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C A R S
FEATURES - June 2015
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Summer Solstice
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Do You Want to DIY?
How it came to be.
Editors Jenelle Grewell Tara Goodson CynDe Clack
How to use the North Skills Auto Shop.
Contributors
William D. Corlew, III Betty Geren Ramon M. Maisonet Stella Mayfair Reuben Osuna
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(Not) Another Tie Father’s Day gift ideas.
Publisher
Creative ink
Creative Director
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Sears Hallett
Advertising
Happy Birthday to the Army Celebrating 240 years.
931-801-4531 sales@creativeinktn.com
Photography CynDe Clack Jenelle Grewell Paula Hallett Lanette Foster
10 Vacationing on a Budget How to save and still have fun.
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Shutterstock pg 14, 16
15 Can This Day Get Any Worse? Overcome a bad day.
19 Adopt a Kitty
Consider adopting a furry friend.
21 Getting Muddy for the Warrior Challenge ECFT is getting dirty.
21 Disclaimers: Fort Campbell’s MWR Life Magazine is a monthly magazine produced by the Fort Campbell MWR Marketing Department under the authority of AR 215-1. Facilities and activities publicized are open to authorized patrons.The mention or appearance of commercial advertisers, commercial sponsors and/or their logos does not constitute endorsement by the Federal Government. The information in this issue is current at the time of publication; activities and events are subject to change. MWR Marketing is located at 5663 Screaming Eagle Blvd, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. For more information, call 270-798-7535 or log on to www.campbell.armymwr.com. 24 hr. event line - 270-798-3172 www.facebook.com/fortcampbellmwr
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In the Know
By Stella Mayfair
Do you know when summer officially starts? It starts with the summer solstice which will be on June 21 this year. The summer solstice usually falls between June 20 and June 22 and it is when the northern hemisphere is most inclined toward the sun. This is also considered the longest day of the year in terms of daylight hours. In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs in December, when the northern hemisphere is experiencing the winter solstice. The summer solstice has been celebrated for many years by many different cultures. European pagans, Christians and eastern religions all have traditions and beliefs based around the summer solstice.
Christian cultures celebrate the summer solstice as Saint John’s Day in honor of Saint John the Baptist and it is usually celebrated on June 24. Most Christian holidays are celebrated during the time of the pagan holiday because early Christians wanted to make it easier for pagans to convert to Christianity. Saint John’s Day is no exception, coming from the pagan holiday of Midsummer. Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits, because it was believed they roamed freely when the sun began to turn south. In later years, the bonfires protected against witches, because it was believed they were on their way to meet with other powerful and evil beings. Today many countries celebrate Saint John’s Day with parades,
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festivals, dancing and large bonfires. Midsummer, the celebration that Christians adapted into Saint John’s Day, is where the Christians got many of their traditions for celebrating. Pagans jumped through fires for good luck, danced, rubbed herbs in their eyes to see faeries, and stayed up all night. The mystical association with Midsummer is the seasonal life of the god of the sun. Eastern religions also celebrate the summer solstice. In ancient China, they used the summer solstice to honor the earth, femininity and the force known as yin. This was opposite of the winter solstice which honored the heavens, masculinity and the force known as yang. Native Americans have celebrated summer solstice for centuries and some still practice these rituals today. The Sioux perform a sun dance around a tree while wearing certain colors. Ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated the summer solstice. Some regions of Greece marked the summer solstice as the first of the year and also marked the one month countdown until the opening of the Olympic Games. The Greeks had many festivities, but the major one was in honor of agriculture god Cronus. The ancient Romans celebrated by paying tribute to the goddess of the heath, Vesta. How would you want to celebrate the summer solstice? It is the day with the longest daylight hours, so why not enjoy camping? June 21 is a Sunday so you could make a whole weekend of camping in honor of the summer time! Fort Campbell has plenty of options for camping. Eagles Rest RV Park and Fletcher’s Fork RV Park has electrical service, water and sewer plus a picnic table at each site. For a rate of only $20 a night, your Family could enjoy the outdoors during the heat of summer! Not quite up for RV camping? Why not
rent one of our cabins or cottages? Both rustic and deluxe cabins and cottages are available with various accommodations. $35 a night will get you a rustic cabin or cottage and $55 a night will get you deluxe cabin. For more information about camping, cabins or cottages, call our Outdoor Recreation office at 270-798-2175. Need to rent equipment for camping? Look to our Gear To Go office for a variety of equipment! You can rent RVs and camping equipment like stoves, sleeping bags, tents, coolers and generators. If you are going camping somewhere with water, you can rent a lot of waterfront equipment and accessories such as kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats, life vests, wake boards, knee boards and water skis. Gear To Go has everything you need to make your weekend trip this summer a blast. Call them at 270-798-3919/6806 for information. However you choose to spend your summer or celebrate the summer solstice, have a great time! With the summer season starting, it is the perfect time to have some fun in the sun! Don’t forget the sunscreen!
