Gulf Coast Family - May 2019 by Gulf Coast Family

May 2019

Vol. 12 Issue 5

Dungy Diaries page 10

Family Night Out page 12 Photos of the Month page 46

Ce l e brate 10 Ways to Make Your Mother Feel Special p. 11

Sea Turtle Nesting Season p. 20

Moms MCU is All About Family p. 36

Publisher: Editor: Contributing Editor: Designer: Web Developer:

Rodney Beck Jennifer Beck Linda Crumley Michael Crumley Matthew Crumley

For advertising opportunities: sales@gulfcoastfamily.org

“You can tell a lot about a person by the way they hug you. If they really care, you’ll feel their hug.”

Gulf Coast Family Publications P.O. Box 3803, Seminole, FL 33775 Phone: (727) 612-0783 Fax: (727) 865-5135 Gulf Coast Family Newspaper is printed monthly, and is distributed throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Gulf Coast Family is available in distribution racks in many local Chick-fil-a restaurants, McDonald’s, CVS Stores, R-Clubs, Walgreens, Joto’s Pizzerias, Carmelita’s, After Hours Pediatrics, Cornerstone Banks, LA Fitness, Shapes, and Regions Banks in these counties, along with many other restaurants, shopping centers, churches, libraries, government offices, and over 200 day care centers and schools. For questions or comments, call (727) 612-0783 or email rbeck@gulfcoastfamily.org.

Gulf Coast Family Publications encourages your input. To comment on one of our articles or to submit photos and articles for possible publication, simply email articles@gulfcoastfamily.org. Submission of your photos and letters constitutes permission to Gulf Coast Family Publications, publisher of the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper, to use them in all media. All submissions become the property of Gulf Coast Family Publications and will not be returned. We reserve the right to edit as necessary, and all submissions will be used at our discretion.

Phothteo of Month

Caitlyn and Christa Williams

No portion of the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publishers. The opinions of contributing writers are not necessarily those of the publishers. Gulf Coast Family Publications assumes no liability for products, services, or statements made by advertisers. Neither Gulf Coast Family Publications nor the advertisers can be held liable for typographical errors, misprints, or misinformation contained herein. The publishers reserve the right to edit and refuse editorial and/or advertising which does not meet the publication’s standards. All rights are reserved.

Look for Gulf Coast Family in these locations:

www.WeSellPinellas.com

2 • May 2019

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

CHILDREN AREN’T TINY ADULTS. AND WE’RE TRAINED NOT TO TREAT THEM THAT WAY. More than health care. Kid care. In an emergency, you want your child to be treated by the medical team who knows them best. Our pediatric emergency specialists understand the unique medical needs of children. They have years of specialty training in pediatric emergency medicine including pediatric critical care. In other words, our experts have spent a lot of extra time focusing only on kids. So even though they may try to act grown up, your kid is still just a kid. And we’ll be sure to give them the special treatment they deserve. Learn how our pediatric emergency medicine physicians can make a difference in your child’s ER experience: PediERExperts.org

PEDIATRIC ER LOCATIONS:

Mease Countryside Hospital • St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital • St. Joseph’s Hospital-South BAYCARE.ORG 19-674806-0219

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

May 2019 • 3

May 2019

Summer Camp

to Parent 6 Parent by Jennifer Beck

It Matters If The At-Fault 24 Registering Last Minute 16 Why Driver Was Drunk for Summer Camp? by Chris Reynolds

7 Movie Night May We Recommend 8 This That You…

It What You Want: Fate, 18 Call Karma, Luck. It Was Destiny.

Mommy Must-Haves 9 10 by iMom.com

19 Heart Gallery

Diaries 10 Dungy by Tony Dungy, AllProDad.com

by Avery Riggs

You Need to Know About 20 All Sea Turtle Nesting Season! by Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Pro Dad: 10 Ways to Make 11 All 22 Species Spotlight: ZooTampa Your Mother Feel Special by AllProDad.com

12 Family Night Out Coupons 14 Kids in the Kitchen 15 It’s Great to Create!

Returns Rehabilitated Manatee to Florida Waters by ZooTampa at Lowry Park

23 The Tropical Garden

of 28 Benefits Summer Travel

About Saving the World. 36 Forget The MCU is All About Family by Paul Asay, PluggedIn.com

25 Summer Camp Directory of Summer Travel 28 3byBenefits Dr. Kira Wilson

on the Family 38 Focus by Jim Daly

29 Painting in the Park 30 Education Spotlight & Louise Graham 32 R’Club 12th Annual Celebration

with Love 41 Parenting and Logic

Breakfast

34 Graduation Time! Your Family Tree 35 Discover by iMom.com

by Jené VanButsel

“Perfect” Mother’s Day 40 The by Jill Savage

by John Phipps

42 May 2019 Events Your Kids 44 Entertain This Summer 45 Weekender 46 Reader Photos of the Month

Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy Ice Cream! And that’s about the same thing.

Reader Photos of the Month

4 • May 2019

Savannah, Talan, and Sadie Grace Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

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May 2019 • 5

“ the good news is that

Parent to Parent Binge watching TV shows was not a thing when I was young. We had plenty of reruns to watch – there was the after-school lineup of The Brady Bunch, Diff’rent Strokes, and The Facts of Life. And in the summer, we could watch I Love Lucy and The Andy Griffith Show at noon each weekday. But we didn’t have any options for sitting down and watching multiple episodes of the same show.

she now understands way more 80s references than she used to! ” or The Dick Van Dyke Show. And some of those shows started coming out with full seasons on VHS or DVD, but the options were still fairly limited. Now though, with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, the opportunities for binge watching are pretty much unlimited. We got a Firestick a few months ago and have Amazon Prime linked to it, and now my kids are hooked on way more TV shows than I would prefer!

Then when I was a young adult, Nickelodeon started doing a lot of marathons – they would show 24 hours straight of I Love Lucy

They’ve watched many, many episodes of Parks and Recreation, Monk, and most recently, Psych. Haylee was sick with a respiratory infection and missed an entire

week of school earlier this month, and during that week, she watched all eight seasons of Psych. At least the good news is that she now understands way more 80s references than she used to! Other than during Haylee’s illness, at least homework and other school activities keep the kids from going too overboard. But with summer coming, we’re going to have to put limits on the TV time, or they’ll end up watching every episode of a new TV show every week! Thankfully there are lots of free and low-cost summer activities for kids in our area. If you have the same problem I do, you might want to check some of them out on page 44. Until next time,

Jennifer

N U F N U e F h t ee F e N h r t U e e h r N e W h U h t Fs ! W e e ! r h s e t d h n e W r E d e n r h e E !! ou! v WN e v eerr E n s e d N s d ve You! r n e Y v E S e e u v o o t r r ! e Y N s e S u 727.521.6931 v o SSeerrvvee Yo ion !! e nss ttto ocat727.521.6931 N o i L t u a 3 o c n Y o o 727.521.6931 o i L e t v a s 3 r 727.521.6931 3 Loccation to Se Lo ns 3 3 Locatio

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Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

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Pokémon Detective Pikachu – May 10

Ace detective Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son, Tim, to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry’s former Pokémon partner, wise-cracking, adorable super-sleuth Detective Pikachu. Finding that they are uniquely equipped to work together, they join forces to unravel the tangled mystery.

A Dog’s Journey – May 17

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Blu-Ray/DVDs

May 7

May 14

May 21

May 2019 • 7

This May we recommend that you… READ IT

We Chose You: A Book About Adoption, Family, and Forever Love by Tony and Lauren Dungy

God forms families in many different ways and sizes, but all are equally important and special. We Chose You was written by Tony and Lauren Dungy to communicate to all children, whether birthed or adopted, that they are chosen. That they are secure. That they are loved. This is a message every child needs to hear. Let this book give you the words to tell your child about your family’s unique story.

HEAR IT

Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends

Hidden in My Heart, Vol. II by Kim Walker-Smith

Hidden In My Heart, Vol. II continues the journey through Scriptures as new passages are brought to life. In the tradition of Volume I, this new collection of songs weaves Scripture into powerfully peaceful music for any age. Whether you are two or 92, Scripture Lullabies will surely minister deeply to your soul. Experience God’s Word in a unique and gentle way with 12 new songs from Scripture Lullabies.

SEE IT

EXPERIENCE IT Busch Gardens, May 4 – 5, 11 – 12, 18 – 19 Everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends are hosting a party just for kids! Join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and all of your favorite Sesame Street friends for a fun-filled weekend! The festivities take place on Saturdays and Sundays, May 4 – 19. Guests can enjoy a parade of Sesame Street friends, craft stations and dance parties throughout the afternoon and much more! For more information visit www.buschgardens.com/tampa.

SURF IT

roadtrippers.com While there’s no shortage of ways to plan a long trip by car, Roadtrippers makes it easy. You plug in your route, and the site will point out what you should do and see along the way. Roadtrippers caters to lots of interests, from sightseeing to eating, and includes curated descriptions of your path’s hidden gems. When you’re done planning, you can load the app on your phone for quick access from the road.

Anastasia May 7 – 12, Straz Center Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical Anastasia is on a journey to Tampa at last! This dazzling show will transport you from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Anastasia features a lush new score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) with direction by Tony Award® winner Darko Tresnjak.

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8 • May 2019

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

b ila

ok va utlo o B s A l@o g icke n i N n

il ma

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10 Mommy Must-Haves

c an

The Runaway Egg follows the adventures of a special egg that escapes from an Easter egg hunt. Through unpredictable circumstances, the egg travels on an incredible journey. How will the egg survive its wild adventures? Could God be behind a runaway egg?

A full night’s sleep - as in wake up on my own, without an alarm clock, kids, or demands to sound my good morning. I could wake as I wish and leisurely work my way out of bed.

A mute button - for the whining, complaining, and screaming.

Endless patience - enough said.

Worry eraser - mental eraser that keeps things in perspective and stops those “what ifs?”

Cloning power - to get more done, to not miss anything (good or bad) that my kids do, to not have to choose between which kid event I make and which one I miss, etc.

Self-cleaning house - like an oven, turn it on, leave the house, come home and put it back to work.

Toned abs - you know, without doing 100 sit ups per day or skipping out on ice cream.

Magic hair - so you can roll out of bed, and still look good!

Wash, dry, fold/hang up, put away machine - seriously, how has this not been invented yet?

10. Calorie sucker - it pulls the calories from your favorite foods but keeps the flavor.

Read more at www.imom.com www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

May 2019 • 9

DUNGY DIARIES

HOW TO TREAT A

WOMAN by Tony Dungy A few years back, during a press conference preceding a playoff game, a reporter asked me what I had done Friday afternoon to prepare—presumably for the game. But Friday afternoons during the season have always been personal time for us as a staff. I learned from Chuck Noll that you don’t change your schedule just because it’s a playoff game. So because we finished early on Friday, I went home and cleaned the house. Lauren had been out of town and was due back that evening, so I wanted her to come home to a clean house. This was something I could do to aid her wellbeing, and at that time it was a better gift than taking her out or buying her an expensive piece of jewelry. When I told the reporter how I spent my time, he laughed at what he thought was a joke. But I was serious. “I cleaned the house,” I repeated.

