A look inside...
No Pool No Problem
Summer Treats
4th of July Celebrations
Letters to Dad
Father’s Day Crafts
Local Ice Cream
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Editor Alex Zapetis
Contributors Dave Marshall Dr. Mike Carrigan Nathan Bonar Yen Huynh Janet Beal
Publisher Creative ink
Creative Director Sears Hallett
Hey Everyone! Can you believe 2019 is already halfway over? It’s crazy! This warm weather is making me want to get outside with my kids and enjoy this nice sunshine. Speaking of outside playing, we are bringing you some fun water games that the whole family will love. We are also sharing some tasty treats to snack on when you come back inside. Don’t forget to read up on what our friends at the USO are planning this month, as well as make some fun crafts for Father’s Day!
Advertising Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com
For Father’s Day, some amazing military children submitted letters to their Dads that are sure to make you smile.
Photography
I’ll see you next time,
mixthatdrink.com Deposit Photo pg: Cover, 3, 5, 6, 9, 30, 33, 40 3
Alex Zapetis, Editor alex@creativeinktn.com
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These hot summer months can result in entire towns wanting to run to the nearest pool in order to get some cool relief. Unfortunately, it is not always practical to load up the entire family and make daily pool runs. Local pools can also get very crowded and it can be a battle to get a spot in the pool. Luckily, we are here to offer you some great water activities that can be done in your backyard. You will be able to cool off and have a blast, all from the comfort of your own backyard.
Water Balloon Baseball This activity is any sports lovers summer dream. Simply fill a bucket with water balloons and plastic balls, then set them beside the pitcher’s mound. Grab some plastic bats, some friends, and have a good all-American game of baseball. Best part of this game? The batter will never know if you are about to throw a ball or a balloon.
Water Balloon Pinatas To begin, hang a few water balloons from two different trees. Make sure they are even in number, then select the two players, Have the players battle it out to see who can pop all their balloons the fastest with their sticks or plastic bats. The winner gets a prize. 5
Giant Water Slide Have a large backyard? Take advantage of it by creating a giant water slide. It is very simple to do. Just lay out a large plastic tarp from a nearby hardware store and slather it in dish soap and water. You and your guests will be slipping and sliding all day long.
DIY Sprinkler Little kids love sprinklers, and that is a fact. But a sprinkler is not a tool that every family has in their backyard. A simple fix to this problem is to tape your water hose to an old large soda bottle. Make a few small holes around the bottle, and there you have it. A cheap and fun sprinkler for your kids to enjoy.
Water Gun Fight 2.0 A good old fashioned water gun fight is fun for the entire family. Water guns have been around for decades, and every family typically has a few laying around. To give this classic battle a little revamp, add some skin safe paint to the water gun, and grab a few white shirts. It will be a colorful and fun day!
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Summer is a great time to get into the kitchen and whip up some delicious treats. Many families find that they have more time to spend together during these warm and toasty months, so getting into the kitchen and making some memories is a day well spent. We reached out to some Fort Campbell foodies and asked them to share some of their favorite recipes. They all look so delicious and we are excited to try them this summer.
Fruit Tart
submitted by Yen Huynh
Yen says “This is one of my favorite desserts to make in the summer because it involves so little baking(especially if you have a pie crust already prepared).� Crust use your favorite pie crust or use this graham cracker crust recipe below: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (pulse graham crackers in food processor) 1/4 cup granulated sugar 5 tablespoons vegan butter, melted Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Firmly press the mixture into a pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes and allow to cool before filling. Filling 8oz vegan cream cheese 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract fresh fruit of your choosing such as blueberries, strawberries, kiwis, and raspberries In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour into the prepared pie crust. Arrange fruit however you’d like on top of the filing. Allow to let set in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Remove about 10 minutes before serving.
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Campfire Trash Blondies submitted by Janet Beal
Ingredients: 2 cups of flour 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 cup butter (partially melted) 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 2 eggs 1 tablespoon of vanilla 1 tablespoon maple syrup Any leftover s’mores ingredients (marshmallows cut up if full size, graham crackers broken up, any kind of chocolate) Instructions: Preheat oven to 350. Sift together flour, salt and baking soda and set aside. Cream together brown sugar and butter until blended, add in 1 egg and mix. Add in second egg, vanilla and maple syrup and mix. Add in your leftover s’mores ingredients and fold in with a spatula. I like to save some on the side and sprinkle it on top right before I bake it. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray. Spread batter into pan evenly (sprinkle extra chocolate/ graham cracker mix onto the top) and bake for 30-35 minutes. Allow to cool completely, cut up and enjoy.