DO YOU WANT TO DIY?
Spotlight on MWR
By Reuben Osuna
Car repairs can be expensive and can drain your wallet fast, especially if your car’s regular maintenance schedule has not been kept. The good news is that you can do a wide range of repairs yourself, regardless of your technical skills. You can do more than just oil changes! As long as you can hold a wrench, you can replace everything from belts and hoses to alternators and brakes. If you are not certain what is considered part of regular maintenance on your car, you can check your owner’s manual. Oil changes, changing the air filters, changing spark plugs, replacing serpentine belts or v-belts, checking and replacing hoses, replacing timing belts, rotating and balancing your tires, checking the air in your tires, checking and changing your brakes, checking or replacing your coolant, changing your PCV and other components - these are just some of the maintenance items you will find listed in your owner’s manual. The instructors at the North Skills Auto Center are here to assist and guide you when you're making those repairs and they can teach you how to tackle some of the most common car problems yourself. They can show you how to safely lift your car, answer any automotive questions, suggest procedures on repairs or proper tools and tool
usage, and make sure you are following all safety and Environmental Protection Agency rules and regulations. All this is available for you at a small hourly fee. There are low-cost additional fees for some tools and services. Once you’re comfortable fixing minor car problems and doing your regular maintenance, you're likely going to want to try more complicated repairs. You can do as many repairs on your car as you feel comfortable at the North Auto Skills Center. Diagnosing some car problems is the more challenging part of car repairs, but the instructors are here to assist you with making the diagnosing process a little easier. Additionally, we have up-to-date tools, automotive diagnostics tools, and equipment such as a tire changing machine, tire balancing machine, brake lathe, flywheel grinder, and much more. We also have air powered tools, electric tools and regular hand tools available for you. We have a computer program, Shop Key - Mitchell On-Demand, which can give you a printout that you can take to your car of step-by-step instructions, including torque specifications specifically for your car and how to do the repairs and maintenance on your car. This is just another advantage of using the North Auto Skills Center. Each time you finish repairing or
maintaining your car, you will not only have saved yourself money, but you will also feel good about your accomplishments - and that is why we are here! For your convenience, the shop also has a small line of parts in stock. Air Assault Auto, in most cases, will be able to deliver the parts to the North Auto Skills Center MondayFriday until 4 p.m. Just call (270) 956-1100 for more information about parts, prices and availability. If Air Assault Auto does not have your needed parts in stock, they can usually get them within an hour. If it is a hard-to-find part, then they can usually get it by the following work day. If you have a military ID or a CAC, you will be able to use the facility. The shop operates on a “first-come, first-serve” basis; if you plan to work on your vehicle during the weekend, you may want to be here at opening to avoid waiting for an open lift or bay. For more information, please call the North Auto Skills Center at (270) 798-5612.
NORTH AUTO SKILLS CENTER 6548 58TH Street & Tennessee Avenue HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday – Friday 1330-2130, Weekends & Division DONSAs 0930-1730 closed all Holidays.
