Emerald Coast Parent Magazine January+February 2020 by Rob Williams

January+February 2020

Visit us at itsyourmagazine.com

January+February 2020

contents

12 16 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

FAMILY BUILDERS

8 10 14

Decode Your Child’s Cold: So that you and your child can breathe easy!

Family Chatter ��22 That’s Good to Know! ��24 Show Her You Care, Show Him You Care ��25-26 Teach Your Kids Something New! ��28 Snacks—Recipes for Tasty Get-togethers ��30 Crafts—Get Creative with Your Kids ��34 Book Reviews and Activities ��35

Executive Exposé: Forty-five Fun and Fascinating Facts About Our Presidents Joy Journaling: A Heart-centered Way to Stay Connected to Your Kids How to Enjoy the Benefits of Nature Inside When You Can’t Get Outside: How to ditch a gloomy mood

Real Estate Insight: The Hidden Value of Homeownership, and The Fast, Easy, and Affordable Home Renovation

Spark up some lively conversation with your kids. Take the FamilyChatter Challenge.

Teen Talk Helpful Advice from One Teen to Another

FAMILY FUN GUIDE

Get to know the people, places, and things that make the Emerald Coast special! Seasonal | The Arts ��38 Runs, Walks, & More | Sounds Fun ��39 Reoccurring Local | Volunteer ��40

parent Emerald Coast

Editorial Director Tasha Williams info@itsyourmagazine.com Subject Line: Editorial Snacks & Crafts Coordinator Carol Eide info@itsyourmagazine.com Subject Line: Snacks and Crafts Contributing Authors Lisa A. Beach Sandra Gordon Janeen Lewis Cheryl Maguire Sandi Schwartz Betsy Tait Shannon Wade Henley Calendar of Events and Resource Guide Suzanne Bratton info@itsyourmagazine.com Subject Line: Calendar Proofreader Jennifer Cullis

In everything we do, we believe in inspiring families to live, laugh, love and enjoy life—TOGETHER! Publisher Nathan Wilson nathanwilson@itsyourmagazine.com Phone: 503-710-1720 Social Media Manager Lexy Cruz lexycruz@itsyourmagazine.com Creative Director Rob Williams robwilliams@itsyourmagazine.com

Would you like to write for Emerald Coast Parent? Please contact our editorial director with your request. A submission does not guarantee publication. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. © 2019 It’s Your Magazine. All rights reserved. Emerald Coast Parent content may not be used or reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopy, without the express written permission of the publisher. Emerald Coast Parent is not responsible for the loss of or damage to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork or any other unsolicited material. Unsolicited material will not be returned. It’s Your Magazine and its affiliates, contributors, writers, editors, publisher and designers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. It’s Your Magazine’s liability in the event of an error is limited to a printed correction. It’s Your Magazine does not assume liability for products or services advertised herein and assumes no responsibility for claims made by the advertisers.

4 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine

DECODE YOUR CHILD’S COLD So that you and your child can breathe easy! By Sandra Gordon

As miserable as a cough or stuffy nose can make your child feel, it’s helpful to know that cold symptoms can often seem worse than they actually are. “Congestion is a normal, healthy response to a virus or an irritant. It’s generally the body’s way of trapping it in the nose and throat so it doesn’t get to your lungs,” says pediatrician Michael Brady, MD. And coughing is the body’s way of clearing and protecting airways from irritating mucous and other secretions. Still, coughs and congestion can sometimes signal something more serious. What’s worrisome and what’s not? Here’s what you

need to know to decipher your child’s cold symptoms and the best ways to handle them so that everyone can breathe easier.

Cold Clues Nasal congestion is often the first sign of a cold. It’s an inflammatory response to bacteria or, most commonly, a virus. When a virus invades your child’s nose or, less often, the air passages in her Continued on page 6 ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • January+February 2020 • 5

Continued from page 5

chest, cells lining the nose and/or the chest area swell and produce mucous. Clogged nasal and throat passages help block the bad bug from traveling farther. If the virus manages to get to the lungs, it can cause pneumonia and other nasty respiratory infections. As part of this inflammatory response, your child’s nose can also run, which helps shed the virus. Her body can also produce other chemicals in response to the virus that can make her feel lousy. Other common cold clues include sneezing, a runny nose, and a phlegmy cough without wheezing or fast breathing, day or night, from post-nasal drip (a slow leak of mucous from the nose that irritates the back of your child’s throat). None of these symptoms require medical treatment.

When to Worry Cold-like symptoms you should be concerned about include distressed breathing (your child can’t catch his breath, even when trying to breathe through his mouth), a high fever (100.5 F or greater), loss of appetite, disrupted sleep, a lack of energy, and/or chest congestion, which is much less common though frequently mistaken for nasal congestion. “Parents will often tell me they can hear their child’s chest rattling, but most of the time, they’re hearing noises being made in their child’s nose that get transmitted down to their child’s chest,” Dr. Brady says. It’s a medical phenomenon known as transmitted sounds. True chest congestion produces a unique noise that pediatricians need a stethoscope to detect to diagnose the illness. All of these symptoms

can signal pneumonia, bronchitis, or asthma, the chronic condition in which the lungs get clogged with mucous and the bronchi, major air passages, constrict, depriving your child of oxygen. Be on the lookout for it in your child if you have a medical history of asthma. It typically runs in families. Call your doctor immediately if your child’s breathing ever seems labored, even if it’s in the middle of the night or on the weekend. You should also contact your doctor if your child’s cough or congestion interferes with his sleep, activity, or appetite, or if it’s associated with a fever. Tell your doctor what temperature-taking method you used and be prepared to report any other symptoms your child is experiencing, such as whether he’s eating or drinking. See the pediatrician if your child’s cough and stuffy nose persist for more than 10 days without improving, even if it’s not causing other symptoms. Although rare, a cold can start off as a viral nasal infection and develop into a bacterial infection in the lungs, aka pneumonia, which does require medical attention. “There are a lot more colds than there are pneumonias,” says Dr. Brady. That’s because there are over 100 viruses that cause colds and many of them are circulating in the environment at the same time, he says. Your little one could also have asthma, allergies, or even enlarged adenoids, which inhibit breathing. Older kids could have sinusitis (a bacterial infection that’s often brought on by a cold) or an allergy. It could also simply be seasonal stuffiness. “A chronically stuffy nose in the winter could just be a sign your child’s nose is sensitive to dry winter air,” says Lawrence Rosen, MD, an integrative medicine

pediatrician. When the humidity level in the air drops along with the thermometer, mucous membranes in the nose can swell.

easier to dislodge. But be sure to clean the humidifier often and use it only when your child is congested.

Cold Comfort You can’t shorten the duration of a cold, but you can help your child feel better by trying these tactics:

Sweeten the deal.

Since a cold is viral, not bacterial, treatment won’t require antibiotics. And since the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t recommend over-the-counter cough and cold medications for infants and children under age 6 because of the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening side effects, those aren’t an option either, even for older kids. It’s just as well. “They haven’t actually been shown to be effective in children,” Dr. Brady says.

In lieu of cough suppressant products, try honey. “In studies, it works better than dextromethorphan, a component of cough suppressants,” says pediatrician Bonnie Kvistad, MD. Give half a teaspoon to 2- to 5-year-olds, 1 teaspoon for 6- to 11-year-olds, and 2 teaspoons for kids aged 12 and older. If you give your child honey before bed, make sure she brushes her teeth afterward because it can cause tooth decay. Honey isn’t recommended for children under age 1 because of the risk of botulism.

