July 2014 WHEN IS IT OKAY TO LET KIDS THROW IN THE TOWEL?
AUGUSTA
TALENT IDENTIFICATION MOMMY CLIQUES GIRLS ON THE RUN
Fun! ARTS, ARTS, SPORTS SPORTS & &
Keaton Hill, 15, is the son of Denise Whitmire of Grovetown and Ronnie Hill of North Augusta. Maxine Whitmire, 3, is the daughter of Brooks and Denise Whitmire of Grovetown.
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Family AUGUSTA
m a g a z i n e
w w w. a u g u s t af a m i l y. c om PUBLISHER Kate Cooper Metts
Contents 20
EDITOR Karin Calloway PRODUCTION Art Director / Web Producer Michael Rushbrook
Little Libraries
Free Libraries Lend Loads of Literature By Mary Ashton Mills
ADVERTISING Director of Advertising Lisa Dorn
22
Advertising Sales Doressa Hawes Lisa Taylor Maidi McMurtrie Thompson Mary Porter Vann
They’ve Got Talent
CONTRIBUTORS Lucy Adams Kim Beavers, MS, RD, CDE Monica Dutcher J. Ron Eaker, M.D. Cammie Jones Lara Krupicka Mary Ashton Mills Jennie Montgomery Danielle Wong Moores
By Monica Dutcher
I Quit!
Quit Is Not a Four-Letter Word By Lucy Adams
departments 7 9
editor’s page mom2mom
28
A Blessing Named Biscuit -Jennie Montgomery
10 13
news&notes 30 eating well with kim Picnic Percect
-Kim Beavers, MS, RD, LD, CDE
17
PRE PRESS SERVICES .JDLFZ ,JCMFS r .JMFT "OEFSTPO 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.
24
Identify and Hone Your Child’s Natural-Born Talents
Audience Development Manager Jessica Seigler PHOTOGRAPHY Branch Carter and John Harpring
July 2014
doctor/dad
Different Strokes Physiologic Risk Factors Differ Between Men and Women
34 46
-J. Ron Eaker, M.D.
18
smart mom’s guide
Nutrition for Moms A Quick Guide To the Nutrients You Need at Ages 20, 30 and 40
July
time out!
Mommy Cliques The Perks (and Drawbacks) of Being Part of the “In Crowd”
qu ick pick
-Lucy Adams
“Discontinuing participation in a lesson, class or sport should not be impulsive. A child who strikes out, throws down the bat and yells, ‘I quit,’ can’t be allowed to walk off the field forever because she experienced a moment of frustration.” Read Lucy Adams’ article about kids and quitting on page 24.
inspiration station
Girls on the Run
-Danielle Wong Moores
calendar go girl! Lakeisha Brown -Karin Calloway
-Cammie Jones
ON THE COVER: Keaton Hill, 15, is the son of Denise Whitmire of Grovetown and Ronnie Hill of North Augusta. Maxine Whitmire, 3, is the daughter of Brooks and Denise Whitmire of Grovetown. Photo by Branch Carter.
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editor’s by Karin Calloway
Tripp and C.C. at the top of Diamond Head in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2003.
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Vacation Memories
uly has always been the month of our family vacation. Our annual tradition was heading down to New Smyrna Beach, Fla., for a week or two. That afforded us lots of leisure time swimming in the ocean and pool, as well as day trips to Walt Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center. One summer we decided to do something different. We took the kids, ages 9 and 10, to the island of Oahu. We stayed at a towering beach resort where our balcony view allowed us to watch dozens of giant sea turtles swim in the ocean below. We trekked up Diamond Head and spent some time with my husband’s cousin and his family, who lived on the other side of the island. While the opportunity to go to Hawaii was exciting for the kids, my oldest child is a creature of habit and after a couple of days eating all of our meals in restaurants he began to complain about it. “I just want to go home, where you make the food I like and put the amount I’ll eat on the plate for me.” I remember looking at him quizzically and saying, “Dude, you’re in HAWAII. Lighten up!” Despite missing a home-cooked meal from time to time, our annual family vacations were great memory makers for Tripp and C.C. But, this sumer, maybe the ones who appreciate the memories of past family vacations the most are their mom and dad! Both kids are taking classes this summer at UGA so there’s no family vacation on the calendar. Here’s to the memories! Until August,
KARIN CALLOWAY is a wife and mother of two. She’s also a journalist and recipe developer who writes the Wednesday cooking column for The Augusta Chronicle. Watch Karin prepare her recipes on WJBF NewsChannel 6 on Tuesdays during Mid-Day and Wednesdays during Good Morning Augusta.
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2014 Physicians’ Directory Available Free for iPhone® and AndroidTM.
Download the Physicians’ Directory app for free and have contact information at your fingertips for Augusta and Aiken area physicians and dentists. Database is searchable by both specialty and by name. Brought to you by Augusta Magazine. Presented by
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2
mom m m
ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL RUSHBROOK
by Jennie Montgomery
T
A Blessing Named Biscuit
here we stood, out in the backyard the morning after Memorial Day, huddled around a cardboard box shaped like a tiny casket. Just three days after the celebration of our last child graduating from high school, we were sharing the sorrow of burying our family’s first pet, a 13-year-old cat named Biscuit. Kids learn a lot about life and love as they care for a pet. I learned that kids don’t always keep the promises they make in order to adopt said pet! They found Biscuit one Thanksgiving weekend at my mother’s home in Spartanburg. She had been putting out food for the little stray kitten who seemed to gravitate to her back porch. Before we left that holiday weekend, three little wide-eyed children handed me a crayon-written contract promising to do everything under the sun if I let them take Biscuit home to Augusta. I took the bait—and predictably ended up being the one who did all those chores they’d ambitiously promised to do! That cat was the most loved little creature and heaven knows he tolerated all kinds of indignities as my kids were growing up. “Bizzy” spent hours in the girls’ baby doll stroller. They would strap him in the seat and push him around the house and driveway like it was a perfectly normal cat activity. He endured as many costume changes as their dolls did, and was surely seen from time to time in American Girl accessories like Kit’s beret and Samantha’s scarf and muffler! As we said our goodbyes in the quiet of that Tuesday morning, one of the girls laid a letter to “Biz Biz” on top of the box. Though it hurt to see my grown kids’ hearts breaking, I knew they were comforted by thoughts of Bizzy in Cat Heaven. Comforted...and confident of his final destination. You see, they had taken it upon themselves to “baptize” Biscuit years ago in the bathroom sink! JENNIE MONTGOMERY anchors the evening news at WJBF-TV. She and her husband, Scott, have three children: Zack, 20, Maddy, 19, and Sky, 18.
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news notes -Erma Bombeck
SINCE 2010, SEVEN CHILDREN IN GEORGIA HAVE DIED DUE TO VEHICULAR HEAT STROKE. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal hopes a new YouTube video titled “Look Again,” featuring Georgia parents who have lost children to vehicular heatstroke accidents, will help raise awareness and prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Safe Kids Greater Augusta, led by Children’s Hospital of Georgia, is a supporting partner in the Governor’s initiative, and also works on an ongoing basis with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the General Motors Foundation, and other partners to spread the word about the dangers of cars and heatstroke nationwide. Safe Kids recommends parents, caregivers and bystanders A.C.T. to save children. Find out how, and how to watch the Governor’s video in the full version of this article on augustafamily.com. Safe Kids Greater Augusta, led by Children’s Hospital of Georgia, works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children ages 1 to 14. Safe Kids Greater Augusta is a member of the Safe Kids Worldwide network. To find out more about local Safe Kids programs, call 706-7217606, or visit grhealth.org/safekids. Read the entire article about vehicular heat stroke at www.augustafamily.com.
KEEP ‘EM READING! DESPITE RESEARCH THAT INDICATES THE IMPORTANCE OF SUMMER READING IN PRE VENTING children from losing literacy skills, only 17 percent of parents say reading is a top summer priority, according to a new survey from Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Macy’s. More than 60 percent of parents in the survey said they do not believe their child loses reading skills over the summer. However, existing research shows that summer learning loss is a major problem, particularly for low-income children who can lose up to three months of reading skills because of limited access to books and learning opportunities while out of school. The key to helping children maintain and even improve their literacy skills over the summer is providing access to quality books that they can choose based on personal interests. The survey sheds new light on the importance of summer reading. Key findings in the survey include: r On average, parents say their child spends 17.4 hours per week watching TV or playing video games, 16.7 hours per week playing outside and only 5.9 hours per week reading. r Parents who consider reading to be extremely or very important are twice as likely to have a child who reads every day. r Children who were involved in a reading program last summer were up to two times more likely to read every day. Yet, over half of parents said their child did not participate in a reading program at all last summer. r Last summer, children who read because they wanted to were twice as likely to read than children who read because they had to. r Despite the proliferation of e-books and digital formats, 83 percent of parents said their child preferred print books for summer reading, compared to 7 percent preferring tablets and 4 percent preferring e-readers.
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Girl GO
KNOW A MOM who deserves a “Go Girl!” (see page 46) in an upcoming issue of Augusta Family Magazine? Submit her on the contest page of our website.
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...Songs... ...Games... ...Rhymes... ...Play...
! c i t s a App-T Together Time
TOGETHER TIME WITH SONG AND RHYME IS A NEW APP THAT HELPS PARENTS bond with their preschoolers through fun, tickles, songs and rhymes that support early childhood development. Made for ages 5 and under, the app contains videos of songs, games and rhymes little ones will love to do over and over. The activities are short for the attention span of young learners. Together Time with Song and Rhyme can be purchased at the iTunes store for $4.99. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. Compatible with iPad.
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eating well with kim by Kim Beavers, MS, RD, LD, CDE
Picnic Perfect! 'PMMPX ŃŽFTF 'PPE 4BGFUZ (VJEFMJOFT 8IFO 1BDLJOH :PVS $PPMFS
Couscous Salad
ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL RUSHBROOK
July is National Picnic Month! This salad has lots of wonderful contrasting textures and is perfect for a summer picnic or as a side for any grilled meat.
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hat’s in your picnic basket? Good, wholesome, safe food I hope! Food safety is important all times of the year. However, it is particularly important when the thermometer says 90 degrees and above. The general rule of thumb is that food should be left out no more than two hours, but when the temperatures rise above 90 it should not be left out more than one hour. Most food-borne bacteria grow fastest at temperatures between 90 and 110 degrees.
Packing the Cooler When cooking meats, vegetables, pasta salads, etc., ahead of time, be sure to chill them in the refrigerator prior to packing them in the cooler. Also remember to divide or cut up portions of food in your kitchen before adding them to the cooler. It will be much easier to serve pieces versus trying to cut items at the picnic site. Place foods to be eaten last at the bottom of your cooler and work up to the foods you plan to eat first. Remember that not all foods need to be kept cool. Save room in the cooler for the foods that
need the chill to stay safe.
