2023 Henderson Family - April / May

Sadie & Kaleb's Top Picks

Iam so excited spring is almost here! We had some cold winter days - so warmer weather is something I have been looking forward to. Sunshine and sandals are just what I need. And did I mention spring cleaning? Yep - that is definitely in my near future, too. As much as I don’t enjoy the process of spring cleaning, I always feel so much better once it’s done!

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and I can’t even put into words how grateful I am for my mother and the mothers in my life. What a blessing they are! Being a mother myself is the best job in the world, and I always look forward to celebrating this special day each year!

Arts & Crafts

My daughter loves anything to do with arts and crafts. Drawing, coloring, painting - it is absolutely one of her favorite things! She is so talented, and she has the biggest heart. She is always thinking of others and making beautiful artwork, pictures and crafts to give to those she loves.

Monster Trucks

My little boy loves monster trucks. We attended Monster Jam last year, and he really enjoyed it. His love for the big trucks has grown even more within the last few months. He was given a large set of Monster Jam trucks at Christmas, including a small ramp. He now has a tote specifically for them - ha! A little boy can never have too many trucks, right?

This is our Kids Takeover issue! We always enjoy allowing kids within our community to show off their creative hats through our “Ad Design Contest” and allow students the opportunity to put their writing skills on paper — check out tips and advice from HCHS journalism students. Thank you to the businesses in our community who participate to make this contest possible each year and for the schools who allow their students to be part of it. Don’t forget to check out the ad design winners inside!

Don’t miss our yummy, fruit pop recipe perfect for springing into warmer weather. They are simple and healthy, and can easily be customized for picky eaters. Make sure to check out our unique egg carton flower craft. Your kids will love mixing colors to make the perfect “flower” arrangement.

Thank you to our amazing advertisers - you are the reason we are a FREE magazine!

We hope everyone has a Happy Easter and want to wish all of the wonderful mothers in our community a Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Spring!

LYNDI MAUK Editor, Henderson Family Magazine

CONTRIBUTING

Amanda Waggener

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DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Dave Mackey

HOLY NAME SCHOOL HOSTS FAMILY STREAM NIGHT

Holy Name School recently welcomed students and parents for a Family STREAM night with dinner. Families enjoyed a night of hands on activities focused on the components of STREAM: science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and mathematics. A variety of stations were setup in the gym for families to rotate to at their own pace and explore while learning. Some of the more popular stations included mining for geodes, building and testing miniature Noah’s Arks, coding, coffee filter chromatography, and construction of functioning musical instruments. Families made memories as they had dinner together and worked to master the various STREAM stations.

HENDERSON COUNTY STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE 2023 DISTRICT SPELLING BEE

On Friday, February 24, Henderson County Students participated in the 2023 District Spelling Bee. WSON and the Henderson County Public Library provided the live stream coverage for everyone to cheer on our students.

Congratulations to the following students: K - 3rd Grade - Winner: Zoe Skaggs from Jefferson Elementary and Runner-Up: Liam Barron from Spottsville Elementary. For 4th & 5th Grade - Winner: Tanner Duncan from A.B. Chandler Elementary and Runner-Up: Ava Baker from East Heights Elementary School. From Middle School - Winner: Ava Zigler from North Middle School and Runner Up: Callie Burnett from North Middle School.

Tell us a little about yourself (Family, kids, pets, etc)

My husband Todd and I have a total of 5 children (4 boys and 1 girl), 1 grandson (who is the absolute best), a granddaughter (on the way), and 3 dogs ( I would totally have more dogs). We also have the best extended family and friends. We are truly blessed.

What do you do for a living and how long have you been in that position?

I am a Mental Health Support Specialist for Henderson County Schools. I work at Spottsville Elementary (Go Panthers) and Jefferson Elementary (Go Jaguars). This is my 6th year working for Henderson County Schools and my 27th year (I had to get my calculator out for this) working in Mental Health.

What do you enjoy most about your role in the school system? What is the most challenging? My days are spent with the most amazing kids, staff, and families!! There is no other job I would rather be doing than working with children. Each day is different, and everyone I work with makes me a better person. Unfortunately, Mental Health comes with a stigma, and resources are often hard to find, but we have come a long way as a community and society. Mental Health Awareness is something I strive for daily.

Kelly Palmer

What hobbies do you and your family enjoy when you aren’t working at the school?

In my “free time,” I coach Henderson County High School’s tennis team (Go Colonels), and I am an authorized Disney vacation planner for a travel agency called Mousing Around Travel. My family and I love traveling (especially to Disney), playing tennis, watching sports together, being outside, and hanging out with friends and family.

