The Bunk Room 7 Rivers Region
™ February 2012 Vol 5, Issue 2
TA K E M E H O M E ! I’ M F R E E !
Annika 11, Dara 16her splashes Uhrichsville, OH heart out on her shares about her Staycation!
not-so-ordinary pets.
es l Rid l i r h T iz oto B h P &
s t Boy
Balle
Show Radio d The Behin Mic
Pg 10 Pg 22 Pg 28
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.
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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
wHAt*s uP tHis moNTh? pet deer! Dara and her
Features 10 Universal Thrills! Evan 9, Leesburg, FL describes a thrilling journey through Universal Studios Florida.
10 Have Camera. Will Shoot! Hannah 12, Mount Dora, FL takes her photography passion to a new level.
14 Oh Deer! Dara 16, Uhrichsville, OH tends to pets beyond her wildest imagination!
28 You’re On The Air Erik 16, Mount Dora, FL shares his experience behind-the-scenes of a live radio show.
Departments 6 Publisher’s Note
thebunkroom.com/locations
8 Contributors This Issue
The Bunk Room is owned by Dimples Media, Inc. No part of this publication may be used without written permission from Dimples Media, Inc.
8 Margo’s Musings
Please email permission requests to publisher@TheBunkRoom.com.
Annie 18, of Newport, MN shares how she hits the ground running in a typical day that plays out as a marathon-of-busy!
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
page 14
The ART of the Undergrou nd..
page
18
11 Pop Survey 12 Day-To-Day
20 Poem! Poem! 26 Road Trip! 30 Habilis Boy
The Making of Bo y Ballet Stars!
page 22
February 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 5
The Bunk Room
™
7 Rivers Region
TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com Publisher: Jeremy Fisher
Jeremy Fisher
Publisher, 7 Rivers Region
February in Wisconsin, IT IS COLD! I often
Editorial / Creative: Maria Slaby
wonder why I live here? It doesn’t take
Editor in Chief: Margo Slaby
long to answer the question though. It is
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the people, the culture and the sense of
Advertising Design: The Good Life Media Group
the frigid winters. I would like to thank everyone for the great response
Distribution: Christina Fisher
this magazine is about today’s youth. If you have something to say,
The Bunk Roomies......................... Our loyal and diligent writers appearing in this issue: Becca 9, Concord, NC Evan Blunt 9, Leesburg, FL Annika Slaby 11, Mount Dora, FL Hannah Patterson 12, Mount Dora, FL Madison Yates 12, Sorrento, FL Benjamin Slaby 14, Mount Dora, FL Liz Kliber 15, Tavares, FL Erik Slaby 16, Mount Dora, FL Margo Slaby 17, Mount Dora, FL Maria Chester 18, Eustis, FL
please write it down and submit it. We have already had some great
Founders.................................... The Slaby Family, Mount Dora, FL Margo, Erik, Benjamin & Annika Mark & Maria .................................................. The Bunk Room: 7 Rivers Region, 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 | February 2012
community that inspires me to weather we are having to the magazine. It has been awesome! Remember
submissions, now I am just waiting for yours. If you are interested in writing for The Bunk Room call us at 608-498-4474, email us at publisher@thebunkroom-7rivers.com or follow the submission guidelines on page 8 of the magazine. Thank you and stay warm! - Jeremy
Maria Slaby
Director of Editorial & Creative
Imagine your wildest dreams...coming true. That’s exactly where I’m at on this amazing adventure called The Bunk Room. From overwhelming local response to a growing national publisher network, my dream of bringing this magazine to many and inspiring greatly is manifesting in real time. Right before my eyes. Every once in awhile I pull my head out of my busy-ness to sneak a peak at what I imagine is to come. I’m here to report, from my wildest imaginaton, that The Bunk Room and all we can do together to inspire kids, is squeal-like-a-high-school-girl thrilling. Stay tuned. Stay connected. It’s all joy where we’re headed!
