Owensboro Parent - April/May 2021 by Tanner Publishing

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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Contents

20 Regaining Control in the Most Uncertain of Times DCHS senior Ainsley Taylor talks about how COVID-19 affected her and how she took control of some of her worst fears.

24 I Speak for Me. OHS senior Brynna Rafferty opens up about her brother with autism and how it affected them both growing up.

26 A Positive Perspective: COVID-19 Local kids talk about the positives they took away from pandemic and digital learning.

April // May 2021

IN EV ERY ISSUE

FEATURES

KEEPING IT REA L

28 The Best Thing About Owensboro Discover this 5th grader's local favorites

8 From the Editor 10 Parent Profile

12 Real Life with Lora Wimsatt Has Anyone Asked the Kids? 14 Hashtag Momfail What my kids have taken from me.

MA KING IT

16 Classic Meatballs Join Miller House Executive Chef Kasey Kirk-Dillow and her son River for this tasty family dinner! 18 DIY Indoor Golf This easy game can be made with supplies from around the house and is great for a rainy spring day. 19 Boredom Busters Two local students share some easy activities to make and play.

30 Jokes that would make your dog laugh Who doesn't love a good joke? These from three local students are some of the best! 32 Why I love Spring The perfect weather to play outside!

SPECIA L SECTION

36 Kids Takeover Ads designed by local kids for local businesses—check out the winners!

D ISCOV ER

44 Rain, Rain, Go Away 5 things to do during April showers

45 Geocaching A great staycation idea for families this Spring Break 46 How kids can lead a healthier lifestyle? From eating right to exercise—this student has the answers! 48 Favorites of a Future Librarian 6 books from a well-read fourth-grader 49 Book Review The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan 50 Kids Meal Deals Check out these local kids meal deals!

FROM OU R REA D ERS

52 Spring is Here! Photos submitted to our Facebook page sponsored by Owensboro Health! 56 Say What? We asked: “My mom is the best because..."

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BEHIND THE SCENES

EDITORIAL DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

Ashley Wedding

“

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

I love you, go clean your room and did you wipe boogers on the wall?

”

Reed, age 6

“” “” No, no saying booty! Hattie, age 2 I love you.

Tate, age 6

Katie Albers Christina Dalton Laura Murphy Melody Ann Wallace Lora Wimsatt COPY EDITOR

Ashley Gleason Do you have a story idea? We want

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Andrea Roberson Monica Smith STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jamie Alexander ON THE COVER

Tate Quinton, age 6 Nate Reeves, 8 Sydnee Williams, 10 Balloon mosaic provided by The Event Kode

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Dave Mackey

to hear from you! Email your suggestion to ashley@tannerpublishing.com

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT DIRECTORS

Brock Quinton Robert Williams Owensboro Parent is a FREE magazine

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PUBLISHER

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

TANNER PUBLISHING CO.

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STAFF KIDS: WHAT'S SOMETHING MOM OR DAD ALWAYS SAYS?

“ ” “ ”

You always tell me 'Be a good girl!' when you take me to school. Livi, age 4

I love you, do your schoolwork and eat your dinner! Collin, age 8

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Avery's fav ori te thin gs: from the editor

I love to do art! Usually in my free time it's what I do! I also love this YouTube channel Art for Kids Hub. It teaches you how to draw and they even do some origami too!

My name is Avery, I am the daughter of Ashley Wedding, the editor for this magazine. This is the Kids Takeover issue, and that means I get to takeover my mom’s job! (Which is amazing!) Kids like me from all across Owensboro are writing, illustrating, designing the ads and choosing the content that goes into this magazine. Even though COVID-19 has changed our schedules and our lives, we were still determined to make this Kids Takeover happen! (With a little help from our teachers!) You will learn what we think about virtual learning, discover some great jokes, rainy day activities, staycation ideas and so much more. We really hope that while COVID-19 is happening you and your family are doing well! I love writing this magazine and taking over this issue and hope you enjoy it!

I love hanging out at the farm! It is SO fun, especially when we get to ride our side by side! Like when we had LOTS of snow we tied our sled to the side by side with a rope and my stepdad pulled us and it was so fun!

My brothers are both awesome!

I got a big panda stuffed animal for Valentine's Day and I love sleeping with it. It is awesome!

Reed is sometimes annoying but a lot of the time he is sweet and Mason is almost always happy and when he is not I can almost always cheer him up! They are both AMAZING and I will always love them!

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I love my computer. It helps me with all of my school work and I love making Google Slides.

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AROUND OBKY

PARENT PROFILE

Angel Welsh WHAT DOES YOUR MOM DO FOR A JOB? Goes to work at WBKR and tells Uncle Chad what to do. - Charlotte, 5 Radio lady - Tuck, 8

HOW OLD IS YOUR MOM? 22 - Charlotte, 5 Kinda old, but still really pretty. - Tuck, 8

WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOUR MOM COOKS? Chili (with an eye roll) - Charlotte, 5 Tacos - Braden, 15 Smoothies - Tuck, 8 Peppermint Bark - Parker, 18

WHY IS YOUR MOM COOL? She let's me play with her makeup. - Charlotte, 5 Because she can play soccer. - Tuck, 8 She is always herself no matter what. - Braden, 15

WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING YOUR MOM HAS DONE? The time Tucker made her mad at Atlantis and she threw a Reese's at him and missed and it went out the window. - Parker, 18

WHAT IS YOUR MOM REALLY GOOD AT? Snuckling (snuggling) me and finding bargains. - Charlotte, 5 Giving hugs. - Tuck, 8

WHAT IS SHE NOT VERY GOOD AT? Sleeping a long time. - Charlotte, 5 She's terrible at basketball. - Tuck, 8 My mom is awful at basketball. - Braden, 15

