Cache Valley Family Magazine Spring 2022

SPRING 2022

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Pets and Childhood Passions: Why They Matter and When is the Right Time Helping Our Children Become Happy Children and Adults

COVER STORY:

Mike McKnight: UltraRunner Pushes Himself to Amazing Lengths

The Value of Face-to-Face Communication Five Tips for Traveling Internationally with Kids

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4 | Spring 2022

Publisher & Editor in Chief

EMILY BUCKLEY Copy Editor

TARA BONE Cover Photography

HEATHER PALMER Layout Design

WHITE PALM DESIGN Website Design

KITE MEDIA photo credit: Utah State University, used with permission

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Almost two years ago exactly (although it seems much longer than that), I wrote an editor note about how we had all become first responders in the COVID-19 crisis. Our community banded together in amazing ways: healthcare workers digging deeper than they knew they could to save lives, families keeping small businesses viable by shopping local, bus drivers delivering lunches to neighborhoods of locked down children, teachers working longer hours than ever to provide our children with online learning resources … the list goes on and on.

Now, as we have begun to find some sort of new normalcy in life with the existence of COVID-19, our news feeds are filled with a new stream of horrific headlines about the attack on Ukraine.

The stories of those displaced and hurt in the crisis are heartbreaking, and, as with any crisis, women, children, marginalized communities, and the poor will be those most affected.

According to United Nations data, as of March 14, the number of refugees fleeing Ukraine has reached 2.6 million, including at least 1 million children.

This is the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. Again, we find ourselves asking how we can help?

The situation in Ukraine is actively evolving, along with the needs of people in the country and neighboring regions, but there are things we can do from home to support these people.

A quick Google search will deliver hundreds of options to support Ukrainians, but all are cautioned to be wise in choosing reputable organizations to donate to, and to not be fooled by scammers. Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org) is a nonprofit evaluator that provides a free service and has

compiled a list of highly-rated organizations that are providing a variety of services to Ukrainian refugees.

Close to home, the Department of Commerce advised Utahns to consider donating to the Driven to Assist Utah for Ukraine campaign (lhm.com/driven-to-assist or utahcf.org/ utahforukraine), a fundraising effort launched

by Governor Spencer Cox, the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Utah. The program will provide immediate short-term relief to refugees fleeing Ukraine for safety. Donations to the Utah for Ukraine Fund will be matched up to $2 million.

The Utah Community Foundation’s website notes that Utah has a long tradition of supporting and welcoming refugees in need and is currently home to 1,500 Ukrainian neighbors.

Gail Miller said, “We are all heartbroken by the desperate situation their loved ones face in Ukraine. This is an opportunity for us to come together, put our arms around our neighbors, and show them that our hearts are united.”

Beyond monetary donations, what can you do?

Around the world, and even in our own community you’ll see homes and iconic buildings (including our own Old Main tower at Utah State University, pictured above) flying flags or lit up in yellow and blue as a sign of solidarity and support for our Ukrainian world neighbors. Families are also praying fervently and individuals are seeking out reputable news sources to stay informed and grow in compassion and empathy.

At the news conference announcing the Utah for Ukraine campaign, Governor Cox said, “This is what Utah does.” And that is why I am proud to be a Utahn. There is something everyone can do.

Contributing Writers

JENN ALBRECHT KRISTEN ALLSOP CLAIRE ANDERSON TARA BONE EMILY BUCKLEY TANNER BURNSIDE MICHAEL COLE, OD JAKE DOWNS, PHD JENTRIE HALES HALEY JENSEN CHERYL MAGUIRE KATE NEELEY LYDIA NEELEY MEGAN OSTLER, MS RDN FRANK SCHOFIELD LETICIA SHIFFLET

Cache Valley Family Magazine is a free, trusted resource designed to inform, serve, and enrich local parents and families throughout Cache Valley. Material in this publication is copyright 2022, Cache Valley Family Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The views expressed in the magazine are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Please send all editorial correspondence to info@cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com or by mail to PO Box 6831, North Logan, UT 84341. All correspondence is sent on a non-confidential basis and Cache Valley Family Magazine shall be free to reproduce, publish, edit and/or use any such communications. All materials become property of Cache Valley Family Magazine.

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FACT CHECK To Get Fit You Can Just Run Your Butt Off, Right!?

Wrong. ... pg 6 FAMILY FAITH Emmanuel Baptist Church ... pg 12 EAT LIKE A LOCAL Morty's Café ... pg 17

PAGE 29

PAGE 38

IN EVERY ISSUE

GOOD NEIGHBORS Spring Cleaning to Get Your Home Ready to Sell ... pg 18 SAFE FAMILIES Former Lifeguard Reveals Five Secrets You Should Know ... pg 20 COVER STORY

Mike McKnight: Ultra-Runner Pushes Himself to Amazing Lengths pg 24

EDUCATION Cache County School District: Fun, Free, and Simple Strategies to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten ... pg 28 Logan County School District: Helping Our Children Become Happy Children and Adults ... pg 29 FAMILY MATTERS Parenting Teens and Toddlers at the Same Time ... pg 30 MAKING A DIFFERENCE Jump the Moon: Making Art More Accessible to Those with Diverse Abilities ... pg 34 HEALTHY FAMILIES How to Keep Sickness From Ruining Happy Spring Memories ... pg 38 FAMILY TRAVEL Five Tips for Traveling Internationally with Kids ... pg 41

FEATURED ARTICLES

Six “Egg”celent Traditions for Easter ... pg 9 Understanding Amblyopia or “Lazy Eye” ... pg 10 The Benefits of Gardening with Kids ... pg 14 Pets and Childhood Passions: Why They Matter and When is the Right Time ... pg 22 The Value of Face-to-Face Communication ... pg 36 PAGE 36

Classes + Camps Guide 2022 ... pg 44

6 | Spring 2022

FA C T C H E C K

To Get Fit You Can Just Run Your Butt Off, Right!? Wrong.

KATE NEELEY

contributing writer

Read on for the skinny on how to (actually) get lean and sculpted. Spoiler alert. It means eating A LOT of good food.

You know that hitting the gym, getting outside, or hopping on your stationary bike can play a big part in setting and reaching fitness goals — but have you ever stopped to consider that in reality, nutrition might be an even more important part of the process than your exercise routine?

If you get outside and run every day, can’t you just eat whatever you want and stay fit?

The short answer is no. If you’re working out hard and missing the right fuel, you might get discouraged and quit when you’re seeing minimal results after a lot of hard work. Maybe you’ll chalk it up to genetics or something else, but in truth, your body has the tools and function to use fuel to repair and build lean muscle and improve performance, you just need to dial in the right nutrition.

So, maybe you need to get out and exercise AND clean up your eating — but what does that really mean? Does it mean you need to cut sugar or carbs and eat salads all the time? The

short answer to that is also no. “The problem is that sometimes people will cut so many calories that they’re starving their body and not fueling it, which wrecks their metabolism,” James Seamons, of Complete Nutrition on Logan Main Street, said. James and his wife Morgan Seamons are the dream team when it comes to health and fitness; both of them have spent years studying and applying principles of nutrition and the part it plays in fitness.

According to Morgan and James, if you’re not properly feeding your body all the essential nutrients it needs, a calorie deficit may

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temporarily bring weight loss, but you’re losing a lot more than that in the process. When your body isn’t fueled, and then it is pushed hard in workouts, all the systems, including your metabolism, will slow down so it can use the minimal nutrition you’re giving it to keep basic systems functioning. Essentially, “your body goes into panic mode, causing inflammation, and when you diet several times over a lifetime, it stops working because once you actually start feeding your body, it will hang onto anything you give it and cause weight gain,” Morgan said.

The emphasis is on feeding your body properly AND exercising. When those things are in place, that is when you will start to see lean muscle forming and inflammation going down — creating the right formula for a tighter, leaner, stronger body. What does the mindset of just working as hard as you can, without getting proper nutrition, look like? According to Morgan, you might see people who are training for marathons with very little muscle and a big belly because their bodies are under too much stress.

Why is that, though? In mainstream diet culture, a popular belief is that to slim down, you need to eat less calories — so the fewer calories you eat, the slimmer and trimmer you’ll be, right? No way. “People will cut out the junk they’re eating and start working out every day,” James said, “but what they’re missing is that they need to replace the calories they

were getting from junk with protein.” But why protein? “Protein is the macronutrient that repairs your cells. It fuels your body and builds muscle.”

Wait, what’s a macronutrient? Here's the scientific scoop. There are three basic macronutrients that make up every food you eat, and all three are essential to your body’s main function and fitness. They are: • Protein • Carbohydrates • Fats Beside these three, there are also micronutrients — things like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help with your hair, skin, nails, and other details of the body. For the purpose of understanding how your body composition changes, i.e., getting fit or shredded, you’ll want to focus first on balancing MACROS — getting the right amounts of each of them for you specifically. Maybe you have heard a friend say something about “tracking macros.” Is that another fad diet like so many you can Google?

Despite its gaining popularity, it is certainly not a short-lived plan to drop some weight by depriving your body. By tracking macros, you are not cutting any foods out, but including all of them in the right amounts to properly fuel your body, for the rest of your life.

Marianne Dixon, nutrition coach and

professional fitness trainer at Soul Fitness in Providence (@live_fit_mom on Instagram), helps people understand how to dial in macros to reach fitness goals and maintain them for life.

As a mother of six young children, she knows the challenges of a busy life, and she has all the tools to help you succeed in the face of crazy schedules, high demands, and stress. She has a unique gift for helping people see that they CAN do it. All of that comes from her personal experience and knowledge, and nutrition coaching is a way she shares that with people.

