Wiregrass Parents June 2022 Newcomers Special Edition by KeepSharing

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You Hold The Key To Protect With 3! Tdap

HPV

MCV4

As parents, it is up to you to ensure your children remain up to date with their vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) recommend the following vaccines for adolescents: • Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis • Human papillomavirus • Meningococcal disease • Influenza

Protect your children against vaccine preventable diseases. Vaccine:

7-10 Years

11-12 Years

13-18 Years

Tdap

Childhood Catch-up

Recommended

Catch-up

HPV

>9 Years

Recommended

Catch-up

MCV4

High Risk

Recommended

Flu

Recommended

For more information, please visit alabamapublichealth.gov/imm

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June2022 16 4

2022 2021

Volume 4 Number 10

Columns 2

From the Publisher Ashton Wright

Finding Your Tribe

The importance of connecting with other adults and how to start.

Newcomers Guide

Our top picks to help your family connect with the community.

The Early Years Kishia Saffold

Kids Health Watch

by Dothan Pediatric Healthcare Network

24 Tweens, Teens and

Screens

Kristi Bush, LSW

Before They Head to College This Fall

Teens & Screens

10 things your child needs to know.

The dangers of always trying to capture the “perfect picture”.

Departments 5

Teacher of the Month

On The Cover The Sebright family lives in Dothan. David Sebright (dad) is a subsea engineer. Christina (mom) is a nurse. They have two children, Olivia (12) and Meredith (6).

Bits & Pieces 9

School Bits 26

Mom to Mom

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FromThePublisher The Area’s Go-To Resource for Families

Last month, I got a call from the school nurse that Alexis had gotten a splinter in her hand and was having a hard time dealing with it. I didn’t think much of it, at first, and agreed with the nurse to put a bandage over it and send her back to class, but then I actually spoke to Alexis on the phone. She was inconsolable. So much so that I couldn’t understand a word she said. I looked at her dad, who was sitting right next to me at the time, and decided right then that the school day was over. The entire drive to the school I questioned whether I was overreacting to the situation, even though I knew in my gut that she was too upset for a simple splinter. When we got her home and were able to examine her hand more closely, we discovered not one but five deeply-embedded splinters. Apparently, she had put her hand in a sticker patch. It was puffy and red, and I know it had to hurt. In the end, we were able to get them all out with minimal tears, and then we treated her to lunch at her favorite restaurant. It’s moments like those, when I know I’ve made the right decision, that make me feel like I’m succeeding at this motherhood thing. Alexis’s mental health in that moment mattered more than an afternoon spent in a classroom. I wish I could say being a parent comes that easily to me all the time, but the truth is that it doesn’t. It’s something I have to work at every single day. Like it or not, motherhood is messy and difficult and stressful and exhausting. Don’t get me wrong. It’s also rewarding and fulfilling and amazing. But it’s definitely a journey, full of ups and downs, curves and detours, and so many bumps. One thing I am grateful for is the community that surrounds me. The Wiregrass is a wonderful place to call home, and this month we’re shining the spotlight on all the things that make our area such a great place to raise a family. In our annual Family Newcomer’s Guide, you’ll find our top picks of Where to Eat, Grow, Learn, and Play. Before I started publishing this magazine, I heard from so many parents about the lack of things to do here. While that’s not really true, it is difficult to find those things, and that was the main goal behind starting Wiregrass Parents. I wanted to give local moms and dads like you an easy-to-use resource that you can hold in your hands to help you connect with family activities, products and services, and expert advice like this month’s features: The Importance of Finding Your Tribe and 10 Things Kids Should Know Before Heading to College This Fall. For all you newcomers out there, welcome to the Wiregrass! I think you’ll find there’s no place else quite like it, and I hope you’ll quickly grow to think of it as home sweet home.

Ashton

Publisher Ashton Wright ashton@wiregrassparents.com (334) 714-7831 Editor DeAnne Watson editor@wiregrassparents.com Contributing Writers Kristi Bush, LSW Jacob Edwards, MD Sarah Lyons Kerrie McLoughlin Kishia Saffold Cover Photography Erica Hartzog www.ericahartzogphotography.com

President Jason Watson Advertising Sales Ashton Wright ads@wiregrassparents.com (334) 714-7831 Ad Design Tim Welch

Visit us at www.wiregrassparents.com Wiregrass Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: PO Box 1882, Dothan AL 36302. The phone number for voice is (334) 714-7831. Wiregrass Parents is copyrighted 2022 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Wiregrass 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.

ashton@wiregrassparents.com

Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

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

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Living Well with Valerie Are You a Fun Mom? Summers can be a challenging time for Moms! Keeping kids active, not on their phone, keeping them fed. It doesn’t matter if you are a working mom or a stay-at-home mom, summers can be hard. I asked my boys, now 19 and 21, what they liked most about summers. My youngest said, “I hated summers.” Ouch. That hurt . “Tell me more,” I asked. He replied, “You always made me get up. I had to work. You were in a bad mood.” Okay, yes. I own that one. I wasn’t exactly the ‘fun mom’ I wanted so desperately to be. I think that came from fear. I was so afraid of what could happen. Afraid of not being perfect. Afraid that I wasn’t getting this mothering thing right. If I could somehow be magically swept back in time to those teenage summers, here are the things I would do differently. Relax Find ways to let go of the anxiety. For me, that is through counseling, meditation and prayer.

Ask for help That can be from family members, neighbors, babysitters. Get your help lined up. Ask for help! Grace Offer yourself more grace than you know is possible. You are not perfect. You won’t get everything right, but just showing up and being there for your kids, even in the most imperfect way, is the best gift you can give them. So yeah, our summers weren’t the most jovial during those teen years. I didn’t exactly get the

award for ‘Fun Mom’ I was hoping for. But my oldest is working for a vet in Auburn, getting his application ready for vet school, and entering into his senior year at Auburn this fall. Meanwhile my youngest is taking off to Colorado to work as a zip line guide before starting his sophomore year. I am grateful God gave them both the brains to finish this last semester with 4.0 GPAs. I’ll take that. Maybe I didn’t have to be the “Fun Mom” after all.

Valerie Thompson is a health coach, yoga instructor, meditator, breath instructor, and mom of two grown boys.

Book a Consultation valerieshealthandwellness.com | 334.790.1569 3

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TheEarlyYears Childcare Insights from Kishia Saffold

Setting Them Up for Success Learning happens in unexpected ways sometimes. There are so many opportunities for children to learn and grow. Sometimes we hyper focus on learning in a specific manner or we’re so distracted that we forget the world around us is a classroom to a child. One day recently, I was in the 3-yearold classroom waiting for breakfast to be served. It had rained every day that week, so the kids couldn’t go outside, and they were burning up with cabin fever. One day the room felt extra stuffy, so we put in a repair ticket. When the air conditioner repair servicemen came, the kids were super fascinated with the men in their bright orange shirts with lights strapped to their heads while standing on ladders and waving the strange thermometer-looking device under the air vent and lifting ceiling tiles. As parents, our first and number one job to our children is to teach them and keep them safe. We delegate so much of that re-

Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

sponsibility to the “teach” component - to the schools and to our children’s teachers. As the owner of a childcare center, I see teachers and parents struggling. The truth of the matter is we’re all tired, frustrated, stressed, and overwhelmed. Statements like “You should have” and “I don’t know why you did this or didn’t do that” sucks all the energy out of the room and leaves both parties frustrated. We’ve been in survival mode for so long. Our children were thrown out of their normal routines, and the babies born during the pandemic may have never truly established a regular routine. Teaching our kids to become independent is one of the biggest lessons and blessings we can give to our children. Children are in training for life here. The teachers at school cannot do everything for 20 kids. Learning to button their pants and put on their shoes is an important part of develop-

ment and a great way to build self-esteem. Part of potty training means teaching your child to wipe themselves and knowing that accidents are part of the learning process. We baby our kids because they are our babies, but we’re not doing them any favors. Life is not fair, it’s not easy, and it’s not all about one child. Don’t set them up for failure by teaching them it is and sending them out into this world. Let’s do our best to send them out with the skills they need to be successful and feel equipped and confident!

Kishia Saffold is the owner of Kiddie Care Learning Center in Dothan and Enterprise. She has a Masters of Business Administration from Troy University and a B.A. in Communication from Alabama State University. She is a wife to Jeffery and mother to daughter, Kiera.

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Elizabeth Hunt The Carver School for Mathematics, Science and Technology

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Hunt says she’s already experienced many favorite moments. One that stands out is “whenever I had a student tell me that I ‘turned his brain on’. That was pretty great.” She says her students have taught her the magic of a kind word. “Whenever I am not having a good day, and I see one of my students coming down the hall, and they stop and smile and give me a hug, it makes my day better.” Hunt says she wants to help her students succeed in all avenues of life. She says it’s very rewarding when they apply what they’ve learned in her classroom to life outside of it. “I hope that my students gain confidence in their own abilities, not just academically, but how they present themselves to others. I want them to know that it matters how we treat ourselves and others. Also, I want them to know I am here for them and am always on their side, even if they are not in my classroom.”

First-year teacher, Elizabeth Hunt, is wrapping up the 2021-22 school year with honors. She was nominated and selected as the Wiregrass Parents Teacher of the Month for June. Alesha Flatt, who nominated Hunt, says she is an amazing teacher. “She (Hunt) takes the time to help her students while making things fun,” Flatt says. “She has also taken the time to attend various activities that the students are in outside of school. My son has thoroughly enjoyed being in her class this year!” “It means the world to me to have a parent nominate me,” Hunt says. “I want to be a part of my students’ lives, and parents are a big part of that. It gives me confidence that I am doing something right!” Hunt teaches third grade math, science, and social studies at The Carver School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology in Dothan. “I was working in accounting for a great company but felt like I was missing something in my life,” Hunt says. “I did a self evaluation, and after a lot of prayer and guidance from the Lord, I felt called to work with kids. I knew being a teacher would be a great avenue for me to do that.”

