Roanoke Valley Family Magazine May 2021

May 2021 • Volume 9 • Issue 9 • FREE

2021 Family Favorites

WINNERS

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Curtis Curtis Burchett Burchett 540.354.6323 540.354.6323

Lisa Lisa Seifred, Seifred, Client Client Services Services Manager Manager

BURCHETT BURCHETTHOMES HOMESTEAM TEAM Home Home

Bringing BringingFamilies Families

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Inside May 8 News in the ‘Noke 10 In the CommUNITY Learn about Resilience Week in Virginia.

18 Meet Your Neighbor

Meet Michael Craft, Local Principal agent with Geico.

24 Recipe of the Month Presented by Oliveto

Learn how to make Slow Cook Pork Tenderloin

29 Family Favorite Winners

Read up on all of your picks for the best of the area!

36 Creating Healthy Lifestyles for Virginians to Play and Compete

The Virginia Commonwealth Games return this July.

38 Teaching Kids to Enjoy Nature

Get ideas on how to get kids outdoor to enjoy nature!

16

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring 7 things to do when the weather is rainy.

Kids Can Help Save the Honeybees

40 Sage Advice for this Crazy Housing Market presented by Curtis Burchett 42 Ten Can’t Miss Summer Camps The best of local camps!

48 Rachel Reads The focus of this month’s books is Moms!

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On the Cover OUR COVER KID Stella

SIGN UP FOR

2021CAMPS SUMMER

K-12 OFFERINGS INCLUDE: Musical Theatre Performance Dance Audition Technique Acting & Improv Technical Theatre

my favorites

Visit millmountain.org/class to sign up today.

COLOR purple TV SHOW Puppy Dog Pals BOOK Peter Pan SCHOOL SUBJECT art MOVIE frozen TOY bicycle CANDY bubble gum when I grow up, I want to be a doctor

an interesting fact about me I play football, ride horses and love to swim.

Photos Provided By:

MAY 8-16 Heights Community Church (Front Lawn)

Outdoor, Socially-Distant, and Family-Friendly Theatre by MMT.

aricogen.com millmountain.org/shows

Leading Off Welcome to our 97th issue. We are three away from a major milestone; our 100th issue! We cannot wait to get there - it has been an amazing ride!

We are winding down another school year, one of the most unique and challenging years for teachers and students ever.

Summer is getting closer and restrictions are loosening. Events will be back in force this summer and hopefully we will be back with our events soon after!

In this issue, the votes have been tallied and it’s time to take a look at the winners of the 2021 Family Favorite Awards! Next month, we’ll turn our attention to the Valley’s high school seniors in honor of their graduation.

We’re excited to recognize and celebrate the hard work students

throughout our area have put in to achieve this milestone!

Next issue, we will be honoring graduates in our annual Graduation Issue! We will be requesting photos of your graduating seniors to honor their accomplishments! Please keep an eye on our website and our facebook page for more info on how you can get this info to us!

Until then, enjoy the wonderful weather and remember to keep being diligent with hand washing, mask wearing and social distancing!

Proud Members of the Parenting Media Association since 2013! Learn more at www.parentmedia.org.

7

C o n t a c t Us: P.O. Box 4484, Roanoke, VA 24015 540-251-1660 www.roanoke.family

Publishers

Josh & Andrea Eagan

josh@virginiafamily.com • Anika and Evelyn’s Parents

Creative Director Tracy Fisher

Anika, Evelyn and Josh taking Bauer to his Vet Appointment

The Eagan Family

Andrea, Josh, Anika and Evelyn

Read Our Other Publications

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Contributors

Kimberly Emory • Jamie Lober Susan Baldani • Georgianne Vecellio Rachel Levine • Jacqueline Moon • Grace Partin

Connect With Us /roanokefamily

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

Community Relations Director

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

jeanne@virginiafamily.com • Parker and Connor’s Mom

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

Jeanne Lawrence

Sales Assistants Ani & Evie Eagan

sales@virginiafamily.com • Bauer and Chloe’s Owners

Webmaster

John Morris • COV Designs john@covdesigns.com

Photographer Ari Cogen

Roanoke Valley Family and www.roanoke.family are published by MoFat Publishing. Roanoke Valley Family is published monthly.

The views and the opinions expressed by the writers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of Roanoke Valley Family, its staff, or its 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 2019 by MoFat Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. All material, including artwork, advertisements, and editorials, may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.

@roanokefamily

@rvfamilymag

/roanokevalleyfamily

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

© Copyright 2021 Mofat Publishing

Roanoke Recognized for Supporting Early School Success During COVID-19 Pandemic

in the

‘Noke

The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading announced this week that it has named Roanoke, Virginia and its Star City Reads initiative a 2021 Bright Spot community for its responses to the COVID-19 crisis last year. Specifically, CLGR is highlighting communities that developed exemplary or innovative responses to the COVID crisis. In particular, the Campaign is recognizing communities like Roanoke for crafting solutions that seem especially effective, replication-worthy and/or deserving of being sustained during the post-COVID period.

Noteworthy news from around the Valley

Faith Christian’s Project Faith helps Mill Mountain Zoo and Hopetree Family Services 400 Students, Staffs and Parents Volunteer to help local organizations Project Faith is Faith Christian School’s only school-wide fundraiser.

Since 2002, Faith Christian School’s Project Faith has donated over 51,000 volunteer hours to 51 organizations in the local community. Contributions are made to support the operating fund, which covers expenses not met by tuition. Project Faith is a way to raise much-needed funds for the school while instilling a love of community service in our children. Each year the students look forward to participating

in this important event in the life of the school.

Mill Mountain Zoo was founded in 1952 and continues its mission to promote an appreciation and understanding of wildlife and preservation through quality exhibits and educational programs. Through a wide variety of programs, HopeTree Family Services carries out its mission to provide Christian residential, educational, and support services to at-risk children and youth and their families, and to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Faith Christian will serve Mill Mountain Zoo and HopeTree Family Services by painting, cleaning, landscaping, repairing, and organizing.

These are projects the organizations simply would not be able to complete due to budget and personnel constraints.

“As soon as the pandemic set in, we realized that children were going to have a very difficult time and that their learning and development would suffer,” said Sheila Umberger, Director of the Roanoke Public Libraries.

“Last March, our staff mobilized to immediately offer virtual early literacy opportunities for children. In June, we collaborated with Feeding Southwest Virginia to offer our Feed and Read program curbside so children could receive free, nutritious meals and early learning activities at the same time from the same place.”

The first week after Virginia’s shutdowns began, Roanoke Public Libraries staff began recording

SATURDAY, MAY 22 1:00 PM Tickets are now available at www.grandintheatre.com

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

8

Family • May 2021

and posting virtual storytimes on the library system’s Facebook and Instagram pages, and on its YouTube channel. To date, more than 150 storytime and craft videos have been shared with Roanoke children.

“A key concern was that the financial impact of the pandemic would cause more local children to go hungry,” Umberger says. Once the Roanoke Public Libraries began curbside service in June 2020, its renowned Feed and Read program also resumed. To date, more than 60,000 meals have been safely served via curbside service since then. Numerous other Star City Reads partner organizations have also supported youth nutrition in Roanoke, including Roanoke City Public Schools, Kids Soar, and the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

The Roanoke Public Libraries has also continued helping children learn

through distribution of learning kits.

The Libraries have distributed more than 8,400 themed learning kits since the summer of 2020. Each kit contains a free book appropriate for the child’s reading level from birth through adolescence, as well as crafts the child can do with their family. Many Star City Reads partners have conducted similar pivots in order to support families during this time.

Launched in 2010, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a collaborative effort of funders, nonprofit partners, business leaders, government agencies, states and communities across the nation to ensure that many more children from low-income families succeed in school and graduate prepared

for college, a career and active citizenship. Since its launch, CGLR has grown to include more than 300 communities, representing 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and two provinces in Canada — with 5,000+ local organizations and 510 state and local funders (including 200+ United Ways). Star City Reads, Roanoke’s award-winning Campaign for GradeLevel Reading initiative, is led by the Roanoke Public Libraries. To learn more, visit http://gradelevelreading. net/ and www.starcityreads.org.

We heard it online!

Friends! Meet Hyde. She is a ten year old American Black Bear that moved to our Zoo from Wright Park Zoo in Dodge City, Kansas. If you recently visited us, you may have caught a glimpse of Hyde as she settled into her new enclosure.

After spending the required 30 days in quarantine per MMZ’s policy and procedures, we are excited to introduce Hyde to the region. Thanks to all our guests for allowing her that period of adjustment to bond with her keepers and to settle into her home. @millmountainzoo

The 16th Century Flemish Tapestry from The Hodges Family Collection is on view at the Taubman Museum of Art January 2 - October 3, 2021. Exhibition and educational support is generously provided by Dr. Daniel Lee Hodges, Mrs. Stephany Colvin Hodges, and the Hodges Family @taubman_museum

VCT is looking for a qualified Resident Stage Manager to join our team. This position is a full time, year round, salaried position and a vital part to the success of our productions.

We offer a competitive salary, paid vacation and more.

