Wiregrass Parents December 2018 by KeepSharing

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December2018 4

Volume 1 Number 4

Columns

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From the Publisher Ashton Wright

Therapeutic Parenting

Therapeutic Parenting Meeting the need behind your child’s behavior can help your discipline be more effective.

Mindful Holiday Magic

Be truly “present” this Christmas by spending one on one time with your kids.

Sonia Martin, LMSW

A Page in a Book Gerry Paige Smith

Get This!

Gerry Paige Smith

24 Parenting, Media & Everything in Between Common Sense Media

Dave Says Dave Ramsey

Holiday Happenings

The Wiregrass offers parades, lights, musicals and so much more...to brighten your season.

Show Yourself Some Love

How to mindfully bust out of a hyperactive lifestyle.

Parenting Today’s Teens Mark Gregston

Departments On The Cover

Khloe Clemons, 7, is the author of the book “Fearless Little Me,” in which she encourages kids to live out their dreams. Khloe is a gymnast and likes to draw, dance, make slime, and help others. This Christmas Khloe is on a mission to raise money to buy gifts for childhood cancer patients. She’s the daughter of Donald and Tiana Clemons.

Teacher of the Month School Bits 35

Movie Reviews 38

Family Calendar 44

Mom to Mom www.facebook.com/wiregrassparents

FromThePublisher The Area’s Go-To Resource for Families

I have a confession to make. I am a really lastminute shopper. I’m talking about a shopping on Christmas Eve kind of last-minute shopper. It’s not that I intentionally wait around until the last minute. In fact, I start planning my Christmas lists and scoping out what I plan on buying in early November, but I don’t like standing in ridiculously long checkout lines or elbowing my way through crazy crowds on Black Friday. So what inevitably happens is that I visit all the stores three or four times before I actually make a purchase. Sometimes I wish I could be like my friend, Megan. She’s the author of the Frugal Finds During Naptime blog and this month’s Mom to Mom guest. Most years Megan has finished her shopping by the beginning of November! My mom tried that one year and forgot where she hid all the gifts, so she ended up re-shopping at the last minute. We did eventually find the missing presents...three years later. My childhood Christmases were nothing fancy. My brothers and I each got one “big” gift and a few smaller gifts, as well as a stocking that always had a new toothbrush. My husband and I follow a similar strategy when buying for our daughter. We usually pick one bigger-ticket item to be her main Christmas and then add in a few smaller gifts. I haven’t narrowed down my list for her yet, but I foresee a lot of mommy-daughter Target trips to remedy the situation. This is the most wonderful time of the year in the Wiregrass. We may not have snow, outside of Andalusia’s Christmas in Candyland and Dothan’s Downtown Christmas Festival, but what we lack in winter weather we make up for in spirit. You can find festive ways to get into the holiday spirit nearly every day this month, and we’ve rounded them all up in our Holiday Happenings Guide. You’ll find lots of holiday shows and concerts, as well as festivals, parades, crafts, shopping, and ways to give back. Our featured articles this month are perfect for busy moms. In Show Yourself a Little Love: How to Bust Out of a Hyperactive Lifestyle, you’ll learn the importance of not being overly committed and ways to better manage your family’s schedule. Mindful Holiday Magic: Be Truly Present with Your Kids This Year shares ways to connect with your children and make Christmas memories that last a lifetime. For me, December is a time of reflection on the year that’s passed. 2018 was a year of change for my family and me. I took a leap of faith and started a new career that allowed me to pursue a dream I’d thought had ended, while still serving the community I love. It’s also given me more time with my family and time to focus on my own needs and goals. I’m not sure what my goals for 2019 will be just yet, but there’s one thing that’s certain...Wiregrass Parents will continue to grow and get better as the months turn into years. I hope you’ll all stick around for the journey. Until then, have yourself a merry little Christmas. See you next year!

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.

Publisher Ashton Wright ashton@wiregrassparents.com (334) 714-7831 Editor DeAnne Watson editor@wiregrassparents.com Associate Editor Alison Rouse Contributing Writers Mark Gregston Christa Melnyk Hines Sonia Martin, LMSW Dave Ramsey Laura Lyles Reagan Gerry Paige Smith

Cover Photography Jessica Sanford www.jsanfordart.com

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

Visit us at www.wiregrassparents.com

Ashton

ashton@wiregrassparents.com

Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

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 2018 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.

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TherapeuticParenting by Sonia Martin, LMSW

Meet the Need Behind the Behavior A critical component of therapeutic parenting is the focus on meeting the need behind the behavior. Whereas traditional parenting seeks to immediately stop the behavior in front of us through the engagement of consequences, threats or punishments - therapeutic parenting seeks to disarm the foundational need that is prompting the negative response in your child in the first place. According to local counselor Beth Long, PhD, all difficult behaviors look essentially the same on the outside. However, each behavior actually serves one of three purposes: a need to escape, a need for attention, or a tangible need. For example, a child will often become frustrated and act out when they want something they cannot have (tangible). We have all seen (or experienced) children pulling out all the stops from bargaining, to tantruming, to stealing, simply to get a candy bar while in the check-out line. Alternatively, children may behave inappropriately when they are attempting to escape a situation. This could be escaping from a negative emotion (fear, shame, anxiousness) or escaping from a task they do not want to complete (brushing teeth, cleaning room, finishing homework). Behaviors can also be perpetuated by a desire for attention. For children, any attention is good. If their positive attention tank is low, they try for negative attention because they do not have the capacity to

verbalize, “I’m feeling a little neglected at the moment, and I really want a bit of your time, could you please pay attention to me?” So as you approach each engagement with your child I encourage you to attempt to identify which need your child is attempting to fulfill and work from there. That being said, your response to their behavior should never be to ignore their need – this only serves to lengthen and heighten the intensity of the outburst. Instead, your response should be to help your child learn how to meet his/her needs in an appropriate way. Give voice to their situation, help them understand and begin to identify their own emotional process. For example: “I wonder if you are feeling frustrated with that math homework, I think we should take a break and go shoot some hoops for a few minutes – I’ll race you out there!” Instead of forcing your child to sit longer at the table with the homework, thereby escalating the negative behavior, try to break up the predictably stressful homework into smaller portions and give your child a break (opportunity to escape) when they complete each section. They will likely be a bit more agreeable to engaging in the homework if they know they are not stuck there for long periods. Overall, we want to get in the habit of looking past the behavior that is right in front of us because that outburst typically has absolutely

nothing to do with the real issue at hand. The screaming, yelling, or propelling of one’s self to the ground, is merely the breakdown phase of a dysregulated child. But if we are honest, that is where we invest so much of our energy. We spend hours googling how to get our 3-year-old to stop tantruming, or how to get our middle schooler to stop talking back. If I may, instead of pouring so much effort into the end result of a behavior, look at the origin of the behavior itself. So, next time you are waist deep in toddler tantrum meltdown mode, or face to face with a disgruntled teenager, take a minute, and see if you can figure out the need behind the behavior and keep your focus there. That’s where you are going to find victory (and your sanity). Do you have a behavior or parenting question? Shoot me an email at sonia.kidstolove@yahoo.com. I will answer your question in an upcoming issue!

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*Therapeutic parenting is parenting in a highly structured, highly nurturing way. This form of intensive parenting is often a key to progress in dealing with children who have trauma and attachment challenges, but has also proven beneficial with any child.

Sonia is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. Her clinical focus is on helping parents and professionals understand the role of the brain in behavior, and how to adopt therapeutic parenting techniques to help mitigate negative behaviors. She travels the state speaking at various conferences on behavior and parenting and is a therapist for Kids To Love Foundation. Sonia is a mother to 7 sons, 3 of whom were internationally adopted, and is also a foster parent.

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Saddle Up Santa Christmas Festival

Saturday, December 8 * 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dothan Boots and Saddle Club, 1347 East Saunders Rd. Saddle Up Santa offers FREE entertainment for local residents, including free games and inflatable bounce houses for children, a cake walk, door prizes, silent auction, visits with Santa, gifts from Santa, Aileen Clayton and David Dale providing musical entertainment, the Salvation Army Mobile Canteen providing lunch, and more. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides and even a skit by a drill team on horseback. This event is a great way to let children and families see the joys of Christmas and community. In addition, area non-profit agencies will be on hand that provide services to assist and help families struggling to make ends meet. We will also collect canned food for the Wiregrass Area Food Bank. Donations appreciated but not required. Event proceeds will go to the local Wiregrass 2-1-1 program. We are also looking for sponsors to help pay necessary expenses. If you or your business are interested in making a tax-deductible donation, call Dawn at (334) 685-2409.

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Ugly Sweater Party

Dothan Houston Co. Library System December 2 @ Main Library - 1:30-3 p.m. December 6 @ Westgate Branch - 5:30-7 p.m. Tweens & Teens (ages 10 & up) can design and decorate the ugliest sweatshirt imaginable. We provide the sweatshirts and all supplies needed (unless you want to bring something special for yours). We will also provide pizza and drinks for all who are registered. Please indicate which size shirt you need. Registration is REQUIRED for this event. If you register and will not be able to attend later, please cancel online at www.dhcls. org, or call (334) 793-9767.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told / Holiday Dinner Theatre

December 10-15 * Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 6; curtain at 7. Cultural Arts Center Banquet Hall in Dothan Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told – plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop culture, and every carol ever sung. A madcap comedy romp through the winter holiday! Directed by J. Adam Riley. Contains mild adult language and content. $40 tickets include dinner and dessert. Cash bar available. For tickets or more info, visit www.seact.com.

Screen on the Green: A Muppet Christmas Carol

December 20 * 7:30-9:30 p.m. Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan WMA’s free public film series in the garden. Guests are invited to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy some time under the stars. Moviegoers can purchase snacks and dinner served by local food trucks and vendors, and enjoy FREE popcorn by WMA! WMA’s galleries are open beginning at 6 p.m. so visitors can take in current exhibitions before the movie starts at 7:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, movies will be shown in WMA’s Great Hall. For more info, visit www.wiregrassmuseum.org or call (334) 794-3871.

Winter Art Camps for Ages 6+

Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan Spend a day or two of your winter break making art in the studio at WMA! At the Dec. 27 camp (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), students will learn various printmaking techniques based on works in the museum’s permanent collection. Campers on Dec. 28 (also 9 a.m.-3 p.m.) will explore the paper arts with ecoprinting, origami, and quilling. Students can attend one or both sessions and must register for each individually. Please bring a snack (if desired) and lunch. Cost: $70 for members; $80 for not-yet members. The Discovering Art Camp January 2-4 (2-5 p.m.) allows students to learn about the artwork on display in the museum. After talking about the artists and learning how their artwork was created, students will create unique works of their own. Cost: $45 for members; $55 for not-yet members. To register or for more info, visit www.wiregrassmuseum.org or call (334) 794-3871. 5

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Dothan Downtown Christmas Festival

Saturday, December 1 * 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Santa Claus is coming to town and he is bringing with him a pile of SNOW! Join us for a day of FREE family fun including sledding, sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mores, caroling, arts & crafts and much, much more! We like to be inclusive downtown, so bring the kids and grandmama too! We have something for all ages. This is a rain, shine or snow event which means we will be there, umbrellas on standby. Come out and join us for a cool, winter day downtown. You may want to pack weather-proof gloves because the sledding zone has real snow, and it gets pretty cold. Admission is free so it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cost anything to enjoy the sights. We do have some of our best food vendors and fun attractions which are pay to play so you may want to bring cash. For more info, visit www.dothandowntown.org.

Now through December 12 Fostering Hope, 1004 Montezume Ave, Ste. 1, Dothan Businesses, individuals, church groups, etc. are encouraged to help sponsor children and buy Christmas gifts for them this year. Wish lists were announced on November 5 for people to sponsor foster children in Houston and Henry counties for their Christmas gifts. The agency is also collecting Christmas cards for foster families that will be given out at their annual Christmas party. Gifts will be due by Wednesday, December 12, and can be dropped off at Fostering Hope during office hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1-5 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more info, call (334) 589-0805 or visit www.fosteringhopewiregrass.com.

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Walk Through Bethlehem

December 11-13 (5-8:30 p.m.), December 14-15 (5-9:30 p.m.), and December 16 (3:30-9:30 p.m.) Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, 2864 Brannon Stand Rd., Dothan Step back in time as you take a FREE guided tour of the village of Bethlehem on the eve of the birth of the Savior! You will interact with the people of Bethlehem on the eve of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; birth. Through their stories and lives you will learn about the one true God, and His Son who walked this earth 2,000 years ago and lives victorious over sin forever. For more info, call (334) 792-4842 or visit https://mgbcdothan.com/ministries/walk-thru-bethlehem/.

Victorian Christmas

December 2 * 1-4 p.m. Landmark Park, Dothan Spread some holiday cheer at the Holiday Decorating Workshop in the Ag Building. Create wreaths, garlands and swags out of natural materials and decorate Landmark Park for Victorian Christmas and make some decorations to take home! Refreshments provided, but registration required. This event is supported by the Wiregrass Master Gardeners. Admission is FREE, but guests are encouraged to bring gloves and wire pliers. For more info, visit www.landmarkparkdothan.com.

Candlelight Vigil

Thursday, December 6 @ 7 p.m. Angel of Hope Statue @ Westgate Park We invite all parents and guardians who have lost a child to gather with family, friends and loved ones to remember the children that they love and miss. A white flower and candle will be provided to each family to be placed at the base of the Angel of Hope in memory of their child. The Friends Choir from Dothan Leisure Services will perform. The ceremony will take place rain or shine and all are invited.

December 13 * 4-5 p.m. Dothan Houston Co. Library System - Westgate Branch Come decorate some freshly made gingerbread cookies and have some hot cocoa. This program is for ages 8 & up only please. REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED, BUT SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED! Contact alove@dhcls.org.

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A Page in a Book Girls Who Make Art Making art is a privilege that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, class or inclination. Free from traditional boundaries, artistic expression can emerge from every medium and inhabit any space. The following titles feature women and girls who take their own great strides into the art landscape and erase traditional boundaries by painting their own path forward with the tools at hand.

Anywhere Artist

by Nikki Slade Robinson (Harcourt / Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) As a young artist moves through a variety of environments, she’s not constrained by the absence of paper or paint, of clay or canvas. The forest offers leaves, lichens and twigs that can assemble into wholly new creatures, sprung from her imagination. Likewise, kelp, sand and shells are all she needs at the beach to lay out shapes and shadows for her original creations. Even the sky becomes a canvas as her mind brushes and shapes clouds into shapes and forms that suit her vision. Anywhere she goes, art can happen. Presenting the whole world as an art studio, with nature and imagination as the only mediums needed to create, Anywhere Artist encourages inspiration and resourcefulness when art awaits.

Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines

By Jeanne Walker Harvey, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk (Henry Holt / Macmillan) As the child of a sculptor and a poet, Maya Lin was raised with the power of shape and words. In 1981, when artists and architects were invited to submit designs for a future memorial to the American soldiers lost in the Vietnam War, Maya Lin was still a college student. Understanding the importance of this memorial to both survivors and a grateful nation, young Maya visited the proposed site to see what her vision would present. Her artist’s eye showed her a cut in the earth, walled with granite to reflect the viewer, and the stone carved with the name of every lost soldier. Considered avant garde at the time, Lin’s design for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is now regarded as one of the most moving and powerful installations in the country.

Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton

by Sherri Duskey Rinker, Illustrated by John Rocco (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) Virginia Lee Burton, ‘Jinnee’ to her friends, is many things. She’s a dancer, she talks to animals, and with magic wands (sticks of charcoal, paint brushes and pens) she creates heroes, dinosaurs and whole new worlds. But for her two sons, Jinnee works the greatest magic of all; she creates big machines! While her boys look on, Jinnee uses her wands to sketch the outlines of trains, steam shovels, and snowplows. As her drawings evolve with color and details, the stories and personalities of the big machines emerge as well. Beloved as the creator of the children’s book classics ‘Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and ‘Choo Choo’, Burton’s own story is revealed as Big Machines drives a magical, movement-filled view of her artistic process and the mother’s love that drove her most famous creations.

Find more reading recommendations at www.PageBookMedia.com.

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“The light bulb moment.” It’s what our December Teacher of the Month finds to be the most rewarding part of her job. Jennifer Elliott is a first grade teacher at Houston Academy in Dothan. “I can’t count the number of students that I remember the day they learned to read independently and said to me, ‘I got it!’” Tiffany Andrews’ son, Carter (pictured), is one of those students. She says Elliott has done a fantastic job motivating and getting Carter excited about reading. “He [Carter] didn’t have a good foundation from kindergarten so she is really working with him. She allows him to bring books from home to share with her, lets him get library books to read just for fun, and has challenged him to double his Accelerated Reading goal since he already met his original goal. She also wrote him a very positive note on his AR report that told him how proud she was, how much he is improving and that he made his goal.” Elliott hopes to pass along more than just classroom lessons to her students: “Galatians 5:2223. Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. Beyond the subject matter, I pray they see these traits in me and they spill over onto them in some special way.” Elliott says being nominated for this award is humbling and that she’s blessed with wonderful parents in her classroom family. She also says she’s

not the only one teaching and that the list of things she’s learned from her students is endless. “I could write a book on the surprising things students have taught me and tell me,” Elliott says. “The most important daily lesson from them is validation. It is amazing what children will try and do for you as their teacher when you take the time to let their voices be heard and to know what they have to say truly matters to you.” Elliott has been teaching for 24 years. She decided she wanted to be a teacher when she was in first grade. “My teacher, Beverly Folmar, made such an impression on me through her passion for teaching and her love for me as a student that I never wanted to be anything else but a teacher, just like her.” And if any of Elliott’s students decide to follow in her footsteps, she has some advice. “Greet the children with a smile when they walk through the door because it will set the pace of the day. Keep a sense of humor. Find a mentor. Get to know your students and keep learning alongside them. Try and be organized. Communicate positively with parents, and above all else get a good night’s rest. You’re going to need it to keep up with your students!” Jennifer has a Masters in Education and Educational Specialist degree from Troy University-Dothan. She has two children, James (18) who’s a freshman at Auburn University and Walker (15) who’s a freshman at Houston Academy.

