Owensboro Parent - February / March 2022 by Tanner Publishing

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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Contents

29 Bragging Writes Discover how, at the age of 18, local teen Kaitlyn Craig, has written and illustrated two books and is working on her third.

30 March is Disability Awareness Month To celebrate, Owensboro Parent is sharing the stories of two local kids with intellectual disabilities and some helpful tips on how to honor those different from ourselves.

35 Owensboro Parent Playbook In a comprehensive youth sports guide, discover all the sports available to your kids locally along with three stories of Owensboro's standout young athletes.

IN EV ERY ISSUE

8 From the Editor 9 Around OBKY 10 Parent Profile

KEEPING IT REA L

11 Real Life with Lora Wimsatt Parent Playbook

14 Hashtag MomFail Jamie Johnson talks about her love/hate relationship with her kids' sports.

MA KING IT

Februar y // March 2022

D ISCOV ER

44 How to Teach your Kids Black History—in February and all Year Long A local mom offers real-life advice on how to approach this important lesson with your own kids. 46 The Book Nook This reading challenge is a great way to help your young athletes train their minds.

20 Recipe These fun & festive hot cocoa bombs are the perfect treat to make to celebrate Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day!

48 Discover the Components of Reading Helping young readers is challenging, but this advice can help your child become a fluent reader.

22 Craft Time These DIY sweet sentiments are a great alternative to store bought Valentine's.

50 Practice the Pause In her second installment, Christie Dalton dives deeper into the concept of mindfulness.

24 Host a Cookie Decorating Party This sweet soiree is perfect for kids of any age—or even a group of gal pals!

52 5 Tips to Kickstart Spring Cleaning Tackle your home's most challenging spaces with these helpful tips.

SPECIA L SECTION S

15 Local Love Discover what your favorite local business love about our community! 55 Daycare & Preschool Guide A complete list of local options for your young learners!

OUT & ABO U T 62 Events Calendar Our list of fun things to do around town this season! 64 Kids Meal Deals Check out these local kids meal deals!

FROM OU R REA D ERS

66 Youth Sports Photos submitted to our Facebook page sponsored by Owensboro Health! 72 Say What? We asked: What do you love most about your family?

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BEHIND THE SCENES

WHAT SPORT(S) DID YOU PLAY AS A KID?

EDITORIAL DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Ashley Wedding CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Katie Albers Christina Dalton Jamie Johnson Gail Kirkland Laura Murphy Jacqueline Jordan Russell Katy Tierney Melody Ann Wallace Lora Wimsatt Nicollette Vizuet

“

Sports were never my thing. I had a brief stint on the CVMS track team, but that only lasted a season. But I did letter in high school! What sport you ask? Academic Team!

” 🤓

“

I loved playing basketball, baseball and soccer as a kid. Being a part of a team was just as fun as playing in the games. I learned so much about working together as a team but also how to overcome challenges as well. Now I get to enjoy seeing my son learn to love different sports just as I did!

”

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Andrea Roberson Monica Tapp STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jamie Alexander

DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Dave Mackey

Do you have a story idea? We want

To add your business or organization

to hear from you! Email your suggestion

to our distribution list, give us a call at

to ashley@tannerpublishing.com

888-304-5416.

ADVERTISING ONLINE ACCOUNT DIRECTORS

Brock Quinton Robert Williams

owensboroparent.com facebook.com/owensboroparent instagram @owensboroparentmag twitter.com/owensboroparent

Owensboro Parent is a FREE magazine because of community support. Thank you to the great group of businesses and organizations who advertise. For more information about advertising call 888-304-5416 or email

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brock@tannerpublishing.com.

“

From middle school to high school, I was on the school cheerleading teams as well as cheering on the local all-star competitive team. It kept me busy but was a fun time in my life filled with so many good memories!

PUBLISHER

Jason Tanner PO Box 9503 Owensboro, KY 42302 888-304-5416

TANNER PUBLISHING CO.

“

”

Growing up, I swam on a club swim team every summer from 1st grade to my freshman year of high school! That is when my love for dance became more serious, so I was on dance teams from middle school through college!

”

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

BEHIND THE SCENES I think you all know that being the editor of this magazine is my side gig. I love it, and will always work with OP as long as the team at Tanner+West will have me. But my main job is the Public Relations Director of Puzzle Pieces. As a part of my role, I co-authored a children’s book called “Owen the Wonderer” that helps parents and teachers start a conversation with children about differences, acceptance and inclusion. In honor of National Disability Awareness month, I encourage you to talk to your kids about disabilities. Not sure how? Check out our tips on page 33.

from the editor In this issue, we are highlighting so many things that impact local families, mine included. Are you a parent trying to navigate all of the athletic options for your kids? I know that when my kids expressed interest in playing sports, it was tough finding all of the opportunities available to them. Well... back by popular demand—the Owensboro Parent Playbook! You asked and we listened. In the Playbook, you will find a complete listing of local youth sports. From baseball and basketball to dance, golf, and wrestling—we did our best to find everything your child can participate in locally.

I never dreamed I would become a sports mom! My SUV is loaded down with soccer balls, baseball bags, chairs, water bottles and a plethora of stinky clothes about 75% of the year—and I love it! I am the mom yelling from the stands, capturing every kick and at bat with my camera. We have had a lot of fun playing with Daviess County Youth Soccer Association and the Country Heights Playground Baseball League.

Is 2022 the year you are looking for childcare? Or is your little one ready to start preschool? Well, we’ve got the answer to that too! Our Daycare and Preschool Guide is the comprehensive list you need when trying to find the best fit for your family. Did you know that March is National Disability Awareness Month? To honor the children and families in our community impacted by a disability, we have featured two local kids whose stories are sure to touch your heart. We also included some tips on how to talk to your children about disabilities, differences and inclusion. February is Black History Month and we asked a local mom to share ways that you can start a conversation with your kids about race and Black history as well as local resources to help. Lastly, with Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, our advertisers wanted to show a little Local Love to you, our readers! Check out our special advertising section where they tell you what they love about Owensboro!

Photo by Samantha Tooley

OP THROWBACK

In our very first Owensboro Parent Playbook in 2016, we featured Avasia Brandle, a then 6th-grader who had played hockey since she was 7 years old. I caught up with Avasia, who is now a senior in high school and has since hung up her skates and stick, devoting all of her time to volleyball. She just finished her senior season this year, totaling seven years of volleyball. After she graduates from DCHS in May, Avasia is considering playing volleyball for Brescia, but she is also looking at other options for college, with or without volleyball. Avasia still has a deep love for hockey and she says giving it up was a very hard decision.

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2022 is shaping up to be a busy year, which is why we have tried to fit as much information in this issue as possible. Check out the guides and helpful resources, but also, don’t forget to read this month’s feature stories—a young author with incredible determination, how to throw a Valentine’s party your kids will love, and spring cleaning tips you won’t want to miss. Until next issue, happy reading!

AROUND OBKY

Student Spotlight:

OWENSBORO PARENT FAMILY FAVORITE, CHICK-FIL-A, PURSUING SECOND LOCATION There may soon be a new Chick-fil-A location in the Owensboro area. The company confirmed to Owensboro Times they are actively pursuing a new location. An email from Chick-fil-A, Inc., sent to OT in late December reads: While we are still early in the process, Chick-fil-A is happy to share that we are actively pursuing a new location in the Owensboro area. We look forward to working through the approval process with the City of Owensboro and are excited by the prospect of joining this neighborhood. We hope to have the opportunity to serve new guests delicious food in an environment of genuine hospitality.

FIVE BELOW ADDING LOCATION IN GATEWAY COMMONS Five Below is adding a location in Gateway Commons of KY 54 in Owensboro. The store will be located at 2480 Calumet Trace next to Burlington. Construction has already begun. Five Below already has a store at 5099 Frederica Street. An employee at that store told Owensboro Times that the new building will be a second location for the company, not a relocation of the current store. A building permit shows the building will be 9,204 square feet with a construction cost of $996,955. Five Below is an American chain of specialty discount stores that sells products that cost up to $5, plus a small assortment of products from $6 to $25. Five Below today has nearly 1,200 stores in 40 states.

OMS PRINCIPAL FERRY NAMED KENTUCKY WOMEN IN EDUCATION LEADERSHIP INDUCTEE Owensboro Middle School Principal Alisha Ferry was recently inducted into the 2022 Class of Kentucky Women in Education Leadership. Chosen through a competitive application process based on specific leadership criteria, these leaders bring with them “a myriad of education experience, talent, and desire to ensure all students receive a world-class education.” “I am thrilled to have been selected to KWEL,” Ferry said. “Being selected will give me an opportunity to learn new skills and have a support group throughout the state.”

“

Triton Rose is a kindergartener at Newton Parrish Elementary. Triton is the “total package” as far as students go. He is so smart, a great friend to all of the other students, a great listener, and he keeps us all laughing all day! He has a personality bigger than he is! He doesn’t know a stranger, and is always SO welcoming of everyone who steps inside our classroom door. Triton loves helping his parents out on their food truck, because if there’s one thing Triton is passionate about, it’s BBQ! His parents own “Tri-R-Tips,” and when he isn’t deep in his studies at school, you can usually find him advertising for their truck to anyone who will listen!

”

- Nikki Sims, teacher

“

Mahogany Parks is a senior at Apollo High School. She is creative, hardworking, and eager to lend a helping hand. Mahogany's smile is a light in the halls of Apollo and her kind heart is noticed by everyone she meets.

”

- Haley Davis, teacher

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

AROUND OBKY

PARENT PROFILE

BJ Hamilton BJ Hamilton is father to three and spends his extra time coaching youth football. His Owensboro Daviess County Youth Football League Team was undefeated in the regular rookie season and won the 2021 championship and his 8U Allstar team with ODCYFL won the KY Cup Championship at Waymond Morris in 2021.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. I am currently engaged to marry my best friend, Whitney, who is a blessing, especially during my busy football seasons. I have two sons Aiden (11) and Asher (7) along with my soon-to-be stepdaughter, Caidence (13). I work full-time in hospitality management, currently at the DoubleTree by Hilton Evansville as the Assistant General Manager and I consult at Wendell Foster for their Transportation Department as needed.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COACH? I started coaching football when my oldest son was 4 years old. There are several great coaches in this area and like a lot of them, but I had trust issues allowing other people to teach my son proper tackling technique and fundamentals. Let’s face it, contact football is fun, but dangerous. I’ve seen kids hurt in the past due to lack of knowledge on their part, which in turn, is on their coach. Initially, I had only intended to coach a couple years and give it up to be a parent in the stands. Now, seven years later, I couldn’t imagine not being on the field and instilling the love of this game into Owensboro’s youth.

