The Bunk Room 7 Rivers Region
™ June 2012 Vol 5, Issue 6
TA K E M E H O M E ! I’ M F R E E !
Christina 17, La Crosse, WI embraces a whole new world helping kids11, in Bogotá, Colombia. Annika
splashes her heart out on her Staycation!
Check out this issue! PROMOTE SOMETHING!
8 Pg 14 nra tiu O s i y r h n h i W C rye dss JAo a nm Mio F i b ! m 182 Colool Pg 2 ur s O t o e ob Lovte on R Wem o p!eur t C 8 Daeds o Pg 22 th C ce
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be p ant to W ! s e 8! d i K See pag
Find The Differences There are 10 differences in these two photos. Can you find them? KIDS! Want to see one of your photos here? Submit your best photography and we may feature it in our “Find The Differences� activity page. Send your photo to images@tglmediagroup.com.
Psssst! Check me out!
Show off your photography skills!
We have seen the talent the 7 Rivers Region has to offer by reading the articles in The Bunk Room but now we want to see your skills behind a camera. But...
we need your help! We know that there are talented young
photographers out there. Help us show the talents of the 7 Rivers Region. Send us your best photos and help us create a showcase of the great photography that is in the area. Send your photo to images@tglmediagroup.com.
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7 Rivers Region
™
The Bunk Room
Created by Kids
The Bunk Room is a magazine created by kids and read by all ages. Our goal is to inspire kids to love reading and writing. We have readers and contributors from all over the world. In addition to our online edition, our printed editions can be found throughout the United States. Print editions are provided without charge and can be picked up at participating local businesses and institutions. To locate your closest local provider, go to thebunkroom.com/locations The Bunk Room is owned by Dimples Media, Inc. No part of this publication may be used without written permission from Dimples Media, Inc. Please email permission requests to publisher@TheBunkRoom.com. Local editions of The Bunk Room are licensed by Dimples Media and are independently owned and operated. For information about being a local publisher of The Bunk Room, contact Mark Slaby, Director of Licensing at mark@TheBunkRoom.com
wHAt*s uP tHis moNTh? bia braces Colom Christina Em
Features 10 Audition Chills & Thrills! Michelle 12, Eagan, MN makes a note to herself about future auditions!
14 COVER FEATURE!
page 14
Christina 17, La Crosse, WI opens her heart to a new world and comes home as a changed person.
28 More Than A Video Game Javelyn 10, Mount Dora, FL takes architectural cues from her favorite video game.
Departments 6 Publisher’s Note 8 Contributors This Issue 8 Erik’s Think Tank NEW! Meet our new Editor In Chief!
11 What Do Your Think?
We Love ou r Dad’s!
page 18
12 Day-To-Day Caitlin 11, Sorrento, FL enjoys math, school and friends on a busy day!
20 Poem! Poem! 26 Road Trip! 28 Future Life 30 The Bunk Roomies Notebook Renaissance Valo r!
page 22 JUne 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 5
The Bunk Room
™
7 Rivers Region TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com
Jeremy Fisher
Publisher: Jeremy Fisher
Publisher, 7 Rivers Region
Well, it happened! It’s June and you are
Editorial / Creative: Maria Slaby
only days away from being done with
Editor in Chief: Erik Slaby
school...Congratulations!
Advertising: ads@tglmediagroup.com
This is our 7th edition of the magazine here
Advertising Design: The Good Life Media Group
Thank you for your warm and loving reception of the magazine.
Distribution: Pam Fisher
Please note that for the months of July and August you can still receive The
The Bunk Roomies......................... Our loyal and diligent writers appearing in this issue: Anna Gazdecki 10, Sorrento, FL Becca Michaels 10, Concord, NC Annika Slaby 12, Mount Dora, FL Madison Yates 12, Sorrento, FL Emma Gazdecki 13, Sorrento, FL Benjamin Slaby 14, Mount Dora, FL Erik Slaby 16, Mount Dora, FL Margo Slaby 18, Mount Dora, FL Maria Chester 18, Eustis, FL Founders.................................... The Slaby Family, Mount Dora, FL Margo, Erik, Benjamin & Annika Mark & Maria .................................................. The Bunk Room: Your Edition, is published by The Good Life Media Group. .................................................. All content submissions are assumed to be for publication and become property Dimples Media, Inc., 1515 Old Eustis Road, Mount Dora, FL, provider of The Bunk Room trademark and editorial content. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used without written permission from Dimples Media Inc. Contact publisher@thebunkroom.com for permission requests. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If an error comes to your attention, please accept our apologies and notify us immediately. The Bunk Room is limited in liability to a correction in a future issue. All opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers or advertisers. The Bunk Room cannot be held responsible for the products, services or opinions herein.
6 | TheBunkRoom.com | June 2012
in the 7 Rivers Region and I can’t be more excited about how well it is going.
Bunk Room. You will find us at many local retailers, Dentist offices, hospitals and clinics. We are also making the magazine available in the different summer programs that are available in our area. Please be on the lookout for upcoming writing workshops and even a writing club that will be starting soon! Thanks ~ Jeremy
Maria Slaby
Director of Editorial & Creative
As the first days of summer roll out in front of us, the exhilaration of what’s to come excites our imagination. That’s exactly how we feel here at The Bunk Room! We have writers coming out of the woodwork from every community we’re in, and even from places we’re not! (The beauty of the internet!) Now’s the time for kids to get in on the ground-floor, where writing opportunities abound with The Bunk Room. Our Bunk Roomies writing group is growing like crazy! We just celebrated our first birthday, too! We’re ready to expand and would like to develop a chapter in your community! We’re looking for volunteers to help establish your own local chapter. Please contact me for information. (Maria@ thebunkroom.com) Our goal is to inspire kids to love reading and writing. The more they do both, the more likely that the LOVE will bloom!