Elizabeth Hunt received her Masters in Elementary Education from Troy University. She teaches third grade math, science, and social studies at The Carver School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology. She has a beagle named Lewis.

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B Thursday, June 30, 4:0010:00 p.m. Festival Fields on Ft. Rucker (334) 255-1749 The Wiregrass is invited to Fort Rucker’s Festival Fields for an evening of celebration, food, activities, and fun! An annual tradition for over 20,000 people in the Wiregrass, this is the party of all parties and no party is complete without fireworks; one of the largest displays in the area. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Visit the kids’ zone with inflatables and rides, while enjoying a variety of local and regional vendors and displays. The Army’s MCoE Detachment Band will accompany the celebration with musical entertainment throughout the evening with a patriotic concert. Admission to the event is FREE and open to the public. No glass, coolers, backpacks, or pets are permitted.

www.dhcls.org June 7: The Doc Magic: Fun Time Variety Show (Main) - The Doc Magic Fun Time Variety Show is a highenergy magical show with balloons that promotes fun in the library and encourages crowd participation. June 8: Professor Wizz Pop: Commotion in the Ocean (Westgate) - There are giggles galore, madcap magic, and plenty of barnacled books as Professor Whizzpop encourages eager readers to READ! Come meet the world’s only acrobatic goldfish, mis-make a mermaid and narrowly avoid becoming a shark snack ... we will even shoot a real-life pirate out of a real-life cannon! It’s guaranteed to amaze, amuse, engage and enthuse the audience! June 15: Animal Tales: Animal Science (Main) - The Animal Science program, presented by Animal Tales, will introduce and explore the topic of animal classifications. Participants will meet and learn about a member of each of the following animal types: bird, reptile, amphibian, mammal, invertebrate, and maybe even a fish! Shows are designed for school-aged kids (5-12) and will begin promptly at 11:30 AM. Registration is not required, but space will be limited. Please arrive prior to the start time to get a spot. Once our room has reached capacity, we will not allow any more entries.

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Arty Pants on Toddler Tuesdays

Tuesdays in June, 10:00 a.m. Wiregrass Museum of Art 126 Museum Ave., Dothan Ages 18 months-4 years Cost: Members $65, Non-Members $75 www.wiregrassmuseum.org Your little one will enjoy creating art in different ways in these special hands classes designed for parents and toddlers. Using your powerful imagination, each day we will explore a new book and medium to create your very own messterpieces! Projects are designed to help develop fine motor and observational skills all while fostering a love for books and reading! Be on the lookout for the Arty Pants series each quarter at WMA!

Honey Extraction at Landmark Park

Saturday, June 5, 10 a.m. Landmark Park 430 Landmark Drive Admission: Adults $5, Kids $4 landmarkparkdothan.com Learn all about bees and the important role they play in our lives. The workshop is hosted by the Wiregrass Beekeepers and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Guests will have a chance to watch as honey from local hives is uncapped by hand, extracted from the comb and bottled. Honey will be on sale at the event and at Landmark Park while supplies last. Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

Freedom Fest

Dothan-Houston Co. Library Summer Reading Programs

Fourth of July Popper Kits

Monday, June 27 Dothan-Houston Co. Library All Locations www.dhcls.org Get ready to celebrate the 4th with our DIY confetti poppers. Each kit will contain everything needed to make your own popper. Adult supervision is suggested. Available at all locations, while supplies last. Staff reserves the right to limit the amount given out at any time. 6

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Fireworks at the Fairgrounds

Saturday, July 2, 5:00-9:30 p.m. National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds www.nationalpeanutfestival.com Celebrate our nation’s independence while supporting the Wiregrass United Way. There will be free watermelon, ice cream, and peanut samples, kids games, inflatables and train rides, live music, displays, car show, arts and crafts, and vendors. The fireworks show will begin at 9:00 p.m. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. Admission to the event is free, but they are asking for a $10 parking donation to benefit the United Way.

Books, Balls, and Blocks

Tuesday, June 21, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Dothan-Houston Co. Library - Main 445 N. Oates Street www.dhcls.org Books, Balls, and Blocks is a free event held for children and their families. The purpose of the event is to screen children for developmental delays in the first 5 years of life. The event is fun, educational, and exciting! While children engage in games and activities at different stations, parents learn how these interactions help stimulate their child’s healthy development. While the children are playing, parents complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). On-site, there will be professionals to score the ASQ-3 who will then share the results with the parents to learn if his or her child’s development. Parents will be given resources concerning their child’s development and fun activities that they can do with their child! Free community resources will also be available at the event.

Watermelon Tasting

Saturday, July 9, 10:00 a.m. Landmark Park, 430 Landmark Dr., Dothan Admission: Adults $5, Kids $4 www.landmarkparkdothan.com Celebrate National Watermelon Month with Landmark Park during our Watermelon Harvest and Sampling on July 19 at 10 a.m. The Watermelon Sampling is free with paid gate admission. Special thanks to the Wiregrass Master Gardeners for coordinating this event each year. Watermelon is a favorite summertime fruit throughout the South.Visit www. alwatermelon.org for more info on watermelons.

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Estate planning is one of the most valuable things you can do to protect your family. An estate plan allows you to choose who will care for your minor children in the event of the unthinkable and prepares your family for the unexpected. Contact Cranford Marshall Legal, LLC today to begin to talk about how to protect your family.

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In accordance with the Alabama State Bar requirements, ‘”No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Dothan Pediatric Healthcare Network

No More Pediatric Medicine, Now What? Mom and dad, you’ve been making appointments with the pediatrician for years – 18 of them – and suddenly, it’s time to transition your child from pediatric medicine to adult medicine! This transition has proven to be a challenge for parents and patients alike. The parent can no longer make the appointments and request medical information for the young adult and the young adult has never had to make his/her own appointments or track their own medical information, so now what? I treat young adults ages 18 through 24 at Dothan Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic to help make the transition to adult medicine easier for parents and patients. Dothan Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic is part of the Dothan Pediatric Healthcare Network of clinics. My team and I work alongside parents to help teach their young adult how to make their own appointments, how to know what insurance coverage they have, how to

interpret what the doctor is saying, and how to feel comfortable asking their own questions. So, at age 24 when the patient MUST transfer to an adult medicine provider, he/she is prepared and ready. Young Adult healthcare is much more than just going to the doctor. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has established comprehensive guidelines for the screening and assessment of important preventive health issues for young adults. In addition to treating sore throat, sinus infection, headache, nausea/vomiting, and the countless other acute symptoms that can jump upon a young adult, a confidential review of common concerns such as safety, substance abuse, sexual activity, self-esteem, and suicidal ideation stimulates open discussions and encourages a partnership with their doctor. The adolescent team of Dothan Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic can provide a sense of trust and security at a time when your child’s

needs for comprehensive services are greatest. It is our role to identify high-risk behaviors early, arrange for follow-up as indicated, and facilitate a smooth transition to an adultoriented physician at an appropriate time. Dothan Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic is located at 5565 Montgomery Highway on the corner of Montgomery Highway and John D. Odom Road (next to the state trooper’s office.) Appointments can be made by calling 334.699.3773. Dr. Jacob Edwards is a General Pediatrician licensed by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. In May 2017, Dothan Pediatric Healthcare Network welcomed Dr. Edwards as a physician at Enterprise Pediatric Clinic. In 2020, Dr. Edwards moved his practice to Dothan Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic to see both pediatric and young adult (ages 18-24) patients.

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Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

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Autauga County Schools

Dothan Tech Graphic Arts Headed to National Competition

Two Dothan Tech program teams will compete in SkillsUSA Nationals this summer after winning the state competition. Advancing to Atlanta are Graphic Arts students Dree Webb, Krisopher Parker, and Antonio Helms. The trio won the Community Service Competition for their Scout’s Alley project in Downtown Dothan. Television Media students Amir Drakes, Angelo Cooper, and Tucker Lee will also go on to compete in Atlanta for winning the Career Pathway Showcase competition. Each student was also awarded a $2,000 scholarship as well as a Lowe’s gift card. In addition to the State Champion titles, additional Dothan Tech students won in the following categories: Luca Grignano won the Silver Medal in the State Conference Booklet Cover Design, Mary Collins won the Silver Medal in the State Conference T-Shirt Design, and Ben Ayers won Silver Medal in the State Conference Pin Design. Asiya Ward, Jasmine Baldwin, and Melanee Moore won the Silver Medal in the Career Pathway Showcase competition, Makaylah Harvey and Ceona Arnold won the Bronze Medal in the Television Video Production competition and Jules Singley won the Bronze Medal in the Prepared Speech competition.

Carver 9th Students Design “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” Tropies

The House of Ruth asked Mrs. Anth’s Art classes to create heels for the “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes” event held April 30. The event raises awareness for women who have been impacted by sexual violence. Mrs. Anth handed out the awards to the winners. The trophies were designed by the students listed below: The Earth: Ashanti Lewis and Jacob Costelloe Super Hero: N’Kaisha Smith and Karmen Gibbs Fruit Blooms: Cristina Cruz and Sevyn Walker The Woods: Jayson Allen and Julius Roy Angel: Adriannah Horne, Morgan Perry, and Kaitlyn Lett Unicorn: Carson Sollie and Nala Werts Pretty in Pink: Antenna Dixon and Trystin Johns Luxury Bath: Emiyah Cauley and Ivyonce Campbell Awesome Job, Mrs. Anth and Art Students!