Come join us at THE professional children’s theatre of Virginia! @virginiachildrenstheatre

Family • May 2021

9

In the CommUNITY

By Sandra Pratt

The trauma you have experienced and survived is the most powerful part of your life experience. Honor and celebrate your resiliency. Leonie H. Mattison

We are now over a year into the pandemic shifting the ways in which we have been able to engage with one another. We are starting to see some light at the end of this long dark tunnel, but we are still in the midst of ongoing cultural shifts while dealing with social and racial injustices; therefore, resiliencebuilding continues to be an important and much-needed focus. During times of uncertainty and anxiety it is important to know how to cope and how to build yourself back up. After the year we all just experienced, we could certainly benefit from learning how to practice resilience. Simply defined resilience is a person and community’s ability to adapt or bounce back after experiencing adversity. May 2 – May 8 will mark the second annual Resilience Week in Virginia. There are many wonderful initiatives and events throughout the Commonwealth and several local organizations are working together to promote Resilience Week and educate the public on the

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Family • May 2021

resources right here in Roanoke. The Roanoke Prevention Alliance, the Resiliency Collective and the Trauma Informed Community Network will be flooding social media to spread the word. This is an opportunity to come together and acknowledge the grief and trauma of the past year but more importantly to celebrate the hope and the resilience that will take us forward into the future.

The Roanoke Prevention Alliance’s (RPA) Resiliency Collective was formed in May 2017 using the collective impact model with a combined effort of over twenty-five community organizations focused on increasing youth, family, and community resilience. One of the Resiliency Collective’s main prevention efforts is to counter the effects on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma experienced by youth and families. Trauma can be measured by ACEs and among youth, can increase their risk of health, social, and emotional problems.

Exposure to ACEs affect a child’s brain development, as well as causes chronic stress that affects their long-term physical and mental health. ACEs were developed by the Centers for Disease Control-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences Study.

The ten ACEs measured in that study were: emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, divorce/ separation, mother/stepmother treated violently, a family member who is addicted to substances, a family member who is diagnosed with mental illness, and a family member who is incarcerated. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance use problems in adulthood while also negatively impacting education job opportunities and earning potential.

The good news is that ACEs can be prevented by building resiliency in oneself and those around you. Some ways to increase youth and family

resiliency are involvement in pro-social activities (organized sports, youth groups), positive support networks, positive social and family relationships, and sense of purpose in the future.

These along with various others are referred to as “protective factors” and help people deal more effectively with stressful events.

During Resilience Week and throughout the month of May, the community will be given local resources that can help build resilience. There will be daily social media posts to highlight the protective factors that people can surround themselves with to increase resilience in their lives.

Learn more about building resilience at ResilientRoanoke.org. Join the RPA Resiliency Collective in their mission – Resilient People. Stronger Communities.

Opportunities to help Champion Resilience: • 31 Days to Resilience calendar • Contact the Resiliency Collective to attend one of their presentations: Be a Resilience Champion and the Path to Resilience • Take their workshop “Train the Trainer” to share the resilience building toolkits • Like and share posts on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roanokepreventionalliance • Share daily posts promoting and teaching resilient habits

RESILIENCE WEEK VIRGINIA MAY 2-8 31 Ways to Build Resilience SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

#1 Slow down and take a pause

#2 Ask for and give support

#3 Connect

#4

where you feel you belong

Focus on your posi�ve future

to To others and yourself

#9

#10

#11

Promote positive media

Share this info on social media

Give someone a compliment

#16

#17 Explore

Be empathetic

ResilientRoanoke .org

#23 Praise yourself

#30 Listen carefully

#5 Be kind

#6 Accept

#7

#8

mistakes and Play as a learn from them family

Be there for a friend

#12

#13

#14

Stand up for others

Respect Differences

#15 Give a

Be present in the moment

#18

#19

#20

#21

Enjoy what’s around you

…Breathe…

Give a loved one Practice a virtual hug patience

#24

#25

#26

#27

#28

#29

Share how you feel #31 Build

Support fellow co-workers

Strengthen family bonds

Praise others

Highlight strengths

Be open to new pe o pl e

message of

HOPE

#22

Practice Self-care

purpose in others

Family • May 2021

11

by Irene Myers-Thompson

Safe Eyes and Ears for Summer and Beyond Summers in Virginia offer an overture of sensory delights. The sights, sounds, and tactile pleasures of these languid days — from the beach to the mountains — can be filled with adventure and relaxation alike. But summer activities also can carry with them a degree of risk, risks that can have both short- and long-term health consequences.

As a medical professional, I wanted to offer a few reminders on how to best protect yourself during the dog days of summer (and beyond!), particularly in helping ensure that you are not damaging your eyes and ears.

A Day in the Sun . . . or Not Most folks are well aware of the damage that sun can wreak on your skin. Too much sun can cause burns, accelerate aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. But lengthy exposure to the sun during outdoor activities also can affect your vision, and so in addition to sunscreen to protect your skin, it’s also a good idea to invest in some quality eye protection.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can contribute to the development of cataracts and macular degeneration, which can impact your vision and even cause blindness.

Many people are not aware that intense short-term exposure to UV light may cause what we call “eye sunburn,” a painful condition often acquired as a result of outdoor activity. Too much longterm exposure may contribute to skin cancer around the eyes and other sightthreatening conditions. To help reduce these risks, protect your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses that block out 99 percent or more of UV rays. A widebrimmed hat is a worthwhile precaution,

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Family • May 2021

as well.

Then there’s the opposite problem: not getting enough sunlight, a condition that affects children who spend hours — even hours on beautiful sunny days — consumed by digital devices. Studies show that natural light promotes healthy vision, especially among children and teens whose eyes are still developing. Spending time outside may be a protective factor against nearsightedness. And adults are not immune, either. Partly due to extended periods of up-close reading and screen time, more than 40 percent of Americans have nearsightedness (myopia), which is the inability to see far-off objects clearly. It’s a condition that also is on the rise.

Sounds of Summer Summertime activities can make our ears as vulnerable as our eyes. Attending live sports events and music concerts can expose our ears to sounds at decibels that can damage our hearing. Crowd noise at some sporting events can exceed 90 decibels, while the volume at music concerts can exceed 115 decibels. What we know is that prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels may contribute to gradual hearing loss. That makes using ear protection — something that may seem counterintuitive when you are at a concert — a cautionary idea. Earplugs or earmuffs will enable you to still hear your favorite music but give you enough protection to forestall damage to your eardrums. This type of protection is especially important for babies and children attending loud events, as young people’s hearing follicles are more easily damaged compared to those of adults.

Live music or noise are not the only threats. Extended listening to music or digital content through headphones or earbuds also may damage hearing over time. To help prevent that, a general rule of thumb is to turn the volume on your electronic device to 60 percent or lower and listen for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. That means giving your ears a rest as you would other parts of your body. And another cautionary piece of advice: when using power tools or a lawn mower, never listen to earbuds.

The cacophony of sound is more than we should ever subject our ears to.

Even with the Fourth of July behind us, it’s worth noting that fireworks are another summer tradition that can be dangerous one for both the ears and eyes. These explosions can exceed 150 decibels, so make sure to always view fireworks from a significant distance.

Hospital ERs annually treat nearly 13,000 people for fireworks-related accidents, with eye injuries — such as burns, lacerations, contusions, and foreign objects in the eye — in many cases causing permanent damage.

Let’s make sure that as we enjoy our summer and the rest of our year, that we’re not exposing our eyes and ears to risks that can have serious consequences — now and in the future.

Irene Myers-Thompson is the Regional Wellness Director of UnitedHealthcare Mid-Atlantic

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Budget-Friendly Backyard Acvtivities “Mom, I’m bored!”

Those three words strung together can trigger waves of anxiety and eye-rolls in any parent, especially during the summer months when a child’s daily schedule is wide open.

If summer camp isn’t a feasible option, your patience may have peaked to the point where you’re tempted to jump ship and let the kids get glassy-eyed for hours in front of their screen of choice.

If you’re looking for another option, look no further than your own backyard for enjoyable and affordable ways to have summer fun. Here are six budget-friendly activities to keep your kids busy having a blast in your own yard.

Set up an obstacle course.

Backyard obstacle courses are loads of fun, can be easy or elaborate depending on the age of the child, and can consist entirely of objects you already own. For younger children, an obstacle course can include:

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Family • May 2021

by Dolores Smith

Hula hoops to hop in and out of Buckets to weave around slalom-style Yoga mats spread on the grass for forward rolls A low balance beam to walk across Balls to toss into laundry baskets An inflatable pool to jump into at the end of the course For older kids, a more challenging course can consist of: Folding tables to crawl under Planters to jump over Water balloons to transport by spoon without dropping Balls to toss into boxes of decreasing size A hose to knock down items lined up on a table Newspaper pages to place underfoot with each step while racing across the yard toward the finish line!

Channel a classic with a game of lawn Twister. To make a grass-version of this classic game, purchase cans of marking spray paint in red, blue, yellow, and green from your local hardware store.

