Owensboro Parent December '22 / January '23

My favorite Christmas tradition is getting our tree. We get a real tree from Anderson Tree Lot in Wesleyan Park Plaza. There’s just something magical about a real tree… Our tree is not overly decorated — some ribbon and red and green ornaments. But it is full of sentimental ornaments — either something my kids made or a special ornament they picked out to commemorate something from that year. We love talking about each one and the memory associated with it.

On Christmas day, we typically don't have anywhere to go so we get to spend the whole day in pajamas embracing the mess, watching the kids play with their new toys, drinking hot chocolate, and watching Christmas movies.

Every year my mom, sister, and I make dozens of holiday themed sugar cookies and decorate them with icing and sprinkles to munch on at family gatherings!

Although it is crazy busy time of year, getting to visit with all our family.

My favorite part of Christmas is gift giving. I love watching my kids' faces light up as they come down the stairs on Christmas morning.

TANNER

Ashley's Top Picks

FAMILY TRADITION

These Santas are my favorite part of decorating for Christmas. Drew's grandmother, Birdie, hand-painted a Santa figurine for each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren every year since 1995. This was a project she worked on all year long -- after all, she had 10 children, 24 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Birdie passed away in August, leaving behind a legacy and closely knit family, of which I am honored to be a small part. With more than 30 Santas in our collection, these are a few of our favorites. Drew received the Santa in the convertible the year he turned 16 and the other two are the first Santas that Avery and Reed received while Drew and I were dating. Each year we place these Santas around the house we are reminded of the tradition we share as a family of 80+ Weddings. 2023 will welcome three new babies, growing our family and further passing on the tradition.

PRESERVING MEMORIES

I can't take credit for this idea. I remember seeing this on Facebook and immediately ordering three shatterproof ornaments to hold the memories of my sweet babies' being born. I included their hat from the hospital, arm band and the name tag from the bassinet. I love looking at these each year at Christmas, rather than them sitting in storage.

from the editor

Parents, especially moms, can feel a lot of pressure during the holidays. The most wonderful time of the year can quickly become the most stressful.

Why? Because we are the memory makers. We create the magic of the season.

Santa's elves don't compare to the dedication—and craftiness—of a mom.

During Christmas, a mom will plan an elaborate day of baking cookies for Santa. She might even create themed treats for the family, turning cookies into snowmen or pretzels into reindeer.

She will map out the perfect route to see Christmas lights and make hot chocolate and the aforementioned treats for the occasion. She will also be sure to pack the family's winter wear for the grand finale—the Lashbrook house in Stonegate. Can't miss that photo op! But she won't be in the photo—just the kids in their cute hats and mittens!

Speaking of cute photos, matching PJ's will make Christmas morning picture perfect. Don't worry, Mom will have these ordered way in advance in everyone's correct sizes.

Speaking of matching clothes, mom will have thought about Christmas cards well in advance and purchased the perfect coordinating outfits, booked a photographer, designed the cards, updated the mailing list, bought the stamps and mailed them out in plenty of time to arrive before December 25th.

You get my point.

Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to make it perfect? Here are three things I plan to tell myself this year as the pressure of perfection starts to set in.

1. It’s OK to say no.

Whether it’s to family members, friends, or your kids, it’s OK to prioritize yourself and your sanity first sometimes.

OLD AND NEW

I think by now you know -- my kids love a good craft. At Christmas, they are especially in a crafty mood. Over the years, they have recreated some of the ornaments I made as a child. We love grouping these together on our tree -- a little mix of old and new!

2. Stop comparing yourself to other moms. You may not achieve the Pinterest-perfect holiday. What you can manage is enough for your family. After all, they would rather have a happy mom at Christmas than one that is stressed and stretched too thin.

3. They will remember the magic. When your kids are grown, they won't remember that perfect gift or that well-planned meal. They will remember the magic they felt, which centers around

APOLLO STUDENTS HOST BE THE MATCH CAMPAIGN

Students in Apollo High School’s (AHS) Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program were inspired to create a school and districtwide Be the Match bone marrow registry campaign to demonstrate their support for a teacher who received a life-saving stem cell transplant. AHS junior Jack Ellis spearheaded the program after a class discussion about Apollo engineering teacher Jonathan Leohr who battled cancer for nearly 13 years before discovering that a stem cell transplant would be the only option to save his life. Students attended online training, created classroom posters and banners, and worked the registry table for two days in November to encourage students and staff ages 18 to 40 to join the registry through a simple cheek swab procedure. The final blood donation and Be the Match event took place on Friday, Nov. 25 with all proceeds from blood donation going directly to the Leohr family.

“It's amazingly easy and makes all the difference to one person and everyone in that person's life,” Leohr said. “What you've done is save a life where they had no other options left to live.”

NEWTON PARRISH ELEMENTARY TEACHER WINS $25K MILKEN EDUCATOR AWARD

Charlotte Buskill, a 3rd-grade teacher at Newton Parrish Elementary, was surprised Thursday morning with the Milken Educator Award, a prestigious recognition which includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize to be used however she likes.

“I’m just so shocked,” said Buskill, who comes from a family of educators.

She said Newton Parrish leaders “took a chance on a girl from Pennsylvania who came for an interview” and she was “captivated by the love that every single teacher puts in every single day” there.

Buskill was presented with the award, which includes a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize, in a surprise ceremony at her school that included students, faculty, and district and community leaders. The award was presented by Kentucky Education Commissioner Jason E. Glass, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Jane Foley.

“I am so happy to be in Owensboro today with the Milken Foundation to celebrate Charlotte Buskill, one of Kentucky’s outstanding educators,” said Glass. “Mrs. Buskill goes above and beyond what is expected of her as a teacher and a colleague and inspires her students to do the same. Students leave her classroom well prepared for the next step in their educational journey.”

Buskill has taught at Newton Parrish Elementary School since 2016. She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in literacy education from Western University Kentucky. She is currently pursing her National Board certification.

Student Spotlight:

River

In May, RVBH had a community art contest for Mental Health Awareness Month. The theme was “Be Kind to Your Mind.”

OIMS student Mercy Tanner won the contest in her division, and the school received a $500 check for having a student winner. The school used the $500 to purchase a cart and art supplies to create an Art Cart for students to utilize as self-regulation and to de-stress in a safe environment.

Kaitlyn is an 8th grade student at Daviess County Middle School. Her positive attitude is a staple in the classroom. Kaitlyn is kind, respectful, responsible, and a very hard worker. In homeroom, Kaitlyn is always the first to ask if there is anything she can do to help out, she is always willing to go the extra mile!

Ash is a 7th grade student at Daviess County Middle School. Her teachers applaud her maturity and responsibility combined with her chill personality. Ash is a pleasure to have in class!

Valley Behavioral Health presented an Art Cart to the student body at Owensboro Innovation Middle School on Monday during the Leader of the Month Assembly.

Meet the Tendlers!

Jereme and Alicia have three boys, Myles (7), Tristan (6) and Rhett (15 months). This family of five just relocated to Owensboro and from Michigan and have fallen in love with our city. Learn about their sweet family and

WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM AND WHEN DID YOU ALL OFFICIALLY MAKE OWENSBORO HOME?

We are a very diverse and well-travelled family. Jereme is from a farm in Viceroy, Saskatchewan, Canada. Alicia is from Dearborn Heights, Michigan. We were married in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Myles was born in Coventry, England; Tristan was born is Budapest, Hungary; and Rhett made it back from Romania just in time to be born in Dearborn, Michigan.

We officially made Owensboro our new home in August of 2022 for the beginning of the school year.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU ALL TO OWENSBORO?

Jereme received a job working for APiGroup, which is the largest Fire and Life Safety Company in the world. Premier Fire, one of the many sister companies under API has one of its five locations in Owensboro.

WHY OWENSBORO?

With API having so many companies across North America, we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to choose where to live. The first decision was if we were going to live in Canada or the US. We weighed out every option possible from weather, crime, affordability, way of life etc. After figuring out we were going to live in the States, we had to decide where. Once again, we found ourselves weighing out all the options. We knew we didn’t want to live in the southern states where the summers are 120 degrees and you’re sweating profusely for months, yet we didn’t want to live in the northern states where half the year is in the freezing winters. Yet we still wanted four seasons. We figured we would like to be in the middle of the country.