How do you find balance between the many hats you wear?

My life can get pretty chaotic at times, but having a support system is key. I lost my dad a few years ago to cancer, and that journey really opened my eyes to living life to the fullest and making the most of my time. I hope that no matter what job I am doing, I am making someone’s day a little brighter.

What advice would you give to someone interested in working as a mental health professional?

There is no greater reward than seeing someone improve their quality of life and knowing you were a part of that. Working in mental health can definitely have its hard days, and you definitely have to take care of yourself so you can take care of others. The best days make the hard days all worth it. HF

Photo by Darrin Phegley

Making it

SIMPLE & HEALTHY

FRUIT POPS

FRUIT POPS

Recipe & Photo by Jamie Plain

These tasty popsicles are the perfect treat to cool down with as the weather warms up! Not only are they an easy healthy snack, they’re completely customizable for the pickiest of eaters. All you need is a popsicle mold, sticks, your favorite fresh fruit, and a liquid to hold it all together!

›› Start by cutting up your favorite fruit. Juicier fruit (like berries) typically work best for an icy pop!

›› Fill your popsicle molds with your chopped fruit. Fill them up as much as possible for the prettiest pops.

›› Pour your favorite liquid into the mold to hold your pop together.

›› Use your mold to guide your popsicle sticks into place, before placing the filled mold into the freezer.

›› Freeze overnight.

MORE TIPS:

To easily release your popsicles from the mold, try running the mold under hot water for about ten seconds.

SOME GREAT FRUIT OPTIONS ARE:

• Mixed berries

• Peaches

• Watermelon

• Mandarin oranges

• Kiwis

• Pineapple

• Grapes

SOME GREAT LIQUID OPTIONS ARE:

• Apple juice

• Orange Juice

• Lemonade/Pink Lemonade

• Limeade (juice)

• Coconut water (pictured)

• Yogurt (for a breakfast pop try sprinkling granola at the base of the pop before freezing!)

TRY SOME OF THESE GREAT FLAVOR COMBINATIONS!

• "Frozen Fruit Salad" (pictured). A mixed variety of fruits with coconut water.

• Chunks of strawberries in pink lemonade

• Lemons and Cucumbers in coconut water

• Watermelon and Kiwi in limeade HF

JAMIE PLAIN is a 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.

Egg Carton

FLOWER CRAFT

Written by

Here is a fun craft for you to do to celebrate: the Spring season, Earth day, and crafting! It is a great way to use typical things that you would throw away, into a super fun craft!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

››Egg carton

››Fun Colors of paint!

››Paper Straws (I used green ones)

››Hot glue gun (Get a parent’s help for this)

››Different sizes of yellow Pom Poms

INSTRUCTIONS:

›› Cut the egg carton into flower shape (round each corner)

›› Then paint the carton however you like!

›› Let it dry depending on what kind of paint you are using.

›› Put a large dob of hot glue in the center of your egg carton; put a large yellow pom pom in the center of the glue dob and then surround it with tiny ones. (8, four on the top, four on the bottom).

›› Then use the hot glue to stick the straw to the egg carton to create the stem.

›› Let your flower dry for a couple minutes and then your beautiful blossom has formed! HF

AVERY SORCE is a sixth grader at Daviess County Middle School. She loves to craft and draw, read (especially Harry Potter) and play soccer.

Avery Sorce // Photo by Jamie Plain

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE ONE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE ONE!

A Birthday Bag Program Bringing Support to New Parents

Written by Amanda Waggener //

WELCOME BABY!

A new baby is an exciting time in a parent’s life. Parents leave the hospital with hearts full of love for their new bundle of joy, but with that comes the heavy responsibility of caring for a new life. Adding a new little person to a home is daunting for even the most experienced parents. Fortunately, Henderson is full of people seeking to help fill the needs of our community.

BIRTHDAY BAGS

“We call it our birthday bag program,” Kelsie Todd, Early Childhood Community Liaison with Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning

Center, says of the new program launched in December 2022. “We were funded through the preschool partnership grant and the four kids regional collaborative, another statefunded program. With that grant, we built a website, www.4kidshenderson. com. Our goal of the website is to be a one-stop shop for all things early childhood.” Kelsie and her coworkers then began brainstorming how to use the funds best. “We knew community partnership and providing early childhood education was a priority,” Kelsie expanded. This led Stephanie Dowell, Family Resource Coordinator, to contact Terri Nunn,

a registered nurse, and manager of the hospital’s maternal child unit of Deaconess Henderson. Terri shared with her the need for baby items, including necessities for a newborn and education for the new parents. From this conversation, the idea for a tote bag full of goodies for the new little bundle of joy is sent home with each family that delivers a baby at Deaconess Henderson. Terri said, “We are so excited to partner with Thelma B’s Birthday Bag program. Our patients here at Deaconess Henderson Hospital receive a birthday bag after the birth of their baby, and they love them! What a great program we are

Photo by Darrin Phegley

able to offer our new parents.”