WeÍre Growing! Wanted Writers! Go to page 8 to learn how you can contribute your writing. Make sure you also subscribe to our email updates and “like” our Facebook page. Stay plugged in with writing ideas, events and more.
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February 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 7
Contributors This Issue Evan 9, Leesburg, FL
Josie 14, Moravia, IA
Becca 9, Concord, NC
Daniela 15, Astatula, FL
Christina 11, Orlando, FL
Liz 15, Tavares, FL
NEW
Olivia 11, Altamonte Springs, FL Eddie 17, Orlando, FL Julia 12, Louisville, KY
Dara 16, Uhruchsville, OH
Madison 12, Sorrento, FL
Erik 16, Mount Dora
Hannah 12, Mount Dora, FL
Margo 18, Mount Dora, FL
Annika 12, Mount Dora, FL
Annie 18, Newport, MN
Mary 13, Columbus, OH
Maria 18, Eustis, FL
Benjamin 14, Mount Dora, FL
Congratulations to all contributors.
Margo’s Musings
My oh my... what an exciting month! I officially turn 18 in February! Yes, that’s right by the time this issue is printed I’ll be 18! Eeep. Can’t say I’m not uber-excited, but then again, I literally don’t feel any different! I’m sure many of you can relate to that feeling. :)
hief
Editor-in-C
But what comes with turning 18, comes an end to being the Editor in Chief of The Bunk Room. Yes, at the end of the school year, my time will end as Editor and will be moving up The Bunk Room ladder. No worries though, we’ll have an awesome Editor to take my place!
Well, enough about me!
Our cover story, really is a must read. Have you ever heard of people owning deer and allowing them to stay inside of the house? I never did until I read Dara 16, of Uhrichsville, OH’s article about her family who have a deer farm. Very cool! And I thought having five cats was exotic! I’m really excited about what’s coming up with The Bunk Room. We’ve got some exciting opportunities for writers! We’ve got the Frequent Writer Program as well as Bunk Roomies opportunities for kids to get published AND get a free Bunk Room t-shirt! Writing for The Bunk Room is an awesome opportunity! Think about how great you’ll look on those college applications when you have already been a published writer! Remember, whatever you write could go in editions throughout the country. And we’re growing! Go check out our website www.TheBunkRoom.com for more information. Send us your story!
Smiles! ~Margo
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Bunk Room T-Shirts! Only $15.99 OR learn how to get a FREE Tshirt! Contact editor@thebunkroom.com for info or to order a t-shirt.
The Bunk Room Needs You
Yes...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 should be original work of the contributor and be considered wholesome and acceptable content for kids aged 8 to 18. All artwork must be original from the contributor. For photographs, please include names of persons in the photos.
Submit Online All work needs to be submitted via our Inbox at TheBunkRoom.com Remember, a parent or guardian’s electronic signature must accompany all submissions. All submissions are the property of The Bunk Room. The Bunk Room reserves the right to edit 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.
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February 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 9
By Evan 9, Leesburg, FL
Experiencing:
We went to Universal recently. It was a fun time, and my brother got rid of his fear of loops. We went on Hulk, Dragon Challenge, and Rip Ride Rock-it. We also went on Spiderman, Dudley-Do-Right, Dr. Doom, Men in Black, and the Forbidden Journey. That was a very fun day. I also got to drink butter beer. Butter beer is like cream soda with butterscotch. It is a drink from the Harry Potter books and movies. I like it a lot. I loved the Forbidden Journey ride, except for the Dementors. The Forbidden Journey is a ride about Harry Potter. The Hulk roller coaster was fun because it had seven loops. Dr.
Doom went up one time. Rip Ride Rock-it went straight up at the beginning. Dudley-Do-Right is a water ride. Men in Black is pretty fun. Dragon Challenge was fun too even though we didn't race. I also went to Universal Studios another day. I went on The Simpsons, Men in Black, Rip Ride Rock-it, and I almost went to Twister, but got scared in the line. The Simpsons is a simulator ride. Oh, I almost forgot about E.T. That was really fun, and E.T. even says your name at the end.
