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september 2012 Publisher/Creative Director Jason Tanner jason@owensboroparent.com Editor Ashley Sorce ashley@owensboroparent.com
from the publisher As I write this letter it’s approaching early morning hours. My house, once bustling with activity is now quiet, as my babies sleep soundly. There’s contentment in knowing a full day of fun has turned into restful silence.
Account Executives Jeff Sorce jeff@owensboroparent.com Jodi Tanner jodi@owensboroparent.com Jonathan Tanner jonathan@owensboroparent.com Robert Williams
I’ve been working on this issue for a while now tonight and I am emotionally overwhelmed by the stories. As I read them, I am reminded of the pain that can accompany parenthood. This month there is a story of a family who tragically lost their child to SIDS. A story of a mother who lost her son to suicide. Another, of a family who’s daughter is fighting cancer. And yet another of the pain of miscarriage. My heart is broken for these families.
robert@owensboroparent.com Graphic Designer Taylor West taylor@owensboroparent.com Contributors Dr. Brian Gannon
In the past six short years of being parents, Natalie and I experienced our own heartaches. Our six-year-old was diagnosed with a heart defect at 18 months old. We were told she would need open heart surgery. And although we spent countless hours researching this procedure, there was no way of preparing ourselves for the emotional toll it would take. But she was strong and she fought hard. After the surgery, she recovered quickly and has yet to slow down. We are beyond grateful.
Christina Dalton Casey Hamilton Danny May Dean Ehrenheim Jaime Rafferty Lora Wimsatt Contact Information
And there are other times where our hearts felt like they would crumble from the weight of sadness. Sometimes the little things can be painful in the short-term. When our children experience anxiety or are treated poorly by others. When they fall and need stitches. Or when they can’t sleep because of sickness.
Owensboro Parent Magazine PO Box 23237 Owensboro, KY 42304 (270) 314-5240 www.owensboroparent.com facebook.com/owensboroparent
Sometimes an experience stays with us forever. For us, the loss of our unborn child was almost too much to bear.
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It’s hard to find an answer to suffering. And sometimes it’s hard to see light at the end of the tunnel. But I’ve learned that through these struggles we’ve become stronger as a family. We’ve become stronger as parents and as a couple. Personally, my faith has become stronger.
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And I’ve learned to enjoy the highs. To not to be fearful of the lows. And that each day is a gift. Each moment is to be treasured.
magazine because of community support. Thank you to the great group of businesses & organizations who advertise with us. If you want to contribute to the
Jason Tanner Publisher/Creative Director jason@owensboroparent.com
success of our magazine, we would love to hear from you and will work to develop an advertising partnership that will not only benefit you, but also the parents of Owensboro.
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september features parent talk [7] positive associations [8] hush, little baby [10] dads making a difference [12] worried child [14] hope for harlie [16] family of the year [20] advocating for children [24]
[28] suicide awareness [30] just do it [32] curbside recycling [35] the visual challenge [36] take control of your home
[40]
[38] puzzle pieces [40] angels among us [42] dolly to daviess county
[42] [38]
[28]
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[16]
[14] [24] [12]
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september 2012
parent talk We were so excited to celebrate our Big One last month with all of you! What was your favorite part of the Owensboro Parent Birthday Bash? That’s what we asked this month on Facebook and here are a few of our favorite answers.
I loved the family time we spent together there, all the fun activies,
Favorite? Well organized, great family fun... couldn’t ask for anything
the great information that we got from the booths. It was all great. I
more!
- Linda Hess Bennett
didn’t really have a favorite part. I was all fun and nice family time spent together.
- Laura Frankeberger
It was a great event, and we were happy to be part of your birthday celebration. Congratulations on your first year - you should be very
My daughter loved that dragon! She stayed on it the entire time!
proud of the good work you are doing to build strong families in
- Jessica Howard Higdon
Owensboro.
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- Pigtails & Cowlicks
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PART
O N E:
Whether they are negative or positive, we all have associations that are connected to our daily lives. Some of us are lucky enough to have lots of positive ones. Those of you that have young children are lucky enough to start those positive associations right now. These associations start very early in life. How do kids develop their primary attitudes towards things in general? Easy answer…watching YOU! Great parents model behaviors with great excitement and joy.
When your children are barely able to walk they need to see
you taking out the trash with some pep in your step, whooping it up and talking about how awesome it is to talk out the trash. Lean down and say, “One of these days you’ll be able to help me, but right now you’re too little.” And so the day comes when you tell your little fellow, “Today is a great day. You are big enough to help me!” So you take trash out together, his tiny hands hardly holding onto the bag and you grunt and pull and finally get the bag in the trash can. This ends with a big high five! This may take you five times longer, but focus on the long-term effect it will have on your child. As your child begins to get bigger, you
the power of positive associations
can go to him and say, “Man, I could really use your help right now” and the activity always ends with a high five. Now, when the child is 8-10 years old, you can begin to switch things up and say to him, “Let me help you with…” and again end with a high five.
Another example of the power of positive associations can
be seen in my recent example of brushing one’s teeth. I watched a video that described when brushing your teeth try the “Mad Dog” approach. Now, my daughter is eight and I try out these
{ by: christina dalton,
mssw, csw
}
different techniques on her to see if they will work. She doesn’t mind brushing her teeth, but I know some kids despise it. I went into the bathroom, loaded up my toothbrush with toothpaste
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and said, “Let’s do Mad Dog!” She did look at me like I’d lost my mind and I started brushing and growling, foam dripping from my chin. And I yelled, MAD DOG! I look over and she is doing Mad Dog. Her Mad Dog was even better than mine. Was it messy? Yes. Did we have a blast? Yes. The next morning I have forgotten all about Mad Dog and I hear her from the bathroom yelling “Mad Dog!” with foam running down her chin and laughing. It took one time for her to put a positive association with brushing her teeth. ONE TIME! When she becomes a parent I think there’s a pretty good chance that she may do Mad Dog with them too.
There is no end to what you can do when it comes to providing
positive associations for your children. Do you want your children to love reading? Read in front of them. Read to them. Show them how exciting reading can be. Wash the dishes with great enthusiasm. Tell your children you need their help killing all the germs and ask them if they hear the germs screaming as they slide down into the sink. Great parents model the smallest of tasks with great passion and joy. The long-term effect of positive associations is that your children will feel great, feel important, feel needed and most important, feel loved.
OP
Christina Dalton, MSSW, CSW is the Family Resource Center Coordinator for Daviess County Public Schools.
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family life { by: lora wimsatt }
S
he wasn’t crying, so I don’t know why I started to sing that song. It had been years since I’d crooned that lullaby, but the words came right back to me, smooth and natural and easy. I didn’t have to cast about for what came next – it was right there, ready and waiting. “Hush, little baby, don’t say a word, Granma’s gonna buy you a mockingbird.” Okay, last time I sang it – about 20 years ago – I said “Momma” instead of “Granma,” but now I was holding my little grandgirl in my arms, walking slowly across the lawn, staring intently into her eyes even as she stared into mine. She is too young to understand the words. Well, maybe a few of them were familiar, but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t know what a mockingbird is. I don’t think I knew until I was about 15, myself. “If that mockingbird don’t sing, Granma’s gonna buy you a diamond ring.” The truth of the matter is, I would be more likely to buy her a mockingbird than a diamond ring. “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” or so they say, or so they used to say. I don’t know if they say it anymore. Maybe they figured out that was never true. I’m just not that into jewelry, but even if I were going to buy my grandgirl a ring, it would be silver, and if it had a stone, it would be amethyst or maybe jade, which I think are pretty.
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hush,little baby
“If that diamond ring turns brass, Granma’s gonna buy you a looking glass.” Again, unlikely. My granddaughter is beautiful, but I want her to rely more on self-reflection than reflection from a piece of glass for that affirmation. “If that looking glass gets broke, Granma’s gonna buy you a horse and cart.” Now we’re talkin’! A horse and cart would be fun. Hitch ’em up and let ’er roll! Action, adventure and the potential of exploring new horizons – yep, this is a gift I could get excited about! But alas, there was one more verse: “If that horse and cart runs away, Granma’s gonna buy you another day … another day … another day …” I repeat the closing phrase over and over, my voice going soft and quiet. She is still gazing into my eyes, listening to my heart if not the lyrics, as I promise this baby, this child, this little girl that no matter what happens, no matter what disappointments, heartaches and losses she may endure in life, my love for her will always be there, today and tomorrow and another day. Forever. OP
Lora Wimsatt is a mother, grandmother and writer. She enjoys the everyday blessings and adventures of life, especially her family.