I try to find ways that I can chip in to make our house a sanctuary for Lauren. I learned that from my dad, who would give my mom some space and time to herself by taking us kids out to a park or otherwise keeping us occupied for

an afternoon. This gave Mom a chance to go off and shop or whatever—something just for her. As much as he enjoyed doing things with her, he knew that giving her the gift of time—away from us—was just as important. But he also made sure there were times that we all did things together as a family, he and my mom included. That was important for two reasons: first, he was making memories with all of us as a family unit, and second, he was modeling his behavior toward my mom in front of us. We didn’t realize it at the time, but it left a deep impression upon all of us. My brother and I were able to see how to honor and respect a woman. My two sisters were developing a point of reference for qualities they should look for in a husband. How many girls settle for substandard relationships because they don’t have that frame of reference? Too many men are continually baffled by their wives or can’t figure out how to interact with their families. There are countless books on how women think, so I’ll leave it at this; they are different. That much I’ve figured out. They are not men. I know that seems ridiculously obvious, but we can’t approach them as we would one of the guys. So how do we do it? Be involved with them—without bringing our own agendas. Again, do everything for the benefit of your loved one. Without being involved—deeply involved—with Lauren

Cornerstone

for all these years and trying to listen to not only her words but also her heart, I wouldn’t have made any progress at all. We’ve invested time in our marriage. We’ve talked in evenings about finances and children. We’ve gone on dates. As much as possible, I’ve tried to create an environment on her terms. The interesting and blessed thing about that is this: she’s tried to do the same for me. And the most important way to show that love to your wife is to be involved: as a leader, listener, and encourager. Lead by helping with discipline, setting curfews and ground rules for the television and other technology use. Lead by being in unity with your wife. And listen—not to solve the problems of the day, as so often we will try to do. Just listen so she knows you care. She’s smart enough to solve her own problems, but she may appreciate your input even more if it’s offered at an appropriate time—later. In the meantime, tell her you love her, offer encouragement for something she’s tried or wants to try, and hold her every time she comes close. Be there for her. Loving the woman in your life follows the same principle of the old countryfair raffle rules: must be present to win.

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www.gulfcoastfamily.org

lived at home, there’s a long list of things to do. Help her out, just like she helped you as a child.

ALLPRODAD.COM

5. Donate To Moms In Need: On your

mom’s behalf, make a donation to an organization serving the needs of moms in trouble. You won’t have any trouble finding one; teen pregnancy centers, battered women’s shelters, single moms on welfare. Talk to your mom about it and find out which one she would most like to help.

10 Ways to Make Your Mother Feel Special

The unique bond between a mother and child is never-ending. Our mother’s give selflessly so that we may prosper and grow. They polish and mold us; nurture and scold us. A mother’s love is everlasting and unconditional. Mothers are a blessing! How can we show such a dynamic and amazing woman how much we care? All Pro Dad wants to share 10 ways to make your mother feel special.

1. Respect: Everything Mom has done

for you…every single thing she has sacrificed on your behalf—deserves your respect. She has earned it! Treat her with the utmost dignity and honor.

6. Public Acknowledgement:

2. The Letter: Write your mom a hand-

written note. Describe to her the reasons why you feel she is special. Thank her for being such a wonderful person and parent. It will mean the world to her.

3. Scrapbook: Put together a scrapbook

of some of your favorite memories of her. Dig deep in those old photo boxes and albums. Get creative and make it fun. Moms love taking a trip down memory lane.

4. Projects And Chores: Your mom always has something that needs to be done—a shelving unit to be constructed; a leaky roof that needs to be repaired; grass that needs cutting. Just like when you

Moms love to be bragged on. Mind you, she’s not gonna ask you to brag, but she sure loves to hear you talking nicely about her. Make a point to give your mom credit for the person you have become. Honor her among her friends and peers with your kind words of praise.

7. Manners: She worked hard to teach

you good manners: “Don’t talk with your mouth full.” “Put your napkin on your lap.” “Speak clearly and directly.” “Listen when someone else is talking.”

when you’re not). She will feel satisfied by a job well done..

8. Make Her Feel Needed:

As your mom gets older, she may begin to feel that she doesn’t have anything left to offer. Of course, that’s not true, but everyone wants to be needed…especially mom. Make sure she knows you and your family still need her. Include her in your life, and always make her feel welcome.

9. Loyalty: One of the most precious gifts

you can give your mother is your unquestioned loyalty. Blood runs thicker than water as they say. Never forget where you came from.

10. Flowers—Just Because:

We all send flowers on Mother’s Day and birthdays. Well, maybe not, but if you want to make her feel really special, give her flowers for no reason at all. Surprise her with a visit, and a personal delivery—just to say, “I love you and I was thinking about you.” It might sound corny, but she will be thrilled. The simple things in life mean the most.

Show her you’ve learned the lesson. Make sure you put those good manners into practice when you are with her (and even

AllProDad.com iMOM.com FamilyMinute.com

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To advertise, call 727-612-0783

May 2019 • 11

We all know that eating out often can add up! So, it’s important to know where the best deals are for the family. Here are some great places in the Tampa Bay area that are family friendly and are offering some great specials.

Your Neighborhood Favorite Since 1974…

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with any other special, Please present coupon when ordering. Not valid 6-30-19. Limited to one Discount, promotion or coupon. Enjoy through locations in Pinellas y’s Coupon per household. Good at participating Sonn GCF and Hillsborough Counties Only.

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

FRESH FOOD FAST Dine-In or Drive-Thru Catering

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Catering Available for Tenders, Sandwiches, Salads Spend over $100 in catering With this ad. Valid at Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg PDQ only. Expires 06/30/2019.

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To advertise, call 727-612-0783

Valid at Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg PDQ only. Expires 06/30/2019.

May 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ 13

in the kitchen

Are you looking for a sweet treat to make this Spring? Look no further because this simple recipe is sweet and fun. This quick and easy recipe will dazzle your kids with it’s “magic” or be the perfect surprise sweet ending to a Spring meal. These whimsical chocolate bowls can hold ice cream, berries and cream, pudding, candies, anything that you or your sweet heart desires!

Chocolate Pudding Cups • 8 to 10 water balloons • 16-ounces semi-sweet chocolate

• 2 large packages instant chocolate pudding

• Whipped cream • Chocolate sprinkles

1. Blow up balloons (with air) to desired bowl size and tie to close. 2. Break chocolate into small pieces and place in a shallow microwave-safe dish; microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until melted; let cool for 5 minutes. 3. Spray bottom half of each balloon lightly with cooking spray. 4. Spoon about 1 tablespoon chocolate onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet; dip a balloon into the chocolate to thoroughly cover the bottom half, and then center the balloon in the chocolate on the tray; repeat with remaining balloons. 5. Place bowls in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes, until hardened. 6. Prepare pudding according to package directions. 7. Remove bowls from refrigerator; carefully pop each balloon and peel it out of the bowls.

8. Fill bowls with pudding and top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

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14 • May 2019

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www.feathersoundsmiles.com Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

We are always looking for easy appetizers to throw together for an impromptu gathering at our house and here is a simple one that is sure to be a hit at your next Summer gathering. These simple sandwiches can be made in just a few short minutes and your family and guests will love nibbling on these delicious bite sized treats.

Veggie Sandwiches • 1 loaf French bread • 1 8-ounce container garlic and herb cream cheese • Ground black pepper • Dried parsley flakes • 2 cups fresh vegetables, cut into bite-size pieces (good options include cucumber slices, broccoli, bell peppers, and grape tomato halves)

It’s Great to Create!

With Mother’s Day and Graduation fast approaching, here are two unique and creative crafts you can make with the kids. Both crafts are extremely simple to make, and yet they each make a great presentation.

Graduation Cap Card / Mother’s Day Framed Footprint Art Invitation • Art paper • Drop cloth • Black cardstock • Child-safe, non-toxic washable paint. Tempera paints are a good choice

• Materials to clean feet. • Picture Frame

Directions: 1. Select clean area outdoors or put down drop cloth for work area. Avoid working on a carpeted or hardwood surface due to the messy nature of this project. 2. Clean child’s feet. Have some fun with this step! 3. Coat child’s foot either by covering it with a paint brush or by asking the child to step into a tray filled with paint. 4. Press child’s foot onto the art paper. Repeat with other foot. 5. Repeat process with other children. 6. Paint the body of each butterfly. 7. Let paint dry and then paint on names of children and a personalized message at bottom. 8. Frame art and give to mom! Tip: When done, you may want to take a picture of the artwork and upload it to your computer. Then not only is it forever saved, but you can use it to print copies, make photo gifts or use it in a photo book.

• Petal Card template – see www.ruthannzaroff.com/ mirkwooddesigns/square.htm • Button – preferably black • Black embroidery floss or thread • Silver thread • Glue • Embossing Stamp • Embossing Powder or Ink.

Directions: 1. Print off Square Petal Card template from internet. Print out template onto white paper, cut out pattern and then trace onto card stock. 2. Cut out card pattern, score flaps and then fold. 3. Decorate top of card. You can decorate with embossing stamp or use your own personal design. 4. Glue invitation or photo onto the inside of the card. 5. Glue button onto the center of the top of the card. 6. Using black and silver thread create tassel and attach to the button. You can also buy premade tassels from most craft stores. You may even want to match the school colors instead of using black. 7. Tuck the flaps as you would the top of a cardboard box.

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Why It Matters If The At-Fault Driver Was Drunk by Chris Reynolds

Any automobile accident that results in injury is difficult to endure if you are the injured person. You might lose time from work, have to endure pain, need to go to multiple doctor appointments, and incur medical expenses. The law permits the injured person to ask a jury for “compensatory damages,” which are generally used to compensate the person for things they lost in the past or are likely to lose in the future. Generally, the injured person must prove that it is reasonably likely that the car crash caused the medical bills, lost wages, etc.

accident, and if the jury does find that the defendant was at fault, a second trial would then be held to determine the value of the injuries and how much the injured person should receive in compensation. Similar to this, in a case with a drunk driver, a judge might divide the compensation part of the trial into two trials: one trial to decide the amount of compensatory damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.), and a second trial to determine the amount of punitive damages (to punish the intoxicated driver).

One factor that can change a personal injury case significantly is when the at-fault driver is intoxicated at the time of the accident. When a drunk driver causes an automobile accident, the law permits the injured person to ask for an additional type of damages called punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish a person for engaging in some sort of activity that the law wants to punish. It is hoped that this punishment will reduce the activity that is being punished.

This scenario arose in Florida recently in GEICO v. Dixon, 42 Fla. L. Weekly D101b (January 4, 2017). In the Dixon case, Mr. Dixon was injured in an automobile accident, and it was determined that the at-fault driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. The at-fault driver did not have any bodily injury coverage. Fortunately, the injured person had uninsured motorist coverage through GEICO and so he made an uninsured motorist claim to compensate him for his injuries. After settlement negotiations broke down because GEICO would not pay the $20,000 uninsured motorist policy limits, Mr. Dixon sued both GEICO and the at-fault driver.

Trials are sometimes divided into various parts as directed by the judge. For example, a if it is unclear who is at fault in an accident, a judge might order that a trial first take place that only considers who is at fault for the

The at-fault driver admitted that he was intoxicated and that he was at fault for the accident. GEICO asked that the court divide the damages phase of the trial into two parts: first, the compensatory damages phase (medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.), and then the punitive damages phase against only the at-fault driver to punish him for causing bodily injury while voluntarily intoxicated in a car crash. The theory as stated by the judge was that “punitive damages are warranted against Mr. Alcebo (the at-fault driver) as a punishment to him and as a deterrent to others because he was driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages.” Further, though the uninsured motorist carrier “stands in the shoes of the atfault driver” for purposes of compensatory damages, the uninsured motorist insurance carrier is not responsible for punitive damages as a result of an at-fault drunk driver. Accordingly, the appellate court concluded that there should be no mention of

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the alcohol during the compensatory damages part of the trial, and that the intoxication should be limited to the punitive damages phase of the trial. Drunk drivers can add many subtle complexities to a personal injury claim, so please speak with an experienced trial attorney to discuss your options.