Carroll Student Wins State SkillsUSA Photography Contest

Carroll Student Wins State SkillsUSA Photography Contest Damon Case, a CTE Advertising Design student, won first place in the Photography category at the Alabama SkillsUSA State Conference Competition. Damon received a GOLD medal, a $2000 scholarship, a $100 Lowe’s gift certificate, and all the bragging rights! Mrs. Bolton and Mrs. Shawn both are very proud of all of their students who competed in the SkillsUSA State Competition!

Rucker Boulevard Recognizes Military Families

Rucker Boulevard Elementary School’s parade and ice cream social honoring military students and parents was a success! Thanks to all who participated and wore purple to honor these fantastic families! 9

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H Autauga County Schools

Headland High Names Top Seniors

Class of 2022 Honor Graduates Adams, Alexandrea - Armstrong, Kinley - Barr, Kristin - Bing, Ethan - Blackmon, Jayden - Choquette, Hudson - Dixon, Emma - Fuqua, Vanessa - Griffin, Eliot - Jenkins, Grant - Kirkland, Luci - Peters, Asher - Roberts, Meigs Shelley, Anais - Simpson, Gabby Taylor, Tanner - Vu, Alex - Woodham, Alex

Highlands 6th Graders Win Reading Competition

Read with Malcolm, the Youth Literacy Initiative of NFL Super Bowl Champion and Children’s Book Author Malcolm Mitchell has announced that Amy Jones’ Sixth Grade Class has won its 5th Annual READBowl Global Reading Competition and has been crowned the 2022 World Champions of Reading. Ms Jones “Block 3” read for more than 76,000 minutes to take home the title. The class edged out 57,000 other students from all 50 states and five countries. The Champions were greeted with a personal visit from Mitchell, as part of their prize package. Mitchell spoke to the students, offered them encouragement and hand delivered their championship certificates.

Rehobeth Elementary Sending 10 to National Beta Convention

Some of our Performing Arts-Group Betas have been selected to receive a GOLDEN TICKET to be Premiere Performing Vocalists at the National Beta Convention this summer in Nashville, Tenn.! We are so excited and can’t wait for June 30th to get here!

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Dothan Tech Education Students Volunteer at Older Americans Day

We had a busy day helping out SARCOA with Older American’s Day at the fairgrounds! There were 1,800 senior citizens registered for this event.The food vendor said that we would be serving 2,000 lunches for the day! Some of the things that we were able to help with were: helping the senior citizens load/unload from buses, distribute flyers and fans, help with raffle tickets and door prizes, prepare and serve lunch, play games and dance with senior citizens and then helped with cleanup! We are exhausted but look forward to doing it again next year! Thank you Mrs. Twyla Williams for inviting us to this event!

Enterprise High Band Marches at Universal

Congratulations to the Enterprise High School Big Blue Marching Band on their Stars Parade Performance In Universal Studios! Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

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Early County Football Player Signs with Point

Congrats to LJ Mckinnie on signing with Point University! Very deserving for a hard working and committed young man! We are so proud of him! www.wiregrassparents.com

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HA Names New Athletic Director

Houston Academy is thrilled to announce that Mr. Jerry Browning will become its new Athletic Director effective July 1, 2022. After a national search that included candidates from around the state and country, Mr. Browning was the overwhelming selection of the hiring committee. Jerry Browning is a graduate of Troy University and is a Certified Master Athletic Administrator through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. He has 30 years of experience as an Athletic Director at schools like Jackson Preparatory School (Mississippi), Hoover High School, and Saint James School in Montgomery. Joining Jerry at Houston Academy will be his wife Suzy Browning. Suzy has 20 years experience as an educator teaching preschool. Suzy will be joining Houston Academy next year teaching in the 3P program. Please join us in congratulating Jerry Browning on accepting his new role for the future of Houston Academy!

Ashford FBLA Attend Business Summit

Our FBLA students had the opportunity to attend Troy University Dothan’s Youth Business Summit. They competed in The Stock Market Game, Business Plan, and Social Media Marketing competitions. Students were able to network with over 200 local business students and attend several business seminars.

Send Your School News to: schoolnews@wiregrassparents.com.

Selma 6th Grader Caught Reading to Kindergarteners

This precious moment was caught at Carpool dismissal! Camari R. (6th Grade), thank you for showing kindness by reading to two kindergarteners when asked in carpool. You definitely ROCK!

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Autauga County Schools Heard Elementary Named Beta School of Merit

Dothan City Schools is proud to announce that Heard Elementary School is a 20212022 National Beta School of Merit. The school earned this recognition by offering National Beta to all eligible grades on their campus. National Junior Beta includes grades 4-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12. The National Beta School of Merit award is given to honor a club’s dedication and commitment to academic excellence. To achieve this prestigious honor, a school must include members from all eligible grade levels in their Beta club. This year, only 3,380 Beta Clubs across the country received this award.

Early Co. JROTC Student Honored

It is with great pride that the camp “CSS Chattahoochee” was once again allowed to honor a Jr. ROTC student at the Early County High School. He was chosen by the staff because he demonstrated the core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment during this school year. After submitting a paper on the topic “Why I Plan to Join the Military,” Cameron Troupe discussed his interviews with family members who also had served in the armed service. The school’s ROTC program will receive a donation from the Georgia Division of the SCV to help with their needs, Cameron will get a gift from the camp, a ribbon & medal, and a certificate. We are proud of this school and this student.

Dothan Teachers to Be Volunteer at KSE Field Day

We had a fun-filled day volunteering at Kelly Springs Elementary School with their Field Day! We even had some Career Prep students join us and they did an amazing job! A few of them are actually signing up for Education and Training next year! Thank you Kelly Springs for asking us to help!

Dothan Tech Graphics Arts Students Make Their Mark Downtown

These Dothan High School students have amazing talent, and they are making their mark on downtown Dothan in a BIG way! Have you seen that snake though??!! Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

Highlands Math Team Sweeps Tournament

On the morning of May 7, 16 students showed up at school early to compete in the Perennial Math Tournament. Schools from all over Alabama competed. Here are Highlands Elementary’s AMAZING results: In 3rd grade, Remington Siemens won 1st place and Jake Denton won 2nd place. Their team won 2nd place overall. In 4th grade, Ryder Nahrebne won 1st place and Egan Sullivan won 3rd place. Their team won 3rd place overall. In 5th grade, Phi Tran won 1st place and Jake Blevins won 2nd place. In 6th grade, Erin McKinley won 1st place, Tyler Evenhuis won 2nd place, and Ethan Pemberton won 3rd place. Their team won 1st place overall. We are so proud of these students who have dedicated a LOT of extra hours to practice. Also, a big thank you to the parents who have come later to school to pick the students up after practices and to bring them this morning (on Mother’s Day weekend!). All that hard work paid off!!

Dothan Early Ed. Parents Feed Staff

Thank you to our wonderful parents for providing the most delicious breakfast for our staff. We grazed all day long on these goodies! We appreciate you!!

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Abbeville Christian Beta Club Induction

Lead. Achieve. Succeed. The Junior and Senior Beta Club Induction ceremony was held May 4! Congratulations to these students! We are proud of you!

DCHS Color Guard Gear Up for Next Season

The Dale County High School Band of Warriors’ new color guard put in a day’s worth of hard work learning and perfecting tosses and getting ready for the NEW season! We cannot wait for a new season with the Band of Warriors!

Spend your summer with Landmark Park!

All “Tied” Up at Coppinville Jr. High Mr. Dow taught a quick class on “How to Tie a Tie” at break!

Family activities at 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in June and July beginning June 8. Register online at www.landmarkparkdothan.com 334-794-3452 13 www.facebook.com/wiregrassparents

Autauga County Schools Blakely Rotary Honors Outstanding Juniors

Carver 9th Band Ranks Superior at District

Band students from Carver 9th Grade Academy participated in the District Solo and Ensemble Festival held at Dauphin Junior High School in Enterprise. All 11 events performed received a Superior Rating. Congratulations to the following students (Bottom: L to R): Will Smith- Solo, Ensemble Jade Mitchell- Two Ensembles Emily Mitchell- Two Ensembles Mykiah Flowers- Ensemble Amire Harvey- Ensemble GG Whiting- Solo and three Ensembles Haisten Wiggins-Ensemble William McKinley- Ensemble Alex Brantley-Solo Gabryel Miatke-Ensemble Not pictured: Colby Goldston-Solo, Ensemble Wesley Hutto- Ensemble

The Blakely Rotary Club honored 21 outstanding juniors from Early County High School and Southwest Georgia Academy at the April 21st meeting. Chamber President Celia Bostwick shared the history of the Youth Leadership training program that currently uses the Youth Engaged in Leadership and Learning (YELL) curriculum. While this curriculum focuses on youth as leaders, it is ultimately about creating lasting social change. Each of the five four-hour training sessions considers how different personality types bring different ideas and gifts to the table to pinpoint, plan, and solve problems. The instructors for the YELL curriculum this year were Lori Gaston Haddock, Julia Houston, and Celia Bostwick.

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Carver 5th Graders Explore Florida Caverns

On April 26, our fifth-grade Lions visited the Florida Caverns State Park, in Marianna, Florida. Students got to tour a natural history museum which describes the geologic features of the caverns as well as the animals that make the park home! Students toured the famous caves and learned about all of the cool formations like stalactites and stalagmites!

