What’s INSIDE
Camp Green, age 18 months plays with big sister Collyns, 4, on the new slide at the Uptown Columbus playground. They are the children of Blake and Tracey Green of Columbus.
Local Venues to Take Dad For Father’s Day
Whether You’re Indoors or Outdoors—Start Searching
photos by Eliza Daffin Photography
PARENT to Parent
G
o outside and play—I hope that’s your summer mantra. There’s no shortage of things to do in the Valley region as you wile away the summer hours. We have a slampacked full calendar of events to keep you busy throughout June and July, and we hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities to get outdoors or to take a break from the heat at an indoor event. Even if you’re hanging at home, we have summer craft suggestions to keep little minds busy, and you can let your imagination run free with fairy dwellings creations. Scavenger hunts are a fun pastime and again, outdoors or indoors with our App suggestions, there’s enough going on to keep little minds busy.
I welcomed a new nephew recently, and I’m excited to be an aunt (again!). It’s been a long time since we’ve had a new baby in our family, so the baby shower gift guide takes on a whole new meaning for me. It’s so much fun to shop for a baby or a newborn. Oh, how things change, yet some gifts remain the same. From the practical, coziest, playful and traditional our gift guide has it all—and it’s all to be found at local retailers. Father’s Day is right around the corner, and while shopping for Dad is fun, we think it’s more fun to make a date to spend time together with your dad or father figure in your life. We have four suggestions for local outings that will be sure to be a day to remember.
Adorableness overload can be found on page 12 and 13 with our Fresh Faces Cover Contest winners. Thank you to everybody who entered. We love receiving all the applications, and now it’s up to you, our readers, to vote for our Readers’ Choice winner.
We had a lovely morning photographing Camp Green and his sister, Collyns at the Uptown community playground. The playground and splash pad in Woodruff Park have undergone $500,000 worth of upgrades and will soon be open to the public. Several new features have been added to improve accessibility, safety and enjoyment for families including new padded turf flooring, updated shade structures, new landscaping, more seating and new swings, including an ADA-approved swing for children with disabilities. The splash pad has also been enhanced, with new lighting and holes for future water elements. We’re looking forward to seeing families enjoying this great space this summer!
We hope you enjoy this packed 24-page edition. It is thanks to our advertisers and supporters that we can publish and distribute Valley Parent for free. With much gratitude to them and to you, our readers. Enjoy the read!
Jodi Saunders
Great Day Giveaway
Enter to win tickets to a Columbus United FC soccer match. Details on page 23.
Readers’ Choice Contest
Vote for your favorite kid to be on an upcoming cover. Details on page 13.
P. O. Box 229
Columbus, GA 31902
706-324-6214 • fax 706-324-6216
EDITOR/PUBLISHER
Jodi Saunders
jodi@columbusandthevalley.com
ADVERTISING & MARKETING
Becky Kenimer
Advertising Account Executive becky@columbusandthevalley.com
Margie Richardson
Advertising Account Executive margie@columbusandthevalley.com
Julie Lauzon
Sales & Marketing Manager salesassistant@columbusandthevalley.com
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Rebecca DeLoach 62GraphicStudio.com
WRITERS
Natalie Downey Dr. Britney Farmer
Khristina Gallagher
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Elaine Clayton Cherie Gough
Pam Molnar
Jodi Saunders
PHOTOGRAPHY
Eliza Daffin Photography
A Publication of Columbus and the Valley
Family Fun CALENDAR
WEDNESDAYS
Story Time with Grammy Trish
Columbus Bound Bookshop ColumbusBound.com
SATURDAYS
Market Days on Broadway
Uptown Columbus AlwaysUptown.com
