Growing Up In the Valley April 2018

S O U T H W E S T & C E N T R A L V I R G I N I A’ S P R E M I E R FA M I LY R E S O U R C E

Volume 6 Issue 8 • April 2018 • Take One

Young & Mighty JC Peterson is taking on life, one day at a time

When a

MOM GetsCANCER

Parenting is hard enough without a lifelong disease

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Letter from the Editor

W

Anika, Andrea and Evelyn dropping Anika off at the airport!

Facebook Facebook.com/ growingupinthevalley Follow Us on Instagram @Growingupmag Tweet Us on Twitter @growing_up_mag Email The Editor andrea@ growingupinthevalley.com Story Ideas Share your story ideas with us by emailing info@growingupinthevalley.com

Growing Up In The Valley P U B LI SH E R Josh Eagan

e think it is safe to say - Spring is here! As we write this however, our Expo is one week away and they are calling for snow again. We hope it stays away and we hope spring is here for good! This has been such a strange winter and spring!

April begins our most favorite time of year here in Roanoke, festival season. These next few months in the Roanoke Valley features some amazing events for you and your family. Our favorite festival, Community School’s Strawberry Festival, is only a month away and is celebrating it’s thirty-eighth year! We highly recommend heading out to Elmwood Park during the first week of May to get your first taste of Summer and of course, some delicious strawberry shortcakes!

In this issue we cover a ton of medical topics including an amazing story about a boy named JC Peterson, who is living with a mitochondrial disease. It is an amazing story of love, hope, and strength. We also feature a story written by our very own Tracy Fisher, who was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer two years ago and has come out on top.

Of course, our calendar is packed full of so many great events (it is afterall, festival season!). Make sure to read all of our top picks and fill up your calendar with a bunch of great events!

Enjoy the warmer weather - we look forward to seeing you and your family at an event soon!

EDITOR Andrea Eagan C RE AT I V E D I RE C TOR Tracy Fisher S ALE S & MARK E T ING Anika Eagan Lisa Bowers D I S T RI B U T I O N Info@growingupinthevalley.com C O N T RI B U T O R S Peg McGuire Katie Lewis Ava Rosa DeVries Beth Farnsworth Clifford Jackson Stephanie Ogilvie Brittney Tilson Jacqueline Moon C o n t a c t Us : Phone: 540-251-1660 Fax: 540-808-1568 Mail: PO BOX 4484 Roanoke, VA 24015 General Inquiries: Info@growingupinthevalley.com We welcome reader comments, submissions and the support of advertisers.

We reserve the right to refuse or edit any materials submitted to us that we deem inappropriate for our audience. Please include a self addressed stamped envelope with any submission to be returned. We do not accept responsiblity for unsolicited materials.

Growing Up In the Valley and Growingupinthevalley. com are published by MoFat Publishing. Growing Up In the Valley is published monthly. The views and the opinions expressed by the writers and advertisers do not necessarily represnt those of Growing Up In the Valley, it’s staff or contributors. The information presented here is for informational purposes only and although every effort has been made to present accurate information, we do not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of, or consequences from the use of this information or for the businesses and organizations presented herein. We urge all parents to confirm any information given herein and consult with a doctor or an appropriate professional concerning any information or question. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written consent of the publisher.

Andrea, Josh, Anika and Evelyn

© Copyright 2018 MoFat Publishing

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Inside This Issue

April 2018

Features ##

Young & Mighty A local family isn’t letting a diagnosis stop them from loving life!

##

When a Mom Gets Cancer Parenting with cancer looks a little different than your average family.

Learn and Grow 8

It’s A Money Thing Let’s Talk Taxes

36

Urgent Care vs ER Do you know the difference?

25

What to Expect when Buying or Selling a House We’ll walk you through the process step-by-step.

58

Bad News Bear How you can help a friend going through a rough time.

Just For Fun 28

Strawberries Seven Ways Prepare for the Strawberry Festival this May with seven different ways to include the berry in your diet!

Resources 38

Go. Play. See. Spring has sprung and festival season is kicking off this April!

52

Kids Eat Free What’s for dinner tonight? We have a list of great restaurants offering tremendous deals for your families.

On the Cover

John, Angela and their children Grace,Charity, Josiah, Faith, and JC. Photography by Beth Farnsworth

Thank a Teacher

T

housands of Virginia educators received a thank-you note in the Virginia Lottery’s “Thank a Teacher” campaign.

Sarah Stultz of Ruby Carver Elementary School in Henrico received that and a lot more! She won a four-day, three-night Virginia-themed vacation courtesy of the Lottery and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Her name was drawn from nearly 5,000 teachers who entered their thank-you notes in the prize drawing.

On June 6, Virginia Lottery officials surprised her at the school with the good news.

The fifth-grade teacher now has a choice of taking a beach-lovers, mountainlovers, or wine-lovers vacation.

The “Thank a Teacher” campaign kicked off on April 3, several weeks before National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12), and lasted through May 19. During that time frame, more than 35,000 blank thank-you notes were distributed by the Lottery to PTAs and to the public at retailer and consumer events. Virginians could use the cards to send a note to the teacher or teachers who have made a difference in their lives. They also could send it electronically from valottery.com/ thankateacher.

When teachers received the thank-you notes, they could use a unique web code on

the card to enter for the grand prize. New this year was a partnership with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and consists of four roundtrip Amtrak tickets to anywhere in the northeast corridor, from Virginia to Boston. The winner of that prize was Carly Campton, a sixth-grade language arts teacher from Salem Church Middle School in Chesterfield County. The third prize, a $250 VISA gift card, was awarded to Beth Swain, eighth-grade math teacher at Andrew Lewis Middle School in Salem.

“Because the Virginia Lottery’s mission is to generate funds for K-12 schools, we get the chance to meet many teachers and see close-up how hard they work,” said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Paula Otto. “It was gratifying to see the response to this campaign was even stronger in the second year of this initiative. It’s clear that people want to thank the memorable teacher – or teachers – in their lives.”

The “Thank a Teacher” campaign is a unique partnership between the Virginia Lottery, two other Virginia agencies (Virginia Tourism Corporation and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation), and the Virginia PTA. It’s a forum to celebrate those teachers whose hard work and inspiration have made a difference in so many lives.

When it comes to education, the Virginia Lottery is game. In fact, it’s the reason we play. We generate more than $1.6 million per day for Virginia’s K-12 public schools. Operating entirely on revenue from the sale of Lottery products, the Virginia Lottery generated more than a half-billion dollars for Virginia’s public schools in Fiscal Year 2016. For more info, visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram and check us out on YouTube. Please play responsibly.

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7

Provided by Laurissa Grubb from Blue Eagle® Credit Union

Understanding and Directing Your Withholdings

state taxes (ST for State Tax or SWT for State Witholding Tax).

You just got your paycheck. Your eyes scan down the list of deductions and settle on the most important part—your take-home pay. You start subtracting your bills, your day-to-day purchases, or that expensive item you’ve got your eye on. However, hiding in the often-overlooked payroll withholdings, you may find some untapped potential.

You will also see some other abbreviated terms such as FICA SS. This abbreviation represents a paycheck withholding from the Federal Insurance Contributions Act or FICA, and the SS indicates that this portion of your check goes to Social Security benefits, which you can collect when you reach your mid-sixties.

You may also find FICA MED, indicating contributions to Medicare. Medicare subsidizes healthcare costs for people over sixty-five, as well as those who collect Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

Sometimes these two FICA taxes will be grouped together on your pay stub, in which case it will just show up as FICA tax.

Paycheck withholdings are a fact of life for most workers, but they aren’t set in stone. While you may think its the right idea to accept withholdings as a given and hope for a big refund at tax time, you’re better off taking a proactive approach. With some math and a closer look at your life situation, you can wind up with more cash and a better financial well-being.

Learn the terms You may have noticed your pay stub is full of abbreviations. The first hurdle to get over when it comes to understanding your withholdings is to be clear on the terms. First, you have federal taxes (FT for Federal Tax or FWT for Federal Witholding Tax) and

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A handful of states also withhold State Disability Insurance (SDI), which covers people who can’t work due to temporary disability. Depending on your profession and location, you may find other abbreviations to indicate

further paycheck withholdings. You can always look them up yourself, but the surest bet is often to contact your company’s HR department and find out from the source.

Finally, you may also have noticed YTD amounts. The YTD stands for Year To Date, and shows the running total for each category within the current tax year. YTD amounts are useful for estimating yearly income figures, and for comparing those figures to other years. If the YTD figures are not provided on your pay stub, you can always figure them out by adding together all of your paychecks for the year.

Manage the Math If you want to get your withholdings right, you’ve got to crunch the numbers. Luckily, there are numerous online withholding calculators that you can use to make the process quick and easy.

Everyone—from the IRS to banks to tax service providers— has their own version, but the basic concept is the same. Using the figures from recent tax returns and pay stubs, you can calculate your estimated yearly income as well as the resulting withholdings, and then optimize your earnings.

Know Your Withholding Allowances The key to maximizing your takehome pay is to take full advantage of withholding allowances. Tax allowances are factored in when your employer calculates how much federal income tax to withhold from your pay. The more allowances you claim, the less money is withheld from each paycheck. Using a W-4 form, you can claim a variety of allowances depending on your marital status, number of dependents, property taxes, federal student loans, child care, and more.

Typically, your employer will give you a W-4 form to fill out at the beginning of your employment, and sometimes each year thereafter. You should make sure any pertinent changes are reflected on an ongoing basis. You can always fill out a new W-4 form yourself when your personal financial situation changes in a way that

impacts your tax allowances. Make sure to adjust your W-4 when you get married or divorced, have or adopt a child, get a second job, your spouse gets a job or changes jobs, or if you’ll be unemployed for part of the year.

Although it always seems best to get as much monthly take-home pay as possible, you generally want to use caution, and stay away from claiming too many allowances. If your employer ends up not withholding enough from each paycheck, you may end up with the nasty surprise of owing a large balance owing when you complete your yearly income tax return. Worse still, you could possibly be subject to penalties that will sting financially.

Free Your Refund For many people, tax refunds are a bit of a guessing game. You prepare your taxes, send them off, and wait, hoping for as many dollars as possible to come back your way. Although having a special yearly bonus can be

enticing, it pays to remember that every dollar was yours in the first place. You work hard to earn what you make, so why wait a whole year to reap the rewards?

When you get a tax refund, that just means that you essentially provided the government with an interest-free loan, and they are giving it back. You can make better use of that money month to month, when it’s properly invested, saved up for a rainy day, or spent on purchases that help with your everyday needs. Plus, that way you can rest assured that you’re making the most of your income.

Just imagine if your refund could be earning interest for you all year long, or just making your life better every day instead of showing up once in your bank account and likely disappearing quickly.

Growing Up

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9

One in seven One in seven children won’t be children won’t ready to to start be ready start kindergarten.* kindergarten.*

Don’t Don’t let let your child your child be be the theone. one.

Virginia’s childrenbehind are already behind when they start ThousandsThousands of Virginia’sofchildren are already when they start kindergarten.

And And too often,their parents are surprised to learn their child too often, kindergarten. parents are surprised to learn child is one of them. It’s devastating, is one them.

It’s andemotional can leadproblems to a higher risk of of costly and can lead to a of higher risk ofdevastating, costly social and for the rest social and emotional problems for the rest of the child’s life.

It hurts the child’s life. It hurts our kids. It hurts our communities. But it is something we can our kids.sure It hurts But it is something we can change. Make change. Make your our childcommunities. is ready for kindergarten.

One in seven children won’t be ready to start kindergarten.* ®

For United moreWay information, please contact: Roanoke Valley MegofFitzwater, Director, Early Learning Strategies

sure your child is ready for kindergarten.

*The Annie E. Casey Foundation: KIDS COUNT Data Center. (2010). PALS-K Scores.

* The Annie E. Casey Foundation: KIDS COUNT Data Center. (2010). PALS-K Scores.

Thousands of Virginia’s children are already Smart Beginnings Greater Roanoke For more information, please contact: Smart Beginnings Greater Roanoke behind when they mfitzwater@uwrv.org / (540)283-2786 / smartbeginningsroanoke.org / Find usstart on: kindergarten. And too sbgr@uwrv.org | (540) 283-2778 | smartbeginningsroanoke.org often, parents are surprised to learn their child

Don’t let your child be the one.

