July 21 - River Region Parents Flipbook by KeepSharing

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Are Your Children Protected?

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< D I S C OV E R Saint James School EDUCATION IS MORE THAN YOU KNOW Saint James School welcomes applicants year-round. Pending space availability, we encourage families to apply at any time of year. Schedule a tour to experience what it means to be a Trojan and learn how you can afford a Saint James School education for your child.

Pre-K3−12th Grade

Saint James School

334-273-3021 or STJweb.org

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE Academic support for English Language Learners available. Saint James School admits students of any religion, race, gender, creed, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

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In a Couple Relationship?

Come join us for a series of free “couples education classes”— enjoy time with your partner & learn about healthy relationships!* We are looking for couples to participate in a paid evaluation study in partnership through Family Guidance Center of Alabama and Auburn University. Pre-register now! All couples who register and complete a survey can choose either a weekly or monthly series.** Each class series will be taught using: ELEVATE, a relationship education program that teaches couples how to take their relationship skills to the next level by focusing on 7 core relationship skills. Learn more about ELEVATE in the video on our website at familyguidancecenter.org

Register by July 21st for August Classes. Class size is limited. Call TODAY to ensure your spots! *Dinner and Child Care will be provided **All individuals in all groups will be compensated for their time completing fourprogram evaluation surveys. (Each will take 45-60 minutes to complete). Each person can earn up to $160 over one year for completing the program evaluation surveys, or $320 per couple. Couples can earn an additional $80 by completing all 6 ELEVATE sessions together.

For more information about FREE relationship classes, visit familyguidancecenter.org and click on Life is Fun Together (LIFT). Pre-registration is required. Have questions or want to register? Contact Tonya at (334) 270-4100 or trogers@familyguidancecenter.org TODAY!

• Auburn University • College of Human Sciences

The production of this flyer was supported by Grant: #90ZB0007 from the Administration for Children and Families. Its content is solely the responsibility of the AHMRE project and do not necessarily represent the official views of ACF. These services are available to all eligible persons, regardless of 3 race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. www.facebook.com/RiverRegionParents

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Is Your Home Lead Safe? Most children get lead poisoning from paint in homes built before 1978. Keep paint in good repair and use a certified lead contractor to safely perform home renovations if your home was built before 1978.

A blood lead test is the only way to know if your child has lead poisoning. Talk with your child’s doctor about testing, especially at the 1- and 2-year check-up, when children are at greatest risk.

Lead poisoning can cause permanent learning and behavior problems. Follow these steps to stop lead poisoning: • Practice and teach good handwashing, especially before preparing food and eating. • Feed your family a low-fat diet high in calcium and iron. • Damp dust and mop, especially around windows and play areas, to remove lead dust. • Keep children away from areas with peeling or chipping paint.

Visit our website to learn about other sources of lead and the importance of prevention. ADPH Environmental Alabama Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Services Lead Branch 1-800-819-7644 1-833-667-1495 alabamapublichealth.gov/lead alabamapublichealth.gov/aclppp River Region Parents I July 2021

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July2021

Volume 26 Number 7

Columns 8 Kids Say the Wisest Things Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

14 Montgomery Education Matters by Dr. Ann Roy Moore, Interim Superintendent

Birthdays on a Budget How to repurpose and reuse your party decor year after year.

The Savvy Party Planner Your countdown checklist to a stress free birthday party.

34 Pike Road Education Matters by Superintendent Charles Ledbetter, Ed.D.

39 Elmore Education Matters

by Superintendent Richard Dennis

44 Unleashing Your Potential by Keon Addison

48 Dinner’s Ready by Kimberley Carter Spivey

Birthday Party Guide

All the local resources you need for their big day.

15 Ways to Earn Extra Money as a Mom

Jobs at home and what they pay.

59 Parenting, Media & Everything in Between Common Sense Media

Departments On The Cover Addison Sides will celebrate her 3rd birthday in August! She is the daughter of Tim and Shannon Sides and has two older siblings: Ayden (12) and Harper (9). Addison attends Little Lights Creative Learning Center in Prattville. She enjoys playing outside, swimming, playing with her sister and brother, watching Bluey & Blippi and eating snacks.

12 Teacher of the Month 16 School Bits 53 Grading the Movies 68 Mom to Mom

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Editor’sNote

Parents

Kids sure do love their birthdays! While we grown-ups try to mentally postpone rolling to that next number, our kids are barely out of their birthday month before they start talking about what kind of party they want next year. All three of our children did this, and most recently, our 10-year-old, Grace (who celebrated her golden birthday on March 10). Around early April I took her to the water park at Great Wolf Lodge for a mommy-daughter day. She, not surprisingly, said she wanted her next birthday party to be there. I told her that might work if we just invite two or three friends. Around late May we were riding past Rockin’ Jump and she said, “That’s where I want my next birthday! Can I have it there?” “Sure, if that’s what you want,” I said. Then, in June, she had a friend over at the house and came downstairs to ask me if she could take this one friend to Great Wolf Lodge for her birthday. She insisted that she only wanted to bring this “special” friend so they could have oneon-one time. After three different birthday requests in three months, I finally said... “Your birthday was just in March, so you have about nine months before the next one. Why don’t we see how you’re feeling about where to have it and which friends to invite closer to next February?” Seeming completely satisfied with my response, she said, “Okay!” and went to share the news with her friend. Does my story resonate with you? I bet many of you have children who get just as fired up about their birthdays as my Grace does. Will her next party be at a local entertainment venue or will you break down and let her have that sleepover she’s been asking for? Will he want an ice cream cake or a cookie cake? Do you need to find inflatables for a backyard party? Our BIG Birthday Issue has the answers to these questions and more. First, Christa Hines shares a step-by-step plan in The Savvy Party Planner: Countdown to a Stress-Free Birthday Celebration. From choosing a theme to making the needed reservations to tackling your shopping list, Christa’s timeline and suggestions will make the party come together beautifully. If the cost of decor and supplies tends to overwhelm you, Sarah Lyons shares creative ways to reuse and repurpose birthday decor in, Birthdays on a Budget. Finally, the icing on the cake (pun intended) is our 2021 Birthday Party Guide. Our list of local resources for all things BIRTHDAY includes the best party venues, where to buy unique gifts, who will bring balloon twisting, face painting, and bounce houses to your backyard, and much more! Our BIG Birthday Issue is one to hold onto all year! It will be the resource you need as your child, like Grace, continues to “update” you on what they envision for their next birthday celebration. I hope you all have an amazing July 4th, as we all celebrate the birthday of our nation and honor those who have endeavored and sacrificed to make it great. We are thankful for each and every one! Happy Birthday, America!

DeAnne

Founder Marty Watson (1950-2006) Editor DeAnne Watson editor@riverregionparents.com

Associate Editor Alison Rouse Research Editor Wendy McCollum Contributing Writers Keon Addison Katie Blair Richard Dennis Christa Melnyk Hines Dr. Charles Ledbetter Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA Sarah Lyons Dr. Ann Roy Moore Kimberley Carter Spivey

Cover Photography Judy Barranco www.judybarrancophotography.com

Publisher Jason Watson jason@riverregionparents.com

Advertising Department (334) 213-7940 ext. 703 adservices@keepsharing.com Digital Manager Scott Davis Ad Design Tim Welch

Member

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River Region Parents I July 2021

River Region Parents Magazine is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant role in our community. River Region Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.

River Region Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing LLC, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, Alabama, 36123. River Region Parents is copyrighted 2021 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. opinions expressed in River Region Parents magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.

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Have you experienced the burnout that comes from trying to live the good life on your own energy? Unlock the sustainable power to nourish a fruitful life by discovering how to connect with God’s Spirit within. Join us at Frazer for this practical summer sermon series, Sundays at 8:00, 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. To plan your visit, go to frazer.church/plan.

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SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 AM | WATCH LIVE ON TV & ONLINE DOWNLOAD OUR APP | 6000 ATLANTA HWY | WWW.FRAZER.CHURCH 7

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We can all agree that most children are NOT intrinsically (internally) motivated. Children are not born with a desire to be constantly obedient and positive. Children are extrinsically (externally) motivated and need to be rewarded when they do hard things. Research has repeatedly shown that this “If, Then” style of parenting is the most effective way to change behavior. by Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

“They Always Take Everything Away From Me!” In the typical 21st century American household, children are given free access to most (if not all) of their favorite items. They can freely play with their toys, run around the backyard, gather their own snacks, turn on the TV, get their own drinks, and maintain control of their own electronic devices. As soon as the children misbehave, parents run into the room and start taking away the items. In other words, we want our kids to have everything, but only on our terms. This system of discipline is harmful and ineffective for several reasons… 1. It focuses is on what the child does wrong instead of what the child does well. 2. During the process of taking the item away, the child has as much power as the parent. 3. The child begins to behave out of fear of what he/she will lose instead of truly wanting to the right thing.

River Region Parents I July 2021

“They always take everything away from me,” is our wise kid statement of the month. As a parent, you may be thinking, “I have to take everything away from my children to get them to behave.” Would you believe me if I told you that there is a much easier, more effective way to get your children to complete their chores, eat their vegetables, and take their baths? All you have to do is take control of the things you actually can control. Instead of “clean your room or I will take away your iPad,” try “clean your room and you can have 30 minutes on your iPad.” The difference I am suggesting is a simple change in semantics, but a change in semantics will make all the difference. Let’s look at it another way. Taking away the items you have given your children is equivalent to a company paying their employees before work and then collecting a portion of the pay every time an employee accidentally or intentionally does something wrong. I am pretty confident that no one would choose to work for that company! So why do we choose this as our primary way to parent?

1. It focuses on teaching, shaping, and rewarding what you want to see in your children. For example, if your children have to earn media time instead of being entitled to it, it creates a natural setting to practice doing the right thing (compliance, chores, sharing, taking turns, etc). 2. It allows the parent to be proactive instead of reactive. Threats of loss often lead to tantrums or uncontrollable situations. “If, Then” allows the child to see that they have some control in the situation, which encourages logical thinking, and wise decision making. 3. When this approach is done well, children are rewarded for every attempt they make to “do the right thing”. This naturally develops self-compassion, which is one of the most important requirements for mental health. Self-compassion is one’s ability to accurately see their own strengths/ weaknesses. People who are self-compassionate are able to focus on where they need to improve, make goals to do so, and reward themselves for their efforts. Dr. Beth Long received her education in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Beth has worked in six unique clinical environments across the country and currently owns Works of Wonder Therapy in Montgomery. Beth utilizes the knowledge from a variety of different disciplines to give her patients the best care possible. To learn more visit www. worksofwondertherapy.com.

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Family Events with the Montgomery Biscuits For more info on any of these events, visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483.

River Region Fourth of July Events

July 6-August 31 * Noon-4 p.m. Receive 50% OFF Montgomery Zoo admissions every Tuesday afternoon. Tickets must be purchased in person in order to receive the discounted admission. This discount cannot be combined with any other discount, coupon, and/or offer. For more info, call (334) 625-4900 or visit www.montgomeryzoo.com/.

Common Ground Shakedown Festival

July 24 * 5-11 p.m. Union Station Train Shed, 210 Water Street. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mountain Grass Unit; 6:30-8:30 p.m. T.U.B.; and 8:30-11 p.m. Headliner TBA. All proceeds going directly to Common Ground Montgomery. CGM’s mission is to “change the odds” for children and youth facing potentially destructive personal and community risks. For more info, call (334) 202-9156 or e-mail cartergoodwyn@gmail.com.

Independence Day Parade in Prattville July 3 @ 9 a.m. Downtown Prattville For more info, call (334) 595-0850. Wetumpka Independence Day Fireworks July 3 @ 8:30 p.m. Gold Star Park Sponsored by Wind Creek Casino. Patriotic Night w/ MAX Fireworks at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game July 3 @ 6:05 p.m. Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium On the eve of Independence Day, we get the party started early and celebrate all things AMERICA! Stick around after the game for a MAX Fireworks Show. Independence Day Celebration w/ MAX Fireworks at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game July 4 @ 6:05 p.m. Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium Few things are more American than catching a baseball game and watching some MAX Fireworks on the 4th of July, so join us! For more info, visit https://www.milb. com/montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483. Independence Day Fireworks Celebration in Prattville The fireworks will launch at dark from the Homeplace Clock Tower off Highway 82. For more info, call (334) 595-0800 or visit www.prattvilleal.gov/.

Stars on the Riverfront

July 25-26 * 7:30-9 p.m. Riverwalk Amphitheater, 355 Coosa St. Free public performance presented by the Alabama Dance Theatre as the culmination of their 34th season and Summer Seminar Intensive. Featuring ballet, jazz, modern and more, this family-friendly event on the riverfront is a beloved tradition. For more info, visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com or call (334) 625-2590. River Region Parents I July 2021

* Military Wednesdays July 14 & 21; August 4: All members of our Armed Forces are offered ticket, drink and food specials and discounts! * T-Shirt Giveaways July 1, 15 & 22; August 5 The first 1,000 fans 15 & older through the gates will go home with a T-shirt presented by different sponsors each week. * Giveaway Nights July 2, 16 & 23; August 6: We’re giving away different items each week to the first 1,000 fans! *MAX Fireworks Nights July 3, 17 & 24; August 7: Stick around after the game for a MAX Fireworks Show! Bark in the Park July 25; August 8 Bring your leashed 4-legged friend with you. Don’t forget to join the Lil’ Crumbs Kids Club pres. by Go Fish Alabama, offering complimentary Sunday game tickets along with a variety of other perks.

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Cloverdale Playhouse Presents The Giver

July 15-25 * 7:30 p.m. except for 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Written by Lois Lowry and adapted by Eric Coble; directed by La’Brandon Tyre. Everything in Jonas’s world is under control and safe. But when Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver—to receive and keep the memories of the community. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life—and the hypocrisy of his utopian world and try to take control of his own destiny. *Due to mature themes, this play is recommended for audiences ages 10 and up.* For more info, call (334) 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org/. www.riverregionparents.com

FREE Movie Night Under the Stars

Creekwalk Concerts in Prattville

Thursdays, July 1-22 * 7:15-10 p.m. Armory Learning Arts Center Each Thursday night, we will celebrate the 1950s and 1960s with classics that are both enjoyable and family-friendly. Bring a blanket, a lawn chair, some refreshments, and enjoy! For more info, find us on Facebook or call John at (646) 241-7139.

July 13 & 27 * 6:30 p.m. Historic Downtown beside the Picker House near Heritage Park. Grab a lawn chair and join us for free family fun. July 13 features John Bull Band; July 27 features Wesley Dennis. For more info, call (334) 595-0850.

18th Annual Youth Fishing Rodeo

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Calling All Superheroes!

July 18 * 2-4 p.m. 5090 Main St., Millbrook. We are calling all little heroes for a SUPER event! Bring your child to meet with some of their most loved superheroes. There will be games, food, photo opportunities and fun! Tickets are $25. Parents are free with a paid child. LIMIT 2 parents ONLY per child/family. Find us on Eventbrite.

August 7 * 7-11 a.m. Lanark in Millbrook. Program is designed to provide Alabama’s youth a chance to experience the outdoors and learn about fishing. These events provide opportunities for families to share fun and quality time together while participating in one of our nation’s favorite pastimes. For more info, call (334) 285-4550 or visit www.alabamawildlife.org/.

Visit Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s garden amphitheater for Garden Glow, a summer live music series outdoors. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m. Grab your family and friends and your lawn chairs and picnic baskets. Pre-order a charcuterie box. Tickets for each performance are $10. July 9: Singer-songwriters Josh Carples, Neal Lucas and Megan McMillian and July 23: Folk/Americana project Sea of Fog. Full bar service available. Limited seating. Get your tickets at asf.net or call (334) 271-5353.

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Terry Collins Pike Road Elementary School

classroom. She says, “In addition to the fundamentals of learning such as reading, writing, and math, I want my learners to be polite, responsible, kind and leave things better than they found them. The reason is this. They will always have the tools they need to learn and will have the ability to make the world a better place.” After retiring, Mrs. Collins sees herself volunteering for a nonprofit organization focusing on promoting health, wellness, and education for women and children. Also, in her spare time, she will focus on writing more children’s books. She published her first book in 2020, Mouse in the House. It is a story about making friends in the most unlikely places.

When you choose a path to become an early childhood teacher, you are dedicating yourself and your professional life to the field of helping young minds grow into responsible, competent learners of the future. Teaching one child is no easy feat, let alone an entire classroom of curious minds. And although teaching presents its challenges, for those who love shaping children at a tender age—it’s gratifying—and a dream come true. The world needs more teachers like Terry Collins, who’s been teaching for three decades. Currently, she is a kindergarten teacher at Pike Road Elementary School, with six years of service. Her career consists of teaching first grade for eight years and 22 years as a kindergarten teacher. When Pike Road Elementary opened its doors, Mrs. Collins knew it was the best fit for her. She explains, “I thought it aligned with my teaching style, and I was excited about being a part of opening a new school.” Mrs. Collins also shares some of her teaching goals and explains why she chose these particular goals presented inside her

River Region Parents I July 2021

Congratulations, Mrs. Collins, on being chosen as River Region Parents July Teacher of the Month! Terry Collins has been married to her husband, Craig, for 25 years. She was born in Warrington, England; however, she has lived in many different places. The couple has two children in college: Shelby (21) and Zachary (20).

