30 minute read
Parenting, Media Everything in Between
Apps for Kids on the Autism Spectrum
Technology has the power to unlock learning for kids of all ages and stages. And sometimes exploring and learning on a device first is less intimidating than trying out new skills with real people. Check out these apps that help kids with communication, organization, and even social-awareness skills -- and watch the video to learn more about how to choose media and tech products for kids with learning differences.
Awakee Morning Routine Planner
With this time-management app, kids can set up a daily routine with multiple, timed activities, such as brushing teeth, meditating, and exercising.
Calm Counter Social Story and Anger Management Tool
This ingenious app helps kids with special needs, social challenges, anxiety, or anger issues learn selfawareness as they begin to identify when they “need a break” and practice calming down.
First Then Visual Schedule HD
With its simple, multisensory interface, this app has great potential for helping kids with developmental or learning disabilities, anxiety or attention issues, and language, hearing, or processing difficulties.
Hopster Saturday Club: Empathy
Hopster Saturday Club: Empathy gives kids practice identifying emotions. Kids can choose from three activities: writing in a diary to describe how they feel that day, playing a matching game to work on recognizing emotions, and doing a drag-and-drop exercise to create different expressions.
MyLife Meditation
By encouraging kids to meditate daily and focus on kindness to others, this app offers great lessons in perseverance and compassion. Kids can
learn the practice of meditation as well as the habit of stopping to identify their emotions, taking a deep breath, and articulating their emotional needs.
Peppy Pals Sammy Helps Out
Though this social-emotional skill builder is designed for young kids, older kids who struggle with social situations and empathy also might find it helpful. Best used with a parent or teacher, this app provides built-in discussion questions to help guide kids so they can take their learning offscreen. large collection of Peppy Pals’ positive videos, stories, and games with themes of social and emotional learning. Kids can learn skills about identifying emotions, accepting differences, and helping friends. They’ll also see that not everyone feels the same way.
Popplet
This mind-mapping tool is especially helpful for kids who have problems with organization and visual memory. Kids can insert words, images, and their own drawings and then connect to other related Popplets to create an interactive outline of related ideas.
Proloquo2Go
This extraordinary communication aid is great for kids who have basic to severe speech challenges. Kids can learn how to effectively convey wants, needs, feelings, opinions, social manners, and more.
Social Detective
Through video and a comprehensive, step-by-step process, kids can learn about expected vs. unexpected behaviors in a variety of everyday situations. Because the videos include real kids and the app offers practical tips, users will be able to identify with and apply what they learn.
The Social Express II
This excellent animated app boosts kids’ social-awareness skills. Kids can learn to identify how their peers are feeling, develop coping strategies, recognize the importance of eye contact, and learn a host of core social skills needed to function in daily life.
In the midst of my worst moments of anxiety and panic, I would focus incessantly on a physical sensation and fear that it was something serious and harmful. But, as I learned over time from several experts, my attention was directed on the wrong thing. What if I could shift my focus to something else—something more interesting and positive?
As it turns out, scientists have discovered over the past several years the incredible power we have within ourselves to transform our brain, and therefore, our thoughts. In The WholeBrain Child, author Daniel J. Siegel M.D. explains how the brain physically changes in response to new experiences. “With intention and effort, we can acquire new mental skills. …when we direct our attention in a new way, we are actually creating a new experience that can change both the activity and ultimately the structure of the brain itself.”
How does this work? Our new thoughts activate neurons in our brain, a process referred to as neural firing. This leads to the production of proteins that create new connections between neurons. So, with focused attention we can actually change the physical structure of our brain. This entire process is called neuroplasticity, a very exciting new realm of science that experts are trying to learn more about every day. Because our brain can change based on what we experience and focus on, we can alter the way we respond to and interact with the world around us. We can even reduce negative patterns and form new, healthier ones.
How We Can Change Our Brain
A collection of scientific evidence shows how focused attention can reshape our brain, Daniel J. Siegel points out. Brain scans of violinists, for example, show dramatic growth and expansion in regions of the cortex that represent the left hand, which is the main finger used to play the violin strings. Another study showed that the hippocampus, which is critical for spatial memory, is enlarged in taxi drivers.