She relates why each of the three main macronutrients is essential to your fitness and well-being: 1. Fats help fuel the body, give you energy, and help the body absorb vitamins. They also are the building blocks of hormones and they insulate the body.

2. Carbohydrates break down into glucose, which is the main source of energy for your body and brain. There are two main types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. They each do great things for your body’s function, such as provide energy, keep blood sugars level, and also help in the digestion process.

3. Protein is essential because it builds, maintains, and replaces the tissues in your body.

Of the three macronutrients, protein — the builder and the healer — is the macronutrient that the mainstream American diet lacks more than the other two.

If you want to start somewhere, James recommends, “Start moving your body and get your protein in.”

Complete Nutrition is a supplier of high-quality and delicious tasting protein supplements in powders of many flavors, and some of the best protein bars you can get. But why can’t you just eat more chicken? That has a lot of protein. “With how busy life is and how on-the-go most people are, how likely is it that you’re going to eat a chicken breast in your car on the way to work or taking kids to sports and lessons? For me, if I have a bar with me, I am a lot more likely to get my protein in. It just makes it easier,” James said.

Morgan and James emphasize a realistic approach to fitness. They encourage people to take it one step at a time, with the commitment to keep learning over the years, improving understanding and habits, and being kind to themselves in the process. “Everyone has the potential to be the best version of themselves,” James promises.

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Six “Egg”celent Traditions for Easter LYDIA NEELEY

contributing writer

Many times, I have found myself wandering through the grass trying to find the last Easter egg or two. We counted before we hid them so we knew how many eggs were left to find when everyone was done. After counting we found that there were a few eggs left, but all the little kids had given up and were now devouring chocolate and candy.

Does this sound familiar? Wandering around looking for an egg that no one seems to remember where it is hidden? Or maybe you give up and then find it later when you mow the lawn? Maybe this year, to save you from all that trouble, you could try a new tradition: A scavenger hunt with the eggs instead of an egg hunt. The first egg would have a clue to lead you to the next egg, and the next, picking up little treats along the way to a big prize at the end. That way, you don't lose track of any eggs, and if you need any help, there's a clue in the last one to help you remember where it is hidden.

An egg drop can get anyone “egg”cited about Easter. Everyone pools together old newspapers, grocery sacks, tin cans, egg

cartons, and anything else they have on hand to try to protect their raw egg. After wrapping and layering their eggs, the containers are dropped off of a porch or roof. If the egg is not well protected, you will open your container to find a sticky, gooey, gross mess all over your hands.

The excitement and suspense after you drop a raw egg packed in newspaper, grocery sacks, or tin cans can rival finding an egg filled with money.

Scratch that. An egg filled with money hidden with all the other candy eggs can make for an even more fun egg hunt. Racing against everyone, not only are you trying to find eggs with good candy, but also trying to find a special egg with money in it. And if this egg is the last one to be found, most likely more people will keep hunting for it.

Playing egg roulette can be a fun way to bond with your family. After hard-boiling a dozen eggs, and mixing them in with 12 raw eggs, no one can be sure what kind of egg they will pick up. Relief comes in the form of cracking it on your head and realizing that it is hard boiled. If it's raw, good luck.

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Another fun tradition that many people enjoy is rolling eggs down a large hill. Here in Cache Valley, many people go to Old Main at Utah State University to roll their eggs down the hill.

Often contests will be held and the person’s whose hard-boiled egg goes the farthest without cracking wins.

Last but not least is the tradition of dying hard boiled eggs. Letting your artistic side take over can create a wide array of patterns and shapes.

If you find yourself unsure if you really want to dye eggs this year, think again. Instead of just dying them one color, try dipping them in one color for a little bit and then another. If you want to go a step further, leave an egg in the dye for a little while and then take it out and let it dry. After letting it dry, take a wax crayon (they normally come with the dye kits) or a white crayon and draw lines, shapes, or even a face on it. Then put the egg back in the dye. The place where the crayon has been drawn on will be a lighter color than the rest of the egg.

Whether you celebrate Easter this year with eggs or not, I hope you have an “egg”cellent holiday!

10 | Spring 2022

Understanding Amblyopia or “Lazy Eye” MICHAEL COLE, OD

Child and Family Eye Care Center

One of the most common conditions treated in our office is amblyopia. Most people call amblyopia “lazy eye.” This occurs when normal vision development is unable to occur in one or both eyes. When we are first born, our vision is quite underdeveloped. The eyes themselves are remarkably complete upon birth, but it isn’t until later that we learn to use them well. Our vision is very blurry, our eyes do not work together, and our brain does not know how to process visual information well for many months. If there is anything that prevents this normal developmental process from happening, the result is an underdeveloped and underused eye that does not see well.

Amblyopia affects much more than eyesight alone. This interruption in visual development also reduces our ability to shift focal distances, make accurate eye movements, judge timing and depth, slows conduction of information to the brain, and the list goes on and on. If an eye is not able to learn these skills during the proper time, the other eye, along with the brain, will leave it behind and learn to navigate the world without it. I would say that the eye isn’t “lazy,” but rather it is being bullied by the other eye who has taken over.

The more we learn about amblyopia, the more we understand the profound effects this condition has on the function of the entire body. Recent studies published in the

Journal of the American Medical Association highlight the struggles of amblyopic children in academics. These studies concluded that children with amblyopia read slower than their normal vision peers. The effects of amblyopia were even greater than children with an eye turn. Think of that — it is actually less of an obstruction for the brain to completely turn an eye off and move it out of the way than it is to try to use an untreated amblyopic eye!

Another study revealed that it takes children with amblyopia much longer to complete multiple choice tests using scantrons. With so much emphasis put on standardized testing using bubble sheets, it certainly puts these children at a disadvantage. The authors of this study state: “Longer completion time in children with amblyopia or strabismus may affect a child’s performance on tests using multiple-choice answer forms and may hinder academic success.” Despite this conclusion, it would be extremely rare for these students to receive any accommodations to help them succeed.

Untreated binocular vision disorders are also linked to overall physical coordination issues, including motor deficits. Young children show gross and fine motor delays.

Older children are much less likely to excel at sports. Another research article recently observed that amblyopic children not only had reduced performance, but also held

a more negative self-perception than the control group. Those affected often must cope with both the physical shortfalls as well as compounding emotional consequences.

Unfortunately, it is all too common to hear parents lament the fact that they wish they had known sooner that their child was struggling in this way. While it is reassuring to know that treatment exists and is effective, I would encourage parents to schedule eye exams early, usually around 1 year old. Please do not wait until other problems crop up before a comprehensive eye exam!

This is the third article in a series featuring different faith communities in Cache Valley. The role of faith in the early settler’s day-to-day life was central. For many who call Cache Valley home today, faith continues to play a pivotal role in Valley communities and individual lives.

12 | Spring 2022

FA M I LY FA I T H

Emmanuel Baptist Church TARA BONE

contributing writer

On State Highway 165 between Logan and Hyrum on the east side of the road, just outside of Hyrum is a sign that’s hard to miss. If you’ve seen it once, you’ll never forget it and it may spark other questions: Who’s behind the sign’s catchy and often laugh-out-loud messages?

What’s the church that the sign belongs to all about? And what’s that sign going to say next?!

The Emmanuel Baptist Church — and its sign — have been at its 310 North 800 East location in Hyrum for about 30 years. According to church pastor Don Woody, Emmanuel Baptist focuses on fellowshipping all with a focus on family events and the preaching and teaching of God’s word. Beside Sunday services, the church sponsors weekly activities, service

opportunities, and a variety of outdoor ventures that “take advantage of God’s creations.”

According to church member Peggy Cooper, before getting to know Emmanuel Baptist, many know the church first as “the church with the sign.” Peggy and her husband Doug Cooper are the force behind the church’s sign. The Wellsville couple were charter members of the church from the beginning and helped build the Hyrum church. The Coopers have been changing the message on the church’s sign for 20 years.

Peggy says friends, neighbors, and even strangers share that they look forward to seeing the message during their commutes or when

g n i SpISrHERE!

they’re out and about. When a work colleague found out she and Doug were “the sign people,” the colleague exclaimed that, “I feel like I know somebody famous!”

Peggy gathers the messages from books, Pinterest, and even from people who call the church’s office to leave suggestions. She said she is happy to take suggestions! Though the messages are often humorous, they are also thought-provoking. And that’s just what Peggy is hoping for.

“I want people to step outside of the box and think differently,” Peggy said. “It’s my ministry and I hope it brings anybody into the flock. I love it!”

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Christian Motorcycle Association Annual Run for the Son motorcycle ride (middle left); Annual Sportsman's Banquet Kitchen Crew (middle right); Members of Emmanuel Baptist hike the 11-mile Wellsville Mountain Range Trail (bottom).

A message that was a favorite with the community was, “Honk if you love Jesus.

Text while driving if you want to meet him.” This message even gained approval from the sheriff’s office and was posted on their website.

Another message that caused some controversy before the Super Bowl a few years ago was, “Jesus doesn’t have favs but sign peeps do. Go Seahawks!”

From more spiritual messages over the years, people have pulled off the road to enter the church and talk with the paster about the sign’s message. Peggy and Doug try to change the message once a week in warmer weather and at least every two weeks during cold weather.

She hopes her messages make an impact and give a glimpse into the church she loves. “I love that everybody knows your name [at Emmanuel Baptist Church] and you know them,” Peggy said. “There is a special warmth there.”