Have Camera. Will Shoot! By Hannah 12, Mount Dora, FL Bunk Roomie Writer Click! Click! Click! Goes my camera as I do a photo shoot. I, Hannah, am Ka-Klic Photography. Ka-Klic photography is inexpensive, local, artsy photo shoots for anyone in my area. I haven’t quite gotten my business up and running yet; I still need to create a website and a blog.
Here is how it all started . . . a while ago I started snapping flowers in a field of wildflowers using my dad’s camera and I got carried away. I ended up taking 58 pictures and my camera hasn’t stopped snapping pics since! Recently, I did a photo shoot with a friend and she posted the pictures on Facebook. My mom got emails and comments praising our photo shoot. My grandma even
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asked what professional photographer did the photo shoot. She wanted to buy some copies! That inspired me to start my own photography business and to pursue my dreams. I decided that I would, in fact, start Ka-Klic Photography. However, it is hard to start a business because you have to come up with prices, your policies, a name, etc. The name for Ka-Klic photography was inspired by one of my best friends, Anabel. I have already done two photo shoots and photographed a birthday party and have two more photo shoots planned. I think this is going to be a great experience for me to learn about the business world!
Pop Survey! What is your dream job and why? My dream job would probably be a children's book writer, because I love writing! My dream job is probably to be a Missionary, because I love God and I want to spread the word about his love and that if you accept him you can have eternal life. Madison 12, Sorrento, FL A mom. Olivia 11, Altamonte Springs, FL An actress or singer because I love being on stage and music. Julia 12, Louisville KY Cellist because playing cello is super rad. Eddie 17, Orlando, FL A dancer, because I love it.
Rebecca 9, Concord, NC To be a business owner. I love business, and I love being the top dog who calls all the shots! Margo 17, Mount Dora, FL I want to be a professional dancer and then a ballet teacher. I have always had the passion for it. Annika 11, Mount Dora, FL Author / Illustrator because I love to write and draw. Josie 14, Moravia, IA
Christina 11, Orlando, FL
My dream job would be to write/ act/direct good, clean, fun movies. I love acting and writing, and when I watch movies I notice things like camera angles, lighting, music, wardrobe, etc. I wish that there were more high quality movies and TV series that were fun and entertaining, without swearing, blood, gore, and other inappropriate content. I would love to be able to create entertainment that would have a positive influence in the lives of others. Maria 18, Eustis, FL
If could change a rule that your family has, what would you change? I would change the rule that I have to load the dishwasher every day. Mary 13, Columbus, OH To be able to eat food in your room sometimes.
Keeping my room clean. Annika 11, Mount Dora, FL I don't know. I pretty much like how everything is.
If I could change one rule‌. Hmmmmm‌ My family really doesn't have any rules. :D Eddie 17, Orlando, FL
Madison 12, Sorrento, FL
Margo 18, Mount Dora, FL
Which character would you switch places with?
Angelica Pickles 0
Sponge Bob 2
Bugs Bunny 7
Batman 4 February 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 11
Day-To-Day
By Annie 18, Newport, MN ........................
Being a high school senior, my daily schedule tends to constantly be changing. My morning usually consists of waking up around 7:30 am and getting out of the house quickly, with a breakfast bar in hand. I arrive at school around 8 am, with classes starting at 8:30 am. I go through my six classes a day (sometimes with ease, sometimes not so much), including AP Literature, Pre-Calculus and the ever-loving Band. My school day ends around 3:00 pm and then the fun begins.
SSuudduukkoo!!!!!! Easy
9
What a regular day is like.