Use a plate to trace a “Twister dot” on a piece of cardboard or poster board. Trace a small circle for the smaller hands and feet of young children or a large circle for older players. Cut the circle out to create a hole in the cardboard or poster board and, voila, you have a Twister dot template.

Place the cardboard or poster board template on the grass and spray paint through the hole in the template to create rows of dots. Be sure to place the dots close enough so that children can easily reach over from dot to dot, and be sure the game grid area is large enough to accommodate the number of children playing.

Once the dots are all painted onto the grass, grab your (indoor) Twister spinner and start playing! If you don’t have a Twister spinner, write down each of the four

directions (left hand, right hand, left foot, or right foot) for each dot color on separate index cards or slips of paper. For example, one card will read, “Right hand. Green.”

Call out each direction and watch players stretch, reach, and balance as they strive to be the last kid standing on your lawn Twister board!

Fill the water balloons with water, tie into a knot, and then tie a string around each knot.

Tie several water balloons to the rope using the attached strings so that the balloons hang overhead like a row of piñatas.

Have each child take a turn swinging the

Blast the sprinklers. For more water

play, your kids can stay cool in this at-home spray park, courtesy of your lawn sprinklers.

If you have an oscillating sprinkler system, scatter water-friendly toys around the sprinkler unit for each child to scoop up before getting soaked by the swinging water stream.

Make a slippery splash pad.

Get creative with colorful water art.

Have your kids change into their bathing suits for some slipping and sliding with this giggle-inducing activity. All you’ll need is a large tarp and a hose. Lay the tarp down in an area with plenty of space around all sides of the tarp. Run the hose on the tarp until it’s soaked and slippery. Keep the hose running as your kids splash on the tarp and slide on it barefoot or Superman-style. Give the kids boogie boards if you have them for added slippery fun.

Bring out your child’s inner artist with this game of water squirter art. Fill water squirters with water mixed with food dye, using a different color for each water squirter. Set down sheets of paper on the grass or tape sheets of paper onto trees and enjoy watching your kids paint colorful masterpieces.

Dolores Smyth is a mother of three who finds inspiration for her writing from everyday life. Her work has appeared in numerous print and online publications. You can read more of her work on Twitter @LolaWordSmyth.

Throw a fiesta with water balloon piñatas. Your kids can keep their bathing

suits on for this wet and wild game of water balloon piñatas. For this activity, you’ll need water balloons, string, a strong piece of rope, and a plastic bat.

plastic bat to see how many balloons she can burst in 30 seconds. Use a blindfold with older children to further test their skill.

Tie the rope between two trees or two other sturdy structures.

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Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, DC 20076 © 2019 GEICO

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l ley ’s a V e k o n a o R Pa r k e n i l o p m a r On ly T

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring

7 Things to do on a Rainy Day Article by: Sarah Lyons

B o o k Yo u r rty Bi r t hday Pa To day !

Nothing is more boring than a dreary, rainy day. Lounging in bed or curling up with a good book may sound ideal to parents, but most kids are unwilling to spend their day this way.

The next time it won’t stop raining and pouring, try these rainy day boredom busters.

Host a movie marathon Pop some corn and put on some your favorite movies to enjoy with the kids to pass the time.

Consider choosing a theme for your movie marathon such as Disney princess movies, a movie with several sequels, or old school movies from your childhood. A rainy day is also a great time to head to the

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Family • May 2021

Paint, sculpt play dough, or make bead bracelets. Allow the kids to get creative by making their own scrapbook or finding items in your recycle bin they can make into sculptures. Hit up craft store sales prior so you have a stockpile of art supplies available without having to go out in the rain. Often you can find seasonal themed kits to complete with your children. Now you will have

fun decorations for the house as well entertainment for your children.

Take a field trip You don’t have to stay cooped up in your house just because it’s raining.

Stopping by the library or video store passes the time and lets you stock up on things to do when you return home.. Check local listings for open gyms, indoor playgrounds, or other fun indoor activities where the kids can run and play while burning off some energy.

Puddle jump If temperatures allow, change into play clothes and then head outside with your rain boots and umbrella and allow the kids to jump in the rain puddles. When you head back inside draw a warm bubble bath to get cleaned up and wind down.

Trampolines

& More!

Experiment Since you are stuck inside, amuse yourself and your children with a science experiment. Not only will time slip away, but you will also be providing a science lesson. Ideas could be creating a volcano with baking soda and vinegar, combining water dyed with food coloring, or mixing salt with ice to see what happens. Your local library will have several books with age appropriate experiments or websites like Pinterest can also provide a lot of great ideas.

Fun in the kitchen

Bake some cookies or other homemade treats with your kids and they are sure to think you’re sweet. Pull out some old family recipes and teach your kids how to make them. In addition to learning about their family’s culture and traditions, they are sure to proud of being able to serve them for dinner that night.

Get active

Have a dance party in your living room,play a game of keep away, or create an obstacle course to get the kids active and help burn off some of the restless energy that can build up when they are stuck inside all day.

Check gonoodle.com for free kids’ workout videos.

It’s raining, it’s pouring, but that doesn’t mean your day has to be boring. Parents can get creative and involve the kids in their plan to fill the rainy day. Besides all the things listed above you can build a fort, make cards for soldiers, clean up the toy room, or make homemade ice cream. The possibilities are endless with a little imagination.

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

Family • May 2021

17

Meet Your Neighbors

Michael Craft

Local Principal Agent with Geico

business employees attended events like St. Patrick’s Day festivities, Roanoke Go Outside Festival, and many other local events in the Roanoke Valley region.

Being a part of GEICO means they get to hang out with a popular mascot - the GECKO. Craft says the GECKO is wellliked in the community. They especially enjoy joining the GECKO at Salem Red Sox games where the GECKO gives away gifts to fans at the games. His GEICO office has a partnership with the Salem Red Sox. Craft said, “Our most successful involvement has to be our partnership with the Salem Red Sox. We have been an active sponsor since 2015 and spend many nights at the Salem Memorial Ballpark with the GECKO giving away gifts to Red Sox patrons.”

Craft says his staff helps make the GEICO office such a great place to do business.

He said, “Our staff of professional licensed agents are the backbone of our agency. They are committed to providing excellent service to our clients. They truly enjoy interacting with clients in the office as well as at community events.”

Michael Craft enjoys helping people in his hometown region find insurance for anything they need as the principal agent with the GEICO Roanoke agency! He enjoys helping clients with their needs, plus supporting local events and enjoying the outdoors outside of work.

Craft is originally from the region. He says he grew up in the Clifton Forge area and graduated from Alleghany High School in 1981. Before joining the insurance industry, he spent years in the military. Craft joined the Army following high school graduation in 1981.

He went to Germany that year. He met his wife Magdalena, a Mexican living in Germany, and they were married in 1983 in Denmark. Their only child, a daughter was born in Frankfurt, Germany. After more than four years in Germany, the family returned to the United States in Northern Virginia.

Once he was back in the United States, Craft says his brother suggested the insurance industry to him. He has been in insurance sales and service since 1989.

Craft says joining GEICO brought him home. He says he was offered Houston, Texas or Roanoke. “So, naturally I opted

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Family • May 2021

to return home since I left the area in 1981,” Craft said. He opened the GEICO Roanoke office in 2015. Craft helps people with all insurance needs from car, home, motorcycle, RV, boat, and life. As an Army veteran, he can also help other veterans with GEICO’s Military program with discounts.

Craft says he is happy to live and work in Roanoke. When asked what he likes the most about the area, he joked, “Having spent much of my professional career in Northern Virginia, the obvious answer is traffic. Aside from that, the slower pace of life is very appealing. It affords my wife and I more time to spend with our two grandsons who live here as well.”

The Craft’s daughter also lives here and her two sons.

When Craft is not working, he enjoys playing golf. He and his wife also like visiting vineyards and breweries in the area. Their favorite spots are the views from Chateau Morrisette Winery and Valhalla Vineyards.

Craft enjoys attending outdoor events.

Before the Covid pandemic affected events, he and his GEICO insurance

Craft says his clients are what makes it all worthwhile from helping others with insurance needs, to serving the community, and living with his family in his hometown. “We are blessed to be a part of this community and are so thankful for the client relationships we have established in the region.”

Covid pandemic restrictions have kept his office doors closed to clients for more than one year, but the office remains open for telephone conversations. They can still serve all of the clients’ needs over the phone. Craft says they look forward to welcoming clients back into the office in the upcoming months.

Michael Craft, Local Principal Agent with GEICO 4750 Valley View Blvd, Suite 20 Roanoke, VA 24012 540-985-6550

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE AGENCY

Become a Foster Parent (540) 595-7431

www.alliancehhs.org

540-966-3990 lenkortho@gmail.com www.lenkbraces.com

Find Your Way to Give Back.

Donate, Refer or Become a Foster Parent!

Misty D. Lenk, DSS, MS, PC 228 Commons Parkway Daleville, VA, 24083

fb.com/lenkortho instagram.com/lenkorthova Family • May 2021

19

Kids Can Help Save The Honey Bees article by: Sarah T. Yale

Now is a great time to adopt an important cause. Kids can use their innate curiosity and intelligence to learn about our natural world and help save the honey bees. Honey bee populations fluctuate due to environmental and other factors. There appear to be multiple causes including colony collapse disorder, pesticide use, viruses, parasites and insufficient food supply.

colonies.