Creamy Fruit Popsicles submitted by Yen Huynh
Ingredients: 2-3 cups of coconut milk or almond milk yogurt 1-3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, depending on your sweetness preference. *optional 1 cup of washed and sliced fresh fruit 1/2-1 cup granola *optional Instructions: Stir your desired amount of maple syrup into your yogurt or omit completely (especially if you’re using a flavored yogurt). Mix in your fruit. Mix in some of your granola if using. Try to line some fruit slices against your popsicle mold so you can see some of the fruit show through after freezing them. Fill the molds with your yogurt mixture. Top with granola if desired. Insert your popsicle stick. Put the popsicles in the freezer overnight or until frozen.
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FORT CAMPBELL The 4th of July time is big at Fort Campbell with Fort Campbell MWR holding its annual Independence Day Carnival July 2 - 6th at the Division Parade Field. There will be classic carnival rides for all ages to enjoy. Wristbands and tickets will be sold at the event. They will also have food and drinks available for purchase. Funnel cakes, corndogs, and lemonade, anyone? Who doesn’t love carnival food!
On July 4th, there will be an amazing concert as well as a breathtaking fireworks show that you do not want to miss. All of these spectacular things will take place at the Division Parade Field. Entry into the carnival is free. All Non-Military ID card holders will need to enter through Gate 4 or 7 with a valid ID, proof of insurance, and proof of vehicle registration. For more information visit: campbell.armymwr.com
NASHVILLE Did you know that one of the biggest 4th of July celebrations in the entire nation is right at Fort Campbell’s back door? The “Let Freedom Sing” Event on July 3rd in Nashville allows guests to enjoy live music, family friendly activities, as well as one of the best fireworks shows in all of America! The country chart-topping singer Brett Eldredge will headline Nashville’s July 4th celebration on Lower Broadway. The extravaganza continues with performances by Mac McAnally, a 10-time CMA Musician of the Year winner, along with Grammy nominated neo-soul artist Jessy Wilson. The main concert stage is located at Fifth Avenue and Broadway. The celebration will also have a Family Fun Zone. It will come packed with inflatables and other kid-friendly activities. It will be open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. at Music City Walk of Fame Park. After enjoying the amazing music that this event has to offer, the day will move to the Cumberland Riverfront with a fireworks show synchronized to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony. The show is set to begin at 9:30 p.m. and will be around 30 minutes long. For more information visit visitnashville.com
CLARKSVILLE
The city of Clarksville will also be lighting the sky up with some beautiful fireworks for their Independence Day celebration on July 3rd from 6:30 p.m until 10:00 p.m. It will take place at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center and Liberty Park. The City of Clarksville is excited to host an event that will have live music, great food, and family-friendly events. No outside food or beverages are aloud. Pets are not permitted as well. For more information visit clarksvilleparksandrec.com
Want to hear a little fun fact? Children who participate in Summer Reading Programs and read over six books during the summer score higher in math and are ready when school starts back. Pretty cool, right? Luckily for us, Fort Campbell has an amazing Summer Reading Program for kids to enjoy beginning June 3 through July 17 at Fort Campbell’s Robert F. Sink Memorial Library. This year’s theme is “It’s Showtime At Your Library.” Registration begins on June 3 from 1 p.m until 4 p.m. at the library and is free. Children will also receive a swag bag when they register. The program will hold its “Summer Reading Program Kick Off” on Tuesday, June 4, at 1 p.m at the Hooper Bowling Center. For more information please call 270-798-5729.