June
2-JULY 11
Camp NIM
National Infantry Museum
NationalInfantryMuseum.org/nim-kids
4, 7, 11, 14
Columbus United FC Soccer Matches
A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium ColumbusUnitedFC.com
7, 8, 14, 15, 21 & 22
Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine Cordele, Georgia
SamShortline.com
7
Spectacular Science Saturdays
Oxbow Meadows Oxbow.ColumbusState.edu
10-15
Columbus Clingstones vs. Knoxville Smokies
Synovus Park MILB.com/columbus-clingstones
13
Dads & Dinos Father’s Day
Dinosaur Dig
Columbus Public Library CVLGA.org
Salute to the Army 250
National Infantry Museum NationalInfantryMuseum.com
14
Midland Commons Concert Series– Relative Sound Midland Commons MidlandCommons.com
16
Monday Movie Night Highside Market HighsideMarket.com
24
Kids Art Studio Columbus Public Library CVLGA.org
24-29
Columbus Clingstones vs. Biloxi Shuckers
Synovus Park MILB.com/columbus-clingstones
28
Slime Saturday Highside Market HighsideMarket.com
30-JULY 2
Didgeridoo Down Under Various Chattahoochee Valley Library Branches CVLGA.org July 4
Independence Day Celebration
National Civil War Naval Museum PortColumbus.org
4
4th of July Celebration
Phenix City Amphitheater PhenixCityAL.gov
Send
4&5
Star Spangled Beach Party Callaway Gardens CallawayGardens.com
5
6
Columbus United FC Soccer Match
A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium ColumbusUnitedFC.com
706 Day Celebration
Woodruff Park eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-706-daytickets-1235287972579
6-13
Columbus Clingstones vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Synovus Park MILB.com/columbus-clingstones 10
Budding Naturalist
Columbus Botanical Garden ColumbusBotanicalGarden.org 11
Kidchella
Columbus Public Library CVLGA.org 14-18
Frogwarts Camp Oxbow Meadows Oxbow.ColumbusState.edu
19-27
Alice in Wonderland
Springer Opera House SpringerOperaHouse.org
22-27
Synovus Park MILB.com/columbus-clingstones 14
Columbus Clingstones vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
Create Your Own ENCHANTED FAIRY DWELLING
“Every fairy child may keep Two ponies and a sheep; All have houses, each his own, Some made of brick or granite stone They live on cherries, they run wild— I’d love to be a Fairy’s child.”
–I’d Love to Be a Fairy’s Child by Robert Graves
by Elaine Clayton
Georgia summers are enchanting and alluring—a wondrous season for young ones (and “older young ones!”) to skip down the garden path, exploring. Nature whispers to us from beyond our shaded porches, through rich new twisting greenery and verdant botanical beauty, calling us to be with it. There is always a sense of quiet expectation and a longing for cool breezes. The air is floral scented from gentle bursts of pastel blooms dotted all about, as if fairies had frolicked ferociously while we slept.
Perhaps they did! Fairies are like that and if nature angels indeed exist, maybe they encourage us to love our natural surroundings and make space in our hearts to cultivate it. A joyous way to do this is to play with children outside, engender curiosity and ingenuity by creating a fairy dwelling together.
This is a very enthralling yet organic venture, as rocks, twigs and leaves are freely expressive in their form and never quite uniform, one to the other. Capturing the spirit of the chaos of nature while attempting to make a little bit of order out of it is the idea. It is important to let your imagination thrive. I try to use materials that can weather the elements but that which is kind to the soil and flora, too.
The fun begins with gathering twigs, rocks and leaves outside, while perhaps finding miniature things indoors we imagine fairies might like or need (some say they love shiny, sparkling objects). Settling upon the perfect placement for this fairy dwelling is also exciting. “Where might this enchanted fairy dwelling be placed?”, you’ll ask, looking around, expecting the fey to find a way to tell you.