About a third of the food Americans consume comes from crops that are pollinated by honey bees. Plants in neighborhoods and parks need to be pollinated in order to reproduce and make seeds so their species will not die out.

Plant native flowers in gardens, public gardens and flower pots. Honey bees are attracted to purple, blue, white and yellow flowers. Herbs, flowering fruit and vegetable plants will also nourish honey bees.

In school, children learn that we are all responsible for the future sustainability of our ecosystem and our planet. Kids have the power to raise awareness, to educate others, and to help protect and preserve species.

10 Things Kids Can Do Now to Learn About and Help Honey Bees Get some books about honey bees from the library and research them on the internet. Study pictures to be able to recognize honey bees and other bee species. Look at photos of the inside of honey bee hives to notice the structure, organization and efficiency of bee

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Family • May 2021

Look for honey bees in your yard and garden, at the park or at camp. Take photos without getting too close. You can enlarge them to get a closer look.

Appreciate bees while they are at work pollinating. Give them plenty of space and watch to see exactly what they are doing.

Plant clover in your lawn and if possible, leave a meadow area of uncut grass in your yard. Honey bees love clover which produces small white, pink or reddish blooms.

Provide water for the honey bees to drink. They need to be able to stand near the edge of the water to drink or bathe. A shallow plastic dish of water with flat rocks in it will work. Honey bees will stand on the rocks to reach the water. Use a clear or light color bowl to keep the water from overheating.

Talk it up. Spread the word about encouraging honey bees to other children.

Share about honey bees at camp or school. Make a poster, project, or webpage to educate people.

Make flyers on your computer to educate people about attracting honey bees, by providing a habitat for them with flowers, plants and accessible water. Tell people not to use pesticides.

You can color the flyers by hand with crayons or markers, or use computer clip art. Put the flyers in neighbor’s mailboxes and post around town on bulletin boards at the library, the town hall and the grocery store. Mail flyers to your local and state government officials, and to newspapers.

Visit a beekeeping farm to learn more about harvesting honey. Look in books and online for images of beekeeping.

Maybe you will want to become a hobby beekeeper.

Buy local or U.S. made honey, rather than imported honey. Honey can be used in place of sugar in recipes. Try baking with honey, yum!

Honey bees are our friends. We need them to pollinate our flowers, plants and our nation’s food crops. Honey bees are very important to our environment and our planet.

Flowersto Attract Honey Bees

Vegtables and Fruits to Attract Honey Bees

Herbs to Attract Honey Bees

Wildflowers Dandelions Asters Cosmos Lilacs Clover Wisteria Zinnia Marigolds Geraniums Black-eyed Susan Sunflower Hyacinth Snowdrops Tulips

Tomatoes Cucumbers Melon Squash Flowering broccoli Berries Pumpkins Peppers

Basil Chives Lemon Balm Mint Sage Thyme Rosemary Lavender Fennel Bee Balm

Sarah T. Yale is a nature loving, working, writer mom, whose children are learning to love the natural world, and to do their part now and in the future, to sustain and preserve the planet.

3433 Orange Ave NE Suite D, Roanoke 540-427-7274

www.wecaredentalcare.com Family • May 2021

21

A lot of learning happens in the first five years.

Text UWROANOKE to 274448

Standard message and data rates apply. Text STOP to 274448 to stop.

Text HELP to 274448 for help.

Fortunately, you’ve got partners who can help! Smart2Start is your one stop guide for finding — and affording — early care and educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. Bright By Text is a free service that provides tips, activities and community resources to help you give your child a healthy, happy start.

To learn more, visit: smart2start.org Text UWROANOKE to 274448 Standard message and data rates apply. Text STOP to 274448 to stop.

Text HELP to 274448 for help.

Lorem Ipsum

2021 Suuer Camp Fii, Explode and Explore Camp

Each Camp $135/Members $160/Guests

ages 3-4

ages 4-6

June 21-June 24

Fiiing, Exploding and Exploring galore for four days!

Explode with excitement as you delve into crazy concoctions,meey mediums and radical reactions.

Fii, Explode and Explore Camp July 12-July 15

Fiiing, Exploding and Exploring galore for four days!

Explode with excitement as you delve into crazy concoctions,meey mediums and radical reactions.

Camps are from 9 AM - 1PM and limited to 10 Kids

Junior Chef Camp July 26 - July 29

Grab a chef's hat and dive right in. We wii provide everything a child nnds to create healthy and some not so healthy recipes while learning along the way. We'' bring culinary enjoyment to everything we create.

When I grow up Camp June 28-July 1

become a chef that creates yuuy treats, doctors that care for patients using first aid kits we construct, and veterinarians who take special care of fuuy friends. the fun does not stop there, We may have some special visitors from the zz.

Register online at kiddquare.org or caa 540-342-5777

NOW ENROLLING!!

SUMMER CAMPS In these unique and dynamic camps, children will build incredible motorized creations, play games and have lots of fun using LEGO® Bricks.

WORKSHOPS CAMPS BIRTHDAY PARTIES AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES

540-380-2485

www.bricks4kidz.com/roanoke

We Learn. We Build. We Play.

Recipe of the

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Ingredients

1/3 Cup Oliveto Savory Butter Olive Oil 1/2 Cup Oliveto Red Apple Balsamic Vinegar 2-3 lb Pork Tenderloin 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper 1 tsp minced garlic Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Trim the silver skin off the tenderloin and place in bottom of the slow cooker.

In a separate bowl, mix all other ingredients & pour over tenderloin.

Cover & cook on high for 1 hour.

Reduce heat to low and cook an additional 3-4 hours.

Remove tenderloin & discard liquid.

Month

Try with Oliveto Honey Ginger White Balsamic Vinegar or Traditional Dark Balsamic Vinegar for a new flavor profile!

Can also be served shredded for wonderful BBQ sandwhiches.

NORTHROANOKESWIMCLUB.COM

(540) 366-3629 502 Santee Road Roanoke, VA

SUMMER CAMP 2021

NO REGISTRATION FEE WITH THIS AD, A $100 VALUE. Hot Breakfast!! Hot Lunch!! Snack!!

Field Trips!! Every Day!! Lots of Swimming!!

Splash Valley!! Skate & Play!! Bowling!!

Karate!! Gymnastics!! Crafts!!

Expires 5/7/21

We have a Swim Club with a Diving board & Slide!!! We also have a Huge Moon Bounce Climbing Net, and a Swinging Tunnel!!!

BECAUSE

“MORE HAPPENS HERE”

P E O P L E S AY T H AT W E PROVIDE THE

BEST

E D U C AT I O N A L EXPERIENCE IN T H E VA L L E Y.

Learn for yourself why people who send their children here say that North Cross has the BEST: • overall educational experience for your child.

• college preparatory curriculum and services.

Come see the Valley’s most resource rich private school campus, meet our people, and see our students actively engaged and safely learning in person, 5 days a week.

• Junior Kindergarten program.

• remediation program for students with diagnosed learning differences.

• COVID-19 mitigation programs.

Inspiring bright minds for 76 years • www.nor thcross.org

The best Beach Party in the Valley returns ELMWOOD

Every Thursday May 20 - October 14 Elmwood Park in Downtown Roanoke

®

Visit DowntownRoanoke.org for details

. . . e r a s r e n n i W e h t d n A Over 60, 000 votes were counted in our 3rd annual Family Favorite Awards! The businesses in the following pages all won their respective category - making them a Roanoke Family Favorite!

2021 Family Favorite Awards

29

Favorite Festival Community School Strawberry Festival Elmwood Park, Roanoke strawberryfestivalroanoke.org

Favorite Attraction or Entertainment Venue Berglund Center

710 Williamson Road, Roanoke (540) 853-2241 theberglundcenter.com

Favorite Food Truck Mama Crocketts Donuts 500 5th Street, Lynchburg (434) 215-3275 mamacrocketts.com

Favorite Pizza Place Favorite Performance Venue Virginia Children’s Theatre 1321 3rd St. SW, Roanoke (540) 400-7795 virginiachildrenstheatre.org

Favorite Museum Kids Square

1 Market Square, Roanoke (540) 342-5777 kidssquare.org

Favorite Weekend Trip Pigeon Forge

pigeonforge.com

Favorite Local Professional Sports Team

1316 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke (540) 981-1340 gracesplacepizzeria.com

Favorite Ice Cream Shop Blue Cow Ice Cream

Salem Red Sox

1008 Texas St, Salem (540) 389-3333 salemsox.com

WINNER! Favorite Pizza

Grace’s Place Pizzeria This family owned and operated pizzeria is located in the Grandin Village.

The menu features homemade pizzas, pastas, or sandwiches. They offer dine in service as well as take out.