The magic of focused attention is that we can use it to help get over negative emotions like fear. We can redirect our attention towards something that relaxes us. “By directing our attention, we can go from being influenced by factors within and around us to influencing them. When we become aware
of the multitude of changing emotions and forces at work around us and within us, we can acknowledge them and even embrace them as parts of ourselves—but we don’t have to allow them to bully us or define us. We can shift our focus to other areas of awareness, so that we are no longer victims of forces seemingly beyond our control, but active participants in the process of deciding and affecting how we think and feel,” Siegel writes in his book.
Fortunately, we have many effective tools to tap into to achieve more focus and create deep connections in our brain. We can use mindfulness meditation, yoga, Qi gong, breathing techniques, guided imagery, cognitive behavioral therapy, and even brain exercises to develop our focused attention. All of these approaches involve directing our attention to a specific object, image, sound, mantra, or even our own breath. In addition, Siegel developed a whole new technique called “Mindsight” to become mindful of all our mental activities, reorganize them, and then re-wire our brain. It goes a step further than mindfulness because it’s not just about being present in the moment, but about having the ability to monitor what’s going on and then to make a conscious change. This can have huge implications for those suffering from stress and anxiety.
Ways For Kids To Practice Focused Attention
Teaching our children this special trick of focused attention can help them in so many ways throughout their lives. By being aware of their emotions and learning how to shift their concentration, they will be empowered and feel in control of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Point out the positive. When faced with setbacks or unwelcome news, ask your children to find the positive in those situations. Paying attention to the positive rewires our brain for happiness and increases our awareness.
Play listening and conversation
games. Because of all their technology use, our children are missing out on really important skills like listening and how to hold an in-person conversation. Play games like whisper down the lane or verbal memory so that your kids can improve their ability to listen carefully.
Creative arts. When our children are immersed in art—whether it be music, painting, writing, or drawing—they reach a state of flow, the sense of being completely engaged in an activity to the point of being in a near meditative state. When we are in a state of flow, we forgot about all our thoughts and lose track of time. Sign your kids up for an art class or music lesson, encourage them to spend time journaling, and bring out the karaoke machine to get them focused through creativity.
Mindful play. Choose toys and games that require your children’s full attention, such as spinning tops, dominoes, building Breathing exercises. One of the most basic and commonly used meditation approaches is deep breathing, which has been found to help return our breathing back to normal and alleviate unsettling feelings of stress and anxiety. Practice breathing exercises with your children so they can learn how to do it on their own when they are stressed.
Yoga practice. Yoga offers so many incredible benefits to our children including a time for inner focus and to connect to their bodies. Enjoy doing poses together as a family and showing your kids that they can tap into the skills learned during yoga throughout their day to address the pressures and stress they endure.
Enjoy nature scenes. Focusing on awe-inspiring scenes of nature—whether in person or through pictures and videos—can engage our children’s attention. Schedule some outdoor time or sit down and watch a nature show or enjoy gorgeous photographs of our natural environment. Teach your children that just sitting quietly and staring at these images is relaxing and a helpful focus exercise. rrp
Sandi Schwartz is a freelance journalist and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness, and environmental issues. You can find her at www.ecohappinessproject.com.
Girl Scouts from around the United States and Girl Guides from Canada worked together on a unique challenge: a virtual Girl Scout-themed scavenger hunt! Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia (GSHG) hosted the fifth annual QuestFest, a weekend of fun adventures, challenges, and entertainment July 24-25.
Girl Scouts joined the “Quest” – a scavenger hunt of epic proportion – from their own homes. Girls joined a competitive or non-competitive team, with the competitive teams vying for cash prizes. Teams set out in search of an experience, rather than an item. Using smartphones and other devices, teams chose from a list of challenges, and submitted photos or videos via the unique QuestFest app as evidence of their accomplishments. Teams collaborated over video conferences and group texts, and then GSHG held a virtual opening ceremony July 24 to kick off the event, and a virtual closing ceremony July 25 to announce the QuestFest winners, plus a special virtual concert from pop singer/songwriter Kristina Lachaga, “The Girl With the Big Pink Heart.”