WeÍre Growing! Wanted Writers! Go to page 8 to learn how you can contribute your writing. Also subscribe to our updates and “like” our Facebook page to stay plugged-in.
TheBunkRoom.com
Facebook.com/ 7Rivers ............................ Facebook.com/ thebunkroom
JUne 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 7
Contributors This Issue
Caitlin 11, Sorrento, FL
Nathaniel 14, LaCrosse, WI
Sophia 6, Orlando, FL
Anna 10, Sorrento, FL
Shayna 11, La Crosse, WI
Adrian 14, Coral Gables, FL
Sam 7, Atlanta, GA
Grace 10, Mount Dora, FL
Alex 12, Maitland, FL
Benjamin 14, Mount Dora, FL
Megan 7, Concord, NC
Kate 10, Matiland, FL
Madison 12, Sorrento, FL
Victoria 14, Orlando, FL
Ben 7, Holmen, WI
Kayla 10, Knoxville, TN
Annika 12, Mount Dora, FL
Alissa 14, Mount Dora, FL
Josephine 7, Sorrento, FL
Megan 10, Apopka, FL
Jazlynn 12, Orlando, FL
Erik 16, Mount Dora, FL
Chloe 8, Holmen, WI
Christina 11, Orlando, FL
Emma 13, Sorrento, FL
Sophia 17, Leesburg, FL
Michael 9, Pace, FL
Emily 11, Maitland, FL
Victoria 13, Orlando, FL
Christina 17, LaCrosse, WI
Alex 9, Orlando, FL
Hannah 11, Mount Dora, FL
Julia 13, Louisville, KY
Margo 18, Mount Dora, FL
Becca 9, Concord, NC
Isabella 11, Winslow, ME
Madison 13, Maitland, FL
Maria 18, Eustis, FL
Javelyn 10, Mount Dora, FL
Sadie 11, Atlanta, GA
Erik’s Think Tank
Welcome to the Think Tank! This is where you guys can read about what’s going on with my life, The Bunk Room and any other interesting things that are going on.
16 Erik Slaby , FL ra o D Mount hief -C in ro it d E
Now you may be wondering where Margo’s Musings went. Well, my fellow readers, since Margo has graduated from high school, she can no longer be editor of The Bunk Room because that means she’s not a kid, and this magazine is written entirely by kids. Because of that, I have ascended to this position! This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I’m ready to begin this journey! I hope to see many awesome articles from all of you about your adventures, too.
Let me tell you a little bit about me. I’m a homeschooled 16-year-old and I am taking online classes at Rasmussen College. I will graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at about the same time I technically graduate from high school, in 2013. I guess you could say I by-passed high school. It’s such a great experience being homeschooled because I can stay home, do my work at my own pace, and spend time with my family. I also, play the viola, I’m on the high school swim team, I love to read everything and I am an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers! Go Pack Go! Currently I’m taking a Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT) prep class so that I will be able to take the LSAT and apply to law school next fall. The class is about an hour away from my home in Orlando. It’s a bit of an adventure for me to get there because I don’t have my driver’s license yet. : ( I plan to take that test after my LSAT. I’m also getting ready to go to a mock-trial camp in Virginia for two weeks this summer. I’m really excited to be going! It’s going to be a summer of adventure for me because I’ll be spending two weeks away from home by myself, I’ll be taking my first plane flight by myself and I’ll also get to see a lot of really cool historic sites! Onward and upward ladies and gents! ~This is Erik, signing off.
8 | TheBunkRoom.com | June 2012
Congratulations to all contributors.
See Yourself Published!
This whole magazine is written entirely by kids, so come on kids, now’s your time to shine. See your work published!
Submission Guidelines All writing, artwork and photography should be original work of the contributor, and be considered wholesome and acceptable content for kids. Submissions accepted from kids aged 8 thru 18 or high school graduation, whichever comes later. For photographs, please include names of persons in the photos.
Submit Online Submit work at our Inbox at TheBunkRoom.com. Parent’s or guardian’s electronic signature must accompany all submissions. For ideas, click on the Ideas page. All submissions are the property of The Bunk Room. The Bunk Room reserves the right to edit & deny submissions. The Bunk Room content is published monthly by Dimples Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without permission from the publisher.
branding.design.photography s e e
p a g e
2 0
t o
l e a r n
m o r e
Auditions: Stay Calm. Practice. By Michelle 12, Eagan, MN
I flip the pages of my planner rapidly. Ah, there it is February 13. Oh no, band auditions and I forgot to practice last night! I grab my trumpet and music and fly out the door for school.
Michael nudges me. ”You do know we weren’t supposed to write the counts in on page 4, I have them just because I worked ahead.” I am so stressed out I am shaking. The teacher points to me. What am I supposed to play? Oh right, Loch Lomond. I squeeze my eyes shut and take a deep breath. I am a good player, so I remind myself to just calm down and give it my best. I relax a little but am still unsteady. I lick my lips and blow. Oops! One wrong note, that’s OK, right? Three songs and three mistakes later and I am done. I smile as I listen to the other kids play the songs. I did pretty well compared to them!
“So, you ready for the auditions?” Michael asks me as he turns to page 4 in his music. He has all the counts neatly written in. I realize that I don’t have any counts written under the songs on that page in my music. You have got to be kidding! I drop my trumpet and run with my music and pencil out of the band room. I scribble in the counts under each song: 1234, rest, 1234, 1234, rest, rest. I glance at the clock and scramble back to the band room.