30 2021 Family Favorite Awards

Grace’s Place

1115 Piedmont St, Roanoke (540) 400-8558 bluecowicecream.com

Favorite Hamburger Joint

Favorite Photographer

Farmburguesa

Delanie McKeel

Vinton and Grandin Village (540) 595-7778 and (540) 566-3377 farmburguesa.com

Roanoke, VA (540) 494-2365 facebook.com/delmckeel

Favorite Family Restaurant

Favorite Place for Children’s Clothes

Sal’s Italian Restaurant

3940 Valley Gateway Blvd., Roanoke (540) 904-7767 salsinroanoke.com

Once Upon A Child

4092 Electric Road, Roanoke (540) 774-3639 onceuponachildelectricroad.com

Favorite Date Night Restaurant Local Roots

1314 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke (540) 206-2610 localrootsrestaurant.com

Favorite Kids’ Menu Macado’s

Multiple Locations throughout VA (540) 345-8034 macados.net

Favorite Party Entertainment Launching Pad

1300 Intervale Drive, Salem (540) 404-9235 launchingpadsalem.com

Favorite Party Spot

Favorite Place for Women’s Clothes Uptown Cheapskate

1411 Towne Square Blvd., Roanoke (540) 204-4750 uptowncheapskate.com

Once Upon A Child

4092 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA (540) 774-3639 onceuponachildelectricroad. com

Favorite Consignment Sale LFA Consignment

Held twice a year at the Berglund Center lfakids.com

Launching Pad

Hair Gallery

26 Tinker Mill Road, Daleville (540) 992-4648

Favorite Place to get Cupcakes Favorite Teacher Bubblecake

2073 Colonial Ave. Roanoke (540) 343-2253 bubblecake.com

Favorite Party Spot

Favorite Consignment Shop

Favorite Family Hair Salon 1300 Intervale Drive, Salem (540) 404-9235 launchingpadsalem.com

WINNER!

Launching Pad Roanoke Valleys’s only trampoline park is a huge hit for adults and children. Currently operating at reduced capacity because of COVID, the facility is deep cleaned throughout the day.

It features some of the best party room around as well as many attractions! Besides the trampolines, Launching Pad features dodgeball, dunk lanes, an airbag pit, jousting pit, rope ladder, bumper cars, flight training wall and an American Ninja Warrior Course! Launching Pad is open Thursday-Monday!

Mrs. Gogerty, Colonial Elementary

2021 Family Favorite Awards

31

TRIPLE WINNER!

North Cross

Best Private Elementary, Middle, and High School

Founded in 1944, North Cross School is an independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory school located in Roanoke, Virginia, that serves children from early childhood through twelfth grade. North Cross provides a rigorous academic curriculum, competitive with the best collegepreparatory schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia. While we explicitly recognize the importance of intellectual development and academic achievement, we also strive to promote personal integrity, empathy, and responsibility to self and community. Through this, our graduates will act as leaders in the local and global communities, persons of intellectual and moral courage, and scholars in the service of others. The School also houses the CrossWalk Program which, through the Orton-Gillingham approach, teaches students with diagnosed language-based learning disabilities the necessary methods and strategies to thrive in their traditional classrooms. The School offers a boarding program, housed in the historic Boxley Building in downtown Roanoke, for its students in grades eight through twelve.

Favorite Child Care Facility Children’s Nest

Multiple Locations childrensnestlc.com

Favorite Preschool Honeytree Early Learning Centers Multiple Locations throughout VA honeytreeelc.com

Favorite Private Elementary School, Middle and High School North Cross

4254 Colonial Ave, Roanoke (540) 989-6641 northcross.org

32 2021 Family Favorite Awards

Favorite Tutoring Service

photo credit: North Cross School Facebook

Favorite Gymnastics/Cheer Facility

Learning and Behavior Specialists 820 Apperson Dr, Salem (540) 389-2223 learningandbehaviorspecialists.com

Favorite Summer Camp

Prestige Gymnastics

2726 Lee Hwy., Troutville (540) 759-1403 prestigegymnasticsacademy.com

Favorite Dance Studio Camp Roanoke Salem, VA (540) 387-6114 camproanoke.com

Favorite Youth Sports Organization Valley United Roanoke, VA valleyunited.us

Floyd Ward

1221 E. Washington Ave,Vinton (540) 345-1633 floydwarddance.com

Favorite Martial Arts Studio Super Kicks Karate

3565 Electric Road, Roanoke (540) 384-0770 superkickskarate.net

Favorite Music Program

Favorite Cleaning Service

Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir

Cleaner World

1601 S Colorado St, Salem (540) 676-7265 childrenschoir.com

Favorite Place for Music Lessons Hale’s Music School

902 S. College Avenue, Salem (540) 397-0707 halesmusicschool.com

Favorite Family Friendly Gym YMCA of VA Blue Ridge

679 Brandon Ave SW, Roanoke, VA (540) 345-2634 acleanerworld.com

Favorite Real Estate Agent Cristy Crouch

231 Roanoke Blvd., Salem (540) 725-77-27 thecrouchteam.com

Favorite Real Estate Company MKB

5 Locations throughout SWVA area ymcavbr.org

3801 Electric Road SW, Roanoke, VA (540) 989-4555 mkbrealtors.com

Favorite Place for Swim Lessons

Favorite Furniture Store

Aquatic Adventures

2007 Electric Road, Roanoke (540) 989-0520 aquaticadventuresswimschool.com

Grand Home Furnishings

902 S. College Avenue, Salem, VA (866) 472-6343 grandhomefurnishings.com

Favorite Insurance Agency

Favorite Car Dealer Haley Toyota

1530 Courtland Rd. NE, Roanoke (540) 712-3558 haleytoyotaofroanoke.com

Favorite Grocery Store Kroger

Meador Insurance

3801 Electric Road SW, Roanoke, VA (540) 904-7833 meadorinsurance.com

Favorite Home Improvement Business

Multiple locations throughout VA kroger.com

Northwest Hardware

Favorite Bank

northwesthardware.com

Freedom First Credit Union

Multiple Locations Throughout Region (540) 389-0244 freedomfirst.com

Multiple Locations Throughout Region

Favorite OB/GYN Physicians to Women

21 Highland Ave SE, Roanoke, VA (540) 982-8881 ptow.com

WINNER! Best Orthodontist

Lenk Orthodontics Dr. Misty D. Lenk has launched her own dental business from the ground up. Lenk Orthodontics provides care to patients of all ages, from seven to 70 years old. They provide all forms of orthodontic care from braces to aligners to fixed functional appliances. Dr. Lenk values her education and strives to continue the learning process to provide her patients with the most modern and proven types of orthodontic treatment. Dr. Lenk also dedicates between 60-80 hours every school year, giving back to the community in various ways. As a mom of four, she empathizes with struggles of our modern families. Her office strives to run and finish treatments on time, make treatment as affordable as possible, offer numerous payment plan options and provide individualized and gentle care. Her fun, familyfriendly office is open to patients five days a week and it is a convenient location for people not only in Botetourt County but in all surrounding areas.

Favorite Optometrist

Dr. Neal Jessup

2205 Orange Ave. Roanoke (540) 343-2197 doctorjessup.com

Favorite Allergist Dr. Thomas Fame

1002 Apperson Drive, Salem (540) 404-9598 drtomfame.com

Favorite Chiropractor Cherichky Chiropractic 1585 Roanoke Road, Daleville (540) 591-3535 cfchirova.com

Favorite Pediatrician

WINNER!

Physicians To Children

Favorite General Dentist

21 Highland Ave SE #100, Roanoke (540) 344-9213 physicians-tochildren.com

Mills & Shannon

Favorite Orthodontist

Dr. Michelle Mills and Dr. Travis Shannon’s mission is to provide patients with stateof-the-art care in a compassionate and comfortable environment. They do this by investing in new technology and advanced training for their team to meet their patients’ needs.

Dr. Misty Lenk

Dr. Mills says their patients and their staff make this the best place for their family to live and work. She said, “I often say I have the coolest patients in town. Being a dentist was my dream from about middle school age. My patients are thoughtful and kind and funny. My team is also amazing. It is difficult to find the perfect words to describe how fortunate I feel to take care of my patients and work with my amazing team. I still love what I do!”

Dr. Corey Sheppard

Favorite Counselor or Therapist Roanoke Valley Counseling

2727 Electric Road #103, Roanoke (540) 782-2863 rvcctoday .com

Favorite Pet Boarding 228 Commons Pkwy, Daleville (540) 966-3990 lenkbraces.com

Favorite Pediatric Dentist

Vinton Vet

1309 E Washington Avenue, Vinton (540) 342-7821 vintonvet.com

Favorite Pet Training 6112 Peters Creek Road Roanoke (540) 904-7833 roanokepediatricdentistry.com

Favorite Dentist Mills & Shannon

3533 Keagy Rd., Salem (540) 989-5700 millsandshannon.com

High Hopes

Roanoke, VA (540) 343-3849

Favorite Veterinary Clinic Vinton Vet

1309 E Washington Ave, Vinton (540) 342-7821 vintonvet.com

WINNER! Favorite Pet Training

High Hopes

High Hopes Dog Training group classes are designed to help you better understand your puppy or dog while teaching him or her to be a well-mannered member of your family. Participants will learn the most effective way to become loving, but clear and consistent, dog parents through use of positive reinforcement training methods.