“We came up with this tote,” Kelsie says as she proudly displays the bag, which Ty Rideout of Abba Promotions helped design. The educators partnered with local businesses to fill the bag with carefully curated items, including baby rattles. “Rattles promote hand-eye coordination and stimulate fine motor skills in infants,” Kelsie continues, sorting through each item and its value to the new parent, “They each have a black and white soft book. Black and white, high-contrast images, help cognitive and visual development.” The bag also contains information on various free programs offered in Henderson County courtesy of the health department, United Way, Deaconess Hospital, and the library. The list of items given “is constantly being discussed and evaluated,” Stephanie adds. One of the highlights they want each new parent to use is the website for which a code is printed on the bag for easy scanning. “The website is a great way to promote all the early childhood programs. In addition, there are links to free help organizations,

such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. In addition, there are resources to help the parent track their baby’s milestones to ensure they are on pace with where they should be.”

area organizations, such as the Education Foundation, have been supportive and committed to seeing success with their engagement piece ‘Developmental Dollars.’

“Birthday Bags is a small piece to a big picture,” Kelsie clarifies. “We want parents to know about all these fantastic programs, especially because so many are free. We want to reach our kids before they reach school age, and these bags are a way to do that.”

PASSION FOR CHILDREN

EVERY CHILD MATTERS

Ginger Ashby, Principal of Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center, explains the significance of the bag beyond the immediate needs they meet. “We know it’s not enough to get kids when they are 3 and 4. We needed to get them from birth,” Ms. Ashby continues, “We can help parents with things like reading, developing vocabulary, and understanding the importance of technology use. We always look for ways to supplement. We want to become the hub for Henderson County, all things early childhood. All the programs are for all the kids in Henderson County.” She emphasizes the importance of “Relationship, Leadership, and Partnership” when growing the services offered to families. She adds that many

The passion for children is felt through the energy in the room from these community leaders as they discuss their vision for Henderson County children. Enthusiasm abounds as they discuss current partnerships and the potential for future collaborations. Ginger sums up the central reason for the Birthday Bags program, “We have an obligation in the school system with what we have been blessed with to be leaders in the early childhood community. This is a way for us to develop partnerships that will allow us to develop relationships with our partners and families. We think the information given in this and the resources accessed through this are important to all Henderson families.”

If you would like to learn about the programs offered for your child or to donate time or resources, please visit www.4kidshenderson.com. 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 2 children, both of whom are currently attending University of Kentucky.

The Port

HELP AND HOPE FOR HENDERSON’S TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS

The Port, whose doors opened in October of 2022, serves as a beacon of hope for many 16- to 25-year-olds in the Henderson area. This organization provides free services to teen and young adults within the age range, including peer support, therapy, job and career help, laundry access, transportation help, homework and school assistance, and much more. The Port is meant to be a place where young people can go to get help with anything they may need.

THE EXPERIENCE

Rachel Heath, Site Manager/Program Director and one of the founding

members of The Port team, was able to talk with me about what The Port has to offer Henderson and what the experience has been like opening up a place such as this. Rachel described her thoughts on The Port: “I think overall that it’s a safe place for young people 16 to 25 to be and to call their own. We’ve been blessed with a really great staff that makes young people feel welcome and all of our peer supports have lived experience. When they walk in, they’ll get someone close to their age who has been through something similar to what they have been through, whether it’s addiction or mental illness, they’ll get connected to someone who understands.”

Written

Rachel estimates that over 100 young people have been through The Port’s doors since its opening. During the Halloween season, The Port partnered with “Terror on the Trail” to reach out to the community and to get more exposure to the volunteers and participants involved in the event. In November, the organization offered a Thanksgiving dinner to people within the accepted age range. They are planning to host more events and to stay involved in the Henderson community to spread awareness of the help they can provide. In the community, The Port works closely with the Henderson County School

by Kaycee Inge

Photo by Darrin Phegley

system, Henderson Community College, Henderson Police Department, Henderson’s judges and elected officials, and many local businesses. “The community is very excited about what we have. Now it’s just about getting the word out.”