10 | TheBunkRoom.com | June 2012
“Ready to start everyone?” My teacher questions. I freak out more when I notice that the rest of the class had warmed up while I was jotting down my counts. How much worse could this audition go?
I listen intently for the results. “Michael is 1st chair,” the teacher announces. I clutch my chair and bite my lip. My spirits drop when I hear I didn’t get 1st chair, I should have practiced. I hope that my name will be called next. “Michelle is 2nd chair!” Yes! I did it! 2nd chair, awesome!
“Michael has 100 points and Michelle has 97.” I am only behind Michael by 3 points! I regret not practicing, but overall I guess 2nd chair isn’t so bad. I write in my planner: next year band auditions, stay calm and practice!
What Do You Think? What five words do you think most describe you?
Loving
Funny, because everyone tells me I am funny. Easy to talk to, fun to be with, intelligent and I am not a hater.
Funny, artistic, goofy, friendly, tall. Shayna 11, La Crosse, WI Funky, pretty, caring, friendly, hyper.
H a ppy
Michael 9, Pace, FL
Kayla 10, Knoxville, TN
Outgoing, nice, always thirsty, friendly.
Laid-back, fun loving, sarcastic and‌ I don't know!
Megan 7, Concord, NC Funny, energetic, expressive, fast, smart.
Funny
Julia 13, Louisville, KY
Funny, annoying, kind, interesting and smart. Erik 16, Mount Dora, FL Funny, handy, mechanical, smart and cool. Benjamin 14, Mount Dora, FL Smart, athletic, independent, funny and happy. Victoria 14, Orlando, FL Creative, trustworthy, intellectual, outgoing, compassionate. Alissa 14, Mount Dora, FL
Sadie 11, Atlanta, GA
Cool, smart, fun, friendly, happy. Sam 7, Atlanta, GA
Megan 10, Apopka, FL
Nice, fun, biz, friends, family.
Margo 18, Mount Dora, FL
Awesome, beautiful, likes to eat, smart, tall.
Fun, happy, outdoorsy, faithful and loving.
Curious, passionate, focused, shy, brave.
Funny, exuberant, complicated, silly and serious.
Sophia 6, Orlando, FL
Sophia 17, Leesburg, FL
Alex 12, Maitland, FL
Kate 10, Matiland, FL
Artistic, funny, smart, playful, adventurous.
Sarcastic, skinny, thinker, smart, swimmer! Nathaniel 14, La Crosse, WI Kind, creative, crazy, unique, awesome. Christina 11, Orlando, FL
Crazy
Splash Into Our Surveys!
Funny, crazy, athletic, nice, positive. Madison 13, Maitland, FL
Funny, outgoing, creative, sympathetic, adventurous. Emily 11, Maitland, FL
Cool
Funny, smart, creative, active, adventurous. Alex 9, Orlando, FL
Answer our surveys and see yourself published here! Go to TheBunkR oom.com/sur vey New one each m onth!
May 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 11
Day-To-Day Sorrento, FL
Sudoku!!!
........................
Easy
By Caitlin 11,
Dio.. Dio…dio…dio… dio..! The sound of my alarm clock! 6:00 a.m. I get up. On a normal school day I will have to wake up my sister Brianna numerous times before she decides to listen and does not fall back asleep again.
What a regular day is like.
I will go downstairs, maybe bump into my cats, maybe not. I have two cats, Daisy and Goldie Jr. They are bro and sis! Around 7:45 I will leave my house, walk a little while to my bus stop and wait about 15 minutes before the “orange” bus comes to pick me up. To accompany me is Justin. Every other week before going to class I go to the cafeteria and wait for Mrs. Hooks our media teacher to bring us to the media center. After that I will head to class. Mrs. Kelley, my home room teacher, is the best! She also teaches my favorite subject: MATH! I go to a few more subjects and hang out with my friends Carolynn, Teagan and Brianna. I leave class early because I am a safety patrol and have to go to my post. As I stand there, Grant with some comical saying, will pass by to go to car riders. I go home on the bus, finish my homework then see if some of my best friends and neighbors Emma, Anna, and Jo Jo can play. We play lots of fun stuff, we also video a show we made up called Glizyglo Medals and Gems Talk Show. I am Pearl Diamond, the main character. We do lots of acting! We also do make up and hair. They are the funniest shows ever!!!!! We play till it gets dark, have dinner and the fun cycle starts all over again. Tell us what your day is like! Submit your Day-to-Day article to us through our InBox at TheBunkRoom.com. About 200 to 350 words.
12 | TheBunkRoom.com | June 2012
5
4 1 6 1 2 6 9 5 3 6 7 9 5 7 8 7 3
2 9 4 5 3 4 7 9 5 2 5 1 7 6
Medium
5 8 1 7 9 1 2 5 9 6 1 3 7 9 2 5 1 4 6 3 2 4 1 6 7 3 6 9 5
Summer Word Search!!!
Find me!
a k r s l a d n a s r x d
s u n s c r e e n g u
beach
o x c h e i b i k i n i
bikini
j m i a s m a u q e i d
heat
x w u p s c m q d n m a
ice cream
p a m i
picnic
a b e a c h m u
sand
l v b c l a h l i n i m
sandals
d e r n g s a n d a w j
shade
r s e i n f t s h t s t
sunglasses
f
sunscreen
r l c u z k l s g m a
swimming
n c l a s o s y s d z e
tan
f w a i c e c r e a m h
umbrella
Crossword Craze!!! ACROSS 1. 3 months off from this 3. Lunch on a blanket outside 5. Place for swimming and water sports 7. When your skin gets color from the sun 8. Favorite summer time treat 9. Open-toed shoes 10. Protects your eyes 11. Popular activity in the summer
waves
1 2 3 4 5 7 8
9
DOWN
10
1. Castles are made out of this
2. Two-piece swimsuit 4. “National Past Time� played in the summer months 6. Protects your skin from the sun
11
6
I Left
e m f o A Piece bia m o l o C in
Exodu s Hou se: on the ch e of ildren ’s hom es.