Throughout the week, after school, some of my evenings will consist of working at my part-time job at a trophy shop (yes, you read that right, I work at a place that makes trophies. Cool, huh?), working on my speech for my high school's speech team Check out Annie’ (I'm a team captain!), s Blog at: azacho.blogspo t.com or working on audition materials for live music auditions for college with my clarinet. Each day brings a new opportunity for me, in different fields, and I can honestly say that being 'lazy' is never in my vocabulary. I end up getting home anywhere from 6-8 pm after being on-the-go all day. Homework can keep me up anywhere from 10 pm to 1 am, and then the cycle starts all over again when I wake up in the morning. My day always consists of music, no matter what. Whether it be listening or playing, it is always a constant in my life. I want to make it my career, and graduation is closer than I think! Only six more months of high school...wow, time flies! Tell us what your day is like! Submit your Day-to-Day article to us through our InBox at TheBunkRoom.com. About 200 to 300 words.
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Time to walk By Dara 16, Uhrichsville, OH
Some people have cats. Some people have dogs. We have deer. I’ve always loved animals. Ever since I was a little girl, we’ve had some kind of pet. I never thought that we’d have a pet deer one day, let alone eight of them. Rest assured though, if I look out my kitchen window, there they are, and there they’ve been for almost seven years.
We fenced in a large section of our backyard, built a barn, got the permit, and bought some deer. Eventually, the pen expanded and we got more deer. Soon enough, spring came, and along with it, little miracles of life. We had tiny, bouncy, baby fawns. In order to tame them and get them accustomed to people, we bottle fed them. That meant bringing them into the house. Oddly enough, they got along amazingly with the two dogs inside. Watching them play together and nap together made anybody smile.
I was six when we took a family trip to Uhrichsville to visit my dad’s friend. He was a deer farmer. Of course I was excited to meet these animals. I’d never seen a deer up close before. We drove up a hill with a row of pine trees on the right side, on the left was a huge fenced-in area. We got to the house, and I was anxious to get out of the car. We eventually made our way to the fenced-in area, and there they were. I remember how soft the deer felt the first time I pet it. We feed them from our hands and that’s when I decided, “Yep, I like this animal.” A few years later, my dad decided to join his friend in Uhrichsville, so we packed our bags.
When my family moved here to Uhrichsville from Akron in April of 2005, our goal was, once we got settled, to start a farm. I envisioned chickens, pigs, maybe a cow or two, but I was a little surprised when my parents told me that we’d be raising deer. Besides the feeling of surprise, I was also really excited. After that first family trip, we had continued to visit that deer farm, so I was happy knowing that now we’d have a deer farm of our own.
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Within the next few years, along came my favorite deer of them all, Dotty. As a baby, we kept her in the house. We bottle fed her and we leash trained her. It’s a little strange saying, “Oh, just a sec, I have to take the deer on a walk,” but who else can say that? Dotty’s personality shone. She’d follow us around in the house and slip up on the kitchen floor, looking like Bambi on ice. We’d give her treats; she liked Cheerios. It was just like having another puppy in the house. Ultimately, she got too big for the house and made her way back out to the deer pen though, but it was fun while it lasted.
We haven’t had any fawns in the house for awhile, but there are still deer outside. The pen has gotten even bigger. Deer have come and gone, like any other animal. I’ll never forget the times I had with the ones that are gone now, and I enjoy the memories made with the ones we’ve got. There are eight currently out there now. To me, it’s like having any other pet outside. I’m just a girl with pet deer, and I like the sound of that.
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Look WhatÍs Happening! SUNDAY
MONDAY
February TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
National Freedom Day
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/1st to learn about this day.
TRIVIA
5
First right answer wins 10 FREE Super Cool Bunk Room Pencils!
How many generations of Camaros have there been?
6
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/7th to learn about this day.
Email us your answer trivia@yourwebsite
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
12
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National Chocolate Mint Day
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13
19
Hoodie Hoo Day
Polar Bear Day
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Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/8th to learn about this day.
15
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20
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26
8
Boy Scout Day
National Gum Drop Day
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/13th to learn about this day.
