The Vocella Graphic - February 22, 2024

About Us

Vocella, Inc. (pronounced vō-chellä) is a multimedia company that aims to engage, excite, and empower people through compelling and entertaining products and services with a hyperlocal focus on community, business, arts, culture, and entertainment.

We are delighted to introduce the latest chapter in our journey: the Vocella Graphic. This newly designed newspaper boasts a sleek and modern aesthetic, featuring stunning artwork and informative articles. Crafting this visually captivating paper has been a labor of love, with our dedicated team painstakingly perfecting every aspect, from its appearance and tone to its expanded coverage area.

Furthermore, nestled inside, you will still find the trusted Community Shopper, complete with all the familiar content you’ve come to rely on. This includes classified ads featuring help wanted listings, rummage sales, and more, as well as business news, events, and community updates.

So, thank you for joining us as we continue to grow and do our very best to serve our communities.

Publishing & Sales Team

J.C. & Susan LaBar Owners/Publishers

Karolyn Moltzan General Manager/Lead Design

McKenna Layne Design/Social Media

Erica Kingston Editorial/Copy Editor

Christian Marshall Community Ambassador/Sales

Dear Valued Readers,

In this issue

From the Designer: This Issue

After compiling some of the interesting bits of news and lifestyle information for this week, I have to say I got a bit excited since some of it is right up my alley. With the new rules for backyard chickens in Williston, I thought it might be a great idea to share a small bit about the ‘modern homestead living’ trend, so look for that on page 6.

Fortunately, my husband and I were both raised on farms and have always lived that way. Our lifestyle growing up included our grandparents and the older traditions of gardening and canning, raising animals, sewing and mending — a lot of the buzzwords that are popular today as people start focusing more on self sustainability and less waste.

There’s always more to learn though! The amazing thing about embracing the homesteading way of life in this era, is that it’s easy to ease into it. It certainly doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Maybe a bit surprisingly, this era of technology is fitting hand in hand with it, as well. Instead of being limited by the knowledge passed on by your parents and grandparents there are extensive online communities of like-minded people eager to share their expertise and experience.

This is one area where the algorithms on social media can be made to work to our advantage. I’ve spoken before about how clicking on posts/reels on social media enable confirmation bias and can become an echo chamber — which can be a slippery slope in some aspects of life. However, I can honestly say that at this point, my algorithms are showing me primarily homesteading reels: canning, gardening, composting, raising chickens, crocheting and quilting… And now, instead of doom scrolling, I am learning new techniques, recipes, methods and other information that truly enhances our lives. I hope you can put your scrolling to good use, too!

Happy homesteading, readers!

Kary Moltzan

Socials

Find us on Facebook and Instagram: @thevocellagraphic and @thecommunityshopper

Web

Visit us online at www.vocellagraphic.com and www.communityshopper.com

Office Hours

Office

|

-

| 9:00 am to 5:00

Hair Society Institute setting a high standard

WILLISTON SCHOOL PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR FUTURE SALON PROFESSIONALS

The more they have under their belt, the more confident and secure they are going to feel behind a chair.

-LETICIA KIRKWOOD, HSI DIRECTOR

BY ERICA KINGSTON ekingmediawriter@gmail.com

Last week, the Hair Society Institute was decked to the nines. The minute the door opened, clients were greeted with music, balloons, cotton candy being spun and a plethora of students bustling at their stations in pink matching shirts that read “It’s a Love A-Fair.”

With an energy that mimics owner, director and instructor Leticia Kirkwood’s personality, the cosmetology and esthetics school in downtown Williston hosted a lively and festive open house on Valentine’s Day, offering free services to clients while assisting HSI students in obtaining hand-on training.

As of March 1, the school will officially have been open for three years, busily educating the next generation of salon professionals at their 11 East Broadway location in Williston. Offering programs in cosmetology and esthetics, HSI has seen over 64 student graduates walk through their doors. With 30 years of experience behind the chair, Kirkwood decided to close her salon, Hair Safari, which she opened in 2010, to switch gears and open a school.