Church members work to spread this warmth to the community through multiple service activities. Every year in

November the church is the collection point for Operation Christmas Child and has collected thousands of boxes full of gifts over the years. The church also has a “Family Feeding Families Porch Pantry” near their front doors. Church members stock the fridge and shelves for families in need who can come at any time at no cost. The church works with the Navajo Nation in New Mexico every other year and is planning a service trip to Nepal that involves hiking to remote villages in the Himalayan mountains.

Pastor Don has been the Emmanuel Baptist Church pastor since 2018 and has continued and grown church activities.

The annual Easter Celebration with a community breakfast for all will be at 9 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 17, followed by a worship service at 10:45 a.m. According to Pastor Don, despite pandemic challenges, Emmanuel Baptist has been a place for families looking for a church.

“During COVID we were blessed and stayed strong,” Pastor Don said. “With the growth in the Valley, we’ve been very blessed and have grown a lot in the last year and a half.”

14 | Spring 2022

The Benefits of Gardening with Kids MEGAN OSTLER, MS RDN

contributing writer, @meganjanesplate

As a dietitian, it probably isn’t surprising that I encourage people, including kids, to eat more fruits and vegetables. Most of us are aware that fruits and vegetables are good for our bodies.

Although we may not be able to name them, we understand, that they provide us with important nutrients. So, we try to buy them at the grocery store, encourage our kids to eat them, and often get discouraged when that expensive produce is thrown out. But what if I told you there were benefits to growing a garden for your children, even if that lettuce still ends up on the floor?

Now you might be asking, why lettuce on the ground offers any benefit to our children, so let me back up and explain. As adults, we have had thousands of opportunities to be exposed to different foods. When we see a raspberry, or a carrot, we likely know how each will taste. We probably even have memories associated with various foods. Our children, depending on the age

and level of exposure, have had far less exposure to new foods. They may not know what that red squishy thing tastes like yet. And they don’t care that this bitter green stuff is good for their eyes.

Just like you might be afraid to try an unknown food in a foreign county, it is completely normal for kids to be nervous or fearful around new foods.

This fear doesn’t always look like fear, it can also look like yelling and throwing. How do we help our children eat more foods? We expose them to more foods. Exposure doesn’t just mean tasting and may not involve their taste buds for a while. It can start with touching, playing, smelling, and observing.

The more they are exposed to a food, and the more positive experiences they have associated with that food, the more likely they will be to eventually eat that food. Depending on the child (or adult) it can take many exposures and a variety of exposures to build that trust around a new food.

This brings us to the first benefit of gardening

Megan and her children enjoy working in their large outdoor garden together and then enjoying their produce as a family.

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with kids. Kids are exposed to the foods before they ever hit their plate. They watch them grow, see the colors change, and are exposed to the various smells and textures. All of those count as exposures. It is natural for kids to get curious about something they have watched grow. I love to send my girls out to our garden and observe as they pick a firm unripe tomato and then squish a red, ripe one. We have had many young friends happily sample peppery arugula, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sweet strawberries as they play in the backyard. It may not happen in a week or month, or even a year, but as kids are exposed more to fruits and vegetables, the more comfortable they become and the more likely they are to try them.

Now you might say, “yeah the exposure got my kids to try something and they spit it out.” Don’t stress, it happens. There are probably foods that you only like certain ways. For me, I always thought I hated cauliflower, until I tried it roasted. This brings me to the second benefit of growing a garden. When you have a surplus, it’s easier to try new recipes and new ways to cooking something. Ever notice how creative people get with zucchini recipes in the summer?

Growing a garden often leads to more of a certain food than you would have bought voluntarily. That surplus is a great way to get creative and bring kids into the kitchen. Maybe they didn’t like the raw peas.

OK, let’s try them steamed. Ask, “I wonder what a little parmesan would taste like. Should we try it?”

Allowing kids to be part of that creative process and trying foods a variety of ways, increases the likelihood that they will have a positive exposure and be more likely to try that food again in the future.

Plus, fresh garden food just tastes better, so your recipes will have a flavor boost.

The third reason I am passionate about gardening is because it impacts our relationship with food.

Because of the wonderful farmers that work so hard to grow us food, we often lose appreciation for food. Sometimes that looks like a lot of food waste, and sometimes it goes further. I have worked with many clients that think of food as just calories or fuel. Often food is the enemy and food that tastes good must be “bad.” It breaks my heart to see so much fear around food. Fear of the calories, fear of the “anti-nutrients,” fear of the sugars. Fear of eating too much or enjoying it too much. Yes, food is fuel for our bodies, but it is also more than just fuel. It is memories, traditions, and comfort. For me, food is a love language. It brings

me much joy to share food, to cook for others, to see the enjoyment on their face as they try one of my strawberries. Reducing food down to calories and then, for some, seeing those calories as the enemy is detrimental to our relationship with food.

While gardening isn’t the whole answer for healing a relationship with food, I think it can help. Gardening is a lot of work and a test of patience. I never appreciated a frozen bag of peas until I tried to shell a few cups of them. That appreciation and gratitude for the food is not only helpful in preventing waste, it also is helpful in building a loving relationship with food. We work hard to grow this food and then in return in nourishes our body and brings us joy. One of my favorite scriptures describes the function of food as “to nourish the body and enliven the soul.”

Gardening not only nourishes the body it also enlivens our souls as we reconnect with nature, our food, and ourselves.

Yes, the produce we grow provides our body with vital nourishment and fruits and vegetables are a keystone to a balanced diet, but there are also other health benefits of gardening outside of the actual food grown. Gardening can be great exercise, help build our immunity as we are exposed to a variety of bacteria, and it is great for our mental health.

Whether it’s a small farm, a 600-square-foot masterpiece, a little grow box, or a few pots, gardening is a fun, health-promoting activity that goes far beyond just the food grown although let’s be honest, that is a pretty delicious perk!

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E AT L I K E A L O C A L

Morty’s Café EMILY BUCKLEY

editor in chief

I can’t think of a more iconic American meal than a good burger and fries. If you want a meal that is iconically local, try a burger from Morty’s Café, located on Utah State University’s (USU) campus on the corner of Darwin Avenue and 700 North.

Owned by Preston Parker, a USU adjunct professor, and Ty Mortensen, a USU alum, the restaurant opened in 2014 and has been recognized as the Best Burger in Cache Valley in the Cache Valley Family Magazine Best of Cache Valley Awards, Herald Journal Reader’s Choice Awards, Best of Northern Utah awards, and Logan Foodies annual votes every year since.

Morty’s is known for serving up their delicious burgers and fries on stainless steel trays, but they also serve salads, shakes, onion rings, pulled pork

sandwiches, and breakfast burritos. Oh, and don’t miss their one-of-a-kind scone fries topped with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, with your choice of honey butter or raspberry cheese dip.

“We get asked regularly if we sell bottles of our Morty’s sauce,” Preston said. “We don’t yet, but it is on our radar.”

Preston says that thanks to its proximity to USU and its popularity among students and campus visitors, their burgers and other offerings really are known around the world, but what makes him most proud is their ongoing community involvement.

“The best thing about having a successful business is the opportunity it affords us to be involved with

and sponsor community events and organizations,” Preston said. “It is not just our food or the unique experience people know us for.”

He says that over the last seven years they have been able to support countless sports teams, film festivals, arts events, and important local non-profit organizations like CAPSA and Cache Employment and Training Center.

“There is much more than food to the Morty’s story,” Preston said. “And I’m very pleased by that.”

So, what should you order at Morty’s? Preston suggests that a good starting point is the Thursday student special, which he clarified you don’t really have to be a student to take advantage of: For $6 you can get an Iconic Burger and fries. If you want to get more creative, one of their most popular menu offerings is the Hawaiian, which features house-made pineapple relish.

If you’re like me and the parking situation close to USU keeps you from going to Morty’s as often as you would like, there is good news! Their food truck will be parked regularly in the lot on the corner of 400 North and Main Street to allow burger lovers a chance to enjoy their Morty’s favorites more conveniently. Their truck is also available for catering events and can often be seen at community events like Summerfest or at the American West Heritage Center, or even at private events such as weddings.

18 | Spring 2022 S PO N S O R E D BY

GOOD NEIGHBORS

Spring Cleaning to Get Your Home Ready to Sell LETICIA SHIFFLET

executive officer, Cache Valley Association of REALTORS®

Spring is just around the corner, and with warmer weather comes the selling season.

Whether you’re considering selling your home or are simply over the winter blues and ready to freshen up, here are suggestions to make your space something worth seeing.

THE BIGGER PROJECTS You have some time to address those mid-level projects that didn’t get attention through the fall and winter. Some projects that will make a big impact at minimal cost include: MINOR BATHROOM UPDATES A simple bathroom remodel is one of the best ways to enhance the appeal of your home.

Consider adding some elongated ceramic tiling.

This new trend is an update from the basic subway tile and adds a cleaner, more modern look. Think about replacing your sink and shower fixtures. If you don’t want to replace them, consider a good vinegar bath to get rid of any buildup. Freshen the space with a new coat of paint and take a moment to consider if the toilet needs replacing.

FLOORING REFRESH If there are small spaces showing severe wear and tear, consider new flooring. If you don’t need or want to replace existing flooring, help it look its best with a deep clean. Buff and refinish hardwood floors to restore shine, deep clean carpets, and repair nicks and cracks in tile and stone floors.

UPDATE TECHNOLOGY When it comes to selling a home, the demand for smart technology continues to rise. With more Gen X and Millennial buyers joining the real estate market, smart home features are a top priority. Install some simple devices and even upgrade to smart lightbulbs.

