A look inside...
The Great Stuffing Debate
Turkey Recipes 3 Ways
Fall Decor
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Editor
Gifting Experiences
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Military Family Stories
Eagle Toy Run
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Hello Everyone,
Alex Zapetis
Contributors Dave Marshall Jennifer Hartman
Publisher Creative ink
It is officially time for Thanksgiving! I am super excited. I cannot wait to be surrounded by the people I love, all while shoving turkey into my mouth. This month, we have brought you some cool turkey making tips and tricks in case you need a little assistance in the kitchen. You have to make that bird perfectly!
Creative Director Sears Hallett
Advertising
Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com
Photography
mixthatdrink.com Deposit Photo pg: Cover, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, Dreamstime pg: 7, 8, 11, 12 Josh Vaughn
We also have some great fall dÊcor inspiration that will help you prep your home for guests. Be sure to check out how you can participate in this year’s Eagle Toy Run in order to help prepare the community for Christmas! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Alex Zapetis, Editor alex@creativeinktn.com
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There is an age-old debate that sparks every year around this time. Do you know what it is? Can you take a guess? If you said, “dressing or stuffing?” you would be correct. How to prepare the most popular Thanksgiving side varies from region to region, and each one swears theirs is superior. What is your favorite way to prepare yours? “We bake ours inside the bird. There is no other way to do it! Keep the classic tradition alive.” Allison from Wisconsin 1 package dry bread stuffing mix • 1 cup water 1 tablespoon butter • 1 cup chopped celery ¼ cup chopped onion 4 slices toasted white bread, torn into small pieces salt and pepper to taste • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Prepare stuffing according to package directions. After it is prepared, mix in your water. Next, cook your onions and celery in your butter. Combine your cooked vegetables and your toasted bread pieces into the stuffing that was previously prepared. Season to taste Carefully place your mixture into the turkey body cavity and neck cavity. (Make sure your turkey has been cleaned out first!) Rub the exterior of the turkey with vegetable oil. Cover your turkey with aluminum foil, and roast. Check the internal temperature of your stuffing. It should reach at least 165 degrees F.
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“It is 100% old southern cornbread dressing made in the largest pan you can find! Don’t you dare stuff that bird with bread.” Marie from South Carolina 1 prepared package of white cornbread 3-pieces of bread. (Sandwich bread, hot dog buns, or biscuits will do!) 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon black pepper 3 large eggs • 1 medium onion diced 2 stalks celery diced • 1⁄2 cup butter sliced 4 cups cream of chicken soup 6 cups chicken stock Preheat oven to 350º F. Crumble all of the cornbread and bread into a large bowl. Add salt, pepper, eggs, onion, celery, butter, cream of chicken soup, and chicken stock. Stir until well-combined and the bread has soaked up the mixture. Pour contents into a baking dish and bake for 45 minutes. Once the center of the dressing no longer shakes, then it is done. “We cook ours outside of the turkey, but we don’t use cornbread. We like a cubed bread consistency. Cornbread dressing is too mushy for my family.” Heather from California 1 lb French bread cut into 1-inch cubes 3 ⁄4 cup unsalted butter • 2 cups chopped onion 1 1⁄2 cups diced celery • 1 tablespoon minced sage 1 ⁄4 cup chopped Italian parsley 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme 1 1⁄2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground pepper • 2 large eggs 2 cups chicken broth Allow your bread cubes to dry out by putting them on the counter covered for 1-2 days. Stir the bread cubes once or twice a day. If you don't have time to air-dry your bread, you can toast them. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease your baking dish. On medium heat, melt your butter and add the onion and celery. Cook until soft. Mix with your bread. Add the parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir together. In a medium bowl, whisk together your wet ingredients. Combine all of your ingredients together, and then pour into prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until top is golden brown and middle is set. 6
Turkey Hacks A big turkey is a staple piece for families across America. If there is not a big bird in the middle of your kitchen table, is it really even Thanksgiving? Unfortunately, preparing the Thanksgiving turkey is not as easy as just tossing it in the oven the morning of. There is a lot of surprise prep work involved. Do not worry, we have your back. Here is some must-know information about baking the bird. Don’t Forget to Thaw Your Turkey It can take days to thaw your frozen turkey successfully and safely. Be sure to take it out of your freezer and place it in your fridge ahead of time. You will need 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. For example, a 15-pound bird will take 3 days to thaw. Get to Cleaning After your bird is nice and ready, be sure to scoop out all of the things stored inside of it. You will find some giblets and the neck bone. You may also find a spare feather quill or two. Just give them a simple pluck. Season it All Over Yes, you even need to season the inside of the turkey’s body cavity. Spread your desired seasonings everywhere and anywhere. You can never have too much flavor. Ditch the Roasting Rack If you are new to the cooking world, you may not have all the fancy gadgets and gizmos. When you do not have a roasting rack, reach for a few carrots, onions, and potatoes. Layer them on the bottom of your pan and place your turkey on top. It will keep your turkey off the bottom of the pan, as well as add some great flavors. Cooking the Bird Want a quick guide on the time it takes to cook your turkey? We have you covered. 