Rainbow Popsicles

Rainbow Popsicles

Photos and recipe by Jamie Alexander

If you’re looking for an easy summer recipe, these popsicles are filled with fun, bright colors and have a birthday cake flavor that your kids are sure to love!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED: ›› Vanilla pudding ›› Food coloring (rainbow colors) ›› Popsicle molds or small paper cups ›› Popsicle Sticks

INSTRUCTIONS:

›› You can either make instant pudding

by following instructions on the box, or

get your vanilla pudding straight from a

pre-made snack pack.

›› Divide the pudding into seven equal

bowls (or however many colors of the

rainbow you’re including - I used six).

›› Mix each bowl with the food coloring,

then layer the colored pudding in your

molds (layering should be easy due to the

thickness of the pudding).

›› If using paper cups, aluminum foil

can be used to keep popsicle sticks in

place, by covering the lid of the cup then

piercing the sticks through the center of

the foil.

›› Freeze your popsicles for six hours (or

until frozen).

HF

JAMIE ALEXANDER is nationally published culinary and commercial photographer working as a full-time staff photographer for Tanner Publishing. She has a knack for making tasty food and pretty art. See more of her portfolio at jaastudios.com.

How Can Elder Advantage Help Your Family?

ASSET PRESERVATION

You spend an entire lifetime accruing assets and building legacies. Working in cooperation with attorneys* and other professionals, we will work to devise a plan to keep those assets safe, so that they don’t get unnecessarily trapped by nursing home expenses and income restraints.

MEDICAID REPRESENTATION

Medicaid policies are ever-changing; many applicants can fall prey to misinformation about what they can (or should) do to avoid or limit nursing home Medicaid “spend down”. Our team of professionals will work to maximize benefit procurement and we will be an

advocate who stands up for your rights.

V E T E R A N S B E N E F I T S – WE CAN HELP!

Many veterans and their spouses are unaware of the benefits they could be receiving. We help veterans to maximize their VA pension benefits by working within the system to get veterans the help they deserve.

W H A T I S O N E T H I N G P E O P L E SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EA?

We take the time in this trying season of life to patiently and clearly explain (and handle) the process of obtaining needed benefits. We will coordinate our efforts with other trusted professionals

(including attorneys) to help create a strategy that works for you. Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, Tax Implications – it can all become an overload of information. We want to help ease your mind, provide guidance and help alleviate some of the stress.

If you have a loved one in a nursing facility or may be going into one soon, let our team help you get the benefits you deserve. For a FREE consultation please call (270) 684-6757.

We believe legacies deserve to be

protected. Because to us, it’s always

personal.

HF

*Elder Advantage, LLC is not a law firm. We work with appropriately licensed attorneys (and other professionals) for a wholistic approach to overall benefit planning.

Community

Serving Students One Meal at a Time

In light of postponements, cancellations, and uncertainties about educational events and services in Henderson County; one mission would not be stopped by the COVID-19 pandemic. That was to feed Henderson County students.

Food insecurity is one of the leading causes of poor performance for students. A 2011 study from Larry Howard published in the “Economics of Education Review” found, “Significant negative developmental effects for children with food insecurity at home; and that children experiencing an early transition from food insecurity in 1st grade to food security in 3rd grade have even larger impairments that persist through

5th grade.” In a typical school year (and this year is proving to be anything but typical), students’ food needs are met via breakfast, lunch, and sometimes after school snack programs provided by HCS Child Nutrition. Around 8,000 meals per day are served every day in Henderson County Schools.

But what happens if school is not in session? Where do students go to meet this basic need?

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”

— F R E D R O G E R S , AKA MISTER ROGERS

Continuing to Serve

Led by Charlotte Baumgartner, Director of Child Nutrition, the Henderson County School System sought to continue to provide meals for students. A global pandemic was not going to stand in the way of students receiving meals. The program is similar to the summer feeding program, which has been running for several years in Henderson except for the logistics are slightly different. “Every day is different. We have to calculate the prep time for the food and follow all safety precautions. We are taking temperatures every day, following the CDC guidelines for handwashing, wearing gloves and

masks. The Child Nutrition staff has been phenomenal.”