A SAFE PLACE

The Port is funded through the TAYLRD grant, which stands for “Transition Age Youth Launching Realized Dreams”. There are 13 other similar centers around the state, although most are in Eastern Kentucky. Rachel mentioned that Dr. Lionel Phelps at RiverValley Behavioral Health is one of the key figures who brought The Port to Henderson. “This has been his heart and soul for the past few years. They applied for this grant several times and then COVID hit, and then they finally got it. This is the result of their hard work.” The Port is partnered with RiverValley Behavioral Health and also the Kentucky Department of Mental Health, specifically the TAYLRD agency.

The Port means a lot to those that are receiving services, according to Rachel. “We’ve had one client that said that The Port feels more like home to him than his own home. That right there is what The Port is about. It’s a safe space for those that come and we’ve gotten some connections with kids who are in the system and need some sort of positivity. Some of these kids can’t go anywhere except their house and to school because of things that have happened, so for them to be connected with us gives them that space and that outlet that’s so important. We give them something to look forward to.”

Because The Port is funded through this grant, services are able to be offered completely free to young people in the community. Rachel encourages anyone interested that falls within this age range to come see what all they have to offer.

The Port is located at 455 Klutey Park Plaza Drive and is open Monday through Friday from 3PM to 6PM. All young people aged 16 to 25 are welcome to stop by, hang out, and get help with whatever they need. More information about The Port can be found on their Facebook page, titled “The Port- Henderson”.

Because of The Port, our young people have a place to go to feel safe and get the help that they need. Rachel’s parting words emphasized that The Port can help with variety of different problems. “I just want people to know that we’re a helping center. I don’t want people to think that its only a place to get help with mental health issues. We help with that, too, but it’s a place where young people can go to overcome any barriers. We help with trying to release that stigma around mental health issues and substance abuse issues. We want to help empower young people, whether that is helping them start a group or join community service or anything like that. We just want them to be a part of something and for them to know that there is something that they can get plugged into instead of sitting at home all day.”

Thank you to Rachel Heath and to The Port for providing Henderson’s young people with a space to be themselves! HF

KAYCEE INGE has lived in Henderson her entire life and plans to keep it that way. She loves animals and movies, and enjoys drawing with charcoal and working on local political campaigns in her spare time.

A Day in the Life

OF A SUPERINTENDENT

Henderson County High School senior, Bryce Tapp, recently had the opportunity to spend the day shadowing Superintendent, Dr. Lawson. Bryce plans to pursue his degree in education, and this was an opportunity for him to see what it would really be like to “take over” someday as Henderson County’s Superintendent. Below Bryce shares with us a little about himself, what it was like to shadow Dr. Lawson and his future plans looking ahead.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Bryce Tapp, I’m in the 12th grade. I’m headed to Eastern Kentucky University to pursue my football career and to study history teaching. I’m a part of the HCHS leadership dynamics class. I’m also a part of the Henderson County Gentlemens Club which is an organization that reaches out into the community and does charitable events such as a hygiene drive, adopting a family for Christmas, and giving out turkeys on Thanksgiving.

Why did you decide to shadow Dr. Lawson?

I decided to shadow Dr. Lawson because I honestly see Dr. Lawson as a role model — not just for me, but for kids and teenagers like me throughout this county. He has been that way ever since I was a child. The man he is and what he stands for means a lot to me and I aspire to be like that one day.

Are you interested in elementary, middle or high school education?

I am interested in teaching juniors in high school because during your junior year you’re taking the ACT, you’re looking at the colleges you want to apply for and just trying to figure out or get an idea of what your life will look like after high school. I feel that this is a very critical time in a teenager’s life. But eventually I want to move up to principal and then superintendent because I want to improve and change this school district for the better. I want to bring light to this community, and I feel like reaching through our students is the best way to do so.

What first sparked your interest to major in education?

The reason I chose education and to enter that field of study is because I feel like a teacher has an enormous amount of impact on a student’s life. You have a lot of teachers that may not care enough about students to sit there and make sure they are okay in the class and make sure that they understand the subject, and I want to change that. I feel like my purpose in this world is to make a positive impact on any person I come in contact with, and the way to do that is to be that teacher that actually cares and be the teacher that pushes their students to be great.

Give us a brief summary of your day (places you visited, meetings you attended, etc.).

We attended a meeting with the Maintenance team, then we started our day with our devotional. After that we stopped by the high school to speak with teachers and talk about things we could improve on in the high school. After that we went by Thelma B. Learning Center to see how the kids were doing, which really opened my eyes and made me think about the difference between all the grades. Then we stopped by South Middle School.

What did you enjoy most?

What I enjoyed most was the meeting at the start of the day with different members on the board committee and touring the building to see all of the different board members and to see the roles they play, including the Head of Maintenance in the district. It really made me realize that being superintendent

is not a one-man job. He explained to me that they all worked together to do things that may seem so simple to us but not so simple to them like turning on the lights, fixing pipes, leaks and technology. Spending my life playing football and being a part of a big team will really translate to my work life.