“If you run a humidifier full-time, there’s a greater chance you’ll create mold spores in the room, which your child can inhale,” says Dr. Rosen. As a result, kids can develop an allergy to mold and a chronic cough.

For babies and toddlers who can’t blow their nose yet, use nasal saline drops and a nasal aspirator to suction a runny nose, which is important so that your child can breathe through her nose when she’s nursing or having a bottle. She may not drink as much otherwise, which can lead to dehydration, which can complicate your child’s condition. Use saline spray for older kids. It helps lubricate mucous so that it’s easier to blow out.

Cough drops are another option for coughs and sore throat. They increase saliva production, which can soothe your child’s throat and loosen his cough. “But don’t give them to children under age 6,” says Dr. Kvistad. Like any hard candies, lozenges pose a choking hazard.

Keep nasal passages as clear as possible. Using a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s bedroom will help moisten airways to reduce the coughing caused by post-nasal drip. A steamy shower can also help hydrate nasal membranes and make mucous

Fill up on fluids. Drinking plenty of clear fluids, such as water, can help your child stay hydrated, which helps thin mucous and clear nasal secretions. “If you’re sick, your body’s metabolism may be higher. You’ll burn more fluid, especially if you also have a fever, so you want to replace that fluid,” says Dr. Rosen. Even the steam Continued on page 18 ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • January+February 2020 • 7

By Janeen Lewis

EXECUTIVE EXPOSÉ Forty-five Fun and Fascinating Facts About Our Presidents

Which president married his teacher? Who modeled for a magazine during college? Which president liked to skinny dip in the Potomac? To celebrate President’s Day, here are 45 fun and fascinating facts about our commanders-in-chief. 1. First president George Washington had teeth that were made, not from wood, but from hippopotamus ivory, bone, and human teeth.

4. The fourth president, James Madison, was known as “the Father of the Constitution.” He was the last surviving original signer of the document.

2. When John Adams, the second president, died on July 5. James Monroe, the fifth president, is the only one to have 4th, 1826, he said, “Thomas Jefferson survives.” He didn’t know that Jefferson had died hours earlier that same day—the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

a foreign capital named for him. Monrovia, Liberia, was a colony established in Africa in 1821 for freed black Americans.

6. John Quincy Adams, the sixth president, frequently 3. Thomas Jefferson, the third president, designed his skinny-dipped in the Potomac. own tombstone. The epitaph makes no mention of his presidency.

8 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

7. Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, killed a man in a duel over an argument that started when the man insulted Jackson’s wife, Rachel.

8. Martin Van Buren, the eighth president, was the first to be born a U.S. citizen. The presidents before him were considered British subjects.

16. In 1860, 11-year-old Grace Bedell wrote to Abraham Lincoln and advised him he had a better chance of winning the election if he grew “whiskers.” He followed her suggestion and became the 16th president.

17. Andrew Johnson, the 17th president, was the first to be impeached and then acquitted.

9. William Henry Harrison, the ninth president, died 18. Broke and dying of cancer, 18th president Ulysses S. Grant wrote his memoirs. Mark Twain published them after only a month after taking office, making his the shortest presidency in history.

10. The 10th president, John Tyler, was born in 1790. Unbelievably, two of Tyler’s grandsons are still alive today. 11. James Knox Polk, the 11th president, was nicknamed “Young Hickory” after President Andrew Jackson, whose nickname was “Old Hickory.”

12. The 12th president, Zachary Taylor, died suddenly

in office. His body was exhumed in 1991 to prove he hadn’t been poisoned with arsenic.

Grant’s death, earning $450,000 for Grant’s family.

19. Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president, was the first to install a phone at the White House. He called Alexander Graham Bell first.

20. Multilingual and ambidextrous, James Garfield, the 20th president, could write Latin with one hand while writing in Greek with the other.

21. Chester Arthur, the 21st president, was a clothes horse, reportedly owning 80 pairs of pants.

13 Have you ever had a crush on a teacher? You’re not alone. 22. Grover Cleveland, the 22nd president, was the only Millard Fillmore, the 13th president, married his teacher, president to be married at the White House. Abigail Powers.

23. Electricity was installed at the White House during 23rd presi14. The 14th president, Franklin Pierce, was good friends dent Benjamin Harrison’s term, but the Harrisons wouldn’t with the writer Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter.

operate the switches for fear of getting shocked.

15. James Buchanan, the 15th president, was the only

24. Grover Cleveland, the 24th president (also the

president who never married.

22nd president) was the only president in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms. Continued on page 20

Continued on page 9 ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • January+February 2020 • 9

JOY

Journaling

A heart-centered way to stay connected to your kids

By Christina Katz

Joy journaling might become your new favorite thing to do with your tween or teen. When I want my fifteen-year-old to hang out with me, all I have to do is spread my supplies out on the kitchen table and enjoy working on my project. Next thing I know, she has pulled out her supplies and joined me to work on her own. And joy journaling is not only for girls. Sometimes my husband will join us at the table, pulling together a collage of his own. He is not as committed to the ongoing process as we are, but it’s nice to know that collaging can be relaxing and inspiring for any age or gender. Why not try visual journaling on an ongoing basis with your children, with relatives during an extended family gathering, or as an activity at your next slumber or birthday party? Unlike scrapbooking, which can be expensive, imitative, and intimidating, joy journaling is inexpensive, expressive, and free flowing. 10 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Journaling Supplies We keep our respective joy journal supplies in two large blue storage boxes. If I had known sooner that sitting at the kitchen table cutting out images and words from old magazines and pasting them into blank sketchbooks would provide so many hours of enjoyable connection time, I would have started this process with my daughter in elementary school. Here is what you need to get started:

Old Magazines

Elmer’s Disappearing Jumbo Purple Glue Sticks

Stop by your local library and see if you can purchase old magazines. Ours has them on a rack at the Friends of the Library store. Consider asking your neighbors to drop off their old magazines on your stoop. Or ask local professionals with waiting rooms for their dated copies. You can also inexpensively subscribe to magazines you enjoy at https://www.magazines.com/. Scissors: I have several pairs of the orange-handled Fiskars scissors. Since you will be cutting a lot, use whatever scissors are most efficient and comfortable.

I like purple glue sticks so I can apply ample glue to each item I paste. I prefer the large size since they spread glue faster and last longer.

Exacto Knife and Cutting Pad

Recently I started collecting Washi Tapes I come across on sale. I stick to color schemes that will appeal to me or my daughter. Adding Washi Tape to almost-completed journal pages is a fun flourish. Continued on page 12

I use the Fiskars Heavy Duty Die Cast Craft Knife and a large pink, self-healing cutting pad. I also have a smaller cutting pad that is easy to place between pages of a magazine for accurate cutting without tearing through too many pages at once.

Bins/Storage Boxes Make sure bins are large enough to lay magazine pages flat across the bottom. Consider where you will keep your bins when they are not in use. I like storage bins from IKEA because they pop right into our IKEA shelving units. EC Parent Magazine • January+February 2020 • 11

Strathmore Sketchbook, 100 Sheets I used to use a drugstore variety sketchbook, but I prefer the sturdier pages that an art supply journal provides. Shop around until you find the sketchbook that makes sense to you.

