Growing Up In the Valley February 2019

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

Volume 7 Issue 6 • February 2019 • Take One

Homemade Fun Creativity and Imagination

keep the

SPARK alive

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MOTHER

SON

DANCE February 23 6 PM - 9 PM Firehouse Skate-N-Play $35 per couple, $15 additional guest Tickets and info at growingupinthevalley.com

Publisher’s Note Happy Valentine’s Day! February is such a strange month. It is the “end” of winter and the shortest month of the year. We always look past February as we are anxious for the warmer weather, spring events, and of course, our Virginia Family Expo in April!

This year, our expo ties into our Family Favorite Awards. At the event, our readers will find out who won each category of our contest! We will crown local businesses “Family Favorites” and we will of course award the $250 grand prize to one winner. Learn more about the event and vote for your favorites at www. roanokefamilyfavorites.com.

In the meantime, our February issue has several great articles that focuses on topics like keeping the spark going in your marriage, and an article discussing Black History Month. Our calendar is full of activities for you and your family to check out—and take a look at page 16 for some ideas on some great homemade fun to get you through the last month of winter!

Lastly, we have some awesome things planned in 2019, and we hope you will continue to support our family magazine as we aim to support local businesses and families in our region even more than we have in years past! Keep your eyes and ears open for some big news coming up over the next few months in our pages!

The Eagan Family

Andrea, Josh, Anika and Evelyn

C ont ac t Us :

P.O. Box 4484, Roanoke, VA 24015 540-251-1660 www.roanoke.family Proud Members of the Parenting Media Association since 2013! Learn more at www.parentmedia.org.

Publishers • Josh & Andrea Eagan josh@virginiafamily.com • Anika and Evelyn’s Parents

Creative Director • Tracy Fisher

tracy@virginiafamily.com • Charlotte and Evelyn’s Mom

Sales Executive • Lisa Bowers lisa@virginiafamily.com • Noah’s Mom

Sales Assistants • Ani & Evie Eagan sales@virginiafamily.com • Bauer and Chloe’s Owners

Community Relations • Jeanne Lawrence jeanne@virginiafamily.com • Parker and Connor’s Mom

Associate Editor • Jacqueline Moon jacqueline@virginiafamily.com • Elijah’s Mom, and Luke and Blair’s Stepmom

Webmaster • John Morris • COV Designs john@covdesigns.com

Contributors

Peg McGuire • Kimberly Emory • Courtney Pugh Beth Farnsworth • Takoda Poindexter • Stephanie Ogilvie Shannon Dean • Jacqueline Moon • Nicole Bruch

Read Our Other Publications

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Submit Your Ideas Share your story ideas with us by emailing jacqueline@virginiafamily.com

© Copyright 2018 Mofat Publishing

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We welcome reader comments, submissions and the support of advertisers.

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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 represent those of Growing Up In the Valley, it’s staff or contributors. While multiple businesses, schools, and organizations are represented in our pages, and magazines are often distributed to students according to the policies and procedures of each school district, this is not a publication coordinated or endorsed by any public or private school district, nor is it a publication with any religious or political objectives. As a mass media outlet, it is our oath and responsibility to communicate with due diligence, through our content, the plurality of views and opinions reflected in our audience of Central and Southwest Virginia.

Readers are strongly encouraged to verify information with programs and businesses directly.

Parents are urged to thoroughly research any decisions involving their children. Copyright 2018

by MoFat Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. All material, including artwork, advertisements and editorial may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!!

February 2019 16

Homemade Fun

The best toys for your family don’t always have to be flashy trends

34 30

Stories Saved History

Black History Month Series How oral traditions perserved African American history.

Grandparents and Grandkids: a Special Bond

Bonding with your grandchild is benefical to both of you.

14

Minimalism 101

Does everything in your home spark joy? Take these steps to conquer the clutter.

10 Dating Smarts Are your teenagers ready to date safely? With technology rapidly changing, you need to know how to keep them safe.

22

Keep the Spark Alive

Learn how to stay in love with your partner.

24 Family Favorite Awards Nominate your favorite local businesses for a chance to win $250!

In Every Issue: 5 Parent of the Month 32 Book Recommendations 20 Science Experiment 37 Family Event Calendar 44 Kids Eat Free Guide

photography: David Hungate, Roanoke Times

SMALL TA L K

Animal shelter and low-cost pet clinic Angels of Assisi has outgrown its location on Campbell Ave in downtown Roanoke and has plans to build a larger facility at the corner of Franklin and Elm Ave in Old Southwest. Angels of Assisi is the largest animal welfare organization in the Roanoke Valley. Its mission is “to change the traditional definition of an animal shelter by offering services and programs to benefit the community, the people that live there, and the pets they love.”

The third Women’s March and rally in Roanoke happened on January 19th, and despite the wet, cold day, about a thousand men, women, and children were in attendance. They held signs in support of the Equal Rights Amendment, love over hate, women’s empowerment, and reproductive rights. Speakers at the Elmwood Park rally encouraged the crowd to stay involved in their community and called for progress in equal rights efforts, and included co-founder of the Indivisible Project Leah Greenberg, Roanoke Councilwoman Djuna Osborne, 9th District representative to the Latino Caucus Amanda Jimenez Thornton, Democratic nominee during last year’s 6th Congressional District race Jennifer Lewis, and founder of the nonprofit Virginia Equal Rights Coalition Julia Tanner.

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band are coming to the Star City! They’ll be performing at the Berglund Center on Tuesday, August 13th. Part of the band’s 30th Anniversary Tour, they will play both Beatles classics and Ringo’s original songs. Ringo Starr is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and a nine-time GRAMMY Award winner.

The new, state-of-the-art Botetourt Family YMCA opened for business January 1st at Daleville Town Center.

With more than 45,000 square feet of health and wellness space, it’s got an eightlane lap pool, a warm-water recreation and exercise pool, state-of-the-art networked fitness equipment, a track, three group exercise studios, a basketball gym, a modern lobby with social gathering spaces, and lots of space for kids and teens to play.

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February 2019

Big changes are being planned for downtown Roanoke, including a new bus station, train station, shops, apartments, and offices. Within the coming three years, the plan is to construct a larger, open-air bus station (Valley Metro is bursting at the seams with riders in its current location), a station building for Amtrak and Smartway riders, and new, multi-story buildings housing business and living space.

Y SUMMER CAMP

MAKE FRIENDS

STAY ACTIVE

HAVE FUN

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

Early Bird Savings until April 30 - sign up to save $10 per week of camp! Registration opens February 15.

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

85% of a child’s core brain structure forms before the age of 5,* yet we invest only 4% in early education.

It doesn’t add up.

85% of a child’s core brain structure forms before the age of 5,* yet we invest only 4% in early education.

The first 5 years of life represent the single greatest chance we have to impact a child’s future. Yet we spend the least on our children when they need it most.

Investments in early childhood development help reduce teen pregnancies, improve dropout rates, lower crime, and produce a stronger, more productive future workforce.

United Way of Roanoke Valley

It doesn’t

Our children are worth the investment. Help make sure our community makes early childhood development a priority.

*Source: Child and Family Policy Center & Voices for America’s Children, Early Learning Left Out: An Examination of Public Investments in Education and Development by Child Age, 2004

The first 5 years of life represent the single greatest chance we For more information, Beginnings have to impact aplease child’s contact: future. YetSmart we spend the leastGreater on our Roanoke sbroanoke@uwrv.org children when they| (540) need it283-2781 the most.| smartbeginningsroanoke.org Investments in early childhood development help reduce teen pregnancies, improve dropout rates, lower crime, and produce a stronger, more productive future workforce.

COLOR OF THE YEAR When you look at your home’s interiors, do you find yourself craving a refresh?

If so, there’s no better time than the new year to update your home with thoughtful design touches that embrace the power of color.

Paint an accent wall

An accent wall commands attention and creates depth in the space, becoming the focal point of the room.

The color you choose can be any hue that’s different from the other walls in the room. Whether it’s slightly different or drastically different is up to you.

hues into the space. A rug with a bright color or pattern can help create the illusion of more space so don’t be afraid to use one in a smaller room to open it up and make it more inviting.

Embrace the unexpected

Start small

“I’m really into EasyCare Paint’s French Coast color,” says lifestyle expert Camille Styles. “Its strong blue hue makes a bold statement without being too harsh or overpowering.”

Many people are timid about color, so you can start small and incorporate a new, bold tone with items like a coffee table accessory or oversized pillows.

You may find that your choice quickly becomes a favorite piece in your home, plus you’ll gain the confidence to add more color to other rooms, too.

Add a rug

Introduce textures

Transform a room in an instant with a vibrant rug. It will add the perfect touch of color and can even be changed out seasonally to bring new

Bringing in different colors and textures, such as a plush throw blanket or a woven basket, takes your space up a notch and adds another visual layer.

Seating for you...

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VALLEY VIEW 1945 Valley View Blvd.