If you plan to list, consider cleanliness a top

priority this season. When it comes to cleanliness, standards should reflect the asking price of your home. It’s crucial to help buyers visually. Help them see the value of their investment when they step into your space. Take a moment to review obvious needs during spring cleaning.

• Decide if your blinds and window treatments need attention. Don’t skimp on windows, screens, and sills, which are a good indication of how well a house has been cared for. (This is a good place to hire a pro.)

• Don’t let the dust take you down. Remove dust and wipe away built-up grease from light fixtures (make that glass sparkle!), shades, and bulbs. While you’re into the dusting mood, be sure to wipe down doorknobs, towel racks, and toilet paper holders.

• Address walls and baseboards. With a rag and mild soap, remove fingerprints and grime from walls, switches, outlets, and baseboards.

If you have white walls with stubborn scuffs, gently rub them with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Along with this, take simple measures (there are countless products) to restore scuffed and scratched woodwork.

• Think about the smell of the home. Pets, cigarettes, foods, moisture, and more contribute to the smell of a space. Once the outside temperature is comfortable, open some windows to circulate and remove the stale air from your home. Give attention to the bathrooms where mold and mildew often accumulate. Also, be sure to remove the trash from your home on a regular basis.

While you might be tempted to let loose with the room sprays and candles, strong scents mixed with foul odors within a home can be an abomination. If you do decide to light a candle or utilize room sprays, it’s important to be considerate of the possible allergies and sensitivities of potential buyers who will be walking through your home. Once you’ve cleaned through your list, hire a professional to clean the carpet of your home, which will enhance both the look and smell of your space.

As you prepare for the changing of the seasons, reach out to your local, trusted REALTOR® for additional support and recommendations that will make your space a showstopper.

20 | Spring 2022

S A F E FA M I L I E S

Former Lifeguard Reveals Five Secrets You Should Know CHERYL MAGUIRE

contributing writer

Summer is soon approaching, which means pools, lakes, and beaches will be opening. While your kids are having fun splashing around it is important to keep water safety in mind.

When I was 16 years old, I got my first real job as a lifeguard for the public town pool. Now that I'm a mom I understand how necessary it is for me to watch my children and not rely on the lifeguard.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), an average of 3,868 deaths

per year occur due to unintentional drowning in the United States. Children ages 1–4 were most likely to drown in a swimming pool. People in the age range of 5-19 were most likely to drown in natural water such as an ocean or lake.

Based on my experience as a lifeguard, here are a few reasons I watch my own children when they swim: IT WAS MY FIRST JOB Translation: I had no experience. Sure, I got the proper certifications, but I never had a job and

I never was responsible for ensuring the safety of other people's lives. I don’t think I really understood how serious it was to be entrusted with this job. I thought being a lifeguard sounded like fun. I was getting paid to sit in the sun and socialize with my friends—that’s how teenagers viewed it.

IT WAS LOW PAYING Granted this was a while ago and the pay can vary depending on where you work, but my first lifeguard job I was paid $4.25 per hour (it wasn’t a lot back then either—today’s dollar equivalent

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is $8.86). According to PayScale, the average rate for a lifeguard now is $9.48, which might not be considered a lot of money to a teenager.

Even though I was a responsible person, there are teens who view this low pay as a reason to not pay attention.

IT'S HARD TO SEE/HEAR EVERYTHING On hot crowded days, there are hundreds of people in the pool. Kids are screaming to get their friend's attention, parents are yelling at their kids to get out of the pool, and the other

lifeguard is hollering yet again to the running child. It’s hard to hear over all this commotion.

If your child yells “help,” the lifeguard might not be able to hear it, or if they are struggling to swim, the lifeguard might not be able to see it. With so many people in the pool all moving in different directions, it’s hard to keep track of everyone.

LIFEGUARDS AREN’T DISCIPLINARIANS The rules for no running or no diving in shallow water exist because it’s unsafe. I

had a hard time enforcing these rules since I didn’t know how to discipline other people’s children (they don’t teach that during the lifeguard certification class). It creates an unsafe situation, not only for your own children but other people as well, if parents don’t help enforce these rules.

PEOPLE CRACK UNDER PRESSURE While I was a lifeguard, a person had a seizure and was drowning. I was not near the person when it happened, but the lifeguard that should have rescued this person froze in fear and did nothing. Luckily another nearby lifeguard stepped in and rescued the person.

AS A PARENT YOU SHOULD: 1. Always watch your child in the pool or other bodies of water, even if they know how to swim. Knowing how to swim doesn’t mean you can’t drown.

2. Help enforce the pool rules like no running and no diving in shallow areas. Kids can easily slip on the wet cement when they run, and if you dive in shallow areas, you can hit your head which could cause paralysis.

3. Make sure your child understands the pool gradually gets deeper. I once saw a child almost drown because they didn’t understand this concept and walked to a point where they could no longer stand.

4. Understand that arm floaties can come off your child. Don’t rely on this to keep your child’s head above water.

5. Understand that kids can drown in a puddle of water and it only takes seconds.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found most drownings are preventable. Whether a lifeguard is present or not, it is important for parents to have their guard up as well.

22 | Spring 2022

Pets and Childhood Passions: WHY THEY MATTER AND WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME HALEY JENSEN

owner and founder of Kitty Unboxed and Puppy Steps Training

Ironically, I’ve never actually read one of my favorite books. It’s a very worn copy of The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. I picked it up at a used bookstore one day as a reference but didn’t really fall in love with it until I opened and read what was written inside the front cover. The inscription, likely written by a 9-year-old, says, in huge, adorable letters: “Ashton’s Book. Best Book. I Love This Book.”

Curious, I started to thumb through it. Sure enough, Ashton had been through the book, probably many times, leaving a grade rating on each of the breeds along with several comments, and a note to their mom.

reminds me of my childhood. I had similar copies of horse magazines and encyclopedias.

I remember the days before screens, spending hours pouring through these books and feeding my grandma’s horses handfuls of weeds, telling them about my day and life philosophies. I loved animals. They were approachable and seemed to love my company, simply because I existed.

Fast forward 30 years, and now I have a 10-yearold son who loves fish. Although reading has been a bit of a challenge for him, he’s checked out every fish and aquarium book available at the library and knows them cover to cover.

Not only do I love this book because of Ashton’s With the advantages of being raised in a screen perfect childhood charm, but also because it age, he has his favorite “tanking” YouTubers

and he will happily fill any empty moment with a conversation about fish when he finds a listening ear.

He is discovering passion, which ignites discovery, takes the drudgery out of learning, and opens the door to simple joy. He’s gaining confidence from the realization that he’s knowledgeable about something. He’s shaping his identity by finding he has preferences, capabilities, and opinions. He’s developing drive and ambition and is learning to dream.

Animals make an ideal gateway into passion for many children because kids naturally gravitate toward and connect with them, and it’s no wonder why. Pets have the natural ability to

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be fully present — not distracted by past or future events, schedules or tasks … something we as humans have to really work at.

Many pets offer immediate acceptance and affection. Other pets, like fish, are just lovable for what they are — their beauty, variety, and unique peculiarities.

There are numerous articles about how having a pet has been shown to possibly help prevent allergies and asthma, reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, foster empathy, and provide many other positive benefits. The research keeps coming in, and that is all wonderful news, but most of us probably don’t need a research paper to know that, when done correctly, a family pet can be a magical part of childhood, providing an emotional connection that’s difficult to replicate any other way.

Pets aren’t for everyone, but if your child is consistently drawn toward a specific animal or pets in general, there are steps you can take to give them the interaction they crave. Acknowledging what season your family is in can help you decide if now is the time for a pet and what type is best. A dog is generally the first pet many think of and can be an ideal companion for many. However, they can be a lot of work … especially for families with small children. For a much lower maintenance, an interactive and affectionate pet you may consider is a cat. If these pets are simply out of the question, there are many options depending on your family’s interests, time, and space availability.

5-year-old Anthony Jensen

Take the time to research and don’t expect kids to be fully responsible for a pet without at least a couple of years of training from you. Also consider arranging dog sitting or animal care and play with other’s pets in your neighborhood.

I would love the opportunity to meet Ashton someday and return the book. I have a sneaky suspicion he or she has grown into an adult with passions and interests that still bring joy … I know I have.

Haley Jensen lives in Clarkston and is the owner and founder of Kitty Unboxed and Puppy Steps Training. She has 14 years of professional training experience, graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Animal Science, is a former veterinary technician, and mother of five. You can find more tips on pets and family life from her podcasts “Dog Pro on the Go” and “Kitty Unboxed.” Connect on Facebook and Instagram @kittyunboxed

10-year-old Broden Jensen

24 | Spring 2022

Mike McKnight ULTRA-RUNNER PUSHES HIMSELF TO AMAZING LENGTHS EMILY BUCKLEY

editor in chief

For most people, the idea of running hundreds of miles, alone, in the wilderness sounds impossible, but for Mike McKnight, who was born and raised in Cornish and currently lives in Smithfield, it is something he looks forward to and says helps him appreciate all he has.

His running story began 11 years ago when he decided to train for a half marathon with his sister. He quickly fell in love with running and decided to continue training and walked on to the Utah State University (USU) track team.

Six months into his newfound sport, he was in a skiing accident at Beaver Mountain and shattered his L1 vertebrae. Two rods and nine screws were surgically inserted into his spine and his doctor told him he’d likely be bedridden for at least a year — and that running was out of the question for at least as long. To give himself

time to heal, Mike deferred his schooling for a year and ending up losing his job.