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Connect with us.

It is our mission to serve and live out the credit union motto of people helping people. We strive to do this every day in building long lasting connections with our members and local communities. We work together to provide financial solutions and collaboratively build a community of support. Guardian is proud to be the local credit union and is ready to serve you.

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Enjoy Summer and Prepare for the New School Year Here we are in the heart of summer, and Launch into Learning is going strong. A recordbreaking number of students are taking part in the summer learning program, which is keeping them engaged in fun activities to counteract learning loss. Importantly, it is also preparing them for the year ahead. As they fill in gaps in their learning, they are also laying the foundation for future learning. The 2021-2022 school year is going to look a little different from last school year. The biggest difference is that all students will be face-to-face. We will have strict protocols in place to ensure the health and safety of all students and employees. We will

River Region Parents I July 2021

be sharing detailed information this summer about what to expect in the new school year through our website (www.EngageEducateInspire.org), social and news media, etc. For this column, however, I will be focusing on some of the basic things that parents can do this summer to prepare for the first day of school on August 16. These are the kinds of things that might not change much from year to year, but are always important to keep in mind. * Make sure you know what your zoned school is. You can find out by checking the Zoned School Lookup tool on the district website. * Make sure your child’s school has all your up-to-date information, including your telephone number and email address. * Check with transportation to find out the location of your child’s bus stop and approximate pickup and drop-off times. You can find this information by calling 334-284-2085. Doing this now will save you time in the long run, because you will beat the rush that happens as the first day of school draws nearer. *Prepare to adjust your child’s sleep schedule as you get closer to time to return to school.

Sleep is extremely important to both learning and health, and ensuring that a child is getting plenty of sleep before going to school leads to improved academic performance. * Make sure your child is getting plenty of exercise this summer and throughout the year. Higher levels of physical activity are strongly linked to improved attention and memory, which leads to better academic outcomes. Again, it also means healthier children. * Don’t forget that meals are available to all children 18 and younger throughout the summer at school sites throughout the district. Like sleep and exercise, proper nutrition is absolutely essential to learning and health.

I hope you and your family are having a wonderful summer. We are working hard to make sure that the next school year is the best one yet. For more than four decades, Dr. Moore has educated the children of Alabama. From her first post as a pre-school teacher, to her administrative work as a principal, central office curriculum specialist, superintendent, and her mentoring the next generation of teachers as an adjunct professor at colleges and universities, teaching is her passion.

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AWARD WINNING CARE Women’s Choice Award Winners Best Stroke Centers  Baptist Medical Center South Best Hospital for Obstetrics  Baptist Medical Center East Best Mammogram Imaging Centers  Montgomery Breast Center and Baptist Breast Health Center

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From excellent clinical care to ranking above average for patient safety to the highest level of overall patient satisfaction, we understand what matters most to women. And being recognized with multiple Women’s Choice Awards signifies our commitment to meeting the highest standards in healthcare, close to home.

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Montgomery County Schools

Resurrection Student Chosen Newtopia Champ Resurrection Catholic School kindergarten student Chandler Ross was selected as a Newtopia Champion by his teacher. Along with other champions, he enjoyed an evening of fun, food and recognition.

Macon East Visits Lanark

Macon East Academy second-grade students enjoyed a field trip to Lanark Nature Center with their teache, Kathy Loomis, and parents. It was a beautiful day for them to go hiking through the trails, fish with cane poles, and get a little wet during their creek walk looking for Alabama clay.

MA Cheer Team Participates in Camp

Montgomery Academy cheer squads recently participated in the UCA Resort Cheer Camp at OWA in Foley, Ala. The team brought home many trophies including 1st place Camp Dance - MA Varsity, 1st place Gameday - MA JV, 2nd place Cheer - MA JV, 1st place Camp Dance - MA JV, 1st place Cheer - MA Middle School, and 3rd place Camp Dance - MA Middle School! The entire program brought home the Top Banana Award given to the team at camp that demonstrates qualities of leadership, spirit and overall ability to work hard while still having fun. An Wilkes Cavanaugh, Margaret Gowan, Caroline Mastin, Josie Aronov, Frannie Brazil, Sarah-Elizabeth Casey and Emily-Kathryn Casey were all selected as 2021 UCA All-American Cheerleaders. Caroline Mastin, Margaret Gowan and Lucie Parker made the Jump-off Finals. Caroline Waller, Margaret Gowan, Sarah-Elizabeth Casey and Anne Layton Lee received the special “Pin It Forward” honor. All three squads received a spirit stick every night and blue ribbons for Cheer and Camp Dance Evaluations every day throughout the week. The Montgomery Academy cheer program is led by varsity cheer coach Morgan Maxwell. River Region Parents I July 2021

Dannelly Students Launch Rockets

Students at Dannelly Elementary launched into learning with rockets they created during the summer program. Teacher Kellie Lawrence led the enrichment activity, which is part of the MPS Launch into Learning program. More than 12,000 students are taking part in the program. The students built the rockets by forming a cylinder and a cone with construction paper and other materials. Once the rockets were assembled, the students headed outside for the experiment. They poured water into the tube, added an Alka-Seltzer tablet, and then sealed it with a plastic cap. The students and Lawrence stepped back as the chemical reaction took place inside the rockets. With a pop, the rockets blasted off into the air, sometimes a few inches, other times several feet. Other enrichment activities at Dannelly during this one day of summer learning included a combination relay race and Scrabble game and students building and testing catapults.

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Enroll Your Child in a Complete Education and Get them in the Game!

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ARE A WINNING PART OF A COMPLETE EDUCATION. Athletics play a big part on campus at Macon East Academy with over 80% of high school students participating in one or more inter-scholastic team sports. Team sports at Macon East Academy include: baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, golf, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Macon East has won numerous regional and state championships, and our coaches have received local and state recognition for excellence in coaching. Currently there are 22 student-athletes participating in various sports at the collegiate level. We pride ourselves with an athletic program with a long-standing tradition of championship-level teams.

334.277.6566 or www.maconeast.net A PRIVATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR K3 - 12th GRADES Call today for more information on financial assistance. Located only a few minutes east of Chantilly Parkway, serving the Pike Road and surrounding communities. 17

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Montgomery County Schools

Macon East Drama Club Performs

Dalraida Educators Celebrate Retirement

Four wonderful ladies retired from Dalraida Elementary School this year. From left are Linda Simpson (5th grade), Catherine Ballant (2nd grade), Michelle Harris (principal), and Linda Royal (5th grade). A celebration was given in their honor to recognize their many years of dedication to education!

Macon East Academy’s drama production of Bad Auditions by Bad Actors by Ian McWethy earned big laughs during the performance May 14. Seniors Georgia Blaze and Jonathan Mathis played a newly assigned casting director and her well-meaning, foolish assistant who have one day to find the leads for a community theater production of Romeo and Juliet in hopes to impress the theater director, played by freshman Ethan Jones. This hilarious comedy brought the audience behind the doors of a casting session teeming with extreme method acting, anxious hands, a cat in a woman’s body, inappropriate rapping, and a very uncomforting puppeteer. “I am so amazed by the students and all that they were able to accomplish,” said Rayleen Luis, Drama Club sponsor. “Some stepped up with only a single week of practice. The students brought each character to life with their creative genius and the whole play was absolutely hilarious! We had so much fun preparing and performing, and we hope that everyone enjoyed it!”

Ballet • Pointe • Tap Gymnastics • Lyrical Jazz • Hip Hop • Baton

65 Ashburton Dr. • Eastdale Location • Montgomery

We’ve Been Dancing for 4 Generations Come dance in a professionally run and organized studio where your child is our top priority.

Open House August 9th 12:00-6:00p.m. August 17th 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Call (334) 283-2201 • Studio (334) 395-4300 Shawn Ransom Parker

River Region Parents I July 2021

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ACA Heads to BASS Nationals

Incredible things continue to happen with the Alabama Christian Academy Fishing Team! ACA will be going to BASS Nationals July 29-31. On June 18, the team had a second-place boat and a third-place team finish in the ASABFA State Jr. Championship on Lake Jordan and a sixth-place boat in the Senior Division. The previous week, ACA Junior Division Anglers Ethan Gardner and Hayes Boyd had a ninth-place finish in the BASS State Championship and a sixth-place finish for Senior Division Anglers JT Lamberth and Alexander Costanza in the BASS State Senior Championship on Lake Weiss. Lamberth and Costanzar have now qualified to fish in the BASS Nations National Classic on Lake Chickamauga in Dayton, Tenn., July 29-31. BASS Nation started the season with more than 13,000 teams nationwide to be cut to the Elite 275 teams qualified to fish the Classic. This is a three-day tournament with only the top 25 teams qualified to fish the last day. This is an incredible feat and the first time in ACA history that the school has ever had a team qualify for a national event. The tournament will be a nationally televised event and carried by the BASS television and magazine coverage. ACA is the only Montgomery school, public or private, to have a fishing team.

GOD HAS A PLAN AND A PURPOSE FOR ME

Evangel Christian Academy Encouraging each child to achieve their God-given potential

AISA Blue Ribbon School “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord... Jeremiah 29:11

3975 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL 36106 ecalions.org 334-272-3882

Accredited: ACTS, AISA, SACS, Advanced ED, NCPSA

Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@riverregionparents.com.

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Montgomery County Schools

Resurrection Catholic Recognizes Stellar Students

Resurrection Catholic School observed “Students of the Month” for May. These students were selected by their teachers for exemplifying good behavior, good grades and citizenship.

ACA Awarded Best Color Guard

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The Alabama Christian Academy Marching Eagle Band’s new drum major, Garrett Davie, and members of the ACA junior varsity and varsity color guard participated in Troy University’s Sound of the South Music Leadership Camp. The week ended in a grand finale performance of all groups, and ACA’s color guard was awarded Best Overall Guard. Special recognition to Garrett Davie, Kaylee Stenger, Ella Grace Dicks, Selena Tran, Jonae Watts, Isabel Flowers and Jamie Mathews for their hard work and dedication.

Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@riverregionparents.com.

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River Region Parents I July 2021

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STJ Senior Elected To Girls State Office

MA Students Attend Girls State

Montgomery Academy students Alisha Singh, above, and Chandler Brazil, below, were selected to attend Alabama Girls State held at The University of Alabama in June. While at Girls State, Singh was elected mayor of her city, Randall. Alabama Girls State is a week-long, fun-filled, hands-on learning opportunity for some of the best and brightest young women in the State of Alabama. Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA), Alabama Girls State is a premier youth leadership program which offers a one-of-a-kind experience to its delegates. During the Alabama Girls State program, delegates have the opportunity to learn about local and state government through a variety of speakers, workshops and sessions. Delegates become knowledgeable of the democratic process and how our republic form of government works at the state and national levels.

Kendall Hardaway, a member of the Saing James Class of 2022, attended the 2021 American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Alabama Girls State Conference held on the University of Alabama campus June 6-11. During the week, the delegates took part in learning parliamentary procedure while also hearing from many speakers all with the common theme of the importance of women serving in leadership roles. While there, Hardaway made the decision to run for office. She had to campaign and give multiple speeches in front of more than 400 girls. She was elected to the office of secretary of state. According to the ALA Alabama Girls State information, the secretary of state is elected to perform the following duties: “Secretary of State is the Custodian of the State Seal, and original copies of laws and records of the two houses of the legislature; affixes the State Seal on all official documents; issues certificates concerning records of the office; keeps complete records of all lands of the State and furnishes copies of any portion of these records upon request; issues commissions to every elected and appointed state and county official; registers corporations doing business within the state; registers trademarks used on products within the state; prepares extradition papers and warrants of arrest; acts as agent for the serving of legal summons for a non-resident operator of motor vehicles in the state; keeps records of all deeds filed for record by any department, agency, commission or public corporation created by act of the legislature; keeps a copy of all annual reports filed by all state departments.” 21

what we treat

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Montgomery County Schools

MEA Kindergarten Class Graduates

Seventeen precious kindergartners were dressed in white robes with royal blue Macon East Academy shawls. Mrs. Lawrence’s class entertained parents, grandparents and students at their commencement ceremony. This amazing class focused on reading, math and essential readiness skills. Students used their iPads for additional enrichment activities this year. Welcome to first grade, little Knights!

Saint James Holds Baseball Camp

Coach Keith Lucky and his team of helpers held the Saint James Baseball Camps June 7-10. The Fundamentals Camps taught the basics of hitting, catching and base running in two sessions. Camp attendees ranged in age from rising firstgraders to rising ninth-graders. Pitching Clinic, offered to rising fifth- through 10thgraders, helped fine tune the technique of pitching, as well as showed pitchers ways to prevent injuries.

River Region Parents I July 2021

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ACA Welcomes New Counselor

Montgomery Academy Celebrates Class of 2021

Since joining the Upper School in the fall of 2017, the Montgomery Academy Class of 2021 has made significant contributions in the classroom, in the arts, in the sports arena, and in the community. Comprised of 58 students, with acceptances to 69 different institutions of higher learning, they will be attending 22 different colleges and universities this fall. Eighty-one percent of the class received at least one merit scholarship offer, and the class as a whole has been offered a total of $5,313,238 in merit-based scholarship money. We celebrate the recognition of two of these students who were named National Merit Finalists, and 14 who were named College Board Advanced Placement Scholars. Members of the class have played vital roles in interscholastic athletics while at Montgomery Academy, capturing twelve state championships. Within the Class of 2021, there is one BryantJordan regional winner, and a Jimmy Hitchcock Award winner. The Class of 2021 has contributed to the visual and performing arts achieving local, state, and national recognition. This includes multiple artists with works displayed in museums and in regional and state exhibitions including the nationally recognized Visual Arts Achievement Program. They have participated in the State Theater Festival and in All-State and national choral music competitions. The Montgomery Academy’s Speech & Debate Program which earned another state championship this year, continues to be recognized by the National Speech & Debate Association as being in the top 1% in the nation and as the #1 ranked Speech and Debate program in the State of Alabama. The Class of 2021 boasts eight separate qualifications to the National Speech and Debate Tournament and this year’s Alabama Student of the Year. Members of the Class of 2021 have participated with distinction in the Science Olympiad, math tournaments, and in world languages competitions. They have earned the opportunity to compete at the highest level in mock trial competition and they have held statewide offices in YMCA Youth Government. They are active in school and community organizations, contributing service to dozens of organizations throughout the River Region and beyond. Despite a particularly challenging senior year, they have continued to personify the Montgomery Academy’s mission to develop leaders committed to honor, scholarship, service, and the pursuit of excellence.

Sydney Howard will join the Alabama Christian Academy Upper School counseling team for the 2021-2022 school year. She will lead ACA’s efforts guiding the Upper School students to strategically focus on the way that God has equipped them for vocational calling, career readiness and advanced academic exploration. Howard has a passion for helping upperclassmen identify their best college fits and expand their scholarship/ financial aid options. She will also work to guide both students and parents, in collaboration with faculty and administrators, on the necessary steps to achieving each student’s educational goals. Howard has a Master’s in school counseling from Faulkner University, where she graduated with honors. She is married to Greg Howard, and they have a two-year-old son, Trent. In addition to her background teaching and coaching multiple sports, she has been working with our current Upper School counselor, Beth Camp, for the past two years facilitating internships and assisting in student academic counseling. She can be reached at showard@alabamachristian. org and is available for all Upper School (6-12 grade) students and their families.

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Montgomery County Schools

MA Students Attend Youth Seminar

Montgomery Academy rising juniors Claire Gary, Holden Habermacher, Kareena Singh and Carson Springer were selected by the Upper School Faculty to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership 2021 Alabama Seminar held virtually in June. For more than five decades, HOBY has inspired young people to make a difference and become catalysts for positive change in their home, school, workplace and community. As America’s foremost youth leadership organization, HOBY has a long and impressive history of successfully motivating youth and volunteers to outstanding leadership. HOBY aims to inspire and develop our global community of youth & volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation. HOBY programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving local and international high school students. HOBY programs provide students selected by their schools to participate in unique leadership training, service-learning and motivation-building experiences.

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ACA Sports Teams Serve Others

On May 28, a service opportunity was brought before Alabama Christian Academy Coach Summers for ACA athletes. In the Montgomery area, there was a disabled 85-year-old Korean/ Vietnam War veteran with a severely mentally handicapped daughter, and they needed a lot of work done at their residence to clean it up and make it more manageable to live in. On June 9, ACA coaches Gilliam, Summers and Howard took the football and baseball teams to help the veteran get his house cleaned up. ACA loves to serve others and be the hands and feet of Jesus.

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Catholic Senior Elected Governor of Girls State

Julienne Pharrams was elected as the governor of Girls State by her fellow attendees. Alabama Girls State is a leadership program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary that is designed to increase awareness and knowledge of governmental processes while learning about the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Pharrams is a rising senior at Montgomery Catholic. She participates in Student Government, National Honor Society, varsity volleyball and basketball teams, and the YMCA’s Youth in Government programs. She was also selected for the Council on National Affairs (CONA).

