Henderson Family - April / May 2024

34 Road Trip Games

Fun Activities to do on Spring

DISCOVER

36 The Book Nook

with Mom for

OUT & ABOUT

38 Events Calendar

Our list of fun things to do around town this season!

41 Kids Meal Deals

Check out these local kids meal deals!

FROM OUR READERS

44 We Love Our Moms!

Photos submitted to our Facebook page sponsored by Alexander Thompson

SADIE & KALEB’S TOP PICKS

BLUEY

My kids love all things Bluey! It is their favorite show right now. They have games, play sets, clothing, stuffed animals, water bottles, etc. We went to see Bluey Live last year! It brings a smile to their faces and so much excitement!

From the Editor

Spring is almost here, and I am so excited for warm weather! When it comes to winter, I am the kind of person who hopes for one good snow, and then I am ready for spring. I like my kiddos to watch the snow falling, go sledding and make a snowman all while dreaming of the day I can walk outside in my flip flops again.

Spring is also the time of year I like to declutter. Being able to find new ways to organize and get rid of items we no longer need is a great feeling, and we have amazing organizations right here in Henderson we can donate to.

A special holiday coming up is Mother’s Day! Our Mother’s Day is always spent attending church followed by a delicious lunch with family. We are able to make memories with our mothers and grandmothers and all the wonderful mothers in our lives who mean so much to us. I sure am grateful for mine!

PICASSO TILES

My kids love building and being creative with picasso tiles. They have so much fun with the magnetic marble run set we have at home. They can build unique courses to place their marbles in and watch them race through the magnetic tiles.

DOMINOS SET

This past Christmas my kids received a dominos set. They have so much fun stacking the dominos and making them fall down. The dominos have definitely been a new favorite game of entertainment in our household.

This issue is our Kids Takeover, and we have some very talented kiddos in our community who submitted ad designs for various businesses. Each business picked a winner, so make sure to check out the winners inside! We have also highlighted some amazing accomplishments students right here in our community are making. Inside, you will find features on Naomi Santiago - a HCHS athlete who is making history in girls wrestling, a new Teen Mental Health First Aid training being offered at Central Academy and The Port, and a group of students at South Heights Elementary who recently published a book.

Don’t forget to check out our Parent Profile with local barber stylist - Kenzie Gentry. We have also included a nature collector craft for your kiddos to use on their outdoor adventures, and a delicious, lemon and blueberry dutch baby recipe.

We want to wish a very Happy Mother’s Day to all of the wonderful mothers in our community!

Happy Spring!

LYNDI MAUK

Editor, Henderson Family Magazine

THELMA B. JOHNSON STUDENTS CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF 103-YEAROLD REDBANKS RESIDENT

On Thursday, February 22, 3-yearold students from Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center surprised Resbanks Regency resident, Anna Dixon, to celebrate her 103rd birthday!

Gigi Gentry, Redbanks Regency Manager, and Kelsie Todd, Henderson Early Childhood Community Liaison with Thelma B. Johnson Learning Center, worked together to coordinate Ms. Anna’s birthday surprise. Kelsie said, “We thought how cool would it be for 3-year-old students to be able to celebrate with someone 100 years older than them! We created a timeline of events from the last 103 years - including the first McDonalds, first cell phone and other important events.”

Mr. Chris and Ms. Tori, who are the student’s teachers, talked to the kids about what life was like for Ms. Anna as a kid, and they let the students ask her questions. Ms. Anna follows healthy habits, such as eating healthy and staying active, so they focused on sharing this with the kids. Each student also made her a birthday card. There were 13 students who were able to attend and several residents from Redbanks to join in on the fun as well. The class plans to stay in contact with Ms. Anna and continue to build on their relationship. “Seeing the intergenerational interactions was truly amazing!” Kelsie said.

BEND GATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CREATES “THE KINDNESS SQUAD”

The Kindness Squad was created to simply spread kindness throughout Bend Gate Elementary School. Third-fifth grade students were selected by their teachers to join this club, and they meet twice a month.

Students do various activities to spread kindness around the school like writing a kind note and placing it on a student or a teacher’s desk, greeting students on Fridays with signs of encouragement or high fives as they enter the building. Each time they meet, they begin by watching Kindness 101 videos to see how others spread kindness and this helps them get ideas as well.

In December, students collected items for New Hope and those were delivered during Christmas Break. Next month, they will deliver donuts to the fire station near their school. This is the second year with the Kindness Squad; therefore, they’re just getting started with community projects.

Their newest project with their squad is filling a need within their school. In February, they decided to create “Welcome to Bend Gate” bags for new students when they enroll at Bend Gate. Students will receive a welcome bag with candy, Bend Gate pencil, a Bend Gate bracelet, a fidget, and a welcome card with a note of encouragement from the Kindness Squad. When students enroll, a member from their squad will deliver this welcome bag to the new student. They are excited to see how this club continues to grow!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

HENDERSON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL PLAYER, TAYLOR TROUTMAN, RANKS TOP IN NATION

Taylor Troutman is a senior at Henderson County High School and has made her name known as an athlete in Henderson County playing softball the last four years. She plays outfield position and has signed to play Division 1 softball at Mississippi State in the fall.

Taylor was recently ranked in the Top 20 in the nation by CBS Sports’ MaxPreps.com and has also been named as the best high school softball player in the state of Kentucky by them. Taylor holds HCHS records for career RBIs and home runs and ranks in the top 10 for Henderson County High School history for batting average, hits, runs and triples.

Head Softball Coach and Taylor’s

father, Shannon Troutman, said, “Taylor decided that she wanted something and decided to work continuously to achieve that goal. I’m super proud of her work ethic and drive. She has been a good role model for the younger kids that are coming in to the high school program.”