e, WI 17, La Cross By Christina
Christina
Franc isc
o
s, , four other y best friend m , om m y m bia. e ago A short tim Bogota, Colom ay down to w r ou ed el av . ran by and myself tr national INC Vision Inter s n' re ild h C Richard and We stayed at ving people-lo d an , ng ri t kind, ca the two mos ke-Sanderson Jeanene Thic d hope for with love an ed ll fi e ac e CVII is a pl ! omes for th They have h . ne no e av h to o children wh r them to go a school fo nd a in ay st children to m School. ing of Wisdo nn gi Be e th called kind, caring, anene, most Je d an d ar h Ric ! allowed our us all in and ok to , le op anging. and loving pe ething life ch part of som be to ps call two grou ren that they undred child h e on er ov ren, no They have . The child fant to adult in om fr eir n, their ow and share th to connect r ge ea e ar age, matter their u. lives with yo it's like in Colombia, When arriving y lights. !! e are so man er h T . en se ever . The nothing you've . It's magical y engulf you el et pl m ely co They any complet one of so m st ju e ar blinding lights bia has to things Colom l u rf de on w o amazing and Marc offer. led out of e were shuff w e, er th t t nigh d around, !On our firs y if you stan sa ey h T y. kl quic e. very long tim the airport so there for a g in ay st p u to end you’re going
14 | TheBunkRoom.com | June 2012
e ts that th in projec a m n e w th one of while do This was rked on o w g m in a our te re work guys on ct they a our The proje . les to, p ta o o h g o d in B ches an n e . tr n o g ti in a g und was, dig uilding fo ere for the b ns we w so a re concrete ig b e for th f ne o nd work That is o the grou y la to . ; p ere ing u down th that is go building w e n ir e th
Old Frie nds & N ew Frien ds!
This is the mountain
we fed!
When we finally got to the hous e where we were staying , come to our surprise we were greeted by eighteen Canadia ns. They are truly wonderful people that I am glad to call friends.
that lived on th e mountain. Th at alone was so incredible to be able to witness the happiness on their faces. Nothing can to p that! ! The following Sunday we wen t to Church, which lasted three ho urs, which is a really long tim e to sit throug h, but Colombians are so on fire for God it's truly an amazing thing to witness. ! After Church we went to a re staurant that brings you practically a ha lf of a cow as one serving. One of my new friends, Marco, fell completely in love with my blonde hair and decided that he just had to wea r it! Goofy child!
! Our trip was ve ry eventful and filled with so much cultur e. In the many days we spent in Colom bia, I was trul y touched by so many lives, an d was blessed to make many ! The children an new friends. In d the people of one day we bake Colombia d over 400 ha ve truly had an cupcakes, made impact on my lif 12 full size cake e for the s and my better, forever. personal favorit On the last day e: shelled 400 there, I was hotdogs. Yes, begging to stay in Colombia they but my mom an individually wra d best friend p every single made me go ho hotdog and then me of course. wrap them in bi If I could gger packages return yesterda altogether. y, today, or tom orrow, I would be gone so fast! Americ ! Each morning w a would never e would walk ov know the diffe er to this rence. I left a little bakery ran big piece of by a husband an d wife who myself in Colo mbia and I hope spoke absolute ly no English, bu that one day t they didn't very soon I ca n return there let that stop th to em. They were it! so very kind, and accepting of our Spanish-En glish Dictionary! Al so in our advent ures in Colombia, my be st friend Kiele and I were hit on by really old guys three tim es in one day! “Bueno! Bueno! � It was a won derful and funny trip that I would not tr ade for the world. !
One of the mos t rewarding days we had was on Saturd ay when we fed a mountain. We were able to br ing food to over 200 families
Christi
na
Jeane
ne
JUne 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 15
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
3
Repeat Day
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/3rd to learn about this day.
Iced Tea Day
10
5
12
What were Darth Vader’s EXACT words when he told Luke he was his father.
Email us your answer. trivia@thebunkroom.com
Celebrate
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/24th to learn about this day.
11
First right answer wins 10 FREE Super Cool Bunk Room Pencils!
17
Swim A Lap Day
TRIVIA
World Environment Day
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/5th to learn about this day.
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/4th to learn about this day.
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/10th to learn about this day.
Dad!
4
Applesauce Cake Day
24
Go Fishing Day
18
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/18th to learn about this day.
National Catfish Day
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/25th to learn about this day.
World Sauntering Day
19
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/19th to learn about this day.
25
Forgiveness Day
26
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/26th to learn about this day.
Look WhatÍs Happening!
June
LOC AL E VE NT LO C AL E VE NT LO C AL E VENT LO C AL EV ENT
Xa L., from La Crosse, WI, Kong Cha M., from La Crosse, WI, Xavier P., 8, from Holmen, WI & Mason P., 9, from Holmen, WI La Crosse Concert Band
6
Theme: “Let The Music Begin” Conductor: Alex Vaver Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/6th to learn more.
La Crosse Concert Band
13
Theme: “Welcome To The Jungle”
Conductor: Chris Werner Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/13th to learn more.
La Crosse Concert Band
20
Theme: “Lark In The Park” Conductor: Jeff Krauklis Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/20th to learn more.
La Crosse Concert Band
27
Theme: “A Little Night Music” Conductor: Jeff Krauklis Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/27th to learn more.
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
s t a r g n Co rivia Winners
National Doughnut Day
7
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/7th to learn about this day.