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fatherhood:
dads making a difference { by: dean ehrenheim }
{ by: lora wimsatt }
T
elevision really has an impact on the shaping of our ideals. In an ever increasingly competitive job market, scholastic I remember a vintage public service announcement that still achievement is a necessity. Evidence suggests that fathers can has an impact on me decades later. The short spot showed a little impact that achievement opportunity. Dads need to recognize their boy being the perfect copy-cat of his dad; he washed the car like dad, position of influence over their kids and be deliberate in teaching he skipped a stone like dad, he painted the house like dad, then in them to be smart and good adults. Dads do make a difference. the last scene he picked up a pack of cigarettes…like dad. Helping your kids do well in school will set them on a course for As powerful as that video was, the real story was the impact of success that will last a life time. a dad! Fathers uniquely influence their children. So the question isn’t whether a father will impact his child(ren); the question is how will a father impact his child(ren)? Being a model reader increases your child’s In a society obsessed with leadership and selfopportunity for educational success. Start early, As fathers, our improvement (not a bad thing at all), we tend to even before they can talk. Also, it’s never too late. actions speak forget that every parent IS ALREADY a leader…a If you did not create this routine, find books that louder than words. leader of their child(ren). Leading our children is will engage the mind of your youth and begin today. an awesome responsibility that should be embraced In 2001, 61 percent of 3- to 5-year olds living with and enjoyed. two parents were read aloud to everyday by a family Evidence supports the importance of fathers taking time to member, compared to 48% of children living in single- or no-parent invest in their kids’ education. I recently took my daughter to pick families. Reading is the foundation for all educational success. up her driver’s education manual. While the booklet will teach the rules of the road -- when to turn on a blinker, what the different signs mean and how to react in an emergency -- the simple fact is my Hear about the real challenges your kids may have first hand driving to the office to pick up the manual will influence her style of and how they act away from home. Kids are different outside of driving more than any manual itself. their family environment. You may be surprised to find out that Just like the vintage video, our actions speak louder than words. they act much differently in the school setting than they do in the Fathers play a key role in their child’s educational success. A familiar surroundings of home. When my kids’ teachers would say report from the National Center of Education Statistics, states how polite and respectful my kids were, I would always check to see that half of all children with highly involved fathers in two-parent if I was in the right parent-teacher conference. But it’s true; they act families reported getting mostly A’s through 12th grade, compared differently in school than at home. Being better informed will help to 35.2% of children of nonresident father families. you better support your child.
Read to your kids.
Learn about your kids at parent-teacher conferences.
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Study wit h your kids.
Setting time aside to meet with your child and demonstrate the seriousness of education will help your kids get good grades. Success breeds success. Set the trend early and they are more likely to maintain that through all of their schooling.
Look for teachable moments.
Talk during the day, frequently, and look for opportunities to teach. When you are on a walk, talk about what you see and hear. At the store, you can talk about prices, value, saving and spending. Talk about TV shows and how they support or conflict with your family values. Be engaged.
Cash in on bedtime.
One of the best times to connect with your kids is at bed time. Parents report having powerful conversations that wouldn’t be possible during the hustle of the day. Creating that sense of security and support will help them sleep well and be rested for the next day.
Teach them how to ask for help.
Can I confess? I am horrible at reading directions. When I got a new web camera last month, I just hooked it up and skipped over all the instructions. I got away with it, but there are times when not asking for directions can cause real problems. It’s a bit disconcerting to put a bicycle together, only to find out there are a number of left-over screws and nuts. As men, it can be humbling
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to pull the car over and ask for directions when we are lost, but it teaches our kids to be truth-seekers and gives them the ability to be better problem-solvers. Our kids may well get by in elementary school math without much help, but when moving up to calculus, knowing how to seek answers and work problems is a very necessary skill that fathers can teach. A 2005 study (“The mediating role of fathers’ school involvement on student achievement”) of 1330 children showed that fathers who are involved on a personal level with their child’s schooling increases the likelihood of their child’s achievement. When fathers assume a positive role in their child’s education, students feel a positive impact. Fathers will make a difference in their children’s education and lives…one way or another. They have more influence than friends, teachers or even the media. It’s a rich and exciting journey that men can have with their children. In “Man Enough: Fathers, Sons, and the Search for Masculinity” author Frank Pittman, MD, says “The guys who fear becoming fathers don’t understand that fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects men.” For more information and support on fathering, check out: Fatherhood.org or Fathers.com OP
Dean Ehrenheim, with his wife Jeanette, is raising four great kids. He regularly writes about his experiences in parenting, coaching and wellness. His email is dmeymca@gmail.com.
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family life School has started, and so have the headaches, insomnia and belly pains for
worriedchild { by : d r. b r i a n g a n n o n }
many children. Anxiety that interferes with daily life occurs in up to 30% of children at some point before they turn 18, and in many the main symptom is a physical complaint such as headache. So what’s a parent to do?
1 Most children will not tell their parents they are nervous or worried. Until about age 15, they still think very concretely, so they don’t have much insight into their emotions or understand the reasons they feel the way they feel. For example, a 6-year-old may have trouble sleeping for weeks after a grandparent dies, but she may not realize the connection in her own mind, so why would she mention it to you? Unless a trusted adult asks probing questions about her thoughts while going to bed and about her dreams at night, it may never be clear that the child is afraid of death. 2 Keep a diary of the symptoms. Regardless of the details, if you suspect your child is having a physical complaint caused by nerves, this can be very helpful for you, your child, and the doctor. It may be as obvious as a child who has a headache whenever there is a test in a certain subject. Or the pain may be every day at a different time, without a clear pattern. If you can find a trigger, then it becomes easier to ask the child about events that may be causing a fearful response, such as a bully on the playground, or a learning disability that makes a certain subject more difficult for him.
“To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.” Theodore Roosevelt
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3 Most parents, doctors, and patients want to find a physical cause for a physical complaint. But resist the need to push too far on this. If simple testing and questioning does not raise a red flag for some specific physical diagnosis, then most vague pains in schoolaged children and early adolescents turn out to be related to fear or anxiety. The appropriate treatment is counseling, not CT scans or multiple medicines. Headaches, for example, fall into very distinct categories for doctors. If your child’s headache pattern does not fit into these neat categories, then it www.OwensboroParent.com
is way more likely to be from nerves than from a brain tumor. Some testing is generally warranted, depending on the pains, but trust your doctor’s judgment if she recommends limiting the testing. Prolonged investigation may just play into the child’s fantasy about having something worth being scared of. And helpful mental health treatment can end up being delayed unnecessarily. OK. Now I know my kid has an anxiety problem. What do I do now? First, don’t be scared of counseling, for the child and all the caregivers (stepparents, grandparents, whoever is relevant in the child’s life). This can run a huge spectrum from common fears or learning problems, all the way to panic attacks or crippling obsessive symptoms. Most parents are not experts in dealing with these things and helping children cope with difficult issues. So seek help to get advice on what you can do as a parent to be supportive. Here are some tips for helping children and teenagers with fears and worries. 1 Get it out in the open. As long as it’s a secret, it has much more power to hurt your child. The sooner your child sees, for example, that he can actually master that pesky spelling list without being afraid of the test, the faster he will be able to face the fear of failure and be empowered by standing up to the fear.
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2 Many kids have less clear-cut anxiety, without a definite trigger. For them, everyday events may loom large in their minds and interfere with sleep or even waking thoughts. Find an exercise that helps the child feel powerful over the worries. Here is one example: write down every night the individual worries and place them in a box. Then seal up the box and give it away. Some would say put it in God’s hands, others would bury it in the garden to fertilize the roses. The details don’t matter; the important thing is to tweak the concept so it helps your child realize there will always be things we can’t control, but that’s ok. 3 For children too young to put their fears into words, try art therapy. When your child complains of a headache before school, take a few minutes to draw with her. Suggest drawing what makes you happy, then what makes you sad or upset. You may be surprised how eloquent she may be in pictures, and this gives you something to focus on in helping her face the fears. One last thought: remember that school is your child’s primary job, and if he is trying to avoid it, there could be a big problem that he is not sharing with you. Take the time to listen carefully. It could make both your lives much richer, and bring you closer together as a family. OP
As a firstborn son and type A personality, Dr Gannon really empathizes with kids who worry about living up to expectations.
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hope for harlie battling the brain booger
Colby, Lisa, Harlie & Jamie Bryant. Photo by Jason Tanner.
{ by: ashley sorce }
The Diagnosis
To look at Harlie Bryant, you would not think she is sick. Her eyes have a youthful sparkle, and her mouth a mischievous grin. And according to her mom, Lisa, Harlie is full of life and 6-year-old sass. But when Harlie had a routine eye exam to begin kindergarten last year, the Bryant family received news they never expected. The optometrist noticed Harlie had rapid eye movement, a condition she had endured for a few years, but it was the continuation of which was cause for concern. Two days later Harlie saw an ophthalmologist, who suggested a CT scan. The Bryants received the call on April Fool’s Day, but the news was no joke. The ophthalmologist told the Bryants that their daughter had a brain tumor directly behind her eyes that was the size of a softball. Harlie was immediately sent to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for the first of many MRIs. “I knew that day that our child was the strongest, most brave person I had ever met,” Lisa said. “Once she was sedated for her MRI, walking away from her was almost unbearable.” When the Bryants saw Harlie’s MRI, they were shocked to see a tumor consuming half of her brain. The tumor, an astrocytoma, or 16 OWENSBORO PARENT
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what Harlie refers to as “The Brain Booger,” was enclosed in Harlie’s optical nerve, affecting her carotid artery and hypothalamus. Doctors determined the first step in her treatment was to attempt to remove the tumor. After more than 10 hours in surgery, Harlie’s doctor was only able to remove about 20 percent because of its location. Chemotherapy was step two. Now, after one year of chemo, the tumor has not gotten smaller. But the doctor is just happy that it has not gotten any bigger. Just a few weeks ago, Harlie’s doctor determined to forgo chemotherapy after an MRI still showed no change in the tumor. Harlie will undergo proton radiation therapy next summer, which will give her an 80 percent change of survival.