MEA Basketball Champs Get Rings

The Alabama Independent School Association AA State Boys’ Basketball Champions from Macon East Academy received their state champion rings at the All Sports Banquet. The team experienced a coaching change mid-season and were determined to be diligent and claim the state title. These rings are proof that their grit and hard work paid off. Front row is Maurice Poole. Middle row from left are: Dalton Nickles, Tanner Surles, Stone Yarnell, Carlos Carter, Chase Dumas and Jeremiah Carnegie. Back row: Barrett Spaeth, Gunner Justice, Joshwa Browder, Eric Lawson, Tyler Daniels, Garrison Miller and Aidan Steyer.

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Montgomery County Schools

MEA Senior Signs Softball Commitment

Macon East Academy senior Kadence Ward signed to play softball with Florida State College at Jacksonville next season. Ward has been a starter for the Lady Knights program for the past three years. She was one of the Lady Knights’ best utility players. Ward finished her senior year with a batting average of .293, with 13 doubles and 40 hits. She was named to the 2018 AISA All-Tournament team and a 2019 All-Metro player. Shown with Ward are her parents, Tony and Amanda Ward, sister Zola Grace, and teammates Sydney Phelps, Anna Glynn Lott, Georgia Blaze, Ryan Russell, Alyssa Clark, Breann Morrison, Kylee Smith, Austin Gorman, Lathan Johnson, Abby Vinson, Anna Dickson Beck and Kaiden Byrom.

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Evangel Holds Formal Graduation

Evangel Christian Academy’s High School graduation was held on May 22. Parents and faculty gathered together to mark this milestone in the students’ lives. Rev. Ken Austin, the executive director of Mercy House, addressed the students and their guests. The valedictorian of the graduating class was Arange Clemons. Joel Yang was the salutatorian. During the ceremony a video presentation showed highlights of each graduate’s life. After the video, the seniors presented roses to their parents. ECA Headmaster Bobby Johnson and ECA President Rev. Michael Rippy presented the graduates with their diplomas. Even though attendance was limited due to Covid 19, the students were excited to be part of a traditional graduation ceremony.

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A DVA N C I N G STUDENTS TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL

STJ Holds K5 Readiness Camp

Saint James School K-5 Readiness Camp, held June 14-16, was a wonderful way for rising kindergarten students to get to know their teachers and each other. This year’s camp was Eric Carlethemed. Students learned about being an author and illustrator and discussed what that means. They read many of his books and the activities were themed around them! The students were engaged in activities to get them familiar with the K-5 teachers and each other—dancing, singing, writing, counting, coloring, cloud watching, making playdough from scratch, eating popsicles and more! No matter what they were doing, each day they became more comfortable with their new environment. The students got to experience all of the kindergarten teachers and explore kindergarten before August!

$40.4M in Scholarships over the past 5 years

Numerous Ministries

supported worldwide, from the River Region to Guatemala and Uganda 2 Jimmy Hitchcock Award Winners

for Christian leadership in athletics in the past 3 years

36 All-State Honor Band Members

and 86 All-District Honor Band members in the past 5 years

LAMP Students Learn Teamwork

Debate students at Loveless Academic Magnet Program are learning about teamwork and trust as part of the MPS Launch into Learning summer learning program. Students were tasked with stacking red plastic cups into a pyramid using string, a rubber band, and paper clips. To raise the level of difficulty, they had to do it without touching the cups with their hands. To raise it even further, two of the students in each group of three or four had to do it blindfolded. The students without blindfolds gave instructions to those wearing the blindfolds and used the paper clips to help guide the cups. Each student held a piece of string tied to the rubber band to wrap it around the cups and then take off the rubber band after the cup was stacked. This was just one of many activities at LAMP this summer, where students are also studying subjects including chemistry, advanced English language arts, advanced mathematics, and dual enrollment.

1 World Robotics Competition Team,

1 State Finalist team, and 8 State Competition teams in the past 3 years

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Montgomery County Schools

TEA Academy Making A Difference In The Lives Of Students! The A-TEAM at Talent Education and Art Christian Academy, Inc. is committed to working with our students in an effort to self-empower, encourage, motivate, inspire and give students the power to take ownership of individualized learning. We as a team strongly believe that ALL students can learn, even though students are motivated intrinsically by different things, different subjects, and, yes...different teachers. Consequently, as educators, we often discuss moving from compliance to student engagement, and ironically the idea has to do with creating an environment where students want to learn, rather than have to learn. For example, students might be introduced to forces and motion in science by studying roller coasters or driving a car using a driving game. Now! You have captured the attention of the students. We understand the important factors regarding formative assessment where we conduct continuous feedback; and sum-

mative assessment, where the focus is on the end result of what should be learned. It is imperative to set goals, check progress, and make adjustments when needed. The A-TEAM conducts regular assessments of our students, as well as having parent, teacher, and student intervention assessments in an effort to make certain that we work as a TEAM to keep our students on track. For the upcoming school year, TEA Christian Academy, Inc. is executing the Arts as an ongoing educational tool, based on research. The arts consists of one’s ability to effectively communicate, and students learn a multitude of communication skills by studying the arts. Many educators find the value of arts education to be a major com-

ponent of teaching the whole child, because it impacts student’s learning. We want students to be creative, critical thinkers, and rewrite the rules for learning, and of course be original in the learning process of education. As educators, we utilize these phrases: “lifelong learning” and “critical thinking citizens”. But, learning all begins with a mindset of self-direction. The A-TEAM at T.E.A. Christian supports the achievement of high standards in academic performance, the development of inspired leaders, and the encouragement of innovative thinking. We are committed to nurture, challenge, and guide our students in an environment to thrive and excel. This is Our Commitment to Making a Difference in the Lives of Students!

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River Region Parents I July 2021

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Academy Inducts Students into Cum Laude Society

Since 1969, The Montgomery Academy has honored academic excellence by awarding membership in Cum Laude Society to its highest-achieving students. The Montgomery Academy Chapter of the Cum Laude Society remains as one of only three chapters in the state of Alabama. The Cum Laude Society recognizes academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence (arete), justice (dike), and honor (time). The major objective is to recognize the highest levels of academic excellence based on grade-point average and level of academic courses taken. Student membership cannot exceed the top 20% of the senior class. This year’s inductees are: Abby Baird, Ann Cobern Chapman, Brystol Habermacher, Virginia Hope, Jordan Hosp, Ellie Kim, Stewart Miller, Anna Perry, Leighton Robertson, Alisha Singh, Garrett Scott and Maddie Sinco.

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Holy Spirit Student Sets Reading Record

Montgomery Catholic celebrated a third-grader at its Holy Spirit Campus awards assembly May 27. Justin Lee set a national point record for Renaissance Accelerated Reader during the 2020-21 school year. After breaking the school’s AR point record, Lee set a personal goal to break the National AR record of 2,018 points in an eight-month period. He exceeded that point total and went on to reach a final total of 2,718.6 points within nine months. In honor of this amazing achievement, Montgomery Catholic has created a new AR award for students called the “Justin Lee Top Hat” award. In addition to being a gifted reader, Lee is a straight-A student, speaks several languages including English and Korean, is a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, and plays piano, trumpet and guitar. Shown, Montgomery Catholic President Justin Castanza awards Lee with the inaugural “Justin Lee Top Hat” award for Accelerated Reading.

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Resurrection Pre-K Students are Prepared

Resurrection Catholic School pre-K students were excited about reading for their Pre-K Transitional Program to Kindergarten on June 9.

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MEA Students Create Gardens

Marjorie Johnson’s fourth-grade class at Macon East Academy experienced a very special learning activity. Working as groups, the fourth-graders created five fairy gardens in the lower school Outdoor Classroom. Other lower school classes had fun searching for all the fairy homes tucked away in the garden. It was a fun project that focused on teamwork and creativity.

River Region Parents I July 2021

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MA Senior Wins Essay Contest

Montgomery Academy’s Anna Perry won the statewide InvestWrite essay competition for students in grades 9-12. InvestWrite, an innovative national writing competition, is a program of the SIFMA Foundation offered exclusively to students participating in The Stock Market Game. This teacherdesigned writing component and competition, reinforces students’ newfound knowledge and hones critical thinking skills. Perry’s essay answered this prompt: “Describe something you’ve done to adapt to change or overcome an obstacle. How will this experience guide your future success? Now describe something a publicly traded company has done to adapt to change and explain how that makes it a good long-term investment. What other stocks, bonds or mutual funds would you combine with this company for a successful long-term portfolio and why?”

STJ Basketball Camps Hone Skills

Coach Katie Barton and her current and former varsity team helpers were so excited to hold the Saint James annual summer basketball camps. The camp for younger girls (rising grade 2-4) was held June 1-3, with the camp for older girls (rising grades 5-8) held from June 7-10. This year we had our biggest and best camps with a total of 83 ballers from STJ and all over the River Region.

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Montgomery County Schools

Macon East Student Attends Girls State

Montgomery Academy Wins at Ala. History Day

Alabama History Day is the state affiliate contest of National History Day, a history competition that engages 6th12th grade students in robust historical research. By participating in AHD, students become writers, filmmakers, web designers, playwrights, and artists as they create unique contemporary expressions of history. This year’s theme was “Communication in History.” Montgomery Academy student Holden Habermacher earned first place with her essay “Saturday Night Live and Politics,” Will Ray earned second place with an essay “The Effects of Music on Anti-War Movements,” and third place went to Forrest Dockery (not pictured) with his essay “Communications Disaster: The Spanish Flu.” Habermacher and Ray’s essays advanced to the national competition in June. These students are members of Dr. Scott Morris’s AP Capstone Seminar.

River Region Parents I July 2021

Rachel Major represented Macon East Academy at this year’s Alabama Girls State held on the campus of The University of Alabama. She was elected mayor of her city and thoroughly enjoyed meeting new friends and had an incredible experience. Alabama Girls State continues to be the primary youth leadership program for young women in Alabama. The goal is to learn the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of American citizenship in order that they may understand and participate in the functioning of their government and to help them grasp the meaning of some of the responsibilities they must assume as they become adults. The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program operates through a nonpartisan curriculum where students assume the roles of government leaders to become mayors and county and state officials of their Alabama Girls State.

Alabama Christian Adds New Program to NEST

Alabama Chrisitan Academy announces the opening of a K2 class for the NEST school. The NEST School will house the K2 through kindergarten classes. ACA is in the process of building a new playground for the K2 and K3 classes. Applications are being accepted now! Students must turn 2 by September 1. Please contact Tracy Stiff, director of admissions, at tstiff@alabamachristian.org or (334) 277-1985 ext. 227.

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Montgomery Catholic Holds Summer Camps

Montgomery Catholic summer camps began during the first week of June, and have been going strong ever since! Students participated in wrestling, basketball, tennis, soccer, volleyball, softball, and junior engineers camp throughout the month of June. In addition to athletic camps, this year we have added Jr. Engineers, Laser Cut Creations, Robotics and MakerSpace Institute Camps to our summer schedule. These camps are all geared toward students who love to learn and create. From learning the inner workings of a computer to creating paper rockets and laser-cut birdhouses, these camps help teach students how to create and innovate. Montgomery Catholic looks forward to welcoming students to the rest of our summer camps throughout July and early August.

Resurrection Science Students Dissect Owl Pellets

Resurrection Catholic School’s 7th-grade science class enjoyed more opportunities to experience STEM by dissecting owl pellets.

Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@riverregionparents.com.

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It is mid summer, which means Pike Road Schools is preparing for school to begin in late August. As we continue to grow in size and in the programs and courses we offer, we also want to take a few moments to reflect on our past successes. Pike Road Schools began as a single K-8 school six years ago, in a brand new building that was just completed by the Town of Pike Road. In year two, there were additional modular classrooms added on that Pike Road Elementary campus, and by year three the Town of Pike Road had purchased and renovated the old Pike Road School building to give us two campuses as we grew into a K-10 school district.

As we continued to grow in year four, the Town of Pike Road purchased the Georgia Washington Campus for us to use and began renovations there as well. Year five brought our first graduating class, graduating in the middle of the pandemic, and year six we followed with our second graduating class. Pike Road Schools has the highest graduation rate of any school system in the region, and our graduates have been accepted into an impressive array of public and private schools in Alabama, the southeast, and across the nation. From the Ivy League to entrepreneurship, our graduates are making their marks on the world. When Pike Road Schools first went through the accreditation process, the team that came to assess us made a comment that was very important. They said that our students were better able to articulate what they were learning and why better than any students they had interviewed over ten years. The fact that our students are effectively learning to be critical thinkers

and communicators is what will make them successful as they go forth into the world. As Pike Road Schools begins year seven, we are a more complete school system than we have ever been. Our students are engaged in their learning, problem solving and achieving in academics, arts, and athletics. We have a community that is committed to high quality education and understands the value that Pike Road Schools adds to our community, both for those families with learners in our system and for those who do not have children in our system. We are looking forward to our continued growth and progress in year seven! Think, Innovate, Create! Go Patriots! Chuck Ledbetter has been an educator for 30 years. He earned a B.A. in history from Auburn University; a Masters of Education in history from AUM; and a doctorate in educational leadership from Auburn University. Ledbetter was a history teacher for 11 years, an assistant principal, a middle school principal, a high school principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and for finance, and is in his 11th year as a superintendent. He is married to Kim and has three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren.

River Region Parents I July 2021

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PRIS Representatives Present to Council

Pike Road Town Council had a few special guests at a recent meeting. Pike Road Intermediate School SGA President and Vice President, Tristan and Gunner, presented ideas and opportunities for on-campus spaces that would provide accessible outdoor learning and play for special needs learners at PRIS.

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Pike Road Offers Summer Enrichment

“Catch the K-wave” Korean Language & Culture Program for 6th-12th grade students is open for registration with limited slots available. Dates are July 6-23 and the program is offered both in person at Pike Road Junior High and virtually from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday with an afterschool option from 3-5 p.m. for extra cost. STARTALK is a national project funded by the National Security Agency and accredited by the National Foreign Language Center. Apply at www. akeep.org/catch-the-k-wave. Send Your School News to: editor@riverregionparents.com.

PRHS Students Receive Hitchcock Nominations Blake Durham and Sadie Davis were recognized at the annual Jimmy Hitchcock awards ceremony as the Pike Road High School nominees for outstanding Christian leadership in athletics.

PRHS Baseball Player Signs with AUM

Pike Road High School graduating senior Clay Slagle signed a letter of intent to continue his baseball career at Auburn University Montgomery. Slagle led the Patriots to a 29-9 season and runner-up position in the state championship.

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Autauga County Schools

DPES Students Dress as Outsiders

Daniel Pratt Elementary sixth-grade teachers read the novel The Outsiders and students dressed up as “Greasers” and “Socs” (short for Socials) for a culminating activity.

PCA Art Students Help DHR

Prattville Christian Academy students, in partnership with Leadership Autauga County, painted whimsical images on a newly constructed fence at the Autauga County Department of Human Resources office as a safe and fun place for families to spend time together during visits to the facility. For more info and pictures, visit https://bit.ly/3qdc2HU.

Please send Your School News to: editor@riverregionparents.com.

PCA President Retiring, New Head of School Named

Prattville Christian Academy announces the pending retirement of Dr. Ron Mitchell after nearly two decades of service, effective May 31, 2022. He has been a champion of Christian education by expanding services to students, leading a team of dedicated faculty and staff members, and growing the school by more than 250% during his tenure. Mitchell’s leadership includes the first school accreditation in 2005, receiving the coveted National Blue Ribbon School award in 2019, the addition of two industry-specific academies for upper school students to gain real-world experience in engineering and healthcare, leading the transition from AISA to the Alabama High School Athletic Association where PCA competes in 14 sanctioned sports programs, and the construction of PCA’s three-phase secondary building and the suite of rooms that currently serves as the Advancement Office as well as the band and engineering classrooms. During a recent board meeting, PCA’s board of directors unanimously voted to appoint Katie Furr as Mitchell’s successor, beginning June 1, 2022. Furr has served in teacher, academic director, and high school principal roles. She has also worked closely with Mitchell as a part of PCA’s executive team for the past five years. Furr holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Troy University and a Master of Science in education specializing in professional development from Walden University. She is skilled in teaching, curriculum development, training and implementation of educational initiatives. She is married to Jason Furr, and their daughter, Shelby, will graduate from PCA in 2022. Furr and her family are active members of Landmark Church of Christ. Her service includes teaching, outreach programs, and small group participation. The 2021-2022 school year will be a year of transition. While Mitchell will continue to lead the school through May 31, 2022, Furr will work closely with him to ensure a smooth leadership transition for all students, staff and families. Marla Evans, a former assistant principal at Alabama Christian Academy, has been hired to fill the high school principal position. River Region Parents I July 2021

Pine Level Counselor Improves Morale

Research shows students need socialemotional support now more than ever! Pine Level Elementary’s summer learning campers in grades 4 and 5 are receiving that support. School counselor Mrs. Ellender is using literature and art to improve students’ mental health, reduce anxiety and depression, reduce bullying, and improve academic performance and behavior. www.riverregionparents.com

Prattville Seniors Graduate

Prattville Christian Holds Volleyball Camp Prattville Christian Academy’s Coach Cantrell and the Panther volleyball team hosted a community camp at the Prattville YMCA teaching the basics of the sport, teamwork, and friendships!