Flag Day
1
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/1st to learn about this day.
to our T
National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
SATURDAY
14
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/14th to learn about this day.
Best Friends Day
8
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/8th to learn about this day.
TRIVIA
First right answer wins 10 FREE Super Cool Bunk Room Pencils!
21
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/21st to learn about this day.
Paul Bunyan Day
28
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/28th to learn about this day.
National Chocolate Eclair Day
Donald Duck Day
9
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/9th to learn about this day.
16 What was George Washington’s political party?
22
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/22nd to learn about this day.
Camera Day
2
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/2nd to learn about this day.
15
Email us your answer. trivia@thebunkroom.com
Go Skate Day
National Rocky Road Day
29
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/29th to learn about this day.
National Pink Day
23
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/23rd to learn about this day.
Meteor Day
30
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/30th to learn about this day.
Meet a Dad By Annika Slaby 12, Mount Dora, FL Bunk Roomie A-Team
! d a D My Dad
Every morning except for on Saturday and Sunday, my Dad gets up early and goes to work. He works extremely hard for my family, so we can have treats, food, and other necessities of life. He lovingly kisses me whenever I wake up in time to say hello and goodbye.
He tirelessly works until around 5:30 pm, then gets home around 6:00 pm. He calls out “I’m home!” in a huge, deep voice, and everyone
18 | TheBunkRoom.com | May 2012
Mark Slaby, father of four, has been in the “Dad Business” for 18 years, with kids: Margo 18, Erik 16, Benjamin 14 and last but not least, Annika 12.
What Slaby loves about being a dad is hearing the name “Dad.” The challenging thing for Slaby is when his kids argue and fight. Helping them sort things out is challenging, he said.
Along with the challenges are many fun experiences with being a dad. “Teaching them (the kids) how to pound a nail, or how to ride a bike, or just a bunch of things,” are the fun things Slaby said he likes about being a dad.
Most dads have some fun and scary stories about their kids. Slaby, has some too. “One time I had the boys with me and we were in the van. We were driving in the middle-of-nowhere and I got out to look at something for whatever reason. I closed the door because it was hot and I had the car running. I was trying to keep it cool for these boys. Both were in baby car seats.”
During dinner, he jokes, laughs, and plays around with my siblings and I, after calling my Mom one of his pet names for her and handing her a group of roses. She smiles, pleased and surprised to see my Dad giving her something. She says “Thank You” then mentions that its getting late and we should get ready for bed.
I reluctantly take my bath, then prepare myself for a gigantic kiss and my prayers. After bringing up my water cup, he delivers me a enormous kiss and a big bear hug, says my nighttime prayers, and then tells me “Now, go to sleep please!” I drift away to sleep, tired out by my busy day.
The dreaded, unexpected came next.
“When I shut the door, it went ‘KLUNK’!”
shouts “Hi, Dad!” and some of us tumble downstairs to give him a kiss and a hug, including me.
By Becca 9, Concord, NC Bunk Roomie Writer
This morning, I wake up early and say hello to him, curling up in a blanket and reading a book while he gets his morning coffee. After delivering me a “bear hug,” (which is a humongous hug) he plants a quick kiss on my cheek before rushing out the door.
Your Dad. Big like a bear. Strong like an ox. Loving like a heart. And, he cares for you more than anything in the world.
The automatic lock worked perfectely, locking the boys inside. “I finally had to break the window to get in,” Slaby said, remembering that the boys weren’t too happy about that!
As you see, dads are big ,strong, loving and caring, so ‘Happy Fathers Day’ to all the dads, fathers, pops, papas and daddys in the world. You are loved!
See Annika’s interview with Dad! Youtube.com/TBRKids
1. What do you love about your Dad? 2. What are some fun things you have done with your Dad? 1. I love that my dad is usually the first to give me anything (not in a spoiled way ) but in a non-selfish way. My dad is awesome and I don't know what I would be able to do without him. He is my inspiration, my hero, my role model and my best friend that's always there (but can't talk to him about boys) but most importantly he's MY dad. 2. What haven't I done with my dad? I've ridden in a plane that he personally drove. I was right next to him when he went sky diving (but on the ground ). I go fishing with him (I'm a girl though) Me and my dad do everything together. Jazlynn 12, Orlando, FL 1. My dad loves to try new things. Just when I think there are new things, I find out he used to do these same kinds of things when he was a kid-skiing, ice hockey, etc. He just loves to keep doing fun things with me!!! 2. Playing ice hockey together, horseback riding(watching him trot in front of me on his big paint horse Chant) Driving around the country and traveling in first class with him on plane rides. Watching him fish while we camp. Going up to the Boundary Waters with him hiking and canoeing. Always something fun!! I love my Dad. Christina 17, LaCrosse, WI 1. What I love about my Dad is he will always try to make time to talk to me, he tucks me in at night and tickles my toes and he sometimes surprises me with a fancy brunch out. 2. Play Mario cart Wii, swimming, taught me to ride my bike, reads books, calls me when he travels for work. Megan 7, Concord, NC 1. He is nice, funny, and always supports me.