WHAT VALUES DO YOU INSTILL IN YOUR PLAYERS? FUN! At this age, there are many important values that need to be instilled in players to prepare them for the next level of sports that they will be competing in. At the age group I coach (7-8 years old), having fun should be at the top of that list. I’m not always the easiest coach to play for, several times a year I stop to remind myself that these kids need to have fun. (Many of my parents will not disagree with that statement.) I demand effort, discipline and drive from my players that 90% of them have never experienced at their age. I require that they work as a team, everyone has a job to do and they will not

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be successful if they do not do their individual jobs. They win and lose as a team. If one player fails or has a negative attitude that reflects on every one of them. It looks great when a running back scores a touchdown and fans love to cheer when it happens. What they do not see, are the efforts in place by all the other players to make that touchdown possible. Football instills values that I believe will last children a lifetime. It teaches them self-discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, resilience, leadership and most importantly a sense of self-worth.

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF CHILDREN COMPETING IN SPORTS?

Sports help children grow emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually. There are more important aspects in sports than winning games. Children should learn to love the sports they play, and have a great time doing it. Everyone loves to win. Losing is hard. I’m a firm believer that my kids will learn more from one loss than they will in 10 wins. Character isn’t built from just winning games, it’s built when a child takes a loss and learns from it, they overcome it and want to better themselves and their teammates because of it.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR PARENTS WITH KIDS IN SPORTS?

Enjoy watching them, one day they will no longer play and you’ll miss the days when you were in the stands—rain or shine—yelling out for your baby. Let your children have fun. They are not in the NFL, MLB, NBA or MLS. Children are here to learn the fundamentals of the sports they are competing in. The likelihood of them playing professional is slim to none, so allow them to enjoy it. Allow your children to be coachable, even if that means you need to step back and allow the coaches to do what they love to do—COACH. Most of all, tell them how good they are doing and don’t dwell on a play they didn’t do well in. They are aware of their mistake and hard on themselves about it enough. At the end of the day, your children just want to make you proud, so let them know that you are! OP

Keeping it Real

R E L ATA B L E S T O R I E S F R O M L O C A L PA R E N T S A N D G R A N D PA R E N T S

Parent’s Playbook Written by Lora Wimsatt

someone who has spent thousands— literally thousands— of hours sitting in bleachers, I might have a little something to offer regarding youth sports. My career as a sports mom began back in the days before “bag chairs” were even invented. This meant sitting hour after hour, game after game, season after season, on a cold, hard bleacher with no back support, which I did for a couple of years/seasons until I finally bought one of those cheap little stadium seats with a spring-loaded hook that (more or less, mostly less) kept it attached to the bleacher bench.

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

KEEPING IT REAL • REAL LIFE WITH LORA WIMSAT T

My four kids played pretty

their best.

say about that.

much every sport that existed:

My oldest son played T-ball.

When my kids got old enough

T-ball, baseball and softball. Soccer,

He wasn’t especially good at it but

to play for their middle and high

basketball and football. Basketball,

he had long legs and could run, so

schools, there were “away games”

cheer and dance. Track, cross

on those rare occasions that he

– and remember, this was before

country and four-square.

actually hit the ball off the tee, he

GPS. One thing I can tell you for

usually managed to make it to first

sure: Coaches might be great at

base, and then eventually all the

drawing up strategies for their

Okay, that last one was just played in our driveway, but still. I didn’t know anything about

way around, to score for his team.

teams, but they are horrible at

any of these sports. I just signed

It helped that the kids on the other

giving directions to Podunk High

my kids up, carried the list of

team couldn’t throw and couldn’t

School over in Obscure County.

equipment I was supposed to

catch, but that’s the way the ball

purchase to a local sports store,

bounces.

If there were ever any trophies given for how many miles out of

and asked the clerk to help me find

I knew enough about baseball

the way a parent drove looking for

this stuff, since I had no idea what

to know there are three strikes and

the field, I would have won every

it looked like.

you’re out, and three outs and you

time.

Here I will confess that I managed to completely melt more than one mouth guard before finally

trade sides, but that’s about it. Turns out, that’s sufficient knowledge.

But

when

think

about

watching my kids play sports all those years, all those seasons

figuring out the magic formula

Football and basketball were

ago, the things I remember most

that allows these devices to fit a

more of a mystery. First one team

are the spirit of teamwork that

kid’s teeth. I tried – unsuccessfully

had the ball and ran this way, then

embraced them and their friends.

– to convince my kids that nobody

the other team had the ball and ran

I remember the hours of practice

would know the difference if they

that way. Eventually they traded

and conditioning and hard work

wore my black knee socks instead

which way they ran, but I never

they dedicated to their sports.

of official soccer socks. And I lost

knew why.

every argument about whether or why it mattered if every kid on the team wore the same brand of

Soccer was even more chaotic: Everyone just ran everywhere. Track and cross country were

It’s a cliché, but I remember the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat – and the lessons learned from both.

quieter and more organized, for

The

I grew up in the 1960s and ’70s.

the most part, but you had to be in

plaques

At that time, there were few, if any,

the right place at the right time to

Photographs have faded.

athletic opportunities for girls, and

see the right thing. I never seemed

But the memories of hugging

girls weren’t really “supposed” to

to be looking in the right direction,

your child whose face is streaked

play sports anyway.

myself.

with sweat and tears and maybe

cleats.

trophies, are

long

ribbons

and

gone

now.

But by the time my kids came

Cheer and dance were fun to

even a smear of blood, a kid who did

along, I knew I wanted them to

watch and most of the cheers were

his or her best and gave their best

have access to experiences that

pretty fun too (“Bang, bang, choo-

effort, who left it all on the field

were not available to me, so if they

choo train! Come on team, do your

of competition, and whispering a

expressed any interest at all in

thing!” was a favorite) but oh my

heartfelt, “I’m proud of you” … well,

playing a sport, I encouraged them

goodness, the drama, the drama,

that’s a winning moment in any

to sign up, try out, show up and do

the mama drama. That’s all I will

parent’s playbook.

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

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KEEPING IT REAL • HASHTAG MOMFAIL

A Love/Hate Relationship

with Youth Sports Written by Jamie Johnson

hhhhhh, youth sports. Some days I absolutely love you. The days are beautiful and it’s warm and my kids are in a good mood and it’s such a fun experience. I look forward to these days. They give me life. But other days, you are the bane of my existence. You start too early. The day can be rainy and it’s really freaking cold and both of my kids are crying. And because it’s just what I do, I decided to rank youth sports – that my kids have played - on a scale of REALLY BAD MOOD to RAINBOWS AND BUTTERFLIES. You can thank me later when you consider enrolling your child in one or more of these sports. Disclaimer: I ranked these sports based on my limited knowledge of my 4and 7-year-olds playing them. BASKETBALL Basketball occurs in the winter months. That already gives it -57 points. I am not a nice person in the winter. I am angry because it’s cold and I only want to speak to people that also love Hallmark movies. Basketball involves a lot of loud buzzers in a cramped space. And the 8 a.m. games aren’t my jam. Add in the smell of sweaty kids and I’m out. I love you Henry and I will always watch you play basketball, but it’s not my favorite, or even my second favorite. Basketball does have a few upsides. It’s indoors so the temperature is controlled.

The uniforms don’t get muddy. They keep score on a board I can easily read. I know the majority of the rules. That’s it. SCORE: REALLY BAD MOOD BASEBALL Youth baseball games don’t begin at 8 a.m. so that starts it off with a +93 points. It is usually a sport that stays on the warm side. My kids love baseball so they never cry about having to go. I like that there are no loud buzzers and they keep score, which I think is important because I’m extremely competitive. I have officially turned into one of the moms that yells for their child every time they even look at the ball. I know most of the rules and there are usually food trucks at the games. Baseball is my jam and spring is a great season. The negative: I still gasp every time any child slides because I’m scared they are going to break their leg. And the pants get really dirty. Sometimes fans yell at the umpires and I think that is rude. SCORE: RAINBOWS AND BUTTERFLIES SOCCER Youth soccer is freaking adorable and

if you don’t think it is, you are wrong. There is nothing cuter than a herd of 4-year olds chasing a ball around a soccer field. They kick it in the wrong goal and all cheer and have a genuinely great time. There is always one crier per game. And one player that just sits in the middle of the field. And that is what makes it such a charming game with great weather and reliable concessions. Unless your child is the one crying. Then we deduct points. But 83.5% of the time both of my kids are smiling at soccer. And they just look so cute in their uniforms. The negative: Soccer is played outside, so no climate control. Uniforms can get very muddy. I have no idea what the rules are so I don’t know who is supposed to throw the ball in when or where. Sometimes my kid is the kid that cries and that is not a good time. SCORE: RAINBOWS AND BUTTERFLIES Well, there you have it, the youth sports rankings from an extremely reliable source. Come back next year for my take on karate.

JAMIE JOHNSON is a full-time working mom to two little boys, wife to Logan, and part-time writer. Her pieces have been featured in HuffPost Parents, Motherly, Today Parents and PopSugar Moms. You can follow her blog at HashtagMomFail.com!

