- packed book.com/SpecialFork) or follow Sandy on Twit- • Hot rice
ter (http://twitter.com/specialforksndy). Special Fork posts a new blog every weekday for cooking inspiration: Monday features musings from Special Fork, Tuesday is for Cooking Newbies, Wednesday is about Cooking for One or Two, Thursday is for the Busy Mommy/Daddy and Friday is Video Friday, dedicated to video demos. www.augustafamily.com
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and chiles; stir just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add pork, stir and cook until browned, about 2 minutes. Add sugar, fish sauce and basil and cook, stirring, just until basil wilts, about 2 minutes. Serve on hot rice. Augusta Family | September 2011 • 27
timeout}
by Lucy Adams
Wishful Thinking
Moving From Distraction To Direction
H
igh, gauzy stratus clouds stretched thinly across an azure sky. My husband cracked the seal on a chilled Corona and passed it to me. The surf undulated in a soothing rhythm. The sweet smell of the salt marsh drifted up from the south. To the north, gray ocean and blue sky back-dropped ships carrying colorful, rectangular patterns of cargo in and out of the mouth of the Savannah River. By any standard, it was a perfect day at the beach. But wishful thinking obscured the panoramic view. I wished out loud that my husband had thought to bring some lime slices. He wished out loud that I was wearing a bikini. We both wished we had a radio and an umbrella and that the kids 28 • Augusta Family | September 2011
would quit kicking up sand and that the seagulls would leave our little picnic. Then our children, sitting on towels in the sun eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and apples, looked to the right. The family closest to us had a beach wagon in which they had hauled a large tent and several chairs and a big cooler. Two folding tables covered with cleverly weighted table cloths displayed a smorgasbord of treats. Flags waved joyfully from the pole they’d sunk in the sand. “That’s the set up,” said my oldest son. “Yeah, I wish we had all that,” someone else mumbled to a chorus of mm-hms. A wave of shame washed over me. There we were on our vacation and all we could talk about was www.augustafamily.com
what we didn’t have. On that beautiful, irreplaceable summer day we were wishing ourselves into a state of discontent. We had everything we needed and it wasn’t enough.
The Negatives of Wishful Thinking As Sallie Felton, a practicing life coach in Hamilton, Mass., and co-author of Stepping Stones to Success With Deepak Chopra, says, “You can become a victim of wishful thinking.” As a form of rumination, it creates a well of deficit from which unhappiness bubbles to the surface. Persistent wishes or hopes may lead to a feeling of helplessness; a person decides that not only is her sit-
uation inadequate in some key aspect, but also that she has no control over changing it. “Wishful thinking that is based in deficit thinking and then supported by rumination can turn into a downward spiral of negativity, which, if left unexamined, can sap energy and spirit and eventually leech into other family interactions that have nothing to do with the original wish,” agrees Gretchen Pisano, master certified coach and owner of Sounding Board Ink in Frederick, Md. In sum, a consistent focus on and yearning for what one lacks obscures the appreciation of all that he actually has. It keeps a person from enjoying the present moment. Wishful thinking may begin as an attempt to escape reality. “The triggers are usually situations that make us uncomfortable or unhappy and rather than deal with those situations head-on it’s easier to think about something else that makes us feel happier,” says Rev. Dr. Lynda D. Sims, who is a professional life coach and owner of New Wave Life Coaching in Martinez. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes difficult to return to reality. People get stuck in a place of dissatisfaction and want—a prison created in one’s own mind, walled off from the people and things that are really important.
The Benefits of Wishful Thinking Yet wishful thinking has a positive side. Sims says, “It can lead us to a place of creativity or to making fundamental changes in our lives.” Wishful thinking can reveal what is working and what is not. Felton says, “It gives us a chance to think outside of the box about what life might be like if things were different.” When tapped into as a source of true desires, wishful thinking can be a powerful tool for positive change for the entire family. If used intentionally, it can lead to some of life’s most joyful experiences. To distinguish between those wishful thoughts that beg for further exploration and those that only burden the spirit with triviality, Sims and Felton suggest asking oneself a few key questions: • If I had this thing, would it serve me well? Would it serve my family well? • Will I be happier for the long haul or will the immediate gratification quickly wear off and result in more wishing? • Does it relate to my true self and my sense of purpose? • Would it lead to fulfillment? • Am I motivated to make this wish a reality? • If I were to follow through, what would my life look like? Some wishes preoccupy the mind, but, if granted, would not feed the soul. Other wishes, however,
provide clues to how to live a better life. Either way, nothing good comes of wishful thinking that remains just that.
Letting Go and Taking Action Wishful thinking is not just imagination in overdrive. It’s a call to action. Recognizing wishful thinking and dealing with it appropriately protects those precious family moments from slipping away without memories. Instead of getting bogged down in what-couldbe, parents and children can satisfactorily live in the moment. Analyze wishful thoughts using the questions above. Release insidious ruminations that invade family interactions but offer no benefit. “Every time that thing comes to your mind,” advises Sims, “you can actually make a decision to stop that thought and replace it with something else.” Think about what you do have. Exchange the idea that life is deficient with the idea that life is full of blessings. When falling into the habit of wishing for something other than what you have, name all the things for which you are thankful in that moment. At the same time, simplify your expectations, recommends Felton. Then pay attention to the wishes that bear more attention. Those that are more than simply flights of fancy for entertainment, those that would actually serve you and your family well, require deeper consideration. If you wish for a less complicated family schedule, perhaps it’s time to sit down with the kids and the calendar and sort it out. If you’ve wished for a lake house for years, maybe it would make sense to develop a financial plan for purchasing one. Turning wishes into attainable goals takes them from distracting thoughts to direction for life. My tactic, just as viable as all the others, was to point out to my offspring and myself the potential negative impact of the actualization of our wishes. If we had a big wagon to carry our beach stuff, someone would have to load it and pull it and unload it and reload it at the end of the day. If we had a huge tent, we’d have to set it up and anchor it in the sand and worry about the wind flipping it and move it when the tide rolled in. The more I described the effort that “the set up” would require from each of us, the more my husband and children curled their lips. We all realized that what we thought we wanted, once we broke it down to what it would really take to get it, didn’t suit, could never fit, our travel-light lifestyle. And just like that our family vacation became everything we’d hoped it would be and maybe even a little more. Lucy Adams is the author of Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run. She lives in Thomson, Ga., with her husband and their four children. www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 29
inspirationstation}
by Charmain Z. Brackett
It’s All About Connecting
Photo by Miles Anderson
Augusta Locally Grown Connects Local Farmers With Consumers
Augusta Locally Grown has three locations where customers can pick up their orders of fresh produce, dairy products and meats from local farmers.