Kenzie Gentry

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.

I’m 27 years old. I have two sons Rhett (2) and John Landin (6). I have a blue heeler named Tess (3). I have lived in Henderson majority of my life. My parents, Kenny and Valerie Gentry, have spent a lot of time supporting my love of horses rodeoing growing up. We also spent a lot of time on the road when I was younger going to sprint car races with my dad. I am a graduate of Henderson County High school and Henderson Community College.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

I own and work as a barber stylist at K.T.’s Barbershop in Henderson, KY. I have been a barber for 7 years. April of 2024 will make 3 years that I’ve owned and operated out of K.T.’s. I also am a full-time mom of my wonderful boys!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A LOCAL BARBER/ STYLIST? WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES?

I am able to express my creativity through hair. I never considered myself artistic growing up but when it comes to doing hair (men, women, or children) the sky seems to be the limit. I am an extreme people person so it is safe to say this job fits that description. I love getting to play a big role in making people look their best. It’s amazing to have the kind of power and give confidence to people by giving them a look that suits them and makes them feel great. Barbers and stylists meet clients that have interesting stories to share! I love being a listening ear and I even partake in my own storytelling with clients. I love being able to watch kids grow into wonderful young men and women, and I love being able to see people grow and evolve even more as time goes on. We all become part of a family and that is a feeling that is indescribable. One of the biggest challenges I see is trust. That trust goes both ways. A client has to be able to gain trust that even when they are unable to describe what it is they want, it is our job as professionals to bring what seems like an impossible vision to life. As far as customers go, barbers must gain the trust of clients to return or to simply take care of their hair as expected.

OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT HOBBIES DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ENJOY?

I enjoy playing my guitar and writing music, playing and doing things with my children, cooking, going on vacations and traveling with my family, reading books and educating myself on new ideas as far as my business goes.

DESCRIBE A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BARBER/STYLIST.

I always start my mornings off with coffee whether it is hot or cold. As an owner and a barber, I do my best to get to work in a timely fashion and be able to turn everything on and make sure things are in order to start the day. We accept appointments as well as walk-ins—so our days are usually not planned out. It is one of the things that makes us unique—we are available to people that like schedules and ones that may be spur of the moment. We are quick and efficient when it comes to cutting and doing hair and beards so usually before or after a haircut our customers and ourselves will engage in wonderful conversations! They pay and then it is on to the next one until we wind down for the evening and close up shop to go home to our families.

HOW DO YOU FIND BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND FAMILY?

This is one of the biggest struggles I face being a full-time business owner, barber and mother. However, it isn’t impossible and that is the impact I hope to make in and outside my community. My biggest supporters and helpers would be my mom and dad. They help me as needed to make sure I can be the best mother I can be as well as the successful entrepreneur I set out to be. One of the benefits to owning my business is I am able to provide a decent balance giving I get to call the shots. I did my best to associate my business operating hours around my kids schedules. Also, I have two wonderful stylists, Rachel Hays and Brent Smith, that rent booths in the shop and they are able to be there when I cannot. They have been a wonderful addition and are a big part of this reason as well.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BARBER/HAIRSTYLIST AND/OR OPENING UP THEIR OWN SHOP?

You will never know it all. There is always room for education and improvement. Everyone is unique with skills in their own way and if you take the time to listen you may find things more beneficial. Never give up on yourself. I had and still have people wait around in hopes that I fail and those are the people who will push you to become better. Those are the people that know what you have is worth having and will be the reason you push yourself harder. Also, it’s not easy. There will be times you question yourself or feel as though you may have made the wrong choice. However, if you keep going and work yourself over that hump you’ll find that doubt you had was just in your head and not a part of the reality of what it takes to pertain that potential dream you are turning into reality.

Photo by Darrin Phegley

Making it

CRAFTS, RECIPES, AND ACTIVITIES FAMILIES CAN ENJOY TOGETHER

Photo by Jamie Plain

LEMON AND BLUEBERRY DUTCH BABY LEMON AND BLUEBERRY DUTCH BABY

What better way is there to celebrate the spring weather than enjoying a delicious brunch? With in-season ingredients like fresh berries and lemon, it’s the best time to experiment with fresh seasonal flavors. This recipe is simple to make, but will still impress your family and have them asking for seconds! Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

›› 4 eggs

›› 1 cup flour

›› 1 cup milk

›› 1 Tbsp granulated sugar

›› 1 tsp vanilla extract

›› 1/2 tsp salt

›› 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

›› 1/4 cup lemon curd (homemade or store-bought)

›› 1/2 pint blueberries

INSTRUCTIONS:

›› Preheat oven to 425F

›› Add eggs, flour, milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt to a blender and blend until smooth.

›› Place butter in a cast iron skillet and put in the oven until the butter has melted. Remove from the oven and pour the batter into the skillet (you can also use two pans and place half the batter in each).

›› Return the skillets to the oven and bake for around 20min, until the pancake is puffed and golden.

›› Remove the skillets from the oven, then top with lemon curd, blueberries, and a sprinkle of confectioners sugar. HF

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY JAMIE PLAIN 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.

Explore the Outdoors with this Nature Collector

Spring is a wonderful time to get outside and discover the beauty of nature. As the weather gets warmer, flowers bloom, leaves turn green, and colors pop up all around. Go on a nature walk and collect treasures from our outdoor adventure using this fun collector!

GO ON A NATURE WALK:

›› Take a stroll outside and observe the signs of spring. Look for blooming flowers, budding leaves, and any other interesting plants you find.

›› Discuss the beauty of the season with the children and encourage them to choose flowers, leaves, or small plants for their nature collector.