What was your biggest takeaway after spending the day with Dr. Lawson?

My biggest takeaway is that to be there for other people and to be the person that everyone counts on, you have to get your mind right before beginning your day. I feel like this lesson can go with not just your work life but with your personal life as well. As a man in your household, to be there for your family and be the head of your household, you must be in the right state of mind so that you can be dependable for your peers and your family. The way Dr. Lawson did that was starting his day off with a daily devotional and he let me read it as well. As a man of Christ, starting your day off by spending time with the Lord will help your relationship with God grow stronger, and he will walk with you through your day. HF

I have known Bryce since he was just a little boy. It has been a joy to watch him grow up to be a young man of high character. As he is finishing his high school career and entering his college career, I was thrilled to hear that he wanted to become a teacher and coach. I was even happier to hear that he may one day want to be superintendent of Henderson County Schools. I was honored that he selected me as the educator he wanted to shadow and I thoroughly enjoyed our day together. I am looking forward to watching Bryce continue to develop into the man he wants to be. I know that he will continue to grow in his character as well as his knowledge. I look forward to the day he returns to Henderson County Schools and begins his career as a Henderson County educator. Once a Colonel, Always a Colonel!

- Dr. Bob Lawson, Superintendent of Henderson County Schools.

The fifth annual Kids Takeover Ad Design contest was a huge success! Kids from across the city and county completed the ad templates for their chance to win. Each business judged the entries and chose the winners. Thank you to all of the kids who entered the contest and for all of the businesses that participated:

BAKER FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC ECHO LANES

FIELD AND MAIN

OWENSBORO HEALTH HEALTHPLEX

HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

HENDERSON CHEVROLET BUICK GMC

WOODARD COOLING & HEATING

LIBERTY FINANCIAL

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

DEACONESS HENDERSON HOSPITAL

TACOHOLICS

FARMER AND FRENCHMAN

HENDERSON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Journalism Students Takeover! Journalism Students Takeover!

“In the community, Colonel Cast News and Colonel Journal actively seek partnerships within the community to practice the craft of making good media and making Henderson a better place. This has involved helping local businesses create multimedia content, doing live and recorded video production for shows and pageants, and reaching out to become more involved with local news outlets.”

Being our Kids Takeover, we decided to hand the writing over to some of the journalism students at Henderson County High School. We provided them with a list of common topics along with two different prompts to choose from. They were asked to write about their own personal experiences/perspectives as a way to shine light on some of these topics for future HCHS students and their families to benefit from.

-OR-

*BEING INVOLVED IN IN HIGH SCHOOL IS IMPORTANT/IMPACTED MY LIFE BECAUSE .

Luke Dalton CLASS OF 2023

High School Athletics are something that I would recommend to everyone. I would not be where I am today without Henderson County Football. Participating in athletics provides skills to students that create better teammates, better problem solvers, and better leaders. Athletics teaches you to be a part of something bigger than yourself. It allows you to work with people from all different backgrounds to a common goal, which is a skill that will transfer well into adulthood.

Jerrika Basham CLASS OF 2025

Being involved in Marching Band in high school is important/impacted my life because you have an opportunity to meet people and make new friends. Also,

the cultivates creativity and provides students with a unique opportunity to grow as individuals. The foundations and lessons gained from marching band make it an extremely valuable learning experience for children of all ages. It also gives kids challenges that they overcome together while also developing the individual initiative of choosing an instrument, participating in an environment with social complexities, and succeeding through practice and repetition. {

Joe

Coghill CLASS OF 2023

Being involved in the Henderson County Gentlemen’s Club has impacted my life because it has shown me a lot of ways to connect within the community. The Henderson County Gentlemen’s Club is an organization where High School students are given the opportunity to go out and do community service while also creating new friendships. It has truly

shown me how amazing Henderson is and what makes me want to come back after college.

Grant Edwards

CLASS OF 2023

I wish I knew more about Colonel Cast Network as an incoming freshman. This school news network has taught me so many different things that can shift into real life after high school. It has shown me how to work with other people, creativity, and how to work a camera. Nowadays everywhere you go there is a camera, so it is nice to know how to work a camera with its many different features. You have to work with everybody to make an episode so it really shows you team work. This is why I wish I knew about the Colonel Cast Network as a freshman, so I could get involved in it sooner than my senior year.

*I WISH I HAD KNOWN MORE ABOUT AS AN INCOMING FRESHMAN.

