Memphis Parent May 2022

M AY

2022

M E M P H I S PA R E N T.C O M

P L U S

FOSTER CARE FAQ

FUN MEMPHIS PARKS

2022 CAMP GUIDE

OUTSTANDING TEACHER

M AY

2022

CELEBRATING MOM PLAYERS GONNA PLAY Take a look inside our city’s parks.

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By Discover Memphis Naturally

OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR

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AGES ZERO TO 21

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE Inner work will flow into your relationships.

By Denise Hensley

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A DAY JUST FOR MOM Make Mother’s Day memorable.

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OPENING HOMES & HEARTS May is Foster Care Awareness Month.

By Kimberly Blaker

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By Ashley Bowles

MOMS! MAKE YOU A PRIORITY Don’t forget to make time for yourself.

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DARWIN, THEORIES, & GUMBALL Spending — and talking about — time with the grandkid.

By Sarah Lyons

By Jon W. Sparks

Minor Illnesses and Injuries Such as: Fever Allergies Cough and Colds Sprains and Strains Vomiting Sore Throat And Other Non-life-threatening Injuries

8 DEAR TEACHER Teachers answer parents’ questions

On-Site Services

X-Ray|Laboratory|Pharmacy

Open Late and on Weekends Collierville | Cordova Memphis

Scan me to learn more 2

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14 OUTSTANDING TEACHER Celebrating unsung heroes 24 CAMP GUIDE Local camps to start your search

28 DAD LIBS An eventful couple’s staycation 30 CALENDAR AND EVENTS Family-friendly fun for months to come

DEPARTMENTS

what we treat

6 901 FUN Food, films, fishing, and festivals!

OUR STAFF Editor Shara Clark Art Director Neil Williams Advertising Art Director Christopher Myers Account Executive Michelle Musolf, Sloane Taylor Production Operations Director Margie Neal Calendar Editor Abigail Morici Social Media Coordinator Kalena Matthews Editorial Intern Risha Manga

STATEMENT

OF PURPOSE:

Memphis Parent is published by Contemporary Media, Inc. CEO Anna Traverse Fogle COO Margie Neal Director of Business Development Jeffrey A. Goldberg Special Projects Director Molly Willmott Controller Lynn Sparagowski Digital Services Director Kristin Pawlowski P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101 p: 901.521.9000 • f: 901.521.0129 Send advertising queries to: margie@memphisparent.com Memphis Parent strives to provide information of value to all who are invested in our children’s future.

visit us at memphisparent.com Cover Photo © Niccolo Pontigia | Dreamstime.com

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20+ Locations Across TN & MS! Ages 5 - 12

At YMCA Summer Camp your child will discover that no matter where they go, adventure can be found anywhere! Campers will have the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships for years to come!

Learn More & Register Online:

YMCAMEMPHIS.ORG

E D I T O R ’ S

N O T E

SAVORING SUMMER

I have the fondest memories of summer from my childhood. With school out, days seemed endless and filled with play.

Of course, without tablets and gaming systems, I spent a lot more time outside than many children likely do these days, and I bet a lot of you parents did, too. Be sure to set aside some time with your kids this summer to play in the sprinkler (yes, you can do it, too!), admire lightning bugs, find your favorite constellations, or lie in the yard and see how many cool shapes you can find in the clouds. The simplest moments can leave those lasting memories, so savor this time while you can.

Speaking of lasting memories, remember mom this month on her special day. We’ve got a roundup of ideas — from handmade keepsakes to weekend getaways — to inspire your Mother’s Day gifting (see

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page 16). And moms, don’t forget to make much-needed time for yourself as well.

Your physical and mental health is key to being the best you can be for your family.

Sarah Lyons, mom of six, shares a few ways in which you can make yourself a priority (beginning on page 17).

Moms come in many forms — to some, “mom” may be their grandma or aunt. And some are mothers to those outside of their own biological families. May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and in “Opening Homes & Hearts” (page 22), we hear from Linzie Mullins, a Youth Villages foster-to-adopt parent in Memphis, about her experience.

It’s also time for summer camp! We’ve provided a list of a variety of local and regional camp options (page 24) for your family to consider. From music lessons to theater, sports to nature exploration, and so

much more, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for children of any age.

Don’t forget to peruse our extensive calendar listings (beginning on page 30) to plan a few family outings. Entertaining, educational, or otherwise, there’s so much to look forward to!

With all the fun that summer brings, remember to cherish those sweet moments — hearing the call of cicadas, plucking honeysuckles, searching for beachside seashells, or just cuddling up on the couch for an all-night movie marathon. These are the memories that last a lifetime.

Take care,

Shara Clark

Editor

r e m m Su NG

I D R @ HA I

H ar

901!

s s.or g/ n o i L g din

ummer

DAY CAMP

Field Trips Service Projects

SPORTS CAMPS LEAP CAMPS MAY 31–JULY 29

East Memphis Extended Care Included HardingLions.org/summer 901-312-2836

regionalonehealth.org/primary-care/pediatrics-care/

M E M PH I SPA R ENT.COM

Publication: Memphis Parent

Client: Regional One Health Job No: 220122A

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# 901F U N

Celebrate summer with food, films, fishing, and festivals!

MAY 7

Tutoring for Success

Over 30 years helping students learn

Math — Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Geometry ACT, SAT, GRE, PRAXIS, ISEE and more

NOW TUTORING ONLINE “Students Learn to Succeed” Pamela Palmer, M.S., M.A., Ed.D.

901.331.6082 • pam@pamelapalmer.com

Every

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SATURDAY

Collierville on the Square

The Collierville Historic Town Square hosts this family-friendly festival May 7th and 8th. From vendor booths and great food to puppet shows and a petting zoo, plus games, wagon rides, pony and train rides, and face painting — there’s something for everyone!

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SUNDAY

Symphony in the Gardens

To celebrate Mother’s Day, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra will perform big band music on the Dixon Gallery & Gardens’ lawn on May 8th from 5 to 6 p.m. Families are invited to bring a picnic or purchase items from food trucks. Advance tickets range from $5 to $22. Visit dixon.org for more info.

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SATURDAY

Jr. Fishing Rodeo

Get your reels ready! The Agricenter hosts its annual Jr. Fishing Rodeo at Catch’Em Lakes on May 14th (7:30-11 a.m.), so bring the kids. They might get hooked on the peaceful pastime, and in the meantime, you can soak in some sun. Admission is free with registration, and a parent or guardian must accompany each child who is eligible to fish.

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FRIDAY

Memphis Greek Festival

It might be “all Greek” to you, but this family-friendly festival brings scrumptious Greek food, tours of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, live music, artisan booths, and activities for kids. Bring three cans of food to donate to the Mid-South Food Bank (or $3) for admission on May 20th or 21st.

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SATURDAY

Opening Day for Water Play Sprayground

Shelby Farms invites you to the opening of its brand-new water play sprayground on May 28th. The 4,000-square-foot play space features great splashing opportunities for kids, including a water tunnel, multiple interactive spray jets, water pumps, and geyser boulders. Four-hour play sessions range from $7.95-$10.95; reserve your spot online.

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JUNE 2

THURSDAY

Memphis Italian Festival

This festival at Marquette Park (June 2nd through 4th) will have musical performances from the likes of Bailey Bigger and Mark Edgar Stuart along with games, arts and crafts vendors, activities, and food-based competitions. Plus, an assortment of your favorite Italian fare! Admission is $10.

Visit memphisitalianfestival.org for more information.

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SATURDAY

Memphis Juneteenth Festival

The 29th annual Memphis Juneteenth Festival (June 18th and 19th at Health Sciences Park) celebrates African-American culture, food, entertainment, and the overall significance of the holiday. Festival-goers can look forward to musical entertainment of a variety of genres, majorettes, dancers, steppers, cheerleaders, a car and bike show, activities for kids, and more. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

JULY 1

FRIDAY

Graceland’s All-American 4th of July Weekend

From July 1st to 3rd, Graceland is celebrating Independence Day! Visit graceland.com/ july-4 to see what’s in store. The main event is the free-to-attend All-American Party & Elvis Fireworks Extravaganza on July 3rd (7 p.m.), when fireworks will light up the sky alongside Elvis music.

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SATURDAY

Bedtime Stories: A Kid’s Literary Adventure Night

Nothing’s better than a movie night in summer — especially if you throw in three movies in one night, under the stars at Malco Summer Drive-In. With Hook, The Neverending Story, and Young Sherlock Holmes to captivate audiences of any age, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the screen. $25 per car; films begin at sundown.

See our full calendar listings, beginning on page 30.

M E M PH I SPA R ENT.COM

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D E A R

By Marge Eberts and Peggy Gisler

T E A C H E R

KINDERGARTEN EXPECTATIONS My son did not attend preschool.

This fall he will start kindergarten.

I have tried to teach him some of the skills that I thought he would need to be ready for kindergarten. He has been an eager learner and knows how to write his name, knows most of the letters of the alphabet, and can count to 20. What I am wondering is whether he has the readiness skills the teacher will expect him to have. Is there a checklist I can use to evaluate his readiness? I want to make sure that he is ready and gets off to a good start in kindergarten.

— Ready or Not

You are right to be questioning if your child is ready for kindergarten. You want him to be ready to learn from day one. Unfortunately, kindergarten is no longer the milk and cookies and playtime that it once was. In many school districts, it is a watered-down first grade.