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Year End Review During the fiscal2018-2019 board year, the Fort Campbell Spouses’
Club raised $86,000 to give away in scholarships, and community grants. This year kicked off with the “Super Sign Up” in August of 2018, followed by monthly luncheons from September to May. Each supporting a local nonprofit, by having members bring and donate items. In addition to the monthly luncheons, they also hosted 3 fundraisers this year. They were the Golf Tournament, Mock dining in, and 36th annual VICE night. The Spouses’ club also does monthly community outreach projects. They include decorating the Fisher house in the fall, or planting trees around post in the winter. Thank you to the hard work and dedication that the 2018-2019 board gave to Fort Campbell and the community. The board members included; President- Colleen Murphy 1VP- Candace Woodbury 2VP - Barbara Lercara Public Affairs Officer- Sarah Kuchan Treasurer- Jonie Blake & Amanda Shumaker Parliamentarian- Katie D’Amato Secretary- Stella Hulse Programs- Cheryl Puga Historian- Briana Stafford Webmaster- Hannah Husemann Fall Fundraiser- Kassie Peterson Ways and Means- Karen Grube & Nicole Miller Community Grants- Samantha Scott & Juliana Pearson Membership- Natalie Allen Properties- Amanda Wheat Spring Fundraiser- Riley Marek & Crystal Garcia Reservations- Wesley Petzold Hospitality- Kendall Dunn Scholarships- Gayle Gonzales Retirees- Kathlene Armbruster & Armi Rhodes Honorary President- Beth Poppas/Kimberly Winski Honorary VP- Cosy Sims/Windy Barker Advisor- Briana Thompson
Welcome the new 2019-2020 board members. President- Kendall Dunn 1VP- Joanna Zubiate 2VP - Amanda Wheat Public Affairs Officer- Bridgette Burr Treasurer- Jonie Blake Parliamentarian- Cheryl Puga Secretary- Mandy Barton Programs- Melly Aldred Historian- Briana Stafford Webmaster- Hannah Husemann Ways and Means- Wesley Petzold Community Grants- Samantha Scott & Juliana Pearson Membership- Natalie Allen Properties- Rachael Sims Reservations- Amanda Shumaker Hospitality- Brittany Merchant Scholarships- Gayle Gonzales Retirees- Kathlene Armbruster & Armi Rhodes Honorary President- Kimberly Winski Honorary VP- Windy Barker Advisor- Briana Thompson/Donna Osborne
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Letters to Dad
Father’s Day is a day to come together and celebrate all the amazing Dads out there. A great Father is one of life’s most precious gifts. They help build and shape their children into fantastic adults as they grow up. They also help you build lifelong memories that you can hold onto and cherish forever. The sweetest present that you can give them in return is to let them know how much you love, care about, and appreciate them. Even the smallest of eyes can see what a big impact their Father makes on their lives. We asked local military children to share letters to Dad in honor of Father’s Day on June 16, 2019. These are the sweet and touching words that they had to say.
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Big Bass Bonanza Kentucky & Barkley Lakes 6am-2pm June 2nd Registration at Cabin Bait & Tackle • J & D Bait & Tackle - Cadiz • June 1st 5-6pm usabassin.com/modules.php?name=Divisions&divisionID=364 The KY/Barkley Lake Big Bass Bonanza presented by USA BASSIN will take place on both Kentucky & Barkley Lake. There is a guaranteed first place prize of $10,000.00! The entry fee is $150.00 which includes a chance at catching Uncle Sam Bass. This is an open tournament, meaning you do not have to be a current USA BASSIN member to participate.
CMA Fest Downtown Nashville visitcmafest.com
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The festival takes place around 3 venues in downtown Nashville. The Music City Center, The Riverfront Park stage and many other stages around downtown are featuring shows from some of the best of the current, past, and some of the up and coming stars in country music all day long. At night, Nissan Stadium lights up the town with the top artists of today all together in one place.
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400 Mile Yard Sale Hwy 68 Kentucky facebook.com/400milesale Held every year the first full weekend in June. The 2019 dates are June 6 - June 9. 60 communities across Kentucky's Historic Highway 68 participate in this sale with antique shops open longer and yard sales popping up hourly. From Maysville in northern Kentucky to just outside Paducah in the western part of the state. 25
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Kid Palooza Downtown Commons - Clarksville facebook.com/events/downtown-commons/kidpalooza/540591819779762/ A free event for children and their families to get out and enjoy games and crafts with kid friendly businesses. You can shop with retailers, learn and play with non-profit organizations, and catch onstage activities.
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American Artisan Festival Centennial Park - Nashville facebook.com/AmericanArtisanFestival A Father’s Day tradition always free to the public. Enjoy live music by some of Nashville’s talented musicians, Free children’s art activities including ceramics and craft making, and more than fifteen artisanal food and drink vendors including craft cocktails, beer and wine. Kids art activities throughout the weekend.
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Moonlight Canoe Trip Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park • 8pm visithopkinsville.com/event/moonlightcanoe-trip/all/ Use the almost full moon to guide over the water to see what creatures are using the lake. Trips will last about 2 hours on the water. Must register 1 week before the canoe trip.