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Carver 9th Plants Community Garden Dauphin Jr. High Assistant Principal Sticks It Out

Happy Earth Day from Carver 9th Grade Academy! Mrs. Evan’s class had a blast helping Coach Hart plant our community garden. Huge thank you to Coach for putting this together!

Please email news: schoolnews@wiregrassparents.com!

In sixth period at Dauphin, we had a “Sticky Situation.“ DJHS students taped Mr. Lane to the Gym wall. Thank you to all who participated in this fundraiser for the cheerleaders. And a big THANK YOU to Mr. Lane for being such a good sport. Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

Selma Street Named Beta School of Distinction

Congratulations to Selma Street Elementary School’s Junior Beta Chapter on receiving a 2021-22 National Beta School of Distinction banner honor! 14

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Coppinville Junior High 8th Grade Awards Day

We celebrated our 8th graders at their Awards Day 2022. Parents, teachers, and Mayor Cooper attended the ceremony for almost 150 student honorees. We are proud of all of our 8th graders’ accomplishments. Special honors went to Lawrence Bendebel, Principal’s Award; Malachi Stafford and Christel Culliver, B.F. Garth Award (pictured); Ashlee Owens, Dr. Patty Muller Choral Music Award; and Sydney Smith, William Cooper Band Award. Congratulations to all!

Miss Daleville Reads to Windham Students Thank you, Haley Jones, Miss Daleville 2022, for reading to our students during library classes!

ECES Students Experience Life in the Old West

After completing a unit in social studies on Western Expansion, Mrs. Baker’s classes at Early County Elementary School enjoyed constructing covered wagons, sitting by the campfire enjoying S’mores, panning for gold, and writing letters back home telling their families about their adventures. 15

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When my first child was born 13 years ago I was thrilled to be a mom and so in love with my son. My husband and I had decided that I would become a stay-at-home mom and I was looking forward to all the time I could spend with my son. After a few months of adjusting to becoming a mom, I started to feel lonely. I had given up my job, and while I was still head over heels in love with my boy, something vital felt missing.

Whether you are a working mom or stay at home, have one child or five children, whether you are struggling through the exhausting days and sleepless nights of babies and toddlers or the busy schedules of school age kids, you need a tribe. Many moms define their tribe as other women who understand where they are in life without having to explain a single thing. They get you, they accept you, and they cheer you on as you struggle your way through it. If you are feeling lonely and are seeking a friend, or two, to laugh and cry with through your current stage of motherhood, I encourage you to find your tribe.

I realized quickly that it was...

Adult Interaction!

Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

Here are a few places to start. 16

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Be open and accepting

and from school, helped with childcare, sent flowers and cards, and basically kept my family going when my husband and I couldn’t have done it on our own. They would not have known how to help if I hadn’t reached out to them and asked. Asking for help can be hard for people who are used to managing the family and are good at it too, but remember that during difficult times friends want to help. Just ask. Conversely, it can be such a blessing to help others when they need it. Giving a ride to school, making a little extra food to share, sending a text, or talking with a friend when they need a listening ear doesn’t take much extra effort while going a long way to build your tribe. Finding your tribe can mean pushing yourself to step outside your comfort zone and reach out to others. While it is difficult to do at first, once you find a group of friends that understand and support you, it is well worth the time and effort put in to build and strengthen those relationships.

The first step to finding authentic people that you can relate to and build lasting relationships with is to be your authentic self. When you are an open, honest, and accepting person, you will encourage others to behave the same. Be yourself, listen to what others have to say, accept others for who they are, and relationships will happen organically. It can be uncomfortable, scary even, to put yourself out there but the relationships far outweigh the risk when you find true friends.

Common interests

There are times where finding people to start friendships with can be challenging. Especially when you have a big life change like a move, becoming a parent, or changing jobs. Take inventory of what you love to do or what groups are already existing that you could join. For example, if you love running, join a running club. If you love to read, join or start a book club. If you are a mom, join a playgroup or a mother’s group at a local church. Does the PTO at your school need help? Would you consider being a soccer coach or Boy Scout leader? All of these examples are great ways to get involved in your community and make friends along the way. After the birth of our triplets, I joined an online group of triplet moms. Four years later, I am surprised to say that they are some of my closest friends and one of my biggest support systems.

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer and contributes articles to numerous parenting publications.

Give support and ask for it

One of the main things that makes a tribe so important is the support given and received during the times when it is needed most. When my daughter was hospitalized for several weeks, my mother’s group supplied meals, gave my other kids rides to

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HOTS Deli 180 Westgate Pkwy Dothan, AL 36303 Thursday: Free Kids Meal 5-8 p.m.

2022 2021

(334) 671-5550

IHOP 3407 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36303 Daily 4-9 p.m. Free kids meal with adult entree. (334) 794-5712

Jersey Mike’s Subs 104 Rock Bridge Rd., Suite 3 Dothan, AL 36303 Sunday, One free kids combo with the purchase of each adult combo. (334) 446-6524

Mellow Mushroom 1110 Boll Weevil Cir. Enterprise, AL 36330 Thursday: Up to 2 free kids meals with purchase of large specialty pizza. (334) 308-1711

Moe’s Southwest Grill 4521 Montgomery Hwy. Dothan, AL 36303 Sunday: Free Kids Meal 3pm-close (334) 671-2808

Where to Eat

Kids Eat Free

Kids Eat Almost Free

Bojangles All Wiregrass Locations Wednesday 5-7 p.m. Free kids meal with purchase of adult meal.

Applebee’s All Wiregrass Locations Tuesday: 99-cent Kids Meal Beef ‘O’ Brady’s All Wiregrass Locations Tuesdays $1.99 Kids Meals Chuck E. Cheese 1001 Commons Dr. Dothan, AL 36303 Two for Tuesdays: 2 Large 1-Topping Pizzas $22. All-You-Can-Play Wednesdays. Military Discounts.

Cactus Flower Cafe 5412 Montgomery Hwy. Dothan, AL 36303 Daily (334) 984-0717

Captain D’s All Wiregrass Locations Thursday: Free Kids Meal

(334) 702-2305

Chili’s 3083 Montgomery Hwy. Dothan, AL 36303 Tuesday, Kids of rewards members, 12 & under, eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.

CiCi’s Pizza 3702 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36303 Wednesday: 99-cent Kids Buffet with purchase of Adult Buffet.

David’s Catfish House 1708 Westgate Pkwy. Dothan, AL 36303 Tuesday, Kids 12 & Under Receive A Free Kids Meal With Purchase Of One Adult Entree. Dine-in.

(334) 673-3500

Fazoli’s 3241 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36303 Tuesday: 99-cent Kids Meal (334) 446-4239

McAllister’s Deli 3106 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36303 $1.99 Kids Meals Daily (334) 794-3354

Texas Roadhouse 3730 Montgomery Hwy. Dothan, AL 36303 Tuesday: $1.99 Kids Meal (334) 792-5826

WhichWhich 105 Apple Ave., Suite 103 Dothan, AL 36305 Mondays & Saturdays Only. $1.99 kids meal with purchase of 7” sandwich. For Ages 12 & under. (334) 446-3852

Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

(334) 677-6767

(334) 699-3474

Denney’s 2190 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36301 Tuesday 4-10 p.m. (334) 803-0787

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 2115 E. Main St. Dothan, AL 36301 Sunday: Free Kids Meal (334) 446-0136

Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill 250 S. Oates St. Dothan, AL 36301 Monday: Free Kids Meal (334) 446-6248

Firehouse Subs All Wiregrass Locations Wednesday 5-8 p.m. Free kids meal w/ adult entree. Golden Corral 3340 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36303 Mondays 5-9 p.m., Ages 10 & under (334) 677-9976

Momma Goldberg’s Deli 104 Apple Ave. Dothan, AL 36303 Thursday: Free Kids Meal (334) 305-0410

Momma Goldberg’s Deli 607-D Boll Weevil Cir. Enterprise, AL 36330 Wednesday: Free Kids Meal 3pm-close (334) 417-0145

Newk’s Eatery 3468 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36303 Monday & Tuesday (334) 699-1667

O’Charley’s 3320 Montgomery Hwy. Dothan, AL 36303 Kids Eat Free Daily (334) 673-1956

Pizza Hut All Wiregrass Locations Tuesday: Free Kids Buffet with purchase of Adult Buffet. Ages 10 & Under

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Red Elephant 3108 Ross Clark Cir., Suite 4 Dothan, AL 36303 Tuesday

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Ruby Tuesday 621 Boll Weevile Cir. Enterprise, AL 36330 Tuesday: Kids Eat Free 5pm-close

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Shoney’s 3054 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36301 Monday-Friday, Kids 10 and under get one free meal and beverage from the kids’ menu with a purchase of a regular priced adult entree or buffet.

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(334) 673-7492

(334) 792-4415

The Landing Zone Novosel St. Ft. Rucker, AL 36362 Tuesday 4-8PM is Family Night: TWO kids eat FREE per adult! (334) 598-8025

The Mexican Connection 5630 W. Main St. Dothan, AL 36305 Wednesday: Free Kids Meal (334) 793-2496

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Things & Wings Tuesday: Free Kids Meal S. Oates (334) 671-9464 W. Main (334) 673-9464

Zaxby’s All Wiregrass Locations Wednesday: Free Kids Meal 5-9 p.m.