Prattville High School seniors took to the field at Stanley-Jensen Stadium June 3 to graduate after a very unusual school year. PHS Principal Brock Dunn spoke to the students about the challenges they faced this year, and painted a bright picture for each of their futures. “Obviously this year did not go the way that you envisioned. None of us could have foreseen the things that have happened over the last year and a half,” Dunn said. “However, you have many, many more years to make a mark on society, Autauga County, and the City of Prattville.” 2021 PHS salutatorian Alyson Kroft spoke about the people who positively impacted her life while at Prattville High School, and how all graduates should never underestimate the power of being a good influence. “Serving as a role model to someone today can open their eyes to a possible future tomorrow,” Kroft said. “Just supporting somebody on a hard day can have everlasting, positive change in their life. Every one of you will have that opportunity in your life to be that person to someone.” 2021 valedictorian Carter Stockman laid out a crucial aspect of life that’s important for graduates to maintain as they make the leap to life after high school. “With the business of life, we can get caught up in the game and forget what is most important to us,” Stockman said. “To combat this, we must let go of our anxiety and maintain our focus on the critical aspects of life and become the best people we can. We have no purpose without community.”

Save the Date! VBS July 26-29 • 9:00-Noon

Church Service Times: Sunday School 9:00 AM • Morning Worship 10:30 AM Evening Worship 6:00 PM 211 South Chestnut St • Prattville AL 36067 • 334-365-6387 www.firstpresbyterianchurchofprattville.com 37

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Autauga County Schools

Pine Level Holds Reading Camp

With improved reading skills, come motivated learners. The K-3 students at Pine Level Elementary’s Summer Reading Camp are improving their reading skills through engaging multisensory activities in the areas of phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Providing students with the tools they need to read and gain knowledge motivates them to become lifelong learners.

Daniel Pratt Holds Paint War Party

Daniel Pratt Elementary sixth-grade teachers planned for a Paint War among the grade level as part of their end of the year activities. The students had a blast.

Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@riverregionparents.com.

COME ON OUT ENJOY ART + ACTIVITIES

Families are invited to enjoy indoor art activities and outdoor games in the Caddell Sculpture Garden—Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM and Sunday from noon to 2 PM this July. Plan your visit at mmfa.org. Activities weather permitting

Blount Cultural Park One Museum Drive Montgomery, AL 36117

River Region Parents I July 2021

Open Tuesday–Sunday Free Entry + Parking mmfa.org | @MontgomeryMFA

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Summertime brings the much-anticipated break for students and teachers, but it is also an incredibly busy time as we prepare for the start of a new school year. Summer academic programs for students began on June 1. Literacy Camp for K-3 graders will continue through July 1 on all of our elementary campuses. Credit recovery for middle and high school students is being held each campus and runs through mid-July. Enrichment programs through the 21st Century Community Learning Center program are in session on five campuses as well. Teachers and administrators are participating in a wide variety of professional development opportunities to equip them to better meet the needs of their students. Helping our youngest students become strong readers has always been critically important, and many of our lower elemen-

tary teachers are participating in highquality professional development on the Orton-Gillingham approach to strengthen their ability to teach students with reading issues. Professional development in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is occurring at all grade levels, with a particular focus on middle schools. Each middle school will have a dedicated STEM teacher when school begins to provide additional instruction and opportunities for students to pursue their interests in these areas. Opportunities in other areas We implemented a one-to-one student device initiative involving over 10,800 Chromebooks this past school year which was crucial for a smooth transition between in-person and virtual instruction. We expect that the need for virtual instruction will decrease drastically in the upcoming school year. However, we look forward to seeing the many creative ways teachers and students will utilize technology more than ever in the teaching and learning process, both in and out of the classroom. We will be deploying over 1,175 new desktop computers in classrooms and of-

fices and 975 laptop computers for staff throughout the district this summer. These devices are currently being delivered and installed, and we are thrilled to be able to provide these resources. Several construction projects to accommodate our growth are in various stages of completion. The Stanhope Elmore Band/Choral complex is substantially completed and will be ready for students when school opens in August. The Elmore County Technical Center classroom/lab facility is well underway. Redland Middle School is under construction and is scheduled to open at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. We look forward to opening these facilities for our students in the near future! Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Richard Dennis is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. He is a 1983 graduate of Holtville High School. He served 21 years as a high school principal at Holtville High, Wetumpka High and most recently, Prattville High. He and wife, Leslie (also an educator) have three sons and a daughter.

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Elmore County Schools

Elmore County Tech Students Hired

Throughout the spring, Elmore County Technical Center celebrated seniors who signed agreements to work within their CTE (Career and Technical Education) field of study after high school, and ECTC hosted its 3rd Annual CTE Signing Day on May 19. Nineteen seniors were recognized for joining the full-time workforce, including those who are combining work and education. Automotive students included: EDGE student Robert Boothe with Benton Nissan, ECHS student Nathan Englebert with Riverside Chevrolet and HHS student Cason Gilliland with Toulouse Tire Pros; Welding students included: SEHS student Dekota Moon with Burt Steel, WHS student Hunter Murray with Diversified Steel, HHS students Wesley Harris and Cutter Welch with Diversified Steel, and HHS students Noah Yarroch and Aubrey Gray with ROPAC; Plumbing students included: ECHS student Jordan Brown with Dale’s Septic and WHS student Hugo Soto with Terry Edwards Plumbing; HVAC/Plumbing students included HHS student Nathan Ruff with DuBose Construction; HVAC students included WHS student Damon White with Prestige Comfort Services; Electrical students included HHS student Caleb Eady with Garner Electric; Drafting students included SEHS student Carlos Hernandez with McKee & Associates; Public Safety students included ECHS student Garrett Gober with the Autauga County Sheriff’s Department; Hospitality students included WHS student LaKirklon Leonard with Burger King and ECHS student Jaedon Brown with Chappy’s Deli Prattville; and Medical students included SEHS student Emily McElvaine, shown above, with Prattville Baptist. Shown below are Diversified Steel signees Hunter Murray, Wesley Harris and Cutter Welch.

SEHS Student Receives Peyton Cox Scholarship

Stanhope Elmore High School senior Rikki McAdams was recently presented with the 2021 Peyton Elizabeth Cox Memorial Scholarship. Cox was a softball player and honor student from Wetumpka who lost her life in 2016. McAdams is shown here with Cox’s mother, Sandie Free.

Tech Center Hosts Camp Discovery

Elmore County Technical Center held a Camp Discovery event the first week of June. The school hosted more than 50 rising 9th-grade (and a handful of upcoming 10th-grade) students at this career and technical education (CTE) exploration experience where each was able to sample activities in all 13 ECTC programs. Students represent all communities in the district including Elmore County’s virtual school EDGE. River Region Parents I July 2021

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A T e O s m S • • • c • • R s

Millbrook Holds Junior Police Academy

Nineteen Jr. Police Academy graduates were recognized at Millbrook Middle School after a full week of hands-on experience regarding law enforcement. COVID canceled the academy last year, but this year two sets of camps were scheduled. During the week, campers learned a lot of information, including crime scene investigation, building clearing, self defense, athleticism, agility, character building, SWAT and much more. They took an oath administered by Millbrook Police Chief P.K. Johnson, promising to be a good citizen. Lt. Stephen Youngblood addressed the graduates, commending all of them for their effort, participation, and above all, not giving up! School Resource Officer Kristen Godwin talked about several aspects of the camp, including interaction with a K-9 officer. Campers also drove golf carts while wearing “drunk goggles” to see how they did driving through a short course as part of field sobriety training. They even watched a Taser demonstration with Millbrook Middle School Principal Sean Kreauter, who went through the Montgomery Police Academy 11 years ago.

Redland Robotics Team Competes

Redland Elementary’s Robotics teams did excellent at their first robotics tournament in the spring. The 6th-grade team placed 2nd overall in the Skills Competition. The 5th-grade team moved on to finals and ended up in the Top Ten and also received the Judges Award.

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ECTC Recognizes Aviation Student

April’s ECTC Student of the Month is Anit Sankar from the Aviation Technology program. From left are CTE Director Emilie Johnson, Sankar and Aviation instructor James Stough.

ECTC Automotive Student Certified

2021 Wetumpka High School graduate Wade Morgan is the first student in the history of Elmore County Technical Center’s Automotive Service program to attempt and pass all 10 of the ASE EntryLevel certifications. Those certifications are Automatic Transmission/Transaxle, Automobile Service Technology, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Engine Performance, Engine Repair, Heating and Air Conditioning, Maintenance and Light Repair, Manual Drive Train and Axles, and Suspension and Steering. These tests confirm that he is ready to enter the automotive service workforce with competency in each area. Morgan is a two-year student who plans to attend Southern Union in the fall and take automotive service and business courses. River Region Parents I July 2021

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with Coach K

Family Vacation and How to Stay Healthy There’s an adage that says: “Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching.” I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. We seem to have our plans and schedules intact while we are in our normal routines, but when we say VACATION, discipline goes out the window, along with our healthy habits. We tend to do better when we know there’s accountability, whether it’s your trainer or your gym partner, but when it’s vacation time and they are gone, you live by the phrase…YOLO (You Only Live Once)! Now let me first say, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying yourself and letting your proverbial ‘hair down’... but I do believe in moderation. Remember, never go to excess in anything, but let moderation be your guide. A slice of cake for the weekend isn’t a bad decision. The entire cake is. A slice of pizza isn’t bad either. The entire pizza is. A glass of wine isn’t an unhealthy choice. The entire bottle is. When you go on vacation, make sure you pack your clothes and don’t leave your brain at home. I want to share with you four tips that can keep you on your healthy journey while being on vacation.

1) DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. I know I say it a lot, but water is so essential. Water is what quenches your thirst and it will also keep you full longer River Region Parents I July 2021

than a soda or alcoholic beverage. The standard amount of water to drink is half or more of your body weight in ounces.

2) GET PLENTY OF REST. I know what you’re thinking, ‘Keon, I’m on vacation!’ You are so right and that’s why you need to rest. Think about it. You actually went on vacation to take

a break from your normal routine, and what is most of your normal routine… WORK! Also, you can sometimes pack your vacation schedule with so many activities that when you actually get back home, you are not rested at all. Have you ever heard people say, “I need a vacation from my vacation.” That just means you didn’t take any time for rest.

3) PREP YOUR OWN SNACKS. If you’re anything like me, you love to snack. My my favorite snack is gummy worms.(I know... not good) 44

However, I also pack a gallon of water and peanuts. This really helps me because it takes the fast food restaurant options out. My family and I have our own snacks, and for the most part, they are healthy. And it saves us money as an added bonus.

4) PACK YOUR WORKOUT CLOTHES. I honestly pack my gym clothes before I pack any other clothes in my suitcase. It’s so important, if you want to stick to your normal routine, to take something from your routine with you on vacation. What better thing to take than exercise? Whether it’s going to the hotel gym or taking a walk, it’s always great to be physically active. Make sure the entire family brings clothes so everyone can be encouraged to stay active. I pray that you all have safe travels and enjoy your time with family, but most importantly, stay healthy!

Keon Addison is a 5th grade teacher of 19 years at Wares Ferry Road Elementary. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two beautiful girls, Ashlyn and Keona. Keon is the visionary/coach of Unleashed Potential Fitness where he hosts bootcamps, group training, and personal training. He is also a lifestyle coach for the Wellness Coalition teaching people how to delay and/or prevent type 2 diabetes. Find out more at www.unleashedpotentialfitness.org.

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Every parent wants their child’s birthday to be special... but the cost of throwing a party can really add up, especially if you have multiple children. Is it really possible to cut party costs without losing the fun and excitement that parents and kids alike have come to love? One way to cut down on costs is by purchasing birthday supplies that can be reused or repurposed year after year. River Region Parents I July 2021

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The easiest way to start saving on party decor is to stock up on items when they are on sale or clearance. Choose items that are not theme specific and select a variety of colors that are gender neutral. Basic birthday signs, party lanterns, and photo backdrops can be reused again and again. You can even make your own decor out of stronger materials like cardstock or cardboard or hit up the dollar store for streamers and signs that can be used repeatedly. As you collect a stash of items, store it someplace that is organized and easily accessible when the next birthday arrives. When purchasing items for the special day, it may be wise to spend a little

extra money on items you know can be used many times over several years.

Purchase games that can be used every year like bingo, bean bag toss, or yard games such as badmitten. These games are fun for any party and will see a return on your investment quickly. Chalkboards for birthday signs, cake stands, and punch bowls can also be purchased once and used for many parties. You can also buy dress up items that can be used for a photo booth year after year such as hats, silly glasses, feather boas, or masks. Kids of any age will have

a great time posing in different costumes. Many of these items can be purchased at a dollar store, garage sales, or may be laying around your house. Choose a basic birthday backdrop for your photo booth or use a plain sheet or tablecloth to keep things simple and affordable for your photo backdrop. There are also fun apps that allow you to put in different backdrops if you use a green background. Photos taken in the photo booth can double as thank you cards for your guests.

Money can be saved on tableware in a few different ways. Cloth tablecloths

and plastic plates can be washed and used again. They will last for years with a one time investment. If the thought of extra cleanup doesn’t appeal to you, try buying a giant roll of white butcher paper and unrolling on the table to be used as a tablecloth. Allow kids to color right on the tablecloth during the party. When the party is over, simply roll up the paper and toss it. One roll of paper will last for years and because of neutral color it can be used for many holidays and birthdays. Another way to save on birthday expenses is to replace balloons with party lanterns. These can be purchased for about the same price as balloons but

instead of one time use, they can be used over and over again. By choosing a variety of neutral colors you will save money without losing the festive look. Once the party’s over, theme-

specific party decorations can be repurposed in many ways. Cards and

invitations can be made into wall art, ornaments, gift tags, or garland. Crepe paper and napkins can be made into confetti or garland. Old ribbons and balloons can be used to make a festive wreath. The key to saving money by reusing or repurposing party decor is to get creative. Scour the internet or Pinterest for ideas, shop smart by buying generic birthday items on sale, or create your own decor from things you have around the house. Once you have your basic party decor, add small touches to help create a fun birthday theme. Try to find items that can be used more than once. For example, animals from a Noah’s ark party could be reused for a zoo or circus themed party at a later date. A little creativity can make for a fun, affordable, and environmentally conscious birthday party your child will love. rrp

Sarah Lyons is a freelance journalist and contributing writer to numerous parenting publications.

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by Kimberley Carter Spivey

When it comes to delicious foods for summer, the sky is the limit! Whether relaxing with family and friends pool side, enjoying a day of boating on the lake, or spending a week at the beach, simple meal ideas are always a winner. They save time and are hasslefree. This month, we’re excited to share a yummy (and easy) dish from local mom Rachel Fisher. Rachel and her husband, Chase, live in the Cottage Hill neighborhood in downtown Montgomery. They have 2 1/2 (boy and girl) twins. The couple has known each other since they were kids. Rachel humorously admits, “We probably met on the playground at preschool.” They’ve been happily married for ten years. Rachel shares, “My husband and I have always enjoyed cooking together. However, I barely knew how to scramble an egg when we got married. Seriously. I didn’t know how to cook a single thing without printing out every single recipe with every tiny detail down to ‘how to cut an avocado’. Chase grew up in a family that cooked together all the time. They owned a restaurant on Woodley Road, and he knew way more about cooking than me. But I eventually learned, and now I love to cook. Believe it or not, their children also enjoy cooking with them, even at such a tender age. Rachel and Chase make an effort to incorporate their children often while making dinner or baking. The kids love to be the couple’s little helpers. “I think their story with cooking will be much different from my own,” Rachel adds. With Rachel’s profound love for cooking and Mexican food, she always finds a reason to prepare a great Mexican dish. Here’s one of her favorites: River Region Parents I July 2021

Instructions

Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas Ingredients

1 ¼ pound sweet potatoes 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese ½ cup crumbled feta cheese 2 small cans (4 ounces each) diced green chiles 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and minced 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced 2 tsp lime juice ½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp chili powder ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional) ¼ tsp salt Freshly ground black pepper

Remaining Ingredients: 2 cups mild

salsa verde, 10 corn tortillas, 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese, 2 tsp sour cream, 1 tsp water, ¼ cup chopped red onion, ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro 48

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 2. Slice the sweet potatoes in half and coat the flat sides lightly with olive oil. Place the sweet potatoes flat-side down on the baking sheet. Bake until tender and cooked through about 30 to 35 minutes. 3. Pour enough salsa verde into a nine by 13-inch baking dish to lightly cover the bottom. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all of the remaining filling ingredients. 4. Once sweet potatoes are cooked and cooled to handle, scoop out the insides with a spoon. Discard the potato skins and lightly mash the sweet potatoes with a fork. 5. Stir the mashed sweet potatoes into the bowl of filling, and season to taste with additional salt 6. Warm-up tortillas. Spread about ½ cup filling down the center of each tortilla, then wrap both sides over the filling and place it in your baking dish. 7. Top with the remaining salsa verde and cheese. Bake for 25-35 minutes. 8. Let the enchiladas cool for five minutes. Whisk the sour cream and water together to make a drizzly sour cream sauce. Drizzle it back and forth over the enchiladas, then top them with cilantro and red onion. Serve. Recipe and photo courtesy of www.cookieandkate.com.

Kimberley Carter Spivey is a freelance writer, blogger, author, and entrepreneur. When she’s not working as an Instructional Systems Designer and copy-editor on Maxwell AFB, she’s busy freelancing, blogging, or toiling away at her next book. Her debut book Bloom: How to Get from Good Enough to a Life You Love can be purchased on Amazon and girlyouwrite.com.