OTHER SUPPLIES:

›› Repurposed cardboard, any size

›› Crayons, markers or paint

›› Scissors

›› Sharpened Pencil

HOW TO MAKE A NATURE COLLECTOR:

›› Find a piece of plain cardboard. (We repurposed a Rolling Pin donut box!) A flap cut from a larger box would be a perfect size for young learners.

›› Use a pencil to help the kids draw an animal or creature on the cardboard. It could be a spring creature, their favorite animal, or even a vase.

›› Choose markers, crayons, or paint to color the animal. Let your imagination run wild!

›› You can use scissors to cut out the

animal shape from the cardboard or leave it square like ours.

›› Use a pencil to poke holes through the cardboard in or around the animal shape. Make as many holes as you want, placing them no more than an inch or so apart. These holes are where you'll keep treasures from your nature walk.

›› Now you have a fantastic nature collector to remember your springtime adventure. Hang it up and enjoy the beauty of the season every day. HF

WRITTEN BY ASHLEY WEDDING Ashley is the editor of Owensboro Parent Magazine. She enjoys everyday adventures with her husband, Drew, and their three kids, Avery, Reed and Mason.

Photo by Jamie Plain

Community

THE PEOPLE AND PLACES THAT MAKE HENDERSON GREAT

Photo by Darrin Phegley

KINDNESS is a Universal Language

An English Language Instructor in Henderson, Emilee Coursey, embarked on a transformative journey with her non-English speaking students, resulting in the creation and publication of ‘Kindness is a Universal Language.” The book, which was the brainchild of Mrs. Coursey and her coworker Taylor Knight, recognizes the power of art and language as universal tools of expression, “It encourages them (the students) creatively and also celebrates their

individualism,” Mrs. Coursey says of the book. She encouraged her students to share their thoughts on kindness through drawings and written reflections. What made this project truly special was the inclusion of the student’s native languages alongside English, honoring their cultural heritage and promoting bilingualism. The hardcover book’s cover, illustrated by Morgan Sutton, displays children of all ethnicities standing shoulder to shoulder with smiles that match the smiles Mrs.

Coursey and Ms. Knight see on their students' faces.

Emilee services students who have any language in their homes other than English. “Some of them come to me speaking a little English, but some come not speaking any English at all,” she explains. By using a translator app on her phone, she can not only translate English into their first language, “Mostly Spanish, but we do have other languages I work with. We have a family that speaks

Photos by Darrin Phegley

Arabic, for example,” but she can also communicate with their families using the app. The need for English Language Instructors in this district is growing as “we started with only one, then two,” she continues, “and now we have three elementary teachers, one for middle school, and two at the high school.”

It takes patience and compassion to be successful in helping her students become English speakers with the goal established for them, which is six years. “For example, if a student comes to me as a non-English speaker in kindergarten, my goal is to have them proficient by middle school,” the teacher explained. The areas of focus for growth for every student are reading, listening, speaking, and writing.

Mrs. Coursey reflects on one student who holds a special place in her heart, a little girl in 3rd grade at South Heights. “She has a page in the book,” boasts the proud instructor. “I remember pulling her for the first time when she was in 1st grade, not knowing too much about elementary in general,” the former high school teacher recalls. “I told her, “We are going to work on reading.” She looked at me and said, “Mrs. Coursey, I can’t read!” Mrs. Coursey knew at that moment this would be a challenge for both her and her student, explaining that her reading delay was partly due to COVID-19 which was “especially hard on non-English speaking students.” She continues, “She couldn’t read in English or Spanish, but now she is the top reader in her class. She will probably test out of my service as a 3rd grader this year, which is a huge deal.” The little girl has taken her newly developed language skills and is even teaching her Spanish-speaking mother how to speak in English. “She is Miss Independent. I think of her a lot,” a smiling Mrs. Coursey relishes.

The book reveal was no small event for the students. Mrs. Coursey planned a donut party for the book reveal the day before the students went on break. To add to the excitement, each student invited their family to attend to help celebrate with them. Thanks to the support of Principal Anthony Black and a couple of

small fundraisers, Mrs. Coursey gave each child their very own copy of the new book, gift-wrapped in Christmas paper. “We had News14 come, and the kids were excited to be on TV,” the teacher’s voice elevates with excitement as she explains how they all opened the book simultaneously to see the fruits of their labor. “One student wrote about taking care of his little brother. His little brother was there and got to see the page his brother made. Another student wrote about her mom. Her mother was there and didn’t know she was what her child’s page was about. Everyone was just so excited.” She described a beautiful scene of a group of diverse families coming together to share in a common love: their children.

The experience of being an English Language Instructor has given the teacher a new perspective on people from different backgrounds. “Almost daily, I work with people who speak other languages. I view the differences as an enrichment to our community. I want society to embrace it. Our students come from cultures rich with their religion, holidays, foods, and

“ ”

Language barriers are huge to overcome no matter where you live. People often shy away from talking if they think the person won’t understand. It makes them scared to try, but our community is growing and becoming more and more diverse. It’s important to find a way to include everyone.

celebrations. I want my two little boys to be raised in a diverse town.” Mrs. Coursey, the mother of 2, looks for places for her family to engage with people different from them. She and her mother-in-law took her sons to a multicultural event another local non-profit, Audubon Kids Zone (AKZ), hosted recently. Her young sons were delighted by the food smells and the sounds of people different from them, enjoying the evening.

“Language barriers are huge to overcome no matter where you live. People often shy away from talking if they think the person won’t understand. It makes them scared to try, but our community is growing and becoming more and more diverse. It’s important to find a way to include everyone.”