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Pennyroyal Fun Dive Hopkinsville • 8am p-upload.facebook.com/events/ 129159931356290/ A fun weekend of diving the clear waters at Pennyroyal Scuba Blue Springs. Experience some great diving close to home. Diving begins at 9am to get the best water.
Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo Clarksville Speedway clarksvillespeedway.com/ other-events/montgomerycounty-fair-tn/
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This year’s attractions includes“Swifty Swine” Pig Racing, “Ducks Inc.” Live Duck Races, Go-Kart Racing, Molly Ark Petting Zoo, Belle City Amusements, Midway – Rides, Food, and Games. International Rodeo (Rodeo admission includes Midway admission).
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Nashville Hot Air Balloon Festival Fontanel - Whites Creek facebook.com/events/491550714697199/ Is there any better way to kick off summer in Tennessee? Held on a large field just minutes from downtown. Join dozens of vendors, chefs, local musicians, artists, cookingdemos, pop-up art galleries, food and alcohol tasting partners. Weather permitting, Fri. night and Sat.morning and night will include glows and tethered rides.
Western Kentucky State Fair Hopkinsville westernkystatefair.org/
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pulls, live entertainment and more.
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Nashville Predators Craft Beer Festival Bridgestone Arena Nashville • 3-7pm nhl.com/predators/community/ foundation/beer-festival Get out of the summer heat and join us for craft brews, food, games and entertainment at the Nashville Predators Craft Beer Festival. This event is guaranteed to be the “coolest” beer festival in town. Proceeds benefit the Nashville Predators Foundation. Southside Summer Night Historic Collinsville - Clarksville • 6:30pm historiccollinsville.com/events Bring lawn chairs or a quilt and join us for Southside Summer Nights featuring Back Lot Pickers. Back Lot Pickers is a local father-son duo Donald and Lucian Greene. Bring a picnic (no drinks) or enjoy food trucks.
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Watermelon Festival Lucky Ladd Farm - Eagleville TN luckyladdfarms.com Enjoy a free slice of refreshing watermelon. Cool off in the Splash Zone featuring the Splash Pad, Bubble Blast Pool, inflatable water slides and more. Win prizes in the Watermelon Crawl, Seed Spitting, Melon Toss & Watermelon Eating Contests. Roxy Regional Theatre June 1, 6, 7, 8 Alice in Wonderland 2 In this fast-paced take on the classic tale, featuring updated songs from Disney’s thrilling animated film, the ever-curious Alice’s journey begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit. June 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 Hair Join the tribe of the Age of Aquarius and celebrate the sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory! Energetic rock beat of such songs as “Aquarius,” “Good Morning, Starshine,” “Hair,” “I Got Life,” and “Let The Sun Shine.”
Red, White and Blue Sangria 2 750ml bottles dry white wine 1 cup triple sec 1 ⁄2 cup berry flavored vodka 1 ⁄2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 ⁄2 cup simple syrup 1 cup blueberries 1 1⁄2 cups hulled & sliced strawberries 1 cup raspberries 1 1⁄2 cups fresh pineapple chunks Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl or pitcher and stir well. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Serve well-chilled with a good scoop of fruit floating in each drink, or serve over ice. Use fresh fruit for this recipe. Frozen just won't be great. To make star-shaped pineapple pieces, cut long & wide pieces of pineapple off the side of the fresh fruit. Use a star cutter to cut shapes.
Malibu Driver 2 ounces of Malibu coconut rum 4 ounces orange juice Chill your ingredients first. Build the ingredients in the glass of your choice. Stir, and serve.
Limoncello Collins 16 ounces limoncello 12 ounces gin 8 ounces fresh lemon juice 16 ounces chilled club soda Pour the limoncello, gin and lemon juice into a pitcher. Cover and refrigerate for at least a couple of hours. To pre-garnish the glasses, press three very thin lemon slices against the inside of each glass, add ice, and put in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to pour, get out the pitcher and glasses. Give the pitcher contents a stir and fill each glass about 3 ⁄4 of the way. Add about 2 ounces of club soda and top with a mint sprig.
Blueberry Mojito 1 Cup Fresh Blueberries 4 Ounces Rum 10 Fresh Mint Leaves 2 Teaspoons White Sugar Juice of 2 Limes 6 Ounces Club Soda Ice Cubes Blend or muddle blueberries until smooth. Set aside. Use a muddler or wooden spoon to blend in mint leaves and sugar. Stir in rum, lime juice, and blueberry mixture. Pour into glasses over club soda & ice. Gently stir. Garnish with extra blueberries ,lime, and mint if desired.