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Kelly Springs Teacher Receives Grant

Leigh Lawrence, a fifth-grade teacher at Kelly Springs Elementary, received a $2,500 grant from the James H. Daniels Scholarship fund. Daniels was a former principal at Beverly Middle School. Under his leadership it became a school of excellence. In keeping with his push to expect excellence, Lawrence has created a movement and motto of “Excellence not Excuses” for the students at Kelly Springs Elementary. This program will encourage excellence in behavior, academics and character. Each month there will be Ambassadors of Excellence named from the 4thand 5th-grade classes to lead the student body in striving for excellence. A portion of this grant will be used to finish funding the active seating “Math in Motion” project in Lawrence’s classroom.

Montana Magnet Students Deliver Fresh Produce to the Harbor

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Beverlye Magnet Robotics Team Competes in Auburn

Beverlye Magnet School’s robotics team did a fantastic job at its first-ever VEX IQ Robotics Tournament in Auburn. The students competed against 42 teams in the unique STEM competition that focuses on a wide range of skills in all areas of STEM, communication and leadership. Both BMS teams advanced to the final round of competition after five hours of qualifying teamwork challenge matches! BMS robotics team members that advanced to the finals round were: Briana Milton, Price Barkett, Owen Stephens, Davis Kirkland, Carter Whitehurst and Logan McNiel. One team received the Excellence Award. This is the highest award presented in the VEX IQ program. The recipient of this award is described as a team that exemplifies overall excellence in building a high-quality robotics program. This team excels in many areas and is a shining example of dedication, devotion, hard work and team work. The criteria for this award includes ALL of the following: Design Award Ranking (Engineering Notebook and Team Interviews); STEM Research Project Award Ranking (Topic was Mathematics); Teamwork Challenge Qualification Matches Ranking (Teaming up with other schools); Robot Skills Challenge Ranking (Programming Skills and Driving Skills Combined); Other Judged Awards Rankings; AND High Quality VEX Robotics Program. The BMS robotics team members advancing to the State Competition in March include: Chase King, Ethan Peel, Braxton DeLoney, Jayden McCory, Cooper Smith and Nadia Batts. Shown above is a photo from “Spooky Vex on the Plains.”

Montana Magnet students presented the Harbor with fresh produce they harvested in Aunt Katie’s Community Garden.

Hidden Lake Collects School Supplies for Seminole County

Teacher Mandy Hodges headed up a school supply drive at Hidden Lake Elementary for the students of Seminole County.

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Red Ribbon Week at Girard Elementary

Here are our poster contest winners and one of our dress-up days... â&#x20AC;&#x153;Put a Lid on Drugs,â&#x20AC;? or Hat Day!

Highlands Elementary Starts Uniform Closet

As your children outgrow their clothes, please consider sending gently used uniforms to school to help out some of our own. Thank you for your support and generosity!

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Rehobeth Student Named ACTE Outstanding Student

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Future Business Leaders of America Southern Region Vice President Ty Rickard, a student at Rehobeth High School, has been named the ACTE Region II Business Education Outstanding Student. Rickard will be recognized at the ACTE Business Education Opening Session at the VISION 2019 conference in San Antonio in December.

Officer Appreciation Day at Emmanuel Christian

In November, the Student Government Association at Emmanuel Christian School hosted Officer Appreciation Day, featuring many demonstrations and a luncheon for all the officers. Thank you to Dothan Police Department, Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama State Troopers’ Office, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, and Dale County Sheriff’s Office for making this year memorable. We would also like to thank our sponsors, Publix Super Market at Cottonwood Corners, Fatback’s of Dothan, Outback Steakhouse, Honey’s Hotdogs, HOTS DELI, Piggly Wiggly Dothan, Weichert Realtors, JBR Legacy Group, Vector Security, Beef O Brady’s, Things and Wings, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Panera Bread, for providing food and supplies.

Peanuts on Parade at Providence

Sixth-graders at Providence Christian School did a fabulous job encouraging, assisting and serving as second-grade students created peanuts for the school’s Peanuts on Parade exhibit. The secondgraders read about George Washington Carver and are thankful for his God-given abilities as a scientist. The students also visited the George Washington Carver Museum in downtown Dothan.

Montana Magnet Students Honor Heroes

It’s a great day when your commission meeting showcases “character and compassion” in our local students. Montana Magnet School Principal Sue Clark and three outstanding second-grade students, Ally Parrish, Brannon McCray and Libby Price, awarded their Hometown Heroes Award to the Dothan City linemen for their tireless efforts in restoring power to local residents after Hurricane Michael. Parrish nominated the group because “had they not worked around the clock for several days, we would still be in the dark!” Montana Magnet also honored its Helping Hand Heroes at the Liberty’s Legacy celebration. Mrs. Williams’s class also honored the Dothan Utilities’ linemen. Mrs. Hartley’s class honored Ronnie Tucker. Mrs. Scott’s class honored Orita Mitchell. Mrs. Godwin’s class honored Barbi Nolan. Thank you to all of these heroes for making a difference in our community! Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

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Rehobeth Betas Start Beta Buddies

Rehobeth Elementary School Betas celebrated National Beta Founders Day by showcasing their â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beta Buddiesâ&#x20AC;? service project! Beta Buddies is a NEW, ongoing program at RES that allows Beta members to volunteer their PE time each day to partner with a LifeSkills student in the Adaptive PE class. These Betas are exhibiting the true character that National Beta strives for in being KIND.

Houston Co. Career Academy FCCLA Students Win NPF Booth Contest

Providence Seniors Sign with Wallace

Mrs. Bell and the Houston County Career Academy FCCLA students placed first in their division for the National Peanut Festival Booth.

Providence Christian School seniors Abby Williams and Carlee Colbert accepted athletic scholarships to play softball at Wallace Community College. Williams holds the PCS record for home runs and Colbert has placed seventh in speed during state competitions.

Please email news to schoolnews@ wiregrassparents.com!

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Autauga County Schools

Providence Christian Senior Leadership Council Serves at NPF

Senior members of the Providence Christian School Leadership Council enjoyed serving at the National Peanut Festival’s annual Senior Citizen Day.

RES Junior Beta Club Qualifies at National Leadership Summit

Rehobeth Elementary’s Junior Beta Club has been selected as a National Qualifier in Service Snapshot at the National Beta Leadership Summit. Also, fifth-grade Beta Charlee Chandler was chosen to be an Alabama Junior Beta Leadership Representative.

Emmanuel Christian Missions Offers Hurricane Help

Emmanuel Christian School Missions and Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Ozark partnered with First Freewill Baptist Church in Malone, Fla., to serve the people in Malone and the surrounding area. We were able to feed about 220 people and pass out supplies donated by the families of ECS and Cross Baptist Church of Eufaula. The Junior Civitan Club at ECS also donated supplies that they had been collecting. Thank you to all who donated supplies and food to help those in need!

Houston Academy Students Chosen for Youth Leadership Dothan

Houston Academy Choir Receives Superior Ratings

Houston Academy Choir received a Superior rating at the Fall Choir and Theatre Competition on November 6. With an average score of 97, the HA Choir won the competition over competitors from at least four states! Not to be outdone, the Women’s Ensemble received a Superior rating as well, with an average score of 95. Superior ratings were also given to sophomore Cassidy Ryan and senior Walker Sexton for wonderful performances of their solos. Houston Academy choir directors are Ronda Paoletti and Laura Lee Stjernstrom.

Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

Youth Leadership is a program sponsored by the Dothan Area Chamber Foundation. The program is for rising high school juniors who have the potential and interest in becoming trustees of their community. One of the main goals Youth Leadership Dothan strives for is to acquaint participants with community needs, problems, opportunities and resources and allows student interaction with community leaders and decision makers. These 10 Houston Academy juniors have been selected for Youth Leadership Dothan: Lucy Alford, Annabeth Applefield, Anna-Grace Dumas, Anna Grace Holland, Emmett Lee, Will Meadows, Kendall Moore, Elizabeth Prophet, Ella Pruitt and Addison Reynolds.

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Rehobeth Students Support Teacher’s Adoption Service Project

Rehobeth Elementary is proud of all its students who participated in the Taylor Made Festival Color Run, sponsored by the Junior Beta Club. Thank you for supporting Mrs. McKinley and the “Baby McKinley Adoption Fund” service project!

Pinedale Flag Team Gets Folding Lesson

Hillcrest Elementary Beta Club Holds Food Drive

Pinedale Elementary would like to thank Dr. Chip Quisenberry for coming out to train our 2018-2019 Flag Team members on how to raise and fold our flag. Our new 2018-2019 Flag Team members are Brooke Elrod, 6th grade; Aland Hernandez, 5th grade; Isabelle Nikes, 4th grade; Khloe Bryant, 4th grade; Jordan Gray, 4th grade; Rachel Lee, 6th grade; and Reagan Minks, 4th grade.

The Hillcrest Elementary School Beta Club organized a canned food drive for the Manna House. The entire school brought in food. Beta members sorted, checked dates and packed the food.

Please email news and ohotos to: schoolnews @wiregrassparents.com!

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Enterprise High School JROTC Wins Pell City Invitational

Enterprise Mayor Meets Future Leaders

Enterprise Mayor William Cooper was delighted to meet some future leaders of the city and the world recently. He enjoyed introducing the VIPs to the Mayor’s office, talking to them a little bit about city government and giving them a happy handslap greeting. The 3- and 4-year-olds from Kare Bear Christian Day Care were accompanied by Latasha Brady, owner of the Day Care, and pre-school teacher Keshia Hutcherson.

The Enterprise High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Wildcat Battalion’s Academic, Drill, PT and Rifle Teams competed at the Pell City Invitational in Pell City November 3. The Wildcat Battalion brought home the 1st Place Overall Trophy. Listed below are the individual team placings. The Blue Knights commanded by Tal Audiss won 1st Place in Armed Platoon Inspection and 1st Place Armed Platton Exhibition Drill. The Blue Knights Color Guard commanded by Edward Howell won 3rd Place Unarmed Color Guard and 2nd Place Armed Color Guard. The Belles of the Blue Knights commanded by Courtney Solie won 1st Place Unarmed Inspection, 2nd Place Unarmed Platoon Exhibition Drill & 2nd Place Armed Platoon Exhibition. The Belles of the Blue Knights Color Guard commanded by Amber Mayse won 2nd Place Unarmed Color Guard. Shekaunna McCauley was 2nd Place Individual Knockout Drill. Physical Fitness Team 1 commanded by Jake Holmes won 1st Place with Holmes taking home 1st Overall Male Divison and Colby Clark 2nd Place Overall Male Division. Physical Fitness Team 2 came in 3rd Place. The Precision Rifle Team commanded by Kailyn Ellis placed 1st and the Sporter Team commanded by Trinity Nez took home 3rd Place. MaKenzie Spence placed 3rd Sporter Team Individual.

Please email news and photos to schoolnews@ wiregrassparents.com!

Enterprise High School Band Scores Superior

Enterprise High School’s Big Blue Band earned straight superiors at the Beauregard Hornet Invitational Marching Competition. The Big Blue were also named the prelims gold division champion. They won Best in Class for dance line, color guard, and band. The Big Blue Band had the highest score and were named Grand Champions.

Elba Christmas Showcase 2018

Choir Christmas Concert is just around the corner. Come kick off the holidays and support our talented students! Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

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Pinedale Elementary School Fall Festival

Pinedale Elementary School held its fall festival October 31. Each homeroom teacher provided a game for the festival. Each grade level went by a schedule to spend 45 minutes outside playing games at the festival (which were free) and then 45 minutes at a dance event in the lunchroom. Students were allowed to come dressed in their Halloween costumes provided they were non-scary and schoolappropriate. The Pinedale staff would like to thank the ESCC Baseball players, members of County Line Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, and Cool Springs Baptist Church for running the games.

Coppinville Jr. High BETA Socktober Donation

The Coppinville Junior High School BETA Club presented half of the Socktober sock donations to Judy Crowley of Coffee County Family Services for distribution to those in need in our county. Mrs. Crowley is pictured with the BETA Club officers and sponsor, Susan Fox.

Please email news and photos to schoolnews@wiregrassparents.com!

Brayden (BB) Butler is right. His healthcare team is among the best in the nation! While practicing a motocross jump, BB fell and suffered a brain bleed. It would take half a year and surgeons, physicians, nurses and therapists to help him recover. Fortunately, for BB and thousands of other children, Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Alabama is ranked among the top hospitals for children by U.S. News & World Report. DOWNTOWN RUSSELL CAMPUS 1600 7th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35233

205.638.9100 CHILDRENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SOUTH OUTPATIENT CENTER Outpatient surgery, Pediatric Imaging, laboratory services and specialty care clinics

1940 Elmer J. Bissell Road Birmingham, AL 35243

205.638.4800

www.ChildrensAL.org

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Carroll High School Band Gets Superior Marks at Elba Pea River Marching Classic

Our Pride of the Wiregrass Marching Band did an exceptional job at the Elba Pea River Marching Classic. In prelims we received all superior ratings (1’s) and won Best in Class Colorguard and Class 2A Band Champions. We advanced to the finals and placed 4th overall. The students did an excellent job representing Carroll and the city of Ozark.

Midland City SecondGraders Survive Pretend Shipwreck

Lisenby Celebrates Red Ribbon Week

Mrs. Ward’s 2nd-graders had to pretend they were in a shipwreck and stranded on a deserted island. The task was to make a hat to protect their head with only these supplies available: a paper sack, a paper towel, a plate, string, clips and tin foil.

To celebrate Red Ribbon Week, the students at Lisenby Primary School enjoyed a visit from SpectraBear! SpectraBear reminds the kids to choose other activities instead of using drugs. SpectraBear loves to dance and students enjoyed a time of dancing with him!

Abbeville Christian Football Player Chosen AISA All-Star

South Dale Middle School Principal Gets ‘Mummified’

South Dale Middle School Principal Bucky Sconyers was “mummified” by his students on Halloween. Sconyers participated in the Dale County Men in Pink campaign. Each color of tape represents a different type of cancer. The school raised more than $564. All money collected will be donated to Relay for Life. Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

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Abbeville Christian student Hunter Starling was selected as an Alabama Independent School Association All-Star. He represented his school at the AISA All-Star football game in Montgomery at Cramton Bowl on November 30.

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Headland Student Wins Resume Contest

Headland High School student Anthony Thomas won the school resume contest, sponsored by HNB First Bank. He received a $100 prize. Thomas is shown with Headland High School Principal Jason Bradford and Zelda Oates, senior vice president of HNB First Bank.

Abbeville High Robotics Team to Compete in Regional Competition

Abbeville High School robotics team received an invitation to the B.E.S.T. Regional Robotics Competition in Auburn this December. The teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coach says it was a community effort and thanks those who donated time, supplies, money, equipment and moral support. A special thanks goes out to Tridelta Systems in Abbeville, local Kiwanis members, Southern Bone & Joint Specialists, and AHS alumni. (Photo credit: Leigh Scott-Money)

Headland Helps Florida Schools Affected by Hurricane Michael

In the wake of Hurricane Michael, Headland High School adopted the Jackson County, Florida school system. Between October 24 and November 2, the school collected individually packaged snacks, hygiene items, diapers and wipes. The supplies were donated to schools in Malone, Marianna, and Cottondale on November 6. 19

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Geneva Co. FBLA Gets New Uniforms Thanks to GCES Pre-K and GCHS Football Team

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The FBLA presented checks to the Geneva County Elementary School pre-K and the Geneva County High School football team. Both partnered with Dawg Prints Photography on picture projects that helped raise money for the FBLA and their groups. Because of these projects, we were able to raise money to purchase Official Dress for some of our officers. We will utilize these outfits for numerous events throughout the year. These are the first ones that we have had at GCHS, and we got them just in time for Litchfield week!

Geneva County Seniors Help Florida Schools Get Ready To Reopen

What an awesome day of service for 30 of our seniors!! We took 10 seniors from each high school to Jackson County Schools to assist them in preparing their campuses for the reopening of school in the wake of Hurricane Michael.

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Geneva Co. Student Wins NPF Hog Show

Congratulations to one of our pre-K Bullpups! Dewayne is in Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Sandersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class and he won first place at the National Peanut Festival showing his pig!

Slocomb Juniors Place in NPF Baking Contest

Slocomb High School juniors Paige and Saige Jernigan placed in the 2018 National Peanut Festival Baking Contest. Saige won first place with her cookie recipe, and Paige received honorable mention for her pie recipe. Way to go, girls! Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

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Slocomb Collects Supplies for Florida Schools After Hurricane

Way to go, Redtops! Slocomb elementary, middle and high schools have worked diligently t to help our neighbors who were affected by Hurricane Michael. Thank you to all who participated, especially the juniors and seniors, who made the supply drive part of their Homecoming 2018 activities.

ECES Celebrates Candy Corn Day

We had the best time celebrating National Candy Corn Day and Literacy Day in Mrs. Gancerezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s class at Early County Elementary School. We listened to a story, wrote opinion paragraphs, and colored a picture all while enjoying a candy corn treat!

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ECMS Know Your Classmates Day

ECES Early Birds Finish 2nd in Choral Competition

Schools across the country, including students at Early County Middle, participated in Know Your Classmates Day on October 26. Students were reminded of the importance of creating an inclusive community through positive communication and learning how to embrace differences. Students got to know something new about each other while creating an amazing public art piece that displays what they learned!

Congratulations to the Early County Elementary School Early Birds for receiving Superior Ratings and a 2ndplace finish competing against high school show choirs in Dothan. The Early Birds are the only elementary school show choir in our area.