“Being a salon owner for so many years … one of the things I always struggled with were unemployable stylists,” Kirkwood said. “It was really hard to find stylists that graduated from school, that were ready and confident and could follow instructions, were not lost and could understand the seriousness and the integrity that was required to be behind a chair.”

Tasking herself with being the solution to a problem she saw in her industry, Kirkwood opened HSI in 2021. In that time, the school has graduated 64 students and is currently instructing 21 more.

“The requirement for the Department

of Education is 65% passing, which is their minimum standards,” Kirkwood explained. “We are at 85% graduates, 85% employed and 100% licensed — so we are doing really good. I’m really proud of that, that is not easy.”

HSI offers a curriculum in cosmetology and esthetics. Cosmetologists are licensed in not only hair, but nails and esthetics and require 1500 hours, equalling to an 11 month program, while the esthetics program is five months long and 600 hours. Kirkwood believes her students should confidently use all areas of training and has brought additional education to the school for certifications in hair extensions, eyelash extensions, dermaplaning, microdermabrasion and waxing, among others.

“As we grow … I want to continue to bring more opportunities,” Kirkwood said. “The more they have under their belt, the more confident

and secure they are going to feel behind a chair.”

Cosmetology student Bethany Wells started at HSI in April of 2023. Hailing from Sidney, M.T., Wells has a chair waiting for her at a salon in her hometown once she finishes her schooling in May..

“(School) was kind of scary at first, but as you go on and on you find more about yourself and more things that you like and enjoy that you didn’t think you would like in the beginning,” Wells said of her time at HSI.

Wells explained that students have to hit 300 hours of work on doll heads before they can work on a client. Days start off with

a theory class and bookwork and then move onto hands-on work in the salon.

“Letty (Kirkwood) will come in and do a demonstration on a specific haircut and we will watch it. She will teach about it and we have to go perform it on a doll head,” Wells said.

Students have come from surrounding communities in North Dakota and Montana to attend HSI as the nearest cosmetology and esthetic schools are Fargo, Bismarck or Billings, M.T. Kirkwood hopes that as word spreads, the school will be able to gain more instructors and expand.

“That was the thing — my body hurt,” Kirkwood said of the decision to start HSI. “So at some point I have to stop being behind the chair … I hope there is somebody without body aches that still loves the industry and wants to come back and help me educate the new society of professionals.”

Kirkwood began her career in the Bronx when she was 16 working at her mom’s friend’s salon checking people in, selling products and sweeping up hair. Once when the owner was low on help, she handed Kirkwood a tray of hairspray, bobby pins and a curling iron and said, “Start curling, start pinning.” And there, Kirkwood’s salon career had its beginning.

Working in the business off and on, Kirkwood had moved to Florida and opened a salon in 2008. When the economy crashed, her brother had come to Williston for work. Kirkwood came for a visit and soon after went back to Florida to sell everything and came back to Williston with the rest of her family, where they have remained ever since.

New course sessions at HSI will be starting in March and April. Their website (hairsocietyinstitute.com) has course information from tuition to curriculum as well as salon services offered to the public for students to gain experience. Kirkwood encourages people to come into the salon to receive-high end care at lowered prices.

“I am on the floor, so it’s essentially me doing hair … I’m involved all the way through the service,” Kirkwood said. “When a client comes in, they are getting a fraction of what this would cost in an actual salon or spa, but with high quality products with a student that is being supervised by an instructor.”

The HSI salon can be reached at 701774-3043 and is open Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m-4 p.m. and Friday 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. A list of services and prices, as well as information on the cosmetology and esthetics programs and curriculum can be found on their website.