Drink recipes and photos courtesy of mixthatdrink.com 26
Father’s Day is a holiday that is great for homemade crafts and presents. It allows your little ones to be involved in the day that is dedicated to one of the most important people in their lives, their Daddy. These crafts are great for kids of all ages to participate in and enjoy. They are also very easy to stick in a care package for all the Daddies that are currently deployed overseas. These super simple crafts will not only be fun for your children to create, but heartwarming for any parent to receive. So, grab the paint and construction paper and craft the day away. ‘I love you this much’ Craft Needed Items: Construction Paper Scissors Markers Glue Instructions: Grab a piece of thick and durable paper, like construction paper. Place your child’s hand down on the paper and trace both of their hands. Then, proceed to cut out the hands, and place them to the side. Next, cut a thin strip of long paper. Fold it back and forth like an accordion. Write “I love you…” on the left-hand cutout, and “Daddy” on the right hand cut out. Write “this much” on the accordion strip of paper. Finally, glue one end of the accordion strip to one hand cut out, and the other end to the other hand cut out. You then will have an adorable and sweet craft that reads “I love you this much, Daddy”
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‘To the Moon and Back’ Craft Needed Items: Paper Paint Markers Instructions: Simply paint the bottom of your child’s foot and have them step right onto a piece of paper. Write “I love you to the moon and back”, and decorate the foot print like a rocket ship. It is super easy and only takes a few minutes. Let your child decorate the rocketship footprint to add their own little personal touch to the piece.
Finger Painting Craft Needed Items: Paper Cut Out Letters Finger Paint Instructions: If you have young children, then this will be the perfect Father’s Day craft for your family. Cut out Two D’s and an A out of construction paper. Lightly tape them down to spell out “Dad” onto another piece of large craft paper. Allow you child to get creative and paint the day away onto the craft paper. Once the piece is completed and dried, peel off the cut-out letters. A beautifully painted picture that reads “Dad” will be your end result. 28
Dealing with Deployment by Alex Zapetis
It is officially June and we are past the halfway point of the deployment. Once my countdown app said we were halfway done, I jumped up and did a happy dance. It was a major milestone for my little family, and it gave us the little extra kick that we needed to get through the rest of this deployment. Even though we have been living this new life for over 5 months now, I still find myself having some rough days. It really helps me to vent to my husband when I feel like my world is crashing down around me. I had always been told not to worry my soldier with problems from back home, but I don’t believe that is always the best thing. We are a team, and no one knows me better than my husband does. He knows exactly what to say to calm me down and how to pick me back up. If I never told him what was wrong, I would be suffering in silence. I don’t think anyone deserves that. It is okay to tell your husband some of your problems. Yes, they have a lot on their plates when they are overseas, but they also want you to be okay. If venting to them makes you feel better, then do it. This month is my youngest son’s first birthday. When this deployment first started, I was extremely sad about this day. All I kept thinking about was all the memories that my husband would miss being a part of. Now that this journey is in full swing, I am not as worried about it. Yes, it stinks that he won’t be here, but technology is allowing him to still be a part of the celebration. For my oldest son’s birthday, he was able to Facetime him and sing him Happy Birthday. We also got a few pictures with him in them as well! Is it the same as him being there? No, of course not. But it is still a unique memory that we will be able to look back on together as a family. This deployment has truly been one of the hardest things that I have ever done. It has tested my strength and patience in so many ways. There have been days that I wondered how I was going to get through it, but there have also been days that made me stop and realize something about myself. It has taught me that I am strong, and I am a survivor. No matter the situation, I will adapt and overcome. I have learned a lot about myself these last few months, and I find that to be pretty cool. There aren’t many positives that come with a deployment but learning just how strong you really are is one of them.