Live Day by Day
For the Bryants, the last year has been difficult. Chemo has drastically weakened Harlie’s immune system, making her very susceptible to illness. The Bryants learned to adapt for Harlie’s sake. They spent Harlie’s birthday in a hospital room. Christmas was celebrated alone at their house, no family allowed for risk of infection. Harlie’s dream of playing sports was out. And if she was even able to go outside, she www.OwensboroParent.com
wore a mask to protect her. “It’s hard to tell your kid no so much,” Jamie, Harlie’s father, said. “I hate that she hasn’t been able to be a kid.” Lisa says Harlie has grown up way too much in just one year. “Harlie doesn’t play with Barbies,” Lisa said. “She plays doctor with access ports and blood pressure.” And it is spending so much time in the hospital that has helped Harlie develop awareness for the amount of sick children in the world. Jamie and Lisa say that Harlie worries more about the other sick kids rather than herself. “We learned never to plan the future,” Lisa said. “We try to live day by day. Enjoy every moment.” Harlie missed out on kindergarten last year after the tumor was discovered. This year, because her doctors have decided to stop the chemo since the tumor was not shrinking, Harlie started her first year of school and loves it. Already in trouble once for talking in the hallway, Harlie is a normal, vibrant 6-year-old again. Other students have asked her about her brain tumor and asked, “What’s a tumor?” Harlie simply tells them, “I don’t know. It’s in my head.” “She’s been amazing through all of this,” Lisa said. “She takes it like a champ.”
A Community of Support
Harlie’s brother, Colby, 17, is the epitome of a big brother. He and Harlie tease each other like typical siblings, but love each other
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just as much. While he admits the tumor has changed the lives of his family, he believes it has brought them much closer together. And he says the community has been “such a blessing.” While receiving chemo over the last year, Harlie had a homebound teacher, Mary Tierney. The Bryants grew very close to Mary and her husband Jason, who eventually purchased HopeForHarlie.org, allowing the community to support Harlie and her recovery, while taking away the burden from Lisa and Jamie. Hope For Harlie has held countless fundraisers and benefits to help the Bryants with expensive medical costs and long stays in Cincinnati for Harlie’s treatments. Most recently, Hope For Harlie had a tent at the Big O Music Fest, where they sold t-shirts and Hope For Harlie gear. Harlie, who loves country music, was excited for the event. A Hope For Harlie Twitter follower tweeted headliner Blake Shelton, asking him to meet Harlie. Within a few hours the request had been re-tweeted over 8,000 times, getting the attention of none other than Blake Shelton. At the concert not only did Blake Shelton meet Harlie, but he also saved a special spot for her just below the stage where he sang a couple of songs just to her. “She was a superstar that night,” Lisa said. “People wanted her autograph.” Jamie said it was incredible to see Harlie’s impact on the crowd at the concert. People all around were emotionally affected by Harlie’s
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Harlie on stage at the Big O Music Fest with LoCash Cowboys singer, Preston Brust. Photo by Dream Copy Photography.
story, bringing more awareness to not only Hope For Harlie, but for childhood cancer.
Hope For Harlie
To help support Harlie or keep up with her story, visit HopeForHarlie.org. The Bryant family wants everyone to know how much they appreciate the support for their daughter. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Harlie is just one of thousands of courageous children fighting pediatric cancer. OP
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family life
familyof the year W
hen Owensboro Parent decided to celebrate our first anniversary last month with a Birthday Bash, we felt it was important to recognize a Family of the Year. As a magazine, we strive to provide you with smart parenting advice, but for this award we wanted to find a family that lives it. A family that could serve as a role model for all the values we stand for at OPM. Having said that, meet the Chaneys, the Owensboro Parent Magazine Family of the Year. In their own words, the Chaneys share a little bit about their Converse-loving, busy yet fun, close-knit family of four (five at heart). Travis Chaney Travis grew up the first eleven years in Owensboro moving to Utah and then New Jersey before returning to Owensboro to attend and graduate from Kentucky Wesleyan College. He came back to Owensboro for college to be closer to his extended family. “We love Owensboro!” Travis said. “We think our community is a great place to raise our family with the outstanding school systems, low crime rate, the rise in the arts scene, being the number one sports town and the fact it is so close to several metropolitan cities.” Travis is an executive coach and financial services consultant as a partner in Dynamic Directions for the last 10 years. When in town, he spends his day on conference calls, webinars and video conferencing with clients from 27 different states while walking 3 to 4 miles per day on his Trek Desk (He has a treadmill in his office with a customized desk that allows him to walk, talk on the phone, and type at the same time). Travis is also a partner in Watson,
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{ by:ashley sorce }
Chaney and Associates a financial advisory firm with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and a partner in Silver and Black Group, a company focused on commercial real estate. Travis and Christy also own Studio Slant – an art gallery and handmade gift store at 412 East Second Street in downtown Owensboro. Christy Chaney Christy was born and raised in Owensboro. She went to Sutton School, Owensboro High School and graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College. Christy actually left Owensboro for one year and came running back. “Big cities are great to visit but home is a better place to be,” Christy said. Christy has been working at Glenn Funeral Home for 13 years. She followed in the footsteps of her great-grandmother, grandmother and mother becoming not only a fifth generation funeral director but a fourth generation female funeral director. Serving as Vice President of the firm, Christy strives everyday to create that special moment that turns the passing of someone’s life into a memory to be cherished by the next generation. She believes that funerals should tell a story not end the book. Christy is past president of the Junior League of Owensboro and loves to throw a good party…two time Charity Ball Chair, some CASA art auctions, and events for Dynamic Directions, and on and on. Christy takes time to do a little bit of her own art on the side, while doing the marathon of taking care of two kids, two dogs (Bayla and Elizabeth Sandy FiFi Polkdot Paisley), EastBridge Art and Music Festival, Kidcentric Sports, wrangling a very active husband, house hold management, Studio Slant, and on and on and on. www.OwensboroParent.com
Photos by Captured Moments Photography
The Kids Ryland, 8, is a big hearted, easy going athlete. Ryland loves all sports especially football, baseball, and basketball. Lucy Jagoe, 3, is an expressive and artistic child. She enjoys painting, singing and dancing. The Chaneys are blessed that both of them get along well and show an authentic affection toward each other, which they constantly promote. “Don’t get us wrong the boy can get mouthy and the bad queen can show her true colors, but all in all they are great kids, now the trick is keeping them that way,” says Christy with a laugh. What They Stand For We believe in giving. Norman Vincent Peale said, “give without remembering and receive without forgetting.” We try to focus on just giving, not worrying about what we will receive in return. The universe has a way of rewarding us based on the gifts we give. We find causes that are important to us and just give – time, talent and resources. We believe that a part of living in a community is helping shape it in the form you would like to see through volunteering. Art has always been important to both of us. Christy has a degree in Studio Arts and Travis has a degree in Speech and Theater (both from Kentucky Wesleyan College). When Christy’s sister graduated from college with a degree in art, they both came to Travis with a business plan to open an art gallery and handmade gift store. After looking into the eyes of two of the most important women in his
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life aside from his mother, there was no way Travis could say no to this proposition. Studio Slant opened on October 23, 2010 – one day after Piper was born (see next page). When the opportunity arose to create an art and music festival in downtown Owensboro we jumped on it, launching Eastbridge Arts and Music Festival from our dining room table. We wanted to bring a big city arts feel to Owensboro while aiding our mission to fight the “oatmealization” of America. After a couple of years of being frustrated as a youth coach to his son Ryland, Travis and Christy decided to start a non-profit organization, Kidcentric Sports, to transform youth sports in order to transform the lives of student athletes. Travis vented one too many times to Christy about the negativity he was seeing in local youth sports. She finally just turned to him and asked, “Well, are you going to do anything about it?” They cofounded the organization in late 2011.