Since these aren’t permanent fixtures in the room, they offer an easy way to play around with colors to see what works best in the space.

Bring in a bold pop of color by doing something unexpected, like painting the trim instead of the wall.

“Black can take a room up a notch with its rich tone. “EasyCare Paint’s Crow color will really wow your guests whenever you entertain,” says Styles.

Whether you’re looking to do a quick update or a complete interior design overhaul, color makes a room more dynamic and energized. From simple decor pieces to bolder accent walls, bringing color into your home is a great way to refresh in the New Year.

your family.

LYNCHBURG 5401 Fort Ave

TANGLEWOOD 4235 Electric Rd. Growing Up

February 2019

9

D

DATING SMARTS

by Jamie Lober

ating wisely starts with knowing what a positive relationship looks like. “Healthy relationships are made up of mutual respect and boundaries that are respected by everybody involved,” said Laura Guilliams, director of crisis services at SARA (Sexual Assault Response and Awareness), the sexual assault crisis center for the Roanoke Valley.

We hear a lot about sexual assault in the news these days, and it can happen with a romantic partner,

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February 2019

acquaintance, or total stranger. The best thing we can do, when it comes to keeping our children safe, is have a conversation—talk about what consent means and how to respect space, choices, and boundaries in their relationships.

We cannot play the blame game.

“Old-school tips on being safe, like ‘don’t walk alone at night’ and ‘watch your drink’ set us up for the concept of victim blaming,” said Guilliams. If

a victim walks home alone at night and is assaulted, too often blame is placed on them for being victimized, as opposed to blaming the person who committed the assault. “What we do in the field of prevention and response to sexual violence is try to change the conversation and not look at it from the lens of how people can keep themselves safe,” said Guilliams.

Instead, we want to reinforce the message that assaulting another person is wrong.

We need to talk to our children about healthy relationships and boundaries when they are little.

“It’s about the concept of listening to your gut and owning that, so if you walk into a situation where you feel uncomfortable, you leave,” said Guilliams. Sometimes, out of a fear of being seen as disrespectful or rude, we may keep ourselves in an uncomfortable situation, but that is wrong. “Each of us has the right to determine what is and is not okay for us, and that is different for each person,” Guilliams said.

We can teach our adolescents a saying to simplify things: “A cliché I use all the time is ‘ABC,’ which means ‘All Behavior has Consequences,’” said Dr. Charles H. Holland, fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists.

said Guilliams. We can mold the conversation with our kids based upon what is age-appropriate. “With young children, the conversation may involve talking about what touches are okay and what touches are not okay, and the difference between good touches, bad touches, and secret touches,” said Guilliams.

We need to explain each one, so everything is clear. With a small child, “a good touch might be a hug from mom or dad. A bad touch might be when their big sister punches their arm. And a secret touch would be what we would consider an inappropriate touch of a sexual nature on a child,” said Guilliams.

Avoid using the word ‘sex’ when talking with teens about dating wisely. “I recommend that parents call it ‘making love,’ and talk to their children about how there are certain behaviors you might consider reserving for someone you love,” said Holland. We can ask our teens to think about whether the decision to have sex may take an emotional toll in the days to come.

Ask, “Will you still love yourself in the morning if you engage in that behavior with your partner?” said Holland.

Healthy relationships are made up of mutual respect and boundaries that are respected by everybody involved

We can also lay out ground rules and what happens if they are broken. “If I wanted to go on a date with my girlfriend, I had to be home at a certain time—and if I was not, that time was doubled and taken away from my curfew the following weekend,” said Holland.

The same “ABC” approach applies to sex. “Teenagers need to know their behavior with their partner has consequences, like the danger of pregnancy, so you need to talk about birth control even though you may be hoping they don’t have sexual intercourse,” said Holland.

A stranger is not always the source of danger. “Statistically, somebody is more likely to be assaulted by somebody they know and trust, because their guard may be down,” said Guilliams. We can instill in our teens that they should not breach another person’s boundaries and not sexually assault somebody.

“Sexual violence is a way of gaining power and control over someone else, where sex is used as a weapon,”

Maintaining open lines of communication is our best guarantee that our teens will make smart choices. “If your child knows he will

have to sit down at dinner and talk every night of the week, that has an impact on the behavior he will engage in and delivers the message that you are open to talking about anything,” Holland said.

If your child becomes a victim, there are many paths to take. SARA has a 24-hour crisis hotline with advocates available to help determine the best course of action. You have the right to pursue the criminal investigation process, the right to medical attention and evidence recovery at the hospital by a forensic nurse, the option to seek protection through the criminal justice process, and the right to do nothing. You also have the right to seek counseling and support and the right to decide whether or not you want to tell people. “It is equally important to let people know they are not required to talk about their story if they do not want to; a lot of times, we talk with people about supporting a survivor by believing them,” said Guilliams.

Be supportive if your child has a traumatic experience and ask him to do the same for his peers. “Let them know they are believed and did the right thing—no matter what they did—and help them get connected to resources,” said Guilliams.

Sexual assault does not discriminate.

“Sexual assault affects everybody, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, ability, and age; it affects an entire community,” Guilliams said. By communicating and promoting healthy behavior and good manners, you are doing the best thing you can.

“Parenting is the hardest job in the world,” said Guillams, “so I encourage parents to access every resource they possibly can and know they do not have to navigate any of this alone.”

Sexual Assault Response & Awareness Hotline: 540-981-9352 • You are currently in crisis and don’t know what to do next • You have a question about your rights as a survivor • You aren’t sure what it looks like to file a police report • You think you might need to see a doctor but don’t know where to go • Your friend/sister/son/partner etc. was sexually assaulted and you want to know how you can help them • You’re experiencing flashbacks or nightmares • Many more reasons

Your experience is specific to you. If you need help, call us and we will help you through this.

Growing Up

February 2019

11

Parent of the Month

Jen Ferris Larson Favorites: Book: Small Great Things by Jodi Piccoult Movie: The Princess Bride Color: Navy blue Childhood memory: Driving to West Virginia in the snow Candy Bar: Twix, or Snickers School subject: History Local Restaurant: Lew’s

This or That: Pizza or Burgers? Both!

Taco or Spaghetti? Tacos Cash or Credit? Credit Sneakers or Sandals? Sandals Apple or Android? Android

Fill in the Blanks: If I wasn’t in the career I am now, I would be a: Teacher Best word that describes me is: Loyal If I had to spend $1,000 in 24 hours, I would buy: A new wardrobe

I

grew up in Daleville and from cancer, and I saw firsthand attended Roanoke Valley the importance of a caring nurse.

Christian from first through I wanted to be that kind of nurse. twelfth grade before going to Cedarville After University graduating “I balance work and family from nursing in Ohio.

My family life by giving my all wherever school in 1997, includes my I worked at I am. If I’m at work, I try to both Lewis husband, Mike, of not worry about my family— Gale and nineteen Carilion they’re well taken care of. hospitals years, and my four children moving And when I’m home, I’m not before (ages ten to California, thinking about work.” to sixteen), where my whom I husband is homeschool. from. We moved back here fourteen years ago, and I’ve I chose nursing as a career mainly worked primarily in women’s because I couldn’t imagine health—at the Blue Ridge doing anything else. When I was Women’s Center, Roanoke thirteen, my uncle passed away Memorial, and now at Lewis Gale.

Expires February 28, 2019

minimalism. (for beginners)

by Tricia Mikesell

Curious about minimalism but not sure where to start? The process of simplifying your home doesn’t take much time at all. By completing five simple steps, you can clean less and spend more time having fun. Before you start, snap a few photos of your spaces to reference your progress.

Step 1: Eliminate Furniture Collecting excessive furniture pieces in every room of your house is easy to do. Some pieces you may use all the time and others are just for decoration. Often, families will buy replacement furniture but insist on keeping the old items, too. Having large furniture throughout your house takes up space and creates areas of clutter. Simply walk through your entire home with a notebook and write down all the items in each room that do not serve a purpose. A minimalist rule of thumb is to only keep items that serve a purpose or have special meaning.

Once your list is complete, make a plan to donate, discard, or sell.

Move furniture pieces out of sight until they’re permanently gone.

A garage or shed is perfect for short-term storage. Snapping a photo of the piece and posting it online to sell also works well. It’s okay to break up furniture sets. If you own the sofa, loveseat, chair, and ottoman of the same set, but only use the sofa, then let go of the loveseat or chair. Freeing up space is essential to the process.

My family has always owned a threepiece table set in our living room that included two side tables and one coffee table. We would slide the coffee table out of the center to make room for the kids and push our end tables as close to the wall as possible. We decided to let go of the coffee table and replace the bulky side tables with smaller ones only large enough to hold a lamp.

Our children love the added space, and we’ve never missed the pieces.

For our family, those pieces did not serve a purpose.