Columbus Botanical Garden will host Our Enchanted Garden. From Monday July 7th through Sunday, September 2nd. The exhibition we will feature a captivating display of Fairy Doors and Creature Homes, inspired by Georgia’s native flora and the enchanting charms of a magical summer. Enjoy the whimsy and magic of Our Enchanted Garden all summer by attending our classes, special events, and programs happening in July and August. Learn more at columbusbotanicalgarden.org
How to Build Your Own
What You’ll Need:
• A ceramic or clay planting pot (I used a shallow square one, but any will do)
• Potting soil (you may use dirt you can shovel up with trowels if you like)
• Twigs of your choosing (guided by the fairies, of course!)
• Rocks and pebbles
• Leaves
• Moss
• Bark
• Feathers
• Spools, buttons, stray beads, shells and coins (fairies like coins!)
• Plants (wee ones you may transplant into the pot)
• Florist’s wire (optional if you’d like to use it for attaching twigs together)
• Wood pieces (any random bits you may have such as alphabet blocks, etc)
• (And anything else you think will work—just be careful of choking hazards when creating with very young ones)
Instructions:
• Fill the planter with some soil, deep enough to create a good foundation for the twigs to anchor into the soil.
• Place a carpet of moss and/or leaves with little stones, buttons, coins, etc. and decorate the dwelling however you like (some people love to use tiny but hardy dollhouse furniture that can sustain rainy days).
• Build a kind of teepee structure with your twigs (any notches and grooves or curves in your twigs will work in your favor most of the time) by imbedding the twigs into the soil across from each other leaning in toward the other. Make sure to get the twigs as deep into the soil as they can go. This can be fiddly as twigs have their own ideas about how to be positioned (first lesson in playing with the fairies—nature can be unpredictable!).
• Make a path or wall with stones and use feathers you have found as a canopy. The fairy dwelling does not have to be airtight as a home for humans, it only needs to be inviting and whimsical.
PA RT Y G U ID E
It is a delight to situate it once you’re finished, in a surrounding of your choice (I nestled mine up against the rosemary). You can re-affix, change and add to your fairy dwelling all summer long, or make more fairy homes, why not have a little enclave? Also, try using other materials such as bricks and/or granite stones to create three walls and a roof—use your best most fairyinspired sense of wonderment!
Elaine Clayton is the author of A Little Bit of Fairies/SterlingUnion Square and Co. Books and is teaching Enchanted Fairy Dwelling workshops this summer at our very own Columbus Botanical Garden. VP
Baby Shower Gift Guide
1 Newborn Portrait Session
Starting at $700 Carolina Bowers Photography CarolinaBowers.com @carolinabowersphotography
2 3Marthas Hooded Towel $50 Galleria Riverside, Inc. 1658 Rollins Way 706.653.1950 GalleriaRiverside.com
3 Salisbury Pewter Timeless Keepsakes
Starting at $60 By Invitation
6298 Veterans Parkway, #2D 706.660.6988 ByInvitationGa.com
4 Little Giraffe Chenille Satin Baby Blankets
Starting at $29 Park Place Interiors 1817 Garrard Street
706.221.5054 ParkPlaceMidtown.com
5 Peruvian Pima Cotton Knit Clothes Prices Vary Fiddleheads 3718 2nd Avenue 706.586.8281 ShopFiddleheads.com 1
3 4 5
Starting at $110
Also offers enhancements, 2D gender ultrasound and sneak peek early gender test
Image of a Miracle 4D Ultrasound Center 5820 Veterans Parkway, Suite 205 706.507.0700 ImageOfAMiracle.com
Starting at $16
Schomburg’s Jewelers 1604 Rollins Way 706.327.7489 Schomburgs.com
Schomburg’s Jewelers 1604 Rollins Way 706.327.7489 Schomburgs.com
Starting at $24
MicKayla’s Place 3151 Williams Road, Suite A 706.221.1154 MicKaylasPlaceResale.com
Nothing Sweeter than a Baby Shower at
Whether it’s glazed, chocolate-covered, cream-filled or with sprinkles on top, life is better with doughnuts. That’s especially true in Columbus, which is home to the locally owned and family operated Golden Donut.