Being able to do a lot of traveling through our years together we lived in many places from massive cities such as London, New York City, and Tulsa to small towns such Bad Tolz, Germany. Therefore, we knew we didn’t want the big city life but needed a town that wasn’t too small and there were still things for a family to experience and have lifelong memories. After talking with many different people, we found a little, but not so little, place called Owensboro. It has four seasons. It has an airport to get wherever you choose to go. It’s a friendly and welcoming place but most of all it’s a great place to raise a family and that is where we are in life.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT OUR TOWN?

Everyone has been so very nice and generous from the first day we arrived. Our neighbors have been great and more than helpful and kind. The boys played on a baseball team and now a hockey team where the parents and children have been nothing but welcoming and inclusive. We enjoy that it takes less than 20 minutes to get anywhere and there are so many parks and activities for families to get involved with. It also seems to have a lot of culture!

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT OWENSBORO AND/OR KENTUCKY?

We knew Owensboro was a good location but didn’t realize how good of a hub it really is. We are in the center of some amazing cities that are very easy to access. With quick flights going to Nashville and St. Louis every day, Louisville, Evansville, and Kentucky Lake all within a quick drive. There is really nothing a person can’t see or do here.

WHAT IS IT LIKE RELOCATING YOUR FAMILY TO ANOTHER STATE? ANY

FAMILY

NEARBY?

Relocating is a common theme within our family. Jereme’s previous line of work had us on the road in a different location nearly every year. Let’s just say our oldest son had travelled to 16 different countries before the age of 4. It was funny, we were in Michigan waiting for his green card approval and our boys were wondering when we were moving to a new place because they are so used to moving after a year. Now we and them are excited to have found our hopefully forever city and a place to plant our roots.

We do not have any family nearby. Jereme’s closest family members are over a 24-hour drive away up in Saskatchewan and Alicia’s nearest family is up in Michigan. Having no family is nothing new for us, we tend to find good groups of friends that accept our crazy family, and our parents usually find themselves to us once a year which is always nice.

HOW DID YOU HELP YOUR KIDS ADJUST TO THE MOVE?

The kids are very adaptable, they do only speak English, but they did attend school in Hungary and Romania with no English being spoken. They really know nothing different than being thrown into nonconventional situations and finding their way, which we hope becomes a lifelong skill. It helped making some close friends along our journey that have become lifelong friends that are more like family. We are excited to make some long-lasting relationships here too!

their impression of our beloved hometown.

Keeping it Real

The Greatest Lesson

We laugh because it’s true: Those cartoons and jokes about little kids with big wishes, lists that are longer than the child is tall, and of course every child races toward the largest boxes under the tree on Christmas morning.

Bicycles, ponies – the bigger, the better!

As kids grow up, their lists may shrink a little in length, and maybe the items on their wish lists are smaller … but the price tags seem to get bigger: Cell phones and gift cards!?!

Can you relate?

As the wise, responsible (and possibly broke) adults in their lives, we clear our throats and go into fullon lecture mode, reminding children in our most serious tone of voice that “it’s the thought that counts” and “it is better to give than to receive.”

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yes, of course, those things are true.

But when you’re a kid, and the 21st-century version of the Sears Wish Book is an unlimited world wide web of STUFF, it’s hard to resist asking, wishing, dreaming of just about everything.

But here’s the thing: It doesn’t

matter.

Parents and grandparents and other role models and mentors, keep doing your thing by reminding children about the real reason for the season and about the rewards of giving to others. Even if it seems they aren’t listening, or just flat-out don’t believe you, they hear you. Your message is sinking in.

If you don’t believe that, think back for a few moments on your own experience as a child. You probably asked for a lot of stuff too: Nintendo 64, Beanie Babies, Furbies, Tamagotchis, Cabbage Patch dolls, Game Boys, Big Wheels … and of course, a bicycle and/ or pony.

Did you get some of those things? Maybe.

Did you get all those things? Probably not.

But when you remember the Christmas and holiday seasons of your childhood, are those “things” your fondest memories?

Or do you remember your mother bustling about in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on her famous green bean casserole? Not because she necessarily loved to cook, but because she loved to cook for her family.

Or maybe you remember your dad pretending to be thrilled with another tie and another bottle of after-shave –even though, looking back, you realize he never wore ties and never wore cologne.

Maybe you remember your grandmother holding out her arms, chuckling warmly as her grandchildren clambered into her lap, and you realize you never felt safer or more loved than you felt in her embrace.

Or you remember the voice of your uncle – usually jolly and full of mirth –but quiet now, somber and deep as he recited the story of the first Christmas: “And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field …”

And as you fell asleep, happy and exhausted at the end of a day filled with laughter and love and hugs and handshakes and singing and shouting, it wasn’t the toys and gifts that filled your dreams.

It was family.

So don’t worry too much about what your children ask for this Christmas, and certainly don’t worry about how much money you may or may not have to spend. Give your children what they really want, and someday they will realize it’s all they ever needed: Love.

OP

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

FINDING HOPE IN THE HOLIDAYS

Written by Andrea Millay

As soon as the temperature outside changes, so does the mood. You walk into your favorite department store. One aisle is throwing up Halloween costumes and candy. The next is screaming, “Happy Fall,” and, “Be Thankful.” Another is exploding with red, green, and tinsel. Every advertisement mocks you. Your childrens’ school reminds you. It doesn’t matter where you turn or walk, you are suddenly reminded that the holiday season is approaching.

For many, this is a time of excitement and anticipation. Finally, Starbucks offers pumpkin flavored drinks. Finally, you can pull the decorations out of the attic or building. Finally, you can start shopping for presents and stocking stuffers. It is a time of planning for holiday meals and company parties. A time of traditions and memory making.

But, what about the rest of us? Those of us struggling with finding holiday cheer. Those of us knowing that this year will be a little different than the last. A famous dish will be missing from the holiday meal. There will be no one to hang the lights. One less present to buy. Traditions to change or replace. A face missing in the new memories. I call it holiday grief. It is the time when everyone around you is buzzing with a holiday high, but you are struggling to find joy.

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things you can ever experience in life. One minute they are there, experiencing life just like you and I, and the next they are gone. Some days you smile and find joy in life’s little miracles; like the birth of

a baby, the marriage of a friend, or the accomplishment of a child. But other days, you find it difficult to get out of bed and conquer the day. We do OK for most of the year, but as the holidays approach, the feelings of grief and longing for that person intensify.

For some of us this is the first year experiencing this feeling. For some of us, we are experiencing this for the 5th, 10th, 20th time. We find ourselves wondering if it will ever get easier. If the pain of missing that person for the holidays will ever subside.

This feeling of grief can be magnified during the holiday season. A time when family is at the heart. October, November, and December don’t decide to stop coming just because someone is missing from your life. You still walk through the department store. You still purchase the costumes and candy. You still attend the holiday parties and parades. You still wrap the presents and stuff the stockings. The routine of waking up to a brand new calendar date doesn’t change. Each calendar page turns and life goes on.

I am in year 6. I am in my 6th year

of experiencing holiday grief. Of taking my kids trick-or-treating, without stopping by their grandpa’s house for candy. My 6th year of not watching my dad host Thanksgiving dinner at his house. My 6th year of my kids’ experiencing Christmas without their grandpa’s homemade potato soup. People ask me all the time if it gets easier. That each year it becomes a little less hard. Well, let me tell you, the grief still comes.

So how do you deal with the grief that comes along with the holiday season? How do you continue to smile and experience joy without one of the sources of that joy?

I honestly have no idea how to stop the grief from coming. I have no idea how to stop missing that special someone. Or how to accept he/she won’t be there for the best times of the year. But, I can tell you a few things that have worked for me over the years.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE GOING TO COME; LET THEM.

It can be so tempting to wish the holiday season to stop coming.

To dread the days ahead and do everything in your power to ignore the approaching signs around you. To close off to the world around you. Instead, try welcoming them. The holidays are supposed to be a time filled with joy and happiness. Your loved one wouldn’t want you to miss those feelings, at their expense. So get up, and get out. Walk through that department store and buy those decorations. Go have a pumpkin spiced latte in a green and red cup. Drive your car through the neighborhood and take in all the beautiful lights and decorations. Welcome the season.

TRADITIONS NEVER DIE.