Step 2: Clutter-free Floors Examine the floors throughout your home. Floors should only have

furniture on them. An area rug is an exception to this rule. All other items stored on the floor should have a home out of sight. You can move items to shelves, cabinets, and drawers for permanent homes.

Shoes, toys, and clothes tend to pile up on floors. Simple solutions can help address these items.

Coat closets are perfect for shoes, jackets and coats. Additional hooks and baskets work well for backpacks and accessories. A hall tree with bench storage is a great alternative for homes without a coat closet. If items travel throughout the home, a laundry basket can serve as quick way to gather and return them to their right place. This task should be done daily. Once you’ve cleaned up the floors, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 3: Clear All Surfaces Look at all surfaces, such as dressers, nightstands, tables, bathroom and kitchen counters, vanities, and desks. Clear all surfaces in your home from clutter to meet a minimalist style. A few simple decorations, a lamp, or meaningful framed photos are okay to keep. Items to remove are lose accessories, jewelry, keys, papers, clothes, and items with a permanent home elsewhere. Developing a habit of always returning items to their permanent homes will prevent surfaces from collecting clutter again.

The easiest way to clear a surface is to remove every item and clean appropriately. Once the surface is completely clear and clean, you can select the items that belong there permanently. Move the remaining items to your discard pile or place in their proper homes.

Step 4: Simplify Walls Walls are usually ignored during the organization process, but they are the most visible space in a home.

Simplifying a wall can have a major impact on the overall feel of the room. Ideally, each wall in your home should have one item hanging on it, with no more than two items per wall. If the room has four walls,

then four decorations or frames are enough for that room. This is challenging for a mom with multiple children. Collage frames are a great alternative to hanging several frames. Using smaller-size portraits in a collage will allow you to display all children in one frame. In my home, every frame has multiple photos safely stored behind the front photo. A wall covered with frames and decorations is distracting and overwhelming. Go for simple!

Step 5: Organize Hideaway Spaces This step is the most time-intensive but really simple to complete.

Remove every item from the space and clean appropriately. Once the space is clean, you can select the items you want to keep there.

Items should serve a purpose and/ or hold special meaning. Small boxes or drawer organizers can help separate miscellaneous items.

Discard duplicate items and keep things you use regularly. Discard expired items and things you have not used in long time. You can choose to sell, donate, or throw away items that are taking up space. Move the items to your storage area or garage. Instead of using every drawer and shelf, try to keep a couple of shelves or drawers empty. If you have similar items stored in multiple areas throughout your house, try to find one home for them. Examples of these items include coins, medications, cleaning supplies, and shoes.

Storing these items in one place reduces the chances of clutter returning.

Once you’ve completed all of these steps, snap photos of the spaces and share your success with family and friends. You’ve earned bragging rights!

Tip: Tackle each step one at a time and from start to finish.

Trying to complete parts of each step at the same time can quickly become overwhelming. Avoid tackling multiple areas of the home at once. Making small messes throughout the house will create stress, too.

Growing Up

February 2019

15

Sparking Creativity and Imagination

by Susan Baldani

W

hen many of us think back to our childhood toys, we don’t think of computers or video games. The majority of our toys didn’t make noises or light up, and we often had to use our imaginations to have fun.

Parents and caregivers can bring back this same kind of joy and wonder for their children. Yes, a lot of kids love the latest and loudest products as seen on television commercials and store shelves, but many don’t realize the entertainment value of quiet, simple, and even homemade toys.

As a little girl, I spent a lot of time at my

What a great memory for me and my siblings.

There is an abundance of ideas for simple, homemade toys to be found online on sites like Pinterest, in library books, and in magazines. Many of these are made with items already in our homes or even in our backyards.

Making toys is also a great way to recycle all those plastic bottles and soup cans.

In her article “Really Cool Toys for Kids to Make Themselves” on RediscoveredFamilies.com, author and educator Sharon Harding writes, “Children are naturally creative and have fantastic imaginations.

They can make toys out of anything.”

She also goes on to cite that making their own toys “stimulates the imagination, helps children solve problems, and discover that they can make their own fun.”

Besides having a great time with

“Children are naturally creative and have fantastic imaginations. They can make toys out of anything.”

grandmother’s house. I loved playing there, even though she didn’t have a lot of money for anything extravagant. But I do remember her sewing together little square bags out of extra fabric and filling them with dried beans. She would then take a basket and have us toss the bean bags into it for points.

the end products, the making of these toys can also help children in myriad ways. Kids get to use their imaginations while honing their handeye coordination and fine motor skills.

Often, counting is involved, so it can help children learn numbers and math skills.

On Parents.com, author Paula Bernstein writes in her article “Why Art and Creativity are Important,” “When children experiment with materials, they dabble in science.

Most important, perhaps, when kids feel good while they are creating, art helps boost self-confidence. And children who feel able to experiment and to make mistakes feel free to invent new ways of thinking, which extends well beyond the craft room.”

Letting children help with making these toys enables them to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in what they’ve created. This, in turn, will increase the likelihood of them playing with the things they’ve made and motivate them to make even more. These projects are also a great way for parents and children to spend time together in a meaningful and goal-oriented way.

“When children experiment with materials, they dabble in science. Most important, perhaps, when kids feel good while they are creating, art helps boost self-confidence.”

Want to do a hand puppet show with your kids? Grab some old socks and make faces on them.

If you want to get really fancy, glue or sew some buttons for the eyes and nose and maybe some yarn for the mouth and hair. Have kids color a big piece of cardboard (even a pizza box will work) to make the “stage” that the puppets will appear above.

Speaking of cardboard boxes, the ideas are endless. Have children paint or color the outside.

These can become playhouses for kids or dolls, blocks to stack on top of each other, or even a toy box for all those homemade toys.

Most kids (and cats) love boxes.

What child doesn’t like balloons? Take large paper plates and a large Popsicle stick for the handle. Make a slit in the bottom of the plates, slide the “handle” partway into it and tape. Now they can play balloon tennis, which is even safe to play indoors since a balloon can’t do much damage.

Use a bed, coffee table or a couch as your “net.” This is a great rainy day activity.

What about homemade play dough made with ingredients already in your kitchen? A quick

Google search yields plenty of easy recipes. Then use cookie cutters, small rolling pins, and other plastic and safe baking items to make all different shapes and patterns.

Have your kids find some smooth rocks. They can paint or color on animal faces, and they’ll have their own set of pet rocks. Or use seashells; these can become sea pets.

A simple piece of chalk can make a hopscotch board, and a small rock can be the marker.

This makes for great exercise and balance control.

Holiday-themed toys are also fun. Make ornaments out of old costume jewelry or cut out pictures from last year’s Christmas cards. A simple hole puncher and some yarn and you’re ready to hang it on the tree.

Start collecting things now for future toy making. Rinse out and store bottles, cans, and other odds and ends for fun, easy, and inexpensive projects. Remind your children to be on the lookout for anything that can be used in your next creation. Make it a family event, one that will foster great memories now and into the future.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Debt Repayment Consumer debt is a contradictory part of our finances. According to numerous sources, the majority of US adults owe money in some way, and yet what consumer debt represents varies for each person. To some, debt might signify a major accomplishment or progress toward a goal. To others, it might be a reminder of a time of hardship. The decisions that lead us to consumer debt can be thoughtful and deliberate, or rushed and misguided. It is perhaps these differences that make it challenging to talk about debt for fear of judgment.

No matter how unique one’s situation is, there are some universal truths to borrowing money: it’s expensive and it ‘steals’ money from other life goals; therefore, repayment should be a top priority. Whether you’re chipping away at a mortgage, dreading your monthly student loan payments, or recovering from a credit card purchase you really couldn’t afford, the following Do’s and Don’ts provide some tips that address unhealthy attitudes surrounding debt.

DON’T pretend your debt doesn’t exist Ignoring debt can lead to financially devastating consequences. Allowing the stack of unopened mail to grow can lead to a missed payment or late payment fees, which only increases your amount owed. Refusing to make changes in your budget is a form of willful blindness—in order to make progress on your repayment, you need to increase the amount you put toward your loans every month. Possibly the most financially destructive form of debt denial is spending more to maintain the illusion of not being in debt. Going further in debt to finance a lifestyle you can’t afford makes you fall further into the debt spiral.

DO tell someone about it We’re not saying it has to be an icebreaker, but talk about your debt with people you trust.

Shame loves secrecy, and though it may feel uncomfortable, pushing through the fear of telling others will lessen the mix of

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guilt and anxiety that often accompanies debt. Being open about your priorities can create a stronger support system—by simply telling others about your repayment goals, you no longer have to make awkward excuses to duck out of activities that are beyond your budget. You may also find that your honesty inspires others to be transparent about making progress toward their own financial goals.

DON’T prioritize savings and investing over high-interest debt repayment A common question about debt repayment is where it falls in the order of financial operations. Is it more important than investing? Should it be paid off before savings?