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IF YOUR MOM HAD $1 MILLION, WHAT WOULD SHE DO WITH IT? Buy me baby dolls and help all the peoples. - Charlotte, 5 Save it. - Braden, 15 Get all the bargains and help homeless people. - Tuck, 8 Take Charlotte on a shopping spree. - Parker, 18

WHAT IS YOUR MOM'S FAVORITE THING TO DO? Spend time with our family. - Tuck, 8 Kiss my daddy. - Charlotte, 5

LEAST FAVORITE? When she has to work and can't spend time with us. - Tuck, 8 Clean the toilet. - Charlotte, 5

WHAT IS ONE THING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOUR MOM? She cries when she is happy. - Tuck, 8 She is a bear. - Charlotte, 5

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOUR MOM HAS TAUGHT YOU? Be nice to everyone even when they are a butthead to you. - Tuck, 8 That Jesus is is in my heart. - Charlotte, 5 The most important thing my mom has taught me is to never stop fighting for what you believe in. - Braden, 15 The most important thing my mom has taught me is to just push through and not to let the little things get to you and to just talk things out and not get as mad or angry as I do sometimes. - Parker, 18

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR MOM? She protects me. - Tuck, 8 She is funny and snuckly (snuggly) and we play baby dolls. - Charlotte, 5 There are a million things I love about my mom, but one of them is not her driving! - Braden, 15

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

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KEEPING IT REAL • REAL LIFE WITH LORA WIMSAT T

Has Anyone Asked the Kids? Illustration by Collin Wethington, 2nd grade

his has been a weird year for all of us. Health care workers have proven that real heroes wear scrubs, not capes. Essential workers have earned our respect, even while many are also earning only minimum wage for their valiant efforts. Small business owners have scrambled to find innovative ways to serve customers and keep their operations afloat. Teachers are digging deep to create engaging, meaningful lesson plans … and parents have learned just how difficult teaching really is. And kids have watched the world change right before their innocent eyes. Sometimes we forget that little kids have a way of processing reality that may or may not be entirely real. Their families have a routine, they have a “normal,” they have people and places and schedules in their everyday lives that they just take for granted. They don’t stop and think about the how or the why; it just IS. But then IS became WAS. Everything changed a year ago. I mean, it ALL changed. Suddenly our children were not seeing their grandparents, teachers, babysitters, neighbors or friends.

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They weren’t going to school, daycare, church or out to eat. Their parents may have been working from home. Or maybe not working at all. Everyone was stressed. Everyone was worried. And everyone was wearing a mask. We adults have talked among ourselves – from a safe distance of six feet apart, or through a Zoom chat, or via text – but has anyone asked the kids what they think about all this? Well, I have to admit: I had not, until just recently. So I emailed a series of questions to each of my four grandchildren: Briley, age 10; Lyla, 9; Brody, 6; and Zeke, 5. Here are excerpts from their responses, just as they were reported back to me. (Pretty sure Brody and Zeke had help with spelling.) We started with the obvious: “During the past year, we have done some new things, like wearing masks when we go out, washing our hands more often, staying six feet apart from people and eating at home more than usual. Do you know why we are doing these things?” Three of my grandkids said the same thing: “Because of the coronavirus.”

Lyla added her insight regarding the WHY as well as the WHAT when she said, “We do the things we do to stay safe.” Asked to reflect on how the way we go to school or church, or the way Mommy/Daddy go to work might be different, Briley shared her observations in noting: “School is different because we have to wear masks. We have to sit six feet apart. We can’t use the water fountains. Some restaurants you can go inside to eat and some you can’t. You have to wear a mask in all of them. We go to basketball games and they only let a certain amount of people in. You can’t sit by other people or their families.” But at least, she added, “The concession stand is open.” All four children noticed that holidays and celebrations were significantly more subdued last year. Zeke lamented, “I didn’t have anybody at my birthday.” Nevertheless, kids can be more resilient than adults, and in this case, all four of my grandkids quickly responded with observations about things they actually enjoyed when everything was closed. Zeke’s family moved during the early stages of the pandemic, to a bigger house with a pool. Swimming

became a daily source of enjoyment for him and his family. Lyla explored new skills, noting, “I liked to cook and try new things.” And Briley said, “We have been able to play more games because normally we have a lot of stuff to do, but since everything was cancelled, we had more time.” Her little brother Brody got to the heart of the matter when he simply said, “I like that we spend time together.” Asked to reflect on their feelings when the world began to change, Zeke indicated he had made the best of things, saying, “I like staying inside all day and watching TV.” His older cousin Lyla said, “At first it was weird, then sad, then it stopped bothering me.”

Briley shared her thoughts about how the virus affected her family and the greater community: “I have felt angry because we had to quarantine when my Dad had COVID because you can’t play with your friends or leave the house. I feel sad because I know COVID spreads to other people.” All four children listed people they have missed and whom they are looking forward to seeing again. Brody wistfully mentioned his cousin Zeke, as well as his two grandfathers: “Papa with the white beard and Paw Paw with the bald head.” They are all looking forward to the day when things return to normal. All four children specifically

mentioned “not wearing a mask anymore” as a highlight of the future. But in the meantime, they are making the best of things. They all offered their own responses when asked what they do that helps them feel better, but perhaps Lyla had the best idea:

“I just pray.”

Thanks

those

prayers—

and time, and vaccinations, and responsible

behaviors

the

meantime—our current situation of what IS will eventually go back to what WAS. And when it does, everyone is invited to my grandchild’s dream: “I just want to have a party.”