Early County Elementary School Veterans Day

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Early County Elementary School honored Veteransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Day on November 9. Students made dog tags and soldiers. Mrs. Aldene Lee, whose son Weston was killed in the line of duty last year, visited and read a book about veterans. Ms. Paula Hartzog spoke to students about serving in the United States Air Force. ECES appreciates Ms. Paulaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service and is thankful to have her as a teacher.

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Time to Climb

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Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

From the moment a baby first strives to pull themselves up to their feet, the desire to ascend is ignited. It’s only a matter of months before toddlers clamor to climb, and so it goes as they grow. For kids, the climb comes with more than just a sense of adventure. Using both arms and legs, as well as the body’s core, the mechanics of climbing are ideal for conditioning muscle, improving coordination and cultivating good balance. The following items bring opportunities to climb closer to home for kids who want to aim high and reach higher.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Rock Climbing Holds

Triangle Rope Ladder

Transform a sturdy wall surface into a distinctive climb challenge with Squirrel Products’ twenty piece set of Rock Climbing Holds. With just enough protrusion for small hands to grip and little feet to perch, climbing walls offer kids a unique combination of physical and mental challenges with multiple options for ascent. Climbers can choose from simple paths upward or plot more varied journeys from base to summit. Complete with multicolored molded plastic holds and zinc-plated mounting hardware, this kit makes planning and building your own rock wall challenge is fast and easy. Creating a unique rock face for novices, these Rock Climbing Holds are custom made for creative climbing.

Whether you need an ascent to a treehouse or want to add a cool climbing challenge to your play environment, the Triangle Rope Ladder gets high marks. Constructed with heavy duty wooden dowels and thick, black braided rope, this ladder is sturdy with a 155 pound capacity. The single swing hanger attachment allows for slight pivoting action while three ground anchors maintain a secure main position. Offering climbing opportunities on both the outside and the interior of the triangle, the exploratory potential of this climber is doubled as well. Much like navigating up the shifting rigging of a tall ship, the Triangle Rope Ladder from Swing-n-Slide adds a sense of challenge and adventure that will keep kids climbing strong..

Climbing Rope Swing

Rope Tunnel Bridge

(Swing-n-Slide)

(Squirrel Products)

(Hearthsong)

Climbing isn’t always an uphill battle. The Rope Tunnel Bridge from Hearthsong puts a horizontal twist into the climb. With a cargo netting surround supported by super strong nylon ropes, the tunnel can be suspended in a variety of angles from level bridging to an inclined climb. Heavy duty ratchets allow for suspension of the eight foot bridge between longer spans of up to seventeen feet. Whether the tunnel is bridging between two destinations or hanging independently as an activity within a play space, the shifting movement and plentiful gripping surfaces ensures that kids navigate in ways that build strength, balance and physical confidence. Hearthsong’s Rope Tunnel Bridge is an exciting gateway to new climbing destinations!

(Jungle Gym Kingdom) Coupled with a disc base for sitting or standing, the Jungle Gym Kingdom’s Climbing Rope Swing offers extra incentive to move up in the world. The strong weather-resistant polyethylene rope offers a strong, non-abrasive core for small hands and legs to navigate. Featuring four-inch textured intervals along its length, kids have tempting holds and grips right at their fingertips to lure them higher. Familiar and simple, the climbing rope remains one of the most deceptively useful items in the play yard tool box as kids bring all their physical strength, coordination and balance to bear on one task - climbing the rope!

Gerry Paige Smith is a syndicated columnist recommending the best products for kids and their families. Discover more at www.PageBookMedia.com

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How to Protect Your Kid from “Fortnite” Scams

fake ones. These fake domains mimic developer Epic Games’ and Fortnite’s real styles, colors, and fonts to fool people. Some even put “Fortnite” in the URL. These sites also collect personal information, but they often go a step further in directly charging a credit card or bank account.

The popular game has become an easy way for scammers to trick kids into sharing way too much information

Social media scams. One of the most popular ways that scams are spread is through social media. Fake sites and V-Bucks generators often encourage people to share their links to get more points, which helps expose the scam to more people. Plus, these links often direct users to suspicious apps and malware that can also target your kid’s personal information.

You were just getting used to your kid’s obsession with Fortnite, and now, all you hear about is V-Bucks. V-Bucks, like Robux on Roblox, are Fortnite’s in-game currency. Players use them to buy the fun “skins” (characters and outfits) and “emotes” (those hilarious dances like “Flossing” and “Take the L”) that kids will say they totally need to make Fortnite even cooler. For the record: You don’t need V-Bucks to play Fortnite, and if you do spring for them, they cost real money. Also, online scammers are all over V-Bucks. Fortnite’s incredible popularity among kids has made it an easy target for rip-off artists trying to make some actual bucks while the game is hot. A recent study from online security company ZeroFox discovered more than 4,700 fake Fortnite websites, and the company sent out more than 50,000 security alerts about Fortnite scams in a single month. Kids are particularly vulnerable to requests to turn over personal information, including names and email addresses or even credit card numbers. Here’s how you can spot the scam and protect your kids.

YouTube video scams. Similar to link-sharing scams on social media, there are tons of YouTube videos offering free V-Bucks and more. These fake videos and accounts have millions of views and send gamers to other sketchy sites. Fake Android apps. After Epic Games made the controversial decision not to offer their Android app in the Google Play Store, scammers took advantage by putting up fake Fortnite apps. Although they’re designed to look like Fortnite, they’re really data theft and malware distributors in disguise.

Tips to avoid getting scammed Talk to your kids about how to spot and avoid Fortnite scams and other scams online. Here are some tips to keep your kid’s information private and your money safe: Be cautious when you give out private information. Tell kids to check with you before filling out forms, quizzes, registration pages, and the like on a website or app. For older kids, teach them to think carefully about why a site or app might want your data.

What to watch out for V-Bucks generators. “V-Bucks generators” are one of the biggest online Fortnite scams. These are often websites that offer people points for watching or clicking on ads, and these points can supposedly be traded in for free V-Bucks within Fortnite. Not only do these free V-Bucks never appear, these sites often try to collect people’s Fortnite usernames and passwords or have them take surveys where they submit personal data under the pretense of verifying that they’re human.

Only spend real money through official platforms. PlayStation, Xbox, Epic Games’ official website, and the official Fortnite app are the only places to buy V-Bucks. Anything else is a scam. Double-check URLs and domain names. Talk to kids about scams and how some sites or apps look very similar to the official ones but are designed to trick you into giving up money or information. Domain names and URLs might have only one letter or symbol that’s different from the original, so look carefully.

Fake domains. Similar to V-Bucks generators, there are also tons of sites that offer free V-Bucks or trick people into buying Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

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Dental Insurance for Kids? Q. Should I keep buying dental insurance for my kids, or is it just a gimmick? A. Dental insurance is one of those things

where it’s easy to see that the payout is greater than the return. We’ve had dental insurance proposed to us at my company several times as an employee benefit, but when you add up what you pay for it you’ll find you rarely spend that much on dentistry. In many cases, I advise self-insuring for dental care. Now, there is a dental discount company I highly recommend called 1Dental. com. This kind of thing is worth it. As a member, you get discounted rates on

dental work when you visit an in-network provider. I’ve gotten to know the folks behind this organization, too, and they’re great people.

Strained Relationship Over Borrowed Money Q. I borrowed some money from my parents in January, and it took a few months longer to pay them back than originally planned. Since then, I’ve noticed our relationship seems to be strained. They will sometimes make remarks about money when I’m around, and it’s obvious the things they say are aimed at me. I don’t want things to be like this between us during the holidays. I have taken steps to become more financially responsible, like watching my spending and living on a budget, so how can I address this issue with them? A. I’m sorry you’re going through this, but I hope everyone has learned a valuable

lesson. It’s okay to give money sometimes, as long as you’re not enabling irresponsible behavior in the process. But loaning money to or borrowing from friends and relatives will often lead to bruised feelings. If you paid them back, especially if it took longer than expected or agreed upon, there’s not much you can do if they choose to hold a grudge. With some folks, it just takes a little while for those kinds of things to heal. And considering it’s your parents, my guess is they’ll become more and more forgiving with time. Until then, maybe you could look for opportunities during conversations with them to mention your new approach to finances. Something as simple as referring your budget, or getting excited about how much you were able to put into savings from your last paycheck, might get their attention. A few subtle hints that you’re actively working to gain control of your finances might go a long way with your parents. If they realize you’re starting to handle your money more wisely, I’ll bet you’d start to notice a real difference in their attitudes!

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Mindful Holiday Magic Be Truly "Present" With Your Child This Christmas

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The holidays are here! You’ve planned and prepared. But too often the holidays can be a hectic, chaotic swirl of shopping, entertaining, and traveling. Kids may be looking forward to doing absolutely nothing during the holidays. They may be a little burned out from the structure and regiment of school, tutoring sessions and sports activities. If we aren’t careful, we can overbook the holidays too.

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By Laura Lyles Reagan Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

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You may choose to walk or bathe a dog at your local shelter, giving him a holiday treat. You may choose to volunteer to pack family food boxes at your local food bank or organize clothing racks at your local homeless shelter. Your child may want to gather gently loved books to take to the children’s wing of your local hospital. Or you both may enjoy staying close to home and raking leaves in the neighbor’s yard. Encourage your child to think of their own volunteer activity.

In an attempt to create the “perfect holiday,” we busy ourselves to the point of forgetting to enjoy the simple moments of the season and we teach our children how to stress over the holidays rather than how to enjoy relationships. Zig Zigler may have communicated it best. Love = time to a child. Why don’t we create magical holiday moments by slowing down and making a concerted effort to spend some simple one on one time with each one of our children individually?

One on one time with each child can fuel

6. Movie Day!

strong lifelong bonds and create holiday

Ask your child to pick his favorite holiday flick, Home Alone, Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph or other. Make popcorn and binge watch, snuggled up on the couch together – just you and your child. You may even string popcorn while you watch.

memories for years to come. It may seem counter intuitive to keep a list of possible “spontaneous” holiday activities to cultivate.

7. Holiday book binge

But the truth is, many of us aren’t good at

Go to your local library and check out holiday books. Make hot chocolate and sit and binge read together one right after the other. Be sure to ask your child which is her favorite and why. Talk about the stories. Take turns reading out loud and use funny voices to animate the characters.

letting go and truly being “present” with our children and simply having fun.

8. Holiday storytelling

Here are some ideas for spending one on one time with each child that doesn’t require a big budget and may be shared regardless of age or gender.

Tell stories to each other with the listener providing the first lines. Here are some story ideas: Rudolph the Untold Story, Frosty’s Vacation, the Zoo Holiday or Little Drummer Boy and the Flute Girl.

1. Holiday baking

Let your child lead the way. Find a recipe with simple ingredients they can follow without a lot of fuss. Or buy a tube of cookie dough from the grocery store and keep it simple. Talk and listen to each other while you are decorating cookies. Give some to the neighbors to introduce community building and talk about holiday values.

9. Rockin’ around the Christmas tree

2. Play outside

Take an evening drive before bedtime in your pajamas. Pipe in holiday tunes and drive around town looking at Christmas lights. Ooh and ah over what you see. (This one has become a tradition for my daughter and me.)

Put on your favorite Christmas music and rock out together! Get your groove on and give your child a spontaneous dance lesson. They may find out how cool you are.

10. Holiday lights tour

Even play in the rain or cold with your child. Enjoy your child’s smiles and giggles with no agenda or time limit.

3. Memory making

Make your own holiday magic, mindfully.

Organize old family photos into a holiday album or start a scrapbook of a beloved family holiday. Talking about the memories can help kids re-live the experience and draw you closer.

Add simple one on one kid time to your holiday to do list. Cut this list out of the

4. Homemade seasons greetings

magazine or print it up and put it on the re-

Buy a new box of crayons and construction paper. If you are really adventurous buy glitter or glitter glue. Make New Year’s cards. You may get really wild and make homemade ornaments. Put on some Christmas music if that’s your tradition and sing along while you create. Music is proven to enhance memory. If you sing off key and giggle, that’s even better.

frigerator as a reminder to seize the holiday moments and simply enjoy each other.

5. Volunteer together

Laura Lyles Reagan, MS is a parent coach, family sociologist and author of How to Raise Respectful Parents. She can be reached for parenting resources through her website at www.LauraLReagan.com.

Let your child pick the activity that means the most to him. 27

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Decorating Workshop

ad on page 11

New Year’s Eve Countdown ad on page 3

December 2 @ Landmark Park 430 Landmark Dr. Dothan, AL 36303 Create wreaths, garlands and swags out of natural materials. Decorate Landmark Park for Victorian Christmas and make some decorations to take home! Refreshments provided. Admission is free, but registration required. Time 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Time 7:00 p.m.-Midnight

(334) 794-3452 www.landmarkparkdothan.com

www.dothandowntown.org

Christmas in Candyland

Holiday Jingle Ball

ad on page 7 December 15 @

Women’s CEO Alliance 1369 Headland Ave. Dothan, AL 36303 Sounds by Chris Godber, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres & dancing as we kick off the holiday season at our 1st annual Jingle Ball! Formal or semi formal holiday attire. Accepting donations and canned food items. Tickets $30. Time 7:00-10:00 p.m. (334) 699-1984

December 31 @ Downtown Dothan, AL 36301 Ring in the New Year with us at our Dothan Downtown New Year’s Eve Countdown! The street festivities will take place on Foster Street and will include live entertainment, a midnight countdown and more.

womensceoalliance.com

Holiday Spectacular Park

ad on page 22

December 1-31 1768 Hubbard Rd Newton, AL 36352 Enjoy a spectacular light display and take in a host of other activities. This is a family-friendly park you will enjoy bringing your children to during their Christmas vacation from school, because it is free from profanity, drugs and alcohol. Times: 5:30-9:30 p.m. (334) 790-5112 info@holidayspectacularpark.com www.holidayspectacularpark.com

Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

Weekends in December 505 E Three Notch St Andalusia, AL 36420 Enjoy snow shows, ice skating, snow tubing, train rides and 2 beautiful cottage villages for imaginative play! www.christmasincandyland.com

Gardens Aglow

Fridays between Thanksgiving and Christmas @ Dothan Area Botanical Gardens 5130 Headland Ave. Dothan, AL 36303 Stroll through the Gardens between 5:00-8:00 p.m. and enjoy the many festive lights and displays. Have a cookie and hot chocolate. Visit with Santa Claus. Enjoy seasonal music and entertainment. Pets on a leash are welcome. Cost: $5. Flashlights recommended. (334) 793-3224 www.dabg.com

Heartwarming Stories of Christmas

Through December 2 @ Westgate Church of Christ 617 Westgate Pkwy. Dothan, AL 36303 An old-fashioned storytelling event. Yummy goodies, coffee, and hot chocolate included in ticket price. Time 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Early Co. Christmas Wish Tree

Through December 7 @ EC Family Connection PO Box 613 Blakely, GA 39823 Names available at Bank of Early, Commercial State Bank, and First Methodist Church. Accepting donations of toys, clothing, and books for ages 1-12. Monetary donations can be mailed to EC Family Connection. Gifts due December 7.

Santa for Seniors

Through December 8 597 Westgate Parkway Dothan, AL 36303 Help bring Christmas joy to Wiregrass seniors. Common requests include groceries, household repairs, and basic necessities. Drop off gifts at the old National Guard Armory in Dothan December 6-8, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (334) 793-6843 www.sarcoa.org

Salvation Army Angel Tree

Through December 10 @ Wiregrass Commons Mall 900 Commons Drive Suite 604 Dothan, AL 36303 Help provide Christmas for low-income children. Typical needs and wants range from clothes to a bicycle. Angels are available for adoption at Wiregrass Commons Mall. The tree is near the food court. (334) 792-1911

Christmas Short Story Contest

Through December 12 @ Ozark Dale Co. Library 416 James St. Ozark, AL 36360 The Ozark Dale County Library is accepting handwritten or typed 1-3 page stories based on the theme: giving is better than receiving. Stories can be dropped off in person or emailed. Winners will be announced at the Kids’ Christmas Party. (334) 774-5480 chlibrary@troycable.net www.odcpl.com

Jerusalem Project

Through December 12 @ Fostering Hope 1004 Montezuma Ave, Suite 1 Dothan, AL 36303 Sponsor foster children in Houston and Henry counties for their Christmas gifts. Gifts due December 12. Also collecting Christmas cards for foster families. (334) 589-0805 fosteringhope334@gmail.com www.fosteringhopewiregrass.com

Holiday Market

Through December 19 @ Daleville Senior Center 18 Old Newton Road Daleville, AL 36322 Shop for unique and special handcrafted gifts for all your loved ones. Crochet items, decorative ornaments, hand-sewn dolls and more. Times: MondayFriday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (334) 598-9197 dalesc@dalevilleal.com

Toys for Tots

Through December 21 Collecting new, unwrapped toys. Visit website for drop-off locations. Events: December 8 - Toys

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for Tots Tailgate at Folklore, & December 15 Southern Social Tacky Christmas Party.

Grand finale: 40 minute choreographed LED light show.

(334) 316-6839 wiregrasstoysfortots@gmail.com thewiregrass.toysfortots.org

(334) 803-8138 team@centerstage.info www.centerstage.info

Santa Ceramic Cookie Dish

Backyard Treasures Christmas Open House

Through December 22 @ Arts & Crafts Center Bldg 9205 Fort Rucker, AL 36362 The Arts & Crafts Center is offering ceramic cookie dishes for Santa to be painted during business hours. Cost: $10 per plate, includes supplies, craft time, and firing. (334) 255-9020 rucker.armymwr.com

Trawick’s Christmas in the Woodlands

Through December 28 Corner of Highway 84 & Boll Weevil Circle Enterprise, AL 36330 Drive-through Christmas light display. Train rides available some dates in December. Times: 5:009:00 Sunday-Thursday and 5:00-10:00 Friday and Saturday. Free admission.