The kindergarten readiness checklists all now have an academic element as well as the more traditional social, emotional, and motor skills sections of the past.

If you search online for checklists, you will find a great number of lists. However, what you want to find out first is if your local school district has a checklist. This will be the best checklist for you to use. Another possible source is a state’s readiness checklist.

If you want to see if your child is ready to learn to read, visit the readingrockets.org website and search for the “Get Ready to Read Screening

Tool.” It is a fast, free, research-based, and easy-to-use screening tool. It is designed specifically for children in the year before they start kindergarten. It only takes parents 10 to 15 minutes to give this test. Be sure to read what to do after using this test. This excellent website also has skill-building activities to help children get ready to read, as well as animated online games. All are designed to enhance their pre-reading skills.

One important thing for you — and all parents who are anxious to know if their children are ready for kindergarten — to remember is that children this age change rapidly. Skills that they may not yet have acquired this month may be solid in another few months. Just use a checklist as a guidepost for engaging in fun activities with your son to strengthen skills that are not as strong as they should be.

Photo (Left) © Piksel | Photo (Right) © Lucie Lang | Dreamstime.com

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS I’m already thinking about summer and what my young teens could do beyond just fun activities. There are some jobs like babysitting and yard work, but beyond this there aren’t too many jobs for children this age.

Where are some places they could do some volunteer activities?

— For Volunteering

Volunteering is a worthwhile experience for young teens. It can be an opportunity to explore career paths by stepping into a new environment.

There are some summer volunteer opportunities even for young teens in most communities.

You can find opportunities for young teens with parks and recreation departments, food banks, soup kitchens, animal shelters, nonprofit organizations, and local libraries.

You and your young teens can easily get an idea of what opportunities exist by searching for “volunteer opportunities for children” online, or you can be more specific and search for a specific age. You will find loads of websites with suggestions about things that they can do. Some cities, usually larger ones, have websites that list volunteer opportunities for teens.

Besides volunteering in person, there are many opportunities to be an online virtual volunteer. Both of you can explore these opportunities online. There is online tutoring, calling and checking on senior citizens (as well as playing online games with them), being a pen

pal to younger children, advocating for a cause, starting a fundraiser, and much more.

Young teens can also get together with their friends to create items for the homeless or others in need. They can sew blankets, knit socks, and put together bags of needed items, from clothes to food. They can also grocery shop for the house-bound and raise funds for a particular cause.

One thing that is great about young teens volunteering is that it starts them on the road to a lifetime of volunteering. Furthermore, studies show that volunteering tends to make them happier and increase their self-confidence, and they may even learn some new skills. And in volunteering they get a feeling of satisfaction that they have made a difference by meeting real needs in their community.

Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com.

To learn more about helping children succeed in school, visit the Dear Teacher website. ©Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2022

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I never stopped inventing.

Briarcrest students are taught to embrace any challenges life may bring and use them to grow academically and spiritually.

To lead the next generation into the future.

Learning never stops.

briarcrest.com | 901.765.4600

Too much time with digital devices can cause vision problems.

Schedule your child’s eye exam today.

1225 Madison Ave., in the Midtown Medical District

901-722-3250

eyecentermemphis.com

M E M PH I SPA R ENT.COM

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F E AT U R E

PLAYERS GONNA PLAY

Take a look inside our city’s parks — and accept the invitation to explore outside.

David Carnes Park

School’s almost out, and with free time to play, learn, and discover new adventures, why not create your own family bucket list centered around free community assets?

Glenview Park

Memphis is home to more than 150 parks, each of which offers a unique experience yet a common theme: It’s a place where every kid can be a kid. It’s yours to explore.

Whether a bench for reading, a trail for running, or a swing for flying, Memphis’ park amenities are loaded with opportunities to fill long summer days with fulfilling recreation and exercise for all ages. Memphis Parks’ website (memphisparks.com) invites you to “find your place” and search parks and community centers by amenity or neighborhood. The site’s new interactive map feature (memphisparks.com/map) reveals a bird’s-eye view of our city limits and a click-and-go functionality to land on your next summertime adventure.

Here are a few suggested paths to take advantage of Memphis’ parks this summer. P.S. If you prefer Memphis Parks’ staff to supervise summer play, check out your nearest or preferred community center (there are two dozen to choose from!) for summer camp offerings (memphisparks.com/activity/ 10

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summer-camps), which may be scheduled directly with each community center team.

Plan a picnic: Pack up a cooler of snacks, sandwiches, and drinks and enjoy a shaded, serene setting for your next meal. If you prefer the grass, stake a spot under a tree — just don’t forget your blanket. All pavilions are available to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis; however, did you know you can pay to reserve one of 50 pavilions in advance for the whole family or a group of friends? Talk about the perfect get-together. Learn more at memphisparks.com/rentals.

Cool off at a splash pad or pool: There is no question that summer in Memphis can be a scorcher. Water play provides both relief from the heat and an opportunity to splash and swim with new friends.

Memphis Parks’ pools are free and open to the public with a swim card, which you can register for on Memphis Parks’

Fourth Bluff

website or at your nearest Memphis Public Libraries location. For children under 12, bring the child’s birth certificate or another ID that shows their birth date. Adults simply need a valid driver’s license or photo ID plus current proof of residency, such as a utility bill, phone bill, or voter ID. In addition to more than one dozen public pools, splash pads are open this summer at David Carnes Park and RainesFinley Park in Whitehaven or Peabody Park in Midtown. Hickory Hill and Bickford community centers also offer swim lessons, which may be scheduled based on availability for a fee. Learn more at memphisparks.com/activity/aquatics.

Playgrounds abound: Recess should be an everyday ritual over the summer, too.

More than 100 public playgrounds citywide invite kids to climb, jump, swing, and slide at their leisure. From Rainbow Lake to Flowering Peach, Henley to Marquette, each park offers an expanse to explore and

By Discover Memphis Naturally

Glenview Park

summer at St. George s ‘

Athletics | Gymnastics | ST EM | Woods & Water | Robo tics | ACT Prep Music | Video Game Design | Sewing | Chess | BattleB ots | Cooking | and more!

Full-day & half-day camps Mix & match for full day covera ge Before & aftercare avail able

June 6–July 29

Grades PK–12

sgis.org/summer

Overton Park Old Forest

let imaginations run wild from sun-up to sundown. Learn more at memphisparks.com/ find-a-park/amenity-playground.

Find four-legged friends at the dog park: Bring your pups along for the summer bucket list, too! Leashed trail walks are welcomed at any public park and greenspace, though you can let them run, jump, and fetch for hours in dog parks such as Sea Isle in East Memphis, Central Bark in the South Main Arts District, and Tobey Park in Midtown. Make your visits a routine time of day or week, and you might not only find that your pups will see familiar four-legged faces, but your family will befriend their humans, too! Learn more at memphisparks.com/find-a-park/ amenity-dog-park.

Track a new trail: Walking paths around the perimeters of and through neighborhood parks will always lead to a healthy lifestyle and make room for quality time and MEM PH I SPA R ENT.COM

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By Discover Memphis Naturally

GET READY TO HAVE A BLAST THIS SUMMER! For more information, scan the QR code or visit www.woodlandschool.org.

Memphis University School

Sea Isle Park

Choose All-Day or Half-Day Camp U for boys entering grades 3-7. Themed weeks add to the excitement!

Camp U Outdoor Adventure Camp U International Week Camp U Cinema Adventure Week Camp U Game Show Week Camp U Fantasy Literature Week

Sea Isle Park

Baseball, Basketball, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer Sports Camps

musowls.org/summer

‘‘Leading Provider of Inflatable FUN!‘‘

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FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED PICK-UP OR DELIVERY

conversation, bird-watching, and peoplewatching, too.

If your family is up for a change of scenery with topography you wouldn’t believe is within reach, take a visit to the 22-acre Fletcher Creek Park in Cordova, the Old Forest trails in Overton Park, or the Shelby Farms Greenline and Wolf River Greenway. The tree canopies will cloak you on even the most humid of days, and the deep layers of greenery will give your family a sense of wonder and calm as you traverse the paths together. Learn more at memphisparks.com/find-a-park/ amenity-paved-trail.

Looking for everyday inspiration? Follow Memphis Parks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily ideas and to-dos.

Photos © Memphis Parks

more exploration

more thrills

Make the most of every moment together as you zip down six towering water slides or splash into luxurious pools at SoundWaves and explore acres of stunning garden atriums.

It’s the summer of more at Gaylord Opryland.

GaylordOpryland.com

more connection

O U T S TA N D I N G

T E A C H E R

by Risha Manga

ARIEL FIGUEROA

Ariel Figueroa has been a general studies/ kindergarten teacher at Bornblum Jewish Community School for the last four years.

When Figueroa was a child, she suffered from anxiety and other social-emotional problems. In third grade, a teacher nurtured her creativity and helped her to discover herself and aspire to do great things.

“That year I fell in love with reading and creative writing, both of which have been constant companions throughout my life,” explains Figueroa. She strives to meet the emotional and academic needs of the children she teaches so they can be their best, in a safe place. “Every child has potential. Every child deserves a chance. I want children to love learning and to love being themselves. When a child acts out, I try to get to the emotions behind that and help the child self-regulate. I create a safe space so children will feel safe learning, trying, failing, and trying again.”