A
s a teen-ager, Kim Hines wanted to be as far away from gardens as possible. “My mother was a master gardener,” she says. “I hated it growing up. She would get a huge pile of fish emulsion. The stink was so embarrassing. I avoided the house when it arrived.” Her loathing of gardening expanded beyond the fish emulsion to include weeding and other tasks involving greenery, but over the years, all of that has disappeared. She and her husband even lived on a 600-acre farm at one time, and now she works to link farmers with customers through Augusta Locally Grown.
Bringing the Farmers Market to the Internet The idea is simple. At a traditional farmers’ market, farmers will gather as much of their produce as possible, bring it to a central site and hope to sell as much as they can. Not knowing who will be there to buy what they have for sale could send them home with a lot of what they brought hoping to sell. Each Friday, Hines sends out a list of available items via email, and Augusta Locally Grown users send back their orders. Products are available for pick-up at one of three local sites—Tire City Potters, the Augusta Jewish Community Center and the Riverwood Plantation Barn—on Tuesday. The Locally Grown concept began in Athens, Ga. Hines has been managing the project in Augusta for about two years. There are about 50 growers who provide products. Some growers only have products available in the spring and early summer months such as a nearby blueberry farm, and one grower has pecans available in the late fall. 30 • Augusta Family | September 2011
Kim Hines manages Augusta Locally Grown.
The market is open 51 weeks out of the year. In addition to fresh produce, there are other items such as eggs, meat, dairy products and baked goods as well as organic soaps and artisan items for sale through the site as well.
www.augustafamily.com
From Farm to the Table Angela Magney of Ginger Snap Hollow Farm in Harlem, Ga., started off as a customer. “The more I got into it, the more I became interested in providing the same things for my family. My husband was in Afghanistan and I started looking into farming. I put in some gardens. I decided I wanted to be a farmer,” says Magney, who raises chickens for their eggs as well as for their meat. In addition, she helps manage the downtown pick-up area for Augusta Locally Grown. Magney says it’s difficult for her to use a traditional farmers’ market, sitting at a stall all day in hopes of selling products. “That’s time away from the farm,” she says. Her children also take part in the farm with each one having a specialty item. Her son, Jonah, raises ducks for their eggs; daughter, Hannah, has an herb garden and son, Eric, is raising pumpkins. Hines says it’s not uncommon for growers to start out as customers. She says there are three different types of market suppliers. “Some of them are full-time; they make their principal living through their farm. Others are hobbyists trying to live more sustainably, but they are also trying to make a part-time income. Then there are backyard growers.” Most of the growers are bringing organic products to the market unless they are otherwise specified. There is a high value placed on products that are grown without the use of chemical pesticides and using sustainable practices. Magney’s chickens aren’t kept in pens all the time. “They are well-taken care of,” she says. They are allowed outside during the day, but at night, they are brought inside a coop. Magney is also raising pigs and plans to begin raising lambs.
Internships Help Keep Program Running Customers and farmers aren’t the only ones benefitting from the service. A generation of urban teens is learning a lot of life lessons, according to Hines. “One of the reasons I work with the program is to expose young people to the work ethic farmers bring to the table. It’s invaluable,” she says. In the heat of the summer, the dairy farmers milk the cows twice a day and, in the dead of winter, daily tasks must be accomplished. During this past winter’s ice storm, while others were staying away from work, the farmers still had items available for sale. Work on the farm didn’t stop because of the weather. The chickens were still laying eggs, she says. “These are the kinds of adults I want my children to know and emulate,” she says. She also hopes to impart in the teens a sense of stewardship of the land and the produce. “I want them to know how to tend the soil and keep it healthy using natural components,” she says. In the past two years, Augusta Locally Grown has grown and Hines hopes it continues. Magney says she’s seen a lot of growth in the downtown market and she thinks the service is the type of thing people who live in the downtown area would support if they knew about it. “We started with 10 customers and within six months we were up to 50,” she says. One of Hines’ long-term goals is to actually have a traditional farmers’ market in Columbia County. “I’d like to create an environment where people could come and meet the farmers, socialize with them,” she says. “I’d like to have it in the middle of Columbia County, where everyone celebrates together. Downtown has a farmers’ market, but Columbia County does not.” Go to http://augusta.locallygrown.net/ to see what’s available through Augusta Locally Grown. A $25 membership fee is applied to your third order. Charmain Z. Brackett is an Augusta freelance writer and mother of three. www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 31
calendar September 2011
I Heart Art Don’t miss the 31st Annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival presented by the Greater Augusta Arts Council. A visual and performing arts showcase where more than 35 countries lend their ethnic flair to one of the Southeast’s most popular events. This year’s festival features Greece and includes four stages of non-stop entertainment, food, art, children’s activities and much more. September 16-18, 5-9 p.m. Friday. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday. Noon-7 p.m., Sunday.
SPECIAL EVENTS September 9. 18th Annual Border Bash. Kickoff the football season with a musical celebration and street party and root for your favorite team. The Depot at 6th and Reynolds streets. www.borderbash.net. September 6-27. Story Time in Hopelands. Enjoy stories with your children or grandchildren in the park. Every Tuesday in September and October. 4 p.m. Hopelands Gardens. Aiken. 803-642-7631. September 9-10. Aiken’s Makin’. Come and see artisans display their artwork, crafts and more. Great food, fun and music for the whole family. 803-641-1111. www.aikenchamber.net. September 10, 12. 2011 Charity Golf Classic and Red Shoe Golf Ball. Benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta. Dinner, auction, music and prizes. Saturday, 7-10 p.m. Charity Golf Classic, Monday, 11 a.m., West Lake Country Club. 706-724-5901.