Christmas on Oakwood

December 1 @ Backyard Treasures 2331 Ross Clark Circle Dothan, AL 36301 More than 70 vendors with lots of goodies ready for you to start your Christmas shopping. Door prizes and refreshments. Time 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (334) 678-1423

Chip & Fancy Elf’s Scavenger Hunt

December 1 Enterprise, AL 36330 Chip returns to Enterprise, and this year he’s brought along Fancy Elf! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat for fun and giveaways! (334) 347-0581

Christmas on the Square

Through December 31 @ Westbrook Subdivision Oakwood Drive Dothan, AL 36303 Tune your radio to 98.1fm to listen to the lights and dance to music. Please be mindful of neighbors and others enjoying the lights. Please do not liter or block driveways, and please remain in your vehicles.

December 1 @ Court Square Blakely, GA 39823 Entertainment--arts, crafts, car show with prizes, lots of fun for the kids. 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. EST Parade at 1:00 p.m.

Rock & Roll Christmas Nights Christmas Light Show

Christmas Tour of Homes

Through January 1 @ Center Stage Alabama 11295 Hwy 231 South Cottonwood, AL 36320 Drive past lit trees and Christmas scenes including Santa, Frosty, gingerbread men, and elves.

(229) 723-3741 info@blakelyearlycountychamber. org www.blakelyearlycountychamber.org

December 1 Eufaula, AL 36027 An enchanting tour of the South’s finest homes draped in holiday cheer! 1:00-6:00 p.m. (334) 687-3793

Christmas: Then & Now

December 1 @ First Baptist Church of Dothan 300 W. Main St. Dothan, AL 36301 The Baptist College of Florida Music and Worship Division Presents Christmas: Then & Now. Free Admission. Time 6:00-7:30 p.m. (850) 263-3261

Downtown Christmas

December 1 @ Downtown Dothan, AL 36301 Santa Claus is coming to town and he is bringing with him a pile of SNOW! Join us at our Dothan Downtown Christmas Festival for a day of family fun including sledding, s’mores, caroling, arts & crafts and much, much more! Time 10 a.m.-2 p.m. www.dothandowntown.org

Drop and Shop Parents Day Out

December 1 @ School Age Center Bldg 2806 Fort Rucker, AL 36362 Do you have some last-minute holiday shopping or decorating you need to complete? The School Age Center is happy to help! Call to reserve your slot. Brunch provided. Open Recreation will follow from Noon – 4:30 p.m. at no charge. Participants must be Child & Youth Services register member. Cost: $4 per hour. Time 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Enterprise Holiday Festival Downtown December 1 @ Downtown Enterprise, AL 36330 Arts and crafts vendors, kids activities, entertainment and more! Time 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Free admission. www.enterpriseal.gov

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Holiday Open House

December 1 @ The Fort Rucker Thrift Shop Red Cloud & Ruf Ave. Ft. Rucker, AL 36362 Door Prizes. Refreshments. Special Discount Treasure Hunt. Open to the public. Time: 10a.m.-2 p.m. (334) 255-9595 frtsmanager@gmail.com

Pictures with Santa

December 1 @ SunSouth LLC 168 Ross Clark Circle Dothan, AL 36303 Bring the kids to see Santa and get a picture with him. Time 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (334) 794-0691

Portraits with Santa

December 1 @ Cashwell’s Photo Bar 161 E. Main St. Dothan, AL 36301 View your images, pick your pose, and take home packages! Time: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. by appointment. Walk-ins 12:00-2:00 p.m. (334) 792-1022 goodphotos31723@yahoo.com www.cashwellphotography.com

Rad Giant Xmas Jam

December 1 @ Westgate Park Softball Complex 201 Recreation Rd. Dothan, AL 36303 Ramps and rails will be set up. Admission is $10 or a new, unopened toy for Toys for Tots. Fundraiser items available. Also collecting donations for Dothan Skate Park Initiative. Time 11 a.m.-3 p.m. dothanskateparkinitiative@outlook.com

Reindeer Ceramic Craft

December 1 @ Arts & Crafts Center Bldg 9205 Fort Rucker, AL 36362 The Art & Crafts Center is helping paint Santa’s reindeer army and we need your help! Time: 9 a.m. – Noon. Cost $3 per mini reindeer; $9 per large reindeer. (334) 255-9020 rucker.armymwr.com

Storytime and Activities Featuring “How to Catch a Snowman”

December 1 @ Barnes and Noble 4601 Montgomery Hwy Dothan, AL 36303 A snowman magically comes to life. Will he teach our heroes a lesson they’ll never forget? Join us for Storytime and get a coupon from our Café for a grilled cheese sandwich with milk or juice for $4! Time: 11:00 a.m. (334) 671-8013 stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2310

Toddler Tales

December 1 @ All About Art 100 S. Main St. Enterprise, AL 36330 Family experience with story time and a related art project for toddlers and their caregivers. Ages 15 months to 4. Sign up in store, online, or by phone. Time 10:00-11:00 a.m. Cost: $20 per child (334) 348-2738 www.allaboutartstudio.com

Granny’s Christmas Vacation

Dec. 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 @ Southern Broadway Dinner Theater 104 N. Main St. Enterprise, AL 36330 Granny Goodson returns to the stage with her son and some of her favorite servants as she decides to travel to Europe for Christmas. 3 Course Meal served.

Santa on the Square

December 1, 8, 15, 22 @ Court Square Andalusia, AL 36420 Join Santa in the big Candyland Sleigh for takeyour-own photo opportunities. Free admission. Time 2:00-4:00 p.m. www.christmasincandyland.com

Christmas Lights Corner

December 1-31 @ Halloween Corner 107 Maxwell St. Enterprise, AL 36330 Holiday yard haunt featuring homemade decorations. Open to all ages. Hours: Sunday-Thursday 6-9 and Friday and Saturday 6-10. If it is RAINING we will NOT BE OPEN. (334) 447-8046 eprisehalloweenhouse@gmail.com

Country Christmas Village of Lights

December 1-31 Highway 52 Webb, AL Hand and chain-carved scenes, with thousands of beautiful Christmas lights. You can enjoy all the beauty from the comfort of your car, as you drive through. Come out and experience a wonderful family Christmas event. Times: 5:00-9:30 p.m. Cost: $3

An Afternoon at Santa’s Workshop

December 2 @ Tanta’s Little Dessert Boutique 135 S. Court Square Ozark, AL 36360 Kids Christmas Party. Desserts, shopping, and pictures with Santa. Each child will receive a goody bag. Time 2:00-4:00 p.m. Tickets: $10. Limited space. (334) 379-5573 tantas_treats@outlook.com

Decorating Workshop

Mother Daughter Tea

December 2 @ Windmill Station 1369 Headland Ave Dothan, AL 36303 Enjoy a tea-style lunch; make a Christmas ornament; visit with Santa; decorate cookies; crafts; candy buffet; and Photobooth. Proceeds benefit Girls Inc.’s after school program. Time: 2 p.m. Tickets: $60/couple & $25 Each Additional Daughter, $35 for each additional adult.

(334) 793-9767 www.dhcls.org

City of Abbeville Christmas Parade December 3 Abbeville, AL 36310 Time 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Ft. Rucker Christmas Tree Lighting

December 3 Ft. Rucker, AL 36362 Music, hot chocolate, the lighting of the Post Christmas Tree, and a very special visitor from the North Pole. Complimentary photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus at The Landing. Winner of the ornament decorating contest will be announced. Free and open to the public. EFMP friendly. Time: 5:00 p.m. (334) 255-1749 rucker.armymwr.com

God in Shoes SPA Day for Women

December 3 @ Dothan First Seventh Day Adventist 147 Picard Road Dothan, AL 36301 God in Shoes will have a SPA day for up to 100 women in partnership with the Department of Human Resources, The Harbor House, and the House of Ruth. Accepting women’s clothing and shoe donations through December 1st. Time: 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (334) 618-3421 www.dothanfirst.org

Book Club, Christmas Party, Book Swap December 4 @ The Herbal Toad 120 N. Court Square Ozark, AL 36360 Discussing “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Bring two books to swap with other members, and a bookish gift ($10 or less) that is wrapped. Optional: Food or wine to share. Time 6:00-7:30 p.m. (334) 714-9503 theherbaltoad@gmail.com www.theherbaltoad.com

Christmas Showcase 2018

December 4 @ Elba High School Auditorium 131 Tiger Dr. Elba, AL 36323 Come kick-off the holidays and support our talented students! Featuring the Eclectics Show Choir, including students from Elba, Kinston, New Brockton and Zion Chapel, and Elba Elementary School Choir students. Time 6:00 p.m. Free admission. (334) 897-2801 www.elbaed.com

Nativity Choir Christmas Performance

Dothan Christmas Tree Lighting

December 2 @ The Episcopal Church of the Nativity 205 Holly Lane Dothan, AL 36301 The Nativity Choir with the Nativity String orchestra and the Enterprise Community College Choir will perform the Christmas section of Handel’s Messiah at 4 p.m. A reception will follow. Free. Childcare provided. (334) 793-7616 administrator@nativitydothan.org www.nativitydothan.org

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(334) 671-8401

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Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

December 2 @ Dothan-Houston Co. Library - Main 445 N. Main St. Dothan, AL 36303 Tweens & Teens (ages 10 & up) can design and decorate the ugliest sweatshirt imaginable. All supplies provided. Pizza and drinks provided. Please indicate which size shirt you would need. Registration Required. Time 1:30-3:00 p.m.

(334) 793-2321

(334) 470-6568 www.southernbroadway.com

December 1, 2, 8, 15 @ Michaels 4601 Montgomery Hwy #400 Dothan, AL 36303 December 1: Gingerbread houses @ 1:00 p.m. December 2: Gingerbread slime @ 2:00 p.m. December 8: Try Me Day @ 1:00 p.m. December 15: Christmas T-shirts @ 1:00 p.m.

Ugly Sweater Party

December 2 @ SweetBabies Photography 117 Choctaw Ave. Ozark, AL 36360 15 minute sessions. 20 Christmas cards. 5x7 print. Goody bag from Santa. Spots are limited. Cost: $120. $20 nonrefundable retainer due upon booking. Time 12:00 p.m.

December 4 @ Dothan Civic Center 126 N. Saint Andrews St. Dothan, AL 36303 Mayor Mark Saliba and members of the Dothan City Commission along with other special guests welcome the beginning of this joyous season. The Montana Magnet School Fifth Grade Chorus will perform Christmas carols. Santa will be on-hand for photos. Time: 6:00 p.m. (334) 615-3700

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December 4 @ Downtown Ozark, AL 36360 The City of Ozark will light its Christmas tree at 6:00 p.m. The parade will immediately follow, starting at Broad and Peacock Street and ending at the Super SAV parking lot. Parade entry deadline: November 27.

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Jingle Jam

December 5 @ Watermark Church 103 Elmer Rd. Ashford, AL 36312 A Christmas Party big enough for the entire family! Jingle Jam starts at 6:00 p.m. Followed by hot cocoa and Christmas cookies. (334) 899-3624 www.watermark-church.com

Brown Bag Volunteer Days

December 5, 6, 14, 19 @ Wiregrass Area Food Bank 382 Twitchell Rd. Dothan, AL 36303 Decorate holiday meal bags. Pack pallets, boxes and bags. Pick up bags. Open to individuals or groups. Call ahead to schedule. (334) 794-9775 www.wiregrassfoodbank.com

Ugly Sweater Party

December 6 @ Dothan-Houston Co. Library - Westgate Recreation Road Dothan, AL 36303 Tweens & Teens (ages 10 & up) can design and decorate the ugliest sweatshirt imaginable. All supplies provided. Pizza and drinks provided. Please indicate which size shirt you would need. Registration Required. Time 5:30-7:00 p.m. (334) 793-9767 www.dhcls.org

SEADAC’s The Nutcracker

December 6-9 @ Dothan Civic Center 126 N. St. Andrews St. Dothan, AL 36303 This performance will be full of surprises as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary. The magic of the holiday season begins with the tradition of The Nutcracker. Tickets $25 seadac@graceba.net www.southeastalabamadancecompany.org

Ashford Christmas Parade & Festival

December 7 Ashford, AL 36312 Family-friendly event. Arts and crafts, food vendors, and Santa Claus. Parade entry $10. This year’s theme is “Whoville.” Time 6:00 p.m. ashfordareachamber@gmail.com

Lighting Up the Season Night Christmas Parade

December 7 Blakely, GA 39823 Floats covered in Christmas lights will parade down Columbia Street to the square. Christmas tree lighting to follow. Time 6:30-7:30 p.m. EST (229) 723-3741 info@blakelyearlycountychamber.org www.blakelyearlycountychamber.org

Pajama Storytime and Activities Featuring “The Polar Express”

December 7 @ Barnes and Noble 4601 Montgomery Hwy Dothan, AL 36303 Join us for this beloved Christmas story featuring a young boy who is welcomed aboard on a magical trip to the North Pole where he gets to make his Christmas wish. Free hot chocolate and cookie from the café. Pajamas encouraged. Time: 7:00 p.m. (334) 671-8013 stores.barnesandnoble.com/ store/2310

Starry Nights Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony

December 7 Daleville, AL 36322 Floats will line up at Windham Elementary School before winding down Daleville Avenue to Warhawk Drive. Tree lighting ceremony to follow on Daleville High School Lawn. Time 5:30 p.m. (334) 598-6331 chamber@dalevilleal.com www.dalevilleareachamber.com

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

December 7 @ Mother Ruckers 319 RUF Ave. Fort Rucker, AL 36362 Put on your best ugly sweater and join Mother Rucker’s on Friday, December 7 from 8 - 11 p.m. for their Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and a night full of fun! You must be 18 years or older to attend. (334) 255-3916

Concerts and Carols

December 7, 8, 14, 21, 22 505 E Three Notch St Andalusia, AL 36420 Enjoy the magic of Candyland while hearing your favorite Holiday tunes performed live at the Springdale on Ice Stage. Free Admission. 6:00-9:00 p.m. www.christmasincandyland.com

The Nutcracker

December 7-9 @ LBW Dixon Center for the Performing Arts 1000 Dannelly Blvd. Andalusia, AL 36420 Andalusia Ballet presents the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Join us as we ring in the holiday season with beautiful dancing, costuming, and music. December 7th and 8th @ 7:30 p.m. December 9th @ 2:30 p.m. Tickets $15 (334) 222-6620 info@andalusiaballet.com www.andalusiaballet.com

32nd Annual Christmas Parade

December 8 @ Downtown Fort Gaines, GA 39851 Get in the mood for the holidays. After the parade there is a raffle drawing for cash prizes and lots more! Along downtown Hancock Street. 2-4 p.m. (229) 254-0183

A Night in Bethlehem

December 8 @ Countyline Baptist Church 1000 Hwy 92, Enterprise AL 36330 Join us at 5 pm as we take a trip back in time to first century Bethlehem. Pay your taxes, but avoid the Roman guards on horseback! Meet all the shopkeepers in the market square. They all seem to have heard about a couple who recently arrived in Bethlehem, and the woman is pregnant! (334) 347-6082

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Advent Quiet Day

December 8 @ The Episcopal Church of the Nativity 205 Holly Lane Dothan, AL 36301 Escape the holiday hustle and bustle and spend some quiet prayer time. Free. Childcare available. Lunch provided. Time 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (334) 793-7616 administrator@nativitydothan.org www.nativitydothan.org

All Breeds Rescue’s Secret Santa for Strays

December 8 @ Tractor Supply 1305 Boll Weevil Circle, Enterprise, AL 36330 Come out a d help make a shelter pets wish come true. All they want is a loving home for Christmas. A $5 donation gets you a ticket for a great Christmas basket. Help us fill the van with blankets, food, toys, and supplies to keep these babies happy and healthy. Time 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (334) 360-3091

Breakfast with Santa

December 8 @ The Landing 113 Novosel St. Fort Rucker, AL 36362 Kids get to meet Santa too! Enjoy a delightful breakfast including favorites like Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon, Hashbrowns, Fruits and more. Reservations are highly recommended. Time 9:00 a.m.-Noon. (334) 255-0769 rucker.armymwr.com

Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

Charity Ball

December 8 @ Dothan Elks Lodge 3041 Ross Clark Circle Dothan, AL 36301 Annual charity ball for Christmas to benefit children in the Wiregrass! Time 6:00 p.m. (334) 792-9167 info@dothanelks.org

Christmas at the Farmers Market

December 8 @ Enterprise Farmers Market 521 N. Main St. Enterprise, AL 36330 A fun day for all ages. Produce and arts and crafts vendors. Kids can visit with Santa Claus and make an ornament for the tree. (334) 348-2668 www.enterpriseal.gov

Christmas Cookie Sale

December 8 @ Christ the King Lutheran Church 208 E. Watts St. Enterprise, AL 36330 For $6 per pound, attendees can pick their own treats. Fair trade items also available for purchase. Time 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (334) 347-6716 enterpriselutheran.org

Church Wide Christmas Party

December 8 @ Cool Springs Baptist Church 3004 C.R. 708 Enterprise, AL 36330 Dinner, Fellowship and Christmas fun for all ages. Time 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Cookies and Canvas: Gingerbread House

December 8 @ All About Art 100 S. Main St. Enterprise, AL 36330 Ages 17 and under. Designed to be a family experience, but kids ages 10 or older can participate individually. Sign up in store, online, or by phone. Time 1:00-2:30 p.m. Cost: $20 Per 11x14 Canvas; $30 Per 16x20 Canvas (334) 348-2738 www.allaboutartstudio.com

Educator Holiday Shopping Event

December 8 @ Barnes and Noble 4601 Montgomery Hwy Dothan, AL 36303 Educators treat yourselves to 25% off almost everything in store, and 10% off Cafe treats. Enter to win a Pamper Yourself gift basket featuring Barnes & Noble products. (334) 671-8013 stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/2310

Headland Christmas Parade

December 8 @ Downtown Headland, AL 36345 The Grand Marshal will lead the Headland Christmas parade through the downtown area followed by bands, floats, queens, dignitaries, horses and Santa Claus. Visit with Santa at the Library after the parade. Time 10:00 a.m. (334) 693-3303 www.headlandal.org

Saddle Up Santa

December 8 @ Dothan Boots & Saddle Club 1347 E. Saunders Rd. Dothan, AL 36301 Christmas festival with free entertainment including games, crafts, and bounce houses. Cake walk, door prizes, and silent auction. Letters to Santa, pictures with Santa and gifts from Santa. Live music, Christmas skit on horseback, horse-drawn wagon rides. Proceeds go to Wiregrass 2-1-1. Time 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (334) 685-2409

Sounds of the Season Concert

December 8 @ Ozark Civic Center 320 E. College St. Ozark, AL 36360 The Carroll Symphonic Band and Jazz band will be participating in the 2nd Sounds of the Season Concert hosted by the Dale County Performing Art’s Council. Time 7:00 p.m.