To make a donation to future projects that Mrs. Coursey and Ms. Knight have for their students or to purchase a copy of ‘Kindness is a Universal Language’ at the cost of $25, please email Mrs. Coursey at emilee.coursey@henderson.kyschools.us. HF

WRITTEN BY AMANDA WAGGENER

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.

Naomi Santiago Making History in Girls Wrestling

The sport of wrestling continues to grow across the nation, and Henderson County senior, Naomi Santiago, is no stranger to it. Naomi’s family moved from Miami, Florida but her parents are originally from Puerto Rico and Nicaragua. Growing up, Naomi participated in dance until the age of 13 when she injured her knee and had to take a break watching from the sidelines. But - this time away is when wrestling was introduced to Naomi, and she had no idea how much this sport would forever change her life.

THE ROAD TO WRESTLING

During Naomi’s time away from dance, her uncle showed her a video of WWE. She thought, “Oh, that looks pretty cool.” It sparked her interest, so when she heard the announcement at North Middle soon after for those wanting to join the wrestling team to head down,

Photo by Darrin Phegley

she didn’t hesitate. Naomi laughed explaining she headed down thinking it was WWE. She recalls showing up to practice and asking where the ring was. Coach Poynter said, “This isn’t WWE.” However, this surprise didn’t stop Naomi from giving wrestling a try.

“I was very nervous. I was the only girl on the team then. I was with a bunch of boys.” Evan Henshaw, Latravion “Tink” Johnson, Vinson Embry and Jaxson Wallace are some of the boys she originally started wrestling with on the team. Naomi wrestled a little bit her freshman year but didn’t compete because of COVID-19. Her mom had just had her youngest little brother, and they wanted to keep him safe and healthy and chose not to fully compete during that time. Instead, she danced her freshman and sophomore year on the HCHS dance team but decided to go back to wrestling full-time her junior year.

“It was more of the family aspect wrestling had at county. Coach Poynter is the best coach I’ve ever had in any sport. It’s something I missed and needed. It got to the point that I was just like I need to go back to wrestling. It’s where my heart is,” Naomi expressed.

MAKING HISTORY

“Last year, they sanctioned Kentucky girls wrestling right after state,” Naomi said. “This year is the first year we’ve ever had regionals. The first regional tournament ever for the girls they had four different regions and combined two in each region. Everybody that placed first at that tournament was the first ever region champ in history,” the excited wrestler stated. Most tournaments are individual tournaments. However, teams earn points at the end of the tournament, and they announce what team won based on points. On February 17, the 2024 KHSAA Girls Wrestling State Tournament was held at the AllTech Arena in Lexington, KY at the Kentucky Horse Park. Naomi placed 1st place in the 152lb weight class. The tournament was the first sanctioned girls state wrestling tournament in Kentucky. Naomi and every wrestler that participated made history.

Naomi and the entire wrestling team have worked very hard this year. They practice every day from 4 - 6pm after school and it’s co-ed practice with the boys. This year has been a positive difference for the team compared to last year. “We had our own girls wrestling team but weren’t considered a girl’s team because we weren’t sanctioned yet. It wasn’t a sport in Kentucky. Some of the girls would go to the boys tournaments,” she said. She explained how they did a lot of co-ed tournaments last year.

Their schedule this year has been very busy because the sport has grown - so many schools held their first tournaments. Last year, Henderson County held their first Lady Colonels Invitational. This year, this invitational brought in more numbers with a total of 24 teams. They usually have tournaments every other weekend.

Naomi expressed, “Every win feels different. There were times when I got my tail beat terribly but every win felt different. Now every little win you think about it and you’re grateful for it

because you see the growth you’ve made throughout the years and stuff. This past weekend when I won regionals, it was something we worked really hard for. We went to overtime during that match. I just started crying because it’s history we are making. Every win feels different. It has a different meaning to it for sure.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

Naomi just made history by signing with Campbellsville University making her the first female from Henderson County to receive a college scholarship for wrestling. Naomi went to visit Campbellsville in late February 2023. She practiced with the girls and talked with the coaches. Her second visit was in October 2023 and that’s when she knew this was where she was meant to be. “I was practicing with people that were better than me, so it made me want to be better. I needed that and I wanted it so it just felt like it was the best place for me to go.”

“Campbellsville University, they

have one of the best programs in the country. Kayla Miracle is Coach Miracle’s daughter, and she is an olympian. Their girls program is very well developed. They’ve had a girls program for years,” Naomi expressed.

Naomi has so many emotions as she heads off to Campbellsville University in the fall to pursue her love for wrestling. “I’m nervous for going up there and being able to keep up and being able to do what all those other girls are doing. There is a girl up there, and she is a beast. When I went up there I was like ‘I want my arms to look like that.’ I’m really excited to go up there but praying everything goes good, and it’s all I hoped for.”

Currently, Naomi is looking at two totally different pathways in regards to her education at Campbellsville. She either wants to major in exercise science or Spanish education. Regardless which path she chooses, there is one area she knows she wants after college and that is to keep wrestling in her life after she graduates.

“Jermaine Poynter is literally hands down the best coach I’ve ever had. I want to coach in the future, and it’s mostly because of the fact that if I can make the impact on a kid like he has made in my life I would feel like I did something for the sport. I owe wrestling a lot. It’s done a lot for me. I know I might want to come back to Henderson and be the girls coach here, but I 100% want wrestling in my life after college,” said Naomi.

Naomi’s parents have always been very supportive of Naomi and her siblings. She is the oldest of 5, and all of her siblings wrestle except for her little brother who is still a toddler. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if he takes up wrestling like his siblings. It’s a sport they all enjoy!

Naomi took a leap of faith and stepped outside her comfort zone when she decided to try wrestling in middle school, but this sport has opened so many doors for her that she otherwise wouldn’t have been given if she hadn’t tried.