His body miraculously healed faster than anyone expected, and Mike started running again three and a half weeks after surgery.

Within two months, he was running 5 to 10 miles a day. And, since he didn’t have a job or school to focus on, he kept pushing himself.

Eventually he began working again and through work became acquainted with another local runner, Cody Draper, who introduced him to ultra running.

“He invited me to start training with him,” Mike said. “I instantly fell in love with running in the mountains. I signed up for the [28 mile] Logan Peak Trail Race in 2013 — that was my first ultra — and I have been actively involved ever since.”

After the Logan Peak Trail Race, Mike quickly worked up to 100 miles for the Bear 100 within a year and half.

“I really liked the 100-mile distance, and started focusing on that,” Mike said. “Then in 2016, I learned that 200 miles existed. So, I signed up for my first 200-mile race in 2017.”

After completing his first 200-miler, Mike learned that there were two other 200-mile races that were part of a series called the Triple Crown of 200s. Each race is held 60 days apart.

“I figured that since I just finished the first one, I might as well go all in and sign up for the other two,” Mike said.

He ended up finishing the series in 205 hours — the fastest combined time of the Triple Crown series.

Mike is a full-time coach. Some of the athletes he trains are preparing for their first 200-mile race, while others are just beginning their running journey. Find out more about his training program at lowcarb-runner.com.

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Mike chooses to live and raise his family in Cache Valley for many reasons, not the least of which is the iconic mountains. “This area is even better than Boulder.

Better than Flagstaff. Cache Valley is the best!”

“I was amazed that I was able to do so well,” Mike said. “But I also knew I could really improve my times. A lot went wrong at those races including a stress fracture and IT band issues. I walked a lot, and still finished first. I thought that if I addressed my injuries and built up my strength to avoid injury, that I'd be able to really improve my time at those races.”

Mike gave himself two years before racing the Triple Crown series again. He improved his time by over 40 hours and won each individual 200-mile race in the series in addition to winning the Triple Crown.

“It was at this moment I realized I was good at the 200-mile distance, and really enjoyed all the aspects of the distance including sleep deprivation and the pacing strategy,” Mike said.

“Since then, I’ve put a huge focus on 200-mile races.”

Mike says the run he is most proud of wasn’t even a race, though.

Mike is currently transitioning from working as the executive director to becoming a volunteer for RODS (Racing for Orphans with Down Syndrome), a non-profit organization that inspires families to answer the call to adopt a child with Down Syndrome. He has utilized athletes, including himself, to raise funds to aid in the expensive fees associated with adoption. He says it can cost around $40,000 to adopt a child with Down Syndrome.

There is a term in the ultra world called fastest known time (FKT). There are hundreds of trails around the world that runners try to claim the fastest known times on. One of the more popular is the Colorado Trail, a 500-mile trail from Durango to Denver. The majority of the trail is over 10,000 feet in elevation.

“In 2020, I went after the FKT on the Colorado Trail,” Mike said. “At the time, the record was just over 8 days and I was able to beat it by finishing in just over 7 days. That is definitely what I'm most proud of as a runner.”

So how does someone train to get to the point

of running these kinds of races? “Physically, you gotta be consistent,” Mike said. “Get out and run, even if it's raining and snowing.

Consistency is king.”

In addition to consistent daily one-to-two hour runs, plus longer four-to-six hour runs on the weekends, Mike says he regularly practices running while sleep deprived by running in the middle of the night or doing a late-night run followed by an early morning run.

He says the mental training starts with figuring out your why. “If you don't have a strong why you won't finish,” Mike said. “Constantly think about that why and make sure it's stronger than your reason to quit.”

For him, his why is because he can. “Breaking my back made me uncertain about my future in terms of being physically active,” Mike said.

“So, because I have the ability to, I choose to.”

What’s next for this multiple Triple Crown, FKT-title holding runner? Mike says he has noticed he struggles in the heat so this year his focus is on hot races. He’ll be running a race in Death Valley, California where temperatures reach more than 120-degrees Fahrenheit. He is also planning to attempt a FKT run along the 800-mile Arizona Trail in October.

Mike’s running philosophy boils down to this: “Running and pushing your limits should be something that you love to do. It shouldn't be something that you feel forced to do. If you wake up and think ‘well, I better get my run done,’ then you probably need to find a different hobby. Comfort is a waste of potential, and you should love being uncomfortable.”

28 | Spring 2022

P RE S E N TE D BY

E D U C AT I O N U P D AT E

Fun, Free, and Simple Strategies to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten JAKE DOWNS, PHD

Elementary Literacy Coordinator, Cache County School District

The signs are around town — you’ve seen them — “Register your child for kindergarten!”

You may be wondering how you can prepare your child for their first year of school. This article will provide three simple steps that will work for preparing a future kindergartner.

SIMPLE STRATEGY #1: PLAY WITH SOUNDS We often think of learning the alphabet as the entry-gate to reading. However, the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds within spoken words is critical for our young readers.

This is a skill that can be easily supported at home with no special materials or experience.

Below are a few examples of sound ‘games’ you can play with your preschooler: • Sound "I Spy": This is the same as the classic game, except you are "spying" sounds instead of objects. For example: "I spy something that rhymes with hook… (book)."

• Clap or Tap the Syllables: Throughout the day, show your preschooler how to clap or tap the syllables of everyday objects.

For example, at dinner, you could ask your preschooler to pass the chi•ken or the wa•ter.

• Silly Swaps: Throughout your day, take a simple word and change one of the sounds to make a new word. For example: “Time for lunch! If I change the /l/ to /b/ the word becomes ‘bunch.’ Do you want a bunch of lunch?” or “Goodnight, please give me a hug. If I change the /h/ to /b/ it becomes ‘bug’. Ew! I don’t want your bug!”

The purpose of these games is to build your preschooler’s awareness of sounds in the words we speak. This skill is called phonemic awareness and it becomes incredibly important once your child starts cementing sounds to letters and blending letter sounds to make whole words. Supporting this skill at home is an excellent way to help your young reader.

SIMPLE STRATEGY #2: STRETCH YOUR SENTENCES Stretching sentences with your preschooler is easy and straightforward. When you hear your preschooler talk, repeat it back, but add in one or two words. For example: If your preschooler says, "I want to play hide and seek," you can respond with "Let’s play hide and seek together as a family." If your preschooler says “Look, I drew a picture of Big Blue," you can respond with "That’s a beautiful drawing of Big Blue, the Aggie mascot."

Stretching sentences is like tennis, your child "serves" a sentence and you "return" it, but with added sophistication. Developing this serveand-return habit is a great way to support your child’s oral language as they prepare to enter kindergarten in the fall.

SIMPLE STRATEGY #3: THE NEED TO READ Decades of research support the simple practice of shared story reading. Don’t let the silly characters and colorful pages fool you — the language in many children’s books is more sophisticated than most conversations between

adults! Even as little as 10-20 minutes a day of shared storybook reading has been shown to support a preschooler's vocabulary and comprehension development. Here are a few tips to enhance your reading time: • Ask who, what, how, and why questions.

(This is also a great time to practice sentence stretching!)

• Play the sound games recommended in Strategy #1.

• Define unfamiliar words and then share two or three words that are similar.

• Use sentence stems like “It seems to me …” or “From what I can tell …” to help your reader understand the text better.

• A regular habit of reading aloud is an excellent method to support your child’s development and prepare them for kindergarten.

Starting kindergarten is an important milestone for young children. These simple strategies will go a long way to help prepare your student for school.

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PR E S EN TE D BY

E D U C AT I O N U P D AT E

Helping Our Children Become Happy Children and Adults FRANK SCHOFIELD

superintendent, Logan City School District

As a parent, one of the things I want most for my children is for them to be happy. Research shows that happy children are more likely to become successful adults and are more likely to contribute to the happiness of others. As most parents do, my wife and I work hard to provide a happy home environment, and to help our children develop attitudes and behaviors that will contribute to their happiness.

However, it sometimes feels like we are making things up as we go, and, although we give it our best effort, some days are more successful than others.

Fortunately, there is some helpful science that can guide us in our efforts. In her book Raising Happiness, Christine Carter, PhD, discusses research that shows that happiness is a learned behavior, a muscle that we can help our children build and maintain. She shares 10 things parents can do to help their children strengthen their “happiness muscles.” Here are four of them:

GET HAPPY YOURSELF Extensive research has established a substantial link between mothers who feel depressed and “negative outcomes” in their children, such as acting out and other behavior problems. Parental depression actually seems to cause behavioral problems in children; it also makes our parenting less effective.

So, the first step to raising happier children is finding what will help you be a happier parent. Whether it be showing more gratitude, engaging in tasks you are good at, or choosing to have an optimistic outlook

on life, finding what increases your happiness will improve your ability to help your children find theirs.

FOCUS ON EFFORT, NOT PERFECTION Parents who overemphasize achievement are more likely to have children with high levels of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse compared to other children.

Research is consistent: Parents should praise effort instead of natural ability. In research conducted

by Dr. Carol Dweck, author of Mindset, children solved a jigsaw puzzle, after which they were given the opportunity to choose a second puzzle. Their second puzzle could either be of the same level of difficulty as the one they had just solved, or they could choose a harder one. The majority of the children who were praised for their intelligence wanted the easier puzzle; they didn’t want to risk making a mistake and losing their status as “smart.” On the other hand, more than 90% of children who had been praised for their effort instead of their ability chose a harder puzzle.