Everyone

is one of them. It’s devastating, and can lead to a higher risk of costly social and emotional problems for the rest of the child’s life. It hurts our kids. It hurts our communities. But it is

Deserves a Party.

something we can change. Make sure your child is ready for kindergarten.

Visit www.SmartBeginnings.org to learn more.

Contact your local Smart Beginnings office: Jane P. Smith, Program Coordinator janesmith@yourlocation.com 999-999-9999 * The Annie E. Casey Foundation: KIDS COUNT Data Center. (2010). PALS-K Scores.

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Take a Hike Article provided by Tuck Chiropractic

S

pring is officially here! It’s time to start thinking about how getting active can help you attain your goals of overall health and wellness.

With temperatures warming up and the days getting longer, one great way to become more active is to get outside and enjoy nature by going on a local hike. Just like the importance of chiropractic treatments as part of an overall wellness plan, regular activity should be part of your routine.

Even if you start out small, with a walk around the block or a quick stroll around your local park, a little activity goes a long way. Pretty soon, you’ll be ready to hit the trails and experience the natural beauty our area provides.

The great thing about hiking is that you probably already have everything you need to get started.

Before you head out, make sure to bring a friend, tell someone where you’re going, and pack some water and a snack. After

that, just choose where to go and get out there!

Here are some great nearby hikes to get you started:

Carvins Cove Near Roanoke, Virginia

Carvins Cove is located on 12,700 acres just minutes from Downtown Roanoke. The 600acre reservoir serves as a major water source for the city of Roanoke. The surrounding area boasts over fifty miles of trails, all of them open to hiking and many open to mountain biking as well.

While many of the trails at Carvins Cove weave through the woods and near the water, the best views are from the Appalachian Trail that runs on the ridge above the reservoir. Fourteen miles of the Appalachian Trail wraps around Carvins Cove, offering great views and scenic overlooks such as Hay Rock.

The Bennett Springs

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11

parking lot offers the best access to the trail network but can be crowded during peak season. The Timberview parking lot is another great option when the park is busy. No matter where you choose to start, Carvins Cove offers something for everyone.

New River Trail State Park Near Galax, Virginia

Thanks to Southwest Virginia’s mining heritage and historical railroad infrastructure, several “rail trails” exist throughout the area. These trails follow old railroad beds, creating trails with normally easy grades and beginner-friendly conditions.

One of the best examples of these rail trails is New River Trail. This fifty seven mile long trail winds through Carroll, Grayson, Pulaski and Wythe counties. Thirty nine miles of this trail borders the New River and stretches through the city of Galax.

With so much trail to choose from, it’s best to choose a starting point and do an out-and-back hike to start with. Popular destinations along the trail include Shot Tower and Cliffview overlook. The trail is also open to mountain biking and horseback rides, which makes this an accessible and ideal trail for all kinds of outdoors adventures.

Peaks of Otter

Near Bedford, Virginia The Peaks of Otter, located near Bedford, Virginia, are two separate peaks – Flat Top and Sharp Top

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mountains. If combined, this 9.8-mile hike is the most challenging on this list. If you’re up for the challenge, these two summits offer a good challenge and breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge mountains.

If you’re looking for an easier hike, the hike to Sharp Top is only 3.6 miles long. Starting at the Peaks of Otter visitor center, the well-traveled trail leads you to 360-degree views of the surround mountains, with the Piedmont Region to the East and the Alleghany mountains to the West.

While you’re in the area, take advantage of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s scenic and historic roadways and accessible overlooks.

Bald Knob

Near Blacksburg, Virginia Some hikes have it all. Bald Knob is definitely one of those hikes. Located on Salt Pond Mountain near Mountain Lake Resort in Giles County, Virginia, Bald Knob offers an easy one-mile hike to an amazing view of the surrounding mountains.

Starting from a gravel parking lot off of Mountain Lake Road, this short winds quickly towards a westwardfacing overlook that makes it perfect for a sunset hike.

Thanks to the relatively high elevation of the summit (4365’), the area is usually ten to fifteen degrees colder than the rest of Giles County, making this a great hike Summertime hike.

If you’re looking to extend this hike, there is an extensive trail network

maintained by the resort as well as Appalachian Trail access at Wind Rock farther down the road.

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve Near Goldsboro, North Carolina

Not all hikes have to be grueling trips to the mountains. Strolls around town, in local parks, and through natural areas contributes to an overall wellness plan in a great way. Whether you’re just starting to get outside, need a quiet afternoon away, or are just looking for a little exercise, the parks near our new Goldsboro, North Carolina location offer many possibilities.

Herman Park, just minutes from our office in Goldsboro offers walking paths, tennis courts, and meetings areas in the heart of town.

Goldsboro also offers an extensive greenway network that runs through the heart of town. It’s a great time of year to get out and explore the area!

Eastern North Carolina offers many options. Nearby, Hemlock Bluffs in Cary, North Carolina, offers 140 acres of walking pathways, meandering streams, and native wildlife. With the weather warming up, this is a great area to get outside and stretch your legs for the first time this Spring.

No matter where you decide to go, hiking is a great start towards your goal of overall wellness. There are countless other trails in the area, from easy walking paths to rugged hiking options. A local hike is a great way to get outside, experience the season, and continue on your path to overall health and wellness.

May 7–11

Teacher Appreciation Week The Virginia Lottery is inviting Virginians to send thank-you notes to as many Virginia public school teachers as possible!

Visit thankateacherva.com through May 11th to send a thank-you note, and learn how two lucky teachers will win a Virginia vacation courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.

When a MOM Gets CANCER Personal Essay by Tracy Fisher

“I’m sorry to say the scans reveal you most likely have ovarian cancer.”

close friends and family. Cancer would taint every thought, every plan - though my only thought at the time was about my daughter, Charlie.

These words, spoken to me with honest sorrow from my OB/GYN doctor on a late Friday afternoon in the spring of 2016 changed the trajectory of my life. I had been dealing with troubling symptoms, but even after a late-night ER visit with severe blood loss, my doctors had comforted me with a plethora of explanations that didn’t include the big C. My OB/GYN had ordered an MRI just to calm my fears, but was fairly certain I didn’t have anything to worry about - I was too young, a non-smoker, never drank alcohol and had zero family history of ovarian or breast cancer.

I was young when I was diagnosed, only twenty seveny years old. My daughter had just celebrated her sixth birthday. I spent that afternoon weeping and yelling at the sky, “She’s only SIX. That’s not enough time.

It’s not fair to HER!” I was more concerned with leaving her motherless than the upcoming pain and exhaustion I’d be facing through chemotherapy. This reaction came from a part of parenthood understood only by other parents - you can handle all the pain and suffering the world can give you, as long as it doesn’t hurt your children. I couldn’t stand the idea that her childhood was to be defined by medical procedures and hospital waiting rooms. Most of all, I was afraid she would have to watch her mother slowly fade away to nothing.

In fact, cancer had, until this point, left me and my close family unscathed. Very distant family members had suffered surely, and generations before me, but I hadn’t met anyone close to me who’d had a cancer diagnosis. From that phone call on, cancer had a leading role in my life and lives of my

Parenting while dealing with a serious medical issue was an entirely different

experience than I had ever dealt with before. It was eye-opening to a world of millions of mothers and fathers working through their pain, fatigue, and sickness to raise children.

My family and I had to completely reorganize our priorities in our dayto-day life. Suddenly it was far more important that my family was just fed, even if that was cereal for dinner, rather than a more balanced homecooked meal every night. Laundry could survive sitting in a pile around the washer for a day or two longer and using disposable dishes could save precious time and energy.

I once lamented to my friends that I was worried Charlie would be traumatized being a child of someone with cancer, that she would resent me somehow for not having the energy to play outside with her, or only have memories of me sleeping or being sick rather than interacting with her.

Thankfully, I have surrounded myself with people smarter than myself who said, “She’ll just be happy you are there.”

Being there. That was my goal from that point on. I had weekly chemotherapy infusions that left me tired, cranky and sore. My medications made me extremely anaemic - just standing up without being lightheaded was a challenge. Charlie would sometimes join me at the infusion center (much to the nurses’ delight!) and we would read stories aloud to one another or color together. At home, I would often be on bed-rest, too nauseous or tired to sit up. My husband and Charlie would snuggle up with me and we’d watch bad nineties sitcoms.

Slowly, we learned what my new limitations would and wouldn’t allow.

On my better days I would attend Charlie’s school performances, or take her to the playground or library events.

On bad days she would write get-well notes for me to find when I woke up, and refill my water on the bedside table. Children are extremely resilient, especially when they have support and age-appropriate explanations of what is happening in their libes. Charlie knew from day one that Mommy had cancer, and that cancer was dangerous.

Soon, if I started to look pale or tired she would give me a hug and sigh, “Mommy, your medicine is making you tired again, do you need a nap?”

I began to see the many silver linings of this disease.

Charlie’s exposure to my shortcomings and side effects had helped her empathy and compassion bloom.

My cancer is a lifelong disease - it will always be a looming darkness in the back of my family’s mind, even after I’ve finished my treatment plan. However, by Charlie’s example, we have chosen to focus on the many positive moments. We celebrate the moments when I am in good health, and we patiently trudge through the days I am not. We decided that cancer may drastically shorten my lifespan, but it shouldn’t steal my lifetime.

Silver linings, though, are just that - linings of dark grey clouds. I don’t want to be misunderstood; my days are filled with love and support as well as fear, pain, and sadness. I still worry that Charlie’s intimacy with medical trauma will hurt her in the future, and most of all, I worry about leaving her without a mother far too early in her life. But instead of wailing at the sky about the unfairness of it all, I find it is a better use of my limited time with her to give her as much of myself as possible. I am going to be there.

Signs of Ovarian Cancer

Pain in abdomen and pelvis, similar to menstrual cramps Bloating, loss of appetite, and indigestion Feeling full quickly at meals Chronic fatigue, even with extra rest Unexpected weight loss Irregular, painful menstrual cycles

Ovarian Cancer is often undiagnosed until a late stage since many of the symptoms can be mild and similar to menstrual pain. Track and discuss any changes in your cycle and body with your doctor. Your family history and personal risk factors can increase or decrease the chance of developing ovarian cancer.

Are Your Home Furnishings Good for the Planet and Your Family?

Article provided by Statepoint

M

ore peopleare interested in selecting products that are good for the planet and their families than ever before. While many understand what organic food is, confusion still exists when it comes to home furnishings. Simply put, what you bring into your home directly impacts the health and welfare of your family in terms of exposure to chemicals, indoor air quality, and comfort.

With the deluge of products claiming to be environmentally sustainable, it’s important to know what to look for when furnishing your home. Here are some considerations to bear in mind.

Does it contain harmful chemicals?

While the EPA has phased out the use of some of the most potentially harmful chemicals, some chemical variations continue to be used in upholstery and fabrics. To get a sense of what’s good and what may be bad, consult resources like the U.S. EPA’s Chemicals of Concern List and the Living Future Institute’s Red List.

Remember that while some degree of chemical treatment may be needed to make fabrics fire-retardant or stain-repellent, in many instances, green manufacturers employ minimal chemistry or have found natural solutions to achieve these results.

Am I considering all the options?

Milliken & Company recently launched Breathe by Milliken, an eco-elegant collection of fluorine-free performance fabrics available in both natural and recycled polyester fibers.

Furniture retailers are offering

sustainablesourced, locally-made, and organic furniture and fabric options, while big box retailers like Target have developed sustainability scoring requirements on products to help educate and empower consumers.

Fortunately, top fabric and furniture manufacturers have developed more sustainable alternatives. For example,

Editor’s Note: Article has been revised from it’s original published version for the sake of clarioty

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Where does it come from?

A sofa made from natural materials may not be a truly green choice.

Consider the supply chain, too. Are natural raw materials sustainably grown and harvested? Are they made by companies with reputations for environmental stewardship according to green manufacturing principles?

What’s it made of?

Select natural fibers or materials like cotton or wood whenever possible.

However, if you prefer man-made fibers, ask about items made from recycled or post-consumer materials.

For example, Breathe by Milliken polyester fabrics are made from recycled plastic, and each sofa upholstered in this fabric diverts ninety to one hundred fifty plastic bottles from landfills.

How long will it last?

Durability is sustainability. Whether wood, molded plastic, or fabric, quality household items will remain in use, rather than in the landfill.

What happens when I’m done with it?