Families have so many traditions throughout the holiday season. From the tree – artificial or fake. To

viewing Christmas lights. To those special recipes. If your loved one was in charge of cutting down the tree. Cut it. If your loved one had a famous homemade potato soup. Make it. Don’t allow the very traditions that remind you of them, to die. Continue them. Every year. Don’t allow the loss of that person to allow the loss of a tradition they loved. Keep your loved one alive, by keeping tradition.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH OTHERS.

Grief is different for everyone. Many times we feel no one truly understands the pain that we feel. And many don’t. We feel confused looking around and wondering how others can just go on living, while you feel like time has been at a stand still. Yes, grief

is different for everyone, but everyone experiences grief. So, surround yourself with others. When dealing with the loss of a loved one, especially through the first holiday season, it is vital to be surrounded by others, especially others who are experiencing that holiday grief alongside you.

I do not have a magical formula to heal the grief that comes along with the holidays. I don’t know how to take away the random days of waking up in tears, just wishing you could call them, see them. So take a minute and think about the loved ones you have lost recently or throughout the years. Think about the life they lived and the mark they made in your life and those around them. Bottle that up. Use it to fuel up and continue the legacy they left behind. That…. Is how you find hope in the holidays. OP

ANDREA MILLAY is an 8th grade teacher at Daviess County Middle School. She is a mother of two, bonus mom to one, and expecting a baby boy in January. She loves to fish, watch her kids play sports and Chick-fil-A.

The Top Five Ways to Keep Your Kids

Entertained During Christmas Break

Christmas break is right around the corner…which means Christmas is right around the corner…which means I am silently panicking because I’m completely unprepared.

But this article isn’t about me. It’s about the kiddos we love so much. It’s about the cheese-induced coma that will come post-Christmas. It’s about actually being prepared for once and coming up with tasks for your kiddos to complete while they are on Christmas break.

I am tired of having my children cling to my lifeless body complaining they are bored during Christmas break. They just got mountains of toys and they want to say there is nothing to play with and can they watch other kids open their Christmas presents on YouTube. They don’t understand that I really need to catch up on Love Is Blind on Netflix.

This year, when they say they are bored, I will make them complete a task of my choice. They are finally old enough where I slightly trust them to do things around the house without putting themselves in immediate danger.

Here they are, in no particular order:

Have them take all the ornaments and lights off the Christmas tree and put them in their respective storage bins. I have zero faith that they will complete this task to my or your liking, but at least it will be complete. I will personally monitor this activity to see how well they treat the ornaments, because I would like to get rid of my ugly shatterproof ornaments one day. Most likely, they will prove to me that shatterproof ornaments are still a necessity.

Make sure they watch The Price Is Right during the week. As a child, I really looked forward to watching it on breaks and sick days. The Price Is Right was always better with a Sprite and saltine crackers at your Grandma’s house. But every child should feel the anticipation of knowing Plinko will be played after the next commercial break. It’s more of a rite of passage than anything.

Give them the option to clear out their old toys or you will shovel them all into trash bags. This usually works for me. The kids bring home new toys and I feel overwhelmed, so I make them do the sorting for me. They normally pick a pretty nice number of toys to donate. Disclaimer: This will trigger the “I swear I play with this, Mom” effect. No, I know for a fact you don’t play with that action figure that you found under your bed next to a dust bunny. Good try, buddy.

Force them to unbox all their new toys. If you are so bored right now, open

that box with the submarine and 50 tiny accessories that are all zip tied tightly to a piece of cardboard. Yes, I will be OK when I step on a tiny squid or snorkel later, but for now, save me the finger cramps from trying to get everything out of the box. Tip: Tell them to act like they are a YouTuber unboxing the new hot toy. This will make them more likely to do it.

Teach them where to find the breakfast food when they decide to get up at 5 a.m. This has personally changed my life for the better. I can actually sleep in on the weekends. I can now happily wake up at 7 a.m. and walk down the stairs to children watching TV while eating cereal straight out of the box. Is this sanitary? No. Do I care? No. Sleep is very important to me.

So that’s it. That’s all I’ve got for you. I hope that you can somehow benefit from my list. I also hope that you get the chance to catch up on Love Is Blind. You deserve some down time. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! OP

Written by Jamie Johnson

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!

Making it

Photo by Jamie Plain

Hot Chocolate Pancakes

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 cups prepared hot chocolate

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup dutch-process cocoa

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cinnamon

Optional chocolate syrup topping:

3/4 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy cream

Mini marshmallows for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS: ›› Heat griddle to medium/low ›› Prepare 1.5 cups of hot chocolate, then let it cool slightly (enough so that it does not cook the egg). Combine hot chocolate, egg, and vanilla extract.

›› In a separate large bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Then pour the wet ingredients into the bowl and mix until barely combined.

›› Pour 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the pan for each individual pancake. Cook until the pancakes just begin to stiffen around the edges then flip and cook around 2 minutes more.

›› If you’d like to make the chocolate syrup topping, combine chocolate chips and cream into a sauce pan over low heat and whisk until completely combined. Take off heat and pour over pancakes. Top with mini marshmallows! OP

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

Recipe and photos by Jamie Plain

Nothing beats the comfort and warmth of hot cocoa on a cold winter night. What if you had a way to take that cozy evening treat and make it into breakfast? These hot chocolate pancakes are rich, decadent and easy-to-make. We can’t think of a better way to start your Christmas morning!

Last-Minute FESTIVE CRAFT

Looking for a quick craft for your little ones? This is the perfect choice! Use up all of your leftover cupcake liners in this adorable Christmas tree decoration.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

Various cupcake linersdifferent designs

Popsicle sticks (optional)

Ribbon (optional)

Pom poms (optional)

Fold each liner in quarters - at varying sizes. Glue them together, largest on the bottom to the smallest on the top. Four to five liners should be the perfect number for a tree. Decorate as you want! Add a ribbon to make an ornament or a popsicle stick to create a trunk. Pom poms make adorable add ons too!

This is a great craft to work on fine motor skills as well as sorting and size sequencing practice! OP

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

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

Written by Ashley Wedding // Photo by Jamie Plain

Community PICTURE PERFECT PICTURE PERFECT

Written by Laura Murphy Photo by Jason Tanner

Jamie and Wes are proud parents to four children: Grant (11), Kate (9), Quinn (7) and Miles (4). With busy schedules including full-time jobs, schoolwork and participation in multiple sports, the family of six is excited to find an opportunity to drop everything and get away together. Nine months ago they signed with an agent as family models and the opportunities have multiplied ever since.

“We are a very active, energetic and loud family,” Jamie said. “It’s never quiet at our house. We play lots of sports including football, soccer, basketball, dance, and Kate does theater.”

Hamilton, a speech language pathologist and special needs advocate, works in the school system and for Puzzle Pieces. Wes is a CPA.

When a door opened for them unexpectedly in family modeling, they knew it was the perfect opportunity to have fun and spend time with each other as a family.

“The kids auditioned for a local commercial and during the reading, I was reading lines with them and they ended up casting me as the mom in the commercial,” Jamie said.

During the process of filming, the director of the commercial came to Jamie and suggested she consider getting an agent for herself and the family.

“He told us our family was good at this and he noticed that we are very outgoing. He pushed us in the right direction, and soon me and the girls auditioned in Louisville,” Jamie said.

When Jamie showed the agent pictures of her husband, Wes, and the entire family, they knew they could be the perfect fit.

“Since then we joined the family division of modeling,” Jamie said, “It’s a fun activity we can all do together.”

Most of the family had no prior experience in modeling for pictures or commercials, but they have all embraced the opportunity to audition, run lines, and learn about the behind the scenes aspect of this career.

“I had done some modeling in high school,” Jamie said. “And of course Kate loves theater. Out of all the kids, I’d say that she likes it the most.”

While their plate may look full to those on the outside looking in, the Hamiltons enjoy learning and growing together, with numerous opportunities coming from the places they go, including hotels, theme parks and stage sets.

“I want the kids to take every opportunity

“I want the kids to take every opportunity they get seriously because you never know what it can turn into. If we had passed on the first commercial because we were afraid to try something new, this door would have never opened.”

they get seriously because you never know what it can turn into,” Wes said. “If we had passed on the first commercial because we were afraid to try something new, this door would have never opened.”