Hair Society

ALEXANDRA GALLEGOS (RIGHT), HAIR SOCIETY INSTITUTE GRADUATE AND MASTER COSMETOLOGIST WHO IS NOW WORKING ON GETTING AN INSTRUCTOR’S LICENSE, ASSISTS COSMETOLOGY STUDENT ESTER CRUZ (MIDDLE) ON A CLIENT DURING HSI’S OPEN HOUSE ON FEB. 14. | PHOTO BY ERICA KINGSTON

Lemonade Day, with a twist

BY ANNA NELSON, PRESIDENT WILLISTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/WESTERN STAR FOUNDATION anna@willistonchamber.com

WILLISTON — Imagine this: a scorching summer day, accompanied by extreme thirst, the suffering punctuated by the relief that comes with ice-cold lemonade sold by young entrepreneurs at stands throughout Williston in July. I know this is a difficult image to conjure as we are fresh off double-digit negative temperatures, making July seem like a lifetime away - but hear me out: Lemonade Day in May, with a twist.

Now, imagine this: the Raymond Family Community Center, filled with booths, and behind them, the bright, innocent eyes of a young entrepreneur. Their wares expand beyond lemonade to whatever they are passionate about. Your support for this little business is the support of a dream. Imagine what that entrepreneurial spark will turn into.

This is the goal of Lemonade Day 2024 — to inspire, encourage and educate our youth-preneurs to turn passions into products. That educational piece is an even larger, more interactive component this year with the addition of Lemon University.

Lemon University takes the curriculum that the Lemonade Day participants complete through the app to the next level,

bringing it into a classroom with community leaders as their teachers. There will be three LU courses, each with a unique focus, to help bring those lessons to life.

The LU classes are as follows:

• Business and Banking: Feb. 24 from 9-11 a.m. at Williston High School

• Marketing, Communication and Sales: March 23 from 9-11 a.m. at Williston High School

• Building Your Business: April 20 from 9-11 a.m. at Williston High School

Then everything comes together at the Junior Market - essentially a vendor show - on May 18 at the Raymond Family Community Center where the participants will showcase their hard work, and the community can come to see the fruits of their labor and support these budding businesses!

While this is aimed at kids ages 5-14, we have had all ages of students participate, and we welcome pre-k as well as older high schoolers to join us.

Want to register your child? Visit lemonadeday.org/williston to get started, then download the My Lemonade Day app to register your learner

Want to volunteer? Email wchamber@ willistonchamber.com

Want to sponsor? Email anna@willistonchamber.com

Want updates? Follow us on Facebook: at Lemonade Day Williston, ND and at Williston Area Chamber of Commerce.

Female chickens now legal to own in Williston

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

WILLISTON — Williston’s City Commission recently passed a modified ordinance allowing residents to legally own female chickens within city limits, with a 3-1 vote. The ordinance requires interested residents to apply for a yearly permit for up to four chickens, subject to various conditions including obtaining written permission from adjacent neighbors. The law, effective immediately, will be administered by the finance department, following requests from residents led by Joy Gockenbach to amend the existing ordinance.

From ‘Some chickens now legal to own in Williston’ by Michael Anthony found at kfyrtv.com. Read the story by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

Got News?

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

WILLISTON — The Vocella Graphic wants to hear from YOU. If you’ve got story ideas or information, but don’t like to write, send your tips to news@vocella.com!

Like to write? We gladly welcome reader submissions and press releases for the important news and events happening in our communities. Send your submissions to news@vocella.com for your chance to see it in print and online at vocellagraphic.com.

NDSU Extension schedules Stop the Bleed trainings through April

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

NORTH DAKOTA — NDSU Extension and the NDSU School of Nursing are collaborating to offer free Stop the Bleed trainings aimed at rural residents in North Dakota, aiming to mitigate deaths caused by unintentional injury. Given the critical importance of time in rural medical emergencies, these trainings empower participants with skills to promptly address life-threatening bleeding until first responders arrive. The program, conducted by nursing faculty in various locations across the state, provides hands-on training in recognizing and effectively managing severe bleeding, emphasizing the proper use of tourniquets. With an emphasis on accessibility and community outreach, these initiatives aim to equip individuals in rural areas with life-saving skills.

To find an event near you and register, visit bit.ly/STBcountyregistration.

From ‘NDSU Extension schedules Stop the Bleed trainings through April’ by Angie Johnson found at ag.ndsu.edu. Read the press release by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

WHY CHOOSE TRINITY CHRISTIAN ?