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(Not) Another Tie…
Keeping it Together
By William D. Corlew, III
Everyone looks forward to June each year; Major League Baseball is underway, fans are cheering for their favorite NBA team to win in the playoffs (go Spurs); and even our children get a break from the rigors of school life. As I recall, my school-aged children were famous for making the statement - “I’m bored.” As a father, I never knew if this woeful two word sentence was a request or a question; however, my kids typically never fancied my responses, which usually were go clean your room, take out the trash, or did you brush your teeth this morning? During the month of June there are several other events where Americans world wide pause from the routine hustle and bustle of living to reflect on past events and dream of future’s fresh tidings. June is the month we commemorate the D-Day landing on the beaches of Normandy in France on June 6 and celebrate the Army Birthday on June 14; June is also the busiest month for couples to hold wedding ceremonies and June 21 marks the first day of summer. Additionally this year, along with the first day of summer, we will all have the opportunity to celebrate Father’s Day.
In the past, most Family members demonstrated their affection for their fathers by giving the symbolic necktie as a gift for Father’s Day. Many of the ties that we received rarely paired well with our existing wardrobes and it seems as if the Father’s Day gift tie was a close out or clearance
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item from one of the previous holidays, either adorned with hearts, cupids, pine trees and garland, cornucopias of fruits and vegetables, or decorated with bright colors of stars and explosions of fireworks. Sometimes the gift tie may display your favorite hobby, such as fishing or playing golf, or it may show your admiration for your favorite team, such as logos indicating the Bucks or Bruins, even though your favorite team is really the Bulls; it’s ok – your Family only remembers that you are a fan of some team that starts with the letter “B” as they hear you yell and scream for the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. Gifting for that special father is difficult for many people. So I went to the internet to see the most popular gift ideas for Father’s Day; among those ideas, the most popular items are barbeque grills or barbeque utensils and cooking wear, a barbeque apron, tools, cologne, ball caps, and polo shirts. These are all great ideas, but they don’t genuinely stand out as an exciting, heart-pumping, pulse racing present. Here’s why: normally on Father’s Day, I’m asked, “so what are you grilling today?” Although I am humbled and appreciate that my Family enjoys my cooking, I desire to relax and remain smoke, soot, and sweat free for my special day. Tools are just another clever, strategic subliminal message that suggest I’m behind on household, handyman chores; and I believe I already own at least two of every color polo shirt in my personal clothing collection. Lastly, I never exactly exude the same fragrance as those samples of cologne that gifters eventually purchase at those upscale department stores. Don’t get me wrong, I’m always enthusiastic about trying a new body scent, but sometimes the response I receive from the gifter is, “it didn’t smell like that in the store.” Therefore, I believe that the best gift to receive on Father’s Day is a tie (bow ties are very cool, clip-ons are totally unacceptable) and here’s why: when you tie a tie and you tie it right, the knot symbolizes that you and your Family share a close bond and are tightly woven together; the circle underneath the collar symbolizes a complete Family circle or a tight circle that keeps all interference from interrupting the relationship. If you notice the length of the tie, from end-to-end is relatively long; this symbolizes that you and your Family’s desires long life together. Furthermore, ties are expensive and you may spend at least $65 to more than $100 for one single tie; this means that you and your Family will prosper. Finally, ties with smiley faces, giraffes, hearts, or with words that say “World’s Best Dad”
are a serious compliment from your Family and you should wear these ties proudly – don’t even attempt to hide it with a vest or sweater. When you wear this tie, it means that you love and appreciate your Family and regardless of the situation, will stick with them through good and bad times. If your father is not quite the tie, golf, or cologne type, don’t fret, just simply give him a hug, tell him how much you love and appreciate him for being Dad – this is the absolute best gift ever for any father! If you want to do something special with Dad, there are many things to do around Fort Campbell. The Riding Stables is offering a Father’s Day Trail Ride on Sunday, June 21. You can go on an hour and half trail ride with Dad followed by a light brunch for only $40 per person! Call the Riding Stables at 270-798-2629. Keep an eye on Fort Campbell MWR’s Facebook page for more things to do with your dad on his special day! Happy Father’s Day!
