June 2022 Fort Campbell Life by Creative ink

Postal Customer

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 7 FORT CAMPBELL KY

A look inside...

Beaches vs Mountains

Downtown Commons

Army Birthday Flag Day

It’s Grilling Season

Summer Reads

Sleeping Tips

Hello everyone! Editor Alex Zapetis

Contributors Dave Marshall Marie “Mrs. Chingy” McLemore

Publisher

Happy Summer! I hope the sunshine is treating you well, and that you are all staying hydrated and healthy. Always remember that SPF! This month we have some great events and locations for you to drop by this season. Quick question, are you a mountains or beach person?

Creative ink

Creative Director Sears Hallett

Advertising Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com

Photography http://www.mixthatdrink.com Dreamstime Photo pg: Cover, 6, 8, 11, 21, 22, 25, 27, 29 Shutterstock photo pg: 5, 7, 30 3

We also have some perfect summer reads and grilling recipes that you will have a blast with during your free-time this month. As always, I look forward to seeing you all again next month. Happy June!

Alex Zapetis, Editor alex@creativeinktn.com

Like us and share on Facebook facebook.com/fort-campbell-life-70573806215846

When you think of great vacation spots, chances are you think of fantastic beaches and mountain spots. Often, when you are getting to know someone new, you even get asked if you are a beach or mountain person. No matter which landscape you relate more to, there are a plethora of beaches and mountains just a car ride away from the Fort Campbell area. Which one will you visit this summer? Known as a premier spot for watersports in coastal Alabama, Orange Beach is one of the few beaches lining the southern tip of the state. There’s golfing, deep-sea fishing, nature trails and even historic Fort Morgan nearby, all of which make this one of the best beaches to visit this summer. Be sure to check out the Daedelus, which takes you on an adventurous trip through the waters of Alabama where you can swim, dolphin watch and view beautiful sunsets on the Wolf Bay. If you go Orange Beach • Southernmost tip of Alabama • gulfshores.com • 251-968-7511 Named as one of Trip Advisor’s top 25 Best Beaches in the U.S., Panama City Beach is one of the best destinations that you can make uniquely your own. Go swimming with the sea turtles off the coast. Check out the Pier Park where there is all kinds of entertainment from movie theatres to laser tag and live music. Whatever it is you enjoy doing at the beach, experience it at Panama City Beach.

If you go Panama City Beach • Northwest Florida • visitpanamacitybeach.com • 850-233-5070 Rosemary Beach isn’t a particularly old community. In fact, it’s barely been a community for two decades, after its inception in 1995. The 105-acre town sits just more than 15 miles west of Panama City Beach, but misses the majority of the hustle and bustle of Panama, which stands as one of the most recognizable spring break destinations. Rosemary Beach also has enough options for dining and shopping to keep you and your family busy for days on end. If you go Rosemary Beach, Northwest Florida • rosemarybeach.com 866-348-8952

Gatlinburg, Tennessee - One of the most popular mountains in the area. Known as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many of its key attractions offer sweeping views, including the SkyLift, a 2.1-mile aerial cable car from downtown to the popular Ober Gatlinburg. Located at the top of the iconic SkyLift, 1,800 feet above sea level, the SkyBridge is the longest pedestrian cable bridge in the USA. If you go Gatlinburg • Northeast Tennessee • gatlinburg.com • 865-436-4178 If you have children, then Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is the mountain spot for you. The home of Dollywood, country singer Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park consisting of rides, an adjoining water park and a museum of her costumes and memorabilia. The city’s other attractions include country music revues like the Smoky Mountain Opry, a wax and Titanic museum, shopping outlets, shows, and so much more. Your family is sure to have a blast. If you go Pigeon Forge • Northeast Tennessee • mypigeonforge.com • 865-453-8574

Mentone, Alabama is a quaint mountain village nestled atop the west brow of Lookout Mountain. Be sure to visit popular spots like DeSoto Falls State Park, the Wildflower Café, Mentone Log Cabin Village, and the Mentone Arts and Cultural Center. Don't forget to go horseback riding at Shady Grove Dude Ranch while you are there as well! If you go Mentone • Northeast Alabama mentonealabama.gov • 256-634-4444 There are over 500,000 acres in Brevard, North Carolina to hike, bike, and horseback ride on. They are also known for their breathtaking waterfalls and their quaint downtown shops and restaurants. If you go Brevard • Southwest North Carolina • explorebrevard.com 800-648-4523

