alachua
county’s
PREMIER
p a re n t i n g
M AGA Z I N E
JUNE/JULY 2017 | Volume 9 • Issue 2
the
lifetime game Meet Mindy Herrick and 5 other young local golfers!
that is winning the hearts of local kids 12 must-haves for every dad bon voyage! your perfect vacation is set to sail! diy: the patriotic pallet www.gigglemagazine.com gigglemagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2017 1
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PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nicole Irving CREATIVE DIRECTOR Allison Raber ASSOCIATE DEPUTY EDITOR Colleen McTiernan GRAPHIC DESIGNERs Emily Purvis, Claire Stortz Vice president of sales Shane Irving Account executive Maria Buoni marketing assistant Delia Albert PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Alison Walker ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE April Tisher executive assistant Sayeh Farah ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ashleigh Braun DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Patty Skelton Contributing Writers Selena Garrison, Nicole Irving, RaSheba Jones, Lisa Katz, Colleen McTiernan, Olivia Pitkethly, MA, LMHC, Meredith Sheldon, Danielle Spano, Taryn Tacher, April Tisher Contributing Photographers Sincerely Gone Photography, Shandon Smith with Lifeprints Photography
Mailing address
headquarters address
5745 SW 75th Street 101 SW 140th Terrace Unit 286 Suite C Gainesville, FL 32608 Jonesville, FL 32669 Gainesville Office: p. 352.505.5821 Tallahassee Office: p. 850.254.9704 Fax: 877.857.5140
gigglemagazine.com giggle@irvingpublications.com Giggle Magazine is a registered trademark property of Irving Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. Giggle Magazine is published by Irving Publications, LLC. © 2017
Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. Irving Publications, LLC is not responsible for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Nothing that appears in Giggle Magazine may be reproduced in any way, without written permission. Opinions expressed by Giggle Magazine writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. Giggle Magazine will consider all never before published outside editorial submissions. Irving Publications, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates.
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Creating happy, healthy smiles, one child at a time. Providing specialized dentistry for children and adolescents in a “child-friendly� environment, we focus on preventive care to help each child have a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.
Serving infants, children and teens in Gainesville and surrounding areas State-of-the-art digital technology Latex-free office Now accepting insurance from Humana, Delta Dental PPO and Solstice
Dr. Robert N. Mixon, D.M.D., P.A. Dr. Michael G. Gooch, D.M.D. Dr. Andrew C. Gooch, D.M.D.
Haile Plantation Village Center 5209 SW 91st Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608 and Northwest Professional Center 4910 NW 27th Court, Gainesville, FL 32608
352-335-7777 www.kidsonlydentalplace.com Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Education Matters! We are proud to be Board Certified Pediatric Dentists. gigglemagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2017
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from the publisher MEET OUR
COVER CUTIE!
summer days For the first time since my boys started school, I am actually so excited about summer. Generally, I dread the camp planning, the scheduling craziness and the mental prep needed to deal with the words, “I’m bored.” As a working mom who is generally running around like a chicken with her head cut off, school time lends an organized schedule with very little in the way of surprises. So, it caught me by surprise that I, too, am as giddy as a school girl that summer is here. What am I most excited about, you may ask? The break from the routine I crave so much. The literal “carefree days of summer.” I am looking forward to saying goodbye to the nights of pulling my hair out and yelling, “Is your homework done?” over and over again. I need a break from packing lunches and backpacks. A break from the constant worry that I didn’t remember to do something for their school day and the awful feeling that I am a total parental disaster who just can’t keep up. This momma needs a mental break. What will I do with all this hypothetical free time? Connect with the young men I am blessed to be raising and just “be” with them. My youngest wants me to take him on a road trip to Arkansas to go gem mining. On any given day, I might have said no, but I know that if I can make it happen, it might be just what this momma needs and something that neither of us will forget. My oldest is officially a teenager, and it won’t be long before he will spend his very last summer under my roof before he is off to college. I plan on soaking in these summer days with him and his brothers while I still can.
Like us on Facebook /GIGGLEMAGAZINE
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How old are you?
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What is your favorite book?
"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini What is your favorite school subject? Math What are you most looking forward to this summer? The
golf tournaments, hanging out with my friends and going to the beach What has been your favorite golf course to play at?
Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Spa
THANK YOU to Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club for welcoming us onto the course for our feature photo shoot!
Nicole Irving, Publisher nicole@irvingpublications.com
follow us on Twitter @GIGGLEMAGAZINE
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Visit us on Pinterest /GIGGLEMAGAZINE
Follow us on Instagram @GIGGLEMAGAZINE
Photo by Shandon Smith with Lifeprints Photography
So, join me in doing nothing this summer but soaking up rays (while protected with sunblock, of course!) and just “being” with those little tykes we love so dearly. This summer will zoom by all too quickly, and I plan on enjoying every moment of it!
Mindy
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JUNE · JULY 2017 happy family • happy community
TM
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46 Tea Tree Time! 48 A Case of the Blues
happy home 54 Natural Cleaning with White Vinegar 56 Out with the Old: What to Keep and
What to Purge When Moving
60 You're a Grand Old Flag
giggle stamp
life 8
6 Money Saving Apps at Your Fingertips
10 POWER PARENT Lauren DePaola 14 Making Mom Friends — There's an App
for That!
16 Fighting Fair: Turning an Argument into
Productive Communication
Suit Yourself! 6 Bathing Suits that You'll Be Sure to Love
learn 66 Families Giving Back: The Alachua County
Humane Society
68 Should Your Kids Learn to Code?
happy community
34 Refreshing Ice Pops to Beat the Heat
Boy or Girl? Predicting Your Baby's Gender with Old Wives' Tales
78 infant
Rock-A-Bye Baby: 3 Ways to Sleep Train
92 June/july Calendar 96 corkboarD
80 TODDLER
Your Little One
Spending the Day Away: Choosing the
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36 Perfect Summertime Salads 38 Planning the Perfect Picnic
health 40 Saving Your Skin: Keeping Yourself Protected During the Summer Months 43 Summer Bike Safety
FORE! Local Kids Who Have Fallen in Love with the Game of Golf The Ultimate Father's Day Gift Guide Cruising on Cloud 9
Right Child Care Facility
82 early years
Saying Sorry: Teaching Your Children to
Make Sincere Apologies
84 kids
Help Your Kids Make Sense of Money
86 tweens
Should Your Tween Get a Summer Job?
88 teens
Teen Driving: What to Know and How to Help ALACHUA
GOLFING | FAMILY CRUISES | FATHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE
fe a t u res 22 50 70
76 expecting
18 happy family The Hollow Family
forks & spoons
conception 2✱ college™
COUNTY’S
PREMIER
PARENTING
MAGAZINE
GIGGLE MAGAZINE
Happy Family photo by Sincerely Gone Photography. Ice pop photo by Allison Raber. Golf photo by Shandon Smith with Lifeprints Photography.
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JUNE/JULY 2017 | Volume 9 • Issue 2
THE
lifetime game Meet Mindy Herrick and 5 other young local golfers!
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THAT IS WINNING THE HEARTS OF LOCAL KIDS 12 MUST-HAVES FOR EVERY DAD BON VOYAGE! YOUR PERFECT VACATION IS SET TO SAIL! DIY: THE PATRIOTIC PALLET
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Photo by Shandon Smith with Lifeprints Photography gigglemagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2017
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life
Money Saving Apps at Your Fingertips BY SELENA GARRISON
We use our smartphones all the time. Like it or not, from connecting to scheduling to entertaining to capturing all the important moments, they seem to be here to stay. And since they are always at our fingertips, we might as well use them to save on everyday purchases! There are lots of free apps available for Apple and Android to help you save (and earn) money on everything from groceries to retail purchases.
GROCERIES
iBotta
iBotta pays you to shop for groceries (and other items) through a fairly simple (albeit time-consuming) system of choosing a store, tapping on an offer, answering a question/reading some information, scanning the item’s barcode, and snapping a photo of your store receipt. Rebates generally range anywhere from $.25 to $5. You can join together in a team with friends or family to earn more and get your earnings through PayPal, Venmo or a gift card.
RETAIL
RetailMeNot
RetailMeNot is a coupon app that quickly pulls up coupons/coupon codes for many major retailers that can be used in stores and online. It has a pretty easy search option and features daily “hot deals.” If you turn on location services for the app, you can get automatic notifications for nearby deals.
Gift Certificates and More
Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is similar to iBotta but a little less time consuming. You just have to snap a photo of your receipt and then select the e-coupons you want to use — no answering questions or scanning barcodes. Offers are updated weekly, so you can find the best deals out there! There is some overlap with iBotta in terms of offers, so if you use both apps, you can save twice. Once your rebate earnings reach $20, you can request a check.
Shopkick
Shopkick rewards you with “kicks” (aka reward points) for visiting participating retailers and scanning or buying specific items within the store. You can also connect your credit or debit card to your account to earn kicks when you spend money at certain stores. You can redeem kicks for retail and restaurant gift certificates.
Another great app that doesn’t really fit in the grocery or retail category is Gift Certificates and More. This app basically gives you free gift certificates to various restaurants in your area. You search through the featured restaurants, choose the gift certificate you want to use, show it to your server and hit redeem.
Publix
Publix is my go-to store for grocery shopping, and I love their mobile app. It allows you to view the weekly ad, choose your favorite location, plan your grocery list (automatically arranged by aisle!), and choose from a wide variety of digital coupons. You select which coupons you want to use and then just enter your phone number at checkout for instant savings. Used in combination with other apps like iBotta and Checkout 51, you can reduce your cost at the register AND earn money back through rebates.
Cartwheel by Target
Cartwheel is Target’s savings app, and if you are a Target addict like me, it will save you lots of money. Basically, you scroll through the offers, choose the ones you want (generally saving anywhere between 5 percent and 50 percent), and scan your personal barcode at checkout. In addition to the discount offers, there are additional coupons that offer money off or gift card rebates based on amounts you spend on certain categories of items. For instance, last month I received a $20 gift card for spending $75 on baby formula, diapers and wipes.
While these are a few of my favorites, there are hundreds of additional apps available to help you save money on the things you are already purchasing. Using them in combination may take some planning, but they can really help you save big bucks! ]
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REWARD YOURSELF GET YOUR ALLIANCE CREDIT CARD TODAY! 1.99% ON BALANCE TRANSFERS*
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*Restrictions apply. Federally insured by NCUA.
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life
p ower p a re n t
LAUREN DEPAOLA
Mental health therapist/consultant
wife to john, mommy to sons Gavin (7) and Mason (4)
Between owning her own business and her many volunteer roles, life can certainly get busy for Lauren DePaola. However, family and her own personal health always come first for her, which she believes allows her to be an even better clinician for her clients. What does your typical workday look like?
I’m up at 6 a.m. to get ready before my children wake up for school. I drop the boys off at school then head to my office. I see counseling clients from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week and fit in volunteer work for my other positions locally and statewide in any free moments during the day. Admittedly you will find me some nights after everything else is done dedicating more time toward advocacy work. On Wednesdays, I am thankful to be invited to offer client sessions at the North Florida Women's Physicians and Midwives offices. My practice specializes in reproductive mental health with a focus on the perinatal timeframe, including pregnancy, postpartum and perinatal loss. As the owner of a small business, the many other responsibilities to keep my practice running, in addition to the counseling piece, are included in my typical day/week.
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I encourage my clients to examine the priorities of whatever “season” of life they are presently in, and I try my best to do the same. How do you balance work life and family life?
I don't. Instead I arrange my roles in priorities; work and family are not equal roles to balance. My family and my personal health must come first as my top priorities. I try my best to frequently revisit my priority list because it is easy to lose focus. I only see clients during typical business hours to keep my priority on my family after hours and on the weekends. I encourage my clients to examine the priorities of whatever “season” of life they are presently in, and I try my best to do the same. I want to be available for my young children’s extracurricular activities and field trips, and I am blessed and thankful to have the flexibility to do so. I also take a couple days off from work about every eight to 10 weeks to refresh and recharge so I can be as effective a mental health clinician as possible for my clients.
What advice would you give other working parents?
To examine your expectations of yourself in this “season.” Take the time to adjust those expectations as needed so that you can put your priority on caring for yourself. Then you can continue to put effort into your other roles and priorities. Give yourself permission to let go of the lie of perfection and the need to say “yes” all of the time.
What sacrifices/compromises have you had to make?