Mr. Reynolds hails from St. Petersburg, graduated from Northside Christian High School, Eckerd College, and Stetson University College of Law. He lives in Pinellas with his wife and three boys, all of whom attend Keswick Christian School. Mr. Reynolds also has parents living in Pinellas County and a sister who recently returned from overseas as a Christian missionary.

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Call it what you want: fate, karma, luck. It was Destiny. I arrived at the office early, anticipation getting the better of me. The birth mom will be here in less than an hour.

After being released from prison, Melanie struggled to find a job. What she ended up finding was a good man.

reaction: breaking down, sobbing, fearful of “becoming one of those moms who struggles to provide for her child.”

The women at Destiny Adoption have been prepping me all week and my excitement has been elevated by several cups of coffee. The hour passes and the birth mom arrives.

“Well, let me back up,” Melanie says. “He was good—at lying.”

After telling the father, who wanted to keep the baby, he was arrested, leaving Melanie to make a life-changing decision on her own.

Melanie is energetic and warm. My nerves relax immediately. She says she’s an open book but doesn’t know where to start. I suggest the beginning and instantly become emotionally invested in her story.

Not wanting to make things more complicated, Melanie went to the health department. She took a pregnancy test, which came back negative, and they gave her a birth control shot. “Come mid-January, I felt a change in my body. And I just knew.” Melanie bought a pregnancy test and it showed positive. She describes her initial

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Holy Family Catholic School Faith – Values – Academic Excellence

She chose adoption. Hours were spent researching adoption, but most results were tailored toward adoptive families. Then Melanie found Destiny Adoption. She read Destiny’s website and discovered it was the only local adoption agency with an in-house attorney. That greatly effected her decision to set up an appointment, she says. Melanie recalls being surprised when Destiny asked what she was looking for in an adoptive family. “I get to choose?” she asked, and they gave her several profiles of adoptive families. She reviewed the books, flipping the pages and staring at the pictures. Melanie says some potential adoptive parents even wrote her letters. “I remember sitting tral Ave. reading some reason I was just connected for

At Holy Family, we provide your child with a strong academic foundation in a safe, faith-filled environment. • IA (Iowa Assessment) and ACRE test scores higher than the national average • Advanced curriculum that includes technology, foreign language, music and art • Enrichment program for qualified students • Student leadership, sports and extracurricular activities • Small class sizes! • PreK2 through 8th grade • Financial aid available through “Step Up for Students”

Please call (727) 526-8194 for more information or to schedule a tour! Or eMail us at: jdesrosiers@holyfamilycatholicschool.com 250 78th Ave. NE • St. Petersburg, FL 33702 727-526-8194 • Cmeyer@holyfamilycatholicschool.com www.HolyFamilyCatholicSchool.com

at a café on Cena letter, and for crying. Something me immediately.”

“I could see the love in her eyes for a baby she never met and it was amazing.” I ask if she would like some tissues, and there’s a slightly selfish motive behind the question as I casually wipe the corners of my eyes and she continues her story. She talks about the future. She’s graduating this spring with her associate’s degree and hopefully transferring to University of South Florida. Her long-term goals include getting a master’s degree in counseling and opening a halfway house for women struggling with substance abuse. It’s not always easy, Melanie says, but it’s so much harder starting over than to keep going. “I don’t stay down because I don’t want to stagnate.” “You can use everything that happens as either a stepping stone or a stumbling block,” Melanie finishes. “I used this whole experience as a stepping stone. I didn’t fall and stay down. I did fall; but I didn’t stay down.” It’s been almost a year since Melanie first met the women at Destiny Adoption. She describes her experience as life changing, summing it up in a single phrase: “It was like they adopted me.”

But the immediate connection was almost eclipsed by another desire; her desire to give the child what she believed was the greatest gift of all: financial success. She explains how she ignored her heart when she chose an excessively wealthy family. But as fate would have it, another birth mom matched with the same family. “I truly believe things happen for a reason, and I wasn’t choosing them for the right reasons. In my heart, I liked the other family better because of their values, stability and long-term relationship.” After giving birth, it was important to Melanie that the adoptive mother be the first to hold the baby. She believes a connection between a mother and a baby starts at the first embrace, but the connection doesn’t have to be with the birth mom. “When I saw them together, I cried because I was just so grateful,” Melanie says, and I’m holding back tears of my own.

Avery Riggs Avery Riggs is an intern at A3 Creative Loft. She has a degree in mass communication from UNC Asheville. Avery is a content creator by day and a reader by night.

through Grade 8 School” “There’s PreK2 No Place Like Holy Family 18 • May 2019

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Evan is a little happy giggler, especially when his buddy Elmo is around. Known to be affectionate and a lover of attention, the only things that make Evan laugh and smile more than Elmo are hugs and kisses. Evan, although non-verbal and non-mobile, enjoys when people interact with him, but he also happily entertains himself with soft toys or musical play things. Evan takes life’s challenges with a smile and his joy shines through. Evan will need a family that will care for his daily needs and help him engage in the world on his own terms.

Destiny Adoption Services and Consulting, Inc is a private not-for-profit adoption organization that provides adoption services to birth parents who are considering placing their child for adoption and to prospective adoptive parents who wish to grow their family.

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Elena Age 15

Our team offers the best in support services for the adoptive family and the birth parent, including counseling services and assistance connecting the right child with the right family in both private and dependency adoption. We understand the adoption journey will be one of the most profound moments in your life, and we want to be by your side every step of the way.

Photo courtesy of Skip Milos Productions

Elena is sweet and down to earth. On her free time, she likes to draw and go outside. She also loves to cook. Especially empanadas! She loves any kind of Hispanic food! If Elena could have any pet it would be a husky! She thinks they are elegant dogs. When Elena grows up, she wants to be a Lawyer. Preferably one for the Government. She wants to make a difference in this world. With a loving family, she just might be able to do that!

For more information about the Heart Gallery visit www.heartgallerykids.org or call 727-258-4806. May 2019 • 19

All You Need to Know About Sea Turtle Nesting Season! by Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Sea turtle nesting season extends from May 1st through Oct. 31st. Beginning each April, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium patrols a 26 mile stretch of beach throughout Pinellas County. Their morning patrols reach the beach just before sunrise 7 days a week. Initially, the teams of nearly 175 volunteers, staff and interns search along the high tide line for evidence of sea turtle nesting activity namely, marks in the sand left by crawling females. Once tracks are located, the teams determine whether there is a nest present or if it

was a non-nesting emergence, AKA false crawl. The nests are marked and data is collected from each site such as distance from high tide line, distance from beach vegetation, GPS coordinates and other measurements used to help locate the egg chamber. As incubation times range between 50 and 60 days, the CMA team begin to look for hatching activity 45 days after the first nest discovery. Hatching activity is identified by tracks emerging from the nest sites. They also extend

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their beach patrol coverage throughout the night to monitor nests and release hatchling as soon as they emerge. Due to the dense population of Pinellas County, there are significant issues with artificial lighting causing hatchling disorientation events. To help hatchlings in areas with problem lighting, the workers use restraining cages to keep the hatchlings from wandering off in the wrong direction. After a nest has hatched the team will wait at least 72 hours then excavate the nest and do an inventory of its contents to determine hatching success.

life Conservation Commission (FWC) and Pinellas County. This includes information on false crawls, disorientation events, obstruction events, predation and vandalism. Also included are weekly escarpment surveys, lighting surveys and weather data. • Loggerhead sea turtles were the only species to emerge onto the beaches patrolled last season. • There were a total of 201 nests. • 6,034 hatchlings were successfully released.

Generally the first nest of the season is found in early to mid May and the females will continue nesting until the middle of August. Primarily, the CMA teems encounter loggerheads nesting on our beaches but on rare occasions have encountered Kemp’s ridleys or green sea turtles.

• 75 nests were negatively affected by severe storm events last year. • 5 nests were moved because eggs within the nests were washing out to sea. 3 of those 5 nests hatched (which is pretty incredible, because these moved eggs do not normally hatch)! • 16 hatchlings were released at the Sargassum weed line, 94 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico after rehabilitation at CMA.

How You Can Help Turn Lights Out

Turn out unnecessary beach lights to help prevent disorientation of female sea turtles and hatchlings. Close your curtains and be mindful of bright lights shining on the beach. Keep it dark!

Remove Obstacles

The CMA annual nesting data is reported to the Florida Fish and Wild-

Knock down sand castles and fill in sand pits. This helps to eliminate the

challenges the baby hatchlings must cross on their way to the shoreline. Sand pits can be like the Grand Canyon and sand castles like Mount Everest to tiny baby sea turtles. Clear the way!

Keep the Beach Clean

Picking up trash eliminates items that both hatchlings and adults may become entangled in. Something as small as a bottle top or as large as unwanted beach furniture can pose potential problems, leading to both false crawls and disorientation. Keep it clean!

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ZooTampa Returns Rehabilitated Manatee to Florida Waters After receiving care at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, a former manatee care patient named Roomba is healthy and once again living on his own in native Florida waters. The Zoo’s lead manatee veterinarian, Lauren Smith, D.V.M. facilitated Roomba’s successful release to the wild in partnership with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Roomba, a male manatee, is the first patient to be returned to the wild since the Zoo resumed caring for critically injured and sickened manatees at its recently renovated David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center. In 2018, Roomba was struck by a boat and

rescued from the Crystal River with a collapsed lung. He was treated at SeaWorld before coming to the Zoo to complete his rehabilitation. Roomba’s release marks the achievement of the Zoo’s mission, the rescue and rehabilitation of this iconic Florida species so they can be returned to the wild. “We’re thrilled with the great strides Roomba has made. He made a tremendous recovery and all signs indicate Roomba will continue to live a healthy life in Florida’s waters,” said Dr. Smith. “The team kept a close eye on Roomba as he continued to live in our supportive environment

with access to regular monitoring and quality care at the Zoo.” Manatees face serious threats such as loss of warm water habitats and human conflict, including boat strikes. The Zoo is committed to the conservation of the species by continuing to rescue, rehabilitate and release even more severely injured and sickened Florida manatees. “Thanks to the great work of our veterinary and animal care teams, and the generosity of our supporters and

the Florida legislature who contributed to the Center’s renovations, the Zoo is continuing to fulfill an important part of its mission,” said Dr. Larry Killmar, senior vice president and chief zoological officer at ZooTampa. “It’s stories such as Roomba’s that demonstrate our commitment to providing quality care for Florida’s wildlife.” Visitors can observe other manatee patients, including Cayo, mom Heinz and her calf Sriracha, as they continue their recoveries at the Zoo.

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Registering Last Minute for Summer Camps?

Contact the Camps. Call to find out if there are still openings and if the organization and camp is really a good match for your child. Find out what a typical day is like at camp. Get a sense for how much structured activity vs. “free time” there is over the course of a day. Ask about the background and teaching experience of the staff that will be leading and assisting with the camp. PLAY Performing Arts’ staff teaches classes and lessons year-round in addition to camps. Find out if a performance, or project is presented on the last day of camp to see how closely the final product matches your child’s interest.

Plan to Negotiate.

Here Is What Parents Need To Know To Stay Stress-Free. You’ve been a little busy getting your child to games and recitals, making sure assignments get turned in, and preparing lunches. Somehow May has snuck up on you! Now you realize that there are only a few weeks left until summer and you haven’t registered for summer camps yet. Don’t worry, PLAY Performing Arts is sharing this guide to last-minute summer camp planning to help you avoid stress while making this an amazing ‘not bummer summer’ for your child.