For the month of March, 45,000 meals have been served to Henderson County students. Twenty-five Child Nutrition staff members have been committed to the program, teachers and support staff have helped to prep food, and bus drivers have been delivering meals to sites in the community. Additionally, the community has been involved. The City of Henderson donated Easter Eggs and treats that were not used in the hunt this year, International Paper has donated boxes, and local churches and businesses have been donating food items to the FRYSC backpack program, which has continued throughout this time.

“This program has been challenging but rewarding. When we get to see the kids’ faces light up when they receive their meals it is worth all the sweat and exhaustion we feel,” said Charlotte

Baumgartner, Director of Child Nutrition.

There have been many heroes to celebrate in light of this global pandemic. Certainly, we should applaud the many frontline health care workers placing themselves at risk of contracting the virus. I propose we applaud the Henderson County Schools Child Nutrition staff and the Transportation Department who have worked diligently to provide food to students in need.

The Meal Program

As of April 20th, the updated meal pick up schedule is Tuesday and Friday only from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The locations for pick up include: A.B. Chandler Elementary School, Bend Gate Elementary School, East Heights Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, and South Heights Elementary School. Meals are free for anyone 18

years of age or younger in Henderson. Please stay in your vehicle, in the car line, and an attendant will deliver your meals to you.

At the following locations on Tuesdays and Fridays, a bus will continue to deliver meals to community sites. You must meet the bus to receive the meals. Buses will stay at these sites for 10-15 minutes. Those locations include: Arbor Drive, Ashford Mobile Home Park, Beals Church, Bellfield Church, Bluff City & (Tillotson Rd), Cairo School, Cambridge Point Apartments, Carriage Mobile Home Park, Chapelwood, Cottages of Henderson, Fair Acres, Frontier, Geneva Store, Green Leaf Apartments, Harding Mobile Home Park, Hebbardsville Fire Department, Henderson Propane and Gas, Henderson Station Apartments, Holiday House Motel, Irongate Mobile Home Park, Lovers Lane Area, Niagara Apartments, Presidential Mobile Home Park, Reed Area, Robards Fire Dept., Saddle Brook Apartments, Seven Oaks Apartments, Shady Tree Mobile Home Park, Smith Mills Fire Department, Spottsville School, Sunset Mobile Home Park, True Vine Inn, Windy Way Apartments, Wolf Hills, Woodview Apartments, Zion Annex in Country

View Subdivision, and Zion Baptist Church.

For more information, or if you know of an area in Henderson that needs to be reached with the

delivery site program, please contact Henderson County Board of Education

at 270-831-5000.

HF

A.J. CASEY is the proud owner and operator of his video production company, AJKC. AJ teaches Theatre at Henderson County High School. He is married to his lovely and talented wife, Megan Mortis.

The Facts about Sunscreen: Is Sunscreen Safe?

We all use it, but does it work to safeguard us from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays? In short: Yes! Sunscreen helps protect the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can cause skin cancer and premature aging. Annually, over 2 million people in the US are diagnosed with a total of 3.5 million skin cancers. Many skin cancers can be prevented by using protective clothing & sunscreen products which have been proven safe to use.

Using sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher protects the skin against the damaging UV effects of the sun. Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen that is water resistant and offers broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays). UVA rays are constantly present, no matter the season or the weather. These rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing cell damage and premature aging. UVB rays can cause sunburn, and can reflect off water, sand or snow. Both UVA & UVB rays can damage the skin, which could lead to skin cancer. In addition to using sunscreen, wear protective clothing, broad-brimmed hats, sunglasses, seek shade between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and avoid tanning beds.

Sunscreen should be applied 15-30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapplied approximately every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating heavily. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun’s damaging UV rays can penetrate your skin. Owensboro Dermatology recommends using spray-on sunscreen, 30 SPF or higher, prior to going out in the sun. If you use a sunscreen lotion instead, we advise you to follow the guidelines of “one ounce, enough to fill a shot glass” in determining how much sunscreen to use. Dermatologists have considered this amount to be enough to cover the exposed areas of the body, but the amount of sunscreen used depends on body size, as well.

Scientific studies show that using sunscreen is not only safe, but can also decrease short-term and long-term damage to the skin from the sun’s rays. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates sunscreens and all the ingredients found in them. The ingredient Oxybenzone protects skin from UVA & UVB rays, and was approved by the FDA in 1978. FDA declares it safe for people 6 months of age or older.