My natural tendency is to say “yes” when opportunity presents itself. This can throw priorities off and lead to exhaustion and less than my best in the areas I feel truly passionate about. Learning to let opportunities, even when they appear good, pass by to save space and energy for the very best fit is
What is your go-to breakfast? Coffee and eggs or a granola bar.
What is your coffee order? Medium iced coffee with some vanilla flavoring and cream. I've recently started to like coconut milk with iced coffee, too. When we have colder weather I like hot coffee with a flavored creamer.
What is your must-have work tech item? My phone and laptop seem to handle it all so far, but I learn something new every day in terms of technology!
If you could have one super power, what would it be? To add an extra hour to the day when I need it! Despite best efforts, some days there just isn't enough time to get my list of to-dos done.
Which TV character most resembles you? Why? My husband and I joke that we share some similarities with Doug and Carrie from “King of Queens.” The ways we are opposite seem to balance each of us out. Above: The group therapy room at Lauren's office. gigglemagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2017
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a learning process. I've also sacrificed financially to be self-employed. Owning a business is both the hardest and most rewarding job I've had other than parenthood.
When and how do you make time for yourself?
WHAT ARE
THINGS YOU MUST HAVE AT WORK?
❶ Coffee ❷ Water ❸ Music ❹ Jacket or sweater ❺ Phone charger
I try not to go more than two days without exercise. Recently I've added in short walks outside if I have extra time in between clients. Prayer and listening to devotional podcasts and music on my drive to and from work are a special part of my self-care. Quiet time, time with friends and adequate sleep are also very important parts of taking care of myself. It has become increasingly important to keep solid boundaries with technology.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
My parents. I'm blessed to have stepparents as well. All have made an impact on the person I am today. My mom passed away suddenly when I was 20, yet the confidence and values she instilled in me have continued to serve me well. My dad has been instrumental in my faith in God and has helped me understand that we aren't called to be perfect as Christians, but instead reliant on a perfect God. My family keeps me accountable and helps me refocus on the most important parts of life.
Who are your biggest supporters?
My husband, kids, extended family and friends. I'm so thankful for the patience my husband has with me in spearheading a business and working toward local and statewide movement for improving the perinatal mental health landscape.
Finish this sentence: I hope that I have taught my children ... the perfect love and forgiveness of God and carrying out His direction of showing loving kindness to others, no matter their differences. Don't take yourself too seriously; enjoy life.
If you had a day all to yourself, what would you do?
Go to the beach and just BE there — grab food and a margarita when the feeling moves me and have zero timeframes or constraints looming. ]
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Above: Lauren in one of the therapy rooms. Right: Lauren's sons, Gavin and Mason
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life
Making Mom Friends — There's an App for That! BY MEREDITH SHELDON
Tinder. Bumble. Match. E-Harmony. Married, have kids and think you are past the stage of online dating? Think again. A new app called Peanut is designed for moms to connect with other moms to make nearby friends. Looking for someone to meet for coffee or to join your kid’s soccer practice carpool? You might want to give Peanut a try. The app is similar to Tinder and Bumble, where you create a profile and swipe right and left to match with other potential mom friends. However, Peanut also matches you with moms based on age, interest, values and location. Besides the ages of the moms, the app also shows the ages of the kids, making it easier to schedule play dates. Peanut can be a great way for moms as well as kids to find friends in their respective areas.
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The app even allows for group chats. Schedule a coffee date with a group of moms and establish close relationships with other women who are experiencing the same life-changing events. The goal of the app is to help moms find other likeminded women in the area to connect and establish long-lasting friendships. Peanut’s motto is “Meet as mamas, connect as women.” ]
To learn more about this app check out the company’s Instagram @peanut and Facebook @PeanutAppOfficial.
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life
Fighting Fair: Turning an Argument into Productive Communication BY OLIVIA K PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC
Every couple argues. Even the healthiest, happiest couple bickers from time to time. Having a disagreement can help a couple improve their communication, resolve misunderstandings and express their feelings. However, it is easy to get caught up in your emotions during an argument, and before you know it, it can escalate to a full-blown fight. In my work as a mental health counselor, I have seen many couples who say, “We just fight all the time. We can’t seem to just have a normal conversation without it getting out of control.” Sometimes, one spouse will become submissive and give in just to avoid arguing. This isn’t healthy either because after a while, that person will develop resentment toward the other. When couples come to me with this issue, one of the things I do is help them develop a list of “fair fighting rules.” This helps them collaborate together and find things they both agree to, thus leading them to start working with each other, instead of against each other. Here are some common examples of “fair fighting rules.”
Find the time
You are on your way to dinner at your sister’s house and your spouse realizes he forgot to pay a bill that was due today. You accuse him of being irresponsible and he thinks you should take on more of the financial responsibility. You are both heated as you walk into your sister’s house, and everyone notices the tension.
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Obviously, this was not a prime time for you to have a discussion about finances. So, instead of ruining your evening, agree to put things on hold until you have time to discuss it further. Schedule a time when you can both sit down and discuss the finances as a team without any interruptions.
Use proper body language
It is hard to talk to someone when their back is turned or when they are distracted with something else. Sit down on the couch or at the kitchen table and face each other. Make eye contact and nod while the other speaks, which expresses that you care about what he/she has to say. You do not have to agree, but make it clear that you are listening. If possible, reach out and touch him/her gently on the hand or shoulder to enhance the emotional intimacy and remind each other that you are on the same team.
Watch your words
No name-calling. Period. Cursing and labeling will only escalate the argument and may force the other person to shut down. Make use of “I” statements. Instead of saying, “you need to take more financial responsibility,” change it to an “I” statement. “I would feel less stressed if we shared responsibility of the finances.” Moving just a few words around decreases defensiveness, gives you ownership of your feelings and focuses on the problem. Reflective listening is also an important part of communication. Basically, it is paraphrasing what your spouse has already said so he/she knows that you heard correctly. It feels silly at first and it definitely takes practice, but it is an effective tool to decrease misunderstandings.
HALT Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired — all of those factors combined make us more vulnerable to things like arguing, eating too much and drinking too much.
Taking a break
If you find that you are using these rules and your argument is still escalating, recognize it. “I think we’re getting too heated, and I don’t want us to start saying things we will regret later. Can we place this argument on pause until we both cool down?” Again, you are showing that you care for the other person’s feelings and your relationship. You are also recognizing your own role in the argument. There may also be times when you will have to agree to disagree. Pick your battles, but always remember that you are on the same side. ]
Abuse is NEVER OK in a relationship. If you are in an abusive relationship, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for help.
IN ALACHUA COUNTY THERE ARE: YOUTH WHO ARE LIVING WITH A RELATIVE OR FAMILY FRIEND YOUTH WHO ARE LIVING IN A FOSTER HOME
Youth in foster care are more likely to be behind in school as a result of the trauma they experienced. Help us make sure OUR youth are set for success come August by donating new school supplies!
YOUTH WHO ARE LIVING OUT OF THEIR HOMES DUE TO ABUSE OR NEGLECT DO YOU HAVE ROOM FOR ONE MORE IN YOUR HOME? These children have recess alongside your child. They are in your middle-schooler’s home room. They are on your teen’s sports team. Visit PartnerFamily.org to learn more about being a foster parent or about the Back to School Drive!
RESOLVING DIVORCES COLLABORATIVELY
Trained in the Practice of Collaborative Law
Pledge not to litigate • Voluntary exchange of information • Cost effective Commitment to respect both parties’ shared goals • Negotiate without having courts decide issues
Divorce • Child Support • Paternity • Custody • Domestic Violence • Post Judgement F LO R I DA S U P R E M E C O U R T C E R T I F I E D FA M I LY M E D I ATO R
Law Office of Jennifer Kirkhart Curcio Family Law, Collaborative Law, Criminal Law
352.327.1201 | 2835 NW 41st Street | Suite 240 | Gainesville, FL 32606 | www.curciolawfirm.com
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life
h a p p y f a m i ly
Meet t he
Hollow Family
Nate, Tara, Zach (4) and Alex (2) PHOTOS BY SINCERELY GONE PHOTOGRAPHY
Occupation(s): Nate is a stay-at-home dad and owner of The Hollow Furniture Co. Tara is an administrative specialist in the office of the Vice President for Business Affairs at the University of Florida. Favorite family meal: Homemade pizza. I have a great recipe for pizza dough. Mommy and Daddy’s hobbies: I love photography and sewing. I’ve actually started a page dedicated to photos, Tara Hollow Photography. Nate’s hobby turned part-time business is taking wooden wire spools and turning them into showroom worthy furniture pieces. Movie in our DVD player right now: “Moana.” The kids’ favorite books: “No, David!” by David Shannon and any “Little Critter” book by Mercer Mayer. Mommy and Daddy’s favorite TV shows: My favorite is “This is Us” and Nate’s is “Modern Family.” Websites we love: Etsy.com, Ancestry.com and Couponmom.com Favorite sports/extracurriculars to do: Zach has really taken to playing baseball and soccer, and we hope to find the boys a team to join this fall. Alex is mostly interested in playing with hot wheels in the dirt. Favorite sports to watch: Gator Football and the Chicago Cubs.
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Favorite family activity: Snuggling and watching movies on the weekend. Favorite day trip: The beach! Favorite family vacation destination: Pass-A-Grille Beach. What makes my kids laugh: In a house full of boys, anything silly or inappropriate.
Why we love living in Gainesville: Most of my family lives here. In addition to being a UF alum, I was born and raised in Gainesville, and thanks to Ancestry.com, I recently discovered I’m a seventh generation ACR. There’s so much rich family history here. While we love the history of this town, we are excited to see growth and look forward to seeing the changes in the coming years with the successful execution of the UF Strategic Development Plan. What better place to be than the heart of the Gator Nation? Something that we want our children to have that we didn’t have growing up: Family vacations with their parents. First word you think of when we say “family”: There is no one word. It’s more a feeling of warmth and happiness. Must-have item(s): Baby wipes. Not sure how we got by in life without them prior to having kids. They’re good for cleaning everything. Three words that describe our family: Loving, understanding and amusing. ]
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has his Alex always cQueen Lightning M ! m car with hi
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FORE! Local Kids Who Have Fallen in Love with the Game of Golf by colleen mctiernan | photos by SHANDON SMITH WITH lifeprints photography | special thank you to haile plantation golf and country club
When you first think of golf, what comes to mind? Rolling hills, sand traps, clubs, visors, maybe Arnold Palmer or Tiger Woods. What about kids? Do you readily imagine them out on the course? If you are not a golfer yourself, then you might not ever think of putting your child in golf. It has often been stereotyped as a game for middle-aged men, but that is simply untrue. Many kids around Gainesville have been playing the game for years, and they are quite good!
With the wealth of sports and other activities available to your child, why consider golf? For one, unlike other more popular contact sports, golf is a game of a lifetime, said John Reger, a member of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. You can truly play the game at any age, which may be why it is stereotyped as a game for retirees. Also, as it is an individual game, it teaches selfreliance, perseverance, patience and honesty. “Golf is a ladies and gentlemen kind of game, so you have to treat the golf course with respect, your opponent with respect,” he said. “It’s not an out of control, trash talking kind of thing. You have to learn how to play well with others out there.” Golf, like so many other sports, is also great for your physical health. In fact, according to a study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine, playing golf regularly can increase your life expectancy by five years. Walking from hole to hole can burn a significant number of calories and improve your cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic health.
Getting started
If you would like to get your children interested in golf, Reger recommends getting your kiddos into a program that will introduce them to golf in a fun way. One such program that
kid-friendly golf courses
Reger runs is the Drive, Chip and Putt, a free national junior golf development competition. Prior to the competition, PGA professionals like Reger will host golf clinics, and kids of any skill level, including those who have never even touched a club before, are welcome to join in. “We put a club in their hand and teach them how to hit putts and drives and chips, and get them ready for [the competition],” he said. Kids between the ages of 7 and 16 can also try out the PGA Junior League. This program provides kids with a fun, social environment where they play matches in a scramble format. And if neither of those programs seem to suit your child’s needs, he or she can also try out the Gator Junior Golf Association or the Haile Plantation Junior Golf Camp.