Figueroa makes social-emotional learning a huge focus in her classroom, and her classes are play-based and align with state standards.

“I wanted to be that person for young children — that nurturing, encouraging, and grounding presence in their lives,” she says. “When I was younger, I wanted to be an actress, a writer, and a drama therapist. I can honestly say that as a teacher, I have achieved all three! There are many educators in my family, including my mother, and they were all role models for me. We do yoga, mindfulness exercises, and meditation every week that connect to the topics we are covering in class.”

Figueroa strives to be a positive role model to her colleagues as well. She models lifelong discovery by participating in endless learning opportunities. Last year, she was accepted into the Mount Vernon Institute for Teachers. The institute is a highly competitive, immersive educational opportunity. In a typical year,

teachers from all grades throughout the country are chosen to go to Mount Vernon and do a deep dive into an aspect of George Washington’s life.

“The institute provides many amazing teaching tools, strategies, and free resources to be used in the classroom. Since last summer was not a typical year, I did not get to attend in person but was privileged to be part of a virtual week-long workshop,” Figueroa says. “I love integrating history into my curriculum. I picked up many skills during my workshop. I especially enjoyed learning about art integration and the use of primary documents in the classroom, and then translating those lessons into a kindergarten-friendly format.”

As a published author of children’s books, Figueroa also has many unpublished short stories for children and adults. “Sometimes if I do not find a picture book that conveys the information I want to in a lesson, I create my own,” explains Figueroa. “The best part about being a kindergarten teacher is that I get to stay in kindergarten and watch my children grow and mature throughout their years at school.”

Figueroa’s books — The Safe Classroom, A Day in the Life of Tita the Turtle, and Tita’s Big Move — can be found on Amazon. 

We want to shine a light on your child’s teacher, or even a teacher who made a difference in your life.

Submit your nomination today by emailing teacher@memphisparent.com.

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F E AT U R E

Photo © Niccolo Pontigia | Background Photo © Blake Billings | Dreamstime.com

A DAY JUST FOR MOM

Ideas for Mother’s Day celebrations and gifts she’ll treasure.

The role of mothers in shaping their daughters’ and sons’ lives is unsurpassed.

Mothers teach us to love, be strong, be confident, persist, live life to its fullest, and be the best we can be. Mother’s Day is just around the corner. So, this year give her a gift from your heart and your undivided time to make it a special day she’ll treasure.

Illustration © Potysiev Denis | Dreamstime.com

perennials: begonias, petunias, violets, morning glories, poppies, marigolds, snapdragons, or mums. Then enjoy a relaxing day together, planting and sprucing up her flower garden and catching up on old times.

Family Portrait: If your family is like most, you’re well overdue for an updated family portrait. What better time to have it done than on Mother’s Day? Schedule to have your family’s picture taken at a studio, or hire a photographer for a photo shoot in the park. Coordinate with family members in advance on the formality and color scheme, so outfits don’t clash. Inform your mother how to dress for her special day, but keep the specific reason a surprise.

Mother’s Day Brunch: Serve your mom a scrumptious breakfast or take her out for Mother’s Day brunch. If you prepare it yourself, the following menu will be sure to please: fruit salad, juice, waffles or pancakes with her favorite blueberry or strawberry topping, Canadian bacon or fresh sausage, omelets or eggs Benedict, homemade hash browns, and coffee cake or Danishes. Also, don’t forget the freshly cut flowers for the table centerpiece.

Spring Blooms: What better way to spend a spring day than together in your mother’s garden? Pick up her favorite annuals and 16

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Memories with Mom: Give your mom a keepsake that’ll be dear to her heart.

Purchase Mothers & Daughters: A Record Book About Us to fill out and share with her.

Or create your own memory book with a scrapbook or journal. Include photos and memories about special times the two of you have had together, the most important things you remember about your mother from your childhood, how she has inspired you, and the times you look forward to in the future.

The Main Event: Surprise your mother with tickets to an event she’s been dying to see: the ballet, a concert, play or musical, the opera, a favorite sporting event, a comedy show, or dinner theater. Be sure to tell her you have something special planned (but not what), so she’ll be all yours for the day.

Train Excursion: Spring is the perfect time to tour the countryside. Take a train ride with your mom, and enjoy the vivid colors of spring, blue skies, beautiful blossoms, and other scenic sights.

Noriko Cooper | Dreamstime.com

The Power of Poetry: You don’t need to be a poet to write a special verse for your mother. In your poem, share what it was like growing up with her, how she influenced your life, or tell her just what she means to you. Then print it on stationery, and matte and frame it.

By Kimberly Blaker A Little Pampering: Mothers spend many years pampering their children, giving bubble baths, washing hair, and caring for them when they’re ill. Give your mother a special treat, a gift certificate for pampering at the spa where she can enjoy a Swedish massage, hair design, a sea spa manicure and pedicure, or a soothing facial.

Weekend Getaway: Put together a weekend package designed especially for your mom.

Choose a city that offers excellent shopping, art museums and cultural centers, or even a quaint historic town with neat shops, cafes, and parks. Leave the dates for the getaway open so she can make the trip at her convenience, or so the two of you can make plans together.

Keep it Simple: Plan a relaxing day together, enjoying the outdoors. Head to a nearby park where you can meander along nature trails reminiscing or take a scenic bike ride.

Especially for Mothers: Buy a book for and about moms. Consider one of the following: • Mother: A Cradle to Hold Me

by Maya Angelou • I Love You, Mom by Amylee Weeks • Why a Daughter Needs a Mom

by Gregory E. Lang • Why a Son Needs a Mom

by Gregory E. Lang • Mothersongs: Poems For, By, and About Mothers by Sandra M. Gilbert et al.

• Mom, I Wrote a Book About You

by M.H. Clark • Real Poems for Real Moms: From a Mother in the Trenches to Another

by Rachel S. Donahue • Mom, Tell Me Your Story: Keepsake Journal by Susan Branch • You Are One Amazing Lady: Special Thoughts to Share With a Truly Wonderful Woman by Douglas Pagels • Dear Mother: The Hot Mess of Motherhood by Bunmi Laditan

By Sarah Lyons

MOMS! MAKE YOU A PRIORITY

Don’t forget to make time for yourself.

Raising kids is one of the most lifechanging and rewarding times of your life, but it can also be the most exhausting and draining as well. While moms typically make their kids their top priority, putting them above their own needs and wants, moms need to make time for themselves so that they can continue to be at their best when it comes to supporting and taking care of their families. Moms, it’s time to make you a priority. Why? Your mental health is important. Being a mother has its emotional highs and lows. Your body goes through amazing changes both physically and mentally during pregnancy, birth, and the years that follow. It is important for moms to make their mental health a priority.

Ask your significant other or a trusted friend to help you monitor when you are struggling. Ask for help if you feel you are not at your best emotionally. Taking care of your family on a day-to-day basis can be draining on your emotional reserves, but when you have participated in activities that make you feel happy and healthy, it is easier to be attentive and supportive to those around you.

Your physical health is a priority. If you are physically exhausted, it is hard to be patient with your kids or get anything productive accomplished at home or work. Getting good rest, exercising, and eating healthy are important for moms to feel their best. It’s also important for moms to make their health a priority by visiting the doctor, dentist, and other appointments to maintain health on a regular basis. So often moms will delay their own scheduled doctor visits to make time for their families, but routine check-ups can prevent issues before they arise.

How to make yourself a priority?

Find your tribe: Having a group of friends that understands what it’s like to raise children, work, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and commit to a loving marriage is important for moms to feel “normal” and supported. Moms groups (like MOPS), online meetups or groups, book clubs, or church groups are great places to meet other moms that you have things in common with and connect with.

Set aside time: Between running errands, extracurricular activities, housework, and spending time with your kids, it can be hard to set aside time for yourself.

Spending time alone, with your spouse (without your kids), and with friends is so important for moms to feel energized for another day. Add time for you to the family calendar to assure that it happens on a regular basis and any child care needs are met.

Aaron Amat | Dreamstime.com

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer.

She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera, and more at sagerarebooks.com.

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Exercise: A good exercise routine not only keeps you healthy and fit, but it can also help you feel better about yourself as well as give you an extra energy boost for the long days of mothering. Taking time for exercise can also give you a chance to be alone and listen to a podcast, audiobook, or music you enjoy while working out. If your exercise takes you outside, you also get an added boost of Vitamin D, which has been proven to help you feel happier, too.

Treat yourself: Moms work hard. Allow yourself a treat such as a coffee, a new outfit, a fresh haircut, pedicure, or a sweet treat on occasion. Giving yourself permission to treat yourself can boost your mood and acknowledge that you work hard and deserve something special. You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money; it’s more about putting yourself first on occasion.

Summer Camp & International Chamber Music Festival 2022

I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.

— Mitch Albom Talk to someone: Sometimes we just need someone to talk to about our feelings, what is going on in our lives, and share the details of everyday life. One way moms can make themselves a priority is to find a friend or family member they can chat with on a regular basis. Some may find it helpful to talk to a counselor if they have a lot to work through and have dealt with depression or feel like they could use some unbiased advice.