Our in-home private lessons and day training program provide you with a personalized training program specifically designed for you and your dog. Training goals are discussed and a schedule is created in order for you and your dog to get the very best education while at home and in the community.

At High Hopes Dog Training, we provide services to the Roanoke Valley in Southwest Virginia including the City of Roanoke, the City of Salem, Roanoke County, the Town of Vinton, and parts of Botetourt, Bedford, and Franklin counties.

PASSPORT TO FUN 2021 SUMMER CAMP Summer Camp Returns to Roanoke County in 2021!

Your Passport P ASSPORT to Fun Begins, June 1 - August 6, FUNUp! Ages TO 3 and 2021 • Camp Roanoke Discovery Camp • Explore Park Day Camp • Kids In Camp • Pre-K Enrichment Camps • Athletics Camps BRAMBLETON Recreation Center

Register Online at RoanokeCountyParks.com/Camps Family • May 2021

35

CREATING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES FOR VIRGINIANS TO PLAY AND COMPETE

The 2021 Virginia Commonwealth Games Optimism is abundant at Virginia Amateur Sports. With 2020 in the rearview mirror the future is looking up, new events are being added to the organization’s slate of offerings, and athletes all over the commonwealth are looking to get back to normal and return to the play.

The VAS signature event, the Virginia Commonwealth Games at Liberty University, will be adding a fast-pitch softball tournament for girls’ teams the week before the main games. A basketball skills competition will be held in Roanoke, as well. Plus, in a first for VAS, a festival is planned for downtown Roanoke in October.

These new events add to the event catalogue that runs throughout the year and features, in addition to the state games, a sprint triathlon, a half marathon and more. With all that is

36

Family • May 2021

on the agenda for 2021, the challenges of dealing with the guidelines are more favorable as the restrictions continue to ease.

Virginia Commonwealth Games are in Lynchburg July 23-25 Not to say 2020 was all bad; while many sporting events were wiped off the calendar, VAS was able to hold more than half of the competitions originally scheduled as part of the

Games. All were done in a safe and compliant manner.

Most of those events were played at outdoor venues and some events held virtually. Not a single case of Covid-19 was traced back to a Commonwealth Games event.

Still, the pandemic put the brakes on momentum that was built in 2019 when VAS enjoyed its most successful year ever, playing host to the 2019 National State Games, a showcase event governed by the National Congress of State Games, where athletes who competed at their respective states throughout the U.S. come together for the biennium national event.

Over 12,000 participants took part in over 50 events in front of 40,000 spectators at Liberty University and the greater Lynchburg region.

The summer of sports kicks off May

1 with a sprint triathlon at Smith Mountain Lake State Park. A sprint triathlon is a triathlon where each of the components is half the distance of the standard Olympic triathlon, requiring competitors to swim 750 meters, cycle for 20 km and run a 5k.

The actual Commonwealth Games, presented as an Olympic style competition awarding gold, silver and bronze medals, are back this year and expected to be even more popular as a year of isolation and boredom gets knocked off many Virginians like dried mud off an old pair of cleats. There is no skill requirement to compete, just register and have fun.

The important part of the VAS mission is giving Virginians a place to compete, so they stay motivated to be active and healthy.

The medals are nice but good health as part of an active lifestyle is the greater reward.

The Games kick off in June with youth baseball, figure skating, and the triathlon.

The diamonds at Liberty will be busy July 16-18 at baseball and softball tournaments take to the fields. The AllStar Baseball Showcase celebrates its 30th season, bringing together the best

scholastic players from around Virginia.

For the first time, a softball All-Star Invitational Showcase tournament featuring six of the best 18U AAU

get active and compete while enjoying the fellowship of teammates and fellow competitors.

Roanoke’s Ramon and Damon Williams, standout basketball players at VMI after dominating the high school hardwood at William Fleming, have held their Twin Hoops Basketball Camp for more than 25 years. This year the Twin Hoops organization is partnering with the Commonwealth Games to feature a skills competition to let athletes show off their ball handling and shooting range.

For the first time, VAS is partnering with Big Lick Entertainment to put on an Oktoberfest event featuring live music, games and attractions. This will be Oct. 9, at Wells Fargo Plaza in downtown Roanoke.

teams will give the ladies a chance to show off their talents with bats and gloves, as well.

The Games are modeled on Olympic competition with the main weekend held at Liberty July 23-25. It will start with a tailgate party, followed by the 31st Opening Ceremony and the lighting of the cauldron. The Opening Ceremonies are always the biggest night of the year, with thousands of competitors, a guest speaker and the lighting ceremony. The Games offer anyone in Virginia a chance to get out,

The last event of the year is the Star City Half Marathon, with runners back on the streets of Roanoke on Saturday, Nov. 20. The race will be in person this year after it was run virtually in 2020.

While hundreds participate and thousands watch and cheer at the plethora of VAS events in and near the Roanoke Valley, many people choose to volunteer. Those folks are greatly needed and certainly appreciated.

All information about events, sports, logistics and volunteer and sponsorship opportunities can be found at commonweathgames.org.

It’s Your Game. PLAY IT! J U LY 2 3 - 2 5

CommonwealthGames.org

Family • May 2021

37

Teaching Kids

to enjoy

Nature In today’s digital age, families are spending more time inside and less exploring nature. Studies show that kids who spend time outside have better overall health and fitness levels, report better vision, less stress and depression, and are more likely to have good social skills. (www.nwf.org) The National Wildlife Federation also reports that “Spending time outside raises levels of Vitamin D, helping protect chil-

38

Family • May 2021

by Sarah Lyons

dren from future bone problems, heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues.” As kids spend more and more time watching TV and playing video games on a daily basis only about 10 percent of kids say they are spending time outdoors every day”. (www.nature.org) If your kids fall into the 90% of children that don’t get out every day, here are some fun ways to change that.

Become a nature artist

Have a picnic

Kids will begin to notice the beauty in nature if they are observing it from an artist’s standpoint. Bring the easel and art supplies out to the backyard and have the kids paint or draw what they see around them. Let the kids try their hand at photography while exploring nature by photographing plants, insects, and the landscape around them. Later make a scrapbook or frame their masterpieces.

Pack a picnic and enjoy a meal outside after a hike, at a local park, or even in your own backyard. Without the distractions of the normal surroundings of your home, conversation will be easier and more fun.

Get dirty Dress the kids in play clothes and give them permission to enjoy nature even if they get a little dirty suggests Julie Keller, mother of three. Allow kids to dig for worms, lift rocks to find insects, and try fishing. Teach kids about gardening while letting them plant flowers, vegetables, and other plants. Ally McDaniel, Kansas mom, says “My four year old loves to help plant, dig in dirt, and water the garden. We look for worms, bugs, and baby snakes.” Kids that grow up planting and gardening develop a lifelong positive relationship with plants and trees. (www.childrenandnature.org)

Get comfortable Collect some old pillows and blankets, bring them outside, and get comfortable. Darcy King, mother of two, says “I teach my kids to enjoy nature by enjoying it myself. Stop and admire flowers, sunsets, scenery, and spend time outside.” Simply spending time in the great outdoors can help kids grow to love nature. Observe your surroundings and talk about what you see and hear. Read a book, take a nap, and observe the cloud shapes. A great book for encouraging creativity when looking at cloud shapes is It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw.

Treasure hunt Allow kids to take their time as you are on a nature walk. Do you see any flowers, insects, or birds you have not noticed before? If the park allows, collect treasures as you walk the trails. Have the children pick up sticks, rocks, leaves, or anything of interest. “We make it into a game. When we go on walks we collect small things to put in our nature jars.

One time we even did a scavenger hunt after dark with a flashlight, which was a big hit.” says Rachael Kennedy, mother of five.

Campout

Camping is a great way to spend time in the outdoors as a family. A family campout, whether at a local park or in your backyard, encourages family bonding time and helps kids “unplug” from their electronics and enjoy the fresh air.

One of the most important things to remember when you are trying to teach your kids is to model it yourself. “We try to get out and explore together. I try to just let them be in nature and really experience what exists.” says Sara Sinani, mother of three boys. Get involved, show the kids by example that nature is fun to explore and has great health benefits. If kids grow up spending time outside, they are sure to develop a desire to spend more time outdoors as they grow.

WHERE IN THE WORLD? 2021 Summer Camp

Register by April 30th and save $10 per week of camp!

Locations in Roanoke, Salem, Botetourt and Rockbridge! www.ymcavbr.org/summercamp

Selling or buying.

Sage advice for this crazy housing market.

Curtis Burchett, REALTOR Right now, the real estate market is moving at lightspeed. Homes are going under contract in hours. If you’re just starting to think of buying or selling, you might be shocked at the pace of everything.

The good news? If you’re thinking of selling, you will love the price you can get for your home! However, if you’re trying to buy, it’s going to require a strategic approach and pre-planning with your REALTOR to be ready to buy when the home of your dreams hits the market.