At Pensacola Beach, you’ll find endless opportunities for fun and relaxation. Savor fresh gulf seafood or sip a Bushwacker at their many restaurants and hangouts, take a walk or catch a fish on the Pensacola Beach Pier, or simply relax in the sun and watch your worries float away. Be sure to check out the Footprints in the Sand Eco Trail where you can learn the secrets of the beautiful white sand, the dangerous journey of sea turtles, learn to identify mysterious sea shells and so much more. If you go Pensacola Beach • Northwest Florida visitpensacolabeach.com•850-932-1500 As the place locals call “the worlds luckiest fishing village,” Destin is one of the best places to drop a line. The northwest Florida city hosts the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo every October, that attracts more than 30,000 anglers competing for a $100,000 pot throughout the month. Be sure to bring along the fisherman in your life for a fun time deep-sea fishing for amberjack, red snapper and grouper. If you go Destin • Northwest Florida cityofdestin.com • 850-837-4242 Located between Pensacola and Panama City along North Florida’s glittering Gulf Coast, Fort Walton Beach offers visitors its powdery white beaches, emerald waters, golf courses and more. Fort Walton Beach boasts all the fun of the major vacation spots. Home to family-friendly resorts and attractions such as parks, museums and aquariums, it’s not just Fort Walton Beach’s calm, green waters and cool, white sand that make this destination a family favorite. If you go Fort Walton Beach • Northwest Florida • visitflorida.com • 850-488-5607 The Gulf Coast beaches are closer to Fort Campbell, but if you prefer the East Coast there are a couple of beaches to consider: Hilton Head Island has 12 miles of pristine beaches, Myrtle Beach includes the Grand Strand, a 60-mile over 250 restaurants, 33 golf courses and more. string of beaches, a beachfront boardwalk, and more. If you go If you go Hilton Head Island Southeast coast of South Carolina Myrtle Beach Northeast coast of South Carolina hiltonheadisland.org •843-757-3673 visitmyrtlebeach.com • 843-626-7444

Hendersonville, North Carolina set in the Blue Ridge, visitors often visit their amazing breweries including Sierra Nevada, restaurants, and picturseque wineries. Be sure to check out the Book & Bee Café and Tea while you are there for a delicious drink. If you go Hendersonville • below Asheville North Carolina visithendersonvillenc.org • 800-693-4244 Bryson City, North Carolina allows you to access the Appalachian Trail and the Great Smokies including Clingman’s Dome. What gets better than that? The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers train rides through the park, plus the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum. You can also raft on the Tuckasegee River for a whitewater adventure. If you go Bryson City • Northwest North Carolina • explorebrysoncity.com• 828-488-7857 The cute little town of Dahlonega, Georgia is full of mountain vibes. They are home to an endless amount of wineries such as the Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery, Cavender Creek Vineyards, Kaya Vineyard and Winery, Frogtown Winery, and more. Dahlonega Gold Museum chronicles mining in the area from the discovery of gold in 1828. Consolidated Gold Mine includes an underground mine from around 1900. If you go Dahlonega • Northern Georgia • dahlonega.org 800-231-5543

Blue Ridge, Georgia is a fun little town that includes craft breweries and restaurants. Take a senic ride on antique trains to nearby mountain villages along the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Trails run through the Chattahoochee National Forest to Long Creek and Fall Branch waterfalls. If you go Blue Ridge • Northern Georgia • escapetoblueridge.com 866-618-2521