No-Chill Foods Foods which don't require refrigeration include the following: r 8IPMF GSVJU ESJFE GSVJU KVJDF CPYFT BOE canned fruit. r 8IFBU UPSUJMMBT CBHFMT DSBDLFST CSFBE QSFUzels and other packaged snacks. r /VUT QFBOVU CVUUFS VOPQFOFE DBOOFE NFBU
Foods That Must Be Chilled r $PPLFE BOE VODPPLFE DIJDLFO ĂŞTI BOE meats. r $IFFTF ZPHVSU NJML BOE QVEEJOH r 4BMBET XIJDI DPOUBJO DVU VQ NFBU WFHFUBCMFT and fruits. Once food safety precautions are taken care of JU JT FBTZ UP FOKPZ GPPE JO UIF HSFBU PVUEPPST ŃŽJT $PVTDPVT 4BMBE JT B QFSGFDU SFDJQF GPS B QJDOJD CPBU ride or backyard barbeque.
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1 cup couscous (preferably whole wheat) 1 cup boiling water Âź teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoon lemon juice ½ teaspoon garlic, minced Freshly ground pepper ½ cup pepperocini peppers, minced ½ cup red bell pepper, minced ½ cup red onion, minced Âź cup fresh at-leaf parsley, ďŹ nely chopped ½ cup reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled In saucepan, combine couscous, boiling water and salt. Stir to blend. Cover tightly and let stand until all the liquid has been absorbed. Uncover the couscous and let cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients. Toss to mix and chill in the refrigerator before packing in the cooler. Yield: 6 servings (serving size: ž cup) Nutrient Breakdown: Calories 140, Fat 2.5g (1g saturated fat, 1g mono fat), Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 230mg, Carbohydrate 26g, Fiber 2g, Protein 6g. Percent Daily Value: 30% Vitamin C, 10% Vitamin A, 4% Iron, 4% Calcium Carbohydrate Choices: 2 carbohydrates Diabetes Exchange Values: 2 Starches
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.
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ARTS &
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SPORTS
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doctor dad by J. Ron Eaker, M.D.
Strokes dif f e re n t
Physiologic Risk Factors Differ Between Men and Women
M
en and women are different. I realize this may not be a groundbreaking revelation but aside from certain anatomical variations, the differences are not always noticeable. Women certainly have a different hormonal milieu than men, and some of the internal variations can be directly attributed to such. However, laying everything at the feet of the hormonal hooligans is both simplistic and unfounded. In other words, men and women are not solely their hormones, but a complex interaction of gender-specific, unique physiology. Let’s look at some examples.
Women and Alcohol Women are at a greater risk of developing problems from alcohol use than men. This applies to simple health risks as well as severe consequences. The National Institutes of Health state that, based on current research, female alcoholics have death rates 50 to 100 percent higher than those of male alcoholics, including deaths from suicides, alcohol-related accidents, heart disease and stroke and liver cirrhosis. Even though there are more male alcoholics than female, the women fare worse overall. This is related to how alcohol is metabolized in the female system. Women are more likely to develop liver damage from excessive alcohol consumption even when compared to similar intake for males. In addition, having more than two drinks a day can increase the risk for breast cancer for a woman. Why do these differences exist? In general, women have less body water than men of similar body weight, so that women achieve higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood after drinking equivalent amounts of alcohol.
In addition, women have smaller quantities of the enzyme dehydrogenase that breaks down alcohol in the stomach. A woman will absorb about 30 percent more alcohol into her bloodstream than a man of the same weight who has consumed an equal amount. There is a push by many organizations, especially on college campuses, to educate women aboutthese differences as the consequences later in life can be substantial.
The Male and Female Heart For years, medical research on heart disease and risk factors was done exclusively on men. The vast majority of major work done in the earlier decades purposely excluded women for reasons ranging from potential pregnancy to volunteer recruitment. What resulted is a plethora of data that is extremely useful, but biased. Only with the advent of multiple studies including women have researchers realized that heart disease risk factors, occurrence and prognosis are different for men and women. Heart disease has taken a back seat to breast cancer, for example, largely due to media attention and breast cancer awareness programs. However, heart disease is the leading cause of death in women over 50. A woman is more than 10 times as likely to die of cardiovascular disease as she is to die of breast cancer. This is partly due to the fact that the survival rate for breast cancer is quite high, whereas over 40 percent of women do not survive their first heart attack. Women’s hearts are anatomically different from men, and they also function differently. A woman’s heart on average is smaller than a man’s, and it also tends to have smaller blood vessels supplying it. Researchers from Columbia University and New York
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Presbyterian Hospital believe that women also have a different rhythmicity to the pacemaker of their hearts, which causes them to beat faster. These same researchers believe that it may take a woman’s heart longer to relax after each beat. Some surgeons also hypothesize that the fact that women have a 50 percent greater chance of dying during heart surgery than men could be related to some fundamental difference in the way women’s hearts work. These differences have led to a bias in how physicians viewed heart symptoms in women. Several studies indicated that if a woman and a man presented to an emergency room with identical symptoms, the man would be more likely to be evaluated for heart problems than the woman. Luckily, with the new data, this trend is reversing and early disease is being suspected and detected in women, hopefully reducing both death and disability.
Brain Differences Most would agree that men and women think differently. This may have a physiologic basis, as research indicates that men’s and women’s brains are structurally different. There are variations in grey and white matter, which leads to differences in things such as verbal abilities and connectivity between the two sides of the brain. These anatomical peculiarities can lead to a number of behavioral differences once thought to be social or environmental. It’s important to understand there is no advantage or disadvantage with these variations, it’s just that being aware of the differences may help in promoting each individuals health. v Dr. Eaker is an Augusta Ob/GYN and author. He and his wife, Susan, have two daughters in college.
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smartMom’sguide by Cammie Jones
Nutrition Moms for
A Quick Guide To the Nutrients You Need at Ages 20, 30 and 40
A
s moms, we tend to worry about nutrition more for our children than for ourselves. Are they getting enough calcium or protein? Are we feeding them too many sugary snacks? But who’s going to take care of the kids if we are not taking care of ourselves? I contacted Registered Dietitian Amy Culberson, MS, RD, LD, who has a private practice in Evans, to find out what nutrients are important to moms in their 20s, 30s & 40s.
The 20s: Building a Strong, Healthy Future
you bones are actually still growing, according to Culberson. At this age, we need 60 to 70 grams of protein a day. Good lean sources of protein include skinless white meat poultry, lean red meats, fish, eggs, beans, tofu and low-fat dairy. Potassium. This is something your muscles and heart need to function properly, but the USDA says most women in their 20s get less than half the recommended amount, according to Culberson. Good sources of potassium include apples, bananas, strawberries, yogurt, green vegetables, beans and a garden salad.
“This is by far the most active and demanding (decade) of one’s life,” says Culberson. “As you transition into the working world, now is the ideal time to lay down a healthy foundation for decades to come.” The major nutritional requirements for this decade are protein, potassium, Omega-3 fats and folate.
Omega-3 Fats. These good fats boost the formation of serotonins, a feel-good hormone in the brain involved in the regulation of mood. “This is good news, since women are susceptible to depression in their 20s,” says Culberson. The best sources are salmon and tuna, but you can also get Omega-3 fats from walnuts, ground flaxseed and canola oil.
Protein. As the building blocks of your body, proteins help keep you full and maintain lean muscle while helping bones grow properly. This is a decade in which
Folate. Folate is especially important if you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant and it will be discussed in more detail in the next decade. Sources include
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beans, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and fortified foods like bread, pasta, flour, breakfast cereal and rice.
The 30s: Boosting Energy The 30s comes with some big life-changing events. You might be getting married. You may start a family. If you do, there’ll be juggling your career with motherhood, running after kids and managing your social calendar. “Neglecting health in your 30s can result in some precarious consequences,” says Culberson. A healthy diet in this decade should include folate, phytonutrients and fiber. Folate. Folate is a vitamin women need before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. Folate (and folate acid, the form used in dietary supplements and fortified foods) is important for mothers-to-be because it helps produce DNA and form healthy new cells. As with iron, the daily recommendation for folate is highest during your childbearing years at 400 mcg/ day. During pregnancy it is even higher at 600 mcg/ day and lactation at 500 mcg/day. “Nutrition experts advise pregnant women and those who are planning
smartMom’sguide to get pregnant to get 400 micrograms of folic acid from supplements and fortified foods in addition to eating folate-rich foods,” says Culberson. Sources of folate include: Beans at 200-300 mcg/ cup. Green Leafy Vegetables, such as spinach, with 121 mcg/half cup. Citrus Fruits, such as orange juice, with 110 mcg/cup. Also, fortified foods such as bread, pasta, flour, breakfast cereal and rice can contain as much as 700 micrograms per serving, although most fall into the 300-400 range. Fiber. Known to reduce cholesterol and check blood sugar, fiber reduces bloating and makes you feel fuller for a longer period of time. It also reduces constipation, which helps with digestion. “A diet high in fiber is associated with a reduced risk in colon cancer, high cholesterol and obesity,” says Culberson. Sources include fruits, vegetables, barley, oats, whole wheat bread and bran. Iron. The recommended dosage for women is 18 mg/day and 27 mg/day during pregnancy. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron, so combine
Vitamin C-rich foods with iron intake. Sources of iron are lean beef, clams, oysters, poultry beans, dark leafy vegetables and fruits.
The 40s: Protecting your Heart & Brain During this decade, you may feel as if your memory is not as good and your metabolism is slowing, Culberson says that during your childbearing years, women put on weight in their hips, rears and thighs to fuel breast-feeding. The fat cells in this area have estrogen receptors and as you go through estrogen withdrawal, these receptors are not being activated anymore. This signals your body to store excess fat in these areas. “The solution is cardiovascular exercise combined with resistance training,” advises Culberson. “Additionally, subtract 100 calories per day because for every decade after 40, there’s roughly a one percent decrease in caloric requirements.” The key nutrients for this decade are calcium, vitamin D and fiber. Calcium. Calcium absorption declines as you
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age because the acid required for the absorption decreases with age. The recommended dosage is 1,000 mg/day and is also associated with lower risk of high blood pressure, colon cancer and obesity. Vitamin D. Vitamin D aids calcium absorption, protects bone health, maintains the immune system, protects against breast and colon cancer and prevents hair loss. Ten to 15 minutes in the sun used to be enough for us to absorb Vitamin D in our skin. However, when factoring in sunscreen, shade and age, there are more deficient individuals today. A daily supplement of 600 to 1,000 IU is necessary to bridge the gap. The best sources of Vitamin D are fish, eggs and milk. It is important to remember that all nutrients are needed in a woman’s daily diet no matter what age they are. The nutrients highlighted for each decade are the most crucial for that timeframe but healthy living includes all the essential nutrients to keep the mind and body at their best. Cammie Jones is an Augusta freelance writer and mother of three.
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Libraries little
Free Libraries Lend Loads of Literature By Mary Ashton Mills
A
hh, I love the lazy days of summer. No balancing calendars, no dreaded alarms, no homework or sports practice. For me, it’s the only time of year I can relax and lose sight of my family’s hectic schedule long enough to enjoy the plot of a good book. I love nothing more than traveling to another time period, learning about a new culture or a new geographical region while I read about certain characters lives, struggles, loves, triumphs and tragedies. When my oldest child learned to read I was so excited that she shared this same passion for reading. Even though she is part of this new cult, a generation of E-readers, she still curls up every night with her little book light and a tangible page-turning book. This love of literature is exactly what the creators of the Little Free Library project hoped for when it began over five years ago.