Identify Your Child’s Interest. It may seem overwhelming but there are only seven to nine weeks of summer that you may need to find camps. Start with what you already know about how your child likes to spend time. Make a list of your child’s top 10 interests. Do it today while waiting in car line and then ask for child’s feedback on the drive home. What made the list? Is it music, singing, acting, Hamilton, or Harry Potter? If so check out our fresh and fun music and theatre summer camps at playstpete.com/summercamp.

24 • May 2019

Find Out About Camps. Start by finding out if any of the organized activity that your child has been involved in the last year are offering summer camps? Next, take to social media and post that you’re looking for camps related to your child’s top 10 interests. Specifically list the interests and ask for dates of camps. Ask for friends and family to share any camps that they’ve already registered. While you’re waiting for replies to your post you can take a look through Gulf Coast Family Newspaper’s Summer Camp Guide and advertisements for summer camps where you’ll find PLAY Performing Arts listed.

You may feel like being late in the summer camp registration game has totally put you at a disadvantage but you still may be able to negotiate for a spot or even on pricing. If you’re asking about multiple weeks of camp or even registering siblings then you may have leverage that you didn’t realize. Only have one child to register for one

Lastly, remember why you are doing this. Camp is such a great way for your child to make new friends and grow in areas that he/she are passionate. Research shows that camp provides a unique vital learning experience with campers improving in areas like social integration and self-confidence. If you are looking for music, theatre and dance camps then the easiest thing you can do is pick up the phone and call PLAY Performing Arts right now to find out about our Summer Camps for the Broadway Bound to Junior Rock Stars and the next Songwriter sensation. Summer Camp Hotline: (727) 393-7625. Download our Summer Camp Guide at www.playstpete.com/summercamp.

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School Programs Children’s Classes Family Classes Adult Classes

Make a Camp List. Putting together a simple list of the camps you’ve found about will help you manage the registration process and avoid realizing later in summer that you’ve double booked against a planned vacation. Your list should include columns for child’s interest, camp names, dates, cost, and contact info. Also note if any friends have registered or are interested in a camp. Someone you know has probably already registered for summer camp with PLAY Performing Arts.

week? No worries. If you know someone who has already registered for the camp then mention the family’s name. You can always find a friend to register with your child. Don’t forget to ask about the first and last weeks of camp being offered to see if it matches your child’s interest. These are usually the last camps to fill up.

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Summer Camp Directory Here is a listing of some fantastic summer camps for children here in the Tampa Bay area. Included in our summer camp directory are arts and drama camps, theme camps, sports camps, preschool camps and many more. All of these camps are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. So reserve your spot soon.

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Adventure Club at Countryside CC 1850 North McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater 727-799-1618 ext. 1012 adventureclub.cc

City of Largo Summer Camps 727-518-3016 – Highland Recreation largocamps.com

Anona Christian Center Summer Camp 13233 Indian Rocks Rd, Largo 727-595-2581 ext. 292 anona.com

City of Tampa Summer Camps 813-274-3345 tampagov.net/SummerCamp

Busch Gardens Summer Camp for Wild Things 877-BGT-CAMP buschgardens.org Calvary Chapel Kids Camp 8900 US-19, Pinellas Park 727-577-7705 www.calvarystp.org/kids Camp Gilead 1444 Camp Gilead Drive, Polk City 863-984-1353 campgilead.com

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Clearwater 727-441-1790 x252 seewinter.com Dance Central Summer Camps 12527 Ulmerton Rd, Largo 727-386-0586 thedance-central.com Dunedin Parks and Recreation Day Camps Dunedin Community Center & MLK Jr. Rec. Center 727-738-2920 dunedinGov.com/camps

Camp Invention 800-968-4332 x6920 campinvention.org

Eckerd College Summer Watersports Camp 4200 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg 727-864-8288 eckerd.edu/waterfront/

Camp Seal 19501 Holly Lane, Lutz 813-229-7946 www.sealswimschool.com

First United Methodist Summer Camps 212 3rd St. N., St. Petersburg 727-894-4661 www.fumcsp.com

Champion Tae Kwon Do Summer Camp 7590 Starkey Road, Seminole For our complete listing of over 100 summer camps here in the Tampa Bay (727) 399-2999 championtaekwondo.net Area, visit our interactive online directory at www.gulfcoastfamily.org. Circle F Dude Ranch Our summer camp directory contains detailed camp information, links to Lake Wales camp web sites and printable directions. 863-676-4113 circlefduderanchcamp.com

Florida Aquarium AquaCamps 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa (813) 273-4015 www.flaquarium.org Glazer Children’s Museum Camp Connect Tampa 813-443-FUN1 (3861) glazermuseum.org

Inclusive

Summer Camps!

Private, Member-Owned Club, Established in 1924

Led by certified therapists and teachers Targeted skills embedded in fun activities Small class sizes Weekly Sessions Beginning June 3rd Tarpon Springs

(727) 234-0924 Big Accomplishments start with

www.minorachievements.com www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Competitive Swim Team All Day Fun Camp 7am-6pm w/Lunch & Snacks Included! Tennis & Golf Camps

Join Today and Begin Making Your Family’s Summer Memories www.stpetecountryclub.com

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

May 2019 • 25

Don’t miss the fun this

Great Explorations Children’s Museum Summer Camp 1925 4th St N, St. Petersburg 727-821-8992 greatex.org Independent Day School Camp IDS 12015 Orange Grove Dr, Tampa 813-961-3087 idsyes.com

Join us for a variety of summer camps +Vacation Bible School

IRCS Summer Sports Camp 12685 Ulmerton Road, Largo (727) 596-7192 www.ircs.org

VBS

JMAC Kids Summer Camp 2177 NE Coachman Rd, Clearwater 727-430-3902 jmackids.com

June 24–28

Keswick Summer Sports Camp 10101 54th Ave N, St. Petersburg (727) 393-9100 www.keswickchristian.org Largo Cultural Center Summer Theatre Camps Largo Cultural Center 727-587-6751 largoarts.com

First United Methodist Church

212 3rd Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33702

www.fumcsp.com/ministries/kids

LCC Day School Summer Camp 4400 Chancellor St NE, St. Petersburg 727-522-8331 lccdayschool.com

Contact: Lora UIrich 727-894-4661, ext 2125 lulrich@fumcsp.org

Liberty Bowling Summer Camp 11401 Starkey Rd, Largo 727-397-3947 libertylanesbowling.com

Age 3 – 5th Grade June 24-28 9:00–12:00 $35 9:00–5:00 (+Art camp) $180 9:00–5:00 (+Science/Nature) $180

ART CAMP Camp Friendship

2nd–5th Grade June 3–7 June 24–28 July 8–12 July 15–19

Age 3–1st Grade July 8–12 9:00–1:00 July 15–19 9:00–1:00

1st–5th Grade June 10–14 July 29–Aug 2

Science & Nature 26 • May 2019

9:00–1:00 9:00–5:00 (+Roar! VBS) 9:00–1:00 9:00–1:00

2nd–6th Grade June 3-7 June 24–28 July 8-12 July 15-19

$125 $180 $125 $125 $100 $100

9:00–1:00 9:00–1:00

$125 $125

9:00–5:00 9:00–5:00 (+Roar VBS) 9:00–1:00 9:00–5:00

$180 $180 $125 $180

Lowry Park Zoo Summer Camps Tampa 813-935-8552 lowryparkzoo.com Mathnasium Summer Camp 3451 4th Street North, St. Petersburg 727-823-6284 mathnasium.com/stpetersburg Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy 15906 Mapledale Blvd, Tampa 813-969-0210 mjpaa.com Minor Achievements 113 S. Disston Ave, Tarpon Springs 727-234-0924 minorachievements.com

Pinellas Preparatory Academy Summer Camp 2300 S. Belcher Road, Largo 727-536-3600 pinellasprep.org Plato Academy Summer Camp 2045 Palmetto Street, Clearwater 727-301-1590 platoacademy.net PLAY Performing Arts 1920 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg 727-393-7625 playstpete.com/summer R’Club Summer Camps 727-578-5437 rclub.net Robotics Summer Camp Tampa • Brandon • Trinity 813-249-5522 funwithbots.com Saddle Up Riding Club 9301 62nd Street, Pinellas Park 727-520-3132 saddleupridingclub.org Saint Paul’s School Summer Camps 1600 St. Paul’s Dr, Clearwater 727-536-2756 st.pauls.edu Seminole Assembly Adventure Kids 10600 113th St N, Seminole 727-391-9788 seminoleag.org Shorecrest Summer Camps 5101 1st St N, St. Petersburg 727-522-2111 x173 shorecrest.org Soul Adventures Camps at Skycrest 129 North Belcher Rd, Clearwater 727-797-1186 souladventures.us SPCA Tampa Bay Summer Camp 9099 130th Ave. N., Largo 727-586-3591 spcatampabay.org St. Jerome ECC Summer Camp 10895 Hamlin Blvd, Largo 727-596-9491 stjeromeearlychildhoodcenter.org

MOSI Summer Science Camps 4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa 813-987-6000 mosi.org

St. Petersburg Christian School Sonny Days Camp 2021 62nd Ave N, St. Petersburg 727-522-3000 stpetechristian.com

Northside Christian School Paradise Summer Camp 7777 62nd Ave N, St. Petersburg 727-647-0349 nck12.com

St. Petersburg Country Club Summer Camp 2000 Country Club Way, St. Petersburg 727-867-2111 stpetecountryclub.com

Patel Conservatory Dance, Theater, and Music Summer Camps 813-222-1002 patelconservatory.org

St. Petersburg Sailing Center Summer Sailing Camp 11 Central Ave, St. Petersburg 727-822-3873 spyc.org/sailingcamp

Pinellas County Summer Camps 333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater 727-464-4600 pinellascounty.org/ summercamps

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

Starkey Road Baptist Church Sports Camp 8800 Starkey Rd, Seminole 727-397-1654 srbc.org www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Sylvan Robotics and Coding Camps 3951 Tyrone Blvd. St. Petersburg 727-347-6284 sylvanlearning.com/stpetersburg Tampa Bay History Center Adventure Camp 801 Old Water Street, Tampa 813-228-0097 tampabayhistorycenter.org Tampa Bay Ice Summer Camp 255 Forest Lakes Blvd, Oldsmar 13940 ICOT Blvd, Clearwater Westfield Countryside Mall tampabayice.com

813-854-4010 727-536-5843 727-723-7785

The Florida Aquarium AquaCamps 813-273-4015 flaquarium.org Tutterow Dancers 452 5th Ave SE, Largo 727-585-1232 tutterowdancers.com

Paradise Summer Camp 2019 Rising K - 6th Grade

Word of Life Florida Youth 877-412-8687 wolflorida.org Xtreme Fun Center Summer Sports Camp 13211 93rd St N, Largo 727-584-9876 xtremefuncenter.com YMCA Summer Camps ymcatampabay.org To have your camp listed in Gulf Coast Family’s printed summer camp guide, call 727-612-0783 or visit gulfcoastfamily.org.

Saddle Up Riding Club Horseback lessons Barn Times – kids learn to care for and ride horses Equine Therapy Summer Horse Camps

7 Amazing Weeks of Camp! June: 3, 10, 17, and 24 July: 8, 15, and 22

Northside Christian School www.saddleupridingclub.org 727-520-3132

www.nck12.com

Saddle Up Riding Club, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonproﬁt organization under the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

May 2019 • 27

Benefits of Summer Travel

by Dr. Kira Wilson

and experience new things together while making lifetime memories.