The answer will look different for someone paying an auto loan versus someone facing credit card debt, but there is a general rule of thumb: high-interest debt repayment (like credit card debt) should come first because it is expensive. The sooner it’s eliminated, the sooner you’ll have funds to put toward savings, investments and retirement. Low-interest debt (like mortgages) may be able to coexist with savings and investing contributions.

DO make room for an emergency fund Although high-interest repayment should come before savings, you need to have an emergency fund in place. Three to six months’ worth of expenses is the prescribed amount, but even a mini-fund of $1,000 will do the trick. It may seem counterintuitive to save up $1,000 that could otherwise be going toward your loans, but when you’re already in debt, there usually isn’t much wiggle room in your budget. This means that all it takes is one emergency expense to force you into taking on more debt and wiping out your repayment progress. Having an emergency fund will decrease the likelihood of having to resort to more debt.

DON’T underestimate consequences Being in debt can take a toll on health and well-being. A 2012 University of Nottingham study found that those who struggle to pay off debt are twice as likely to experience mental health problems. Debt stress can carry over into our relationships: money arguments are considered one of the top factors in divorce. Debt can also be a looming source of fear, resentment, frustration, and regret, so think of debt repayment has a financial, health, and wellness goal.

DO make a debt repayment plan 1. Make a list of all your debts. Include the balance, the interest rate, and the minimum payment.

2. Total up your minimum payments, then define an additional amount of money to put toward loan repayment 3. Choose a repayment strategy. Some iclude the Snowball method (sorting your debt balances from lowest to highest), the Avalanche method (sorting your interest rates from highest to lowest), and Consolidation (taking out a new loan to pay off all your other debts, then repaying that one loan). Each strategy has pros and cons, so a little research will come in handy.

4. Using your repayment strategy as a guide, create a prioritized debt list.

5. Each month, pay the minimum balance on all your loans except for the one at the top of your list—that one gets the minimum payment plus the additional funds you determined in Step 2.

That’s it! As you pay off debts, you’ll have more money to apply to the next debt on the list. Debt repayment requires action, discipline and a lot of patience. Having a plan helps track progress and keeps you from getting discouraged. If you need assistance in building your repayment plan, reach out to your credit union for any debt-related resources they may have available for you.

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Science Experiment Visible Pulse Supplies:

Toothpick Marshmallow or soft clay Stopwatch or similar device

Directions:

1. Using two fingers (and not your thumb) find the pulse on your wrist.

This pulse is called your radial pulse and should be on the same side of your wrist as your thumb.

2. If using clay, roll it into a flattened ball so that it resembles a marshmallow.

3. Place the toothpick halfway into the clay or marshmallow. This is your pulse meter.

4. Place your pulsemeter onto your radial pulse with the toothpick sticking up.

5. Move your pulse meter around until you see the toothpick begin to move. It should vibrate slightly or tick.

6. Count how many times your toothpick moves in a minute, timing this out with your stopwatch. This should be your resting heart rate.

(Please note: if you can not count for a full minute then you can also count the number of times your toothpick moves in 10 seconds and multiply this by 6).

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Try this: Try doing jumping jacks or another very physical activity for a minute or two and measure your pulse again. Is it faster or slower? Does something different happen to your pulse if you meditate or rest for a minute?

What’s happening: Your heart is a pump which moves blood all through your body using blood vessels. However, unlike water from a hose, your blood travels in surges or pulses with each pump of your heart. We can feel these surges when arteries (one of the special vessels that carry blood away from the heart) are near the surface of your skin such as at your wrist. We need to move blood around our body because it brings with it oxygen that our muscles need. When we exercise, our muscles need more oxygen and so our pulse speeds up. When we rest, the oxygen needs of our muscles change and so our pulse might slow down. We measure our pulse in beats per minute which is why we counted the number of vibrations of our toothpick for a minute. The average resting heart rate varies by age with younger children tending to have a higher rate but a typical average, for those over two, is near or below 100 beats per minute.

DOWNSIZING CHILDREN’S CLOSETS

by Tricia Mikesell

“How in the world do my children own this many shoes and clothes?”

I used to ask myself this question every time I searched for a specific outfit or put away laundry.

When our family adopted a minimalist(ish) lifestyle, I knew the issue of clothing needed to be addressed for my children. Today, each child has a three-drawer dresser and a clothing rack in her closet. Prior to minimalizing, they had an abundance of clothes of various sizes, for all seasons, and shoes to last two to three years. When we went minimal, my goal became narrowing their wardrobes to a more practical amount.

I wash clothes in my house three to four times per week, and my children have freshly washed outfits readily available every few days. Technically, based on this, my kids could own only four outfits apiece and be perfectly fine. We’re not that minimal, though! I have to factor in that children enjoy sleepovers and a few nights at Mimi’s house from time to time. I also have to keep holidays and special occasions in mind.

Ultimately, I decided to keep two weeks’ worth of clothing per child per season. I went with a two-season format of spring/ summer and fall/winter to avoid keeping too much. The major problem I had when starting this process was realizing that my kids owned about sixty outfits each, and had a couple years’ worth

stored for future use.

At first, I questioned my actions and feared I might regret downsizing too much. I decided to lend the clothes to my friends whose children were a couple years older than mine. This was a win-win solution, because someone could use clothing I was not using, and if I needed them back I could easily ask in the future. This freed up so much space.

My second goal was eliminating clothing my children would never wear. Itchy, ruffled items were out. Eliminating stained and torn items was easy; they’d been held onto for use as play clothes, paint clothes, and spaghetti night attire—all of which I never utilized.

Finally, I had a basic amount of clothes to sort through and pair up for two solid weeks of outfits, and a giant stack of clothes to sell and donate. Seeing so much space in the closet takes time to get used to, but feels amazing.

I wash less, the kids have an easier time selecting clothes, and the free space makes cleaning a breeze. Their drawers are neat and spacious; nothing falls out when I open them. I encourage all parents who are overwhelmed with an abundance of children’s clothing to take the plunge and minimalize.

Tricia Mikesell lives in the Bonsack area with her husband, Adam, and three daughters, Avery (11), Charlotte (6), and Emma (2). She works at a memory care facility for seniors, and also runs a photography business with her husband.

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F

ebruary is the time of year to invest a little extra in your marriage, whether it’s your first anniversary together or your tenth. You should never allow yourself to be too busy to spend time together, as it’s those quality moments that create lasting memories and make the heart grow fonder.

Marriage should be both a romantic and a business partnership in one. As your relationship goes through various ages and stages, it’s important to take the time to remember the marital vow in which you pledged to your partner that your relationship would be number one.

Whether you’re planning to raise a family, already have kids, or are in the empty-nest stage, your relationship is tried and tested each day. “Couples need to recognize that it isn’t about keeping it the same—one major change is when you first meet, lust may be the strongest emotion, and that hopefully changes to a deepening of love over time,” said Dr. Charles H. Holland, sexologist.

Create traditions that are important to you and your partner. It can be as simple as taking leisurely walks, picking out new plants from the nursery, or watching the sunset together. Come up with a fun motto for your relationship that represents you, as no two couples are going to be exactly the same.

Falling in love just happens—you cannot help it, and as the relationship goes on and you love, respect, and appreciate each other, you have to say so.

by Jamie Lober

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“Falling in love just happens—you cannot help it, and as the relationship goes on and you love, respect, and appreciate each other, you have to say so,” said Holland. For example, if your wife makes your favorite meal, try to remember that doing so took time and energy and care. If your husband comes home from work early or washes your car before you wake up, let him know how much his small act of kindness means to you. Especially in a great partnership, it can be easy to become comfortable and take one another for granted.

Communication keeps a spark going strong. “All too often, couples begin to communicate by text because that’s what the kids are doing,” Holland noted. You may find yourself greatly influenced by social media. “There

are people with six hundred friends on Facebook,” he added, “who have not met many [of them] face-to-face, and they feel lonely and disconnected because they are not communicating with people.”

You can even schedule your communication with your partner in the form of taking a nice, long walk.

“My wife and I walk two miles together every morning before we go to work, and that is incredibly important time for us because we never shut up. We talk the whole time and it’s wonderful,” said Holland.

Having children is a common life change that couples have to navigate.

The most important element of parenthood is not losing your identity as a couple while you work to build a happy and healthy family unit. To preserve the romance, schedule periodic date nights. Try to build the habit of frequenting restaurants, theaters, or attractions you both enjoy, but don’t lose sight of new opportunities available in your community, either. Attempt to branch out and try new things together—you just might find something new that you like. For the best chance at success, try to steer clear of talking about work or kids. The date nights should solely be about you, your partner, and the magical bond you share.

When parents have a strong relationship, children take notice and will model your positive interactions and kind behaviors when they seek to make new friends and, eventually, date.

Ignite the spark in your marriage— Valentine’s Day is the prime time.

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When you have to plan a huge blowout bash, where do you go?

Party Entertainment

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There’s nothing more important than the education of the youngest generation. Tell us all about your favorite education support providers!