32 • Augusta Family | September 2011
September 10. Gentlemen Start Your Engines. Doctors Hospital brings back this third annual free event which hosts more than 100 cars, health screenings of all kinds and inflatables for the kids. Antique cars, monster trucks and Corvettes. Go to livingwellaugusta.com to fill out an electronic form if you’d like to participate in the car show and compete for prizes. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Warren Baptist Church in Martinez.
exact times that the World Trade Center Towers fell. 9 a.m. in the Augusta Common.
September 10. Behind the Scenes at Redcliffe Plantation. Tour the historic mansion including the kitchen, basement and the old garage/slave quarters. Reservations required. 803-827-1473. redcliffe@scprt.com.
September 16-18. 31st Annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival. Presented by the Greater Augusta Arts Council, this year’s festival features the country of Greece. More than 35 countries lend their ethnic flair to one of the Southeast’s most popular events. There will be four stages of non-stop entertainment as well as food, art, children’s activities and much more. 5-9 p.m., Friday. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday. Noon-7 p.m., Sunday. Booths will be located along Broad Street this year. www. augustaarts.com.
September 11. 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony. Remember the heroism of all involved in the attacks on 9-11 and in the years that have followed at this event that will include acknowledgements of families and volunteers from the CSRA. The tolling of the bells indicates the
September 17. Shout Fest 2011. WAAW Shout Radio 94.7 FM and Eat Smart Move More— Aiken County are sponsoring a free Shout Fest that will include a gospel concert, car and bike show, food, fun, games, vendors, health and wellness exhibits and 200 children performing
www.augustafamily.com
calendar
Border Bash On Friday, September 9, meet at the border to kick-off the tailgate season! University of Georgia and University of South Carolina fans meet at this 18th celebration featuring musical performances by Sister Hazel and Joe Stevenson Band. UGA and USC cheerleaders spur on their teams with help from Hairy Dog and Cocky. Event begins at 4 p.m. at The Depot, 6th and Reynolds streets. Benefits children’s charities of the CSRA. For details, see www.borderbash.net.
a fitness routine. Festivities begin at 9 a.m. at Perry Memorial Park, 720 Abbeville Ave., Aiken. Call 803-649-6405. September 17. Screen on the Green: Furry Vengeance. Rated PG. Show starts at 7 p.m. at the Columbia County Amphitheater. Call 706312-7192. September 23 & 24. Pass It On Kidsignment Sale. Buy and sell quality children’s clothing, toys and equipment. Aiken Baptist Church. Call 803-215-1503 for information. September 24. Ongoing Living History Demonstrations. Olde Towne Preservation Association will feature demonstrations of life in colonial times. Come see some of the buildings including the Slave Cabin, the Willow Springs Meeting House and Blacksmith Forge. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. North Augusta. 803-279-7560. September 24. Screen on the Green: True Grit.
Rated PG-13. Show starts at 7 p.m. at the Columbia County Amphitheater. Call 706-312-7192. September 29-October 8. Westobou Festival 2011. This third annual arts festival is a 10-day celebration of the fine and performing arts featuring dance, theater, visual, spoken word and music. For information, schedule and tickets visit www.westoboufestival.com.
The Arts, Music and More! September 2. 4th Annual Smooth Music Festival. Boney James with special guest Rachelle Ferrell perform. 7:30 p.m. Bell Auditorium. www. augustaentertainmentcomplex.com. September 2. Second Saturday Concert Series. The Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserves. 6 p.m. Columbia County Amphitheater. 706-312-7192. September 9, 10, 16, 17,18, 23, 24. Chicago.
www.augustafamily.com
Set in 1920s Chicago, Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband to take the rap. Winner of six Tony Awards. 8 p.m. Sept. 18 and 24, 3 p.m. Aiken Community Playhouse. URS Center for the Performing Arts. Aiken. 803-648-1438. September 9, 10, 16, 17, 22-24. The 39 Steps. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre. The amazingly brilliant cast of four plays more than 140 characters in this fast-paced comedy thriller that’s great fun for ages 9 to 90. Fort Gordon Dinner Theater. 706-793-8552. September 10. Songwriters Come Home. 7:30 p.m. Etherredge Center. USC-Aiken. 803-641-3305. September 16. Southern Soul & Song: Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives. Grammy award-winning Marty Stuart, one of country’s most accomplished and eclectic performers, is renowned for merging rockabilly, honky-tonk
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 33
calendar and traditional country styles. 7:30 p.m. Imperial Theatre. 706-7228341. September 16. St. Petersburg Quartet. Presented by Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society. Lyceum Series. 7:30 p.m. Maxwell Theatre. ASU campus. 706-6674100. September 16-October 14. A Sense of Place Juried Art Competition and Exhibition. The national juried fine art competition celebrates its 31st year, continuing its tradition of recognizing the outstanding quality and diversity of work being generated by contemporary American artists. Opening reception and awards presentation Sept. 16. 6-8 p.m. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. 706-722-5495. September 16-October 14. Sarah Hobbs Exhibit. Atlanta artist Sarah
September 23. Flesh and the Devil. Silent movie night with theater organist Ron Carter. Pre-film lecture 6 p.m. Screening 7:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Cultural Center. 706826-4700.
County Choral Society. Dr. Powell’s original work is performed by the combined choirs of Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School and the Davidson Fine Arts Orchestra. 3:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 706-650-2311.
September 17-October 15. Ingrid Hofer Exhibit. Solo exhibit features mixed media journals of the artist’s travels throughout Europe and select watercolors and acrylics from her larger works. Opening Sept. 17, 6-8 p.m. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. 706-722-5495.