Cutting costs
As far as the high starting cost associated with getting your child started in golf, Reger said that those costs can certainly be mitigated. First and foremost, he said that if you get your child involved in one of the previously mentioned programs, they often provide the clubs so you don’t have to make an investment until you learn your child really enjoys the game and wants to pursue it outside of the program. Then, there are options for purchasing a complete set of clubs. If the price tag of a new set of clubs is too high, you can always visit Play It Again Sports for a lower-priced used set. Reger also mentioned that many golf courses do not charge children under 16 with a paying adult to play. “A lot of golf courses, a lot of PGA golf professionals that run these
clubs are trying to make it where it’s as least expensive as possible at the beginning for some of these kids,” he said.
College and beyond
If your little one’s goal is to play golf in college or even professionally, Reger recommends that you get him or her a coach. Aside from the technical aspect of learning how to swing the club and get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible, Reger said that there is an important mental element to coaching. “It’s the making sure that they’re practicing the right things right, making sure that the kids have somebody with a lot of experience … who knows what to be thinking about and knows what to be focused on,” he said. “It’s actually more of a mentoring and coaching thing that creates competitive golfers that are successful.” But the most important thing you can do to promote your child’s future in competitive golf is to have them play competitive golf. “You only learn how to play competitive golf by going out there, and golf is a game that you learn by experience, and we gain experience by making mistakes,” said Reger. Aside from the benefits and opportunities that golf can provide for your children, getting your little ones involved in golf can be fun for the whole family. Golf is a game that everyone can play, and family members can even caddy for their little players, up to a certain age. So, the next time you are heading out to the green, consider taking your kids along with you!
Limited access
Open to the public
• Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club
• Meadowbrook Golf Club
• Mark Bostick Golf Course
• Ironwood Golf Course
• West End Golf Club
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on the green
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❶ Callie Harrington has been golfing since age 10. ❷ Mariah Singer's goal is to play with her dad and grandpa in a golf tournament ❸ Ian Lentz has his own golfing Instagram page. ❹ Mindy Herrick strikes a pose during our photo shoot. ❺ The group chats about their favorite parts of the game. ❻ Golf is a great sport for every age! ➐ High school student Brandon Bulla was named The Sun’s Boy Golf Player of the Year for 2016. ➑ Mindy Herrick shows off her runner up medal from states.
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mindy herrick, 18 Mindy started playing golf at the age of 11, when she stopped competing in gymnastics. “My parents always required me to play a sport,” she said. “I’ve always been a competitive person, so I just couldn’t sit back and just not compete in golf!” She started competing in golf just one year after she started playing the game and now plays in tournaments about once a month. In October of 2016, Mindy competed in the state tournament with her team at Buchholz High School. She missed first place by just two strokes, a move that helped her to claim the title of The Sun’s Girl Golf Player of the Year for the second year running. “I got to lead the school and I got a lot of recognition from it,” said Mindy. “It was so fun.” Aside from her many wins and other accolades, Mindy’s greatest accomplishment so far has been earning a scholarship to play golf for the University of North Florida. She plans to major in education at UNF, and she hopes to eventually play on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LGPA) tour.
callie
harrington , 12 Callie started playing golf at 10 at her father’s recommendation. She still plays with her dad now, but her favorite part of golf has been meeting new people through the game. “You don’t have to be on teams, but I like meeting new people and playing against them,” she said. She just finished her first year playing for Oak Hall, which has introduced her to new tournaments, including the Jill Darr Tournament, where she played with both Amelia Williams and Mindy Herrick. Callie often plays golf with her dad and his friends at Quail Heights Country Club in Lake City, Florida. One of those games in particular has stuck out in her mind — she hit her first and only hole-in-one. “I just hit it and I don’t know how,” she said. “It was a couple of years ago on Super Bowl Sunday.” For now, Callie just hopes to play through high school for fun, but she’s open to any opportunities that come her way through the sport. “I’ll just see where it goes from there,” she said.
ian lentz, 11 When he was just 3 years old, Ian received his first set of plastic golf clubs. From there, he began playing more and more often until he started playing competitively at age 7. “My whole family has always been into golf. My grandpa, my uncle and my dad all play golf,” said Ian. “They just have always supported me and got me into the game.” Ian started to play for the PK Yonge High School varsity golf team when he was a sixth grader, and they won districts that year (2016). He considers this one of his top two accomplishments, with his second being the time he shot 1-under on the back nine at the Gainesville Country Club. Ian practices just about every weekday from about 2:30–6:30 p.m., and he plays in tournaments almost every other weekend. “I want to continue playing for as long as I can,” he said. “College, pro, just as far as I can get.”
Draw What Makes You Giggle Coloring Contest! Caydance Bella Catalanotte Preschool
Nita Narasimhan Elementary
Cooper Griffin Elementary
Hunter Miller Middle School
Congratulations to our winners! gigglemagazine.com
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Mariah Singer, 8 Mariah started golfing as a way to boost her confidence. Her mother, Nadia Singer, signed her up with the Gator Junior Golf Association after she heard that they did confidence building as well as golf. “She’s really passionate about golf with her grandpa and her dad, so we figured it would be a great combination,” said Nadia. Mariah has anxiety and ADD, but on the course, she’s not nervous at all. In fact, her confidence with golf has started to transfer over to her performance at school, something both Nadia and Mariah’s coach are very proud of. Mariah hasn’t competed in any tournaments yet, but she does practice at least once a week at West End on Saturdays. “My goal is to play with my grandpa and my dad in a tournament,” said Mariah. “And win!”
Amelia willams, 15 Seven years ago, Amelia started playing golf with her family. Then at age 10 she decided to compete in her first local tournament with US Kids Golf. Now she plays for the Buchholz High School girl’s golf team. In her first year playing with Buchholz, they won districts, came in second at regionals and got third in states, something Amelia is very proud of. Although she uses Thursdays as her days to catch up on homework and studying, Amelia spends just about every other day out on the course either at Haile Plantation Golf & Country Club or Gainesville Country Club. “Somedays I go out with Mindy, but then others I go with my grandpa and we have little competitions,” she said. Amelia would like to play in college, but she’s not yet sure about her golf career past that. For now, she just wants to keep meeting new people and playing the game she loves.
o2b a kid again
brandon bulla, 16 As soon as he learned how to walk, Brandon was introduced to the game of golf. His dad was a pro golfer and he worked at many of the golf courses around Gainesville. “He figured that if he had some talent, I might have some talent, and we’re still working on it,” said Brandon. Brandon, a rising senior at Newberry High School, has played for his school all three years he has been there and made first seat on varsity his freshman year. He was also named The Sun’s Boy Golf Player of the Year for 2016. He practices for at least two hours every evening in an effort to perfect his game, and he hopes to one day make it to the PGA. “In my opinion it’s the hardest sport there is, which is what keeps you coming back to it, because it’s unconquerable,” he said. “I can find peace and solitude, and it’s fun.”
forks & spoons
Refreshing Ice Pops to Beat the Heat BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN | PHOTO BY ALLISON RABER
Nothing beats a cold, refreshing ice pop during the dog days of summer. But storebought pops can be chockfull of sugar and chemical-based additives, depending on the brand you choose. The main ingredients in these homemade ice pops are fruits, so there is no need to worry when indulging in these sweet treats! All you need for the following recipes is tasty ingredients, a plastic ice pop mold and some sticks.
Mango-Banana Ice Pops |
1 ½ cups almond milk
Makes about eight 4-ounce pops
2 frozen bananas
1 ½ cups mango, diced
N teaspoon sugar
Blend all ingredients together until smooth and then pour the mixture into your ice pop molds. Insert your sticks into your molds and freeze until solid.
Strawberry-Lemonade Ice Pops | Makes about eight 4-ounce pops
10 ounces frozen sliced strawberries
1 N cup lemonade
Blend the strawberries and lemonade together until smooth and then pour the mixture into your ice pop molds. Insert your sticks into your molds and freeze until solid.
Mixed Berry Ice Pops | Makes about eight 4-ounce pops
Giggle Tip: 12 ounces raspberries
12 ounces blueberries
12 ounces blackberries
K teaspoon sugar
Blend the ingredients together until smooth and then strain through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds. Pour the mixture into your ice pop molds. Insert your sticks into your molds and freeze until solid.
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Having trouble getting your frozen ice pops out? Simply dip them in a bowl of warm water for 30 seconds to loosen them from their molds!
G MIXED BERRY
STRAWBERRY-LEMONADE
le igg
Tip:
Pour your favorite green smoothie into your mold for a bright alternative!
MANGO-BANANA
forks & spoons
Perfect S ummertime Salads BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN
There’s nothing better than a summertime cookout. Whether you are grilling poolside or enjoying an indoor potluck, these dishes make for delicious additions to your main meal.
Pasta Salad
Potato Salad
submitted by ana mctiernan
2 pounds potatoes ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped 1 teaspoon salt pepper to taste ½ cup Italian dressing ½ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup scallions, chopped (optional) 3 hardboiled eggs, chopped
Wash potatoes and place in a large pot with the skins still on. Add enough cold water to cover the potatoes. Season with the salt and bring to boil. Boil uncovered until potatoes are tender (about 45 minutes). Let them cool, and then take the skins off and cut the potatoes into cubes. Combine the potatoes in a bowl with the onions, salt, pepper and Italian dressing. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. After refrigerating, stir in the mayonnaise, eggs and celery. Keep refrigerated until ready to eat.
submitted by christina maribona
One 1-pound box linguini 1 bottle Italian dressing 2 ½ tablespoons salad supreme seasoning 1 tomato, chopped 1 cucumber, chopped 2 green onions, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 1 radish, chopped
Cook pasta according to package directions, strain and place in a large bowl. Add the Italian dressing, the salad supreme seasoning and the chopped vegetables to the bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.
Easy Corn Salad 1 package (16 ounces) frozen corn, thawed One 15-ounce can of black beans, rinsed 1 avocado, diced 1 orange bell pepper, diced 4 scallions, chopped ¼ cup cilantro, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 limes, juiced Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl and mix well. Keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy.
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forks & spoons JULY IS NATIONAL PICNIC MONTH!
Planning the Perfect Picnic
by Colleen Mctiernan/photos by allison raber
N
othing says summer more than a gingham blanket laid out under a tree with a delicious spread upon it on a sunny day. So why not grab the kids, pack a basket and head out to your favorite park for an al fresco meal? With these quick tips, planning your next picnic should be a cinch!
Picnic Supply Checklist The first step to putting your picnic together is to gather your supplies. FF napkins/paper towels FF disposable plates FF condiments
FF trash bags (you don't want to leave a messy picnic site!) FF utensils
FF water
FF plastic storage bags for leftovers
FF large blanket
FF ice/ice packs
FF salt & pepper
Controlling pests
FF moist towelettes FF cooler FF bottle opener FF cups FF sunscreen FF bug spray
Nothing can ruin your picnic faster than a horde of ants invading your piledhigh plate. Be sure to cover any food that is not currently being eaten to prevent a buggy addition to your meal. You may also consider packing a distractor for the ants and other insects at the park. Try filling a saucer with sugar water and placing it a distance away from your setup. If you and your kiddos are enjoying your outdoor meal at a park that provides picnic tables, consider placing the legs of the table into bowls of water. Ants and water do not mix, so you won’t have to worry about ants crawling up the legs of your table and invading your feast.
Best foods to bring
Unless you are bringing a cooler along with you, you should avoid any mayonnaise-based foods, like potato salad. And instead of precut fruit, consider whole alternatives (such as apples, grapes and easy-to-peel mandarins), which will not spoil as easily. For dessert, opt for cookies, brownies or cake rather than pies or ice cream, which can require refrigeration. While sandwiches may be the easiest to eat sans table, your main dish is up to you. Or, depending on how hungry your bunch is, you may opt for an array of snacks to munch on instead.