If you are looking for something fun this summer, be sure to load up the family and head down to the Downtown Commons. Two popular events that you can look forward to in June and July are The Downtown @ Sundown Concert Series and Family movie night. The Downtown @ Sundown Concert Series will be held on the first and third Fridays of each month until October, and once a month through the month of September you can watch your favorite family movies under the stars. If the concert series has caught your attention, each event will offer a night of free music and entertainment. Beer and other beverages will be for sale with proceeds benefiting a featured non-profit. There will also be a variety of independent food trucks that will line up on Main Street. Chairs and blankets are welcome, but please note that pets, coolers, smoking/vaping, or outside alcohol will not be allowed on site. The music starts at 7 pm each night. On June 3rd, Purple Madness will be performing. For the June 17th performance, Barracuda will be taking the stage. Absolute Queen will be there on July 1st, and ACE Party Band will be performing on July 15th. Be sure to tune in for Hot Lanta on August 5th as well. For the family movies under the stars, the film will start rolling at 7:30 pm on June 25th and July 9th. The films that you will be munching your popcorn to will be Soul and Finding Nemo. For more information on these perfect summer events, go to http://downtowncommons.org/

June 14 holds a special place in the hearts of patriotic Americans and American Soldiers around the nation. It is not only the Army’s birthday, but it is also Flag day. It is two great occasions in one single day. If you would love to learn more about these two fantastic events, then it is time to dive right in. To begin, the Army was born on June 14, 1775. The U.S Army was founded when the Congress of the United States established the First Continental Army. It was created due to the crucial need for professionally trained soldiers to fight the British forces. Before the Army was created, most fighting was done by untrained 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. This holiday is a day that is celebrated by soldiers, dependents, family, and veterans. 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. When you and your friends gather to celebrate the Army’s birthday, you can also celebrate Flag Day! Flag Day 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. 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. There is even a National Flag Day foundation that hopes to preserve the history, pride, and respect of the United States flag. So, this year proudly fly the country’s flag to commemorate this special day. Grab your gold, black, and American flags. This is the year to throw a great backyard BBQ and celebrate this patriotic day.

2-5

400 Mile Sale Hwy 68 Kentucky https://www.400mile.com/

Explore historic highway 68 to discover fabulous finds at rummage sales, barn sales, antique stores and boutiques. You’ll want to eat at the many hidden gems along the route from Maysville to Paducah. Hoptown Hopfest Alhambra Theatre, Hopkinsville https://parks.ky.gov/cadiz/events/events/musicstrikes-back-veterans

Hoptown Hopfest returns to the Alhambra Theatre! Actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton is bringing his rock band The Boxmasters to Hopkinsville. The Boxmasters, are a California-based electric rockabilly/country rock band influenced heavily by 60s rock bands like The Beatles, the Byrds, and the Beach Boys. The band has opened for musicians like ZZ Top, Steve Miller, George Thorogood, Willie Nelson, and Kid Rock. The Music Strikes Back for Veterans Lake Barkley State Resort Park https://parks.ky.gov/cadiz/events/events/music-strikesback-veterans The Music Strikes Back for Veterans at Lake Barkley State Park Beach . The bands performing Car Crash Liver , Past Nine, Blackberry Moon , Carl Woodall Band, Tim Lynch Band , Nova Kind, Barley Blue and The Hass Holiday Band . This event is for the Veterans and many groups will be in attendance with information for support. There will also be food trucks .

Nashville Mac & Cheese Festival First Horizon Park Nashville 11:30am-9pm http://nashvilleguru.com/132022/nashvillemac-and-cheese-festival This event will include over 30 kinds of mac and cheese samples from top chefs and food vendors. Guests can expect alcoholic beverage samples, live entertainment, and the opportunity to vote for Nashville’s best mac and cheese. Tickets are $15-$55. Children 12 and under get free admission.

9-12

CMA Music Festival Downtown Nashville https://cmafest.com/ There will be free concerts and activities each day at Riverfront, behind Ascend Amphitheater, at Bridgestone Plaza, and Walk of Fame Park. The shows at Nissan Stadium and at Ascend Amphitheater each night are ticketed.

History & Heritage Festival LaFayette, Kentucky https://www.wkdzradio.com/event/ history-and-heritage-festival/

A festival that features the rich history and deep heritage of LaFayette Kentucky. The fest features a car show, parade, specialty and food vendors and carnival games. The fest runs from noon to 7pm.

Bonnaroo Festival Manchester Tennessee https://www.bonnaroo.com/

Thousands of music fans, festival-goers, and even white-collar Roovians are already daydreaming about their weekend on the Manchester farm. Attendees can expect four days and nights packed with music, comedy, art, food, camping, activities, and good times.