Wiregrass Cars & Coffee Holiday Toy Drive

December 8 @ Ceramic Pro Dothan 1098 Wheat St. Dothan, AL 36303 Collected new, unwrapped toys for the Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity to be distributed throughout Jackson County. Ugly holiday sweaters encouraged, as well as decorations on your ride. Time 7:45-10:30 a.m.

Camel Lot Children’s Christmas Program

December 9 @ Hartford Baptist Church 105 E. Burch St. Hartford, AL 36344 The children will present “Camel Lot” the musical at 5:30 p.m. followed with a finger food fellowship. Come and join us for a lot of fun as we bring you the message of the birth of our Savior. (334) 588-2236 hartfordbaptist.com

Christmas Decorating Cookie Class

December 9 802 Boll Weevil Circle Enterprise, AL 36330 Learn how to make royal icing, outline and flood a cookie, and the wet-on-wet technique. Participants will get to airbrush their own cookie. Time: 3:006:00 p.m. Cost: $55 All materials included. traceydg@gmail.com

Victorian Christmas

December 9 @ Landmark Park 430 Landmark Dr. Dothan, AL 36303 Sip hot apple cider or hot chocolate while listening to Christmas carols and visiting with Santa. Oldfashioned desserts, arts and crafts, music, wagon rides and handmade decorations. Receive a holiday message in the Headland Presbyterian Church. Time 1:00-4:00 p.m. (334) 794-3452 www.landmarkparkdothan.com

Meet Santa!

December 10 @ Dothan-Houston Co. Library Westgate Recreation Road Dothan, AL 36303 Santa Clause will be at the Westgate Library! Bring your Christmas wish lists and your best behavior. Santa will be taking pictures with all the kids so parents have your cameras ready! Ho ho ho! (334) 699-2950 alove@dhcls.org www.dhcls.org

Santa Cookie Placemats

December 10 @ Dothan-Houston Co. Library Westgate Recreation Road Dothan, AL 36303 Stop by our Children’s Library prior to meeting Santa to make a cookie placemat. Supplies are limited with a strict limit of one per family please. Time 6:00-6:30 p.m. (334) 699-2950 alove@dhcls.org www.dhcls.org

Every Christmas Story Ever Told / Holiday Dinner Theater

December 10-15 @ Cultural Arts Center 909 S. St. Andrews St. Dothan, AL 36303 Three actors perform every Christmas story ever told, plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons, and every carol ever sung. Contains mild adult language and content. Tickets include dinner and dessert. Cash bar available. www.seact.com

Walk Thru Bethlehem

December 11-16 2864 S Brannon Stand Rd. Dothan, AL 36305 Led by a tour guide, you will interact with the people of Bethlehem on the eve of Jesus’ birth.

www.wiregrassparents.com

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Natalie Grant & Danny Gokey Celebrate Christmas

December 12 @ Dothan Civic Center 126 N. St. Andrews St. Dothan, AL 36303 Award-winning artists Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey ring in the holiday season together for the third year in a row as they co-bill their popular Celebrate Christmas Tour, presented by Compassion International. Time 7:00-10:00 p.m. (334) 615-3175 www.dothanciviccenter.org

Gingerbread Cookie Decoration

December 13 @ Dothan-Houston Co. Library Westgate Recreation Road Dothan, AL 36303 Come by our Westgate Branch to decorate some freshly made gingerbread cookies and have some hot cocoa. This program is for ages 8 & up only please. REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED, BUT SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED! (334) 793-9767 alove@dhcls.org www.dhcls.org

Christmas at the Chapel

December 14 @ Old Providence Foundation 88 Providence Lane Daleville, AL 36322 Join us for a wonderful evening of music, the story of the first Christmas, visits with Santa, and festive food. Time 6:00-7:30 p.m.

A Mystery Masquerade-Christmas Murder Mystery Dinner

December 14 & 15 @ Black Cat Bakery 120 S. Main St. Enterprise, AL 36330 Come dressed to impress or disguised to intrigue. Be prepared to act out a role in the mystery. BYOB. Tickets: $35 (non-refundable) Time 7:00-8:30 p.m. (334) 803-4064 blackcatbakeryal@gmail.com blackcatbakeryal.com

A Chili Country Christmas

December 14-15 @ We Piddle Around Theater 102 N. Main St. Brundidge, AL 36010 Renowned performances with your meal of a chili supper and holiday dessert. Come early and enjoy a wagon ride through historic downtown Brundidge. Performances by Grammy nominee, storyteller and acoustic musician Josh Goforth. (334) 344-9427 or (334) 670-6302 www.piddle.org

Ole Time Christmas

December 14-15 @ Pioneer Museum 248 U.S. Highway 231 North Troy, AL 36081 Celebrate Christmas of days gone by. Time 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Admission $12 (334) 566-3597 pioneer@troycable.net www.pioneer-museum.org

Christmas Ham Shoot

December 15 @ Silver Wings Golf Course Fort Rucker, AL 36362 Tee times 7:00-9:00 a.m. Cost: $20 per player (plus cart and green fees if applicable). Open to the public. (334) 255-0089 rucker.armymwr.com

DBDC Christmas (Formal) Dance

December 15 @ Cultural Arts Center 909 S. Saint Andrews St.Dothan AL 36301 Live Music by The Randy Marlow Band. Festive attire. Please bring a finger-food appetizer to share. Guests welcome at $10 per person. 7-10 p.m. (334) 796-7472

Hot Cocoa and Characters

December 15 505 E Three Notch St Andalusia, AL 36420 Meet and Greet with Mickey, Minnie, Santa, Princesses, Superheroes, and other favorites at the

Hot Cocoa and Characters event at Christmas in Candyland. Free Admission. 4:00-6:00 p.m. www.christmasincandyland.com

Kids Christmas Party

December 15 @ Ozark Dale Co. Library 416 James St. Ozark, AL 36360 Guess who’s coming to our Christmas Party?! None other than Santa himself! Join us for stories, crafts, refreshments, and more with Santa! Time 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (334) 774-5480 chlibrary@troycable.net www.odcpl.com

Christmas Program (A Birthday Party for Jesus)

December 16 @ Grace Place Church 5730 Shellfield Rd. Enterprise, AL 36330 Everyone is invited to join and celebrate the birth of Jesus. There will be no child care during this evening service. Time 6:00-8:00 p.m. (334) 347-5214 gpadmin@graceplacechurch.net graceplacechurch.net

Kids Christmas Decorating Party

December 16 @ First Baptist Church of Slocomb 225 N. Dalton St. Slocomb, AL 36375 Christmas Cookie decorating, Ornament making, and the Christmas story. Ages: 2 years-5 years accompanied by an adult & Kindergarten-5th Grade. RSVP by Friday, December 7. Time 4:00-6:00 p.m. (334) 886-2200 fbcs206@aol.com fbcslocomb.com

Making Spirits Bright

December 17 @ Hoobler Music Studio 201 W. College St. Enterprise, AL 36330 Come out and listen to some great live music with Roy and friends, featuring Leah Lancaster and Scotty Johnson. Jazzy arrangements of favorite carols and popular songs of the season. $10 suggested donation. Time 7:00-9:00 p.m. (334) 390-1009

Sandi Patty - A Family Christmas

December 18 @ Dothan First 3615 W. Main St. Dothan, AL 36305 A musical journey through Christmas, with classics such as “O Holy Night” and carols arranged just for the family. Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m. Tickets: $20 General Admission; $30 Gold Circle; $75 VIP (334) 793-4194 dothan1st.org

Blue Christmas

December 19 @ The Episcopal Church of the Nativity 205 Holly Lane Dothan, AL 36301 Not everyone can get into the holiday spirit. This special service focuses on the spiritual side of the Christmas story and is specifically for those people for whom “Merry Christmas” is not something they can ascribe to. Time 12:00 p.m. (334) 793-7616 administrator@nativitydothan.org www.nativitydothan.org

Foster Family Christmas Party

December 20 @ Calvary Baptist Church 901 Montezume Ave. Dothan, AL36303 Foster families: we are throwing a Christmas party for you and your little ones! Santa himself will be there, handing out gifts and candy. RSVP by December 12. This is for all licensed Houston/Henry/Dale County and ABCH foster families! Time 6:00 p.m. www.calvarydothan.com

Screen on the Green: A Muppet Christmas Carol

December 20 @ Wiregrass Museum of Art 126 Museum Ave. Dothan, AL 36301

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy “A Muppet Christmas Carol” in WMA’s garden. Free popcorn, food trucks, and a cash bar. Time 7:30 p.m. In case of bad weather, the movie will move inside. (334) 794-3871 www.wiregrassmuseum.org

Christmas at Covenant

December 20 & 24 @ Covenant UMC 3610 West Main Street Dothan, AL 36305 Traditional and Contemporary services will all be candlelight. Kids service during the 9:45 hour Sunday morning. Invite a friend for this celebration through music, a message and memories that will last a lifetime. covenantdothan.org/christmas

A Christmas Murder Mystery The Ugliest Sweater Party Ever

December 21 @ Black Cat Bakery 120 S. Main St. Enterprise, AL 36330 An interactive Murder Mystery brought to life by YOU, our guest! Event is BYOB and Ugly Sweaters encouraged but no required! Traditional Ham Dinner. Tickets $35 per person. (334) 803-4064 blackcatbakeryal@gmail.com www.blackcatbakeryal.com

Christmas Songs and Stories with John Berry

December 21 @ Dothan Opera House 115 N. St. Andrews St. Dothan, AL 36303 John Berry’s annual Christmas tours brighten the holidays for thousands as does his electrifying rendition of “O’ Holy Night.” Time 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $26-$26. VIP Experience (separate ticket) $21 (334) 615-3175 www.dothanciviccenter.org

Twas the Grinch Before ChristmasCookie Decorating and Story

December 22 @ Black Cat Bakery 120 S. Main St. Enterprise, AL 36330 Children will decorate 3 Grinch cookies and hear a story. Pajamas encouraged. Serving pancakes and hot cocoa. Limit 2 adults per family. Times: 5:00 & 6:30 p.m. Cost: $20 (334) 803-4064 blackcatbakeryal@gmail.com blackcatbakeryal.com

Christmas with The Bridge Church

December 23 @ The Bridge Church 1063 Geneva Hwy. Enterprise, AL 36330 Celebrate the birth of our Christ spiritually and traditionally. Pastor Howard will tell the children the Christmas story straight out of the Bible. Special music and gifts for the kids. Time: 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (334) 393-8225

Contemporary Christmas Evening Worship

December 23 @ Ridgecrest Baptist Church 1231 Fortner St. Dothan, AL 36301 A mixture of music and Scripture reading throughout with mostly updated, well-known Christmas songs. Time 5:00-6:00 p.m. jblair@rbcdothan.org www.rbdothan.org

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 24 @ Harvest Church 2727 Fortner St. Dothan, AL 36305 Everyone is invited to join us for a special 45-minute service with music, a short message, communion, and candle-lighting. Please Note: Childcare will be available for children who are 2 years and younger only. (334) 702-6555 www.harvestdothan.com

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Christmas Eve Service

tivities will take place on Foster Street and will include live entertainment, a midnight countdown and more. Time 7:00 p.m.-Midnight

December 24 @ Mt. Gilead Baptist Church 2864 S Brannon Stand Rd. Dothan, AL 36305 Come join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior! Time 5:30-6:00 p.m.

www.dothandowntown.org

New Year’s Eve Family Friendly Party

(334) 792-4842 mgbcdothan.com

December 31 @ Southern Cross Ranch 6215 South C.R. 55, Headland AL 36345 7:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. A fun night of family friendly entertainment with dinner, dance and karaoke. Prizes to win during the night by playing raffle, bingo and kid-friendly games. Tickets: Kids 1-7 FREE, Youth (8-18) $15, Adults $35.

Christmas Eve Service

December 24 @ Calvary Baptist Church 901 Montezuma Ave. Dothan, AL 36303 Time 5:00-6:00 p.m. www.calvarydothan.com

Christmas Eve with Us

December 24 @ Wiregrass Church 900 W. Main St. Dothan, AL 36301 Our Christmas Eve service is the perfect opportunity to bring friends, coworkers and family. We are excited to spend Christmas Eve with you. Childcare available. Times: 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. (334) 678-6115 ltaylor@wiregrasschurch.org www.wiregrasschurch.org

2018 Alabama New Year’s Meeting

December 27-31 @ Hartford Highway Church of Christ 4186 Hartford Hwy. Dothan, AL 36305 The meeting will be under the direction of Bro. Clint De France with several evangelists preaching throughout. This year’s theme will be based upon the timely admonition of Jeremiah 6:16 to “Ask For The Old Paths”. A new generation needs to hear

of why the old paths of righteousness are the good way even today. info@alabamanym.com www.alabamanym.com

New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop

December 31 @ Pier Park Panama City Beach, FL 32413 Enjoy free live music, entertainment, fireworks, and good cheer. Two separate Beach Ball Drops at 8:00 p.m. and midnight. www.visitpanamacitybeach.com

New Year’s Eve Countdown

December 31 @ Downtown Dothan, AL 36301 Ring in the New Year with us at our Dothan Downtown New Year’s Eve Countdown! The street fes-

(334) 693-9505 thesoutherncrossranch.com

New Year’s Eve Gala

December 31 @ The Grand 170 N. Foster St. Dothan, AL 36301 Formal Attire. Music and Dancing. Hors d’oeuvres. Midnight Champagne Toast. Space is limited. Tickets $30 Time 8:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. cheersdothan@gmail.com

New Year’s Masquerade

December 31 @ The Uptown 160 S. Saint Andrews St. Dothan, AL 36301 Masks required upon entry. Champagne for everyone in house at midnight. Live jazz. Tickets: $10. Time 8:00 p.m. (334) 699-1688 WP

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The Grinch

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: AViolence: B+ Sexual Content: B+ Profanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: A Remaking a beloved classic is always a risky proposition. The 1966 television adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ timeless “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” has been an annual seasonal tradition for generations of children. With its faithful retelling of the original story, whimsical mid-century aesthetic, unforgettable soundtrack, and flawless character animation (who can forget the Grinch’s evil grin?), it’s hard to beat. The big question in 2018 is: Does this year’s animated version live up to the original TV special? The answer is: Not quite, but it comes very, very close. The plot differs from the book at a few points but holds few surprises for older viewers. It also feels bloated, a natural result of stretching a children’s book to feature film length. That being said, this film shines in its visuals and animation. The sets are all beautifully rendered – from the Grinch’s lonely home to his friend’s over-decorated house, to the town of Whoville, which is a bright, festive, child’s fantasy – so popping with colorful decorations that it looks good enough to eat. The animation is also superior, with the Grinch’s fur depicted in exacting detail: you can see individual hairs blowing in the wind. The animators have managed to project the Grinch’s personality, even adding a touch of vulnerability and self-doubt that was missing in previous versions. Parents looking for a new family Christmas tradition could do worse than this cheerful, upbeat movie. It has very few content issues aside from slapstick violence which will only scare the most sensitive children. And it has wonderful messages about caring for others, treasuring family, reaching out to those who are alone, letting go of past hurts, changing for the better, and forgiving others.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: BViolence: BSexual Content: AProfanity: AAlcohol / Drug Use: A Watching a ballet performance of The Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition for many families. This 19th century fairy tale about a girl whose toy nutcracker comes to life is most famous for its unmistakable music and whimsical characters. It’s also gone through countless film and stage adaptations-something Disney is clearly mindful of in this latest installment. If you’re looking for a faithful retelling of the classic, you can forget it. This version is deliberately different. Parents with sensitive little ones might want to note that giant, squirmy mouse-monsters aren’t the only frightening visuals. The land of carnival amusements has seen better days, and features plenty of leering sculptures and broken fair rides that emerge eerily from the fog. It’s also home to a host of hyperactive clowns who spring from one another’s rotund bodies like Russian nesting dolls. This nightmarish imagery is too dark for younger kids. Though the movie attempts the heartwarming messages of self confidence and cherishing family relationships, these moments don’t have the support of the script to make them meaningful. With the film’s “believe in yourself” themes and strong dose of girl power, Clara proves an almost identical character to Disney’s other recent leading ladies, such as Moana or Frozen’s Anna or Elsa. The film is visually stunning, and while this adds to the experience, it can’t salvage the poor pacing and weak characters. Like a mouthful of cotton candy, this particular take on The Nutcracker is pretty and sugary sweet, but ultimately hollow.