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Down the Block
Happy Birthday to the Army By Stella Mayfair
The Army is going to be celebrating its 240th birthday on June 14! The Army was created in 1775 during the American Revolution. The rebel colonies did not have any sort of formal army to fight the British troops and volunteers were led and supported by the colonies they were from. In the spring of 1775, this informal army was about to face British troops near Boston, when they realized some major changes needed to happen if they were ever going to win against the seasoned British troops. The Massachusetts Provincial Congress asked the Second Continental Congress to take over command of this informal army. On June 14, 1775, Congress voted to take in Boston troops and decided to form a committee to
discuss and draft rules and regulations for the government of the army. George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army the next day and formally took command on July 3, 1775. Since this fateful day 240 years ago, the United States Army has really grown and has done a lot to protect our nation. To celebrate the birth of our Army, Fort Campbell will be hosting a gala in Town Center on Saturday, June 13. The festivities will take place between noon and 4 p.m. and it will be free to attend. The event will feature free crafts, activities, inflatables, entertainment and birthday cake! Other great Army Birthday events this year include the Commanding General’s Golf Tournament at Cole Park Golf Course (call 270-798-4906/1822), the 2nd Annual AUSA 101K Tour de Campbell Bike Ride on June 6 (register at active.com), and the AUSA Army Birthday Ball on June 13 at Valor Hall, catered by Eagle Catering (call 270-605-1234 for tickets).
Vacationing on a Budget
Money Matters
By Betty Geren Summer will arrive this month and this is the time of the year when people start thinking about vacations while their children are out of school. Few things can ruin what should be a fun-filled Family vacation faster than having to stress about the mounting cost of transportation and activities. Everybody loves a bargain and naturally everyone’s definition of a bargain is going to be different. Planning a memorable Family vacation that won't break the bank simply involves some research and planning. Included in this process should be taking the time to know your destination in advance and discussing vacation activities with your children. Before you start, you should know the maximum amount you can spend on your vacation and your maximum amount has to cover all vacation expenses. When planning your trip be sure to include all cost, such as food, transportation, shelter and entertainment. When it comes to transportation, you need to decide how you are going to get to your destination. What is the cost to drive
versus flying? If you plan on taking your pets, it may be less expensive to drive. If you plan on flying, check with different airlines to see where you can find the best rates. Pack light if you are flying. Be sure to ask about discounts the airlines may offer for active duty military, because some airlines offer discounted prices or waive baggage fees. The majority of airlines are charging baggage fees and while they may not seem like a big deal, they can add up and really eat into a budget. The fewer bags you pack, the less it will cost. Do your research about when is the best time to book your airfare. Booking your overseas airfare may be most reasonable when booked way in advance, while you may be finding the best rates within the United States on last minute tickets. If you plan on traveling by car, pack a cooler in order to save on food costs. Pack the majority of your meals and beverages and reserve a hotel room with a microwave and refrigerator to store and prepare your meals. Eating out can take a big bite out of your vacation budget. Eating in allows you to spend more money on other aspects of your
trip. Having picnics in the hotel room, on the beach, or in a park can add a fun activity to your vacation and save money at the same time. Just preparing breakfast each day can save $50 per day for a Family of four. Check the cost of hotel rooms and rates early, at least six weeks in advance. The earlier you book a room, the cheaper the rates, since booking off season is not an option due to the children’s set time to be out of school, try to be flexible on other aspects of your vacation like the destination. Enjoyable vacations do not have to be expensive. Go camping, visit the beach, or tour a variety of museums. Many of these activities are either free or only require minimal costs. Also try to use a discount when available. Most attractions like botanical gardens or zoos offer a student discount or military rate. They may lack the glamour of major tourist attractions, but they can often prove just as interesting and relaxing. Another inexpensive option is instead of traveling to a distant location is to stay close to home. Visit attractions you rarely take the time to enjoy in your local area. You can keep yourself relaxed and entertained while saving the money you would otherwise spent on gas, airfare, and a hotel stay. You may want to bring home a souvenir. Instead of going to tourist shops, check out discount retailers. They usually offer much lower prices than tourist shops. Alternatively, you can also purchase something practical, like food or a home decoration, which you can enjoy in remembrance of your trip once you get back home. Also remember you do not have to do all the research on your own. If you are planning a day trip, look for deals on local attractions and/or travel long distance you can utilize the Leisure Travel Services inside the Exchange Mall. For more information, call 270-798-7436. If you are looking for assistance with establishing and maintaining a budget, make an appointment with one of the Army Community Service Financial Readiness Program Financial Counselors. The Financial Readiness Program is located at 5662 Screaming Eagle Blvd. and can be reached at 270-798-5518. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Enjoy your vacation!