17-19

American Artisan Festival Centential Park Nashville https://www.americanartisanfestival.com/#welcome The annual American Artisan Festival is from Friday to Sunday, June 17-19, 2022, at Centennial Park. The event features curated craft and fine arts vendors from all over the country. Guests can expect kids’ activities, live music, food vendors, craft beer, wine, and cocktails. Admission is free.

Clarksville Junteenth Block Party Downtown Commons Clarksville 12-5pm www.downtowncommons.com The Clarksville Juneteenth Block Party is a cultural celebration of Freedom Day. The block party takes place at the Downtown Commons and this year will be expanding to add more vendors, more entertainment, and more activities.

Music City Fit Expo Nashville Fairgrounds https://www.musiccityfitexpo.com/

The Music City Fit Expo is a celebration of all things fitness related in the greater Nashville/Middle Tennessee area. This event features almost 100 fitness vendors and lots of fun things planned.

BLK Xcellence Brunch Wilma Rudolph Center Clarksville www.clarksvillejuneteenth.com/event-tickets The BLK Xcellence Brunch is an experience celebrating Juneteenth weekend and Black Xcellence in the Clarksville community. This annual fundraising event will feature black art displays, the BLK Xcellence Awards, several cultural showcases and performances, and a cash bar. Whiz Bang Science Show Hopkinsville Public Library 2-5pm http://hccpl.org This year’s show is Dr. Dave Sails the Seven Seas. It will include lots of scientific demonstrations using water. We will be creating clouds, making snow, and floating bowling balls in a fun and informative show. Buoyancy will be a cool topic where we will learn how submarines work and how we can create layers of different liquids in a glass. We will also have a fun experiment on whether it will FLOAT or SINK. We will learn why water is so important to us and the water cycle maintains a steady supply of clean water. 18

Lemon Drop Martini This is an easy enough drink to pair with foods. You can also enjoy this one as a dessert drink. It satisfies the sweet tooth with nowhere near as much sugar as the average restaurant dessert.

Margarita Granita This is a slushy frozen treat with a kick. The orange, lemon and lime flavors make it very refreshing. Be sure to serve it in chilled glasses so the coldness and texture will last longer. This is a terrific drink to enjoy on a hot day while you’re in the shade. 6 tablespoons gold tequila • 6 tablespoons orange liqueur ⁄ cup fresh lime juice • 1⁄3 cup fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons lime zest • 3 cups of water • 1 ounce of sugar

1 2

Put the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Pour it into a bowl. Add the lime juice, lemon juice, lime zest, orange liqueur and tequila. Cover and freeze for eight hours. Rim a stemless martini glass with sugar. Spoon the granita mixture into the glasses. Garnish with lime zest and/or wedges.

1 1⁄2 ounces vodka ⁄ ounce Cointreau ⁄ ounce lemon juice 1 teaspoon superfine (or caster) sugar

1 2 3 4

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Pour in all the ingredients. Shake only until the sugar is dissolved (so as to avoid bruising the alcohol). Strain the mixture into a sugar-rim martini glass. Garnish with a lemon slice or twist. Drink recipes and photos courtesy of https://www.mixthatdrink.com

Fresh Watermelon ‘Rita This is a refreshing drink that’s perfect on a hot day, by the pool or otherwise. It’s a great way to make use of leftover watermelon, too. It is a great cocktail for barbecues and cookouts, because you can make up a big batch in a pitcher and pour as you go. It’s great for letting guests serve themselves. 2 chunks of watermelon (each the size of your thumb) 2 ounces of silver tequila 1 ounce of fresh lime juice 1 ounce of simple syrup Dash of Cointreau Coarse sea salt (optional) Use a shaker top to crush the watermelon in the bottom of a pint glass. Fill the glass up with ice and add the rest of the ingredients. Shake vigorously for five to ten seconds. Rim a pint or margarita glass with salt and fill it with salt. Strain the mixture into the glass and garnish with a small watermelon wedge.