Mollianne Major

CLASS OF 2023

Being involved in absolutely anything in high school is super important. It gives you a sense of community in such a big atmosphere, and it makes you feel like a part of something bigger than yourself. My advice to anyone coming into high school is to get involved in clubs, sports, or activities that you’re interested in. You’ll make new friends with the same interests and get to experience some of the most amazing things! Coming from a high school senior, you will make crazy awesome memories. Yes, you might not end with the same friends that you started with, but the ones you have when you’re my age will last a lifetime. I also encourage you to just be kind to everyone you meet. It doesn’t cost you anything, it’s not hard, and it can help you with making those new friends and acquaintances. You will have some hard times adjusting to all of the changes, but just cherish every single moment and tell your friends that you love them because it goes by so fast!

Yusef

Sanogo Kendrick

CLASS OF 2024

I wish I had known more about the importance of being able to take criticism as an incoming freshman. High School will ask a lot out of you. Learning how to take criticism is important because you’re not gonna be perfect in high school and people will tell you their honest truth and opinion, whether it’s positive or negative. You must be able to accept and use it as a positive. Also, don’t let it affect you and change the way you want to do things unless the change

OUR MISSION:

is for the better. Joining a club or clubs and getting involved in something is definitely something that is worth it. It keeps you occupied, creates memories, and you make great friends along the way.

Kendall

Pullum

CLASS OF 2023

Being involved in SoFA Theatre in high school is so important to my life because it allows me to express myself in ways I’ve never been able to. Every production we put on has many roles, acting and tech, to be filled by so many people with so many different talents. People with an eye for color and shadows are able to design lights, people with a knack for making everything go where it needs to have stage management opportunities, and of course, there’s always a place for our talented actors. No matter where you come from, you will always have a home in the theater, and I’m so glad I joined.

Mabrey Rice CLASS OF 2023

From the first moment I stepped on stage as a 6-year-old in a parrot costume, I’ve known that the theater was a place I could truly open up and pour everything into. When I first came to HCHS, the SoFA Theater program seemed to be an opportunity I couldn’t pass up-- building skills with artists around me, putting on shows to share, specialized classes and educators, all theatrical aspects hands-on work, spending school time on things I’m passionate about. Did any other school have such an opportunity to grow and learn while bringing arts awareness to our peers and

community? The SoFA program is truly special, and without it, I don’t believe I’d be the student I am today.

Alyssa Stahl CLASS OF 2023

As a senior, I wish I had believed when the seniors my freshman year told me how fast high school actually passes by. I thought it was going to be the longest four years of my life, but it feels as though just yesterday I was attending my freshman orientation. There is so much I wish I knew back then. The importance of AP classes, how you should try your hardest all four years, and why you should choose a class based on if you want to and not based on your friend’s opinions. I could stress about many different topics regarding high school but unfortunately, it probably won’t settle in your brain until you actually experience them. All I have to say to incoming freshmen is to enjoy your high school years because they are over before you know it.

Jarie Thomas CLASS OF 2023

Being involved in basketball during high school has impacted my life in many ways. It has taught me life lessons and has given me memories that I can remember for the rest of my life. High school basketball has not only helped make me a better athlete, but it has also made me a better person. It’s given me a family through my teammates, and I will forever cherish the friendships I’ve made through this sport. I highly recommend getting involved in something you are passionate about while in high school; I promise you won’t regret it!

WHERE TO FIND US:

YouTube: Colonel Cast News

Facebook: Colonel Cast News

Website: coloneljournal.net

Instagram & TikTok: @ColonelCast

The mission of the Henderson County High School journalism program is to report on the culture of their world and promote a positive culture within the school.

Setting Conversations up for Success How to talk to your kids

Written by Christina Dalton

come across as cold and pushy.

We don’t mean to do these things, but life can be difficult at times. This can come across to our kids that we are minimizing their problems, which makes them feel unseen and unheard. I think this is where kids often feel their parents cannot relate to what is going on in their lives. This is also where we look old and out of touch. Many movies and memes have been created from this same premise.

Do you ever get the feeling that you tucked your child into bed and you wake up with a completely different one? Kids are constantly changing and growing up, meaning we are constantly reexamining our approach to parenting.

Communication is one of the biggest and most important tools we have to help guide our children along the way. But knowing how to talk to your child can feel overwhelming. You hear parents talk about the dreaded middle school and teenage years. This is when you think you live with an alien and you’re not quite sure how to talk to them. It doesn’t have to feel this way. I am going to give you some tried and true tips to talk to your kids and how to keep great lines of communication open.

We all want to be seen and heard.