Where to Grow After School Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Alabama 171 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave Ozark, AL 36360 Daily access to a broad range of programs in five core program areas: Character and Leadership Development; Education and Career Development; Health and Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness and Recreation. (334) 445-0512 www.bgcseal.com

First Presbyterian Church 3012 W. Main St. Dothan, AL 36305 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (school year) from 8:40 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays during the summer. (334) 794-3128

www.firstpresdothan.com

Harvest Church 2727 Fortner St. Dothan, AL 36305 First and third Tuesday of the month at 12:00 p.m. Join us as we talk with each other, eat lunch, and hear from an experienced mom for a devotional time. Childcare is not provided. Kids 10 and under are welcome to join us! (334) 702-6555 kids@harvestdothan.com www. harvestdothan.com

Little Blessings 500 Alberta St. Enterprise, AL 36330 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays or MondayThursday 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Early & extended care available. (334) 347-2516 children@hbce.org www.hbce.org

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Wiregrass Providing after school and summer programs to school-aged children.

MERGE (Moms of Enterprise) 500 Alberta St. Enterprise, AL 36330 Meets the third Friday of the month 9:00-11:00 a.m. August-May.

Ft. Rucker Youth Center Bldg. 2800 Ft. Rucker, AL 36362 Free Middle School Teen programs offered daily after school and summer afternoons for ages 1115 and 16-18. MST morning camps offered during the summer. Special activities for ages 11-18, including social activities and field trips.

merge.enterpriseal@gmail.com mergeenterpriseal.com

www.bgcwiregrass.org

(334) 255-2271

rucker.armymwr.com

Girls Inc. of Dothan 785 S. Foster Street Dothan, AL 36301 Center-based programs offered after school and during the Summer to educate and empower girls in grades K-8th. Transportation from all Dothan elementary and middle schools is provided. (334) 793-2321 www.girlsincdothan.org

Hawk-Houston Youth Enrichment Center 329 Chickasaw St. Dothan, AL 36303 Comprehensive year-round afterschool and summer enrichment program curricula for school-age youth (K-12) to promote and increase mastery of academic skills, knowledge and content of core academic subjects; provide enrichment educational opportunities and activities that will strengthen their social, physical and emotional well-being. (334) 792-4618

www.hawkhoustonyec.org

Time Youth Dothan Inc. 1047 S. Oates St. Dothan, AL 36301 A Christ-driven 501c3 non-profit organization that offers free guidance programs for youth and young adults (ages 9-19). (334) 791-8683

www.timeyouthdothan.org

Mount Gilead Baptist Church 2864 S. Brannon Stand Rd. Dothan, AL 36305 Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for birth through 4k. (334) 792-4842

mgbcdothan.com

New Parent Support Group 8946 Seventh Ave. Ft. Rucker, AL 36362 Mom & Me: Dad Too! For parents and infants/children, birth to 16 months. Meets Monday mornings at New Parent Support Program Building, Bldg 8946., 9:30am-11:00am with exception of holidays. Tot Time: For parents and toddlers 17 months to 36 months. Meets Wednesday mornings at New Parent Support Program Building, Bldg 8946, 9:30am-11:00am with exception of holidays. (334) 255-9647 / rucker.armymwr.com/programs/ new-parent-support-program

Play Pals 1231 Fortner St. Dothan, AL 36301 Tuesday & Thursday (school term) and Thursdays (summer term) 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. (334) 792-9406

www.rbcdothan.org

Pediatricians & Family Care

Mom Groups and Mother’s Morning Out

AllSouth Urgent Care

Calvary Baptist Church 901 Montezuma Ave. Dothan, AL 36303 2-5 day options for 1-2 year olds.

(334) 340-2600

www.allsouthurgentcare.com

(334) 699-3600

www.allsouthurgentcare.com

(334) 793-9898

www.calvarydothan.com/Weekday/

Covenant United Methodist Church 3610 W. Main St. Dothan, AL 36305 Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. (August-May) (334) 699-6315

4585 Montgomery Hwy. Dothan, AL 36303 1052 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36303

Dothan Pediatric Clinic ad on page 8

126 Clinic Drive Dothan, AL 36303 (334) 793-1881

www.dothanpediatricclinic.com

covenantdothan.org

Enterprise First United Methodist Church 217 S. Main St. Enterprise, AL 36330 Monday/Tuesday/Thursday, Monday/Wednesday, or Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily. Early and Extended Care Available. (334) 393-2536

ad on page 17

www.efumc.com

Dothan Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic ad on page 8

5565 Montgomery Hwy. Dothan, AL 36303 (334) 699-3733

www.dothanpediatricsubspecialty.com

Enterprise Pediatric Clinic ad on page 8

526 Boll Weevil Cir. Enterprise, AL 36330 (334) 308-1166

www.enterprisepediatricclinic.com

Eufaula Pediatric Clinic ad on page 8

323 E. Barbour St. Eufaula, AL 36027 (334) 308-1166

www.eufaulapediatricclinic.com

Ozark Pediatric Clinic ad on page 8

2125 W. Roy Parker Rd. Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 445-7337

www.ozarkpediatricclinic.com

Enterprise Children’s Center and Family Medicine 105 E. Watts St. Enterprise, AL 36330 (334) 393-5437

sarha.org

Primary Care of Southwest Georgia 360 College St. Blakely, GA 39823 (229) 723-2660

www.pcswga.org

Slocomb Family Health Center 162 S. Dalton St. Slocomb, AL 36375 (334) 886-3023

sarha.org

Southeast Health Enterprise Clinic 101 Professional Lane Enterprise, AL 36330 (334) 347-3404

www.southeasthealth.org/emc

Southeastern Pediatric Associates 364 Honeysuckle Rd. Dothan, AL 36305 (334) 794-8656

southeasternpediatrics.com

Where to Learn Homeschool Groups Harvest Christian School 2727 Fortner St. Dothan, AL 36305 Harvest Christian School (HCS) exists to stand with parents as they discover, explore, enjoy, and excel in their God-given role to educate their children. HCS provides the avenue for parents to network, fellowship and encourage one another (Deut. 6:7). (334) 797-2846 www.homeschool-life.com/2009/

HEART of the Wiregrass Homeschool Group P.O. Box 310613 Enterprise, AL 36331 We are here to help support your homeschool journey! We offer book clubs, field trips, mom’s night out, science fairs, and so much more! (334) 447-9230 heartofthewiregrass@gmail.com

Oak Leaf Academy 3807 Old Mill Run Dothan, AL Oak Leaf Academy was started by a group of like-minded parents who envisioned a state-wide church school that was open to families throughout the state yet offered many of the benefits of a local school cover such as support, community, accountability, and guidance counseling in a Christian environment. Oak Leaf Academy’s mission is to come beside parents to equip students to be the leaders of the future. (334)797-2846 leafacademy/

www.homeschool-life.com/AL/oak-

Ridgecrest Christian School 1231 Fortner St. Dothan, AL 36301 The purpose of RCS is to minister to the needs of parents in the Wiregrass area who wish to take up their God given responsibility to educate their children primarily or exclusively within the home environment. RCS offers families the accountabil-

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Immanuel Child Development Center 628 S. Union Ave. Ozark, AL 36360 5013 Andrews Ave. Ozark, AL 36360

2022 2021

(334) 445-1887 annieboyd@hotmail.com

Kare Bear Christian Daycare 1117 Rucker Blvd. Enterprise, AL 36330

(334) 790-7872

rcsdothan.org

Wiregrass Homeschool and Tutoring 3124 W. Main St., Suite 9 Dothan, AL 36301 Dedicated educators specially selected for learning challenged children. We offer a variety of high-quality courses designed to prepare you for your next step. We offer placement tests to help match you to your skill level. (334) 661-4012 dysites.com

wiregrasshomeschool.godad-

Wiregrass Homeschoolers Support Group This group is set up for us to support each other while homeschooling our children and we can hopefully share ideas, curriculum and more! facebook.com/groups/WiregrassHomeschoolers

Libraries

Dothan-Houston Co. Library ad on page 7

445 N. Oates St. Dothan, AL 36303 (334) 793-9767

www.dhcls.org

535 Recreation Rd. Dothan, AL 36303 (334) 699-2950

www.dhcls.org

305 6th Ave. Ashford, AL 36312 (334) 899-3121

www.dhcls.org

Abbeville Memorial Library 301 Kirkland St. Abbeville, AL 36310 (334) 585-2818

www.abbevillelibrary.org

Daleville Public Library 308 Donnell Blvd. Daleville, AL 36322 (334) 503-9119

dalevillepubliclibrary.com

Enterprise Public Library 101 E. Grubbs St. Enterprise, AL 36330 (334) 347-2636

www.enterpriselibrary.org

Ozark Dale County Library 416 James St. Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 774-5480

www.odcpl.com

Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

Kiddie Care Learning Center

ad on page 4

218 Graceland Dr. Dothan, AL 36305 7 North Pointe Blvd. Enterprise, AL 36330 Kiddie Care Learning Center is an early education and learning daycare center, serving infants through kindergarten, after-schoolers, their families, and communities in Dothan and Enterprise, Alabama. We seek to empower children to reach their full potential by nurturing curiosity, confidence, creativity, and compassion. (334) 678-2339 dothankiddiecare@gmail.com www.kiddiecarelc.com

Brannon Stand Christian Academy 2487 S. Brannon Stand Rd. Dothan, AL 36305 (334) 699-2722

brannonstandchristianacademy.com

Bright Futures Children’s Center 1815 US-231 Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 774-3003 weebly.com

brightfutureschildcenter.