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

They Have Taken Over! Written by Jamie Johnson

his might be the Kids Takeover edition, but not this column. That’s only because my kids aren’t old enough to write yet. Last year I wrote about what my kids would do if they could take over for a day. It was full of Happy Meals and ice cream and wrestling. This year, I thought I would focus on the things my kids have taken from me. Because let’s be honest, our children have taken over our lives. Disclaimer: I love my children more than life itself. In no particular order are the list of things my little ones have taken from me in the blink of an eye.

MY BODY

At one point in my life, I was cute with a flat stomach and could wear bathing suits from Target. Two C-sections later and it’s not going back to the way it used to look. Probably because I spent a lot of time with another human dwelling in my uterus. And I love to eat tacos.

MY PERSONAL SPACE

My children are 3 and 6. They couldn’t care less about personal space. I could have one perched on my shoulder and another clinging to my leg at any point during the day. The closer the better.

THE TELEVISION

I used to watch shows I liked. Now I can name all the members of

the Paw Patrol. I even spend time wondering where Ryder’s parents are. The pandemic has taught me that not all screen time is bad. My youngest has learned a heck of a lot about dinosaurs from YouTube Kids. Therefore, I have also learned a lot about dinosaurs. Fun fact: a Tyrannosaurus Rex only has two fingers on each hand.

MY TIME

I love my children more than life itself, but they require a lot of upkeep. Now that youth sports have come into the picture, I may never sleep in on a Saturday again.

MY CAR

Kids and snacks in cars are crazy messy. But they are always necessary. Anytime I move one of those 40-pound car seats, at least 94 Goldfish fall out along with a crayon, two masks and a ball. I would bet you that there are at least

three french fries in different seat crevices.

MY BED

This isn’t current now, but we have all had times where we had to co-sleep to survive. I can remember a solid month that I slept with a 4-year old’s foot jammed in my back while he laid like a Tetris piece between me and my husband. And I always said I would never co-sleep. That’s funny.

MY HEART

The main thing these boys have taken from me is my heart. Those children stole my heart the moment I saw them for the first time. And the amount of room they hold in it just keeps multiplying. They consistently make me laugh, smile, and think about how to raise good human beings. I don’t know what I would do without them and I’m so glad they have taken my heart. OP

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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Making it

CRAFTS, RECIPES, AND ACTIVITIES FAMILIES CAN ENJOY TOGETHER

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MAKING IT • RECIPE

Classic Meatballs Written by Kasey Kirk-Dillow and son, River Photos by Jamie Alexander

INGREDIENTS ›› 1 cup Panko ›› 1/3 cup milk ›› 1 pound ground beef ›› 1 pound ground pork ›› 4 cloves garlic, minced ›› 2 eggs, beaten ›› 1 cup finely-grated Parmesan cheese ›› 2 Tablespoons finely-chopped basil ›› 1 Tablespoon finely-chopped parsley ›› 1/2 small onion, grated ›› 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes ›› 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ›› 1 teaspoon dried oregano ›› Salt and Pepper INSTRUCTIONS: ›› Combine milk and Panko and allow to sit for 5-10 min. ›› In the same bowl add remaining ingredients and mix with hands, trying not to over mix. ›› Pre-heat oven to 425 and line baking sheet with parchment paper. ›› Roll mixture into 2-tablespoon balls and place them on prepared baking sheet. ›› Bake 10-12 min., or until cooked through. ›› Serve with your favorite red sauce and noodles—enjoy! OP

KASEY KIRK-DILLOW is the Executive Chef at The Miller House. She and her son, River, 5, bring you this easy recipe for a fun family dinner!

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MAKING IT • CRAFT TIME

DIY Indoor Golf Written by Nana Kato, 4th grade

It is raining outside and you are bored. What should you do? There are many things you can do indoors. I am going to share how to do an indoor golf. All you need is scissors, box, marker, stickers, colored paper, and glue! First, you make a hole in the box. Next, get a colored paper and stick it with glue around the hole. Finally, you can decorate the box with markers or stickers! Now you can get some balls and play with your family! Have fun!

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Rainy Day Boredom Buster Written by Rylee Adams, 4th grade

Have you ever been bored on a rainy day? Well, I have a thing you can do. It is mess free and easy. These are the things you need: a Ziploc bag, tape and paint. First you need to put the Ziploc bag on a table and put the color paint you want in it. Then zip it and spread it out. Then tape it on a window. You can use Q-tips to draw and let the light go through. You can use this with little kids to practice letters or spelling. OP

Pom Pom Craft Written by Madeline Futrell, 4th grade

Making pom-poms is a really fun and simple craft that I am an expert at. All you need is yarn and scissors. Take your yarn, cut off a long piece and wrap it around all fingers on one hand not including the thumb making sure it is not too tight or too loose and leaving space between your palm and the yarn. Cut a piece that will fit around your pom-pom and shove that in between your middle finger and your ring finger. Tie a knot around your pom-pom then take it off your fingers. You might need someone to help you with the first knot. Tie a tight knot and cut the first one off. You might want to might want to make them different colors. Roll it in your hands and trim until fluffy. Enjoy your pom-poms as decoration or put them on display! They could also make a good gift to a friend, a family member, or teacher! OP