Troop 9015 in Montgomery formed a QuestFest team to earn cash to build bird feeders to donate to nursing homes, make birthday bags for foster kids, and to donate to local food banks! The girls competed against teams from across the country and even the world.
Parents and troop leaders had great things to say about virtual QuestFest 2020:
“We never laughed so hard. We had a blast!”
Girl Scouts are invited to join GSHG in Savannah, the home of Girl Scouting, or virtually for the sixth annual QuestFest in July 2022. For more info, visit www.gsquestfest.org.
Dance Generation Competes in Auburn
Students from Montgomery’s Dance Generation recently competed in the Inspire National Dance Competi-tion held in Auburn. Dancers brought home 2 high golds and 13 platinum awards. First overall, 2nd overall, 3rd overall and 5th overall, personality, precision, best costume awards were also won by the dancers. Dance Generation is under the direction of Shawn Ransom Parker.
Lowndes County Dancer Wins Big at Competition
Harper Johnson, age 8, was recently named the National Champion Soloist of the Petite division for Masquerade National Dance Competition in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Harper is the daughter of Judge Adrian Johnson and Mandy Johnson of Lowndes County, Alabama. She is a dance student at Mann Dance Studio in Prattville, Alabama, where she dances as a member of their Company Dance Team. Harper competed her jazz solo against other dances from many different states throughout the Country, with over 150 entries. Studio owners and choreographers Stephanie Anderson, Molli Rich, and MaKayla Anderson are so very proud of Harper’s win and look forward to coaching and watching Harper for many years to come.
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.
Monday, August 2
Kids Club Online Craft Classes -- Other projects available August 4, 6 & 7
4 p.m. For more info or to sign up, visit https://www. michaels.com/onlineclasses.
Tuesday, August 3
Millbrook Farmers Market -- Tuesdays Through August 17
7 a.m.-noon. Village Green, corner of Grandview Road 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) 625-4900 or visit www.montgomeryzoo.com/.
Wednesday, August 4
Military Wednesday at the Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game -- Also Aug. 18 & Sept. 1
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.
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.
The Summer Edit
5-7 p.m. Shoppes at EastChase. Join us for this event formerly known as Sip + Stroll near Buffalo’s Cafe. Enjoy: live music by Michael Gaby, exclusive shopping pass with deals from your favorite retailers, and a pop-up by Martha & Mabel jewelry. The first 50 shoppers that arrive and check in on social media will receive an EastChase goodie bag filled with special deals and merchandise! For more info, find us on Facebook.
Adult FUNdamentals Cooking Class -- Monthly
6-8 p.m. Elmore County Extension Office. Learn the basics of cooking. For adults only, this monthly series will teach proper measuring, knife techniques, cooking terminology, kitchen equipment and more. Call (334) 567-6301 to reserve your spot. Space is extremely limited, so call soon. Cost is $10 per class. August class prepayment is due by August 2.
BirminghamJefferson Civic Center Presents Blippi the Musical
6 p.m. This show is catered to ages 2 to 6 but as an action-packed live stage show, Blippi The Musical is enjoyable for the whole family! A typical performance is around 80 minutes (including one 20-minute intermission). For more info, visit https://blippithemusical.com/ or www.bjcc.org/.
MPAC Presents The Junkyard -- Also September 9
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.
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.
Friday, August 6
Giveaway Night at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game
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.
Friday on the Green -- Also Aug. 13, 20 & 27; Sept. 3 & 10
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.
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, August 7
MAX Fireworks at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game -- Also Aug. 21 & Sept. 4
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.
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.
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 through 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.