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Planning a memorable birthday event can be the highlight of your child’s year, if you maximize the fun and minimize the stress. The best way to increase the magic and decrease the madness is to use a handy checklist so you can start early and get ready gradually. Or if you want to plan your party in one fell swoop a few weeks ahead, this checklist will help you do that, too. I have been planning and hosting birthday parties for over a decade, and these steps will get you from vision to fruition. Follow these timing tips, and you’ll be able to keep a smile on your face from the day you start planning until the moment the final guest is picked up or dropped off. River Region Parents I July 2021

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10. Choose A Theme.

ally just the right amount of time. But if it’s a busy time of year, add another week or two.

Always have a theme. Having a focus will help you plan and execute your party without a hitch. Several months before your party date, brainstorm themes with your guest of honor. See sidebar for theme suggestions.

6. Order The Cake.

9. Make Reservations. If there is one thing I have learned about popular party venues, it’s that they fill up early. Once you have your theme and know you will need a location away from home, get your reservations nailed down tight two-three months in advance.

8. Find Supplies Online.

Shop local when you can to support your local economy, but for those hardto-locate items, don’t burn up time ad gas searching for what you can easily find online. Generally speaking, onestop party stores are not as prevalent as they used to be and you’ll likely be delighted by the variety you can find online. Just make sure to place your

orders at least month early to allow for shipping time and returns if anything is not what you’d expected.

7. Send Out Invitations. Evite wins hands-down for quick and easy party invites. Just visit evite.com, select a theme, add in your guests’ e-mail addresses, and send your invitations. Two weeks notice is usu-

Cakes and cupcakes can get expensive when you make them from scratch. Besides, the kids will probably like the local big-box or grocery store sheet cakes just as much as homemade. Order one week ahead for pickup up on party day for the freshest results.

5. Tackle Your Local Shopping List. Despite ordering ahead online, you probably still have few items you need to pick up

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locally. Be sure to pick them up at least a week ahead in case you can’t find something and need to order it online after all.

Everything will go smoother on party day if you take care of as much as you can the day before.

4. Recruit helpers. Why try to

1. Party Down! Get a good night’s sleep. Allow at least two hours prior for set up and one hour afterwards for clean up. Then enjoy every memorable moment. Designate a party photographer, if your hands will be full to document the day.

do everything yourself when you can have so much more fun at your party with plenty of helping hands standing by? See the sidebar for suggestions.

3. Curry Favors. Favors don’t have to be expensive or intricate. For a home party, go simple, fun, and inexpensive. Be as eco-friendly as possible by offering favors in a reusable container. If hosting a party elsewhere, consider letting the party be favor enough or simply offering a small treat to guests on the way out like a lollipop or a candy necklace.

2. Set Up A Day Ahead. If you are ordering any large food deliveries like pizza, place your order a day ahead. Don’t forget to check online for any discounts or coupons. Then go ahead and tackle as much prep work as you can. Decorations? Food preparation? Party favors? Activity prep?

River Region Parents I July 2021

Low-stress, High-Fun Party Themes • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Make-something Party Animal Interaction Party Bounce or Jump Party Pool Party Movie Party Tea Party Pony Party Bowling Party Garden Party Roller Skating or Ice Skating Party Spa Party Slumber Party Indoor Fun Center Outdoor Playground Party

Who Can Help? Both parents need to contribute. Don’t forget to factor in Dad’s strengths before, during, and after the festivities. Babysitters or neighbor teens make great party helpers. I pay our sitter to attend because I always need extra help, and I also want her to share in making memories. Exchange party help with a friend. You help with her child’s party and then ask for the favor back for your child’s party. Just ask! You never know when a guest’s parent might enjoy helping and you might make a new mom friend this way. Once you have the final attendance list, use evite.com to inquire if anyone is available to pitch in. Some people make better “special guests” than helpers. Siblings of yours or the guest of honor may fall into this category, as may elderly grandparents or visiting relatives. For peace of mind during the party, only invite those you know in advance will be gracious helpers. rrp Christina Katz has planned some fun birthday parties over the years including a pony party, a bowling party, and a roller skating party. But her all-time favorite was the sleepover spa party.

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Grading Family Movies: Streaming, Digital Rentals, and DVDs Luca

Disney +

Fatherhood

Violence B

Sex A

Profanity A

Alcohol/Drugs A

Netflix

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG-13

B+

C+

After the death of his wife, Matt is left to raise their newborn daughter on his own, despite his mother-in-law’s conviction that he isn’t up for the challenge. Matt may well be inexperienced, but he’s determined to learn and to put his daughter’s happiness first. This film doesn’t hide the stresses of parenting but it is a heartfelt tribute to fathers – and to the strength that comes from extended families. The profanity pushes it into a PG-13 rating, as does the thematic material about death and loss. Photo ©Netflix

rme

Overall A-

Luca and Alberto are sea monsters with dreams of experiencing life on land. When they come out of the water, they assume human forms and explore the Italian Riviera while falling in love with Vespas, Italy’s motorbikes. Desperate to buy one of their own, the two pals join forces with a local girl named Giulia to enter the local triathlon. Made by Pixar, this is a wholesome family film with strong messages about inclusion, diversity, friendship, and not judging others based on appearance. Photo ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

ou or

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Rating PG

12 Mighty Orphans

In Theaters

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

PG-13

B+

B-

When Rusty and Juanita Russell come to Texas to teach at the Masonic Home for Orphans, they’re shocked to discover that their teen students are treated more like inmates than students. But Rusty has a plan – he’s going to supplement their academic studies with athletics. With dedication, hard work, and ingenuity, the hardscrabble young team does the impossible – makes it to the state championship. This underdog sports film has solid messages for teen viewers, and for adults too. Photo ©Sony Pictures Classics

Silver Skates

Netflix

Rating

Overall

Violence

Sex

Profanity

Alcohol/Drugs

TV-MA

B-

C+

B+

Matvey is doing everything he can to save money for his father’s medical care – even if that means becoming a pickpocket along St. Petersburg’s icy canals. A chance meeting introduces him to Alisa, the daughter of a wealthy nobleman who won’t allow her to attend university. This film follows standard romantic drama conventions, but its Russian setting gives it some novelty. A brief moment of sexual activity makes it unsuitable for young romance fans. Photo ©Netflix Grades range from: A= absence of content concerns to D= excess of content concerns Detailed reviews available at www.parentpreviews.com 53

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Cakes/Finger Foods

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Montgomery Beautiful custom cakes and detailed decorated sugar cookies for all occasions Specialize in custom sugar flowers. Please visit Bama Sweets on Facebook to see latest creations. (334) 239.6766 Find us on Facebook

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6835 Vaughn Road, 10684 Chantilly Pkwy, Montgomery Select from 8” round cake or 9×12 cake Choose ice cream and one of the cake flavors. Pick a rich middle layer of fudge or caramel. All cakes are “iced” with fresh vanilla ice cream. For pies, choose from fresh ice cream over a thick, rich layer of fudge, caramel, marshmallow, or your favorite topping. All pies are available in Oreo or Graham Cracker Crust. We also have pies available. (334) 272.7369 or(334) 239-7004 brusters.com

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Cake Designs

3651 Debby Dr. in LeCroy Village, Montgomery Specialty cakes all offered with professional decorating. Specialize in children’s birthday parties. Closed on Sunday and Monday. (334) 288.6900 hugohd.com

Cupcakes by Tish

JoZettie’s Cupcakes

1404 South Decatur Street , Montgomery JoZettie’s Cupcakes is please to offer a variety of cupcakes, cakes, cookies and pies for the holidays or your special occasion. (334) 239.9289 jzcupcakes.wixsite.com

Montgomery Specializing in gourmet cupcakes for all occasions. Wide variety of Daily Flavors listed on our website. 48 hours advanced notice for orders placed that are not on daily menu. (334) 356.5292 info@cupcakesbytish.com cupcakesbytish.com

Liger’s Bakery

Dairy Queen

Original Great American Cookie Co.

6120 Atlanta Hwy and 3160 Taylor Rd, Montgomery Chocolate and vanilla ice cream, and chocolate crunch. 8” round, 10” round, sheet cakes. Blizzard Cakes are 8 in”, 10 in” and a sheet cake. All can be personalized at no additional charge. (334) 244.9490 or (334) 272.1818 dairyqueen.com

GiGi’s Cupcakes

7918 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Nothing makes a special day unforgettable like a custom cupcake or cake creation from Gigi’s. Special selection offered every day of the week. You may order online at our website and pick up at the store or view our daily menu online. (334) 356.3737 gigiscupcakesusa.com/ montgomeryalabama

Great American Cookie Co. at Eastchase 7048 Eastchase Pkwy, Montgomery Choose from 16” round, 16” square and large Rectangular. (334) 356.8111 greatamericancookies.com River Region Parents I July 2021

3040 McGehee Rd., Montgomery Any flavor birthday cake, round or sheet, decorated with flowers, fruit, etc. We also have cookies, cupcakes and sandwiches available. Please call for flavors and pricing. (334) 288.6550 ligersgood.com Eastdale Mall, Montgomery Up to 13 different varieties of cookies: 16” round 16” square and sheet cookie. Please call for prices. (334) 271.1900 greatamericancookies.com

Entertainment to You

Dynamite Magic & Balloons ad on page 28

Helium tank rentals (varying prices and sizes). Yard Cards and Balloon bouquet and decorations. Costumed characters available. Please visit our website to see the characters we have to offer. (334) 270.1234 dynamitemagicandballoons.com

Kreative Moments ad on page 47

Offering balloon twisting, face painting, and balloon art to make each event have that “wow” factor. (334) 233.4318 Kreativemomentsmgm@gmail.com

Big Green Bus

The Big Green Bus brings the party to you! The Big Green Bus is a school bus that has been converted into a safe and fun preschool gymnastics facility. Many elements of gymnastics are combined into one fun filled hour on board the Big Green Bus! Our party includes a zip-line, tumbling mats, monkey bar, rock wall, slides, tunnels, beam, bar, vault, rings, parachute games, and more! We will introduce your child to the wild and crazy world of gymnastics. The birthday child will receive a Big Green Bus shirt! Goody bags are included in the prices. (334) 324.4628 biggymbus@gmail.com biggymbus.com

DJ at Large

564 Oliver Road, Montgomery Offers a variety of music plus karaoke and light shows for your child’s party. Video parties 12 ft. screens and popular videos. We can also provide the building for the party for an extra charge. Provides age appropriate music and will censor music to your discretion. Please call for pricing. “We put you first.” (334) 260.9732 DJ@AtLarge.com DJatLarge.com

Fontaine Entertainment

“We are serious about your fun.” Offer DJ sound, light shows, karaoke, balloon decorations and theme decorations for birthday parties, corporate events, civic events, weddings, etc. Three hr. minimum. (334) 467.6645

K & S DJ Services

Over 20 years experience offering entertainment music, interactive games and party props for all

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ages. 2 disc jockeys for every party/ event. (334) 285.6686 kns-djservice.com

Lil’ Priss Parties

We bring the party to you! Nerf Wars, Spa Parties, Princess Parties, Tea Parties, Tee Pee Sleep Over Parties and much, much more! Party packages for boys and girls. Please call for more details and pricing. (334) 226.6026

Snapology

Have the best party ever with our Lego and Robotics themed birthday party. We bring the party to you. Sit back and enjoy the party while our facilitator sets up and conducts the activities. Please visit our website for more details. (334) 318.2824 riverregionsnapology.com snapology.com/riverregion

Equipment/Games Rentals Arrow Rents

5600 Calmar Dr., Montgomery Tents, tables, chairs, carnival equipment, fans, and bounce rides. All sorts of themed decor, balloons, helium tanks, and more. Provide great selection and even better prices. “Your one stop party shop.” (334) 277.0460 arrowrents.net

Brendle Rentals

485 N. East Blvd. , Montgomery Party supplies. Inflatables. Obstacle courses and other rides, carnival games, slide, bungee run, tents and train. We setup at City parks and provide insurance. (334) 279.7368 natalie@brendlerentals.com brendlerentals.com

The Evans Space Walker

2952 Birmingham Hwy., Montgomery Inflatable cinemas rental. We have a variety of moon walks, slides, games, slide combos, obstacle courses, characters and more. We also rent tables, tents, generators, chairs, balloons and concession machines. Indoor facility available. We offer monthly specials. “You supply the people, we supply the fun.” (334) 612.7025 thespacewalker.com

Inflatables of Montgomery

30 Handey Warehouse Rd., Montgomery Moonwalks, Giant slides, Interactive inflatable, Obstacle Courses, Rides, Rock-Climbing wall, and much, much more. Rentals for special events. (334) 398.0909 inflatablesofmontgomery@gmail.com inflatablesofmontgomery.com

Space Walk of Montgomery

River Region What do you want to celebrate today? Setups for Birthday Parties, Daycare Events, Community/ civic Events, School Carnivals and Sporting Events. We offer inflatable Space Walks, Water

Slides, Obstacle Courses, Combos, Concessions and much more. (334) 273.0204 spacewalkmtg@herecomesfun.com herecomesfun.com/mtg

Limousines Touch of Class Limousine and Transport

901 Plantation Way, Montgomery Carry up to 14 passengers at a time. Can pick up kids and ride them around or take them for pizza, etc. and then back home. These limos have all the extras for a fun time – red carpet, DVD for movies, a Birthday sign! Call for details. (334) 284.2673 touchofclassal.com

Paper Goods/Decor/ Invitations Arrow Rents

5600 Calmar Dr., Montgomery All sorts of theme decor, balloons, helium tanks, and more. We provide a better selection. “Your one stop party shop.” (334) 277.0463 arrowrents.net

Brendle Rentals

485 North Eastern Bypass, Montgomery Montgomery’s Oldest Party Supply Store. Balloons, piñatas, party goods. Large array of items for themed parties. Party favors and birthday bags now available. (334) 260.5568 brendlerentals.com

Do Re Mi Karaoke

2787 Bell Road, Montgomery DoReMi Karaoke is an exciting way to have fun. Rooms available to rent for birthday parties, corporate get-togethers, and bachelor/bachelorette parties. We offer a large diverse song collection. (334) 239.7846

Paint & Clay

4319 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery Paint your own pottery or canvas. Full and half day Summer camps. Plan your next party with us! Like us on Facebook. (334) 819.4450 paintandclaystudio@yahoo.com

P’ZAZZ ART STUDIO

138 W. Main St., Downtown Prattville, Prattville If you are looking for a unique place for a birthday party…then P’zazz is your place. Birthday Party Packages start at $250 for up to 12 children. $15$20 for each additional child. This includes the use of P’zazz for 2 hours, a 16×20 canvas or door hanger for each guest, supplies, and instruction on how to paint a picture of your choice. Each child will leave with a completed painting as their party favor. Guests are allowed to bring in their own food and drink. We provide time for each and to open gifts. (334) 354.1975 pzazzart.com

Places to Party - Bowling BAMA Lanes Inc

Capital City Copy Shop

2701 Poplar St, Montgomery Poplar St. Invitations printed. Printing, copying, pick up, delivery, fax services available. (334) 834.3864 capitalcitycopyshop.com

3020 Atlanta Hwy. , Montgomery Three packages to choose from. All pkgs. include 2 hour party, Full birthday party setup, shoe rental, bumpers, ice cream, soft drink, six children per lane. Pkg. B includes all of Pkg. A plus a hot dog and chips. Pkg. C includes all of Pkg. A plus a whole pizza per lane. Please call for pricing. Weekday, Weekend or Evening (subject to lane availability) (334) 272.5423 bamalanes.com

Party City

BAMA Lanes, Prattville

2759 Eastern Blvd. , Montgomery A one-stop party store that provides a wide selection of merchandise at everyday low prices. Discounts up to 50% off party ensembles. (334) 409.0901 partycity.com

1714 East Main St., Prattville Weekday Party Hours Monday-Thursday 10:30 – 3:30 and Friday 10:30 to 6 p.m. plus weekend parties. Various packages available. (334) 358.8600 bamalanesprattville.com

Sunday Dinner

Bowlero

5455 Atlanta Hwy. , Montgomery Plates, cups, chafing dishes, large quantity food items. (334) 272.7000

Places to Party - Artistic Abrakadoodle Art & Events

Montgomery Instagram @Abrakadoodle_AL Creative art fun for your child for his/her birthday party. Everything Party is an Original. Painting parties and professional face painting available. Please visit our website for more information. (334) 265.5758 Mcornwell@abrakadoodle.com abrakadoodle.com/AL01

1661 Eastern Blvd. , Montgomery Birthday party packages available. Please visit our website or call to build your birthday party package. Add-ons available and deposit required. Please call for more info. (334) 819.7171 bowlero.com

Places to Party -

Cheer/Gymnastics/Dance

TuTu School Montgomery ad on page 47

2960 G Zelda Road, Montgomery Perfect way to celebrate you little Swan or Sugar Plum Fairy. Each party provides a brief ballet

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class, a special birthday story featuring the guest of honor, a delicious cupcake picnic and delightful party favors. Please visit our website for themes and rates. (334) 363.3360 twirl@tutuschoolmontgomery.com tutuschoolmontgomery.com