1. He loves to cook for us and he will always love all of us. 2. Go to Disney with him, play catch, go swimming and watch Phineas and Ferb with him. Josephine 7, Sorrento, FL 1. I love that my dad is always around to offer helpful advice to me and encourages me to do great things with my life. I also love that he is always around to make me laugh and talk to me about what I'm doing. 2. Some of the many fun things I've done with my dad is go to two Green Bay Packer games at Lambeau Field which were a lot of fun because I got to spend quality time with Dad and see Packer games. Some of fun trips I had with my dad was going to a Jacksonville Jaguars football game, go to a Civil War reenactment in Chattanooga, TN with my brother and also go on trips to our cabin with him and my brother Benj. He is the best dad ever! Erik 16, Mount Dora, FL
1. My Dad is incredibly smart!! Very big and very gentle, like a big stuffed teddy bear! 2. Fishing, hiking, camping, biking. We have taken trips to different parts of the world and have been to many historical areas of the U.S. Our favorite place is Washington, DC Nathaniel 14, LaCrosse, WI
1. My dad plays a lot of games with me and he's amazing.
1. What's special about my dad is that when I need something, even if he needs something more than I do, he makes sure I get what I need first. 2. We went to the recycling center and then to the store. It wasn't that much, but to me it was VERY fun!!! And I always feel special when I'm around my dad. Isabella 11, Winslow, ME 1. My dad and I really have a close-knit relationship. We understand each other and work together perfectly. It's great to have that kind of person in your life. Plus, he's incredibly smart. I ask him about anything I am having trouble with and he's there for tutoring of any kind. He's also full of weird tid-bits of information. :D 2. Recently, my dad and I took a trip to Minnesota together. We got to have a lot of fun together from dinner outings to shopping in the Mall of America. It was a ton of fun and I can't wait for something like that to happen again. I love my Pops! :) Margo 18, Mount Dora, FL 1. He always wanted a daughter and treats me like I am the BEST daughter in the whole wide world. He takes me wherever he goes and teaches me how to do all the outdoor stuff. 2. We went to our 1st UCF football game together this year and it was soooo much fun. He graduated from there and I want to go there, so it was really cool being there together.
2. We went for a run and out for frozen yogurt.
Megan 10, Apopka, FL
Grace 10, Mount Dora, FL
1. I love how my Dad always gives me good advice about what to do with my life. He is a fun person to be around and is very supportive of all of my projects.
1. My dad is always there for me when I have a problem and he really listens and I know he gets it.
2. We went putt-putt golfing and went to the bookstore.
2. He played any game I wanted with me and congratulated me when I won and wasn't a sore loser.
Christina 11, Orlando, FL
Hannah 11, Mount Dora, FL
2. One time my brother Dad and I drove me three hours away to pick up a lawn mower that I wanted to buy. We had a lot of fun on the whole drive. Benjamin 14, Mount Dora, FL
JUne 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 19
Beautiful Moon .......... A full moon is bright and beautiful. I can hear the wolves howl at night.
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Awoooooooooooo! Awooooooooooo! Full moons give me a fright. I feel a spider crawling on me or a vampire biting me. Full moons are beautiful and scary.
Clumsy! .......... My dad goes to get the laundry He trips and falls with his foot
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DESIGN SERVICES Graphic Design Web Design | Photography Print Services | Promotional Items
Bump! Bump! Bump! Bump! Bump! My dad is clumsy.
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Do you think you’re the next Maya Angelou? We’d like to see it! Submit your poems through our InBox at TheBunkRoom.com.
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2613 George Street La Crosse, WI 54603
608.498.4474
branding
JUne 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 21
Rena!sance Knights & By Maria Chester 18, Eustis, FL Bunk Roomie A-Team
The Renaissance . . . a time of valor, discovery, and romance; when the Mona Lisa was still a twinkle in the eye of her creator, and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel had not yet been finished. Though this era has long since passed, it continues to live on in the imaginations of all. . . As I ready myself for the day, I think of all the excitement that lies in store for me. I can’t wait to get going! Checking my costume one last time, I rush down the stairs and then we’re off to the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire! Arriving at the Faire we are directed to a parking place by several young squires and in the distance I can see a makeshift castle which marks the entrance of the faire. Many of the attendees including myself are dressed in period clothing; the women in their long, flowing gowns, and the men in their loose fitting cotton shirts and vests. As we walk toward the gates, I almost expect Robin Hood to pop out from behind a pine tree. Entering the gates, I am transported into another world. Falconers, minstrels, peasants, and knights in full armor surround me, and as I make my way through the crowd, I can tell that everyone is really enjoying themselves. My mom and I roam the marketplace taking in the spectacular array of wares laid out before us. From elegant costumes to dazzling swords the market has it all! Suddenly trumpets sound, and I watch in wonder as the Queen and her court ascend the platform overlooking the arena. The Joust is about to begin!
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Hurrying to join the crowd, we watch as the knights enter the arena. Now, unlike some jousting troupes, the Knights of Valour specialize in the sport of Full Contact Jousting. This is NOT a choreographed routine. Before the joust, the knights commence in several demonstrations of skill which include chopping an apple off a squire’s head at full gallop. Seeing one of the knights was having trouble with his horse, I found myself worrying about that poor squire! Finally the knights begin to suit up for the joust. The squires attach extra armor to their respective knights to prepare them. The impact of two knights jousting on horseback in full armor is equal to a SUV being driven into a brick wall at 40 miles an hour! I watch breathlessly as pass after pass is made, and after a heated battle, the champion is named! After the joust, my Mom and I attend several other shows including the Washing Well Wenches, and Johnny Phoenix the Fire Eater, but all too soon the day is over. As we make our way back to the car I think to myself, “Well, it’s only 365 more days till the next Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire!” Knight Photo by Lenny Lacey
Co!umes By Maria Chester 18, Eustis, FL Bunk Roomie A-Team Clothing is one of the most important elements of the Renaissance Faire. It is the thread that binds all the other elements together. Can you picture a knight charging into battle wearing jeans and a t-shirt? That would be a pretty strange sight! Elisabeth Moore and her family are some of the people who create costumes used in the more than 200 renaissance faires throughout the country. Their family business, Heart’s Delight, which is based in Southern California, travels to festivals across the country. Elisabeth has been part of the business since she was 14 years old. Inspired by her mother, Deborah, an excellent selftaught seamstress who started the family business, Elizabeth and her sisters were instilled with a love of sewing at an early age. Her father, Rob is a contractor who builds their own booths, many of which have been award-winning. Heart’s Delight has become one of the most respected clothiers in the renaissance circuit, winning awards at many festivals including Best Neighbor at Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire and Best Hawker at Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire three years in a row.