Even though it’s a great time to be a seller, there are still a few things to take into consideration. Waiting on your dream house to come available before listing your current home, is not a successful strategy in this

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Family • May 2021

market. If you’re hoping to buy your dream home, put your house on the market first – then proceed to look for that dream home.

At that point you can than list your house, acquire a buyer, then negotiate time to find suitable housing in your contract. Today’s buyers are more flexible than ever because there’s so much competition, they understand and will be more agreeable to give you time (within reason) to go find a place. Another thing to keep in mind, the old strategy of “I want to buy a house with contract subject to sale of mine,” is not going to work. Even though houses are selling at a rapid pace, the sellers of the home you hope to buy want the easiest transaction possible, so tying up the contract with the sale contingent on the sale of your

current home complicates things. More than ever, it requires a strategic plan to be successful. The key is to meet with a professional REALTOR that can talk to you about what’s going on in the marketplace selling or buying With regard to getting your house ready to sell, today’s buyers are willing to pay a premium if it’s in move-in condition. Meet with your realtor to discuss minor sweat equity projects, depersonalization and decluttering. Taking care of those details will make your home sell quicker and for more money. Take the steps to have your financing for the next home in order, with a preapproval letter ready to go.

The peak selling season started in March and generally runs through October. If you’ve thought about moving at any point in the near future, now is probably the best time to sell a house. But selling a house usually requires buying a house and that requires a strategy. Working with your REALTOR should be your first step to navigate the market.

On the buying side, inventory is lower than I have ever seen. Those looking to buy are going to require a strategy and a lot of communication between you and your REALTOR, so that everyone is on the same page. We are seeing listings come on the market and receive multiple offers on the same day. Sometimes REALTORS have access to properties before they come on the market and can get you the advantage of a heads-up, but you have to be ready to jump.

A native of the area, Curtis Burchett has more than 15 years experience as full-time REALTOR. He currently lives in Southwest Roanoke County with his wife and 3 kids.

Family • May 2021

41

TEN

Can’t-Miss

Summer

Camps

(That you can still sign up for!)

Camp Alta Mons www.altamons.org 540-268-2409 Day and overnight camps for kids grades K-12. Located in Shawsville, VA, we are perfectly positioned between Roanoke and Blacksburg. We are a United Methodist Camp that seeks to provide children with great outdoor experiences to foster their love of creation, faith, and community.

We offer many activities (hiking, fishing, canoeing, backpacking, archery) that our campers enjoy doing together with their family groups (units). Beautiful scenery and excellent staff!

June 20-July 16

Science Museum of Western Virginia smwv.org Boys & Girls • Pre K-5 (540) 342-5710 Our Summer Camps combine hands-on activities, thought-provoking challenges and passionate instructors to encourage curiosity-based learning and promote STEAM literacy. With a range of camps across many popular STEAM topics, there is a program suited for every young scientist. By using your child’s favorite STEAM topics, they engage better with the learning principals behind each activity! Register today at www.smwv.org.

Roanoke County Summer Camps roanokecountyparks.com Girls & Boys • All Ages (540) 387-6078 Passport to Fun 2021 - Summer Camp returns to Roanoke County in 2021! Your Passport to Fun begins, June 1 - August 6, ages 3 and Up! Visit RoanokeCountyParks.com/Camps to view the full list of 2021 Summer Camps from Roanoke County Parks!

Kids Square Children’s Museum Summer Camps www.kidssquare.org 540-342-5777 Choose from four fun, educationalthemed weeks of day camp for your little one! Campers will enjoy the Children’s Museum exhibits, crafts, activities, and outdoor entertainment. Space is limited to 15 campers per week to ensure safety, individualized attention, and lots of fun!

Family • May 2021

43

Camp Bethel

NorthStar Summer Camps

CampBethelVirginia.org Boys & Girls • Ages 5-18 (540) 992-2940

northstar4kids.com Boys & Girls • Ages 5-12 (540) 366-3629

Together with God, with each other, and with creation. When we live together in intentional Christian community, even for only one week, we gain person-to-person relationship skills to benefit our families, schools, churches, communities, and world. Hundreds of activities in resident camps, day camps, adventure camps, skills camps, and trips led by excellent counselors in a unique “small group camping” style. Trusted by thousands of Virginia families since 1927. Our year-round events, fundraisers, and facilities are open to everyone. Learn more at www.CampBethelVirginia.org.

North Star provides kids with an action packed week at camp!

North Star has activities on site and provides multiple trips for campers throughout the summer. Visit their own Swim Club! Splash Valley! Skate Center! Karate! Gymnastics! Huge Moon Bounce!

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Family • May 2021

Honeytree Summer Camp honeytreeelc.com Boys & Girls • Ages 5-12 (540) 344-4543 The Hive Summer Camp at HoneyTree is for students who have completed kindergarten through age 12. A private swim club, plus special interest groups, arts and science projects, field trips, and more keep The Hive buzzing with activities each weekday. With more than 35 years of service to Roanoke Valley families, HoneyTree provides a quality program in a safe, supportive environment.

Treat your youngster to one active summer— and yourself to peace of mind—at The Hive.

Mill Mountain Zoo mmzoo.org Boys & Girls • Ages 6-13 540-343-3241 Mill Mountain Zoo’s popular summer camps are a terrific way to introduce your child to the animal kingdom or to foster an existing interest in the feathered, furry and scaly critters we share the planet with. Each 3 day camp is designed to encourage a child’s respect and enthusiasm for the natural world through hands-on, fun and educational activities. Besides shadowing and assisting keepers, campers will experience up-close animal encounters, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, scientific explorations and OH, SO MUCH MORE! There are camps available for ages 6-13.

Mill Mountain Theatre millmountain.org/class/ Boys & Girls • Ages 4-17 540-342-5766

GEMS - Girls EMpowered by Mountain Shepherd

AllGirlsAreGems.com Girls Only • Middle & High School (434) 238-4094

GEMS Camp gives middle and high school girls empowering opportunities to learn survival skills, explore outdoor experiences like backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing and more. Your daughter will learn about herself while surrounded by supportive peers and positive role models. GEMS come to camp to expand their comfort zones in the outdoors and grow into courageous, confident, compassionate leaders!

Audition Boot Camp - June 14 - June 18 from 6:00pm-8:00pm Want to know everything there is to know about auditions? Want to practice building your audition techniques, learn how to find audition material, create a resume, do dance and movement calls, try out cold read and callback techniques, and more? Then this audition boot camp is for you. Whether you are a student just starting out and learning about auditions for the first time, or a veteran looking to enhance your skills and expand your repertoire, you belong in this boot camp. Don’t miss this opportunity to become the best auditionee you can be, and have tons of fun along the way!

Family • May 2021

45

SIGN UP FOR

2021CAMPS SUMMER

K-12 OFFERINGS INCLUDE: Musical Theatre Performance Dance Audition Technique Acting & Improv Technical Theatre

What makes Bubbles POP? an at-home science experiment

Visit millmountain.org/class to sign up today.

MAY 8-16 Heights Community Church (Front Lawn)

Outdoor, Socially-Distant, and Family-Friendly Theatre by MMT.

millmountain.org/shows

46

Family • May 2021

Whether a bubble pops when it comes in contact with a solid surface depends on many factors, including the surface properties of the material. You probably know that different materials have different properties, some of which you can see or feel, like color or hardness. However, materials have other properties that are harder to detect directly. Surfaces can be hydrophobic (repel water) or hydrophilic (attract water). You can observe this by dropping water onto it and seeing whether the drops form big beads (hydrophobic) or spread out in thin sheets (hydrophilic). Whether a material is hydrophobic or hydrophilic depends strongly on its surface roughness.

Some materials, like sandpaper, have macroscopic surface features, meaning you can feel the bumps and see them with your naked eye. However, other materials have microscopic surface features.

Even if a material looks and feels

smooth to you, it might have very tiny bumps or pores. These can actually help the material repel water, because the surface of the water, held together by surface tension, is unable to penetrate the tiny gaps in the material. Other materials, like paper or sponges, have larger gaps that help them absorb water.

All of these properties, along with factors like how fast the bubble is moving and whether the surface is wet, can affect the likelihood that the bubble will pop when it lands.

Our Questions: Look at the materials in the room around you. What properties can you see? What properties can you feel?

Do you think any of the materials will catch a bubble without popping it?

YOU CAN CHANGE THE LIFE OF A CHILD FOREVER. Materials and Equipment Bubble solution. You can buy some or make your own at home by mixing 1 cup of water with 2 tbsp of dish soap and 1 tbsp of glycerin or light corn syrup.

Bubble wand Small bowl or other container to hold your bubble solution Different horizontal materials and surfaces to test, such as: paper, aluminum foil, wax paper, the floor (wood, tile, carpet, etc.), tables/ countertops, etc. You can try any material or surface that you can find around your house — just make sure it is large and flat enough that you can easily blow bubbles onto it.

Directions: Try to blow a single bubble onto your first material. It is OK if you blow more than one bubble, but you will have to keep track of all of them, so try not to blow too many.

You can ask a volunteer to watch the bubbles if that helps. Record your results, making sure to test each material 3-4 times each.