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family discover life “Through my family’s involvement in youth sports, I have noticed that some adults think it is all about winning – when it should really be all about creating fun for the kids and teaching them the fundamentals of their sport,” Travis said. “Adults can ruin the fun of the game in their personal pursuit of the win.” Kidcentric Sports is a non-profit organization partnering with local youth sports organizations to create an extraordinary, positive, bonding and memorable youth sports experience for athletes, parents, coaches and league representatives. Learning from the Difficult Times We tried to conceive on our own for five years with no success. With one trip to an infertility specialist, we quickly diagnosed the problem and were on a fast track to conceiving Ryland. Christy was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which prevented her ovaries from releasing her eggs. Within 30 days of the first visit to the infertility specialist a solution was implemented and Ryland was conceived through artificial insemination. With Lucy Jagoe it wasn’t that easy. When Ryland was three, we went back for three unsuccessful artificial inseminations. After a six-month break, we opted for invitro to conceive Lucy Jagoe. It was touch and go every day during our first round of invitro but Lucy Jagoe was conceived. “Christy was the brave one as the female endures more pain (physically and emotionally) through the infertility process,” Travis said. “The infertility process causes an immense amount of stress
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. August 2012
due to the high level of hormones and the day-to-day watch that goes on once conception takes place. With each failed artificial insemination comes a big wave of disappointment and questions – should we continue to do this? Each time we said yes. We are grateful for the outcomes from all of the procedures we went through.” The biggest hurdle for Travis was deciding to adopt our third child. Travis experienced a lot of doubt and mixed emotions around being able to love another child that wasn’t conceived by he and Christy. A client and good friend showed the way for Travis. His friend Dave Mazzetti adopted 4 children – two bi-racial babies and a set of brothers from Ethiopia. Dave spent two weeks in Ethiopia bringing his two sons over to the United States. “Dave helped me realize that love is love when it comes to children,” Travis said. “The conversations we had about Dave’s stories of adoption proved to be the inspiration I needed to move forward with the process. I would encourage anyone who has doubt about whether or not to adopt to reach out to those of us who have done it – we can help you make a very important decision based on our experiences. There are too many children who need the guidance and love of parents. When I first held Piper, I knew she was my daughter and that I was her father – no doubt whatsoever.” “The adoption process only requires one thing . . . the ability to love. If you have that then everything else just seems to fall into place,” Christy said. At just three months old, Piper, the Chaney’s adopted daughter, died of SIDS.
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Travis was away on a business trip when it happened. He felt helpless being in Delaware when he got the news. “No one wants to receive the call I received,” Travis said. “You are not ready to receive this type of news and how to deal with the sudden impact of losing a child with no notice whatsoever.” “In three short months Piper changed our lives forever, and although at the time I could only see sadness, I know now that walking that path created a great strength in our family, one that we were taking for granted,” Christy said. “She taught us that if you open the door to all possibilities that you will receive the most wonderful gifts.” Every day we reflect on and give thanks for what Piper brought to each of us and our family – the joy, happiness and how to love unconditionally. Piper makes us better people and we honor Piper by trying to live every day to the fullest. We decided as parents we were not going to let Piper’s passing define us in a negative way. Every night at bedtime we hold prayers and Piper is always mentioned. On what would have been her first birthday we released balloons in the air to celebrate. Lucy Jagoe said at the ceremony that God had made her a cake. Everyone in our family wore converse shoes at Piper’s funeral. Every time we wear converse sneakers we think about Piper. We also have Piper’s only pair of converse displayed in our dining area along with several pictures.
You.” We do not travel without saying it, we do not fly without saying it, we do not head to sports, school, the park, community events, date nights or any other thing in our life without telling each other “I Love You.” Period, end of discussion. Reminding each other every day that no matter what happens we love each other is what is most important. “I think of us as a family putting one foot in front of the other and trying to live each day to its full potential,” Christy said. “We want to teach our kids a great work ethic, the power of positive thinking, community outreach, and the abundance mentality. If that means we are an inspiring family, then great. If that only means we are loving each other while raising an awesome set of kids then ultimately that works for us.” “We both bring a lot of passion to what we do and others have shared with us how contagious that is,” Travis said. “We go after life with a great amount of zeal, too – always moving forward, which is something we try to instill our children. We include our children in a lot of our activities (work and volunteer wise) to expose them to who we are and to give them the opportunity to be involved. We do this because we believe in living out the values we teach as opposed to just talking about the values we want to teach. We don’t always succeed at this approach, but we are committed every day to living the values we want Ryland and Lucy to have.”
Everyday Advice None of us ever leave the house without a kiss and an “I Love
Ashley is a first-time mommy, a not-so-newlywed, an organizational freak and the
www.OwensboroParent.com
OP
editor of this awesome magazine. (Which is, of course, a totally unbiased opinion.)
August 2012 . OWENSBORO PARENT
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discover { by:casey hamilton }
advocating for
and
abused
neglected
children CASA workers are volunteers that “can make sound recommendations in court on behalf of children for physical, mental, educational and safety needs.”
Just a few minutes of speaking to Vikki Embry and you will notice the heartfelt compassion she has for her job as the director of the Daviess County CASA program. Vikki began with CASA as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, and then served as a board member. She is now in charge of the organization that trains community citizens to be local court system advocates for children who have been abused or neglected. These special volunteers work to obtain as much information as possible about the children on each case in order to share that information with the appointed judge to help him or her make an informed decision based on the child’s best interest. CASA workers are neither social workers nor attorneys, both of whom are burdened with large caseloads. Instead they are able to devote themselves to just one case at a time spending time with the
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www.OwensboroParent.com
child in informal settings, and they become the one consistent adult presence in that child’s life when their whole world is in turmoil. Volunteers also interview everyone involved in the children’s lives including health care workers, neighbors, family members, health and mental health providers, teachers and school counselors. They also make home visits, if the child is still living with their caregiver, to ensure that the family is following the case plan set up by Social Services. They can then report to the judge whether the child is safe in their environment; if they are thriving; and how they interact with their caregivers.
Humble Beginnings
In 1977, a Seattle, Washington juvenile court judge became concerned about the life-changing decisions he needed to make, regarding the well-being of children, often without having all the pertinent information. Since social workers and attorneys were so bogged down and flaws abounded in the system, he and community leaders decided to advertise in the local newspaper to see if any citizens were willing to volunteer to speak on behalf of the children. They received an overwhelming response, and CASA was born. Now, according to casaforchildren.org, there are close to 950 CASA programs in 49 states. Kentucky currently has 21 programs, including one serves both Daviess and Ohio County courts, thanks to Charlotte Burton, who, in 1996 presented the idea of a local CASA organization to the Junior League of Owensboro. She convinced them to fund the project and CASA of Daviess County came to life. After 16 years of involvement, Charlotte still stays true to the mission of CASA and still serves as its treasurer.
Positive Outcomes
Embry says that the most rewarding part of working with CASA is when a case results in a child being happy, healthy and safe. Throughout the years she has seen children reunified with their birth families while others have been adopted into a loving home. One such case involved “Bobbi,” a girl who at age 12 frequently witnessed domestic violence in her home. Her case worker worked very closely with “Bobbi” establishing a close bond. Eventually, “Bobbi” and her mother were able to live together again, once her mother realized she must make some changes in her life in order to provide a safer home for her daughter. Today, 6 years later, “Bobbi” and her CASA advocate remain close. The advocate is often the first person “Bobbi” calls when something exciting happens in her life or she needs someone to talk to.
Getting Involved
The Daviess County CASA currently has 31 volunteer advocates. They are serving 97 children. However, close to 600 children were affected by Daviess County District Court cases in the past year; so more advocates are needed, especially men. Volunteers
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August 2012 . OWENSBORO PARENT
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discover are thoroughly prepared through a program of 15 hours online training and 15 hours of face-to-face classes. CASA asks for a two year commitment up front because cases can last 14-16 months or so, and having a consistent presence is so vital for the children involved. While not every child needs an advocate, additional children with the most serious situations could be served if more advocates were available. CASA is also recruiting new board members and adding volunteers to Friends of CASA, a committee to help with special events, fundraisers, and child abuse prevention community outreach programs. They also are in need of sponsors for their monthly newsletters, help with building maintenance, and a person to help with technology. “Anyone can get involved. We will find something for them to do and make it a win-win situation for us and them,” says Embry. Advocates come from all walks of life: retired teachers, stayat-home moms, and those who work. While the average time commitment is 2-4 hours a week, monthly face-to-face visits with the child are also required. A child’s case may go to court an average of 4-6 times but volunteers aren’t required to be present. The purpose of advocates being in court is to answer any questions the judge might have. But, according to Embry, “If their report is thorough enough, the judge shouldn’t have questions.” To volunteer in any capacity with CASA or for more information
26 OWENSBORO PARENT
. August 2012
about their upcoming Art Auction fundraiser (see sidebar), please contact Vikki Embry, Director, or Patty Phillips, Volunteer Coordinator at 270-683-2138. They will send you a volunteer information packet to review and answer any questions you might have. OP
Art Auction Fundraiser This FUNdraiser will take place on September 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Champion Ford showroom. Many different types of art will be on sale including photography, painting, metal work, woodwork and handmade jewelry. Take part in this laid-back relaxing event which will also include a cash bar and live entertainment. Dress is business casual. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at the door. However, please call CASA (683-2138) to let them know you plan on attending.
Casey Hamilton is the mother of two blessings, a daughter and son (ages 10 and 6). She is the Education Coordinator and an instructor at Owensboro Community & Technical College.