Aside from food, be sure to pack something for entertainment! Whether you pack a book, a kite, a football or all three, no picnic is complete without some post-meal fun! ] gigglemagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2017
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health
Saving Your Skin: Keeping Yourself Protected During the Summer Months BY TARYN TACHER
Nothing beats a beach day. From the sand between your toes to the gentle breeze in your hair to the rush of salty seawater washing up onto the shore, what more could you ask for on a hot summer day? That is, until you come home with a nasty sunburn. Forgot to reapply? Missed a spot? Now your skin is red and splotchy and warm to the touch. And while it may fade to an enviable sun-kissed tan a few days later, the damage has been done. Overexposure to the sun can be harmful — causing sunburns, heat rashes, wrinkles, and in severe cases, even cataracts and skin cancer — so be sure to protect yourself this summer and every day after that. Besides applying sunscreen, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends you wear a hat with a wide brim to shield your face, ears and neck. Also, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs, but be mindful that not all clothing is equally as protective. According to Skincancer.org, the fabrics we wear are comprised of tiny fibers that are woven together. UV rays are still able to penetrate our skin through the seemingly invisible holes between fibers, so the tighter they are bound, like in denim or tweed, the more protective the clothing is. Aim to wear Lycra, nylon, rayon and polyester —they are less penetrable than cotton and linen. The less skin left exposed to the sun, the better. Do not forget to also wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. You may even want to invest in a pair of polarized-lens sunglasses because they eliminate the glare of the sun bouncing off glass, water, pavement and other surfaces. But while long sleeves, hats and sunglasses are obvious protectants against the sun, it is important not to forget about the rest of our bodies.
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“The most common areas overlooked when protecting ourselves from the sun are lips, ears, eyes and scalp,” Miranda Whitmer, dermatologist and partner at Gainesville Dermatology & Skin Surgery, said. She recommends wearing a wide brim hat to cover your ears and scalp, sunscreencontaining lip balm to shield your lips and sunglasses to decrease the amount of sun exposure your eyes get. Beyond protectant clothing and accessories, staying in the shade during midday hours when the sun’s rays are the strongest will help keep you safe from sun damage. “Exposure to UV light is the number one factor in developing skin cancer,” said Dr. Whitmer. “Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and is estimated to affect one in five Americans in their lifetime.”
Do not forget to also wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UV B rays. But even with all the risk, the sun is not all bad. According to a 2016 study from Georgetown University Medical center, sunlight energizes our T cells, which play a role in boosting our immune systems. And exposure to sunlight also helps the skin synthesize vitamin D, which helps our bodies absorb calcium for stronger and healthier bones. So, while it would be unwise to spend countless hours basking unprotected under the blazing summer sun, there is no need to avoid it altogether. A little sunshine will do you good, as long as you take the necessary measures to shield your skin. Grab your swimsuit, your sunscreen and your hat — it is time to hit the beach. ]
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health
Summer Bike Safety BY RASHEBA JONES
School is out, summer is in and more bikes are out on the road. Biking is a fun summer activity to get your kids out of the house while they are on break from school, but it is important that they are aware of bike safety laws before they hit the streets.
SA F E T Y F I R ST
It is best to start with setting ground rules for your children the moment they begin riding. For example, no playing in the road, stop for all stop signs and always wear a helmet. But making sure that your kiddos know the rules and making sure that they actually follow them is a whole different ball game. Take helmets, for example. Although most kids know that they should wear one, they are reluctant to actually put it on before heading out with friends.
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T he most common types of c rashes and how to prevent them
Helmets
Explain to your child the importance of wearing a helmet. Beyond it being against the law to ride without a helmet if you are under the age of 16, 75 percent of bicycle-related deaths are due to head injuries, according to Active Living Resource Center. Be sure to get a properly sized helmet, and find one that matches your child’s style so that she is more willing to wear it.
LEFT TURN
The cause of the second most common bike crash type is running stop signs. When teaching your child to ride a bike, emphasize the importance of following general traffic rules. If your child ever feels overwhelmed when crossing a road with traffic, teach her that it is OK to get off her bike and use the crosswalk to walk it across to the other side of the street.
“Don’t buy a little boys helmet for a girl, or if the little girl wants to wear a boy's helmet, let her,” John Adler, Alachua County Fire Marshal, said. Once your child’s helmet is securely buckled, it is time to go over the rules of the road for bicyclists. LANES + signals
Even though there are special bike lanes on some roads, bikes are considered motor vehicles, and bicyclists do have to follow all proper traffic laws, said Adler. Bikers have to stop at stop signs and signal to drivers when making turns. Of course, bikes don’t have the handy blinkers and brake lights that cars do, so it is important that you teach your children the appropriate hand signals to make when turning or stopping to prevent accidents. Utilize bike turn signals so other bicyclists and motor vehicles around you know how to react. Doing something unexpected can definitely cause an accident. Your kiddo should also learn to get comfortable with riding in the bike lanes. Avoid riding down busy roads with your little ones, particularly if they are biking without adult supervision. Be sure to teach your kids to ride with the flow of traffic. It is a common misconception that bikers should ride facing traffic, but it is actually easier for cars to spot bikers when they are where they are supposed to be. GROUND RULES
Teaching your little one the ground rules of riding a bike is important, but demonstrating this behavior while riding your bike is even more important. Remember that children will mimic what their parents do, so if you do not stop at stop signs, your child will mimic your behavior.
The most common type of bike crash among children occurs when riding out from the driveway. This can be due to distractors such as bushes or trees blocking the child’s view, so it is important to teach children to stop and look both ways twice before entering the roadway.
RIGHT TURN
The third most common crash is not looking left when making a turn. Aside from signaling that she is going to make a left turn, teach your child to look back to verify that the vehicles behind her got the signal. If your child is uncertain that the motorist received the signal, then she should walk her bike across the street.
S et boundaries and make sure your c hild knows them
OR
S TO P
Before your child takes off on her next bike adventure, be sure she knows how far from home she is allowed to travel without adult supervision. For instance, depending on her age and skill level, you may require that she stay in your neighborhood or avoid busy streets. Whether to allow your child to ride at night is a decision you will have to make based on how responsible she is, her age and her riding ability. If your child does go out at night, she should wear bright clothing to be seen by other vehicles. The law also requires that her bike be equipped lights, specifically a white front light, a red rear light and a red rear reflector, which must be turned on when riding between sunset and sunrise. While bike riding is a healthy activity to keep kids occupied this summer, be sure that they are prepared with the correct equipment and knowledge to make safe decisions while on the road. ]
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health
Tea Tree
Time!
The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask
BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN AND NICOLE IRVING
Lush Tea Tree Water Toner
$17, Thebodyshop-usa.com
$10.95, Lush.com
If you keep an eye on the ingredients in your skincare products, you may have seen the word “tea tree oil” pop up every now and again. Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, comes from the leaves of the tea tree, native to Australia. The chemicals in tea tree oil are credited with killing bacteria and fungus. In fact, the Aboriginals first noted the antiseptic qualities of the plant and often used it to treat cuts and burns. Now its antiseptic properties have also made it a cult-favorite for treating acne and curing dandruff! Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo $32.50, Ulta and Ulta.com
Tony Moly I’m Real Tea Tree Mask $3.75, Ulta.com
The Body Shop Tea Tree Targeted Gel $10, Thebodyshop-usa.com
Bliss Mask A-“Peel” Complexion Clearing Rubberizing Mask $30/Three-mask pack, Blissworld.com
I'm a sheet mask!
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health
NYX Retractable Eye Liner in Deep Blue $4.50, Nyxcosmetics.com
A Case
of the Blues BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN AND NICOLE IRVING | PHOTOS BY ALLISON RABER
Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in Metallized Time
From the sky to the sea, the color blue is all around us, especially during these clear and sunny summer days. From metallic lipsticks to bright eye shadows, it is easier than ever to add a bit of this vibrant hue to your makeup case!
$18, Urbandecay.com
Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Chaos $19, Urbandecay.com
Nyx Colored Felt Tip Liner $10, Nyxcosmetics.com
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NYX Beyond Nude Shadow in Leather & Studs $4.50, Nyxcosmetics.com
Inglot Aquastic Cream Eye Shadow No. 19 $17, Inglotusa.com
L’Oréal Voluminous® Original Mascara in Cobalt Blue $7.29, Lorealparisusa.com
Inglot O2M Breathable Nail Enamel No. 423 $16, Inglotusa.com
Jane Iredale PurePressed® Eye Shadow in Blue Hour $22, Janeiredale.com
The Ultimate
Father’s Day
Gift Guide BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN AND NICOLE IRVING
Searching for the perfect gift for your husband, your dad or another father in your life? Look no further! From facial hair care to fun dinnerware, we’ve got you covered!
Ralph Lauren Polo Blue Eau De Parfum Collector’s Edition
$95, Bloomingdales.com Give his fragrance profile an update with this striking scent, boasting notes of bergamot, cardamom and vetiver.
Zak! Star Wars Ice Cream Bowls (Set of 4)
$15.99, Zak.com These ceramic ice cream bowls are the perfect gift for a “Star Wars“ fan.
Tenzing Adventure Pack — Sandalwood
$55, Tenzingskincare.com This pack includes a pre-shave oil, a shave cream and a face moisturizer designed to nourish the skin.
Tile Mate & Tile Slim
$25–$30, Thetileapp.com The perfect gift for the man who constantly misplaces his keys or wallet, these Tile products allow you to ring lost items from your phone.
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Titanium MultiTool Collar Stays
$34, Uncommongoods.com These light-weight collar stays can also be used as bottle openers, screw drivers and thread cutters.
Beard Pack
$40, Uncommongoods.com Help your hubby keep his facial hair in tiptop shape with this cruelty-free and vegan beard oil, mustache wax and whisker wash.
Crooked River Hunting Knife
He’s a 10 Men’s Collection
$230, Lang Jewelers The hunter in your life will love this traditional, American-made hunting knife.
$17.48 per each item in collection, Itsa10haircare.com With a 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash, a Pliable Paste and a Defining Gel, this collection will fulfill his every hair need.
Excalibur 5-Tray Food Dehydrator and Jerky Machine $129.99, Macys.com and Bedbathandbeyond.com Whether he is a jerky fan or just loves dried fruits, this easy-to-use dehydrator is the perfect Father’s Day gift.
Dollar Shave Club Traveler Toiletry Bag $25, Dollarshaveclub.com Constructed from waterresistant waxed canvas, this toiletry bag has plenty of pockets to keep everything in its place.
Decléor Men Skincare Express Shave Gel, Soothing After Shave and Skin Energizer
$32–$52, Decleorusa.com Created with clove and eucalyptus essential oils, these shaving products are designed to revive and refresh tired skin.
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Tube-Wringer
$24.95, Uncommongoods.com With the Tube-Wringer, he’ll never throw away partially full tubes again!
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9 • Issue 1 FEB6MAR 2017 | Volume | Volume 8 • Issue DEC/JAN 2017 APRIL/MAY 2017 | Volume 9 • Issue 1
FARM BIRTHDAY PARTY | FAMILY GARDEN | MOM SQUADS
101 REASOnS WE lOVE
Beaches, theme parks, nature and more!
plan the perfect Galentine's Day!
FlORIDA | DYSlEXIA
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Ncabinet rx FOR A ET! G BUD . 73 DecoDinG | gAlEnTInE'S DAY
CIND EREL LA 2016 E | COTT ON | MEET HOLI DAY ISSU
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happy home
Natural Cleaning With White Vinegar BY TARYN TACHER
Are you sick of that nasty carpet stain in the living room? Has your china lost its shine? Are you fed up with the mildew that has been accumulating between the tiles on your bathroom walls? Finding it impossible to remove the water stains from your shower doors? White vinegar can fix all these annoyances, plus so many more. The seemingly universal problem solver starts out as sugar that is converted to alcohol through fermentation. The alcohol then undergoes another round of fermentation to become acetic acid. This acid is what makes vinegar such a successful cleaner. According to The Kitchn, white vinegar is the most potent type of vinegar because it is made up of a mixture of artificial acetic acid and water, rather than from natural sugars found in apples, grapes and rice, like other types of vinegar. The strength of the acidity of white vinegar can break down soap scum and other buildups, as well as glue and sticky substances. And because white vinegar is technically fermented sugar and water, not only is it non-toxic, but it is also edible — something that cannot be said for many other cleaning products.
In the kitchen
When disposing of expired food items, their odors can permeate your kitchen. Pouring vinegar down the drain or into the garbage will eliminate the nasty stench — just remember not to rinse out your sink or garbage for at least an hour after you pour the vinegar in it. This miracle worker can also cleanse cutting boards, countertops, stovetops and refrigerators with a simple wipe down. To clean your microwave, fill a microwave-safe bowl with 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water, and heat in the microwave until the mixture comes to a boil. Not only will this alleviate smells, but it will also lift food residue from the walls of the appliance.
In the bathroom
The bathroom is notorious for accumulating scum, stains and germs. Soak your showerhead in vinegar overnight to get rid of buildup. Spray your shower walls and curtain or shower door with the all-purpose cleaner to prevent mildew and to remove water stains (from glass). You can even use vinegar to remove toilet bowl stains by simply spraying vinegar into the bowl and scrubbing away the discolorations.