Reflecting on some of the jobs so far, the family enjoys the adventure aspect of their time together.

“On one job, we were in a cage together, face to face with two humongous elephants. We also got to zipline,” Jamie said. “Kate was very scared at first because she’s terrified of heights. She ended up on nine different ziplines that day and she conquered her fear.”

In addition to giving their children the opportunity to get outside their comfort zones, the family is grateful to have the chance to drop everything and discover new places together.

“We live on a family farm with 15 cousins. It gives us a getaway with just the six of us. Without family or sports, without all the running, it makes all the difference for us,” Jamie said, noting that they are assigned jobs together more often than not.

From riding rides at Holiday World to staying together as a family at a resort in French Lick, Jamie says they are learning valuable lessons along the way, too.

One lesson the Hamilton children have learned is that a layered process is required even for a short commercial.

“You might be on the set all day,” she said. The commercial is less than a minute long. The 30 seconds of footage may barely show your face.”

Even with all the open doors, their family does not land every job they attempt. One positive of the process is exposing their children to understanding and accepting the “no” when it comes.

“We know how to deal with rejection. For every ‘yes’ you get 10 “no’s.’” Jamie said. “People want certain things like a child that wears a certain shoe size or has a certain color of hair.”

Even with the required auditions and stipulations to land a specific job, the Hamiltons have stayed busy with bookings including print, commercials and modeling.

“We constantly get new calls and new jobs,” Jamie said. “We do them either separately or together depending on the job. We get job offers every week, but we don’t always take them because of school. Right now it’s more like a fun hobby.”

Looking back at the past nine months, the Hamiltons consider themselves to be very fortunate to be able to land these unique jobs.

“We had no idea how it all worked—how to book jobs, how to get an agent,” Jamie said. “Once we got started and got rolling, we learned this is not about the work or being in front of the camera, it’s a lot of fun too,” Jamie 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.

HOMETOWN Christmas

Written by Meghann Richardson // Photo by AP Imagery

Hometown Christmas, a series of holiday activities in downtown Owensboro, is sure to bring lots of fun and excitement to families this holiday season.

The holiday celebration kicked off with the Smothers Park Christmas Tree lighting ceremony with the Kentucky Youth Chorale on Nov. 18.

Tim Ross, Director of Public Events for the City of Owensboro, said there are activities for all ages downtown throughout the season for everyone to be wrapped up in the excitement of the holidays.

“Everyone enjoys the Christmas holiday season,” he said. “From a great Christmas light show nightly to performing arts or even 5K runs, there are numerous ways to get involved and experience the holidays in Owensboro with your family and friends.”

Also returning in 2022 is the Energy on Ice outdoor skating rink at the Owensboro Convention Center. Other events will include the Hot Chocolate Hop, Holiday Photo Night, Friday After 5’s Christmas at the Inn, as well as numerous productions at the RiverPark Center, Bluegrass Hall of

Fame, Owensboro Convention Center, just to name a few.

This year’s festivities have expanded to include the Dancing Lights show down Veterans Blvd. as well as programming that takes place nightly from 5-9 p.m. So, everyone can enjoy a choreographed light show every 15 minutes along the riverfront. In addition, there are numerous shows at the RiverPark Center and Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame for people to enjoy some tremendous Christmas shows.

“We are excited to expand the Dancing Lights display and to be adding a variety of activities along the riverfront for the Christmas season,” Ross said. “We saw great success with the 12 Days of Christmas concept last year, and wanted to expand it longer than four weeks. We are happy to be able to add even more activities this year, including the Dancing Lights display which will now occur nightly.”

Dancing Lights

DECEMBER 1-31, 5-9 P.M.

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Holiday Lights will transform the center portion of Smothers Park in downtown Owensboro into an interactive holiday lightshow. Every 15 minutes, lights will dance to a different classic Christmas carol. It is a spectacle that you won't want to miss.

Dancing Lights is presented by Big Rivers Electric Corp. and Visit Owensboro.

Friday After 5's Christmas at the Inn

DECEMBER 2 - 16 FRIDAYS

FROM 6-8 P.M.

{

Bring the entire family and experience the Holidays with live music, pictures & story time with Santa Claus and the magical Igloo serving free Hot Chocolate with candy canes, all located in our festive winter wonderland. Located at the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront, 701 W. 1st St.

The German American Bank Nutcracker at RiverPark Center

DECEMBER 3, 7 P.M. AND DECEMBER 4, 3 P.M.

{

Children of all ages will find the joy of Christmas through the beauty of music and dance with Owensboro Dance Theatre's "The German American Bank Nutcracker." This timeless production fills the stage with movement and imagination, generating enthusiasm for all students.

Live Reindeer Experience with

Santa & Mrs. Claus at Owensboro Museum of Science and History

DECEMBER 3, 10 A.M.NOON AND 1-5 P.M.

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Join the Owensboro Museum of Science and History Reindeer Experience by exploring the museum and make your own keepsake photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their reindeer. Event is included with the price of admission ($5 for non-members, free for members).

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical at RiverPark Center

DECEMBER 7, 7 P.M.

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The beloved TV classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season.

The Prophecy Show at RiverPark Center

DECEMBER 8, 7 P.M.

{

Care Net Reindeer

Run 5K

DECEMBER 3, 8-10 A.M.

{

The 8th Annual Care Net Reindeer Run/ Walk is a family-fun event open to runners and walkers of all types so grab your family members, friends, or co-workers and join the fun to kick off the Holiday Season.

Lanham Brothers Christmas Jamboree at Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

DECEMBER 3, 7 P.M. {

Brothers Randy and Barry Lanham are celebrating roots music, clogging, and Kentucky arts with the Lanham Brothers Jamboree. This event will be recorded for broadcast on KET.

Come experience the power, the music, and the magic once again this Christmas season at RiverPark Center, as the Prophecy performs music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and more.

Hot Chocolate Hop

DECEMBER 9-10

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The third annual Hot Chocolate Hop is all weekend long and features various local downtown businesses that will be selling different specialty hot chocolate drinks.

Energy on Ice

DECEMBER 1-31

FRIDAYS, 5-9 P.M.

SATURDAYS, 2-9 P.M. SUNDAYS, 2-7 P.M.

MONDAY-THURSDAY (DEC. 19-23 ONLY) 2-7 P.M.

{

An outdoor skating experience on the Kentucky Legend Pier at the Owensboro Convention Center. Sponsored by Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Atmos Energy, Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, and the Staton Family Foundation.

A Christmas Carol, and Sleigh Ride. The Owensboro Symphony Chorus and the Owensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra will join the symphony in performing some of the season's most recognizable tunes.

"Christmas in the Colonies" Historical Program by Eddie Prince at Owensboro Museum of Science & History

DECEMBER 10, 7 P.M.

Join regional historian Eddie Price as he shares a fascinating and fact-filled look back at how Christmas was celebrated in the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies. Event is included with the price of admission ($5 for non-members, free for members).

Jimmy Fortune Christmas Show

DECEMBER 15, 7 P.M.

{

Preferred seating is $45, and reserved seating is $35. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Bar and concessions available.

Santa's Sweets

DECEMBER 16 - 17 {

Satisfy your holiday sweet tooth with some indulgent specialty treats from downtown restaurants and businesses.

Winter Break Blast at Owensboro Museum of Science & History

DECEMBER 20-23

{

A variety of programs each day. Events are included with the price of admission ($5 for non-members, free for members).

Owensboro Symphony's Home for the Holidays at RiverPark Center

DECEMBER 10, 7 P.M.

{

The Owensboro Symphony’s beloved Christmas tradition promises to mesmerize listeners with Holiday favorites and fresh new works; including The Nutcracker,

5th Annual Breakfast with Santa Presented by German American Bank at

Owensboro Convention Center

DECEMBER 17, 7:30-10 A.M.

{

Santa Claus is coming to town. Enjoy breakfast and take your own photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Noon Year's Eve Family Celebration at Owensboro Museum of Science & History

DECEMBER 31, 9:30 A.M. - 1 P.M.

{

Join other families at the museum for crafts, a live DJ, and a balloon drop at noon. Events are included with the price of admission ($5 for non-members, free for members). OP

MEGHANN RICHARDSON is full-time digital marketing specialist who moonlights as a journalist for Owensboro Times. She enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan, daughter Emery and rescue pup Murphy.