12-14 pound turkey: About 3 hours at 350 degrees 15-18 pound turkey: About 3.5 to 4 hours at 350 degrees 18-20 pound turkey: About 4 to 4.5 hours at 350 degrees 21-24 pound turkey: About 4.5 to 5 hours at 350 degrees Keep Your Turkey Moist When cooking for long strands of time, your meat can easily dry out. To help avoid this, layer some bacon, lattice style, across the top of your bird. The added flavor and juiciness will be incredible. Buy a Meat Thermometer You do not want to guess if your meat is done on Thanksgiving. Can you imagine sitting down to feast, and carving into a raw bird? Buy a simple meat thermometer to keep your cooking temperatures safe and accurate. The internal temperature of the turkey must be 165 degrees. Let it Rest Do not start carving your bird as soon as it comes out of the oven. Even though it may smell delicious, you want to give it some time to rest. For 30 minutes, do not touch it. This will keep all your juices from flowing out when that initial cut is made.
Family traditions are something that we hold onto for our entire lives. They are passed down for generations and are a huge sense of comfort for all. During the holidays, family traditions are extremely popular and vary all across the globe. Therefore, we reached out to a few military families to see what their unique family traditions are. Who knows, you may find one you want to adopt for yourself.
“One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is making a gigantic batch of homemade apple cider the day before Thanksgiving and sipping on it all day as we prepare the feast. My Grandmother taught me to make the best cider. “ Frankie from West Virginia “Growing up, my siblings and I would always fight over the wishbone. There were 3 of us, so we all played rock paper scissors over which two got to make a wish. I went 4 years in a row without ever getting to make a wish. Maybe that is why I only wanted two kids. They never have to fight over the wishbone.” Hailey from Florida “My family would always wake up early and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. My parents would get a cup of coffee, and my sister and I would get hot chocolate. We never ate breakfast though. You have to save up that hunger for the turkey!” Jessica from Tennessee “My hometown had a bad homeless population when I was growing up, so we always made Thanksgiving plates for them and handed them out after we ate. Now, my family makes plates for soldiers that are stuck on duty during Thanksgiving.” Penny from California “One of my favorite memories from when I was a child included my mother buying a bag of mini pumpkins and letting the children of the family paint and decorate them as the meal was being prepared. When it was time to eat, we used the pumpkins as the centerpiece for our table.” Rachel from South Carolina “Is my family the only one that would buy a special outfit and put on a pound of makeup just to sit on the living room couch and stuff our faces?” Cher from Texas “I love making cookie wreaths. It is just colored sugar cookies all cut out into the shapes of leaves, and then glued together with royal icing to make a wreath. It is pretty and delicious.” Olivia from Georgia “After everyone is full and content, my family will break out the board games. It is the only thing that we can manage to do with our full bellies!” Julie from Illinois “To wrap up our Thanksgiving, we decorate for Christmas that night. Ring in one holiday while closing out another.” Natalie from Washington “Following the Thanksgiving feast the entire family gathers around the tv to watch and sometimes act out “Christmas Vacation” movie.” Paula from Illinois 8
Preparing Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner 3 WAYS Traditional Roasted Turkey Think of going to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving. A chill in the air, the joining of family and of course the smell of a turkey roasting in the oven. Lots of small talk, playing with cousins, and plenty of waiting for the fantastic meal. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas, and cranberry sauce. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. If it’s traditional that you are after here’s the recipe for a golden brown, juicy turkey for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients 1 (18 lb) whole turkey 1 ⁄2 cup unsalted butter (softened) Salt & ground black pepper to taste 1 1⁄2 quarts turkey stock • 8 cups prepared stuffing
Directions 1. Completly thaw turkey. Follow thawing instructions on packaging. 2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place rack in the lowest portion of the oven. 3. Remove the turkey neck and giblets, rinse the turkey and pat dry with paper towels. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a rack in the roasting pan. Loosely fill the body cavity with stuffing. Rub the skin with the softened butter, and season with salt and pepper. Position an aluminum foil tent over the turkey. 4. Place turkey in the oven, and pour 2 cups turkey stock into the bottom of the roasting pan. Baste all over every 30 minutes with the juices on the bottom of the pan. Whenever the drippings evaporate, add stock to moisten them, about 1 to 2 cups at a time. Remove aluminum foil after 2 1⁄2 hours. Roast until a meat thermometer inserted in the meaty part of the thigh reads 180 degrees, about 4 hours. 5. Transfer the turkey to a large serving platter, and let it stand for at about 30 minutes before carving. 11
Grilled Turkey Are you the outdoors type and realize that nothing is better than what comes off the grill? A grilled turkey is tasty, juicy and has won many competitions in head-to-head match-ups with a roasted bird. You can still make gravy with the drippings and can add additional flavors with smoking wood chips. Apple chips really add a nice touch.