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Giggle Tip: When using vinegar to clean your home, be careful not to mix it with bleach or ammonia as the mixtures can release toxic chlorine gas and create a corrosive acid, respectively.
In the laundry room
Vinegar can make doing laundry a lot less dreadful. Soaking clothes in vinegar prior to washing will prevent colors from running. Adding just half a cup of vinegar to your wash will make your brights even brighter, as well as get rid of the lint on your clothes. Have a tough stain you cannot seem to get rid of? Gently massaging with vinegar before washing can make chocolate, coffee, wine and ketchup stains disappear.
In the rest of the house
Combining 1 part vinegar with 1 part water and blotting can remove tough carpet stains, and using the same ratio, you can wipe windows clean. To keep ants from invading your home, spray vinegar along any seams — doorways, windowsills, etc. You can find uses for vinegar in any and every part of your house. So, next time you head to your grocery store, be sure to pick up this all-natural, non-toxic, jack-of-all-trades cleaning product. ]
happy home
Out With the Old: What to Keep and What to Purge When Moving BY NICOLE IRVING
The day has finally arrived. You and your family have busted the seams of your home and it is time to move to a bigger house. You put your house on the market, it sells, you find the perfect new home with the swimming pool and basketball court (MOM SCORE!) and just like that, you have to move. Panic sinks in at the thought of having to move 15 years worth of life into boxes and bags. You open your first closet and weep. Moving can be hard. But, it should be looked at as a fresh start. So, how do you begin to tackle all those things that you and your family have been hoarding and holding onto for so long? With tough love and a plan!
CLOTHES Unless you are still expanding your family or can use the older one’s clothes as hand-me-downs for the littler one, let go of the old baby clothes. They will only take up space in that new walk-in closet. And if there are clothes in your closet that you have not worn in a year, get rid of them. This goes for your husband's closet, too! WHAT TO DONATE/THROW OUT Donate any clothes that still have life in them that you can no longer use, and throw away any clothes that are stained or torn. Take the same approach with shoes. WHAT TO KEEP Ball gowns and classic tuxes. You never known when you will have to get all dolled up for a big night out.
WHAT TO THROW OUT/SHRED Old school papers, school notebooks from previous grades, science fair boards, indecipherable art projects, etc. WHAT TO KEEP One art project from each year that you can place in a binder/scrapbook or frame, report cards/test scores/evaluations/ teacher notes/award certificates, bank account information, tax information, and other important papers you have to keep on hand.
WEDDING GIFTS
They may have once been bedtime story staples, but those old board books probably haven’t seen the light of day in six years. This is the perfect time to clean them out and make room for the new.
If you have not opened that hammock you got from your wedding 15 years ago, purge it. If it is broken, chipped or replaceable, purge it. If you have no use for that fondue set, purge it. See the pattern here? If you do not use it, cannot remember where it came from or hate it, purge it.
WHAT TO KEEP Keep your kiddo’s favorite board book, along with any collector’s editions or signed copies. If you will have the space for a home library, keep encyclopedias and reference books. Purge all paperbacks and hard covers that you might have already read and aren’t interested in rereading.
gigglemagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2017
This is going to be harsh, so hold on. I know, it was his first book report! But, unless that report is going to be his key to financial windfall or a full ride to Yale, I say, throw it out. It has served its purpose, but now it is time to move on. There will be more book reports to read.
BOOKS
WHAT TO DONATE School libraries are always in need of good books. Contact your school or nearest preschool to see if they can be put to good use.
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PAPER
WHAT TO THROW OUT/DONATE Donate anything that you will never or have never used along with china that you do not like the pattern of. Throw out anything that is changing colors or has an odor from being stored too long. WHAT TO KEEP Fine china (only if you have a use for it), jewelry that you can pass down to your children and serving pieces that can be used for parties.
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GARAGE/SHED If your new house has a smaller lawn and you don’t foresee the need for the John Deere tractor you have, sell it. Organize and consolidate all tools, supplies and the like. If your new house does not have a pool, get rid of the pool supplies, even if you anticipate building a pool later. You can always get new and improved items later. WHAT TO THROW OUT/LEAVE BEHIND Get rid of anything broken or in need of repair. If you haven’t fixed it yet, you probably never will. Leave behind paint (in good condition) that matches the house you sold for the new owners. WHAT TO KEEP A full set of tools, lawn equipment that you can use, extension cords, hoses, nails/ screws, car maintenance equipment and tarps that are in good condition.
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KITCHEN You may lose or gain kitchen counter or cabinet space. In any case, a good kitchen cleanout is the perfect way to start healthy kitchen habits. WHAT TO GET RID OF Plastic utensils, plastic containers without lids, extra water bottles, chipped cups/plates and extra coffee cups can go to the trash. WHAT TO KEEP A complete set of pots and pans with lids, serving platters, entertaining pieces (as long as they are going to be used), a complete set of plastic containers with lids, silverware/knives that are sharp and in good condition, and measuring spoons and cups (one set should be plenty).
FURNITURE If your home is smaller, you will have to come to terms with the reality that your new dwelling will NOT hold all the current furniture you have. Assess what MUST come (like your bed), and once you have a list of must-haves, start selling and donating what you can’t take. If your new house has built-in closets, you may need to purge the dressers. If you are downsizing from two living rooms to one, a set of couches will need to go. WHAT TO THROW OUT/DONATE Old mattresses, extra dressers and extra couches. WHAT TO KEEP Antiques, piano and pieces you have built or are collector’s items. ]
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happy home
You're a Grand Old Flag BY ALLISON RABER | PHOTO BY SINCERELY GONE PHOTOGRAPHY
How to do it yourse lf What You'll Need
• 7 wooden pallet boards, cut to 3 feet in length
• 2 wooden pallet boards, cut to 2 feet in length
• Hammer • Nails • Painter's tape • Red, white and blue latex paint • Star-shaped sponge • Paintbrush • Safety goggles Step One: Arrange your 3-foot
pallets in a rectangular flag shape. Lay your 2-foot boards on either end, perpendicular to the other boards.
Step Two: Using your hammer and nails, nail in the two 2-foot boards to keep your 3-foot boards together.
What better way to celebrate this Fourth of July than by getting crafty with a salute to the stars and stripes? This pallet flag is a fun way to show off your patriotic spirit, not just on Independence Day, but every day of the year! Before starting any pallet project!
!
Make sure that the pallet wood you are using is safe to handle by checking for an IPPC code printed somewhere on the pallet. The most important thing to look for is a treatment code. A code of HT means "heat-treated" and indicates that the pallet is safe to use. A code of MB means "Methyl Bromide," which indicates that the wood has been exposed to chemicals and should not be handled (or burned!).
Step Three: Tape off a rectangular section on the upper left of the flag for the stars portion. Starting with the second pallet board, tape off every other board. Paint the untaped boards red. Allow to dry and then remove the tape. Repeat for the white stripes and the blue rectangle. Step Four: Once dry, carefully sponge paint stars onto the blue portion of your flag. Slow and steady is the way to go here! Step Five: Allow to dry and then display in your home or yard for Independance Day!
Be sure to supervise children who may be helping!
Tips FOR A GR EAT FLAG! Your flag, your way. Remember, your flag can be any size or shape you want! Be creative and don't feel you have to adhere to the sizes above.
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Stars and sponges. Can't find a star-shaped sponge? A basic kitchen sponge cut into the shape of a star works great!
Go in the right direction. Visit www.gigglemagazine.com for printable step-by-step directions with visuals.
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giggle stamp
Suit Yourself! 6 Bathing Suits that You'll Be Sure to Love BY COLLEEN MCTIERNAN
Summertime is finally upon us, and you know what that means — long days spent poolside, playing at the beach with the kiddos and hitting the springs with your family. With all these water activities coming your way, you may be thinking, “New swimsuit for me!” Something fun and flattering that can stand up against tubing adventures and chasing little ones around in the sand. From bikinis to one-pieces, these sweet suits are here to make you look good during all your summer fun!
Stylish and supportive! Coco Reef Aura Underwire Illusion Tankini Top
Women’s Underwire Sweetheart Bikini Top
$80, Macys.com
$49, Landsend.com
Coco Reef Diva Mesh HighWaist Bikini Bottoms
Women’s Ruched High Waist Bikini Bottoms
Ruched Femme One-Piece Swimsuit
$52, Macys.com
$45, Landsend.com
$98, Jcrew.com
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Pret ty P ri nts
From subdued stripes to bright leaves, these printed suits add an element of fun to your look.
Go bold with a bright pattern!
Printed High Neck Halter Bikini Swim Top $39.30, Express.com
Squareneck Tanksuit Print $74.95, Llbean.com
Mid Rise Printed Macrame Bikini Swim Bottom $34.90, Express.com
co m f y cove r -ups Looking for something cozy and cute to throw on over your new bathing suit? Check out these patterned tunics to keep you covered up before you get to the beach. Bar III Feather Daze Printed Caftan Tunic $64, Macy’s and Macys.com
Liz Claiborne Solid Swimsuit Cover-Up Dress $52, Jcpenney.com
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Striped One Piece $17.99, Burlington Coat Factory
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Families Giving Back: The Alachua County Humane Society BY APRIL TISHER | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ALACHUA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
As parents, we are often looking for ways to be involved and give back to the community alongside our families. There is a short list of volunteer opportunities that allow adults and children to work side by side, but the Alachua County Humane Society can provide a one-stop shop to do just that! Whether you are offering your time, money or items for donation, anyone at any age can show their support for local animals in need. Our local Humane Society is a nonprofit organization that has been helping animals for over 40 years. If it is time you’ve got on your hands, the Alachua County Humane Society would love to have you! Sarah MacLennan, the volunteer program manager for ACHS, said that they encourage families to come in to bond together through volunteering with the animals. In fact, they have over 750 active volunteers! There is no minimum age to volunteer, although an adult must accompany anyone under the age of 16. “Even the littlest of children can come in and work with the cats, learning to be good pet stewards,” said MacLennan.
Volunteers are the heart of the Alachua County Humane Society. – Sarah MacLennan
It is easy to get started. You begin with an online sign-up process and take a short training class for the area you are most interested in, such as dogs or cats. The ACHS is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. so working parents and students can still make it in. You can even schedule your own volunteer times via their online system. Local mom Mary Law said she and her 13-year-old son, Robert, volunteered together for doggie playtime. “I was impressed with their operation and the ease of getting started,” said Law. “It was a fun thing for mother and son to do together.” If working directly with animals isn’t something you think you or your family would be comfortable with, there are still many other ways to support the ACHS. Chris Lucas, the ACHS Thrift Shop Manager, said they always need volunteers to help process and sort donations, stock shelves, and provide customer service by unloading donations and assisting shoppers. “If you love animals, but have a hard time being in the shelter, this is good place to help out while still supporting the animals,” said Lucas. If you just don’t have the time, but would still like to help, there are other options for your family. Their thrift shop can always use donations of all kinds, such as housewares, clothing, furniture, toys (including stuffed animals) and linens. They even use old pillows and bedding for the animals’ cages! For more information or to get started volunteering please visit Alachuahumane.org ]
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Items that the shelter
always needs:
• Dawn dish soap (to get rid of fleas!)
• Paper towels • Pet food/treats (You can bring open bags of dog and cat food that your pet didn’t/couldn’t/ wouldn’t finish. They run a pet food bank for those who need financial assistance in feeding their pets and give samples to those animals being adopted.)
• Cat litter
Where Pets Shop! re Pets a e m o lc we in the store!