• Clear Statement of Faith

• Open Enrollement

• Low teacher/student ratio

• Caring and qualified teachers

• Preschool - 12th grades

• K-5 After school program from 4:005:30pm

• Daily Bible lessons and weekly chapel

• K-12 Supervision from 7:45am4:00pm

• NWEA MAP testing in September and April to measure growth

• Multi-student discount

• Affordable tuition

LIL SQUEEZE LEMONADE STAND | SUBMITTED PHOTO

Despite mild winter, spring may bring forage challenges

NDSU EXTENSION SPECIALIST JAMES ROGERS ADVISES RANCHERS TO CONSIDER WHETHER WINTER FEED SUPPLIES ARE ENOUGH TO STRETCH INTO SPRING IN CASE OF DELAYED TURNOUT. | NDSU PHOTO

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

NORTH DAKOTA — Despite forecasts indicating a warmer and drier spring ahead, ranchers should brace for potential impacts on spring turnout. While the milder winter conditions have provided advantages such as easier feeding and maintenance for ranchers, North Dakota State University Extension specialist James Rogers warns of the region’s susceptibility to extreme weather fluctuations and prolonged recovery periods. Predictions suggest continued above-normal temperatures and uncertain precipitation levels, which could affect planting for crop

farmers and forage production for ranchers. Factors like fall grazing intensity and weather conditions will influence forage production and spring turnout timing, prompting Rogers to advise ranchers to ensure adequate winter feed supplies and monitor herd health closely.

From ‘Despite mild winter, spring may bring forage challenges’ by James Rogers found at ag.ndsu. edu. Read the press release by scanning the QR code with your smartphone.

Art contest announced for NDFB Week

BY NORTH DAKOTA FARM BUREAU PRESS RELEASE

BISMARCK — In celebration of NDFB Week, March 10-16, NDFB is excited to announce an art contest open to fourth and fifth grade students. The contest encourages young minds to visualize themselves as future farmers, fostering creativity and highlighting the importance of agriculture in our communities.

Participants are invited to create portraits of themselves as future farmers, depicting their vision of farming attire, surrounded by the crops or animals they aspire to cultivate in the future.

The art contest will be judged in two categories: “creativity and originality of the theme” and “quality of artistic composition and overall design.”

A winner will be selected in each grade and receive a $50 prize. The winning artworks will also be featured in NDFB’s member newsletter, Focus. The deadline for submissions is March 8.

The theme for NDFB Week is “Cultivate Your Future: Nurturing Growth, Sowing Innovation,” inspired by NDFB’s recently introduced Student Membership category. This theme underscores the significance of cultivating a sustainable and innovative future in agriculture.

NDFB Week is a tribute to the agricultural contributions of county Farm Bureaus across the state. Various events, ranging from ag trivia to “Free Meat Monday,” will be hosted by county Farm Bureaus to celebrate the week.

For more information on NDFB Week and the art contest, please visit our NDFB Week page.

From ‘Art contest announced for NDFB Week’ found at ndfb.org. Read the press release by scanning the qr code.

Keep

your

hens laying even through the cold, dark winter months

BY KARY MOLTZAN news@vocella.com

In northern climates like ours, we often turn to artificial heat and light sources to not only keep our chickens warm and healthy, but to keep egg production up over the winter.

After finding a reel on Instagram from mountaintop.homestead, we tried just one of their suggestions and saw results almost immediately — feeding our chickens cat food, in addition to their regular layer crumble.

For the rest of their tips and tricks, follow the QR code by scanning with your smart phone to view the original reel on Instagram.

Modern homestead living

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and urbanization, a surprising movement is gaining traction among younger generations: modern homestead living. Once associated with the distant past or niche communities, the desire to return to simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyles is calling to a new wave of people, particularly millennials and Gen Z.