What Is the Little Free Library? A few months ago I noticed what looked like little birdhouses built on stilts popping up all over town. Upon further investigation, I realized these were part of the Little Free Library worldwide literacy initiative founded by Rotary International member Tod Bol and marketing professional Rick Brooks. The basic premise is that someone builds a small house with a shelf or two inside, registers the house with the Little Free Library organization, fills it with books and places it in a public location for others to visit. Take a book, return a book is the motto. There are currently seven registered libraries in the CSRA, (four in Augusta, one in North Augusta and two in Aiken) and many more unregistered libraries popping up frequently. After dinner, my children like to get together with the neighbors and walk or ride scooters down to our newest neighborhood Little Free Library. The element of surprise is as exciting for many Little Free Library visitors as the actual book they enjoy at home. In addition to encouraging children to become readers, the Little Free Library initiative gives them a sense of community and teaches them about sharing. It’s also a great place to meet neighbors to discuss and recommend new books. In a day and age where recommendations are coming from a Nook or Kindle it is nice to have a word-of-mouth recommendation from someone within the community. On a recent trip to the Little Free Library, books ranged in topics from best sellers and self-help, to old classics and children’s books.
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How Do I Build a Library? Directions and library building plans are available through the Little Free Library.org website. One typical style is modeled after a one-room schoolhouse, but the website has building plans for many different themed libraries. Library plans are simple enough to encourage local civic groups to build them as service projects. Some libraries are built from reclaimed wood, old building materials have been repurposed, and some have even been made from old wall pay phones. The Little Free Library organization also sells pre-assembled libraries that can be purchased on their website.
Book Worms in the CSRA Locally, the College Hill chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution donated at Little Free Library to the Georgia Regents University Literacy Center. This structure holds about 50 books and is adjacent to the Literacy Center located in the Forest Hills neighborhood. According to Dr. Paulette Harris, Cree Walker endowed professor in the GRU College of Education and director/founder of the GRU Literacy Center, the library has been well received in the community. Dr. Harris is encouraged by an increase in foot traffic at the literacy center. “All the research studies indicate that exposure to books and early reading go hand in hand in creating successful students,” says Dr. Harris. The DAR chapter also donated benches and installed a butterfly garden so that visitors may peruse books before taking them home. In Aiken, the Sand River Woman’s Club built and keeps two Little Free Libraries stocked. They are located downtown as well as in a Habitat for Humanity community. According to Sandra Terry with the Sand River Woman’s Club, “the illiteracy rate is 30 percent—our children need to be better readers. First we learn to read, and then, we read to learn. Children want to do what their parents do and what their parents find important, so we stock with books for all ages.” At Tutt Middle School in Augusta, the Student Council members, under the leadership of Media Specialist and Student Council advisor Diane Griffin, put the finishing touches on a Little Free Library to be erected once the school construction is completed. Many Student Council members took part in this project including 14-year-old Seth Gardner, who helped to get the wood, shingles and paint materials donated. Gardner says, “I liked helping out and building it and at the end I thought it was so beautiful and so did Mrs. Griffin.” Seeing the final fruit of his labor gave he and the other children a sense of pride, which in turn instills confidence in them. Little Free Libraries can be placed in a variety of locations such as in front of someone’s home, in parks, on bike paths, in apartment communities and shopping centers. For small towns without the benefit of an actual library, the Little Free Library provides residents a chance to have some of the benefits of a library in their community. To find your nearest neighborhood library, visit LittleFreeLibrary.org and utilize the map search feature. Don’t be surprised if one pops up in your neighborhood soon. Remember—honesty is the best policy, no card required and best of all, there are no late fees!! Mary Ashton Mills lives in Augusta with her husband and two children. Her work has appeared in Charleston Magazine, The Post and Courier and Augusta Family Magazine.
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IDENTIFY AND HONE YOUR CHILD’S NATURAL-BORN TALENTS By Monica Dutcher
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eality TV is obsessed with discovering and showcasing the best—the hippest singers, the most creative chefs, the hottest models, the most explosive dancers. Performance art and entertainment are king, glorified in the razzle dazzle of the media to send a very strong message: This is what
talent is and this is what America wants. It’s a message that can grip the psyche of children and adolescents as they develop their self identity and awareness of how that unique individual can fit in and become one shining piece of a glamorous world. You can almost hear their thoughts: “I want to be good at that so I can be on TV,” or “If I can’t do that, then I’m not good enough.” It’s possible the dialogue even deepens to a point where the child thinks he or she has no talent at all simply because he doesn’t have Bieber-esque pipes and she can’t perfect the Tyra Banks “smize.” Parents are challenged now more than ever to ensure that their children recognize, embrace and pursue their gifts—no matter what they are.
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ENCOURAGE...DON’T PUSH Personal talent is defined as an exceptional ability to select and attain difficult goals that fit one’s interests, abilities, values and contexts (Duke Talent Identification Program, www.tip.duke.edu). According to Julie Gerlach, gifted coordinator and a gifted resource teacher at Thomson McDuffie Middle School, the best thing parents can do to help their children identify that personal talent is to spend time with their children and get to know them. “I feel so often in today’s society that working parents put responsibility on the daycare and school system to report on their kids. Parents are getting second-hand information versus experiencing for themselves,” she says. “Get to know your kids, spend time with them and realize while they have some of your genetic attributes, they are not ‘little you.’” Even when the child thrives or struggles in the same area as the parent, it’s important to allow him or her to sort through that identity. For example, if your child scores low on an algebra test, avoid making statements such as, “You’re just like me—I wasn’t good at math either.” According to Sidney M. Moon, Ph.D., in her article Developing Personal Talent in Your Child (www.tip.duke.edu) parents should instead provide feedback that gives the child a sense of optimism that he or she can perform better next time with more attention to study. On the other hand, if a child shares the same talent as a parent, it’s crucial that the parent not overemphasize that area, especially if the child’s interest in the subject or activity is lukewarm. “Don’t push,” stresses Gerlach. “At early ages, you risk resentment. Keep communication and opportunities open, but again, don’t push.” By not pushing or deterring you are allowing your child to more organically develop what Moon describes as self-knowledge, or an awareness of one’s interests, abilities and values. “Parents can help children develop self-knowledge by encouraging them to try many different activities to discover where their interests, abilities and values lie,” Moon writes. Talk with them about the artwork that they were so excited to create. Ask how the science project is going. Share with them a list of classes and programs at the Family Y and let them select something. And, as the child discovers not only what clicks but also what causes that special spark inside, that’s when parents must act to determine what tools he or she needs to flourish and hone those abilities.
SUPPORTING THEIR SKILLS Talented children, says Gerlach, can actually struggle in the classroom because of their talent—not needing repetition, having
a large knowledge base that is ahead of the grade-level curriculum, wanting to work independently. If your child is academically a cut above, talk with the teachers about the child’s performance and options for a gifted and talented (GT) curriculum. Be on the lookout for events like Science Education Enrichment Day (SEED), hosted every year by USC-Aiken’s Ruth Patrick Science Education Center and Aiken County public schools. The event celebrates innovations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as student groups, regional corporations, museums, educators and national labs join forces to present hundreds of hands-on activities for students of all ages. In addition to participating in projects that run the STEM gamut, from robot building to traveling through a virtual representation of outer space, your children will gain context and increased awareness of the critical role STEM fields play in our everyday existence. For young artists with passion and promise, summer programs like Gateway (Gifted and Talented Education With Artistic Youth) are prime opportunities for growth. “A program of this caliber is really beneficial because they get immersed in what they love,” says Meredith Leopard, Hammond Hill Elementary art teacher who also works with students through Aiken County’s Gateway. “They want to be here. (Gateway) allows students to have access to what they normally wouldn’t have in the classroom because of budget or large class sizes. It’s a total immersion in the arts.” Although Gateway students are not tested for placement the way they would be for an academic GT program, they do have to audition and obtain letters of recommendation. As your children are on their journey of talent identification and development, parents should be aware, Gerlach advises, of peer influences on your child’s choices. “At the middle-school level, many children do not want to be associated with activities considered nerdy or not cool,” she says. “In our area, sports seem to be king and many students see the recognition that athletes get versus recognition for academics.” If your child suddenly wants to quit the math or debate team, ask about the reasoning behind the decision. Parents can help their children through this process by discussing stereotyping (i.e., people who are good at math are “not cool”), modeling uninfluenced choices in their own lives, valuing education and encouraging that self knowledge. With a combination of parental attentiveness and openness, exposure and opportunity, your children will shine on their personal stage. Monica Dutcher is a former dancer who works as a technical writer, freelance feature writer and editor.
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Quit Is Not a By Lucy Adams My name is Lucy and I am a quitter. I’ve quit a lot of things big and small for a variety of reasons good and bad. I quit piano lessons because I would never be as good at playing as my older brother. I quit reading The Secret Garden because my mother wanted me to read it. I quit pharmacy school because an internship showed me I was on the wrong career path. I quit a lab job because my assigned task of slicing frozen rat brains was gross. I quit running because I couldn’t enjoy it no matter how much everyone else does. I quit, I quit, I quit. And by golly, I will quit again if the opportunity arises. “Everyone throughout life begins and ends activities. We all quit at some point,” says Dr. Dale Peeples, M.D., assistant professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Georgia Regents University. Quitting is a decision not an identity. It requires parental guidance and discernment. In moderation and for the right reasons, quitting, when timed right and performed correctly, bequeaths possibilities.
THE QUALITY OF QUITTING Some parents hate to see their kids unhappy or listen to them complain. They endorse the desire to quit too readily. Other parents find themselves vexed by the maxim, “Quitters never win and winners never quit.” They require their child to stick it out through the thick, the thin and the utterly unbearable. Both camps need to seek moderation. Despite what we’ve been told, quitting isn’t always bad. Sometimes quitting
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Four-Letter Word Illustration by Michael Rushbrook is winning. It allows a kid engaged in an activity inconsonant with his or her interests and talents to try something that fits better. It frees up time, a commodity most children run short on these days. Quitting allows a participant to find a better environment in which to pursue an activity or a more capable instructor or coach to lead the activity. With proper guidance, children learn to identify the circumstances in which to persevere and the situations in which to cut their losses, valuable skills to possess as adults. Nonetheless, as is commonly accepted, quitting has a downside, too. Dr. Peeples says, “Provided it was overall a decent activity, (when children quit) they are being deprived of a sense of achievement, responsible adult supervision and positive peer relationships.” Plugging away at an activity builds resilience and persistence. Kids earn the elation that accompanies overcoming a challenge or mastering a tough task. Wanting that feeling again becomes an internal motivator that keeps a person moving forward when things get tough.