• Locally owned business • No corn, wheat, soy or animal by-products • Organic treats and Earth friendly toys
352.331.5123
For updates and events, visit us online at
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500 NW 60th St Ste F • Gainesville, FL 32607
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learn
Should Your Kids Learn to Code? BY MEREDITH SHELDON
English, history, science and math are typical subjects your kids take in school. But now, there is a new course to add to their curriculum — computer programming. That’s right. Starting as early as kindergarten, kids are learning to program computers. Either through apps, games or lesson plans from programming companies, coding education is growing, and it is being directed at a younger demographic. About 35,000 elementary schools in the country are teaching kids to code through a curriculum program called Kodable, said Jon Mattingly, the company’s co-founder and CEO. These programs target elementary, they advance, they eventually learn coding middle and high school kids, but Mattingly languages like Java Script and CSS, he said. said children as young as 18 months have enrolled in Kodable. The most important thing, Mattingly said, is consistency. Set aside computer time in the In order for kids to learn programing, classroom or at home at least 20 minutes a teachers need to be familiar with the subject. week. That is where programs like Kodable help. The company provides a set of lesson plans “If you don't do anything with computer for instructors to adapt in their classrooms. science for a year, you forget it,” he said. “It Teachers can relay this information using is like working out or exercising, you can’t scripts, or they can decide from the material just do it all in one.” what they want to focus on, Mattingly said. No matter how coding is taught, Mattingly said it is important for kids to start young since it prepares them to be critical thinkers. “When you are teaching a kid in elementary school, you get a unique opportunity to help them mold their brain,” he said. “Whatever you want to prepare them for in life, the best time to get them started is in elementary school.” Besides critical thinking, Mattingly said young coders gain skills ranging from creativity to communication and problem solving. Code programs start with simple arrows and colors where kids use coding to guide their characters though a maze. As
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Coding jobs are everywhere, and teaching kids these skills will help prepare them for later in life, he said. “If we think about the world these kids are growing up in, it is so important to give them the opportunity to succeed,” he said. “We have to do it young. If we wait, it is harder to get them to think like this.” Although coding curriculum is aimed toward younger kids, it is never too late to learn, said Lynn Langit, director and lead courseware author of Teaching Kids Programming, a coding program that has taught about 2,000 students. “Life-long learning is the goal,” she said. ]
Want to learn code outside of the classroom? Mattingly recommends a book series called “Head First,” which teaches young adults the basics of computer programming. He also said joining and creating an account on Codecademy, an online coding site, can help instruct kids and adults on coding languages. More outside-the-classroom options include online tutorial series like Learn Python the Hard Way, or even Kodable’s online programs. Your kiddos can also try fun apps like Tynker, Move the Turtle, Daisy the Dinosaur and Cargo-Bot. Take advantage of this summer break to get your kids started on computer programming! Move the Turtle Programming App For iPhone and iPad $3.99, iTunes.com
HIPPODROME SUMMER CAMPS The region’s longest running, professional theatre camps!
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Cruising on Cloud 9 r Family
ruise for You C t h ig R e th g in s Choo
d as your family, an at are as unique th es iti al on rs e is ships have pe ccording to Cru Cruise lines and rfect vacation! A pe e th r fo e ak children. The one will m uisers travel with cr finding the right of t en rc pe 42 avelers cruise nal Association, Lines Internatio e higher when tr ar s te ra n io ct ing rts that satisfa joyable than go Association repo other is more en nt ca ifi gn si ur arch shows iling with yo bers join in. Rese em with others — sa m ily m fa r othe n to the mix, fun increases as n you add childre he it alone and the w r he rt fu en ev e insights to help levels increase ir! Here are som that satisfaction fa af ily m fa a n xt cruise vacatio at sea. so make your ne everyone smiling ve ha ill w at th you pick a cruise
BY DANIELLE SPANO
Family-friendly fun Today’s ships are destinations in their own right with activities, amenities and entertainment galore! Choose a large or mega-size ship, as those are most likely to have a greater selection of facilities for all ages. From water parks to bowling alleys, batting cages, mini-golf, sports centers and even visits from some of your favorite characters, there is something for everyone on board! Cruise lines provide endless entertainment with full-blown, awe-inspiring productions that break boundaries with interactive, ice-skating, Broadway, circus and even water shows at sea! Although this is a family vacation, everyone needs some time to have their own fun. Choose a cruise ship that has kids clubs and teen hangouts so your independent explorers can have age-appropriate fun with their peers. For families with itty bitty ones, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have nurseries, and some ships have babysitting services on request. While the kids are away, parents can play at the ship’s bars and clubs for some grown up gallivanting or wind down with a visit to the spa. Some ships even have adults-only pool decks for some much needed quiet time, such as The Sanctuary on Princess Cruises. Whatever your mood, your ship is sure to have amenities to accommodate you.
SAFETY AT SEA Talk to your doctor about any precautions or vaccinations necessary for your itinerary. Be prepared and pack some Dramamine, especially if your family is prone to motion sickness. When booking your cruise, advise the cruise line of any medical or dietary requirements your family may have to ensure they can accommodate. Keep an eye on your prize; always make sure kids are supervised and are not roaming the ship on their own. Stranger danger is still a rule, even on vacation! Ships can be a sure temptation for every little climber with all those balconies and railings, so make it clear that the ship is not a jungle gym. Finally, it is important to stay healthy and avoid spreading illness while aboard a ship, so increase your hand-washing routine and use the sanitizer stations located throughout the ship.
DESTINATION DECISIONS The world is your oyster, so where should you take your family? For the adventurous family, Alaska is always a fan favorite. Explore America’s last frontier with its remarkable panorama and abundant wildlife. Whales, bald eagles, bears and moose will surprise and delight visitors of all ages. It is surely a cruise that will go down as one your family will never forget. Whether your family prefers to stay active or just unwind in the sun, a Caribbean vacation is an easy solution for Floridians. A quick drive to a local port will get you on a ship to the Bahamas, the Caribbean islands and even some South American and Mexican ports, too! Snorkel, zip line and take a dune buggy outing if you are looking for adventure. Enjoy the local cuisine, do some retail therapy or just sink your feet into the sand for a more relaxing experience. If history and culture are more up your alley, consider a venture across the pond to take a European cruise. Bring to life the stories your children study at school. Looking for a fairy tale vacation? Choose a Northern European cruise for a wealth of storybook castles and landscapes. Want some sun with your history? Take in all the art, culture and cuisine a Mediterranean cruise has to offer!
Trip tips Family vacations don’t have to break the bank. Cardholders of certain credit cards like American Express can often get added amenities such as onboard credit, free specialty dining or even priority boarding. Keep an eye out for “kids sail free” offers where you’ll only pay port fees and taxes for kids sailing as the third and fourth guests in the cabin. This is a great savings if you are comfortable sharing the cabin space together. For more space, adjoining cabins are a great option to keep the family close while affording a bit more privacy. These cabins are limited in availability, making them a hot commodity that sell quickly, so make sure to book early! Depending on the cruise line and ship, you can make yourself at home while at sea in multi-room suites with separate bedrooms and a shared living space. Suite categories often get extra amenities and services to make your trip more comfortable. Schedules are hard to keep on vacation. Many family-friendly lines offer open-seating dining, where you can eat at your convenience. Choose a ship that has multiple dining options, and opt for casual venues where you can grab a kid-friendly meal instead of sitting down to a full-course dinner
PASSPORT PROCEDURES Passports are required for international travel, however you may use another proof of citizenship when taking a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port. It is highly recommended, however, that you travel with a passport whenever leaving the country. If anything should happen and you had to fly back, you would be in a very difficult situation without it. It is a good rule of thumb that your passport expiration date extend at least six months past your disembarkation date, as many countries have passport restrictions relative to its expiration. Some countries may also require visas that must be acquired before arrival. When planning your trip, visit Travel.state.gov to confirm your destination’s entry requirements. A family cruise can create memories of a lifetime. By choosing the right cruise and accommodations, you can set sail for the perfect vacation! Bon voyage! ]
Danielle Spano has over a decade of experience in the travel industry, having worked for cruise lines and agencies before opening her own Gainesville-based Cruise Planners travel agency.
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conception2college™ expecting Boy or Girl? Predicting Your Baby's Gender with Old Wives' Tales
infant | 0-1 Rock-A-Bye Baby: 3 Ways to Sleep Train Your Little One
toddler | 2-3 Spending the Day Away: Choosing the Right Child Care Facility
early years | 4-5 Saying Sorry: Teaching Your Children to Make Sincere Apologies
kids | 6-9 Help Your Kids Make Sense of Money
tweens | 10-13 Should Your Tween Get a Summer Job?
Teens | 14-18
Photo by Shandon Smith with Lifeprints Photography
Teen Driving: What to Know and How to Help
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expecting 1
Boy or Girl?
How are you carrying? A. Round and high B. Low and front
2 What kinds of foods are you craving? A. Mostly sweet foods B. Mostly salty foods
Predicting Your Baby's Gender with Old Wives’ Tales by colleen mctiernan
Once you have determined that you are indeed pregnant (hooray!), the next question on your mind is probably whether that little bundle of joy growing inside you is a boy or a girl. And while you may have no preference between the two and are just hoping for a healthy baby, that doesn’t mean you (or family and friends) won’t anxiously await that 12-week mark to learn whether the little one growing in your belly will be a John or a Jane. If you just can’t wait to find out, try taking our little quiz to see what some common myths have to say about your baby!
3
5
7
How has your morning sickness been? A. I'm sick as a dog! B. Not too bad!
Has the father put on some sympathy weight?
How fast is your baby's heart rate?
A. He certainly hasn't lost
A. 140+ beats per minute B. Under 140 beats per
4
6
8
Has your face been breaking out more than usual?
Has your leg hair been growing in quickly?
A. I have so many pimples! B. My skin actually seems
usual
Tie your wedding ring to a string and hang it over your belly. How is the ring swinging?
B. My legs are close to
A. In circles
werewolf status!
B. Back and forth
better now that I'm pregnant
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p reg n a n c y
weight
B. No, he looks about the
minute
9
How are your hands feeling? A. Very soft B. Very dry
10
How are your feet feeling? A. They're always so warm! B. So cold! Socks are a must. 11
What side do you sleep on? A. On my right side B. On my left side
same
A. Not anymore than
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What does it mean? If you chose mostly As, then congratulations! You’re having a girl! If you chose mostly Bs, then a bouncing baby boy will soon be coming your way! At least, that’s what the old wives’ tales say. Of course, nothing is 100 percent certain until that baby arrives! ]
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a ge s 0 - 1
Real Advice from Real Moms “One of my mommy friends taught me the ‘eyebrow rub.’ Cradling your baby, use one hand, forefinger and pinky, to rub both eyebrows at the same time from middle to outside (sliding fingers away from each other). They close their eyes because your hand is in front of them and it’s very soothing. My son was a calm and good sleeper and I credit it all to this.”
sound is the e in h s u h k S ill ma you w aby’s ear your b a constant of o (think ” similar t h h . ) h s e “ nois white
Rock-A-Bye Baby 3 Ways to Sleep Train Your Little One
– Laurie Wohl, mom of one
“Foot rubs. To this day, all of the kids still ask me to 'rub my feet' when it’s time for bed. The tough part is figuring out who goes first. It's become something special for them and they only ask me to do it.” – Corinne Wittlin, mom of three
BY OLIVIA K PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC
New parents receive so much unsolicited advice regarding sleep and their newborns. From “never wake a sleeping baby” to “wake the baby every two hours to eat” it can get pretty confusing. Add to that your exhaustion, and who has time to research the best way to get your baby to sleep? We’ve broken down the three most common methods to sleep train your baby.
The Ferber Method
Named after Dr. Richard Ferber, a pediatrician and author of “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems,” this method teaches your baby to soothe himself to sleep. Starting between the ages of 3 and 5 months, begin a loving bedtime routine, such as rocking and singing a lullaby, and then place your baby in the crib while he is still awake. If your baby cries, determine how long you will wait before you check on him. For example, allow your baby to cry for a minute or two, and then soothe him gently without picking him up. Leave the room, and do the same thing again. Over time, gradually increase your wait time before going in to soothe. This will allow your baby to adjust and eventually soothe himself to sleep.
The Five S’s
Dr. Harvey Karp author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” suggests recreating the womb experience to help your baby sleep.
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He describes the first few months after a baby’s birth as the “fourth trimester” and says that babies need help adjusting to their new stimulating and active world. The Five S’s can help your fussy baby by turning on the calming reflex in his brain. The Five S’s to implement while your baby is still awake are swaddle, side or stomach position, shush, swing and suck. Swaddling means to wrap your baby snugly in a thin blanket. Side or stomach position is the best way to soothe your crying baby. Once your baby is asleep, ALWAYS place him down on his back to reduce the risk of SIDS. Shush is the sound you will make in your baby’s ear (think of a constant “shhh” similar to white noise). Swing is the movement you will use, typically a gentle jiggly walk, since this is what the baby will remember from the womb. Suck refers to the baby using a pacifier or his fingers. Karp suggests using the Five S’s in that order, then repeating if needed.