Family Farm Fun Day
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Union Station Train Shed. Bring the family and enjoy tractordrawn hay ride, petting zoo, face painting, farmers market, artisan market, live entertainment, antique tractor show and food trucks. t’s all part of celebrating the centennial of the Alabama Farmers Federation! After the Family Farm Fun Day, head into the Farm & Land Expo Trade Show from 1-5 p.m. in Montgomery Convention Center. Displays feature farm equipment, trucks, ag lenders and other exhibits of interest to farmers, landowners and rural residents. More info on Facebook.
Sunday, August 8
Lil’ Crumbs Kids Club & Bark in the Park at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game -- Also Aug. 22 & Sept. 5
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.
Art Talk & Tea with Warren Simons
2-4 p.m., Pike Road Arts Center. Tea and refreshments will be provided by Epicurean Delights. Seating is limited, and registration is required. E-mail patty@pikeroad.us to learn more or register.
Monday, August 9
Cloverdale Playhouse Presents Advanced Improv Workshop -- Mondays & Thursdays through Sept. 16 (no class Aug. 16 or Sept. 6)
Advanced Improv focuses on advanced structures and audience interaction and works toward a public performance. In order to enroll, participants must have either taken the Intro Improv Workshop or must audition. (To schedule an audition, e-mail scott. grinstead@cloverdaleplayhouse.org.) Registration is $50. Call (334) 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org/ for more info.
Bell Road YMCA Bake Sale
7 a.m.-until it’s gone! Yummy cookies, cupcakes, homemade bread and more! Together, we can help the people in our community reach their full potential. Like to bake? Donations are welcome. For more info, call (334) 271-4343 or mpeake@ymcamontgomery.org.
Thursday, August 12
MPAC Presents Sara Evans
8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Multi-platinum entertainer Sara Evans is the fifth most-played female artist at country radio in nearly the last two decades—her five No. 1 singles include “No Place That Far,” “Suds in the Bucket, “A Real Fine Place to Start,” “Born to Fly,” and “A Little Bit Stronger.” Tickets begin at $27. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline.org/events/ or call (334) 481-5100.
Friday, August 13
MPAC Presents Lorrie Morgan and Jesse Keith Whitley
8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Lorrie Morgan, the first woman in her genre to begin her career with three consecutive Platinum albums, re-emerges with Letting Go….Slow. It is a collection that showcases a rainbow of emotions, from darkest heartache to bright, shiny humor. Tickets begin at $23. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline.org/ events/ or call (334) 481-5100.
Outdoor Movie Night at The Waters - Jumanji: The Next Level
7:30 p.m. (or dusk). The Waters Town Square in Pike Road. Visit https://thewatersal. com/2021eventschedule/.
Saturday, August 14
Magical Creatures Education Program at the Montgomery Zoo
10 a.m.-Noon-. Meet some of the magical animals that are featured in the movies like Harry Potter and The Hobbit. You will get a chance to meet animals up close, learn about them in their habitats, and take home some special prizes. Advanced reservations required. All participants must be registered no later than Aug. 13 @ noon. For more info, call (334) 625-4900 or visit www.montgomeryzoo.com/.
Pike Road Quilters’ Quilt Show Begins
10 a.m.-noon. Pike Road Arts Center. For more info, call (334) 272-9883 or e-mail info@pikeroad.us. You can also access our online calendar at www. pikeroad.us.
8th Annual River Jam Music Fest w/ Martina McBride
7 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. With special guest The Wilson Brothers Band. Gates open at 5 p.m. Onsite vendors and cash bar. Security checkpoints at all entrances. Sponsored by Bama Budweiser, Embassy Suites and Bluewater Broadcasting. For more info, visit www.funinmontgomery.com or call (334) 625-2300.
Sunday, August 15
Military Appreciation Day
Noon-5 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Saluting those that serve, the MMFA is making free art kits available for military families who visit on Military Appreciation Day. Each kit will contain materials to create an American flag sculpture and an agamograph. Kits will be available at both the main and Sculpture Garden entrances. No registration necessary, kits available while supplies last. Call (334) 625-4333 or e-mail info@mmfa.org.
Café Pop Up: Fall Harvest
2-3 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Nick and Davena, owners and operators of Montgomery Super Suppers and On A Roll, will be hosting free cooking demonstrations and tastings in the Rotunda. Call (334) 625-4333 or e-mail info@mmfa.org.