Coach Poynter is very proud of the hard work Naomi has put into this sport and the inspiration she has been to so many other students and athletes here in Henderson County. He said, “Naomi has been a joy to coach. She is dedicated and determined to succeed and has been a great role model for young girls who are interested in becoming a wrestler. In 2023, Naomi finished 6th in the state and that fueled her drive to get better as she trained all summer and competed in several off-season tournaments with USA Kentucky Team. Naomi finished 6th at Adidas Nationals and earned All-American Status. This wrestling season Kentucky officially sanctioned girls wrestling, and Naomi is currently ranked in the top 3 in the state of Kentucky for the 152lb weight class. Naomi took first place at the first ever KHSAA Region 1 Girls tournament to become 152lb Regional Champion,

WRITTEN BY LYNDI MAUK Lyndi Mauk,

which was quite an accomplishment as she will forever be in the history books. I am proud to be Naomi’s coach, and it has been my honor to be by her side during this journey, as she has worked really hard to have the success she earned. Recently, Naomi became the first girl from our school to commit to wrestling at the collegiate level, so I am excited to watch her journey as she goes on to Campbellsville to continue her academic and athletic career! Naomi teases all the time that she is going to come back and take over as the head coach for the Lady Colonel so she can continue what I started, and I can be her assistant! As a coach, that makes me proud to hear as it means I was able to make an impact in a student’s life.”

Naomi encourages others to get out there and try something new. “You don’t have to stop being yourself to try

something new,” she said. She laughed stating, “I am very girly—so I wear pink and I wear makeup when I wrestle.” The inspiring young wrestler said, “You can stick to what you believe in and how you carry yourself, and you don’t have to change yourself to go and try something new. You don’t know what you are good at unless you go out there and try it. I would say give everything a shot because what do you have to lose? Life is short—so I would say go out there and try it and see if it works!”

Naomi said girls wrestling is the fastest growing sport in America right now. Whether a student is interested in wrestling, music, basketball, or art—Henderson County has so many opportunities for students to get plugged into their interests. Like Naomi, doors might open that they otherwise may have never known existed. HF

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 kids.

Teen Mental Health First Aid

A Promising Program for Henderson Teens

Exciting things are happening at Henderson’s own Central Academy! In January, the school became the first high school in the state of Kentucky to provide Teen Mental Health First Aid for their students. Teen Mental Health First Aid, brought to Henderson by River Valley Behavioral Health, aims to train students to be more aware of mental health and substance abuse issues and how they present in their peers.

Teen Mental Health First Aid, or tMHFA, originated in Australia and

is an evidence-based program for helping teenagers deal with mental health complications that often arise. This course teaches young people in grades 10-12, or ages 15-18, how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their friends and peers. tMHFA gives young people the skills to have supportive conversations with their friends and how to get help from a responsible and trusted adult. The first cohort will graduate with

their certificates in March after they complete several trainings on important topics relating to mental health and substance abuse.

Mattea Meadows, transition age youth coordinator for River Valley Behavioral Health and The Port, and Karyleen Irizarry, senior director of community health and forensics for River Valley Behavioral Health, are the primary reasons that this program has come to Henderson. The two attended a young mental health first aid training

and Karyleen informed Mattea of a similar program for teenagers, which the two found themselves very excited about. Mattea wanted to give a shout out to River Valley Behavioral Health, specifically to Dr. Lionel Phelps and CEO Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta for helping to make the training possible and for being so dedicated to bringing this training to Henderson. The two also wanted to give credit to Central Academy. “It’s been evident to me since day one that Central really prioritizes mental health with their students. They told me first that they wanted this training in their school and were very excited about it. It takes a lot of time to do these things away from instruction, and all of their staff got trained but only 10% had to be trained for the program to work. It was really cool of them, and they have been so welcoming.”

Mattea and Karyleen have great hopes for the program to grow. “Our hope would be that one day, the teachers can get certified as trainers to be able to train others on this program. We can only train 30 people at a time and for this program to be in a school, everyone in the grade level has to be certified. We would need many more trainers to be able to implement this program throughout all of the Henderson County Schools. We talked with Yvonne Hall with the schools, and she is very excited about it and wants to find a way to get this training into the community through different groups.”

other youth service organizations throughout the community. “There are specifics to the trainings, and they can only be done in certain ways. One of the specifics is that the trainings have to be provided at a school or a youth service organization. We can’t just openly offer the trainings because it involved teens,” stated Karyleen. “There are only three trainers in the state of Kentucky that can teach this program and currently Mattea and I are the only ones in the area that can offer it.”

The implementation of this program took a lot of footwork, but Mattea and Karyleen are thrilled to offer

and adults and now its time for teens to learn and grow from these trainings. We believe as an organization that it is vital and important for the community to have this awareness, and that this is a positive change in the community. It can be a neighbor or a grandchild or cousin… anyone can have a mental health problem. It is not specific to race or gender or anything, and it can happen to anyone at any point. The more we are aware of these things the better we are at helping these people when they most need it.”

“We are also providing this training at The Port for free,” according to Mattea. She also stated that they want this training to be available at

WRITTEN BY KAYCEE INGE Kaycee

it. “It's about the kids. We’re pushing the movement so much because this training helps teens to know and learn about what to say to someone else that is coming to them with a mental health challenge,” affirmed Karyleen. “We want the community to know that within the diversity of life and the things going on in the community, there are ways that we can help bridge the gaps of information and resources and awareness of the different elements that come into play in the life of someone going through a mental health or a substance use challenge, and there are ways that we can help. We’ve had trainings for youth

Mattea and Karyleen encourage others involved in youth serving organizations to reach out to become trainers, especially if teenagers are in the populations they serve. “Young people are talking to one another first, and if you think back to when you were a young person that’s probably what you did, too,” stated Mattea. “Training teens to talk with their peers allows them to feel encouraged to talk about their problems and to be open and honest with the people in their lives that care about them. Karyleen and I can both attest to the passion that these young people have. They want to help and sometimes they just don’t know how to help, so we know that there will be so much impact on empowering young people in our community to really go to action and to be equipped with skills that are research based that will help them. I truly believe that this program can save lives.”