United Gymstars ad on page 29

6100 Brewbaker Blvd., off Troy Hwy, Montgomery Gymnastics, trampoline, recreational activities, supervised games, and birthday party room. We provide the facility and activities; you provide the cake, decorations and food. Cost of $200 is for 10 guests and the birthday child. (334) 284.2244 gym@unitedgymstarsandcheer.com www.unitedgymstars.com

Armory Athletics

1018 Madison Avenue, Montgomery Party Package available for up 10 children. One hour of gym time. We provide the fun! 2 - 6 foot tables will be provided for setup. Parents provide food, paper goods and party favors. $50 nonrefundable deposit to secure spot and $100 due at party for up to 10 children from ages 3-16. 10 Party invitations. 30 minutes allowed for cleanup after party. (334) 625.2789 armoryathletics.com

Ballerina Birthday Parties at CJ’s Dance Factory

145 South Court Street, Prattville CJ’s hosts Birthday Parties for children ages 3 and up. The two hour princess fairytale begins when you and your friends arrive. The Party set up includes the following: Table and chairs set up in the Polka Dot Party room, Dance studio area with music and mirrors, Our “SugarPlum” ballerina, up to 10 guests (more for an additional fee), Tutus for your guests ( to use for the party) and twirl in and a ballet class. $25 non-refundable deposit required. (334) 467.8603 cjsdancefactory.com

Big Green Bus

Montgomery The Big Green Bus brings the party to you! The Big Green Bus is a school bus that has been converted into a safe and fun preschool gymnastics facility. Many elements of gymnastics are combined into one fun filled hour on board the Big Green Bus! Our party includes a zip-line, tumbling mats, monkey bar, rock wall, slides, tunnels, beam, bar, vault, rings, parachute games, and more! We will introduce your child to the wild and crazy world of gymnastics. The birthday child will receive a Big Green Bus shirt! Goody bags are included in the prices (334) 324.4628 biggymbus@gmail.com biggymbus.com

Montgomery Ballet

1062 Woodley Road, Montgomery Parties hosted by Montgomery Ballet Professional Company Members. Have your very own Dance Class for you and your friends! Princess characRiver Region Parents I July 2021

ters available! Call for details. (334) 409.0522 info@montgomeryballet.org montgomeryballet.org

Tonya Speed Dance

3370 Harrison Road, Montgomery We offer the best and most convenient venue for your child’s themed birthday party. We will help you customize the party and make it perfect and memorable. Themed parties such as Frozen, “Sassy Spa”, Pretty Princess, Tumbling Toddlers, Disco, Hip Hop, Disneymania, “Teen”, ‘Hoe Down, Throw Down’ and more. Please call for pricing. (334) 277.1098

Places to Party Martial Arts

games. Parents supply party decoration, treats and eats. We supply the facility, entertainment and clean up. Let us help make your birthday party fun and easy (334) 244.1465 tigerrockmontgomery.com

Places to Party Miscellaneous

Adventure Sports Aquatic Center ad on page 41

1546 East Ann Street, Montgomery Indoor or outdoor pools, kiddie pool, grilling and picnic area. Call for details. (334) 269.3483 adventuresports2.com

Docarmo’s Taekwondo Center

3447 Malcolm Drive, Montgomery Docarmo’s Birthday Bash. Use of Docarmo’s facilities which means you don’t have to worry about the mess! A taekwondo Intro class. We send out the invitations for you. We provide a variety of FUN games for entertainment. You may bring in your own choice of food. Minimum of 10 children. Prices are based on 1.5 hour party on Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday. Free lessons offered on all participants. (334) 220.5835 trytkdfree.com

Family Karate Center

8159 Vaughn Rd., Pepper Tree, Montgomery Parties now available 7 days a week from 2 and up. Included in our parties are 2 hours of jampacked fun. Please call for more information. (334) 277.4911

Johnson Karate & Fitness Academy

2801 Vaughn Plaza Rd. Suite J, Montgomery 1.5 hours of pure fun. You provide the food and we provide the fun. Please call for rates. One free lesson offered to each birthday guest. (334) 284.2344 johnsonsmartialartsacademy.com

Newtopia ad on page 2

3731 Malcolm Drive, Montgomery Newtopia is an indoor playground facility designed for children to experience a fun, safe, and inclusive experience. With our party package you get 80 min. of playtime, 40 min. of party room time, organic juice and pizza for kids, one free pass for Birthday child, set up and clean up and much, much more. Parents provide cake, cutter and candles. No ice-cream or outside food. (334) 669.8722 newtopiafunpark.com

Antique Train Rides

Located in Calera, 60 miles north of Montgomery Party takes place in the restored Amtrak car. Includes an hour train ride through the woods and by the interstate. Parents can set up party in our restored Amtrak car. Kids can also look through the old railroad yard. Hostesses are available but parents supply food and supplies. Theme parties available (Thomas the Train…etc.) (205) 668.3435 hodrrm.org

Bell Road YMCA

3125 Bell Road, Montgomery Come party with us! We provide the facility, demonstration, mini-taekwondo class and Birthday child gets to break a board. You provide food and cleanup. Please call them for information. (334) 277.2627 tigerparktaekwondo.com

2435 Bell Rd. , Montgomery Can rent pool, building or both. Goodtimes Waterpark: $350 (Members Only) for 2 hours which includes lifeguards. Bell Road Indoor Pool Complex: $250 (Members only) for 2 hours includes lifeguards. Bell Road Outdoor Pool: $200 (Members Only) for 2 hours which includes lifeguards. Pools Hours for Party rentals are available 5:30-7:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. Activity Center Room: $250 (Members Only) for 2 hours during business hours on Saturday and Sunday. Please call for more information and availability. Inflatables party room at Goodtimes with eating area. Sat. & Sundays only. (334) 271.4343 ymcamontgomery.org

Tiger Rock Martial Arts

Chuck E Cheese

NextGen Martial Arts, Prattville

698 Old Farm Lane S, Prattville Parties are 1.5 hours. Options include: Nerf Wars, Dodge Ball and more. Karate fun and games. Parents provide paper products and cake and food. Call for pricing. (334) 590.3759 nextgenmartialarts.com

Tiger Park Taekwondo

2750 Bell Rd. , Montgomery Academy facility for 1.5 hours. 45-minute Martial Arts lesson taught by one of our certified instructors. Parties scheduled on Saturdays. Includes a martial arts class with basic skills and agility

1116 Eastdale Mall, Montgomery A package to fit everbody and budget. Please visit our website for party packages available and to book a party. (334) 281.9290 chuckecheese.com

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East Branch YMCA

3407 Pelzer Ave., Montgomery Parties for members. Indoor and outdoor pools. Outdoor pool includes slide and splash pool. YMCA provides lifeguards for party. (334) 272.339 ymcamontgomery.org

our private party room. We provide plates, cups, utensils and napkins. You provide the cake and decorations. Three party packages offered to fit your needs. Please visit our website for more information. (334) 239.2587 rockinjump.com

$400 on weekends for 4 hours. Gateway Lodge is $600 during the week and $800 on the weekend. Gateway has a caterer’s kitchen. This books fast so call early. (334) 241.2300 montgomeryal.gov click on Departments and then Parks and recreations

FC Montgomery Soccer

Splattered Woods Paintball

Prattville Parks

Capital City Sportsplex, 1555 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery We offer a broad spectrum of party opportunities and are very flexible because we are here to serve you and make your event special. Our parties can last 1 to 3 hours, and include fun sports games, races, and short sided games. You will have full use of our kitchen, fridges, and the dining area. If you want it to be super easy, put us in charge of setting up tables, ordering the cake, drinks, or lunch. Cost: $100 -$230 depending on hours. Addons are available for additional fees. (334) 207.5442 brunomr@fcmontgomery.com fcmontgomery.com

Gazebo Tea Room

414 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery A wonderful place for a girl’s tea party. Choose your own teacup and tea to sip. Finger foods available. Call for more information. (334) 277.1839

Launch Trampoline Park

891 Boardroom Drive, Prattville Three fun packed packages to choose from. 1 hour and 45 min. to 2 hours, depending on package. All packages include 60 min. of launch fun, party room, gripper socks, drink, slice of pizza, special gift for birthday child and paper products. Please visit our website for more details. (334) 568.2041 launchtrampolinepark.com

McWane Center

200 19th Street North, Birmingham They do it all – cake, punch, ice cream, paper products and, if you like, goodie bags. If you want a special science demonstration while you celebrate, they can also provide that. Your group will party in one of the colorful party rooms, then take to the museum floor for a full day of hands-on science fun and discovery. Of course, you can also see a movie while there. (205) 714.8369 mcwane.org

Prattville East YMCA

972 McQueen Smith Rd., Prattville Party room for members and non-members. Pool rental for members. Party room has a $70 deposit and is $190.00 for non-members and $140 for members. This includes 1 ½ hours of entertainment, hostess, sheet cake, cups, plates, napkins, silverware for 15 children. Cost for each additional child is $2. Birthday child receives a free t-shirt. You provide ice, ice cream and drinks. Themed parties also available. Call for more details. (334) 358.9622 prattvilleymca.org

Rockin Jump

5544 Atlanta Hwy. , Montgomery The Ultimate trampoline park. Our birthday parties include: 1 hour of jump time and 45 minutes in

2151 Cantelou Road, Montgomery Mobile paintball supply sales and service. We host parties at your field or our location: Birthday Parties/Team Building/Youth Groups. We can build custom games to fit your needs. Friendly Christian sales and service. (334) 294.6891 kbhobbies-paintball.com

Places to Party - Outdoors

City park shelters are $25 for 4 hrs. & $50 for 8 hrs. Cooter’s Pond pavilions rent for $35 or $75 depending on which pavilion. The Doster Community Center: auditorium $450 for 10 hours, dining hall $300 for 10 hours. The kitchen with either one of these rooms is an additional $75.00. Upper Kingston Community Center rents for $300 for 10 hours. $ 200 Security deposit. Call Department of Leisure Services to reserve. (334) 361.3640 www.prattvilleal.gov

Wetumpka Parks

Montgomery Zoo

2301 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery Birthday party packages offered on Saturday and Sunday’s. Biring your guests and we will provide the rest. Please visit our website for Party Packages offered. Reservations required. (334) 240.4900 montgomeryzoo.com

YMCA Camp Chandler

Wetumpka, on Lake Jordan 30 minutes from Montgomery, Wetumpka Great birthday idea for kids 5 to 15. Ten child minimum. This three hour block of time includes 2-3 activities that you and your child choose, and starting or ending with meal served in the Dining Hall (if you choose the meal option). Parents may bring cake and ice cream to be served with the meal. Cost with a meal: $20.00 per child (10 child minimum) Cost without a meal: $15.50 per child (10 child minimum) Please call for private party info. (334) 229.0035 campchandler.org

Places to Party - Parks Millbrook Memorial Ctr & Village Green Park

On Main Street and Grandview, Millbrook Incredible wooden playground with castle, space shuttle, boat, etc. We have picnic tables and picnic shelter. First come first serve. Memorial Center rents for $300 for a one day rental + a $100 security deposit which can be returned upon inspection of facilities and return of the key. Handicap accessible facility. (334) 290.2047 cityofmillbrook.org under parks and recreation tab

Montgomery City Parks

Call to reserve picnic shelters all day for Lagoon Park, Buddy Watson Park, Ida Belle Young Park, Oak Park, Gateway and AUM Park. Large shelters are $50 for all day and $25 for 1/2 day. Small shelters are $40 for full day and $20 for half day. All parks are first come first serve and open to the public. Make shelter reservations as early as possible. Pete Peterson Lodge in Lagoon Park is also available for rent and is air conditioned and heated. Price starts at $300 during week, and

Gold Star Park (no rental fee if available), Jeanette Barrett Civic Room in Gold Star Park rents for $250 rental plus $100 refundable deposit. Martin Luther King Recreation Center (requires a $300 refundable cash deposit) 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for $115. Civic Center in Wetumpka, large room with kitchen. Rates vary on day and hours. Please call for more information. Call 567.3002 for details about Fort Toulouse/Jackson Park, off US 231, Wetumpka 165-acre park area includes nature trails, campgrounds, picnic pavilion, museum, boat launch, and fort. Would be a great place for either a Pocahontas Party or a Wild West Party. (334) 567.5147 cityofwetumpka.com

Places to Party Restaurants Chick Fil A

Eastern Blvd & Eastchase Pkwy., Montgomery Playground and reserved section. Kids meal and toy, ice cream and visit from Cow (mascot) on request. Please call your local Chik Fil A for pricing. Every child gets a balloon (334) 271.0104 chikfila.com

McDonald’s

Montgomery Call individual stores for cost and details. Most offer similar packages. Cost varies slightly. Includes a Ronald McDonald cake, hamburger kid’s meal, ice cream, hostess, and party favors are supplied. Access to PlayLand after the party. mcdonalds.com

Nancy’s Italian Ice

7976 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery Ice and cupcakes available for purchase. (334) 356.1403 nancysice.com

Pizza Hut

Montgomery Offered at all Montgomery locations as well as Prattville, Wetumpka and Clanton. Costs vary. Call for details. (334) 265.6000 pizzahut.com

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Places to Party -

Montgomery Zoo Gift Shop

2301 Coliseum Parkway, Off the Northern Blvd. , Montgomery Animal-related toys, shirts, masks, jewelry. Great gifts for the animal lover. (334) 240.4900 montgomeryzoo.com

Skating

2211 Ultimate Playzone

3541 McGehee Road, Montgomery It’s party time at 2211 Ultimate Playzone! We have 4 packages to choose from. You may visit our website for more information on package details. (334) 593.7180

Old Alabama Town Gift Shop 301 Columbus St. , Montgomery Regional and old-fashioned gift items. (334) 240.4500 oldalabamatown.com

Eastdale Mall Ice Palace

Eastdale Mall, Montgomery 10 or more people. Free birthday invitations and reserved table outside the rink. You bring cake and everything you need. Please call for pricing. (334) 277.2088 eastdale-mall.com

Periwinkles

8189 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Make your gift decisions from a large selection of popular items in our store. (334) 277.3570 shop.periwinkle@gmail.com

Skatezone 2000

88 Red Eagle Parkway, Wetumpka Several party packages available. Call for details on pricing and options. We offer Laser tag parties. (334) 567.4434

Printed Invitations Capital City Copy Shop

2701 Poplar St. , Montgomery Invitations printed. Printing, copying, pick up, delivery, fax services available. (334) 230.9681 capitalcitycopyshop.com

Creative Printing

2501 East Fifth Street, Montgomery Everything is custom made for that extra special birthday. (334) 281.1315 creativeprinting.us.com

Kwik Kopy Shop

4148 Carmichael Rd. and 448 South Lawrence Street, Montgomery Print custom invitations. Wide variety of designer invitations for theme parties such as pool, slumber, tea, zoo, carousel, western, bowling, skating, dancing, etc. 8 1/2 x 11 designed papers are available for you to do it yourself. Fast turn around. (334) 244.0444 kwikkopyshop.com

The Paper Lady

Montgomery Specializing in reasonably priced invitations, birth announcements, calling cards, thank you notes and more. Also an authorized Sweet Pea Designs dealer. 1 (866) 481.4414 donna@thepaperlady.net thepaperlady.net

Unique Gifts for All

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Gift Shop ad on page 38

Blount Cultural Park, Montgomery You will find a wide assortment of unique gifts that River Region Parents I July 2021

are handcrafted by local artists for that special someone. (334) 240.4337 mmfa.org

Alabama Shakespeare Festival Gift Shop

Blount Cultural Park, Montgomery Theatre-related gifts. Open during performance hours, one hour prior to show and through intermission. Contact box office for show times. (334) 271.5358 asf.net

Barb’s on Mulberry

1923 Mulberry Street, Montgomery Will personalize lots of gift items. Choose from a wide variety of unique and personalized gifts. Closed on Mondays. We now do birthday parties. (334) 269.BARB (2272) barbsonmulberry.com

Capitol City Comics

7919 Vaughn Rd. (Festival Plaza), Montgomery Large selection of comics, gaming cards, and statues. Military and college student discounts. (334) 215.3335 robcomix@aol.com

Embellish

8111 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Large selection of items to be monogrammed. Book bags, Scout bags, Brush Fire T-shirts, jewelry, tumblers and many, many more. (334) 649.2022 preppymonogrammedgifts.com

Goat Hill Museum Store

Alabama’s State Capitol Building, Montgomery Civil War, Civil Rights- Books, Local Artwork, Toys, Collectibles, Ornaments, Music, Videos, Cookbooks, Pottery, Souvenirs, and Unique Southern Gifts. Union Street Entrance. Open Mon.-Fri, 8:00 – 4:30 and Sat. from 9-4 (Sat. please enter through the Union St. entrance). (334) 353.4969 goathill@preserveala.org

Heather Pierce Designs

7936 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery Heather Pierce Designs specializes in personalized gifts. We offer tile décor including tumbled marble coasters, trivets and magnets. (334) 676.1807 heatherpiercedesigns.com

The Shoppes at My Kids Attic

401 Coliseum Blvd. in Eastbrook, Montgomery We offer something for the everything in your life. Specialty gifts, home décor, candles, jewelry, pewter, children’s couture, vinyl and monogrammed gifts. (334) 270.1456 mykidsattic.biz

The Turtle Shell

160 W. Main St., Prattville Educational items including reading games, room decorations, math workbooks, gifts for birthdays, science kits, puzzles and music. (334) 358.0902 theturtleshell.com

Tucker Pecan Company

350 N McDonough St., Montgomery Come by and visit us for a unique selection of gifts, tumblers, jewelry and more. (334) 262.4470 tuckerpecan.com

Velvet Pumpkin

8185 Vaughn Rd., Pepper Tree Annex. , Montgomery Beautiful selection of unique Clothing, Vera Bradley, frames and bath items. (334) 273.9293 velvetpumpkinonline.net

Yard Signs Flamingo-A-Friend

Montgomery Choose from flamingos (assorted colors), smiley faces, cows & pigs, penguins, elephants, or footballs to fill your yard and surprise your birthday child when they awake. Set up before 6:30 a.m. and clean up by 6 p.m. Please call for rates. (334) 279.3737 flamingoafriendmontgomery.com

Montgomery Storks & More

Montgomery Storks & More delivers personalized newborn stork and birthday lawn signs to celebrate any occasion in the Montgomery, AL and surrounding area. (334) 313.1489 montgomerystorksandmore.com

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How Girls Are Seeking Approval Online It’s not a law that you have to post a selfie before, during, and after every activity. But for kids, it’s pretty much mandatory. The resulting likes, thumbs-ups, and other ratings all get tallied, both in the stark arithmetic of the Internet and in kids’ own minds. For some -- especially girls -- what starts as a fun way to document and share experiences can turn into an obsession about approval that can wreak havoc on self-image. That kids have been comparing themselves to popular images in traditional media -- and coming up short -- is a well-researched phenomenon. But new studies are just beginning to determine the effects of social media -- which is arguably more immediate and intimate -- on the way kids view themselves. A Common Sense survey called Children, Teens, Media, and Body Image found that many teens who are active online fret about how they’re perceived, and that girls are particularly vulnerable:

• 35 percent are worried about people tagging them in unattractive photos. • 27 percent feel stressed about how they look in posted photos. • 22 percent felt bad about themselves if their photos were ignored.