Reboot and Change the Routine

One benefit of summer travel is the opportunity to reboot. We all need a recharge every now and then, including our children after a long school year. A change of scenery and routine for a week or two, allows the family to reassess priorities and reflect on what is important. Wherever you go, I encourage you to unplugno television or computers, no Facebook or smart

Day Cam

With summer approaching it seems an appropriate time to discuss the benefits of summer travel and fun. In general, travel broadens our understanding of the world. It helps to develop a child’s background knowledge and an interest in new experiences. Resources can vary from family to family and even from year to year but the benefits of family travel are not relative to the budget. Fun does not have to be expensive. The benefits of family travel include a reboot and change from the routine, extended time as a family to strengthen relationships, and the opportunity to learn

phones. If that seems like an impossible task, try unplugging during the day and only using devices in the evening, or unplug every other day if you are gone for more than a week. Family interaction is significantly more valuable, but unplugging some is better than not unplugging at all. Do it together so everyone is unplugged at the same time. Take along a great book to read as a family—either in the car or in the evening. This is a sure way to reboot! Go to LifeandLearning.net for some ideas.

Strengthen Family Relationships

Another benefit of summer travel is the opportunity to strengthen family relationships. Siblings, who may not “play” together during the school year, learn to enjoy each other’s company when other distractions are eliminated. Something as simple as a nature walk or a day at the beach (no cost) can be fun on an extended trip. Playing games as a family and having conversation in the evening without interruptions, can also help to strengthen the family bond.

Learn and Experience New Things

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June 3 – August 9 7 AM – 6 PM

Ulmerton Rd

113th St N

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28 • May 2019

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

Lastly, family travel provides an opportunity to learn and experience something new together. Maybe it’s white water rafting, or jet skiing, or hiking in the mountains. This experience will help to build lifetime memories that will be shared again and again. On a trip to Oregon a few years back, my family went white water rafting. Prompted by our guide, we jumped off a bridge together into freezing water! I assure you this is not something I would have done on my own – but it was a family activity and I was the mom! It was a once in a lifetime experience that we will always memory. Summer is on its way. Start planning that family vacation. Be safe and have fun! Dr. Kira Wilson is the Director of Covenant Academy in Pinellas County and the Founder of Life and Learning, an educational blog for parents (LifeandLearning.net). With more than 35 years in Christian education, her passion is to encourage and equip teachers and parents to develop in children a love for learning and a love for God. She cherishes family time with her husband, children, and two grandchildren.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

On April 28, tots to teens and everything in between filled the North Lawn of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg for the 12th Annual Painting in the Park. More than 1,500 people spent the sunny afternoon making creative, hands-on arts and crafts projects based on works of art inside the MFA. For example, Georgia O’Keefe’s 1927 oil on canvas, Poppy, served as the inspiration for creating a paper-plate poppy field on the lawn. At the event’s 13 art stations, kids of all ages created little masterpieces with yarn, paint brushes, and their hand and foot prints; added their special decorations to wearable cardboard box racehorses and dug inside a sandpit to find pieces for a large mosaic mural.

Photo by Scott Bernat, Sea State Focus LLC.

Photo by Scott Bernant, Sea State Focus LLC.

The little artists painted all over the popular NOMAD Art Bus and Raymond from the Tampa Bay Rays made a special appearance! The MFA loves encouraging creativity at an early age through this free community event, and helping introduce children to museums in a fun, unique way. This year’s event was generously sponsored in part by Kane’s Furniture, Rays Baseball Foundation and Suncoast Credit Union!

MORNING STAR SCHOOL Serving Students with Special Learning Needs Since 1969 At Morning Star Catholic School, we provide our 1st–12th grade students with individualized instruction from caring professionals who are skilled at understanding and meeting each child’s unique needs. Our Recipe for Success

• Talented Florida state-certified ESE teachers • Low student-to-teacher ratio • Nurturing environment • Speech and OT services during the school day • Life Skills curriculum in High School

4661 80th Avenue North Pinellas Park, FL 33781 www.gulfcoastfamily.org

• Comprehensive curriculum includes language arts, math, writing, science, social studies, religion, art, music therapy, guidance and PE • Gardiner, McKay and Step Up for Students scholarships accepted

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There are many paths to success.

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@MorningStarPP

MSSPP May 2019 • 29

Pinellas County Schools celebrates the class of 2019 during graduation ceremonies Palm Harbor University High School robotics team wins world title A Palm Harbor University High School robotics team was crowned world champions at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics World Championship. The four-day competition was April 16-20 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. The championship round was held in front of 40,000 spectators in the Minute Maid Baseball Stadium.

Palm Harbor University High’s team 3101 Boom Bots defeated the two-year returning world champions in a 2-0 series. Boom Bots team members met both FIRST founders, Dean Kamen and Woodie Flower as well as the organization’s president after their big win. There were a 160 of the best FIRST Tech Challenge teams from around the world competing for the championship which included three days of qualification matches and judging interviews. Team Boom Bots also achieved the world-record score for any match throughout the year for the second time. The team tied the record in December.

Pinellas County Schools graduation ceremonies will be held throughout the district in May. Go to www.pcsb.org/graduation for 2019 graduation dates and times, as well as individual school valedictorians and salutatorians. You will also find some stories about some of the district’s seniors. Follow the district’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for graduation photos or celebration information. District staff will live-tweet each graduation ceremony using #PCSGrads. Students are encouraged to tweet their graduation pictures

District named ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency

Pinellas County Schools was named the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The district was awarded 92 ENERGY STAR® building certifications in 2018, which makes them the highest-ranked district in the state of Florida for 2018. The achievement also designates the district as among the top 25 percent of energy-efficient buildings nationwide. In 2015, PCS partnered with Cenergistic, a national leading energy conservation and sustainability company, to implement their energy conservation program with three primary goals: to improve and maintain building comfort, save money through a reduction in energy consumption to raise teacher

The FIRST Tech Challenge is a comprehensive robotics competition for high school students. The competition inspires students to learn about mechanical design and engineering, computer design, programming and professional writing and encourages them to utilize these skills to reach success in various awards throughout the competition season. Approximately 200 teams compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge across Florida and 7,000 teams across the world are active competitors. Three teams from Palm Harbor University High competed in the FIRST Tech Challenge throughout the year.

30 • May 2019

and share them to the district’s social media accounts. This will also be the first year that most of our ceremonies will be streamed live on the PCS YouTube page.

salaries and fund student programs, and to change the district’s culture to become a national sustainability leader. Cenergistic also facilitates the process of districts applying for and receiving ENERGY STAR® designations. With Cernergistics assistance, 52 percent of K-12 buildings in the United States have been awarded ENERGY STAR® certifications. In addition to setting an ENERGY STAR® record in the state of Florida, PCS has established the goals of becoming a sustainability leader and achieving excellence in energy conservation among its peers, and, instilling a “second-nature” mindset of sustainability throughout the district and beyond. The district has witnessed a 17.5 percent reduction in energy consumption and a total of $21.9 million in energy cost avoidance within the past four years. Pinellas County Schools is a strong leader in the community, with the latest recognition as ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year a further testament to its commitment and dedication to the environment.

WWW.TRINITYCOLLEGE.EDU Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

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May 2019 • 31

Established in 1976, R’Club Child Care, Inc. is one of the largest not for profit childcare providers in the Tampa Bay area serving children ages 8 weeks through 8th grade and those with disabilities ages 3 through 22 years old. With close to 50 locations and a local board of directors, R’Club provides high quality, educational and affordable child care solutions for families. Over 4,000 children are served daily through full day preschool, before and after school programs for elementary and middle school-age students, extended learning and social support programs, and even in-home learning for parents and young children alike through the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program. Our affordable programs offer competitive rates, scholarship opportunities, and several no-cost programs for qualified families. We believe that no parent should ever have to sacrifice quality of care and we are committed to providing award winning, high quality curricula tailored for each child’s development and success in school and life. Strengthening our community begins with our youngest members and we take that responsibility seriously. 32 • May 2019

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

R’Club & Louise Graham

12th Annual Celebration Breakfast

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 7:30am – 9:00am The Coliseum 535 4th Ave N - St Petersburg, FL 33701

It’s that time again!! The R’Club & Louise Graham 12th Annual Fundraiser will be held at the Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg on May 22nd 2019. This event remains one of the largest in attendance and continues to gain momentum each year. R’Club takes this opportunity annually to give ourselves a pat on the back as an organization that is committed in the investment for the children and families, we serve through providing quality education & development programs and services to support differently-abled adults.

Mistress of Ceremonies Allison Kropff, Anchor WTVT Action 10 News

The money raised each year is put directly back into maintaining and improving the many programs and services we provide as an agency. R’Club continues the renovation and expansion of Happy Workers an R’Club Early Learning Academy and Louise Graham Art Center was opened in October 2019. For more information about our organizations and for ways to Donate or Volunteer visit our web sites at www.rclub.net, www.louisegraham.org.

Welcome Comments Mayor Rick Kriseman City of St. Pete Keynote Speaker Mr. John Richard Greed CEO, Mutual of America Life Insurance Company Closing Remarks Mr. Craig Sher Vice Chairman, Sembler Company

Happy Workers, and R’Club Early Learning Academy

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

R’Club Child Care, Inc. is proud to announce that as of June 6, 2017, we are now the licensed operator of Happy Workers Learning Center. The formal ownership transfer will occur over the next couple of months. The newly licensed name is Happy Workers, an R’Club Early Learning Academy. As the Legacy of Mrs. Willie Lee Adams proudly lives on, the pre-school will continue to serve children 8 weeks through 5 years of age. The program provides high quality early learning educational and developmental opportunit ies that promote the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

of young children while responding to the needs of the family. We look forward to ongoing high quality early childhood development services to help ensure our children acquire the skills that will better prepare them for future success in school and in life. Coming soon to the surrounding community will be a newly renovated facility that will provide an exceptional and safe learning environment for those children we current ly serve and those we look forward to serving in the future. Thank you for your patience and support. Working together, we can truly make a difference in our community. May 2019 • 33

ECKERD COLLEGE From May to June, graduates and their families celebrate completing this stage of their lives by throwing a party in the grad’s honor. Here are some fun tips to help you as you plan your “grad bash” this spring! • Make invitations into little diplomas. Use a calligraphy pen to script the invitation, roll the paper up and tie with a colored ribbon. • Find out what gifts your grad would like. He or she may even want to put together a gift registry at their favorite store. • Give each graduating guest a white t-shirt and set out permanent markers so that they can sign their classmates’ shirts. • Make a time capsule. Have each person bring something that has to do with their years in high school. Place this in a box and give to someone for safe keeping until the ten year reunion. • Play pin the mustache on the teacher. Blow up a picture from the yearbook of a favorite teacher, your teen will give you an idea of which one to use. • If it’s hot outside, a water balloon toss is always fun, (played just like and egg toss but not as messy). Choose the balloon colors to match the school colors. • Have a sign-in board. You can use a large scroll to keep the diploma theme or place pictures of as many of the classmates as you can find

around the edges of a large poster board. • Place the name of a teacher on a sticky label. When a guest comes in, stick it on their back. They have to ask other guests yes or no questions about the teacher and guess who it is by the end of the night. • Have a memory note station. Set up “note boxes” for each guest, and paper and pens to write notes to each other. The teens can write their memories of the other person down and stick it in their friend’s box. • Food, food, food!! Graduation cupcakes and “grandma’s meatballs” are a must. • Video tape the party! Place the video camera on a tripod and just let it roll. • Don’t try to have too many activities. Teens love to just get together, talk and listen to music. • Lastly, right before the party is ready to start, take time out to give your graduate a big hug and let the celebration begin! In closing, whether it’s a small family affair, a simple open house or a full blown event with all the trimmings, don’t forget that the success is in the planning.