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From hole-in-the-wall hidden treasures to local landmarks, where’s the best food in the ‘Noke?

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PET

Fido and Fluffy are a member of the family, too, and their care is just as valuable.

Where do you go to keep your pet healthy and strong?

RETAIL

Finding a store that has quality products and service is priceless. Who has earned your loyalty?

Car Dealer

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Real Estate Company

What’s your favorite place for your kids to get exercise and learn sportsmanship skills?

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Finding a trustworthy medical practice is one of a family’s top priorities, and the best ones are found through word of mouth. Share your favorites with us!

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FASHION

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What’s your favorite local shop to pick up the latest trends, save some money, and look your best?

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Just How Bad Are Toy Guns for Kids?

by Malia Jacobson

When kids can turn toast into a weapon, what’s a parent to do?

T

acoma mom Emily Waggoner, a former social worker who runs an in-home day care, wasn’t crazy about the idea of guns in her home—real or fake. But one day, her husband and nine-yearold stepson, William, came home with a cadre of Nerf artillery.

“Shotgun, sniper, semi-automatic—

everything,” she says.

squirm.

Waggoner balked at the pile of foam ammunition. Father and son were bonding happily over their new toys, fashioning armor and shields out of cardboard and duct tape. But sharing a home with all those toy guns still made Waggoner

She was in a bind—one shared by countless modern parents trying to navigate the world of toys, kids and pretend guns.

When it comes to toy guns, parents often find themselves at odds with

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their kids’ natural tendencies and interests, and without much guidance from science. One study by Malcolm Watson at Brandeis University found that toy guns increase aggressive behaviors, but scores of parents, experts, and researchers heartily disagree. And a growing school of thought around child-led play suggests that maybe toy guns have a place in childhood, after all.

Even toast is a weapon As shootings dominate the news month after month, pretend gun play has never been more unpopular with parents, Katie Morse, LCSW, a psychotherapist in private practice in Seattle, says. Many school districts have a zero-tolerance policy.

Children have been suspended for pointing fingers like handguns. Wary of falling on the wrong side of school policies, many parents attempt to squelch all toy gun play at home, lest it follow kids to school.

And then there’s the ick factor: Gun play—from water, foam and plastic guns to more sophisticated imitation weapons used in paintball, air-soft gun games and video games—just plain makes many of us uncomfortable.

“It’s easy to see violence and aggression in society and in the media, and then your sweet, innocent child is saying ‘bang bang’ and ‘I killed you,’ and you get overwhelmed with fear about whether he could grow up to be violent,” Morse says. “As a parent, those are normal, natural responses.”

Even so, our collective discomfort over fake artillery doesn’t stop some kids from turning everything they find into a weapon. After Gloria Lunsford of Seattle realized that Caleb, four, and Jacob, three, didn’t need actual toy guns to lob pretend gunfire at each other, she surrendered, as it were. Lunsford allows pretend guns, “but they cannot point them at people,” she says. “They have to pretend there’s a bad guy to shoot.”

As parents like Waggoner and Lunsford have learned, banning pretend gun

play usually doesn’t work.

“If your child wants to play guns and you’ve enforced such a ban and think it’s working, you’re probably just not turning around fast enough,” says child-led play advocate Jeff A. Johnson, author of numerous books, including Let Them Play: An Early Learning (Un)Curriculum.

Kids with a drive for pretend gun play will find ways to make it happen, Johnson says. “I’ve seen children chew toast into handguns.”

Another reason parents cringe at pretend gun play: It’s a stubbornly stereotypical “boy” behavior that persists, even in families that dial down traditional gender roles. Parents who are careful not to impose strict gender paradigms are often dismayed to find that their little boy enters them anyway, racing around the house shooting bad guys with a hairbrush.

Once again, it’s biology: 1, parents: 0, neuroscientists Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang, authors of Welcome to Your Child’s Brain, say. Gender-influenced toy preferences appear across cultures by 1 year of age; by 3, children overwhelmingly choose toys associated with their own gender. Even primates distinguish stereotypical male toys from female ones, according to Aamodt and Wang. Male monkeys prefer to play with trucks, and girl monkeys with dolls.

Arms ban?

So kids will find a way to conjure up a toy pistol if they want one. Are parents just supposed to be OK with this?

It looks that way. While toy gun play can be alarming to parents, it’s usually harmless, Morse says. In fact, many child experts agree that forbidding this type of play only gives pretend guns more power.

“Banning gun play may result in children hiding it and feeling shameful for their desire to play in this innate way,” she says.

Play guns aren’t about hurting others,

either. Even though toy gun play appears violent at first glance, parents should peel back the layers of what they’re seeing, Johnson says. “Toy gun play isn’t about violence as much as it is about symbols. Toy weapons symbolize power, leadership, authority, strength, and control.”

Pretend arms give children the chance to unravel these complicated concepts in the safe realm of play.

“A child crawling on his belly across the yard holding a stick-gun may be processing a pretend death and heroically pursuing a powerful enemy he will confront and defeat,” Johnson says. “As casual observers, this kind of play looks violent and can make us adults feel icky inside, but the learning is rich and valuable.”

Play-gun bans can unfairly single out children of one gender, Johnson says.

Girls engage in this type of play, too, though sometimes the thing that symbolizes power and control is a magic wand or a lasso.

One reason that guns may take on different forms in the hands of girls: Some caretakers and teachers are quick to admonish girls for pretend gun play while they tolerate the same behavior in boys, Johnson notes. “I think we need to make an effort to support girls in this type of imaginary play—no matter what type of symbols they choose to use.”

Stripping childhood of gun play doesn’t benefit boys or girls, Morse says. Pretend gun role play has developmental value, helping children make sense of their world as they grapple with societal roles, gender roles, budding beliefs about evil, their own helplessness, and input about power from numerous sources—adult role models, TV and movies, friends, and schoolmates.

Plan to set boundaries So a little “good guy–bad guy” role play is probably harmless and may even have benefits—but experts say parents can and should set limits around this

type of play.

Rule No. 1: Kids shouldn’t hurt each other during pretend gun battles.

That means taking a good look at safety risks inherent in pretend weapons. All fake guns aren’t created equal—there’s a big difference between a finger pistol and a BB gun in terms of potential for injury. According to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, pellet guns, BB guns, and paintball guns can fire at the speed of traditional guns and cause 22,000 injuries each year, mostly eye injuries.

Rules such as not pointing or shooting at others’ faces and not shooting family members or pets are important in laying the framework for safe imaginary play, Morse says.

Parents don’t have to agree to purchase or keep toy guns in the home if they’re uncomfortable with it; kids can get creative with household objects like paper-towel rolls or empty soap dispensers.

Keep an eye out for red flags during pretend gun play, like hurting people or animals “accidentally,” lack of remorse or empathy, or other aggressive behaviors.

These are cause for concern and may warrant a talk with your child’s pediatrician.

Make sure kids know rules about real guns. Prior to playdates, ask friends’ parents if they own guns (and, if the answer is yes, if they’re safely locked up) and make sure your kids know what to do if they

do encounter a real gun.

As for Emily Waggoner, she’s slowly warming up to toy weapons. She sees the value in letting kids work out fears and test boundaries safely. “Toy guns still make me uncomfortable, but that’s my own issue,” she says. “I’m coming around.”

Malia Jacobson is an awardwinning health and parenting journalist and mom of three who contributes regularly to more than 90 national and regional publications and has written two books on sleep.

I

s there anything better than dropping the kids off at your parents’ house for a welldeserved night off? The kids are happy, your parents are happy, and you are definitely happy. It’s a win-win situation for all.

Far from just being reliable, free babysitters, however, grandparents can play a vital role in the upbringing of your children.

The role of the grandparent is vastly different from your job as a parent, and to a child, it helps complete the circle of a wellrounded life.

So why are grandparents this important? What do they offer that you can’t? Take a minute to think back to your own childhood.

How did you feel when you found out you’d be spending the afternoon at Grandma’s house?

Ecstatically wild with joy? You knew there would be cookies and games and hours of imaginary tea parties. All that time spent at her home would be focused on you, playing whatever you wanted to play. Made you feel pretty special, right? The reason you were so excited might’ve been because your grandparents had the ability to concentrate solely on you. They didn’t have to go to work, or buy groceries, or do laundry, or pay bills, or do the other nine million tasks that can eat up any busy parent’s day.

Grandparents are pure play, and to a child there is nothing better.

Grandparent and Grandchild: A Special Bond

by Karen Fusco

It’s also important to realize that as your own parents get older, they become more like children themselves. Their sense of fun and imagination are coming full circle, and your children, especially, pick up on that magic and respond in very powerful, positive ways. For them, it’s like having a best friend, only one who has the ability to drive and buy candy and milkshakes!

Grandparents can offer your child experiences that, as a parent, you might not have time to do—like

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spending an afternoon fishing or a whole day walking through a forest, collecting leaves. Of course, you play with your child, but sometimes you just can’t do it for an entire day.