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1. 101st Airborne Division Headquarters 2. 19th Hole (Cole Park) 3. Army Community Service (ACS) & ACS Dir ector Director 4. Army Education Center 5. Arts and Crafts Center Center,, Guenette 6. ASYMCA Backdoor Boutique 7. ASYMCA Family Center 8. Auto Service Center, Center, Air Assault Auto 9. Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Program Program (BOSS) 10. Blanchfield Army Community Hospital 11. Bowling Center, Center, Hooper 12. Civilian Personnel Advisory Center 13. Commissary 2. Cole Park Commons 30. CYSS, Parent Parent Central Services (Central Registration) 30. CYSS, School Liaison 38. CYSS, SKIESUnlimited Center 14. Dog Kennels 17. Dawg Haus (Dining) 18. Estep W Wellness ellness Center (Gear-to-Go) 19. Equipment Rental (Gear-to-Go) 20. Exchange/Food Court/Mall Resource Center (FRC) 21. Family Resource 22. Financial Readiness (Army Emer gency Relief) Emergency
(270)798-9793 (270)798-4610x106 (270)798-9322 (270)798-3201 (270)798-6693 (270)956-1566 (270)798-7422 (270)956-1101/1100 (270)798-7858 (270)798-8055 (270)798-5887 (270)798-7161 (270)798-3663 (270)798-4610 (270)798-0674 (270)798-9874
23. Fryar Stadium, Sports Admin Of Office fice 2. Golf Course (Cole Park) 15. Joe Swing (Rental Recr Recreation eation Facility) 20. Leisur eT Leisure Travel ravel Services 26. Library Library,, R.F R.F. F.. Sink Memorial 27. MWR Dir Director ector 28. Museum, Don F F.. Pratt 29. Outdoor Recr eation Main Building Recreation 31. Pool, Baldonado 32. Pool, Dolan 33. Pool, Gar dner Indoor Gardner 34. Pool, Single Recreation Center, Center, Dale Wayrynen Wayrynen 9. Recreation 14. Riding Stables (SFAC) 39. Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) Buffet (Cole Park) 2. Southern Buffet
(270)412-5811 (270)798-5590 (270)798-0766 (270)798-4664/4023 (270)798-6806 (270)439-1841 (270)956-2935 (270)798-5518
41. Smokehaus (Dining) 42. T Teen een Club 24/7 43. The Zone 44. T ricare Tricare 45. V Veterinary eterinary Services 46. Wilson Theater 42. Y outh Center (T aylor) Youth (Taylor) 42. Y outh Sports Youth
(270)798-3094 (270)798-4906 (270)798-4610x119 (270)798-7436 (270)798-5729 (270)798-9953 (270)798-3215/4986 (270)798-2175 (270)798-5207 (270)798-5350 (270)798-6310 (270)798-4247 (270)798-7391 (270)798-2629 (270)412-6000 (270)798-4610 (270)798-4993 (270)956-1033 (270)461-0603 1-877-874-2273 (270) 798-3614 (270) 798-6857 (270)798-3643 (270)798-6355
Persepctive Management
Can This Day Get Any Worse? By Ramon M. Maisonet
I heard a sound that made me jump! I opened my eyes to stare at an alarm clock that read 7:02 a.m. My first thought was that it couldn’t be right. It couldn’t be right because I’m supposed to be at work at 7:30! I grabbed my cell phone and confirmed that it wasn’t right, it was actually 7:04 a.m. Unbelievable. I jumped up and scurried to get ready. I hopped into my car and headed to work only to have it stall about two miles from my job. No problem. I called my insurance company and got a tow only to find out that it wasn’t available as a free service because I had recently downgraded from full coverage to liability, but only on the vehicle that I was currently driving. Unbelievable. I hadn’t had any coffee, I was late for work and I was stuck in the middle of the road in 12 degree weather. It was all I could do to breathe a big sigh of frustration and utter the words one of my best friends uses often, “What the world!” I’m sure you’ve had them. Those “days” when things start off bad and just get worse. And for me, one of the toughest things about having bad days is what to do when you find yourself in the middle of one. I used to deal with them by getting into a really bad mood and terrorizing everyone around me, but that accomplished little more than people scattering from me when they saw I had that “look.” Over the years, I have had an opportunity to learn about the importance and the power of our attitudes and why some people are more negative than others, especially when bad things that they didn’t anticipate happen to them. I have always