Thank you, Mattea and Karyleen, for all of your help in bringing such an amazing program to Henderson! HF

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.

The sixth 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:

DEACONESS HENDERSON HOSPITAL

OWENSBORO HEALTH HEALTHPLEX

BAKER FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

ROCKHOUSE ON THE RIVER

FIELD AND MAIN BANK

RIVER VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

FARMER AND FRENCHMAN

WOODARD COOLING & HEATING

Designed

Designed by: Kira Collins AGE: 9

Designed by:

Camila Gonzolez AGE: 11

HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL 628 2nd Street Henderson, KY holynameschool.org 270-827-3425

Designed by:

Brylee Alvey AGE: 10

12522 US Hwy 41, Robards, KY 42452 270-748-1856

farmerandfrenchman.com

Designed by:

Bryce Harpole AGE: 11

1500 S Green Street Henderson, KY 827-COOL • 827-HEAT

woodardcoolingandheating.com

These kids did so great we couldn’t pick just one winner! Here are a few honorable mentions.

Designed by Lyncoln Stofleth, Age 9

DEACONESS HENDERSON HOSPITAL

Designed by Gianna Fulkerson, Age 11

OWENSBORO HEALTH HEALTHPLEX

Designed by Willow Cassady, Age 10

RIVER VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Designed by Christian Jones, Age 10

BAKER FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

Designed by Maverick Hillyard, Age 11

ROCKHOUSE ON THE RIVER

Designed by Sydni Hess, Age 9

HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Designed by Luke Vanderpool, Age 11

FIELD & MAIN BANK

Designed by Ellie Holstein, Age 11 FARMER & FRENCHMAN

Designed by Reese Logsdon, Age 9

WOODARD COOLING & HEATING

What Kids Have to Say about Mother’s Day

Talk about serendipity: The “Kids Takeover” issue coincides with Mother’s Day – an opportunity for all those hardworking moms on staff to sit back, kick their shoes off, relax, and let the kids do all the work.

Hahaha! Okay, but seriously, this is one of the most fun issues of the year, and one of the most meaningful celebrations of the year, so let’s see what happens when we mix them up.

I checked in with three of my grandkids, who are always game for a little Q&A with Granma. Zeke is 7, Brody is 8, and Briley just turned 12 –a combined 27 years of experience in observing their respective mothers!

We started with the basics: What IS Mother’s Day, anyway? Brody had the best answer: “It’s kinda like a birthday

for Moms.” (But will there be cake?!?)

Asked why Moms rate a special day dedicated just to them, Zeke responded, “Because they got you out of their stomach.” Well, he’s not wrong; that’s a good reason to celebrate, all right.

But now it was time to get down to serious business. The kids were asked what their mothers do, specifically, to rate a day on the pedestal. According to Zeke, his mother “used to rock me,” but those days are gone. Now, “She does the dishes and that’s all.”

Brody, perhaps thinking back on a long winter season of strep throat and flu, had a ready answer: “Whenever I’m sick, she stays home and takes care of me.”

Briley was a little more observant:

“Mom gets me food and gets me stuff like clothes. She also helps me with stuff like homework. When I come home from school and I have math and I don’t really understand, she comes and helps me. She’s okay at math but she helps me start to think about it and we look back at the video my math teacher posts.”

When pressed for more specific examples of things their mothers have done to make them happy, Zeke came through with shining colors: “One time she got me a Taco Hot Wheels car. She loves me and I love her. I like to spend time with her.”

Brody said his favorite thing about his mother is that “she surprises me. She takes me somewhere and she plays with me.”

Briley gave her mother credit for her kitchen skills: “She makes really good food, like her five-cheese ziti.”

All three children are convinced they have the best Mom in the world. Zeke’s explanation was simple: “She is gooder than daddy.” (Sorry, Dad.)

Brody rattled off a list of his own: “Because she is kind and because of all the stuff she can do, like cook and drive me places. She is always nice to me.”

Briley expanded on that thought, saying her mother is “nice to everyone. She is kind, loving, happy and hard-working. She teaches me how to cook.” Although Briley hasn’t mastered fivecheese ziti yet, she said, “I’ve learned how to make ramen noodles on the stove. I’ve also learned how to make brownies and cookies by myself. She taught me what measuring cups I need to use and how much I need of everything and how to turn the oven on.”

All three kids gave credit to their moms for their dedication to their careers … even if they weren’t exactly sure what their mothers do for a living. Briley, however, had this observation about her mother, a special education teacher: “She’s very kind. She is always helping the kids at school even if it’s hard. Most people won’t do her job so she knows she has to work hard for them.”

And all three have their own ideas about how they plan to show their mothers how much they are loved and appreciated.

Zeke has committed himself to “doing the dishes, folding laundry, cleaning my toys, feeding the dogs and brushing my teeth without being told to.”

Brody will keep it simple: “Surprise her with a gift.”

Briley will put her love into action: “I will help her clean the house and tidy it up, give her a note and tell her that she’s good, and just tell her that we love her.”

They may not realize it, but when asked if they had anything else to say, these kids’ final remarks turned out to be the best gifts they could ever give to their mothers.

Zeke – whose mother always tells him he is her favorite little boy – said, “She’s my favorite little momma … and I’m going to be taller than her one day.”