September 23-25. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Production by the Augusta Players. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 3 p.m. Sunday. Imperial Theatre. 706-8264707.
September 30. Black Box Coffee House. Short plays, musical entertainment, special guests, refreshments and open mic. 7 p.m. Aiken Community Playhouse. 803648-1438.
September 17. A Celebration of Freedom. Columbia County Ballet. 6 p.m. JSH Performing Arts Center. Evans. 706-860-1852.
September 23. Compania Flamenca Jose Porcel. A dazzling company of flamenco dancers and musicians featuring Jose Porcel. 8 p.m. Etherredge Center. USCAiken. 803-641-3305.
September 30. Aiken Symphony Guild and SOA Classic Series Concert: Innocence Cherished. Works by three of the Romantic era’s most admired composers. 8 p.m. Etherredge Center. USCAiken. 803-641-3305.
Hobbs presents a contemporary art installation in conjunction with Westobou. Opening reception, Oct. 7. 5-7 p.m. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. 706-722-5495.
September 18. Concerts With a Cause: Hector Olivera. The Argentinian-born Juilliard trained international phenom will perform. 3 p.m. St. John United Methodist Church. Benefits Coordinated Health Services. www.stjohnaugusta.org.
September 24. 18th Annual Gospel Sing. Enjoy a great night of Southern gospel music to benefit the Southeastern Firefighters’ Burn Foundation. Whole Life Ministries. 706-650-2876. September 28. Tuesdays Music Live: The Coda Duo. Guitarists Christopher Jenkins and Brett Floyd perform. Noon. Lunch at 12:30 p.m. 706-722-3463. September 29. Music for Maya Deren Films. Indie rock icon Mac McCaughan premieres four new sound tracks for films by renowned avant-garde director Maya Deren. Part of the Westobou Festival. 8 p.m. Sacred Heart Cultural Center. 706-826-4700. September 29-30. The Composer Is Dead. SOA Aiken Children’s Concert. 9:30 and 11 a.m. Etherredge Center. USC-Aiken campus. 706-826-4705. September 30. I Waltzed With God the Morning of Genesis. Stage performance. 7 p.m. Gilbert-Lambuth Chapel. Paine College. 706-396-7591. September 30. Incarnatio Mysteria. Presented by Columbia
34 • Augusta Family | September 2011
www.augustafamily.com
Augusta State University Conservatory Program David Tucker, Director, 706-7317971 or dtucker2@aug.edu. www.ced.aug.edu/Conservatory September 10-October 29 (Saturdays). Beginning Piano for Ages 6-10. Join Conservatory piano instructor Robyn Macey in the Fine Arts Center’s 12-keyboard piano lab for group instruction. The course will include beginning piano and music reading skills. Textbook purchase required. 10-10:55 a.m. September 10-October 29 (Saturdays). Beginning Piano for Adults. Offers an introduction to playing the piano in a classroom setting. The course will include beginning piano and music reading skills and will meet in ASU’s piano lab in the Fine Arts Center. Textbook purchase required. 11-11:55 a.m. September 14-November 2 (Wednesdays). Music Fundamentals and Sight Reading. This course helps students develop an understanding of music notation in order to improve music reading skills. Includes both written notation and the aural recognition of
calendar basic music elements. 7-8 p.m. in the ASU Fine Arts Center. September 15-November 3 (Thursdays). Voice Class for Adults. Ages 13 and up. Addresses the basic elements of singing (vocal production, breath control, state presence) and helping students maximize their vocal skills. 7-8 p.m. in the ASU Fine Arts Center. Family Music of Augusta Musikgarten classes for children up to age 9. Go to familymusicofaugusta.org or call Kathleen at 706-955-7819. Junior Jazz Karen Gordon, instructor Augusta Jewish Community Center, 898 Weinberger Way, Evans. Call 706-228-3636 to register. Classes are held on Tuesday afternoons from 4-5 p.m. Morris Museum of Art 1 Tenth St. 706-724-7501 or themorris.org. September 1-November 20. Preservation of Place: The Art of Edward Rice. Exhibition features 30 paintings produced since 1982 by the noted realist, drawn from private and public collections across the South. One of the most inclusive overviews of Rice’s career to date. September 14. Concrete, Steel and Paint. Southern Circuit independent film series. Pennsylvania state prisoners join with victims of crime to create a mural about healing. The film raises important questions about crime, justice and reconciliation. 6 p.m. September 17-November 6. Down South: Paintings by Art Rosenbaum Photographs by Margo Newmark Rosenbaum. Works by famed painter, muralist and illustrator Art Rosenbaum and his wife Margo, a well-known photographer. A collection of essays, illustrations,
drawings and photographs are featured in this exhibit. Art Rosenbaum is the signature artist for the Westobou Festival. September 22. Down South: Paintings by Art Rosenbaum Photographs by Margo Newmark Rosenbaum Exhibit Opening. Includes highlights of the exhibit, music by the Skillet Lickers, heavy hors d’oeuvres. 5:30-8 p.m. September 30. Art at Lunch: Art Rosenbaum. Art Rosenbaum will discuss his work and exhibit. By admission. One of the most inclusive overviews of Rice’s career to date. Musical Theatre Workshops and Footnotes Dance Academy 3833 Martinez Blvd., Martinez (in front of the Martinez Post Office) Contact Mickey Lubeck, director, at 706-231-1759, musicaltheatredirector@gmail.com. www.onwiththeshow.biz. Ongoing. Multiple studios for classes in acting, voice and dance. Visit their Web site for current class offerings.