Another ingredient in sunscreen is

Retinyl palmitate, which protects our

skin from premature aging. Titanium

dioxide and zinc oxide are common

ingredients that are safe, too.

When sunscreen is used

according to directions, it is safe, and

protects the skin from the damaging

effects of the sun. Always remember

to do regular body checks at home

and see your skin care doctor every

year for a professional skin exam.

Downtown Henderson

Partnership Supporting local businesses during COVID-19 crisis COMMUNITY

By Amanda Waggener

ADAPTING TO CHANGE

When Lindsay Locasto began working for Downtown Henderson Partnership nearly three years ago, she could have never imagined a worldwide pandemic would nearly shut down the community she serves.

The Downtown Henderson Partnership (DHP) mission is to promote, improve and preserve the unique character and economic vitality of downtown Henderson. Nevertheless, with this unprecedented time comes unprecedented changes regarding the scheduling and promoting of local events. A large majority of the spring and summer events have been postponed or canceled. “We’re taking it month by month. Listening to our governor every day to his suggestions,” Locasto explained. She would love to see events happen beginning in June, but concedes she understands that “we don’t want to relapse if we have all these events and then get back into the same place for three more months.” However, she keeps high hopes that fall events will be on schedule.

KEEPING WITH THE MISSION

“We are a membership-based organization so it’s something we feel is very important that we offer our members any kind of support we can right now,” the Executive Director cheerfully states. Her focus during the COVID-19 crisis is to make sure the community is aware of restaurants offering to-go or businesses that have websites they need people to visit and support by continuing to shop local. A creative way DHP has been of service to Henderson is by offering a virtual tip jar. “We started the tip jar so that industry workers can put their name on a list and their clients and patrons can go on Venmo or PayPal to leave them a virtual tip,” Locasto explains. The success of the virtual tip jar was evident by the more than 2,000 hits to its page in its first 48 hours. Ms. Locasto has worked in the service industry in the past, which has fueled her desire to see this project be successful.

Love What’s Local 42420 is a new Facebook page that DHP started since the pandemic began. They are posting menus of local restaurants, along with online ordering information. There you will also find information shared by the Henderson County Schools, as well as, by various nonprofits. In addition to the Facebook page, Hendersonians can also visit downtownhenderson.org to get more information. The website is updated daily to keep current with the changing environment.

GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS

“We are trying to float them through this crisis right now,” she implored as she highlighted the

importance of supporting local businesses. “When this is all over, we

want to go back to those businesses. We want them to still be there and to be thriving.” It is critical that our community continue to rally for one another until gathering together

again is safe. “Soon people will want to go out

with each other and celebrate the unity of our community face to face,”

she reassured. “I’ve lived in Henderson now for eight years. I grew up in Newburgh and lived in Evansville. I am so proud to call Henderson my home now. Essentially with everything that

is going on, our community has rallied

together.”

HF

AMANDA WAGGENER is a blogger for the Huffington Post, author of No Grit No Pearl blog site and is a native of Henderson. She and her husband are the parents of two teenagers who they are raising with as much zeal as they can muster.

Life in Our Temporary Norm COMMUNITY

T H R E E I N D I V I D U A L S . T H R E E DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES.

By Lyndi Mauk // Photos by Jamie Alexander

It’s 2020! A new year and new beginnings, but none of us would have imagined at midnight on January 1, 2020, our year would turn into what we have currently been facing.

In March, our lives slowly began to experience hardships we never saw coming. We weren’t prepared for a sudden halt. Schools and businesses closing, employees suddenly encouraged to work from home, grocery stores struggling to be fully stocked, and our healthcare workers going to a job every day with more uncertainty than they quite possibly have ever known. This pandemic will be something our children, and those of the future, will learn about for years to come.

We spoke with three individuals who have all had different experiences over the last few months. From a stayat-home mom/pastor’s wife to a high school teacher to an essential worker, each have had to adjust differently.

The Stay-at-Home Mom/Pastor’s Wife

Amy Hartley is a follower of God, a stay-at-home mom and a pastor’s wife, serving at Zion Baptist Church. She is a partner with the company Juice Plus, and a mother of four to Will (11), Addie (8), Nate (6), and Maggie (4). When it was announced schools would be closing, she decided to make a Facebook group called “The Best Two Weeks Ever.”