Why? Dr. Dweck explains, “When we praise children for the effort and hard work that leads to achievement, they want to keep engaging in that process. They are not diverted from the task of learning by a concern with how smart they might — or might not — look.” This ability to not be preoccupied by how our abilities are perceived by others is a key to happiness.

TEACH OPTIMISM Want to avoid dealing with a surly teenager? Then teach those pre-teens to look on the bright side.

10-year-olds who are taught how to think and interpret the world optimistically are half as prone to depression when they later go through puberty.

Dr. Carter says, “Optimism is so closely related to happiness that the two can practically be equated.”

Compared to pessimists, optimists are: • More successful at school, work, and athletics • Healthier and live longer • More satisfied with marriages (future) • Less likely to deal with depression and anxiety • Whether through a gratitude journal, telling positive stories about the challenges in our lives, or recognizing the challenges we don’t have, helping children develop optimism can lead to greater happiness.

EAT DINNER TOGETHER Sometimes all science does is validate those things our grandparents knew all along. Yes, family dinner matters.

This simple tradition helps mold better children and makes them happier too. Studies show that children who eat dinner with their families on a regular basis are more emotionally stable and less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. They get better grades in school. They have fewer depressive symptoms, particularly among adolescent girls.

They are less likely to become obese or have an eating disorder, and they are better prepared for school. Many of the benefits of family mealtime can be enjoyed without sitting down together every night. Even the researchers at Columbia University, the ones responsible for much of the research on family dinner, say having joint meals as infrequently as once a week makes a difference.

At times, happiness can seem like an elusive goal.

However, by consistently taking basic steps we can each find greater happiness for ourselves, and help our children develop habits that will lead to greater happiness now and as they grow into happy, successful adults.

30 | Spring 2022

FA M I LY M AT T E R S

Parenting Teens and Toddlers at the Same Time TWO MOMS JUGGLE THE CHALLENGES AND JOYS OF RAISING KIDS WITH BIG AGE GAPS KRISTEN ALLSOP AND TARA BONE

contributing writers

Kristen Allsop balances life in Amalga with her husband Ken, seven children ranging in age from 3 to almost 18 years, and her career as a realtor with Dwell Realty. She won’t say this, but her ability to make anyone laugh at any time and her generous heart make her everyone’s favorite friend.

Tara is a contributing writer for Cache Valley Family Magazine and mom to four sons, ranging in age from 2 to 18. Kristen and Tara became fast

WHY WRITE THIS? Tara Last year I spent a lot of time preparing my 18-year-old son to leave the nest. We did typical campus visits and shopping trips, but what wasn’t typical is 1-year-old baby brother came along on all our adventures. We had so much fun on our outings, and we never knew what questions we’d get … “yes they’re brothers,” and my favorite “yes, I’m the mom and not grandma.”

We love our family dynamic and wouldn’t have it any other way; we waited 10 years for our miracle caboose. But there are unique challenges and hard moments that parents of kids with large age gaps hesitate to discuss because they’re oh so grateful, but also oh so tired!

Kristen and I want parents in this situation to know they’re not alone. It’s hard to be the oldest parent on the playground who doesn’t quite fit in, or to navigate a tantrum during a teenage child’s very public event. We also want to offer tips we’ve learned and give a glimpse into this parenting world.

friends while herding chickens and surviving the Cache County Fair with three lambs, eight kids, and too many farm animals to count. Yes, herding chickens is a thing … or at least it was that summer.

Tara and Kristen put their heads together to share some things they’ve learned on their parenting journey. Although they both feel the older they get, the less they know.

LOWER ENERGY AND LESS TIME Takeaway: Don’t focus on what you can’t give; focus on what you can and be happy to be there.

Really … it’s OK if their clothes don’t match (because you didn’t have energy to outsmart the tantrum) and you haven’t had makeup on for days.

If you fall asleep reading bedtime stories, at least you got a page in.

photo credit: Heather Palmer Photography

Kristen When I go places with my younger children, I definitely am the oldest parent in the room. I see myself 15 years ago in those mothers’ eyes.

Like them, I was very engaged in my child’s development. I feel as if my focus is very different now. As an older mom, I still want this, but my energy and time must be spread further. My mind feels encumbered by all the tasks and worries of motherhood. Hence, I’m just grateful I’m at an activity with my child and simply hope they have fun and I enjoy doing something with them.

My little kids don’t participate in as many activities as my oldest daughter did. Which is sad for me, but I can’t let that sadness

The Bone brothers, ages 18, 2, 12, and 16 years old.

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Kristen and Ken Allsop at their Amalga home with their children, ages 3 to almost 18.

overwhelm me. I must see that my younger children have something I couldn’t give my oldest — an older sibling.

SCHEDULING DILEMMAS Takeaway: Think outside the box when juggling very different schedules. You'll need to be flexible. Remember to make time for self-care; take care of your mental, emotional, and physical needs.

Tara Maybe car time isn’t the best naptime, but if that’s what you’ve got, use it and don’t feel guilty. If you’re driving in the car for the older kids’ activities, put on an age-appropriate educational (or not) movie and keep a rotating bag of toys in the car. Our favorites are Signing Time or Letter Factory. Speaking of driving: Look for carpools.

If you need a nap because you waited up for your teen whose curfew is midnight and then the baby is up during the night, it’s OK. Remember: Self-care is not selfish. Ask a trusted friend or neighbor for help.

Kristen My younger kids have later bedtimes at their ages than my older kids did. If the younger kids sense one ounce of fun, they are quick to jump out of bed and join in! Sometimes it’s OK to let a little one be part of the “big kids.”

TIME FOR OLDER KIDS Takeaway: Be diligent with younger kids during the day when older kids are at school, so they won’t “fight” older siblings for attention at night.

Tara When older kids need help with homework, a practice, or just a listening ear, sometimes it’s hard to balance these needs with a toddler’s wants. Things that help are engaging with the little one during the day. Also communicate clearly. Even though they’re little, tell them, “your brother needs mom’s help now, but I will play when we’re done.”

HOW TO CHOOSE FAMILY ACTIVITIES Takeaway: Evaluate the pros and cons of family activities for different age groups. Do activities targeted for each age group at different times and help older children have patience and help with younger children. For younger children, anticipate snacks, or needed breaks. Each group can learn important lessons and experience new things.

Kristen My younger kids are content to stay home, have a picnic on the floor, color a picture, but my older kids want more. They want adventure and excitement. The little ones usually are OK to tag along, but they get tired easily. Lots of time these activities cost more money, and I want my money’s worth. I usually weigh the costs of all … continued on next pagee

32 | Spring 2022

… continued from previous page these things and this helps me choose activities.

Ask your partner or family to help so you can invest in relationships, take classes, or learn a new skill.

PROTECT THINGS THAT MATTER MOST Takeaway: Things are just things … right?

Accept that there will be damaged stuff and teach older kids to take care of their belongings and be patient.

Tara When you have a little one, you’re balancing their needs, your family’s needs, and work demands. You're in a different stage from friends your age whose kids are older. They may be meeting for lunch appointments, taking girls trips, or making career moves that don’t fit with your family — and that’s OK. Be proactive in developing relationships and learning or continuing hobbies.

Kristen Older children (and parents) have “special things” they don’t want ruined by little hands. As hard as I try, protecting my older child’s property seems to be a futile effort. In our house it’s up to the older child to keep it out of reach. I keep telling myself and my family, “Our family relationships are more important than our things.”

WHERE DO I FIT? Takeaway: Form friendships with others who are in the same stage of life. Join play groups, attend story time. Try to maintain friendships with those who aren’t in the same stage when possible.

ENJOY THE MOMENTS Parenting littles and bigs simultaneously presents unique challenges but also amazing joys. When big brother teaches little brother to tenderly hold a family pet softly, or how to button up their jammies, there’s nothing sweeter. Hold on to those moments, because before you know it you’ll be preparing another one to leave the nest.

photo credit: Heather Palmer Photography

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

JUMP THE MOON:

Making Art More Accessible to Those with Diverse Abilities CLAIRE ANDERSON

contributing writer

Michael Bingham has a gift for identifying and utilizing an individual’s strengths to help them express themselves through art, no matter what limitations or challenges they may have in their life. That is why he established Jump the Moon Foundation in 2017.

Jump the Moon is a nonprofit organization with a beautiful mission: “Motivated by love and belief in the unlimited potential of every person, we utilize the arts and creativity to bring hope, expression, imagination,

empowerment, and freedom to all, especially those that were thought to be limited.”

Art has been Michael’s profession for 40 years.

As a high school art teacher, he witnessed the profound impact that art had on the lives of his students, especially those with disabilities.

This inspired him to create an organization that could allow him to further share his passion with everyone, even those with severe challenges. “Art will continue bringing joy to my life until I take my last breath,” Michael

said. “That joy was greatly magnified when I started teaching and sharing my knowledge and experience with others. It was amplified even more when I turned my focus to those who face life with physical and cognitive challenges.”

Jump the Moon offers a variety of classes and community events, put together by Michael and many incredible volunteers who dedicate their time to helping people discover their own personal strengths when it comes to creating art. “Often, those strengths have been

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overlooked,” Michael said. “It may be the ability to spill paint, move your eyes, push your elbow down, or wiggle your foot. We truly believe that everyone, no matter how severe their challenge, has something they can do better than anyone else on the planet. And we love the opportunity to help them prove it.”