Museum and Science Events Augusta Museum of History 560 Reynolds St. 706-722-8454. Museum Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
snakes, timid turtles, slimy salamanders or beautiful butterflies and more. K-2nd Grade. Thursdays—September 8 and 22, October 6 and 20, November 3 and 17 and December 1 and 15. 4:30-6 p.m. 3rd-5th Grade. Tuesdays—September 6 and 20, October 4 and 18, November 1, 15 and 29 and December 13. September 3. Attack of the Alien Plants! Not the aliens who glide around in UFO’s but the alien-invasive plant species. Take a look at plants who are invaders and those that are native to our area. Ages 5 and up. 10-11 a.m. September 10. Insect Investigations. Learn about our six-legged friends as you catch and release insects with bug nets in different areas of the park. Age 5 and up. 10-11 a.m. September 28. Wilderness Survival. This fun program is for those interested in back-country camping or anyone wanting tips in emergency survival skills. Learn compass and map-reading, what to bring when you go camping, as well as making fires and shelters in the wilderness (without matches or a tent). Ages 8-18. 4:30-5:30 p.m.
SPORTS
September 3, 10, 17, 24. Preserving History. A special look behind the scenes as museum registrar Amanda Klaus demonstrates how collections are catalogued, preserved, cared for and prepared for display. 1 and 2 p.m.
September 16-18. NBHA President’s Cup. See some of the finest and fastest competition barrel racing and enjoy Western wares, jewelry and equipment. The Hippodrome. North Augusta. 706-823-
Reed Creek Park
September 24. 70’s Disco Zumba Fitness Party. Come workout and have fun at the Liberty Park Community Center, 1040 Newmantown Rd., Grovetown. 5 p.m. Call Gemma Varnado at 706-814-2980 for pricing and other information. Augusta GreenJackets
3820 Park Lane, Martinez. 706-210-4027. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required. Nurturing Nature Clubs For children who like slithering
All games at 7:05 p.m. www.GreenJacketsbaseball.com. September September September September September
1 2 3 4 5
vs. vs. vs. vs. vs.
Rome. Rome. Rome. Rome. Rome.
7:05 7:05 7:05 5:35 2:05
p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.
Aiken-Augusta Swim League Swimming Programs www.swimasl.com or contact Terry Dennis at tgmdennis@hotmail.com. Ongoing on weekdays and Saturdays. Swimming lessons for 4- to 12-year-olds. Lessons offered at the USC Aiken Pool, the Augusta Aquatics Center and the Riverwood Plantation pool. Competitive swimming programs are also available. CSRA Defensive Arts 803-221-0300 or www.csraDefensiveArts.com. Martial Arts Classes. Ages 8-adult. Taught by a certified Karate for Christ International instructor with 18 years of experience. Classes are held at Heights Church, behind MiRancho in Clearwater, S.C., directly on the Aiken-Augusta Highway. 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. September 1-25. Registration for Family Y’s Camp Lakeside Women’s Adventure and Wellness Weekend. Spend this women’s weekend with your friends or take the opportunity to get away by yourself, meet new people and learn new skills at the Family Y’s Camp Lakeside in Lincolnton, Ga.
3728. www.nbha.com.
www.augustafamily.com
September 1-October 12. Registration for Couch to 5K at the Wilson Family Y. This program is designed for beginner and intermediate runners and walkers to prepare for the Y’s Gasping Gobbler 5K run on November 19, 2011. Two six-week sessions are offered August 23-September 29 and
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 35
Off to the Races
Bring your boots and dust off your hats for the NBHA President’s Cup, September 16-18. Enjoy some of the finest and fastest competition barrel racing and browse quality Western wear, jewelry and equipment. The Hippodrome. North Augusta. 706-823-3728.
October 11-November 17 at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. Participants will be guided through a workout twice a week and one on their own. September 6-29. Wilson Family Y Swim Lessons Fall Session. All ages and skill levels, 6 months to adult beginner. Lessons are held in five-week sessions Monday-Thursday at the indoor pools at the Wilson Family Y. September 6-29. Family Y Swim Club Fall Session. Swim Club is a bridge between swim lessons and a swim team with specific training in endurance and stroke work. Lessons are held in four-week sessions Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the indoor pool at the Wilson Family Y. September 10. Parent’s Night Out at Marshall Family Y and Family Y of North Augusta. Ages 2-12. 6-9:30 p.m. Sibling discount available. September 17. Parents Night Out at Family Y of Aiken County. Ages 2-12. 6-9:30 p.m. Sibling discount available. September 19-October 13. Family Y of Aiken County Swim Lessons Fall Session. All ages
36 • Augusta Family | September 2011
and skill levels, ages 6 months to adult beginners. Lessons are held in four-week sessions Monday-Thursday at the indoor pool at the Family Y of Aiken County. September 22. Wilson Family Y Nutrition Seminar. Learn ways to improve your health from the experts. 6 p.m. at the Wilson Family Y. September 24. Parent’s Night Out at Wilson Family Y and Family Y of Augusta South. Ages 8 weeks to 12 years at the family Y of Augusta South, 6-9:30 p.m. Ages 2-12 at the Wilson Family Y from 6-9:30 p.m. September 24. Parent’s Night Out for Children of Deployed Soldiers at the Marshall Family Y. Children of deployed soldiers ages 2-12. 6-9:30 p.m. Free. Parents’ Morning Out Programs. Enjoy the morning out while your child plays games, does arts and crafts and more. Augusta South Family Y Drop and Shop. Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-noon for ages 6 weeks-4 years. North Augusta Family Y Drop and ShopPro-
www.augustafamily.com
gram. Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-noon for ages 6 months to 12 years. Wilson Family Y. Ages 2-4. Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Ongoing. Adapted Wii Special Populations at the Wilson Family Y. Individual half-hour classes (one-on-one ratio) for physically and developmentally challenged individuals of all ages. Specially trained staff uses Wii Interactive Computer games to improve participant’s independence and quality of life. By appointment. Call Claudia Collins at 706-922-9662. Ongoing. Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson Disease Aquatics Class. Sponsored by the CSRA Parkinson Support Group and the Family Y. Group class designed specifically for ambulatory participants affected by Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson Disease. Mondays and Fridays at the Wilson Family Y. Noon. Registration required. Ongoing on the Fridays. Break Dance Class at the Wilson Family Y. Designed to promote dance and culture for ages 13 and up while
calendar emphasizing Christian character values. Sessions are four weeks longing beginning the first Friday of the month. 7-8:30 p.m. Salvation Army Kroc Center 1833 Broad Street. 706-364KROC (5762) www.krocaugusta.org. September 2. Kids Night Out. 6-10 p.m. September 9. Teen Night Out. 6-10 p.m. September 30. Family Night Out. 6:30-10:30 p.m.