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REGAINING CONTROL

in the Most Uncertain of Times Written by Ainsley Taylor // Photo by Jamie Alexander

am a bit of a control freak and overthinker. I live many parts of my life by checklists. Whether they pertain to homework, groceries, or tasks, I have one for each of them. I wake up in the middle of the night to write something down I need to do because I fear I will forget about it. I am the opposite of a procrastinator. I turn in my school projects and essays weeks ahead of time. I struggle to take standardized tests because I overthink the questions. Overthinking prevents me from hanging with friends, but I also have a fear of missing out. People claim I have a condescending tone, which results from my brain trying to obtain control of everything. But there are many times when I am not in control, and I fear those moments. I’m not in control when I eat a whole package of cookies in one sitting, or when I pick at my acne until it bleeds. I was not in control of this pandemic, and the uncertainty consumed me until I decided to consume it. At first, quarantine life seemed to resonate positively in my mind, but that was before everything got cancelled. My junior track season was devastatingly cancelled all together towards the end of March. This single word “cancel” became a

refrain that resulted in a stream of negativity, which I experienced throughout the next few months. I became unmotivated to run, to have fun, or to be positive. I am a naturally motivated person, so it came as a surprise that I felt so apathetic. As the fall semester approached, I had come to accept nothing less than the routine of cancellation. Even though things were no longer indefinitely “cancelled,” I now entered into a season of uncertainty. From the unknown of school on a virtual or hybrid schedule, to not knowing if my next cross country meet would be cancelled due to the pandemic, it was extremely difficult to have a grasp on reality because everything felt out of my control. I kept telling myself that “I miss normal life” and “why can’t I be my old self again?” All the emotions I was feeling during the semester started to translate into my cross country season. During many practices and races, a million endorphins and thoughts of failure caused me to physically give up. It saddened me when I realized my abilities were being limited by my mental cages that devoured my potential. However, coming to this realization was key for turning around my season, which ended on

a positive note. The cancellations and season of uncertainty resulted in an experience where I learned many things about myself. Like many people, the isolation of COVID-19 highlighted my worst fears and traits. Mine highlighted my desire for control. While not having the usual control of my life caused me to be a bit down, the turn around point eventually rose. Newton's third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When I tried too hard to control everything in my life, inevitably, it caused me to break. This semester, things have begun to go back to normal. I have reflected on some of the things I took for granted during this strange time. While I enjoyed time to myself in the early months of COVID, seeing my friends hanging out on social media caused me to feel like I was missing out on everything. I gave myself excuses to not hang out with my friends. Of course social distancing guidelines were very important in the early months, but deep down that was not the reason I stayed away. In isolation, I chose to focus on the bad times and negative aspects of all my friendships. After months

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of distance, I came to dread seeing my friends again until the moment we reunited. However, when the moment came, I was so happy to see everyone. I maintained this critical view of my friendships until the state cross country meet. While we were cooling down there was a moment where my emotions took control and the tears fell as I realized the finality of my last high school race. Although it had not gone as I wanted it to, everything that happened made me realize that I couldn’t take anything for granted. Being so scared of the uncertainty, there I was crying about how I would never have anything close to the camaraderie my teammates, my friends, and I share. It

took the pandemic for me to come to this realization, and I am grateful for it. To overcome my desire for control for the rest of senior year, I have to be optimistic there would be success and happiness when I don’t have control of my life. This semester has allowed lots of personal growth. As someone who doesn’t normally speak up in class, now I am engaging in discussions, joining in conversations, and pursuing new opportunities. I realize that I only have one senior year of high school, although it has been and will be different, I will make the best of it. Ignoring the past me that many people know, I decided to take control of my fears. I want to be remembered

as someone made better by humbling circumstances, rather than being overwhelmed by them. The pandemic triggered my worst fears while allowing me to take control of them. The times when I wasn’t in control were difficult, but they allowed me to grow. They were a productive struggle that I wouldn’t realize the benefits of until months later. With less than two months to go of high school, senior activities such as prom, graduation, and regular school are likely. Some people might say all of my stress was for nothing, but I say it was all for a reason. A reason that allowed me to consume the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and extract lessons along the way. OP

AINSLEY TAYLOR is senior at Daviess County High School. She enjoys running, cooking, baking, and hanging with friends. She plans to attend The University of Louisville in the fall to pursue a degree in Political Science and English. She has also committed to run cross country and track for the University of Louisville.

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I Speak for

Me.

Written by Brynna Rafferty // Photo by Jamie Alexander

he dictionary definition of autism as stated by Oxford Languages is: “a developmental disorder of variable severity that is characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior.” This disorder is something my older brother, Beau, has been living with his entire life. Growing up, I have always been aware that Beau has autism. I have always treated him exactly how I would treat anyone else, and accommodating to him when necessary. If Beau had a meltdown when we were younger, I would help him calm down or go tell mom and dad that he was upset. There was nothing more to it; autism has never been something to be suffered through for Beau or his family, only a hurdle to jump over in the game of life. While autism is not something an individual suffers from, school for a child with autism definitely is. School is a breeding ground for bullying. Anyone that does not meet societal standards—whether that means they have a disability, are a person of color, or are of a different sexual orientation—is outcast or harassed over something that is out of their control. Beau was one of many victims of harassment only because he was born with a disorder he and everyone else cannot control. As his sister, I was the one who stepped in and stood up for him because he just never knew how to advocate for himself. He yelled, but that only fueled the fires of those harassing him. Teachers rarely got involved unless someone actually told them about the situation. I had to learn how to grow up fast while at school just so I could gather the courage to tell off those who caused Beau’s meltdowns for their own satisfaction, threw around the dreaded R-word, and those who spoke to Beau as if he was a young child just learning how to speak.