Ingredients 1 (12 lb) Whole Turkey • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning • salt and pepper to taste
Directions 1. Prepare an outdoor grill for indirect medium-high heat (as close to 350 degrees as possible). 2. Rinse turkey and pat dry. Turn wings back to hold neck skin in place. Return legs to tucked position. Brush turkey with oil. Season inside and out with Italian seasonings, salt, and pepper. 3. Place turkey breast-side up on the grill. Place drip pan directly underneath the turkey. The drip pan can be made from aluminum foil. Grill 2 to 3 hours, to an internal thigh temperature of 180 degrees (juices should run clear). Remove turkey from grill and let stand 20-25 minutes before carving.
Deep-Fried Turkey Looking for a new twist for your Thanksgiving meal? Deep-frying a turkey provides a juicy and rapidly cooked alternative. The deep-frying process seals in the juices inside so the turkey stays flavorful and moist. A 15 pound turkey will take about 45 minutes to fry and will remain hot and juicy in a cooler over nite. You must make sure the turkey is completely defrosted, also you can’t stuff the bird, so stuffing and gravy will have to be made elsewhere.
Ingredients 1 (15- to 18-pound) fresh turkey • Peanut oil for frying (about 4 gallons)
Directions 1. 2. 3.
4.
Remove giblets and the neck. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat it dry with paper towels. Trim most of the excess fat and skin from the neck and cavity to allow for better frying. Place the turkey on a cutting board or baking sheet and coat it evenly with a rub of choice, including inside the cavity. Place the turkey in a plastic bag and allow to rest in the refrigerator overnight. Heat the oil in a turkey fryer until it registers 350°F. Let the turkey sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove it from the bag and lightly blot it with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place the turkey on the frying rack, drumsticks pointing upward as though it’s doing a headstand. Use the grab hook to very slowly lower the turkey into the heated oil; Wear heatproof gloves and safety goggles, and do not drop the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is completely submerged, remove the hook. Fry for about 3 minutes per pound or until the juices run clear and a thermometer inserted into the inner part of the thigh reads 155°F. 5. Use the grab hook to slowly remove the turkey from the oil, allowing sufficient time for the hot oil to drain away. Place the turkey and rack on a rimmed baking sheet set on the ground, and let them sit a few minutes before moving to allow any extra oil to drain. Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes. Remove it from the rack and carve.
The Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club will hold their Inaugural “Two States. Four Runs.” - 2020 Virtual Edition on November 7th and it will end on November 14th. If you are interested in participating, runner registration is online at Active.com Your registration will come with a running shirt, medal, bib, and virtual swag bag! Participants are to use any running/ walking tracking device to log in their miles and time to be submitted to active.com upon completion. If you would like more information on this event, or have any questions, please reach out to the Fort Campbell Spouses’ Club on their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/fortcampbellspousesclub 14
Fuzzy Blue Gobbler 1 part peach schnapps 1 part Maui Blue 1 part Wild Turkey Pour the ingredients into a shot glass. Serve and drink. William’s Caramel Appletini 1 1⁄2 ounces gin 1 ounce Apple Jolly Rancher vodka/rum 1 ⁄2 ounce Salted Caramel vodka/rum Drink recipes and photos courtesy of mixthatdrink.com
Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Pour in all ingredients. Shake for 10-20 seconds. Strain the mixture into the glass and serve.
