From the Editor

Warm weather is finally here, and since we have been practicing social distancing for quite some time now, there is nothing better than being able to get outside in the fresh air! My daughter loves being outside, so we have been soaking it up. She has played on her swing set, ridden her bike, played chalk, soccer, golf and the list could go on. I love watching her imagination bloom.

Let me just say how much I appreciate our amazing teachers. This was my daughter’s first year of preschool, and although she didn’t get to finish her school year, we still took a “Last Day of School” photo at home. She missed her teachers, her friends and learning. I tried to continue working on what they were learning before the schools closed, but I didn’t realize how hard it would be teaching preschool. I had to mix lessons up to keep her engaged, since she didn’t have the interaction of her classmates. This has all been an adjustment as our temporary norm, but we are all in this together.

In this issue, we have featured stories on the Downtown Henderson Partnership’s efforts to help our community come together by supporting local businesses and staying engaged, and how three individuals have balanced homeschool and work. There are also stories on how the Henderson County Schools immediately stepped up to provide meals for our amazing students during this unexpected pandemic, and the cancellation of The Addams Family musical.

We want to wish all the fathers in our community a Happy Father’s Day, and we want to thank our advertisers for your continued support. You are the reason we are a FREE magazine.

Let’s enjoy this time together at home with our families as we continue social distancing, praying for our loved ones, our community, our country and everyone around the world.

Lyndi Mauk Editor, Henderson Family Magazine

Lyndi's Top Picks SOCIAL DISTANCING EDITION:

Family Time

Through the current situation we are facing, my family has, and always will be, my rock. They are always my favorite, but especially during a time such as this. We are slowing down, and we have been able to spend a lot more quality time together, whether it’s at the dinner table, watching a family movie, working puzzles or playing board games.

Cooking

Since we can’t go out to dinner right now, it has forced this wife/mommy to spread my wings in the kitchen when it comes to cooking. I have a stack of recipe books, but I never venture out to try a variety of new things. If you are like me, I have tons of recipes saved on Pinterest, but I haven’t tried very many. Therefore, I have put in the effort to try new recipes during this pandemic. It gives my family a variety, and a chance to try something different.

Being Outside

Everyone who knows me knows I am not an outside person when it comes to summer, unless it involves water. If I am at the lake or at the pool, then I will go outside every day. Besides that, I do not like being out in the hot weather for long periods of time. This year is much different though. Constantly having to be inside the house makes you excited to go outside. Maybe we will run around during a summer shower in the rain, jumping puddles and laughing. We will go for walks, play tag in the yard, go on outside scavenger hunts and so much more!

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jamie Alexander A.J. Casey Amanda Waggener

COPY EDITOR Ashley Gleason

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VIRTUAL SPIRIT WEEK

School may have been out, but students continued to show their school spirit as many followed a virtual school spirit week at home during the week of March 23. Some spirit days varied, depending on the school, but many students took part and posted their photos online each day. The schools and teachers enjoyed seeing their students having fun and being creative. For example, Cairo Elementary followed a COVID-19 style homeschooling spirit week. Monday was Superhero day in honor of our front line workers (hospitals, grocery store workers, essential workers). Tuesday was Crazy Hair/School Color day in honor of our hair stylist and the schools we missed. Wednesday was Dress like an old person day in honor of the older generation who are at high risk. Thursday was Jersey day in honor of our favorite sports our students were unable to play, and Friday was Pajama day because pjs were the highlight of homeschooling. This was a way to keep Henderson students engaged and excited about their days spent participating in school at home.

TEACHERS ACROSS THE COUNTY PARTICIPATE IN PARADES

Schools may have been closed but that didn’t stop teachers from seeing their students. Several schools throughout the community took part in parades to drive by and see their students. Kids were able to wave and cheer as the vehicles drove by. It was a way for students to stay connected to their amazing leaders, to bring a smile to their faces and for teachers to show their students how much they missed and care for each of them.

Daniel Clutts and his dad love making silly videos. Daniel just completed second grade at

CONSIGNMENT OWNER GIVES BACK

Wanda Sauer is the owner of Just Plus/Just Chic Women’s Consignment and Little Britches Consignment and Embroidery. When she had to temporarily close her store, she didn’t think twice about helping our community when it came to the shortage of masks. She was out of work, and she knew we would be needing them. Wanda reached out to the Infection Control Nurse at the hospital and was then sent the CDC webpage for mask guidelines.

East Heights Elementary. His twin sisters, Nora and Emily (also in the video), will start kindergarten there this fall. After being stuck at home several days, they thought of making a news video. The “News At Home” video featured reports of sports, weather, and spring happenings. They made a second episode of “News At Home” that featured other similar reports and even highlighted the EHS teacher parade through their neighborhood. Their family had so much fun making these videos, and the kids are often throwing out new ideas for their next episode! You can find their first episode of “News At Home” on the Henderson County Schools Facebook page, or check both episodes out on Youtube.

She said, “At this time, no one was making them yet. I purchased the pattern and off I went. I made a few and posted them on Facebook, and people started messaging me.” She is now making hundreds of masks a night. She has made masks for doctors, postal service workers, UPS workers and factories. She has also made them not only for Hendersonians, but she has shipped to surrounding areas such as Madisonville all the way to Louisville, Lexington, Indianapolis, Ohio and Georgia.

Wanda said, “I believe businesses like mine (consignments), as well as, small businesses will be more appreciated in their community. Through this whole thing, people have noticed we support each other and the people in the community and have been there in a way that they never knew. Downtown businesses are the heart of a town, and as we have all come together as one, I believe it will stay that way.” Holy Name School 6th grader Elizabeth (Lizzy)

Cleavenger and her family responded to the recent pandemic situation in a positive way, as they jumped into action making masks to combat the spread of the coronavirus and assist the community. Lizzy assisted in packaging kits for Henderson Moms Making Masks. This group, which developed in response to the need for masks, has now sewn over 2,000 masks and distributed over 2,000 mask making kits to the Henderson community. Lizzy and her family are a prime example of people who always proactively jump in to help in a positive way. Lizzy is also known at HNS for her academic ability, creative and artistic style, basketball, track, cross country, and singing in the group “A New Song.”