At the heart of modern homesteading is a commitment to sustainability and self-reliance. Gardening takes center stage, with small plots, rooftop gardens and community allotments transforming urban spaces into unlikely sources of fresh produce. Beyond the joy of cultivating one's own food, gardening fosters a deeper connection to the earth and a more profound appreciation for seasonal rhythms

Raising animals for meat, dairy and eggs is another aspect of homestead living that is enticing to the younger generations. Whether it's backyard chickens providing daily eggs or goats supplying fresh milk, these animals offer sustenance while allowing growers access and quality control of their food sources

Composting complements the homesteading lifestyle by closing the loop on or-

ganic waste. Food scraps and yard trimmings are transformed into nutrient-rich soil, nourishing gardens and reducing landfill waste.

Preserving the harvest through canning allows homesteaders to enjoy the bounty of summer fruits and vegetables year-round. Meanwhile, traditional crafts like knitting, crocheting and sewing not only provide a means of creating functional items but also

serve as outlets for creativity and mindfulness.

In a world often characterized by hustle and digital distractions, modern homestead living offers a retreat into simplicity and authenticity. It's a movement driven by a desire for connection — to the land, to one's food sources, the rhythms of nature and to the ways of life lived by past generations.

Small steps anyone can take to lead a more sustainable lifestyle

BY VOCELLA STAFF news@vocella.com

Transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle with homestead living can be achieved through gradual steps. Here are six small, yet impactful, actions individuals or families can take:

Start a Small Garden: Begin by growing herbs, vegetables or fruits in pots or small garden beds. This not only provides fresh produce but also fosters a deeper connection to the food you consume and reduces reliance on store-bought items.

Compost Organic Waste: Set up a composting system to recycle kitchen scraps, yard waste and other organic materials. Composting enriches the soil, reduces landfill waste and minimizes the need for chemical fertilizers.

Practice Water Conservation: Implement simple water-saving techniques such as

installing low-flow fixtures, collecting rainwater for irrigation and fixing leaks promptly. Conserving water helps preserve local water sources and reduces utility bills.

Explore Renewable Energy: Start small by incorporating solar-powered lights or a solar water heater into your homestead. Gradually invest in renewable energy systems like solar panels or wind turbines to decrease

reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Raise Small Livestock: Consider keeping backyard chickens for eggs or bees for honey and pollination. Research local regulations and best practices for animal care to ensure ethical treatment and minimal environmental impact.

Reduce Waste: Adopt habits such as reusing containers, repairing items instead of replacing them, and buying products with minimal packaging. Embrace a “zero waste” mindset by prioritizing durable, reusable and recyclable items in everyday life.

By taking these small steps towards homestead living, individuals and families can gradually reduce their ecological footprint, cultivate self-sufficiency and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Wellness Wednesday Eye health

Welcome back to Wellness Wednesday with NDSU Extension. I am Katelyn Jespersen, the family and community wellness extension agent for Williams County. This week’s topic of eye health comes from the NDSU Nourish program.

Have you had your eyes checked in the last year? Did you know 32.2 million Americans aged 18 and older report that they have experienced vision loss? Regular vision checkups are very important. The most debilitating eye diseases are glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment and refractive errors.

Risk factors: The greatest risk for most of these diseases is age, but let’s look at oth-

er factors that play a role in eye health too. Oxidative stress from environmental pollutants or “free-radicals” can cause damage. Examples of this are secondhand smoke or other chemicals. Sunlight can cause damage due to UV radiation, especially when sunglasses or hats are not used. Poor diets, especially high in fat that may cause high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Prevention: Get regular eye exams. Everyone over 50 should see an eye doctor annually. Have a dilated pupil exam, this allows a better look in the eye. Protect your eyes from the environment by choosing full spectrum UV protected sunglasses and avoid smoke or polluted air. Reduce eye strain by refocusing on near and far objects every few minutes to give your eyes a break.

Amsler Grid

While covering one eye, look at the dot in the center of the grid. If lines are wavy or distorted, you should see your eye-care professional, this could be a sign of macular degeneration.

Did you know?

The eye is one of the most complex organs in our bodies — second only to the brain.