Summer Camp Dates June 6 – 10 June 13 – 17 Band & Orchestra Members Grades 6 – 12

REGISTER ONLINE AT https://prizmensemble.org/programs/summer-camp/camp-registration/ 18

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Ask for help: Moms are used to helping others, and many of us have a hard time reaching out and asking for help. However, when a friend asks, we are the first to offer assistance. Give others a chance to help you. Set up a carpool so you are not always the one playing taxi with the kids for their

By Sarah Lyons after-school activities, accept help when offered, or trade babysitting with a friend so you can have a much-needed date night.

If your significant other offers to help out around the house, let them, even if it isn’t exactly the way you would have done it.

Accepting help can be a big relief and can give moms the chance for some muchneeded time to focus on themselves.

Marcos Calvo Mesa | Dreamstime.com

Take up a hobby: What do you love to do?

Many moms find they have forgotten the hobbies they used to enjoy prior to kids.

Make time for yourself and your interests.

Seek out an old hobby or find a new one — reading, running, sewing, scrapbooking — whatever activity gets you excited is what you need to make time for. Whether you do your hobby with a group of friends or on your own, you will not regret making time for something that is important to you. It’s not possible to put yourself first all the time when you are a busy mom, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set aside some time when you are the priority. It’s important for your mental and physical health and well-being and will make you a better mom overall.

Quick Ways to Boost Your Mood After taking care of your family’s needs, working, and doing household chores moms can feel like their gas tank is running on empty, which can drain your energy and your mood. Here are some quick ways to boost your mood.

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MUSIC FOR MUSIC AND FUN FOR CHILDREN AND CAREGIVERS interactive music program for AARDVARKS children 6 months to 5 years MEMPHIS with their parents/caregivers ASK US ABOUT BIRTHDAY PARTIES! wi nn er

• letters, numbers, animals, colors • fun music

• skill building

• singing, dancing, laughing, jumping!

CLASSES IN MIDTOWN, EAST MEMPHIS, AND GERMANTOWN

visit us at www.memphisaardvarks.com or call 901-871-0227

By Sarah Lyons Sing along: Turn up your favorite song and sing along. Dancing and singing are sure to boost your mood.

Laugh it off: Call a friend that always makes you laugh. If your child is doing something that is frustrating, try to laugh it off. Turn on a funny TV show or podcast. Laughter is the best medicine.

Take a bath: A relaxing soak in the tub is always a good mood-booster and can help tense muscles relax, helping you feel physically better as well.

Trusted Programs for Children Molly of Denali

Peg + Cat

Take a walk: Physical exercise and a break from your house and chores is a great way to change your mood.

Dinosaur Train

Wild Kratts

Arthur

Grafphotogpaher | Dreamstime.com

WKNO’S Teacher, Teacher

Nature Cat The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

Take a nap: There is nothing better than a nap to help you recharge your batteries.

If your baby is sleeping, take the time to rest as well. If you have older kids, put in a movie and rest next to them on the couch.

You will feel recharged and ready for the rest of the day.

Alma’s Way

Ready Jet Go!

Stream at wkno.org and the WKNO App 20

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Let it go: Do you have piles of dishes and laundry to do? Is it overwhelming? Let it go. You can’t leave it forever, but you can for now. Find something fun to do instead, just for the day. You might find after a break away, you come back to it with a better attitude.

Sarah Lyons is a mom of six kids, including 7-year-old triplets. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time outdoors with her family.

PA R E N T

T O

PA R E N T

By Denise Hensley

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHANGE

Inner work will inevitably flow into your relationships.

Photo © Daniel Öberg | Unsplash.com

A picture came up on my Facebook memories the other day, and I haven’t been able to get my mind off it. It’s a little girl — 4, maybe 5 years old — and she has pink streaks in her hair. The beaming smile indicates she’s pleased with them. The little girl in the picture is my daughter. The pink streaks — a spray that her hairdresser surprised her with — would wash away when we washed her hair. But I’m a little surprised I even allowed that.

I have hardwiring that’s caused me to be worried about appearances. A generational curse, perhaps. And from day one, my daughter had a mind of her own. I wanted cute bows. She would pull them out if I even tried. I wanted beautiful, smocked dresses. Well, I got by with those for a while.

The older she got, the more opinionated she became. And it seemed to be the opposite of everything I thought she “should” be.

If I’m truly honest, that photograph is etched in my mind because it reminds me of the mother I used to be. It stings because I’m not proud of those days. My own inner critic being projected onto her, along with allowing cultural expectations to

rule rather than trying to help her discover the person God created her to be. My impossible expectations literally killing her little spirit. But those weren’t about her.

They were about me. Projecting how I felt about myself onto her. Carl G. Jung said, “If there is anything that we wish to change in our children, we should first examine it and see whether or not it is something that could better be changed in ourselves.”

When the pandemic hit, I knew something had to give. I simply added some silence to my day, and I started being gentle with myself. That led me on a journey of inner work. I won’t kid myself — I still have a lot of work left to do. But the journey to individuation not only has the potential to transform yourself, that transformation will inevitably flow into your relationships as well. I dare to guess that if I had not worked on me — and changed my ways — my daughter and I would have a tumultuous relationship today. And we don’t. We have a beautiful one. Is it perfect? Of course not.

She’s a teenager, and well, I’m human. Inner work is hard work, but it’s so worth it. And it’s truly never too late to change.

Denise Hensley is a licensed social worker and has worked in mental health for more than 25 years. She is also studying to become a Spiritual Director.

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F E AT U R E

OPENING HOMES & HEARTS May is Foster Care Awareness Month.

The Mullins Boys | Photo © Russell Hays

In Tennessee, approximately 8,000 children are in foster care at any given time. With fewer than 4,000 foster families with open homes, the need for more foster families is considerable. May is celebrated as National Foster Care Awareness Month to bring awareness to the need for more foster care families.

Foster parenting sounds intimidating, but with support, it can be incredibly rewarding. Linzie Mullins, a Youth Villages foster-to-adopt parent in Memphis, was once in your shoes. She has a great story and serves as a wonderful resource for current and future foster parents.

Linzie and her husband looked into fostering in late 2019, and by the next year, had a foster son who they later adopted. They’ve since adopted another boy they fostered. She has made fostering her passion and regularly gives advice and support to prospective and current foster parents.

Linzie recently helped four families bring foster kids into their homes through Youth Villages. She also regularly talks and meets with three foster moms who ultimately adopted through Youth Villages in the last three years. Here are her top four nuggets of wisdom:

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and rewards of fostering. The Department of Children’s Services, along with partnering agencies, require this training to become a foster parent in Tennessee. Youth Villages’ Therapeutic Foster Care program also requires two additional trainings focused on trauma and collaborative problemsolving. Regularly scheduled check-ins and counseling sessions are required for both the child and foster parents, separately and together. Additionally, counselors are available 24/7 to help with situations that may arise.

Know you’re making a difference. Providing a safe home for a child makes an enormous difference in their lives. By keeping a schedule, letting the kids know you are there for them and they can rely on you provides a constant and reliable routine that kids need.

If you’re considering it, do it. Listen to that voice encouraging you to look into fostering.

Kids are always in need of a safe place to live or stay short-term. Youth Villages provides training and constant access to counselors and emergency services. You’re not in this alone. Foster parents undergo extensive training to prepare them for the challenges

Keep the grit. Maintaining your resolve and determination to provide a safe, loving home for kids is the most important task for a foster family. Your kids may have experienced trauma in their previous home. Continuing to fight for them with their struggles can boost their confidence and help strengthen your relationship.

By Ashley Bowles

Kroc Camp

A camp with a little bit of everything! Crafts, learning, science, water fun, and more!

Help in other ways. Not everyone is in a place to be a foster family, and that’s OK. You can help other foster families by providing a meal, running errands, or helping with yard work. Donations to local organizations can go a long way, too. Foster kids need toiletries, proper school clothing, and supplies.

Armor Camp

Your little athlete is going to love growing and expressing their competive skills in this camp!

A few other things to know about being a foster parent:

Performance Arts Camp A camp that will offer your little performer the opportunity to star in a real production!

Who can be a foster parent? Foster families can be single parents, couples with or without children, same-sex couples, older couples — just about any household with room (and beds) to care for and support children in foster care.

Are there different lengths of stay for children in foster care? Yes! Some children are fostered to eventually adopt, and some are respite visits for weekends or weeklong stays. In many instances, fostering is focused on providing support for a child and their biological family so they can be reunited. Foster parents provide safe and loving homes to children at a crucial time in their lives, when they truly need support the most, before successful and safe reunification with their families.

Who are the children in the most need of a home? Teenagers need foster placements the most, especially older teens who otherwise will “age out” of the foster care system at 18. There is also a need for foster parents to support Extension of Foster Care (EFC) youth, ages 18-22 years old, who can continue to receive services in foster care.

MEMPHIS MUSEUM

OF SCIENCE & HISTORY

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, you can sign up for an information session, certification classes (TN-KEY), or speak with a representative at DCS or another partnering agency.

Youth Villages: 1-888-MY-YV-KID or youthvillages.org/foster Department of Children’s Services: 1-877-DCS-KIDS or tn.gov/dcs Illustration © Alexander Pokusay | Dreamstime.com

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C A M P

G U I D E Camp dates: June 29-July 1, 2022: (Ages 5-8) — The Magic of Storytelling July 6-July 8, 2022: (Ages 5-8) — Animation Studio July 13-July 15, 2022: (Ages 8-11) — Figuring It Out – STEAM Visit brooksmuseum.org/camps for more info.