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Local SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LOVE k

Owensboro is a pretty special place, just ask our advertisers! They are each proud to own and operate businesses in this community, but more than that, they love everything that makes our town a great place to live. In this issue's special section, our advertisers wanted to highlight just that — no sales pitch, just the word that represents why they love our community the most.

k February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

Local LOVE 2928 HEARTLAND CROSSING SUITE A 270.713.0298

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Local LOVE 2425 Frederica St // 3228 KY-54 // 2465 W Parrish Ave

3604 WATHENS CROSSING 270.684.6144 OWENSBOROALLERGY.COM

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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ENJOY TOGETHER

Photo by Jamie Alexander

Making it

CRAFTS, RECIPES, AND ACTIVITIES FAMILIES CAN

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

M MA AK K II N NG G II T T •• R RE EC C II P PE E

Fun & Festive

Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe & Photo by Jamie Alexander

ST. PATRICK’S DAY IS TUESDAY, MARCH 17

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Hot chocolate bombs have become a very popular Christmas tradition, but the fun can continue on to other holidays as well! These Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day versions are a huge hit with kids. They will love filling each hot chocolate bomb with whatever creative ingredients they want! Place the chocolate bomb into a mug, then pour hot milk on top and watch them burst, releasing the chocolate powder and other goodies from inside. Then stir and enjoy! INGREDIENTS: ›› 12-16oz. chocolate melting wafers ›› 6 oz. candy melts (for a decorative chocolate drizzle on top - you can also use white chocolate and food coloring!) ›› 1 box hot cocoa mix (pick your favorite flavor! For Valentine’s Day, I chose strawberry powder) ›› Decorative extras for inside (mini marshmallows, festive sprinkles, Lucky Charms marshmallows, etc!)

INSTRUCTIONS: ›› In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate wafers in 30-second intervals stirring between each until completely melted. ›› Pour the melted chocolate in even portions into the silicone molds. We are not filling the mold completely, just coating an even layer over the entire shape. Use the back of a spoon to evenly spread the chocolate up the sides of the mold until the whole thing is covered. ›› Place the molds in the freezer for 20 minutes to set. ›› While the chocolate is setting, prepare a workstation of all the fillings. You’ll need to work quickly while making these. For Valentine’s Day, I used strawberry powder for the drink, mini marshmallows, heart sprinkles and white chocolate for the mold. For St. Patrick’s Day, I used milk chocolate hot cocoa mix, Lucky Charms marshmallows, clover sprinkles, and dark chocolate for the mold. ›› Once the molds are set, microwave a ceramic plate until hot. Make sure to use an oven mitt or protection while taking it out of the microwave! You can also heat a cast iron skillet instead. ›› Carefully take the chocolate bomb halves out of their molds, and melt the edges of one of half by pressing against the hot plate, evening it out so that the edge is flat. Fill that half with your drink powder and toppings, before heating another empty half on the hot plate and pressing the two halves together to seal them. ›› Drizzle the tops with colored milk chocolate or candy melts, and add extra sprinkles to decorate! OP

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

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MAKING IT • CRAFT TIME

VALENTINE’S DAY IS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Sweet Sentiments Written by Ashley Wedding // Photo by Jamie Alexander

This year, forgo the store bought Valentine’s cards and encourage your kids to make their own! These that my kids made were very easy. We found all the supplies we needed around the house. But first things first — every good Valentine’s card needs a good pun! Avery and I Googled some funny puns and tweaked them for our Valentine’s cards. You can really make anything into a Valentine!

HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

Does your kiddo love lions? Try “I’m not LION — you’re cute!”

What about a car? “You’re WHEELY awesome!”

Use the paper to create your favorite things — animals, food, activities — the sky’s the limit! Incorporate pom poms for the perfect 3D touch. Finally, finish by writing your best pun to create the perfect Valentine!

I could do this all day! But on to the craft.

Happy crafting, friends!

“You GUAC my world” would be perfect paired with an avocado.

If you make these adorable Valentines, be sure to tag a photo of them on our social media accounts! We would love to see them!

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›› a variety of colorful pom poms in various sizes ›› colorful cardstock ›› scissors ›› glue ›› markers

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

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

MAKING IT • CELEBRATE

Host a Cookie Decorating Party Article and photo by Jacqueline Jordan Russell

or Valentine’s Day (or really any holiday) I suggest hosting a cookie decorating party! This sweet soiree is great for kids of all ages, or even for a fun girls’ afternoon with your own adult friends. And with a little bit of planning, you can keep the mess to a minimum and let your creativity shine.

Location, Location, Location Every good party needs a good location, but with sprinkles and icing that can stain, your location is extra important for this gathering. Set up an area that’s easy to clean or even set up tables outside if the weather is nice.

Set the Scene Add up the number of people attending and make sure everyone has a place to decorate. I recommend using card tables and folding chairs to keep icing off your “real” furniture. Cover your table with a plastic tablecloth, or even wrap the top with fun wrapping paper if you want to make the decor pop! This will make cleaning up much easier. At each seat, set up a sturdy paper plate, extra napkins and plastic knives for spreading icing. Candy takes cookie decorating beyond regular sprinkles! Separate all the candy you want to use into cupcake liners and spread them out. Use more containers with less candy so little hands can get what they need without making a mess. Wondering what candy to use? Try M&Ms, nonpareils, gummies, licorice, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and kisses. Instead of buying sprinkles, ask each guest to bring a jar of their favorites to share.

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Cookies Cookies are the most important part of the party! Don’t feel like baking? Pick up packaged sugar cookies from the dollar store for a frugal fix, or order blank ones from your favorite bakery.

Instead of piping bags or bowls or frosting, plastic squeeze bottles make for less mess. Just fill each one with a different color for easy decorating. ROYAL ICING INGREDIENTS: ›› 4 cups powdered sugar (500g) ›› 2 ½ Tablespoons meringue powder

If you want to bake cookies, you can make a mix (such as Betty Crocker) taste more like homemade by adding a dash of almond extract.

Icing Use royal icing for your cookies so the decoration will harden and you can stack them to transport home.

›› 6 Tablespoons water ›› 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

INSTRUCTIONS: ›› In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or in a large bowl (you will need an electric hand mixer) combine sugar, meringue powder and water. Beat on low speed until combined, then add vanilla/almond extract.

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MAKING IT • CELEBRATE

›› Gradually increase mixer speed to high and beat until icing forms stiff peaks.

This should take 5 minutes or more. ›› Divide and color icing using gel food coloring. ›› Icing at this consistency can be used as a stiff outlining icing. To thin the icing for flooding your cookies, add a teaspoon of water at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

Party Food Don’t forget that your party goers may be hungry while they decorate! Since everyone will be overloaded with sweets from the cookies and frosting, pick snacks like cheese and crackers, chips and dip, fruits or even frozen mini pizzas. Most of all, remember to have fun!

JACQUELINE JORDAN RUSSELL is a marketing specialist, freelance writer and photographer. She has a passion for celebrating every day moments and basically leaves a trail of confetti wherever she goes.

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February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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Bragging Writes

LOCAL TEEN AUTHORS TWO CHILDREN’S BOOKS Written by Erinn Williams • Photos by Jamie Alexander

ince childhood, Owensboro teen Kaitlyn Craig has enjoyed creative writing and drawing. What began as a hobby, has now developed into something much greater. At the age of 18, Kaitlyn has written and illustrated two books, and is currently working on a third. Given her shy and reserved demeanor as a child, Kaitlyn’s mother, Jennifer, reflects on how her unique writing style has given her an outlet for expression. “Kaitlyn has always loved to create things. She’s been drawing since she was a kid and writing stories,” Jennifer said. “When challenges came her way recently I was concerned initially that it would keep her from achieving her goals and cloud her focus, but it has been the exact opposite.” Diagnosed in June 2021 with Tourette Syndrome, Kaitlyn, who recently graduated from online Acellus Academy High School, has continued to push forward. Rising above and beyond health conditions that stood in her way, she has maintained a positive outlook. “My daughter is determined to be successful,” Jennifer said. “If anything

her diagnosis has made her stronger. She is outgoing and motivated.” A feline enthusiast, Kaitlyn cares for six cats who are more than pets, but trusted friends. Her first published book “Chip-o-saurus” features a dinosaur who is a potato

chip connoisseur, much like one of her cats, who enjoys chips as treats. She credits her cat for the inspiration. Kaitlyn’s second published book, “Teddy the-not-so Terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex” is light hearted, much like her first book, but has a theme that focuses on staying true to yourself. When asked about the central message of this text, Kaitlyn

shared her goal as the author. “I hope this book helps encourage the reader to be less judgmental of others,” Kaitlyn said. “Teddy is judged by how he looks, and that isn’t fair.” Writing her books immediately after her graduation from high school, Kaitlyn has been busy. In fact, she is already writing her third book, featuring two fun loving cats, “Blip and Blop.” She joked about their adventures. “Blop is lazy. Blip is very imaginative. They are quite the pair,” Kaitlyn said. To celebrate Kaitlyn’s accomplishments, the Daviess County Public Library hosted a book signing in January. Her books were available for purchase at the signing, but are also currently available on Amazon. In addition to writing children’s books, Kaitlyn works a full-time job. When asked about her mission as a young author and illustrator, Kaitlyn shared how her accomplishments have helped her grow. “You can’t give up,” she said. “I could have stopped following my dreams, but writing stories and creating art is what I love, I refuse to give up. Never give up.” OP

ERINN WILLIAMS adores her hubby, cats, hardback church hymnals and a hot mess of fried okra. She’s new in town, trading in mountains and streams for soybeans and burgoo, and refers to herself as "a little hillbilly in a great big world."

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DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH Written by Laura Murphy Photos by Jamie Alexander

On February 26, 1987 President Ronald Reagan officially declared Proclamation 5613 making March National Disabilities Awareness Month. The proclamation called for people to provide understanding, encouragement and opportunities to help individuals with disabilities to lead productive and fulfilling lives. Everyone wants, and deserves, to enjoy life, feel productive and secure. But in March, we take extra steps to raise awareness about the supports and rights of the people with disabilities and to celebrate their contributions to our communities and society as a whole! Owensboro Parent wants to celebrate Disability Awareness Month by featuring two local kids—Skyler and Trent—who have intellectual disabilities. Discover their stories, read about their parents’ journeys and make it a point this month to honor those with disabilities. Not sure what that looks like? Here are some ideas: ›› Offer to run an awareness program at a Sunday school class,

scout troop or other related groups. Be the change in your small part of the world. ›› Reach out to a special needs family and invite them over for dinner or out to lunch. Help combat the isolation these families sometimes feel. ›› Add bullying and differences to your dinner table conversation. Teach your kids that language matters. Eliminate the “R-word” from your vocabularies. Talk about bullying and that being different is OK. ›› Support a charity and not necessarily just with money! Of course, monetary donations are always welcome, but there are many other ways to support a nonprofit. Contact them and see if they need supplies or if you can donate your time. Support their fundraisers, share their social media posts, see if they are an Amazon Smile participant. ›› Be you! Being a positive role model and advocate is one of the most useful things you can do.