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Creed ll MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: B+ Violence: B Sexual Content: C Profanity: C+ Alcohol / Drug Use: BA sequel to 2015’s Creed, this film continues to follow the life and career of Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), son of the famous champion Apollo Creed (originally played by Carl Weathers). With none other than Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) in his corner, coaching him through his fights, Creed takes the Heavyweight Champion title. However, Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) returns with his son Victor (Florian Munteanu) and challenges Creed to a fight. Now Creed must balance his new family, his personal pride, and his Championship title against his desire for revenge against the son of the man who killed his father in a fight more than 30 years ago. The primary content issue parents will have with this film is the language. That said, the language in this film is primarily limited to one word (everyone’s favourite scatological term) repeated maybe a dozen times. Creed seems determined to limit all violence to the ring, and outside of that context, people are largely courteous. This being said, the story is too intense for children and the PG-13 rating is appropriate. With an exceptional cast turning in amazing performances, the highlight of the film is Sylvester Stallone: he plays the aging Rocky Balboa with class and charm and gives the picture a lot of heart. He is conflicted and scared, but through it all brings a sense of thoughtfulness and care to everything he does.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B+ Violence: BSexual Content: A Profanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: A Six years after the conclusion of Wreck-It-Ralph, arcade game characters Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) have established a routine: they work in their games all day and hang out and grab a root beer at “Tapper” (a classic arcade game). While this suits Ralph just fine, Vanellope finds herself wishing for a life with more a few more unexpected turns in the road. Even her racing game has become too predictable! But when Ralph tries to help her by modifying the track, a frustrated player breaks the arcade cabinet for Vanellope’s game, and the arcade owner can’t afford to replace the part. The only place the part is available is on the internet, and it looks like Ralph and Vanellope will be able to sneak in to the worldwide web, but how will they find it once they’re there? And will they be able to pay for it? The movie’s only real problem is excessive and blatant product and corporate logo placement. By my count, there are no fewer than 24 instances of major product placement, from companies like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Amazon, eBay, and Google, etc. This kind of saturation marketing is more than a little irritating. Children growing up in the digital age are especially vulnerable to this kind of near-subliminal marketing. Cynical and all-consuming advertising aside, “Ralph Breaks the Internet” has a nice message about the values of friendship and the importance of maintaining healthy relationships. 35

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As the chief director of your family’s universe, you’re the pulse-point of the home. But if that means you’re struggling under the mantle of an unforgiving schedule, now is the time to re-evaluate. Your health depends on it. Just ask Nefertari Williams. When nine-months pregnant with her fifth child, Williams suffered a life-threatening heart attack that forced her to reassess her chaotic lifestyle. Like many moms, 34-year-old Williams’s daily routine included getting her children ready for school before heading to her full-time job working with cognitively and physically disabled preschoolers. Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

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After slogging through a 45-minute commute home from work, she quickly made dinner, helped her children with homework and then taxied them to dance, karate, swimming and singing practices. “I made sure my children were not only involved in many activities--they had to be the best,” says Williams, who was also a stage mom to her oldest daughter, a talented singer. In addition, she sold cosmetics and her handmade jewelry. Squeezed into her schedule were visits to the nursing home to see her mother, who had suffered a massive stroke. Her husband, who worked nights, managed the family’s laundry. Williams blames her exhausting schedule for contributing to her heart attack, which was caused by a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). According to the American Heart Association, SCAD typically affects young women who are otherwise healthy. Thirty percent of the time, the condition, which is a spontaneous tearing in the coronary artery wall, occurs among women who have recently had a child. SCAD does not have any warning signs, making it hard to diagnose prior to a heart attack. Although doctors aren’t sure why SCAD occurs, Williams says, “after reaching out to other SCAD survivors, we had one thing in common--hyperactive lifestyles.”

Overcommitment health risks “Wanting to please, wanting to be everything to everybody, women just keep extending themselves, until their minds and bodies cannot cope,” says Rosalie Moscoe, RHN, RNCP, and author of Frazzled Hurried Woman! Your Stress Relief Guide to Thriving.

Besides heart disease, chronic stress can lengthen the recovery time from illness and fuel other long-term health problems, like obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, insomnia, headaches, depression and even infertility. A hectic lifestyle could also make conception more difficult, says Elle Griffin, a natural fertility expert and feminine vitality coach.

Moderate exercise Exercise in moderation can help relieve stress, but Griffin warns that overtaxing an already stressed body with too much strenuous exercise can increase the stress hormone cortisol. “High levels of circulating stress hormones can impair adrenal function, resulting in brain fog, lethargy and the dreaded ‘pregnant belly’ even if you are not with child,” she says. “Some women even start losing their hair.”

How can you better manage your busy lifestyle? Prioritize. Make a list of everything you do. Decide which items can be eliminated, pared down or delegated to others. Can you organize a carpool with another parent? Can you limit your kids’ activities to one per season? Are there volunteer activities that you no longer find meaningful? Can your kids fold and put away laundry? “Dissect one of your most stressful commitments,” Moscoe says. “Your own thoughts and feelings about what is expected of you will determine how much stress you will feel. If you have elder care, get your teenage kids or other family members to visit your folks and do errands. It doesn’t have to be you all of the time.”

Williams, who is in congestive heart failure, says she now mostly manages her home and family from her bed. “After nearly losing my life, I have learned what’s important which is my love of my higher power and my family,” she says. “My family is happy because I am here with them. They don’t miss the hyperactive lifestyle at all.”

Pursue pleasure. Integrate activities into your day that bring you personal joy. “That doesn’t mean you have to go to yoga or pilates,” Griffin says. “Whether it’s eating cake for dinner or having drinks with girlfriends, doing things just for yourself can have a huge effect on your endocrine health and fertility.” Try out a new recipe, engage in a favorite craft, read a book or take a nap. Or plan to do nothing at all. Schedule “me time” in your calendar if necessary.

Practice saying no. Avoid adding any new commitments to your schedule. If an opening appears on the calendar, try not to fill the space by obliging someone else. Think you can afford to wait to rein in your hyperactive lifestyle? “Sit down and look into your loved ones eyes. Then, picture them looking at you while laying in the critical care unit of a hospital,” Williams says. “Because you love them, take care of you, so you can be here to watch them grow up.” WP Christa Melnyk Hines is a freelance journalist and author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life, a resource for moms seeking a more balanced social life that supports their emotional health.

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FamilyCalendar Saturday December 1

Spring Soccer Registration ($25 Ages 3-4; $45 Ages 5-14) Fort Rucker, AL, 36362 Players must be a CYS member and have current sports physical to register. Prospective coaches needed. Registration runs through January 18. Parent’s meeting January 23. Practices begin January 28. (334) 255-0950 rucker.armymwr.com Panama City Beach Marathon (Marathon - Individu-

al/Wheelers $80, Team of 5 $375; Half Marathon - Individual/ Wheelers $55; Team of 5 $250; 5K - Individual $40)

7:00 a.m. Pier Park, Panama City Beach, FL, 32413 Run through paradise alongside our award-winning beaches in the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5K or Kid’s Fun Run. Pre-registration required. pcbmarathon.com

Young Eagles Fly Free (Free) 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Ozark Airport, 3247 Highway 231 South Ozark, AL, 36360 Open House & Young Eagle flights. Ages 8-17. A parent or guardian must be present for registration. Young Eagle flights made possible by volunteer efforts of members of EAA Chapter 351 in Enterprise, and Pilots from the surrounding area. Hollywood Stunt Camp and Anti-Bullying Extravaganza ($10 General Admission; $25 Pizza with

Ninja Turtles; $50 Train with Power Ranger)

9:00 a.m. Ozark Civic Center, 320 E. College St. Ozark, AL, 36360 This Hollywood Stunt Camp is for all-ages, and it will be the best camp you have ever attended. We will have the Red Ranger himself (Steve Cardenas) and Hasaan Rasheed of BLACK PANTHER at the event, as well as tons of games, prizes, vendors and more!!! Don’t forget to dress up for the COSPLAY BATTLE at 4pm! (850) 612-2849 Scott 1817 Seminole War Battle 9:00 a.m. Landmark Park, 430 Landmark Dr. Dothan, AL, 36303 December 1 & 2: Annual Seminole War living history event and reenactment. Our focus is preserving the heritage of the Creek War of 18131814 and First Seminole War of 1817-1818. We have living history encampments, battle reenactments, vendors, exhibitors, food and more. (850) 693-1547 dale@oldkitchen.org First Saturday Family Day (Free) 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Wiregrass Museum of Art, 126 Museum Ave. Dothan, AL, 36303 A free comeand-go art activity for kids of all ages. December’s First Saturday activity will give guests the opportunity to construct a constellation lumiere. After selecting a constellation and poking the holes to form its pattern in a piece of paper, participants will assemble it around an LED tea light (while supplies last). All supplies are provided and no pre-registration is required. (334) 794-3871 www.wiregrassmuseum.org Zonta Club of Dothan Inaugural Poker Run 10:30 a.m. Harley Davidson of Dothan, 2418 Ross Clark Circle Dothan, AL, 36301 Zonta Club of Dothan is hosting our very first Poker Run to raise awareness and support for our service partners, House of Ruth, Chrysalis Home For Girls, The Exchange Center for Child Abuse Prevention, and Girls Inc. (850) 685-7733 fit2fight2day@gmail.com Open Recreation Open House (Free) 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., School Age Center, Bldg 2806 Fort Rucker, AL, 36362 Open to all school age children registered with CYS. We will have activities for all of our interest areas to give you a peek at what our after school program is like. Refreshments will be provided. Open Recreation is free for qualified patrons and we can’t wait to see you all there! (334) 255-9108 rucker.armymwr.com

Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

The Red Ball ($20) 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Belle’s Event Plaza, 320 E. Powell St. Dothan, AL, 36303 Celebrate the season styled in FIRE and ICE! MAO invites you to dance the night away in your best red and silver at this annual semi-formal affair in observance of World AIDS Day. Remember those we have lost and honor the survivors. Great food, great friends, and a great cause. Cash bar. Proceeds benefit the HIV/AIDS prevention education, care, and wellness programs of MAO in South Alabama. Additional donations accepted. (334) 836-1215 maoi.org

Wednesday December 5

Brown Bag Volunteer Day: Decorate Bags/ Pack Pallets 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Wiregrass Area Food Bank, 382 Twitchell Rd. Dothan, AL, 36303 Help decorate Holly Jolly Bags and load pallets. Open to individuals or groups. Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended. You should be able to stand for 1.5-2 hours and do light lifting. Call ahead to schedule. (334) 794-9775 www.wiregrassfoodbank.com

For many more events, please check out our Holiday Happenings Guide on page 28! Classic Rock and Blues Showcase ($5) 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m., Live at Harlow’s, 190 W. Reynold’s St. Ozark, AL, 36360 Come join us for a night of classic rock, southern rock, and blues featuring the Black and Gold Band, Oddly Enough, and The L.A. Playboys. It’s going to be a night you don’t want to miss! 21 and up! Music starts 8:30 p.m. www.liveatharlows.com

Sunday December 2

Meals of Hope 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Enterprise First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Main St. Enterprise, AL, 36330 We are accepting donations now to provide 35,000 meals! $30-$40 suggested. Join us December 2nd to assemble these meals through the “meals of hope” organization. (334) 347-3467 www.efumc.com Highland Games Volunteer Meeting 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Dothan Houston Co. LibraryWestgate, Recreation Road Dothan, AL, 36303 Monthly planning meeting for the 2019 Highland games in Dothan AL. This is an open meeting to those wanting to be involved and help with the planning and running of the games. www.wiregrasshighlandgames.com Reptile Feeding (Adults $4; Kids $3) 4:00 p.m. Landmark Park, 430 Landmark Dr. Dothan, AL, 36303 Meet Indie our Eastern Indigo snake, along with our Corn snake and Grey Rat snake, and learn why these animals are important to the environment. www.landmarkparkdothan.com

Tuesday December 4

Thursday December 6

Brown Bag Volunteer Day: Pack Boxes 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Wiregrass Area Food Bank, 382 Twitchel Rd. Dothan, AL, 36303 Open to individuals or groups. Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended. You should be able to stand for 1.5-2 hours and do light lifting. Call ahead to schedule. (334) 794-9775 www.wiregrassfoodbank.com

Lego Builders Club (Free) 3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Daleville Public Library, 308 Donnell Blvd. Daleville, AL, 36322 Come join us for some fun build challenges or you can enjoy some easy going freestyle building. It is sure to be a fun time for all, and best of all it is FREE! (334) 503-9119 First Thursday (Free) 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Court Square, Blakely, GA, 39823 The kids can enjoy fun and games on the Square, including free ice cream, popsicles, corn hole games, races, etc. Great vendors with homemade items, face painting, stylish clothing and jewelry, jellies, jams, cakes, etc. (229) 723-3741 www.blakelyearlycountychamber.org Top Chef 16 Premiere Party ($25 Armbands) 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., KBC, 151 N. Foster St. Dothan, AL, 36303 Join us for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres & celebration as we kick off the new season of Top Chef 16:Kentucky featuring local chef, Kelsey Barnard Clark. Cash bar and specialty menu available. BYO chairs and blankets. Portion of proceeds donated to Dothan Animal Shelter. (334) 446-0885 contact@eatKBC.com 2nd Annual Alveta Houston Hawk Wine & Food Festival ($50 per Person; $500 Table of 8) 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Windmill Station, 1369 Headland Ave. Dothan, AL, 36303 An evening of food and wine tasting. Non-alcoholic beverages and beer also available. Silent auction. Featuring Legacy Band with a special tribute to Aretha Franklin. All proceeds benefit the Hawk-Houston Youth Enrichment Center. (334) 792-4618 www.hawhoustonyec.org Stuffed Animal Sleepover (Free) 6:00 p.m. Center Library, Fort Rucker, AL, 36362 Children and caregivers can enjoy stories and songs at the regular monthly Pajama Story Time. Afterward, your stuffed animal can stay for a sleepover in the library. Your stuffed animal can be picked up the next day at 10:15 a.m. where you can view a slide show of all the stuffed animals’ antics the night before. A photo album will also be provided. This program is for all ages and open to authorized patrons. (334) 255-3885 rucker.armymwr.com

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FamilyCalendar Angel of Hope Candlelight Vigil (Free) 7:00 p.m. Angel of Hope Statue, Westgate Park Dothan, AL, 36303 A vigil to remember all the children who are no longer with us. A white flower will be provided for each family to place at the base of the statue in memory of their child. Performance by The Friends Choir. Rain or shine event.

Saturday December 8

Dirty Stroll-N-Roll ($25 Individual; $40 Team) 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Forever Wild Trails, 3636 Fortner St. Dothan, AL, 36305 The Dirty Stroll-N-Roll Trail Duathlon is a 3.75 mile trail run, 9.5 mile Mountian Bike ride, and then a 1.2 mile trail run to finish. This is an unsanctioned race. You can race by yourself or as a team, with one running and one riding. www.samdothan.org/the-dirty-stroll-n-roll Single Parent Conference (Free) 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 7185 Old Webb Rd. Webb, AL, 36376 Designed to educate, empower, and equip single parents so that they will have the knowledge and tools to live better lives for themselves and their children. Lunch will be provided and give aways. Childcare not available. (334) 625-9575 www.singleparentconference2018. eventbrite.com Popcorn and a Movie (Free) 12:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Ozark Dale Co. Library, 416 James St. Ozark, AL, 36360 Free kid-friendly movie with popcorn and a refreshing beverage! Showing “The Lion King.” www.odcpl.com Michael J Thomas Live at The Uptown ($5 Before

9:00 p.m.; $10 After 9:00 p.m.)

8:00 p.m. The Uptown, 160 S. Saint Andrews St. Dothan, AL, 36301 Welcome a star to the One Band One Sound Stage. Michael J Thomas is a chart topping Smooth Jazz artist. He is a must-see talent! Show starts at 9:00 p.m. (215) 280-3803

Monday December 10

Friends of Ozark 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Ozark Dale Co. Library, 416 James St. Ozark, AL, 36360 The mission of this group is to bring together citizens of diverse backgrounds and to promote an environment of harmonious relationships within the Ozark Community. Everyone is invited to attend.