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TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2019

Those two years are still the best years of my life, and I would never trade them for the world. – Benjamin Ward Jack Wyrtzen Center New York Campus

TRACS accredited www.wordoﬂife.edu

New York | Florida | Ontario, Canada | South Korea

34 • May 2019

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Faith Foundation Future

imom.com

Discover Your

by Nancy Jergins, iMom.com

y l i m a F T ree

My great-grandfather, Autonino, was known as the hardest working man in Ybor City, Florida, rising before dawn to pick vegetables from his garden to sell from his cart in town. My great-grandmother, Mae, taught school with her husband and played piano beautifully. And my husband’s grandfather, Lowry, had the nickname Shine because he was always so happy.

St. John Vianney Catholic School VPK-8th Grade Accepting Step Up and McKay Scholarships

These are real-life stories I recently passed on to my children. And when I did, I was helping them have “higher levels of emotional well-being, and also higher levels of identity achievement” according to a study by Emory University. Researchers found that children who know about their relatives from the past actually feel more secure about who they are in the world. So try to make time this summer to delve into your children’s family history, and share what you find with them. And if you’re going to see grandparents or other extended family soon, help your children talk with them about your family’s past. We have two great ways to get started: A Printable Family Tree for Kids, and a Family History Interview Questions your children can use as they journey to days gone by. Printable Family Tree for Kids http://www.imom.com/printable/family-tree/

500 84th Ave St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 727-360-1113

Family History Interview Questions http://www.imom.com/family-history-interview/

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To advertise, call 727-612-0783

May 2019 • 35

Forget About Saving the World. The MCU is All About Family.

pluggedin.com

by Paul Asay, pluggedin.com

We could unpack a lot of stuff with Avengers: Endgame, Marvel’s threehour finale to its 11-year, 22-movie odyssey (so far). And hopefully we’ll have opportunity to do just that sometime soon—when most of you have seen it and spoilers aren’t quite as big of an issue. But one thing that I can say about Endgame without spoilers—and one thing that surprised me a bit about the movie—was how critical family was to the movie, and how beautifully those familial relationships were manifested there.

them into monsters or just… influencing them, in both good ways and bad. I think we get an indication of the import the MCU places on family in Avengers: Age of Ultron, when Clint Barton (aka Hawkeye) brings the Avengers team home to meet the wife and kids. Our suited-up heroes look a little out of place in Clint’s bucolic farmhouse, but Hawkeye looks right at home. This is his world, right here. To him, family is everything. And to those of us watching, the place looks a little like heaven. This, the movie suggests,

Avengers: Age of Ultron “All any of you do is yell at each other,” an exasperated Gamora tells her cohorts in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. “You’re not friends.”

I shouldn’t have been that shocked. From almost the very beginning, Marvel’s Cinematic Universe has pointed to family as a primary driver for its characters: Iron Man’s Tony Stark and his complex relationship with his father. Loki’s own familial insecurity in Thor. Scott Lang’s desire to be a hero for his little girl in AntMan. The complex family dynamics we see in Black Panther. And one of the more compelling subplots we’ve seen in some of the MCU’s later chapters is the really difficult relationship Thanos has with his own adopted daughters, Gamora and Nebula. Everywhere you turn in the MCU, we see moms and dads and kids who are either spurring our heroes on to greatness or twisting

Ant-Man and the Wasp

36 • May 2019

“You’re right,” says the blue-skinned Drax. “We’re family.”

Captain Marvel is what the Avengers fight for—a place called home and the people who make it so. ‘Course, not everyone in the MCU has a family. The folks from the Guardians of the Galaxy flicks have either lost important family members, never had them to begin with or have, shall we say, issues with them. (It’s not easy having a megalomaniac planet for a father, after all.) But even though they don’t have a family, each of these characters still needs one. And so they form their own. Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

In Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers considers her family to be her best pal, Maria Rambeau, and her daughter Monica. Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, never had a family before she fell in with the Avengers. In Endgame, she says the friendships she formed there changed her life. “And even though they’re gone,” she says (referring to the dreaded Infinity War Snap), “I’m still trying to be better.” Just that line suggests the power of possibility embedded within family— how the people who love us just as we are can still push us to be better. As moms and dads, that’s what we try to do with our own kids. We love them even when they draw on the kitchen cabinets or miss curfew. But we’re always teaching them not just to be loveable children, but good, responsible adults. We push them to be, in their own ways, heroes. And our kids inspire us to do the same. We know that they’re watching us. We know that we’re their first role www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Avengers: Infinity War models—their first heroes long before they’ve ever heard of Iron Man or Captain America. And I think often, that makes us want to live up to how they first see us. How, if we’re being honest, we’d always like them to see us that way. Families are complex organisms. As beautiful as they can be, they’re made of imperfect people who do imperfect things. When I told my grown daughter—jokingly, I thought—how every parent will screw up their kids a little, she instead nodded sagely, with the full knowledge that it was true.

Even great families aren’t great all the time. But when we make the effort and put the time into our families, they can become a safe harbor for our sons and daughters, and for us, too: a place to ride out the storm, a place from which to launch into new adventures. The Marvel movies, like families, aren’t perfect. All you need to do is look at our reviews to know that. But they get how important families are, and how critical they are in shaping the men and women we eventually become.

Black Panther Paul Asay has been writing for Plugged In since 2007 and loves superheroes and finding God in unexpected places. In addition, Paul has also written several books, with his newest—Burning Bush 2.0— recently published by Abingdon Press. When Paul’s not reviewing movies, he hikes with his wife, Wendy, runs marathons with his grown kids, Colin and Emily, and beats back unruly houseplants. Follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul. www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

May 2019 • 37

with Jim Daly Q: I’ve been out of college for four years, and I’m watching many of my peers getting everything they want — good jobs, nice homes, world travel, etc. But they still seem unhappy, at least to me. Am I weird for wanting to take things slower? Jim: We’re surrounded by the danger signs of a world moving too fast. From microwaves to fast food, computers to mobile phones, we’ve become accustomed to easy and immediate results. The demand to produce more in less time is increasing, and the ingredients we need to live wellrounded lives are being stripped away. That brings problems. The first is an attitude of impatience and entitlement. Our society wants what it wants, and it wants it right now. We’ve forgotten that authentic success can’t be rushed; it often takes hard work over a long period of time. But when people lose sight of this, they take shortcuts to achieve maximum results with minimal effort. Consider

INSTANT GRATIFICATION WEAKENS OUR CHARACTER The faster our world moves, the more diligent we must be to pursue not only success, but character as well. As one writer expressed it: “We all want to be, but few of us are willing to become.” So, are you “weird”? No — I think you’re wise.

the athletes caught in doping scandals, or individuals hoping to lose weight without eating right or exercising. The list could go on and on. A second problem with instant gratification is that it weakens our character. Building success slowly gives us a chance to develop as people. And as our character is strengthened, so is our ability to handle success. Many people have raced to the top, only to lose it all because they lacked the character to handle the responsibility their success demanded.

TEACHING KIDS TO GO BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY Q: What do you think about paying our school-aged children for doing household tasks? As a child, I always received an allowance if I did my chores. But my husband believes that kids need to work without being paid; he says that’s just part of being a family. Danny Huerta, Vice President, Parenting and Youth: There’s no right or wrong answer here. Some parents believe in

paying an allowance, others pay their kids for individual chores. Still others don’t pay anything at all but give their children money for purchases based on their overall attitude and helpfulness. Whatever system you decide to adopt, it’s important to remember that one of your major goals is to prepare your children to live in the “real world” — the world of work, taxes, giving and investments. In that world, nobody is going to pay them for making their beds or taking out the trash. On the other hand, they will be

TO KNOW HIM AND LIVE THAT OTHERS MAY KNOW HIM You will be encouraged, challenged and have opportunity to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ!

Sunday

38 • May 2019

6:00 pm

Worship Service Youth Group / Adult Small Groups

Small groups Developing deep rooted relationships with God and each other Senior / Young Married / College & Career / Teens

102nd Ave N

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

Seminole Blvd

Ulmerton Rd

113th St N

Come Alive!

10:00 am

Bryan Dairy Rd

Park Blvd

Seminole Assembly 10600 113th Street N

727-391-9788 www.seminoleag.org www.gulfcoastfamily.org

paid for things like managing a group of employees, tuning up somebody’s car or selling a pair of shoes to a very demanding customer. With that in mind, here’s what I suggest. Children ought to perform certain tasks around the house simply because they are part of the family. This could include jobs such as taking care of their own rooms, picking up their toys, helping to prepare meals, washing their own clothes, and yes, even taking out the trash.

On the other hand, it’s fine to pay children for chores that demand more time and energy — contributions to the life of the household that “go beyond the call of duty.” This list might include activities like mowing the lawn, washing the car, or, in the case of a responsible teenager, baby-sitting a younger brother or sister for an entire Saturday afternoon. One final note: Helping kids learn how to give, save and spend their money is just as important as teaching them how to earn it.

WHEN DO I NEED TO JUST CHILL OUT AND WHEN DO I NEED TO DISCIPLINE?

Changing Lives Reaching the World

Q: I’m fairly new at the parenting game. Are there times when I should simply chill out and refrain from disciplining a kid who misbehaves? Danny Huerta, Vice President, Parenting and Youth: To some extent, child discipline is just common sense and more art than science — a skill acquired gradually and almost imperceptibly. So, relax, take it one day at a time, and allow the parent-child relationship to unfold naturally. As the years go by, you’ll perfect your skills in a very normal and intuitive way. In the meantime, the only kind of behavior that merits disciplinary action is willful disobedience. Otherwise, there are some rather obvious situations where traditional disciplinary action is not appropriate: • Normal exploratory behavior in infants and toddlers. Little ones need the freedom to discover their environment without getting their hands slapped. Childproof your home by keeping fragile items out of their reach. • Toilet training. This can’t be rushed. A harsh response to failure only creates confusion, anxiety and frustration for the child. • Bed-wetting. This physiological event is usually not under conscious control, and rarely (if ever) responds to rewards or punishment. • Accidents. Again, if the behavior wasn’t willful or intentional, it doesn’t call for discipline. But it’s fair and appropriate to require an older child to help clean up or repair, especially if carelessness was involved.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Starkey Road Baptist Church 8800 Starkey Road * Seminole, FL 33777 $$ (727)397-1654 $$ $$ $www.SRBC.org $ $

$$ $$$$$ $$$$ $$$$ $$$$ $$$$ $$$$ $ $ $ $ $$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $ $$$$some $ $$$$ $$$ $$$ $$$ $ $$ $$$$$Save $ $ $ $$$$ $$$ $$$$ $$$$ $$$$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$$$ $$$ $$$ • Less-than-perfect report cards. If a $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ child’s school performance is falling $ $$$$ $$$ $$$ $$$$ $$$$ $ short of his or her capability, more self- $ $$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ discipline may be the answer. But kids $ $$$$ $$$ shouldn’t be punished for not having$$ $ $ $ $ straight A’s. Go with $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $ • Performance in sports. If the child $$ $ $ $ chooses to engage in sports and cares $$$$ deeply about succeeding, parental sup• Irritability and negativity specifically related to illness or extreme fatigue. Extend grace for grumpiness when your child simply doesn’t feel well, is “hangry” or tired.

port and encouragement is extremely important. But they shouldn’t be forced to play against their will or beyond their skill level.