Amy had been listening to a lot of books and sermons lately on how perspective and gratitude changes everything, and this inspired her to make the Facebook group. She explained, “This side of heaven, we will continually face different things as we move through life, but how we react to them is what defines our life. The crisis doesn’t. Our reaction does.” Amy felt like God gave her the idea because she felt so many people would want and need community, ideas, and an outlet to turn to.

Amy used to homeschool, so she has enjoyed having everyone together at home again. “We have tried to keep a schedule. We get up, eat, get ready, tidy our room, try to have a God focus and then hit the work. We try hard to plow through it, with a snack time, so that we can be free for the rest of the day. If there is any hint at good weather, we spend the rest of the day outside. That has done a lot to provide energy release for the kids, vitamin D and good spirit,” she said.

Amy and her husband, Neal, have continued doing what they can with their church. On Sunday mornings, Neal leads worship for their church virtually, and they have both been able to bring the youth group together, too. Neal has done live teaching, Zoom hang outs and stayed in touch via text. They plan to have a big celebration when everyone can get back together. “We really hurt for the senior class. They are missing so much that they’ve worked so hard towards. We are making a video with their sweet pictures growing up and getting short selfie videos of them saying their post-graduation plans to compile for what would have been Graduate Sunday.”

Outside of homeschooling, their family has taken rides down by the river, participated in the online Disney rides, made fun meals together, and have enjoyed their time outside as much as possible. She said they recently started a new show called, “The Chosen” and have also rented movies and popped popcorn. They have flown kites, two of their kids have learned to ride their bicycles without training wheels, and they have put their artistic skills to work creating tons of art both inside and out.

This encouraging wife and mother said, “I’m a worrier by nature, and I have learned to rest in the promises of Jesus in a new way. It has forced me to think eternally. We don’t know what the future holds, but Jesus is good, and He is directing us continually toward Him and His return. I think this has forced us to release what little control we think we had, and rest in Him.”

The Teacher

Katie Giles is an art teacher at HCHS and the coordinator for the School of Fine Arts (SoFA) program. She feels as though she has put more work in over these last several weeks than she has during her entire 10-year teaching career in education. “I am

constantly looking up ways to continue teaching rigorous curriculum for my students virtually, and also looking for ways to enhance that curriculum for students with no internet access. This has been a struggle, and it is hard to give continuous feedback on artworks when I don’t see the kids each day,” Katie explained. One day she had to contact a total of 87 students/parents who had

not turned in work. “Each day I post new content on Google Classroom. I record a video using Screencastify (a program that records sound and my screen) and teach as I normally would. Then my students are given an assignment and are to complete it using additional resources that are provided.”

Katie is also a mother to a 4-yearold little girl named Ava. She has tried to stay on a similar schedule each day while she is both working from home and homeschooling her daughter. She usually works in the mornings, and is available to her students from 9-2, and then works with her daughter in the afternoons. On the days she has not been as busy, she will work on preschool content with Ava and then they will do something fun, such as painting or a science experiment. Although Katie is a teacher herself, she has found homeschooling to be more challenging because Ava needs guidance and assistance with preschool. This makes it much more challenging on the days she has tried to multitask. The easiest part has been not having a full schedule with everything being cancelled such as dance, play dates, etc. One of the hardest parts is breaking routine. She realized after the first week that she and her daughter both need routine.

This quarantine hasn’t been all work and homeschooling for the Giles family though. Katie said, “We have tried to keep busy because Ava can only play babies for so long. We’ve played board games, video games, drove around and listened to music, gotten fast food and sat at the park in the car, watched movies, slept in, done scavenger hunts, art and science projects, and the list goes on. I’m constantly searching Pinterest to find something new and interesting to do, so we don’t get bored.”

As far as the education system, Katie laughed saying, “We’re all going to be technology experts!” She thinks this pandemic is going to provide positive changes, especially in art, to become more creative with technology. She believes art teachers will be able to use technology in more ways and not just from a pencil and paper perspective.

This bubbly, kind-hearted art teacher and mother said, “I have learned how to handle teaching without seeing my students. I have learned how to juggle the work-home life. Most of all, I have learned to appreciate the little things because this new normal life is hard.”

The Essential Worker

Ashley Woods is a Physical Therapist Assistant at Redbanks and has been working in the long-term care setting for six years. Ashley and her husband, Josh, will be married for eight years in August. They have two daughters, Kylie (9) and Reagan (4) and a dog named Shooter.