Washi Tapes

Continued from page 11

Baggies I use clear plastic bags to divide my materials up into categories. I currently have bags for small images, words and quotes, and ephemera. Keeping everything sorted allows me to work on my journal in phases without getting overwhelmed by too many choices at once.

Ephemera Start collecting scraps of tissue paper, wrapping paper, ribbon, doilies, cupcake wrappers, or any other type of flat materials you can use to embellish your joy journal pages. Keep these in a separate baggie.

Supply Bowl I use a large round display globe to store my joy journal tools so I can easily see them. When it’s time to put them away, I just put all my tools into a large baggie and store them on top of my collage materials.

A Three-step Journaling Process 1. Invest a little time into cutting up old magazines in advance. You will need cut-out images and words to get started composing spreads in your joy journal. So why not put on a pot of tea and spend some time snipping images and words together? I find the process of hunting and gathering images and words to be a relaxing adventure in and of itself.

that are pleasing to my eye. I do not worry about what others might think because my journal is for personal gratification, although I do share the results with family members. Then I pull out a baggie of small images and spread them out on the table to see if I want to add any to my pages. When I’m done, I gather those up and put them away. Finally, I pull out my baggie of words and quotes and spread them out on the table so I can select and glue words to go with spreads in ways that surprise and delight me.

Visual Journaling Tips Keep it loose. All of these ideas are suggestions. Don’t create too many rules around joy journaling. Give your child tips instead of instructions, and then lead by your example. Don’t be surprised if your child teaches you a few things along the way. Lose track of time. Don’t worry about how long any of the

process takes because the point is to enjoy yourself, not keep a deadline. If you must keep track of time, set a timer in another room so you can immerse yourselves in the process as much as possible.

Welcome heart-to-heart talks. You may start off working quietly side by side but end up having an impromptu deep conversation. Know when to keep working versus when to put down your scissors and glue stick and listen with your full attention.

2. Spread your materials out on a table. If you can leave your tools Take snack breaks. You may wish to put out a plate of and supplies out all day or even over the course of a weekend or school vacation period, this is convenient. Find an out-of-the-way spot, like a craft table or a dining room table where you can leave works in progress undisturbed. You can always quickly clear the table and put your materials back in storage boxes, as needed. Once your supplies are all spread out, getting drawn into your journaling process will happen naturally, even if only a few minutes on an otherwise busy day.

3. In creating my journals, I do about four or five spreads of large

non-sticky snacks to sustain you as you collage. Making a pot of tea or keeping cocoa warm on the stove can add to the relaxed vibe of creating side by side.

Allow intimacy. One of the things we are losing in our whiz-

bang-vibrate electronic world is quality time spent relaxing together. Joy journaling is calming and centering for anyone involved, which leads effortlessly to parent-child bonding. So put away devices, turn off background noise, and simply enjoy each other’s company in the creative quiet.v

images first. I try to match or contrast colors and create arrangements

Author, journalist, and writing coach Christina Katz loves nothing better than spending time in the creative quiet, whether alone or with her daughter. She always emerges from joy journaling refreshed and inspired. 12 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine

By Sandi Schwartz

How to Enjoy the Benefits of Nature Inside WHEN YOU CAN’T GET OUTSIDE H OW T O

D I T C H

G L O O M Y

M O O D

Spending time in nature is so beneficial to our health and well-being. It calms us, reducing feelings of stress, anxiety, and anger. It has also been shown to improve focus and attention, as well as reduce blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. It even makes us friendlier and more apt to reach out to others in our community. The beauty of nature is that it has the power to impact us no matter where we experience it. By giving our children a multitude of ways to observe nature through their senses, they can enjoy the many benefits it has to offer on any day of the year. Playing outside is one of the best activities for our kids, but what if it’s too cold or too rainy to go outside? Is it possible to experience the benefits of nature from indoors? Nothing beats actually immersing ourselves in the natural environment outside, but science proves that we can capture the essence of what nature has to offer through images, sounds, and plants inside our home.

Nature Imagery Amazingly, just looking at pictures of nature can make us feel similar to actually spending time outdoors. A recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that you can reduce stress by simply looking at images of nature. When participants viewed pictures of natural scenes, their stress level decreased because their parasympathetic nervous system (which helps us to calm down) was activated. Spending time in nature can also make us feel more compassionate—connected to others and our environment. Scientists proved Continued on page 16

14 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

BEFORE

AFTER

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Continued from page 14

this by observing brain activity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the experiment, they discovered that when participants viewed scenes from the natural environment, the parts of their brain associated with empathy and love lit up. On the other hand, when they looked at urban scenes, the parts of the brain associated with fear and anxiety were activated. Finally, Dr. Marc Berman and researchers at the University of Michigan conducted a study in which participants took 10-minute breaks in a quiet room to look at pictures of a nature scene or city street. Cognitive performance improved after the nature break. Although the boost was not as large as when participants actually took a walk outside among trees, it was more effective than taking a walk in the city.

lower blood pressure and less pain, anxiety, and fatigue compared to patients who did not have plants in their rooms.

How to Bring More Nature Inside According to Netta Weinstein, professor at the University of Rochester, we can maximize our connections with nature even if we are unable to get outside. She explains, “Because of the hidden benefits of connecting with nature, people should take advantage of opportunities to get away from built environments and, when inside, they should surround themselves with plants, natural objects, and images of the natural world.” How can we give our children experiences of nature on the days that we just can’t fit in outdoor play? Here are some ideas to expose your children to the amazing aspects of nature from inside:

Nature Sounds Listening to nature can help relax us and improve our mood. A research team at the University of Florida looked at how nature sounds affect people’s mental and physical health. They measured pulse rate, muscle tension, and self-reported stress of a group of people and then had them listen to one of three sounds: silence, music by Mozart, or ocean waves. Then the researchers gave the participants another medical exam and asked how stressed they felt. There was no significant change for people who listened to silence or classical music, but those who listened to ocean waves had considerably lower muscle tension, heart rates, and stress. These positive changes occurred quite rapidly, within five to seven minutes of listening to the sounds of nature. Imagine how quickly we can calm our children down by playing some soothing nature sounds! Experts found, however, that not all nature sounds have the same calming effect. The best sounds are those that give a sense of natural space and mimic the biorhythms of an ecosystem, like a forest. Loud chirping and croaking is just not going to cause the same calming feelings as sounds of water, which are very soothing because of their slow, rhythmic whooshing noises.

Plants Plants and flowers have long been known to cheer people up. Research done in hospitals, offices, and schools has consistently found that even a simple plant in a room can have a significant impact on reducing stress and anxiety. Plants actually boost healing, according to a study at Kansas State University. Researchers learned that viewing plants during recovery from surgery can lead to a significant improvement in physiological responses. Patients had

16 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

indoor sanctuaries of nature, such as an arboretum, • Visit butterfly garden, botanical garden, greenhouse, science museum, or aquarium. your house with awe-inspiring images of nature. • Decorate Collect gorgeous pieces from famous photographers like Ansel Adams and Philip Hyde or start a family hobby of taking pictures of nature that you love to display throughout your house.