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made it a mission to help others become positive and I hope the suggestions below will also help you when your day is turning out to be not-so-awesome. I’ll start with the easiest suggestion to offer, but hardest one to implement: Be positive. I know, I know, it’s almost insulting to read something like that and wonder, “How? With a magic wand, Ramon?” Let me tell you the power of positive thoughts.
Ask any psychologist and they will tell you that being positive helps your mind think freely. Ideas and solutions about how to overcome negative things will rise to the surface and help you do things to help what looks like an impossibly terrible situation. However, negative thinking suffocates creative thinking and increases a hopeless outlook. One way to affect being positive is through humor. One technique I learned back
in college was called the “flipside technique.” Meaning when something negative happens, you immediately “flip” the problem and look for the funny side of the issue. How do you think most of your favorite comedians come up with the material that has you busting at the seams with laughter? Finding the humor in a situation won’t solve a problem, but it can help transfer your focus from the problem to a possible solution. Become Neo. There is a scene in the Matrix toward the end of the movie when evil agents are shooting at the main character Neo, and he calmly raises his hand and he slows down and ultimately stops their bullets in mid-air and then watches them harmlessly fall to the floor. Similarly, in life, sometimes we need to put on the brakes and ask, “Is this important? Like, ‘right now’ important?” “Is this something I can delay?” “Is this something I can put off until I’m in a better position to deal with it?” These are questions that can help slow down your world and keep things in perspective. Not always, but more often than not, I find that part of the reason I’m struggling is that I’ve got a lot going on and tend to get overwhelmed. When that happens, sometimes the best thing that you can do is pull a “Matrix” and slow things down for yourself and start to live your day by the hour. The trick is to slow your world down enough to ask yourself the question, “What can I do in the next hour to anticipate how much worse this can get, and what I can do to make this situation better?” Become a drinker. Before you get confused about where this article is going, let me clarify! I’m talking about a nice cup of mint hot chocolate, or maybe a frozen orange slushy, or even a cup of apple-spice tea while staring out of the window of your favorite coffee shop relaxing, watching the traffic pass by or catching up on your favorite episode of The Walking Dead or Agent Carter. Trust me, it’s my secret weapon to do this during my lunch hour, when I can, in the middle of my day
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to help break up all of the negative things taking place. Talk it out. I have a friend who makes it a point to call me when her day is going down the tubes. She is able to adjust her perspective by first venting and then listening to some possible solutions from an outsider (me) who is not seeing the problem emotionally, but rather as a person trying to find the best rational solution. While it sometimes can be time-consuming, it helps to take a moment to “phone-a-friend” and get a fresh outlook on your situation.