Thursday, August 19
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. In-person lectures are held in the ADAH’s Joseph M. Farley Alabama Power Auditorium. They are also livestreamed through the ADAH’s social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). Visit www.archives.alabama. gov for more info about upcoming programs. Today’s topic is “Julia Tutwiler’s Life of Service,” presented by Paul Pruitt.
T-Shirt Giveaway at the Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game
6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. The first 1,000 fans 15 & older through the gates will go home with a T-shirt presented by different sponsors each week. For more info, visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483.
Friday, August 20
MPAC Presents Easton Corbin
8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Corbin’s distinctive baritone has been gracing airwaves for the past decade as his chart-topping debut single “A Little More Country Than That” established him as a mainstay on the country charts. Another No. 1 hit is the feel-good “Roll With It.” Tickets begin at $32. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline.org/events/ or call (334) 481-5100.
Celebrating Classic Movie Princesses at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game
6:35 p.m. Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium. Grab your tiara and hop in your carriage to join us for Princess Night! For more info, visit https://www.milb.com/ montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483.
4th Annual Clay for Kids Fundraiser
Lower Wetumpka Shotgun Sports Club in Montgomery. 8 a.m. registration with shoot beginning at 9 a.m. A second clay shoot will begin at 1 p.m. with check-in/registration at noon. Lunch will be provided by Coaches Corner. This fundraiser will support child abuse victims in both Autauga and Elmore county offices. There are still opportunities for teams and sponsorships so if anyone is interested they can visit Clay4Kids.swell.gives or call (334) 356-3632 (Prattville) or (334) 478-4094 (Wetumpka).
Buckmasters Expo 2021 -- Through August 22
3-8 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, 201 Tallapoosa Street. Admission is free upon a donation of one canned food item. Once inside, there are rows of vendors, a country concert, and zones for the kids. For more info, call (800) 240-3337 or visit buckmasters. com/resources/expo.
Saturday, August 21
Midtown YMCA Tailgate BBQ Cookoff
3455 Carter Hill Road. Bring the family out for food, music and games! Better yet, bring your own grill and register to enter the cookoff. Also included are a cornhole competition, kickball and kids’ play zone. Cost: $7 per person. For more info, call (334) 262-6411 or visit https://ymcamontgomery.org/ special-events/.
Free Community COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic (Second Dose)
9 a.m.-noon. Murdock Chapel AME Church, 450 Antioch Lane, Pike Road. For more info, call (334) 272-9883 or e-mail info@pikeroad.us. You can also access our online calendar at www.pikeroad.us.
Telling Our Stories
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Alabama Dept. of Archives & History. The goal of this one-day event is to encourage rural communities to establish, and sustain, their own newspapers and storytelling outlets. It’s all free and open to the public! For more info, find us on Facebook.
Tuesday, August 24
MPAC Presents Steve Earle and The Dukes with Los Lobos
7:30 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Over the course of 20 studio albums, Earle has distinguished himself as a master storyteller, and his songs have been recorded by a vast array of artists, including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, the Pretenders, and more. Each year, Earle organizes a benefit concert for the Keswell School, which his son John Henry attends and which provides educational programs for children and young adults with autism. Tickets begin at $37. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline.org/events/ or call (334) 481-5100.
Stepping Up for Families in 2021: A Virtual Event
6:30 p.m. Benefits Family Guidance Center of Alabama. This evening will include valuable prizes from local merchants and 3 cash drawings. Merchant prizes will be purchased by FGC to give away to show our support for the business community and to promote business for local merchants during the pandemic. Tickets are $100 each and only 500 tickets are sold. For more info or tickets, call (334) 270-4100 ext. 254 or (800) 499-6597 ext. 254.