Opt for materials that consist of recycled or reused materials and/or those that biodegrade or can be easily recycled.

Have green claims been validated?

“Greenwashing,” or making untrue or inaccurate sustainability claims, is a pervasive problem across a range of industries. Opt for brands with thirdparty certifications. For example, products achieving GREENGUARD Gold certification have been screened to ensure they don’t contain any of the more than 10,000 chemicals commonly known to pollute the air we breathe.

Earning this certification means these fabrics meet the world’s most

rigorous chemical emission standards, improving indoor air quality and overall health. The Sustainable Furnishings Council is another excellent consumer resource.

Your home is your refuge. Knowing the facts about what you choose to put into it can allow you to feel better - literally and in terms of your environmental impact.

VALLEY VIEW

TANGLEWOOD

1945 Valley View Blvd.

4235 Electric Rd.

CHRISTIANSBURG

LYNCHBURG

220 Laurel St NE

5401 Fort Ave Growing Up

April 2018

17

Young & Mighty An interview with the Petersons, a local family affected by Mitochondrial Disease Photos by Beth Farnsworth

Tell us a little bit about your family.

John and I met at a church social. We both went to different churches, but our churches got together every month for a singing and fellowship social. We started dating, and married a year later. John and I have been married for going on thirty-one years. Grace, our oldest, is twenty-four, Charity is twenty-two, Josiah is nineteen, Faith is seventeen, and JC is nine. We have three dogs, a rabbit, and a hamster.

John works for Liberty University in the HR department. I am a full-time mom at home. Grace graduated from Liberty and works at the Bedford Museum, in Bedford. Charity currently works at Bedford Animal Hospital, and will be graduating from Liberty in May. Josiah is currently an online student at Liberty and is working as his brother’s aide. Faith is a junior at Jefferson Forest High School, and works at Bojangles.

How long have you lived in Southwest Virginia?

asked us to pick up their son. JC was two years four months old, and was only nineteen pounds. He flourished in a short amount of time, growing out of his twelve-month-size clothes, quickly into a size 2T. We took custody of JC in July 2010. We adopted him when he was five years old, after his biological parents relinquished their custody.

The day we received custody papers, JC got sick. He threw up all day and all night, and then again in the morning.

I took him to the doctor’s office, and they admitted him into the hospital because his sugar was thirty-eight, and his bicarbonate and other electrolytes were seriously wrong.

He spent several days in the hospital, getting fluids, while we thought he was struggling through a stomach bug.

We were told if he were to get sick again, to return to the doctor quickly, because they needed to make sure the same thing didn’t happen.

Tell us about JC, how and when did you discover his disease?

JC kept having bouts with vomiting and low sugars, especially in the morning. He went through every test out there, with sugars getting as low as twenty-two. We went to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where they said he had a glycogen storage disease, and wasn’t able to store sugars. We had to keep his sugars up during the night, or they would bottom out in the morning, making him sicker.

We have known JC since he was an infant. He came to our home one March morning, when his parents tested positive for drugs, and they

They inserted placed a gastric tube, enabling him to get constant sugars during the night. This surgery was the beginning of our answers for JC.

John and I moved here from California twenty-one years ago this July. We moved here so that my husband could get his degree at Liberty University, and we have lived here ever since.

It caused him a ten day hospital stay, and then went home on a low dose of continuous feeds. They thought he would never eat again.

JC continued vomiting and having issues with muscle pain, and by this time his pediatrician, our friend, Dr. Melody Ailsworth, told us she believed he had a mitochondrial disease, and felt he needed to be tested. There were so many systems failing at this time, that she just knew there was something else. This led us to Atlanta, where we met with Dr. John Shoffner.

He took a skin biopsy, and told us that JC did indeed have mitochondrial disease, but that he also had three harmful gene mutations, that cause muscle breakdown, and that one day, JC would have no muscle function at all. He had two things working against his muscles.

Today, JC is a happy, thriving nine year old. He gets hooked up to formula during the night, and receives IV hydration six to ten months out of the year, at times having to be TPN (total parental nutrition) dependent when his gut shuts down. He recently got fitted for a wheelchair, as there are days his legs hurt so much that he can’t walk, and he crawls around the house. His muscles have weakened, causing his ankles to give out and putting pressure on his feet, so his doctor has put in a prescription for him to be fitted with braces, to help support his ankles and feet.

JC’s teacher comes to the house two days a week for school, as JC is immunocompromised. He doesn’t get out, and we ask others to stay away if they are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick. A common cold or flu can be devastating to JC, potentially causing further muscle damage in his body.

How has JC’s disease affected your day-to-day life?

Mitochondrial disease is so tricky. We never know what we may face in each day. There have been numerous times where at two in the morning, JC will wake up vomiting. Immediately, we stop his nightly feeds and access his port, starting IV fluids. We then call his doctor, because we have to have labs drawn, and we immediately start TPN, to give his gut a break.

Usually, when JC wakes up vomiting,

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April 2018

his belly bloats, and he vomits for days, until his stomach and bowels wake up and start working again. He has gone as long as six months on TPN and as short as seven days. We never know how long his stomach and bowels will stop working, and we’ve been told that one day, they may stop forever.

JC also has a cecostomy tube, which allows me to flush out his bowel when he can’t do it himself. Just last week, he asked me to flush his colon, as he couldn’t go to the bathroom. We’ve been told his intestines are floppy and large, because they have gone so long without use.

taught me to do everything at home.

I access his needles, change both of his tubes, and change his IV/TPN bags.

This has allowed us to be home, and keep our family together and thriving!

What were some of your initial fears when you discovered JC had a mitochondrial disease?

The unknown. When we were sitting in Dr. Shoffner’s office in Atlanta without our other children, waiting to hear our diagnosis and prognosis, my husband and I just kept praying, asking God to help us be the parents JC needed, and for the grace to get through whatever Total Parenteral The mitochondrial cells God had entrusted us Nutrition: of the body are the with. When the results power house cells. It’s were read, we sat there Intravenous feeding like his body needs lots in disbelief. I asked that provides patients of rest to recharge his the Doctor “Are you with all the fluid and cells, so rest is key for saying that one day, JC the essential nutrients JC. We just never know will basically have no they need when they what our day holds. In muscle function at all? A are unable to feed the early days of this vegetable? Not able to themselves by mouth. medical journey, JC and walk? Talk?” The Doctor I spent over 386 days in sat down next to me, the hospital, over a two looked at me sadly, and year span. I stopped counting after said, “Yes. I can’t tell you when that that. will be, or what that will look like, but unfortunately your son has two things Thankfully, we have had many working against his muscles. He can’t awesome nurses and doctors who have break down sugar or store it, he can’t

break down fats, and you have a long, hard road ahead.” I just cried.

My husband and I were quiet on our ride back to the hotel. We didn’t want to talk in front of JC, who at that time,was just three and a half years old. We waited until he was asleep, and I cried. I remember my husband saying, “Honey, God brought JC into our lives for a purpose, and God will give us the grace to walk through each moment as it comes. We can do all things through Christ, and we will be stronger. We will raise JC to be an overcomer, and to know that God has a purpose for his little life. Our family will be stronger for all the adversity God is teaching us to love, as He loves, and we will make it, with God as the center.”

We have never looked back, but we have had to remind ourselves many times that God has a plan bigger than us, and we will trust in Him and know that He loves JC. He loves our family more than anything, and we are blessed!

How has the experience affected the siblings? How have friends and distant family reacted?

This journey has been difficult on our Growing Up

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21

older children. Our oldest, who was just 18 when JC was diagnosed, became mom on many occasions.

We had to go to Atlanta, leaving our other children at home, and our eighteen year-old in charge. She became chauffeur to her other siblings, and teacher, and more. Our next oldest daughter cooked meals and shopped for groceries.

It was a huge undertaking, and a burden for each of them, but they did it with gladness.

Straight from JC What do you wish you could tell strangers who may look at your ports funny?

I wish that I could tell them that some people do have ports, and that doesn’t mean that you have to look at them like that, that God made us, people that have ports different, that we are not all the same, that we want to be loved too.

Tell us about your parents and siblings. How do they take care of you, do they play games, read stories?

Sometimes my brothers or sisters play games with me. My dad reads the Bible with me. We watch movies together.

My mom cooks dinner for me, she puts my IV in, and my tubes, she takes me to appointments and surgeries.

Any advice for other kids who are sick or need medical help?

That any time you are afraid, you can put your trust in God. God will never leave you, and He is always with you.

We had full confidence when we were away for days on end that they were in God’s hands - and those of mature older siblings. Our kids have spent Christmas eating pizza in the cafeteria of the hospital, having been separated from their mother up to two weeks at a time, while I was with JC at the hospital. They have ultimately missed us for over 380 days, and have had their whole worlds turned upside down with medical equipment, nurses in and out of the home, and the uncertainty of what was to come.

Through it all, we have become stronger, and God is teaching us daily what it is to truly love someone.

We’ve had to realize we aren’t perfect, and that we can do anything with Christ at the center! Has it been easy? NO! Would we change a thing?

NO! We have been blessed beyond measure, and are thankful.

I have lost friends, as they don’t understand our lives. I was active in church, singing in choirs, playing piano, helping with children’s ministries alongside my husband, but all of that changed when JC kept getting sick, and we realized he couldn’t be at church or school anymore.

JC and I now have our home church, watching Thomas Road Baptist Church, and fellowshipping together each Sunday morning. We make it a time we can sing to the Lord, and be encouraged. I do have a lifelong friend who is patient. We can get together at the last minute when things are calm, but it definitely has been a huge change in our lives, one

we have all had to adjust too.

What’s a big misconception with either the disease or treatment plan that you wish you could teach the general public about?

People can be so judgmental. One day, I had to run into the store, and I parked in the handicap parking space.

I put JC’s mask on, and out we went.

For the longest time, until JC was about seven years old, I would lift him up and put him in the cart, because his legs would get painful, and he couldn’t walk, so parking near the front, after walking in the store, was a huge help.

One day, I got the nastiest look, and a woman muttered under her breath about us being a handicap parking abuser, and how disgusting we were. I want people to know, that sometimes, looking at someone from the outside, you never know what is happening on the inside. If she only knew that JC had just hidden his tube and his backpack filled with IV fluids because she had stared at him and muttered under her breath, and if she knew how embarrassed he was then she would have behaved differently We never know what someone is suffering with, or what their condition is. I remember that day, coming home and rubbing out cramps, because just walking in the store, JC was done in, and his legs paid the price.

We need to be kinder to one another, more patient and understanding. You never know what someone is going through, or has experienced.

What are some of your children’s longterm life goals?

Grace has graduated from LU with a degree in history. She loves history, and is blessed to work in her field at the Bedford Museum. Charity is graduating from LU with a degree in zoology, hoping to get into veterinary school and become a vet. Josiah is currently studying businesss at LU, and hopes to get into sales after graduating. Faith desires to one day become a police officer, or some sort of investigator in the police field one day. JC has big plans. He wants to be a police officer, astronaut, firefighter, teacher, salesman - you name it, he desires to become it! He loves cooking shows, and wants to be a chef one day too!

What advice would you give to someone who is a friend/family of someone with a serious medical diagnosis?

Be there. Listen. Don’t ask what you can do for them - just go do! They are going to be so overwhelmed, and if they have other children, they will feel guilty that they can’t do for them as they used to. They will feel guilty that they can’t clean the house or get a meal on like before. Let them know you are bringing a meal, let them know you are coming to clean their house or play games with the other children, while they go get some rest.

Write them encouraging words, or leave them a voice mail. If the journey is long, don’t forget them. Be there.

Love them!

What advice would you give to someone at the start of a lifelong medical journey such as yours?

DON’T EVER GIVE UP! Be your child’s advocate. Stand up for yourself, and your child, and don’t give up! Find a doctor you can trust, who loves your child just as much as you do. Research! Get

involved in groups who have the same conditions or symptoms, and find out all you can from them, as their experience can prevent a whole lot of future complications just from their own personal knowledge. Get a case management nurse through your insurance. Ours was invaluable, and got us through so many loopholes and roadblocks. Ask questions. If

you’re uncomfortable with a decision, get another one! You have to have confidence in your doctors, and I am so thankful for the team that looks after JC. We are blessed!