THE MORRIS STORY THE MORRIS STORY This is us

Written by Melody Wallace // Photo by KL Photography

It comes as no surprise that November has been aptly named National Gratitude Month. It only seems fitting that it also be National Adoption Month, a time for children and their families to celebrate the new opportunities they have been given to become one. The Morrises are one such family. Since completing the process to become foster parents in February of 2021, Adam and Jennifer Morris have provided a loving home and safe space for children and siblings of various ages. Their kind hearts and ability “to meet the needs of youth in their home, while showing love and patience” led to the couple recently being named Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (KDCBS) adoptive family of the year from the Two Rivers Service Region.

TURNING GRIEF INTO GOOD

Married for 18 years with two biological children, Adam and Jennifer said they had always discussed becoming foster parents, but the timing never seemed right.

“Jennifer wanted to foster years before this,” Adam said. “The reason we didn’t do it before is because I said, 'We’re not ready; we can’t afford it.’”

Then, in April of 2019, Jennifer’s sister died suddenly in a car accident, causing all four of her nieces and

nephews to go into the foster care system in Alabama.

“We prayed about this for many years,” Jennifer said. “When tragedy struck, we were like, ‘Okay. Let’s get our feet wet.’”

They began the process of becoming certified foster parents in the summer of 2020, in the midst of a pandemic. The family attended Zoom trainings and pivoted where necessary with the hope of gaining custody of Jennifer’s nieces and nephews. During that time, a grandparent was able to step in and provide a home for the children, allowing Adam and Jennifer to complete the process and take in children locally. Two of the boys they have now were some of their first placements.

“I like to look at my sister’s death as how God turns things into good,” Jennifer said. “For me to heal, I had to see that this is the good that came from her death.”

The couple is now raising six children between the ages of six and 18, including a biological daughter and son, three foster sons (one pending adoption), and a daughter they recently adopted.

YOU WILL NEVER BE READY

Adam said that the couple is often asked how to know when the right time is to foster and when to say yes to the placements of certain children. He jokes that his wife “has always been a little extra,” and that when it was time to bring home a new dog, she came home with two. Likewise, their first foster placement was not one child, but three siblings.

“That’s when I had to let go of my constant fear and having to be in control,” Adam said. “If you wait for things to be perfect, the only thing you need to be prepared for is to have no control.”

As to how their two biological teenagers, Grace - 17 and Jaxson16, reacted to bringing new siblings into their home, the couple said they did not move forward with any placements until everyone was on board. Although Grace and Jaxson have been incredibly supportive of the process, there were still natural growing pains that came along with an expanding family.

“With all boys (at first), Jaxson had to share his things,” Jennifer said. “Then Brenda came, and Grace had to share her mom with a little sister.”

Jennifer says that amongst their

Note: We have blurred the faces of two of the Morris' children because they are still in foster care.

overflowing calendars and busy schedules, the family loves each other through the chaos, and has fallen into a rhythm that works for them.

“We’re just living our life and just doing the best that we can,” Jennifer said. “God’s saying, ‘Just stay the course.’”

BEAUTY OUT OF BROKENNESS

Although Adam and Jennifer attended the same church youth group in high school, they admittedly came from different upbringings. Jennifer shared that she grew up in a trailer park and often struggled with her mental health when she was younger.

“I come from a very broken family,” Jennifer said. “We began fostering because I wanted to be the adult that I needed as a kid.”

That life experience has helped Jennifer to walk alongside

and guide her children through their brokenness.

“There is so much brokenness,” Jennifer said. “It’s literally in your backyard and we don’t see it because we choose not to. When we talk about the bad stuff it gets real and your heart gets broken. Those broken pieces of you, you have to be able to express that,” she said, adding that all of her children are in therapy to give them the opportunity to express themselves and focus on their mental health.

Adam and Jennifer have found genuine joy in opening their home and their hearts to foster care and adoption, but they admit that there is a darker side to foster care that isn’t always discussed.

“You go through a honeymoon period and then the real behaviors come out,” Jennifer said. “Behind every behavior there is a reason,

because you are dealing with a very broken side of people. But, I love them all and respect them all. At the end of the day, everybody needs Jesus.”

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

The couple admits that it would be impossible to try to run and raise their family of eight without a little help. Adam serves as the worship and student pastor at Christ Community Church, while Jennifer is currently a full-time student in the Work Study program at Owensboro Technical & Community College (OCTC) working towards her associates degree, and ultimately a degree in social work. While the family has a natural heart for service, they also understand firsthand how important it is to have a support system.

“We couldn't do it if it weren't for our village — for our extended family and friends,” Adam said.

Adam shared the story of their first placement of three siblings and how God has always seemed to provide what they needed.

“We didn’t even have a bed for one of them,” Adam said. “The very next day, Borrowed Hearts brought us a brand new bed to our doorstep.”

Borrowed Hearts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide clothing, toys, furniture, and hygiene products to foster families in need.

“Borrowed Hearts of Owensboro literally clothed my babies,” Jennifer said. “It is the most magnificent resource we have as foster parents. Now our family, our church, our youth group, we do everything we can for Borrowed Hearts.”

As for how he feels about foster care now compared to a few years ago, and four children later, Adam says he’s had a complete change of heart and suggests that others be open to the process.

This is Us

IN THE WORDS OF THE MORRIS CHILDREN

My favorite part about our family…

“There is love here, but large families are overrated. I like my space and the quiet.” ~ Queston, 18

“Getting the opportunity to become a big sister all over again, but I’ll never get used to waiting in line for the shower.”~ Grace, 17

“Never knowing what someone will say or do no matter where we are. You can always expect the unexpected.” ~ Jaxson, 16

“My favorite part is the loudness and the fact you get to get away with more things when you have a lot of siblings.” ~ J, 13

“We do everything together and we are crazy and have a lot of chaos and no one cares.” ~ Brenda, 11

“Learning about God and singing my favorite song, Good God Almighty, in the car with Mom and Brenda.”~ Z, 6

What I love most about our family…

“I do respect that Jenny and Adam find ways to include my younger siblings that don’t live here. Jenny is always planning something.” ~ Queston, 18

“Our family is living out the Gospel. We never sugar coat anything and we are ‘what you see is what you get.’ When we are happy, you know it, and, when we are mad, you know it. We don’t fake it, we are real and raw and I love how my parents allow us the safe place to do that.” ~ Grace, 17

“I still somehow managed to keep my own room. It’s also cool having younger siblings to pick on. Even though our family grew, we all still get to do the things we enjoy separate from each other.”

~ Jaxson, 16

“Family game nights, family movie nights, and Christmas bake-off. I love the family togetherness.” ~ J, 13

OP

“We became certified and I put my stubbornness aside because every kid deserves a fighting chance,” Adam said. “Now that I see the world through these kids’ eyes, I’m like, ‘Just keep sending them.’ Have faith and jump in and God will provide.”

MELODY WALLACE is a mom, stepmom and JAG specialist at Apollo High School.. She runs on caffeine, good deeds and the inspiring stories of others.

“I love that my parents, brothers and sister accept me and love me unconditionally and that I know I’m always going to be safe with them. They are my family and I’m glad God hand picked them for me.” ~ Brenda, 11

“Going fishing and camping with everyone I love, and church.” ~ Z, 6

BORROWED HEARTS

Written by John Kirkpatrick

Borrowed Hearts – a local nonprofit providing support to children in foster care and the families providing for them – opened its doors in December 2019. The operation is the brainchild of Amanda Van Bussum, who, after fostering with her husband for four years, decided the Owensboro area desperately needed more resources.

The story goes like this.

It was December, and the Van Bussums were ready to adopt their fifth child. Amanda posted the big news on Facebook, and much to her surprise, a friend commented, suggesting they visit Borrowed Hearts in Evansville for various clothes and household items to enhance the foster experience.

“I didn’t fully understand what it was; was everything free?” she recalled thinking to herself. “I had no idea it existed and immediately decided we needed one in Owensboro. I had some friends who were current or former foster parents who also wanted to help the foster community.”

Realizing that five children likely put her family at their cap and with a desire to remain involved, Van Bussum jumped at the opportunity to open an Owensboro storefront. She met with the founder of the Evansville store and discovered her

first step would be finding a space.