“It’s definitely a strange time to be working,” Ashley stated. “I’m so thankful to still have a job to go to, but at the same time, it’s a little nerve racking to be right in the middle of it.” She said many individuals probably wonder why therapy is considered essential at this time. “Those with a new stroke, fracture, or illness wanting to recover and get home therapy is very essential, and as part of the job, you’re required to be in very close contact with your patients.” Ashley is grateful her job hasn’t changed during this time, but they are taking more precautions. “Masks are worn during all patient care, even more disinfecting than usual and social distancing between patients. New patients are required to stay on a single unit for a 14-day time frame,” she explained.

One way the therapy world has been affected has been due to elective surgeries being postponed, such as knee and hip replacements. One aspect of Ashley’s job she always looks forward to is having several patients in the gym at the same time and watching them all interact with one another. It is one of her favorite parts of her job, and unfortunately, they simply cannot allow that interaction at this time. It is also disheartening to see patients missing their loved ones during this time, since visitors are not allowed in the building. “It’s important now more than ever to be there for these patients and keep their spirits up. The families worry about their loved ones and vice versa, and everyone is doing their best to make the situation as good as it can be,” Ashley said.

“I have been very blessed during this time with being able to manage homeschooling because on days my husband and I both work, we have had my mother-in-law available to watch the

kids and help with school. She’s out of work at this time with daycares being closed and has been wonderful helping us.” Ashley and Josh’s oldest daughter is the only child in school at the time, and being such a great student, she has been able to adapt and keep up with her assignments easily.

When Ashley has been off work, their family has taken advantage of every nice day, so their girls have spent a lot of time outside. They have done puzzles, played board games and had their own “spa day.” Their daughters have also been busy making crafts, thanks to Ashley’s mother-in-law. Ashley is very thankful for how well her children have adapted to our current situation. “The hardest part for them has just been missing their teachers and friends, so the hardest part for me has been seeing them disappointed with the cancellation of events and activities they enjoy,” she said.

From having to go to work in the middle of this pandemic, Ashley truly doesn’t know what the future will look like. “I think at least for a while, things

little different with people limiting contact between each other,” she said. Ashley’s job has no choice but to have personal contact with

patients, but she doesn’t know how other health care professions will operate moving forward.

Despite the situation, this hard

working mother said, “I’ve enjoyed the slower pace of life and spending more time as a family with not having to run all over the place. I

hope some of that sticks. While I can’t wait to get back to some of our normal activities, I also hope that we will remember this time

and not take our time with each

other for granted.”

HF

LYNDI MAUK, editor of Henderson Family Magazine, was born and raised in the Bluegrass State. She is grateful to be going through life alongside her husband and best friend, Brandon, and being a mother to their two children.

By A.J. Casey Photo by Darrin Phegley The Light is STILL ON

THE MUSICAL MAY HAVE BEEN CANCELED, BUT HCHS STUDENTS WILL BE READY WHEN THEY CAN RETURN TO THE STAGE.

seems almost cliche to bemoan the many cancellations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s certainly disheartening to hear of customary events like spring sports, prom, and graduation all affected by the crisis. Yet, there is still another cancellation that has affected over 50 students of varying grades and disciplines that have been impacted. That is the HCHS spring musical.

Since December, students across all artistic disciplines (theatre, music, band, and art) have dedicated over 165 hours to this year’s production of “The Addams Family.” They have routinely rehearsed until 7pm on a nightly basis and participated in one all-night lock in. They have rebuilt stage pieces, practiced on their own, learned the Argentine Tango, collaborated with peers across myriad disciplines, and diligently IT

rehearsed with each other to put on a show postponed with only one week to go until dress rehearsal.

Musicals are usually synonymous with lavish performances. The stereotype of being grand, intricate, and demanding are well-deserved, especially this performance. It was double-cast, the show was designed to be black and white, and involved multiple disciplines and students ranging from freshman to seniors.

The audition process spanned a week prior to Christmas vacation. It was easy to see the sheer amount of talent from students across all grade-levels. Fondly, I remember Mabrey Rice’s audition (a freshman SoFA theatre student) who had little contact with the musical director prior to the audition, came in and gave an excellent audition. As soon as she left, Mrs. Eaves (choir director)

turned to me and said, “Wow.”