If you’d like to discuss this subject with our staff counselors, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357). Jim Daly is president of Focus on the Family, host of the Focus on the Family radio program, and a husband and father of two.

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The “Perfect”

Mother’s Day By Jill Savage

All I asked for was some help planting summer flowers in the pots and flower beds in our yard, I ruminated. This was my honest answer to their question about what I wanted for Mother’s Day. It seemed simple enough, didn’t cost them a dime and could have been great family fun.

Why then wasn’t the day turning out the way I imagined it would? When I asked the family to pull together and do something, why did it feel like I was

herding cats? The more I asked myself these questions, the more I came face to face with my unrealistic hopes for the “perfect” Mother’s Day.

Unmet expectations Somebody once told me that expectations can become preconceived resentments. Indeed, my expectations were building into resentment, and I needed to do something about it. As I explored what was going on in my heart, I found I was harboring three kinds of expectations: The unknown. Presumptions often come from our family of origin and include the traditions, routines and habits that feel “normal” to each of us. Because we usually spend about 18

this is motherhood

We build circles of women who love each other like family, because raising humans is beautiful and hard, and having each other to lean on is life-giving.

years doing things a certain way, we don’t give much thought to the fact that there might be other ways to celebrate special occasions. The unspoken. These are the things we feel we shouldn’t need to tell our spouse or our children because it’s a certainty in our mind. For instance, if I expect not to cook or do dishes on Mother’s Day, but I don’t let my family know that’s my desire, then I’ve created an unspoken expectation. The unrealistic. These hopes are often idealistic. Let’s be honest, it’s unrealistic of me to think that five kids of varying ages and personalities can come together perfectly to help with planting flowers. As I sorted through my unmet expectations, I realized that I was the one fueling my own disappointment nearly every Mother’s Day.

Addressing my expectations

M AY

Second Friday of each month 9 a.m. – Noon Breakfast and Childcare Provided

For moms from pregnancy to kindergarten.

Sept 14 | Oct 12 | Nov 9 | Dec 14 | Jan 11 | Feb 8 | Mar 8 | Apr 12 | May 10

Starkey Road Baptist Church 8800 Starkey Road, Seminole 40 • May 2019

(727) 397-1654 mops@srbc.org www.srbc.org/mops

Speak up. If your idea of a perfect day is to spend it alone, then let your family know you love them very much but you’d appreciate a little bit of personal time. If you don’t want to make meals on your day, share that desire with your spouse and talk about practical ways to make that happen. My husband, Mark, always wanted to take the family out to eat on Mother’s Day, but taking five children to a restaurant did not feel like fun to me. As a compromise, we agreed on takeout food for lunch and pizza for dinner.

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

Practice gratefulness. Instead of seeing what isn’t happening, pay attention to what is happening. While my whole family wasn’t helping with planting flowers like I had hoped they would, I did have 15 minutes of one-onone conversation with my teenage son, and later, I had some girl time when my two daughters slipped on garden gloves and joined me. A grateful heart made it easier to see the blessings of the day. Give grace. It’s entirely possible your family will do very little to make your day special. It’s also possible they won’t respond even if you make your desires known. And sometimes they will make an effort, but it won’t look like you thought it would. This is where you have to respond with grace. Mark and I use the term “grace space” to describe the effort we make to allow our family members to be imperfect. Grace allows others to be human and make mistakes; it allows for different personalities and priorities. Change your expectations. You may need to adjust your wishes to better match reality. No Mother’s Day will look like a Hallmark commercial, and there’s nothing magical about setting aside one day to honor one person. If you’re loved every other day of the year, you’re certainly loved on the second Sunday in May. This year I’m giving myself four gifts for Mother’s Day. I’m going to speak up, practice gratefulness, give grace and change my expectations. Wanna join me? Jill Savage is the founder and CEO of Hearts at Home, a ministry for moms. Jill’s 11 books include No More Perfect Moms and her most recent release, No More Perfect Marriages.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

Q&A With Counselor John Phipps

Parenting with Love and Logic Dear Pastor, I understand that you work as a psychotherapist and have a private practice. As a parent of two young children who are three and five years old, I need advice on how I can get them to listen to me without challenging me constantly throughout the day. Any support or wisdom you can share with me would be helpful. Sincerely, Sarah Dear parent, Thank you for reaching out to me, Sarah! I think I can help you in this difficult situation. As you understand, children don’t come with a guidebook other than the Bible, therefore this makes parenting very challenging. The good news is that you are certainly not alone. Many parents in your situation go through the same daily struggles with their little children that you face. It is really important to stress to our children (especially when they are younger than ten) that there are consequences for poor choices and bad behaviors, as well as rewards for good choices and appropriate behaviors. Many parents and teachers use positive reinforcement or a token reward system with their children. These strategies allow parents to remain in control and provide healthy boundaries while allowing their children to choose their behaviors.

My wife will literally grab a trash bag and slowly pick up older and unwanted toys first, but it was enough to motivate them to begin cleaning. This taught our children that if they didn’t listen and honor their parents, that their toys can be gathered up and donated to those less fortunate. Strategies like this and many others allow our children to live with the consequences of their choices and also eliminates the power struggle between a parent and a strong-willed child.

As always, you can reach me at Park Place Wesleyan Church if you would like to schedule an appointment. I specialize in family and individual counseling and work on a sliding scale fee. Sarah, stay encouraged. I am praying for you and many other parents going through similar struggles. Respectfully submitted, Pastor John

My favorite program which is the one I use most in my private practice is called Love and Logic. Although this particular teaching model isn’t new, I find that it helps families by removing the power struggle that many parents have with their children. For instance, rather than saying something to your child to the effect of, “Do it because I said so.”, you might choose your phrasing differently to give the opportunity for your child to make a healthy choice. A Love and Logic phrase may sound more like this: “If you decide to get your chores done before we have dinner, I’ll be happy to give you an extended period of time to play your game.” When my children were younger, after telling them to clean their rooms three or four times to no avail, my wife would use one of my favorite strategies from Love and Logic: “Ok, since I have asked you to clean up your room several times and you haven’t listened, let’s do this: the toys you pick up you get to keep and the toys I pick up I get to keep.”

About Rev. John Phipps

I have served as a pastor and psychotherapist for almost 20 years. I have pastored in several churches across several states, but after earning my master’s degree in counseling, I enjoy both pastoring and providing therapeutic care to families and individuals.

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

I have been happily married for 20 years and have 2 wonderful teenage boys. To advertise, call 727-612-0783

May 2019 • 41

May 2019

Events

May 1-31 2019 EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL Delight in the magnificence of spring with a multisensory selection of vibrant displays and captivating experiences. Nurture your sense of curiosity at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival—a fun-filled destination for Guests of all ages. With so much to see and do, your whole family will uncover something new with every single visit! www.disneyworld.disney.go.com May 3-4 TAMPA RIVERFEST 2019 The 5th Annual Tampa Riverfest is a FREE community event celebrating the Tampa waterfront and will be held on May 3-4. Events will include a full concert line-up, Wiener Dog Derby, Gasparilla Stand-up Paddle board Invasion, Tampa Bay Pride Band, TacoFest, Beer Bars, Margarita Bar, Taste of the Riverwalk, Hillsborough County School kid performances, and much more. Additionally, many of the venues, museums, bars, and restaurants

along the Riverwalk will be activated with special activities that day. www.thetampariverwalk.com May 4-5, 11-12 & 18-19 SESAME STREET KIDS’ WEEKENDS BUSCH GARDENS

Join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and all of your favorite Sesame Street friends for fun-filled weekends at Busch Gardens May 4- May 19. www.buschgardens.com May 4, 11, 18 & 25 DILLYDALLY WITH DALI Children can discover the creative world of Dali through games, puzzles and arts + crafts activities which educate and encourage family interaction. Dillydally with Dali takes place under the direction of the museum’s Family Programs Coordinator in the 1st floor Education Classroom. www.thedali.org

May 5 MERCEYME - IMAGINE NATION TOUR MercyMe’s 2019 “Imagine Nation Tour” finds the group wrapping up a three month long tour here in Florida. It continues to be a landmark year for the multi-platinum selling MercyMe. A major motion picture based on the life of frontman Bart Millard who wrote the mega-hit song “I Can Only Imagine” after the loss of his father opened at a remarkable No. 3 at the box office. MercyMe was recently named Top Christian Artist at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, was the top winner at the fan-fueled K-LOVE Fan Awards including a win for Artist of the Year and just received their seventh AMA nod. The group is the current GMA Dove Award Winner for Artist Of The Year. www.amaliearena.com

Tuesday. This event aligns with the Children’s Board’s mission to promote the well-being of children and families by uniting community partners, investing in innovative opportunities, and leading the county in the best practices so that the whole community can realize its full potential. www.glazermuseum.org

May 6-8, 10-12, 21-22, 27-29 & 30-31 RAYS GAMES AT THE TROP

May 7-12 ANASTASIA Inspired by the beloved film, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical ANASTASIA is on a journey to Tampa at last! This dazzling show will transport you from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. www.strazcenter.org

Baseball season is in full swing and here is your chance to cheer on your hometown Tampa Bay Rays! Dig out your baseball gloves and those cowbells and come out to the Trop this May and cheer on your Rays as they face off with the D-Backs, Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Twins! www.mlb.com/rays

9 am to 12pm - Weekdays (727) 894-4661 A faith-based Parents’ Morning Out program for children 3 – 23 months. No reservations required.

212 3 Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33702 rd

42 • May 2019

Contact: Lora UIrich Director of Children’s Ministries 727-894-4661, ext 212

May 6 MEMORY MONDAY AT GREAT EXPLORATIONS On the first Monday of the month, Great Explorations hosts a FREE program for adults with memory loss. Participants take part in programs focusing on art, music, and movement and stress reduction and will enjoy quality time with others. This monthly event is sponsored by AARP and presented in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter. Additional support is provided by Harmony Home Health. There is singing, movement, humor, socializing and much more! www.greatex.org May 7 CHILDREN’S BOARD OF HILLSBOROUGH FREE TUESDAY AT THE GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Join us for free, family fun at the GCM as the Children’s Board of Hillsborough proudly presents a Free Admission

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

May 7 TODDLER TUESDAYS AT ZOO TAMPA Tuesdays are for the toddlers! Once a month, Zoo Members can bring their little ones to the Zoo and enjoy story time, arts & crafts, an animal mingle and a complimentary snack! This May the Zoo will be celebrating Mother’s Day early with a special craft, games, and storytime that will make you go “awwwww.” www.zootampa.org

May 10, 17 & 24 FRIDAY CONCERTS IN THE PARK The return of spring means the return of Tampa’s longest running and most beloved concert series; Friday Concerts in the Park. Celebrating 32 years of high-quality entertainment, Friday Concerts in the Park are held every Friday evening in May. The series highlights music of different genres to satisfy all tastes -- from rock to blues to country to jazz. www.tampagov.net May 11-12

GUY HARVEY WEEKEND @ BUSCH GARDENS Join Guy Harvey in person at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for meet and greets, autographs & more at select times in Xcursions. Learn about his dedication to conservation and his passion for marine wildlife. Bring your favorite gear for him to sign or purchase Guy Harvey paintings, merchandise and more at the Xcursions www.gulfcoastfamily.org

gift shop. Autographs and photos will be available at select times throughout the day. www.buschgardens.com May 18 & 25 TAMPA BAY ROWDIES SOCCER