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August 2012 . OWENSBORO PARENT
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discover
a tough subject:
suicide awareness
Photo by Jason Tanner.
Suicide is a tough subject. People don’t like to talk about it. But not talking about it isn’t saving any lives. With September being suicide awareness month, this issue is the perfect time to talk about it. { by: danny may }
B
y now almost all of us have been affected by suicide in one
looking for answers. I needed to know why. What I did find was a
way or another. National statistics show that suicides occur
stigma surrounding suicide.”
in different age ranges, race, gender, levels of popularity, socio-
economic status, religious affiliation, and employment status.
Suicide) group.
Now, Evans is a facilitator for the local S.O.S. (Survivors of
When a suicide happens, we all want answers. But often there seems
to be no correlation or reason. However, many times people who
Atlanta,” Evans said. “Our S.O.S. group meets the 2nd Thursday of
complete suicide leave warning signs, if we know what to look for.
each month at St. Joseph and Paul Catholic Church.”
Survivors of suicide (those who have lost someone to suicide)
According to the Daviess County Coroner, there were 12
know full well the pain and emotional chaos that suicide leaves in
suicides in Owensboro in 2010 and 2011. So far there have been
its wake for years to come.
13 in 2012. The Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition
“I got my facilitator training at the Link Counseling Center in
“I just try to remember the good things about Justin,” explains
is determined to reverse the trend, and spends much time and
Fran Evans of Whitesville, who lost her 17-year-old son, Justin, to
effort raising awareness about the issue and training the public to
suicide 8 years ago. “My faith in God helped me the most. At the
recognize the warning signs so they can refer people to get help.
time I couldn’t understand it. I read a lot of stuff on the Internet
28 OWENSBORO PARENT
. August 2012
“I’m so happy we have the coalition to bring awareness through
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programs in the schools and out in the community through billboards and the Lifesavers Walk,” Evans said.
So what can we, as a community, do to help prevent suicide?
“Knowing the signs is crucial,” Evans says. “Parents need to be more aware of the signs of depression so they can help their teens learn how to cope when times get hard. I think every child needs to be talked to about depression. Justin was having problems, but we just thought it was something he could get through. A teen’s mind is still developing. It’s like they think everything is the end of the world. They need to be taught that it’s okay to ask for help and be encouraged to talk about their problems with someone.”
Get involved! In honor of National Suicide Prevention Week, the Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition invites you to the fifth annual LifeSavers Walk on Saturday, September 15th at the Healthpark. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m. For more information call 684-9466.
Know the warning signs.
Mike Flaherty, a certified psychologist and member of the coalition, explains: “We tell people in our workshops that you can recognize some warning signs of suicide by looking at the FACTS. F stands for Feelings: hopelessness, loneliness, worthlessness, extreme sadness, helplessness, etc. A is for Actions: recklessness, aggression, sudden use of alcohol or drugs, also talking about death or destruction. C is for sudden Changes in personality, behavior, sleeping and eating patterns, or lack of interest. T is for Threats; which could mean suicide attempts or verbal warnings, but it could also be more subtle, like statements or questions about death. If someone has made a plan, the risk becomes much higher. And S stands for Situations: a break-up, a recent loss through death or divorce, any change that seems overwhelming, and especially being exposed to suicide or death of a peer.”
Get trained in QPR.
The Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition hosts QPR trainings throughout the year. QPR stands for question, persuade, and refer. More than just seeing “red flags” and warning signs, QPR trains people to talk with someone who is contemplating suicide and get them help immediately. Many of our local schools are requiring faculty, staff and parents to be trained in QPR. It’s a good idea for everyone to learn the basics of QPR because you never know when a family member, friend co-worker, or neighbor may be thinking about suicide.
Keep talking!
“I think we need to talk about suicide more to reduce the stigma associated with it and mental health issues in general,” said Amy Scott, a licensed clinical social worker at the Healthpark who lost her father to suicide. “We need to encourage people to become aware of signs of depression and ask the person about suicidal thinking. My father was the last person anyone ever thought would kill himself, but he did. Suicidal thinking isn’t a weakness or a lack of faith, it is a symptom of depression.” OP
Danny May is a husband and father of two boys. He is also the youth minister at Our Lady of Lourdes. www.OwensboroParent.com
August 2012 . OWENSBORO PARENT
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discover discover
just do it Photo by Jason Tanner.
{ paid advertorial }
Can you describe your background? Your education route?
What did you like most?
I have an associate degree in nursing that I received shortly after high
I was able to live my life around school. When you are a more traditional
school. I practiced that for a while but was fortunate enough to be able
student, college pretty much is your life, as it should be. When you are
to quit to raise my daughters.
the non-traditional student, it is a means to an end.
How long have you been married? Kids?
What has was the best part/favorite memory?
I have been married almost 20 years! I have three beautiful daughters.
Without exception, every person that I came into contact with went
Fran is a senior at Apollo. Katie Jo is a sophomore at Apollo. Annie is
above and beyond to be helpful. The people was and are my favorite
in 7th grade at Burns Middle.
part!
You chose a career change at a later age?
You found a job right after graduation?
My children are growing up. I loved being a stay at home mom, but I
Yes, I did, at Sorgho Elementary School.
also truly enjoy working. I knew I had been out of nursing much too long to go back and be effective, so I decided a change was in order.
What was it like to balance life/work/family/school? My children are older and my husband wonderfully supportive. I will
Why did you choose to come back to school for elementary education?
not lie, at times I felt like I was running in circles, but we worked it
I jokingly say that I did not choose education, it chose me. I helped my
out together. That’s another benefit of going to school at home. Your
girls with their work and eventually volunteered at their schools. I was
support system is there.
fortunate enough to “test drive” teaching! What advice do you have for other parents balancing school and life? Did you like WKU-O? How was staying at a local school beneficial?
Like Nike, Just Do It. If you wait until the stars align, you’ll never be
I absolutely loved it. It wasn’t simply beneficial, it was necessary. I am
ready. So, get your support system in place and don’t worry if you have
always a mom first.
to serve leftovers or bologna sandwiches. The sacrifices are worth it.
OP
Western Kentucky University in Owensboro has been educating students for over 40 years.
Learn more online: www.wku.edu/owensboro 30 OWENSBORO PARENT
. August 2012
www.OwensboroParent.com
There are thousands of families waiting anxiously for that special person to make a sacrifice in order to save a life. You can explore for yourself at www.donatelife.net andwww.organdonor.gov
www.OwensboroParent.com www.O
August 2012 . OWENSBORO PARENT
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discover
curbside recycling works! E
ach year 43,000 tons of trash is collected by the Owensboro Sanitation Department. Each year the city’s recycling
drop off site and GO Recycling’s curbside recycling service collect around 1,000 tons together. Only 2.4% of our waste being recycled is truly madness, considering that near 80% of the waste is actually recyclable. Understand that is 33,368 tons of good recyclable material is going into our landfill every year at the current rate.
Could you imagine the city collecting a little under 10,000
tons of waste per year? Currently the city is budgeting roughly $2.4 million dollars for sanitation tipping (dumping) fees, fuel, { paid advertorial }
and vehicle maintenance alone out of a $6.24 million dollar Sanitation Department budget! Recycling the full 80% of materials would immediately reduce the tipping fees paid by
Greener Owensboro Recycling (GO Recycling!) was created to help residents
the city by almost $1.3 million. Remember that is $1.3 million tax dollars going right in the dump! Together, recycling curbside, we can reach the goal of
and businesses in the Owensboro area
diverting that 80% of our waste! Curbside recycling offers so
go green. Call 270-485-6008 or email
many more opportunities than a government sponsored drop
gorecycling@hotmail.com to sign up for
off site. Drop off sites do not accept junk mail, office paper,
pick-up services.
batteries, electronics, or glass. Curbside does! Drop off sites do not provide you with a bin and sort the material for you. Curbside does! Drop off sites do not come to your house for easy convenient recycling. Curbside does! Start recycling curbside today, with Owensboro’s clear winning choice: GO Recycling!
32 OWENSBORO PARENT
. August 2012
OP
www.OwensboroParent.com
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August 2012 . OWENSBORO PARENT
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34 OWENSBORO PARENT
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discover
is your child meeting the
visual
challenge {paid advertorial}
T
he new school clothes have been washed, the new crayons have been worn down, and class routines are now well established. Parents anxiously await the first progress report to see how well their child is performing. With 75%-90% of a child’s learning occurring through their eyes, it becomes increasingly important to make sure your child is meeting the visual challenges of the classroom and their homework assignments. The only sure way to effectively evaluate your child’s vision is though a comprehensive eye evaluation. However, there are clues that can help you gain insight to the possibility of your child having visual difficulties. · Does your child enjoy reading for school or pleasure? If they point their finger from one word to the next when reading, this may indicate reduced control of their eye movements. Do they experience a sore feeling in their eyes after only a few minutes of reading or working on the computer? This may indicate an inability to fully converge their eyes or use their eyes together. · Is your child reading/writing/typing closer than the normal distance? The normal or appropriate reading distance is easy to determine. Have your child place their knuckles on the bottom of their chin. The reading material should be no closer than their elbow. This should provide a comfortable distance for book reading. If your child continually holds near point work excessively close, this may indicate a problem with their focusing system. Excessive blinking may also indicate a focusing problem. · Is your child narrowing their eye (squinting) to improve vision?