Brody said, “I’m going to give my Mom hugs and kisses.”

And Briley said, “When I grow up, I want to be as kind as her.”

So Happy Mother’s Day to all you Moms out there. Put your feet up, relax, and let the kids take over … returning the love you show them every day of the year. HF

WRITTEN BY LORA WIMSATT Lora Wimsatt

is a mother, grandmother and writer. She enjoys the everyday blessings and adventures of life, especially her family.

ROAD TRIP CROSSWORD

Road Trip Games

ROAD TRIP CROSSWORD

My brother and I love to play games in the car! This is a fun activity to do on Spring Break.

ACROSS

3. Something that helps block the sun from your eyes.

4. The holiday of which we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

6. The item that transports you to different locations.

7. Kids love to run and play in it, it is green, soft but itchy.

DOWN

1. Cute animal that delivers eggs to kids.

2. A bright plant that typically grows in the spring.

3. Break from school, first week of April.

Spring Word Search

5. Big star that makes Earth bright.

Across

that helps block the sun from your

of which we celebrate the Jesus.

that transports you to different run in play in it, it is green, soft

SPRING BREAK FLOWER BASKET BLOOM UMBRELLA EASTER GRASS SUNSHINE PUDDLE CHICK APRIL RAIN

Down

1. cute animal that delivers eggs to kids!

2. a bright plant that typically grows in the spring

3. break from school, first week of April.

5. big star that makes Earth bright!

Read with Mom for Mother’s Day!

Pinkalicious: Mother’s Day Surprise!

By: Victoria Kann

Pinkalicious plans to surprise Mommy with breakfast in bed and a special poem — until she gets a case of writer’s block! Will inspiration strike in time?

Biscuit Loves Mother’s Day

By: Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Let’s celebrate Mother’s Day, Biscuit! 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!

What Not to Give Your Mom on Mother’s Day

By: Martha Seif Simpson

A little boy offers advice on what NOT to give your mom on Mother’s Day, unless she’s an animal. For example, don’t give her a rotting log unless she’s a salamander, or a bunch of flies unless she’s a spider! What would Mom like best?

We Love Our Mom!

By: Jan Berenstain

With Mother’s Day only a week away, Brother and Sister Bear are looking for the perfect present for Mama. After all, Mama Bear is always there for her cubs! When Brother scrapes his knees, Mama is there with hugs and kisses. When Sister needs to help with her homework, Mama always lends a helping paw. So what can the cubs possibly do to show their mom how much they love her?

I Love My Mommy Because…

By: Laurel Porter-Gaylord

This book begins with a heartwarming scene between a human parent and child, but moves on to loving care in many animal families.

Out & About

3 12 Local Things to do THIS SEASON

1

Spring Break Camp

MONDAY, APRIL 1 - 5 @ 6:45AM - 6:00PM

HENDERSON COUNTY FAMILY YMCA

Unleash creativity in the cool workshops, enjoy outdoor adventures, and join special events your child will love. Limited spots, so sign up now at the Welcome Center. Cost is $110/members and $130/non-members. Camp is open to ages 5 - 12 years. For more information, please call 270-827-9622.

2 Manners Class

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 @ 2:30 - 3:30PM

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Kids Manners Program is designed to help young ones learn essential social skills in a fun and interactive way. From table manners to polite greetings, we’ll cover it all with engaging activities, games, and role-playing exercises. It empowers our children to navigate social situations with confidence and grace. Enroll your child today and watch them blossom into courteous and considerate individuals! Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to instill lifelong etiquette skills. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Registration ends on April 1 @ 8:30am. For more information or to register, please call Danielle Anguish 270-826-3712.

Tall and Small Family Ball

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

@ 5:30 -7:00PM

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Step into a world of family fun at the library’s “Tall & Small Family Ball”! From daddies and daughters to moms and sons, grandparents, and grandkids, all are invited for a magical evening of dancing, laughter, and memories to cherish. Don your finest attire and dancing shoes for a night filled with joy. Pose for unforgettable snapshots in our photobooth and enjoy light refreshments. Plus, get ready for a special surprise appearance by a beloved Red & Blue Pups! Don’t miss out on this unforgettable event! Registration is not required, but encouraged! All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information or to register, please call Danielle Anguish 270-826-3712.

4

Kids Solar Eclipse Day: DIY Glow in the Dark T-Shirts

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

@ 11:30AM - 12:30PM

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Create your own “DIY Glow in the Dark” T-shirt and stand out on the big day! The library will provide all the supplies you need to craft your luminescent masterpiece. Registration is required for this program, so reserve your spot now and get ready to shine! For more information or to register, please call Danielle Anguish 270-826-3712.

5

Kids Solar Eclipse Day: DIY Galaxy Jars

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

@ 1:30PM - 2:30PM

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Calling all young space enthusiasts! Join the library’s stellar Kids Solar Eclipse Day filled with exciting activities, including crafting your very own “DIY Galaxy Glitter Jar”! All materials will be provided, so come ready to unleash your creativity and capture the magic of the cosmos in a jar. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register in advance to secure your spot among the stars. Get ready to embark on a cosmic adventure - sign up now and let your imagination soar! For more information or to register, please call Danielle Anguish at 270826-3712.

Kids Solar Eclipse Day: Kid’s Kahoot Trivia

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

@ 3:30PM - 4:30PM

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

7

Little Rembrandts Art with Miss Kim

FRIDAY, APRIL 5 & FRIDAY, MAY 10 @ 10:30AM - 11:30AM

GALLERY 101

Bring your little artist (ages 3-5) to explore art with Miss Kim. Classes will have a new theme each time. The new location is at Gallery 101 at 101 Water Street in downtown Henderson. Students will create art and learn about lines, shapes, and color. They will use lots of art materials, so dress for a mess. Students must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $8. For more information or to register, please email kim.mcgrew0930@gmail.com.