Since losing its former studio space on Main

Street in Logan, Jump the Moon has been required to think outside the box when finding ways to further serve the community. This led Michael to his latest idea: a large van, serving as a mobile art studio, called “Vincent the Van to Go.” This van would allow the organization to transport many of its unique art-making devices to people all across the valley, especially those who aren’t able to leave home and attend art

classes. Those in assisted living centers, senior centers, and schools’ special needs programs would be given the opportunity to use an ArtBot, a motorized robot that folds down to provide four crayon-melting work surfaces, a Painting Power Chair, and many other devices that help make art more accessible.

“The challenge in making a dream like this come true is finding the funds to do it,” Micael said. “Gratefully, the Marie Eccles Cain Foundation-Russell Family got things going for us. A couple of other private donors, including radio show host Glenn Beck, have pitched in as well, but we are still a ways away from being able to obtain a vehicle.”

Michael would also like to acknowledge the support of many who have helped Jump the Moon become the organization that it is today.

“We would not be here as a nonprofit without the generous support of many wonderful organizations and individuals who contribute to help keep us moving forward,” he said. “The logos of many of them can be found on our website.”

To donate, sign up to volunteer, or learn more about this organization, visit jumpthemoon.org.

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The Value of Face-to-Face Communication JENTRIE HALES

community advocate, @techhealthyfamily

When you consider all of the many conversations and interactions you have, it’s fair to say that many of them happen virtually: A text to a friend to check in about carpool, an email to a coworker that begins with, “I hope this message finds you well,” and not to mention the several calls a day that you receive about your “car’s extended warranty.”

Virtual communication has changed the way we communicate as a society and can often be more convenient than having a face-to-face conversation, but it’s also more convenient to go through the fast food drive thru lane for dinner and it’s easier to turn a screen on to entertain your child. While many things are being replaced by convenience, having face-toface interaction should remain a priority in our lives when possible. Just because something is easier, doesn’t replace the meaning of the experience.

Although face-to-face communication is more work, there are many benefits that come from that added effort. Here are three.

1. Face-to-face communication leaves less room for miscommunication. For starters, about 90% of in-person communication is nonverbal. There is only so much that can be communicated with emojis and limited characters. Emotions like sarcasm get missed without the added help of nonverbal cues.

2. Face-to-face communication promotes empathy. Research shows that when you make eye contact with someone, the limbic mirror system activates. So, if your eyes are communicating joy, their neurons will also fire to feel joy. When emotional states are shared, empathy is increased. Seeing other people’s facial expressions in real time also helps us to understand people’s genuine feelings. The more practice we have with this, the better we can be attuned to the feelings of those around us.

3. Having in-person friends can make our bodies more resilient. In a study completed with women diagnosed with breast cancer, it was found that a woman was four times as likely to survive the disease if she had a strong network of friends she saw in real

life versus if her friends were primarily on social media. Adults with strong in-person connections also have a reduced risk of other significant health problems like high blood pressure, obesity, and depression.

If the benefits from face-to-face interactions are clear, why do we revert to online communication if we can help it? I recently asked a group of high schoolers what they thought about this. Here are some of their responses.

• Online communication makes it easier to avoid sounding clumsy when you try to articulate your thoughts.

• Any uncomfortable feeling can be masked with lots of emojis.

• You can express hurtful comments without seeing the other person's immediate reaction.

All of these responses allude that online communication can help us escape the sometimes-difficult emotions that come with having vulnerable conversations in real life.

And while they are indeed uncomfortable, these face-to-face experiences are necessary and add value to our lives. Face-to-face contact is not just icing in the cake, it is the cake.

While face-to-face communication is clearly important, that doesn’t make technology bad.

They can both exist in a balanced way. Here are a few ideas of how to make them both conducive to a healthy lifestyle.

• Be mindful of when it is appropriate to communicate via screens or in person.

Just because you might be disappointing someone doesn’t mean that the message should not be delivered in person where there is room for conversation.

• For every time you communicate online, try to match it with a thoughtful face-to-face interaction.

• When having an in-person conversation, take the electronics out of the equation all together. Leave it put away or in another area to avoid distraction.

Jentrie Hales is a community advocate with five years of experience empowering parents and children in different settings. She has been invited into classrooms, youth groups, and parent groups throughout the Cache Valley to speak about healthy relationships with tech and professionally mentors families that feel overwhelmed with managing the tech in their home.

Follow her on Instagram @techhealthyfam or email her at techheatlhyfam@gmail.com.

APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH (SAAM)

Learn more at startbybelieving.usu.edu and at capsa.org IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

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H E A LT H Y FA M I L I E S

How to Keep Sickness From Ruining Happy Spring Memories 20 SECONDS OF SCRUBBING NOW CAN SAVE YOU UNCOMFORTABLE HOURS IN THE RESTROOM LATER TANNER BURNSIDE

Bear River Health Department

As spring approaches, families, field trip organizers, or youth groups may be planning to visit events with baby animals. There is something profoundly wonderful about holding a baby animal. The last couple of years have been hard on everyone. What could be better than making some new happy memories with some brand-new animals we love to snuggle and cuddle?

While they may be cute and cuddly, many of the same animals we visit at a petting zoo, keep around farms, or that live in our homes

play host to germs that make us sick. Every spring, the health department sees an increase in diseases spread by animals. Some of these illnesses are preventable with some basic but easy-to-forget steps. We recommend getting out there this year, visiting those adorable little animals, picking up a few more chickens for your coop, or adopting that new pet, but we also recommend taking a few measures to help keep you and your family safe from disease.

Over the last two years, many parents have adopted carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer

with them everywhere they take their kids. We love to see those little bottles! Easily available, hand sanitizer is very effective at killing many of the germs we regularly come in contact with.

However, it is important to note that hand sanitizer does not kill every germ that causes sickness.

Particularly when we come in contact with animals, hand sanitizer is no substitute for good old-fashioned hand washing with soap and water. Some common germs, like Cryptosporidium that causes mild to serious

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illness, are carried by many types of animals, and are not affected by hand sanitizer. When transitioning from interacting with animals to other activities like eating or preparing food, remember to wash your hands with soap and clean water. If you have children, make sure you observe them while they wash. Help them thoroughly clean those little fingers. Twenty seconds of scrubbing now can save you or your loved ones from uncomfortable hours in the restroom later.

Once you have mastered handwashing, remember that your hands are only one of the places where you carry germs. Take a moment to consider your level of exposure to animals and the germs they can carry. Please consider if any extra steps are appropriate for you to reduce risk of illness.

Some ideas include: • If you have children under age 5, remember they are more likely to get sick than an older child or an adult. Keep bottles, sippy

cups, and treat containers in clean spaces separated from animals. Be mindful that young children are more likely to ingest microbes on the surfaces of objects within their reach, so disinfect them thoroughly.

• If you chaperone a field trip or tour of a farm or dairy, make sure you plan to wash your hands between touring the facility and eating.

• If you keep animals around your property, leave the shoes or gloves you wear outside when you enter your home. Remember that anything that touches you or your clothing will come with you into your house unless you remove it before entering.

• If you live on a farm or visit events with animal products for sale, remember that raw or unpasteurized dairy products can carry many of the germs that cause disease.

We recommend you avoid them entirely if possible.

As the cold winter months give way to warmer temperatures, good memories are waiting to be made with activities that are great for you and your family. If you make sure to wash your hands and take appropriate steps that suit your lifestyle, you may save yourself from spoiling some of those memories by getting sick.

2022

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FA M I LY T R AV E L

Five Tips for Traveling Internationally with Kids JENN ALBRECHT

contributing writer

Now that the COVID pandemic is coming to an end (fingers crossed). Many of you, like us, might be considering international travel as a family. Traveling internationally not only builds relationships as a family, but also opens kids’ minds to new cultural experiences and builds confidence. Yes, traveling with kids — especially internationally — can be overwhelming. I often find myself asking questions like, “How far can the kids walk?”

“Where are the nearest bathrooms?” “What if we get lost?” and “Will the kids enjoy cultural activities, such as museums and historical visits?” All of these questions and more often keep people from venturing too far out of their comfort zones, and sometimes keep us from traveling altogether. However, working through these worries is well worth the effort.

The Albrecht family in France in 2020.

Over the last decade, both for work and for

pleasure, our family of seven has had the opportunity to travel to South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Here are a few tips and tricks that we have learned along the way: JUST DO IT Sometimes the hardest part is just doing it! Buy the plane tickets, reserve the VRBO, and get the ball rolling. That first step is often the hardest, but for our family, once we sit down and set a budget, plan the dates, and purchase the airplane tickets there is no going back, which is a good thing because it forces us to get out there and start making memories!

KEEP IT SIMPLE — YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALL As parents, it’s important to not get caught up in what we CAN'T do on the trip and instead … continued on next page

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continued from previous page … focus on what we CAN do on the trip!

Obviously, we won’t be able to hit every beach, attend every museum, and/or visit every tourist or local destination. No one has an unlimited budget and no one has an unlimited amount of energy and patience. I have to remind myself to pick a few things that I know we will enjoy as a family and focus on those FEW things — remember to stay in the moment and not worry if our family hits every major tourist site in the country we are visiting.

EXPERIENCE THE CULTURE We were surprised to find that even at age 3 our youngest son enjoyed visiting Buddhist temples and other cultural sites in Thailand.

From this experience, we learned that even young children can enjoy cultural and historical visits. It helped all of our children enjoy the visits when we took the time to teach them a few simple facts about what they were seeing.

From the museums and colosseums of Europe, to the ruins of South America, kids are naturally interested in history! However, it was important to find a balance between fun activities and cultural visits.

HAVE A BASE Whether it is an all-inclusive resort for a week, or a six-month sabbatical in another country, have a base! Our kids loved the consistency and familiarity of a “home away from home.”