• Display plants throughout your house. • Start an indoor garden of herbs and flowers. nature shows, movies, and documentaries as • Watch a family. pictures and objects of nature that are green and • Include blue in your house, colors known to calm us down. • Play nature sounds in your home, especially at bedtime. The beauty of nature is that it has the power to impact us no matter where we experience it. By giving our children a multitude of ways to observe nature through their senses, they can enjoy the many benefits it has to offer on any day of the year. v

Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer/blogger and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness, and environmental issues. You can find her at www.happysciencemom.com and www.sandischwartz.com. Get her free course on raising happy, balanced kids at bit.ly/2i53TDV.

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Try aromatherapy. Rubbing massage oil mixed with a drop or two of eucalyptus essential oil on your baby or toddler’s chest is a potential congestion cure. “Breathing in the smell helps open air passages,” Dr. Rosen says. The essential oil of mint and menthol are other options but avoid these and other stronger smellers, including the age-old Vicks VapoRub topical ointment, if your child has a history of asthma. Also, it’s not recommended for kids under age 2. “Any kind of smell can irritate the airways in children with asthma,” Dr. Rosen says. v Sandra Gordon is an award-winning freelance writer who delivers expert advice and the latest developments in health, nutrition, parenting, and consumer issues EC Parent Magazine • January+February 2020 • 19

Continued from page 9

25. Minutes after the 25th president, William McKinley, was shot by an assassin, he said, “Let no one hurt him,” speaking of his shooter. McKinley died eight days later.

35. John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, donated his presidential salary to charity.

36. Everyone in 36th president Lyndon B. Johnson’s 26. Teddy bears are named for Theodore Roosevelt, the family had the initials “LBJ.” 26th president, because he once refused to shoot a bear his hunting companions tied to a tree.

27. It’s probably a myth that William Howard Taft, the

27th president, got stuck in a White House tub, although Taft did have a large bathtub installed at the White House to fit his size.

37. The 37th president, Richard dent to resign.

Nixon, was the only presi-

38. Gerald Ford, the 38th president, modeled during college, appearing in Look magazine.

28. Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president, loved golf so 39. James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, the 39th president, much he painted golf balls black to play in the snow.

was the first president to be born in a hospital.

29. The 29th president, Warren Harding, was the first

40. Ronald Reagan, the 40th president, is credited with sav-

30. The 30th president, Calvin Coolidge, was the only

41. George H. W. Bush, the 41st president and a combat pilot for the Navy, was the last president to have served in World War II.

president to speak on the radio.

president born on the Fourth of July.

31. Herbert Hoover, the 31st president, let his son Allan’s two pet alligators roam around the White House grounds. 32. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president, was

ing 77 lives during the seven summers he worked as a river lifeguard.

42. When William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton, the 42nd president, was a high school senior, he met and shook hands with President Kennedy.

related to 11 other presidents by either blood or marriage.

43. George W. Bush, the 43rd president, was head cheer33. Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president, was expected to leader when he was in high school. lose the 1948 election. A triumphant Truman was photographed holding the front page of the Chicago Daily Tribune with this headline: “Dewey Defeats Truman.”

44. Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th president, won

34. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president, was the first to be picked up on the White House lawn by a helicopter.

45. Donald Trump, the 45th president, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his reality show The Apprentice . v

Grammys in the Spoken Word Album for two of his books.

“America is too great for small dreams.”—Ronald Regan

Janeen Lewis is a freelance journalist and presidential history buff. She has been published in several magazines across the country and in more than a dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies.

20 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

FAMILY

BUILDERS

Strong Families Don’t Just Happen

Spend a little time talking to each other every day—take our Family Chatter challenge. Have some messy fun in the kitchen or at a craft table making some of our featured Snacks & Crafts. Teach your children how to get and stay motivated with our Teach Your Kids Something New. Learn how to say no to setting unachievable New Year’s resolutions in That’s Good to Know. ENJOY LIFE—TOGETHER!

30 34 TEEN TALK

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Our FamilyChatter Challenge is simple— just do your best. Here are some easy questions that will hopefully inspire your family to engage in great conversations whenever, however, you can. Enjoy!

Live, Laugh, Love, and TALK TOGETHER!

What would your favorite job be and why?

Would you rather stay up late or wake up early?

What was your most treasured vacation?

What is your most cherished possession?

Who is funnier—your grandma or your grandpa?

If you skipped school one day, where would you go?

What is your favorite color?

Would you rather go biking or hiking?

What is the best board game?

Keep the Conversation Going with Follow-up Questions: I nteresting. What else can you tell me about that? o Now what are you going to do? o No way! Can you tell me more? o Seriously? Then what happened? o How do you feel about what happened? o How does this make you feel? o What’s your next step? o

What is your dream college?

Do you like having your photo posted on social media?

What is your favorite hobby?

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YOU DON’T HAVE TO MAKE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS By Cheryl Maguire

It’s January 14. People are filtering into the cycle room at the YMCA. I’m adjusting the seat on my stationary bicycle when I realize the class is almost full twenty minutes before it even starts (which is unusual). The woman next to me, who regularly attends the class, grumbles, “I hate this time of year when all the resies take over the gym.” Since I’m also a regular, I know her term “resies” is referring to all the people who newly signed up for a gym membership in hopes of fulfilling their New Year’s resolution of working out. Every January for the past 15 years that I’ve been a member of the gym, I’ve witnessed this phenomenon. I turn to her and say, “Don’t worry; they will all be gone by March.” She laughs and says, “That is so true.” Even though I made light of the situation, I feel sad knowing all of these people will not achieve a goal they created. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. Richard Wiseman studied 3,000 people who created different New Year’s resolutions. At the end of the year, he found that only 12% of the people achieved their intended goal. Despite the high number of failed goals, about 40% of Americans continue to create New Year’s resolutions. This tradition dates back to the Roman times as a way to honor the mythical god Janus. According to psychology professor Peter Herman, people usually don’t achieve their New Year’s resolution goals because they create unrealistic goals. People also tend to underestimate the difficulty in achieving these goals.

I wasn’t always a fitness fanatic. In fact, I would liken my former self to more of a couch potato who avoided all forms of exercise. My transformation was a long and slow process (over the course of several years) and it never involved a New Year’s resolution of working out. I think that to create a goal just because of the calendar (or because other people are telling you to) will only set you up for failure, which could result in decreased self-worth. Instead of setting a New Year’s resolution because it’s a new year, create goals throughout the year for areas in your life you want to change. When creating goals it’s important to be realistic. For example, if you want to run in a marathon (26.2 miles), you would first need to train for it. This training usually involves running short distances and then building up to longer amounts of running. This technique could be applied to any goal you create. In relation to your goal being realistic, it might not be physically possible for you to run a marathon, so to create this as a goal without first understanding your own physical limitations would result in not completing it. Continued on page 27

24 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Cut out this page. Then cut it down the middle. He takes his half, she takes hers. Keep it simple. Don’t keep score. Just enjoy life and each other— as often as you remember!

Let’s face it, most of us could use a little jump start now and then when it comes to relationships. That’s why we’ve included this section. Simple acts of kindness are a great way to say, “I care about you.” Date nights are great, but when life gets busy, sometimes all that’s necessary are little reminders!

Help take down the Christmas decorations. Support her in her New Year’s resolutions. Suggest an outdoor activity together on a nice day. Take extra time to think about a special Valentine’s Day gift. Do one of her “chores” for her. Cook dinner for her (and the family). Call her in the middle of the day just to say “I love you.”

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas in each issue. Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Take dancing lessons with her. Hold her hand in public. Cuddle on the couch.