6 8

Get ready for the upcoming Solar Eclipse by putting your knowledge to the test! Attend this engaging library program where you can showcase your expertise and compete to be one of the top three winners. Exciting prizes await those who demonstrate their eclipse savvy. Don’t miss this chance to challenge yourself and potentially walk away with a fantastic reward! Register now and get ready to shine bright as an eclipse champion! For more information or to register, please call Danielle Anguish at 270-826-3712.

Tri-Fest

FRIDAY, APRIL 19 -

SUNDAY, APRIL 21

DOWNTOWN HENDERSON

Head on down to beautiful downtown Henderson for Henderson’s signature street fair that returns with food vendors, live music, fireworks, and a carnival hosted by the Henderson Lions Club. For more information, please contact 270-835-4667.

9

Ready, Sit, Read with Teddy the Pig

MONDAYS, APRIL 8 & MAY 13 @ 4PM - 6PM

HENDERSON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Teddy is a certified therapy pig who loves to listen to stories. If you have or know of a young reader who could use a little help building their confidence as a reader, sign them up today! Spaces are limited to 20 minutes per session. To register for a session, please call 270-826-3712 or stop by the Children’s department.

10

Ohio Valley Birding Festival

FRIDAY, APRIL 26SUNDAY, APRIL 28

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON

STATE PARK

Celebrate spring with a number of activities for both experienced birders and amateurs at this free event. For more information, please contact Lisa Hoffman at 270-8262247.

11

Market on Main

SATURDAY, MAY 18

@ 10AM - 3PM

DOWNTOWN HENDERSON

Enjoy a day with family on South Main Street as it transforms into an open-air market featuring a variety of local artisans and makers. For more information, please contact 270-826-7505.

12

Summerfest 2024

SATURDAY, MAY 18 @ 6PM - 11:30PM

DOWNTOWN HENDERSON

Don’t miss the third Annual Summerfest with music, food and drinks.

KIDS MEAL DEALS KIDS MEAL DEALS

Kids under 8 eat free with purchase of adult

.99 kids meal with adult purchase 5-8pm

Kids eat free 5-8 with purchase of adult entree

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

Free kids meal with adult meal purchase.

Kids under 4 eat free with adult purchase.

*The Kids Eat Free list is subject to change. Please contact restaurants to ensure their participation. Restaurants, please

THE BIG TWIGS AT LAKE MALONE STATE PARK

Your Next Family Adventure

Looking for a day trip that’s sure to be fun for the whole family? Look no further than Lake Malone State Park’s largerthan-life family attraction - The Big Twigs. On August 10, 2021, Muhlenberg County Tourism Commission introduced the first Big Twigs - Oakley, Bobber, and Happy Malone. The additions of Annette, Paige, and Wattson were debuted the following year on September 23, 2022.

Spend the day enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenic views while visiting the family of giants throughout Lake Malone State Park. These sculptures, standing between 14 and 17-feet tall, are located in various areas throughout the park. Providing the perfect photo opportunities, your kids are sure to enjoy exploring each member of the Malone Family.

Misty Stanley, Director of Muhlenberg County Tourism said, “The inspiration behind these towering figures stemmed from

desire to attract visitors to Lake Malone State Park. Our goal was to infuse the park with visitors by featuring the adventurous giant family, known as The Malones, living their best lives in Muhlenberg County. The Big Twigs actively promote wholesome outdoor activities like hiking, fishing,

camping, reading, and enjoying the beauty of nature, including chasing butterflies and fireflies. We firmly believe that fostering a connection with nature is a profoundly enriching form of self-care for visitors of all ages, especially in the breathtaking surroundings of Lake Malone State Park.”

MEET THE MALONES

As your family is exploring, you can visit “Wattson and Annette” in the large field where they love to spend their time chasing butterflies and fireflies. Make it a game and let your kids try to count how many butterflies they can spot, or how many they can catch, too. Headed to the playground for some outdoor fun? Don’t miss “Paige” reading a book nearby. Maybe encourage your kiddos to bring a book and read beside her. She is always excited to meet new friends and would love to take a break from reading for a picture with your crew! If your family is near the campground, be sure to wave hello to “Happy” as he sits at his campsite exploring the trees and nature around him while he roasts marshmallows for the rest of his family. Your family may even spot some of his nature friends near the camping area. For those heading out on the water, whether to go fishing or swimming or just to watch the boats passing by, don’t miss “Bobber” who sits alongside the lake. He will be cheering you on as you catch your next big fish! You can’t come to the park without taking a hike along Laurel Trail where you can visit “Oakley” surrounded by the tall trees. This 2-mile trail is perfect for exploring the outdoors, finding some shade and listening to the birds

chirping. How many different birds can your family find? No matter the area, you will find a Big Twig to greet your family - which adds to the fun as you approach each member of the Malone family throughout your visit.

AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

The Malone Family is an exciting attraction. “We aspire for the Big Twigs to attract visitors to Lake Malone, allowing them to immerse themselves in the diverse array of outdoor activities. We hope families create lasting memories and visitors come to appreciate the beauty our county has to offer,” stated Misty. Lake Malone State Park offers a wide variety of things to do featuring a playground, picnic areas, and in the summer, a beach on the lake. The

trail system at Lake Malone spans 5 miles, showcasing lakeside scenery, cascades, and rock formations. The Big Twigs attraction is free for your family to visit from dawn to dusk and is an added bonus for the perfect family day trip as you head out on your next big adventure!

Lake Malone State Park is located at 331 State Route 8001 Dunmor, KY 42339. HF

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