Perhaps they are turning their head to look out of the corner of the eye. If they already have glasses, you may notice them looking out of the side of the lenses or tilting their glasses to see more sharply. These are all signs of reduced visual clarity. · Have you noticed your child confusing similar letters such as p,q,b,d. These letters have the same stroke of the pencil, but have a different orientation. You may notice them confusing similar words such as ‘was’ and ‘saw’. These may be vision perception problems relating to direction. These children also tend to struggle with quickly identifying their left and right. · Does your child resist a specific eye being covered? Do their eyes turn in or out when they are tired? They may have a problem with amblyopia (lazy eye) or an eye turn. Most children do not tell their parents when they have a vision problem. They do not tell anyone because they cannot compare their vision to other classmates or are not mature enough to communicate these problems. Many vision problems can be corrected with eye glasses. In addition, vision therapy may be used to correct problems when eye glasses alone cannot. Vision therapy can be prescribed for lazy eye (amblyopia), convergence insufficiency, 3-D binocularity (depth perception) and reduced visual learning. Vision therapy is an individualized program of specific exercises and instruction used to develop or improve fundamental visual skills. Optometrists who focus in developmental vision may be located through the COVD.org website. OP
For more information about Advantage Eye Care and our optometrists and staff,
visit us online: www.aecowensboro.com www.OwensboroParent.com
August 2012 . OWENSBORO PARENT
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discover
take control
of your home
H
{ paid advertorial }
ave you dreamed of installing a home theatre system in your
Not only does Level 5 guarantee better service than their “big
home where you can enjoy movies with high-definition
box” competitors, they also guarantee to match any competitor’s
picture and surround sound? Want to listen to music in every
price.
room of your home? Want to ensure your family’s safety with an
up-to-date security system?
difference is we are a locally owned company with great passion
“When you compare ADT to Level 5 Systems, I would say the
If you are interested in making the most out of your home,
in serving our customers with the best of our abilities,” said
Level 5 Systems can help. You can be confident your home is
Nikki Hall with Level 5. “We offer more than one service and are
secure and at the same time enjoy full control of your home with
constantly educating ourselves on new technologies that changes
the touch of a button.
the way our customers use their homes.”
Level 5 Systems is a custom installation company that
Customer satisfaction is very important to Level 5. Your
strives to open the minds of their customers to a new way of
experience will be so positive that you will refer your friends,
living through integrating all home systems—lighting, security,
family and neighbors.
thermos, audio/video—all though one interface.
All systems are custom-designed to work together as one
and with the products you and your staff installed,” one Level 5
system. This means that you can combine security, lighting and
customer said. “You made a digital dream home a reality… We
home theatre systems in one, easy to use system. This can be
look forward to adding new technology as it becomes available.”
implemented in any home or business.
technology has impacted my life. I feel more at ease in a large
Level 5 is focused to custom design your system with the future
“We are so delighted with the work you did on our home
Another security system customer said, “I just love the way
in mind. They allow systems to adapt to future technologies and
home and I think the children do too.”
changes. Level 5 maintains relationships with their customers to
assist with their home technologies.
Every package can be customized to fit your needs.
Level 5 Systems does not just sell pieces; they sell solutions. OP
For more information about Level 5 Systems and all our tech services and products,
visit us online: www.level5sys.com 36 OWENSBORO PARENT
. August 2012
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community
puzzle pieces
Amanda Owen & her brother Nick Owen. Photo by Jason Tanner.
a life-long dream being fulfilled and lives will be impacted { by: danny may }
T
he look on Amanda Owen’s face is sheer excitement! Giddy might be a better word.
Spend two seconds with her and you’ll see why: her life-long
dream is being fulfilled right before her eyes. With the smell of fresh paint in the air and a stockpile of donated items still being sorted in the gym, Amanda walked me through the too-good-to-be-true building (the former Mary Kendall facility on Frederica Street) which houses the newly formed non-profit Puzzle Pieces. “I just can’t believe it!” Amanda said. “Not only is it my dream coming true, but their dreams as well, and to think of all the lives we can impact with this place… it’s just unbelievable.” Having just gotten the keys to their facility the day before our interview, the place was abuzz with staff and volunteers scrambling to get everything in place.
“This wouldn’t have been possible,” Owen said, “without the
OMHS community grant and the Mary Kendall Home giving us a three year lease-to-own contract on this building. It’s absolutely perfect!” Although the pieces seem to have fallen in place overnight, in reality the vision for Puzzle Pieces has come from Amanda’s experience her entire life. Amanda sat down with Owensboro Parent to tell the story of her vision for Puzzle Pieces, the collaboration that made it possible, and the overwhelming community support that is literally filling their new facility.
38 OWENSBORO PARENT
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What was the vision behind Puzzle Pieces?
Puzzle Pieces is for individuals with intellectual disabilities such as autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, brain injuries, or multiple disabilities. We take people as young as eight years old but there is no age cap for adults. So what we do is help them develop cooking skills, life skills, work skills, and independent skills, all in a fun and safe environment where they get social interaction and make friends while they’re at it. It also helps the parents out because it gives parents a place to take their child so they can have a break, or go shopping, or out on a date, or whatever.
Tell me about your brother:
Well, first of all he’s 6’4” and 31 years old, so he’s definitely my big brother. (Laughs!) Nick was born with what’s called 4XY chromosome syndrome. It’s very rare. He was actually only the 11th in the U.S. to have that diagnosis, so there wasn’t a lot of information or help for my parents when Nick was growing up. When I was in kindergarten one day, I told my mom: “Mom, when I grow up I want to help people like Nick.” So this desire has always been in my heart. I always volunteered with Special Olympics and that’s why I became a special education teacher. I’ve always been around it. I’ve been there. I’ve lived it.
What’s the story behind the name?
My husband actually came up with it when were talking one day. I was telling him that I felt like all these little pieces are
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coming together of this really big picture. So “Puzzle Pieces” just sort of fit.
What is your background?
I got my bachelor’s degree in special education from Western Kentucky University and my Master’s Degree in Exceptional Education K-12 with an autism certificate. I worked at Burns Middle School for the past six years with students with multiple disabilities. But with the OMHS grant money, I was able to quit that job and work here full time. Still, I get afraid sometimes that people might look at me and think “She’s only 28, how can she be a director of a non-profit?” But, again, this has always been my passion. My whole life has been building up to this point that I’m at right now. I firmly believe that. When you put your heart and soul into something, the possibilities are endless. I pray every night that if this is meant to be that God would just keep opening doors. And here we are!
How did this go from your idea to actually happening?
Last summer I went to the S.C.O.R.E. group through the Chamber of Commerce and presented the idea. They suggested I set it up as non-profit entity. I met Kathy Hempel (Editor’s note: OPM readers may remember Kathy from the “Team Karlie” article in the September 2011 issue) when her daughter Karlie was in my class. Kathy became our business manager and President of the Board. She did all the paperwork to get our non-profit status because she had that experience with Team Karlie. We applied in October and it was accepted in January.
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Then I wrote and received a WHAS Crusade for Children grant for $13,000 and we just received the $50,000 OMHS Community grant that allowed us to hire staff and lease this building!
What programs are you planning wit h this facilit y?
We’re going to have an after school program for school-aged kids. Daviess County Public Schools is partnering with us to bus kids here from city and county schools. Anytime schools are closed we will have “holiday sessions.” Then we also have a day program for adults. We’re planning to be open one Saturday a month as well. We actually already have 43 clients and we’re not even open yet. One really cool program we’re excited about is our merchandise store, where we’ll be selling some of the things our clients make in their work skills class. Jewelry, corn hole boards, things like that. Some of our clients will also be working as clerks and cashiers in the store too. So when people buy those items they will be helping us out so much.
How else can people help Puzzle Pieces?
One way is definitely by donating to our cause and supporting our fundraisers. We also need volunteer opportunities for our clients, which could be almost anything out in the community, even if it’s stuffing envelopes or something for churches, schools, or businesses. Right now we could use some more donated office furniture, desks or chairs, anything that we can use for our skills rooms. OP
Danny May is a husband and father of two boys. He is also the youth minister at Our Lady of Lourdes.