Port Elderflower Original Drink 1 1⁄2 ounces light rum 1 ounce port 3 ⁄4 ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur Brandy Alexander 1 1⁄2 ounces brandy 1 ounce dark creme de cacao 1 ounce half-and-half 1 ⁄4 teaspoon grated nutmeg Fill a shaker halfway with ice cubes. Pour in the brandy, creme de cacao, and the half-and-half. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Sprinkle the grated nutmeg over the top.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all three ingredients. Shake well until chilled. Strain the mixture into an old-fashioned glass.
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It is not truly fall until you break out some fa ll decorations, everybod y knows that. The season brings such jo y to so many hearts across the country an d decorating for fall is just icing on the cake . Whether it be for Halloween, Thanksgivin g, or just fall vibes all around, everyone has their own way of decorating for the se ason. Take a peek at some of our readers’ fa ll inspired homes and draw up some inspira tion for your very own.
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The holidays are approaching fast, and many parents are scrambling to plan out the perfect gift guide for their families. Due to Covid, the hottest toys and electronics may be in short supply this year. That is why it is important to consider a different approach to gift giving in 2020. Gifting experiences and other items that can be used year-round is a fantastic idea for kids of all ages. When you gift an experience, you can enjoy the present for months to come. The present is not lost at the bottom of toy boxes weeks after being opened. It is not tossed to the side and easily forgotten. If you would like to take a different approach to gift exchanges this Christmas, here are a few fun ideas that you can present to your children. A Year Long Membership to the Nashville Zoo The Nashville Zoo is only an hour away from Fort Campbell and hosts a wide variety of fun events year-round. A year long membership allows you to have a mini vacation whenever you please, and it is an inexpensive gift for the entire family.
Spa Day Do you have a young child that loves to be pampered? A gift certificate to a local spa or nail salon will allow them the freedom to have a spa day whenever they feel like they need it the most.
NFL Tickets With the Titans playing only an hour away, there are a wide variety of NFL teams that visit Nashville throughout the year. If you are lucky, maybe even your all-time favorite team will be scheduled to stop in. There is nothing like that rush of stepping into an NFL game for the first time.
Playing Dress Up Do you enjoy dressing up and feeling like a million bucks? A gift certificate to a nearby fine dining establishment allows your loved one to have a night that will make them feel like a celebrity.
Camping Gear One unique gift for all outdoor lovers out there is a nice set of camping gear. This gift can be used throughout the upcoming seasons and is sure to make some amazing memories.
A Big Family Vacation Family vacations can get expensive, but they are also a lifelong memory that you will never forget. Consider using your average Christmas money towards an amazing family vacation instead. If you ever wanted to plan a trip to Disney or go on a family cruise, now is the time to plan it out and surprise your crew.
Subscription Boxes Did you know that you can buy a year long subscription to many fun and exciting subscription boxes? Give a gift that keeps on giving every single month. Here are a few for you to check out!
Amazon STEM Toy Club- STEM Toys for children 3-13 years of age www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7UDAVI?tag= mysubscriptionaddic-1-bg-20
Boxycharm- Makeup and Skincare www.boxycharm.com
Little Passports- Fun exploratory activities for
KiWi Co- STEM box for Kids
children 3 and up. www.littlepassports.com
www.Kiwico.com
Foodstirs- Bi-monthly box supplies baking projects Ipsy- Makeup and Skincare www.ipsy.com
for kids ages 6 and up. www.foodstirs.com 26
Military Families Month was first declared in 1996, and it is a month dedicated to acknowledging the tremendous sacrifices our military families make. Even though every family is on a similar journey, each story you hear is truly unique. To get a small glimpse into the different circumstances a military family goes through, we asked 3 different families to tell their story. The Reid Family How long has your spouse been in the military? “6 years” What is your favorite thing about being a military family? “The relationships you build within the military community and with other members.” What is the hardest thing about being a military family? “Feeling like you have no support sometimes.”
What is one memory involving being a military family that sticks out in your mind? “When we PCSd for the first time, another military family drove us around to set up our utilities and help us get groceries.” What piece of advice would you give to yourself right when you started this journey? “Become your own person. It is easy to get lost in this life of loneliness.” 27
The Kimbrough Family How long has your spouse been in the military? “My spouse had been in the Active duty military 4 years.” What is your favorite thing about being a military family? “My favorite part about being a military family is the opportunity to travel and meet people all over the states.” What is the hardest thing about being a military family? “The hardest would be my spouse missing out on our child’s milestones and not being able to see family enough.” What is one memory involving being a military family that sticks out in your mind? “Being able to relate to other military spouses. Having a support system that makes everything so much easier.” What piece of advice would you give to yourself right when you started this journey? “Enjoy the days you have with your spouse before they have to leave for deployment, field rotation etc. There will be bumps down the road but continue to trust God and His plan and we will be alright.”