Grandparents can and do help shape your children’s memories growing up, and as kids grow older, those memories become rich with love and experience.

Grandparents also help pass on important family history.

children discover their roots.

They can also reinforce the values you’re trying to teach them.

Important characteristics you learned growing up, like honesty, fairness, and integrity, had to come from somewhere, right?

Grandparents help pass along these important lessons to your children just as they were passed along to you when you were growing up.

Grandparents also help pass on important family history.

How many times has your dad told your son about his experience growing up during World War II or about the student strikes during the Vietnam War? Or how many times has your daughter begged your own mom to recount the tale of when you set the living room rug on fire? Grandparents can weave tales of magic for your kids and pass along family history at the same time. This enables your children to realize that they are part of something bigger than themselves, part of a history that goes back generations.

Grandparents can help your

Grandparents can help shape your children so many major and minor ways. They are at a place in their own lives where they see the world as a child sees it in many ways. That kind of unity and connectedness is something that can’t be duplicated anywhere else, just as nothing can replace your role as a parent and the bond you share with your kids. It’s a magical relationship that your children will never forget.

Karen Fusco is the co-founder of SilkBow.com, which supports busy moms and dads with free gift ideas and helpful tips to meet the challenges of parenthood.

What is Pre-arrangement for pets?

Pre-arrangement includes planning for the final care of your pet in advance of a loss, so you don’t have to make these decisions at a difficult time. We provide this as a courtesy and details covered can include burial or cremation, urn or casket selection, memorial items and charitable donations.

Call 540-265-7297, and we will help you pre-plan for your beloved pet.

We’re here so saying goodbye is a little easier.

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 Growing Up

February 2019

31

More than Words

Books that will get your family moving, singing, laughing and dancing!

by Rachel Levine Reading doesn’t always need to be a quiet activity. There is a whole marvelous niche of interactive books that can bring new life to your family’s story time. These five books draw children into the story and invite parents and kids to read AND play together!

use of a pen or marker. Draw faces on the tips of your child’s fingers and you are ready to play! Fingers suddenly become puppets that need to get up, get dressed, have breakfast, and head to school. Drawing these silly puppets on little fingers is sure to bring giggles and fun to all!

Press Here

by Hervé Tullet Press Here is an iconic interactive book

by Hervé Tullet, the king of playful reads for kids. Like a book version of a touchscreen game, each page of Tullet’s book has dots that the reader is instructed to tap, shake, or tilt. Each action the reader does causes the dots to change to a different position on the next page. Press Here is a book kids will want to read over and over again!

Lovable Furry Old Grover’s Resting Places

by Jon Stone Many families are familiar with Jon Stone’s classic, The Monster at the End of This Book, but few are aware of its delightful companion, Lovable Furry Old Grover’s Resting Places.

A wonderful bedtime read, Resting Places has Grover inviting the reader to rest specific body parts on circles on each page. This book is great for toddlers and preschoolers, who are learning both body parts and right/ left. Grover’s charming conversation directed directly to the child reader will endear all Sesame Street fans.

The Good Morning Game

by Hervé Tullet The Good Morning Game requires the

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Tap the Magic Tree

by Christie Matheson Tap the Magic Tree is written in a similar format as Press Here, but takes the reader through the four seasons of the year. Finger taps, claps, and wiggles help the magic tree sprout new leaves, blossom, grow fruit, and lose its leaves in preparation for winter.

Simple and sweet illustrations and fun actions make this book a lovely read!

The Book with No Pictures

by B.J. Novak There are few things kids like more than their parents being silly, and The Book with No Pictures gets parents be spectacularly goofy. Based on the premise that the person reading aloud has to say whatever is written on each page, parents will end up reciting nonsense words, declaring themselves to be Robot Monkeys, and singing about eating ants for breakfast. This book is a memory-maker the whole family will love!

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 Kirk Family YMCA Lower Entrance – Downtown Roanoke 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 CHIP Roanoke - 1201 3rd Street SW - Roanoke, VA 24016

Stories Saved History All over the world, community stories, customs and beliefs have been passed down from generation to generation. This folkore is used by elders to teach family and friends about their collective cultural past.

And for African Americans, folklore has played a particularly important part in documenting history, too.

by Jennifer Dos Reis Dos Santos, PhD Candidate, Aberystwyth University

T

he year 1619 marked the beginning of African American history, with the arrival of the first slave ship in Jamestown, Virginia.

Slavery put African Americans not only in physical shackles. They were prevented from gaining any type of knowledge, including learning to read or write during their enslavement.

Illiteracy was a means to keep control as it was believed that intellectual stimulation would give African Americans ideas of freedom and independence.

The effects of slavery on African culture were huge. The slaves had to forsake their true nature to become servants to Anglo Americans. And yet, even though they were forbidden from practicing anything that related to their African culture and heritage, the native Africans kept it and their languages alive in America.

One important way of doing this was through folk tales, which the African slaves used as a way of recording their experiences. These stories were retold in secret, with elements adapted to their enslaved situation, adding in elements of freedom and hope. In the story of a slave from Guinea, recorded in The Annotated African American Folktales, he asks his white master to bury him face down when he dies, so that he may return to his home country which he believes is directly on the other side of the world: Some of the old folks in Union County remembered that they had heard their fathers and grandfathers tell the story about Sambo who yearned to go back to Guinea. Hunters and

hounds feared Sambo’s woods for more than a hundred years I guess the hounds used to feel Sambo’s homesickness. But now, since the hounds run fast and free, I guess Sambo finally got back to Guinea.

Adapting the oral storytelling traditions of their ancestors helped slaves stolen from West Africa cope with and record their experiences in America. And later it helped other generations, particularly in the 19th century, to learn what happened to the ancestors who had been enslaved.

Folklore has not just helped African Americans to record and remember large-scale events, or relate morals as other folk tales do—it has helped with individual family genealogy, too.

Having an aspect of genealogy in folklore makes African American history not only traceable but more approachable. The stories relate to specific people, their experiences and the places where they lived. They are not necessarily mythical tales, but stories are about real people and what happened to them. They demonstrate and track the fight for freedom and independence.

This linking of genealogy and folklore gives the oral histories continuity, and adds an element of personal curiosity to the historical past. Family history figures in many folk tales makes each story unique, as one’s own heritage will be intertwined with its telling.

It adds to cultural memory, too, and enhances family values as descendants are able to refer back to and honor their ancestors’ experiences. Take this extract from a retelling of “The Cat-

Witch,” for example: This happened in slavery times, in North Carolina. I’ve heard my grandmother tell it more than enough. My grandmother was cook and house-girl for this family of slaveowners—they must have been Bissits, ‘cause she was a Bissit.

In more recent decades, novels and book retellings of this family history have become the new way of keeping African American folklore alive. Indeed, folklore has been the inspiration behind some of the most important African American literary works. In Roots, Alex Haley’s work of historical family fiction, the main character’s father, Omoro Kinte, initiates a baptism ritual that has been transmitted throughout generations. The newborn baby is held up towards the starry night sky and then given its name. The baby is told to “behold the only thing greater than yourself.” This naming ritual is a poetic moment and has become iconic in various ways. It is even referenced in Disney’s The Lion King when Rifiki lifts Simba to the sky.

Like Roots, Margaret Walker’s Jubilee (1966) is enriched with folkloric elements. Both novels emphasize the importance of different sayings and traditions. Jubilee’s main protagonist remembers that “when she sang, the children would stop their playing and come closer to listen, for they loved all her songs—the old slave songs Aunt Sally used to sing, and the tender, lilting ballads of the war, too.”

Singing folksongs was a tradition that served as entertainment or as a way to have rhythm during their work in the fields. After all, tradition is what kept the enslaved sane. Their African culture not only gave them the strength to fight for another day but it provided solace too.

For any one of us, the past is important in determining our identity and history, but without the determination and persistence of the first African Americans, it is likely that much of their story would have been lost to time. Thanks to their repeated sacrifices, African Americans can still look to their ancestors for guidance today.

Growing Up

February 2019

35

PARENTS INFLUENCE UNDERAGE DRINKING

3 OUT OF 4 TEENS DON’T drink alcohol if their PARENTS think it’s wrong.1

START TALKING

TO PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING 1

2017 Roanoke City Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 74.5% of 10th and 12th graders that reported their parents think it is wrong for them to drink alcohol did not drink in the past 30 days.

Think outside the book.

NORTH CROSS SCHOOL was founded on the belief that a classroom is a concept, not a room. Here, teachers are inspired and empowered to create lessons, not follow them. Children pursue their best in a community that supports and respects curiosity and innovation.

With programs designed to engage, question and surprise, every North Cross graduate is a product of our ceaseless evaluation of what works—and, a commitment to embrace what’s next.

More happens here.