Some would say this is a basic need that all humans desire. We have to work at being able to talk to our kids so they will listen to us. It is also very important how we speak to our kids. The way you talk to your kid is the way he/she will learn to talk to others. Remember you are always their biggest role model and how they learn to navigate this world.

Let’s first take a look at some reasons why it’s so hard to talk to kids and be on their same level. Being a parent is a hard job and not one for the weak. The pressure and responsibility it takes to be an adult is no joke. This same pressure can impact the conversations and interactions we have with our kids. Sometimes we might not be in the mood to hear all the details because we still have many tasks to accomplish before we can rest. Our patience is thin and worn. We might

Empathy is going to play a key role helping us to better understand our kids. Empathy by definition is “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts and experience of another.” This is so important in being able to communicate and understand our kids. We want to enhance our ability to understand and share the feelings of another. One way to have more empathy is to be an incredible listener.

Listening is a skill. The most interesting people are the most interested. You need to be able to actively listen in order to truly engage with your child. Keep in mind that these suggestions work for kids of all ages but you can increase your skill level if you start when they are younger. Below you will find ways to engage your kids and increase your listening skills.

Do you want me to just listen or are you looking for a solution? This is a great tool. Sometimes kids, like adults, just want to talk. It can be hard as a parent to turn off the parent part of our brains that wants to fix everything for our kids. But sometimes our kids just

want to talk. So, I will ask my child if she wants me to just listen or if she needs help to solve a problem. This one is a game changer.

Ask open ended questions. This one sounds easy but is often overlooked. Here are some great conversation starters and examples of open ended questions.

What was your favorite part of your day?

What is the funniest thing you saw today and why was it funny to you?

If you could change one rule we have at home what would it be and why?

What do you like about your friends?

Do you think you are a morning or night person and why?

What was your least favorite part of today and how can you make tomorrow better?

These types of questions are endless. The great part about these questions is that they encourage critical thinking and you are going to get more of an answer than a yes or a no.

Listen to remember what is being said and be able to explain back for confirmation. Listen without judgment and acknowledge their feelings. When you are truly listening, you can repeat back to that person what they said and you can get confirmation that you are indeed understanding what they mean. Think about how many misunderstandings

could be resolved with this one. This is where listening without judgment comes into play. This doesn’t mean you will always agree with them; however, listening and agreeing are two different concepts. This is where your empathy skills can shine by acknowledging their feelings. You don’t have to live it to understand it. When you can do this you are creating a safe place for your child to express themselves and share their lives with you.

Don’t ever feel like a failure if your child doesn’t want to talk to you. Nobody wants to engage 100% of the time. What you can do in the future is use these tips to set up conversations for success. HF

CHRISTINA DALTON, MSSW, CSW is a District Social Worker for Daviess County Public Schools.

The Book Nook

All of these books are available for check out at the Henderson County Public Library.

Mother’s Day Surprise!

By:

Stephen Krensky

Violet is a young snake who likes to play with the other animals in the forest. But when spring arrives, her friends get very busy making presents for Mother’s Day. Violet is glad everyone’s working so hard, but what can she do for her own mother? Without arms or legs or teeth, she can’t make gifts as the other animals can. Then Violet discovers that there is one thing she can do that’s different--and comes up with the most original gift of all!

Biscuit Loves Mother’s Day

By:

Alyssa Satin Capucili

There are so many ways to make Mom feel special. Pull back the big flaps to see the surprises Biscuit and the little girl have in store for Mom!

Eloise’s Mother’s Day Surprise!

By: Lisa McClatchy

It is Mother’s Day, and Eloise is in search of the perfect present for Mother, with help from Nanny and Weenie.

I Love Mom with the Very Hungry Caterpillar

By: Eric Carle

Show Mom just how much she means with this colorful book from the World of Eric Carle. Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he honors Mother’s Day and celebrates incredible parents everywhere. With joyful illustrations and colorful creatures, this charming keepsake is a great way to show parents, grandparents, soon-to-be mothers, aunts, friends, or whomever you call “Mom” just how much you care.

My Mum is the Best

By: Bluey and Bingo

Discover all of Chilli’s mum skills from playing Grannies, dancing, and taking care of Bluey and Bingo. She even makes brushing their teeth and fur fun in this adorable and hilarious book. And, most importantly, Mum teaches them that the world is a magical place. This is the perfect book to celebrate Mom on Mother’s Day, or any day! HF

Out & About

8 LOCAL THINGS TO DO this season

5TH ANNUAL SPECIAL NEEDS EASTER EGG HUNT

SATURDAY, APRIL 1 @ 11AM - 1PM

BIAC’S TK LODGE

Enjoy a fun day with crafts and egg hunting all over the camp. The event is for ages 10 and under. Snacks and drinks will be provided, so all your child will need to bring is their basket. The Easter Bunny will also be there to take pictures, too. You may RSVP to Shadley Stone at 270-315-5384 by March 27 to provide your child’s name, age and any special needs requests.