Choose a healthy diet. Foods that are bright colors, dark green or orange contain carotenoids that make up the macula of the eye. Lastly, make sure you get some exercise as this can help lower blood pressure and increase good blood flow.

If you want to learn more about eye health, check out our NDSU Nourish program. It is available online and can be done at your own pace and on your own time or contact me if you would like to set up an in-person version for a group of people.

Join me next week as I highlight skin health as the last topic from the Nourish program! Until then, continue extending knowledge and changing lives with NDSU Extension.

5

Afoods that promote long-term eye health

nutritious diet is often touted in relation to its link to maintaining a healthy weight and reducing risk for chronic disease. Though healthy foods certainly provide each of those benefits, a nutritious diet also can protect vision.

The World Health Organization estimates that at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment, and roughly half of those instances could have been prevented or have yet to be addressed. Vision loss is often characterized as a natural byproduct of aging, and the National Institute on Aging notes that it's normal for individuals to notice changes in their vision as they age. But it's a mistake to think there's little people can do to protect their longterm vision. In fact, a nutritious diet can be a great ally as individuals aspire to protect their long-term eye health. According to the Optometrists Network, a collective that includes clinical optometrists and respected researchers, the following are five foods that can help people protect their eyes.

Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids help with vision development and can reduce a person's risk of developing dry eye, a condition marked by chronically dry eyes that either don't produce enough tears or produce tears that cannot adequately lubricate the eyes. Various types of fish, including salmon, anchovies, herring, and trout, among others, are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Individuals who don't like eating fish can consider various nuts and legumes, such as walnuts, lentils and peanuts, which all contain omega-3 fatty acids as well.

Seeds: Flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and sunflower seeds contain either

omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin E, which the Optometrists Network notes can help to prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Leafy green vegetables: WebMD reports that lutein and zeaxanthin are potent antioxidants that can help to prevent age-related eye disease and protect the eyes from the harmful effects of exposure to ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Leafy green vegetables such as collards, kale and spinach are high in lutein and zeaxanthin.

Sweet potatoes: Though their popularity spikes in fall, sweet potatoes are available year-round. That's good news for sweet potato afficionados hoping to use diet to protect their eyes, as the Optometrists Network reports that sweet potatoes are high in beta carotene, which helps the eyes adjust to darkness. Sweet potatoes also are high in vitamin C, which may help individuals reduce their risk for cataracts.

Eggs: Like leafy green vegetables, eggs are high in lutein and zeaxanthin. The Optometrists Network also reports that eggs are rich in vitamins C and E and a good source of zinc. The presence of zinc is notable in relation to eye health, as it's been shown to help the body utilize lutein and zeaxanthin found in the yolk. Zinc also has been found to protect the retina from potentially harmful blue light and helps to increase the amount of protective pigment in the macula.

Many benefits associated with a nutritious diet are widely known. But even the most devoted healthy eaters may not recognize how much certain foods are helping to maintain their long-term eye health.

Culture

10 reasons you should read aloud to big kids, too

Even after kids can read on their own, they benefit from being read to. Here are 10 good things that come of it.

BY REGAN MCMAHON commonsensemedia.org

Every parent knows that it’s good to read to kids when they’re little. It helps babies, toddlers, and preschoolers develop spoken language, recognize letters and words, and get ready for kindergarten. But it’s actually beneficial to read to kids even after they can read on their own. Research shows that continued reading aloud after age 5 (and well beyond) improves reading and listening skills and academic performance (and is also loads of fun!).

Here are 10 key reasons to keep reading aloud to older kids:

It builds vocabulary. Kids who are read to encounter more words -- and learn how to recognize and pronounce them -- than they would by just being spoken to. And studies show that having a large vocabulary can help kids perform better in school.

It improves comprehension. When kids are engaged and invested in the story,

they understand it more thoroughly. You can check in as you go to see whether your kid understands what’s going on and ask what they think will happen next, what they think of the characters, and so on.