The Moore’s have also contributed to the faires in which they participate by loaning clothing to festival staff. “Hearts Delight has attired many people for media days and promotional performances. We have also engaged in programs that made it possible for festivals to costume their staff. . . During the filming at Michigan Renaissance Festival . . . we provided costuming for loan and extended a discount on purchases to the directors of the film.” Heart’s Delight maintains a very high standard of quality and one way in which they demonstrate this, is in the treatment of their fabric. The Milled Minnesota fabric is American made and comes to them in a white or natural state. In order to achieve the vast array of colors used in their creations, the fabric must be hand dyed. “All fabric is natural and needs to be chemically treated before dying.” Making sure each customer leaves with a feeling of satisfaction is very important for the Moore’s and each member of their team goes to great lengths to help fit each customer with the perfect ensemble. “We feel that the greatest award is given by our returned customers. Our quality and customer service is apparent by our loyal clientele, participants and patrons alike!”
JUne 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 23
We’re GROWING!
WANTED: Volunteers It’s Birthday Season at The Bunk Room. Not only have we been officially publishing the magazine for four years, but The Bunk Roomies writer’s group is already a year old! That means we’re grrRROWING and this is a perfect time to expand!
y a d h t r i B y p Hap oomies! R k n u B
We are now ready to establish Bunk Roomie Chapters throughout the country. Would you like to join us? We’re looking for enthusiast parents or educators who are passionate about inspiring kids to love reading and writing. For starts, we need a positive leader and role model, plus a meeting place in each community. Please contact us for details. maria@thebunkroom.com 352-383-1456 Learn more at TheBunkRoom.com. Click on Bunk Roomies.
Every 6 seconds . . .
a child dies of hunger related causes. This problem can be solved! The Bunk Room has provided
3240 Meals So Far! We not only build MINDS . . . We build BODIES as well.
We urge your to join us in our effort to help end childhood world hunger. To that end, each publisher in our network of communities starts by donating 180 meals per month. From there, we invite others to join us. That is how this hunger epidemic can be solved. The small efforts of many can move mountains! Learn how you can be part of this worldwide effort that has provided over 200 million meals in the last decade to kids both here in the US and abroad.
For less than the cost of a pizza dinner, you can feed a child for a month. Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program
Learn how you can help. publisher@thebunkroom.com 352-383-1456
What a Magician!
Road T
rip
Shar e adve yo ur ntur Land e! • A ir • Sea
By Adrian 14, Coral Gables, FL “Splash” I heard the crashing sound of the water from the computerized fountain hit the ground. I was in the Lincoln Center in New York City in late August.
Sen adve d us you nture r trav !S el InBoxubmit at t TheB he a t 200-4 unkRoom .com 00 w pictu ords. Se nd res to o!
My mom, sister and I had taken a road trip up and down the East Coast of the United States. We were staying with my aunt and uncle, just outside of New York City. One warm afternoon we took the train into Grand Central Station and then took a subway to Lincoln Center. The Lincoln Center Plaza was full of street performers. My sister and I sat for a long time looking at the computerized pulsating jets of water shooting up from the fountain in the center of the plaza. After hanging out at the fountain we watched “Ms. Saturn”, a hula-hoop street performer, who marveled us by spinning 75 hula hoops simultaneously. We were about to go eat dinner when my sister saw a magician across the plaza packing up an old-fashioned doctor’s bag. We ran through the plaza and yelled, “Stop packing up! We want to see your show.” Just then he began unpacking and replied, “Hi. My name is Jeff Grow, the Magician.” He got his cards and shuffled them. Then he fanned the cards and suggested to my sister, “Pick a card.”
She picked a nine of hearts.
Then, he took a small piece of paper, rolled it up into a tube and using a lighter, caught the end on fire. It exploded into flames and turned into a pen. He gave it to my sister and told her, “Write your name on the card.” She wrote her name and placed the card in the deck. He shuffled the cards and put them in another audience member’s hands. It was an old man. He told the old man to place his other hand on the deck of cards, and then the magician tapped the top of the old man’s hand three times. “What time is it?” The magician asked the old man, The old man was surprised to find a card, folded up, underneath his watch. He unfolded it and was flabbergasted to see that it was my sister’s card, the nine of hearts, signed with her name. Sponsor this page. All proceeds go toward The Bunk Room Apprenticeship Program. Call 352-383-1456 publisher@thebunkroom.com.
26 | TheBunkRoom.com | May 2012
The magician continued to do many more mind-blowing tricks that afternoon. He was the best magician I had ever seen.
Idea For Grownups! Got a Blast From The Past to share? Send us scans from pages of your travel journal, plus a typed version. Include a short description of what you’re doing now. Submit at our InBox at TheBunkRoom.com. FUN! (See our April 2012 edition.)
t are very importan Well child exams g in alth and well-be for the overall he y include: of your child. The
Keeping Kids Healthy Is it time for your child’s checkup? Mayo Clinic Health System pediatricians provide care in La Crosse, Onalaska and Holmen. They are specially trained in the care of children from birth to college age.