The Smith Family How long has your spouse been in the military? “He’s been in 7 years. “ What is your favorite thing about being a military family? “I love being able to move to new locations and meeting new people. Making memories with those people where they turn into family. “ What is the hardest thing about being a military family? “The hardest part for me is when he’s away and not able to use his phone. I understand trainings/deployments are part of the job but when he is unable to call/text that’s what’s hard. When I see that call come in after so many days...it’s the greatest feeling ever!” What is one memory involving being a military family that sticks out in your mind? “Definitely when he left for Germany for 9 months. It was the longest 9 months of my life and then covid hit. I thought he’d never come home, but the day he did I thought nobody in this world existed except us!” What piece of advice would you give to yourself right when you started this journey? “TO BE FLEXIBLE! To understand that he does not have control over what happens next. To be flexible with plans and go with the flow!” 28
The new Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel entertainment center is located in Oak Grove, KY, just a quick spin away and right across from Fort Campbell. The $200 million facility boasts over 1,300 gaming machines, 5/8-mile harness racing track, four restaurants, three bars and the Grandstand Event Center. In accordance with local, state and Centers for Disease Control guidelines, Oak Grove Gaming is operating under reduced capacity due to Covid-19. Guests and team members must pass temperature scans and Covid questionnaires in order to enter the facility. Masks are required unless guests are actively eating and drinking and social distancing is enforced. The 100,000-square-foot gaming floor features state-ofthe-art Historic Racing Machines (HRMs) that offer pari mutuel wagering with some of the best themes from Ainsworth, Scientific Games and International Gaming Technology. Dining and beverage options include Garrison Oak Steakhouse, quick serve eateries Sgt. Peppers Burgers and Po’Boys and Lucky Lime Tex Mex, and O’Dark Thirty Coffee House. The second phase of the Oak Grove project opening in October 2020 and includes a hotel, equestrian center, outdoor amphitheater and a 30 slip RV park. The hotel has 128 rooms including 12 suites and a 2,200-square-foot Presidential suite with its own pool table. 29
Several of the suites face the 5/8-mile harness racing track that will host its second live meet thru November 11. The races will be featured as matinees during the week with 8-10 races per day and will be open to the public. The facility also offers a Simulcast Betting Area to allow real time wagering on not only the races at Oak Grove, but throughout the country.
Another highlight of the facility is the Garrison Oak Steakhouse, the elegant dining space features curved mahogany ceiling and richly decorated oversized booth seating that will take you on a culinary journey exceeding your expectations. The quality of the food, the energy, and the impeccable service all combine to ensure your dining pleasures transcend like no other. Executive Chef Phillip Winkler and his All-Star culinary team have sourced the finest beef, pork, chicken and cold water seafood and brought them right here for your enjoyment. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made online from the Oak Grove Gaming website.