COMMUNITY EASTER EGG SCAVENGER HUNT

THROUGH MONDAY, APRIL 10 CITY OF HENDERSON

FREE GROUP LEARN & SKATE

EVERY SATURDAY IN APRIL & MAY

@ 10AM - 12PM

GIFT SKATEBOARDING INDOOR SKATE PARK

Head over to Gift Skateboarding for skate lessons. All participants must have a valid waiver on file. Waivers are done electronically at giftskateboarding.com. Helmets are required for 12 and under. Gift has a few available for use. If you need one, reach out early to let them know. They are asking participants to register so they can communicate any last minute changes, and so they have an idea of how many to expect. Please register by texting LESSONS to 833-539-0158. For more information, please call 270-212-0308.

ADULT ARTIST RETREAT

FRIDAY, APRIL 14 & MAY 19 @ 10AM - 2:30PM

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON MUSEUM

Attention all Artists! Head over on Fridays and gather to create and experience new techniques. You will network with each other on techniques, upcoming exhibits, workshops, and art events. Bring your own artwork, supplies & tablecloth. Lunch is potluck. Please RSVP the week of the retreat. Cost is $8. For further information, please contact Kim McGrew-Liggett at 502-782-9726

Enjoy a fun afternoon hunting for the 35 eggs the Easter Bunny has hidden again this year. All eggs have numbers on them. Participants must print off a recording form, where you can write the location of each egg next to the number on the form. Eggs can be seen from vehicles, too. Entry forms must be placed in the Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt Mailbox in Central Park. Forms may be found online at http://www. cityofhendersonky.org, City of Henderson Facebook page, Parks & Recreation Office, The City Building or The Perch. Winners will be contacted on Thursday, April 13. For more information, please call 270-831-1274.

TRI-FEST

FRIDAY, APRIL 14 - SUNDAY, APRIL 16

DOWNTOWN HENDERSON

Henderson’s most vibrant street festival is back! Enjoy a carnival, dozens of food vendors, live music, a fireworks show, and more, presented by the Henderson Breakfast Lions.

MIKE SUPER MAGIC AND ILLUSION

SATURDAY, APRIL 15 @ 7:30 - 10:30PM

PRESTON ARTS CENTER

Mike Super is the winner of NBC’s Phenomenon, and a top finalist from America’s Got Talent. Whether it’s through television, stage or simply one-on-one, Mike Super’s personality and humor reaches out and enchants the public. His appeal to both young and old has made him one of the most sought after mystifiers in the world! For more information, please call 270-826-5916.

MARKET ON MAIN

SATURDAY, MAY 20 @ 10:00AM - 3:00PM

DOWNTOWN HENDERSON

Come and experience this Main Street market al fresco, complete with food trucks, handmade goods, unique finds, antiques, and artisan creations. Wander through vendor tents, grab a bite to eat, listen to music, and enjoy the emerging Spring weather. We will even have a beer and wine garden where you can relax after shopping. You won’t want to miss it! For more information, please call 270-826-7505.

8

LITTLE REMBRANDTS ART

FRIDAY, APRIL 21 & MAY 12 @ 10:30 - 11:30AM

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON MUSEUM

Take your Little Rembrandts, ages 3-6, for a fun morning of art. They will be working on lines, shapes, and color. All students must be accompanied by an adult and pre-registration is required. Cost is $7. DRESS for a MESS, as always. For registration, please call Kim McGrew-Liggett at 502-782-9726.

KIDS meal deals

*The Kids Eat Free list is subject to change. Please contact restaurants to ensure their participation. Restaurants, please contact lyndi@ tannerpublishing.com with additions or corrections.

SUNDAY

Tumbleweed

1 free kids meal for every adult entree

MONDAY

Rookies Sports Bar & Grill

Kids under 8 eat free with purchase of adult entree from 4-10pm (Dine-In Only)

TUESDAY

Fazoli’s

.99 kids meal with adult purchase 5-8pm

Wings Etc.

Kids eat free 5-8 with purchase of adult entree

SATURDAY

Tacoholics

1 free kids meal per adult entree (dine in ONLY)

Cancun Mexican Restaurant

Free kids meal with adult meal purchase.

ONGOING

Shoney’s

Kids under 4 eat free with adult purchase.

Happy EASTER!

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Happy EASTER!

Follow Henderson Family on Facebook to submit your photos!