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/19th to learn about this day.
Tell A Fairy Tale Day
Get A Different Name Day
7
Wave All Your Fingers At Your Neighbor Day
TRIVIA
21
First right answer wins 10 FREE Super Cool Bunk Room Pencils!
22
Name the five boroughs of New York City.
Email us your answer. trivia@thebunkroom.com
27
Public Sleeping Day
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/ calendar/28th to learn about this day.
28
Leap Day
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29
Congrats
to our Trivia Winners THURSDAY Ground Hog Day
FRIDAY
2
Go to TheBunkRoom-7Rivers.com/calendar/2nd to learn about this day.
Toothache Day
9
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Do A Grouch A Favor Day
16
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International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
Mr. Kline's 2nd Grade Class, Viking Elementary & Luke, 8 from Holmen, WI
23
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The Day The Music Died
SATURDAY
3
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Umbrella Day
10
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Random Acts Of Kindness Day
17
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National Tortilla Chip Day
24
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Thank A Mailman Day
4
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Make A Friend Day
11
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National Battery Day
18
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Pistol Patent Day
25
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R A T
underground By Margo Slaby 17, Mount Dora, FL Editor & Bunk Roomie A-Team Writer
As a small town Florida girl, I really hadn’t been exposed to much. I’ve always been used to people owning a house on a half-acre (or more) and cars as the main means of transportation. That all changed when I went to New York City over the summer with my family. Immediately after hoping off the plane, I was greeted by huge buildings stacked on top of each other and people everywhere. Did I enjoy what was plopped in front of me for two weeks? No... not really. It was a huge cultural shock and I hardly could get my head wrapped around it. I’m surprised you’re not required to have a passport to go there. On the other hand, amidst the hustle and bustle of NYC, I found a little spot that I could feel safe; a place I could just calm down and enjoy... The Subway.
To me, they were so amazing. To be able to just hop on one train and end up going to a different part of the city was incredible. I was obsessed. I loved to see a new subway route or a new subway station. The thing was though, it wasn’t just about the actual subways that interested me, but the art.
Every single subway station has it’s own collection of artwork that typify the city. Whether they are tile designs on the walls or whimsical bronze statues scattered about, they always brought a smile to my face.
Sure, the outside view of New York City is cool, but I don’t think many people give the underground view of the city as much credit as it deserves. It really is a beautiful thing to see such talent and love being put into the city by artists from around the area. I was truly touched to see everything all put together. Just thinking of all the hours of planning, negotiating and working to entertain the people and visitors of New York City.
I will always remember my trip to the big city. To see hundreds of artistic pieces under the ground of some of the most famous historic sites this country is known for, like the Empire State Building, was incredible. And who knows? Maybe the next time I visit, I’ll be able to enjoy the world above the subways as well!
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Artist: Tom Otterness By Margo Slaby 17, Mount Dora, FL Editor & Bunk Roomie A-Team Writer
One quiet treat for visitors to New York City are the countless pieces of art throughout their subways. Tom Otterness is famously known as the sculptor of the 14th St. figurines in NYC that offer a continuous flow of hilarity. During the process of six years, Otterness drew countless plans of his figurines and sculpted them using clay, and then molding them into bronze.
There’s more! See the rest of the story! tomostudio.com
After all the hard work, the response to the figurines was amazing and like any artist, Otterness loved to see what the public thought of his creations. “I would just sit down at the subway anonymously, because nobody knew who I was, and just watch how people reacted to them. And, people liked them a lot” Otterness said. “Whenever I’m feeling bummed out, I go to the subway and just look around and see the happy faces of the people who are looking at my work.”
Not only are Otterness’ pieces in the 14th St. subway, but in Times Square, Roosevelt Garden and the New York Botanical Garden--plus many, many more places. Make sure to check them out on your next trip to the city!