Members: $150 per week/nonmembers: $180 per week. All art materials are included in the camp fee. All fees must be paid at the time of registration. Campers bring their own snacks and lunches for all days of camp.

Buckman Dance Conservatory

2022

Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s invites students ages 3 to 18 to explore the joy of theater and dance this summer. With limited class size, participants take a deep dive into ballet, movement, and choreography in an encouraging and positive environment. June 13 through August 5. For information, visit buckmandance.com or contact Cindi Younker at cyounker@stmarysschool.org or 901-537-1483.

Camp of the Rising Son

Photo © Petar Dojkic | Dreamstime.com

Arrow Creative

Send your mini makers, aged 7-17, to a place where they will learn and grow in a creative environment. Arrow teachers are all professional working artists with a passion for teaching the next generation of creatives. With classes like creating with clay, printmaking, digital illustration, animation, photography, and more, there’s sure to be a class that your mini maker would enjoy. Let your littles learn new skills, get their hands messy, and create a masterpiece!

Bodine School

Get students excited about reading and writing!

Maintain literacy skills previously taught, introduce new literacy skills, and minimize loss of literacy skills. Bodine School’s Summer Reading Program will be held June 6-June 30, Monday through Thursday.

Morning session: Drop-off between 8 and 8:30 a.m.; instruction from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; dismissal at 11:30 a.m. Afternoon session: Dropoff from 12:30 to 1 p.m.; instruction from 1 to 4 p.m.; dismissal at 4 p.m. This year’s program is open to all rising K-6th grade students.

Visit bodineschool.org/summer for details and registration. For more information, contact the Director of Admissions, Lauren Malone, at lmalone@bodineschool.org.

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Camp of the Rising Son is excited to be planning for a safe and healthy summer 2022. CRS is committed to keeping an eye on the remaining risk of Covid-19 and making best-practice decisions to keep the health and safety of its campers, families, and staff the number-one priority. Visit campoftherisingson.com for more information.

Christian Brothers Briarcrest Christian School High School Briarcamp serves BCS students in Little Saints through 6th grade by providing a safe, healthy, and fun recreational experience for children in a Christian environment. Briarcamp allows working parents to feel confident that their children are engaging in supervised activities while in a relaxed social setting.

Briarcamp is available beginning May 31 and runs until July 22. Briarcamp hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with early- and after-care provided at an additional charge. Camps are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Briarcamp will adhere to physical distancing and DOE guidelines for the summer of 2022.

Briarcamp will only be open to BCS students with a signed contract for the fall of 20222023. Should the status of COVID improve, they may consider opening Briarcamp to nonBCS families.

Brooks Summer Art Camp

Brooks is offering art camps for children ages 5 through 11, inspiring young minds to explore art and creativity. Camp includes active learning in the galleries, looking at original works of art, creating studio projects, active play outdoors, and more. Email ali.bush@brooksmuseum.org for additional information.

With all-new offerings this summer, CBHS is a one-stop destination for happy campers of all ages. Full-day and half-day morning and afternoon sessions will keep kids engaged, energized, and entertained all summer long.

Learn more and register today at camps.cbhs.org or contact Dr. James Callicott at jcallicott@ cbhs.org.

Christ the King Lutheran School

Christ the King Lutheran Summer Camp is now enrolling children 18 months through 6th grade. Camp will run for seven weeks, starting June 6, ending July 22. Full-day camp runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Offering a structured but fun day, each week they’ll host an event on campus. Think water slide, magic show, games, crafts, sports, petting zoo, music, Build-A-Bear, Vacation Bible School, and much more. Lunch and two snacks are provided for pre-schoolers, and snacks are provided for K-6th. The best part? Parents are only charged for the days their children attend.

To learn more or sign-up, visit ctkschool.com or call Ann Laury at 901-682-8868.

Compiled by Memphis Parent staff

Collage Dance Collective

Collage Dance Collective will be hosting a variety of sessions this summer! Register at collagedance.org.

Courageous Kids

CCK welcomes children and their families battling various illnesses with a year-round program including weekend family retreats throughout the school year and nine summer camp sessions. Family Retreats for children ages 5-17 and their families. Summer camp sessions for children ages 7-16. For complete information, camp schedule, illnesses they serve, or to apply to send your child to camp, visit courageouskids.org. Contact: 270-618-2900 or info@courageouskids.org.

Evangelical Christian School

ECS is proud to offer a variety of summer camps. As parents, you can rest assured that your children will be in the capable hands of teachers and coaches who love Jesus, love your kids, and enthusiastically teach valuable skills that your children will enjoy.

Summer at ECS, June 6-July 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with before- and after-care available. Camps: all-day camp, athletic camps, and specialty camps. Registration open now.

To register, visit ecseagles.com/camps or contact Camp Director Cate Foy at 901-754-7217 or cfoy@ecseagles.com.

Graceland’s Performing Arts Camp

Elvis Presley’s Graceland’s Performing Arts Camp will return for its fourth year in 2022, June 28 to July 3. The Graceland Performing Arts Camp is an immersive theater arts and music experience for kids aged 6 to 17, where they are invited to explore their creativity in acting, singing, and dancing during workshops led by local and Broadway professionals. Over five days of activities, the campers develop a performance showcase that they present on stage at The Guest House Theater for family and friends on Saturday night.

The experience includes five nights at the AAArated Four Diamond resort hotel The Guest House at Graceland, all meals for campers and their families, and camp activities for an allinclusive price. To get more details and register for camp, visit graceland.com/camp.

Harding Academy Summer Camp

1100 Cherry Road Phone: 901-767-4494 May 31-July 29; rising SK-grade 12; full-day, and half-day options; no fee for extended care.

Summer @ Harding is awesome! Register for Day Camp to make new friends, take field trips, and participate in service projects. Sign

up for Sports Camps to work on your swing/ shot/kick. Or take a LEAP class to learn how to play the piano, cook your favorite food, and more. Whatever you choose, you’ll make great summer memories this year at Harding.

Register online at hardinglions.org/summer.

Hutchison School

Build a dollhouse, experiment with elephant toothpaste, dance your heart out, create an escape room, and more! Summer at Hutchison runs May 31-August 12 for girls and boys entering grades JK-12. SPARK Day Camp runs daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with early care starting at 7:30 a.m. and late care available until 6 p.m. The Center for Excellence (CFE) offers unique full- or half-day camps and clinics for girls and boys of all ages. Make a day of it with a CFE/SPARK crossover. SPARK Camp discounts are available for multi-week campers, siblings, and crossover campers. For more information, visit hutchisonschool.org/summer.

Kroc Center

Little Medical School Midsouth

From birthday parties, CPR/first aid, and Scout badge classes to after-school programs, in-school field trips, homeschool programs, mini camps, or summer camps. Little Medical School is a STEM-based enrichment program for children and youth aged 4-15 that teaches greater health awareness through educational roleplay and introduces them to careers in healthcare in an exciting way.

Camp: June 6-10, July 25-30 9 a.m. to noon, Future Doctor Camp: $175; Early Bird/$150 if registered by May 1 or bring a friend who registers and attend the same camp.

1-4 p.m., Future Veterinarian Camp: $175; Early Bird/$150 if registered by May 1 or bring a friend who registers and attend the same camp.

Students can attend both camps, lunch provided by parents. Visit littlemedicalschool.com/midsouth to register.

Memphis Botanic Garden

Summer fun is blooming at the garden. Nature camps are dedicated to connecting kids with nature. These day camps for kids aged 4-12 offer a week full of nature crafts, games, and explorations led by one of MBG’s expert Garden Guides. Learn more at membg.org/ children-family-programs.

Kroc Camps are jam-packed with all The Kroc has to offer, including a variety of activities led by Kroc staff: swimming, gym games, art, cooking, and more! For ages 4-14. Check out the Kroc Camps guide at krocmemphis.org for more info.

Lab School at Acton Academy

Equestrian Camp (June 27-July 1) at Panther Creek Stables features a week spent outdoors immersed in daily horseback riding, mounted games, animal care, and creative crafts. Urban Adventure Camp (July 11-15) offers the important skills of camping and survival without ever leaving the city. Activities range from basic nature/environmental education, such as plant identification and animal study, to true survival skills. Entrepreneur Camp (July 2529) is a week-long camp that takes campers on an adventure to discover how they can turn their ideas into a business. Campers will launch and sell at the camp business fair held on the last day of camp. For more info, visit thelabschoolofmemphis.com.

Lakeshore Camp

Whether you get excited about worship and music, arts and crafts, fishing, wilderness, aquatics, hammocking, or you just want to hang out at main camp, Lakeshore has the summer experience for you. Experience life, love, and God of Grace at one of the 40+ camp options for all ages and interests. To register, visit lakeshorecamp.org/summer-camp.

Photo © Nadezhda1906 | Dreamstime.com

Memphis Jewish Community Center

MJCC Camp is open to all children ages 3 through 10th grade. Facilities include an outdoor water park, indoor pool, expansive field space, and much more. Register at jccmemphis.org/camp.

Memphis Zoo

Zoo Camps run Monday-Friday (except the week of July 4th) and are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A variety of activities are available for JK-8th grade. Visit memphiszoo.org/zoo-camp for details.