“A husband of one of the board members worked for Don Moore and said she would see if they have anything,” Van Bussum said. “They did and agreed to let us use the old store on Second Street. We got in the space on Fall break and opened by December.”

Borrowed Hearts specializes in outof-home care and kinship placement, primarily operating the storefront for families to come in and shop for anything they could need, all for free. Individuals and groups in the community donate most of the items, ranging from hygiene kits and snacks to coats and clothing.

The group offers snack kits for initial placements to ease the tension of asking for food. The snack options are typically comforting food, and the host families will keep them in plain sight advising the children to take them when they please.

They also provide birthday kits to families, which include cake mixes, icing, a card, gifts, and more.

“If a kid is placed on Monday, the family could need several things immediately, and those costs add up,” she said. “We don’t want them having to run to Walmart on their first night.”

Other services include a bible study for foster and adoptive mothers at Walnut

Memorial Church and the new Adopt-aHouse. Through a partnership with New Life Church, the Adopt-a-House provides a home-like space for children unable to find immediate placement.

The space features a full-size kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and a laundry room, and while leaders hope it's never used, they’re glad to have it at their disposal.

To learn more about Borrowed Hearts, visit their website at borrowedheartsobky.org or search @ borrowedheartsowensboro on Facebook. The organization is always accepting donations, which can be delivered to the store at 1705 West Second Street in Owensboro.

“The community has been so supportive,” Van Bussum said. “To look back and see how fast it has all happened, it’s remarkable.” OP

JOHN KIRKPATRICK is a special education teacher at Daviess County High School and a contributing writer for Owensboro Parent, Owensboro Living, GO Chamber, and the Owensboro Times. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Tara, and daughter, Laney.

planningfuture future for the

2023 is finally here! Parents, take this time to rest and enjoy your family, but also prepare for the new year. Take the time to be ready for the future and make the most of your family resources.

WHY GOALS ARE BETTER THAN RESOLUTIONS

+ 10 ideas to get you started

Written by Ashley Wedding

When we make New Year resolutions we are “resolving” to make a change, but in most cases without a plan. No plan typically means no action, setting yourself up for burnout and discouragement.

Staying motivated isn’t realistic under those circumstances. What if your family made yearly goals instead of resolutions? Goals come with clear plans of how to achieve them and therefore you have a more realistic chance of having the 2023 you want!

Here are 10 goals to get you thinking about your new year and making the changes you want in your life.

Be more active. Most of us aren’t as active as we’d like to be. Committing to at least 30 minutes of exercise everyday could make a big change in the lives of your family.

Go on a real vacation. Are you guilty of planning a trip packing as many activities into the week as possible? Instead of booking your calendar up with trips, take some actual time off and REST!

Spend more time outside.

Time in nature does a family good. Find an app or website that can help you track your own hours and meet your goal.

Pay off a debt.

While this can be easier said than done, it’s something that can make the biggest difference in your life, especially your mental health.

Donate to something you care about.

Whether you donate financially or with your time, donating to a cause that you care about can be a great lesson for your children.

Learn a new recipe every month.

Not only can you commit to eating together more as a family, but you can make a goal to learn a new recipe each month. This is the perfect opportunity to make healthier food choices and spend more time as a family.

Shop with more small businesses.

Your impact when shopping small is much larger than when shopping with big companies. This is a good lesson to start early with your children.

Use affirmations.

Family affirmations can help reframe old ways of thinking and create the positive, strong relationships we need to have a happy life. Every week pick a new affirmation of the week and try to use it daily.

Do whatever you’ve been putting off. Maybe this is a significant purchase that your family needs, a surgery or procedure that would make life easier, a home improvement project. Whatever it is, set a plan to make it happen this year.

Call your friends and family.

If there’s anything the past few years have taught us, it’s that life is short. The most important thing in life is the people you love and spending time with them. Call your friends and family more often. Make plans. Hang out. Make memories. OP

She

ASHLEY WEDDING is the editor of Owensboro Parent.

enjoys everyday adventures with her husband, Drew, and their three kids, Avery, Reed and Mason.

So you’ve finally landed your first real job and are living in your first real apartment, It’s time to start living like an adult, which means it’s time to set new rules and goals for yourself. Making just a couple of these commitments part of your routine should strengthen your financial future:

MAKE A BUDGET

Decide what you can afford to spend on things, and then stick to it. Baird can give you access to great financial planning and budgeting tools at Baird Online, while 360 Wealth allows you to view all of your financial accounts in a single location. You can also build a custom budget that allows you to track your income and expenses.

TRACK EVERYTHING

Keeping track of anything makes you more aware of what you’re doing. This applies to spending: If you write down everything you buy – including things like automatic monthly payments – you’ll notice you’re spending money on things you don’t need.

PAY OFF DEBT

Debt is a silent killer of your savings. Making minimal payments will chip off only small portions of a debt’s principal, so focus on making larger payments. Student loans will take

many years to pay down, but other, smaller debts should be a priority every month.

START SAVING FOR RETIREMENT

If you’re 25, and can put away $100 a month at 5% interest, you’ll have more than $150,000 by the time you’re 65. If you wait till you’re 40 to start saving, you’d need to put aside more like $250 a month. Start by getting the employer match on your 401(k). Your contribution will be deducted from your paycheck before you get it, making it easy to save.

SAVE FOR EMERGENCIES

Everyone eventually runs into a financial emergency: Your car breaks down or you lose your job. A good rule of thumb is to have three to six months’ worth of expenses saved up, so a temporary financial crisis doesn’t derail your life over the long term.

SET FINANCIAL GOALS

We all want something that costs a lot of money, whether that’s a house or a fancy honeymoon. Keeping track of your progress toward these goals will give you an incentive to save – and remind you why you’re making these day-to-day sacrifices.

SCRIMP ON YOUR HOUSING

If rent is your biggest expense, it’s

also your biggest opportunity to save. $985 a month may not sound that much different from $895 a month, but that difference adds up to more than $1,000 a year.

GET RENTERS INSURANCE

Renters insurance is generally not very expensive – under $200 a year in most states – and can help prevent a small expense, like a burst water pipe, from spiraling into a highly damaging one.

SAVE FINANCIAL WINDFALLS

Most of us get occasional unexpected money, whether that’s from tax refunds or cash-back rewards from a credit card. Rather than spend it on an indulgence, put it toward your savings or one of your long-term goals (or pay off small debts!).

FINALLY, DON’T BEAT UP ON YOURSELF WHEN YOU HAVE TO SPEND MONEY

Adulting costs like buying a car or new clothes for work are onetime expenses that should count as investments rather than recurring expenditures. You can also get good advice on long-term planning from a Baird Financial Advisor on building a solid new financial landscape for yourself that will last a lifetime.

Please reach out if you or anyone you know would benefit from discussing this topic further.

Pay off your debt, save on housing, and other ways to get your money matters in order.

What To Expect From a Financial Advisor

If you know how important it is to invest for your future, but you’re unsure of the road to follow, you may want to get some guidance and direction from a financial professional. But if you’ve never worked with one before, what can you expect? Here are some things to look for:

Assessment

A financial advisor will assess your current financial situation – assets, income, debts and so on – but that’s just the start. These days, advisors recognize the need to view their clients’ lives holistically. Consequently, you will see questions like this: What are your feelings about investing? How would you judge your risk tolerance? What are your individual financial goals? What hopes and dreams do you have for your family?

Recommendations

Only after fully understanding your needs, goals and preferences will a financial advisor recommend any investment moves. There are no “onesize-fits-all” solutions. You may want to steer clear of individuals claiming to be financial advisors who “guarantee” big returns with no risk. In the investment world, there are few guarantees, and every investment carries some type of risk.

Communications

Financial professionals communicate with their clients in different ways, but you should always feel free to reach out to an advisor with any questions or concerns. Most financial advisors will want to meet with clients at least once a year, either in person or through an online platform, to review their investment portfolios. During the review, the financial advisor will help you determine if any changes are needed. But financial advisors won’t wait a full year to contact clients to discuss a particular investment move that might need to be made. Also, depending on the firm you choose, you should be able to go online to review your portfolio at your convenience.