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April 2018

23

Science Eggs-periment Supplies

Narrow-necked bottle (opening smaller than the egg, preferably glass) Pe e l e d h a r d - b o i l e d e g g Matches Long strip of paper (shorter than the bottle) Wa t e r o r v e g e t a b l e o i l

Directions

1. Dip the narrow end of the egg in water or oil and take it out, shaking to free any large droplets.

2. Light the strip of paper and place it, flaming end down, completely inside the bottle.

3. Quickly place the egg, narrow end down, on the mouth of the bottle.

4 . Wa t c h a s t h e e g g i s s u c k e d i n t o t h e bottle when the flame goes out.

Experiment provided by The Science Museum of Western Virginia

What’s happening?

When the paper is lit and placed inside the bottle, it heats the air, which expands and escapes past the egg (you might even see the egg wiggle a little). When the fire goes out because it has consumed all of the oxygen in the bottle, the air inside the bottle cools down. Cool air takes up less space than hot air. When the experiment began, the air outside had equal pressure to the air inside, but when the fire goes out and the air begins to cool and takes up less space, it also is pushing less on the egg. This means that the air outside the egg is pushing down more than the air inside is pushing up, so the egg is pushed into the bottle.

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Growing Up

April 2018

What to Expect With the Process of Buying or Selling a Home Article Provided by Christy Crouch

T

he first step in the home-buying process is to get pre-approved for financing before looking at homes.

This not only gives buying power but also allows the buyer to go into the home-buying process with eyes wide open on the numbers. Talking with a lender will reveal how much cash is needed to close, what programs are available, what grants and help with down payments are available, and most importantly, to know what price range to stay under to keep monthly payments where the buyer wants to be.

The next step is finding just the right home. Once your right home is found, next is making an offer and negotiating terms and conditions.

After an offer is accepted, the next phase is the processing of paperwork with the realtors, lenders, and closing company, and getting inspections ordered.

After inspections are complete, it’s time to negotiate any repairs that may need to be done. There is a standard cap for sellers of $1,000 toward repairs unless otherwise agreed to by both buyer and seller. And all repairs must be done by licensed contractors unless otherwise agreed upon.

Once the inspection process is over, the lender will order the formal appraisal to ensure the home is worth what the buyer is paying. If the value doesn’t meet the sales price, one of

three things can happen: 1. The seller can come down to the appraised value.

2. The buyer can pay the difference out of pocket.

3. The contract can be declared null and void.

If there are any repairs required by the appraiser, this must be done prior to closing with enough time for the appraiser to go back out and reinspect to ensure the repairs are done to the appraiser’s satisfaction. In some cases, there is a fee involved if the appraiser has to visit the property for a second time and unless otherwise agreed upon, this fee is the buyer’s responsibility.

If you make it this far, it should be smooth sailing from here, and time to coordinate the final steps to closing and moving time!

Be aware no closing date is set in stone and is always subject to change.

Whether on the buying or selling side, when making any moving plans, do everything with flexibility in mind in case that closing date needs to change.

The home doesn’t become the buyer’s until after the final closing and recording. So, as a seller, you must maintain the home, utilities, and insurance until after the closing. As a buyer, you can’t move until you sign on the dotted line and it’s recorded at the courthouse.

Before the final closing, a final walkthrough will be scheduled with the buyer and their agent. The purpose of this is to make sure the home is in the same condition as when the offer was placed, as well as to make sure any repairs were done with receipts provided to the buyer.

Sellers, you should leave the home as you would want to find it if you were the buyer. Clean, tidy, grass mowed, emptied of all personal belongings, trash and debris. You can leave any appliance manuals, warranties, and such for the buyer out on the kitchen counter.

At the final closing, it generally takes thirty minutes to go through the paperwork on the buyer’s side and about fifteen more for the seller’s side. This is generally scheduled at different times for buyer and seller.

Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, if you’re bringing cash to the table at closing, the check will need to be made payable to the closing office in the form of a cashier’s check.

In a nutshell, that’s what you can expect for the process of buying and selling. If we can answer specific questions for you or be of support with helping you get successfully from one door to the next, please reach out to us. You can call or text me at 540-312-0085 or email me at christy@thecrouchteam.com.

Growing Up

April 2018

25

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Don’t forget to get some treats at the Strawberry Festival on May 4 and 5 at Elmwood Park.

7

Strawberry Recipes Strawberry Chia Pudding 2 cups almond milk 1 lb of hulled strawberries 1/2 cup chia seeds 1/4 cup honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1. Puree almond milk and strawberries in a blender until smooth.

2. Pour into mixture into a bowl. Stir in chia seeds, honey, and vanilla extract.

3. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours.

4. Serve with sliced strawberries

Strawberry Rhubarb Crunch 1 3 3 3 1 1 1 1

cup white sugar tablespoons all-purpose flour cups sliced fresh strawberries cups diced rhubarb 1/2 cups all-purpose flour cup packed brown sugar cup butter cup rolled oats

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 2. In a large bowl, mix white sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, strawberries, and rhubarb. Place the mixture in a 9x13 inch baking dish.

3. Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar, butter, and oats until crumbly. You may want to use a pastry blender for this.

4. Crumble on top of the rhubarb and strawberry mixture.

5. Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until crisp and lightly browned.

Strawberry Banana Muffins 2 eggs 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/4 cup vegetable oil 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 bananas, mashed 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 cup frozen sliced strawberries

Quick Strawberry Ice Cream

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

1 (10oz) package frozen sliced strawberries 1/2 cup sugar 2/3 cup heavy cream

2. Grease 12 large muffin cups, or line with paper liners.

1. Combine the frozen strawberries and sugar in a food processor or blender. Process until the fruit is roughly chopped.

2. With the processor running, slowly pour in the heavy cream until fully incorporated. Serve immediately, or freeze for up to one week.

3. Whisk together the eggs, applesauce, oil, brown sugar, vanilla and bananas. Combine the flour, baking soda and cinnamon; Stir into the banana mixture until moistened.

4. Stir in the strawberries until evenly distributed. Spoon batter into muffin cups until completely filled.

5. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when pressed lightly. Cool before removing from the muffin tins.

Growing Up

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Come, Sing With Us! RVCC Auditions

Auditions for boys and girls ages 7-17 May 5, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | May 7 & 10, 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM duPont Chapel, Hollins University Singers should come prepared to sing the first verse of “My Country Tis of Thee”.

Schedule an audition by calling or texting: 540-RChorus Email: auditions@childrenschoir.com Come, Sing with us and join our nationally recognized, 280 voice choir.

3 Training Choirs and a Concert Choir Directed by Kimberly R. Davidson

Shaping children’s voices and building character since 1987.

childrenschoir.com/auditions

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Join us for the BEST SUMMER EVER! Y Summer Camp offers four camp locations for children ages 3 - 12 years old*.

Early Bird Special ends April 30 - sign up to save $10 per week of camp!

Learn more at www.ymcavbr.org/summercamp *Ages vary by location

Strawberry Balsamic Dressing 1 cup strawberries 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1. In a food processor or blender, pulse the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl toss 1 cup of shredded chicken, 2 cups of chopped romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup diced strawberries, 1/4 cup of dried cranberries, 1/4 cup of diced red onion, 1/8 cup of goat cheese, and a handful of sliced almonds. Toss with dressing or drizzle on top of served portions.

Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade 8 cups cubed seedless watermelon 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 1 cup white sugar 2 cups water 1. Combine watermelon, strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and water in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve over ice.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad 3/4 cup butter, softened 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 1/2 cups crushed pretzels 1 (6oz) package strawberry Jell-O® 2 cups boiling water 3 cups strawberries, chilled 1 (8oz) package cream cheese 1 cup white sugar 1 (8oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Cream butter with the brown sugar.

3. Mix in the pretzels and pat mixture into the bottom of one 9x13 inch baking pan.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. Set aside to cool.

5. In a medium bowl, dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water and stir in the strawberries. Chill until partially thickened.

6. In a small bowl beat the cream cheese and white sugar together until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream.

7. Spread mixture over the top of the cooled crust, making sure to seal the edges. Chill then pour the gelatin mixture over the cream cheese layer.

Spring Break April 2nd - 6th

Mountain Day April 20th

Community School’s

Strawberry Festival May 4th & 5th

CHS Theatre

“You Can’t Take it With You” A Kaufman & Hart’s Comedy

Strawberry Elves

May 18th & 19th 7:30pm

Directions: 1. In a small bowl, whisk the cream cheese and preserves until evenly combined.

2. Place cream cheese mixture into a ziplock bag. Snip corner to create a piping bag.

3. Slice 1/2 inch off of the top of the strawberries, fill with cream cheese and place top “hat” back on.

1/4 cup whipped cream cheese 1 tablespoon strawberry preserves 1 pint of hulled strawberries optional chocolate chips

4. Use two mini chocolate chips in the cream cheese center as eyes.

Spring Exams May 23rd, 24th & 25th

CHS Graduation June 1st

“Always remember on those days you feel you are failing that those little innocent eyes staring back at you think you hang the moon!”

Parent of the Month

Teresa Toup Mother of Ryder, Roanoke,VA Tell us about your family.

What makes my little family special is that I never thought it would happen.

I had focused on my career early in life and felt my time had passed in becoming a mom - until I was blessed with the most precious little boy. My family consists of me and my seven year old son, Ryder. It may be small but it is big in love. We have two cats, Will and Pumpkin, and a dog, Logan.

Where did you go to school?

Where did you grow up?

Why did you choose a medical profession?

I was born and raised in West Virginia.

I lived in Martinsburg until I was twelve when we moved to Oak Hill to be closer to my mom's family since my dad passed away. I moved to Roanoke in 1999.

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I graduated from Oak Hill High School in 1991. I received my associates segree in respiratory care from the College of West Virginia in 1994. I decided to go back to college fourteen years later to get my Bachelors in healthcare management from Jefferson College of Health Sciences.

It's the old cliché: I didn't choose it, it chose me. I was the last person you'd have ever thought would work in the medical field. I had never heard of respiratory therapy until I looked at the college catalog. I read

the description, thought it sounded interesting, and enrolled in college.

The first semester, I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life.

They were telling me I had to suction snot and stick people for blood! I thought they had lost their minds.

However, that all changed the day I started my clinicals in the hospital. I absolutely fell in love with respiratory therapy. I can't see myself doing anything else.

How long have you been a medical professional?

I've been a respiratory therapist for twenty-four years.

What’s your favorite memory relating to your career?

Oh my gosh! There are so many.

I've had the privilege of working in a number of specialized fields of respiratory care in several settings, like the hospital, home health care, and the transport team. I always dreamed about being a transport respiratory therapist and had the privilege of working on neonatal/ pediatric transport team for 7 years. there is no greater honor than to have parents trusting me to provide life saving procedures to their child. I have so many fond memories of my years on the transport team that will last me a lifetime.

How do you balance work and family life?

I learned long ago to separate work from family life. No matter how much I love being a respiratory therapist, I love being a mom more. I learned to leave all the blood, sweat, and tears at work, because when I'm home I want to be able to be present, mind and body. I switched jobs and went back to the hospital for three-hour shifts between seven at night and seven in the morning because at this stage of my son's life it works better. When I'm at work, he's sleeping...while he's in school, I'm sleeping. I am able to get him off the bus, do homework, and fix and eat dinner with him every night before I go to work. It's not ideal, and not for everyone, but you do what you have to do for your family.

Number one piece of advice you give your patients?

STOP SMOKING!!

What are you most proud of professionally and personally?

Quick Facts Favorites:

Professionally, what could be more rewarding than saving the life of another human being? I am proud to be a respiratory therapist and proud of the other dedicated professionals that sacrifice so much so selflessly. I'm proud that I was given the opportunity to be an influence in molding the future of my profession by being a clinical preceptor to respiratory therapy students.

Book: Love You Forever Movie: Gone With the Wind Color: Pink Candy Bar: 3 Musketeers School subject: Math and science Local Restaurant: Wing Boss

Personally, I've been proud of many things in my life but nothing beats being a mom! Every milestone, no matter how big or small, I am proud to be Ryder's mom.

Pizza or Burgers? Pizza Taco or Spaghetti? Spaghetti Cash or Credit? Cash Sneakers or Sandals? Sandals Apple or Android? Android

Choices:

Any advice for working parents?

It's hard juggling work and parenting... but do your best and don't compare yourself to anyone else. Always remember on those days you feel you are failing that those little innocent eyes staring back at you think you hang the moon!

Any advice for future medical students?