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Missouri Military Academy

288 acres of woods, fields, rocks, creeks, and ponds are there to be explored and enjoyed.

Summer Academy, academic residential camp for boys, day camp for boys or girls, grades 7-12; Leadership camp for boys, ages 12-17; Confidence camp for boys, ages 8-11; Equestrian day camp for boys and girls, ages 8-18. Visit missourimilitaryacademy.org/summer for more information.

Music Box

Music lessons for all ages. Need music lessons, want to learn a life skill, succeed in an audition, join a band, learn to experience, appreciate, read, write, play, or produce music? For more information, visit musicboxinc.com/calendar.

G U I D E summer camps will take place in person at the Halloran Centre. For details and pricing, visit orpheum-memphis.com/learn-engage/camps.

Pinecrest Camp

Registration at camppinecrest.org.

Tier pricing: Realizing that families have different abilities to pay, Pinecrest offers a voluntary three-tier fee program. Simply choose the tier that is most suitable or comfortable for your family. All campers receive the same Pinecrest experience, no matter which amount you choose to pay. As you consider your family’s financial situation, please also consider the true cost of camp.

For more information about the three tiers, visit camppinecrest.org. 40 minutes east of Memphis in La Grange, TN. Call at 901-878-1247 or email lucy@camppinecrest.org for more info.

Playhouse on the Square

Playhouse on the Square’s Summer Youth Theater Conservatory is open to any student interested in theater, regardless of experience.

Participants attend daily classes and workshops in theater skills and dynamics, voice, dance/ movement, and more. Session sizes are limited to allow for maximum individual attention and development. For more information, visit playhouseonthesquare.org/summer-youth-conservatory.

Presbyterian Day School Photo © Sergey Novikov | Dreamstime.com

New Ballet Ensemble & School

Dance and theater classes available for ages 3 to 11. For information on session dates, times, and pricing, visit newballet.org or call (901-726-9225.

Email frontdesk@newballet.org for scholarship information or questions.

Summer @ PDS aims to provide an option for a variety of families. Boys and girls ages 2 through 6th grade can enjoy spending their summer at PDS. With before-camp care starting at 7:30 a.m. and after-camp care until 5:30 p.m., it’s a great option for working parents. A day camp option each week offers different enrichment camps so that campers have exciting and engaging options that are age-appropriate. Older boys love sports camp, and this year, they’ll offer a sports camp for younger boys, as well. Register now at pdsmemphis.org/programs/summer-camps.

New Spark Performing Arts

Campers will spend the week learning choreography, music, and having a ton of fun!

The weeklong camps will start with auditions on Monday, and by Friday campers will have put together a 30-minute show ready to perform in front of an audience. Camp is led by counselors who choreograph the dances, teach music, and lead various games.

For more, visit newspark901.org.

Orpheum

Whether your student loves the spotlight or thrives in the camaraderie and creativity that theater provides, the Orpheum has a way for them to shine this summer! Explore summer camps and intensives for students in grades 3-12 plus recent high school graduates. All

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School of Rock

School of Rock | Memphis 400 Perkins Ext. memphis.schoolofrock.com School of Rock | Germantown 9309 Poplar Ave., Ste 102, Germantown germantown.schoolofrock.com School of Rock | Wolfchase 8385 Hwy. 64, Ste. 111, Memphis wolfchase.schoolofrock.com This comprehensive camp experience is designed to hone music performance and ensemble skills in a creative and fun environment. Playing in a band situation speeds learning and creates “seasoned” musicians. Even relatively advanced musicians are amazed at the amount of progress they make when regularly playing with other musicians. Students work in a hands-on atmosphere.

Soccer Shots

An engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. The expertapproved curriculum is age-appropriate and aligns with childhood education standards. For program info and pricing, visit soccershots.com.

St. George’s Independent School

Summer at St. George’s offers safety, flexibility, and convenience. Choose Camp Gryphon, a summer-long day camp for grades JK-5, or Cardinal ‘n Gold (CNG) for grades 6-9. Choose from nearly 100 specialty half-day camps for lower school, middle school, and upper school students including sports, arts, STEM, robotics — and much more. Visit sgis.org/summer for details.

St. Mary’s Episcopal School

Summer at St. Mary’s equals fun for everyone!

St. Mary’s Episcopal School offers a unique summer program, where children can learn, grow, move, and play. From ballet and rock climbing to reading/writing workshop and ACT prep, there is something for girls and boys of all ages. There are many different types of offerings to choose from including academics, athletics, fine arts, just for fun, and leadership/ community. Learn more at stmarysschool.org/ summer or by calling 901-537-1415.

Tennessee Shakespeare Company Prizm Ensemble

The PRIZM Music Camp & International Chamber Music Festival is an opportunity for budding musicians to learn the art of small ensemble playing while working with worldclass professional musicians from across the globe. These renowned musicians serve as camp faculty — and also as mentors. Visit prizmensemble.org for more info.

Tennessee Shakespeare Company announces four new 2022 summer camps for participants ranging in ages from rising kindergarteners to rising 12th graders and recent camp graduates.

The one-week and two-week camps will take place inside TSC’s facility in three different studios, including its Tabor Stage, as well as immediately outdoors on its property.

Led by TSC’s Education Managers CarmenMaria Mandley and Cara McHugh Geissler, each camp is designed to appeal to a specific age

Compiled by Memphis Parent staff range. All are welcome. Each camp has a limited number of participant openings available.

For more information, go to tnshakesepare.org or call 901-759-0620.

Twin Lakes Summer Programs

Since 1970, Twin Lakes has provided families with a summer camp program nestled in the rolling hills and piney woods of central Mississippi.

With day camp for ages 5-8, overnight camps for ages 6-12, the L.I.T. program for teens ages 13-15, summer staff opportunities for ages 16 and up, and a full-service conference center for churches, schools, and businesses, there is truly an opportunity for every member of the family at Twin Lakes. Sign up early! Camps fill quickly.

University of Memphis Summer at Scheidt

Introducing the all-new Summer at the Scheidt Camp hosted by the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. The week-long sessions will stretch creativity, grow musical skills, and expand knowledge. Students will work with expert faculty through a combination of masterclasses, lectures, hands-on activities, rehearsals, and performances. Visit memphis.edu for more.

University of Mississippi DeSoto Summer Camp

The university offers a number of opportunities for students to experience Ole Miss before they begin their official college careers. This year’s offerings include both commuter and residential opportunities. Details can be found at outreach.olemiss.edu.

Valley View Ranch

Equestrian Camp for girls 8-17.

Atop Lookout Mountain since 1954. Located on 600 acres of wooded trails and panoramic views.

Equitation lessons in English and Western for beginner to advanced riders. Only 50 campers per session, so sign up early. Spend up to six hours a day riding and caring for your own camp horse. Visit valleyviewranch.com/register for more information.

3 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOUR FAMILY! GERMANTOWN ● OLIVE BRANCH ● SOUTHAVEN

Making Every SMILE Feel Important WE OFFER COMPLIMENTARY EXAMS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 2 AND COMPLIMENTARY ORTHODONTIC CONSULTATIONS

www.pdgosmiles.com Pediatric Dental Group & Orthodontics serves infants, children, and teens. From baby teeth to braces,

PDGO is here for every stage of your child’s life.

Germantown

Olive Branch

www.pdgosmiles.com 901-363-8191 662-470-4919

Southaven 662-349-3838

YMCA

At YMCA Summer Camp, kids have the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships and memories. Each week this summer will hold a different theme for campers to have fun activities surrounding arts and crafts, science, sports, water safety and swimming, nature, and more, that all focus on what it means to grow and learn as a person!

Visit ymcamemphis.org for more info.

Illustrations © Saenal78 | Dreamstime.com

Transform your life

and our city.

Volunteer. Find year-round opportunities to serve. Learn

more about poverty, hunger, and homelessness in our community.

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Visit community.mifa.org MEM PH I SPA R ENT.COM 27

D A D

L I B S

By Jeff Hulett

STAYCATION, ALL WE EVER NEEDED Make time for a night out with your spouse.

My wife Annie and I recently had the opportunity for a date night.

A full night out, in fact — an overnight stay in the newly minted Memphian Hotel in the heart of Overton Square. Almost 24 hours away from our very energetic and at times dramatic kiddos — sign me up!

But what to do? Where to go? Memphis has so many options these days. After we dropped the kids off at Grandma’s, we checked into our room at the Memphian and settled in.

Our room was on the fourth floor and offered a nice view overlooking Cooper Street.

Isn’t it amazing how when you are freed up from parenting duties you kind of just don’t know what to do? So, after a few moments of deciding our game plan, we made it downstairs to the super-fun and artsy restaurant The Complicated Pilgrim. The restaurant also doubles as a delicious breakfast place after a long night out — more on that later.

After some beers, we ventured across the street to Panta. Formerly Restaurant Iris, Panta was just what the doctor ordered for a married couple looking to have some good eats, good drinks, and much-needed adult conversation. As we didn’t have reservations and the place was starting to fill up, we quickly cozied up at the bar and settled in for what was truly an enjoyable evening. We laughed and people-watched and were able to catch up in a relaxed and unhurried way. We were overdue.