emotions aroused by joyful music have a healthy effect on blood vessel function? There’s a fun fact for you! Remember, when you are frustrated by the events of your day, consider the following checklist to help you keep your cool: ✓ Is this beyond my control? If so, I have to let it go. Don't waste your time and energy on things that can't be changed. ✓ How far is an ice cream shop from me and do they have any specials going on? If so, set your GPS. ✓ If you need to cry, then cry! Find some place private to just let it all out. ✓ Can I work out my frustration through physical activity? If so, head to the gym for a while. MWR has many gyms available to use. You can pay for a gym at Estep Wellness Center or you can visit one of the free gyms such as Clarksville Base, Fratellenico, Freedom Fighters, Gate 10, Gertsch, Lozada or Olive. Visit campbell.armymwr.com/us/campbell/ programs/physical-fitness-centers/ for more information. ✓ Am I taking responsibility for problems that belong to someone else? If so, give them back. ✓ Perspective Management: Ann Monnar once said, “Whatever is going to happen will happen, whether we worry or not.”
Listen to hip-shaking music. Want an immediate mood reviver? Take a listen to Happy by Pharrell Williams, Gangnam Style by Psy, or even Truck Yeah by Tim McGraw. These songs have the ability, no matter what the mood, to get your fist pumping, your adrenaline going and your mood soaring sky-high. Not only is music awesome for turning around a bad day, but did you know that researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have found that
✓ And if all else fails, find a quiet spot, pull out your phone, downloaded if needed, and play Crazy Taxi City Rush! You’ll thank me later. Breathe in. Breathe out. Now declare, “Today is going to be great!”
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Home Front
Adopt a Kitty By Jenelle Grewell
I am a crazy cat lady. I only have one kitty named Hades, but if it were up to me, I would probably have at least three. We adopted Hades in October from animal control and I love him more than anything. He is my precious boy and even though he lives up to his name, he has a huge piece of my heart. June is Adopt a Cat Month and if you have room in your heart and home for a furry companion, consider adopting one of the feline variety. Spring is considered “kitten season” and thousands of newborn kittens join the millions of cats that are already in shelters. Whether you are thinking of rambunctious newborn or a mellower older cat, adopting or even fostering a feline companion can really help out your local shelter with the influx of kitties. Why do cats make such good pets? Contrary to popular belief, cats are both playful and affectionate. My Hades will chase me through the house and play fetch until his is panting just like dog! He also lets me scoop him up and smother him with kisses. On the other side of that coin, if you need a pet who is less demanding of time and attention, a cat can also be that for you. Cats are very independent pets and are perfect for someone who has a busier schedule. Cats are perfect for someone who works longer days or travels a lot. A fresh clean litter box, extra food and water is all a cat needs if you need to be gone all day or even the weekend (but it is probably a good idea to have a pet sitter, friend or neighbor pop in once a day to make sure your kitty is okay). And litter boxes are easier than they sound. You may have to scoop poop, but all pets need to be cleaned up after – because poop happens! Cat litter comes in a variety of fresh scents and shapes to make clean up easy. Plus, you have the added bonus of not having to worry about walking your cat or letting them outside. I know a common misconception is that cats are untrainable, but they are actually really easy to train! They just require a different type of training than a dog. I have taught my cat to walk on a leash, play fetch, not scratch the furniture, hold still in the bathtub and sit in my lap while I trim his nails. It also took less than a day to train Hades to use the litter box. So now that I have (hopefully) convinced you to adopt a cat, there are a few
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things you need to consider before bringing home your own little fur ball of love. 1. You may want to consider taking home two cats. I know two cats may seem like a lot but I only suggest this if you won’t be home a lot to give your feline friend exercise and interaction. We only have one cat because we are home enough to provide him with plenty of play time and social stimulation. 2. Spend some time with the adoptable cats before picking one to make sure they have the personality you want. We took our time interacting with several cats and went looking for a few weekends before we picked out Hades. We wanted a playful kitty but some people may want a mellow cat or a super affectionate cat. Take your time because your kitty will become a member of the Family.