Local Ice Cream June is the perfect month to enjoy some delicious and cold treats! Ice cream, milkshakes, frozen yogurt, and other chilly snacks just seem to taste better when the temperature is higher. If your sweet tooth demands a frozen snack one day this summer, check out these tasty little dessert stops. They won’t disappoint you. La Michoacana Gourmet This dessert stop offers Mexican treats for you to try out and enjoy. The ice cream is made in store with natural and fresh fruit. They have been praised for their unique and authentic flavors. Stop by and try something new. Your new favorite treat could be right around the corner. 1671 Fort Campbell Blvd, Clarksville • 615-606-0706 QQ Sweet Creamery This adorable little shop offers rolled ice cream for you to enjoy. They have so many flavors and add-ins to choose from that you could have a different treat all summer long. They also offer yummy frozen yogurt and other delightful treats. 1761 Tiny Town Rd • 931-802-6200 Golly G’s Coffee, Ice Cream & Sweets This little shop is a tired parents paradise. It allows you to grab a cup of coffee while your little ones get to enjoy some ice cream. It is a winning situation for all. They have been praised for their friendly staff and clean environment. Stop by and check it out this summer. 2622 Madison St, Clarksville • 931-919-1105 Snowie Do you love shaved ice? It is a great and light treat to enjoy on an extremely hot day. It sure can hit the spot. They offer a ton of different flavors to try out and love. They also offer ice cream to top it all off. 1191 Fort Campbell Blvd Clarksville • 931-896-5926 Princess Delicie This family friendly joint has been praised online for being a great place to sit back and relax it. It offers tasty treats such as crepes, smoothies, rolled ice cream, and frozen yogurts. They also serve savory dishes incase you start to crave something salty while you are there. 1610 Fort Campbell Blvd Clarksville • 931-905-4499 Thai Rolling Ice Cream Rolled ice cream is all the rage this summer. It is a special treat that everyone in the family will love and enjoy. If you are on Wilma Rudolph shopping a summer’s day away, swing by and grab one of these cold treats. They won’t disappoint. They also have bubble tea, smoothies, and more. 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd Ste 535 Clarksville • 646-641-7978 Brenda’s Snack Shack Looking for a burger to enjoy with your ice cream? Check out this cute little restaurant to satisfy your cravings. It is decorated like a 50’s diner and ran by a friendly staff. This is a great place to swing by to grab lunch on a summer’s day. 3141 Canton St, Hopkinsville • 270-632-1730 Afternoon Delight Ice Cream Parlor This little ice cream shop is a hit among its customers. They serve delicious hand scooped ice cream and satisfying ice cream floats. If you are a lover of a classic banana split, then you must try theirs. Swing by and try them out if you’re ever in the area. Your taste buds will thank you. 207B E 9th St Hopkinsville • 270- 890-9936 30
Community Connections Each year, the USO receives support from Deloitte to host a Community Connections resource fair. The USO recruits local organizations, agencies, and businesses to set up an informational table and share program and event information to Fort Campbell’s Service Members and Military Spouses. The fair traditionally includes organizations, agencies, and businesses both familiar to a military family and also those that might not be as well known, with the goal of connecting the military population to programs and opportunities that they might not be tracking. With the support from Deloitte, guests can enjoy snacks throughout the day or a free lunch. Deloitte also provides activities for children and several prizes used in random drawings. Finally, Deloitte also brings in employees as the volunteer force for the event. This year’s Community Connections is scheduled for Monday, June 10th from 10 am to 3pm at the USO Fort Campbell. Pre-registration is not necessary, but it is helpful to follow the event on the USO Fort Campbell Facebook page (facebook.com/USOFortCampbell/) to learn about the companies attending, receive updates, or be entered into pre-event drawings. For more information about participating as a business, agency, or organization, please email Kari Moore at kmoore@uso.org. The Fort Campbell USO would also like to invite spouses to come out and participate in its Coffee Connections event which will be held on June 13 at 10:00 am until 11:30 am at the USO building located at 6145 Desert Storm Avenue, Fort Campbell, KY. It is a great opportunity for spouses to gather together and meet new people, as well as enjoy some tasty treats from Starbucks. All active duty, guard, and reserve spouses are welcome to attend. This event is adults only. For more information, check out the facebook.com/USOFortCampbell/. All USO events are for our Active Duty/Guard/Reserve Service members and their families and are offered FREE of charge. The USO says the events are their way of saying thank you to them for their service.
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On June 14, 1775, The United States Army was born. The U.S Army was founded when the Congress of the United States established the First Continental Army. It was created due to the extreme need for professionally trained soldiers to fight the British. Before the Army was created, most fighting was done by farmers who soldiered on a part-time basis. Today, the U.S Army is the largest branch in the military with over 1,018,000 soldiers. The birthday is a day that is celebrated by soldiers, dependents, family, and veterans. It is celebrated annually on June 14. To celebrate, there are usually balls and parties in the Washington, DC area for members of the Army. Other celebrations include the laying of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia, as well as cake cuttings, sporting events, and other local celebrations. Soldiers swim free at MWR pools on this day and stop by the Warrior Zone for the $2.44 spcial of the day.