Pick Up Put Down Technique
Nurse, teacher and mom Tracy Hogg, also known as “The Baby Whisperer” popularized the Pick Up Put Down (PUPD) technique. PUPD is recommended for babies between 4 and 8 months of age. Start with a soothing, relaxing bedtime routine, such as a warm bath, snuggly pajamas and a lullaby. Once your baby is drowsy, place her in her crib. If she doesn’t immediately cry, leave the room. Stop, wait and listen. If your baby cries (more than a little fussing), go into her room, pick her up and soothe her until she stops. Then put her back down in her crib. Hogg warns that it is time consuming for parents and may not work with some babies who could find the process over-stimulating.
What works for you?
The most important part of sleep training is finding what works for you and your family. Author and pediatrician William Sears tells parents to ask themselves these questions, whether related to sleep training, food choices or any other baby issues: Does this advice sound sensible? Does it fit your baby’s temperament? Listen to your intuition (and your baby) to find the right fit. ]
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Spending the Day Away: Choosing the Right Child Care Facility BY APRIL TISHER
No matter what ages your children are, making the decision about who will care for them when you are away from them is a big one. Whether you are leaving your infant in a full-time day care center while you return to work or are putting your little one in preschool two days a week, finding the right child care facility that not only you, but also your child feels comfortable with is a process. The right choice for your best friend’s child might not be as perfect for you. There are many options to consider before thinking about a specific place — in-home or at a center, faith based or not, full time or part time, etc. Once you have determined what will best suit your needs, it is time to do your research and take tours of the facilities. Here are some things to consider in finding the right child care program for your family. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has standard guidelines that child care facilities must follow in the state of Florida. They recommend that you first find out if the center is licensed by the state. There are many safety guidelines that a facility must follow on a continuous basis to receive and maintain licensure. Questions about curriculum, communication procedures between the school and home, and the snacks/meals that are served are examples of things you should ask when researching child care. Visit Myfloridafamilies.com for a printable checklist and other parental resources.
Jan Banks, who has 17 years of experience in child care, recommends taking a tour, and not necessarily a scheduled one. She said just by walking in the door you should be able to get a good feel of the atmosphere. The relationship between staff members should seem happy and engaging. Are the adults and children smiling? This may seem overly simple, but if everyone likes to be there, it tells you a lot as a first impression. “Relationships are what it is really all about,” said Banks. She feels that taking the time to invest in families from the first time they walk in the door makes a lasting impression. Another thing Banks feels is important is the physical environment. Is the facility clean and safe? Does the playground and classroom equipment seem age appropriate and in good condition? Is there restricted or regulated entry access to the children and what are the safety procedures? What does the daily schedule look like for your child’s age group? Not only are teacher directed activities and curriculum important, but so are independent activities, such as centers, stations, art and music. Be sure to ask about school-wide special events, clubs and after-school activities. Are there extra costs associated with these things? In the end, the place you choose needs to feel right, both to you and your child. Having a working relationship with those caring for your child is paramount to success. ]
Choosing a Faith-Based Program If you are choosing a faith-based center, be sure that you understand the beliefs your child will be taught, especially if it is different from those beliefs you practice at home.
Teacher-Children Ratios for Center-Based Child Care* Four infants (less than 1 year old)................................................................................................................................. Six 1-year olds................................................................................................................................................................ 11 2-year olds.................................................................................................................................................................. 15 3-year olds................................................................................................................................................................. 20 4-year olds................................................................................................................................................................ 25 5-year olds and older..............................................................................................................................................
One caregiver One caregiver One caregiver One caregiver One caregiver One caregiver
*Not in-home | Source: Department of Children and Families
Holy Trinity
episcopal school of gainesville
• • • • •
Serving ages 6 weeks through VPK Low student to teacher ratios Centrally located downtown near UF, Shands and City Hall Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children Now accepting Enrollment Applications
A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, RESPECT AND LEARNING MONDAY - FRIDAY 6:30AM - 6:00PM
352.377.2290 301 N MAIN STREET | GAINESVILLE, FL 32601
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY TO SCHEDULE A TOUR!
WWW.HTESGNV.ORG
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ag e s 4 - 5
Saying Sorry: Teaching Your Children to Make Sincere Apologies BY OLIVIA K PITKETHLY, MA, LMHC
Admitting when you are wrong and asking for forgiveness is difficult for some adults. Imagine being a kid and trying to understand these concepts. Young children act and react impulsively, sometimes leading them to insult or hit someone else, and often they don’t even realize that they did anything wrong. Kristina Chance, licensed mental health counselor and registered play therapist, works primarily with children in her private practice, The Play and Wellness Center. She explained that children from ages 5 to 9 are still very “black and white” in their thinking simply because their brains are still in the early stages of development. She advised parents to let their children know, even if they do not think they did anything wrong, that they still hurt someone or something. “Because of that hurt, there is something to ‘repair,’ whether it be a relationship, feelings or situation, and apologies help repair or make amends for the action,” said Chance. She added that the more practice children have apologizing, the more natural it becomes. Even with practice, there will still be those times when the apologies do not seem sincere. Your child may yell or flippantly say “sorry” because he knows it is what you expect. Use this time as an opportunity to add a little more creativity to the apology. “Some parents use scripts to help teach children to make a sincere apology and help them connect it to their behavior,” said Chance. “Others require apology notes or letters so there is a little more action required by the child. This is helpful because it is more than a ‘quick sorry’ to get out of trouble.” Marcia Ise has two children, ages 4 and 6. When they hurt one another, she has her children hug and recite, “God gave you to me to love and protect.” Sometimes they do this without her even prompting.
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Tiffany Scott, mother of three, said that her children will sometimes apologize without prompting as well. “The 2-year-old will hurt her sister by accident and immediately hug and say ‘I sowwy’ before I say anything,” she said. Helping your child develop qualities such as consideration, authenticity and empathy takes time. The best way to teach your children how to be kindhearted people is to model it. “Parents need to be aware how they are being empathetic with their children and others around their children,” said Chance. “Also, children need help connecting the dots. They are present-minded beings so we typically need to help them see how past events affected current or future events.” For example, if your child yells at a classmate on the playground, help him be aware of how his actions have affected others. Did the other child cry? Did your child get in trouble? Did other kids refuse to play with him? Use these teachable moments to help him look outside of himself. And don’t forget to use your empathy skills toward him. Remember, you are his most important teacher! ]
READ ALL ABOUT IT! Chance recommends using books to foster children’s awareness of others in relation to self. “Stand In My Shoes” by Bob Sornson helps show empathy to children and the internal reward that comes from being aware of others. “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” by Carol McCloud illustrates how we impact others’ selfesteem and mood along with our own.
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a ge s 6 - 9
Help Your Kids Make Sense of Money BY SELENA GARRISON
everyday life. For example, when you are grocery shopping, you can teach about budgeting (we have $100 to spend on groceries today) and deciding between wants and needs (we have $7 left and can buy either a gallon of ice cream or a loaf of bread and peanut butter to make sandwiches for the week). When you are paying bills, you can talk to them about how much the cable bill costs and how many hours had to be worked to pay for it. When shopping for school clothes, you can have them choose between one name brand outfit and three generic brand outfits. These are all age-appropriate lessons that teach your kids how to begin making financial decisions in the real world. By the time children are in elementary school, they are beginning to understand that money is limited. Help your children to understand how jobs and money work together to meet your family’s needs like in the examples above. At this age, children may want to hoard their own money, but they definitely won’t mind spending yours! This is a good time to start teaching them about wise spending and saving.
Yesterday, I was in the bank drive-thru depositing some checks, when my almost6-year-old piped up from the back seat, “Momma, why do you have to put your papers in that tube thing?” I explained that the “papers” were actually money that Mommy and Daddy got from working. We had to put them in the bank so that when we went to the grocery store later, I would be able to use my debit card to pay for our food and paper towels. “Oh, right,” he said. “We have to have money in the bank to use that card thingy.” Then he promptly returned to talking about things little boys talk about, and I reflected on the fact that he is always watching what I am doing and there are so many opportunities to teach him along the way. Children learn about money management from their parents. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a financial guru to help your kids make good financial decisions. You just have to teach them a little bit at a time and get some help along the way. These sorts of lessons can be woven into
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If you are interested in getting your child some outside resources to learn more about money, check out some of these great titles. “The Everything Kids’ Money Book” by Brette McWhorter Sember “How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000” by James McKenna, Jeannine Glista and Matt Fontaine “Growing Money: A Complete Investing Guide for Kids” by Gail Karlitz and Debbie Honig “Financial Peace Junior” by Dave Ramsey You might consider reading them to learn a thing or two yourself!
A simple way to start this conversation is by getting a divided “piggy bank” with sections for saving, spending and donating. Each time they earn or are gifted money, help them decide how they want to divide it up. Then open a savings account for them at a local bank or credit union and teach them how to deposit their savings. This will give them a great head start on responsible saving and banking habits. ]
What about allowance?
Children need to learn that basic chores are just a responsibility of being a member of the family and not something they get paid to do. Instead of linking allowance to chores, give a basic allowance based on the child’s spending responsibilities. (This is money that you would normally spend on them anyway — lunch money, entertainment money, clothing money, etc.) If your child would like to supplement their regular allowance, allow them to do extra chores to save money for more costly goals (special trips, expensive shoes, a new video game, etc.). This not only teaches children that chores are just a fact of life, but it also allows them to learn to budget their money.
SIMPLY EXCEPTIONAL
QUEEN OF PEACE
CATHOLIC ACADEMY Where Faith and Knowledge Unite 10900 SW 24th Avenue | Gainesville, FL 32607 | (352) 332.8808 www.qopacademy.org | Principal, Mrs. Tammie Vassou
Communities of Faith, Academic Excellence and Service Serving your family from PreK to 12th grade Registration is officially open
PLEASE CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR TOUR TODAY!
The Catholic High School for All 4100 NW 115th Street | Gainesville, FL 32606 | (352) 376.6545 www.sfcawolves.org | Principal, Mr. Andrew Bradley gigglemagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2017
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ag e s 1 0 - 1 3 you may not even have to coax him to seek out work — your tween may think of the idea all on his own. April Tisher is the mother of a 13-year-old industrious tween. Her son, Andrew, dog sits for their neighbors and helps takes care of his mother’s yard by mowing the grass. “He wanted extra money,” Tisher said of her son. “I think he [enjoys working], especially the dog sitting. He’s a dog lover. Lately, he’s spent the money on birthday and Valentine’s Day presents for his girlfriend.” And while Andrew may have spent some of his hard-earned money, he is still learning the value of a dollar.
Bake sales are a fun way of earning extra money!
“It’s easy [for kids] to spend their parents’ money — the value seems insignificant,” said Tisher. “But when he must earn it, he is more careful of how he spends or saves it.”
Should Your Tween Get a Summer Job? BY TARYN TACHER
Summer is finally here, and that means pool days, camp, trips to the beach, play dates and lots of free time for your tween. While school may be out — and your tween certainly deserves a break from homework and studying — there is no reason he cannot still be productive. It is never too early to instill a strong work ethic in your children, so why not encourage them to get a summer job? Vegging out is much needed from time to time, of course, but with more than two months off from school, there is plenty of time for your tween to earn some money and learn a little responsibility, too. Summer is the perfect time to transform your tween into a budding businessperson.
A lot can be learned from simple summer jobs — like time management, responsibility and the importance of saving and spending money wisely. So, motivate your tween to find a summer job to keep them busy and to balance out the countless hours they will be spending soaking up the sun. ]
Summer Jobs for Your Tween to Consider • Dog walking • Dog sitting • Babysitting • Housesitting
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Just keep in mind that per the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, child labor laws in the state of Florida prevent the employment of anyone under the age of 14. So, while your tween cannot apply to work at the local ice cream shop or any of the stores in the mall, he can still snag a summer job by helping a neighbor, by working at a family-owned business or by getting creative.
interested in doing. If he loves animals, dog walking or dog sitting may be the perfect way for your tween to earn some cash. If he has experience caring for younger siblings, babysitting for neighbors may be his calling. Is your tween artistic and entrepreneurial? It is never too early for him to open an online shop on a site like Etsy, where he can sell homemade jewelry, artwork and more.