NORTH CROSS SCHOOL · AN INDEPENDENT, ACCREDITED NON-SECTARIAN JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 12 DAY & BOARDING PROGRAM · ROANOKE, VIRGINIA · WWW.NORTHCROSS.ORG

Go. Play!

See. Southwest Virginia’s Largest Family Event Calendar

Theater & Live Shows Marvelous Cornelius millmountain.org

February 2 at 11 a.m. at Mill Mountain Theatre in downtown Roanoke. Experience this colorful, joyful, and heart-warming tale about a real-life sanitation worker in New Orleans named Cornelius, a brightspirited and humble man whose waterproof determination made a heroic difference in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and inspired an entire city. Bring the family—this delightful musical is for children of all ages. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 children under 12.

Sounds of China

artscenter.vt.edu/performances/ sounds-of-china.html February 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Moss Arts Center in Blacksburg. Led by composer Ma Jiuyue, Sounds of China is a highly polished ensemble from Beijing that blends traditional Chinese music with forward-looking arrangements, mixing the ancient and the modern. While the group incorporates plenty of traditional

instruments, Jiuyue’s arrangements recast the ancient melodies into thoroughly contemporary, rockoriented settings with electric guitar, synthesizers, and a standard drum kit, giving the performances a pop-like energy and sheen. The ensemble features some of China’s greatest musicians from both the classical world and the pop realm.

Jiuyue incorporates a wide variety of ideas, mixing in bits of new age, pop, progressive rock, jazz, and cinematic grandeur. Tickets start at $20, with student and child discounts available.

Finding Neverland

theberglundcenter.com February 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre in Roanoke. Based on the Academy Award-winning Miramax motion picture by David Magee, and the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan by Allan Knee, Finding Neverland follows the relationship between playwright J.M. Barrie and the family that inspired Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up—one of the most beloved stories of all time. Directed by Tony®-winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Hair) with book by Olivier Award®nominee James Graham, music and lyrics by Gary Barlow (Take That) and Grammy Award®-winner Eliot Kennedy, and choreography by Emmy Award®-winner Mia Michaels (“So You Think You Can Dance,” Cirque du Soleil’s Delirium), this new musical, packed with mesmerizing visuals, irresistible songs, and plenty of laughs, is a timeless story about the power of imagination, and spectacular proof that you never really have to grow up. Admisison starts at $37. Parking is $5.

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Presents Valentine Dreams rso.com

February 9-10 at Shaftman Performance Hall in the Jefferson Center in Roanoke. Relish in a joyous celebration of anticipated Spring.

Concertmaster Akemi Takayama and New York Philharmonic’s Rebecca Young perform one of Mozart’s most beloved works. The music blossoms as the violin bursts forth

in the Symphony No. 1, along with George Walker’s Lyric for Strings and Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis. Tickets start at $34.

[title of show]

performingarts.vt.edu/index.php/ events/view/title-of-show-musicand-lyrics-by-jeff-bowen-book-byhunter-bell February 13-15, at Theatre 101 on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg. Jeff and Hunter, two struggling writers, hear about a new musical theatre festival. However, the deadline for submissions is a mere three weeks away. With nothing to lose, the pair decides to try to create something new with the help of their friends. In the span of 90 minutes, they write and perform their show at the festival and learn lessons about themselves as people, friends and artists. [title of show] is, above all, a love letter to the musical theatre—a uniquely American art form—and to the joy of collaboration. The musical received a Tony Award® nomination for Best Book of a Musical in 2009.

flap your wings with Big Bird, marvel at Abby’s magic, be amazed when Super Grover flies, and move to the rhythm with Rosita. Anything’s possible when everyone who shares something in common gets together.

Kick your feet to the beat at Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party!

Admission starts at $21.

My Fatal Valentine LOVE IS ALL HEARTS AND ROSES UNTIL IT ENDS IN MURDER...

Join other amateur sleuths on February 15, 16, and 17 at Roanoke’s historic Fishburn Mansion for My Fatal Valentine: a delicious dinner and interactive murder mystery theatre performance.

During this interactive dinner theatre, audience members will use their detective skills while traveling through the mansion to solve the mystery.

Cost is $49 per person, and includes dinner and dessert. Register by February 10 at playroanoke.com/ activity/my-fatalvalentine-murdermystery-dinnertheatre

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

The Foreigner: A Comedy

February 14-24 at the Showtimers Community Theatre in Roanoke.

All 37 plays in 97 minutes! Three madcap actors weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, and tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter.

It’s an irreverent, fastpaced romp through the Bard’s plays, and one of London’s longestrunning comedies.

Tickets begin at $14.

February 26 to March 6 at the Mainstage Studio Theatre on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg. A fishing lodge in rural Georgia is the setting for Larry Shue’s comedy The Foreigner, where two Englishmen, Froggy and Charlie, arrive as guests. Pathologically shy and overcome with fear at the thought of making conversation with strangers, Charlie passes himself off as a foreigner from an exotic country who speaks no English.

Admission is $12 general; $10 for senior/ student.

showtimers.org

Sesame Street Live!

Let’s Party!

theberglundcenter.com March 1-3 at the Berglund Performing Arts Center in Roanoke.

Jump to the beat with your friends on Sesame Street! Join the fun with an interactive show that unfolds on one of the world’s most famous streets at the funniest, furriest party in the neighborhood.

Get ready for Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party!

Learn new songs and sing along to familiar favorites with Oscar and Cookie Monster, build a snowman with Elmo,

performingarts.vt.edu/ index.php/events/ view/theforeigner

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella

artscenter.vt.edu/ performances/ cinderella.html March 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Cinderella is the Tony® Awardwinning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that’s delighting audiences with its

contemporary take on the classic tale.

This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations, and all the moments you love— the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball, and more—plus some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who’s ever had a wish, a dream... or a really great pair of shoes. Tickets start at $20.

Firebird: Presented

by Jefferson Center & Southwest VA Ballet jeffcenter.org

The Firebird ballet is a story full of magic and love based on a Russian folk tale. Southwest Virginia Ballet will be reviving the stunning choreography of internationally known choreographer Viente Nebrada set to the brilliant score of Igor Stravinsky. Nebrada’s Firebird is set in the tropics with a host of fantastic creatures aiding the Firebird and Prince in their quest to rescue the beautiful princess from an evil Magician and his Companion.

Stunning costumes by the internationally recognized costume designer, Christina Giannini, include

lizard-like monsters, dragonflies, and a spectacular Firebird, whose feathers are thought to convey beauty and protection upon the earth. Through the intervention of Firebird, the Prince is able to destroy the evil Magician and marry his princess. Tickets start at $20. Children 12 and under are $5.

Darci Lynne & Friends - Fresh Out of the Box

theberglundcenter.com March 9 at 7 p.m. at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre in Roanoke. Winning NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” at just 12 years old by the most votes for a final performance in the history of the show, singer/ ventriloquist Darci Lynne Farmer impresses audiences across the country with her sweetheart disposition and undeniable, show-stopping talent beyond her years. She is accompanied by her musical friends, including a divaesque rabbit, Petunia, a

shy and soulful mouse, Oscar, and a sarcastic old woman, Edna.

Singing through her friends helped the young entertainer find a voice inside she didn’t know she had. It also helped her overcome a lifelong struggle with shyness. Tickets begin at $29.75. Parking is $5.

Mamma Mia!

millmountain.org March 27 to April 14 at the Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke.

Fly in for a fABBAulous time at Mill Mountain Theatre this Spring.

Mamma Mia! tells the story of Sophie, a twenty-year-old bride-to-be who longs to have her father walk her down the aisle.

The problem is she has no idea who her father is! After reading her mother’s diary, filled with her mom’s adventures in love, Sophie invites each of the three potential fathers to her wedding.

With nonstop laughs and exhilarating dance numbers set to the iconic music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! has been a

global smash hit since its premiere on Broadway in 2002. Notable songs include “Take A Chance on Me,” “Super Trouper,” “Dancing Queen,” and more! Tickets start at $15.

to experience the show live on stage, or you’ve seen it before and want to recapture the magic, CHICAGO always delivers!

Tickets begin at $37.

Chicago

Festivals & Fairs

March 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre in Roanoke.

There’s never been a better time to experience CHICAGO, Broadway’s razzle-dazzle smash. This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony® Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, thousands of standing ovations, and now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history. Whether you’re looking for your first Broadway musical, you’ve seen the Academy Award®winning film and want

Big Lick Comic-Con

theberglundcenter.com

See history come alive at Jurassic Quest at the Berglund Center February 15-17.

theberglundcenter.com February 9-10 at the Berglund Special Events Center in Roanoke.

The Big Lick Comic-Con returns in 2019, now with a massive, TWO-day event! Featuring comics, celebrity guests, and more than 120 exhibitors, including collectors, creators, and artists, and featuring gaming, cosplay, food trucks, dayspecific entertainment, and more, plus new preand post-party activities and so much more to be

announced! Admission is $15 for single-day or $25 for the whole weekend.