Beau is just a person with autism; he is not a child, and he is not a charity case. Autism does not define him, only acts as a factor that makes him who he is. If one actually got to know Beau, they would learn he is an outspoken and very sociable individual who has a love for video games and Japan. He is an intellectual who only needs to be accommodated to his environment. If society actually took the time to accept those like Beau, many would learn that the autism community is a group of individuals who just wants their voices to be heard. Many people with autism are treated as if they cannot speak for themselves, and that is because no one has taken the time to actually ask for their opinions. While many mean well when they speak for those born with autism and disabilities in general, that is the exact opposite of what they want. I sat down with Beau and asked for his opinion on autism and what it means to him. “People like me just think differently, but everyone thinks differently. No one is the exact same. If I have an opinion, I want to be able to say it because if someone else speaks for me, others can interpret it the wrong way.” There is a lesson to be learned here. Autism is a disability. It is not a superpower, and it does not make those who are affected by it extra special. Beau is not just a puzzle piece; he only wants to be treated like everyone else, and as he put it, everyone is different. While I have had to look after my older brother my whole life and will continue to, I have learned a lot from him. I have learned to be courageous over what’s important to me, to accept others no matter what they look like or have been through, and most importantly, I have learned that while I may not be like Beau and have a life-altering disability, I am unique and I am the only one who can speak for me. OP

BRYNNA RAFFERTY is a senior at OHS. She enjoys moviegoing, trips to the nearest Barnes & Noble, and playing video games with her older brother, Beau. She plans to attend WKU in the fall and major in film production. April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

A Positive Perspective:

COVID-19 Illustrations by Collin Wethington, 2nd grade

Written by Cole Edds, 4th grade

One positive thing I will take away from the pandemic is not taking for granted being able to see my family and friends. We usually have HUGE holiday gatherings with my mom and dad’s family, but this year we were not able to have any of them. Not even small ones! I have a baby cousin that was born March 17th that I haven’t even been able to meet yet! I miss seeing my aunts and uncles, and playing with my cousin in person every week, and hugging my grandparents whenever I wanted to. I will never take it for granted again, and I will always 26 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

take every opportunity to be with them in person that I can in the future. Another positive thing I will take away from this pandemic is now I understand how great it is when my family can come watch me play hockey in person. Only my mom and dad have been able to be in the stands during my travel hockey games with the Puckhogs. I love that they can come watch me and cheer me on, but I miss when my grandparents, and aunts and uncles could come as well and I had my own cheering section in the stands. Now they have to watch me on Facebook Live, but it just isn’t the same. The next

time they are able to come to my games after this pandemic is over, I will play the greatest and fastest I have ever played because of their support and being able to hear their voices in person on the ice! I have missed out on a lot of things due to the pandemic, but in some ways it has been positive. I have been able to spend so much more time with my mom and dad, and talk to my friends through video games as well. But once this is over, everyone is getting hugs and we are going to do every single in person thing that we haven’t been able to in a year!

Written by Jaxon Payne, 5th Grade

Ever since COVID-19 hit America we have all either been A/B schedule or virtual. Even though some people don't like the pandemic, here are some things that are good about the pandemic. More time with family. Before the pandemic kids were always outside or at the friends house. But now since you can't go around other people and can't really go out to eat, now everybody eats with their family and spends time with them more. Ever since the pandemic hit kids and adults have learned to be more responsible and clean. Every time you eat you wash hands. Every time you go around somebody stay six feet. Kids have learned to take care of themselves a little more since the pandemic hit. Those are two reasons why COVID-19 affected some people for the better.

Written by Paige Overby, 5th Grade

Digital learning has made me a better person. It has shown me that even though people can’t be together, the power to learn new things still follow us. Digital learning has had an effect on me and it’s shown me that learning can happen anywhere and anytime. Digital learning has helped me grow as a better person that I want to be. It’s made me passionate and made me grateful and that means more to me than anywhere being in person. It has taught me to excel as a better student than ever. Now learning means more to me than ever. Digital or in-person. Even though we can’t be together, that doesn't mean we can’t learn together. OP

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

THE BEST THING ABOUT

Owensboro

Written by Cammi Drury, 5th grade // Illustration by Collin Wethington, 2nd grade

The best thing about Owensboro

your kid to. There they can learn a

It is a trampoline park. It has cool

is that there are a lot of fun things

lot of cool things and it is just a fun

things in it. that you can do. You can

here that you can do. Most people

thing to do when you are bored and

also celebrate your birthday there.

come here to play on the parks.

stuck in the house. It has a lot of

There is a river called the Ohio

things to do in there and it is a good

River and it is downtown where a

place for old and young people. It is

should go to our Public Library. They

lot of people go. All of the parks are:

just a good place to hang out with

Legion Park, Smothers Park, and

family and friends.

Heartland Parks.

Smothers Park is the number

to get some fresh air here are some

one rated park. It is the best park

places to walk. Yellow Creek Park,

ever! A lot of people love to play on

Panther Creek Park, Rudy Mines,

it because it is so big and it is also

and more fun place to walk. Walking

downtown just like the Ohio River.

is so fun to do and just to get to hang

doing all of these things and go have

out with you family and friends.

fun and hang out with you friends

called Museum of Science and

and family and go have the best time

History. It is a good place to take

inside then you should go to Elite Air.

There is this place downtown

28 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

If you ever want to go on a walk

If you ever want to do something

If you want to get books you

have a lot of good books for you to read. They have a lot of book that are for older and young people. You need to go there and get a book. They have all good books for you to read. And they are ready for you to read it. I hope you have a good time

ever!

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

JOKES THAT WOULD MAKE

Your Dog Laugh!

Illustrations by Avery Sorce, 4th grade Written by Simon Dedaj, 3rd grade

WHAT IS A SCIENTIST’S FAVORITE TYPE OF DOG? A lab! KNOCK KNOCK. Who’s there? BOO. Boo who? DON’T CRY, IT’S JUST A JOKE! A HORSE WAS WALKING DOWN THE STREET WHEN A MAN ASKED HIM, “WHY THE LONG FACE?” WHAT DO LIBRARIANS TAKE WITH THEM TO GO FISHING? A bookworm!