Spicy Apricot Margarita This is a very refreshing summer margarita, and that extra edge of spice (I leave the seeds in) makes it really special. The apricot also adds something wonderful. The classic margarita has fruit flavors of lime and orange. This drink adds apricot, too, and its mellow flavor balances the spicy and the other fruit flavors perfectly. 1 ½ ounces of tequila ½ ounce of triple sec ½ ounce of lime juice 1 ½ ounces of apricot puree Jalapeño pepper Muddle two jalapeño slices in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the rest of the ingredients, along with ice. Shake until mixed. Pour into a small tumbler or highball glass. Garnish with a jalapeño round.

It is summer, and you know what that means. It is time to break out that grill and charcoal and get ready for some delicious food. This year, are you on the hunt for the recipe to throw out to your guests that will have them calling you the grill master all summer long? If so, then be sure to give these mouth-watering recipes a try at your next gathering.

Grilled Zucchini 2 large zucchini sliced 1⁄4 inch thick • 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp red wine vinegar • 1 tsp dried parsley • 1 tsp dried basil 1 ⁄2 tsp garlic powder • Kosher salt • black pepper Preheat the grill on medium-high. Toss sliced zucchini with oil, red wine vinegar, parsley, basil, and garlic powder. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Grease your grates with a little bit of olive oil on a paper towel. Place the zucchini on the grill. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more minutes. Remove from heat and eat right away.

Lemon Grilled Chicken Quarters 10 cloves chopped garlic • 1 cup fresh lemon juice 1 cup avocado oil • ½ tsp. paprika • ¼ tsp. onion powder ½ tsp. pepper • 1 ½ Tbsp. salt • 1⁄2 tsp thyme 4 chicken quarters • Lemon Pepper & Salt Combine all your ingredients EXCEPT the chicken and lemon pepper seasoning into a bowl and whisk together. Remove 1⁄2 cup of the marinade and set aside for later. Place chicken into a container and top with remaining marinade. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours. Preheat the grill to about 325 degrees. Remove the chicken from your container, and season the chicken with the lemon pepper seasoning. Trash the old marinade. Grill the chicken, covered skin side up for 20-25 minutes. Turn chicken and grill for an additional 20-25 minutes or until done, basting the chicken often with the reserved marinade. Place chicken on a serving platter and serve.

Super Easy Steak Marinade Ingredients for the Marinade ⁄4 cup olive oil • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce • 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar 1 ⁄4 cup low sodium soy sauce • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic • Salt and pepper 1

Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl. Place the steak in bowl, and pour the marinade on top. Let marinate in the fridge for 4 hours. Preheat grill to medium to high heat. Oil the grates. Place the steak on the grill and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side. If you want it medium to well done, add a few more minutes to each side. Remove from the grill and cover with foil. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Beer Boiled Brats 2 - 3 cans of beer (your choice but the stouter beer the more flavor) 4 - 6 brats (Johnsonville is a good choice from the grocery store) • hot dog buns • ketchup • mustard • onions If the brats are frozen, allow time for them to defrost. Fill a medium size pot about 1/3 full with water. Add the beer. Place the brats in the water and beer mixture and bring to a boil. Boil the brats for 10-15 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow for another 10 minutes in the mixture. Set the grill for medium to high temperature. Place the brats on direct heat. The brats are fully cooked before hitting the grill so all you’re doing on the grill is adding grill marks and browning the outside of the brats. Turn them every few minutes. Remove them when they are as crusty and charred as you like. Serve the brats with rolls and condiments.

Kick your feet up, put on some sunscreen, and climb into your beach chair with some of these amazing books this summer. They are the hottest and most in-demand books of 2022, and are sure to keep you sucked in all season. How many are you going to try and read this summer?

My Evil Mother: A Short Story By Margaret Atwood “Life is hard enough for a teenage girl in 1950s suburbia without having a mother who may—or may not—be a witch. A single mother at that. Sure, she fits in with her starched dresses, string of pearls, and floral aprons. Then there are the hushed and mystical consultations with neighborhood women in distress.” Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones By James Clear “No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving - every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.” The Locked Door By Freida McFadden “While eleven-year-old Nora Davis was up in her bedroom doing homework, she had no idea her father was killing women in the basement. Until the day the police arrived at their front door. Decades later, Nora’s father is spending his life behind bars, and Nora is a successful surgeon with a quiet, solitary existence. Nobody knows her father was a notorious serial killer. And she intends to keep it that way.”