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How Kids Get Feedback

You probably know about popular apps such as Instagram and Snapchat. But the specific ways kids use these tools to get -and give -- feedback can be troubling. Here are a few examples: Instagram. The number of followers, likes, and emojis kids can collect gets competitive, with users often begging for them. Instagram “beauty pageants” and other

photo-comparison activities crop up, with losers earning a big red X on their pics. Snapchat. Numerical scores display the total number of sent and received chats. You can view your friends’ scores to keep tabs on who’s racking up the most views. Lipsi. This anonymous question-andanswer app lets kids find out what others think of them. “Am I pretty or ugly?” YouTube videos. Kids -mostly girls -- post videos of themselves asking if other users think they’re pretty or ugly. These videos are typically public, allowing anyone -- from kids at school to random strangers -- to post a comment.

The Good News

Although approval-seeking and selfdoubt continue to plague girls both privately and publicly, there are signs of fatigue. The “no-filter” trend is prompting girls to share their true selves and accept (and even challenge) whatever feedback they receive. Under hashtags such as “uglyselfie,” and “nomakeup” girls post pics of their unadorned selves, funny faces, unretouched images, and “epic fails” (attempts at perfect selfies that went wrong). Given that adolescents are naturally eager for peer validation -- precisely when they begin to use social tools that provide it -- it’s encouraging to see kids having fun with the notion of perfection. As a matter of fact, one of the Common Sense study’s most welcome findings is that social media has the potential to combat unrealistic appearance ideals and stereotypes. And, after all, kids use social media to be, well, social, and constant rejection and pressure is no fun at all. It makes you realize just how powerful social media tools can be. While they foster relationships and engagement -- and can 59

even bolster self-esteem -- they can be both constructive and destructive. That’s why you can’t leave it all up to kids to find their way. Whether your kids are just getting into social media or are seasoned posters, it’s critical to help guide them to use Snapchat, Instagram, and other networking apps for fun and connection and not as fuel for self-doubt.

What You Can Do

Talk about the pictures they post. Experimenting with identity is natural, and it’s very common for kids to adopt provocative stances in cell phone pictures, on their social network pages, and in YouTube videos. But are they doing it only because they think others expect it of them? What pose would they strike if they could do anything they wanted? Ask how feedback makes them feel. Are they stressed out by others’ comments and feedback? Does it make them feel better to be “liked?” Why is external approval important? How do negative comments make them feel? Help them develop a healthy selfimage. Body image is developed early in childhood, and the family environment is very influential on how kids view themselves. Emphasize what the body can do instead of what it looks like. Also, be careful of criticizing your own looks and weight. Rely on role models. Positive role models have an enormous effect on kids. Cultivate relationships with women your daughter can look up to. Also, point out celebrities and other famous folks who challenge stereotypes about size and beauty and seem comfortable in their own skins. Help them stop the cycle. Urge them to post constructive comments that support their friends for who they are, not what they look like. Help them view media critically. Talk about over-sexualized images or unrealistic body ideals of girls in the media. Explore websites such as the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in the Media and the Representation Project that promote the importance of positive body image and valuing women for their contributions to society. www.facebook.com/RiverRegionParents

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Extra Money as a Mom

When my youngest child entered first grade, the questions began. “Are you going back to work now that your kids are in school all day?” “What will you do for six hours when your kids are in school?” You get the idea. After correcting the misinformation—it is not really six hours when you factor in the varying bus schedules—I politely let them know that I wasn’t concerned about how I would occupy my time. I was busy volunteering at the school and doing other household tasks, but I also wanted to earn some extra money to help offset the high cost of college tuition. More importantly, I wanted flexibility. So I began freelance writing for different publications. Over time, my income has increased, and I’m hoping to save enough to pay for at least one of my kids’ college educations. If freelance writing isn’t your thing, or even if it is and you want to add another job, here are some ways you can earn extra cash while remaining a stay-at-home mom like me. River Region Parents I July 2021

By Cheryl Maguire 60

www.riverregionparents.com

1- Babysitter or nanny

Some moms I know tend other kids while watching their own. If you are unable to find a job through friends and family, try looking on websites such as Sittercity, Care.com, or UrbanSitter. Pay range: $11–18 per hour

2- Customer service rep

My friend used to provide customer service from her house through Liveops. She was able to create her own flexible hours by signing up for time blocks. She started taking calls for infomercials, then auto claims for Allstate and orders for Pizza Hut. The only cost to her was a dedicated phone line, which was $22 per month. Pay range: $10–20 per hour

3- Delivery person

A recent article in Money Magazine described the job of being an Amazon delivery person through Amazon Flex. Drivers must use their own car and an app to select a block of time to deliver packages. Rates vary by state and time of year; during Christmas you can receive higher rates. Pay range: $18–25 per hour

4- Etsy shop owner

Etsy is a website where you can set

up your own store. Most people sell crafts, jewelry, clothing, home décor, or vintage items. I bought a graphic design for my website on Etsy, though, so you are not limited to those categories. Etsy charges a $.20 listing fee, a 5% transaction fee, and 3% + $.25 payment fee.

Pay range: The range varies, but one website claims that a shop owner earns $70k per month!

5- Fitness instructor

A few of my friends are fitness instructors, such as spin, body pump, or TRX teachers. These require taking certification tests that can cost around $300. Then you need to recertify every two years, which costs roughly $100. My friends enjoy the flexibility of the job and the fact that they get paid to work out.

Pay range: $10-$30 per hour, depending on the gym and class taught. Plus, most gyms offer free membership to their instructors. Some offer free childcare while you are teaching.

6- Online transcriptionist

There are several companies that will hire you to work from home transcribing audio speech to written documents. The audio could be from a doctor, lawyer, court hearing, or freelance writer. Some companies don’t require any experience. There are transcription courses available for a

fee. Some transcription companies are Rev, Scribie, and CrowdSurf.

Pay range: The Rev website states the average earning is $245 per month.

7- Paid focus group participant Market research companies pay focus groups for their reactions to or opinions of their products. Usually, group members participate for one to two hours. To participate in focus groups, you can sign up with companies such as WatchLab, User Interviews or FocusGroup.

Pay range: $100–400 per group.

8- Pet sitter

A friend of mine started a pet-sitting business to board dogs in her house five years ago. She used the website Rover to set up her rate and availability. In addition to boarding pets, you can also walk dogs or watch pets and the owner’s house. The Rover website is not limited to dogs. Rover takes 20% of whatever fees you earn.

Pay range: Set your own rates. My friend earns $40 per night per dog and sometimes has three dogs per week, or $840 per week minus the Rover fee. The website states you can earn up to $1000 per month.

9- Rent out your house for a movie set You can list your house for free on

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the Set Scouter website to rent out for a movie or TV show. Even though I live in the Northeast (not remotely close to Hollywood), over ten different movies have been filmed in towns near me recently. I haven’t been lucky enough to have my house selected yet, but you never know when Hollywood might come knocking. Pay range: $250–1,000 per day

10- Fashion stylist Stitch Fix is a clothing subscription service. The stylists work from home and help other people create stylish outfits based on their budget, personality, and fashion tastes. You need to commit to working 15–30 hours per week. You also must participate in an onsite six-hour training course. Pay range: $14–16 per hour

11- Teach English

There are a few different companies through which you can teach English online from your home. Most of the companies require you to have a college degree and be proficient in the English language. Some of the companies to investigate are VIPKID, Qkids, and Teachaway. Pay range: $15–25 per hour

River Region Parents I July 2021

12- Tasker

TaskRabbit matches you with people who need a task done around their houses such as cleaning, moving, furniture assembly, or home improvement. After you complete the job, you receive payment, minus a 15% TaskRabbit fee.

Pay range: You set the rate; certain skills earn more money.

13- Test Apps or Websites

Userlytics is a website that will match you with an app or website that is in the developmental phase and wants user feedback before it is launched. You will offer your thoughts about the app or website by verbally answering questions. Most projects take 15-20 minutes to complete.

Pay range: Website states the range is anywhere between $5-$90 per tested project.

14- Tutor

You might think you need a teaching degree to be a tutor, but according to Tutors.com, anyone with a high school diploma or GED can be a tutor; you need only complete a tutor training program. Once you are certified, you can set up a free profile at Tutors.com to find jobs. Pay range: $25–80 per hour

15- Umpire or referee

There are many different youth sports that need someone to officiate, such as soccer, softball and baseball, lacrosse, field hockey, and more. Most referees need to attend certification training and complete a background check. Contact your local sports league to find out the requirements. Pay range: $25–50 per hour or per game

You probably won’t get rich doing any of these jobs, but the extra income might help pay for all the added expenses of having children like camp, sports, or college. For me, I enjoy earning a paycheck, but the real benefit is socializing with other people. Being a stay-at-home mom can feel isolating, especially now that my kids are older and no longer at home during the day. I like interacting with other writers and editors, even it is only virtually. Of course, you never know—with that side business of yours, you could end up being the next Martha Stewart one day. A mom can dream, right? rrp

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. You can find her at Twitter @ CherylMaguire05.

www.riverregionparents.com

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FamilyCalendar Thursday, July 1

FREE Movie Night Under the Stars -Thursdays through July 22 7:15-10 p.m. Armory Learning Arts Center, Montgomery. We will celebrate the 1950s and 1960s with classics that are both enjoyable and family-friendly. Bring a blanket, a lawn chair, some refreshments, and enjoy! For more info, find us on Facebook or call John at (646) 241-7139. Good Mornings -- Through July 29 9 a.m.-noon. Frazer UMC JEMAC Activity Center. Cost for rising first- through sixth-graders is $6 each day, and $8 each day for early drop off (8 a.m.). For more info, e-mail Liz at lcraig@frazer.church. Kids Club Online Craft Classes -- Other projects available July 6, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 22, 23, 26, 28 & 30; August 2, 4 & 6 4 p.m. For more info or to sign up, visit https://www. michaels.com/onlineclasses. Pike Road Arts Council Presents I’ve Been Everywhere, Man! Art Show -- Through July 31 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Pike Road Arts Center, 944 Wallahatchie Road, under the water tower. This art show features local artists’ favorite scenes from their travels—both past and planned for the future. For more info, e-mail patty@ pikeroad.us. T-Shirt Giveaway at the Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game -- Also July 15 & 22; August 5 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. The first 1,000 fans 15 & older through the gates will go home with a Tshirt presented by different sponsors each week. For more info, visit https://www.milb.com/ montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483. Town of Pike Road Summerfest 6 p.m. Parking begins. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Kids’ activities. Rolling Hills Park and Cottonwood Golf Club (off Trotman Road). Food will be available from local food trucks, and lawn chairs and picnic blankets are welcome. Fireworks will light up the sky over Cottonwood Golf Club at dark! For more info, call (334) 495-4109 or (864) 958-6577 or e-mail turner@ pikeroad.us. Community Market in Wetumpka -First Thursdays through November 5-8 p.m. Merchant Alley, Downtown Wetumpka. Join us in Merchants Alley (along the riverwalk behind Hill Street) first Thursdays through November and enjoy shopping local from community merchants! If you’d like to be a vendor, e-mail market@ mainstreetwetumpka.org. City of Wetumpka Farmer’s Market -- Weekly 4-7 p.m. 304 E. Coosa St., Downtown Wetumpka.

River Region Parents I July 2021

Friday, July 2

Giveaway Night at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game -- Also July 16 & 23; August 6 6:35 p.m. Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium. We’re giving away different items each week to the first 1,000 fans through our gates! For more info, visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483. Arti Gras -- Also July 3 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Russell Crossroads, Alexander City. Artisans and patrons from all over the Southeast gather for this vast annual display of handmade goods. Artisans feature everything from jewelry, soaps, paintings, pottery, woodwork, lotions, furniture, and much more! For more info, e-mail tmitchell@russelllands.com or call (256) 212-1443. Friday on the Green -- Also July 9, 16, 23 & 30 6:30-8:30 p.m. Town Green at Russell Crossroads, 19 Russell Farms Road, Alexander City. Free music and entertainment. For more info, visit www.russelllands. com/ or call (256) 397-1019. Free P.E. Class with Keon -Also July 9, 16, 23 & 30 8:30 a.m. Facebook Live. For all ages. For more info, contact Unleashed Potential Fitness on Facebook or call (334) 868-0796. First Friday ArtWalk in Wetumpka -First Fridays through November 4-8 p.m. Business District, Downtown Wetumpka. Take to the streets every first Friday and watch the village artists in action as they create and curate new pieces of art for onlookers.

Saturday, July 3

Wetumpka Independence Day Fireworks 6-8 p.m. Live music; 8:30 p.m. Fireworks. Gold Star Park, 212 S Main St. in Wetumpka. Sponsored by Wind Creek Casino. Wetumpka Cruiser -- Every First Saturday 4-6 p.m. Downtown Wetumpka. Independence Day Parade in Prattville 9 a.m. Parade begins in downtown Prattville. Annual Lions Club BBQ in Pratt Park until 2 p.m. Concert featuring Souled Out Groove from 6-10 p.m. For more info, call (334) 595-0850. Patriotic Night w/ MAX Fireworks at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game -Also July 17 & 24; Aug. 7 6:05 p.m. Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium. On the eve on Independence Day, we get the party started early and celebrate all things AMERICA! Stick around after the game for a MAX Fireworks Show. For more info, visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483. Prattville Farmers Market 2021 Season -Saturdays through August 7 a.m.-noon. Grove across from the Gillespie Senior

Center on Doster Road. For more info, call (334) 5950850 or find us on Facebook. Yoga on the Green -- Saturdays thru Sept. 25 8-9 a.m. In the green space adjacent to Pies + Pints at Shoppes at EastChase. Free classes are hosted by Breezeville Yoga and Bandaloop Yoga. Please bring your own mat and bottle of water. For more info, find us on Facebook. Shoppes at EastChase Farmers Market Saturdays through September 25 7 a.m.-noon. One of the top five largest markets in Alabama, the Shoppes at EastChase Farmers Market is back for its 17th year. Guests will enjoy goods from more than 40 vendors featuring homemade breads, jams, baked goods, Wagyu beef, local honey and more. Everything is grown or made in the state of Alabama! Visit theshoppesateastchase.com or follow The Shoppes on Facebook and Instagram.

Sunday, July 4

Independence Day Celebration w/ MAX Fireworks at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game 6:05 p.m. Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium. Few things are more American than catching a baseball game and watching some MAX Fireworks on the 4th of July, so join us! For more info, visit https://www.milb.com/ montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483. Fourth of July Boat Parade 10 a.m.-noon. Russell Marine – Kowaliga Marina, Alexander City. Register online up until 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event. Categories include Tallest Flag (must go under bridge), Largest Flag, Most Patriotic Crew, Most Creative Theme and Best Overall Boat and Crew. Prizes include Best Overall Boat and Crew – $500 and 1st and 2nd Place – Russell Marine Gift Certificates. July 4th Concert And Fireworks Show 5:30-10:30 p.m. The Amp on Lake Martin, Eclectic. Claim your spot early and get ready to have some fun! Joining us this year for the 4th of July Concert will be, from Alexander City – The Bank Walkers. Also, making a return visit with a brand-new member, Sweet Tea Trio. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. For more info, call (256) 397-1019 or visit http://theamponlakemartin.com/index.html.