WHY CHILDREN QUIT Children quit activities for many of the same reasons adults do. They don’t enjoy the company of their peers in the group. The coaching or instructional method is negative. They feel that they’re not progressing in their ability. They’re overcommitted. Pressure from parents, coaches or peers overwhelms them. They listen to outside influences, such
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5IPVHI JU NBZ CF QBJOGVM UP XBUDI ZPVS DIJME TUSVHHMF UP HFU PWFS B IVNQ QBSFOUT NVTU QSPWJEF MJNJUT as a parent, teacher or friend who tells them they aren’t suited for the activity or that the activity isn’t worthwhile. They are trying to attain the wrong goals, i.e. to be the “best ever� instead of improving on their own personal best. They simply want to try something new. “The most common reason kids quit,� says Ashley Merryman, co-author of Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing, “is because the activity is too hard. It’s easier to quit than to work through it.� “It’s important to discuss the reasons the child wants to quit. That could help him stay in the activity,� says Dr. Peeples. Extra lessons outside of the regularly scheduled practice can incubate confidence and promote skills development. Likewise, guiding a child in assessing his skills—comparing his ability when he first started to his current mastery— will aid him in marking progress and setting personal goals. If you notice that your child lacks enthusiasm for going to practice or for demonstrating skills, it may be beneficial to explore his or her thinking. “We want kids to develop passion. We want kids to be emotionally invested in an activity,� says Merryman. If yours isn’t, find out why. It may be just a dip in excitement due an unrelated factor like ruminating about a hard test at school or wanting to get home to watch the season finale of a favorite television show. Dr. Peeples advises, “Some reasons kids give for staying in activities include not wanting to let down their peers and the fear of putting themselves at a disadvantage in the long run. As such, a discussion about how their leaving will affect others and if moving away from this activity will change things for the negative in the long run can be useful.�
HOW TO QUIT Discontinuing participation in a lesson, class or sport should not be impulsive. A child who strikes out, throws down the bat and yells, “I quit,� can’t be allowed to walk off the field forever because she experienced a moment of frustration. “We don’t want kids to think quitting is the answer to adversity. That will become their social strategy,� advises Merryman. Children who give in to their emotions in the face of temporary setbacks and react by ceasing all effort run the risk of becoming chronic quitters. Though it may be painful to watch your child struggle to get over a hump, parents must provide limits. That hump might be a hill or even a mountain, but take the time to survey the lay of the land before making a rash decision. This is particularly important in team or group activities when others depend on your child to show up. If your child’s absence will mean forfeiture for the others or that the performance will
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be impacted, it may be better to have him or her commit until the end of the season or the production. “Provided the reasons they are wanting to quit aren’t dire—a toxic coaching environment, bullying by peers, failing classes because they’re overcommitted—generally it would be advisable to try to get to a built-in stopping point with the activity to help teach responsibility,� says Dr. Peeples. Merryman notes that quitting by its strictest definition is an all or nothing proposition. She suggests reconstructing the parameters of participation. For a new activity, agree on a trial period (four lessons, three weeks or some other measurement). Allow the child to decide whether to quit or continue at the end of the agreed-upon timeframe. If it’s a performance-based activity, ensure adequate opportunity for mastery of basics before the child is asked to publicly demonstrate them. If a child desires to quit an activity he or she has enjoyed for an extended period, it might be time to put a new twist on it. Find a more competitive venue, a teacher or coach who will catapult your child to a higher level or a chance to participate in the activity in a leadership role. “Improvement and progress are what keep a person going,� explains Merryman. But sometimes a kid just needs to quit. Sometimes his or her best efforts are met with brick walls. In that case, if there’s no meaningful improvement in passion or ability, it might be appropriate for your child to politely excuse himself. The capacity to determine when an activity is worthwhile and when it isn’t will serve him or her well in adulthood when quitting events are fewer but greater in magnitude. “Quitting and persistence are both things we need,� says Merryman. Encourage your youngster to quit gracefully by speaking with the coach, the director, the team, the boss. We cannot do everything, and doing the same thing over and over can turn into a rut, even for a kid. People who are afraid to quit things are also people who are afraid to try something different. They get mired. No one will argue that stick-with-it-ness isn’t an admirable characteristic, but it’s even better when we’re sticking with what’s right for us. The things we try and quit enable us to grow as much as the things we try and love. Every winner weeds through options to uncover his path to success. Every quitter advances herself toward the thing at which she will excel. Winners quit and quitters win.
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Lucy Adams is a freelance writer and the author of Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run. She lives in Thomson, Ga., with her husband and their four children. Contact Lucy at lucybgoosey@aol.com.
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timeout by Lucy Adams
Cliques Mommy
The Perks (and Drawbacks)
I
f I could go back and do it all again, I’d skip middle school. As if keeping up with a different teacher for every subject, dressing out for PE and developing an inexplicable interest in boys were not enough, I also had to worry whether I was in the group or out of the group. And if I chose to assimilate into a different group for the sake of having a group, I had to worry about all the groups that I couldn’t be in because of it. No one waxes sentimental about the crazy confusion of middle school, a period of finding out the order of the universe and where we fit in. Negative connotations run alongside the word “clique” like groupies. Mom’s cautionary words, “Well, think how you would feel if you were the one left out,” whisper from the recesses of memory. I learned one of the most important lessons of my life in middle school: Humans form groups. No matter how old we get or how we mature, we will always collect into groups. We yearn to mix with people who are like us in some way. Informal social cliques organize around interests, hobbies, political ideals, life stages, offspring’s activities, daily routines and so forth. Being in one group and out of another will always be a fact of life. We can’t be everything to everybody, and, a little older and somewhat wiser, we don’t wish to.
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of Being Part of the “In Crowd”
Dawn of the Mommy Clique Just when women think they’ve turned a corner and left behind the jostling for inclusion, it appears on the horizon. Motherhood can make us feel like we’re wallowing in middle school angst again. “Moms are quick to form cliques and create unnecessary drama to hide their parenting insecurities,” says Margaret Taylor, M.Ed., LPC, with Charleston Parent Coach. Whether we work or we parent full-time, our children become the purpose of our days. Mothers are thrown together in playgroups, in mommy-and-me activities, on sidelines of soccer games, in hallways of schools and in parking lots at piano lessons. “It’s easy to identify with the person who has the most confidence,” explains Taylor. That individual, with intent or not, attracts other mothers to her and becomes the foundation for the “soccer mom” group or the “music mom” clique. “That’s the beginning phase.” We gravitate toward other mothers with whom we can share child-rearing stories, strategies, pitfalls and failures. “We feel good having people around us who we can build a history with,” says Nicole Zangara, LCSW, author of Surviving Female Friendships: The Good, The Bad, and
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{ timeout The Ugly. “We bond when we have similar interests.”
Drawbacks and Benefits “Whether you’re inside or outside,” says Zangara, “there are always going to be some issues.” On the inside, competition and jealousy can disrupt harmony. Personality differences can incite stress and tension between group members. The resulting drama and discord may not be worth the connectedness. A needed shift in group dynamics is thwarted when a clique of this nature closes to new members. Comfort with the status quo exists despite the lack of harmony. Bringing in someone new takes work. It requires a level of risk. The woman on the outside may wonder why she’s being excluded. She might fault herself or slip into old insecurities, never understanding that the problem lies inside the set. When functioning well, however, mom groups lighten life’s load. Securing a circle of support can be critical to a woman’s well-being. A group of women with a common tie makes a great sounding board for each other when working out solutions to problems. The group is a safe place to vent frustrations and receive encouragement. Group members bring out the best in each other. They cheer on successes, and when crisis strikes they arrive with casseroles. A strong clique of female friends provides a sense of place and belonging in a world in which families are far-flung from their roots.
Coping with cliques Don’t get locked in. You don’t have to hang around with the pool moms just because your kid is on the swim team. It’s your child’s activity. If you’d rather be somewhere else doing something different, that’s okay. “Often moms are caught following their child’s interests/activity and end up in a group of moms that they have nothing in common with. These ‘outsiders’ in the wrong clique are at risk of losing themselves even more,” advises Taylor. Actively choose the groups with which you associate. Don’t get swept along. Taylor says, “Moms who lead the way and forge their own path through the ins and outs of several cliques gather more confidence and experience.” Capitalize on not being in a clique. Zangara warns, “We get stuck in our friendships and we’re afraid to
go outside of them.” The outsider isn’t locked in to a certain set of friends. She can develop relationships with women in a variety of contexts without the obligation of devoting time to any one group.
CAST YOUR VOTE!
Maintain your individual identity. A clique provides valuable support to a woman, but at the same time it might stifle growth. “You tend to lose your voice in the search to validate yourself as a parent,” says Taylor. It’s okay to have an opinion that runs counter to the majority. She adds, “The overwhelming pressure for Mom to do it all forces Mom to forget that she is a grown-up with a mind of her own.” Reframe your interpretations. When on the outside of a clique, it’s easy to feel excluded, but this isn’t middle school anymore. “It’s not an intentional exclusion,” says Taylor. “Reframe it as ‘I’ve not been excluded. I choose not to be a part of this group.’” Embrace the freedom to find friends whose interests more closely align with yours. It takes a friend to have a friend. Be open to people. Instead of waiting for someone to approach you, be the first to smile, extend a greeting or suggest going for coffee after morning carpool. Be the one to take the newcomer mom under your wing and introduce her to the other mothers. Follow the golden rule. Minimize the discomfort of drama within the group. Squelch gossip. Instead of judging others’ actions, appreciate that all moms worry, make mistakes, fail, work hard, possess a talent and desire positive feedback. The best thing about being an adult is that we’re more rational than we were at age 13. We know ourselves better, and we accept human nature because we’re subject to it, too. Humans band into groups. They always have and they always will. Now that we’re not in middle school anymore, we know that cliques aren’t about who is in and who is out. They’re about building a history with people caught in the same whirlwind of daily chaos. If we don’t like the story line, we have the power to choose another.
July 2014 WHEN IS IT OKAY TO LET KIDS THROW IN THE TOWEL?
AUGUSTA
TALENT IDENTIFICATION MOMMY CLIQUES GIRLS ON THE RUN
Fun! ARTS, ARTS, SPORTS SPORTS & &
Keaton Hill, 15, is the son of Denise Whitmire of Grovetown and Ronnie Hill of North Augusta. Maxine Whitmire, 3, is the daughter of Brooks and Denise Whitmire of Grovetown.
July 18, 2014.
Lucy Adams is a freelance writer and the author of Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run. She lives in Thomson, Ga., with her husband and their four children. Contact Lucy at lucybgoosey@aol.com.
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inspirationstation by Danielle Wong Moores
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Girls on the Run
hen Kira Yun, 10, ran her first 5K race in April, it was with pink and green glitter stripes in her hair, bright sunglasses and a big, big smile. Yun is one of more than 80 girls who participated in Girls on the Run of the CSRA’s most recent semester, after a brief hiatus when director Stephany White married and moved to Atlanta. While she was transitioning, White reached out to Executive Director Kam Kyzer of the Boys and Girls Club, who has brought Girls on the Run and its positive, uplifting program for young girls back to the CSRA.
More Than Running In many ways, the program has come full circle, since Kyzer first heard of Girls on the Run, a national program, several years ago at a marathon expo. Designed for girls in the 3rd to 5th grades, the after-school program takes place over a 10- to 12week semester (typically in the spring and fall) and uses running to teach young girls how to develop and
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improve competence, unleash confidence through accomplishment, develop strength of character, respond to others (and themselves) with care and compassion, create positive connections with other children and adults, and make a meaningful contribution to the community. Each “practice� features a specific lesson and a running game, and the girls’ sense of accomplishment is physically encompassed by a 5K run that closes out every semester. When Kyzer saw the program firsthand after she became a 5K running buddy for nieces in North Carolina who were participating in GOTR, she was sold. She reached out to the national organization to find out about bringing GOTR to this area as a part of the Boys and Girls Club, but learned that White was already launching it. It was a perfect partnership once White and Kyzer connected—Kyzer assisted the program with grants and scholarship support and offered the program to kids at the Boys and Girls Club sites, while White ran the nonprofit’s day-to-day activities. So when White transferred, it was natural for Kyzer to continue the program. Although the name is
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often taken literally, she loves its figurative meaning too. “They’re running to accomplish a lot of things in their life, not just physical running‌You can run towards being successful, you can run towards having a positive self-image‌You see so many kids who don’t have that sense of accomplishment in their school activities‌(or) their home environment and they’re not getting that ‘I did this’ and you’re a winner if you just cross the finish line.â€?