ItsYourMagazine.com • January+February 2020 • 25

Cut out this page. Then cut it down the middle. He takes his half, she takes hers. Keep it simple. Don’t keep score. Just enjoy life and each other— as often as you remember!

Make his favorite meal. Say nice things about him to his family. Initiate “alone-time”—and be more playful and romantic. Write him a love letter. Support him in his New Year’s resolutions. Surprise him with a gadget that he has been wanting. Do one of his “chores” for him. Leave a little note in his lunch.

Challenge yourself to complete all 10 ideas in each issue. Don’t just focus on the easy ones!

Encourage him to hang out with his friends. Give him a goodbye kiss that makes him want to come back home.

26 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine

5. How could you support other people next year? 6. When you think about this past year, what do you feel happy to remember? 7. When you think about this past year, what do you feel sad to remember? 8. What are some new skills or information you learned this year? 9. What are some new skills you would like to learn in the future? 10. What steps do you need to take to achieve new skills or accomplishments? Continued from page 24

Instead of creating New Year’s resolutions, take some time to assess your accomplishments and other areas of your life over the past year. Here are some questions to consider to help you with this process: 1. What did you accomplish this past year? 2. How could you build upon those accomplishments next year? 3. What are some things you could have done differently this past year? 4. List some people who were supportive of you this past year.

After reflecting on these questions, consider how you would like to move forward in the new year. If you do decide to create goals, make sure they are realistic for both your expectations and the reality of achieving them. v

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents magazine, AARP Upworthy, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings, and Your Teen magazine. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

By Lisa A. Beach

MID-YEAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BLUES How to Keep Kids Motivated the Entire School Year Packing lunches, doing nightly homework, Stay Positive studying for spelling tests, and scrambling As parents who are tired of packing lunches and reminding children about during the morning rush—the thrill to put their shoes on for the fifth time in one morning, it can be hard to stay positive. However, a positive attitude can go a long way for of a new school year has worn off and kids both parents and kids. Focus on the excitement of learning, seeing start to drag their feet a little more on school friends, and upcoming events to encourage your child that school mornings as they return for the start of the is still as fun as it was back in August. Your positive attitude will become contagious and your child will start to get excited about second semester. How do you keep kids school again too. motivated to finish out the last months of Show an Interest the school year strong?. One thing that can have a huge impact on your child’s excitement Set Goals

It’s important to let your child know you have high expectations for them throughout the year, not just for the first semester. Work with your child to set goals for success and reward them for meeting their goals. Some kids may need an academic goal, while others need goals such as no tardies for the quarter or turning all assignments in on time. Communicate with your child’s teacher to come up with some beneficial goals for your child. Rewards could include a special outing as a family, going out for ice cream, picking out a special toy, or extra screen time.

about school is seeing your interest. When your child returns home from school, ask him about his day, his friends, and the highs and lows of the day. Listen attentively and ask questions. When it is homework time, be available to help and answer questions. When parents are excited and interested in the goings-on at school, kids will be too.

Get Involved

Kids who are involved in school activities tend to be more excited about school. Encourage your child to join clubs and after-school activities where they will be around school friends. Parents can also Continued on page 31

28 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Enroll in Florida's FREE Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program!

The Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast's mission is to support the success of every child and their family through quality early education and care. Research shows that children who participate in high-quality prekindergarten programs are better prepared for school and develop lifelong social and emotional skills. Florida offers free prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds regardless of family income. Children must live in Florida and be 4-years-old on, or before, September 1 of the current year to be eligible. If their birthday falls from February 2 through September 1, you may wait to enroll your child the following year, at the age of 5.

Apply online by visiting: www.familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com 1130 N. Eglin Pkwy · Shalimar, FL · 850.833.3627 · elc-ec.org

Calzone Sticks YOU'LL NEED

• 2 8-ounce packages Pillsbury Crescent Dough Sheets • 16 3½-inch thin slices salami • 8 Colby/Jack cheese sticks • pizza cutter

• baking sheet • clean scissors • spatula • marinara sauce • small bowl for each person

DIRECTIONS

• Unroll the crescent roll sheets. Use the pizza cutter to cut each sheet into 4 strips (about 3x4-inch pieces). • Wrap 2 pieces of salami around a cheese stick, covering the cheese. Then wrap a piece of dough around the wrapped cheese. Pinch closed the seam and ends of the dough. Repeat to make a total of 8 calzone sticks. • Place each stick, seam side down, on a baking sheet. Use clean scissors to make 4-5 small snips in the dough along the top of each stick. • Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. • Cool until slightly warm, then serve with warmed marinara sauce for dipping.

Sometimes, you just want a warm tasty treat!

Ground Hog Muffins YOU'LL NEED

• 6 large chocolate muffins • 12 ounce container of vanilla frosting • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder • 12 chocolate-covered malt balls

• 12 candy eyes • 6 chocolate Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped • 6 mini vanilla Oreos • table knife

DIRECTIONS

• Stir the cocoa powder into the vanilla frosting to make a light brown frosting. • Use the table knife to frost the top of each muffin. • Press 2 malt balls into the frosting on each muffin to make ears for a ground hog. • Press a chocolate Kiss into the center of the muffin to make a nose. • Add a candy eye below each malt ball and above the nose. • Spread a little frosting on one edge of each of 6 mini Oreos, then press the frosted edge of one cookie into the frosting below each nose to make teeth. • Enjoy on Ground Hog Day, February 2, 2020!

Celebrate Ground Hog Day with these fun and tasty treats!

30 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Continued from page 28

get involved at the school to break up the mid-year blues. When your kids see you working at the school, it shows them that you value their time there. Check with your school to see what volunteer opportunities are available.

Continue Healthy Habits

Encourage your child to get a good night’s rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and focus on good study habits. An after-school routine to complete homework and chores will help your child fall back into the school schedule after winter break. Set aside time for free time as well. Host a play date, have a movie night, go to the park if weather allows, and schedule time for fun and relaxation so that your kids don’t get too bored with their routine.

Encourage your child to get a good night’s rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and focus on good study habits. If the mid-year blues are still getting to your child, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher to discuss a plan to get your child back on track. Soon enough the days will begin to get longer, the temperatures warmer, and school will be out for summer once again. v

Lisa Beach is a freelance journalist and copywriter. Her work has been published in The New York Times, USA Today Go Escape, Good Housekeeping, Parents, Eating Well, and dozens more. Check out her writer’s website at www.LisaBeachWrites.com.

PENSACOLA LITTLE THEATRE CLASSES FOR AGES 4 THROUGH ADULT ,

ALL LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE ARE WELCOME BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS BUILD SELF -CONFIDENCE HAVE FUN

Dessert Nachos YOU’LL NEED

• 16 graham crackers • 1 large banana • 1 apple • 6 ounces of fresh berries • ½ cup mini marshmallows

• caramel syrup • chocolate syrup • 2 large dinner plates, or large platter • cutting board and sharp knife

DIRECTIONS

• Break the graham crackers into 4 pieces and arrange them on plates or a platter. • Cut and core the apple to create ¼-inch slices. • Cut the banana into ¼-inch slices. • Layer apple slices, banana slices, berries, and mini marshmallows on top of the graham cracker pieces. • Drizzle caramel and chocolate syrup over the top of the fruit and marshmallows. • Serve immediately! This is a great Valentine’s Day or game day snack.

Nachos—dessert style!