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A CHEETAH WITH A BURGER? Fast food! WHAT DO YOU CALL CHEESE THAT’S NOT YOURS? Nacho cheese! FRIEND 1: DID YOU HEAR THAT OXYGEN AND MAGNESIUM GOT TOGETHER? Friend 2: OMG!

A PROTON WALKS INTO A CANDY STORE AND ASKS FOR SOME CHOCOLATE. THE EMPLOYEE ASKS, “ARE YOU SURE?” THE PROTON REPLIES, “YEAH, I’M POSITIVE.” WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A PIG WITH A TYRANNOSAURUS? Jurassic pork! 30 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

WHY DO SOME FISH LIVE IN SALT WATER? Because pepper makes them sneeze!

Written by Gatlin Decker, 5th grade

Written by Blake Vanover, 2nd grade

WHY DID THE SKELTON NOT WANT TO GO TO THE DANCE? He had “no body” to go with! WHY DID THE COOKIE GO TO TO DOCTOR? He was feeling pretty crumby. HOW MANY BOOKS CAN YOU CARRY IN AN EMPTY BACKPACK? One. Then it’s not empty anymore. WHY CAN’T YOUR NOSE BE 12 INCHES LONG? Because then it would be a foot!

WHEN DO MONKEYS FALL FROM THE SKY? During APE-ril showers. DOES FEBRUARY LIKE MARCH? No, but April May. WHAT SEASON IS IT BEST TO GO ON A TRAMPOLINE? Spring time WHAT DO YOU CALL A RABBIT WITH FLEAS? Bugs Bunny. WHAT DID THE MAD TREE SAY TO THE FLOWER? Leaf me alone.

WHAT IS THE BEST CEREAL TO EAT FOR BREAKFAST IN THE WINTER? Frosted Flakes WHAT SORT OF BIRTHDAY CAKE DO GHOSTS PREFER? “I Scream” Cake WHAT DO DENTISTS CALL THEIR X-RAYS? Tooth-pics WHY DIDN’T THE DUCK WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH? He didn’t want to get sand in his “butt-quack”!

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

WHY I LOVE SPRING Written by Hadlee Brown, 3rd Grade Illustration by Lydia Tanner, 2nd grade

IF I WERE A TEACHER MY RULES WOULD BE… Written by Natalie Raines, 3rd grade

Spring is a really fun season. In spring it’s the perfect weather to play outside. In summer it’s too hot, in fall too cold, and in winter way too cold. I always wanted to play outside in summer and ride my bike but after a few minutes, just a few, I got really hot and went inside and put an ice pack on my face. In spring you can ride your bike all day long if you wanted to. I love spring because that’s when flowers start to bloom and leaves start to grow on trees and there’s a nice breeze in your face. Everything grows outside. It’s a perfect day to have a playdate or sleep over at a friends house and jump on a trampoline. You could possibly go camping. You can have a yard sale. And if it’s a rainy day you could stay inside and watch a movie with your family. I also love Easter when you hide eggs and see what the Easter Bunny got you. And Easter is a time of celebrating God. I love Spring! OP

32 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

Follow the rules I provide you. No vegetables in the classroom - only candy. No math or reading. Every day is PJ day. No more work! Friday is bring your pet to school day! :) Wednesday is the weekend too. Monday and Tuesday are our field trip days! Have fun!

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

34 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

PAID ADVERTORIAL OWENSBORO HEALTH

Returning to School DURING COVID-19

s children begin to return to full-time in-person school, it’s important to find ways to keep them physically and mentally well. Follow the tips below from Dr. Rebekah Booth, Pediatrician at Owensboro Health Medical Group Children’s Center, to keep your kids safe and healthy. Review your hygiene measures: • Hand sanitizer should be used after touching your face, before and after touching your mask, after entering or leaving a public space and after touching objects in public. • Washing hands should take place when hands are visibly dirty, after use of the restroom and before and after eating. Warm or cold water is OK. • Remind children to notify their teachers if the school restrooms are out of soap. • Practice at home with your child how to sanitize and wash properly. Wash your own hands properly and frequently to model this for your child. Practice safe masking techniques: • Children may outgrow masks as their faces grow, so reassess that they have a good fit. • Masks should fit over the bridge of the nose and under the chin with no gaps on the sides. • Masks fit better with a metal nose piece or use of a brace over the mask. A disposable mask can be used under a cloth mask but DO NOT double up on disposable masks. • If the mask has to be frequently adjusted, then it is not a good fit. • If your child has a new mask or you want to attempt double masking, try this out at home first to assure a good fit and to make sure that your child can still breathe easily. • Remind your child to sanitize before and after touching their mask and

•

always remove mask by only touching the ear loops, not the mask itself. Mask should be worn indoors and outdoors any time your child cannot be safely 6 feet apart from their classmates. Wear your own mask correctly when in public to model this for your child.

Monitor your child for emotional wellness: • Changes in mood that are unusual for your child (irritability, feelings of hopelessness or rage, and frequent bickering at home) can indicate your child is struggling. • Loss of interest in activities or friendships and less attention to personal hygiene can be a sign of depression or anxiety. • Sleeping and eating patterns can change due to stress. • Know that negative behaviors may be a sign your child is bored, may need more of your attention or may be not coping well with stress. • Problems with memory or concentration and less interest in school or drop in grades may indicate emotional upset. • Reckless behaviors and acting out in teens can show they are not coping well. • Consider seeing your child’s healthcare provider if they are showing worsening or frequent symptoms of poor coping as the pandemic continues. Encourage physical wellness: • Keep regular sleep and wake times every day. Ages 3-5 need 10-13 hours of sleep. Ages 6-12 need 9-12 hours of sleep. Teens need 8-10 hours of sleep. • Turn off all screens 60 minutes prior to bedtime and keep screens out of the bedroom. • Encourage older children to help with

• •

•

cooking and attempt to get 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Limit caffeine in older kids, as this may affect their sleep. Encourage safe outdoor play and physical activity for 30-60 minutes every day. Model these same healthy behaviors for your children by getting regular sleep and exercise yourself.