Technology

A financial advisor can employ a variety of software programs to help clients. For example, a financial advisor can determine the rate of return you might need to attain specific goals, helping shape your investment strategy. But there are also a lot of “what ifs” in anyone’s life, so an advisor can use hypothetical illustrations to show you where you might end up if you take different paths, such as retiring earlier

(or later) than you had planned or putting in more (or less) money toward a specific goal, such as education for your children. Anyone’s plans can change, so the ability to view different potential scenarios can prove valuable.

Above all, a financial advisor can help you feel more confident as you pursue your goals. Among investors who work with a financial advisor, 84% said that doing so gave them a greater sense of comfort about their finances during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey conducted in 2020 by Age Wave and Edward Jones. And during times of market turbulence, such as we’ve experienced this year, a financial advisor can help you avoid overreacting to downturns. When unexpected events crop up, such as a lapse in employment, a financial advisor can suggest moves that may enable you to avoid major disruptions to your financial strategy. Conversely, when a new opportunity emerges, perhaps from an inheritance or some other windfall, your financial advisor can help you take advantage of it.

Navigating the investment landscape can be challenging – but the journey can be a lot smoother if you’ve got the right guide. OP

This

article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Prepare Your Immune System for Flu Season

This flu and RSV season has already proven itself intrusive in our community. It seems as though everywhere we look a family member, coworker, or friend is sick, despite the extra precautions we have taken to prevent illnesses. So what else can we do to protect ourselves and our loved ones? We can prepare our immune systems for the viruses and bacteria they will inevitably come in contact with! There are many ways to do this, including the following:

Exercise at least 3 times a week

Include 3 servings of fruits and vegetables each day

Cut out sugars

Get your flu vaccine

Take immune supportive

vitamins such as C, D, Zinc, and Elderberry

Get a B12 injection

That last one may come as a surprise, but B12 is essential to immune support. Strong immune systems thrive on oxygen rich, red blood cells. Vitamin B12 increases red blood cell production in your body, therefore ensuring the immune system gets the oxygen it needs to fight off infections. It can also help with cold and flu symptom relief! A B12 injection, instead of a B12 pill, is beneficial for everyone but especially for people who have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 and/or are significantly deficient in B12. This is because the B12 injection is delivered directly into your

bloodstream, avoiding the digestive tract entirely.

You may receive a B12 injection every 1-4 months depending on your body’s needs. At Gateway Urgent Care, we can give B12 injections to almost anyone, as long as you have an order from a physician or current lab work showing a B12 deficiency. If you do not have lab work yet, we can order it for you! Also, many insurances cover them, but some require regular testing for B12 levels. Many of our patients prefer to just pay cash for their monthly B12 injection, which costs $20. You can either set up a visit at our website, mercyurgentcare.com, or walk in anytime Monday through Saturday 7am-7pm to receive your immune supportive B12 injection! OP

A BIG FAMILY

The Owensboro Catholic difference.

Education is the foundation of your child’s future. With so many wonderful educational opportunities in the Owensboro community, we at OCS invite you to come see the difference at Owensboro Catholic Schools.

Owensboro Catholic Schools is a Catholic school system that provides a quality education to its students. We do this in a disciplined, safe environment that is rich in tradition. Our classrooms offer lower student/teacher ratios that enable our teachers to develop meaningful, lasting relationships with the families we serve.

“OCS is like home to me. I grew up in the Owensboro Catholic School system, and it has always felt like a big

family - I couldn't imagine teaching anywhere else. I love my OCS family.”

Alyssa Schueler, OCMS teacher

We are proud to offer our students and their parents a family atmosphere, challenging curriculum, caring and professional teachers and opportunities for spiritual and academic growth.

“We choose to send our children to OCS because it is like a big family! The teachers and staff are so dedicated and truly care about each child. Our children have learned so much academically, grown in their prayer life, and developed meaningful friendships. We are proud to be at OC!” - The Brant Family

Our students are our greatest source of pride! From their classroom

accomplishments, to their service to the community, to their success in both athletic and academic competitions, our students exemplify what it means to be true leaders!

“I love being at OCS because the education here is amazing and I have learned so much. I love all of the athletic offerings and how successful they are. Another thing is the school spirit throughout all the schools. Everyone dresses up and is so cheerful! I have enjoyed learning our fight song and cheers.” - Felicity Payne, OCMS student

If you have any questions, or are ready to join the OCS family, give Jenny Glenn a call at 270-686-8896. We look forward to hearing from you! OP

Four Misconceptions ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS STORY

Written by Kegan DeWitt

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. For many families that means it’s time to get the Nativity scene decorations down from the attic.

But did you know a lot of the pieces of that Nativity scene are actually misconceptions? Here is a list of the most common misconceptions that you can talk through with your kids as you set up your nativity set this year. As you discuss each one, check the scripture references to see what we all thought may, in fact, not be so.

MISCONCEPTION #1:

baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).

It’s difficult to find a nativity scene (or Christmas play) without a star over the manger. Many of us believe that the shepherds and wise men followed the star. The problem is there’s no indication the star hovered over the manger on the night Jesus was born. When the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, they weren’t told to look for a star. They were told to look for something else: “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a

The star was not shown to the shepherds, but to the wise men (Matt. 2:2), who appear to be visiting Jesus later on. How much later is unclear, but the fact that Herod commands all the babies in the region younger than 2 years old to be killed suggests Jesus may have been in Bethlehem for some time.

MISCONCEPTION #2:

There were three wise men.

Speaking of the wise men, in both nativity sets and in song (“We

There was a star the night

Jesus was born.

Three Kings”) we get the undeniable impression there were three of them. The problem, however, is that this number of three is found nowhere in biblical accounts. The idea of three wise men more than likely comes from the three gifts brought: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

MISCONCEPTION #3:

Jesus Was Born in a barn or stable.

Since Joseph could find no spot in the inn, then he must have been forced to stay in the stable. Every nativity scene ever created places

Jesus in a barn of sorts.

But the Bible doesn’t say he was born in a barn. It only says Mary “laid in him in a manger” (Luke 2:7). Although that might seem to suggest it was a barn, it was common back then for mangers to be kept in the main room of village houses during this time period. Why? Because the animals were often housed just a few feet away in an adjacent room.

MISCONCEPTION #4:

Jesus was born on December 25.

If we celebrate Jesus’s birthday

on December 25, it’s logical to think this was the day on which he was born. But the precise date of Jesus’s birth is uncertain. A variety of options have been suggested throughout church history, including March 21, April 15, and May 20.

When we take a closer look at these biblical clues, a wonderful— and hopefully more accurate— picture emerges of what happened that night nearly 2,000 years ago.

And what happened that night still stands as one of the most important events in human history. God became a man and entered our world to save us. OP

KEGAN DEWITT is the Children’s Pastor at Owensboro Christian Church. He and his wife, Miriam, have one son, Cruz. Kegan enjoys all things UK, Code Red Mountain Dew, and is awful at wrapping Christmas presents.

BOOK NOOK CHALLENGE

Christmas Collectibles

Make these Christmas classics an annual tradition:

A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore

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).

Written by Katie Albers

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones

COVERT CONTRACTS

Talking to Your Child About Happiness

Written by Christina Dalton

Do you want your kids to be happy? Seems like a simple question. The answer is a resounding yes! When parents are asked, “What do you want for your child when they grow up?” The most common answer is, “I want them to be happy.” But how many conversations take place about what is happiness and how can you increase your happiness versus leaving that part up to chance. This part doesn’t have to be left up to chance or luck. You can talk about happiness and discuss ways to increase happiness levels.

We are getting better about teaching our children about their emotions and what it means to be sad or mad. But what about happiness? If you asked your child what it means to be happy, what do you think their response would be? Kids often relate happiness to accomplishing something, whether that is an ‘A’ on a test, a clean room or getting into the right school. Is that because that is how adults gauge happiness? Examine happiness as its own reward. Happy people make better leaders and teammates. They are more likely to volunteer their time and resources to help others. They are more resilient when faced with challenges to their mental health.

We are all living in a mental health crisis and worldwide kids are overwhelmingly sad with feelings of isolation and this often leads to

depression. According to a recent study put out by the Center for Disease Control, “persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness” rose from 26 percent to 44 percent in the last 12 years amongst teenagers. This marks the highest levels of teenage sadness ever recorded. We have to start teaching and modeling what we can do to put the odds in our favor for living a happy and healthy life.