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It Takes a Village

Nine-year-old Skyler Main has already made quite the impact on his friends at Puzzle Pieces and has found success in the relationships he has built there. One special friend, Blaire Neighbors, created a bond with Skyler that has been lifechanging for him. “I met Skyler when he came to my class in kindergarten. Instantly we had a special connection. Honestly, he is like one of my own children; the love there is just tremendous. It’s not like he listened to everything I said from the get go, however—I had to work with him to build that trust,” Blaire said. After having him in class for two years, Neighbors was able to expand that trust and build a strong relationship with Skyler in her current role as the Director of the Owen Autism Center at the local nonprofit, Puzzle Pieces. “He fought me a lot that first year I had him in the classroom, so I had to show him tough love, but I think he loved me even more for it. He thrives with structure, he loves predictability, and I was able to give him that. I wanted him to show everyone his amazing abilities,” Blaire said. Blaire considers Skyler the perfect depiction of success – a great support system at home, at school and after school, something she says makes all the difference. “It’s amazing how much progress people can make. He was nonverbal in the beginning and the progress he has made is shocking even to me. His success was so fast, and it’s because he had all these supports in place,” Blaire said.

While some parents of children with disabilities may worry about their child participating in too many programs, Blaire acknowledges that having a place to go like the Owen Autism Center can be very beneficial for them. “Some people are hesitant to put their child in so much after they are in school all day, then have therapies and extracurricular activities, but they thrive on it and are building relationships. We have a lot of fun here, too,” Blaire said. Skyler’s mom, Jamie Main, who works in the school system, recognizes the value of these services for her child and is thankful to continue to have staff members like Blaire as an advocate for her son. “She’s a Godsend. Everyone needs a Blaire in their lives,” Jamie said. “Those who know her, know it’s true. When the Owen Autism Center first opened up, I was on board because I knew she was going to run it.” After attending school during the day, Skyler rides the bus to Puzzle Pieces in the afternoon where he practices skills including dealing with money, using good hygiene and reciting his name and address. Community outings include activities like shopping for a recipe in a grocery store or ordering food at a restaurant. “The Owen Autism Center sets him up for success. He gets to do fun stuff, socialize, learn life skills, and practice them in the community as well. It allows Skyler to use these skills in real world situations,” Jamie said.

Jamie said her son struggles with certain outings, such as visiting the eye doctor, the dentist or getting a haircut, which can be overwhelming for him. Jamie reached out to Blaire to help Skyler at these appointments. “He does really well with her. She can tell him what to expect and that he will be OK and he listens to her. When she takes him, it makes all the difference. Skyler would not be Skyler without Blair,” Jamie said. During the pandemic, many children struggled with the change in routine. The Owen Autism Center remained open, even helping to log students in each day to their virtual classes. “Skyler loves Puzzle Pieces. It provided him with that routine he had to have,” Jamie said. “I’m so thankful for this place. I would trust him with anyone there. They love inside their job and outside their job.” As the director of the Owen Autism Center, Blaire embraces the mission of building relationships with kids like Skyler, and also the opportunity to share that passion with those who work with her. “One of the things that shocked me when I took this job was the passion I have for teaching my staff these skills. I want to impact as many people as possible and being able to teach other people how to work with individuals with disabilities and see their passion grow is remarkable too,” Blaire said. The old saying goes: “it takes a village to raise a child,” and for the Main family, that village includes the staff Puzzle Pieces.

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How He Was Meant to Be

Trent Biever, a high school senior, has already overcome several obstacles in his life. His family has learned to face each challenge the same way – together. When Trent was a baby, his mom describes him as a quiet baby. By the age of 3, just after his brother was born, everything changed quickly. “At some point, there was a significant turn. He stopped sleeping, he was obsessed with spinning things like wheels and fans; we knew Trent was on the spectrum,” said his mom, Gina Biever. During this time, Gina recalls not having as many supports in place compared to what is offered today. Autism, as she describes it, was not an easy road to navigate. “His behavior started getting more serious. At that point I was a principal and my husband, Todd, was a teacher— maintaining busy schedules and trying to parent was stressful. Newborns are needy anyway, but we were also trying to work with Trent, who was more needy than a newborn,” Gina said. By fourth grade, Trent was in crisis and ended up needing to be hospitalized, severely impacted by several comorbid conditions such as seizures, autism, diabetes, and behavior related disorders. “He is one in 10 million. His doctors describe it as winning the lottery you don’t want to win,” Gina said. One challenge the family has faced is recognizing that aspects of their life will always be different than what people consider normal, including the absence of certain experiences. “People don’t consider how hard it can be—what you get to do that other parents don’t. For example, when I was assistant superintendent, I went to a graduation that was supposed to be Trent’s fifth grade graduation; I saw all the other kids he started kindergarten with, but he wasn’t there because I held him back a year,” she said. The family has learned to make adjustments to outings based on what Trent can handle, often choosing to divide and conquer with one parent staying home and the other attending the event. “Watching people get those firsts that Trent doesn’t get such as getting a driver's license, going to certain dances, or trying to juggle a social life is tough,” Gina said. “One time we planned for him to have a babysitter while we attended a fundraiser and

we had to cancel our plans at the last minute because the sitter got sick. Anytime we plan something, it can fall apart.” Despite these challenges, the family says Trent helps make them who they are today. “Todd and I both say we are better human beings, better husband and wife, better friends to each other and other people, because of Trent. He makes everybody better,” she said. Gina describes her son as amazing, someone who has the gift of reading people. “Some people are good at art, some are good at music, but Trent has a sense about people, it’s his super power,” she said. Trent attends Puzzle Pieces where he has thrived, something his mom says she is very thankful for. “People who are disabled or have different abilities, want opportunities, too. In many ways he is a normal 17-year-old boy— he wants to go to the movies, go out to eat. I already booked a limousine for prom,” she said. Trent’s close relationship to his younger brother Zane is something he cherishes among the challenges that some might call a disability. “Me and my brother are really close,” Zane said. “It’s hard to describe our relationship, but I’ve had to be there for him. I’m 14, he’s 18—I’m the younger brother, but it’s like I'm the bigger brother.” Zane, who can be described is a typical teenager who excels at football and enjoys having lots of friends at school. While Trent doesn’t attend many of his brother’s games because he struggles with being over stimulated, most nights the pair watch movies together, (Trent’s favorites are Jumanji or The Greatest Showman.) “I watch him a lot. There’s not a lot we have in common, but he likes being with me. He will say I’m his best friend,” Zane said. Trent is described as the family thermometer. If someone asks how they are doing on any given day, they say it circles back to him. “One thing I always think about my brother – I hate that he has to go through this. But it’s how he was born, it's how he was meant to me. I wouldn’t want him any other way. Just the way he is, I love him,” Zane said. OP

LAURA MURPHY is an eighth grade LA teacher at Daviess County Middle School. She has three kids who keep her life interesting; Jonah, Lily, Josiah and Judson. She survives on Grape Spark, Jon Gordan books and all things Grumpy Cat.

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NOT SURE WHAT TO TELL YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT DISABILITIES? It’s a difficult topic, and one that should be approached with intentionality. We consulted a local expert, Amanda Owen, who is the Executive Director of Puzzle Pieces, to offer advice on how to start the conversation with you children. Here is the general idea of how she thinks it is best to explain intellectual disabilities to your children: “Every person in this world is not the same. And that is a great thing. Some of us are better at things than others. Just like our looks and bodies are not the same, our brains are made different from each other too. Because our brains are different, it causes us to think, act, and communicate in many different, interesting ways. The wiring in our brains is where most disabilities, like autism, are formed. Having a disability is not a bad thing or a sad thing. It’s just different from what you and I are used to, so it makes it hard for us to understand. However, no matter how different our brains are, the one thing we all have in common is our want to be loved, accepted, and have friends. It’s an important job we all have as people in this world to see the value in everyone, even if they happen to have a disability.”

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A guide to local youth

SPORTS T H E O W E N S B O R O P A R E N T P L A Y B O O K Written by John Kirkpatrick // Photos by Jamie Alexander

KING COMBEST

RECORD BREAKER Local track and field youngster King Combest registered the fastest middle school times in the country for the 60-meter and 100-meter dash, respectively, last season. The eighthgrader at Owensboro Middle School comes from a long line of decorated sprinters. King’s dad Casey owns the national high school record for the indoor 60M dash, registering a time of 6.57 in the spring of 1999. The younger Combest holds the state record for the indoor 60M dash with a time of 7.39 and has aspirations of breaking the 7-second barrier soon. “I’m always putting the work in, and I have some great coaches and mentors,” King said. “I have weight class where we do strength work and speed drills. We also work a lot on technique and fast twitches. The training can be hard, but I love to push myself.” Casey said that King tallies 1,000 setups every day and constantly works out of the blocks. Legendary Owensboro coach and fitness guru Bob O’Brien coached Casey during his prime and now coaches King, something Casey considers a great blessing. With times of 11.3 in the 100 and 7.39 in the 60 last season, Combest earned top national rankings, placing him on track to outpace his father. Something Casey said was also a source of inspiration for him, as the grandfather of the bunch – Keith – was a renowned quarter-miler during his track tenure. “King has been running since he was two and competitively since he was five;

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he stays focused,” the older Combest said. “I think it’s the same with him as it was for me; I always respected my father, but I wanted to beat him. I was like that with my dad, and I think at the end of the day, he wants to exceed my times.” King will travel to various national meets this winter and spring, even competing against college athletes nearly twice his age. He and his father agree that the more experience he can get, the better. “We train Monday through Thursday and typically take Fridays and Saturdays

off with meets on Sundays,” King said. “I would like to make a career out of it and maybe even go pro. I want to take this big, maybe even go to Alabama and get an athletic scholarship to cover my education,” He also plays football for Owensboro Middle School, where he excels as both a running back and safety on the state champion team. Celebrated sprinter Bob Hayes is one of King’s role models, as he pursued a career in the NFL after earning an Olympic gold medal. King has aspirations to take his

track career as far as possible and is dedicated to doing just that, but he still reserves time for his hobbies and being a kid. “Track is fun. I like to train and stay busy. It satisfies the competitive edge in me,” King said. “I also like to relax, fish, and hang with friends.” Both father and son look forward to the journey ahead and are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes. King will take the stage several times this winter and wpring for an opportunity at cracking the respected records.