Kick it at Al Lang Stadium and cheer on the Tampa Bay Rowdies! Experience the electrifying home games with stands packed with fans cheering the team on with age old songs and chants, top notch concessions, and an outdoor stadium situated right on the waterfront of downtown St. Pete. Gates open 60 minutes prior to kickoff. This May take a trip downtown and cheer on the Rowdies as they take on the New York Red Bulls II and the Swope Park Rangers. www.rowdiessoccer.com May 18 PATEL CONSERVATORY PRESENTS END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATION Patel Conservatory’s brightest and best are highlighted in their annual End of Year Celebration. Graduating senior musicians, Theater Certification program graduates, and Next Generation Ballet Trainees moving up to professional or college programs perform in this schoolwide recital. Current students, families

and prospective students are encouraged to attend and celebrate our graduates. Event ticket includes admission to our annual End-of-Year post-recital dinner and dance. www.strazcenter.org May 18 LARRY THE CABLE GUY Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum selling top comedian and actor Larry the Cable Guy returns to Ruth Eckerd Hall for the first time since a sold-out 2013 show. With his signature catchphrase, “Git-RDone”, Larry the Cable Guy is selling out theatres and arenas across the United States. He was part of the highly successful concert Blue Collar Comedy Tour, he won Billboard’s 2005 Comedy Artist of the year and Comedy Album of the year, and is the voice of the beloved Mater in the Golden Globe winning animated feature film Cars and Cars 2 from Disney/Pixar. www.rutheckerdhall.com

MAY 25 LIVING HISTORY SATURDAY New for 2019, you can interact with living history reeenactors on the last Saturday of each month at the Tampa Bay History Center. Included with gallery admission, our living history experts are dressed in period attire, and will present stories and artifact demonstrations related to specific topics and eras in Florida history. www.tampabayhistorycenter.org May 31 SUMMER NIGHTS @ BUSCH GARDENS Experience fireworks and thrilling rides like the all-new Tigris at Summer Nights. As the sun goes down, the party heats up at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay during Summer Nights from May 31 - August 11. It’s your first chance to ride the allnew Tigris at night! Take on Tigris and its 150-foot skyward surge, 60+ mph top

May 18-19 JACK HANNA WEEKEND @ BUSCH GARDENS Join “Jungle Jack” Hanna for a weekend of wild animal shows, autograph signings and special meet-and-greets when he visits Busch Gardens. www.buschgardens.com

speed and dramatic heartline roll. Then dance the night away at themed party zones in Stanleyville and Cheetah Hunt Plaza. Finally, cap off your Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights with a thrilling fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.! www.buschgardens.com

Have an Event?

Email submissions to events@gulfcoastfamily.org for consideration or visit our online calendar at gulfcoastfamily.org.

YOU AND A GUEST ARE INVITED TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF

MAY 18 MAKE & TAKE SATURDAY AT THE MFA Create your own masterpiece inspired by works in the collection and special exhibitions. Supplies are included and the event is free with Museum admission. No registration necessary. Recommended for ages five and older, but entire families are encouraged to participate. www.mfastpete.org

Serving the Best Pies for 27 years! Since 1991 Family Owned Bakery specializing in Delicious Desserts

Home of Florida Keys Finest Key Lime Pie

and Toucan’s Café

TUESDAY, MAY 14 • 7:30PM REGAL CITRUS PARK

Sunday “All-You-Can-Eat” Breakfast served 9am–1:30pm Includes juice, coffee & cobbler Retail/Wholesale • Catering & Fundraisers available

12777 Walsingham Road • Largo, FL 33774 727.593.1884

Mon. – Thurs. 10am – 6pm • Fri. & Sat. 10am – 8pm • Sun. 9am – 3pm

www.piesflorida.com

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

For a chance to win a complimentary admit-two pass to the advance screening, visit GULFCOASTFAMILY.ORG and click on GIVEAWAYS to enter to win! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. This film is rated PG for thematic content, some peril and rude humor. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Supplies limited. Employees of all promotional partners and their agencies are not eligible.

IN THEATERS FRIDAY, MAY 17 www.adogsjourneymovie.com

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

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May 2019 • 43

ENTERTAIN YOUR KIDS THIS SUMMER!

Summer is coming, and so are the long days of figuring out how to keep the kids busy without spending every last cent. Here are several great ideas that are both fun and wallet friendly.

AMC Summer Movie Camp

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly activity to take the kids to this summer, AMC Theatres is offering a $4 movie deal to keep them occupied while school is out. Admission to a kid-friendly movie and a KidsPack containing popcorn, a fountain drink and a pack of AMC Footi Tootis is just $4 plus tax.

The special offer is every Wednesday morning throughout the summer at participating AMC location. The promotion is called “Summer Movie Camp,” and there are participating locations throughout the Tampa Bay area. While you’re saving at the movies, AMC also recently announced its “Discount Tuesdays” deal is here to stay for 2019.

Planet Fitness Free Summer Membership

As part of a broader Teen Summer Challenge initiative, national gym chain Planet Fitness is giving teenagers ages 15 to 18 a free membership for the summer, lasting from May 15 to Sept. 1. That’s right, parents, FREE. There are no gimmicks; teens just have to be at least 15 years old and work out at the gym where they signed up. Online signups are not available, so Mom and Dad’s only role is to take their teens over and sign a waiver (for those under 18). Once the waiver is signed, parents can leave their child to work out alone. Fitness classes will be offered to the teens Monday through Friday, as will opportunities to win prizes and scholarships. Free membership for teens is available at any Planet Fitness location in the Tampa Bay area.

44 • May 2019

AMF bowling centers

AMF is again offering their great free summer bowling promotion. You have to register your kids with AMF’s free bowling website, and they will be able to bowl two free games every single day this summer. All you pay for is shoe rental, and snacks if your kids can persuade you to buy them. This offer is good through September 2. If you like to bowl as well, AMF is offering several adult and family specials as well. So, even if you only go once or twice, it is a great way to get out of the heat and have a little family fun. For more information on the Free Kids Bowling visit AMF’s website at www. kidsbowlfree.com.

Vertical Ventures Rock Climbing Gym

Do your kids love to climb things? Then Vertical Ventures is the place for you with over 6,000 sq. ft. of rock climbing excitement. Every day Vertical Ventures offers introductory classes in which you can learn the basics of rock climbing. They are open six days a week with discounted rates during the summer. Anyone with the willingness to engage in a sport which inspires creativity and confidence will definitely love Vertical Ventures! For more information visit www.verticalventures.com or call (813) 884-ROCK.

Rays Baseball

Two things are synonymous with summer here in the Tampa Bay area: Sunshine and baseball. This summer make some memories with your family and come catch an inexpensive game and all the excitement happening at Tropicana Field.

Astro Skate

Kids Skate Free is offering free passes for kids to skate at local roller skating rinks this summer. This is a great way for kids to stay active, improve balance, increase strength, and most importantly, have fun while they’re getting healthy. Visit Kids Skate Free at www.kidsskatefree.com to register. Choose the roller skating center near you to view how the passes work at your local rink. Included are the dates and times they can skate, age restrictions, skate rental cost, and any other details and restrictions that are specific to that roller skating rink. Also you will find information on how to contact your rink for questions. After you’ve registered, you’ll receive an email that you’ll need to validate in order to verify that you signed up for the Kids Skate Free program. Please note that there’s a limit of four kids that can be added to any one account. To add more people, you have to make another account with a different email address. Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

On select games, tickets are just $2 for kids 14 and under with the purchase of a full-price adult ticket. Up to two $2 tickets can be purchased per full price paid adult. Also, for all Friday home games, fans may purchase discounted tickets for only $7.11. To take advantage of this special price, fans should visit a participating local 7-Eleven store and pick up the Rays Friday night discount coupon.

Lastly, every Sunday home game is Family Fun Day presented by Tampa General Hospital. Kids can enjoy pregame entertainers, postgame fun and promotional giveaways especially for them. From face painters and balloon artists to running the bases and attending DJ Kitty’s after game Dance Party, Family Fun Days at the Trop is a fantastic way to bring smiles to your kiddos and the entire family. www.gulfcoastfamily.org

The Gulf Coast Family Weekender

FRIDAY

May

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival www.disneyworld.com

Tampa Riverfest Tampa Riverwalk www.thetampariverwalk.com

The 5th Annual Tampa Riverfest is a FREE community event celebrating the Tampa waterfront.

Anastasia Straz Center www.strazcenter.org

Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical Anastasia is on a journey to Tampa at last!

Star Wars Celebration Glazer’s Children’s Museum www.glazermuseum.org

Bring your stormtroopers, Princess Leias, and little wookies to Glazer Children’s Museum for a weekend of interstellar fun!

Rays Baseball Tropicana Field tampabay.rays.mlb.com

The Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field.

Cinco de Rhino ZooTampa at Lowry Park www.zootampa.org

Mother’s Day Free or discounted entry into the following parks and museums: Tampa Bay History Center Glazer Children’s Museum

GO RAYS!

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

All fans get a Rays Tropical Shirt!

(while supplies last)

MegaCon Orlando Orange County Convention Center megaconorlando.com

International Museum Day www.icom.museum

The Florida Orchestra: Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 Straz Center www.strazcenter.org

Mahler’s spellbinding Symphony No. 1 is framed by Reich’s Music for Pieces of Wood and Norman’s ridiculously virtuosic percussion concerto Switch, featuring Colin Currie. Michael Francis conducts. www.gulfcoastfamily.org

The Florida Aquarium

Jack Hanna Weekend

Busch Gardens www.buschgardens.com

MegaCon is the Southeast’s premier Comic Book, Anime, Sci-Fi/Fantasy & Pop Culture event! Celebrity guests include Michael J Fox, David Tennant, Lynda Carter, and many more.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Zoo – taco ‘bout a party!

Join Join“Jungle “Jungle Jack” Jack” for for aa wild wild weekend weekend of of furry furry and and feathered feathered fun. fun.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Swope Park Rangers Al Lang Stadium rowdiessoccer.com

Cheer on the Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Pete.

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

Stars and Stripes: USO Show & Dance The Coliseum, St. Petersburg www.starsandstripesuso.com

Experience an exciting night that brings to life the era of the Big Sound of Live Swing Music. May 2019 • 45

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YOUR KIDS COULD BE IN GULF COAST FAMILY!

Send your funny parenting stories to articles@gulfcoastfamily.org. Or email photos of your kiddos having fun at home, school, or anywhere in-between to myphotos@gulfcoastfamily.org. * Please send high resolution photos if possible.

{of the month}

Jax Walker This is what I have been waiting all year for!

Faith Rose

s like summer to me!

t sound Friends, sun, sand, and sea, tha

46 • May 2019

Alex So, what did the monkey say to his sister after she had a baby? “I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!”

Say you saw it in the Gulf Coast Family Newspaper

Layla There is a difference between walking and dancing through life!

Samantha “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” – Indiana Jones

www.gulfcoastfamily.org

To advertise, call 727-612-0783

May 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ 47

About Christ. About Teaching. About Our Students.

Keswick is a school where children can grow, develop, and excel. Keswick Christian School students are prepared with the faith and strength of character that inspires them to lead and impact the world for Christ. From the basics, all the way to advanced college preparatory courses, a Keswick education puts your child on a solid academic footing. In the Upper school, a broad college preparatory curriculum assures academic excellence with AP classes and the KCS Scholars program that enriches their regular classwork.

Compass is an intensive learning program in the Lower school for gifted students. The focus is on STEM subjects to help students use their unique talents in real world settings. This truly is an education with a higher purpose, where students will be enabled to meet the academic and spiritual challenges of a diverse global society. Learn more: www.KeswickChristian.org or call 727.393.9100

FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE Infants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12th grade 10101 54th Avenue North St. Petersburg, Florida 33708