Winter Star Cookies YOU'LL NEED

• prepared sugar cookie dough • white flour (about 1 cup) • white frosting • blue, silver, or multi-colored nonpareil sprinkles • large star cookie cutter (about

3-4 inches across) • rolling pin • spatula • baking sheets • table knife • paper plate

DIRECTIONS

• Prepare the cookie dough according to the package instruction for cut-out cookies, adding flour as indicated. • Roll out the dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness and cut it with the star cookie cutter. Place the cut dough on the baking sheets. • Bake the cookies according to the package instructions. Remove the baked cookies from the pan with the spatula and let them cool. • Use the table knife to frost each cookie. • As each cookie is frosted, place it on the paper plate and shake sprinkles onto the frosting. The plate will catch extra sprinkles that you can reuse. • Serve!

32 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

TA S H A

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Valentine Candy Bags YOU'LL NEED

• 12-inch clear disposable decorating bag • red and/or pink curling ribbon • ½ cup small multi-colored candies • string • ½ cup measuring cup • scissors • optional—gift tag, pen INSTRUCTIONS

• Scoop a ½ cup of candy into the bag. • Use the string to tie the bag closed above the candy. • Attach or tie the curling ribbon over the string. • Optional—attach a gift tag to the curling ribbon and address it to a friend or Valentine.

Fun and easy Valentine treats you can make in a matter of minutes with your children

Glitter Candle Holders YOU'LL NEED

• clear, smooth-sided cup • 2-3 embellishments (animals, trees, etc.) or miniature seashells • 2 tablespoons colored

aquarium gravel • LED tea light • white school glue • crystal or silver glitter • paper plates

INSTRUCTIONS

• Squeeze a line of glue just below the rim on the outside of the cup, letting it drip slightly down the side about every inch. • Place one hand inside the opening of the cup and tilt it slightly sideways over a paper plate and sprinkle glitter on the wet glue. Catch the excess glitter on the plate. Let the glue and glitter dry completely. • Place gravel in the bottom of the cup. Place the tea light on the gravel and arrange the embellishments around the light

Christmas might have to be put away, but winter decorations can stay out longer!

34 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Th e Ear ly L e ar n in g Co alitio n o f th e Emer al d Coast's mi ssi on i s to su ppo rt th e su cce ss o f e ve r y ch ild an d th e i r fami l y thr ough qu ality ear ly edu catio n an d car e.

Enroll in Florida’s FREE VoluntaryCWhei lpdr Co vairdee Qf rueees trieosnosu? r c e a n d r e f e r r a l s e r v i c e s t o l o c a l f a m i l i e s regarding childcare. Prekindergarten Parent Line: (850) 833-9333 Edu ation Progra Ear ly L ear n in g Co aliti on of the Eme r al d Coa 113 0 N Eglin Par kway, Shal i mar , FL 32579 (8 5 0 ) 8 3 3 -3 6 2 7 www.el c-ec.o rg

Get ready, set a time, and read!

Voluntary Prekindergarten

Florida offe rs fr ee pr eki n der gar ten fo r all 4 -ye ar-o lds re gardle ss o f family income.

At the Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast, our mission is to support the success of every child and their family through quality early education and care. Enjoy the books and the activities chosen for this edition to support your child’s early literacy skills.

Children must l i ve i n Fl o r i da an d be 4 ye ars o ld o n o r be fo re September 1 of th e cu r r en t year to be e ligible . If th e ir birth day falls from Fe bruary 2 th r o u gh S eptembe r 1, yo u may wait to e n ro ll yo u r child the followi n g year wh en th ey are 5 . Apply online by vi si ti n g: www.familyse r vi ces.fl o r i daear l yl e arn in g.co m

WINTER

By Roger Priddy, ISBN-10: 0312509766 R e se ar ch sh o ws that c hildren who parti ciInfants pate i n hsoak i gh -qu al isensory ty up opportunities, and this pr e kin de rgarten pr ograms ar e be tte r pr e pare fo r schcolors oo l andto look at during your infant’s anddbright de ve l o p l i fe l o ng soci al an d e mo ti on al ski l l s.

an infant desires.

book is one of them. Each page has a special texture to feel experience. These sweet pages of winter items are just what

ACTIVITY: While reading and describing the book to your infant, remember to wait and listen to when your infant and your Th e babbles Early Le arn in gmakes Co alitionoises. n of theAcknowledge Eme r al d Coast's mi infant ssi on i sand to respond with conversation. When you respond this suit ppo rt th eyour su cce ss o f learn e ve ry conversation chi l d and the i rpatterns. fami l y thrDescribe ough way, helps infant each item on the page your infant seems interested in. qu alityinedetail arly e du catio n an dshapes, car e . and feelings each page has to offer. Discuss the colors, Child Care Questions?

W e p r o v i d e f r e DANCE e resource and referral services to local families WINTER

e g a r d i nDane g c h i lBauer, d c a r e .ISBN-10: 0544313348 By rMarion

P a charming rent Line: (8 5 0 ) 8reveals 3 3 - 9 3 3 3what each forest creature does to get ready for the cold winter. Meet squirrels, geese, This story and more enchanting woodland friends as fox tries to find his place in the forest. The peaceful story ends with fox realizing that winter is his element. This sends fox into a sweet dance to celebrate the seasonal change.

ACTIVITY:

Early Le ar ni ng Coal i ti on of the Eme r al d Coast

Find pictures of ithe animals in the Ask your child to create their own impression of how each 113 0 N Egl n P ar kway, S hal i marstory. , FL 32579 (8 5 0 ) 833-3627 animal would dance. Perhaps create your own dance moves! Follow your child’s lead. Let them show you one move www.el at a time and copy each movec-ec.o they rg make. Then take turns leading and following. Finally, see if you both can dance the same dance together.

roll in Florida’s REE Voluntary ekindergarten IT NEVER, EVER SNOWS IN FLORIDA By Amy Krouse Rosenthal, ISBN-10: 1516800028

ation Progra Living in Florida during the winter is rough! It never, ever snows in Florida, or does it? All AJ wants is to see snow, but

his mom, a meteorologist, told AJ that snow does fall in Florida. It is just extremely rare.

ACTIVITY: On your next trip to the beach, grab some sand. Ask your child how they could make sand cold. Suggest putting the sand in the freezer. Will the sand freeze? What would happen if water was added to the sand? Place one bucket of sand without water and one bucket of sand with water in the freezer overnight. While you wait, ask your child what they think will happen and why they came to that conclusion. Have your child draw a picture of what they think will happen. The next day, check to see if their prediction was correct. What makes water freeze? Is sand the same as snow?

1130 N EGLIN PARKWAY, SHALIMAR, FL 32579, (805) 833-3627 | WWW.ELC-EC.ORG

EC Parent Magazine • January+February 2020 • 35

Snowball Tag Game YOU'LL NEED

• plastic or foam practice golf balls—2-4 for each participant in the game • ¾-inch sticky back Velcro dots—6 hook sections for each ball • permanent markers

• fuzzy sweater for each participant (make sure the Velcro hooks will stick to the sweater easily) • timer • optional—masking tape and eye protection

INSTRUCTIONS

• Apply 6 hook dots around the surface of each ball. • Use permanent markers to write initials on each ball for each participant—same number of balls for each participant. • Each participant wears a fuzzy sweater. Choose boundaries for the game, then set the timer for 30 seconds. Start the timer with a signal to begin playing. • The participants throw the balls at each other’s sweaters until the time finishes. The person with the fewest balls on his or her sweater wins. Optional—have participants wear eye protection. • Optional—instead of wearing sweaters, pull a sweater over a chair back. You can mark a target on the sweater with masking tape. Use the sweater like a dart board, taking turns throwing the balls at it.