Harriott II Fourth of July Cruise and Fireworks 8:30-11 p.m. 355 Commerce Street, Montgomery. This cruise offers live entertainment, concessions and a cash bar. Cruises rain or shine. Inside seating $25 adult/ $15 child; outside seating $20 adult/ $15 child. To purchase tickets, call (334) 625-2100 or visit the Box Office at 200 Coosa St. Independence Day Fireworks in Prattville The fireworks will launch at dark from the Homeplace Clock Tower off Highway 82. For more info, call (334) 595-0800 or visit www.prattvilleal.gov/.

Tuesday, July 6

Millbrook Farmers Market -- Tuesdays Through August 17 7 a.m.-noon. Village Green, corner of Grandview Road

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FamilyCalendar and Main Street. Fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, peanuts, baked goods, plants and more. For more info, visit https://cityofmillbrook.org/ or call (334) 301-2650. Thrifty Tuesdays at the Montgomery Zoo Through August 31 Noon-4 p.m. Receive 50% OFF admissions every Tuesday afternoon. Tickets must be purchased in person in order to receive the discounted admission. This discount cannot be combined with any other discount, coupon, and/or offer. For more info, call (334) 6254900 or visit www.montgomeryzoo.com/.

Wednesday, July 7

Mom2Mom Group for Women -Wednesdays through July 14 9-11:30 a.m. Frazer UMC Parlor. Mom2Mom is a Frazer women’s ministry to reach moms through encouragement and prayer during these early years of raising our kids. Join us for Bible studies focusing on parenting, marriage, women’s studies and more. Childcare available for newborn to K5, but preregistration is required. E-mail Cheryl at csmith@ frazer.church. Elmore County 4-H In-Person ProgramsWeekly through July 14 Most programs begin at 9 a.m. Options include cooking, gardening, archery, coding and shotgun. Cost is $8 per class. Space is limited. Register at V2.4honline and choose “Summer Day Camp 2021.” For more info, call (334) 567-6301 or e-mail laurie. weldon@auburn.edu. Virtual Theatre Camp -- Through July 31 Sponsored by Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theatre. Junior Camp is for grades 1-6; Senior Camp is for grades 7-12. $50 fee per student includes box

of supplies and video instructions. Camp may be completed at your leisure through July 31. Call (334) 595-0850 or visit www.prattvilleal.gov/.

19 must obtain parent or legal guardian permission to volunteer. For more info, call (334) 625-4900 or visit www.montgomeryzoo.com/.

Thursday, July 8

Monday, July 12

MPAC Presents The Junkyard -Also August 5 6-10 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. The Junkyard is an open mic events for friends to decompress from stress and pressures of life through music and love. It provides people the opportunity to express themselves musically and others to enjoy the camaraderie and entertainment at no charge. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline. org/events/ or call (334) 481-5100.

Friday, July 9

Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theatre Presents Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express Also July 10-11 and 23-25 7:30 p.m. performances except for 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Adapted by Ken Ludwig and directed by Brady Walker. A thrilling murder mystery set on a train. For tickets and more info, call (334) 595-0850. Colored Pencil Workshop 9-11:30 a.m. or 1-3:30 p.m. For ages 13-18. Free, but registration required. Call (334) 595-0850 or visit www.prattvilleal.gov/.

Saturday, July 10

Zoo Volunteer Serve Day 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Volunteer groups gather to accomplish several tasks, including landscaping, raking, painting and overall prepping the Zoo for upcoming events. Volunteers can be adults, teens, civic groups, school groups, church groups, businesses, military squadrons, and families. Volunteers ages 12-16 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian or designated group chaperone. Volunteers under the age of

ACT Test Prep Math Class at AUM -Through July 15 Prepare for the ACT exam and improve your math test scores! Students can choose to attend class in-person or online using the Zoom web application. Classes will meet Monday through Thursday from 6-8 p.m. Books will be provided at first class meeting. This individual course costs $119. Call (334) 244-3804 or visit www. aum.edu/continuingeducation/. Youth Art Camp -- Through July 16 Prattville Creative Arts Center. Registration is $75 and includes all supplies. Camp is for ages 7-12. For more info, call the (334) 595-0850.

Tuesday, July 13

Creekwalk Concerts in Prattville -- Also July 27 6:30 p.m. Historic Downtown beside the Picker House near Heritage Park. Grab a lawn chair and join us for free family fun. July 13 featuring John Bull Band; July 27 featuring Wesley Dennis. For more info, call (334) 595-0850.

Wednesday, July 14

Military Wednesday at the Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game -Also July 21; August 4 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. We thank all the members of our Armed Forces on Wednesdays by offering ticket, drink and food specials and discounts! For more info, visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483.

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FamilyCalendar Thursday, July 15

Red Door Theatre in Union Springs Presents The Savannah Sipping Society -- Thru July 18 Dream Field Farms, 6376 US Hwy. 82, Fitzpatrick. In this delightful comedy, four unique Southern women decide it’s high time to reclaim the enthusiasm for life they’ve lost through the years. Over the course of six months, filled with laughter, hilarious misadventures, and the occasional liquid refreshment, these middle-aged women successfully bond and find the confidence to jumpstart their new lives. For tickets or more info, call (334) 738-8687 or visit www.reddoortheatre.org. Cloverdale Playhouse Presents The Giver -Through July 25 7:30 p.m. except for 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Written by Lois Lowry and adapted by Eric Coble; directed by La’Brandon Tyre. Everything in Jonas’s world is under control and safe. But when Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver—to receive and keep the memories of the community. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life—and the hypocrisy of his utopian world and try to take control of his own destiny. *Due to mature themes, this play is recommended for audiences ages 10 and up.* Call (334) 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org/ for more info. 2021 Lunchtime Lecture Series: Food For Thought Third Thursdays at noon. Fascinating hour-long lectures on the history of Alabama presented by the Alabama Department of Archives & History. The ADAH’s public programs remain virtual, livestreaming on Facebook and YouTube. Visit www.archives. alabama.gov or the ADAH’s social media channels (Facebook and Twitter) for more info about upcoming programs. Today’s topic is “Indigo Snakes in Alabama,” presented by Jimmy Stiles.

Friday, July 16

MPAC Presents Chris Knight 8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Chris Knight has been described as “the last of a dying breed… a taciturn loner with an acoustic guitar and a college degree” (The New York Times) and “a storyteller in the best traditions of Mellencamp and Springsteen” (USA Today). Tickets begin at $22. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline.org/events/ or call (334) 481-5100.

Saturday, July 17

Sip, Paint & Vibe at the Riverwalk

3-7 p.m. Riverfront Park, 355 Commerce Street, Montgomery. Enjoy the beautiful view of the River in Downtown Montgomery. The Sip & Paint will take place under a huge tent for shade and comfort. Live DJ, food vendors & beverages will be on site.

first 500 kids 14 & under will receive one so get here early! Don’t forget to join the Lil’ Crumbs Kids Club pres. by Go Fish Alabama, offering complimentary Sunday game tickets along with a variety of other perks! For more info, visit www.milb.com/montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483. Calling All Superheroes! 2-4 p.m. 5090 Main St., Millbrook. We are calling all little heroes for a SUPER event! Bring your child to meet with some of their most loved superheroes. There will be games, food, photo opportunities and fun! Tickets are $25. Parents are free with a paid child. LIMIT 2 parents ONLY per child/ family.* Find us on Eventbrite.

Monday, July 19

Incredible Inventions Robotics -Through July 23 8:30-11:30 a.m. Armory Learning Arts Center, Montgomery. Learn about the process that real inventors go through while you help design, build, and program robotic models to solve problems using LEGO bricks and robotics. Fee: $139. Call (334) 318-2824 or register at https://embed.snapology.com/licensee/55/events/location. Furry, Slimy, Scaly -- Through July 23 9 a.m.-noon. Armory Learning Arts Center, Montgomery. Through the study of animals, we will look at textures and how they add reality to our works of art. Students will learn techniques that enhance their ability to show a variety of fur, skin, scales and more on our animal subjects! Instructor: Kelly Parvin. Fee: $200. Call (334) 312-1110 or e-mail kellycreatesart@gmail.com.

Saturday, July 24

Common Ground Shakedown Music & Food Festival 5-11 p.m. Union Station Train Shed, 210 Water Street. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mountain Grass Unit; 6:30-8:30 p.m. T.U.B.; and 8:30-11 p.m. Headliner TBA. All proceeds going directly to Common Ground Montgomery. CGM’s mission is to “change the odds” for children and youth facing potentially destructive personal and community risks. For more info, call (334) 202-9156 or e-mail cartergoodwyn@gmail.com.

Sunday, July 25

Lil’ Crumbs Kids Club & Bark in the Park at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game -6:35 p.m. (Aug. 8 game is at 3:33 p.m.) Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium. Bring your leashed 4-legged best friend and don’t forget to join the Lil’ Crumbs Kids Club, offering complimentary game tickets along with a variety of other perks. For more info, visit www. milb.com/montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483.

Hilltop Market Day 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 410 Clayton St, Montgomery. Featuring vendors and artists from across the River Region, this outdoor event will also feature a food truck, cornhole and a disc gold putting green.

Stars on the Riverfront -- Also July 26 7:30-9 p.m. Riverwalk Amphitheater, 355 Coosa St. Free public performance presented by the Alabama Dance Theatre. Featuring ballet, jazz, modern and more, this family-friendly event on the riverfront is a beloved tradition. For more info, call (334) 625-2590 or visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com.

Sunday, July 18

Thursday, July 29

Kids Jersey Giveaway pres. by Hyundai at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game 6:35 p.m. Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium. Only the

River Region Parents I July 2021

Alabama Nature Center Presents Early Explorers: Mammals of Alabama 10-11 a.m. last Thursday of each month. 3050

Lanark Road, Millbrook. This is a preschool program for children 8 and under. Includes various themerelated activities! All materials provided. Cost is $5 per participating child; adults free. Space is limited, so call ahead or e-mail mvines@alabamawildlife.org. For more info, visit www.alabamawildlife.org/ or call (334) 285-4550. ArtTalk at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 6-8 p.m. Free. For more than two decades, the Museum’s ArtTalk has offered local artists constructive feedback and camaraderie. Through its current virtual format, artists from beyond the River Region are able to enjoy the artful discussion too! Participants are invited to submit a work of art or just join the inspiring conversation. Free via Zoom. For more info, call (334) 625-4333 or visit mmfa.org.

Saturday, July 31

Animal Enrichment Day at the Montgomery Zoo 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Observe how animals respond to an assortment of new creative and behavior-stimulating enrichment items. We will visit more than 20 different animals displays during the course of the event, and see what transpires and what we learn. For more info, call (334) 625-4900 or visit www.montgomeryzoo.com/.

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Sunday, August 1

MPAC Presents Three Dog Night 7 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Hits include “Joy to the World,” “Old Fashioned Love Song” and “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” Tickets begin at $40. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline.org/ events/ or call (334) 481-5100.

Thursday, August 5

Millbrook Community Players Present Steel Magnolias -- Through August 15 7:30 p.m. except for 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Written by Robert Harling. Tickets are $12 for adults; $8 for ages 6-12. For tickets or more info, visit www. millbrooktheater.com/ or call (334) 782-7317. Story Time in the Montgomery Museum of Art Galleries: Boys Dance! 10-10:30 a.m. Join the artistic and executive director of the Montgomery Ballet, Danny Mitsios, as he reads the book, Boys Dance! Published by the American Ballet Theatre and written by John Robert Allmon. In this fun book for all ages, we learn that dancing isn’t just for some but is for everyone. Visit https://www.youtube.com/user/ MontgomeryMFA.

Saturday, August 7

18th Annual Youth Fishing Rodeo 7-11 a.m. Lanark in Millbrook. Program is designed to provide Alabama’s youth a chance to experience the outdoors and learn about fishing. These events provide opportunities for families to share fun and quality time together while participating in one of our nation’s favorite pastimes. For more info, visit www. alabamawildlife.org/ or call (334) 285-4550.

Please send calendar info to editor@riverregionparents.com. www.riverregionparents.com

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Bridge Builders Alabama Resumes Leadership Training Conferences

Bridge Builders Alabama resumed its summer conferences in person during June 2021. Bridge Builders provides leadership training, diversity and inclusion training, as well as community service opportunities for teens of the River Region. These conferences set up a year of commitment to the program. While Covid restrictions in place during the regular spring recruitment period affected the numbers in attendance, the organization is excited to have conferences happening again. “This program is so important to the youth of Montgomery and the surrounding area. It teaches our young people from many different ethnic, social and economic backgrounds how to communicate and understand each other,” said BBAL board chair Radney Ramsey. “The bonds created will continue to serve this younger generation into the future.” This summer’s conferences could not be held at the usual college campus setting due to Covid restrictions in place at local colleges. However, Executive Director Ellen Farmer and her team of facilitators created a meaningful experience which contained most of the normal activities that conference provides. For Junior and Senior Conference, students and facilitators were invited to use the facilities at Saint James School to hold in-person group activities and experiences June 7 and 21. These activities included team building and leadership training, enhancing the students’ ability to communicate with each other in meaningful ways. June 8 and 22 meetings were held over Zoom and sponsored by Max Federal Credit Union. Zoom meetings concentrated on teaching the students about financial responsibility, financial planning and banking procedures. June 9 and 23 experiences had the students meet at downtown church, St. John’s Episcopal Church. The students met there and traveled to visit The Legacy Museum. Group discussions were held in order to gain perspective on the experience and learn from the perspective of each student. Senior Conference also featured a panel discussion about life after high school, including college admissions. The students will continue to work together through the program during the upcoming school year. Their time will also be spent dedicating hours to many non-profits around the local area including Dream Court, The Montgomery Zoo and the Montgomery Museum. Students attending this year’s Junior and Senior Conferences represented many different schools including Booker T. Washington, Stanhope Elmore, LAMP, Montgomery Academy, Saint James School, Montgomery Catholic, Lowndes County, Jefferson Davis and BrewTech. The program is offered to students entering their junior and senior years of high school. Students from public, private, parochial and home schools from the greater Montgomery area are invited to attend. The program is free for all attendees. Funds are secured through fundraising efforts throughout the year.

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RRP: Often daughters tend to look up to their mothers. What are traits that you instill in your daughter and hope she admires in you? MH: I pray a lot like my mother. I devote myself to God in worship like my mother. I allow my children to see my devotion to the Lord. At the end of the day, when they grow up and are out of my physical presence, I want them to remember that nothing is permanent and God will bring you out of everything. I saw my mother do everything with God, and he kept her and sustained her. I intend to do the same. RRP: Being a mom is one of your proudest accomplishments. And you enjoy pouring into your child. What does being a mom mean to you?

Marian Hollis

MH: Being a mom means I get to bring real humans into this life and empower them. And to be a better person than I am. I get to grow through my weaknesses with them and strengthen them to do it better. In my strengths, I get to empower them to do even better. Life is about realizing your purpose and living it out loud, and my children are an expression of me living out this life.

RRP: Sometimes new moms, and seasoned moms, struggle with finding balance in their lives and careers. While managing your careers—how do you find balance, and what advice would you give to other moms who may struggle?

RRP: Parenting/motherhood is so rewarding, but also, it can be challenging at times. What are some things that you would do differently—if you could do it all over again, and why? MH: I didn’t choose to do this as a single mother. I hoped I would have someone on nights that I cried myself to sleep and days that I was pinching pennies to make it work. I would be more patient with myself and allow myself to make mistakes. Also, I would allow my kids to make mistakes. I look back now and realize I was way too tense in so many areas of my life. Last, but not least, I would have shared more hugs, kisses, and affirmations with my kids.

MH: It is essential to know your season in life and know when to add or subtract people, places, and things from it. I was divorced when both of my kids were under two years old. Immediately following my divorce, I focused on my kids, myself, and our needs, and what I felt I needed to do to get us where we needed to be for years to come. I think it is so important to roll in “jobs, friends, activities, etc.,” as your life allows you to keep balance. Now that my kids are older, I allow myself to do more. I realize that I needed healthy friendships to bring in balance. I intentionally travel and intentionally set aside date nights for myself. I also make sure that I am attentive to my kids.

RRP: Every mom is deserving of “me time” because even “supermoms” need a break. What do you do when you need that downtime? MH: I drop my kids off at my mom’s house and blow the horn while I speed down the driveway! RRP: You have a mom motto that you like to reference when you’re wearing your mom hat. What is that motto? MH: My motto is, “I gotta keep rolling with the punches.”

RRP: Understandably, different moms parent differently. Do you find yourself raising your daughter similarly to how your mom raised you or not, and why?

RRP: Is there anything you would like to add as an encouragement to other single moms? MH: I think God has a special place in his heart for single mothers. I read in the Bible where it says, “Two is better than one.” But when you’re not in that situation, you have to rest assured that God has your back.

MH: I have to raise my daughter the way my mother raised me because I think she did an excellent job! I remember growing up hating my mother because she didn’t allow us to do anything—literally. We could not spend nights with friends, weren’t allowed to attend parties or go out socially. Her words of wisdom have shaped me into the woman I am today. And it makes me grateful for her diligence and unwavering commitment to our structure.

River Region Parents I July 2021

Marian Hollis is a resident of Montgomery, AL. When she’s not wearing her mom hat with her daughter, Marian serves as a real estate agent and works at Alabama State University.

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July 21 - River Region Parents Flipbook

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