MERRICK JOSKA

ANOTHER LEVEL Local youth Merrick Joska is on an entirely different level regarding youth soccer. The 12-yearold Owensboro native is presently participating in the Major League Soccer (MLS) NEXT Program, where he dedicates an entire year to the U13 FC Cincinnatti (FCC) Academy. The NEXT program website says it offers a new paradigm for player development and presents a platform that will transform the way players learn and grow. Joska was part of a rigorous and intensive 12-week tryout program held in early 2021, where he traveled to train with other talented players from many high-level clubs across the midwest. “It is a year-long commitment, where I train four to five times a week at the Mercy Health Training Facility in Milford, OH,” Joska said. “Along with this training, we have a fall and spring season where we travel all over the midwest and play other elite clubs and MLS next teams in cities like

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Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, Pittsburgh, and across other states.” While Joska spends his winters at Owensboro Middle School, the sixthgrader relocates to Fort Thomas Highlands Middle School in the Cincinnati area to be a part of the program. While camaraderie, competitiveness, and travel play a pivotal role in his enjoyment of the sport, he gets a lot of pleasure from running. “The first thing I enjoy about soccer, believe it or not, is the running. I love to run track and cross country as well as running during soccer matches,” he said. “I like the competitive nature and technical part of the sport too. Getting to travel to many new places to play is also a nice perk, and of course, hanging out with my teammates – old and new – because they are some of my best friends.” Joska began his playing career with the Daviess County Recreation League at age four and joined SportsTutor Futsal Academy with Ty Stauffer at age six. SportsTutor is an Owensboro-based

program and facility designed for athletes between second and fifth grade that caters to the whole athlete and every element of the game. FC Cincinnati consistently ranks among the top of the MLS, the most elite league for soccer in the United States. Participation in their NEXT program allows Joska to train in their facility, access to the latest in apparel, and entry to professional matches at TQL Stadium in downtown Cincinnati. “I’m getting high-level instruction from top-notch former professional players and coaches,” Joska said. “I’m working harder than I ever have before. The coaching staff has very high expectations on the field and in the classroom; they keep a close eye on our grades, sleep patterns, and what we are eating.” While his most revered accolade in the sport is making the academy team, Joska was also a Kentucky Olympic Development team member for two years and played in the Kentucky Premier League Village

Cup with his SportsTutor team. He was also a member of a 3v3 LIVE National Tournament team that held the #1 ranking in the nation for several weeks. His inspirations include Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne and Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp of the Premier League. He also admires Josh Head, a former Owensboro High School player who is a member of the U19 FCC Academy and serves as his mentor in the program. Joska also expressed a great deal of gratitude to his coaches, who instilled a sense of passion for the sport and helped him maintain that fire over the years. “Ty Stauffer at SportsTutor, Coach Armistead with Owensboro United, Coach Fusco at Kentucky Wesleyan, and my dad (Robin Joska), who has coached me since my early years,” he said. “I knew I loved soccer when I received my first uniform kit, a professional replica that I could wear and cheer for Lionel Messi playing La Liga for Barcelona – I was hooked.”

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BRILEY HENRY

DUAL DOMINATION In a sports society obsessed with forcing young athletes to specialize in one sport, Briley Henry insists on using her athletic talents for both softball and basketball. The eighthgrader at Daviess County Middle School consistently excels both on the diamond and the court for her school and club teams, respectively. It’s one thing to play multiple sports; it’s another to dedicate the countless hours of training necessary to perform at an elite level. Henry truly is a multi-sport athlete in that she spares no time in logging the hours and efforts essential to propel her vast array of skills to the next level. “As soon as I started playing sports, I fell in love with them,” Henry said. “I enjoy basketball because it is fast-paced, and it takes an entire team effort. I enjoy softball because it is challenging for me and my team resembles a family.” At 13 years old, Henry plays both basketball and softball for Daviess County Middle and High School. The off-season is scarce, as she spends it competing for the Kentucky Ballhogs on the basketball AAU circuit and Kentucky Chrome for travel softball. “Basketball is going well for my middle school team and me right now – we are currently undefeated,” she said. “Softball is not in season right now, but my travel team won the Fall World Series, and my middle school team went undefeated last year.”

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Other basketball accolades include multiple firstplace trophies in AAU and an invitation to the Girls Youth Basketball Circuit All-American Camp this past fall. She didn’t begin her basketball career until she was 8, exhibiting immense growth in five short years. She first took to the diamond at age 5, and while she has called many positions home over the years, she focuses the majority of her time these days behind the plate catching. She considers renowned NBA star Stephen Curry and Oklahoma University softball standout Jocelyn Alo as some of her most significant role models. Henry has aspirations to obtain a college scholarship in one or both sports in the future and further her academic and athletic career to the next level. She added that she hasn’t ruled out the introspection of coaching in the distant future, giving back to the two sports that “gave her so much.” “I look up to all the coaches that I have had,” Henry said. “I am also thankful for all my coaches and family for always supporting me.”

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THE OWENSBORO PARENT PLAYBOOK BASEBALL

Daviess County Playground Association daviessky.org Lil’ Sluggers T-Ball LilSluggersTball Owensboro Parks T-Ball League owensboroparks.org Western Cal Ripken owensboroparks.org/sports/youth-baseball Eastern Cal Ripken owensboroparks.org/sports/youth-baseball Southern Little League owensboroparks.org/sports/youth-baseball Owensboro Daviess County Babe Ruth Baseball odcbaberuthleague.com Owensboro Catholic Youth Baseball League owensborocatholicleague.com

BASKETBALL

Apollo ABA Youth Basketball League stevebarker5.wixsite.com Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club cliffhaganboysandgirlsclub.org DCHS D-League daviesskyschools.org Upward Basketball BellevueOwensboroUpwardSports OwensboroUpward

BOWLING

Diamond Lanes Southtown Strikers diamondlanes.net

BOXING

Little Legends littlelegendsybm

CHEERLEADING

Upward Cheerleading BellevueOwensboroUpwardSports OwensboroUpward Daviess County Youth Football Cheerleading odcyouthsports.com

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Owensboro is a sports town! There are plenty of opportunities for kids to get out and get active in Owensboro. Here is a listing of the most popular youth leagues and programs. Please contact the organization for current information.

Cheer Zone cheer-zone.com

Daviess County Youth Soccer Association dcysaky.demosphere-secure.com

KFL Cheerleading kidsfootballleague.com

Sportstutor & Futsal sportstutor.net

DANCE

Owensboro United Soccer Club owensborounited.com

Johnson’s Dance Studio johnsonsdancestudio.com Musick Studios musickstudios.com Tippi Toes TippiToesDance.com/SoKY

FIGURE SKATING

Owensboro Figure Skating Club and Freestyle Ice owensboroparks.org

FOOTBALL

Owensboro Daviess County Youth Football League odcyouthsports.com Kids Football League (KFL) kidsfootballleague.com

GOLF

GO Junior Golf Series gojuniorgolfseries.com

GYMNASTICS

Owensboro Gymnast OwensboroGymFit iTumble and bounce itumbleandbounce.org

SOFTBALL

Daviess County Playground Association daviessky.org Owensboro Catholic Youth Softball League owensborocatholicleague.com

SWIMMING

Owensboro Parks & Rec owensboroparks.org Owensboro Marlins owensboromarlins.com Owensboro Family YMCA owensboroymca.org

TAE KWON DO/MARTIAL ARTS Jones ATA Martial Arts owensboroblackbelt.com Gracie Jujitsu gracieowensboro.com Owensboro Traditional Tae Kwon Do owensborotkd Traditional Karate owensborokarate.com

HOCKEY

TENNIS

MULTI-SPORT TRAINING

VOLLEYBALL

SOCCER

WRESTLING

Owensboro Youth Hockey Association owensborohockey.com

Dynasty Sports Performance Training dynastysportsperformancetraining

East County Soccer League EastCountySoccer

Centre Court owensborotennis.net

Little Spikers Youth Volleyball League owensboroparks.org

Daviess County Youth Wrestling League daviesskyschools.org

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Discover

ADVICE AND TIPS ON H OW TO M AKE PARENTING AN D L IFE EASIER

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

DISCOVER

How to Teach Kids Black History

IN FEBR UA RY A N D A L L Y E A R

s the mother of both Black and white children, intentionality around teaching Black history is a vital aspect of our household. Like many other parents my age, the Black history I learned in school was limited, at least in part due to the intentional omission of information from mainstream textbooks. While I’m still far from an expert, filling in some of those gaps as an adult has benefitted my own personal growth as well as that of my children. My oldest two children are white 3rdand 6th-graders, and dialog about Black history over the years has been incredibly impactful for them. I’ve watched their empathic responses and understanding of racial justice develop over time. While my Black kids are still young, our primary

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goal is to instill a sense of pride in their heritage. We’ll continue to tell stories of Black people thriving and excelling throughout American history, despite the adversity they faced.

How to Start You don’t need to know it all to teach your kids Black history. Be willing to learn alongside your children. If you’re not sure where to start, ask them what they’re learning about in school and begin to gather more information together. If your child is particularly interested in music or cooking, explore traditional African American music or cuisine. Take an inventory of your library at home. How diverse is your collection?

Are past and present Black heroes celebrated? Are Black authors well represented? Children’s books provide vast opportunities for learning Black history. Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History and Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison are a couple of our family’s favorites. The public library is a wonderful resource, and the librarians in the children’s section are more than happy to help.

What About Age? Speak to preschool and early elementary-aged children in simple and clear terms, at their level. You might say something to a young child like, “In the United States, Black people and white

people used to be separated. They had different schools, restaurants and hotels. That wasn’t good, so Martin Luther King, Jr. led large groups of Black and white people to help make it right. I’m grateful people of all races are able to live, work, and go to school together now.” By second grade, most children are ready to learn the difficult truths of slavery and the civil rights movement. I find it helpful to give my kids reference to the relatively recent history of civil rights events, saying “This happened when Grammie was your age” or something similar. You likely have family members or friends who personally remember the events of the 50s and 60s and would be willing to share their experiences and perspectives. In late elementary school, most kids are able to make connections between

oppressive laws of the past and inequities they see today. For instance, because Barack Obama was President when many of our children were born, they’re often appalled to learn he was the first Black president in all of American history.