Did you know that there is a holiday in honor of our flag? In the United States, the holiday that is known as Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It celebrates the adoption of the flag of the United States in the year of 1777. The resolution was a part of the Second Continental Congress. If June 14 sounds like a familiar date, that is because The United States Army also celebrates the U.S. Army Birthday on this day. President Woodrow Wilson was the President behind the creation of this holiday. In 1916, he issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday though, and it is at the president's discretion to officially proclaim the observance. Today, Flag Day is celebrated in many ways all over the country. There are parades, ceremonies, and picnics that are often sponsored by veterans' groups and schools. There is even a National Flag Day foundation that hopes to preserve the history, pride, and respect of the United States Flag. 33
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June 6, 2019 marks the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. This past fall we were given the honor to publish a poem penned by Dr. Mike (Vernon) Carrigan. The poem entitled “Rendevous In Normandy” was written following his visit to Normandy. Having been born in 1951 and raised in Clarksville, TN, I have always been aware of the 101st Airborne Division and proud to share my community with it. Moreover, being a student of history and more importantly having had several WW2 veterans as patients in my medical practice, I’ve always wanted to see the Normandy beaches, including Sainte-Mère-Église, and the American cemetery located there. I fulfilled this bucket list item on a beautiful November day last year. In route on the bus, I saw in my mind’s eye the beach attack on D-Day morning, and pictured an individual soldier bravely leaping from the landing vehicle and storming the beach, ultimately meeting his death shortly thereafter. I could almost see what he saw and feel what he felt, a special, providential rendezvous. I then saw myself honoring him, crying, over his grave and placing a rose. Little did I know, as I wrote the poem on the bus prior to arrival, that we would attend a special memorial ceremony at which we were all given a rose to place where we wished. I asked God to send me to the correct grave, and I read my poem to Sergeant Willard Clouse of KY and the 82nd Airborne. I cried in the cold wind and laid my rose in honor just as I had seen and recorded in the poem. Indeed, a provincial rendezvous.
Rendevous In Normandy I, standing on forlorn beach, Cloudy, alone, Lost in thoughts, Arriving into my mind On the echoes of the wind Speaking of yesteryear. Marvelous rendezvous. Seeing brave young man Surrounded by courageous comrades, Yet so eerily alone, Heart fast pounding, Ribs thrusting with precious breath In a rendezvous with certain death. Soaking salt water, Heavy steel pack, Now watching, waiting, Running on sordid sand, Wistful wind in face, Sending his thoughts on its winsome wings to me. For our mysterious little rendezvous.
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Guns popping, Bullet sand jumping spirals, Bombs exploding, Sand craters making, Friends dying all around, Crimson rivulets of blood Flowing to the now sacred sea, A watery rendezvous So painful for me. Climbing hill, The end in sight, But still in grip of deadly fright. Confidence now building,
Continuing to climb, Sudden piercing pain in chest to find. Noise abating, Brief patient peace descends. Then carried in the sweet darkness of death To that last rendezvous On the caravan to this land’s end. Now resting forever As a part of the rich, fertile French soil, Exchanging old life For a new freedom of others with sweat Of his sacrificial toil. The eternal friend In wonderful, eternal rendezvous With the people of Normandy. I, now standing over sacred crypt Of my new found friend, With warmth in heart, Red rose in hand, And tears in wind blown face, Vow never to forget my thoughts that day In brief rendezvous On stolid shore of Normandy!