Our bartender Aaron was incredibly knowledgeable and served as our guide for both what drinks to order as well as what dishes to try. I started out with what I’ve been calling the best drink I’ve ever had in my life: a mix of gin, cucumber, lime, and thyme. It was refreshing and distinctive. My wife had a whiskey that also didn’t disappoint. Next up, it was time to order some food. We tried and loved two dishes: the Gambas al Ajillo, gulf shrimp cooked in olive oil with shaved garlic, lemons, olives, and red pepper; and the Cimi i Tomba, a salted cod with Brussels sprouts and caramelized onions.

Speaking as a parent going on nearly 14 years of marriage, I encourage anyone to get out for a night out with their spouse. It’s a great way to reconnect without all of the disruptions and needs of small children. Not to mention it’s fun and exciting. The whole night we just kept laughing about being out so late and having the freedom we haven’t known for more than 10 years.

After a restful night’s sleep, we awoke rejuvenated and ready for breakfast. The Complicated Pilgrim boasts freshly squeezed orange juice, delicious coffee, and some of the best breakfast sandwiches we’ve ever had.

The mix of eggs and bacon on a brioche bun with a delectable side salad was definitely the

right way to start the day and finish up our staycation on a strong note.

With two young children at home, it can be challenging to carve out time for us.

When we do get away, we tend to laugh a lot and remember just why we love each other so much. Make it a point in your relationship to get out, even if just for a few hours. Connection is so important, and when communication falls to the wayside that’s when marriages tend to crash and burn.

Clearly our marriage isn’t perfect.

In fact, we are in the midst of completing a marriage course that focuses on the importance of connection, understanding, and communication. But what I do know is that when we are intentional about spending time together, our marriage benefits big time.

Jeff Hulett is a freelance writer, musician, and PR consultant in Memphis. He lives in the Vollintine Evergreen neighborhood with his wife Annie, two girls Ella and Beatrice, and dog Chalupa.

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F E AT U R E

By Jon W. Sparks

Markus Spiske | Unsplash

DARWIN, THEORIES, & GUMBALL Spending — and talking about — time with the curious grandchild.

Sometimes you have memorable conversations with the grandchild.

Isselee | Dreamstime.com

It is recommended to take notes, by which I mean the grand should keep a record of the chat, although if the youngster wishes to jot down your wisdom, that’s fine. (Do young people jot things anymore? I suppose “note taking” is being replaced by TikTok, which means your ancient suppositions and bad jokes may be preserved forever on some dread platform. So be careful.)

Anyway, the 8-year-old and I were talking the other day and the subject of Darwin came up. “Aha!” I thought — a teaching moment.

I learned in short order that she was referring to (and I am quoting the source material) “Darwin Raglan Caspian Ahab Poseidon Nicodemius Watterson III is the deuteragonist in The Amazing World of Gumball. He used to be Gumball’s pet goldfish, but one day, he grew legs and generally adapted to life outside of water, so he was adopted by the Watterson family.”

So, not Charles. But still with hints of evolution.

Despite her interest being primarily about a mutant goldfish in a cartoon, I thought we might still wring a teaching opportunity out of it. For one thing, there is an Amazing World of Gumball Wiki with detailed information about the show. So, she can easily navigate the actual Wikipedia later on when she needs to do research for a grown-up term paper. Or TikTok project. Or whatever.

But I managed to bring the conversation around to Charles Darwin and the Galápagos

Islands jaunt and his thoughts on evolutionary biology. Now, my granddaughter had already heard of the theory of evolution, but despite being nearly as knowledgeable as I was, I managed to get some pontificating in, which is what a grandparent does, am I right? No special knowledge needed if you sound authoritative.

After a while, we exhausted the descriptions of tortoises and geology and mammals. We left the topic of Darwin, but the discussion evolved into theories. We like theories. It allows us to talk about most anything, and we often do. She said to me: “I want to explain to you my theory that there is no ‘now.’”

I knew I was going to like this. There would be theorizing as well as talk about language and time. It’s exactly how a grandparent and grandchild can connect. Her notion is that there’s no space between past and future. The

state of the present, or now, doesn’t last long enough to qualify for existence. By the time you acknowledge the instant of the moment, it’s already settled into the past.

Now that’s not bad for an 8-year-old.

She’s not quite ready for Heidegger (and I never will be), but I like to think we did a good job of exercising what Hercule Poirot calls our “little gray cells.” And I’m looking forward to our next discussion to see how she’s further thought through her theory. Then I’ll hit her up with the musical term “fermata,” where a note is paused for an unspecified length of time. Explain that! And we’ll follow with time loops, time machines, time warps, and their friends and associates.

Meanwhile, I’ll tease her mercilessly about her temporal inquiries. Like asking her if she wants a pizza. In the future. Because there is no now. Right?

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C A L E N D A R May 1-31

Memphis in May International Festival

For the month of May, this annual festival brings the world to Memphis and Memphis to the world, and this year, it is saluting Ghana through cultural events and performances, educational experiences, museum and gallery exhibits, and films.

Various locations, memphisinmay.org May 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

The Crystal Fairies

For this GPAC spring performance, sprightly fairies, critters, unicorns, and gnomes will leap into an original “rock” ballet, in which fairy Indigo helps her best friend Sparkle find her shine again after it is stolen by Blaze the Fire Fairy. Admission is free.

Germantown Performing Arts Center May 2, 16, 30, 8-9 a.m.

Zoo Stroll

Bring your best stroller buddy and take a guided stroll through the zoo. This fun and interactive recurring program includes a visit to a different area of the zoo and a greeting from one of the animal ambassadors.

Memphis Zoo May 6-8

2022 Gumtree Art & Wine Festival: Creativity Uncorked

For its 50th anniversary, the Gumtree Art Festival is uncorking the creativity. In addition to the art, music, and food festival-goers have come to expect, this year’s festival will have a few new and expanded attractions, such as a tent for wine and cheese tasting, a Mother’s Day brunch, a newly expanded kids’ area, plein air artists, a chalk art contest, and more that the whole family can enjoy.

Court Street, Tupelo, Mississippi May 7, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Bookstock: Memphis Area Authors’ Festival

You’re gonna want to book it to Memphis Public Libraries for their festival of live music, food trucks, author talks, seminars, CLOUD901 activities for teens, crafts and storytimes for children, and 60 local authors’ exhibits. There’s sure to be something for everyone.

Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library May 7-8

THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

ON DISPLAY THROUGH JUNE 5

GRACELAND EXHIBITION CENTER

Museums are always a great place to check out during the summer, and we’re not saying it’s just because of the promise of AC (but that is a perk). But younger ones (and older ones, too) might find some museums a bit on the … not super-fun and exciting side.

With this exhibit, though, people of all ages can be whisked away into the excitement of van Gogh’s paintings animated to life. It’s not like any museum you’ve seen before.

May 7, June 4, July 2, 10 a.m.-noon

Project Pop-up!

For the first Saturday of each month, the Dixon invites participants of all ages to pop in to explore a new part of the Dixon with an inspiring project.

Dixon Gallery & Gardens May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Lichterman Nature Center Talk & Walk Series

Each Saturday, the whole family can enjoy a 1.5-hour, outdoor guided walk exploring the Lichterman Nature Center’s trails. For the walk on May 7, guests will become naturalists for the morning and learn all about the tools real-life naturalists use in their observations. For the following walks this summer, guests will become birders on the lookout for the purple martins that have returned to the nature center. The walks and talks are $10.

Lichterman Nature Center May 7, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Collierville Fair on the Square

This family-friendly festival has something for the young and the young at heart — from vendor booths and great food to puppet shows and a petting zoo, games, wagon rides, pony and train rides, and face painting.

Collierville Historic Town Square

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BEYOND VAN GOGH:

M A Y 2 0 2 22

Workshop: Harvesting Local Clay to Make Seed Bombs

(Ages 15+) Learn how to find and process local clay from the Dixon campus, collect seeds from its gardens, and create seed bombs to take home and plant in your own garden.

Dixon Gallery & Gardens

Exhibit opens May 8

Alice’s Adventures at the Garden

How do you get to Wonderland? Over the hill or Underland or just behind the tree … or from May to October, you can simply visit the Memphis Botanic Garden, where larger-than-life Alice in Wonderland-themed topiary-like sculptures will take over. Plus, on May 14, June 4, and July 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., families can join Alice in her Adventures at the Garden with drop-in craft and activity stations, and on May 23, June 25, and July 30, enjoy a storytime followed by a motion activity or show. Be sure to check out membg.org/alice for more information on other Alice-related programming, from the Mad Hatter’s Family Tea Party on June 19 to Family Game Night on July 22.

Memphis Botanic Garden May 8, 5-6 p.m.

Smphony in the Gardens

To celebrate Mother’s Day, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra will perform big band music on the Dixon’s lawn. Families are invited to bring a picnic or purchase items from food trucks.

Dixon Gallery & Gardens

By Abigail Morici May 12, 10 a.m.

Homeschool Days: The Stories of Ke Francis

Focusing on the Brooks’ exhibit “Due South: Ke Francis and Hoopsnake Press,” on view through July 3, this homeschool day aims to show young kids that books can be art, by exploring visual storytelling and the importance of illustration.