Ask your children what they would’ve done in those circumstances. These discussions may lead to innovative ideas for improving the lives of people around them. Our kids’ love for others will make this world a better place.

Why is it Important?

Local Resources

By knowing the past, kids are better equipped to work toward positive change in the future. They’re able to recognize injustice and stand up against it. Black kids see themselves in the distant and recent history of great Black figures. Kids of all races are inspired by stories of perseverance, ingenuity and courage. Children love knowing that they can make a difference too—look up Ayanna Najuma, Claudette Colvin, and Ruby Bridges, a few child activists during the civil rights era.

Follow Owensboro Black Expo, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro Art Guild, Azeel Arts, and Owensboro Museum of Science and History on Facebook for special events this month. Each Friday all year, 10th Street Missionary Baptist Church posts a spotlight on a local Black person doing amazing things. Whether your children are in preschool or high school, let this be the year you start the conversation.

DAVI TANNER is an Athletic Trainer for Advanced Center for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. There’s never a dull moment at “Tanner Manor” with her musician/accountant husband Jared and a houseful of kids. She’s an avid reader and passionate about social justice issues.

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DISCOVER • THE BOOK NOOK

Readers are Acheivers Written by Katie Albers

Athletes train their bodies to improve their physical abilities, but much of sport success is mental fitness. Well rounded athletes take time to work their bodies and their minds in their quest for peak performance. Encourage your young athlete to complete this reading challenge in February and March by choosing a book from each category to read and talking about their reading experiences with the family. Each category has many titles to choose from so take a trip to our Daviess County Public Library and find your favorites!

Challenge #1 Read a story about a kid who loves the same sport that you do. Share with your family how your experience with that sport is similar to and different from the kid in the book.

Series: Jake Maddox Challenge #2

Read a fictional account of a kid passionate about a sport that is unfamiliar to you. Share with your family three things you learned about this different sport. Does it sound like something you would like to try?

Series: Matt Christopher Challenge #3

Read a sports themed graphic novel. Share with your family one picture where the scene is realistic to your sport and one scene where the pictures might be a bit fantastical.

Series: Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novels Challenge #4 Read a biography of your favorite athlete. Share with your family two new facts that you learned about your sports hero.

Series: Epic Athletes

Challenge #5 Read a nonfiction book about your sport. Share with your family two ways science and math play a role in athletic performance.

Series: Sports Science

46 OWENSBORO PARENT . February // March 2022

Challenge #6 Read a book that gets more specific about your sport. Share with your family three unique responsibilities of a particular position for your favorite sport.

Series: Sports Smarts

This challenge has to have a scoreboard! Track which book you read and share a little of what you learned. Challenge

Read

1 2 3 4 5 6 KATIE ALBERS grew up in Owensboro and loved words so much that she became a school librarian and even alphabetized her family: Josh, Katie, Lance, Mallory, Noelle, Oaken, and Polly (the cat).

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

DISCOVER

RAISE A READER!

Discover the Three Components of Reading

f you are like me, the struggle is real with this one. Getting kids to read typically goes one of two ways – kids absolutely love it and never put books down or kids absolutely hate it and never want to pick a book up. I was the kid in school that absolutely hated reading. I wasn’t good at it, so I never wanted to read, making it an ongoing battle at our house. My brother, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. I have a feeling most families are this way. As a parent, I have tried to do everything to ensure my own daughters are more interested in reading than I was. We have read to our daughter since the day she was born and never really stopped. She loves it when we all read together. And although she loves books, she hates practicing her sight words. The teacher in me knows that reading isn’t just about reading, it’s about the skills a child needs in order to be able to read. These include things like knowing sight words, being fluent (the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression) and having a great schema, or background knowledge. Individually, these concepts are all pretty easy to develop and build. Some students are great at all three, some students have great fluency, or can easily memorize sight words, others have a great deal of schema. But without all three of these components, your child can struggle with long-term reading success. Let’s learn more about the three major components to reading – sight words, fluency, and schema. While all three of these components build upon each other, the hardest one for teachers to accomplish is schema. I am going to explain what we, as teachers, and what you, as parents, can do to help your child become a fluent reader.

48 OWENSBORO PARENT . February // March 2022

Sight/Fry/Red Words Each local school district may have a different term for this concept, but regardless of its name, the concept of sight words is your child’s foundation, where it all starts. These are easily described as the words we need to know that are hard to sound out but we have to have in order to begin reading. By the end of each grade level, students are expected to know a certain number of these words.

Kindergarten - First - 50 to the first 100 Second - Third - 200 to 400 Fourth - Fifth - 500 - 1000 The best way to learn these words is through memorization using flashcards and games. You can buy sight word bingo on Amazon for under $20. Websites like ABCYa, RoomRecess, IXL, Tell A T-Rex, ABC Mouse, Lexia and Dreambox are

also great tools. Some of these have free sign ups and apps, and others require a membership, but in my opinion they are totally worth it. There are also a ton of game ideas to do at home with your kids. My daughter loves writing them in flour and shaving cream on the kitchen table! Trust me, we’ve tried just about everything in our house to get Harper to work on her sight words. I’m a firm believer in not pushing it. Is it worth the nightly battle? Probably not. Should it be a part of some routine? Absolutely. Exposure will, without a doubt, get your child where they need to be.

Fluency Fluency describes how fast and accurate a child can read and comprehend. If I am being honest, I was out of college before I was any good at this. Not because I couldn’t read, but because I hated it. I would have to re-read the same passage,

over and over. The idea is that your child reads a certain number of words and understands what they read within a minute. These numbers below are average words per minute based on grade level, but these can vary. If your child is close to reading this many words per minute by the end of the year, you’re on the right track.

First grade - 60 Second grade - 95 Third grade - 100 Fourth grade - 120 Fifth grade - 140 Sixth grade - 150

If your child is struggling with fluency there are a few things you can do to help. Have your child focus on what the text is saying and ask questions about the text. Start easy and work your way up. Also, knowing sight words and having word recognition will help them to better comprehend the text. Another great way you can help is reading and allowing your child to repeat what you read or through choral reading where you both read together. All of these will help your child build their fluency.

videos, lessons from school and real world experiences like trips, adventures, family stories, imaginative play with friends, and quality time with parents. The greater your child’s schema, the more they are able to relate to and comprehend the topics and content they are reading, which in turn allows reading to be fun and enjoyable for your child. Reading doesn’t have to involve pulling teeth and fighting your child every night, but trying our best to

Schema Schema, or knowledge, comes

build on each of these components will background from books,

in turn allow our children to be better readers.

KATY TIERNEY is a third grade teacher at Estes Elementary. She and her husband, Daniel, have two daughters, Harper & Tilly. Her large, extended family and career always keep her on the move. She loves reading with her daughters and spending all the time she can with her family and friends.

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

DISCOVER

PRACTICE THE PAUSE Learn how mindfulness can help your family Written by Christina Dalton

n my last article, we began a conversation about mindfulness. The responses I received were amazing and you wanted to know more. In this second installment, I am going to focus on how you can practice mindfulness daily, which can be anywhere and anytime. Let’s jump in! First let’s take a look back at the definition of mindfulness from last time. According to the “godfather of modern mindfulness,” Jon KabatZinn, mindfulness is “the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.” Our lives present so many opportunities to practice

50 OWENSBORO PARENT . February // March 2022

this at any given moment. When I am teaching mindfulness to children, I use the term, “practicing the pause.” When you practice mindfulness, you can learn how to “pause” and gain the ability to be present in the current moment, absent of judgment for ourselves and others. The more you practice, the stronger your skills will become and the more wellness benefits you will receive. Picture this scenario: it’s early on a Monday and you are rushing to get yourself and kids out the door and off to school on time. Do you think that your stress levels are getting tested? Do you remember what you talked about on the way to school? Did you get

in a fight because you were in such a hurry? And now you’re headed to work and someone cuts you off in traffic. Did they even look to see you there? You’re now filled with road rage. When you get to work, Becky from accounting starts asking way too many questions and you’re quick to snap at her. You sit down and think what just happened? Instead of pausing for a moment, we react to events and interactions with others. We become a slave to life’s stressors. But with mindfulness, you can decide to ditch the stress, be aware of the present moment, and take charge of your life. Learning to be in the moment can be a way of living with intention

and purpose. Mindfulness takes practice and with help you can be present in all the moments you experience. Here are three easy steps to “practice the pause.”

Be present in your interactions with others. Oftentimes we try to do more than one task at a time. Multitasking can actually lead to less efficiency. When we try to do multiple things we end up doing none of them to the best of our ability. We can practice mindfulness with our children when we are present with them. When you are with your children, try to be fully present and engage with them. The more you practice being present, your brain will start to develop new pathways of thinking and this will eventually be your default setting.

Be intentional with your listening and pay attention to what others are trying to say to you. The mind naturally wanders. When you notice your thoughts focusing on what happened last night or what you have to do the rest of the day, try to bring your attention back to the present moment. Be engaged and interactive. This means with your children, spouse, family, co-workers and everyone you interact with on a daily basis.

Be non-judgemental.

Grounding Technique. This exercise can

Your empathetic skills will increase,

be done anywhere. This practice grounds

allowing you more opportunities to see

us along with helping us to pay attention

other people’s perspectives. Oftentimes,

to the world around us.

you don’t have the entire story of why your kids were combative before school, or why a car moved suddenly into your lane, or why accounting needed some information.

›› What are 5 things you can see? ›› What are 4 things you can feel? ›› What are 3 things you can hear? ›› What are 2 things you can smell?

Be intentional throughout your day. Practice the pause multiple times during your day. You can be intentional

›› What is 1 thing you can taste?