Ways to help your child cope: • Try to stay positive and relay consistent messages that a brighter future lies ahead. • Answer questions they have about COVID-19 simply and honestly. • Limit media exposures if this increases their anxiety. • Explore relaxation techniques with them, such as mindfulness, yoga or stretching. • Prioritize down time for the whole family, enjoying a nap, movie time or simply spending time together. • Acknowledge the negative feelings when they arise and share with them coping skills that help you. • Give children time and space to express their feelings, with gradual conversations and other activities besides talking, such as painting or drawing to express themselves. • Keep up social connections safely, via video chatting or phone calls. • Show physical affection with frequent hugs and provide praise for good behaviors. Engage with your child with activities they enjoy, like board games, bike riding or arts and crafts. For more information on helping your child cope, visit https://www.healthychildren. org/English/health-issues/conditions/ COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx or make an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider. OP

Dr. Rebekah Booth focuses her care on general pediatrics, including wellness checks, acute and chronic illness visits, and pediatric mental health. Her goal is to provide quality, equitable care for all children as well as to provide ongoing education and support for both the patient and their caregiver. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 270-688-4480. April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

We have to admit, the Kids Takeover wasn't as easy this year with ever-changing school schedules and a week of snow, but we are proud to put out another great issue. Special thanks to the teachers and staff of Daviess County Public Schools and Owensboro Public Schools. We couldn't put this issue together without your help! These ads were completely designed by local elementary school students with the hope of their original artwork winning our contest. Each business judged the entries and chose the winners. Owensboro Parent staff added some of our favorite picks in too!

ALLERGY & ASTHMA SPECIALISTS, P.S.C. CHICK-FIL-A DAVIESS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY GATEWAY URGENT CARE LIBERTY FINANCIAL MELLOW MUSHROOM OWENSBORO DERMATOLOGY OWENSBORO HEALTH WILLS ANIMAL CLINIC

36 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

Mallory Albers Age: 9

3604 Wathen’s Crossing (270) 684-6144 owensboroallergy.com

Ella Shackelford Age: 8

4601 Frederica St. (270) 683-0907 chick-fil-a.com

Allergy & Asthma Specialists, P.S.C.

Caleigh Ann Sapp Age: 11 Chick-Fil-A

Henry Stiff Age: 8 April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

Audrey Potter Age: 10

3245 Mt Moriah Ave, Ste 10 Owensboro, KY (270)663-0955 www.mercyurgentcare.com

Abel Sims Age: 6

2020 Frederica St. • Owensboro, KY (270) 684-6144 www.dcplibrary.org

Gateway Urgent Care

Audrey Neel Age: 10 Daviess County Public Library

Max Hayden Age: 8 38 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

Wilson Williams Age: 9

2925 Wimsatt Ct. E (800) 685-2085 libertyfinancial.com

Avery Sorce Age: 9

101 W 2nd St. (270) 684-7800 mellowmushroom.com

Liberty Financial Owensboro Health Regional Hospital

Om Patel Age: 11

Addalyn Sims Age: 9 Mellow Mushroom

Layla Smith Age: 9 April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

Emmie Kate Williams Age: 11

2821 New Hartford Road (270) 685-5777 OurFamilyDerm.com

Lillian Glenn Age: 9

3030 New Hartford Dr. (270) 684-3201 willsanimal.com

Owensboro Dermatology

Mallory Albers Age: 9 Wills Animal Hospital

Audrey Willoughby Age: 8 40 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

Maddox Hayden

Regional Hospital 1201 Pleasant Valley Rd. (270) 417-2000 owensborohealth.org

Age: 8

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

42 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

Discover

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

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

DISCOVER

Rain, Rain, Go Away! Written by Sasha Foster, 5th grade Illustrations by Lydia Tanner, 2nd Grade

Rain rain, go away, come back again some other day! There are hundreds of things to do inside on a rainy day, you just have to use your imagination. Here are just a few things you can do to be entertained on a rainy day:

READ A BOOK

Reading is a great way to be entertained without staring at a screen for hours! Choose your favorite book, and curl up with a cozy blanket!

DO A PUZZLE

Solving a puzzle is one of the activities I see people doing all the time on rainy days. Not only will it kill time, but it is super fun for people of all ages!

SOLVE A WORD SEARCH

Doing word searches is one of my favorite ways to kill time. You should do word searches even if it isn’t raining!

WRITE A STORY

Again, this is one of the activities I do on a rainy day. It is a great way to let your imagination break loose, and write down all of your thoughts into a story

BAKE A YUMMY TREAT

You and your family can have fun while baking something really delicious! There are a lot of recipes you can find online that tell you step by step how to bake something yummy! OP

44 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

THINGS TO DO AT HOME Written by Carter DeArmond, 4th grade

Play a board game with your family. It would be a great way for family bonding time. Watch a movie with your family.

Geocaching Written by Ryann Kasey, 5th Grade Illustration by Collin Wethington, 2nd Grade

With COVID-19, or maybe you and your family aren't able to travel, I have a fun thing that you could do in Owensboro! Something that I’ve done in our town its geocaching. It's an app where it gives you a location and there's a hidden object you must find. It might say something cool when you find it. It's kinda like a treasure hunt around town. It will have something in the container. They are outside geocache and you find it by coordinates on the app like a GPS. It's free and is something fun to do with your family. You don't need anything but your eyes and an electronic to download the app! It's almost like Pokemon go but instead it's a hidden container. It's like a community game where you find the prize and take it you see what's inside and then put it back where you found it for the next person. It's just for fun! Some will be easy and some will be hard. Try asking your parents if you can download Geocache with them to go on a family community treasure hunt!