Childbirth, Breastfeeding and Parenting Support Groups AugustaAreaMommies Contact Jennifer Stanley at 706-855-0072 or phlegalesfan@att.net. A community for moms in the Augusta area offering support, friendship and fun as well as the opportunity to exchange information. The group, which is part of The Mommies Network, also provides discussion forums, an events calendar and more. Meeting are held online, at local parks, members homes (for monthly BUNCO) and on field trips. All mothers are welcome. Augusta Area Newcomers Organization Contact hospitality@augustanewcomers.com or call Susan Salisbury at 706814-6297.
Augusta Birth Network (ABN). This non-profit group is part of a grassroots movement based on the belief that birth can profoundly affect our physical, mental and spiritual well being as defined by the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative. By making informed choices and having confidence in the process, families can experience safe and satisfying childbirth. Free meetings are held the first Monday of each month at Earth Fare on Furys Ferry Road. 7-8:30 p.m. For a directory of the CSRA’s many birthing options visit augustabirthnetwork.org. Second Monday of Each Month. Free Doula Tea. Enjoy a cup of tea and a DVD. Meet certified doulas and discuss topics including: Who should come to my birth? What are the benefits of having a doula? Why hire a doula? Coping with labor— the doula way. Babies in arms welcome, but please do not bring children. Call to confirm your attendance a few days in advance—706-312-9855 or email vegachristen@gmail.com. 7-8 p.m. at Steinle Wellness Center, 122 Old Evans Rd. Trust Birth Augusta: Birth Stories and Cinema Circle. Not another expert, not another class. Women talking to women about birth. Trust Birth meets the fourth Monday of each month. Steinly Wellness Center, 122 Old Evans Rd. 7-9 p.m. Infants and quiet children welcome.
This non-profit organization helps
Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church. Call 706-737-2405 or log on at lllusa.org/web/AugustaGA.html. Peaceful Parenting Augusta. This unofficial Attachment Parenting support group is for families who believe in parenting gently and building children’s spirits, minds and bodies through nurturing, attentive and practical approaches. Join their Yahoo! group at Peaceful_Parenting_Augusta or email Jen at theotherbradford@ yahoo.com. Celiac Disease Support Group E-mail RoseforHealth@aol. com. Meets the third Tuesday of every month in Suite 120 of the Summerville Building, adjacent to Trinity Hospital of Augusta. Open to those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance or on a gluten-free diet. Discussions include information on celiac disease, do’s and don’ts of a gluten-free diet and more. 7-8:30 p.m. Common Bond Parent Support Group Geneice McCoy, organizer. 706-729-0012 or commonbond@comcast.net. For parents of children of all ages and diagnoses with challenging disabilities but remarkable perseverance and resilience. Meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Call for location. Georgia Health Sciences Health System (formerly MCGHealth)
people who are new to the area
La Leche League.
get acclimated and make friends.
This breastfeeding support
They offer a variety of activities
group meets the second
including golf, book groups and
Tuesday of each month at 10
dining out. Be sure to confirm
a.m. at the First Associate
your attendance at their events
Reformed Presbyterian Church,
by e-mailing or calling the
2204 Kimberly Dr. Evening
above numbers.
meetings are held on the third
Mom’s Connection This weekly support group for mothers meets each Tuesday at 1225 Walton Way in Room 101C. The group is for new moms and babies looking for support in the early stages of parenthood. Call 706-7218283 or go to georgiahealth.org.
www.augustafamily.com
Augusta Family |September 2011 • 37
38 • Augusta Family | September 2011
www.augustafamily.com
calendar Hypnobabies 706-312-9855 or abirthingintuition.com. Hypnosis for Childbirth Classes. Call for dates and location. Parent Support Group The Child Advocacy Center, a program of Child Enrichment Inc., a nonprofit organization serving victims of sexual abuse in our community, is offering a support group for parents and caregivers of children who have been sexually abused. Groups will be held the second Tuesday of each month. Call 706-737-4631 for information and location. This group is not appropriate for sex offenders. Mothers of Advanced Maternal Age (Mama’s) Did you have a child at age 35 or older? Are you expecting? This group of “older” moms welcomes you for meetings, support and play dates. Disabled children welcome. Contact Ami McKenzie at 706-364-5245 or hoopnhollar2@ yahoo.com or go to http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MaMasInAugusta/. MOMS Club Visit momsclubaugusta.org. Ever feel like you’re the only mother who stays home? You are not alone! Come meet other at-home mothers at the MOMS Club, an international nonprofit organization. Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) A nondenominational Christian group for mothers of preschool-aged children. Meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m.noon and the first Tuesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. at Trinity-on-the-Hill United Methodist Church on Monte Sano Ave. Call 706-738-8822 or visit orgsites.com/ga/trinityumcmops.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES Aiken Home School Times Playgroup 803-648-7042 or fourmckeels@yahoo.com. Thursdays. This playgroup is open to all home schoolers. Meets at the O’Dell Weeks playground for unstructured play for the children and time with other home school parents for the adults. Noon. Augusta Jewish Community Center 898 Weinberger Way. 706-228-3636 or log on at augustajcc.org. Ongoing. The Mothers Circle. Free course, resources, education and events for women of other backgrounds raising Jewish children. Call for details.