February 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 19
Eternal Hearts
.......................................... We are not of that world
poEM pOE
We are part of a life you’ve never known Our life is different from yours Our time is our life and our life is eternity
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Da By As niel tat a 1 ula 5, ,F L
I spend eternity with him every day We have seen many things you have not yet experienced nor ever will You say we are alone and dead in the spirit, but little do you know We are alive with a fierce spirit that remains unquenched We have already passed through that life and we are still together You do not know this but you are walking dead He and I are walking among the land of our time and our time is eternity Ten years have passed and you are still dead in that life of yours
m e d i a
g r o u p
We are still alive and yet its way past forever We were, we are, and we will be Many do not know of such a thing Because they have chosen that life, they will never know Let us share this wonderful life of ours Wake up wake up it is in your power to decide
YO U R S O U R C E F O R C O M P L E T E
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See, we were once part of that life but we chose to open our eyes Eternity is not for the heartless Our time is our life and our life is eternity Do you think you’re the next Maya Angelou? We’d like to see it! Submit your poems through our InBox at TheBunkRoom.com.
20 | TheBunkRoom.com | February 2012
600 3rd St. N., Suite 102 La Crosse, WI 54601
608.498.4474
www.tglmediagroup.com
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Play with nature! Hike FOREST TRAILS with our rental snowshoes Discover the MARSH with an EcoPack kit Reserve your wintertime BIRTHDAY party Find your perfect NATURE souvenir in our GIFT SHOP
789 Myrick Park Drive • La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601 (608) 784.0303 • info@mhecopark.org • www.mhecopark.org February 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 21
By Annika Slaby 11, Mount Dora, FL Bunk Roomie A-Team Writer Ballet is not the most popular sport for boys. Eric Tamm, 25, Danseur for the American Ballet Theater (ABT) in New York City, started dancing at the age of 5 in his hometown dance school.
Tamm was the only boy in his school so he stood out a lot. "In terms of role models, it is hard to (find male danseurs) to look up to, but thankfully I had a male teacher,” Tamm said.
IEW INTERV m m Eric Ta
the ur for Danse llet an Ba ic City r e m A w York e N , r Theate
Tamm took jazz, tap and ballet. “As I got older I stopped tap and jazz and focused my everything on ballet.” All that all happened at the age of 14.
Being the only boy in class also means good parts, but in the professional world everything changes. “You always get the lead role (in school) but at ABT you have lots of competition." Tamm remembers going to the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre as a child and watching ballet performances and getting home and not being able to get to sleep. “I was so excited about what I had seen. I couldn’t sleep!” Tamm said.
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Eric Tamm in Bello Della Regina. Photo: Gene Schiavone
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It was that enthusiasm that kept Tamm dancing. Tamm explained what it is like to dance professionally versus in dance school. “In school, you work on accuracy. When dancing professionally, everything is fast and you are all about performance." Tamm performs over 100 times every year. He dances 40 hours a week, not including the performances. Many things are challenging in ballet Tamm said. "It is a never ending process of managing your body and positions." Everyone’s dancing career eventually ends, and Tamm said he will dance for as long as he can. "I am doing school part time now, so I am starting to think of a second career. I want to be with ABT as long as I can, probably until I'm 35 or 40."
For now Tamm is in awe of his role as a danseur for the ABT. "I love being apart of a huge artistic company and watching other artists." But there’s more, he said. "I want to motivate an audience the way I got motivated." Tamm said. “I want to give back and inspire a new generation of kids.”
36 Fouttes = 36 perfect spins in a row. Try it! By Annnika Slaby 11, Mount Dora, FL Bunk Roomie A-Team Writer Ballet Boys. Looks easy, right? Think again! Boys bring art to the stage with the strength and skill of any football player. Garritt 11, Pennsylvania, Jared 10 New York, NY and Bhajhan 10, New York, NY took the time and went to one of the most famous ballet schools in America last
won a scholarship to attend classes for free! Bhajhan is also the only one in his family that dances ballet. Bhajhan loves everything in ballet but mostly rehearsals. “I can show off my talents,” he said.