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discover community
L
angels
among us
eslye Scott felt a spiritual life challenge by reading Richard Paul Evans, The Christmas Box. The story, though fictional, is based on Evans’ mother who struggled with the overwhelming grief of losing a child. Readers saw the emotional impact the loss had on other relationships, but when explored and shared, lead to moving forward with the help of others. While reading the book, Leslye became connected to the character, because she suffered a miscarriage. Through the devastation, she grieved her child but found peace from the pages of The Christmas Box. This was more than a “good book,” it planted a seed of hope that sprouted wings and became a mission to help others. Through challenging emotions and a divinely inspired friendship, Leslye saw purpose in her pain. Mary Edwards also suffered a miscarriage. She and Leslye were acquaintances for nearly five years, attending church together, but
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{ by: jaime rafferty }
neither knew they shared a loss. One night Leslye dreamed of a conversation with Mary that felt real. She knew that her next conversation with Mary, she was to speak about her miscarriage and the Christmas Box. It was Leslye’s bravery in sharing that allowed Mary to open up and reveal her story. It forever bonded them. They no longer felt alone. Though some women seem more stoic after a miscarriage, Leslye and Mary needed to grieve outwardly, just as the mother mourning and grieving the loss of her child at the angel monument in the book. Maybe they were brought together to provide a dedicated spot just for mourners. It would not be for themselves, but rather the entire community, a place for anyone, regardless of the circumstance, who has suffered the loss of a child. Leslye didn’t have to start from scratch, only had to look back to The Christmas Box for direction.
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You see, Mr. Evans, after the success of his book, commissioned the dedication of The Christmas Box Angel Staue, in 1994 in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a designated place of solace for grieving parents. The idea was inspired by readers who identified with the scene in the book, just like Leslye and Mary. Soon families from other cities wanted an angel in their communities. Now nearly 100 monuments are found across the United States with many in planning and productions stages. That number includes Owensboro! The closest statue is in Evansville, but that just isn’t close enough for these faithful friends. Leslye and Mary want to give Owensboro families a monument in memory of their children. In February, they began Raising Hope Inc., a concentrated effort to raise the money necessary for an angel. They are not just fundraising, but are working to a provide dedicated place for local mothers and fathers to grieve, if necessary, while giving hope in the tough times by seeing they are not alone in their suffering. A plot is necessary for the statue; however, Leslye and Mary were overjoyed when Memorial Gardens, a local cemetery, generously donated a beautiful space for the angel to “live.” The price of the beautiful statue, which was inspired by author’s daughter, is $14,500, the customized foundation around $8,000 and additional costs are from the inscription on the angel’s base. When asked if they have a time frame in mind, to end fundraising and have the statue in Owensboro both women said, “Yes!” Leslye
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smiles, without revealing her anticipated date, while Mary likewise smiles and with a giggle and says, “Maybe I’m just more realistic, but I always tell Leslye, ‘She (the angel) will get here when she gets here.’” In six short months the ladies are a quarter of the way to the fundraising goal and welcome donations from the community. With help, “she” could be here sooner. Leslye and Mary’s tragedy has undoubtedly served as preparation, building endurance and the perseverance needed undertake this task for other families who have struggled, just like theirs. It’s easy to see why Leslye has become affectionately known as the “Angel Lady” and Mary her willing “Angel Helper.” Though their wings aren’t noticeable to some and both women are very modest, Lesyle Scott and Mary Edward’s actions certainly give truth to the idea that there are angels among us, especially as they work to bring another angel to town. OP
For more information on Raising Hope Inc. project please call 344-0791 or 281-9076 Mail donations: Jaime Rafferty enjoys writing, as Raising Hope Inc. a hobby. She lives is Owensboro P.O. Box 195 with her husband, Paul and their Owensboro, KY 42302 two children.
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community { by: casey hamilton }
imagine
…from dolly to daviess county
W
hat if every child in the United States had access to quality children’s books in their homes, regardless of socioeconomic status? Well, thanks to Imagination Library that dream is becoming a reality. Imagination Library began as the brainchild of Dolly Parton who remembers the warm, cozy feeling she experienced every time her mother would read to her and how the stories allowed her to soar “to places far beyond” her little cabin. Turning Local Readers into Learners In 2007, Imagination Library of Daviess County began to provide free books to local families with children from birth to five years old. Their mission is to “improve literacy skills in Daviess County by providing books directly to children’s homes.” Each month a new book is mailed to the child’s home which encourages the parents to read to their child, thus providing that same “warm, cozy” feeling and
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bonding experience that Dolly Parton experienced as a young girl. So far, the local Imagination Library has served nearly 5,000 children under the age of 5 in Daviess County. The organization has raised more than $340,000 since 2007 and has invested about $250,000 to provide more than 100,000 books directly to Daviess County’s children and their families. But their mission needs our support. How Can You Help and Have Tons of Fun? On September 29, Imagination Library will hold its annual Community Spelling Bee for Books, sponsored by the Messenger Inquirer and other local businesses. This event “raises funds and awareness for the Daviess County Imagination Library program while stressing the importance of literacy and education.” Of course, as its name indicates, the event wouldn’t be successful without community involvement.
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Teams of two to five people will compete in each of two categories: youth and adult. Teams can be formed by local businesses, corporations, government representatives, school groups, church groups, or anyone just wanting to have a fun time while supporting a worthy cause that benefits our local children and helps further their education. But you don’t have to be a good speller to participate. For $30, the price of sponsoring books for one child, you can “buy back” into the early rounds of competition if your team misspells a word. In addition to the winning team taking home the traveling trophy, awards will also be given for Best Fan Spirit and Best Team Theme. I participated last year with a team from OCTC and it was the most fun I had experienced in a long time. However, fellow team member Missy Brownson expresses it best. “I really stink at sports, but spelling? I can do that! It was great to participate in a competition that has an academic focus and benefits a great cause. You might think it would be a lot different than a basketball game, but it had many of the same characteristics – team bonding, celebration when points were made, contested plays, and even a little trash talking. I look forward to participating again this year!” For information about entering a team, providing a sponsorship or donating items for the silent auction, please contact Kim Johnson at 570-3297 or kjohnson@riverpark.org. I, for one, can’t wait either. Let the spelling begin! OP
Casey Hamilton is the mother of two blessings, a daughter and son (ages 10 and 6). She is the Education Coordinator and an instructor at Owensboro Community & Technical College and a stellar speller.
OP
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calendar
september 2012 Informing parents about fun, local events is a priority for Owensboro Parent. Our magazine compiles events from across the city and county. So when your family is looking for something to do, check out the Owensboro Parent calendar, where you will find information on local events, including event descriptions, locations, dates, times and price. Want to include your event? Contact the editor at ashley@owensboroparent.com.
COMING UP
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
BECOMING A LOVE & LOGIC PARENT September 4th to October 2nd (Tuesdays). 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tamarack Elementary No childcare provided. Please call 852-7561 to register. ®
BECOMING A LOVE & LOGIC PARENT® September 4th to October 2nd (Tuesdays). 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. DCPS Learning Center. Childcare provided. Please call 852-7561 to register. GETTING BACK TO THE BASICS October 16th to November 20th (Tuesdays). 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m Owensboro Middle School South. Childcare provided. Please call 686-1159 to register. ACTIVE PARENTING for parents, step parents and guardians. October 17th to November 14th (Wednesdays). 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. DCPS Learning Center. No childcare provided. Please call 852-7187 to register.
U-BOUNCE TODDLER TUESDAY All must wear socks; Children 5 and under get in for $5 all night; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT All must wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
FREE FRIDAY AFTER 5 The Rigbys (Beatles group) on the BB&T Plaza; Andy Brasher & Guests in the Courtyard; Street Fair: Pet Night; 6 -10 p.m.; (270) 687-2787 or fridayafter5.com.
FREE SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! Visit the library every Saturday morning from 10:00—12:00 for self guided fun and educational activities with a focus on literacy and school
U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT All must wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults
readiness; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
always free; 5 – 9 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
FREE SUMMER MOVIES ON THE RIVER “Puss ‘n Boots”, on the BB&T Plaza at RiverPark Center; 8 p.m.; 101 Daviess Street; (270) 687-2787 or riverparkcenter.org.