Thumbprint Valentines YOU'LL NEED

• red stamp pad • colored card stock • red envelope • glue stick • scissors • colored pencils or fine-point markers INSTRUCTIONS

• Cut card stock to make a folded card to fit in the envelope. • Use the stamp pad to print thumbprints on the front of and inside the folded card. Two thumbprints can be positioned to create a heart. Individual prints can be made into animals using markers or colored pencils. • Write a Valentine’s message next to the thumbprints.

When it comes time to make Valentine’s this year, give yours a personal touch!

36 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

TEEN TALK BECOMING AN ADULT IS A CHALLENGE As the first semester of college closes, a lot is running through the minds of freshmen. Though the last few months of college provided ample space for growth and self-reflection, one of the biggest lessons I learned was one I already knew. As I’ve found myself in a steady routine, between work, school, and social outings, I have also come to recognize the difficulties they bring: the hardships that come when budgeting, the pressures that arise from different financial burdens, and the stress that can come from new experiences. The biggest challenge, however, is being away from family. While being an adult hasn’t been as easy as I imagined it to be, the whole process has amplified my appreciation for all my parents did for me. I had always felt as though my family and parental figures were overbearing, yet I realize now how lucky I was. All of the love and support that the people around me gave me throughout my childhood

most definitely made an impact. While I was always grateful, these few months I have been in college, having to figure everything out on my own, have changed my perspective. Instead of seeing the overwhelming “helicopter” parenting as I once did, I now see the gentle reminders to map everything out, as the transition to adulthood is no joke. Everything is much more intricate and extensive than I ever imagined. I have spoken to my family constantly since I have been away, and I find myself counting down the days until I can go home for vacation. I would advise any upcoming college student, or present college student, to reflect on those around them who provide helpful insight. It is always important to make sure there is a strong support system, in friends, siblings, parents, extended family, or even teachers. Though we may as teenagers not always feel like we need guidance from those older and wiser than us, we most certainly do. And I, for one, am extremely grateful for all of the kind words and even the unpleasant teaching moments I received from many different people v

Nia

COLLEGE FRESHMAN, AGE 18

January

Family

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

Februar

4 11 18 25

2 3 1 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 8 1 16 17 18 19 3 14 15 2 23 24 25 26 0 21 22 27 28 29

FUN GUIDE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Making the Most of Life on the Coast! We live on a beautiful coast that has so much to offer, and we’re here to make sure you know what’s going on in your own backyard. Enjoy!

Mardi Gras Ball

Sat, Feb 8 – Fort Walton Beach (5:00p.m.) Celebrate carnival season at the Emerald Coast Convention Center at their first ever Mardi Gras Ball. Bring your mask to this masquerade and have a ball! Proceeds benefit Fresh Start for Children and Families. For more information, visit www.fwbchamber.org/events.

Mardi Gras Parade

Sun, Feb 23 – Baytowne Wharf (2:00p.m.) Head to Baytowne Wharf and watch as the village streets become filled with costumes, floats, beads, moon pies, and more! Mardi Gras music will fill the air as the parade rolls through the village for an afternoon of family fun. For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Seasonal Baytowne on Ice

Sat, Oct 26–Sat, Feb 1 – Baytowne Wharf Get out the old ice skates and get in the winter spirit at The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Baytowne on Ice! Baytowne’s seasonal ice rink is the perfect opportunity to share some of your favorite holiday traditions! For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Sip & Science: Mardi Gras

Sat, Jan 25 – Fort Walton Beach (6:00p.m.) Get ready for a little New Orleans flare at the next Sip & Science at the Emerald Coast Science Center. With carnival season upon us, it’s time to chow down on some delicious Cajun food while sipping a delightful Hurricane! This event is for ages 21 and up only. For more information visit www.fwbchamber.org/events.

Baytowne Mardi Street Pardi

Tues, Feb 25 – Baytowne Wharf (5:00p.m.) Let the good times roll this Fat Tuesday at Baytowne Wharf during their Mardi Street Pardi! Guests will enjoy a festive parade, live music, street performers, dazzling entertainers, and so much more! For more information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

The Arts Whitney Houston Tribute

Wed, Jan 15 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center (7:30p.m.) A Tribute to Whitney Houston, starring Belinda Davids, is back following rave reviews of last year’s debut tour. Conductor Matt Catingub will lead the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra in what is sure to be an incredible and sold-out performance. For more information, visit www. mattiekellyartscenter.org.

38 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

Winston Churchill: Through the Storm Thurs, Jan 16 – Miramar Beach (7:00p.m.)

Listen and be entranced as Winston Churchill reminisces about his life, the war, and the future, during Winston Churchill: Through the Storm. Moving back and forth between the past and the present, Churchill will recall his worst and finest hours. For tickets and more information, visit www.destinchamber.com.

Wild World of Animals

Fri, Jan 24 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center (7:30p.m.) Wild World of Animals is an entertaining and educational show, presenting animals born in captivity displaying natural behaviors, facilitated by an extremely knowledgeable moderator and guide. This is a performance the whole family will love! For more information, visit www. mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Buyer & Cellar

Sun, Jan 26 – Miramar Beach (2:00p.m.) An underemployed Los Angeles actor goes to work in Barbra Streisand’s California basement. It’s a fantasy so delightful, if only it could be true! Buyer & Cellar is sure to captivate any audience! This performance is for ages 13 and older. For information, visit www.destinchamber.com.

Resurrecting Van Gogh

Thurs, Jan 30 – Miramar Beach (7:00p.m.) Be entertained as Jason Hedden performs his original work Resurrecting Van Gogh at the Emerald Coast Theatre Company. For more information, visit www.destinchamber.com.

Dinner with Booker T

Thurs, Feb 6 – Miramar Beach (7:00p.m.) Emerald Coast Theatre Company’s StoryTeller Series concludes on February 6 with Dinner

Sounds Fun

with Booker T, written and performed by Broadway artist Darryl Reuben Hall. For more information, visit www.destinchamber.com.

Winter Guest Fest

Thurs, Jan 16 – Fort Walton Beach (8:00a.m.)

Bandstand

The Winter Guest Fest at the Emerald Coast Convention Center invites all snowbirds to attend and visit with people from all over the world. Guests will enjoy samples from local restaurants and learn about discounted activities ranging from fishing to golfing. For more information, visit www.emeraldcoastfl.com.

Sun, Feb 9 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center (7:30p.m.) From three-time Tony Award-winner and Hamilton choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler comes an amazing new musical that explodes with music and dance! For more information, visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Jersey Boys

Coastal Fashion Week Winter Tour

Fri, Feb 21 – Mattie Kelly Arts Center (7:30p.m.) Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical phenomenon Jersey Boys. For show times, tickets, and more information, visit www.mattiekellyartscenter.org.

Runs, Walks & More The Back Porch Jetty Run Sat, Jan 4 – Destin

The Back Porch Jetty Run is a 5.8-mile run down the beautiful sugar-white sand beaches of Destin. This race will start and finish at The Back Porch in Destin, with awards and a postrace party to follow. For more information, visit www.nwftc.com.