Going out on excursions and then returning to the same place gives them a sense of security.

While living in Europe for a semester, we had an apartment in Barcelona. That’s where we lived and spent our days, but each weekend we would venture out and travel to Rome, London, Sicily, or Paris. It’s amazing how quickly coming back to Barcelona felt like home. Even while going on shorter visits to all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Jamaica, we used the resort as a base and then did daily excursions to other areas.

While we spent one day exploring the Louvre in Paris, we spent the next day running from ride to ride at Disney Paris. Similarly, while we enjoyed visiting Buddhist temples with the kids one day, we would spend the next day canoeing through caves along the beach. When visiting museums, we quickly learned that our kids LOVED engaging with the museum. For example, our kids would take their journals and sit in front of a famous work of art, they would try to replicate that piece in their own journal and interpret what they were seeing.

Such immersive activities helped our children understand more complex cultural places at their own level.

GIVE KIDS RESPONSIBILITIES As parents, we found great value in empowering our children while in a new environment and culture. For example, before going to South America and Southeast Asia we taught our children a few key phrases and then gave them the opportunity to use those skills. In Barcelona, we would ask our kids to leave the apartment each morning to buy bread for the day. Of course, we would always send them out in ‘twos,’ but we would not go with them. It was their responsibility to go down the block to the store, speak in Spanish, pay in the foreign currency, and return home all by themselves.

Similarly, we taught our kids to read the subway and bus maps to get around the city. Each time we were returning to our ‘base camp’ we would give the children turns to read the map, and ‘lead’ us home. They could ask for help if needed, but it was totally up to them to find the way home. We took a few wrong turns, and even took the wrong bus and subway a couple of times, but these were great learning and confidence-building experiences. We had many similar experiences in airports. Just stop and ask your child to look at the signs and figure out which way to go to get to the right gate.

The Albrecht family visiting Thailand in 2015-2016 (top), London in 2020 (middle), and Chile in 2012 (bottom).

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2022

Classes + Camps APP CAMP appcamp.usu.edu App Camp is for boys and girls entering 6th-8th grades who love technology and would like to learn how to develop their own apps for phones. No prior experience is required! High school students can sign up to be mentors.

June 13-17, (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

June 13-17 (1 – 4 p.m.)

June 20-24 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)

June 20-24 (1 - 4 p.m.)

The cost for the camp is $35/camper.

CACHE COUNTY 4-H CACHE VALLEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS 435-752-0026 cachearts.org/artcamp

extension.usu.edu/cache/4h 435-752-6263 bailey.horton@usu.edu

Immerse your child in a world of art as they learn about folktales and ancient myths from around the world! At CacheARTS Summer Art Camp, your camper will plunge into creative, hands-on experiences, including ceramics, drama, dance, music, and more. Three different sessions available throughout the summer for children ages 5 to 11. Limited space, enroll today!

4-H is where youth want to be this 2022 summer!

4-H is all about kids, ages 5 and up, learning life skills and new passions by doing them in our hands-on workshops and camps. Topics include family and consumer sciences, civic engagement, agriculture, and STEM. Watch for updates on our website and social media pages, follow us @ cachecounty4h.

CACHE CHILDREN’S CHOIR (435) 752-6260 (call or text) cachechildrenschoir.org Family discounts for 3+ children Camp I: Ages 5-6 June 27 - July 1, 9 a.m. to Noon, Wilson Elementary Camp II: Ages 6-8 June 27 - July 1, 1 to 4 p.m., Wilson Elementary Come on a musical adventure! Singing games, creative movement, listening, simple instruments, and more with camp director Erika Andrus!

Camp III: Ages 8-14 June 13 - June 17, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., USU Fine Arts Center Come on a musical adventure! Singing, rhythm, movement, games, and more with Cache Children’s Choir artistic director Jaron Putnam and guest instructors! Conclude this fun-filled week performing with the USU Alumni Band on Father's Day, June 19.

CACHE VALLEY SCHOOL OF BALLET (435) 753-3633 cvcballet.org The Cache Valley School of Ballet offers qualified training in classical ballet to community members of all ages and skill levels. Summer semester (5 weeks) is for ages 3 and up. Visit our website for a complete list of classes.

CACHE VALLEY FUN PARK (435) 792-4000 cachevalleyfunpark.com/summer-camp Summer camps at the FUNNEST place in town!

Our camps are the perfect way to beat the summer doldrums! Your kids will experience activities full of fun and learning. No vegging out in front of the TV … just FUN times and happy memories.

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THE FAMILY PLACE thefamilyplaceutah.org Tired of hearing “I'm bored?” Want to hear your child say they had so much fun? Try our five different fun-filled themed camps held from June 6 through August 7.

DANCE ILLUSION (435) 755-6783 danceillusionutah.com 42 East 2200 North, North Logan

Camps are from 10 a.m. to Noon at our Hyrum location.

Children will complete crafts and activities while learning social skills and self-regulation. Snack is provided. Visit thefamilyplaceutah.org for dates of each themed camp.

For ages 6-11 $50 per camp

Register now for our summer classes!

4-week summer program: June 6-June 29 Improve your technique, try a combo class, and make new friends!

HIGHPOINT TUMBLING

Intensives and Camps: 3-day Technique Intensives: July 5-7 and July 18-20 3-day Ballet Intensive: July 26-28 1-day Intensives: Hip Hop August 1, Acro Aug 2, and Tap Aug 3

(435) 753-7500 sportsacademy.com Ongoing, year-round tumbling and gymnastics classes for toddlers through competitive teams. Check our website for current schedule.

Princess Camp — Voted Best of Cache Valley: July 11-13

IMAGINE THIS! ART CAMPS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS (435) 774-2414 imaginethislogan.com We are so excited to host art camps this summer! We will have “Around the World, Jr.”, music and art, painting, 3D art, adult painting and drawing, and a brand new camp: ceramics!

Children's camps will run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Adult camps will be in the evenings, and cost ranges from $200 to $250, depending on the camp. Details of when and how much each camp will cost will be posted on our website by April 1. Come create with us!

LOGAN MUSIC ACADEMY (435) 265-6691 loganmusicacademy.com

UTAH FESTIVAL OPERA BROADWAY BOUND utahfestival.org Train like a pro with the stars of Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre: Broadway Bound-Senior (Ages 13-18) —

July 25-30 | $300 | Includes tickets to Utah Festival shows.

Broadway Bound-Junior (Ages 8-12) — July 18-23 | $225 | Includes tickets to Utah Festival shows.

Uke Camp (ages 5 and up) June 13-17 Kids Voice Camp (ages 6 to 12) June 20-24 Teen Voice Camp (ages 13 to 18) June 20-24 Jam-Slam Guitar and Drum Week (ages 6 and up) June 27-July 1 All camps run from 10 a.m. to Noon daily. $120 each camp. Discounts available for multiple camps or early enrollment.

LASHARS DANCE STUDIO 50 E. 700 N. Logan (435) 770-9692 lashars.com 4- and 6-week dance classes for all ages: adult dance fitness, princess dance academy camp, hip hop and tumbling workshop, summer dance intensive, and musical theatre for dance camp

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Classes + Camps CONTINUED

MOUNTAIN PEAK VOLLEYBALL mtnpeakvolleyball.com Summer Camps

Youth volleyball camps for ages 3 to 18 for all skill levels begin in May! We offer camps May through August. Instruction from our Mountain Peak coaching staff, as well as collegiate-level coaches.

Outdoor Volleyball

Get outside and play under the sunshine.

Our grass and sand volleyball clinics begin in late May and end in July. Tournaments are offered on select weekends in collaboration with Logan City.

Fall League

Practice and competition in a league format for 1st through 12th graders begins in August! Our recreation and competitive leagues are split into 1st-2nd grade, 3rd4th grade, 5th-6th grade, and 7th-12th grade. Both north and south practice options are available.

SPORTS ACADEMY (435) 753-7500 sportsacademy.com

PICKLEVILLE WORKSHOPS picklevilleworkshops.com

Summer Camps Keep your kids active and healthy! Camps held June 13-17, July 18-22, August 1-6. Camps run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., ages 5 to 12.

Insanely fun musical theater camps taught

by Pickleville Playhouse’s awesome cast members and directors. Throughout the week we work on musical numbers and scenes that our campers will perform in their end-of-week performance.

All campers will receive a Pickleville Workshop t-shirt and one complimentary ticket to Pickleville Playhouse’s Beauty and the Beast.

Summer Swim School Learn to swim with the best instruction in Cache Valley! Classes begin June 6. Two-week sessions, Monday-Thursday, 40-minute classes.

July 11-15 OR July 18-22 (Logan: Ages 8-18) July 18-22 (Logan: Ages 6-7) July 25-29 OR August 1-5 (Bear Lake: Ages 8-18)

Summer Preschool June 20-24 July 11-15 August 8-12

Tennis Classes and Camps Professional tennis instruction from the Valley’s top coaches and players. All ages and ability levels. Begins June 6.

Tumbling Classes Flip and tumble to new heights with classes for all ages and abilities. Begins June 6.

TUELLER SCHOOL OF DANCE (435) 752-9154 tuellerdance.com 521 1/2 N. Main in Logan Join us our fun Summer Technique Workshops!

Offering classes for ages 3 and up. This is a great time to get little ones started and for experienced dancers to improve turns, leaps, tricks, and overall dance technique. See our schedule and classes on our website or email us at tuellerdance@gmail.com for more info. Come dance with us!

Want to share your upcoming class or summer camp?

Call (435) 764-0962 or email ads@cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com to advertise today!