EAST BRIDGE ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL Studio Slant is proud to present to Owensboro The East Bridge Art and Music Festival. The festival begins at 10AM and ends at 7PM. The festival will showcase 30 of Kentucky and Indiana’s best artists, live music all day from musicians such as Heath Eric and Molly G. and more. Speed Painter Aaron Kizer will be performing as well as painter Meagan Williams. Gourmet Street food by The Famous Bistro and The Miller House will be available for all. East Bridge will be a family friendly atmosphere and there will be activities for children as well. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 412 E. Second Street, 270-684-3570.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
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2ND ANNUAL BRIDGE DAY The Blue Bridge across the Ohio River in Downtown Owensboro will again be open to walkers, runners, strollers, etc., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 8. Cross the Ohio River and then stay downtown for the East Bridge Art & Music Festival at Studio Slant. For more information, call 270687-8350. FREE SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! Visit the library every Saturday morning from 10:00—12:00 for self guided fun and educational activities with a focus on literacy and school readiness; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org. LANHAM BROTHERS JAMBOREE This familyfun and interactive show will feature Bluegrass, Country, Clogging and Comedy. Showtime is 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. CST. The Jamboree will be held in the Good Time Theater at Diamond Lake Resort. Tickets are general admission at the door and are $10 per person, $5 for ages 6-12 years and 5 years and under are free. Group tickets may be purchased by calling 270.314.4331. 7301 Hobbs Road
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org. SILHOUETTES AT KIDSTOP Get a silhouette of your child cut free-hand in minutes by nationally known artist Tim Arnold, The Silhouette Man; Cash or check only, two silhouettes facing pair, $40, additional copies of same child, $10; Kidstop, 3333 Frederica St; Call for appointment (270) 926-6433.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 U-BOUNCE TODDLER TUESDAY All must wear socks; Children 5 and under get in for $5 all night; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
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SILHOUETTES AT KIDSTOP See event description on Monday, September 10.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT All must wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT All must wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free; 5 – 9 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 FREE WALK FOR LIFE Beginning at Lourdes Parking Lot on Placid Place off South Frederica St. Collect sponsors for this 3-mile event to help support the vital work for the Dignity of Human
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Life. Individuals raising more then $50.00 receive a free t-shirt. Youth are invited to create a pro-life t-shirt and wear it to the event. Awards and prizes will be given away after the walk. Sign-in, muffins and juice will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp. For more information, contact Jerry Embry (812) 619-0523 chair for this event or the office at (270) 685-4922. FREE LIFESAVERS WALK In honor of National Suicide Prevention Week, the Owensboro Regional Suicide Prevention Coalition is hosting the fifth annual walk; Registration begins at 9 a.m., walk begins at 10 a.m.; For more information, call 684-9466. FREE SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! Visit the library every Saturday morning from 10:00—12:00 for self guided fun and educational activities with a focus on literacy and school readiness; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org. FREE WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S The walk unites the entire community in a display of combined strength and dedication in the fight against this devastating disease. While there is no fee to register, each participant is expected to fundraise in order to contribute to the cause and raise awareness. For more information, contact 812-475-1012.
4TH ANNUAL PATRIOT DAYS Held at the Pioneer Village in Yellow Creek Park, this event features living history exhibits, colonial games, scavenger hunt, prizes and refreshments. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; 5170 Highway 144; www.patriotdays1776.com. ANNUAL SCARECROW FEST Western Kentucky Botanical Garden starts the fall season with a special festival for the young and old alike. Come and be a part of the competition! 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 25 Carter Road; 270-852-8925 or www.wkbg.org.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 LIVE BAT SHOW Learn about the mysterious world of bats and explore their benefits, habitats and nocturnal movements. The programs are included in the price of admission; $3 per person, 2 and under free; 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.; owensboromuseum.org.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
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calendar TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 U-BOUNCE TODDLER TUESDAY All must wear socks; Children 5 and under get in for $5 all night; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com. FREE LEGO BLOCK PARTY Build, Play, and Learn with LEGO! For children ages 6-12. Seating is limited. Register at 2nd floor Information Desk; 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica Street; dcplibrary.org
wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free; 5 – 9 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com. OWENSBORO PUMPKIN FEST Owensboro’s Family Festival offers a great time with rides, games, food, contests, pumpkins and live music: something for everyone at the Owensboro Sportscenter. 1215 Hickman Avenue. For more information, contact 800666-1031.
U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT All must wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
THE TOT, THE TEEN & THE WARDROBE Rall and Winter Consignment Sale Over 30,000 items from furniture and home decor to children’s clothing and toys. Friday, Consignor Pre-Sale, 6 - 10 p.m.; Saturday, Public Sale, 8 - 2 p.m.; Sunday, Public Half-Off Sale, 12 - 3 p.m.; learn more online at ttwky.com.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT All must
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THE OSO “THE MAGIC OF MYSTIQUE” The Owensboro Symphony Orchestra opens its 2012-2013 season with The Magic of Mystique featuring The Ahn Trio at RiverPark Center. 7:30 p.m., 101 Daviess St., 270-687-2787
Q&A with Concert Curators What is Concert Curators? Concert Curators is a partnership between the Owensboro Museum of Science and History and Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, as well as Kentucky Wesleyan College education and music students. It was decided to work together to offer a child care program during symphony evenings. Parents could drop off their children at the Museum, KWC students (along with Museum staff) would coordinate educational, musical, and other fun activities for the children. Parents can enjoy the concert knowing that their children are being taken care of and having a wonderful experience as well. Everybody wins. What is your main goal? There are really four goals: (1) to enrich the lives of children through a wonderful musical and educational experience at the Museum, (2) to attract more young families to Owensboro Symphony concerts, (3) to bring more families to experience the Museum, and (4) to give hands-on practical training to KWC students. Is there a cost? What time is the program? The cost is $8 per child for Museum members and/ or symphony subscribers, $10 per child for nonmembers/ non-subscribers. Children are ages 3-10 (must be able to handle bathroom needs independently). The program is 7 to 10 p.m. on Symphony evenings; parents drop off children at 7 p.m., go to concert from 7:30 to 9:30 and then pick up their children after the concert by 10 p.m.
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calendar CASA ART AUCTION FUNDRAISER Many different types of art will be on sale, including photography, paintings, metal work, woodwork and handmade jewelry. Take part in this laid-back, relaxing event, which also includes a cash bar and live entertainment. Dress is business casual; Tickets $35 per person and can be purchased at the door; Champion Ford showroom; Please call CASA at 683-2138 to let them know you plan to attend.
OWENSBORO PUMPKIN FEST See event description on Friday, September 21.
PEDAL WITH THE POLICE 9 – 11 a.m.; visit Owensboro.org/police for more information.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
KIPER KLASSIC FAMILY FUNDRAISER Coed softball tournament and silent auction to raise money for this local family. The Kiper twins were born on May 24, 2012, at just 23 weeks and 5 days; the boys still remain in the hospital. Please contact Jill Conrad at270-869-5249 for more information. THE TOT, THE TEEN & THE WARDROBE See event description on Friday, September 21. FREE SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! Visit the library every Saturday morning from 10:00—12:00 for self guided fun and educational activities with a focus on literacy and school readiness; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 OWENSBORO PUMPKIN FEST See event description on Friday, September 21. THE TOT, THE TEEN & THE WARDROBE See event description on Friday, September 21.
FREE STORYTIME WEE READ for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
FREE FAMILY FUN NIGHT Join us in the programming room for a game of Bingo with a LEGO twist. Recommended for children ages 4-12. Seating is limited. Register at 2nd floor Information Desk; 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica Street; dcplibrary.org.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT All must wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 TASTE OF OWENSBORO Area restaurants and beverage vendors will be at RiverPark Center to let you sample the best of International cuisine, prepared right here in Owensboro. Live entertainment. 101 Daviess Street, 6 - 9 p.m.; 270-687-2787.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 U-BOUNCE TODDLER TUESDAY All must wear socks; Children 5 and under get in for $5 all night; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT All must wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free; 5 – 9 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
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calendar PIGTAILS & COWLICKS Kids consignment sale, register as a consignor and ear 70% of your selling price; learn more online at pigtailsandcowlicks.com.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 IMAGINATION LIBRARY ANNUAL COMMUNITY SPELLING BEE FOR BOOKS Sponsored by the Messenger-Inquirer and other local businesses. This event raises funds and awareness for the Daviess County Imagination Library program while stressing the importance of literacy and education; for more information, contact Kim Johnson at 570-3297 or kjohnson@riverpark.org. HEALTHY OWENSBORO 5K RUN & WALK This is the first year for the event, hosted by the Junior League of Owensboro; Race day registration 6:30 - 7:30 a.m., race starts at 8 a.m. near Studio Slant; Pre-registration form available at owensbororunningclub.com. PIGTAILS & COWLICKS See event description on Friday, September 28. FALL FAMILY FUN – OLE CIDER DAYS This Year’s Ole’ Cider Days Festival will feature live music, tasty barbecue, freshly pressed apple cider, apple cider donuts, cider slushies and great fun for the whole family. Scenic hayrides to the Pumpkin
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Patch, interactive Giant Corn Maze. Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; 9255 US Hwy 231, 270-733-2222 / 877733-2202 or www.trunnellsfarmmarket.com. FREE SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! Visit the library every Saturday morning from 10:00—12:00 for self guided fun and educational activities with a focus on literacy and school readiness; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1 FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT All must wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT All must wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always free; 5 – 9 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com. VOICES OF ELMWOOD CEMETERY Join the Daviess County Public Library and the Owensboro Museum of Science and History as they invite you on the fifth annual “Voices of Elmwood” tour. Starting at 6:00 PM, take a hayride through the historic sections of Elmwood Cemetery and learn about some of the history of Owensboro, and the people who shaped it. Tickets for the tour are $10. Fridays & Saturdays. Cemetery located at Old Hartford Road and Breckenridge Street. 270-687-2732.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 FALL FAMILY FUN – THE GREAT PUMPKIN FEST This event will include pumpkin carving and contests. Live entertainment, hayrides to the Pumpkin Patch, interactive Giant Corn Maze; open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; 9255 US Hwy 231; 270-733-2222 / 877-733-2202 or www. trunnellsfarmmarket.com.
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