RSVP online for the free event.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Through May 13

Lion Guard: The Exhibit

The Children’s Museum presents this one-of-akind exhibit that brings “The Lion Guard” to life, transporting young children and their families to the Pride Lands through hands-on activities and interactive and imaginative play. Spotlighting important learning areas such as social and self-development, problem solving, creative thinking, and arts and culture, this exhibit will be on display through May 13. Disney character live appearances are not part of the exhibit.

The Children’s Museum of Memphis

May 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Garden Family Day

Soak up the sun at the Dixon’s day of fun.

Guests can look forward to art and natureinspired activities, games, special performances, music, and more.

Dixon Gallery & Gardens May 14, 7:30-11 a.m.

Jr. Fishing Rodeo

Before you start fishing around for something to do as a family, why not just go fishing? The Agricenter is hosting its annual Jr. Fishing Rodeo at Catch’Em Lakes, so bring the kids.

Who knows, they just might get hooked on the peaceful pastime of sitting and standing and waiting and letting go, and you, in the meantime, can enjoy some quiet and sip on a beer or two.

Agricenter International May 14, June 11, July 9

Kids in the Garden

If your kid is between the ages of 7 and 10 and has a case of the Green Thumb, you better send them to this fun, hands-on gardening workshop which will teach them all about nurturing that Green Thumb by learning the basics about horticulture and the flora around them.

Dixon Gallery & Gardens May 14, June 11, 25, July 9, 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Twilight Tours

Ever wondered what happens at the zoo when the sun goes down? Well, now is your chance.

Lace up your sneakers and prepare for an adventure in the Outback with a knowledgeable tour guide as your fearless leader.

Memphis Zoo May 21, June 18, 6-9 p.m.

Family Movie Night May 14, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Eat This Book

Despite this festival’s fun name, Memphis’ librarians would like to remind you that books are our friends, not food. Now that that’s out of the way, we can talk about this super-cool festival promoting the new Raleigh Branch Library and its cookbook/food culture section, as well as Memphis food culture in general. The festival will have vendors, food trucks, children’s activities, and live chef demonstrations, and a dance party will cap off the celebration.

Raleigh Branch Library May 14, 5-8 p.m.

Fried Chicken Fest

GPAC’s latest production of Fried, Fried Birdie — I mean, the Fried Chicken Fest — is bringing Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Uncle Lou’s, and Mike’s Hot Wings & Such together for this outdoor night under a canopy of shade trees. And of course, you can count on lawn games to abound.

Germantown Performing Arts Center

Enjoy dinner at a local food truck and vibe to live music before an outdoor screening of a familyfriendly movie. GPAC will screen The Princess and the Frog on May 21 and Trolls on June 18.

Germantown Performing Arts Center May 20-21

Memphis Greek Festival

Cue the groans from children as parents inevitably evoke the phrase “It’s all Greek to me” at this family-friendly festival. With scrumptious Greek food, tours of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, live music, artisan booths, and activities for kids, you won’t want to leave.

Admission is three cans of food to donate to the Mid-South Food Bank (or $3).

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church May 21

Beware of Adults: The Strange & Wonderful Cautionary Tales of Roald Dahl

As you kick off summer reading, you might be persuaded to invest a bit of time in one of the most beloved children’s authors, Roald Dahl, after watching any of the three movies the Time

Warp Drive-In will screen at this event. Become immersed in the magical worlds of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, The Witches (1990), and Matilda — all with the bonus of the drive-in movie experience.

Malco Summer Quartet Drive-In May 21-22

Cooper-Young Garden Walk

Let the good times roll at this garden stroll. Selfpaced and self-guided, this tour brings a typical weekend walk to the next level, allowing you and the family to peek into more than 100 private gardens and businesses. Visit with speakers at demonstrations and educational booths, hang out with some free-range chickens, check out the beehives, enjoy live music, and more.

Cooper-Young historic district May 21, June 18, July 23, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

¡Viva el Teatro! Bilingual Theater with Cazateatro

¿Cómo se dice, “Theater is more than entertainment”? Cazateatro Bilingual Theater Group taps into that question and more at this monthly workshop of fun bilingual theater activities for the whole family.

Dixon Gallery & Gardens Through May 27

Explore: New Planetarium Show

This exciting, new full-dome planetarium show at MoSH gives insight into the technology that launched us into space, taking the viewer on a journey throughout time, from ancient astronomy through the ambitious idea of colonizing Mars. Learn about the creation of calendars, the stars and planets, and modern transportation and space travel. Showings will run through May 27.

Museum of Science & History May 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Lightfoot Farm Picnic Day

Life’s no picnic, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy picnics — especially one that’s promised to have a view of a pasture of cows.

At Lightfoot Farm, you can enjoy just that, plus entertainment by Brie Marie Music, a farm scavenger hunt, and yard games. Bring your own lunch and blanket, or purchase from Gandy’s Grub Hub or Alesa’s Homemade Fried Pies.

Lightfoot Farm, Millington May 28, 11 a.m.-noon

Bilingual Storytime at Overton Square

La Abuela Tomasa and her friends at Overton Square will take you and your family on a journey with your imagination, while learning a bit of Spanish. Afterward, join Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group in making a craft or learning a new dance.

Overton Square

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C A L E N D A R May 28

Opening Day for Water Play Sprayground

As the heat creeps in and school lets out, you and your family are likely going to be in need of a little respite, probably more than once this summer. What better way to refresh than a water play sprayground? And if you really want to make a splash, why not go for opening day?

Shelby Farms Park June 2-4

Memphis Italian Festival

Slurps away! Even the pickiest eaters can find something to enjoy at this festival boasting an assortment of your favorite Italian pastas, gravies, and more. The festival will have musical performances from the likes of Bailey Bigger and Mark Edgar Stuart, along with games, arts and crafts vendors, activities, and food-based competitions.

Marquette Park

June 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Memphis Pride Fest

By Abigail Morici June 9, 8-9 p.m.

Memphis Juneteenth Festival

June 17-18

July 1-3

If you’re still hearing “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” on repeat by the time June 9 rolls around, you might want to shout, “Silenzio Bruno.”

Luckily, you won’t be alone and you’ll surprisingly find camaraderie in another Disney animated favorite from 2021, one that boasts that very phrase, “Silenzio Bruno.” So be sure to bring a blanket or a chair and grab your food for a picnic and movie screening of Luca in Chimes Square.

Overton Square

Bluff City Balloon Jamboree

Oh the places you’ll go at this three-day festival dedicated to the Wizard of Oz’s favorite mode of transportation. Scheduled for Father’s Day weekend, the Bluff City Balloon Jamboree will delight its attendees with hot air balloon rides, a balloon glow event, carnival attractions, arts and crafts, and live music.

Shelby Farms Park

June is the time for Pride, and Memphis Pride Fest does it best with its festival of live entertainment on two stages, more than 150 vendors, food trucks, a car show, a kids area, and more. And we can’t forget about the Pride Parade that rolls through the Beale Street Entertainment District, with over 100 units and more than 3,000 participants of all ages and backgrounds.

Robert Church Park

June 7-June 12

On December 4, 1956, four young musicians gathered at Sun Records in our very own hometown, brought together for a recording session for the first and only time. Those four musicians: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Million Dollar Quartet brings that famous jam session to life.

Halloran Centre

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Graceland’s All-American 4th of July Weekend

Let your colors burst at Graceland’s weekend celebrating Independence Day. Though the weekend has a whole slew of events from hidden tours to barbecue dinners, which you can find more information about at graceland.com/july4, the main event is the All-American Party & Elvis Fireworks Extravaganza on July 3, when fireworks will burst to Elvis music to celebrate the holiday.

Graceland July 23

Nothing’s better than a movie night in summer — especially if you throw in three movies in one night. With Hook, The Neverending Story, and Young Sherlock Holmes to captivate audiences of any age, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the screen.

Malco Summer Quartet Drive-In

June 7

Million Dollar Quartet

With Juneteenth being declared a federal holiday in the U.S. last year, the 29th Annual Memphis Juneteenth Festival promises to celebrate African-American culture, food, entertainment, and the overall significance of the holiday. Festival-goers can look forward to musical entertainment of a variety of genres, majorettes, dancers, steppers, cheerleaders, a car and bike show, activities for kids, and more.

Health Sciences Park

Bedtime Stories: A Kid’s Literary Adventure Night

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Astronomy Bizarre

The universe is infinite, and so is the list of cool things in the universe, it seems. You got black holes, dark matter, dark energy, wormholes, multiverses — there’s too much to name and a heck of a lot to learn. In this show, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down all that bends the mind the most, so that even the nonastrophysicists can understand.

Orpheum Theatre

June 18-19

Overton Square Movie Series: Luca

July 26-31

My Fair Lady June 18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Memphis Vegan Festival

If you live on the veg or would like to try out some plant-based dishes, you’ll want to check out this festival’s day full of vegan food, live entertainment, and a marketplace featuring local businesses, plant-based health and beauty products, clothing, and accessories.

Pipkin Building

June 18-19

Mid-South Air Show

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s … yeah, it’s a plane. And while Superman might not be in the sky for the Mid-South Airshow, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are just as entertaining, if not more, featuring military demonstrations, aerobatic performances, static display aircraft, and local emergency response helicopters.

Millington-Memphis Airport

In this musical with such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “The Rain in Spain,” Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, meets Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor with the goal of transforming Eliza into the perfect lady — or at least his idea of it.

Orpheum Theatre