Friday December 14

Brown Bag Volunteer Day: Pack Bags 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Wiregrass Area Food Bank, 382 Twitchell Rd. Dothan, AL, 36303 Open to individuals or groups. Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended. You should be able to stand for 1.5-2 hours and do light lifting. Call ahead to schedule. (334) 794-9775 www.wiregrassfoodbank.com Quilts of Valor Workshop (Free) 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Arts and Crafts Center, Bldg 9205 Fort Rucker, AL, 36362 Come and join us as we endeavor to piece together quilts under the instruction of experienced Quilts of Valor quilters. Finished quilts will be presented to Wounded Warriors, as a show of honor and comfort. Any skill level can participate as various tasks of the quilting process will be needed. The free workshops are open to the public, ages 16 and over. Please RSVP a minimum of 2 days prior to workshop date. (334) 255-9020 rucker.armymwr.com F.A.I.T.H. Riders (Free) 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Camp Ground Baptist Church, 3898 Andrews Ave. Ozark, AL, 36360 Join us the 2nd

Friday of every month for Open Throttle Friday (OTF) for supper, fellowship, and a message. Everyone is welcome.

to stand for 1.5-2 hours and do light lifting. Call ahead to schedule. (334) 794-9775 www.wiregrassfoodbank.com

Saturday December 15

Slime Lab (Free) 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Dothan Houston Co. Library - Main, 445 N. Main St. Dothan, AL, 36303 Join us each month for a different squishy-icky type of gelatinous goo! All supplies provided. Registration is REQUIRED! (334) 793-9767 www.dhcls.org

A Change in Me Seminar (Tickets $40; Vendors $50)

8:30 a.m. Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center, 795 Ross Clark Circle Dothan, AL, 36303 Domestic violence seminar where education, awareness, statistics, and signs of this abuse will be examined. Que’Nona Guilford, the founder of “A Change in Me”, will share her passion on the anticipated direction of this awareness movement, as she unveils the “Unknown Truth” about domestic violence. You may not be going through it, but somebody you know is experiencing it. (334) 446-8281 or (334) 798-5973 Coffee & Coloring (Free) 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Dothan Houston Co. Library - Westgate, Recreation Road Dothan, AL, 36303 Join us for Adult Coffee and Coloring. A time of relaxation, creativity and where friendships are made. All supplies are provided or bring your own. (334) 699-2950 www.dhcls.org Art Exchange 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Mural City Coffee Co., 192 S. Foster St. Dothan, AL, 36301 Join us at the end of each month for our monthly art exchange and take home your favorite piece. Come out and meet local artists, purchase that piece you’ve had your eye on all month and preview the next months display pieces. (334) 446-3867 The Uptown Comedy Night ($20 Advance; $25 at

the Door)

7:00 p.m. The Uptown, 160 S. Saint Andrews St. Dothan, AL, 36301 Host Sweet Baby Kita brings an awesome lineup of comedians that will have you laughing out loud. The show is guaranteed to be funny. If you don’t think so, we will give you your money back! (334) 699-1688

Tuesday December 18

Move, Groove, Read! Baby Lapsit (Free) 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Center Library, Fort Rucker, AL, 36362 This program is designed especially for babies aged 0 to 18 months and their grown-ups! You and your baby will sing songs, do finger-plays, and enjoy books and baby games, all intended to help little ones discover words and language. (334) 255-3885 rucker.armymwr.com Adult Book Club (Free) 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Center Library, Fort Rucker, AL, 36362 Come discover a new favorite author or genre and be part of our engaging discussion. This free program is open to authorized patrons ages 18+ and is EFMP friendly. Light refreshments will be served. (334) 255-3885 rucker.armymwr.com

Wednesday December 19

Brown Bag Volunteer Day: Pick-Up Bags 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Wiregrass Area Food Bank, 382 Twitchell Rd. Dothan, AL, 36303 Open to individuals or groups. Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended. You should be able

Thursday December 20

HIPPY Group Meeting (Free) 9:30 a.m. Wiregrass Boys & Girls Club, 457 S. Alice St. Dothan, AL, 36301 Join HIPPY at our monthly group meetings! Children will engage with home visitors in developmentally appropriate character development activities while parents attend a Parent Cafe to discuss and learn. Snacks are provided before activities begin. December’s topic is compassion. *All Counties Are Welcome* (334) 792-6255 Lego Builders Club (Free)

3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Daleville Public Library, 308 Donnell Blvd. Daleville, AL, 36322 Come join us for some fun build challenges or you can enjoy some easy going freestyle building. It is sure to be a fun time for all, and best of all it is FREE! (334) 503-9119

Teen Book Club (Free) 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Center Library, Fort Rucker, AL, 36362 Join us and discover your new favorite author. Light refreshments will be served. Open to authorized patrons. EFMP Friendly. (334) 255-3885 rucker.armymwr.com Thirsty Third Thursday ($35) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Ohana Smoothie Bar, 621 Boll Weevil Circle Enterprise, AL, 36330 Come and enjoy a 20 oz smoothie and the craft of the month. Price includes all materials needed and the smoothie of your choice. Bring your own additive to make a frozen cocktail if you want! (334) 348-2738 www.allaboutartstudio.com Screen on the Green (Free) 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Wiregrass Museum of Art, 126 Museum Ave. Dothan, AL, 36303 WMA’s presents “A Muppet Christmas Carol” in the museum’s garden. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, bring a picnic or purchase snacks from local food trucks and vendors. FREE popcorn and cash bar for those 21 and older. (334) 794-3871 www.wiregrassmuseum.org The Amazing Race Library Edition (Free) 1:00 p.m. Ozark Dale Co. Library, 416 James St. Ozark, AL, 36330 Race in teams across the 7 continents. Also at 4:30 p.m. www.odcpl.com

Friday December 28

Xtreme Lock-In Party ($30) 12:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Xtreme Air Trampoline Park, 441 Nypro Lane Dothan, AL, 36305 The last Friday of Every month from Midnight to 7am. Ages 8 to 18 are welcome. Police Officer will be present at each lock-in. (334) 797-5867 xtremeairtrampolinepark.com

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FamilyCalendar Sunday December 30

Special Needs Sunday ($15) 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Xtreme Air Trampoline Park, 441 Nypro Lane Dothan, AL, 36305 The last Sunday of every month we will open the park for Special needs kids and adults from 6pm to 8pm. Cost covers 2 hours. Free socks. (334) 797-5867 xtremeairtrampolinepark.com Adult Skate Night ($10 admission; $2 standard skate

rental; $3 speed/inline rental)

7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., Fun Zone Skate Center, 465 Westgate Pkwy. Dothan, AL, 36303 Dust off your old skates (or borrow ours) and join us for Sunday Funday! DJ Smoke playing your favorite skate jams from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s. Laser Tag, Arcade & Pizza Zone Cafe open. (334) 678-7529 www.funzoneskatecenter.com

Every Sunday in December

Scrabble Club (Free) 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Dothan Houston Co. Library Westgate, Recreation Road Dothan, AL, 36303 Join us for Scrabble Club on Sundays at Westgate! (334) 699-2950 www.dhcls.org Chess Club (Free) 2:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m., Dothan Houston Co. Library Main, 445 N. Main St. Dothan, AL, 36303 Join us for Chess Club every Sunday at Main! All Chess boards and pieces are provided. (334) 793-9767 www.dhcls.org

Every Monday in December

LEGO Block Party (Free) 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Center Library, Fort Rucker, AL, 36362 Calling all kids who like to build with those popular, colorful, and tiny bricks! Visit the Center Library every Monday afternoon from 3:30 to 4:30 and build, build, build! No registration required. Open to authorized patrons and EFMP friendly. (334) 255-3885 rucker.armymwr.com

Every Tuesday in December

Story & Craft Time at Main (Free) 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., Dothan Houston Co. Library - Main, 445 N. Main St. Dothan, AL, 36303 Join us for preschool story & craft time. Registration is not required, but supplies are limited and will be available on a first come basis. Stories and crafts are designed for ages 2-6. (334) 793-9767 www.dhcls.org Toddler Tales (Free) 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Lucy Hilton Maddox Memorial Library, 11880 Columbia St. Blakely, GA, 39823 Story time with music and crafts for children under the age of 5. GP Quilters (Free) 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Grace Place Church, 5730 Shellfield Rd Enterprise, AL, 36330 Get together with other quilters of ALL skill levels, male and female, to create and construct colorful quilts for infirmed and homebound members or friends who will enjoy them. Just bring your sewing machine or willingness to help! (334) 347-5214 www.mygpchurch.com

Wednesdays in December

Story & Craft Time at Westgate (Free) 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Dothan Houston Co. Library - Westgate, Recreation Road Dothan, AL, 36303 Join us for preschool story & craft time. Registration is not required, but supplies are limited and will be available on a first come basis. Stories and crafts are designed for ages 2-6. (334) 699-2950 www.dhcls.org

Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

Club STEAM Powered (Free) 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Daleville Public Library, 308 Donnell Blvd. Daleville, AL, 36322 A fun, free after school science program for grades 5-8. Learn about different fields of science and engineering through fun hands-on experiments. December 5, 12, & 19. (334) 503-9119 Storytime with Parent to Parent (Free) Enterprise Public Library, 101 E. Grubbs St. Enterprise, AL, 36330 Join Miss Jennifer, Miss Kylie, and Miss Dianna for a time of stories and songs! 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (334) 347-2636 www.enterpriselibrary.org

Thursdays in December

Story Time (Free) 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Ozark Dale Co. Library, 416 James St. Ozark, AL, 36360 Each Thursday at 10:30 and 4:30 we meet for a story, a craft and a snack all focused on a theme. www.odcpl.com

Fridays in December

Story Time (Free) 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Center Library, Fort Rucker, AL, 36362 This program introduces the joy of reading to children ages 2 - 5 years old, and enhances parent-child interaction. A typical Story Time includes a story and coloring or craft time. (334) 255-3885 rucker.armymwr.com Far Out Friday (Free) 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Lucy Hilton Maddox Memorial Library, 11880 Columbia St. Blakely, GA, 39823 Science for children ages 6-12.

Classes Art

Art Club 10:30 a.m.-noon. first and last Saturdays of the month at Ozark-Dale Co. Library. Miss Alden Delaney will give art lessons for children ages 5 years and up. All skill levels are welcome; we provide the art supplies, and there is no charge for the lessons. For more info, call (334) 774-5480 or visit www.odcpl. com. Artist Escape @ Rudd Art Center (Ozark) 11 a.m.-2 p.m. come-and-go on Wednesdays. Ann Rudd Art Center, 144 E. Broad Street, Ozark. No cost and all skills are welcome. If you need technique or inspiration, advice is free too. We paint draw, cut and paste, share ideas, stories and artsy odds and ends. For more info, call (334) 445-6526 or visit www. ruddartcenter.org/. Arts & Crafts Weekly Classes Ft. Rucker Arts & Crafts Center offers a variety of classes for all ages. For more info, call (334) 2559020 or visit https://rucker.armymwr.com/programs/ arts-crafts-center. • Woodshop Safety: Saturdays, 9-10 a.m. $5 fee per person. • Stained Glass: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $40 fee per person. • Double Stained Glass: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon. $40 fee per person • Children’s Painting: Every other Saturday, 1-3 p.m. $20 fee per child/Additional $10 for parents. • Adult Painting: Every other Friday, 6-8 p.m. $30 fee per person. *Classes must be paid for before class starts.* Cookies and Canvas 1-3 p.m. 2nd Saturdays. All About Art, 100 South

Main Street, Enterprise. For kids, teens and parents. Class is designed to be a family experience for parents and children; however, kids 10-17 may be signed up to participate independently. Refreshments served as a part of the creative experience. $20 per 11x14 canvas; $30 per 16x20 canvas. Sign up in store, at www.allaboutartstudio.com or by calling (334) 348-2738 and paying over the phone. Private party times available. Min. of 10 people required. Cultural Arts Center Visual Art Classes 909 S. St. Andrews Street, Dothan. Children’s and Adults’ exploratory art classes will be held in the Messy Space building at the Cultural Arts Center. Registration is open online at www.theculturalartscenter.org or in person at the box office of the Cultural Arts Center. For more info, call (334) 699-2787. Preschool Art Class 3:30 p.m. Thursdays. Tispy Easel, 102 S. Cherokee Avenue, Suites 2 & 3, Dothan. Fun activities for children ages 2-6. We provide all supplies needed. Cost: $15. One adult is required to stay with each child when attending this class. For more info, call or text (334) 714-7147. Toddler Tales Art Classes 10 a.m. 1st Saturdays. All About Art, 100 South Main Street, Enterprise. For kids 15 months to 4 years and their caregivers. Class is designed to be a family experience, with story time and a related art project for toddlers and their caregivers. Light toddler-friendly refreshments will be provided. Cost is $20 per child. Sign up in store, at www.allaboutartstudio.com or by calling (334) 348-2738 and paying over the phone. Private party times available. Min. of 10 people required. Private party groups can pick any painting from our archives or current paintings. “Wine” Down with Art (Canvas Painting Class) 7-9:30 p.m. November 23, 24 & 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 & 22. All About Art, 100 S. Main St., Enterprise. Step-by-step class for all experience levels. You must pay in advance to reserve your spot for the evening. We accept walk-ins as space is available. Must be 18 years or older. Cost: $30 per person. Bring your own beverages and refreshments and we will provide everything else. For more info, call (334) 348-2738 or visit www.allaboutartstudio.com/. Youth Art Classes 4-5:30 p.m. December 4, 11 and 18. Wiregrass Museum of Art, 126 Museum Avenue, Dothan. Students will learn about a new work of art each week by discussing the artist and how it was created, as well as sharing thoughts on the work in a sketchbook made by each student. Pre-registration required by the first Saturday of the month. Cost: $35 members; $45 non-members. Call (334) 794-3871 or register at www.wiregrassmuseum.org.

Bible Journaling

6 p.m. Wednesdays at Enterprise First United Methodist Church, 217 South Main Street, Enterprise. Ladies’ class led by Regena Lacey in the Gathering Room. Includes a short devotional centered on a specific scripture followed by an art project to creatively break down and reflect upon that scripture. Each participant receives her own sketch book within which to collect scripture art throughout the year. Participation fee is a ONE-TIME $10. Register online at EFUMC.com, through the church office at (334) 347-3467 or e-mail regenalacey@gmail.com.

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FamilyCalendar

FamilyCalendar Choral Classes

Una Voce is a community choir for children in grades 5-8,that is in residence at the Cultural Arts Center on St. Andrews St. in Dothan. Membership in Una Voce is a commitment to faithful, consistent and punctual attendance. It is expected that both rehearsals and performances will take a very high priority in each child’s life. Cost is $20 a month or $100 for fall session. Please visit www.theculturalartscenter.org for details.

Computer & Technology

Free Basic Computer Classes 9-10 a.m. Saturdays at Ozark-Dale Co. Library. You’ll learn the basics of using your computer, the internet, e-mail, Microsoft Office and more! Registration is not required. Free Tech Classes 2-3 p.m. Fridays at Ozark-Dale Co. Library. We can help you with your smart phone, tablet or your e-reader! Please bring your device to the class. Registration is not required.

Dance

Aqua Zumba 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Center. Low-impact, high-energy aquatic exercise. Participants do not need to know how to swim. Classes are open to authorized patrons only, ages 14 and up. For more info, call (334)2559162 or (334)255-2672. CREATIVE MOVEMENT CLASS FOR PRESCHOOLERS at Dothan Cultural Arts Center Ages 3-4, potty trained, and able to leave Mom to be in class. Meet 3:45-4:15 p.m. on Tuesdays through December 11. $20 a month for class ($100 for the session). Wear basic black leotards, white tights and ballet shoes (black or pink). Contact info listed above. DANCE 1 at Dothan Cultural Arts Center Ages 5-9 (school age). Meet 4:15-5:15 p.m. Tuesdays through December 11. $35 a month for class ($175 for session). Wear black leotards, white tights and ballet shoes. (Also need black tap shoes.) Contact info listed above. DANCE 2 at Dothan Cultural Arts Center Ages 10-14. Meet 5:15-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through December 11. $40 a month for class ($225 for session). Wear black leotards, white tights and ballet shoes. (Also need black tap shoes.) Contact info listed above.

Gardening

Master Gardener Training Course 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Dale County Extension Office. Classes are taught by Auburn University and extension specialists, regional extension agents, and certified Master Gardeners. Subject matter includes: plant nutrition, plant id, turf grass, landscape management, landscape design, entomology, plant diseases, vegetable gardening, home fruit production, and more. Fifty hours of volunteer service is required to become a Certified Master Gardener. Cost of the course is $150. For more info, call (334) 774-2329.

Health & Nutrition

Omni Fit Classes 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Ridgecrest Baptist Church, 1231 Fortner Street, Dothan. Classes are always free so come check one out and get fit! Children welcome. For more info, call (334) 792-9406 or visit www.rbcdothan.org/. TaeKwonDo Classes 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays. Perry Rec-

reation Center, 223-299 Community Dr, Ozark. For more info, call (334) 774-2523. Weight Watchers 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays. Dale Medical Center, 126 Hospital Ave, Ozark. Basement Floor, by the cafeteria. Class cost is $13. Enrollment fee is $35. For more info, call (334) 774-2601 or visit www.dalemedicalcenter.com.

Sign Language

Wiggles and Giggles 10 a.m., first Thursdays and fourth Mondays at Enterprise Public Library, 101 E Grubbs St., Enterprise. FREE baby signing class. Come sing and sign! For more info, call (334) 347-2636 or e-mail director@ enterpriselibrary.org.

Magic

Linking Rings Club 5-6:30 p.m. Mondays. Titan Magic, 518 N. Daleville Ave., Daleville. Totally free. Ages 5 and up are welcome. Learn the ins and outs of magic, the history, how to do different types of magic and illusions. Meet other kids and share ideas. For more info, call (334) 494-5996 or visit www.titanmagic.net/.

Music Lessons

Fast Track Series: Acoustic Guitar for Modern Worship 5-7 p.m. Sundays through December 16. Harvest Church, 2727 Fortner St., Dothan. The class requires no previous knowledge of the instrument. Join us in Meeting Room 3 upstairs in the new building. We will learn about music notation, tablature, chords, riffs, and more. Childcare available during this time. For more info, e-mail grouplife@harvestdothan.com or call (334) 702-6555, x232.

Science & Engineering

Club STEAM Powered for Grades 5-8 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Daleville Public Library, 308 Donnell Blvd, Daleville. A fun and free afterschool science program. Learn about different fields of science and engineering through fun hands-on experiments. Program funded by a grant from the Wiregrass Foundation. Please register at the Daleville Public Library. Call (334) 503-9119 or e-mail dalevillepubliclibrary@troycable.net.

Sewing

Crochet with Kirk 2-4 p.m. December 1 & 15. Dothan-Houston Co. Main Library - Community Room, 445 North Oates Street, Dothan. This is a beginner class and all supplies are provided. This activity is for ages 12 & up. Registration REQUIRED. For more info, call (334) 793-9767 or visit www.dhcls.org. Crochet Class 1-2 p.m. Saturdays. The Herbal Toad, 826 Andrews Ave, Ozark. Maximum class size is 10. Beginners, bring a worsted weight skein of yarn and a crochet hook size I. For those who know how to crochet, bring the project that you are working on to get help. $6 per person. For children 13 and under, call for special times. For more info, call (334) 714-9503 or visit https://theherbaltoad.com/. Quilts of Valor Workshops 9 a.m.-2 p.m. December 14. Fort Rucker Arts & Craft Center. Join us as we endeavor to piece together quilts under the instruction of experienced Quilts of Valor quilters. Finished quilts will be presented to Wounded Warriors, as a show of honor and comfort. Any skill level can participate. Free workshops open to the public, ages 16 and over. RSVP at least two days prior to workshop date. For more info or to register, call (334) 255-9020. Yarn It Darn It 5-6 p.m. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. Fort Rucker Center Library. Grab your needles, yarn and thread as we create projects for every skill level from beginner to expert. This free event is open to authorized patrons ages 10+ and is EFMP friendly. Children ages 10-12 must be accompanied by an adult. For more info, call (334) 255-3885.