Things We Never Got Over By Lucy Score “Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order. Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all.” At the Quiet Edge by Victoria Helen Stone “Abandoned by her fugitive ex-husband, Lily Brown is rebuilding her life on the edge of a Kansas town that still feels the sting of his crimes. Lily lies low, managing the isolated storage facility where she lives with her twelve-year-old son, Everett, and planning a better future for them both. That requires keeping secrets. Everett has them too.” Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover “After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself.” Strangers We Know by Elle Marr Adopted when she was only days old, Ivy Hon knows little about her lineage. But when she’s stricken with a mystery illness, the results of a genetic test to identify the cause attract the FBI. According to Ivy’s DNA, she’s related to the Full Moon Killer, who has terrorized the Pacific Northwest for decades. Ivy is the FBI’s hope to stop the enigmatic predator from killing again. The Investigator by John Sandford ”By age twenty-four, Letty Davenport has seen more action and uncovered more secrets than many law enforcement professionals. Now a recent Stanford grad with a master’s in economics, she’s restless and bored in a desk job for U.S. Senator Colles. Letty’s ready to quit, but her skills have impressed Colles, and he offers her a carrot: feet-on-the-ground investigative work, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security.”

There is nothing worse than tossing and turning all night trying to just simply fall asleep. You stare at the ceiling while your spouse snores peacefully beside you, and the clock ticks closer and closer to the morning alarm. Not getting enough sleep can cause the long workday to be dreadful, and the lack of rest can quickly wear down your immune system. If you find yourself struggling to get some shut-eye every night, there are some research-based methods that you can start trying right now, that will hopefully have some blissful results for you.

Get Into A Strict Routine Go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. This even includes on the weekends. Skip that Saturday morning sleep in if you are struggling with sleep issues.

Set Your Space Make sure your bedroom is set up to reflect a great sleeping enviroment. Make sure that it is dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature. Fan or no fan? What is your preferance?

Ditch the Electronics Do not turn on the TV or bring your phone to bed. That screen time can cause your brain to stay amped up much longer.

Watch What You Eat Avoid desserts, caffeine, and alcohol before bed. It is time to relax, not get fueled up.

Wear Yourself Out If you do not have a demanding job throughout the day, you could have some bottled up energy. Go for a jog or do a home workout before bedtime to wear yourself out.

Take A Melatonin Supplement Melatonin is a key supplement that tells your brain when it's time to relax and head to bed.

Take A Shower A warm relaxing shower with some lavendar body wash can be a game changer when trying to get your brain to rest.

Have you heard? This month is packed full of fun things to do at the USO. Be sure to join the USO Transitions team on June 2nd for an Employment Readiness Workshop. They will have you career ready in no time.

They will also have a Military Virtual Programming event on Tuesday, 14 JUNE at 10 a.m. CT. Emmy Award-Winning Actor & Comedian Leslie Jordan for a live discussion and Q&A, so you don't want to miss it. It will be a day full of laughs.

Lastly, on June 17th is the Donuts with Dad at the USO. Who doesn't love a good donut? For more information: fortcampbell.uso.org/events Don't forget! The USO is looking for volunteers to join the team! You can go to volunteers.uso.org to get started. If you have questions about volunteering, reach out to MaLissa Harris ( mharris@uso.org ). 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. 28

Sometimes life happens and it can get you down. One day you are feeling on top of the world, and the next you are down in the dumps. No one wants to sit around all day feeling gloomy, so we often resort to small pick-me-ups to bring that smile back to your face. Everyone has a different thing that brings them happiness, and we wanted to hear what our readers did when they were feeling blue. Give some of these a try the next time you need to chase the rainclouds away. “Taco Bell, Criminal Minds, comfort food and comfort shows always fix the heart for me.” -Stephanie R. “Coffee and shopping with a friend.” - Ashley S. “Hot bath and funny Tik Toks. Especially ones with pets.” -Jessica H. “Good Food!” - Patrycja E. “Coffee first, thrifting second. I do that or go on a long walk with my dogs and kids.” - Meggan A. “Typically food, fresh air, or a snuggly nap with my fuzzy puppy. Those tend to be great mood boosters!” - Emily F. “I really enjoy driving, so I go shopping by myself and grab some food to eat in the car.” - Johanna B. “Honestly, I've been playing music. I'll stupid dance and sing to it until I'm laughing. Basically, forcing myself to actually smile while also moving around, not staying in bed until its dark. - Denise H. “I have to get me and the kids out of the house and swing by Atlas to get an iced latte for me and a smoothie for my 3-year-old. Then, we go somewhere for the kids to play like the mall, park or mochas and minis.” -Sarah A. “I play video games or watch true crime shows! I also craft” - Jada M "Read a book, workout, watch Hulu, and cuddle with my furbabies. I also like to go be in nature!" - Carly H “I pamper myself. I like to tan, get my nails done, and do some skincare.” - Callie B.