Lessons Learned With the program relaunching after a severalmonth hiatus, Kyzer had to find new coaches and new sites. Although this semester featured only six sites and 12 coaches—for an impressive number of girls, 81 who participated and 69 who actually ran in the culminating 5K—Kyzer definitely sees the program continuing to grow and expand in the future, possibly including a track for 6th- to 8th-grade girls. Leslie Nordmann was one of those new coaches. Like Kyzer, she’d heard about GOTR several years
inspirationstation ago but her job as a 4th-grade elementary school teacher didn’t allow her to leave work in time to start coaching at 3:45 p.m. With the relaunch, she had an opportunity to bring GOTR to her own school, Martinez Elementary, so she jumped at it. When she presented Girls on the Run at a school assembly, 19 girls from the 3rd and 4th grades signed up, including girls from her own class. She’s loved being able to see the changes in some of these girls over the GOTR semester as she’s guided them in lessons about bullying, self image and how to respond in a positive way—even when negative things are happening. As an example, she asks one of the girls, Jaime Stokes, to share some simple conversation starters that the girls all know by heart: how to properly address a conflict with another person, whether it’s with a sister, a friend, a mother or a teacher. “We say: I feel _______ when you _______ because ______ so I would like for you to _______.” For example, “I feel embarrassed when you call me out because it makes me feel like I’m wrong, so I would like for you to pull me aside and talk to me.” “It validates their feelings and emotions, too,” says Kyzer, while teaching the girls how to process
these emotions appropriately within their environment and in their interactions with others. It’s definitely the most memorable lesson for Kira. “It’s about learning to stop, breathe and listen to yourself,” she says. “If you don’t do that, you might just spit out the wrong answer and then you might do something you don’t want to do and get in trouble for it.”
A Brighter Community While the 5K is a highlight of every GOTR season, it’s not the final activity. The girls at each GOTR site discuss and decide on a community service project, too. At Martinez Elementary, the 19 girls are happily socializing while they weave brightly colored rainbow loom bracelets and rings, which will be sold for 50 cents to a dollar each to their fellow students, with proceeds going to the CSRA Humane Society. Kira is in the middle of the classroom, surrounded by friends, laughing and chatting. Only a few months ago, the longest she’d ever run was two miles. Now she has a 5K under her belt, and during her interview, when she was asked how she’d describe herself, she said after
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some thought and with a smile, “A little bit confident and a little bit shy…smart and pretty and wanting to do stuff to make me a better student and a better person.” Just a running program? Not even close. WANT TO SUPPORT GIRLS ON THE RUN? HERE’S HOW. Girls on the Run is in need of sites and volunteer coaches for its fall semester. It costs $150 for a girl to participate in Girls on the Run, but the nonprofit doesn’t want to turn any girls away because of need. Donations are also accepted for scholarships for participants as well as shoe scholarships. If you’d like to help, visit bgcaugusta.org, and look for Girls on the Run under Programs and Services. Danielle Wong Moores is an Augusta freelance writer and frequent contributor to Augusta Family Magazine, Augusta Magazine and The Augusta Chronicle.
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BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE/AUGUST 2014 August 2013
FASHIONS BACK-TO-SCHOOL HOOL? TOO SICK FOR SC USE GREAT WAYS TO CARPOOL TIME
SCHOOL JESSYE NORMAN
Family AUGUSTA
n e m a g a z i
PARENTING MEDIA ASSOCIATION
2013 Gold Award Winner Editorial and Design n Awards Competitio
back to
SCHOOL EVAN LIGON, 8, IS LIGON OF EVANS.
THE SON OF PAUL
AND DONNA
Be sure to pick up the August 2014 issue of Augusta Family Magazine for everything Back to School!
Here’s your chance to tell us your Family Favorites...those people, places, restaurants, schools and spots for family fun that make our city such a unique place to live. Cast your vote for those places and people you think deserve recognition for a job well done, focusing on places that are family friendly. No photocopies accepted. One ballot per reader please! All ballot categories must be completed in order for votes to be considered. Fold ballot, place in envelope and mail with correct postage to:
AUGUSTA FAMILY MAGAZINE 1 0 #PY r "VHVTUB (" %&"%-*/& +VMZ r Online voting available at www.augustafamily.com
ARTS/MUSIC/DANCING Visual Art Instruction Jazz/Hip Hop Dance Lessons Traditional Dance Lessons Music Lessons (piano, violin, drums, etc.) Performing Arts Group
FAMILY FUN Annual Family Event Day Trip Traditional Family Photographer Non-Traditional Family Photographer Indoor Playground Indoor Playground Overnight Trip Picnic Spot Rainy Day Outing Story Time
FOOD Breakfast Spot Burgers Desserts Drive-Thru Date Night Restaurant Restaurant-Chain Restaurant-Locally Owned Fries Pizza Chicken Fingers Mac & Cheese
Place To Get Coffee Healthy Menu Place for Ice Cream Kids Menu
LIFESTYLE/MEDICAL Auto Service Financial Institution (Bank or Credit Union) Place for Children’s Haircuts Computer Repair Service Place to Get Coffee Veterinarian Dog Groomer Kennel Pediatrician Pediatric Dentist OB/GYN Orthodontist After-Hours Medical Care Family Vision Care
MEDIA Radio Station Television Station Local website Favorite Part of Augusta Family Magazine
PARTIES Birthday Cakes
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Toddler Party Place Elementary Age Party Place Boys Parties Girls Parties School/Class Parties Party Supply Store
EDUCATION Daycare Elementary School Middle School High School Tutoring Service
SHOPPING Car Dealer
Baby Clothes Boys Clothes Girls Clothes Consignment Shop Grocery Store School Supplies Toy Store
SPORTS
Children/Teen Sports Program Family Sporting Event Gymnastics/Cheer Instruction Martial Arts Program Swimming Lessons Tennis Program Family Fitness Center
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calendar July 2014
Celebrating Independence Day Independence Day festivities are scheduled at three venues. On Thursday, July 3, head to Fort Gordon for their annual Independence Day Celebration from 3-11 p.m. This event will include entertainment, a carnival and fireworks. There are two opportunities for CSRA families to enjoy family fun and fireworks on July 4th. The downtown Augusta celebration from 4-11 p.m. will include live music and dance performances, food vendors and children's activities along with fireworks at dark. Columbia County's celebration will also run from 4-11 p.m. and will include carnival rides, games, live music and fireworks. July 3. 3-10 p.m. Fort Gordon's Independence Day Celebration. fortgordonfyi.com/events or 706-791-6779. July 4. 4-11 p.m. Independence Day Celebration in downtown Augusta. 706-821-1754. July 4. 4-11 p.m. Independence Day Celebration at Evans Towne Center Park. 706-650-5005.
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calendar SPECIAL EVENTS July 3. Fort Gordon's Independence Day Celebration. This free event is open to the public and will include a talent show, music by The Swingin' Medallions and the U.S. Army Signal Corps Band, fireworks, a carnival and over 40 food and craft vendors. 3-11 p.m. Go to fortgordonfyi.com/events or call 706-791-6779. July 4. Independence Day Celebration. Join WRDW News 12, Clear Channel Radio, the City of Augusta and its partners in this year’s Independence Day Celebration. Live music and dance performances, food vendors and children’s activities. At dark, enjoy a spectacular patriotic fireworks display. 4-10 p.m. Downtown Augusta. 706-821-1754. July 4. Independence Day Celebration at Evans Towne Center Park. Fun for the entire family with carnival rides, games, food and drink vendors, live music and fireworks. 4-10 p.m. 706-650-5005. July 5, 12, 19, 26. DuPont Planetarium Public Shows. To the Moon and Beyond at 8 p.m. Digistar "Laser" Fantasy at 9 p.m. http://rpsec.usca.edu/ planetarium. July 18-20. Augusta Southern Nationals. A massive display of fire power from drag boat race participants. Gates open daily at 8 a.m. Races start at 9 a.m. Savannah River. Downtown Augusta. For more information, www.augustasouthernnationals.org. July 19. Canned Food Drive. Pitch in to help Hosannah Missionary Baptist Church combat poverty in our community and feed the homeless through their canned food drive, sponsored by the church's new pastor, the Rev. Dr. Franklyn V. Beckles, Jr. Bring your donations of canned goods to Pendleton King Park between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information email godloveones@gmail.com or call 706-386-6331. July 21-26. Christmas in July. While the downtown businesses can’t do anything about the July heat, they can help bring winter’s biggest holiday a little early. Participating businesses offer bargains reminiscent of Christmas sales. Christmas decorations will be on display and even Santa’s elves visit. Downtown Aiken. 803-649-2221. July 25. Movies on the Common. Don't miss Movies on the Common featuring movies for the entire family to enjoy. Get to the Common early for some pre-movie activities starting at 7:30 p.m. For movie listings, please call the Special Events Office at
706-821-1754. Sponsored by Augusta Recreation, Parks & Facilities, City of Augusta Special Events and Amerigroup. July 26. Bike Safety Day with Elks Lodge 205. Brought to you by Safe Kids Greater Augusta. Free helmets for all children who need them while sizes and supplies last. Door prizes include two bikes from The Bicycle Peddler. 10 a.m.-noon at 205 Elkdom Court, Augusta. Email lhopkins@gru.edu for more information.
MUSEUM AND SCIENCE EVENTS July 9. Brown Bag History Talk: What a Solider Would Wear and Carry. Lecture by Kenneth Robison. Bring a lunch—beverages provided. Reservations not required. Refreshments served at 11:30 a.m. Lecture, 12:30 p.m.-1 p.m. Augusta Museum of History. 706-722-8454.