• Lawn mowing
Sit down with your tween to discuss his interests, his strengths and what he might be
If your tween has a talent or interest, or if he is trying to save up to buy something special,
• Lemonade stand/bake sale
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• Gardening/yard work • Selling handmade items through an Etsy shop • Tutoring • Washing cars • Household chores
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Teen Driving: What To Know and How to Help BY LISA KATZ
For teen drivers (and their parents!), it can be overwhelming to get behind the wheel for the first time. It can also be extremely risky. The best thing for a new driver is to feel comfortable, knowledgeable and prepared, and it is your role as the parent to get your teen ready, whether you teach her yourself or enroll her in a class. In order to feel comfortable driving, your teen will need experience. Florida law states that a new driver must have a minimum of 50 hours of practice driving, of which 10 hours must be at night, before she can even apply for a license. The more often you allow your new driver to practice, the more comfortable she will feel about driving.
DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO CONSIDER
There are a few important rules of proper behavior to consider in aiding safety, especially for a new teen driver. Steve Milo, a driving instructor at North Central Florida Safety Council, recommended that parents communicate these with their teens before handing over those car keys.
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1. Limit the number of passengers in the car. Too many (even one extra person) can be very distracting. 2. Limit driving at nighttime to when both the parent and the teen feel more comfortable. 3. Limit driving on the highways as well. Consider starting in an empty parking lot and slowly move up to highways. 4. Be smart about the weather. Florida rains can be crazy. If you cannot see well, safely pull over to the side of road. 5. Take note of the car’s dashboard. If you see any unusual things lit up or blinking, safely pull over and call a parent, a car dealership or someplace you can take the car for maintenance. It goes without saying that parents should stress the importance of never texting while driving. Cellphone use should be limited to when the car is in park.
Alachua County Teen Driver Challenge Alachuasheriff.org This is a free program for teen drivers that reside in Alachua County and have their learner’s permit. It consists of four hours of classroom instruction as well as an additional four hours of hands-on experience. Staff members of the Alachua County Sheriff’s office conduct this defensive driving training day. North Central Florida Safety Council Ncfsc.com This “Behind the Wheel Driving” course is a seven-hour program designed by state-certified instructors. With only one student in the car and one instructor, it offers an excellent opportunity for driver education and training. The instructor’s car also has a dual-controlled brake for safety. The program costs $450. Alachua County Public School Driver Education Sbac.edu This semester-long course is offered through your teen’s public high school. If you prefer to take this course during the summer or in the evening, there is a $40 fee. Otherwise it is free for students. Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles train the instructors. At the end of this course, the driver will have received one-on-one training, classroom instruction and half a credit toward graduation requirements. ]
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! Statistics to be aware of Below are the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2016 statistics involving teen drivers. The sum of crashes involving a teen driver = 45,279 ALACHUA COUNTY HAD 670 The sum of all injuries in teen crashes = 34,094 ALACHUA COUNTY HAD 653 The sum of all fatalities in teen crashes = 262 ALACHUA COUNTY HAD 2
happy community
j u n e / j u ly c a le n d a r
June 2 Splash Jam
5–6 p.m. Sun Country Sports – West Suncountrysports.com (Event repeats every Friday)
June 2 Parent Night Out
hello r e m m su
6–10 p.m. o2b Kids! Gainesville Supercenter O2bkids.com (Event repeats every Friday)
June 2 Forever Plaid Opening Night (runs through June 25) 8–9 p.m. Hippodrome Theatre Mainstage Thehipp.org
June 2 Free Friday’s Concert Series: Little Jake & The Soul Searchers 8–10 p.m. Bo Diddley Plaza Gnvculturalseries.org
June 3 24th Annual Wellborn Blueberry Festival
june
11 a.m. Harn Museum of Art Harn.ufl.edu
June 1 Rootless Plants at the “Butterfly Rainforest” Opens
June 2 City of Gainesville Summer Heatwave Teen Pool Party
June 2 Friday Stay and Play
June 2 Gym Jam Jr.
(runs through August 31) Florida Museum of Natural History Floridamuseum.ufl.edu
9–11 a.m. Sun Country Sports – West Suncountrysports.com (Event repeats every Friday)
June 2 South Moon Farms U-Pick Blueberries Season Opening
Friday through Sunday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. & 5–7 p.m. 15912 S. County Road 325, Hawthorne, Florida, 32640 Upickblueberriesgainesville.com
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June 2 Tot Time: Shape it Up
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3–7 p.m. Andrew R. Mickle, Sr. Cityofgainesville.com
5–6 p.m. Sun Country Sports – West Suncountrysports.com (Event repeats every Friday)
June 2 Gym Jam
5–7 p.m. Sun Country Sports – West and Sun Country Sports – Millhopper Suncountrysports.com (Event repeats every Friday)
7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Andrews Square in Downtown Wellborn, Florida Wellborncommunityassociation.com
June 3 63rd Annual Chiefland Watermelon Festival 8 a.m. Historic downtown Chiefland Chieflandwomansclub.org
June 3 Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally & Free Concert 5 p.m. High Dive Highdivegainesville.com
June 4 Healthy Habits
3–6 p.m. High Dive Highdivegainesville.com
June 6 Tuesday Stay and Play 9–11 a.m. Sun Country Sports – West Suncountrysports.com (Event repeats every Tuesday)
June 7 Gym Jam
1:30–3:30 p.m. Sun Country Sports – West Suncountrysports.com (Event repeats every Wednesday)
June 7 Splash Jam
5–6 p.m. Sun Country Sports – West Suncountrysports.com (Event repeats every Wednesday)
June 8 Harn Museum Nights: Fun in Focus 6–9 p.m. Harn Museum Harn.ufl.edu
June 9 Family Fun Night
6:30–8:30 p.m. Sun Country Sports – West Suncountrysports.com
June 9 Movie Night: “Sing”
7:30–9 p.m. Tioga Town Center Tiogatowncenter.com
June 9 Free Friday’s Concert Series: 21 Blue with Longineu Parsons & Ted Shumate 8–10 p.m. Bo Diddley Plaza Gnvculturalseries.org
June 10 UF Health Shands Childbirth Education Class 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. UF Health Shands Hospital Ufhealth.org
June 10 Back Handspring and Tuck Boot Camp 1–4 p.m. Sun Country Sports – West Suncountrysports.com
June 10 Guided Butterfly Garden Walk 9:30–10:15 a.m. Rainbow Springs State Park Floridastateparks.org
June 10 Clay County Seafood & BBQ Music Festical
June 22 World’s Largest Swimming Lesson
June 14 Free Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Group
June 23 Family Fun Night
Noon–10 p.m. Clay County Fairgrounds Eventbrite.com
5–6:30 p.m. Postpartum Wellness & Family Counseling Pwandfc.com
June 16 Free Friday’s Concert Series: Wester Joseph’s Stereo Vudu 8–10 p.m. Bo Diddley Plaza Gnvculturalseries.org
June 17 Father’s Family Fishing Day 8 a.m. – Noon UF/IFAS Fishing Ponds Sfrc.ufl.edu
June 17 Newberry Bat Cave: A Mother-Son Adventure 8 a.m. – Noon Newberry American Legion 10can.us
June 17 World Sea Turtle Day Celebration
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Florida Museum of Natural History Flmnh.ufl.edu
June 18 Father’s Day June 18 Father’s Day Special: Free admission for fathers! 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Kanapaha.org
June 20 UF Health Shands Newborn Care Class
7–9:30 p.m. UF Health Shands Hospital Room 2147 Ufhealth.org
June 21 First Day of Summer
11 a.m. Andrew R. Mickle Pool, Dwight H. Hunter (Northeast) Pool and H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside) Pool Cityofgainesville.org
6:30–8:30 p.m. Sun Country Sports – West Suncountrysports.com
June 23 Free Friday’s Concert Series: A Tribute to the Music of Curtis Mayfield 8–10 p.m. Bo Diddley Plaza Gnvculturalseries.org
June 24 North Central Florida YMCA 50th Anniversary Celebration 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. North Central Florida YMCA Ncfymca.org
June 26 Free Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Group 10–11:30 a.m. Postpartum Wellness & Family Counseling Pwandfc.com
June 27 UF Health Shands Breastfeeding Class
7–9 p.m. UF Health Shands Hospital Room 2147 Ufhealth.org
June 30 Artwalk Gainesville 7–10 p.m. Artwalkgainesville.com
June 30 Free Friday’s Concert Series: De Lions of Jah 8–10 p.m. Bo Diddley Plaza Gnvculturalseries.org
happy community
july July 3 UF Fanfares & Fireworks 7 p.m. Flavet Field Wuft.org
July 4 Independence Day July 4 City of Alachua Fourth of July Celebration 3–10 p.m. Hal Brady Recreation Complex Cityofalachua.com
July 7 Free Friday’s Concert Series: The All American Song Fest: The High Nooners 8–10 p.m. Bo Diddley Plaza Gnvculturalseries.org
July 8 UF Health Shands Childbirth Education Class 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. UF Health Shands Hospital Ufhealth.org
July 12 Free Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Group 5–6:30 p.m. Postpartum Wellness & Family Counseling Pwandfc.com
July 13 Harn Museum Nights 6–9 p.m. Harn Museum Harn.ufl.edu
July 14 Movie Night: “Storks”
7:30–9 p.m. Tioga Town Center Tiogatowncenter.com
July 14 Free Friday’s Concert Series: The Delta Troubadours 8–10 p.m. Bo Diddley Plaza Gnvculturalseries.org
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j u n e / j u ly c a le n d a r July 15 Family Fishing Day 8 a.m. – Noon UF/IFAS Fishing Ponds Sfrc.ufl.edu
July 15 Kids’ Day at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Kanapaha.org
July 17 Discovery Zone Permanent Exhibit Opens
July 28 Artwalk Gainesville 7–10 p.m. Artwalkgainesville.com
July 28 Free Friday’s Concert Series: Bridget Kelly 8–10 p.m. Bo Diddley Plaza Gnvculturalseries.org
june
Florida Museum of Natural History Floridamuseum.ufl.edu
July 18 UF Health Shands Newborn Care Class 7–9:30 p.m. UF Health Shands Hospital Room 2147 Ufhealth.org
July 21 Free Friday’s Concert Series: Wax Wings 8–10 p.m. Bo Diddley Plaza Gnvculturalseries.org
July 22 City of Gainesville Summer Heatwave Teen Pool Party 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. H. Spurgeon Cherry (Westside Pool) Cityofgainesville.com
July 24 Free Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Group 10–11:30 a.m. Postpartum Wellness & Family Counseling Pwandfc.com
July 25 Tot Time: Sculpture All Around 3:30 p.m. Harn Museum of Art Harn.ufl.edu
July 25 UF Health Shands Breastfeeding Class
7–9 p.m. UF Health Shands Hospital Room 2147 Ufhealth.org
july
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happy community
Flag Day is June 14! DID KNOW?
President Wo od established th row Wilson e to commemo holiday in 1916 rate the adop tio of the official flag of the Un n it States. On Ju ne 14, 1777, ed it was decided th would have 1 at the U.S. flag 3 red and wh ite stripes, and st ar each state on s to represent a field of blu e.
We had a wonderful time supporting the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation at Noche De Gala!
Behind the Scenes!
Dad! Don't forget to call Sunday, June 18 is
Father's Day!
ile Plantation a H to u o y k n a h T Club! y r t n u o C d n a f ol G
Giggle Magazine is celebrating Alachua County ’s teachers!
Visit Gigglemagazine.com to submit your favorite ed ucator for a chance to be featured in one of our upcoming issues. 96
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North Florida Women’s Physicians provides comprehensive healthcare that compassionately supports women through every stage of their lives.
We’re here for you, every step of the way.
DOCTORS: Tracy Botha, M.D. Richard Brazzel, M.D. Kelly Chamberlain, M.D. Sheyna Carroccio, M.D. Jill Delker, M.D. Karen Harris, M.D. Ann Hatfield, M.D. Eduardo Marichal, M.D. Amy Million, M.D. Erin Werner, M.D. MIDWIVES: Julie Gaona, CNM Amanda Husband, CNM Monique McAfee, CNM Erin Smith, CNM MID LEVELS: Kelly Cynkar, ARNP Stephanie Davis, PA-C
OBSTETRICS | GYNECOLOGY | GYNECOLOGIC SURGERY INFERTILITY | WELL-WOMAN CARE
6440 W. Newberry Road, Suite 508, Gainesville, FL 32605 Located at the Women’s Center at North Florida Regional Medical Center
(352) 332-7222 www.mynfwp.com
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