The Flavors of My Life

by Marie “Mrs. Chingy” McLemore To say that I am passionate about food is a true understatement. Words cannot express the joy, the pain and the passion that I feel when it comes to food. I should have realized that I was a foodie when I was about 9 years old - when I called my momma while she was visiting a friend to find out when she was coming home because I wanted to cook without her finding out. The ire that I faced was grudgingly dampened when she realized that my younger sister got to enjoy the food that I experimented with. I continued to enjoy food as I started spending more time in the kitchen while my momma cooked. I was soon called upon to prep the ingredients before she came home to cook after work. I became my mother’s assistant when she was making one of her delicious dishes from her native country, Thailand, or the southern foods she learned to cook while helping out my granny in the family cafe.

No ethnic cuisine is safe from experimentation, but the dishes that I always come back to are the foods of my childhood. Just thinking about cooking the food that my Family has created for generations fills me with a sense of pride, nostalgia and the burning desire to pursue my passion for food - just like the bird’s eye chili pepper can both burn and excite the taste buds. One of my favorite things to do is combine the two cultures on a plate. Just thinking about having a bowl of fragrant jasmine rice with fried chicken that has been dredged in seasoned flour along with my favorite Thai green papaya salad (Som Tum) that has the

subtle hint of garlic, Thai fish sauce (Nam Pla) and just the right amount of chili peppers will keep me coming back for more. When I’m sick or want something that will remind me of home I make a huge pot of Thai beef stew (Neur Toon).

Don’t get me started on my fried rice! That is a common request at parties and I don’t know which satisfies me more...the prepping and cooking of this dish or watching my Family and close friends devour every grain of rice. I come home after every party with a large empty Tupperware container because I don’t know how to cook small meals and I always make sure to take extra containers since the returned containers usually come with a request for a refill! There are times I don’t want to create a cross-cultural experience for my palate and I stick to tried and true classics with my own personal magic like mac ‘n’ cheese, meatloaf and dishes of soul food. My mac ‘n’ cheese must be made from scratch and I must be the one that cooks it from start to finish since my husband complains that while he has watched me for years making this dish, his mac ‘n’ cheese doesn’t taste like mine. I love the aroma of a fresh pan of cornbread and every time I prepare the sweet potato dish my momma calls “Candied Yams” it reminds me why I should cook this dish more often because it leaves my house fragrant with the scents of brown sugar, butter and orange zest. I have yet to perfect my granny’s rolls that my uncles continue to talk about in reverence, but I know one day I will and it will bring tears of joy to my eyes.

living room I took a bag of powdered turmeric to the paint store for them to make a custom color for me and it turned out beautiful. So don’t be afraid to experiment in your kitchen and enjoy the journey that it will take you on. Feel free to create fragrant memories with a few trials and errors in between. Buy a cookbook from a country you have longed to travel to and explore the land through the language of flavors, food and spices. Walk down memory lane by cooking dishes from your childhood and create a few new ones of your own. Your dishes may be savory or sweet but I know they will be delicious.

CALL. SWITCH. SAVE.

My spice cabinet continues to be “under construction” because I have spices that can be used for a multitude of different ethnic cuisines. One of my guilty pleasures is finding out if one spice can be used for Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern and/or Southwest cuisine. Cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, different chili powders and curries are just a few of the spices that are the inspiration for the color palette in my house. When I was ready to paint my

/2&$/ 2)),&(

Daniel Ingram 931-263-5390 geico.com/clarksville-ingram ¡Hablamos Español!