Reed Creek Park and Interpretive Center 3820 Park Lane, Martinez. 706-210-4027. www.ReedCrekPark.com. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration required. July 3. Something’s Fishy. It’s easy to think that fish are boring slimy things in water, but there are some things about fish that no other animals have. Learn about the cool characteristics of fish and water conservation, and get a little wet in the pond to find some minnows. For ages 5 and up. 4:30-5:30 p.m. July 12. Critters Underground. Looking in holes, under the logs and under dead leaves, you’ll find the creepy crawlies that like to live in the dark. For ages 5 and up. 10- 11 a.m.
test. As performed by the Edgefield County Theatre Company. Friday performances, 8 p.m. Sunday matinees, 3 p.m. 405 Main St. Edgefield, S.C. 803637-3833. www.edgefieldtheatre.wordpress.com. July 12 & 13. West Side Story Dance Boot Camp with Peter Powlus. Prepare for your West Side Story audition for the Augusta Players with this two-day boot camp. Ideal for those 16 and up or those with prior Augusta Players dance experience or a recommendation from a dance instructor or teacher. Men, 1-2 p.m. Men and Women, 2-3 p.m. Women, 3-4 p.m. Same schedule on both days. Held at Augusta Ballet School, 2941 Walton Way. Registration required. Call 706-826-4704. July 13. American Red Cross of Augusta Presents the Beach Boys. American Red Cross of Augusta Presents The Beach Boys at the Bell Auditorium for Hot Southern Night. The Beach Boys will be “Celebrating 50 years of Fun Fun Fun,” with hits such as “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “California Girls,” “Kokomo,” and of course, Grammy nominated “Good Vibrations.” 7 p.m. www. augustaentertainmentcomplex.com. In addition to founding Beach Boy Mike Love (lead vocals) and Beach Boy-vet Bruce Johnston (vocals/keyboards), Christian Love (guitar/vocals), Randell Kirsch (bass/ vocals), Tim Bonhomme (keyboards/vocals), John Cowsill of The Cowsills (percussion /vocals) and Scott Totten (guitar/vocals) round out the band. July 18. Live After 5 Music Series. Live entertainment on the 8th Street Plaza! Live after 5 will showcase a wide variety of musical talent. For more information, please call 706-821-1754. Sponsored by the Augusta Recreation, Parks and Facilities Department and the City of Augusta Special Events. July 18-19, 25-26, 31 and August 1-2. Steel Mag-
July 18 & 26. Pond Exploration. With dip nets in hand, children will explore and learn about what critters live in the pond. Bring water boots and be prepared to get wet and muddy. For ages 5 and up. 10-11 a.m. July 30. Predators! What do a tiger and a crocodile have in common? It turns out quite a few things— they’re both predators, after all! Learn about the characteristics that all predators share, how these animals are adapted to their meaty diets and what a big role they play in the ecosystem they live in. For ages 5 and up. 10-11 a.m.
THE ARTS, MUSIC AND MORE
Sweet Tea Series: The Trolley Tours of North Augusta Presented by the Heritage Council of North Augusta. 3-4 p.m. Tours leave from the North Augusta Municipal Center parking lot. Sweet tea and cookies are served on board. 803-270-9400. July 27. The Churches of North Augusta. With local historians Milledge Murray and Wayne O’Bryant.
July 11-13 and 18-20. The Miss Firecracker Con-
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Garden City Jazz Series Sundays from 8-9 p.m. Augusta Common. 706-821-1754. www.gardencityjazz.com. Bring your candles, picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy live jazz performances. July 6. July 13. July 20. July 27.
Matthew Davis & Nu Soul BYM Mahogany Artist TBD
nolias. A first play that met with immediate critical and popular acceptance in its premier production by New York’s WPA Theatre. Concerned with a group of gossipy Southern ladies in a small-town beauty parlor, the play is alternately hilarious and touching—and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness that underlies the antic banter of its characters. Dinner, 7 p.m. Show, 8 p.m. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre. 706-793-8552.
Through Sept. 14. Philip Morsberger and Anita Huffington Exhibitions. Both artists are longtime friends of the museum, represented in the museum’s permanent collection and have had their work featured in exhibitions there. Works will be exhibited in the stairwell and west lobby. The west lobby focuses on Huffington’s work, while the stairwell show focuses on Morsberger’s work.
July 14. Kidney Smart Presentation. 2-4 p.m.
July 16. Story Time with Ms. Eileen. 10:05-10:25 a.m. July 17. Seniors Golden Games. 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 11. Films on Friday: Ninotchka. This sprightly comedy satirizes communism and introduces Greta Garbo as a comedienne. After viewing the film, museum director Kevin Grogan leads a discussion. Participants are invited to bring a lunch. Free. Noon. July 13. Artrageous! Family Sunday: World Folk Tales With the Columbia Marionette Theatre. Enjoy puppet tales inspired by Jamaican, Gullah and African folklore. Afterward create your own hand puppet. Free. 2 p.m. July 18. Art at Lunch: Philip Morsberger and Anita Huffington. Painter Philip Morsberger and sculptor Anita Huffington discuss their joint exhibitions on view at the museum. Paid reservations due July 16. Noon. .
July 19. Summer Concert Series Featuring Delta Cane. Come out and enjoy the best local and regional bands in the beautiful setting of the Jessye Norman Amphitheater. This series of concerts will showcase a wide variety of music and musical talent. For more information, please call 706-8211754. Sponsored by the Augusta Recreation, Parks and Facilities Department and the City of Augusta Special Events Office.
July 19. Gallery Talk. Enjoy a private gallery talk with Philip Morsberger and Anita Huffington followed by a Champagne reception. Reservations required. 4-5:30 p.m.
July 26. Johnny Hensley and the Red Hots 55th Double Nickle Reunion Concert. Augusta's first rock 'n roll band will perform at the historic Imperial Theatre at 8 p.m. to benefit Press On and research for children's cancer. Honored guest will be Brennan Simkins, son of Tara and Turner Simkins. www. imperialtheatre.com.
LIBRARY PROGRAMS
1 Tenth St. 706-724-7501 or www.themorris.org.
July 12. Appleby Book Sale. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
July 14. Wii & Karaoke! 4-5 p.m. July 10. Mommy and Me: Perfect Portraits. Travel back in time to learn the history of portraits. Afterwards, create your own self portrait. Registration required. 10-11 a.m.
July 18-20 and 25-26. Nunsense. The Little Sisters of Hoboken are putting on a show to raise money to bury Sister Julia, who was accidently poisoned by the convent cook. Featuring songs, jokes and dancing nuns, it would be a sin to miss it. July 18, 19, 25 and 26, 8 p.m. July 20, 3 p.m. Aiken Community Playhouse. 803-648-1438 or www.aikencommunityplayhouse.us.
Morris Museum of Art
July 9. Mean, Menacing Microbes with Robin Turi from 4-H. 3rd grade and up. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call to register.
July 19. Draw With the Morris: Cartooning With Rick McKee. Open to all skill levels. 1-3 p.m.
July 20. Music at the Morris: Miles D. Mealing and Nu’Movement. Miles D. Mealing and Nu’Movement present a set of heartfelt and inspiring new gospel music. Free. 2 p.m.
Appleby Branch Library 2260 Walton Way. 706-736-6244. July 1. Evenings in the Appleby Garden: Ft. Gordon Signal Corps Band. 8 p.m.
July 19. Family Fun Movies! 2-4 p.m. Call for title. July 23 & 30. Toddler Story Time. 10:05-10:25 a.m. July 23 & 30. Preschool Story Time. 10:30-11 a.m.
Diamond Lakes Branch Library 101 Diamond Lakes Way, Hephzibah. 706-772-2432. July 2. Self Esteem Seminar. A free seminar led by Tara Tanksley-Stallings, certified life coach. Recommended registration, please call 706-772-2432 for more information and to register. 6-7:45 p.m. July 7, 14, 21 & 28. Cool Off With a Family Movie. Enjoy a movie rated G or PG on the library’s almostbig screen. 2-4 p.m. Call 706-772-2432 for the movie’s title and MPAA rating. No registration. Bring your own snacks. All ages. July 16. Teen Game Night. 5:30-7 p.m. Join your
Music in the Park All concerts begin at 7 p.m. Free admission. All concerts are held at Maude Edenfield Park on Brookside Drive in North Augusta except the July 24 concert, which will be held at Grace United Methodist Church's Wesley Center on Georgia Avenue. 803-442-7588. www.naartscouncil.org. July 10. One Step Ahead Junly 17. Double D July 24. 246th Army Jazz Band and Art Show
July 2. Tie Dye /w Robin Turi from 4-H. Ages 3-93. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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calendar friends at the library for board games. Registration required. Ages 12-17. July 21. Diamond Lakes Evening Book Club. Discuss Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. Light refreshments provided. No registration necessary, but ask to be placed on a reminder call/email list. 6-7:45 p.m.
&WBOT #SBODI -JCSBSZ 7022 Evans Town Center Blvd. 706-863-1946.
July 5. Clicking and Clipping for Savings. Couponing with Denise. In partnership with Pierce United Methodist Church. 10 a.m.-noon. July 7. Movies at the Maxwell: I, Robot. 2-4 p.m. July 8. Movies at the Maxwell: Treasure Planet. 10 a.m.-noon. July 8. Movies at the Maxwell: The Heat. 2-4 p.m. July 9. Fun with the Weather. With Rich Rogers from WAGT. 10-10:45 a.m.
July 1, 8 & 15. Baby & Me Class. 10:15 or 11 a.m. July 2, 9 & 16. Teen Lawn Games. Enjoy life-sized Scrabble, Giant Jenga and classic yard games. 10 a.m.-noon.
July 9. Fingerprint CSI Craft. Part of the Summer Reading Program craft projects. 3-4 p.m. July 10. Movies at the Maxwell: Jimmy Neutron. 10 a.m.-noon.
July 2, 9 & 16. Toddler Time. 10:15 a.m. July 2, 9 & 16. Preschool Time. 11 a.m. July 2, 9 & 16. Teen Summer Book Club. Read some amazing books and share your thoughts. See a reference librarian for the schedule. 3-4 p.m. July 3, 10 & 17. Toddler Time. 10:15 a.m.
July 10. Craft Workshop. Limited to 24 participants. 1-2 p.m. Sponsored by 4-H and presented by Robin Tuni. Registration required. 706-7932020. July 10. Africa: Diverse Ways of Defining Family and Marriage. Presented by Dr. Bratton from Georgia Regents University. 6-7:30 p.m. Registration Required. 706-793-2020.
July 3, 10 & 17. Preschool Time. 11 a.m. July 3. Afternoon Adventures Class. 4:30 p.m. July 4. Robotics Competition Series. Come show off your tech skills and help your team construct the winning robot. 3-4 p.m.
July 14. Movies at the Maxwell: Star Trek (2009). 2-4 p.m. July 15. Movies at the Maxwell: Spy Kids. 10 a.m.noon. July 15. Movies at the Maxwell: Tron. 2-4 p.m.
.BYXFMM #SBODI 1927 Lumpkin Rd. 706-793-2020.
July 16. Little Green Things. For kids and led by a Master Gardener. 10-10:30 a.m.
July 1. Movies at the Maxwell: Despicable Me. 10 a.m.-noon.
July 16. Chromatography Butterfly Craft. Part of the Summer Reading Program craft projects. 3-4 p.m. Registration required.
July 1. Movies at the Maxwell: Ghostbusters. 2-4 p.m. July 2. Japanese Fish Mobiles Craft. Part of the Summer Reading program craft projects. 3-4 p.m. July 3. Movies at the Maxwell: Despicable Me 2. 10 a.m.-noon. July 3. Chia Pet Science Workshop. Limited to 24 participants. 1-2 p.m. Sponsored by 4-H and presented by Robin Tuni. Registration required. 706-793-2020.
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July 17. Spoken Word/Open Mic Night. With Jeff S. Stinson, Maxwell Library branch manager. 6-7 p.m. July 21. Game Days at Maxwell. Bingo, Scrabble and playing cards. 10-11 a.m. July 23. American Roots Music. Join the Kelley Family in this interactive presentation for children. The children will learn about the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and washboard. Live music will be played. 10-10:45 a.m.