Bubbling Babies 1149 James Dr. Enterprise, AL 36330

Mother Goose Kindergarten 787 N Park Ave. Dothan, AL 36303

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(334) 673-1717

Right Track Preschool 161 Floyd Ave. Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 443-0155 www.ozarkhousingcommunity.org/ right-track-preschool

Southeast Health Child Development Center 302 Haven Dr. Dothan, AL 36301

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Bethel Christian Academy 3257 E. Cottonwood Rd. Dothan, AL 36301 (334) 792-5908

bcadothan.org

Beulah Land Christian Academy 280 Headland Ave. Dothan, AL 36303 (334) 673-2767 www.greaterbeulahdothan.com/ christianacademy.html

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Crossroads Baptist Academy 2574 Westgate Pkwy Dothan, AL 36303

(334) 794-8222

cba.crossroadsdothan.com

www.emmanuelchristian.org

Harvest Christian School 1694 Deese Rd. Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 774-3706

www.harvestfwbministries.net

Houston Academy 901 Buena Vista Dr. Dothan, AL 36303

Coleman Center for Early Learning 501 University Ave. Dothan, AL 36303

Northside Methodist Academy 2600 Redmond Rd. Dothan, AL 36303

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(334) 793-8888 www.southeasthealth.org/childdevelopment-center

(334) 794-4106

(334) 671-0342 kwx3j@aol.com

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(334) 347-4082

Eastside Childcare 2846 Columbia Hwy. Dothan, AL 36303

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Kiddie Kastle Daycare 2266 Denton Rd. Dothan, AL 36303

Building Blocks Child Development Center 1065 S. AL Hwy. 605 Taylor, AL 36301

(334) 983-6556

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(334) 347-7722

Candy Cane Kids CDC 2940 Rucker Blvd. Enterprise, AL 36330

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Kiddie Garden Academy 930 E. Burdeshaw St. Dothan, AL 36303

Emmanuel Christian School 178 Earline Rd. Dothan, AL 36305

(334) 792-3083 bldgblock4@aol.com www.buildingblocksprek.com

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Pal-A-Roos Daycare 1310 Hodgesville Rd. Dothan, AL 36301

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(334) 489-4644 karebearchristian@ yahoo.com

(334) 792-5913 mothergoosekindergarten. business.site

ity and structure of a private school yet affording parents the influence of a home schooling format.

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(334) 794-7273

www.houstonacademy.com

www.nmacademy.net

Providence Christian School 4847 Murphy Mill Rd. Dothan, AL 36303 (334) 702-8933

www.providencechristianschool.com

www.wiregrassparents.com

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Refuge Christian Academy 1507 E Park Ave Enterprise, AL 36330 (334) 489-4535

www.refugeschool.com

Boll Weevil Lanes & Amusement 1505 E. Park Ave. Enterprise, AL 36330 24 lanes, 2 private party rooms, large arcade, pool table, snack bar, cold drinks, & lots of fun!

Victory Christian School 3225 Headland Ave. Dothan, AL 36303

(334) 347-8953

Westgate Christian School 617 Westgate Pkwy Dothan, AL 36303

(334) 494-5996 www.titanmagic.net

(334) 446-4872

(334) 793-3399

www.ilovemyvictory.com

www.westgatechristian.com

Wiregrass Christian Academy 209 W. College St. Enterprise, AL 36330 (334) 393-8972

wiregrasschristianacademy.org

Public Schools Coffee County Schools 400 Reddoch Hill Rd. Elba, AL 36323 (334) 897-5016

www.coffeecountyschools.org

Dale County Schools 202 S. Hwy 123, Suite E Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 774-2355

www.dalecountyboe.org

Daleville City Schools 626 N. Daleville Ave. Daleville, AL 36322 (334) 598-2456

www.daleville.k12.al.us/

Dothan City Schools 1665 Honeysuckle Rd., Suite 1 Dothan, AL 36305 (334) 793-1397

www.dothan.k12.al.us

Enterprise City Schools 220 Hutchinson St. Enterprise, AL 36330 (334) 347-9531

www.enterpriseschools.net/

Ft. Rucker Schools Ft. Rucker, AL 36362

Primary School: (334) 255-2822 Elementary School (334) 255-1607 Primary School: www.dodea.edu/FortRuckerPS Elementary School: www.dodea.edu/FortRuckerES

Houston County Schools 404 W. Washington St. Dothan, AL 36301 (334) 792-8331

www.hcboe.us

Ozark City Schools 860 N. US Hwy 231 Ozark, AL 36360 (334) 774-5197

www.ozarkcityschools.net

Where to Play Attractions

Landmark Park ad on page 15

430 Landmark Dr. Dothan, AL 36303 1890’s living history farm, complete with an old farmhouse, smokehouse, cane mill, syrup shed, and farm animals. One-room schoolhouse, drugstore and soda fountain, country store, and turn-of-the-century church. Nature trails, interpretive center and planetarium. (334) 794-3452

www.landmarkparkdothan.com

AdventureLand Theme Park 3738 W. Main St. Dothan, AL 36305 Mini Golf, Bumper Boats, Go Karts, Batting Cages, and a large arcade filled with exciting games. (334) 793-9100

www.adventurelandthemepark.com

Axtion Air Jump & Sports 3525 Ross Clark Cir., Ste 315 Dothan, AL 36303 Trampolines, climbing walls, ropes course, laser tag, ninja course, dodgeball, foam pits, and much more. (334) 446-5175

www.axtionair.com

Brain Busters Escape Rooms 518 N. Daleville Ave. Daleville, AL 36322 Brothers in Arms Paintball 4197 Hwy 84 W. Enterprise, AL 36330 Area’s only regulation-sized tournament turf field. Play on either our airball field or woodsball field. (334) 475-3058

www.biappark.com

Chuck E. Cheese 1001 Commons Dr. Dothan, AL 36303 A wide selection of entertainment for kids and adults alike. Diverse menu options, skill-level arcade games, and in-store performances. (334) 702-2340

chuckecheese.com

Dothan Area Botanical Gardens 5130 Headland Ave. Dothan, AL 36303 Tranquil, paved nature trails meander through a series of wonderful gardens. (334) 793-3224

www.dabg.com

Dothan Lanes 5727 Montgomery Hwy. Dothan, AL 36303 24 lanes with automatic scoring. Pool tables. Arcade. (334) 983-1585

www.dothanlanes.com

Dothan Survival Games 386 Cowarts Rd. Dothan, AL 36301 The Wiregrass area’s premier paintball park. (334) 793-8202

dsgpaintball.com

Enterprise Miniature Golf 1304 E. Park Ave. Enterprise, AL 36330 Putt-putt courses with water features, bridges, two signature waterfalls, beautifully landscaped surroundings, and relaxing outdoor audio. (334) 406-3651

www.enterpriseminigolf.com

Escape Dothan 3759 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36303 Work together to find the clues, crack the codes and solve your way out--but hurry, the clock is ticking and 60 minutes goes faster than you think! (334) 446-7135

www.escapedothan.com

Escape Enterprise 1018 Rucker Blvd. Enterprise, AL 36330 An immersive escape room experience that rotates on a two month basis to keep your senses honed and the experience always different. (334) 400-2076

www.escapeenterprise.com

Fun Zone Skate Center 465 Westgate Pkwy. Dothan, AL 36303 Skating, Laser Tag, Rock Climb, Arcade Games, & MORE! We also have a wide variety of food and drinks at the Pizza Zone Cafe to keep you satisfied. (334) 678-7529

www.funzoneskatecenterdothan.com

Hangar 38 3120 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36301 (334) 699-6350

thehangar38.com

Kiss My Axe 256 N. Foster St. Dothan, AL 36303 Dothan’s premier axe throwing venue. We promise that we’ll show you an unforgettable time. Patrons can book public or private sessions, celebrate special occasions, and join our house league! (334) 699-5629

www.kmaxe.com

Patricia Lanes 2208 Ross Clark Cir. Dothan, AL 36301 AMF synthetic lanes and Qubica Automatic Scoring. Galaxy Bowling Friday & Saturday nights. Leagues for men, women & children. (334) 794-6636

patricialanes.net

Rucker Lanes 9227 5th Ave., Bldg 9227 Ft. Rucker, AL 36362 20 Bowling Lanes, Annual Locker Rental, Snack Bar, Bingo Corner and a Pro-Shop with special order ability. Bumpers and light-weight bowling balls are available for children under the age of 10. (334) 255-9503

rucker.armymwr.com

Water World 401 Recreation Rd. Dothan, AL 36303 Giant Wave Pool, Triple Flume Slide, Sidewinder Slide, and Kiddie Pool (334) 615-3750

www.waterworlddothan.com

Xtreme Air Mega Park 441 Nypro Lane Dothan, AL 36305 Ninja Course, Battle Bus, Foam Pits, Dodgeball, Volleyball, Basketball, Kids Court, Inflatable Park, Zipline, Super Tramps! (334) 797-JUMP xtremeairtrampolinepark.com

Parks & Playgrounds City of Dothan Parks/Rec Centers Andrew Belle Community Center - 1270 Lake St. Doug Tew Therapeutic Recreation Center - 300 Garland St. Eastgate Park - 1949 Sanitary Dairy Rd. James Oates Park - 300 Taylor Rd. Walton Park - 122 Walton Park Dr. Westgate Park - 501 Recreation Rd. Westgate Tennis Center - 810 Recreation Rd. Wiregrass Park - 620 6th Ave. (334) 615-3700

www.dothanleisureservices.org

City of Dothan Playgrounds Doug Tew Park - 200 Garland St. Fairlane Park - 1168 E. Selma St. Gussie McMillon Park - 1600 Pryor St. Kinney Park - 329 Chickasaw St. Kiwanis Park - 715 Whatley Dr. Miracle Field Playground - Recreation Dr. Morningview Park - 213 Cordova Dr. Pine Hills Park - 214 Pine Hills Dr. Powell Street Playground - 900 Powell St. Ramsey Park - 520 Virginia Dr. Walter E. Byrd Park - 508 Pine St. (334) 615-3700

www.dothanleisureservices.org

City of Enterprise Parks & Recreation Donaldson Park - 301 Industrial Ave. Enterprise Recreational Complex - Hwy. 167 N. Gibson Park - 101 N. Carroll St. Johnny Henderson Park - 1901 Neil Metcalf Rd. Ouida Street Park - 101 N. Ouida St. Peavy Park - 805 Bellwood Rd. Westside Park - 1300 W. College St. www.enterpriseal.gov/pr-home

City of Ozark Oben Everett Park - 643 E. Andrews Ave Police Memorial Park - Andrews Ave. Steagall Park - 523 Faust Ave. (334) 774-2618

www.ozarkalabama.us

Enterprise YMCA 904 Hwy 27 Enterprise, AL 36330 Jogging Trail, Tennis Courts, Gymnasium, Soccer, Basketball, Gymnastics, Outdoor Pool, and Adult Bridge. Exercise rooms, aerobics, fitness evaluations, locker rooms, and nursery. (334) 347-0214 www.enymca.org WP

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Your family has survived the testing, the essays, the applications and the waiting game. Now it’s time to teach your college-bound child some important skills before they head out of the house and explore the world on their own.