3. Choose a veterinarian ahead of time. Just like children, your pets need medical care too. Pick a veterinarian that you will be comfortable with. 4. Make sure everyone in your household is prepared for a cat. Going to the shelter should be something you do with the whole Family. It is also important to discuss how you plan on raising the cat as a Family. 5. Budget for the short and long term costs of your new Family member. Not only do you have to consider food and litter, but also medical costs for spaying/neutering, vaccinations, etc. We had to take Hades to the veterinarian a few months ago because he swallowed a sewing needle which was not a particularly cheap visit. 6. Stock up on supplies before bringing home your kitty. Make sure you have plenty of food, litter, toys, a scratching post and things to groom them. We didn’t get a scratching post until Hades started sharpening his claws on the couch, so don’t make the same mistake we did. 7. Cat-proof your home. Remember how I mentioned Hades swallowing the sewing needle? Cats will teach you very quickly not to leave anything laying out. Don’t leave food out on the tables or counters because they
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jump up after it. Hades loves snacks and we discovered we can’t leave bags of any sort of chip or cracker out on the table because we will find it on the floor later ripped to shreds.
8. Go slowly when introducing your cat to other people. Your cat needs time to adjust to their new environment and if they don’t feel comfortable in their new home yet, they won’t feel comfortable meeting new people. 9. Include your pet in your Family emergency plan. They are part of your Family now, so you need to include phone numbers to your veterinarian and the closest 24-hour animal hospital. 10. If you are considering giving a cat as a gift, make sure the recipient is active in the adoption. A cat is a living creature and a huge responsibility. A surprise kitty would not the best option. If you have gone over this checklist and feel ready to bring in a new member of your Family, there are many places you can go to adopt a kitty. Fort Campbell has an animal shelter for you to go find your new furry friend! The Fort Campbell Stray Animal Impound is located at 5290 8th St. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can call 270-798-5519 for more information. All adoptions are only $32 and this fee includes deworming and vaccines. I hope you find a kitty that is perfect for you and your Family like Hades is for mine!
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ECFT
Getting Muddy for the Warrior Challenge By Jenelle Grewell
Are you ready to get dirty? If you answered yes, then it is time to sign up for the Warrior Challenge and Mud Run on June 20. Challenging but fun, the Warrior Challenge is six miles of running, jumping, climbing and crawling through a muddy landscape. The Warrior Challenge and Mud Run is a part of our Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour, so it is another great opportunity to work towards earning that medal! And since is it an ECFT event, early registration is only $30. Early registration ends June 18 and same day registration will be from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and will cost $40. The Junior Course for participants 16 years old and younger is free! The course will be near the CROF Railhead on Market Garden. A group warm-up is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. with the event starting at 8 a.m. Waves of 30 runners will be sent out in 10 minute intervals. While this is not a timed event, a clock will be available so you can time yourself.
Since this is quite a different event from your typical runs or bike rides, here are some tips for participating in this messy experience. * Shoes or boots should be light weight. Double knot any laces and even use duct tape to hold them down. Short socks are preferred. Do not plan on keeping those either – they won’t come clean in the laundry! * Dress in snug fitting clothes; mud is heavy and you won’t want to lose any critical pieces. Avoid cotton if you can, it will absorb the water and mud. * Long sleeves or tights can keep a few injuries away. Ensure you choose a compression type garment that won’t absorb the water and mud. * Be prepared to throw your shoes away. The clay mud in this area will never come out! Bring sandals or flip flops to slip on after the race. * Bring a dark towel and a change of clothes. You will want to get out of your cold muddy clothes as soon as possible. You can place a towel on your car seat to protect it. Registration is currently open at www.campbell.armymwr.com/ECFT and is limited to the first 600 people. I am up to the dirty challenge – are you?