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July 24. The Bible in African-American Tradition. With Dr. Katherine Bain from Paine College. Dr. Bain holds a PhD in the Study of Religion from Harvard University where she specialized in the New Testament and Early Christianity. 6-7:30 p.m. July 29. Georgia Equity. Georgia Equality advocates for gay and transgender Georgians. Presented by Em Elliott. 6-7:30 p.m. July 31. Maxwell Morning Book Club. The group will discuss Terra Nova: An Anthology of Contemporary Spanish Science Fiction, by Felicidad Martinez, Lola Robles and Mariano Villarreal. 10 a.m.-noon. All are welcome. July 31. Diary of an Addict: The Dark Road From Hell to Recovery. With Tripp Johnpaul Mills. 6-7:30 p.m.
SPORTS July 14-17. Nike Baseball Camps: Junior Jaguar Camp. For boys ages 7-12. Instruction by college coaching staff in a safe, healthy and fun learning environment. Lunch included in registration. Held at Georgia Regents University. Go to USSportsCamps.com/baseball/nike or call 1-800-645-3226 to register. July 16-21. Nike Peach Jam. Riverview Park Activities Center. North Augusta. The top 24 teams have battled it out all season for the right to compete for the EYBL Championship at the historic Nike Peach Jam. Riverview Park Activities Center. North Augusta, S.C.
Augusta-Richmond County Recreation East Augusta-May Park, 622 4th St., 706-7240505. South Augusta-Fleming Athletic Office, Daniel St., 706-796-5047. West Augusta-Eisenhower Athletic Office, 488 Eisenhower Dr., 706-821-2801. July 28-August 8. Youth Fall Athletic Registration. Leagues: Co-ed soccer, ages 5-13. Cheerleading bantam, ages 6-9. Midget, ages 10-12. Fall baseball & softball, ages 9-14. Flag football ages 7-8. Bantam football ages 9-10, 60-140 pound weight limit, over 120 pounds are ineligible to carry football. Midget football, ages 11-12, 70-160 pound weight limit, over 140 pounds are ineligible to carry football. Registration held from noon-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
calendar Columbia County Parks & Recreation Department 5445 Columbia Rd., Grovetown. 706-863-7523. July 28-August 15. Fall Registration. Fall baseball, softball, soccer & football. Season played September through November.
CSRA Defensive Arts 803-221-0330 or csraDefensiveArts.com. Martial Arts Classes. Ages 8-adult. Goshinjitsu, Kindai Karate and Kobojutsu. Call for information.
by the Family Y and SEPVA. Competes across the Southeast region in numerous tournaments. For more information contact Coach Sutton at 803760-2613 or Team Rep Orlando Perez orlando_ csra@yahoo.com.
Parent's Night Out July 1-August 16. Tour De Y. Tour De Y is an opportunity to collect a designated number of rises at any Family Y location to qualify for the final which is 4.5 hours of uninterrupted cycling. The final ride on August 16 will be hosted by the Family Y of Aiken for South Carolina branches and the Wilson Family Y for Georgia branches. All qualifying riders will receive a Tour De Y t-shirt at the final ride.
RECREATION PROGRAMS Champions Made From Adversity P.O. Box 980, Evans, Ga. 706-364-2422. www.cmfa.us This nonprofit organization strives to advance the lives of people with physical disabilities and their families through sport and leisure opportunities. Current weekly schedule: Monday—Adapted fitness at the Kroc Center, 2-4 p.m. and wheelchair basketball at Garrett Elementary School, 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday—Swimming at Fort Gordon, 9-11 a.m., and quad rugby at the Kroc Center, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday—Wheelchair basketball, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday—Swimming at Fort Gordon, 9-11 a.m., and Adapted Fitness at the Kroc Center, 3-5 p.m. Friday—Adapted cycling at the uptown VA, 1:302:30 p.m.
The Family Y
July 7-17. Swim Lessons Summer Session 4. Available for ages 3 and up for all skill levels. Held at the Family Y of Aiken, Family Y of Downtown Augusta and the Wilson Family Y. July 7-20. Registration for Men's Basketball at the Wilson Family Y. Season is from July 31-October 7. Late registration July 21-27 (additional fees apply). July 7-24. Registration for Adult Soccer at Family Y of Aiken County. Season runs September 7-October 19. July 11. Movies in the Gym/Park at the Family Y of Aiken County. Enjoy time together. Movies are family friendly and free to the public. July 11. Freedom Friday at Family Y of Augusta South. Giving free time to parents by creating an evening of fun for ages 8 weeks to 12 years. 4–8 p.m. Free for active duty military families
Financial assistance is available for all Family Y programs. Register at any branch or online at www.thefamilyy.org or call 706-922-9622.
July 21-31. Swim Lessons Summer Session 5. Available for ages 3 and up for all skill levels. Held at the Family Y of Aiken, Family Y of Downtown Augusta and the Wilson Family Y.
July 1-5. Fall Soccer Registration. Offered at Aiken County, Augusta South, Marshall and Wilson Family Y. Soccer School is for ages 3-4 and season is August 11-October. Youth Soccer is for ages 5-15 with a season running from August 11-October 18.
July 21-August 3. Registration for Adult Soccer at the Wilson Family Y. Non-competitive social league focused on fun. Participants will receive a jersey. No practice or games Labor Day weekend. Season runs from August 18-October 10.
July 1-20. Registration for Adult Softball at the Family Y of Aiken County. Season runs August 5-September 18.
July 28. Marshall Family Y Adult Boot Camp Session 2. One-hour, high-intensity class with a focus on calisthenics, strength and cardio in both indoor and outdoor locations. $35 per session for Members and $65 per session for Non-Members. Fee includes a t-shirt. Session ends September 6.
July 1-31. Registration for Georgia Hawks Wheelchair Basketball Team at Wilson Family Y. Registered with the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Season starts August 1. Sponsored
South. Tae Kwon Do teaches self-discipline, focus and social skills. Beginner classes Tuesday/Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and advanced classes Tuesday/ Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
July 12. Family Y of North Augusta. Ages 2-12. 6-9:30 p.m. July 12 & 26. Marshall Family Y. Ages 2-12 from 6-9:30 p.m. July 19. Family Y of Aiken County. Ages 2-12 from 5:30-9 p.m. July 26. Family Y of Augusta South. Ages 8 weeks to 12 years. 6-9:30 p.m. July 26. Wilson Family Y. Ages 2-12. 6-9:30 p.m.
Family Y Day Camps The Family Y is offering a variety of camp experiences for children ages 3-17. Camp activities are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with early drop off at 7 a.m. and late pick-up until 6 p.m. available at no additional cost. Camp registration must be completed prior to child’s attendance at camp and balance of payment is due the Wednesday prior to camp week for which your child is enrolled. Camps run Monday-Friday. July 7-11 and 21-25. Sports Galore Camp at the Family Y of North Augusta. Ages 5-12. Campers will be introduced to a different type of sport each day of the week. Held at Mossy Creek Elementary School. July 14-18 and July 28-August 10. Drama Camp at the Family Y of North Augusta. Campers will be introduced to drama using props, free expression and imaginations. Ages 5-12. Held at Mossy Creek Elementary School. Through August 8. Family Y of Augusta South. 2215 Tobacco Road. Ages 5-14. Campers will enjoy arts
Augusta GreenJackets Home Games Lake Olmstead Stadium. For tickets 706-736-7889. Sunday games, 2:05 p.m. All other days, 7:05 p.m. www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. July 4-6 vs Greenville July 15-17 vs Kannapolis July 23-25 vs Savannah July 26-29 vs Greensboro
Ongoing. Tae Kwon Do at the Family Y of Augusta
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Register now for the 2014 - 2015 dance year
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calendar and crafts, games, songs, interactive skits, character development activities and much more. Complementary transportation to and from Ridgestone Academy (Peach Orchard Road) and Southside Tubman Branch each day for certain age groups.
Through Augusta 15. Camp North Augusta. Held at Mossy Creek Elementary School. Ages 5-12. Specialty camps include Dance, Art, Sports Galore, Drama, Construction and Leaders-In-Training for ages 13-17. Additional fees may apply to specialty camps.
Through August 15. Camp Aiken. Ages 5-12. Campers will enjoy arts and crafts, games and sports, devotions and character development activities.
The Salvation Army Kroc Center
Through August 15. Camp Puzzle Palooza at the Family Y of Aiken County. Ages 5-12. A day camp for children with special needs. Spaces are limited. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Through August 15. Camp Wilson. Begin and end each day in a traditional camp setting where campers will have the opportunity to be challenged in one specialty breakout session weekly. Ages and weeks vary by breakout session offered. Campers can choose from the following breakout sessions: Aqua-Fun, Arts & Crafts, Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Dance, Drama, Flag Football, Fun & Fitness Camp, Science & Nature, Soccer, Summer Olympics, Waterworks, What a Girl Wants, We Are Family. Wilson Family. 3570 Wheeler Road. Through August 15. Little Tykes Mini Camp at the Wilson Family Y. Youngest campers will enjoy arts and crafts, games, outside time and swimming. Ages 3-4 (potty trained). 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in Kid’s Clubhouse Activity Room. Through August 15. Traditional Camp at the Wilson Family Y. Ages 5-6. Young campers will enjoy arts & crafts, games, sports, swimming and character development. Through August 15. Teen Leadership Camp. Wilson Family Y. Ages 13-17. Teens will work with the YMCA Character values in mind—caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith—to foster independence, accountability and leadership and provide activities to instill healthy habits. Through August 12. Journalism Camp. Wilson Family Y. Ages 9-12. Campers will experience journalism firsthand by learning the fundamentals of reporting and how to apply them by writing for the “Summer Buzz,” which will hit the news stands every Friday. Through August 8. Camp Marshall. Wesley United Methodist Church. Ages 5–12. Campers will enjoy arts and crafts, games, sports, devotions and character development activities.
1833 Broad St., Augusta. www.krocaugusta.org. 706-364-KROC or info@krocaugusta.org. Through August 7. Camp Kroc Junior. For ages 4-5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Hot lunch provided. All junior campers must be fully potty trained. Through August 15. Camp Kroc Summer Day Camps. Ages K5-12 years. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fee includes hot lunch daily. Early drop-off and late pickup available. Enrichment opportunities include group swim lessons Monday-Thursday from 8-8:45 a.m. and Camp Creations Monday-Thursday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29. Toddler Tuesdays. Ages 18 months to 5 years. Enjoy the splash area and have fun doing a variety of outdoor activities with other toddlers. One adult is free per child admission. Parent must remain with the child. 10:30 a.m.-noon. July 7 & 14. Specialty Art Camp: Camp DaVinci— Where Art & Science Meet. K5 through 12 years. This summer, campers will look at the world through the eyes of a scientist and transform those ideas into fabulous works of art. Campers will travel to the Sydney Opera House, ride in a hot air balloon, visit a windmill, roam with the dinosaurs and more. 9 a.m.-noon. July 7. Specialty Art Camps: Mixed Media Animals. Grades 7 & 8. Campers will create animal-themed art projects using a variety of mediums in the Mixed Media Animal Workshop. 12:30-3:30 p.m. July 7-17 (Wednesdays) or July 21-31 (Thursdays). Kroclets Swimming Lessons. Ages 3-5. 9-9:30 a.m. or 6-6:30 p.m. July 7-17 (Wednesdays) or July 21-31 (Thursdays). Krocodiles Swimming Lessons. Ages 6-15. 8:15-9 a.m. or 6:30-7:15 p.m. July 7 or 21. Lifeguard Pre-Test. All lifeguard applicants are required to take and pass a $10 pretest before they can take a lifeguarding class. 10 a.m.-noon.