In memory of the men who served in the “Rendezvous with Destiny” on D-Day, June 6, 1944 Mike Carrigan 11-12-18
by Alex Zapetis and Dr. Mitchell D. Kaye
It can be hard to look in the mirror and accept the body that pregnancy and child birth have left you with. For some women, they may not even recognize the woman that is staring back at them in the mirror. As a mother, we absolutely love and adore our children. Pregnancy and childbirth are a magical experience, but the aftermath that it leaves on the body can be difficult to accept. The once tight skin now sags and droops in places that it used to be nice and tight. Your new breasts are no longer perky like they used to be, and they now look almost deflated. Let’s not even get started on the stretched-out skin that the big and beautiful bump has left you with. It is completely okay not to be okay with your new “Mom Body”. When you become a Mom, your health and personal image seems to be pushed to the back burner. No amount of exercise can tighten up stretched out skin, and sometimes you need a little help from a local cosmetic surgeon. That is why the term “Mommy Makeovers” have taken the world by storm. So, what exactly is a “Mommy Makeover” and what happens during the procedure? Typically, during the makeover the breasts are lifted as needed and the volume is restored with either a saline or silicone implant. If the breasts are too large and sagging from weight, the excess can be reduced as well. Excess fatty deposits are liposuctioned as needed. The loose belly skin is removed along with liposuction of the abdomen and waist to restore the curves of the flanks and tighten the belly. Depending on the extent of the procedure, the Mommy Makeover process may occur over one or two sessions. Going under the knife can be scary, and many people are scared of what recovery will be like. For most women, they are back to near normal activities at home within 3-5 days. For the first few days, having family or friends to help you is necessary. Return to work outside the home will depend on the physical demands of the job but ranges from 10-21 days for the most demanding jobs. Exercising is not permitted until about 2-6 weeks after depending on the procedure and exercise. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on that subject. Sometimes when you are making a big life decision, it helps to talk to someone that has been through it personally. We are lucky to be able to interview a lovely mother named Heydi Bulnes that just went through her own Mommy Makeover not too long ago.
“What made you decide to get a Mommy Makeover?” “After my two pregnancies my body changed a lot, and I didn’t feel comfortable with myself even though I was doing diet and exercises. After a while of thinking about it, I decided that the surgery could help me to reach my goal to look better and feel comfortable in my own skin.”
“What was your recovery like?” “I’m not going to lie, it was painful and uncomfortable, especially for me because I’m an active person. For the first week, I needed help with almost everything. I was depending on my husband 100%. After the second week, I was starting to feel better and I started to feel less dependent on my husband. I was able to do my own things, which was great. Dr. Kaye helped me a lot with my recovery and concerns during the process. He guided me and made it easier.”
“Would you recommend this surgery to other women?” “Absolutely! Anything you can do to help yourself to feel better, you should do it. Know that is not going to be easy, but the results and everything else that is coming with it is worth it!!”
“What has been your favorite part about the Mommy Makeover process? “My favorite part is that I learned how to take care of myself. When you’'re a wife, you’re taking care of the family first. Sometimes you forget a little bit about yourself. Now I’m eating better. I learned more about food, such as what is good for your body and what is not. My family has now learned that too, so now all of us are eating healthier and exercising together. My family played a huge role in all this process, they support me so much!”
“What part of your transformation do you like the best? “Besides the way I look, it’s the changes that I have made in my lifestyle that have also been a benefit to my family as well. The opportunity to learn how to really look after ourselves so that we not only look good on the outside, but to be healthy inside, has been important to me.” The Mommy Makeover process is a lifechanging journey for many women all over the globe. If you are interested in pursuing this dream, then make an appointment with a cosmetic surgeon and begin exploring your options on how to achieve the body of your dreams. The process to a new and more confident you could be just a phone call away.
Dr. Mitchell D. Kaye performs an array of cosmetic surgery services. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, and a member of both the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and the American Society of Cosmetic Breast Surgery. 40
Strike Brigade Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 These great men lost their lives protecting this country during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He passed away on August 6, 2003.
Operation Iraqi Freedom was launched on March 19, 2003 by President George W. Bush. The President announced that this operation was aimed to rid Iraq of its dictator, Saddam Hussein. It was also used to eliminate Iraq’s ability to store and develop their weapons of mass destruction. The 2003 invasion of Iraq was led by U.S. Army General Tommy Franks and went by the code-name “Operation Iraqi Freedom”.
PFC Jerrick Petty from Idaho Falls, Idaho was attacked by enemy forces while guarding a gas station. He died of the injuries he sustained. Petty was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He passed away on December 10, 2003.
248,000 soldiers from the United States were deployed to Iraq at that time. More than 4412 honorable men and women lost their lives in this operation. Some of them were stationed here at Fort Campbell, KY when they gave the ultimate sacrifice. SGT Leonard Simmons from New Bern, North Carolina died of a non-combat related cause in Mosul, Iraq. Simmons was assigned to C Company, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment,
SSG Richard Burdick from National City, California was in a convoy when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in Mosul, Iraq. He was assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He passed away on December 10, 2003. May these brave and honorable men rest in peace.