Have compassion. If you lose the compassion, you need to find another profession!

Fill in Blanks: If I wasn’t in the career I am now, I would be a Teacher The best word to describe me is Independent If I had to spend $1000 in 24 hours, I would have my backyard landscaped for a more kid-friendly yard.

Expires April 30, 2018

Growing Up

April 2018

33

SUMMER CAMPS

To register, go to

2018

roanokechildrenstheatre.org “We enrolled because of our desire for our child to be taught according to an uncompromised Christian worldview.

We know that the world wants our child’s heart and mind. RVCS is on the same page with us in fighting for our child’s heart to belong to Christ.”

RVCS Offers: Renovated School Buildings Smaller Class Sizes Dual Enrollment Opportunities International Exchange Student Program Christian-based Education

We aim to empower women across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic boundaries to create space for themselves and their children in their work and leisure life, so as to breastfeed their children as they see fit.

Get in Touch

B.R.E.A.S.T. Roanoke

Support & Projects

(540) 366-2432 ext. 127 | rvcs@sbcfamily.org | 6520 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA 24019

Bi-Monthly Meet-Ups Facebook Community Baby Station at Events Connecting with Health Professionals & Businesses & More!!

BREASTRoanoke.org BREASTRoanoke@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @BREASTRoanoke

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Boo-Boos & Band-Aids

Do you know when it’s a good idea to head to the emergency room after your child has had an accident? It may surprise you to learn how little the ER can help your child in some cases, and that it may be better (not to mention cheaper) to go to your family doctor or urgent care service provider.

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Growing Up

April 2018

of the neck along with headache should be seen at the emergency room. Chronic, but mild, headaches should be brought to your family doctor’s attention.

Broken Bone Depending on the type of break and which bone is broken, you may be able to go to urgent care for X-rays and setting of the break. Any bone that breaks skin should be seen at an emergency room.

Fingers and toes often can’t be set at all. Treat with pain reliever medication, use cold compresses for swelling, and immobilize with a splint from a pharmacy. Follow up as soon as possible with your family doctor, who can refer you to a specialist if needed.

Burns & Blisters When your child burns himself, depending on the severity of the burn you can either treat at home or bring him to urgent care. (A severe, large burn, often resulting from rare, larger events and not small kitchen accidets, needs to be seen at the emergency room.) Gently clean the wound with water, apply a burn ointment or aloe vera lotion, and keep covered. Do not pop blisters that may form. If they become cumbersome, call your doctor for further instruction.

Mysterious Rash

Vomiting

Unless the rash is combined with other worrisome symptoms such as severe headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness and such, rashes can be treated at your family doctor’s office.

Most stomach illnesses pass on their own in a few days, often not requiring a trip to the doctor at all. However, if your child is unable to keep water down and is showing signs of dehydration, call your doctor’s office for further advice. Rarely, children require IV hydration while waiting out the virus.

Deep Cuts If your child has cut himself in such a way that a simple bandage of clean gauze and pressure can’t stop the bleeding, he may require stitches. Urgent care services can often handle such cuts.

Head Hit Any head hit that causes loss of consciousness should be treated at the emergency room. If your child did not lose consciousness but she still suspect a concussion, you can be treated at most urgent care centers.

Difficulty Breathing If your child is finding it difficult to breathe bring them to the emergency room or call 911. This could be caused by an unknown allergy, asthma attack, or symptom of a bad cold or cough.

Bad Cough Coughs can sound terrible and be one of the hardest symptoms to watch your child suffer through. Your family doctor should be your first choice, but if a coughing fit is impairing your child’s ability to breathe, take him to an emergency room as soon as possible.

Headache Mild headaches can be treated at home with medication, but chronic or severe pain could point to a more worrying illness. Changes in vision, convulsions, or swelling

High Fever For newborns, a high fever (100.4F and above) can bring on serious complications and should be seen at an emergency room. Older children with fevers not coming down with medicine should be seen by your family doctor.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not personal medical advice.

Please consult with your doctor for any medical concern and call 911 for emergency assistance.

Go. Play. See.

April

From left to right: Chicago presented by Hollins University on April 12 through 21.

Vinton’s Dogwood Festival returns yet again April 25 through 29. Salem Red Sox Season Opener is April 5 against Buies Creek! Celebrate Earth Day in Grandin Village on April 21. Enjoy Mother Goose Tales at the Waldron Stage in downtown Roanoke May 5 and 12.

All Month Long Family Fun Nights Amazementsquare.org The second Saturday of every month at Amazement Square in Lynchburg. Families are invited to enjoy family fun night at Amazement Square from 4 PM to 7 PM, when admission is just $3 per person.

Psychedelic Saturdays Launchingpadsalem.com 8 PM to 10 PM at Launching Pad in

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Salem. Jump in lasers and black lights and turn up the beat! All ages are welcome, $17 per person.

Kids Make Art Hollins.edu/museum First Saturday of the month from 1 PM to 3 PM at Wetherill Visual Arts Center at Hollins University. Local artists and educators design and lead art- making projects and movementbased activities for participants of all ages. Free to attend.

Kid Yoga Lifeinbalancecenter.com 11 AM on first & third Saturdays at the Life in Balance Center in Christiansburg.

Join us for a relaxing yoga class aimed at children ages 5-9.

Classes are $8 each.

Mother Goose Tales millmountain.org May 5 & 12 at 11 AM and 1 PM at the Waldron Stage in Downtown Roanoke.

When siblings Jack & Jill decide they’re too old for bedtime stories, they suddenly are whisked away

to a strange land and have to find their way home. On their journey they meet Nursery Rhyme characters: the Itsy Bitsy Spider, Little Bo Peep, Humpty Dumpty and more, who lead them to the Queen: Mother Goose, who will help them get back home!

A collection of wellknown fairy tales and nursery rhymes will come to life in song and pantomime.

Children from MMT’s Conservatory will perform these classic tales for other children. In conjunction with this production, MMT will distribute free books

to student audience members, as part of our initiative ofconnecting theatre to literacy. All tickets are pay-what-you-can and only available 30 minutes prior to each performance.

Oklahoma rutheatretickets.com 540-831-5289 April 10-15 at Pridemor Playhouse at Radford University. the great american classic musical “Oklahoma!” sweeps like a prairie wind across the Charles L. Hayes Stage, recalling a simpler time and the indomitable

Homemade Shortcakes

Strawberry Treats

FRIDAY, MAY 4, 10:00AM-5:30PM SATURDAY, MAY 5, 10:00AM-4:00PM ELMWOOD PARK • ROANOKE, VA Enjoy the festival Friday and Saturday!

Friday Shortcake-to-Go Kits Delivered to your home or office Saturday Kid's Games - Arts & Crafts - Live Music

Purchase Your Treats Online Now and Save!

Tickets All proceeds benefit Community School

StrawberryFestivalRoanoke.org

October 27, 2018 Abingdon, VA Learn more at komenvablueridge.org Our Sponsors:

Located in Abingdon, VA

that built a great nation. Come warm your heart and tap your boots to such hummable favorites as “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” and, of course, the rousing title anthem!

General admission is $10, senior and group discounts available.

Civil War Weekend townofbuchanan.com April 27 to 29, enjoy a full day of family activities.

Civil War-Era camps will open in the morning and remain open throughout the weekend.

Special displays and reenactments highlight the life and times of the Civil War era and life in Buchanan. Enjoy guest speakers, period music and costumed reenactors.

A Chorus Line millmountain.org April 25 to May 13 at Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke.

Tickets start at $20.

Professional Bull Riders: Velocity Tour theberglundcenter.com April 13 and 14 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke. The PBR’s Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour is full of thrilling, adrenalinefilled, edge-of-your seat excitement!

Tickets start at $17.

Vinton Dogwood Festival vintondogwoodfestival.com Fun-filled festival in Downtown Vinton April 25 to 29, featuring five days of carnival fun by Cole Shows as well asnightly entertainment.

Activities include the annual parade, entertainment stages, games, crafts, vendors, free children’s activity area, antique car show, and more. The Dogwood Festival is the oldest continuous festival in the valley!

Free gate admission.

Carnival rides, games and entertainment costs vary.

Hollins Theatre Presents: Chicago hollins.edu/theatre April 12 to 14 at 7:30 PM, April 15 at 2 PM, and April 18 to 21 at 7:30 PM at the Hollins Theatre in Roanoke. The winner of six Tony Awards, Chicago is an electrifying tale of greed, murder, and showbiz, filled with such hit songs as “All That Jazz” and “Razzle Dazzle,” with thrilling dances originally choreographed by legendary Bob Fosse.

This ground breaking musical cunningly explores our tendency to turn criminals

into celebrities. Not recommended for children. Admission is $10 for general public Current Hollins students, faculty, and staff may receive one free ticket.

2018 CIAA Softball Championship theciaa.com April 30 to May 2 at Moyer Park in Salem.

Free to attend.

Monday • April 2 Light It Up Blue! braacroanoke.org 6 PM at Elmwood Park in Roanoke. Join the community for an evening of celebrating autism awareness and turning Roanoke BLUE! Bring a blanket and a picnic basket filled with your dinner, & join the community for a picnic dinner and activities for the kids!

Saturday • April 7 Early Bird Craft Fair & Gardening Primer theearlybird.eventbrite.com 8 AM to 4 PM at 16 West Marketplace in downtown Roanoke. The fair will include gardening, crafting and urban homesteading demonstrations as well as an outdoor street festival of vendors, locavore

foods, seeds, seedlings, seed exchange, used garden gear tent, small farm animal education, and more.

Rain date for this fair is Saturday, April 14th.

This event is FREE and family friendly!

40th Annual Clean Valley Day. cleanvalley.org This valley-wide clean-up promotes respect and care for the beautiful community we share.

Pick your spot – a park, playground, roadside, stream bank, or your very own neighborhood, and help get rid of the litter and make it a cleaner, healthier place for all. Please help us to keep our valley beautiful and its waterways clean.

All volunteers are provided with trash bags and gloves. First 500 volunteers receive a free T-shirt.

Virginia Family Expo growingupinthevalley.com 10 AM at the Salem Civic Center. Find the best the valley has to offer for your family, along with some entertainment for the little ones! Free to attend.

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Go. Play. See. Sunday• April 8

Wednesday • April 11

Diagon Valley’s Magical French Ballet & Dinner diagonvalley.org

2018 Senior Fun & Health Day salemciviccenter.com

6 PM at the Patrick Henry Ballroom.

Come enjoy a magical evening of dance with the French witchcraft academy! $30 per person, $25 for ages 12 and under.

10 AM at the Salem Civic Center. A fun-filled event for Seniors 55+! Enjoy live music, dance instruction, cooking demonstrations, bingo, and more!

Free event for our community’s seniors!

Tuesday • April 10

Thursday • April 12

Free Cone Day benandjerrys.com

Sushi Making Class gourmetpantryonline. com

Noon to 8 PM at Ben & Jerry’s at Valley View Mall in Roanoke.

delicious and elegant sushi with a hands-on class. $75 per person.

Blacksburg Children’s Chorale Spring Concert 7 PM at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.

Blacksburg Children’s Chorale presents their spring concert titled Together As One. We will sing songs devoted to unity, peace, and diversity.

Free to attend, donations accepted.

6 PM at Gourmet Pantry in Blacksburg.

Learn how to make

In the Heart of Downtown Roanoke Since 1882

Purchase your food from a trusted source.

Locally Grown

Vegetables • Fruits • Plants Plus a Variety of

Fresh Meats • Baked Goods • Handcrafted Items

Open Daily Visit RoanokeMarket.com for more information.

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Go. Play. See. Friday • April 13 Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: The Music of Journey salemciviccenter.com Reaching terrific retro-pop heights, it’s JOURNEY, fully orchestrated and performed by RSO’s friends and audience favorites Jeans ‘n Classics. Tickets start at $42.

Saturday • April 14 Hello Trolley & New Work Featuring The Roanoke Youth Symphony jeffcenter.org

2 PM & 7 PM at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke. Conductor Charlie and his whimsical friends take a trolley ride through their hometown of Roanoke, reveling in the excitement and wonder of the world, from the everyday to the truly spectacular. Join Artistic Director Pedro Szalay, the Southwest Virginia Ballet, and the Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra for this joyous stage adaptation of Hello Trolley, the sensational children’s book by Roanoke author, Claudia Moore. Tickets start at $8 for children and $23 for adults.