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July 10-August 21 (Thursdays). Project Aim. For ages 11-14. In partnership with Jones Behavioral Health Inc., youth will have the opportunity to take part in a fun and interactive, multiweek course to increase self-motivation goals and develop a vision for a positive future. 5:307:30 p.m. Free. July 11. Kids’ Night Out. Parents enjoy a night out by bringing your child, ages 2-12, to the Kroc Center the first Friday of each month! An evening of entertainment with dinner included. Activities may include swimming, gym play, inflatables and crafts. Children must be potty trained. Wear tennis shoes. Children 5+ should wear a swimsuit and bring a towel and change of clothes. 6-10 p.m. July 12 or July 26. Manga Workshops. Ages 10 to 15. Must Register three days before each workshop begins. Learn to draw whimsical comic characters in the classic Japanese style characterized by simple lines, stylized “doe” eyes, triangular faces and big hair. Each workshop taught by Valencia King will include instruction in Manga techniques and a different Manga project. No previous experience is necessary and students may register for individual workshops or all four. Supplies are included. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 14-18. Specialty Art Camps: Painting. Grades 7-9. Campers will have the opportunity to hone their artistic skills with workshops in painting and mixed media. They will work with a variety of paint mediums and surfaces in the painting workshops. Registration required. 12:30-3:30 p.m. July 14. Kindermusik Fall Registration Begins. Classes begin August 11. Call 706-364-4064. July 19. CPR/AED & First Aid. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 19. Pastels For Beginners. Ages 15 and up. Learn basic pastel techniques while you complete your first piece with instructor Nanette Langner. No previous drawing or painting experience necessary. Supplies included. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Register by July 16. July 22-August 26 (Tuesdays). Summer Jam with Eryn Eubanks. Ages 7 and up. Do you play guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin or other string instruments? You only need to know a few basic chords in order to join these fun one-hour sessions that have a folk music/bluegrass feel. 5-6 p.m. July 25. Family Movie Night. Open to the pub-
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calendar lic. Members may reserve a seat up to a week before the event. Seating is limited and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 6 p.m. July 26. Basket Weaving. Ages 15 and up. Create a beautiful and functional piece of art while learning the skill of basket weaving with weaver Suzanne Simoneau. No previous weaving experience needed. Call for supply list. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Register by July 23.
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.
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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 www.classicalconversations.com. Classical Conversations is a community of home educators following a Christian, classical model of education. Five locations currently serve families in the CSRA—Augusta, Evans, Grovetown/Martinez, North Augusta and Aiken.
Monkey Joe’s 368 Furys Ferry Rd. 706-922-JUMP (5867).
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www.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.
North Augusta Homeschool Playgroup Meets Thursdays at various North Augusta parks for play. Field trips will also be scheduled. All homeschoolers are welcome. Call 803-613-0484 or e-mail emilykohlbacher@hotmail.com.
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
calendar 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 Food Allergy Group Does your child have severe, potentially fatal food allergies. Would you like to get together with other parents who face the same challenges? This group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Evans Government Center Auditorium, Building A, 630 Ronald Reagan Dr. Free and welcome to anyone dealing with food allergies. Meetings often include special guest speakers. 6 p.m. Contact Sheena Whitlock at swhitlock@augustafoodallergy. org or go to www.augustafoodallergy.org.
AustiCare Contact Donyale Clarke at 803-384-0522. This Autism support group meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at AGC Teacher Supply. Preregistration is required. Attendance is free.
Burn Survivors Support Group The Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation invites all burn survivors to attend this monthly support group. Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday each month at 2 p.m. at the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, 3614 J. Dewey Gray Circle, Building C. Call 800-650-BURN or go to www.sfbd.net.
Celiac Disease Support Group Email 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
Kimberly Dr. Evening meetings are held on the third 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.
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.
MOMS Club of Grovetown www.momsclubofgrovetown.weebly.com Momsclubofgrovetown@gmail.com Members come from Grovetown, Harlem and the communities of Fort Gordon. The group is not affiliated with any parenting style, religion, or ethnic group. MOMS Club is open to and accepting of any and all moms who are at-home with their children.
Moms Connection Call 706-721-8283 for more information. Every Tuesday. A free weekly support group for new mothers. All new moms are welcome and can bring their baby. Information from International Board Certified Lactation Consultant/Educator/ Perinatal Nurse. Weigh your baby, share refreshments and meet other moms while getting answers to your questions along with timely advice from the Georgia Regents Women’s Health team and guest speakers. 1-2 p.m. , Georgia Regents Medical Center, second floor, Terrace Dining Magnolia Room.
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/.
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.
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
La Leche League
The Aiken charter group of MOPS meets the Second Tuesday of each month for moms to learn, share, support each other and socialize. Meetings are held in the South Aiken Presbyterian Church fel-
This breastfeeding support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 2204
A nondenominational Christian group for mothers of preschool-aged children. Childcare provided. Meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m.-noon at First Presbyterian Church of Augusta, 642 Telfair Street. Call Amy Toney at 803-341-1904 or go to www.firstpresaugusta.org/MOPS.
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lowship hall, 1711 Whiskey Rd. Free childcare and dinner for those attending, reservations required. You do not need to be a member of South Aiken Presbyterian to attend. Check out MOPS Aiken on Facebook, contact Jennie Beat at 803-640-4742 or email mopsaiken@gmail.com for more information or to register for childcare.
Neighbor To Family 801 Greene St., Augusta. Call Kimberly Lee-Branch, coordinator of licensing, recruitment and training at 706-396-2180, ext. 107. The goal of this organization is to revolutionize foster care by keeping siblings together while building healthier families.
Overeaters Anonymous 907-854-1509. A non-profit 12-step support group for people addicted to food. No dues or fees for membership. Meets in Augusta on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 3551 Wheeler Road, and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3131 Walton Way.
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 706-7374631 for information and location. This group is not appropriate for sex offenders.
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.
HOSPITAL PROGRAMS Doctors Hospital Call 706-651-BABY (2229) or go to doctors-hospital. net for registration and class location. Pre-registration required for most programs. July 17. Breastfeeding. Getting started, latching on and positioning are discussed for a smooth start to breastfeeding. 6:30-9:30 p.m. July 19 & 20. Short and Sweet. A weekend childbirth class covering the process of labor and deliv-
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calendar 5SJOJUZ )PTQJUBM PG "VHVTUB Call Women’s Health Services at 706-481-7727 or visit trinityofaugusta.com for information and registration. July 2. Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding. Two popular classes offered together. 9 a.m.-noon. July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 (Thursdays). Mommy Stretch and Tone. 5:30-6:30 p.m. July 9. Infant CPR. Learn how to respond in an emergency situation using infant mannequins and a simple step-by-step method. 6-8 p.m. July 12. Saturday Express Lamaze Childbirth Education. Helps mother and support person understand the final stages of pregnancy as well as labor and the birth of your baby. Covers natural and medicated deliveries, Lamaze coping techniques and more. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Red Hot & Rockin' On! Augusta's first rock 'n roll band, Johnny Hensley and the Red Hots, will perform on July 26 at the historic Imperial Theatre at 8 p.m. in their 55th Double Nickle Reunion Concert. The concert benefits Press On and research for children's cancer. Honored guest will be Brennan Simkins, son of Tara and Turner Simkins. XXX JNQFSJBMUIFBUSF DPN
July 12. Baby Food Basics. Learn how to make baby food at this informative session held at EarthFare, 368 Furys Ferry Rd., Martinez. 10-11 a.m. July 14. Childbirth Education 101. Learn about the signs and symptoms of labor as well as labor and delivery. 6-8:30 p.m.
6OJWFSTJUZ )FBMUI $BSF 4ZTUFN ery, comfort techniques and childbirth, medication/ epidurals and relaxation and breathing techniques. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.
Ongoing. Support Group for Families Who Have Lost a Baby During Pregnancy, Childbirth or Early Infancy. Call 706-721-8299.
July 22. The Daddy Class. This class is for Dads ONLY—no women allowed. Taught by an experienced dad, this class talks about the joys and challenges of fatherhood and ways to support mom. 7-9 p.m.
July 1. Autism Spectrum Disorder Support and Resource Group (The “A-Team�). 6-7 p.m. Call Family Services Development at 706-721-5160 for more information.
July 29. Pickles and Ice Cream. This class is great for the first-time mom, but recommended for all. Nutrition, exercise, fetal development and body changes are discussed. 7-9 p.m.
July 3 & 16. Cribs for Kids. Call Rene Hopkins at 706721-7606 to register. 5:45-8 p.m. July 9. Child Safety Seat Inspections. Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Substation, 650 Ronald Reagan Dr. Call 706-541-3870 to make an appointment.
Call 706-774-2825 or logon at www.universityhealth. org/calendar for information. Registration is required for most programs. July 1. Parents Healing Together. 7 p.m. July 2. Breastfeeding Support Group. Held in University's Special Care Nursery, 3rd floor. 1-2 p.m. July 1-22 (Tuesdays) or July 2-30 (Wednesdays). Prenatal Education. 7-9 p.m. in the Women’s Center Third Floor Classroom. Registration required. July 17. Breastfeeding Class. 7-8 p.m. at Babies R Us, 4225 Washington Rd., Evans. July 24. Introduction to Infant CPR. 7-8:30 p.m.
July 31. Baby 101. This class will discuss infant development and offer guidance on care for your new bundle of joy. Topics include normal newborn appearance and behavior, bathing, crying, diapering, swaddling and feeding. 7-9:30 p.m.
July 9, 16, 23 & 30 (Wednesdays). Childbirth Education Class. 6:30 p.m. Georgia Regents Medical Center, 7th Floor West, Room 7524.
July 25 & 26. Childbirth Preparation Weekend Class. 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m.5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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July 10 & 23. Car Seat Class. Safe Kids Office, Building 1010C, 1225 Walton Way. Call 706-7217606 to register. 5:45-8 p.m.
Submit calendar entries to Karin Calloway at karin. calloway@augustafamily.com or enter your event online at www.augustafamily.com.
Register online at gru.edu.
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Girl GO
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by Karin Calloway
Lakeisha Brown | Task Master Lakeisha Brown, 31, of Augusta, is the director of Cornerstone Academy and the mother of twin girls, Kyla and Kayla, age 7, and a 6-year-old son, Seddrick. Lakeisha is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and of the Georgia Childcare Association. Favorite place to take the kids: Any beach. They enjoy the water a lot. Super power she’d like to have: The ability to read people—tell when they are lying. I think I give people the benefit of the doubt far too often. Favorite TV show: Scandal, of course. Wanted to be when she grew up: A supermodel. So much for that...my growth spurt came to a hault in 9th grade and I ended up with too many curves that I WOULD NEVER give up! Life lesson: Pray about everything, worry about nothing. Phillipians 4:6. Best thing about being a mom: Everything! Watching them grow, develop and mature. Hardest part about being a mom: Not being able to be with them every single second of the day to make sure they are safe. (I’m sure they would hate that, though.) Planner, doer or dreamer? Definitely a planner. I like to have things planned and organized. If it alters, I can work around it. Greatest hope: That my children live long, happy and healthy lives.
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