Play a fun little game, like Would you Rather or Truth or Dare or Charades. Make slime or homemade play-dough if you have the right ingredients. Maybe you feel like getting a little exercise. You could put on a Go Noodle for a little bit of exercise. Make a blanket or pillow fort for some play time. Have an indoor picnic. Tell some jokes—sit down on the ground in the shape of a circle and tell your best jokes. Set up a snack party and put on a movie. Or you could have a dance party.

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

DISCOVER

How can kids lead A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE? Written by Payton Harrington, 4th grade Illustration by Lydia Tanner, 2nd grade

Start the day with a healthy breakfast. Let us kids help plan and prepare one meal each week. As a kid myself I did not know what this question meant. What is a healthier lifestyle? After reading the definition (A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being. Many governments and non-governmental organizations work at promoting healthy lifestyles. They measure the benefits with critical health numbers, including weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol.) now I have a better understanding of the question. Here are a few ways I found for kids to lead a healthier lifestyle.

46 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

Eat more vegetables, fresh fruits , and whole grains. More family meals (sharing each others day) More exercise More outdoor activities Get at least eight hours of sleep each night. Creating healthier habits as a child will also help to lead to a healthier lifestyle as an adult.

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

DISCOVER • THE BOOK NOOK

FAV O R I T E S O F A

Future Librarian Written by Mallory Albers, 4th grade

Someday I would like to be a librarian because I like to read and write stories. I like reading fantasy books, I like adventure and magic. Here are 6 of my favorite books.

PETER PAN by JM Barrie Peter Pan is one of my favorite books because it makes me feel like I am there with Peter Pan in Neverland.

PINOCCHIO

RAINBOW MAGIC SERIES

by Daisy Meadows

The Rainbow Magic Series is one of my favorite book series because Rachel and Kirsty get to help fairies find things that Jack Frost and the goblins steal.

by Carlo Collodi

Pinocchio is one of my favorite books because it is a fun story about a puppet named Pinocchio that wants to turn into a boy. Reading the illustrated versions by MinaLima is fun because the pictures and pop-ups help me visualize the stories.

WHATEVER AFTER SERIES

by Sarah Mlynowski

The Whatever After Series is one of my favorite book Series because Abby and Jonah get to go into a mirror to visit fairytales.

48 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

MATILDA

by Roald Dahl

Matilda is one of my favorite books because it teaches you a lesson even little kids can have big powers.

THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN

by Katherine Applegate The One and Only Ivan is one of my favorite books because Ivan the gorilla learns to draw, makes new friends, and finally gets his dream. OP

BOOK REVIEW

The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan Written by Simon Dedaj, 3rd grade

The Kane Chronicles is a series of three books written by Rick Riordan. The titles in the series are The Red Pyramid, The Throne of Fire, and The Serpent’s Shadow. This series follows the story of Carter and Sadie Kane, siblings who discover they are descended from the pharaohs of Egypt and that they are mythical magicians. The books are full of Egyptian mythology and culture. Carter and Sadie’s adventure begins when their father unleashes five Egyptian gods

onto Earth. From that point on, they constantly deal with turmoil among magicians and the gods. Their first goal is to defeat, Set, the god of evil. Next, in The Throne of Fire, Carter and Sadie set out to awaken Ra, the sun god, with hopes that he will help them defeat Apophis, the god of chaos. The final book contains the epic battle between Apophis and the magicians/ gods. Throughout the stories, Carter and Sadie overcome many challenges, make new friends and allies, and

eventually restore Ma’at, which is the order of the universe. The Kane Chronicles is a great series of books for readers who love adventure and learning something new, such as Egyptian mythology. Rick Riordan is one of my favorite authors because he is so descriptive and entertaining. While reading the books, I felt transported into the story like I was actually fighting monsters and defeating gods along with Carter and Sadie. OP

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

DISCOVER

kids

meal deals

EVERY DAY

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

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY Firehouse Subs – Up to 2 kids eat free (12 & under) all day with purchase of an adult meal Donatos – Up to 2 free individual

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

1-topping pizza/per child (12 and under)

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

in only from 5-8pm

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

(ages 12 & under) with purchase of an

with the purchase of a large pizza; dine-

Burger Theory (located in the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront) – Free kids meal 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 to

TUESDAY

Trunnell’s 54 Deli – 1 free kids meal with

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

Lure Seafood & Grille – Free kids meal

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

Wheatgrass Juice Bar – Free kids

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

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!

2 $1.99 kids meals

the purchase of a signature sandwich

SATURDAY with purchase of adult entrée

smoothie with adult purchase Long John Silver’s – $1.99 Kids meals all day

SUNDAY

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

Beef 'O' Brady's – Free kids meal (ages 12

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

Briarpatch – 1 free kids meal (10 &

Salsarita’s – Free kids meal with the purchase of $5 or more adult entrée; dine in only

& under) with the purchase of an adult entrée from 4-8pm; dine-in only

under) per adult entrée Salsarita’s – Free kids meal with the purchase of $5 or more adult entrée; dine in only Pizza By the Guy – 1 free buffet for kids

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

(ages 10 & under) with adult purchase

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

under) all day with purchase of adult

with a drink from 11:30am-2pm Firehouse Subs – Kids eat free (12 & meal; up to 2 kids per adult Bar Louie – Kids eat free 11am - 7pm

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

50 OWENSBORO PARENT . April // May 2021

up to 2 kids per adult entrée; 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.

April // May 2021 . OWENSBORO PARENT

FROM OUR READERS

SPRING is here!

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