Davidson Dash

Sat, Jan 18 – Crestview Get your running shoes ready for this year’s Davidson Dash. This 3.1-mile run/walk on Old Bethel Road in Crestview is the perfect race to get the heart pumping! For more information, visit www.nwftc.com.

Wed, Jan 22 – Fort Walton Beach (7:00p.m.)

Frosty 5K

Sat, Jan 25 – Fort Walton Beach This family-friendly run in Fort Walton Beach is more than just your average 5K. With hot food, live music, and great people, this year’s Frosty 5K is sure to be one for the books! For more information, visit www.nwftc.com.

Valentine’s 8K

Sat, Feb 8 – Destin This year’s Valentine’s 8K is the perfect way to spend your Valentine’s Day. Ditch the chocolate and get out and run down 98 in Destin! For more information, visit www.nwftc.com.

Band on the Run

Sat, Feb 29 – Niceville Head 3.1 miles down John Sims Parkway in Niceville and take on this year’s Band on the Run event! This run/walk is great for all ages and skill levels. To register, or for more information, visit www.nwftc.com.

Coastal Fashion Week, at The Island Ft Walton Destin by Hotel RL, will showcase the most cutting-edge designers and high-style boutiques from Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and beyond! For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com.

Bubbly Baytowne

Thurs, Jan 23 – Baytowne Wharf (5:00p.m.) Sip and shop through the village streets during Bubbly Baytowne! Stop in various retail merchants and enjoy a selection of premium champagnes. This event is free, and for ages 21 and up only. The village will be open to the public during this event. For more information, visit www.destinchamber.com.

Kids Free Weekend at the Gulfarium

Sat, Jan 25–Sun, Jan 26 – Fort Walton Beach (9:00a.m.) Head to the Gulfarium for a fun-filled time with some marvelous marine life! On January 25 and 26, kids aged 12 and under will receive free admission. The limit is 2 free kids per adult. For more information, visit www.gulfarium.com.

ItsYourMagazine.com • EC Parent Magazine • January+February 2020 • 39

Tea Fore Her at Vue on 30A

Sun, Feb 9 – Santa Rosa Beach (1:00p.m.) Enjoy tea and lunch at this year’s Tea Fore Her at Vue on 30A. With an amazing view and wonderful company, attendees will be raising funds for breast cancer patients along the Emerald Coast. For more information, visit www.destinchamber.com.

BOTE Wednesday Paddle Every Wednesday – Destin (5:00p.m.) Join the BOTE team every Wednesday for a paddle at Norriego Point. Take in the beautiful Destin scenery and make memories that will last a lifetime. For information, call 850-460-2250.

Wednesday Night Concert Series Every Wednesday – Baytowne Wharf (6:00p.m.) Enjoy the great weather and live entertainment. The concert series features local and regional talent on the Events Plaza Stage. For information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Farmers’ Market at Grand Boulevard Every Saturday – Miramar Beach (9:00a.m.) Start your Saturday at Grand Boulevard Farmers’ Market! There will be fresh-from-thefarm produce, local seafood, homemade dips and salsas, organic juices, homemade soaps, and more! There will even be organic pet treats for your furry friends. For more information, visit www.destinchamber.com.

31st Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival Fri, Feb 14–Sat, Feb 15 – Baytowne Wharf (12:00p.m.)

Your favorite Baytowne winter festival is back and better than ever! Warm up with some delicious gumbo at the 31st annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival. Attendees will get the chance to sample a variety of different gumbos and Bloody Marys and vote for their favorite. For information, visit www.baytownewharf.com.

Parrot Head Chili Cook-Off

Sat, Feb 29 – Destin (11:00a.m.) Head to the Destin Commons and watch as over 15 local restaurants compete for your vote at the spirited Parrot Head Chili Cook-Off Competition. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Proceeds from this delicious event will benefit The Arc of the Emerald Coast. For information, visit www.destincommons.com.

Shrimp & Grits Festival

Sat, Feb 29 – Destin (12:00p.m.) The Destin Harbor’s newest event, the Shrimp & Grits Festival, showcases one of the South’s most beloved dishes. Be prepared for some delicious food, drinks, live music, and a friendly competition between local restaurants to see who has the best Shrimp & Grits in town. For more information, visit www.brotulas.com.

Reoccurring Local Poetry & Music Jam

Every second Tuesday of each month – Crestview (6:00p.m.) Poets and musicians are invited to bring their work and instruments to a free-form openmic poetry reading and jam session. For more information, call 850-682-4432.

Volunteer Opportunity Place Contact CC Fearson at 850-659-3190.

Socks Contact Nikole Wood at 850-863-8999.

PAWS Contact Alicia Sikes at 850-243-1525.

Salvation Army Contact Lisa Martinez at 850-243-4531.

Habitat for Humanity Contact Mark McEnaney at 850-685-0686.

Florosa Fire Department Contact Tom Peele at 850-581-2900.

VFW Contact Harvey Eckoff at 850-244-3834.

Goodwill Contact John at 850-837-8516.

Destin Community Center Contact Lisa Firth at 850-654-5184.

Waterfront Rescue Mission Contact Tina or Sharron at 850-244-2726.

Destin History & Fishing Museum Contact Kathy Blue at 850-837-6611.

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Contact Susan Leivelle at 850-650-1880.

Boys & Girls Club Contact Rita Cummins at 850-862-1332.

40 • January+February 2020 • EC Parent Magazine • ItsYourMagazine.com

WHY VOLUNTEER? Part of being a great volunteer is loving what you’re doing. Find something that you’re passionate about or something that inspires you, and then find a need in your community. There are dozens of reasons why you should volunteer - you just need to find the one that feels right.

20 GREAT REASONS TO VOLUNTEER 1. Help others 2. Make a difference 3. Find purpose 4. Enjoy a meaningful conversation 5. Connect with your community 6. Feel involved 7. Contribute to a cause that you care about 8. Use your skills in a productive way 9. Develop new skills 10. Meet new people 11. Explore new areas of interest 12. Meet good people 13. Impress your mom 14. Impress yourself 15. Expand your horizons 16. Get out of the house 17. Make new friends 18. Strengthen your resume 19. Feel better about yourself 20. [ Your favorite reason ] For more information about volunteering, visit VolunteerMatch at https://www.volunteermatch.org/

St. Jude patient Keeton, blood cancer pictured with his mom St. Jude patient Keeton, blood cancer pictured with his mom

Keeton’s family didn’t give up. We won’t either. Keeton’s family didn’t give up. We won’t either. When Keeton was found to have blood cancer, his family was referred to St. Jude for treatment, where he’s undergoing two-and-a-half years When Keeton was found to have blood cancer, his family was referred to of chemotherapy. “St. Jude means everything to me,” said Keeton’s mom. St. Jude for treatment, where he’s undergoing two-and-a-half years “They’re saving my baby’s life.” Treatments invented at St. Jude of chemotherapy. “St. Jude means everything to me,” said Keeton’s mom. have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from “They’re saving my baby’s life.” Treatments invented at St. Jude 20% to more than 80% since it first opened more than 50 years ago. have helped overall cancer survival rate from We won’t stoppush until the no child dieschildhood from cancer. 20% to more than 80% since it first opened more than 50 years ago. We won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.

Learn more at stjude.org Learn more at stjude.org

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