It’s wonderful for bonding. Positive experiences and warm memories of hearing stories from a loved one can inspire a lifelong love of reading. Award-wining novelist T.C. Boyle told a crowd at the 2017 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books that he learned to read not in school but from his mom reading to him -- and that when he reads now, he still hears her voice in his head.

It provides positive modeling. Kids learn through observation and modeling. Reading aloud lets them hear what language sounds like. You can also model how to analyze a story as you read and how to figure out the meaning of a word using context clues.

It improves listening skills. Reading aloud nurtures appreciation of rich language and helps train kids’ ears for understanding instruction in school. According to educator Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud

Handbook, “A child’s reading level doesn’t catch up to his listening level until eighth grade.”

It’s a way to discover the classics. Kids may be put off by the challenging language of Shakespeare or the old-fashioned settings of Jane Austen in school, but in a cozy setting at home, you can help the text come alive as you take on different characters’ voices and fill in historical context.

It helps with discussing difficult issues. Kids may tune out if you lecture them about what to do and what not to do. But if you read a story that shows characters grappling with serious conflicts and the consequences of their actions -- or facing bullying, racism, religious or ethnic bias, or gender discrimination -- it’s a way into talking about complex, topical matters.

It’s a way to Introduce different genres. Reading aloud lets parents introduce kids to different types of books and stories, helping kids learn which kinds they’d like to choose for themselves. Reading a variety of material boosts all kinds of learning. Try po-

The Bookshelf

“Tetry, satire, manga, and autobiographies.

It’s a portal into your kids’ interests. Reading books on subjects or in genres kids love (sci-fi, fantasy, mysteries, thrillers, graphic novels, Norse mythology, Minecraft, whatever!) gives you something to share and discuss, while also putting you on a level playing field -- rather than you always being the teacher who knows more than they do.

It sparks curiosity and a thirst for learning. Nonfiction books make great readalouds, too. For older kids and teens, try books or articles by journalists covering current or recent events and world issues. And there are lots of popular histories that are so engaging they read like nail-biting fiction.

Adapted from ‘10 Reasons You Should Read Aloud to Big Kids, Too” by Regan McMahon, found at commonsensemedia.org. Read the original by scanning the qr code.

Book review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

he Girl of Fire and Thorns” is one of my favorite books.

I usually reread it every year and despite how much I’ve changed since the first time I read it, I still enjoy it. The main character, Elisa, is just one that I can relate to in many ways. The other characters are also very lovable and it’s easy to grow attached as they develop throughout the book.

Title: “The Girl of Fire and Thorns”

Author: Rae Carson

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Summary

Every century, one person is chosen by God to fulfill some great purpose and each is blessed with a godstone. Elisa was chosen 16 years ago and feels the weight of the expectations placed on her. On her birthday, she’s married to the king of a neighboring kingdom and must keep her godstone hidden from her new subjects. When her maid discovers her godstone, she is kidnapped and dragged across the desert. Her kidnappers are convinced her destiny is to help them fight off invasion and save their lives.

“THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS” BY RAE CARSON.

Review Elisa starts the book as a very different girl than the strong young woman she grows into. She’s very self loathing and unsure of herself in the beginning. By the end of the book she’s a leader who takes little nonsense

from others. I don’t want to spoil anything, but her relationship with King Alejandro shows just how far she’s come. The King is not a bad guy, but he definitely underestimates her potential. However, even he can’t deny it in the end.

Elisa’s relationships with other characters change a lot throughout the book, another reflection of her character’s growth. Cosme, her maid, starts the book hating her, but through Elisa’s determination, she eventually gains the respect and friendship of Cosme. Cosme’s brother, Humberto, isn’t so much a reflection of her change throughout the book but a constant reminder that she’s a great person no matter what. Many characters are there to support Elisa throughout the entire book, and they really push her to be her best self and to keep going. Her friendships become strong and are a great part of the book. Elisa definitely needed to be surrounded by these characters who pushed her to be more.

“The Girl of Fire and Thorns” is a light book. Great for young and old readers alike because while it’s an easy read, it’s also a great story that’ll keep anyone captivated.

Reviewd by MCKENNA

WALTER