Here are some basic things I’ll be working on with my own college-bound teens, and summer is the perfect time to do it! 1. How to wash clothes. Wash light and dark clothes separately. Put a set of clothing in the washer, add detergent based on product recommendations, and wash everything on warm just to be safe. Never put “dry clean only” clothing in a regular washing machine. Once clothes are washed, put them in the dryer on a medium temperature for about 40 minutes or as long as a specific setting runs. Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

www.wiregrassparents.com

2. How to cook a decent meal to save time and money. Start with ba-

sics like how to scramble eggs, boil pasta and bake pizza in the oven (Recipes.com and YouTube are amazing teachers!). Work your way up to assembling casseroles and putting together slow cooker meals.

3. How to change a tire (and other car maintenance). Always

have a spare tire in the vehicle you drive, as well as a jack, flashlight, rain poncho and gloves. Parents, you should help teach this one a few times until the college-bound young adult gets the hang of it.

4. How to budget money. Track your income and spending in a small notebook or Excel spreadsheet so you can be realistic about how much you’re spending. If you know something is coming up that you’ll need money for, make a note about it and save in other ways or figure out income-earning opportunities. 5. How to manage money and the difference between a credit card and a debit card. A debit card

needs a PIN because money comes from

a bank account right away. A credit card needs a signature because you’re agreeing to pay interest and anything you owe at a later date. Kids, make sure you know how to balance a checkbook (or keep a watch on your account balance) so you don’t get that debit card declined!

6. What an advanced care directive is and why you should have one. Once you turn 18, the law

states that you can make your own medical decisions. Since you’re away from home, you need to think about what you would want done in the event of a life-threatening accident. A living will gives specific instructions, while a durable power of attorney is when you assign someone to make the decisions for you. It’s a heavy but necessary discussion to have with your family.

7. How to manage time. You might just have a part-time job along with classes, homework and social time. Just like with money, getting real makes a huge difference. Google Calendar is a great onthe-go option and different activities can be color-coded so you can see where you might have a free block of time, or where you may be double-booking yourself.

8. How to refill a prescription (ADD meds, antibiotic, etc.). Make

sure you have insurance information at the ready so it can be logged in the database, and find a drugstore that will take your insurance. The first time you do this, you will likely need to contact your doctor so he/she can contact the pharmacy, but after that refills should be smooth sailing.

9. How to deal with people. There

truly is an art to bringing up grievances and respectfully disagreeing with people such as authority figures and roommates. You don’t have to be a doormat when arguing your case with a professor, doctor, boss, but you also don’t have to always go for the win.

10. How to use student transit and/or public transportation. You’re not the only college kid to arrive without a car, or to decide parking on campus is too expensive. Check out your university’s transit schedule and other forms of public transportation in your college town. If you’re still confused, ask an older student or orientation leader. Kerrie McLoughlin is the seasoned homeschooling mom of 5 and author of The Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook.

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The Hidden Dangers of the “Perfect Picture” We have all done it... used the latest filters to “perfect” or fix our photos. It seems innocent enough. A quick swipe and our faces are flawlessly “fixed”, and for many of us, the filters also remove a few years in the process. The reality is that our young children, and teens, are watching. Additionally, even at a young age, we “pose” them to achieve the “perfect” angle. Or the perfect shot. Sometimes it may take 50 pictures to get “the one”. I have been guilty of this in the past. However, it begs the question: What are we TEACHING our children? Parents are influencers. We are influencers of our children. What are we teaching them by asking them to pose 25 times for the right shot? Are we teaching them they cannot be themselves? That they must always be presented perfectly? When they get their own social media, this may lead to them feeling they can only share the perfectly angled selfie every time. The reality is, who doesn’t love a good selfie? Who doesn’t love a nice picture that we feel proud of. Even so, it feels like the era of selfies and picture sharing has exploded. In 2019, Android reported that its users take 93 MILLION selfies a DAY. This does not include iPhone data. Those numbers combined are staggering. About a third of parents with children ages 7-9 reported that their kids use social media apps via phones or tablets, according to the 2021 C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll in Health. About half the parents with children ages 10-12 reported the same, and the numbers increase as the child’s age increases. This means our kids, at Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

young ages, have easy access to social media and devices where they can post selfies.

Kids love to imitate what they see. If they are being taught from a young age to pose for the perfect picture, or if they grow up seeing this exhibited through parent’s behavior, they begin to imitate that behavior. While we want this to be harmless, it actually can lead to some confusion among our youth. They can begin to wonder if the “real” version of themselves is good enough. They wonder if they should only post the “filtered” or “perfectly posed” version of themselves. We see this among our daughters especially. Research is constantly pointing us in the direction of increasing body image issues among young girls, and at an alarming rate. Constant filtered or forced posing creates a situation where girls can no longer see the “real” version of themselves as being enough. So what can we do to protect our kids? One, ask their permission before you ever post a picture of them. This 24

is so important. Kids tell me at every conference how much they hate when parents post pictures of them without their permission. It is one of their number one complaints. Two, model good behavior. Chat with your kids about why it is not important to always have the perfect picture. If they agree, taking a few quick shots without a lot of posing, might be enough. Also, be careful of your own personal filter use because, again, they are watching. Three, discuss with them that what they see online are simply quick photos or videos, a few seconds out of someone’s 24-hour day. What they see online never presents the “real picture” of the rest of that person’s day. Help them to understand that we are all human, we all have bad days, and that the “real” version is always better than a filtered one.

Kristi Bush serves as a national education consultant and social media safety advocate. She is a licensed social worker with greater than 15 years of clinical practice and health care experience. She attended Troy and Auburn University where she studied social work and counseling. Kristi travels nationally and has spoken with thousands of children, parents, professionals and organizations about the benefits and threats associated with social media. You may reach Kristi through her website at www.knbcommunications.com.

www.wiregrassparents.com

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FamilyCalendar Friday June 3-5

Dothan Balloon Festival National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, 5622 US 231 S. Dothan, AL, 36301 Hot air balloons return to Dothan! Come and join us with food vendors, retail vendors and activities for the whole family!

Saturday June 4

Ozark Street Festival 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Downtown, Ozark, AL, 36360 Corn Hole Tournament, Patriotic Kids Parade, Live Music, Food Trucks.

Tuesday June 7

The Doc Magic: Fun Time Variety Show 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Dothan-Houston Co. Library - Main, 445 N. Oates St. Dothan, AL, 36303 A highenergy magical show with balloons that promotes fun in the library and encourages crowd participation. Designed for school-aged kids (5-12). Registration is not required, but space will be limited. Arrive early to get a spot. Once our room is filled, we will not allow any more entries. www.dhcls.org

Saturday June 11

Young Eagles Rally 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 770 Flightline Dr. Dothan, AL, 36303 Launched in 1992, the Young Eagles program has dedicated more than 25 years to giving youth ages 8–17 their first free ride in an airplane. It’s the only program of its kind, with the sole mission to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation. chapters.eaa.org/eaa1358/young-eagles Miss Angel Pageant 2022 10:00 a.m. EHS Performing Arts Center, 1801 Boll Weevil Cir. Enterprise, AL, 36330 We crown representatives and raise money for Wiregrass Angel House, a non profit victims rights advocacy group. The newly crowned queens have the task of serving at a myriad of community events and various fundraisers throughout the year of their reign to promote Angel House. www.missangelpageant.com Pickin in the Park (Adults $5, Kids $4) 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Landmark Park, 430 Landmark Dr. Dothan, AL, 36303 Musicians are invited to bring their instruments and join in an instrumental jam session featuring bluegrass, gospel and country music. All skill levels and ages are welcome. Free admission with instrument. www.landmarkparkdothan.com Watercolor Collective (Free) 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Wiregrass Museum of Art, 126 Museum Ave. Dothan, AL, 36303 Join us in WMA’s garden for an afternoon of watercoloring, drinks, and music. A leisurely, come-and-go free paint party will provide still-life inspiration within the garden’s flowers, sculptures, and fountains. Cocktails or mocktails will be available at the cash bar, and guests are encouraged to bring a picnic basket. www.wiregrassmuseum.org

Friday June 17

Under the Oaks 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Downtown Square, Headland, AL, 36345 Join us the third Friday of each month, April - September, on the square in Downtown Headland for dining, shopping, food trucks and more. Slocomb Tomato Festival (Friday - Free

Saturday - $15 Adults, $5 Children, 5 & Under Free)

134 Bateman Ave. Slocomb, AL, 36375 Come join us Friday, June 17th and Saturday, June 18th for the

32nd Slocomb Tomato Festival. Friday - No charge for concerts by Josh Buckley Band and Black and Gold Band. Saturday admission covers all entertainment with performances by Blade Rudd, Jerome “Elvis” Jackson, Shane Owens, Doug Stone, and Colt Ford. Escape Rooms, Food Vendors, Arts and Craft Vendors. A day full of fun for the whole family. (334) 805-3134

Saturday June 18 Slocomb Tomato Festival Details June 17.