One of the most difficult parts of

with your mindfulness when you are

practicing mindfulness is remembering

eating or when you are commuting to

to do it. Living a mindful life takes

and from home. You can also set aside

practice and effort. Reading this article

specific times that you are practicing

could be your first step towards a more

mindfulness through yoga or deep

mindful lifestyle. One guarantee I can

breathing

mindful

offer is the more you practice the better

practices are very grounding and have

exercises. These

you will become. You will have enriched

many wellness benefits to your overall

relationships with everyone around you,

health.

improved mental wellness, decreased

Mindfulness begins with us. We know that through our actions we are modeling behavior for our children. The opportunities to practice mindfulness with your children are endless. You can be mindful in everything you do.

stress, and a happier existence. In the final installment of this series, you will hear from specific individuals about how living mindfully has changed their lives. My challenge to you in the

Whether you are listening to music,

meantime is to practice the pause and

eating dinner, or even doing homework,

be present for all the ups and downs

you can practice mindfulness.

that life has to offer. The key to better

A great mindfulness exercise to practice with your children is the 5,4,3,2,1

parenting and mental wellness might just be practicing a mindful life.

CHRISTINA DALTON, MSSW, CSW is a Family Resource Center Coordinator for Daviess County Public Schools.

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

DISCOVER

5 Tips to Kickstart Spring Cleaning Written by Nicollette Vizuet

n the midst of setting my New Year’s Resolutions, I always note how I have to get on top of my spring cleaning. Instead of reserving this specifically for spring, I try to take a look every other month at a few key spots that tend to accumulate the most clutter. Even so, spring still dominates as my “deep dive” in cleaning and it certainly isn’t for the faint of heart! I’m rounding up a few tips for the spaces I find more challenging to keep organized on a daily basis and how to tackle them in your mission to declutter.

them! Declutter and let that prom dress from junior year have a second life!

in keeping the chaos to a minimum in their toy room!

KIDS ROOMS If you’re new to this, here’s a major hack: do not attempt to clear out toys when your kiddos are around. My toddlers “need” everything. Somehow each item you’re putting in the donation pile becomes their “favorite toy” after not touching it for a solid six months. Once they’re distracted, grab a few big boxes and start loading up everything you want to donate. Items that

DIGITAL Is it just me, or do you get the “your storage is almost full” message on a daily basis? I took a deep dive into my phone last time this popped up to see what the heck was bogging down my storage. It turns out, I’m a digital hoarder. There was so much that I’ve never even used nestled in my camera roll and application folders. How many of those apps are you actually using? If you haven’t touched it in the last six months, you probably don’t need it. Offload and organize your pictures with Google Photos and only keep the “necessities” on hand.

HOME Take this on room by room. Beyond that, break each space down into a smaller entity to make it less overwhelming. For example, don’t aim to complete your entire kitchen in one day. Instead, carve out time to focus specifically on your pantry. Grab (affordable!) bins from Dollar Tree and label snacks, drink mixes, juice pouches and so on. Clean out expired items, box up and donate items you won’t use and don’t move onto another area until you finish that space. CLOSET My goal with closets is keeping like items together. I also use the same color hangers for those items. All dresses go on white hangers, blazers on black hangers and seasonal items on colored hangers. I’m quick to give into clutter, but this method really helps me maintain order. When choosing what makes the cut and what has to go, I have a few questions to ask. First, when’s the last time I wore it? Next, will I wear it again? This should help you in creating those “keep” and “donate” piles. A few sentimental pieces you might never wear again are OK, but don’t fill the closet with

you’re keeping can be grouped into totes, bins or boxes with a label for what goes where. If your little ones can’t read, use clip art photos to label your bins. We have a book shelf with colorful totes that hold like items. One for Hot Wheels, another for dinosaurs, one for superheroes and so on. Our boys actually love keeping toys in the “home bin” because it’s easier to find what they’re wanting. I always tell our boys “if you can’t keep them in order, that means we don’t need them.” It has helped so much

OFFICE Do you have stacks of papers or drawers full of receipts? No judgment, I’m guilty of being a paper hoarder too. Much like the other areas in your life, start the organization process by cleaning out everything you don’t need. How much of your paper can be scanned into a digital file to make physical room in your office? The little folder icon on your desktop takes up way less space than in a filing cabinet, and it’ll be much easier to find! Rest assured, I’m not telling you to eliminate all paper. If you (like me!) prefer a physical planner and calendar, more power to you. Keep that paper version and stay organized! Wow, I feel a little less cluttered already! I hope you’ve gotten a sense of how to keep yourself on somewhat of a schedule so life is a little less overwhelming once springtime arrives. So, what are your favorite tips for decluttering?!

Enjoy this read? Follow along with Nicollette Vizuet on her blog and social channels! Instagram: @nicollette.vizuet Blog: TheFrivolousFashionista.com Facebook: The Frivolous Fashionista

52 OWENSBORO PARENT . February // March 2022

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

54 OWENSBORO PARENT . February // March 2022

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

the 2022

daycare & Preschool Guide

Are you looking for childcare? Or is your little one ready to start preschool? Owensboro Parent has compiled a full list of local daycares and preschools as a resource for you!

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

PRESCHOOL GUIDE

ACADEMY OF LEARNING 3220 Bold Forbes Way 270-684-1411

BLISSFUL BEGINNINGS EAST 5533 State Route 144 270-315-1994

ACADEMY OF LEARNING SOUTH 4801 Towne Square Ct. 270-926-1040

BLISSFUL BEGINNINGS WEST 1864 Old Calhoun Rd. 270-315-1994

ANIMAL CRACKERS 1304 St. Ann St. 270-684-6699

BREY’S EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL 1945 Tamarack Rd. 270-926-0202 or 270-314-4673

AUDUBON AREA (HEAD START) DAR-NEK FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CENTER 4800 New Hartford Rd. 270-683-6377

CATHEDRAL PRESCHOOL 600 Locust St. 270-926-1652

HELEN SEARS FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT THE VILLA 2225 E. 18th St. 270-691-8000 LEOLA HAYDEN FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CENTER 1306 East 8th St. 270-689-9387 WEST END FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CENTER 800 W. 5th St. 270-685-3231 KILLIAN MIGRANT CENTER 900 Walnut St. 270-852-6534

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CHARLOTTE’S WEB PRESCHOOL & NURSERY 4129 Vincent Station Dr. 270-500-4037 DAVIESS COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS PRESCHOOL Students are served in their home elementary school, with the exception of the fee-based program. 270-852-7000 HERE WE GROW 4101 Carter Rd. 270-240-3307 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL 3585 Thruston Dermont Rd. 270-685-4002

HERITAGE PARK PRESCHOOL 3802 Legacy Run 270-683-0611 KB’S KID ZONE 3045 Burlew Blvd. 270-683-3444 LITTLE EINSTEINS DAYCARE 2427 Old Hartford Rd. 270-683-7653 LITTLE ONES ACADEMY 714 E 3rd St. 270-689-0927 MAXIMILIAN MONTESSORI ACADEMY PRESCHOOL 1401 Spring Bank Dr., Suite 4 270-689-1402 OUR LADY OF LOURDES DAYCARE 4029 Frederica St. 270-684-6516 OVER THE RAINBOW CHILDCARE 411 W 4th St. 270-684-6309 OWENSBORO CHILD CARE CENTER 300 W Byers Ave. 270-685-2729

OWENSBORO CHURCH OF CHRIST PRESCHOOL 3300 East U.S. Highway 60 270-684-3406 OWENSBORO PUBLIC SCHOOLS - HAGER PRESCHOOL 1701 West 7th St. 270-686-1125 OWENSBORO PUBLIC SCHOOLS - SEVEN HILLS PRESCHOOL 2401 McConnell Ave. 270-686-1014 PLAY SMART PRESCHOOL 512 Frederica St. 270-240-3310 WEEKDAY SCHOOL AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1328 Griffith Ave. 270-684-1467

ROOTS AND WINGS CHILDCARE & PRESCHOOL 519 W Byers Ave. 270-313-6325 SETTLE MEMORIAL PRESCHOOL 201 E. 4th St. 270-684-7005 ST. PIUS XTH DAYCARE 3418 HWY 144 270-684-7456 SWEAT PEAS 3271 Alvey Park Dr. W. 270-478-4568 THE LEARNING TREE DAYCARE 2624 New Hartford Rd. 270-702-1378 WEE PEOPLE DAYCARE & PRESCHOOL 2024 Hall St. 270-684-7680

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

PRESCHOOL GUIDE

The 5 biggest benefits of

SE N D I NG YOUR CHI L D TO PRESC H OOL SOCIALIZATION Sending children to school gets them out of the house socializing with others. It also exposes them to children of various ages and backgrounds. Finding a friend is really important for children, and this can be hard to do in a home setting or when playdates are always arranged by the parents. Preschool offers children an opportunity to meet others and pick friends on their own. Preschool helps children develop exploration and conflict resolution skills in a safe setting.

PREPARATION FOR KINDERGARTEN Learning at an early age sets a foundation for learning for an entire lifetime. Preschool teachers follow a curriculum that is designed to help children progress through learning and to make sure they have a strong knowledge base to start kindergarten. By giving children a way to ease into formal schooling, they will likely feel more comfortable in a school setting and develop positive

58 OWENSBORO PARENT . February // March 2022

associations with school and learning. Studies show that students who attend preschool demonstrate higher overall school readiness. They also learn how to behave in a classroom setting and respect teachers and other authority figures.

INDEPENDENCE It can be a big shock to all of a sudden spend extended periods of time away from their caregivers. Going to preschool helps children practice and learn to enjoy being away from familiar caregivers. This is more of a low stakes environment that makes it easier for them to transition to kindergarten. It also gives them the confidence to form relationships and explore the world on their own.

EXPOSURE TO NEW THINGS Often, preschool offers experiences that children wouldn’t be exposed to otherwise—things like music, art, guest

speakers and field trips. Students might go visit the local police station or hear from people of all different occupations during career day. Students are also get exposed to people of different cultures and backgrounds. It would be really hard to get this type of exposure to so many different things in a home setting.

MOM AND DAD GET A BREAK Even if you are a stay at home parent and love being home with your children, getting a small break every so often is crucial, even if you don’t realize it. When you get a chance to have alone time, get things done without the kids around, and do whatever you need to do to recharge, you’ll be a better parent when your child does return from preschool. Preschool offers a way for parents to get a break without feeling guilty because they know that their child is having fun and learning. OP

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

PRESCHOOL GUIDE

7 signs your child is R E A DY F OR PR E S C H OO L 1. THEY CAN FOLLOW SIMPLE DIRECTIONS Being able to follow one or two-step instructions is a good sign your preschooler can handle classroom expectations.