Sign Up for Class! The AJCC offers a wide variety of classes for children of all ages and adults, including athletics, the arts, cooking, language and more. Log on to download a complete listing. Classical Conversations Visit classicalconversations.com or e-mail Terri at classicalaugusta@yahoo.com. A Classical Christian Community of home schoolers that meets once a week from August through April with the goal of training their children to know God and to make Him known in all areas of life. E-mail Terri for information. Homeschool Playgroup Creighton Park, next to Living History Park in North Augusta. Call 803-613-0484 or emilykohlbacher@hotmail.com. Every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. All welcome. Monkey Joe’s 368 Furys Ferry Rd. 706-922-JUMP (5867). monkeyjoes.com. First Sunday of Each Month. Special Needs Night at Monkey Joe’s. This event is held the first Sunday of each month after general store hours to ensure a calm environment for special needs children and their parents. 6-7 p.m. PHC Weight Loss and Wellness Martinez: 706-868-5332. Augusta: 706-7966267. Aiken: 803-649-3428. Logon at www. phcweightloss.com. Student Plan Orientations. Students with parent or guardian can attend 45 minute complimentary sessions by appointment on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays between 3 and 6 p.m. Call for information.
Hospital Programs Doctors Hospital Call 706-651-BABY (2229) or go to doctorshospital.net for registration and class location. Pre-registration required for most programs. September 6. Showing & Glowing (Session 2). A two-session class for those in the second trimester of pregnancy. Two-day class will cover labor, relaxation and breathing and becoming a family. 7-9:30 p.m. September 8. Baby 101. Topics include normal newborn appearance and behavior, crying, dia-
www.augustafamily.com
pering, swaddling and feeding. September 10 & 11. Short and Sweet. This is a weekend express childbirth preparation course covering relaxation and breathing techniques, labor, delivery and postpartum care and much more. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. September 10. Gentlemen Start your Engines. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Warren Baptist Church. Free event featuring car show, health screenings and fun for the kids. September 13, 20 & 27. Ready and Able. A three-session class recommended for late pregnancy. Topics include the childbirth process, comfort techniques, medications/epidurals, relaxation and breathing techniques. 7-9:30 p.m. September 15. Breastfeeding. Getting started, latching on and positioning are discussed for a smooth start to breastfeeding. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Georgia Health Sciences Health System Register online at georgiahealth.org. 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. September 1. Safe Kids East Central 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. MCGHealth Building 1010C, 1125 Walton Way. Call Rene Hopkins, RN, at 706-721-7606. September 6. 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. MCGHealth Children’s Medical Center, first floor, Family Resource Library. September 8. Car Seat Class. Car seat safety, education and training. Financial assistance is available to Medicaid and Peach Care-eligible families. 5:45-8 p.m., MCGHealth Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way. Call 706-721-7606 to register. September 14. Safe Kids East Central Safety
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 39
40 • Augusta Family | September 2011
www.augustafamily.com
calendar Seat Inspection. Four out of five car seats are used incorrectly. Schedule an appointment to make sure yours is installed properly by calling 706-541-3970. 10 a.m.-noon at the Columbia County Sheriff Substation, 650 Ronald Reagan Dr., Evans. September 20. Breastfeeding Class. This free class, led by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, helps expectant parents gain knowledge and support to ensure successful breastfeeding. 7-9 p.m. Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center, 1120 15th St., West Entrance, first floor, Patient and Family Resource Library. Ongoing. Safe Kids East Central Car Seat Classes. By appointment only at the following locations: Safe Kids Office, MCGHealth Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way and Martinez Columbia Fire Rescue Headquarters.
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. September 2 & 3. Weekender Childbirth Preparation Class. Friday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. September 15. Breastfeeding Class. 7-9 p.m. at Babies R Us, 4225 Washington Rd., Evans. September 13-October 27 (Tuesdays), September 26-October 17 (Mondays), September 28-October 19 (Wednesdays). Childbirth Preparation Class. Four-week series. 7-9:30 p.m. September 22. Introduction to Infant CPR. 7-8:30 p.m.
Library Events
Ongoing. Safe Kids East Central Child Safety Seat Inspections. By appointment only at the following locations: Safe Kids Office, MCGHealth Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way— Contact Rene Hopkins at 706-721-7606. Martinez Columbia Fire Rescue Headquarters.
Augusta Headquarters Library 823 Telfair St. 706-821-2600.
Trinity Hospital of Augusta Call Women’s Health Services at 706-481-7727 or visit trinityofaugusta.com for information and registration.
September 3. Children’s Program: Saturday Movie Matinee. Mars Needs Moms. 2 p.m.
September 3. Baby Care Basics & Breastfeeding. Information about the physiology of milk production, nutritional needs of mother and baby, nipple care and milk storage. Also will help parents obtain knowledge and gain confidence in the care of newborns. 9 a.m.-noon. September 3. Saturday Express Lamaze Childbirth. 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. September 7. Infant CPR. Learn how to respond in an emergency situation using infant mannequins and a simple step-by-step method. 7-9 p.m. University Health Care System Call 706-774-2825 for information. Registration is required for most programs. New: Young Women with Breast Cancer. Meets the third Friday each month. A support group
Story Times. Preschoolers: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Ages 2 and under: Wednesdays at 10 a.m. (parent must stay with child).
September 6. Children’s Program: The Little Red Hen. Read and learn about how bread gets to the table. 10 a.m. September 10. Children’s Program: Grandparents’ Day. Come and celebrate stories about grandparents and make a craft. 2:30 p.m. September 13. Children’s Program: Have Fun with Curious George. Celebrate the birthday of H.A. Rey, the author of Curious George books. Make a Curious George craft. 10 a.m. September 13. Genealogy: Absolute Beginner’s Genealogy Class. 2 p.m. September 16-18. Arts in the Heart. Visit the Library’s booth for exciting crafts, bookmarks, coupons, program information, library card applications and more during the Arts in the Heart festival. September 20. Children’s Program: Marshmallow Madness. Explore the many fun ways of making marshmallows and enjoy a mallowy snack. 10 a.m.