2018 Chocolate Festival rotary-clubof-blacksburg. mycloveronline.com/ categories 11 AM to 4 PM in downtown Blacksburg.

Join us as we taste our way through downtown Blacksburg with over 20 different kinds of artisan chocolates. There will be kids’ activities and a beer & wine garden along with live music. Tickets are $1.00 per chocolate tasting.

Family Four Pack Buy 3, Get 1 Free!

MAY 8

A dizzying display of magical fun for the whole family!

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Salem Red Sox Home Games Kick of spring by cheering on the Salem Red Sox in America’s pastime, baseball! Tickets range from $8-$15 per game, with senior and children discounts available as well as season passes. Learn more and buy tickets at salemsox.com.

Opening Night Thursday, April 5 7:05 PM vs Buies Creek Game of Thrones Night Friday, April 6 7:05 PM vs Buies Creek Halfway to Halloween Night Saturday, April 7 6:05 PM vs Buies Creek Sunday, April 8 2:05 PM vs Bules Creek Monday, April 9 7:05 PM vs Wilmington Tuesday, April 10 7:05 PM vs Wilmington Wednesday, April 11 7:05 PM vs Wilmington Monday, April 16 7:05 PM vs Potomac

Tuesday, April 17 7:05 PM vs Potomac Wednesday, April 18 11 AM vs Potomac Tuesday, April 24 7:05 PM vs Frederick Wednesday, April 25 7:05 PM vs Frederick College Rivalry Night Thursday,April 26 7:05 PM vs Frederick Autism Awareness Night Friday, April 27 7:05 PM vs Myrtle Beach Star Wars Night Saturday, April 28 6:05 PM vs Myrtle Beach Sunday, April 29 2:05 PM vs Myrtle Beach

Go. Play. See. Friday • April 20 Tyler’s Trek braacroanoke.org 4 PM at Roanoke College in Salem.

Join us for the 11th Annual Tyler’s Trek at Roanoke College! A fun, interactive event in honor of Tyler Turner.

Last year, this event raised over $3,000 for our students! This year we will be bringing back the silent auction of OUR STUDENT’S ART and more! Come out and run, walk, bike, or just hang out. Bring the kids! Bid on art work, enjoy some great food, and show your support!

Registration is $10-$15.

Saturday • April 21 10th Fork & Cork Festival blacksburg forkandcork.com 1 PM to 6 PM at Virginia Tech’s Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg.

Calling all food, wine, and art enthusiasts!

Come take part and delight yourself in wine samplings from award-winning Virginia wineries and cideries, cooking demonstrations, handmade creations by local artists, and live music. Sit back, sip, savor, and come enjoy an afternoon with us!

Advance tickets are $25, $30 at the door.

Non-drinking tickets available for $5 in advance or $10 at the door.

Blue Ridge Kite Festival s-rcchamber.org/blueridge-kite-festival/

Oyster Roast 2018 squareup.com/ store/parkway brewingcompany

10 AM - 4 PM at Green Hill Park in Salem. Join us for an outdoor day of kite fun and celebration accented by many happy kite flyers of all skill levels. There will be arts, crafts, and corporate vendors, along with tasty treats from amazing food vendors. The field is large enough for kids to run, play, and fly kites, while others will nap on a blanket, stare at the kite-covered sky, or simply sit and enjoy excellent peoplewatching and event happenings across the park. Free to attend.

1 PM to 7 PM at Parkway Brewery in Salem. Bruno’s GastroTruck will be serving up Rappahannock River Oysters. We’ll have music from two great bands, The Harwell Grice Band and Relacksachian, and our freshest craft brews will be on tap. $10 advance ticket, $15 at the door.

Blue Ridge Marathon blueridgemarathon.com 8 AM in downtown Roanoke. Join us for one of the nation’s most unique marathons. There are several length and difficulty options available for all racers, including families!

Earth Day Festival earthdayroanoke.com All day at the Grandin Village neighborhood in Roanoke. Fun activities for kids, special events, live music, and food. Displays include: Electric vehicles, bike exhibits, composting, renewable energy, recycling, community gardens, and more!

An amazing day for your family with FREE admission.

Sunday • April 22 The Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir Presents “A Little Spring Music” jeffcenter.org 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke. Tickets start at $18.

Friday • April 27 Loco Rooftop Fiesta salsanoke.com 7:30 PM at Center in the Square in downtown Roanoke.

Salsa Noke is proud to bring the biggest Latin Party once again!

We will have DJs, live music, pro instructors, photo booth, themed dates, and food to please everyone. $15 cover charge includes dance lesson and party.

Attendees must be 18+ years old.

Go. Play. See. Duke University vs.

Virginia Tech hokiesports.com/ baseball/ 6 PM to 10 PM at the English Field at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Watch the Virginia Tech baseball team compete against ACC opponent Duke University! Because of the outdoor nature of this event, we encourage you to contact the university to ensure the event has not been postponed or cancelled due to weather conditions.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children age 3-17 years old, and free for fans age 2 and under.

VT students with ID are free.

Saturday • April 28 Rolling on the River Food Truck Rodeo visitradford.com 11 AM to 7 PM at Bisset Park in Radford. Come enjoy over 25 food trucks, live music, and fun activities for kids!

Come for a complete beginner’s pole lesson, no prior experience needed, and stay for the shopping and making new friends.

This is a mature 18+ event. Tickets are $25 in advance online and $30 at the door!

Claytor Lake Ness Monster Obstacle Course Race runsignup.com/Race/ VA/Dublin/CLM 9 AM at Clayor Lake State Park in Dublin.

This race is a challenging, but doable, obstacle course race featuring 3-4 miles of wild terrain and wicked obstacles. Families are welcome, but we ask that children 12 & under race with an adult. 13 and over will be at the discretion of the parent - please note that the course takes you through the woods and your child should be comfortable with navigating course markings. Sign up before April 11th to receive a T-shirt! Race registration starts at $25.

Girls Night Out at Arete aretepolefitness.com

Party for the Planet mmzoo.org

A night of fun for women organized by women. This will be a night like no other!

Leave your insecurities at the door and join us for a night of women empowering women!

Ever wanted to spin. on a pole? What about learning to love yourself, tapping into your sensuality, and losing your inhibitions?

When women support each other, amazing things can happen!

11 AM at the Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke. Come celebrate Earth Day with a Party for the Planet at Mill Mountain Zoo. Enjoy fun activities for the whole family!

See our wonderful collection of animals, including vulnerable or endangered species, and chat with zookeepers.

Participate in neat Earth-friendly art activities and learn what you can do to help the planet! All activities are included with zoo admission.

8th Annual Bike Shorts Film Festival ridesolutions.org/ bikeshorts 7 PM to 9 PM at the Grandin Theatre in Roanoke. The Bike Shorts Film Festival features shorts films produced by local, national, and international filmmakers spotlighting bicycles, bicyclists, and bicycling in interesting, creative, and surprising ways. From music videos to zombie movies, the Bike Shorts Film Festival highlights some of the incredible creativity that southwest and central Virginia have to offer.

Admission is $9.75 (adult)/$5 (child)

Tuesday • May 1 Broadway in Roanoke 25th Anniversary Celebration theberglundcenter.com 5 PM to 7 PM at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre in Roanoke.

You’re invited to join us for a celebration!

Activities include: renewing/updating season subscriptions, selecting new season packages, Sampling cuisine from the Broadway Buffet and Speakeasy, the announcement of the

Wednesday • May 2 Joe Bonamassa theberglundcenter. com 8 PM at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre in Roanoke.

Hailed worldwide as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation, Joe Bonamassa has almost single-handedly redefined the bluesrock genre and brought it into the mainstream.

He will be backed by a stellar band of legendary musicians featured on Joe’s Grammy-nominated album Live At The Greek Theatre and amazing backup vocalists who will bring a whole new life to the show. It will feature new songs alongside careerspanning favorites.

Tickets start at $81.

Saturday • May 5 Smith Mountain Lake Brews & Tunes Festival 2018 visitsmithmountain lake.com 1 PM at Smith Mountain Lake YMCA. Come and enjoy multiple variations of food vendors. as well as 20 local and regional craft breweries and cideries representing over 50 craft beers.

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Enjoy live music and check out over 60 quality craft vendors.

Tasters will receive a complimentary commemorative glass upon entry. Admission and tasting ticket $27.24.

Tuesday • May 8 The Illusionists theberglundcenter. com 7:30 PM at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre in Roanoke. Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts, and acts of breathtaking wonder, THE ILLUSIONISTS has shattered box office records worldwide and thrilled audiences of all ages with a mindblowing spectacular showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of five of the most incredible illusionists on Earth.

Tickets start at $41.50.

Friday • May 18

Tuesday • May 22

Raise the Roof Gala citymarketbuilding. com/charter-hall/

Paw Patrol Live! theberglundcenter. com

6 PM to 9 PM at Charter Hall, in the City Market Building in downtown Roanoke.

Help us Raise the Roof (and raise funds to replace our roof) at Unity of Roanoke Valley! Festivities include door prizes, a 50/50 drawing, silent auctions (with an amazing selection of items to bid on!), live music, and heavy hors d’oeuvres with cash bar.

May 22-23 at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre in Roanoke. All paws on deck! Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment Group present PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” an all-new actionpacked, musicfilled production based on the toprated animated preschool series PAW Patrol produced

by Spin Master Entertainment. The new live stage show, which follows the heroic pups as they embark on a piratethemed adventure to uncover hidden treasure, will visit Berglund Center!

PAW Patrol Live!

“The Great Pirate Adventure” includes two acts and an intermission, and incorporates an innovative costume approach to help bring the pups to life on stage, as well as their vehicles and packs during the adventure. The performance is interactive, engaging audiences to learn pirate catchphrases, dance the pirate boogie, and help the pups follow the treasure map and solve picture puzzles during their mission!

Tickets start at $21.

Saturday • May 19 Hustle for the Homeless runsignup.com/ Race/VA/Roanoke/ HustlefortheHomeless 9 AM in downtown Roanoke. This 5K run/ walk fundraiser for The Least of These Ministry. We are a non-profit

Saturday • May 12 Gallop 4 the Greenway runsignup.com/ Race/VA/Roanoke/ gallop4thegreenways 5 PM at River’s Edge Park in Roanoke. This 5k race winds around the beautiful Roanoke River Greenway to Wasena Park and loops back to the starting line, where festivities await! A RunAbout Sports Water Stop will be located at the end of the loop at Wasena Park.

organization that serves/ houses the homeless living on the streets of the Roanoke Valley. We encourage experienced runners as well as individual walkers, walking groups and families to participate! The runners will start off this event and the walkers will follow. $25 for race registration.

SEE OUR FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT GROWINGUPINTHEVALLEY.COM/EVENTS

2018-2019 Broadway in Roanoke season, meet and mingle with other Broadway fans, and bBackstage tours of the Performing Arts Theatre. Free to attend.

Karaoke Trivia & Game Nights Costumed Characters DJ for all occasions AFFORDABLE & Mobile!

434.489.2741

fb.com soundwaveentertains soundwaveentertains@gmail.com

Something FUN For Everyone!

Roller Skating Arcade Games Kids’ Play Zone Snack Bar Free Wifi KidsSkateFree.com Participating Center

540-890-2250 |1620 E. Washington Ave Vinton, VA 24179 | FirehouseSkate.com Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Can you tell us a bit about your books?

Local Author M. H. Bradford

MOON, GORGEOUS MOON, my first publication, is 100% inspired by my adventures of being a stay-at-home dad. Sam’s blooming imagination and the discovery of his new world reignited a child-like dormancy that has me bursting with ideas. Every small thing we do translates into an adventure. WILD STYLES, which is my newest publication coming out in late April/early May is a colorful and playful book featuring endangered animals wearing a wide variety of clothing accessories.

My goal with WILD STYLES is to hopefully encourage and inspire our younger generation to take a more active role in conservation and preservation as outlined in the foreword of the book. And perhaps maybe refresh more responsible, seasoned minds as well Have you always wanted to be an author?

Tell us about you and your family, how long have you lived in the SWVA area?

I’m a native of Roanoke, Virginia, where I live with my wife Laura, our son, Sam, and our sweet golden retriever, Willow. We moved to Richmond for Laura to attend Pharmacy school, but returned to Roanoke to be with our extended family. This wouldn’t be possible without the love, support, and encouragement of my lovely, strong, and intelligent wife Laura. She’s the fuel that keeps this family going!