2. THEY CAN HANDLE BEING AWAY FROM YOU FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME The most stressful part of your child’s transition to preschool might be fear or separation anxiety. It’s normal for a child to cry for a few minutes after you say goodbye, but if they continue to be upset throughout the day, the may not be ready to take on a whole day of preschool without you. Help your child prepare to be away from you by telling them about how their new routine will go and reassuring them that you’ll be back to pick them up after a fun day of learning with friends.

3. THEY CAN FOCUS ON A TASK Three- and four-year-olds aren’t known for

60 OWENSBORO PARENT . February // March 2022

their long attention spans. Luckily, preschool is the perfect place for them to hone their focus before entering kindergarten. Having at least some ability to focus before entering preschool will help your child make the most out of classroom activities and continue to develop their concentration skills.

shoes on and off, feeding themselves and cleaning up their toys. Even if your child might still struggle with a few of those things—lining up a coat zipper takes some fine-motor skill, after all—they may still be fine as long as they know how to ask for help.

4. THEY WANT TO PLAY WITH OTHER KIDS

Not all preschools require students to be potty trained, but experts say it is a recommended skill that will help children to not feel behind compared to their peers. After all, no child wants to be the last of their friends still wearing diapers!

Does your child smile, wave or greet other kids in the park or at the grocery store? This could be a sign your child is ready to make friends and play with others in the classroom.

5. THEY HAVE BASIC SELF-CARE SKILLS Teachers will be available to help kids when needed, but your child should be able to handle the basics of taking care of themselves while at school. That means having skills like putting on their own coat and other cold-weather gear, taking their

6. THEY’RE POTTY TRAINED

7. THEY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE CLASSROOM It’s natural for kids to fear the unknown. You can help set your child up for success by preparing them for the preschool experience. Read books about preschool with your child and introduce activities like identifying colors and singing the alphabet song. OP

Out & About

EVEN T S AN D ACTIVITIES FOR OWE NSBORO FAMILIES

THINGS TO DO THIS SEASON THIS SEASON

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

OUT & ABOUT

Champions of Magic F E BRUARY 7 @ 7 P.M. R I V E RPARK C E NT E R

{

Live entertainment like never before with Champions of Magic – an evening of impossible illusions and spectacular special effects. Described by the press as ‘The Avengers of magic’ catch the only team of magicians in the world as they present their original, phenomenal ensemble illusions.They’ve sold out shows across the globe, been featured on every major US TV network, and racked up over 50 million views online… but you haven’t seen magic until you’ve seen it live!

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE F EB R UA RY 8 @ 7 P.M. RIVE RPA RK CE NTE R

{

Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family. Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favorite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. Don’t miss this entertaining and mindexpanding jurassic adventure, live on stage.

Pigtails & Cowlicks Consignment Sale M ARCH 18 - 19 OWE N S B ORO CONV E N T ION CE NTE R

{

500 families will be selling new or gently used children’s items at amazing prices at the Pigtails & Cowlicks Children’s Spring Consignment Sale! Clothing, toys, furniture, books, baby gear, shoes, boutique, and more. ALL for kids – from babies to teens! No Admission Fee to Shop! Open to the public! Cash and debit/credit cards accepted.

62 OWENSBORO PARENT . February // March 2022

February & March Bucket List 4

IN CONCERT FEATURING MARY POPPINS: HOMECOMING M A RCH 19 @ 7 P.M. & M ARCH 20 @. 3 P.M.

VALENTINE'S DAY IS FEBRUARY 14

R IV E RPARK C E NT E R

{

Owensboro Dance Theatre’s “In Concert featuring Mary Poppins: Homecoming” presents a tale of magic and wonder through dance. Based on the 1930’s eight-book series by P. L. Travers, the magic of Mary Poppins will take flight on-stage and leave your students ready to dance on the rooftops. Featuring moving digital backdrops, special flying effects, guest professional dancers, and many of your students, this performance is guaranteed to be “Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious.”

MA KE "I LOV E YO U'S"

Cut out 14 hearts for each member in the family. For the 14 days leading up to Valentine's Day, write one reason you love your family on each heart. Pick a prominent place to display the hearts—like the fridge, a window or a door.

CO N V ER SATI O N HEA R T F U N Every kid gets conversation hearts for Valentine's Day. Turn this holiday staple into fun for the whole family. Use them to play a game of bingo, bake them into treats, use them in minute to win it style games, even paint with them! A simple Google search will give you hundreds of ideas.

HAV E A N I N D O O R PI CN I C Spread a blanket on the floor and enjoy lunch together. Go all out and pack a picnic basket or just bring your lunch plates to the floor. Make it a device-free meal and enjoy each other's company!

MA KE A G EO R G E WA SHI N G TO N WI G

PRESIDENT'S DAY IS FEBRUARY 21

This is a cute craft to make in honor of President's Day—all you need is a gift bag and cotton balls. Google "how to make a George Washington wig" for a video tutorial. This craft can turn out pretty cute!

BUILD A FORT It's cold, so you already have all the blankets out, right? Turn them into a world-class fort that can fit the whole family. Pro tip: invest in some good clothes pins for the best blanket fort building! DR. SEUSS' BIRTHDAY IS MARCH 2

Color Blast 5K MARC H 19 @ 8 A.M. M ORE L AND PARK

{

A 5K run/walk color celebration to recognize the positive impact individuals with special needs have on our lives. Join local four nonprofits, Puzzle Pieces, Dream Riders of Kentucky, GRADSA and Team Karlie, as they acknowledge everyone’s abilities, help spread awareness and promote inclusion.

MA KE O O B L ECK I N HO N O R O F D R. SU ESS' BI R THDAY

Read all the Dr. Suess books you have in your home collection or check out some from the library, but be sure to include Bartholomew and the Oobleck. Then, create your own oobleck with cornstarch, water and green food coloring. Your kids will love it!

L EPR ECHAU N TR EA SU R E HU N T

ST. PATRICK’S DAY IS MARCH 17

Send your kids on a treasure adventure around your house with clues from a tricky leprechaun! Clues can be something like: "If it's treasure you seek, come take a peek at the place where you sleep!" and "Avoid a pinch today and wear something green—head to the place where your clothes get clean!" The last clue can include some small toys or candy—chocolate coins would be a great idea!

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

OUT & ABOUT

kids

meal deals

EVERY DAY

Huddle House – 1 free kids meal when

O’Charley’s – Free kids meal (ages 10 & under) with the purchase of adult entrée

you spend $6.99 or more on adult

MONDAY

McDonald’s – $1.99 Happy meals from

Grandy’s – 99¢ kids meals with the purchase of an adult meal

4-7pm; dine-in only

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn - Up to 2 kids eat free (ages 10 & under) from 4-9pm with adult buffet purchase

entrée

WEDNESDAY Burger Theory (located in the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront) – Free kids meal (ages 12 & under) with purchase of an

Zaxby’s – Up to 3 99¢ kids meals with the purchase of an adult meal from 5-8pm

adult meal; breakfast, lunch & dinner

THURSDAY

Huddle House – 1 free kids meal when you spend $6.99 or more on adult entrée

Dairy Queen (Frederica Location) – Up

TUESDAY

Trunnell’s 54 Deli – 1 free kids meal

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s – $1.99 kids meal (ages 12 & under) all day

with the purchase of a signature

Denny’s – Up to 2 free kids meals with an adult meal purchase

to 2 $1.99 kids meals

sandwich

SATURDAY Lure Seafood & Grille – Free kids meal

Fazoli’s – Up to 3 99¢ kids meals with the purchase of an adult entrée

with purchase of adult entrée

Freddy’s – Free scoop or cone with the purchase of a kids meal on Family Night. Kids can enjoy coloring pages, crayons, balloons and stickers!

Wheatgrass Juice Bar – Free kids

Pizza By the Guy – 1 free kids buffet (ages 10 & under) with an adult purchase with a drink on Tuesdays from 5-8pm

Salsarita’s – Free kids meal with the

Pizza Hut (South Frederica location) – 1 free child buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet from 4:30-7pm Salsarita’s – Free kids meal with the purchase of $5 or more adult entrée; dine in only Trunnell’s 54 Deli – 1 free kids meal with the purchase of a signature sandwich

64 OWENSBORO PARENT . February // March 2022

smoothie with adult purchase

SUNDAY purchase of $5 or more adult entrée; dine in only

Pizza By the Guy – 1 free buffet for kids (ages 10 & under) with adult purchase with a drink from 11:30am-2pm

Bar Louie – Kids eat free 11am - 7pm up to 2 kids per adult entrée; dine-in only

Beef O’ Brady’s – Free kids meal (ages 12 & under) from 4-8pm with each adult meal purchase; dine-in only

on the honor roll?

Bring your report card to these local restaurants & businesses for additional deals! Orange Leaf – Bring in your report card and receive $1 off yogurt; a report card with straight A’s will receive a small cup free. Ritzy’s (Both locations) – Ritzy’s has a “Scoops for Scholars” program. Students can bring in their report card each grading period to earn treats for each “A.” 1A = flavored soft drink (cherry, vanilla, or chocolate) 2 A's = single scoop of ice cream 3 A's = your choice of a hotdog, coney, hamburger, or cheeseburger 4 A's = double scoop of ice cream McDonald’s – All five Owensboro McDonald’s decided this school year that they will award a free Happy Meal to any student who gets straight A's on their report card. Chuck E. Cheese in Evansville – A child can receive 10 tokens with a purchase if they bring in their report card. Sky Zone in Evansville – All A’s= 1/2 off any jump. A & B’s= $5 off any jump. Weekdays & Friday 2-7pm.

*This list is subject to change. Please contact restaurants to ensure their participation.

February // March 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

FROM OUR READERS

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Owensboro Parent - February / March 2022

Articles inside

Kids Meal Deals

5 Tips to Kickstart Spring Cleaning

Events Calendar

Practice the Pause

Discover the Components of Reading

The Book Nook

Recipe

How to Teach your Kids Black History—in February and all Year Long

Real Life with Lora Wimsatt

Hashtag MomFail

Around OBKY

Host a Cookie Decorating Party

Parent Profile

Craft Time

From the Editor