Yoga

Art of Yoga 9-10 a.m. First Fridays. Wiregrass Museum of Art, 126 Museum Avenue, Dothan. Participants will be guided through an all-levels appropriate class held in the museum galleries. Please bring your own water bottle, yoga mat, and towel (if needed). For more info, call (334) 794-3871 or visit www.mesuva.org. Weekly Evening Yoga 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays. The Herbal Toad, 120 North Court Square, Ozark. Certified yoga instructor, Alexandra Locklear. $5/class. Bring your own mat and bottled water, and a yoga block if you have one. For more info, call (334) 714-9503 or visit Theherbaltoad.com. Yoga with Raquel Jackson 11 a.m.-noon. December 11 and 6-7 p.m. December 18. Dothan-Houston Co. Library Westgate BranchCommunity Room, 535 Recreation Road, Dothan. Jackson teaches a gentle style that gears toward the beginner. Her class offers an accepting environment and will insure you feel that there is a place for you. For more info, call (334) 699-2950 or visit www.dhcls.org.

Support Groups Cancer

I’m 2 Young 4 Breast Cancer 6-7:30 p.m. Third Tuesdays each month. Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) Women’s Center, third floor. For more info, contact Ladonna Danford at (334) 699-8111, ext. 8459. The Pink Ambassadors 11 a.m.-1 p.m. First Fridays (except January, July and September) Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) Doctors Building, 7th floor Conference Room. For info, call (334) 712-3336 or 1-800-735-4998. US-TOO Prostate Cancer (Wiregrass Chapter) 6 p.m. First Thursdays, except July and January. Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) 7th floor Doctors Building. For more info, call (334) 793-8107.

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Survivors Called group meets on Thursdays from 9-10:30 a.m. The Exchange Center, 102 Morgan Street, Dothan. This is an open group, for survivors of domestic violence. For more info, call (334) 671-1966 or visit www.exchangecap.org or find us on Facebook (ExchangeCAP).

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FamilyCalendar SupportGroups Grief Support

Grace Group Noon, first Wednesdays. Living Waters Counseling, 2130 County Road 125, Headland. This support group offers encouragement for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. For more info, call (334) 6933380 or visit www.lwcounseling.net/. Grief Goup 10 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays. Living Waters Counseling, 2130 County Road 125, Headland. Grief Group is for those who have lost loved ones and need help moving on and learning to cope with their loss. For more info, call (334) 693-3380 or visit www.lwcounseling.net/. Life In the Blood Group 6 p.m. first Mondays. Living Waters Counseling, 2130 County Road 125, Headland. This grief support group offers hope for those who have lost a child. For more info, call (334) 693-3380 or visit www. lwcounseling.net/.

Illness Support

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group Meetings 7 p.m. first Mondays of each month. First United Methodist Church, Dothan. Marie Flowers Room. Park in the front left parking lot. Enter through the door on the left behind the circular driveway (behind the rose garden). Facilitator: Will Coggins. For more info, call (334) 702-2273 or (334) 794-7965. **Please note: This support group meets regardless if it is a holiday or not. Sometimes the holidays are the hardest for caregivers.** Better Breathers 10 a.m. Third Tuesdays each month (except summers). Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) Doctors Building, 7th floor Conference Room. For more info, call (334) 793-8025. Caring Hearts Meets quarterly on 3rd Wednesdays of these months: March, June, September, December. Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) Doctors Building, 7th floor Conference Room. For more info, call (334) 793-8025. Crowns of Glory (formerly Hang In There) For parents of children with disabilities and illnesses. 6 p.m. on 4th Saturdays, every other month (Feb, April, June, August, Oct, Dec) Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) Auditorium Conference Room. For more info, contact Lisa Patterson at (334) 793-1044. Diabetes Support 3-4:30 p.m. Quarterly 3rd Tuesdays. Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) Women’s Center, 1st floor-Diabetes Treatment Center Classroom. For more info, call (334) 793-8854 or 1-800-223-0843. Dothan Patient & Family Support Volunteer Training Workshop 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, December 19. 1512 W Main St., Dothan. Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that will give you a sense of purpose and worthwhile work? Support hospice patients & families; serve bereaved family members; provide administrative & clerical support; assist with fundraising or community outreach efforts; give loving support to Covenant Care Kids; honor veteran patients; and care for Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers. For more info or to register, contact Donna at (850) 482-8520 or e-mail to donna. meldon@choosecovenant.org. Parkinson’s Support Noon, 3rd Tuesdays each month (except summers). Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) Rehab Services building, 1480 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan. For more info, call Haley McNeal at (334) 793-8961.

Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

Pain Management

AMPed Up Amputee Support Group Noon, 1st Thursday. Southeast Alabama Medical Center Rehab Services building, Neurobalance Center, 1480 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan. For more info, call (334) 712-3726. Pain 10-11 a.m. Last Tuesdays each month. Southeast Pain Management Center. For more info, call Sonya Jordan at (334) 796-1732.

Parenting/Pregnancy

Breastfeeding 10 a.m.-noon. 1st & 3rd Thursdays. Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) Women’s Center, 2nd floor Conference Room C. For more info, call (334) 673-4141. Dothan First Friday Mother’s Group St. Columba Catholic Church, 2700 W. Main St., Dothan. On the first Friday of each month, moms and kids are invited to come to the 9 a.m. Mass. After Mass, moms and kids are invited to the gym for free story time and crafts for kids, and coffee and fellowship for moms. All moms and children are welcome. For more info, call (334) 944-6523 or visit www.stcolumbacatholic.com/.

services include: pregnancy testing ultrasound (limited to 1st trimester); pre-natal and parenting education programs; nutrition classes; childbirth classes; breastfeeding classes; newborn care; life skill classes; fatherhood program; pregnancy loss; abortion recovery care; and adoption referral. To make an appointment for a pregnancy test, an ultrasound, or to find out any other info, please call (334) 793-0002 or e-mail appointments@wiregrasshope.com. Also visit www. wiregrasshopepregnancycenter.com.

Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)

PTSD Group Tuesdays from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Fort Rucker Spiritual Life Center in Bldg. 8939 on Red Cloud Road. The group follows the Veterans Affairs protocol PTSD Recovery Program and is for anyone interested in learning more about PTSD. For more info, call (334) 255-3903.

Recovery from Addiction

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. For more info on meetings near you on a day that works with your schedule, visit www.aadothan.org/ or call (334) 792-3422.

Dothan Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) 9:30-11:30 a.m. mostly 1st and 3rd Tuesdays (December 4 & January 8). Harvest Church, 2727 Fortner St., Dothan. For more info, call (334) 702-6555, x232 or e-mail bcoleman@harvestdothan.com

ALANON Dothan Hope Family Group Noon Wednesdays. Covenant United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 3610 W. Main St., Dothan. This group is for family members and friends troubled by someone’s drinking. For more info, call (334) 798-1688.

Fort Rucker’s Mom & Me: Dad Too 9:30-11 a.m. First Mondays (December 3) at The Commons in the Soldier Service Center Bldg. 5700, Rm. 371G. The FREE playgroup is for families with children ages birth to 16 months. For details, call New Parent Support Program at (334) 255-9647 or (334) 255-3359 or (334) 255-9805.

ALANON Dothan Hope Family Group 6:30 pm. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Covenant United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 3610 W. Main St., Dothan. This group is for family members and friends troubled by someone’s drinking. For more info, call (334) 798-1688.

Fort Rucker’s Tot Time 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesdays (December 5) at The Commons in the Soldier Service Center Bldg. 5700, Rm. 371G. The FREE playgroup is for families with children ages 17-36 months. Registration and proof of immunization required. For details, call New Parent Support Program at (334) 255-9647 or (334) 255-3359 or (334) 255-9805. Mom Tribe Parents’ Night Out 6-9 p.m. First Fridays. First United Methodist ChurchEufaula, 101 E. Barbour St., Eufaula. Cost: $10 per child/$25 max per family. We would love to have your kiddos (6 months-12 years) while you have a date night, girls’ night, alone night, whatever! Dinner, snacks and fun included. Text Beth at (724) 272-7612 to reserve your spot! Single Parent Family Game Night 5-7 p.m. December 13. New Parent Support Program - Soldier Service Center Bldg. 5700, Rm. 371G Fort Rucker. Bring your family to enjoy some quality family time and games at AAFES PX Food Court. Food and drink provided. Registration deadline is December 7 and is limited to the first 20 families. Open to single parents who are active duty, retired, DoD employees and their families. To register, call (334) 255-3359, (334) 255-9647 or (334) 255-9805. Wiregrass Hope Group Pregnancy Resources Wiregrass Hope Pregnancy Center offers compassionate care and practical support to women and families facing a planned or unplanned pregnancy. All of our services are provided at no cost to our clients. We provide confidential care and attention through our trained staff. Our Pregnancy Center will serve you with kindness and compassion, provide you with accurate information and listen to your concerns. Programs and

Celebrate Recovery 6 p.m. Thursdays. Covenant United Methodist Church Christian Life Center, 3610 W. Main St., Dothan. This is a free 12-step program for any hurt, hang-up or habit you or your family may be facing (anger management, divorce recovery, sexual abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction, pornography addiction). Snack supper at 5:45 p.m. Excellent childcare (for ages 12 and under) provided for children of parents attending program. For more info, call (334) 793-4440 or e-mail info@ covenantdothan.org. Celebrate Recovery 7 p.m. Fridays. Harvest Church, 2727 Fortner St., Dothan. Free program and all are welcome. For those with children, age-specific children’s program is available. For more info, call (334) 702-6555 or e-mail celebraterecovery@harvestdothan.com.

Special Needs

Autism Support Group For meeting location and time, call Fran Heisner at (334) 793-8714 or e-mail fcheisner@samc.org. Enterprise Autism Social Group Meets at Enterprise Public Library, 101 E Grubbs St., Enterprise. Parent groups meet Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m. and Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. For more info, call (334) 4774686 or e-mail sdipilla.bcba@gmail.com.

Please send your calendar events to ashton@wiregrassaparents.com. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston

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The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Teen

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As parents, we often put a lot of blame on ourselves for what we cannot offer our kids. When Christmas or birthdays roll around, we feel guilty when we can’t afford the latest and greatest iPads, video games, designer shoes, or state-of-the-art cell phones. Mom and Dad, let me encourage you today. The bottom line is, there’s only one thing that your teen needs from you. It doesn’t involve money. It’s got nothing to do with exciting opportunities. It’s not even about offering protection from the outside world! To be the parent God has called you to be, all you have to do is offer your child a relationship. A relationship with your son or daughter is, hands-down, the most important thing you can give your child. Why is it so critical?

Your Child is Disconnected

Teens today are disconnected from life. A recent study showed that the average child spends about ten hours a day staring at a screen. While a constant stream of interfacing has led to a boom in adolescent communication, it has also led to a breakdown in meaningful connection. We assume that teens are building relationships because they are on Facebook or Skype, or are texting, blogging, or using any number of social media outlets. But that’s simply not the case. Learning how to build meaningful connections starts with mom and dad. Your relationship with your teenager is the model for how they connect with other people. When you take time to sit down and have a conversation eyeball-to-eyeball with your child, you’re giving them what Facebook and Twitter cannot; a personal relationship. Parents, you shape the ideals for the husbands and wives your children will one day marry. You’re also the main example of character, conviction, and values for your teens. From you, they will understand the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and mercy.

You are so important in the life of disconnected teens. The personal relationship you offer your teen can never be replaced. Trust me on this; if your son or daughter is not finding a relationship with mom and dad at home, they will look for it elsewhere. They will seek to fill their relational voids through dating, friends, academics, sports, or destructive habits like drugs and alcohol in order to find a sense of value and love.

Your Child is Pulling Away

Though you desire a better connection, maybe your teen has made it clear that he doesn’t want a relationship with you. You’ve tried to mend the fences and build some bridges, only to have those fences and bridges burned. If you truly want a better relationship with your child...don’t give up! Any relationship worth having takes time. It won’t happen overnight. And even in spite of past hurts and disappointments we can always move forward and strive for a clean slate. But it will take work. If something has come between you and your teen, sit down with them face-toface and start asking those tough questions to get to the root of the issue. Start by saying, “You are very important to me, and I’m sorry if our relationship hasn’t been what it should. But I want to change that. So what could I do to make our relationship better?” Be prepared to patiently listen to the response, even if it’s painful. Criticism is never easy to hear, but this is a chance for your teen to share her heart, and for you to hear how you can improve. It will require humility and self-evaluation. But think of it as in an investment towards a greater, future reward. Of course, I know that some kids may say, “There’s nothing you can do to fix our relationship. I don’t want anything to do with you.” And while that is a devastating blow to any parent, keep moving forward. Tell your son or daughter, “I am really sorry to hear that. But I don’t want to miss out on having a relationship with you, so even though you 43

may not like me now, I’m still going to pursue you.” Don’t be belligerent in your attempts to improve your connection with your teen, but don’t walk away from him either. A relationship with your child is too important to let it slip by.

Rules of Engagement

If you want to improve your relationship with your teen, let me offer nine suggestions, or “rules of engagement”: • Make many of your conversations about your teen. What are his opinions, feelings, or thoughts on a subject? • Share something personal about yourself. Let your child know about a mistake in your past, a particular emotion, or surprising thought. Show her that you are human and imperfect. • Share your heart in short bits. No long diatribes or hour-long monologues. • You don’t always have to be right. • You don’t always have to have the answer. • Your final sentence doesn’t always have to end in a period. Let your teen have the final say once-and-a-while. • Never use one-on-one time with your teenager as an opportunity to criticize. • Acknowledging your mistakes provides the opportunity for your teen to share his. • Don’t judge a teen’s comments. Maybe they’re foolish, or dumb, or incorrect. But if you blast them, chances are your teen won’t share his thoughts with you again. I hope that this call for relationships is encouraging. To be the best parent you can be, all you need to do is strive to have a loving and personal relationship with your teen. Everything else is secondary.

Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 40 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, where he has lived with and helped over 2,700 teens. To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.

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Megan: I try to take a couple hours a week to just do something for me. Sometimes it’s just reading a book, or binge-watching my favorite TV show. Other times, it’s going to Target by myself. WP: What is your favorite thing about the holiday season? Megan: The cooler weather, the sound of bells ringing from the Salvation Army Bell Ringers, the Christmas music, the smells (pine, cinnamon, pumpkin pie), and really just everything. It’s my favorite time of the year!

Megan Strickland

WP: Does your family have any holiday or Christmas traditions? Megan: We all put the tree up and decorate it together while listening to Christmas music. We have more of a New Year’s Eve tradition though. We all gather at my parent’s house for a big family game night. We have lots of snacks, apple cider, hot chocolate, and just play board and card games together into the new year.

WP: You’re the brain behind the popular savings blog, Frugal Finds During Naptime. What inspired you to start?

WP: Speaking of the New Year, what are your resolutions or goals for 2019? Megan: I want to be healthier in 2019, cook more dinners, and eat less drive-thru dinners with my family.

Megan: I’ve almost always used coupons to cut my grocery bill. When I became a stayat-home mom to a newborn and three year old, it was absolutely necessary for me to use coupons to cut my family’s grocery bill. A friend of mine helped me get started back couponing, and I quickly found out that there are coupons for almost anything you can think of! I started getting clothes, diapers, wipes, anything you could think of, for SUPER cheap. I had a lot of mom friends asking me how I did it, and if I could teach them. I didn’t have the time to sit down individually with each one, so I got the idea to put it online. My husband is an IT guy, and was able to set my blog up in just a few minutes. Frugal Finds During Naptime just grew from there.

WP: How would you describe your parenting style? Megan: I’m very much an old-school parent. I was raised in the 90s, and I parent how I was parented. My kids have chores, responsibilities, and limited screen time. I want them to have a fun childhood, but I also want them to learn responsibilities and to know what it’s like to work hard for something. WP: What is something you hope your children are learning from watching you? Megan: I hope they are learning that they can trust God no matter what, and to be kind. I want my kids to be the ones who take up for the kid who is being picked on, who sit with the kid at lunch no one wants to sit with, who help out the kid who is struggling with math in school, and who help the kid who doesn’t have as much as they do. We constantly talk about it, and try to do things in our community together so they can see my husband and I doing the same things we are teaching them to do.

WP: Are you an early or last-minute holiday shopper? Megan: EARLY! Since I’m all about saving money, I know when Target and Walmart have their toy clearance sales (July and January). I buy MOST of my kids’ Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, and even friend’s birthday gifts during the toy clearance sales. Then, I stash them in my closet in big Rubbermaid totes. When it’s time to wrap gifts, I just open up my boxes and start wrapping. I also look for sales/deals throughout the year for other people on my Christmas list. Normally, I’m 80% done with my Christmas shopping by November 1.

WP: Any advice for new parents? Megan: There are so many people out there offering advice on how you should raise your child - cloth or disposable diapers, bottle or breast feeding, vaccines or no vaccines. You do what you feel is best for your child. You are your child’s mother and you know your child best. Don’t let anyone guilt you into doing something different just because it’s what they think is right. Trust your mom gut.

WP: Moms are busy year-round, but it seems as if things kick into overdrive this time of year. What self-care routines do you follow to make sure you stay at your best? Wiregrass Parents I December 2018

Megan is a full-time mom and part-time author of Frugal Finds During Naptime, a blog dedicated to helping moms save money without losing their sanity. She’s been married to her husband, Paul, for 11 years. They have two daughters, Sabrye (8) and Landrye (5).

www.wiregrassparents.com

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Register for the ASMS Day at www.asms.net. ALABAMA SCHOOL OF MATH AND SCIENCE • 1255 DAUPHIN STREET • MOBILE, ALABAMA 36604 • 251.441.2100 • WWW.ASMS.NET