Thursday, August 26
Alabama Nature Center Presents Early Explorers: Camouflage
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, August 28
Big Cat Fishing Tournament
7-11:45 a.m. Come compete for the top catch each hour at the Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook! Anglers must be between the ages of 6 and 15 to be eligible for this tournament. Closed to the first 50 registrants. Anglers must attend mandatory meeting Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at the NaturePlex facility. You will not be permitted to fish if you do not attend the mandatory meeting. For more info, visit www. alabamawildlife.org/ or call (334) 285-4550.
Hog Days of Summer BBQ & Music Festival
1 p.m. Union Station Train Shed, 300 Water St. Join us for great music from our lineup of bands, award winning BBQ from BBQ creators from around the Southeast, activities for the whole family. Proceeds go towards Hogs for the Cause and fighting pediatric cancer. For more info, visit www.funinmontgomery.com or call (334) 625-2300.
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. For more info, call (334) 625-4900 or visit www.montgomeryzoo.com/.
Friday, September 3
MPAC Presents Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
7:30 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit will present a finely calibrated set of 10 songs from their new album, The Nashville Sound. Tickets begin at $50. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline.org/events/ or call (334) 481-5100.
Sunday, September 5
Labor Day Concert
6-10:30 p.m. The AMP on Lake Martin, Eclectic. This year our headliner is still in the works, but Lake Martin’s favorite cover band, The Bank Walkers, will kick the night off. For more info, visit http://theamponlakemartin.com/ or call (256) 397-1019.
Please send calendar info to editor@riverregionparents.com.
Donna Hughes
RRP: As a seasoned mom of twins, Haley and Hannah, who have started their lives out in the world, how has your role as a mom of adult women changed from when they were younger?
Donna: I now enjoy that we can be friends! They still come to me for advice about recipes, life, etc., but for the most part, they are on their own. They will always be my little girls, but I now enjoy the friend relationship we share as mom and daughters.
RRP: Having your youngest child, Olivia, start her senior year of high school this year, how will you handle becoming an empty nester when she goes off to college?
Donna: I will miss the activities, friends, and fun with Olivia. But when she moves on to college, my husband Scott and I can visit all of our children and family more. We can also enjoy each other and more time alone together.
RRP: Understandably, when teens begin the journey to make their mark on the world, not only can it be somewhat unnerving for them, but also for their parents. What advice did you give your daughters to prepare them for their college careers?
Donna: I tell them, “Do your very best to be you. Don’t worry about conforming to what others do and say. Remembering who you are and where you came from is the most important thing.” RRP: How did you balance being a working mom while being a constant presence in the lives of your daughters while they were growing up?
Donna: I was always fortunate to have jobs that allowed me the flexibility to attend most activities. I did not attend every class party, field trip, volleyball game, etc., but I did not miss much. My husband was also very active in the girls’ day to day lives.
RRP: You are in what most people call the sandwich generation, caring for your children and also your mother needing assistance. What advice do you have for other moms who might be approaching the same situation?
Donna: Take the time to enjoy them all because, all too soon, the time will pass. As the children need you less, focus that care to your parents. But always find time to care for yourself, too.
RRP: All moms parent differently. Did you ever find yourself raising your daughters similar to or opposite from how your mom raised you, and why?
Donna: I find that many of my ways of raising my children were similar to that of my mom. We both had full-time jobs and raised our families with supportive spouses. I have also found a more open relationship with my daughters, due to the changing of the times. I am fortunate that my husband and I both came from families that instilled strong core values.
RRP: In having a generous age gap between the twins and Olivia, what lessons did you learn that changed your later parenting years?
Donna: I realized I had been too concerned about how others were raising their children, with trying to keep up with everyone, and with how others’ lives looked so easy. I finally realized we could just be us. We are all unique, and Olivia is unique. I was definitely more laid back with her and less focused on what others thought.
RRP: How does it make you feel knowing that you have impacted your children to get where they are today?
Donna: It feels good to know Scott and I have given them a good foundation with Christian values. I look forward to watching them grow into adults. I am very proud of all of them.
RRP: Is there advice you would like to share with younger moms beginning their parenting journey?
Donna: Try not to focus on what others are doing. Focus on and enjoy your own unique family. Each child is different. Embrace each one of them.
