WilDliFE PHOTOS SOuGHT

Wildlife photographers are invited to submit images of birds and other wildlife from recently restored habitats along the Onondaga Lake shoreline for the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps photography exhibit on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 26 from noon to 4 p.m. A limit of 10 photographs per individual may be emailed to montezuma@audubon.org and the deadline to submit photographs is March 1. The images may be .tif or .jpg files, and must be exactly 16” x 20” at 300 dpi. The photograph submission form must accompany the photographs and it can be found at ny.audubon. org/OLCC

The Onondaga Lake Conserva- tion Corps is hosting the exhibit in partnership with Audubon New York and Honeywell. The exhibit will take place at Honeywell’s Onondaga Lake Visitors Center, 280 Restoration Way, Syracuse, NY 13209, which is along the southwest lakeshore in Geddes. Call 315-365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with questions.

“Since 2012, thousands of community members have joined the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps as environmental stewards of Onondaga Lake,’” said Chris Lajewski, director of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps. “We are proud to celebrate over a decade of leading restoration projects that have improved wildlife habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed. The Corps seeks to inspire stewards of Onondaga Lake and its watershed through a handson, experience-based program that offers citizens and organizations the opportunity to participate in activities that help restore and sustain Onondaga Lake and its value as an Important Bird Area.”

Onondaga Lake became a priority Audubon Important Bird Area in 1998 and was subsequently adopted by Honeywell, Montezuma Audubon Center, and Onondaga Audubon because of its value to thousands of waterfowl and dozens of Bald Eagles during the winter months. The Important Bird Area program serves as a catalyst for achieving bird conservation.

To learn more visit ny.audubon. org/OLCC

Share your milestone celebrations!

Eagle Newspapers is here to help readers share their milestone celebrations, including birth announcements, engagements, weddings, anniversaries and milestone birthdays. The deadline to submit an announcement is 10 a.m. the Friday before publication. Announcements of up to 250 words with a photo cost just $50, with an additional 15 cents per word over 250 words. Announcements will be posted to eaglenewsonline.com within 24 hours of receipt of payment. To submit a milestone announcement, email Alyssa Dearborn at adearborn@eaglenewsonline.com, or call 315.434.8889 ext. 305.

Is ADHD affecting your golf game?

Have you ever played golf with an adult who has ADHD? Do you know an adult who has ADHD?

Do you have ADHD? Do you know the de nition of Adult ADHD? Do I have your attention? I must admit, when I rst read the story connecting ADHD with adults and golf, I was curious. I always thought the disorder was 100% related to children. I admit, I don’t know much about the disorder in adults, therefore, let’s explore this topic together… According to the American Psychiatric Association, adults with Attention-de cit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may experience poor self-worth, sensibility stemming from higher levels of criticism throughout life (golf career?). Most of us are aware that children with ADHD are diagnosed early in their life and are treated for the disorder throughout their adult years. However, sometimes a diagnosis of ADHD is missed during childhood. Unfortunately, this means that many adults with ADHD do not realize they have the disorder. Adults with ADHD are treated with medication, psychotherapy or a combination. Behavior strategies, such as ways to minimize distractions and increase structure and organization and support from immediate family members (& golf family?) can also be helpful.

Case history:

Katie Dawkins is an Advanced PGA Professional and has been a golf coach for over 20 years. Her passion is training golfers, “on-the-golf-course (playing lessons). She writes articles for Women and Golf and TeeTimes magazines. Katie is also a quali ed Titleist Performance Pro (TPI) and has extensive knowledge in nutrition. She has the distinction of being trained by Butch Harmon. Sounds like Katie has it all together and is enjoying her life. Well, not so fast. Top 50 Coach Katie Dawkins recently discovered something about herself that, “made everything make sense”. She wrote an article last month about how ADHD can a ect our golf games and life. In the article she spoke of her inability to e ciently get stu done and how “newer tasks and immediate deadlines o en took priority”. As a child she said, “I struggled with con dence, was a high achiever and the tiniest bit of criticism oored me”. She said her mind was messed up and social situations caused her to panic and say quirky things. She was labeled a weirdo and was bullied.

“Golf was my safe place” she said, “where I could be me”. She loved pressure situations and always seemed to play well when she was challenged, “in the moment”. But When she had to plan for a big competition, she found herself trying to ignore it or to nd a way to back out. “I was a capable player but I o en lost focus on what I was doing”. When she started working and getting busier, she found herself frustrated because she felt she was moving sideways rather than forward. “I became overwhelmed”, she said, “because I was unable to focus on one task for long enough to complete”.

In her article, Katie described a relatively recent business meeting with her business advisor and mentor Beverly Poole. Katie said “a massive light bulb was switched on”. Totally surprised, Beverly asked her, “Have you ever been tested for ADHD”?

Katie said, “Pah, no! ADHD is something little boys have who can’t sit still, right”? About 5-8 % of the global population have ADHD and it is di erent in everyone. Others who have su ered from ADHD include; Bubba Watson (PGA Tour), Nicola Adams, Olympic Gold Medallist (boxing) and Liz Harwood, founder/owner, Famara (golf brand).

“ e more I learn about ADHD, the more it makes my life make sense. If this resonates, I’d urge anyone to take the test then follow it up with a quali ed psychiatrist. I’m not for one second saying everyone has it because they don’t. Life is busy and this can create so many problems and characteristics highlighted by my experiences. ADHD isn’t a disease, it isn’t a weakness. Understanding it can unlock some serious super powers - well, that’s what I’m hoping anyway”. Katie Dawkins

According to the Centers For Disease Control, approximately 4% of American adults have been diagnosed with attention-de cit disorder(ADD) or attention-de cit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, Robert Garrigus, former PGA Tour player and winner, says, “that percentage may be much higher among the best players in golf”. When asked in an interview with Golf Magazine, how many of the Top 125 players on the PGA Tour have diagnosed or undiagnosed ADD or ADHD, he said, “AboutHalf”, including me”. “Golf is the ideal ADD sport”, says psychologist Edward Hallowell. He went on to say, “Whenever you nd the combination of structure, novelty and motivation, the mind tends to focus. When you set up to a golf shot, you’ve got all three”. While ADD o en has negative connotations in society in general, Dr. Hallowell believes, “golfers perhaps succeed…because of…rather than in spite of - the disorder…with players especially equipped to focus in situations of extreme pressure”. anks for bringing the topic to our attention Katie…It’s “food-for-thought”.