Based on your results, which material was best at catching bubbles? Which material was the worst? How do your results compare to your predictions?

Provided by

Terms & Concepts You will Learn: Hydrophobic A material that tends to repel or fail to mix with water.

Hydrophilic A material that has a tendency to mix with, dissolve in water.

Learn about becoming a foster parent today.

Macroscopic Something visible to the naked eye.

Call 540.342.0411 or visit www.cccofva.org

Microscopic Something so small as to be visible only with a microscope.

Surface tension The tension of the surface film of a liquid caused by the attraction of the particles in the surface layer.

Follow CCC on social media & help us celebrate Foster Care Awareness Month all May

Family • May 2021

47

Rachel’s Reads

by Rachel Levine

Moms are amazing 24/7. In May, however, we set aside time to honor the incredible women who care for us, inspire us, and love us all year long. Along with breakfast in bed, flowers, and hand-made cards, consider adding some read alouds to your family’s Mother’s Day celebration. Truly good books have the power to speak the unspoken words of our hearts, and these books all testify to the deep bond between mothers and their children.

Mama, Do You Love Me

The Mommy Book

There is nothing like the love of a mother. Mama, Do You Love Me by Barbara M. Joose tells the story of a young girl wondering if there are limits to her mother’s affection.

Over and over again she questions if her mother would love her if she made a mistake or poor decision.

And over and over again her mother explains that while she might be sad or worried, her love for her daughter is unending and unconditional.

Beautiful illustrations of mother and child by Barbara Lavallee enhance this sweet testament to a mother’s love.

Moms come in all various varieties. They have different hobbies and interests. They have different jobs and ways of dressing. They even have different favorite activities they like to do with their kids. The Mommy Book by Todd Parr celebrates both the incredible diversity of moms, and the one thing that unites them all - their love for their children. Bright and bold illustrations draw children right in to this fun board book that reminds readers that all moms are uniquely and fabulously awesome.

by Barbara M. Joose

2021 Soccer Tryouts

U11 - U14 Girls

U11 - U14 Boys

Tuesday, May 11th: 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Monday, May 10th: 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Wednesday, May 12th: 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Thursday, May 13th: 6:00 - 7:30 pm

U15 - U19 Girls

U15 - U19 Boys

Sunday, May 2nd: 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Sunday, May 2nd: 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Sunday, May 9th: 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Sunday, May 9th: 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Valley United provides exceptional soccer training to develop the player in a supportive environment for the player to be successful on and off the field.

Register online at www.valleyunited.us/united-travel/tryouts 48

Family • May 2021

by Todd Parr

Lullaby

by Langston Hughes and Sean Qualls The poet Langston Hughes knew how to get to the heart of the matter.

His beautiful poem Lullaby (For a Black Mother) is a song of adoration from a mother to her beloved child.

The miracle of one’s own baby’s existence and the sweetness of a mother’s love flow through Hughes’ pen. Artist Sean Qualls’ joyful illustrations further enhance this precious lullaby and homage to motherhood. Lullaby (For a Black Mother) is a book to be cherished.

Mars Needs Moms

by Barkley Breathed

Parenting is hard and often moms feel unappreciated during the chaos of day-to-day life with kids. A little humor can help a lot and Mars Needs Moms by Berkeley Breathed fits the bill 100%. In this silly tale Milo finds his mother super annoying. All she seems to do is boss him around and he is sick of it. All that changes for Milo when aliens arrive to kidnap the moms of earth for themselves.

Milo’s mom is whisked away to Mars and Milo has to rescue her. A new appreciation for his mom comes through and saves the day in this laugh-out-loud story.

Saturday

by Oge Mora Real life is busy. Work and school keep us on our toes and our calendars full. Saturday by Oge Mora tells the close-to-home tale of Ava and her mother. Ava’s favorite day of the week is Saturday because Saturday is her and her mom’s special day out-and-about town. One Saturday, however, everything, and I mean everything, goes wrong. One plan after another falls through and nothing seems to be working out. In the end Ava is reminded that what really makes Saturdays special isn’t outings or special activities, but being with her mom. Togetherness is the true magic.

www.halesmusicschool.com 902 S. College Avenue, Salem Family • May 2021

49

Spot the Difference Find 10 differences between the two images.

Tic Tac Toe

Dot-to-Dot War Players take turns drawing a single horizontal or vertical line between neighboring dots. If their line completes a box, the player writers their initials inside and gets another turn. The player with the most claimed boxes when the grid is complete wins!

Player 1

50

Player 2

Family • May 2021

Player 3

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in Our Health Magazine

TOUS, US, TO

YOU’RE YOU’RE FAMILY FAMILY

Mills Shannon Dentistry, WE CARE At At Mills && Shannon Dentistry, WE CARE ABOUT MORE than just your smile.

ABOUT MORE than just your smile. ByBy combining dental excellence and warmth, combining dental excellence and warmth, building a dental home you. wewe areare building a dental home forfor you.

20192019

20192019

Dedicatedtoto Dedicated KEEPINGYOU YOUSAFE SAFE KEEPING

Michele Mills, Travis Shannon, Michele Mills, DDSDDS Travis Shannon, DDSDDS

Next might notice changed a little.

While have Next timetime youyou visit,visit, youyou might notice we we changed a little.

While we we have always been accustomed to following strict infection control precautions, always been accustomed to following strict infection control precautions, we’ve made a few changes notice.

From temperature we’ve made a few changes thatthat youyou maymay notice.

From our our temperature andand screening station to our improved surgical masks face screening station to our newnew andand improved N95N95 surgical masks andand face shields medical grade air purifying filters in each treatment room, shields andand medical grade air purifying filters in each treatment room, to to fewer people in the waiting room, we’ve made changes to keep your fewer people in the waiting room, we’ve made changes to keep youyou andand your family comfortable. us today to schedule your appointment. family safesafe andand comfortable.

CallCall us today to schedule your nextnext appointment.

® General Cosmetic Dentistry | Dental Implants | Teeth Whitening | Invisalign | Bridges | Crowns More General andand Cosmetic Dentistry | Dental Implants | Teeth Whitening | Invisalign | ®Bridges | Crowns andand More

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT CALL FOR AN AN APPOINTMENT

540.989.5700 540.989.5700

3533 Keagy Road | Salem, 3533 Keagy Road | Salem, VAVA located LewisGale Hospital We We are are located nearnear the the LewisGale Hospital

www.MillsandShannon.com www.MillsandShannon.com

I S WH E R E T H E AR T I S

O E M H

THIS MONTH:

Recycled Bottle Flower Prints

Bring the Taubman Museum of Art to you with this fun activity inspired by the exhibition Central to Their Lives: Southern Women Artists in the Johnson Collection, on view through June 13, 2021.

The exhibition includes several beautiful paintings of flowers such as this one by Nell Blair Walden Blaine titled Anemones with Red Cloth. Celebrate spring and create your own floral masterpiece using just paint and a recycled bottle!

Materials Needed: Recycled bottle Paper Tempera BEST or OF 2020 acrylic paint Optional: paintbrush

We provide peace of mind.

We are Friendship.

Do you have a loved one who should consider downsizing? It is a big decision!

Thankfully there are resources and friends available to help address your concerns, and point you and your loved ones in the direction that’s best for you!

Nell Blair Walden Blaine (1922–1996), Anemones with Red Cloth, circa 1961–1962, Oil on canvas, 30 x 18¼ inches, courtesy of The Johnson Collection, Spartanburg, South Carolina

Check out friendship.us/insights for articles that address popular senior topics, Dip the bottom of your recycled bottle into the paint. choosing between staying at home or moving to a retirement community, 1including Make sure you have an even, fairly thick coat of paint. downsizing, and funding senior living. When you’re ready to have your questions answered andthetake virtual tour, simply give us a call at 540.777.7103.

Firmly press bottleaonto a pieceor of in-person paper. Add more

2

paint and print as many flowers as you’d like! Wipe the bottle clean if your colors start getting muddy.

3

Optional: Add details such as stems and leaves using a paintbrush!

Discover today the support and peace of mind that’s awaiting you and your loved ones at Friendship.

540.777.7130 friendship.us TaubmanMuseum.org

110 Salem Ave SE, Downtown Roanoke | 540.342.5760 |

Free General Admission sponsored in part by

RVFM_RecycledBottleFlowerPrints.indd 1

4/9/21 9:40 AM

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

WIC helps families by providing: z Personalized nutrition education to help

the whole family eat better z Breastfeeding support through lactation

experts, classes, peer groups and breast pumps for moms in need

z WIC food benefits that can be used at the

grocery store to help provide the right foods to families z Referrals to local health and community

organizations to connect families with the resources they need

Contact your local WIC office or call the Virginia WIC office at 1-888-942-3663

VirginiaWIC.com This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

See if we Can Save You

Money

Relationship Review

Schedule a one-on-one Relationship Review with a Freedom First banker to go over your accounts, update your information, and see where we can save you money. It’s no cost to you - member or not - and we offer in-person or virtual appointments depending on your preference.

Local: (540) 389-0244 Toll-free: (866) 389-0244

go.freedomfirst.com/ffcu-relationship-review