And she wasn’t an outlier. In terms of talented and dedicated students, the production team noticed an abundance of riches. This led to our first major decision to double cast certain roles in the show. Yes, it made rehearsals run that much longer. Yes, it presented its own challenges. But, in the end, our goal was to showcase the extraordinarily talented students of Henderson County High School.

Additionally, the show’s vision was to incorporate German Expressionism inspired by films like, “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligary,” “Nosferatu,” and “M.” SoFA Art student TJ Joy, the lead artistic designer says, “I think a lot of creativity and storytelling was used in the set design. We were new to the idea of the stylistic art the Addams Family called for and only vaguely familiar with the confines of gray scale and key moments of color pop. That being said, it was definitely more fun having the ability to be more creative and risky with the designs of each scene mixed, yet being artistically challenged by the restrictions of a grayscale palette. That element makes the set design just as important for the audience to pay attention to as the actors. This importance of the setting made us put more effort and time into the making of each design and the painting of each scene.”

There’s a saying in theatre, “The show must go on.” The directorial team of “The Addams Family,” prior to the official school cancellation, had met and counseled with administration, students, seniors in the production, and outside sources to ultimately decide to postpone the show prior to the official Governor’s response about halting all school activities.

It wasn’t a decision the production team took lightly. Ultimately, the decision was made to try and ensure an audience for the production. Theatre

is not film. It needs a live audience. It thrives on the idea that people will watch and react.

Henderson County High School junior and student Director Raegen Franks recently said, “It’s not the end of the world and I would rather be safe than sorry but still, I was really proud of what were doing and it’s just like ‘Wow, this sucks.’”

Mabrey Rice (freshman, Wednesday in the cast) adds, “The musical may have drained me, and there were days that I thought I wasn’t good enough. But really, I loved that musical with every part of me. I loved the people, the songs, my role, and it’s going to be really hard if we don’t get to perform it. It was my chance as a freshman to prove that I could do it. Wednesday was a character that I could relate to, and I just couldn’t wait for us to perform. If it doesn’t get to happen, there’s always next year, but it just won’t be the same as Addams Family was this year.”

(ABOVE)

HCHS Students and cast members rehearsing and preparing for the musical, “The Addams Family” during the school year.

the way. There has been a lot of time, effort,

and money into making it the best possible

production. We all have worked so very hard

staying after school and doing a rehearsal for two amazingly talented casts. As we neared the end of our time, within a week until opening night, it was all ripped away. Everyone was looking forward to finally

doing this show that we have put months

into, especially the seniors that have been

in this program for years. They have had so

many things taken from them left and right,

and I hope there is some way we could at least

give them this because they deserve it.”

Thespians are superstitious people. You

may be familiar with some: we say “Break

a leg” instead of “Good luck.” A bad dress

rehearsal means a good show. We don’t say the Shakespearean “M-word” on stage (that’s the ultimate theatrical curse and I even fear typing it…). One you may not know about is that theatres leave one light on. We call it the “ghost light.” One purpose is to make sure

the stage doesn’t get haunted. But, we also

leave it on as a reminder that the theatre will

always be ready when someone needs it. At

Henderson County High School the light has

not been turned off. It won’t be. Because we

will be ready.

HF

A.J. CASEY is the proud owner and operator of his video production company, AJKC. AJ teaches Theatre at Henderson County High School. He is married to his lovely and talented wife, Megan Mortis.

STAYING HOME?

“Mom! I’m booooooored!” Ever said these words on a day when you’re stuck at home? We’ve all had those days where we’re cooped up inside. Besides heading straight to your phone, iPad, or Playstation, there are all sorts of other things that you can do or learn. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most entertaining! I’ve made a list of my top 14 super easy activities that DO NOT involve a screen (and two bonuses that do).

Build a blanket fort. Do a puzzle. Read a book. (Find some book ideas on the next page!) Take a nap. Do a LEGO set. Play with a pet (or a neighbor’s if you don’t have one). Practice an instrument. Color in a coloring book. Do a craft. Draw a picture. Play a board game. Play with a sibling. Get creative with Mom or Dad in the kitchen. Dance in the rain and jump in puddles. BONUS: Sing karaoke (at the top of your lungs, of course!) BONUS: Watch a movie (OK, this involves a screen, but it’s not like you’re staring at your phone!)