I am a musician at heart. I actually play in a jazz trio here in Roanoke. I think that the process of songwriting, rhyming, and the percussive flow of words assisted tremendously in me becoming an author. Writing MOON, GORGEOUS MOON, my first publication, was actually a bucket-list item the flourished into a passion that I can’t quite explain. Once I announced that I was releasing MOON, GORGEOUS MOON, I received an overwhelming response from our wonderful community. I am forever thankful of the support I received and continue to receive on a daily basis!

Learn more at MHbradford.com Who are some of your role models?

I just knew I was going to be 007 one day and I’d get a call from the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS).

Not the Sean Connery, Roger Moore, or Timothy Dalton 007. Oh no! I was going to be the Pierce Brosnan 007; hair and everything! Not to mention, Goldeneye for Nintendo 64 was my favorite game.

What piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers?

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time by J.K. Rowling; “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” If you have a dream, an idea, a passion, or a desire to do something, DO IT! What was your favorite book when you were young?

My favorite book growing up was Margaret Wise Brown’s “Fox Eyes”.

Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin or Gryffindor?

Hogwarts… HOGWARTS?! Can I not come from the Durmstrang Institute instead?! Okay, Okay, I’d have to say Gryffindor. Not Ravenclaw because Rowena would scare me, like, everyday. Not Slytherin, because, well, that’s like not cool at all. And not Hufflepuff because who knows anyone from Hufflepuff?!

Editor’s Note: I’m a proud Hufflepuff.

Star City Little Library Need a Book? Take a Book. Have a Book? Leave a Book.

Little Libraries are a great way to spread literacy and entertainment throughout our communities. Every month Growing Up in the Valley will restock the little libraries with great books for your whole family and we welcome your donations as well! Stop by our locations to see what surprises we have in store, and maybe leave a gently used book for someone else to enjoy.

Locations:

Hometown Bank – 3521 Franklin Rd SW - Roanoke, VA 24014 & 4225 Colonial Ave – Roanoke, VA 24018 Roanoke Ballet Theatre – 1318 Grandin Rd SW – Roanoke, VA 24015 Launching Pad – 1300 Intervale Dr – Salem, VA 24153 LewisGale Medical Center – 1900 Electric Rd – Salem, VA 24153 Amtrak Station – Downtown Roanoke Market Square North Shopping Center, Corner of Williamson and Peters Creek - Roanoke, VA 24019 Roanoke Main Post Office - 419 Rutherord Avenue - Roanoke, VA 24022 Bounce Roanoke - 3424 Orange Avenue - Roanoke, VA 24012 Smart Beginnings/United Way - 325 Campbell Avenue SW - Roanoke, VA 24011 Prestige Gymnastics - 2726 Lee Highway - Troutville, VA 24175

COMING THIS SUMMER...

JOIN 11,000 ATHLETES FROM 55+ SPORTS IN WORLD CLASS FACILITIES

Build Your Own Garden Box

Estimated Cost: $100 Estimated Time: 1 Day Materials A- 4 pieces of 2×10 lumber – 120″ long, 2 pieces – 144″ long B – 6 pieces of 2×10 lumber – 48″ long, 4 pieces – 72″ long C – 8 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 18 1/2″ long D – 8 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 72″ long, 5 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 144″ long E – 1 piece of 1×3 lumber – 144″ long

Upcoming Play D.I.Y: SeeSaw

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Supplies • 4 pieces of 2×10 lumber – 10′ • 4 pieces of 2×10 lumber – 12′ • 3 pieces of 2×10 lumber – 10′ • 11 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 6′ • 5 piece of of 1×2 lumber – 12′ • 1 piece of 1×3 lumber – 12′ • 500 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws • soil • landscape fabric • 2″ brad nails • wood filler

This large raised garden bed is sturdy and very inexpensive to build and all you need are a few tools and some cuts.

This design would be perfect in any backyard, as it will help you harvest fresh vegetables regularly, but it also features and interesting design. The back trellis is ideal for growing climbing vegetables and make the most of the space. The future is all about vertical gardening, so this project should come handy.

The first step of the project is to assemble the sides of the raised garden bed. Use 2×10 lumber for the walls and 2×2 lumber for the vertical supports. Align all the components with attention, making sure you leave no gaps between the slats. Drill pilot holes through the slats and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the supports.

Fitting the back supports Cut the components from 2×2 lumber. Use a spirit level to plumb the supports. Drill pilot holes through the supports and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the frame of the garden bed.

Fitting the bottom slats Continue the project by attaching the 2×10 beams to the back of the garden bed. Align the edges with attention and leave no gaps between the components for a professional result. Drill pilot holes at both ends of the slats and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the vertical supports.

Fitting the horizontal supports Next, attach the horizontal supports to the posts. Use 1 1/4″ screws to secure the 1×2 slats to the vertical supports, making sure the gaps are even. You can easily adjust the distance between the supports for a professional result.

Fitting the front slats Fit the 2×10 slats to the front of the raised garden bed.

You can easily adjust the size of the project so it suits your needs best. Drill pilot holes and secure the slats to the support, as shown in the free plans.

Fitting the top trim In order to enhance the look of the project, you could fit a 1×3 trim to the top of the trellis. Use 2″ brad nails to secure the slat into place.

Fitting the inside slats Next, you need to frame the inside of the garden bed. Cut the components from 2×10 lumber and lock everything together with 2 1/2″ screws. Make sure the corners are square and align the edges flush, before inserting the screws. The u-shape of the garden bed will making taking care of the plants a lot easier. It is a truly efficient shape, especially that it adds an unique appeal to your property.

All Points REALTORS

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Kids Eat Free • Mama Maria’s 11 AM - 2 PM • 3 & under free buffet with paid adult W. Main St., Salem (540) 389-2848

Monday

• Country Cookin’ 4 PM - Close • 10 & under, 2 children per paid adult All Locations in Roanoke (540) 774-0199

• The Green Goat All Day • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult 802 Wiley Dr. SW, Roanoke (540) 904-6091

• Golden Corral All Day • 3 & under free buffet with paid adult 1441 Towne Square Blvd., Roanoke (540) 563-8826

• Famous Anthony’s 3 PM - Close • 1 child per paid adult All Locations in Roanoke, Salem, & Vinton (540) 362-1400

• Brambleton Deli 11 AM - 9 PM • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult 3655 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke (540) 774-4554

IHop 4PM-10PM • 12 & Under All Locations

• Buffalo Wild Wings 4 PM - 9 PM • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult All Locations (540) 725-9464

• Denny’s 4 PM - 10 PM • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult All Locations Roanoke & Salem (540) 389-5074

Every Day

• Shoney’s All Day • 4 & under, free kids meal with adult entree purchase. Drink not included 2673 Lee Highway, Troutville (540) 992-6400

• El Rio Mexican Grill All Day • 10 & under, 1 child per paid adult 4208 Electric Rd., Roanoke (540) 685-4343 • Firehouse Subs All Day • 11 & under, 2 children per paid adult combo,dine in Blacksburg (540) 961-0371

Tuesday

• Macado’s 4 PM - 9 PM • 12 & under, $1 child meal per paid adult All Locations in Roanoke & Salem (540) 776-9884

• McAlister’s Deli 5 PM - Close • 2 children per paid adult 2063 Colonial Ave., Roanoke (540) 204-4407 • Town Center Tap House All Day • 12 & under, 2 children per paid adult 90 Town Center St., Daleville (540) 591-9991 • Firehouse Subs All Day • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult Colonial Ave, Town Square & Salem only (540) 345-3131 • Pizza Hut 5 PM - Close • 10 & under, free buffet per paid adult 1016 Hershberger Rd., Roanoke (540) 362-3834 • Ruby Tuesday 5 PM - Close • 11 & under, 1 child per paid adult Electric Rd., Roanoke (540) 265-9301 • K&W All Day • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult Hershberger Rd. Roanoke (540) 563-4977

Wednesday

• Dogwood 4 PM - Close • 10 & under, per paid adult 106 E. Lee Ave., Vinton (540) 343-6549 • Pizza Pasta Pit 4 PM - 9 PM • 1 child per paid adult. Drink not included.

1713 Riverview Dr., Salem (540) 387-2885 • The Quarter All Day • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult 19 Salem Ave., Roanoke (540) 342-2990

Thursday

• CiCi’s Pizza All Day • 10 & under .99 cents child buffet per adult buffet Roanoke (540) 344-7711

• The Roanoker 4:30 PM - Close • 12 & under, 2 children per paid adult 2522 Colonial Ave., Roanoke (540) 344-7746

• Jerry’s Family Restaurant 4 PM - Close • 6 & under, 1 child per adult meal purchase 1340 E. Washington Ave., Vinton (540) 343-4400

Friday See Everyday Deals!

Saturday

• Steak n’ Shake All Day • 12 & under 1 free per paid $10.00 adult 1309 Hershberger Rd., Roanoke (540) 400-8825 • Tokyo Express 11 AM - 3 PM • 4 & under free buffet per paid adult 1940 W Main St., Salem (540) 389-6303 • F.P.S All day • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult 611 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke (540) 400-6879 • Famous Anthony’s 12 PM - Close • 1 child per adult meal All Locations Roanoke, Salem, Vinton (540) 362-1400

• T.G.I.Fridays All Day • 12 & under 1 with paying adult 4869 Valley View Blvd., Roanoke (540) 362-1475 • Jimmy V’s Restaurant All Day • 4 & under kids meal only $2.50 3403 Brandon Ave., Roanoke (540) 345-7311 • Steak n’ Shake All Day • 12 & under 1 free with paying $10.00 adult 1309 Hershberger Rd., Roanoke (540) 400-8825 • Moe’s Southwestern Grill All Day • 1 free per paid adult All Roanoke & Blacksburg locations • Firehouse Subs All Day • 12 and Under 1 free per paid adult Keagy Road, Roanoke 540-204-4471 • O’Charley’s All Day • 10 and Under 1 free per paid adult Valley View, Roanoke 540-563-9870 • Rodeo Grande All Day • 12 and Under 1 free per paid adult Valley View, Roanoke 540-206-2296 • Lew’s Restaurant SW All Day • 12 and Under 2 free per paid adult Walnut Avenue, Roanoke 540-682-5925

Why Oakey’s Pet Funeral Home & Crematory?

Our professional and compassionate staff will pick up your pet and deliver from anywhere* and are available 24/7. We provide private cremation for peace of mind, have a variety of urns and memorial products to choose from and offer pre-arrangement and grief support services as well.

We’re here so that saying goodbye is a little easier. *$2.25/mile beyond 25 miles

Sunday

• Pizza Den 5 PM - 8:30 PM • 10 & under free buffet per paid adult buffet and drink purchase Salem (540) 389-1111 • Local Roots 5 PM -7 PM • 5 & under eat for free, discount for ages 5-7 per paid adult 1314 Grandin Rd., Roanoke (540) 206-2610

These listings are for informational purposes only and do not guarantee a discount. As restaurants change promotions often, we recommend calling ahead.

540.265.7297 www.oakeypetloss.com M-F 8 am-5 pm | Sat. 8 am-12 pm Sun. Noon-5 pm | 24/7 BY PHONE

Education Guide DAY CARE - Pre-K - K-12 Private Schools - For Listings email andrea@growingupinthevalley.com

SOUTH COUNTY ROANOKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL

621 N. Jefferson St. Roanoke 540-982-3532 www.roanokecatholic.com Ages: 3-18, Preschool, After School, Private School K-6, Private School MS-HS We are dedicated to excellence in education and to the spiritual development of youth within the framework of the Gospel and the tradition of the Catholic Church.

Our mission is the education of the whole person, blending learning with faith and faith with daily life.

CHILDCARE NETWORK

4225 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke 540-989-0144 www.childcarenetwork.com Ages: 6 Weeks -12 Yrs. Preschool, Day Care, After School Come join us at Childcare Network #65!! We pride ourselves on being the working parent’s best friend!

COUNTRY BEAR DAY SCHOOL

5220 Starkey Road, Roanoke 540-797-1456 www.countrybeardayschool.com Ages: 6 Weeks -12 Yrs. Preschool, Day Care, After School Country Bear Day School has a thirty year tradition of offering an exceptional program for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years. A child’s happiness and development is our main objective, offered in a secure, nurturing enviroment with opportunities to grow. learn, and play. Your child’s well being is not only your top priority--it is ours as well. Please visit us soon to see why we lead in creative educational programs, parental service and an environment that is loving, safe and secure.

FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

3585 Buck Mountain Road, Roanoke 540-769-5200 www.fcsva.com Ages: 4-19, Preschool, After School, Private School K-6, Private School MS-HS We are one of fewer than 200 school across the nation implementing a powerful & proven classical method of education that for over 2,000 years has developed some of the world’s finest authors, scientists, mathematicians, artists, philosophers, theologians & composers. At Faith Christian School students are encouraged to love God and be captivated by His created world.

Check out our new indexed tuition program~private education may be more affordable than you think!

GRANDIN COURT BAPTIST CHURCH

2660 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke 540-524-2491 http://grandincourtbaptistpreschool.weebly.com Ages: 2-5, Preschool Grandin Court Baptist Church Preschool partners with families to provide a high-quality learning environment and to begin fostering an understanding and appreciation of God’s presence in each child’s life. As a VA Quality participant, we achieve this goal by providing environments and student-teacher interactions which promote a child’s natural curiosity and we delight and encourage them in their discoveries.

HONEYTREE EARLY LEARNING CENTER 2660 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke 540-524-2491 2660 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke 540-524-2491 www.HoneyTreeELC.com Ages: 2-5, Preschool HoneyTree Early Learning Centers is the leading Early Childhood Provider in the Roanoke Valley for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years of age. We are locally-owned and operated and have been serving generations of families since 1979. Expect your child to receive the best, quality educational experience.

We hope to have the opportunity to provide you and your family with all the pieces for a happy, healthy childhood!

NORTH CROSS

4524 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke 540-989-6641 www.northcross.org Ages: 3-18, Preschool, Private School K-12 North Cross School is an independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory school that serves children from early childhood through twelfth grade. North Cross provides a rigorous academic curriculum, competitive with the best college-preparatory schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia. While we explicitly recognize the importance of intellectual development and academic achievement, we also strive to promote personal integrity, empathy, and responsibility to self and community. Through this, our graduates will act as leaders in the local and global communities, persons of intellectual and moral courage, and scholars in the service of others.

GRANDIN GRANDIN COURT BAPTIST CHURCH

2660 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke 540-524-2491 http://grandincourtbaptistpreschool.weebly.com Ages: 2-5, Preschool Grandin Court Baptist Church Preschool partners with families to provide a high-quality learning environment and to begin fostering an understanding and appreciation of God’s presence in each child’s life. As a VA Quality participant, we achieve this goal by providing environments and student-teacher interactions which promote a child’s natural curiosity and we delight and encourage them in their discoveries.

NOAH’S LANDING PRESCHOOL

2011 Brandon Avenue, SW, Roanoke 540-982-2254 www.noahslandingpreschool.com Ages: 12 Months - 5 Yrs, Preschool Noah’s Landing Preschool offers Mother’s Morning Out (MMO) as well as classes for 2, 3, and 4 year olds (Pre-K). Space is limited due to small pupil/teacher ratio per class. Our program runs from Labor Day to Memorial Day from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Monday Thursday. We have an early drop-off at 8:30 am and an extended day Lunch Bunch program during the week until 1:00 pm for additional fees. Our philosophy of education is based on the belief that children learn and grow best through hands on experiences.

HOLLINS ROANOKE VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

7060 Williamson Road, Roanoke 540-366-2432 ext. 119 www.rvcs.info Ages: Preschool (2-4), Kindergarten to Grade 12, Before/After School Care, Standard and Advanced Diploma Tracks, Resource Program, Private Christian Education Roanoke Valley Christian Schools (RVCS) was established in 1973 by Shenandoah Baptist Church and now recognizes over 1,200 alumni. Its mission is to develop disciples of Christ who will influence the world for the glory of God. RVCS accomplishes this through a partnership with each family. We serve preschool, age2 through grade 12 and offer both an advanced program and resource program that can come alongside each student’s individual needs. Come check us out!

SOUTHVIEW PRESCHOOL

3539 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke 540-362-1767 svumpreschool.webs.com Ages: 2-5 Yrs Our purpose is to provide a warm, nurturing, yet challenging atmosphere in which children can learn and develop physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, and creatively. We offer Lunch Bunch, Curbside Drop Off and Pick Up, Music, Weekly Chapel, Field Trips, Multiple Child Discount, and Referral Discounts.

COMMUNITY SCHOOL

7815 Williamson Road, Roanoke 540-563-5036 www.communityschool.net Ages:3-14, Preschool, Private School K-8 Founded in 1971, Community School is an independent, non-profit institution. We provide education of the highest quality for children of all racial, cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds.

Community School provides a program that is unique in the Roanoke Valley and a rarity statewide, a haven for those who value experiential education over standardized test results. Our school nurtures children’s individual learning styles and fosters creative and analytical thinking. Our students develop personal responsibility for their education and a passion for learning.

BONSACK BONSACK BAPTIST PRESCHOOL

4845 Cloverdale Road, Roanoke 540-977-0485 www.bonsackpreschool.com Ages: 2.5-11Yrs, Preschool, Afterschool Bonsack Preschool/After School is a faith based, developmentally appropriate program focused on Kindergarten Readiness for preschoolers, half and full day.

After School Care for Bonsack, Cloverdale and Colonial Elementary Schools offered with priority on gym time, devotions, creativity and homework completion. Summer Camps available for both Elementary and Preschool

HONEYTREE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

1980 Electric Road, Salem 2111 Roanoke Road, Salem 540-769-2300, 540-344-6811 www.HoneyTreeELC.com Ages: 2-5, Preschool HoneyTree Early Learning Centers is the leading Early Childhood Provider in the Roanoke Valley for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years of age. We are locally-owned and operated and have been serving generations of families since 1979. Expect your child to receive the best, quality educational experience.

We hope to have the opportunity to provide you and your family with all the pieces for a happy, healthy childhood!

SALEM MONTESSORI

107 Corporate Blvd., Salem 540-387-1521 www.salemmontessori.org Ages: 6 Wks-6th Grade, Preschool Salem Montessori School - Bringing Joy to Learning!

Children are eager, spontaneous learners, curious about the world around them. The primary goal of a Montessori education is to help every child reach their full potential in all areas of life.

Research shows that children learn best in an environment that encourages them to explore, create, and discover without fear of making mistakes, or being teased. In a classroom at Salem Montessori School, children are encouraged to ask questions, develop ideas, and learn at their own pace. Learning is active and fun!

Montessori educated children become self-confident young people, who face future challenges with optimism and who enjoy a lifetime love of learning!

CHILDREN’S CASTLE

3743 Challenger Avenue, Roanoke 540-977-1282 www.childrenscastleearlylearningcenter.com Ages: Birth-12 Yrs, Preschool, Daycare, Afterschool We offer social development, preschool education, and after school enrichment for our community in a safe and engaging atmosphere. Our experienced and educated teachers foster and build upon children’s natural interest and curiosity to teach and engage them within their environment and surrounding community.

Our curriculum builds upon the Virginia Foundation Blocks of Early Learning to fully prepare children to be successful upon entering Elementary School.

ROANOKE ADVENTIST PREPARATORY SCHOOL

4120 Challenger Avenue, Roanoke 540-798-6061 www.rapschool.org Private School: K –8 Roanoke Adventist Preparatory School (RAPS) has been offering quality Christian education at family-friendly prices in the Roanoke area for over 75 years. RAPS mission is to foster academic excellence, passionate spirituality and outstanding character in each student.

Our school is a small classroom environment where students receive grade-level appropriate individualized instruction. RAPS is fully accredited and key learning standards are available by grade level. Tuition rates are highly competitive and scholarship opportunities are available.

SALEM ST. ANNES EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL

42 E. Main Street, Salem 540-389-4087 http://www.stpaulssalem.org/stannes Ages: 18 Months -5, Preschool St. Anne’s curriculum is based on developmental learning and the Virginia Foundation Blocks of Early Learning. We are dedicated to the total development of each child; intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical. Our desire is that each child knows that he/ she is loved and accepted. Registration is now open for the 2017-2018 school year! Call today to register or schedule a tour!

WESLEYAN PRESCHOOL

125 W. Main St., Salem 540-389-5144 FUMCWesleyanPreschool ( Facebook) Ages: 1yr-Pre K, Preschool “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52 This is the verse on which we base our preschool. Our State LIcensed Preschool’s purpose is to help your child grow cognitively, physically, spiritually , and socially/emotionally. We know that young children learn best through play, so all of our learning activities are planned to be educational and fun!

VINTON HONEYTREE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

1918 Washington Avenue, Vinton 540-890-7200 www.HoneyTreeELC.com Ages: 2-5, Preschool HoneyTree Early Learning Centers is the leading Early Childhood Provider in the Roanoke Valley for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years of age. We are locally-owned and operated and have been serving generations of families since 1979. Expect your child to receive the best, quality educational experience.

We hope to have the opportunity to provide you and your family with all the pieces for a happy, healthy childhood!

NORTHWEST GREENVALE SCHOOL

627 Westwood Blvd. NW, Roanoke 540-342-4716 www.greenvale-school.org Ages:3-5, Preschool Greenvale School’s mission is to provide affordable, accessible, top-quality, developmentally appropriate childcare and educational services for children of working parents, according to each family’s ability to pay. By promoting the highest standards of education and responsible behavior, Greenvale School’s program cultivates the growth of each child to his or her full potential. By providing a comprehensive range of services, Greenvale School supports parents’ efforts to build a secure and prosperous future for their families.

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE HONEYTREE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

7000 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Wirtz 540563-1724 www.HoneyTreeELC.com Ages: 2-5, Preschool HoneyTree Early Learning Centers is the leading Early Childhood Provider in the Roanoke Valley for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years of age. We are locally-owned and operated and have been serving generations of families since 1979. Expect your child to receive the best, quality educational experience.

We hope to have the opportunity to provide you and your family with all the pieces for a happy, healthy childhood!

summer camps

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Parents of infants under chiropractic care report:

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Improvements in breastfeeding Decrease in colic symptoms Regular bowel movements Less gas and gas pain Decreased Reflux/spit up Improved sleep Stronger immune system And More!

Chernichky Family Chiropractic www.cfchirova.com | 540.591.3535

ity

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Professional Balloon Artist Speaker / Author / Big Kid at Heart Gospel Presentations - Shows - Parties - Events

Weekly half-day camps for ages 5-14 TaubmanMuseum.org/Camp 110 Salem Ave SE Downtown Roanoke

434-473-5904 www.balloondudetravis.com

Bad News Bear

The Dos and Don’ts of helping a friend through a hard time.

Article by Michael and Tracy Fisher

Don’t say, “I’m here if you need

outside help for a time. A good friend knows when to swoop in and help, and when it is better to hang back and give them space.

anything.” This phrase, while kind, puts a lot of pressure on your friend.

They may not know what they need, or they may be too proud to ask for anything directly. Their mind isn’t on instructing their friends, but on pure survival.

Do say, “I want to bring you a meal

Don’t say, “It happened for a

- is Friday at six okay?” or, “I can take your kids to the park after school next Tuesday.” With your friend’s mind in overdrive, give them specific question with a simple yes or no answer. Also, listen to them if they say “not right now.” Some families need to heal and grieve on their own, and will shun

reason” or any variation. Even if your friend is religious or believes in such ideals, this phrase doesn’t help lift the pain in the immediate moment. It can feel as if you are rushing your friend through their grieving process, that you want them to hurry up and feel better.

Do say, “I love you.” Resist any

temptation to explain away their pain or rush to solutions, even if you have experience with the same

pain. Everyone finds their own way to acceptance and will seek out your knowledge on their own.

Don’t avoid the hard topics.

Especially when your friend is going through a loss, don’t avoid talking about their loved one. Their loss, illness, or grief is now a part of them, and ignoring or avoiding it can feel hurtful.

Do work with other friends and

family. You can create a support system and work together to help your friend. Many hands can make light work and give your friend a muchneeded break.

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540-404-9235 L J Launchingpadsalem.com I 1300 Intervale Drive, Salem VA, 24153

58

Growing Up

April 2018

MAY 20, 2018 | 1 PM - 5 PM GAMES

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540.342.5733 | One Market Square, Downtown Roanoke

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