16th Annual Latin Dance Party jeffcenter.org February 15 at 9 p.m. at

the Jefferson Center in Roanoke. Immediately following the Alfredo Rodríguez & Pedrito Martinez Duo show, check out the Latin Dance Party inside Fitzpatrick Hall. You DO NOT have to purchase an Alfredo Rodríguez & Pedrito Martinez Duo

FEB 28 & MAR 1 For tickets: call 540-345-2550, or go online!

roanokechildrenstheatre.org 40

Growing Up

February 2019

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Festival March 16th at 10 a.m. in downtown Roanoke. Join us for the Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Festival, one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on the East Coast! The Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. on Jefferson Street.

The Shamrock Festival, hosted by the City Market Building, goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids’ Zone will be provided by the Taubman Museum and Market Square. concert ticket to attend the Latin Dance Party. Admission is $10, with a $3 discount for Alfredo Rodríguez & Pedrito Martinez Duo ticketholders.

Jurassic Quest

jurassicquest.com February 15-17 at the

Berglund Civic Center in Roanoke. Jurassic Quest is the LARGEST and most REALISTIC dinosaur event in North America! Come see more than 80 dinosaurs and activities for the whole family. Admission starts at $22. VIP packages are available.

showcase of invention and creativity with a focus on K-12 Makers.

Library Events Chinese New Year Chopstick Game Night (540) 853-2340

February 6 at 4:30 p.m. at the Williamson Road Branch Library. Come celebrate the Chinese New Year with a fun chopstick game! All are welcome to join this fun event.

Roanoke Mini Maker Faire

Bingo

roanoke.makerfaire.com

rvl.info

February 17 at 1 PM at the Science Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke.

Enjoy a family-friendly

February 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Jackson Park Branch Library. Join us for several rounds of bingo for prizes

At The Grandin... We Know How To Make You Smile!

Enjoy this Holiday Season Watching Local!

grandintheatre.com The Grandin Theatre • 1310 Grandin Road • Roanoke, VA 24015 • 540-345-6377

Call us today and schedule your

Kindergarten Entrance Exam Call (540) 344-9213 for information about Kindergarten and School Entrance Exams

at our Roanoke and Westlake locations

Learn about our services & providers at physicianstochildren.com

for a guided tour of the zoo in the dark to observe the creatures and enjoy spectacular views of the city at night. Members: Children $9, Adults $12.

Non-Members: Children $12, Adults $15.

Dinner Doodles and Crafty Cocktails taubmanmuseum.org on the 3rd Friday of each month. Light refreshments provided.

Races & Exercise Open Public Skate

theberglundcenter.com

Blood Pressure and Diabetes Risk Screening rvl.info February 20 at 11 a.m. at the Jackson Park Branch Library. Carilion Clinic Community Health & Outreach is partnering with the Roanoke Public Libraries to offer free blood pressure and diabetes risk screenings.

Kids Paint Rocks! salemva.gov February 12 at 3:30 p.m. at the Salem Library. Join the rock-painting craze!

We’ll provide all the supplies for patrons ages 6-12. Space is limited.

Come enjoy Public Skate at Berglund Center Coliseum!

February 10 is the “More Than Pink” Valentine Skate —Skate to support Susan G. Komen Virginia Blue Ridge.

Admission is $6, skate rental is $2.

have a special just for you: two-for-one admission and rental gear! (That’s a savings of up to $23!)

Go hit the town or have a night climbing the walls —your choice. Additional siblings get 10% off.

Classes Night Howls

Parents’ Night Out

riverrockclimbing.com February 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at River Rock Climbing in Roanoke. Need an evening without the kiddos? Drop off your 7- to 12-year-old for a night of supervised climbing games and activities at the River Rock while you enjoy an evening to yourselves.

Would you like to climb while the River Rock takes care of the kids? If you have a child participating in Parents’ Night Out, we

mmzoo.org

Every third Thursday October through February, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke. Bundle up and bring your friends to the zoo to hear the wolves howl, the owls hoot, and the big cats call!

Participants will begin the night indoors, enjoying hot cider and cookies while learning about nocturnal animals and the noises they make. Guests will then proceed outdoors

February 9 - 10 at the Taubman Museum in Roanoke. Let’s be honest—we all love food.

Maybe it’s a secret family recipe, or even just the smell of our favorite food that transports us back to Christmas 1992 at Grandma’s. In this workshop, we will turn those favorite food and cocktail recipes into artwork! After getting a crash course in watercolor and hand-lettering techniques from artist and instructor Mariam Foster, you will create your very own illustration of a favorite recipe that will be perfect as a gift for your loved ones or to hang in your own kitchen. $35 for non-members, $30 for members.

Bath Bombs: Fun, Organic & Purposeful rvl.info February 16 at 3 p.m.

at the Gainsboro Branch Library. Bath bombs are everywhere! Yet many times, they can be full of toxic chemicals. Not our bath bombs! Join us to learn the craft of making your own. They can even be organically colored with ground flowers! What would you include to relax, or energize, or focus? How about roses for Valentine’s?

Join us to make and take home a bomb. No bath tub?

NO PROBLEM!

Plush Potted Plants

taubmanmuseum.org/ programs/museum-school February 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Taubman Museum in Roanoke. Do you have a case of the winter blues?

Brightening up your space with some lively green plants might help! Join instructor Alison Lee for this two-hour class as we hand sew plush potted cacti, succulents, and other charming and vibrant house plants. A fun project to do with your child or family member—plus, no sewing experience or green thumb is required! One adult and one child: $40 general, $32 members.

$5 per additional person.

Register online to reserve your space!

DIY Jewelry rvl.info

February 13 at 6 p.m. at the Melrose Branch Library.

Join us as we craft jewelry together. Bonnie has all the best, authentic jewels and pieces to make your jewelry special. This course is designed for adults.

Special Events Center in Roanoke. You’ll get the best deals on kids’ items like clothing and shoes, toys, books, games, maternity and infant gear, and much, much more!

As you may have noticed, our sale is a little bit different than most. We are passionate about helping the community, and we hope you are, too.

LFA Kids has been creating great events each Spring

Sales & Fundraisers LFA Kids Consignment Event

lfakids.com March 7-10 at the Berglund

and Fall for nearly 15 years. We bring together great deals on quality used kids’ items from hundreds of consignors, organizing everything by size, gender, and category for easy shopping. Prices start at just 50¢!

Growing Up in the Valley’s

Mother & Son 80s Dance February 23, 6 PM Firehouse Skate-n-Play $35 per adult & child couple $15 per additional attendee

Do you have room in your heart and your home?

BECOME A FOSTER PARENT STARS is a collaboration between Roanoke City and Roanoke County/Salem Departments of Social Services and Youth Advocate Programs. We provide ongoing support and training for foster families providing care to children with higher medical, emotional and behavioral needs, including: 24/7 on-call support from YAP

Respite services

Access to Licensed Professional Counselor for foster parents

Individualized services and training to meet to family and child's needs

Seasonal celebrations and recognition

Monthly support group meetings

540-853-2408

Kristin Rickman, Roanoke City kristin.rickman@roanokeva.gov

540-283-8844

Ben Jones, Roanoke County bsjones@roanokecountyva.gov

can Re a l A me r i or N i nj a Wa r r i Op e n !

C o u rse N o w

Kids Eat Free launchingpadsalem.com 1300 Intervale Drive Salem VA 24153

540-404-9235

fdc 44

Growing Up

February 2019

Every Day

Monday

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

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

• 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

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

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

Tuesday • Brambleton Deli 11 AM - 9 PM • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult 3655 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke (540) 774-4554 • Denny’s 4 PM - 10 PM • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult All Locations Roanoke & Salem (540) 389-5074 • 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

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

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 • 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

• Ruby Tuesday 5 PM - Close • 11 & under, 1 child per paid adult Electric Rd., Roanoke (540) 265-9301

• Tokyo Express 11 AM - 3 PM • 4 & under free buffet per paid adult 1940 W Main St., Salem (540) 389-6303

• Rodeo Grande All Day • 12 and Under 1 free per paid adult Valley View, Roanoke 540-206-2296

• K&W All Day • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult Hershberger Rd. Roanoke

• F.P.S All day • 12 & under, 1 child per paid adult 611 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke (540) 400-6879

• Lew’s Restaurant SW All Day • 12 and Under 2 free per paid adult Walnut Avenue, Roanoke 540-682-5925

(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

Trampolines

& More!

Basketball Dodgeball Jousting Pit Fidget Ladder Airbag Pit Launch Tower Arcade with prizes Bumper cars Flight Training Wall NEW! American Ninja Warrior Course Snack Bar 5 Party Rooms

• Famous Anthony’s 12 PM - Close • 1 child per adult meal All Locations Roanoke, Salem, Vinton (540) 362-1400

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 • T.G.I.Fridays All Day • 12 & under 1 with paying adult

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

Growing Up

February 2019

45

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