www.augustafamily.com
September 22. Genealogy: Researching Your Civil War Ancestors. Registration required. 2 p.m. September 24. Financial Literacy Seminar. Learn how to manage your money and plan for your retirement. Presented by Kingdom Financial Management. 10:30 a.m. September 24. Book Signing. LaDonna Davis, author of Purpose Conceived—An Inspirational and Devotional Moment. 1:30-3:30 p.m. September 27. Children’s Program: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. 10 a.m. Appleby Branch 260 Walton Way. 706-736-6244. Story Times. Wednesdays. 10:05-10:20 a.m., 18-35 months. Parent must stay with child. 10:30-11:15 a.m., ages 3 and up. September 17. Friends of Augusta Library Book Sale. Gently used books at great prices. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. September 27. Computer Class: Using the Internet. 11 a.m. Registration begins September 1. September 29. Craft Workshop: Fall Fun. Ages 3-5. 11 a.m. Registration begins September 1. Columbia County Library 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd. 706-863-1946. Story Times—Begins September 12 Tuesdays. 11 a.m. for under age 2. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. 10:15 a.m. for 2-year-olds. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. 11 a.m. for preschoolers. September 7. Celebrate National Honey Month: Bee a Reader. Ages 6-11. Special honey treats and talk about the books they are reading. Registration required. 1 p.m. September 8. Celebrate National Honey Month: Clarks Hill Beekeepers. Learn about beekeeping. Ages 6-11. 4 p.m. September 15. Brown Bag Book. Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin. Evans Library Meeting Room at 11:30 a.m.
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 41
42 • Augusta Family | September 2011
www.augustafamily.com
Let’s Read!
Toss a blanket on the ground and get ready for a Story Time in Hopelands Gardens. Every Tuesday afternoon, 4 p.m., September 6-27, enjoy an afternoon break with the kids or grandkids in the park. 803-642-7631.
September 21 & 22. Book Purse Class. Ages 8-11. Make a pocketbook out of an old book. Please bring an old or favorite hard-back book (it will be cut up), some fabric and ribbon to match the fabric. 4 p.m. Diamond Lakes Branch 101 Diamond Lakes Way, Hephzibah. 706-772-2432. Story Time. Tuesdays. 10 a.m. Groups must preregister. Computer Classes September 12, 19 & 26. Computing for Beginners. 6 p.m. September 9 & 16. Computer Hardware Basics. 10 a.m. September 23 & 30. Operating Systems and Software. 10 a.m. September 22 & 29. Word Processing Basics. 10 a.m. Computer Classes Registration required.
August 19, 26 & September 2. Computing for Beginners. 10 a.m. August 24, 31, September 7 & 14. Google: More Than a Search Engine. 6 p.m.
1927 Lumpkin Rd. 706-793-2020. Story Times. Wednesdays. 10 a.m. Registration required.
Story Times. Tuesdays. 10 a.m.
September 13. Organizing a Morning Book Club. Have you ever read a book and just wanted to share the experience with someone else? If so, bring your ideas on possible good reads to this organizational meeting. 11 a.m.
September 14.Movies at Friedman: School’s Out Movie Matinee. Rio. Rated G. 3 p.m.
Wallace Branch 1237 Laney-Walker Blvd. 706-722-6275.
September 19. Special Story Time: Pajama Story Time. Theme is “all around the campfire.” Suggested age: Preschool-2nd grade. Wear your favorite PJs, bring a blanket and listen to stories and participate in other fun activities. Registration required.
Story Times. Wednesdays. 10-11:15 a.m. Registration required.
Friedman Branch 1447 Jackson Rd. 706-736-6758.
September 26. Movie Night. Madea’s Big Happy Family. Rated PG-13. Snacks welcome. 6 p.m. Maxwell Branch
www.augustafamily.com
Computer Classes. 10 a.m. September 6 & 8. Introduction to Computer. September 13 & 17. Microsoft Word 2007.. September 20 & 22. Microsoft Excel 2007. September 21. Microsoft PowerPoint 2007. September 27 & 29. Introduction to Internet Explorer.
Augusta Family | September 2011 • 43
Talkin’ About My Generation
Three residents representing three age groups share their reflections on family, life and fun.
by Grace Belangia photos by Chris Thelen
Rebecca Moffatt,
Fred Ricketson, III,
18, is the daughter of Greg and Connie Moffatt of Martinez. She has two sisters and a pet Yorkie named Bella.
44, of Martinez, is the campus architect at Augusta State University. He and his wife, Jeanne, have three children, two dogs and one cat.
Likes To: DANCE!!!!
Likes To: Do most any activity I can outdoors.
Favorite Restaurant: Red Lobster.
Is Inspired By: Psalms and Proverbs in the Bible.
Favorite Restaurant: Last year I lost over 100 pounds and am now able to participate in the activities I love much better. With my new health-conscious diet, Chick-Fil-A is definitely my restaurant of choice. I love their grilled chicken sandwich, fruit cup and diet lemonade. I would eat it every day if my wife would let me.
Greatest Hope: For people to gain the love of dance.
Favorite Family Spot in the CSRA: Petersburg Campground.
Biggest Fear: Heights.
Favorite Indulgence: Ice cream!
Message in a Bottle: Never look back on the past. Keep moving forward with life.
Can’t Live Without: Diet Coke in the morning with breakfast.
Can’t Live Without: My cell phone.
Words He Lives By: “No, we don’t have a problem, we have an opportunity.”
Favorite Family Spot in the CSRA: The Augusta Canal/Savannah Rapids. Favorite Indulgence: Snow crabs.
Is reading: E-mails. 44 • Augusta Family | September 2011
www.augustafamily.com
David Bentley
, 9, of West Augusta, is the son of Chris and Kristen Bentley. He has one sister, Emma, and two dogs. Likes To: Read, climb trees, play outside, play with my dogs. Favorite Family Spot in the CSRA: The Augusta Canal. Favorite Possessions: My rock collection, books, alligator head and scorpion. Can’t Live Without: My dogs, Bear and Winston. If He Could Travel in Time He’d Go Here: Before 9/11 because I’d like to see the Twin Towers in New York City. Is Reading: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Biggest Fear: Wasps. Never Wants To Do Again: Go to the haunted house in Gatlinburg!!! Well-Known Person He’d Like To Meet: George Washington.