Bhajhan said everything in ballet is challenging as well. In Bhajhan’s ballet school, there used to be three boys but now he is the only one. For now, Bhajhan does not know what his goals are for ballet. “There is a fork in
������ ��� ���� summer. It is called the American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Ballet Intensive (ABT.) ABT, is where famous dancers and danseurs come from. They are fantastic dancers. Jared started ballet when he was seven years old. Before Jared started, he danced Jazz and Hip Hop and then his mom suggested he take ballet, so he did! Jared is the only one in his family who dances ballet. Jared loves everything about ballet. There are lots of challenging things about ballet for Jared, “especially 36 fouttes.”
my road, so I”m not sure.” he said. Garritt started ballet when he was five years old and was encouraged by his sister to do so. She also dances ballet. Garritt loves everything about ballet. Of course, he finds things challenging as well. “Everything about ballet is challenging. You always have to be thinking about something. You can’t stop thinking about one thing or another.”
Jared’s goal for ballet is to be a principal student for ABT.
In Garritt’s ballet school, there are 11 boys including himself. Garritt does not know his goals for the future, but he thinks he wants to be a principal ballet student.
Jared’s friend Bhajhan also started ballet when he was seven. There was a program at his ballet school and he
The Art of Making Strength & Skill Look Effortless
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Bhajha
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February 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 23
For less than the cost of a pizza dinner, you can feed a child for a month. The Bunk Room is proudly partnered with an international corporation in an awardwinning effort to end world hunger. Since 2003, over
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Every 6 seconds a child dies of starvation. Help us help feed the children. For less than the cost of dinner out with your family, you can join The Bunk Room in being part of this world-wide effort to end childhood hunger. Help others. Help yourself. By participating in the social entrepreneur program of Nourish The Children, you not only help stomp out world hunger, you also help fund your own local cause. Learn how helping feed children worldwide can help your family and your community as well. For more information, call The Bunk Room at 352-383-1456. Or email publisher@thebunkroom.com
24 | TheBunkRoom.com | February 2012
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Don’t look down...
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By Liz 15, Tavares, FL Have you ever decided to look down even after someone told you not to? Trust me, it happens. It definitely happened to me this summer when arriving to the mountains. Driving over 6,000 feet above sea level didn’t seem as bad until I got out of the car. It was freezing!
Yes, I went on a road trip to Mount Mitchell in North Carolina. This is the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains. It was so exciting to be able to experience that breathtaking view with my family. It was also super exciting for my camera. Me being the creative photographer that I am, I was able to get many amazing shots from the peak of Mount Mitchell. Of course, the only way to get to the peak of the mountain is to drive up the mountain. This didn’t seem as difficult for me. I’m just happy I wasn’t driving! We were very, very high up and I would never be able to do something like that. You can only drive so far and eventually, we had to hike the rest of the way. Once we arrived at the peak, it was the most amazing view I’d ever seen! I’ve said all of my life that I would always live in Florida. I can’t really say that when I’ve never really looked into any other state before. Being in North Carolina, hiking the trails, and seeing the view was really an accomplishment for me. Knowing how much time I took to hike all of the trails was definitely worth the wait to get to the top. Well, getting to the top was the tough part but now it is the fun part!
Want to sponsor this page? All proceeds go toward The Bunk Room Apprenticeship Program. Call 352-383-1456 or email publisher@thebunkroom.com.
26 | TheBunkRoom.com | February 2012
Taking amazing photographs, going to the museum, and heading to a wonderful restaurant were a few of the many fun things we did on the peak of the amazing Mount Mitchell. Going to North Carolina and hiking all of the different trails to the top of the mountain made me realize that I can accomplish many things with hard work and by trying my hardest.