Fort Rucker 2022 Triathlon

(Individual: $50 Before June 12 / $60 After June 12 Relay Team: $95 Before June 12 / $105 After June 12)

W. Beach Lake Tholocco, Ft. Rucker, AL, 36322 Come join us Friday, June 17th and Saturday, June 18th for the 32nd Slocomb Tomato Festival. Friday - No charge for concerts by Josh Buckley Band and Black and Gold Band. Saturday admission covers all entertainment with performances by Blade Rudd, Jerome “Elvis” Jackson, Shane Owens, Doug Stone, and Colt Ford. Escape Rooms, Food Vendors, Arts and Craft Vendors. A day full of fun for the whole family. rucker.armymwr.com Downtown Military Appreciation Day 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Downtown, Enterprise, AL, 36330 Shopping specials, music and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Various Military and Veteran Affairs Organizations will be set up on College Street, sharing information about their organizations and providing activities and static displays.

Tuesday June 21

Books, Balls, & Blocks 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Dothan-Houston Co. Library - Main, 445 N. Oates St. Dothan, AL, 36303 Books, Balls, and Blocks is a free event held for children and their families. The purpose of the event is to screen children for developmental delays in the first 5 years of life. www.dhcls.org

Friday June 24-25

Panhandle Watermelon Festival 5:00 p.m. Jim Trawick Park, 1544 N. Railroad Ave. Chipley, FL, 32428 Friday - Family Fun night begins at 5 pm. Free games and activities for kids followed by a free concert. Saturday activities include Parade, Car Show, Watermelon Auction and more live music. www.panhandlewatermelon.com

Saturday June 25

Sons of Thunder Bullriding Revival 3:00 p.m. Dale Co. Ag Plex, Hwy. 123 Ozark, AL, 36360 A God honoring action packed afternoon. Come watch the best cowboys take on the best bulls in an epic showdown of man vs beast! Honey Extraction (Adults $5, Kids $4) 10:00 a.m. Landmark Park, 430 Landmark Dr. Dothan, AL, 36303 Learn all about bees and the important role they play in our lives. Guests will have a chance to watch as honey from local hives is uncapped by hand, extracted from the comb and bottled. Honey will be on sale while supplies last. www.landmarkparkdothan.com

supervision is suggested. Available at all locations, while supplies last. Staff reserves the right to limit the amount given out at any time. www.dhcls.org

Thursday June 30

Freedom Fest: Rumble Over Rucker (Free) 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Festival Fields, Ft. Rucker, AL, 36362 The Wiregrass is invited to Fort Rucker’s Festival Fields for an evening of celebration, food, activities, and fun! One of the largest fireworks displays in the area. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Kids Zone, local and regional vendors and displays, live music. Open to the public.

Friday July 1

Ice Cream Sensory Kits To Go 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Dothan-Houston Co. Library System, All Locations Stop by any DHCLS location to pick up an Ice Cream Sensory to go kit. These kits are for babies and toddlers, from birth to 5 years of age. Registration is not required. One per family/ household. No large groups or daycares, please. Available while supplies last. www.dhcls.org

Saturday July 2

Fireworks at the Park 1:00 p.m. 47 Z Street Daleville, AL, 36322 Come out and join us for Fireworks, food, fun, and games. The 2nd annual Level Plains Fireworks display hosted by the Level Plains Police Department. Fireworks at the Fairgrounds 5:00 p.m. National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, 5622 Hwy 231 S. Dothan, AL, 36301 Gates open at 5pm Fireworks 9pm. Food, Vendors, Music, Car Show on site. $10 Parking per car load goes to Wiregrass United Way.

Saturday July 9

Watermelon Tasting (Adults $5, Kids $4) 10:00 a.m. Landmark Park, 430 Landmark Dr. Dothan, AL, 36303 Celebrate National Watermelon Month and try a variety of watermelons. www.landmarkparkdothan.com

Every Tuesday

Summer Movie Days ($5) 1:00 p.m. Weevil Cards & Collectibles, 621 Boll Weevil Cir., Suite 32B Enterprise, AL, 36330 We will be hosting a kid friendly movie on Tuesday’s for the months of June & July. $5 entry includes choice of 1 booster pack from Magic, Pokemon, Yugioh, Digimon, or Dragonball Super. Snacks & drinks available for purchase. No outside food or drinks.

Find More Local Events at WiregrassParents.com!

Monday June 27

Fourth of July Popper Kits 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Dothan-Houston Co. Library System, All Locations Get ready to celebrate the 4th with our DIY confetti poppers. Each kit will contain everything needed to make your own popper. Adult

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WP: What was your inspiration behind Danzey’s African Goods Store? Danzey’s Xtreme Cleaning? ND: We were inspired by our community. We wanted to have a direct impact by bringing culture awareness and knowledge to the community, as well as serve our community in various ways by serving hot meals to those in need and just being able to give back. Our inspiration for both businesses was to be able to fulfill a dream from 20 years ago and be full-time entrepreneurs. Our main inspiration was to show our children that it can be done and to inspire them to be entrepreneurs and self-sufficient.

Neice Danzey

WP: What would you say to someone considering starting their own business? ND: I would say if this is a true desire and dream of yours, don’t let it die inside of you. Don’t let the time it takes to reach your goals, a few doors being closed, or the naysayers discourage you. Set your goals, dream big dreams and go after them. Also, make a vision board. Write the vision and make a plan.

WP: You recently retired from a long-time career at Medical Advocacy and Outreach (MAO). Let’s talk about what you did there and the impact it had on you.

WP: You have two grown children and one pre-teen. Do you think your parenting style has changed now that you have only one at home? ND: Yes, I think we are a lot more relaxed with our youngest child. Our older children bring it to our attention all the time.

ND: My job title was Community Outreach Coordinator, and my duties were to raise awareness about HIV in our communities and educate on ways of prevention. I went into any place of business, prisons, jails, schools and churches that would allow me to come speak to the youth and adults about HIV prevention. I had a motto that if what I said could change at least one person’s mindset or direction in life for the good, I made a difference in someone’s life. Honestly, working at MAO there were positive and negative impacts in my life. One of my major passions is helping people. To be able to help our clients and community was always rewarding. The not-so-rewarding side was telling someone that their HIV test results were positive. That had a major effect on my life, not just in that moment but also after. I would always think of the client and how that result changed their life, and that result could happen to anyone.

WP: Summer is upon us. Any big plans for this year? ND: As of right now we are in the planning stages of a couple of things. Usually, around this time of year we are hosting our customer appreciation event, and in August for our youngest son and granddaughter’s birthdays, we host a Kidpreneur pop-up event. WP: Running two full-time businesses, raising a pre-teen, and being a grandmother, you must stay busy. How do you make sure you don’t burn out? ND: When I’m not spending time with my loved ones, I enjoy meditating and tending to my flower babies. Just sitting near my flowers, sipping my tea, listening to music, and soaking up the sun gives me such peace. WP: You have turned your birthday into a mission to give back, which I love. Tell me about that project. ND: Yes, when our boutique was located on South Alice I noticed there were a lot of people in the area that were in need. And since one of my passions is helping and giving to those in need, when my family asked me what I wanted for my birthday a couple of years ago, I said there is nothing I want for me, but I wanted them to help me serve meals and give out gift baskets, And that’s what we did with the help from family, friends and community members. The goal was to serve 45 hot meals and 45 gift baskets. We were blessed enough to serve 100 meals and gift baskets.

WP: Since retiring, you have started not one but two businesses. Was entrepreneurship always a dream of yours? ND: My husband and I have always had the dream of being entrepreneurs. With the desire and entrepreneurial mindset we have had several businesses. About 20 years ago we started a small business similar to our current boutique. The name was Danzey’s African Accents. We sold pictures, statues, area rugs and so much more. At that time we would load our merchandise on our little enclosed trailer and set up in our church parking lot. We would sit out there for hours selling our items every weekend. We had a few other businesses over the years; we made hand-crafted items and sold them. Not long after that we started a baking business, Sweet Tooth Delectable. We also started a small cleaning business. Life changes occurred, causing us to close those businesses. However, we don’t consider these businesses ending to be a failure. We took what we needed from each business and used that to learn. We allowed them to teach us a valuable lesson. We pray that we are able to share what we have learned with our children and grandchildren and they will benefit from our lessons. Wiregrass Parents I June 2022

WP: Any advice for new parents? ND: Don’t take things so seriously. Just go with the flow. Being a parent is learning as you go, and there is no right or wrong way to do things. The best thing to pour into your child is love and affection. Listen when they need to talk, discipline as needed, and be nurturing as much as possible. Neice Danzey is the CEO/Vice President of Danzey’s Xtreme Cleaning and Danzey’s African Goods Store. She and her husband, Gentry Danzey Sr., have been married for 21 years. They have three children, Jazmyne Banks (27), JaDavion Danzey (26), and Gentry Danzey Jr. (11).

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