According to a series of five studies published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, the secret to happiness may be found in doing things for others. People report higher levels of happiness when they are giving instead of receiving. This goes back to our need for connection. When we feel connected to another person this increases our overall happiness more than when we do something for ourselves.

There is an abundant amount of research out there that talks about what you need to be happy and surprisingly it is not actually what happens to you that is the most important factor. There are two factors that stand out the most:

Having at least one good relationship with a trusted person

Having a purpose in your life.

These are both feasible and teachable to our kids but we have to talk openly about these two things.

A large determinate in how happy we are has to do with our mental, physical and emotional well being. You can absolutely increase your odds of raising a happy child through the way you raise them and modeling the behaviors listed below.

Act kindly. Get enough sleep. Be physically active. Do things for others. Put a spotlight on the positive things in their lives.

Spend time in nature.

These are habits that will cultivate happiness and build resiliency in ourselves and our children. You can build these habits into your daily life and then you are able to model and talk about them. Discuss why you do these things and what they can bring to your life. Happiness begins with us as parents. Our children need us more than ever to build solid relationships and promote emotional well being that leads to greater levels of happiness. Ask your children tonight what sparks joy in their lives and do the same for yourself. As this holiday season approaches there will be lots of opportunities to give more than you get and raise those happiness levels through the roof. OP

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

GIFTING EXPERIENCES

this Holiday Season

Written by Nicollette Vizuet Photos by Melanie Hodskins Photography

Alright parents, you know the drill. You’re knee deep in an instruction manual while your partner shuffles through the kitchen drawers looking for the most random size batteries. Your little ones are lost in a sea of new toys and disheveled wrapping paper, finding the most enjoyment playing in an oversized box. Happy Holidays!

If you got sweaty palms just reading through the first few sentences, you aren’t alone. Each year leading up to Christmas, I get an instant sense of feeling overwhelmed by the amount of “stuff” we don’t need but seem to accumulate. This year, my husband and I committed to gifting experiences in lieu of accumulating more “things” they won’t care to have a few weeks into the new year. Here are a few of our favorite ideas for anyone in the tri-state area!

HOLIDAY WORLD PASSES

Our boys are always so excited about a trip to Holiday World! As ticket prices have gone up, it feels like a bit of an investment for our little family to make the trip. If you make 3-4 visits a year, season passes make it a total worth-while purchase. Sometimes we’ll go over early in the day, let the boys wear themselves out in the water park and head home after lunch. Gifting them as Christmas presents can be fun and exciting if paired with a Holiday World sweatshirt or item from the gift shop!

BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME LESSONS

When the temps drop and we’re stuck inside, we’re always looking for ways to keep the boys entertained. Lessons at the Bluegrass Museum are an awesome option for Christmas gifting. If you’re

feeling extra generous, an instrument would make the perfect present under the tree to pair with their lessons.

AIRPLANE GETAWAY

Have a little one that’s extremely into airplanes? You’re in luck. Catching a flight to Saint Louis from the Owensboro Airport can run around $30 round trip during the week! Make a trip out of your experience and spend the day at a Cardinals game before heading home.

MESKER PARK ZOO PASSES

My boys could visit the zoo twice a week and honestly still get just as excited as their first trip. Their family plans come in at just $75 and would make for an awesome experience for your whole crew. Gifting tip: add in a Mesker Park hat, a set of binoculars and a few animal-themed books for your little ones so they still have something to open!

EVANSVILLE OTTERS TICKETS

Looking for an affordable way to take your family out to the ballpark? Going to an Evansville Otters baseball game is always a hit with our crew! We prefer it

to major league games with our little ones because it’s a short drive, smaller crowd and they’re over the moon excited to see “real” baseball players.

BONUS IDEA: A SENTIMENTAL GIFT

If you want to surprise someone with the gift that keeps on giving, photos are the way to go. My mom lives for family photos. Surprise them with portraits of grandbabies or pre-purchase a family session for them with your favorite photographer! I gifted myself a family session with Melanie Hodskins Photography this year and promise you, it’s worth tenfold anything my husband would have attempted to pick out on a last-minute shopping run.

I hope you’re breathing easier and feeling a little less overwhelmed heading into the holidays. As much as our children love the instant satisfaction of opening this years toy of the moment, they’ll never forget the memories you make when gifting experiences. With no batteries required, you’ll be thankful you skipped out on gifting “things” this holiday season! OP

Enjoy this read? Follow along with Nicollette Vizuet on her blog and social channels!

Instagram: @nicollette.vizuet Blog: TheFrivolousFashionista.com Facebook: The Frivolous Fashionista

Out & About

9 LOCAL THINGS TO DO this season

1 Pioneer Christmas at Yellow Creek Park

DECEMBER 3 FROM 8 AM6:30 P.M.

Yellow Creek Park will host Lambert Pioneer Christmas, which will feature music, food and activities such as soap and broom making, tree decorating, breakfast with Santa and an evening candlelight tour. The Lambert Pioneer Christmas will be free, but during the event donations will be sought for the Goodfellows Club, which provides clothing and other services to needy school children in the community.

Christmas at Panther Creek

NIGHTLY FROM 6 - 9 P.M. THROUGH JANUARY 2 | PANTHER CREEK PARK Christmas at Panther Creek is one of the best and brightest holiday light displays in Western Kentucky! The event consists of a 1.15-mile lighted driving tour with more than 50 displays and 500,000 lights. Admission is $5 per vehicle (cash only) and supports five Daviess County non-profit organizations. The 2022 recipients include: Wendell Foster, Joe Ford Nature Center, Southern Oaks Elementary PTO, Elite SAR Training, and Owensboro Regional Recovery. Get in the holiday spirit and make memories with your family!

FROM 9:30

DAVIESS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY {

Kids ages 0-2 and their caregivers are invited to join DCPL on Mondays and Thursdays for stories, songs, and movement to help them prepare for a life of learning. Stay to play and socialize with a craft or other activity!

DCPL’s Preschool Storytime

MONDAYS & THURSDAYS

10:30 A.M.

DAVIESS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY {

Kids ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited to join DCPL Mondays and Thursdays for stories, songs, and movement to help them prepare for school. Stay to play and socialize with a craft or other activity!

THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

DECEMBER 14 FROM 7 - 9 P.M.

OWENSBORO SPORTSCENTER {

Combining athleticism, theater, and comedy, the Harlem Globetrotters make a great family experience! Visit owensborosportscenter.com for ticket information.

6

OMSH Christmas Break

DECEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 23 {

Owensboro Museum of Science and History will be hosting various winter programs for visitors. Tune into our Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on the events. Included with $5 admission, members get in free.

7

HOLIDAY IN THE PARK

NIGHTLY UNTIL 10 P.M. THROUGH JANUARY 1 {

Stroll through Legion Park and enjoy dancing trees, light displays, and Santa in his sleigh! An Owensboro Holiday Tradition!

Sanders Family Christmas Musical

DEC. 16 & 17 @ 7 P.M., DEC. 18 @ 2 P.M. {

Encore Musicals presents this sequel to the ever-popular hit Smoke on the Mountain, the Sanders family returns to Mount Pleasant, NC, home of the Mount Pleasant Pickle Factory. It's Christmas Eve, 1941. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students.

STOMP

JANUARY 17 @ 7 P.M. RIVERPARK CENTER

STOMP is explosive, inventive, provocative, witty, and utterly unique—an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Tickets available at riverparkcenter.org.

kids meal deals

EVERY DAY

Dee's Diner - one free kids meal per adult meal purchase (inhouse only, ages 5 and under)

MONDAY

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

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

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

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

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

TUESDAY

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s – Kids 12 & under eat for $2.99 all day every Tuesday when dining in!

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

McDonald’s – $1.99 Happy meals from 4-7pm; dine-in only

THURSDAY

Dairy Queen (Frederica Location) – Up to 2 $1.99 kids meals

Trunnell’s 54 Deli – 1 free kids meal with the purchase of a signature sandwich

SATURDAY

Lure Seafood & Grille – Free kids meal 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!

Pizza Hut (South Frederica location) – 1 free child buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet from 4:30-7pm

Wheatgrass Juice Bar – Free kids smoothie with adult purchase

SUNDAY

Salsarita’s – Free kids meal with the purchase of $5 or more 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.