To make an appointment, call 800-362-5454.
history ✔ Child and Family ✔ Review of any current problems ✔ Review of child’s ss developmental progre ✔ Physical exam ✔ Immunizations guidance ✔ Age-appropriate for a healthy lifestyle
Franciscan Healthcare www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org
Future Life
Kids! Tell us what your life looks like in 10 - 20 years. Submit articles to our InBox at TheBunkRoom.com 200-400 words.
By Emma 13, Sorrento, FL Bunk Roomie A-Team Writer
few different places. I would like to have yorkiepoo puppies.
My future life starts like this, I am home schooled. I plan on ending school a year early, so I have a year off between high school and college. A year to decide what college to go to. I am going to college for acting. In that year I want to be the Y.A.D. (youth assistant director) at The Icehouse Theatre of Mt. Dora.
In college I am going to be a Juice Plus distributor. I will eat all organic and all natural foods. I will also be a volunteer at a
After college I want to travel around the world and volunteer to teach and play with children in need. I will sing, dance, and act to cheer the children up. I will help kids find their talents and the artist inside of them. I will bring them to believing in themselves. I also want to get married and have children. My children will be homeschooled. I want to live in the country and have chickens. I also want to be a professional actress in movies and on television. That is my life planned out.
More Than a Video Game By Javelyn 10, Mount Dora, FL Minecraft is a game where you can create a world made out of simple blocks kind of like Legos but you can only use the little 4-block pieces.
build a portal to the nether and have extended fun. The nether is the minecraft word for hell. What I mean by hell, is there are tons and tons of lava everywhere, giant floating things called ghosts that spit fire balls at you, and zombie pig-men with golden swords.
Minecraft isn’t just a video game. It is an architectural game, and not as much of a video game once you think about it.
“I’m not playing video games. I’m practicing architecture”, says my brother Sloan Snyder. In Minecraft you can build castles in the sky, houses underwater, fight monsters and defend your territory. But if you get bored in this dimension you can
28 | TheBunkRoom.com | June 2012
Play in “creative” mode and show off your creative skills with no monsters and no health or hunger bar. in “hardcore” mode the difficulty is stuck on hard. Also in hardcore mode once you die you have to delete that world. Try “survival” mode where you can
change the difficulty from peaceful (no monsters and you don’t have a hunger bar), easy (monsters, but they don’t do much damage and you do have a hunger bar), normal (all monsters have regular amount of damage), or hard (monsters are very strong in this difficulty and there are also spiderjockies, these are a spiders with skeleton riders). Try the new world generator superflat, where it is completely flat and just dirt. The only way to get resources is from villages.
JUne 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 29
Slice-O-Life Stories
The Bunk Roomies! Notebook
Archie’s Camp Fun
Get a front-row seat behind-the-scenes of publishing. Learn more at TheBunkRoom.com Click on Bunk Roomies.
By Madison 12, Sorrento, FL Bunk Roomie Writer
Room FREE Bunk T-Shirt!
An Englishman, who served as a medic in the military, is now the director of an organization that is reaching out to people with special needs. Michael Archbold, otherwise known as “Archie” to his friends, is the Director at Camp Challenge, which is a camp where disabled people can go to give their parents a little bit of a break and also have some fun. “As director, I oversee budgets and application processing, and I oversee the program itself during the summer,” explains Mr. Archie.
t Writer Frequen m ra g Pro Just submit 5 ticles publishable ar ! irt tsh and get a om/ .c m oo kr un theb Tshirts
Mr. Archie went on to explain that what he loves about working with Camp Challenge is the campers. “Campers! I absolutely love them. I have a lot of good friends here that I only get to see once a year.”
Bunk Roomies write By Anna 10, Sorrento, FL Bunk Roomie Writer I am Anna and I play softball. It sounded like fun and I’ve played before, so when my mom asked me if I wanted to play, I said, “I’d love to play.” I was excited for my first practice. My first practice was for my coach to get to know us. After a few practices, we got more players on my team. At our first scrimmage I was very nervous. I learned all the rules. I have learned how to play second base. That is the base I play now.
My mom is also teaching me to pitch. I’ve made new friends and my team name is Cat 5, which means Category 5 hurricane. I love to play softball so much, that I hope to play the next season of softball.
The Bunk Roomies take their first step into the reporting world by interviewing someone they know and turning it into an interesting article.
One of the challenging parts about working at camp, is that there is a lot of paperwork for Mr. Archie to do. “There's a lot of paperwork involved and dealing with a lot of different personalities through staff, clients and families,” announces Mr. Archie.
If he was given the option, Mr. Archie would like to always be a part of Easter Seals Camp Challenge, “I'd like to think so, but no one really knows what the future holds, but given the option, absolutely!”
Habilis Boy
Habilis means “handyman” and dates back to the classification of early man, known as Homo Habilis. That’s when man started using tools and became pretty handy around the house. We have our own resident Habilis man, in boy size: Benjamin.
Digging out Transmission! By Benjamin Slaby 14, Mount Dora, FL Bunk Roomie A-Team Writer
Excerpt from Habilis Boy Blog. Restoring a ’97 Camaro.
Day 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Today was my parts day. My brother, dad and I, armed with tools, drove out to Umatilla, FL to get some parts off of a 1997 Camaro. When we arrived the place was kind of “Hilly Billy-ish.” They had a monster truck. Their laundry machines were outside and it wasn't a very nice house. We were led around to the back yard to the car. We stood by the car for a minute with the owner while he was trying to sell me the whole car. I told the guy that I wasn't interested in buying the whole car so we started taking parts of of his car. . . . READ MORE at TheBunkRoom.com Click on Habilis Boy.
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Scan Me With Your Smart Phone and watch Benjʼs latest video. Youtube.com/TBRKids
Keep up with Benjamin’s blog. Go to thebunkroom.com and click on Habilis Boy.
Call 608-498-4147 today!