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“You’re on the air!” By Erik Slaby 16, Mount Dora, FL Bunk Roomie A-Team Writer “Welcome to the Pasture Sports ESPN Radio!” I recently had the awesome experience of watching and being part of a live radio station show, Pasture Sports Radio. It was very cool!
Erik
My sister Margo and I were at our dad’s work recently and he suggested we tag along with one of his fellow employees, Eddie Ray, who hosts an hour-long weekly radio show at a local station. I was immediately very excited to go to see what really went on at a radio station. When we got there, Eddie led Margo and I down a pitch black hallway into a little room where they had all of the radio recording equipment. We sat down and I looked around the room and saw all of the equipment that was used to record the program. Margo and I met the other two hosts of the radio show, Pat and Seth McBride and they were very friendly and nice. When the radio show started I was very surprised at how everybody there interacted during the show. It seemed like three guys were just having a regular personal conversation about sports and that made me feel more comfortable. As the show went on, Eddie and Pat asked me if I wanted to be on air for part of the show! I was so excited because I had never done something like that before and I thought it would be cool. I was very nervous being on the air but after Eddie asked me a couple of questions I began to become more comfortable. Some questions that I was asked were about the NBA Lockout, how well LeBron James might play, the NFL season and lockout and the Green Bay Packers. It was very exciting and fun to talk about those things because I knew a lot about those subjects--especially the Packers since they are my favorite team.
This was a great experience for me. Everybody at the radio station was friendly and I’m very happy that I was given the opportunity to go on live radio and talk about sports! See Erik on the radio!
28 | TheBunkRoom.com | February 2012
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February 2012 | TheBunkRoom.com | 29
Challenge To Victory!
Habilis Boy
By Benjamin 14, Mount Dora, FL Excerpt from Habilis Boy Blog. Restoring a ’77 VW Beetle. Day 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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.
Today I took a good look at the engine and came up with this budget breaking discovery. I found out that the intake manifolds were filled with moldy rusty water. I concluded that the engine either needs to be rebuilt or replaced. I have a lot of school work so I won’t be able to work on the car for a couple of weeks. Day 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I attempted to remove the engine from the bug with no success. I disconnected all of the hoses and wires and I removed three of the visible bolts that mount the engine. I thought that the engine was disconnected but when I looked on top of the engine, the last bolt was still there. I tried to wiggle the engine off but it wouldn't budge. That’s all I got done today.
Scan Me With Your Smart Phone and watch Benjʼs latest video.
Day 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Today, with great joy, I can proudly say that I have removed a Volkswagen engine. The last nut that I was looking for was on the other side of the transmission. It was actually a bolt that I simply removed and the engine came off. . . .
Keep up with Benjamin’s blog. Go to thebunkroom.com and click on Habilis Boy.
READ MORE at TheBunkRoom.com Click on Habilis Boy
TheMeet BunkoneRoomies! of us!
Being a Bunk Roomie takes kids writing to the next level. We learn the art of the interview as well as how to turn it into an interesting article. Plus we have a front row seat behind-the-scenes of the publishing business. To learn more go to thebunkroom.com/Bunk_Roomies
Trying Something Different By Annika 12, Mount Dora, FL Bunk Room A-Team Writer She jumps out of the car into a whole new world. Summer theatre camp. Madison of Sorrento FL, a serious ballerina, changes the scenery to a whole new world: An acting world. Two years ago, there was not a ballet camp at Madison's ballet school. Madison had to get out of the house some way so she chose to go to acting camp. The play they performed was called "Dear Edwina."
thinking of something, like 'What is the song?' and 'What are the words?' That’s what makes it complicated."
Along with the challenge is Madison’s love of singing. "With theatre you sing and act. In ballet you act but you don't sing.”
The BUnk Roomies!
"The play was all about manners" said Madison. From Madison's point of view, she thought that she did very well. "I obviously wasn't the best, but I think I did well"
Madison performed as Kid Four in the play. The challenging part for Madison is "You always have to be
30 | TheBunkRoom.com | February 2012
Annika
Madison
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