Is a Career in Healthcare Right for Me? by: Jennifer Hartman, Content Marketing Manager, ProTrain
The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing career paths in the country, adding about 2.4 million new jobs by 2026. So, if you’re looking to make a career change, and you’ve been obsessed with popular TV medical dramas like “Grey’s Anatomy”, the healthcare industry might be just the place for you. And you don’t need a higher degree to land a great paying position in a hospital or clinic, you just need the right training. But, before jumping into this rewarding career in healthcare, there are some things to consider beyond having a kind heart, patience, and compassion. Great healthcare workers also possess certain traits and skills to be successful whether working in a hospital, nursing home, or clinic: Strong desire to help others – you have to want to help others. Your job will be about challenges and highs and lows, and you will be best equipped to handle the pressures by being excited about your work and knowing you are making a difference. Excellent communication skills – you must listen to your patients in order to provide the best information in a clear manner. You will also need to have strong interpersonal skills, as you may have to deliver negative news to patients. Ability to multi-task – working with doctors, nurses and patients requires the ability to move from one task to another in a swift manner while providing accuracy. Empathy and Compassion – you will need to have emotional stability and be able to stay calm under pressure, all while showing empathy and understanding your patients’ emotions without feeling them yourself. You should have compassion and caring for your patients in whatever they may be going through. If you are ready to be the next medical assistant to Dr. Meredith Grey, now is the time to earn a certification and begin your career. What does a certification in a high demand healthcare profession earn you? Job Satisfaction – healthcare workers spend their time in the care of others, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and higher motivation due to working to make a difference in other people’s lives. Above-Average Earning Potential – healthcare workers in an entry level position typically make a starting wage of around $15 per hour. With certifications and degrees in a specialty, as well as stackable skills, the hourly wage increases, and you have the potential to earn $45,000 to $75,000 per year. Variety of Career Opportunities – there are many career opportunities in the healthcare field – medical assistants, medical administrative assistants, pharmacy technicians, patient care technicians, and many more. Once in the healthcare industry you can learn new skills (called stackable skills) to help take you to the next level of your career. Positions at ALL Education Levels – working in healthcare is for people with all levels of education, from high school graduates to someone with a doctorate degree. If you don’t have the time, desire, or funds to train to be a doctor, your next best thing is to earn a certification in your desired field. This shows your employer that you are educated and trained properly. Flexible Schedules – caring for patients isn’t a 9 to 5 career. You may be working in a hospital on the overnight shift, caring for patients day and night in a nursing facility, or working in a clinic during regular business hours. There is no better time than now to earn the certification(s) you need to enter the healthcare field. Or study a new healthcare career and stack your skills for the potential of higher pay. Your training can be done completely online and using your MyCAA benefits make this career choice affordable. Let Austin Peay State University be your source for earning a certification in Healthcare. In just a few short months you can be working in your own Grey + Sloan Memorial Hospital. Austin Peay State University has your solutions for Live Online Instructor Led Training: https://apsu.theknowledgebase.org/ • Soldiers visit: http://CA.ProTrainEdu.org Military Spouses visit: https://apsums.theknowledgebase.org/mycaa For more information you can also email: info@protrainedu.org
The USO Fort Campbell helps military service members and their family members stay connected to the people, places, and things that they love most! This fall, there are four great ways for patriotic Americans to support military families through USO programming. First, USO Songwriters Night is on Thursday 5 NOV! This annual fundraiser will look a little different in 2020; there will be a VIP in-person event for only 40 people at Hard Rock Café (VIP tickets include dinner), plus an online streaming opportunity for a much larger audience. Tickets will be available soon at www.mybidpal.net/USOSongwritersNight. Then, the 20th Annual Eagle Toy Run will be on Saturday 7 NOV with check in at 12:00pm at Old Glory Distilling Co and ending with a post-ride party at Appleton Harley-Davidson. This event is the primary donation source for the toys that USO Fort Campbell gives away at the Great Gift Giveaway. (This year’s Great Gift Giveaway is scheduled for 16 DEC and registration will open in a few weeks. Watch the USO Fort Campbell Facebook page for more information!) Registration for the 20th Annual Eagle Toy Run will open soon at www.mybidpal.net/2020EagleToyRun. People interested in supporting the Great Gift Giveaway but aren’t able to attend the Eagle Toy Run can buy a toy on our Amazon wish list and have it shipped directly to USO Fort Campbell! The wish list can be found at http://bit.ly/USOGGG20 There is also an opportunity to provide supplies for holiday programming for military families traveling through USO Nashville this year! The link to that Amazon wish list is http://bit.ly/USONASHWISH We hope that military families are able to take advantage of all our 2020 Holiday programming, and that patriotic Americans choose a way to support those programs over the next few weeks!
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Mark your calendars because the 20th Annual Eagle Toy Run is right around the corner. It will take place on November 7 from 12pm until 5pm at Appleton Harley-Davidson, 2502 Hwy 41-A Bypass, Clarksville. Registration kicks off at 12pm at Old Glory Distillery, and the kickstands go up at 1pm. The ride will end at Appleton Harley-Davidson, but then the party begins. There will be live music and tons of great food for guests to come and chow down on.
If that’s not enough, there will also be great vendors onsite along with up to $1,000 in giveaways and prizes. The cost to join in on the ride is $25, and you will receive a free shirt as well. Participants can also bring in a toy to cover the fees instead. All proceeds from this event will go to benefiting the USO Holiday House which supports military families in our community. So, come on out and make Saturday, November 7th one to remember. Not only will you get to enjoy some great events, but you will be helping to bring a smile to a child’s face this holiday season. 33