While Golden Donut might be the first thing that comes to mind when locals crave a sugar rush, it also offers something that’s not necessarily on everybody’s menu. Golden Donut and baby showers go together like coffee and crullers.
“Our location on Wynnton Road has a couple of spacious rooms available,” said operating partner Colt Miley. The seating capacity for the location ranges from 10 to 25 people.
“We do charge a small reservation fee of $75,” Miley explained. “This gets you the room, a staff party coordinator, two dozen glazed, four colors of sprinkles and four colors of icings. You can also get additional sprinkle and icing colors for
GOLDEN DONUT
an additional fee.”
Operated by partners Colt and Erin Miley, Golden Donut is a long-standing tradition in Columbus, now with two locations.
“Baby showers are new to Golden Donut,” Miley said. “Although our stores have been used for birthday parties for quite some time.”
The goal is to offer a fun location for those working on a budget. There is just a small rental fee that includes all you’ll need for a memorable baby shower.
“We do ask that no outside drinks be brought in,” Miley said. “We do allow simple food options to be brought in like pizza, chips, etc.”
Beyond the sweet treats, it’s the Golden Donut staff that promises to make the baby shower, or any celebration, special.
“Our team members are amazing all around,” Miley said. “We pride ourselves in providing quality products and fantastic customer service. From normal transactions to celebrating
birthday parties, our team members work hard to provide a great experience to everyone that we have the opportunity to serve.”
And if you’re looking for something unique before the baby shower, consider Golden Donuts for the gender reveal.
“We have only hosted one gender reveal party,” Miley said, “but we do get special requests for doughnuts that have pink or blue icings inside or on top.” ADV
Mental Health MINUTE
by Dr. Britney Farmer
A Father’s Contribution
While it is widely acknowledged that fathers play a vital role in a child’s life, it is worth exploring just how significant that role truly is. As this month began, I found myself reflecting on the unique life lessons that fathers are particularly well-positioned to impart— lessons that often leave a lasting impact. I identified several, though I am certain there are many more. Fathers deserve recognition not only this month, but yearround, for their meaningful contributions to the development and well-being of their children. I believe there are seven core life lessons that, in many cases, are uniquely taught by fathers.
1. A Model of Masculinity
A father often serves as the earliest example of a male role model with whom a child sees, interacts, and forms a bond. From their father’s example, children learn what it means to be strong, yet vulnerable. Whether consciously or not, fathers model masculinity through their behavior, and while these actions may seem effortless, they have a lasting impact.
2. Father-Child Bonding Through the Male Perspective
This becomes particularly meaningful during key developmental stages, such as puberty or a child’s first experience with romantic interest. A father’s perspective— sharing how he might have approached a situation or what he felt at a similar time—offers guidance that is both personal and deeply valued. For a child, seeing themselves through their father’s eyes, as someone special and loved, is an immeasurable gift.
3. How Men Treat Others— Especially Women and Children
A child observing their father showing respect, kindness and compassion— especially toward women and other children—internalizes those behaviors as “what is right.” This is more powerful than any spoken rule. While some parents adopt a “do as I say, not as I do” mindset, a father who lives his values teaches far more effectively.
4. Discipline with Presence and Strength
A father who comes home from work each day and takes time to connect with his children—perhaps by reading to them or tucking them in—models responsibility and commitment. Traditionally, fathers have often served as the household disciplinarian, reinforcing boundaries and helping children discern right from wrong with clarity and fairness.
5. Physical Bonding and Rough Play
Roughhousing and physical play teach children coordination, spatial awareness and social boundaries. These activities are more than fun—they contribute to emotional regulation and physical development. Research shows that regular physical activity can extend life expectancy by 3 to 7 years, highlighting the long-term value of active play.
6. Legacy and Identity
Sharing a last name can create a sense of pride and belonging. When fathers pass down family stories, traditions and values, they help children form a deeper connection to their heritage. These narratives build identity and strengthen emotional bonds across generations.
7. Balancing Toughness and Tenderness
Fathers demonstrate that love can coexist with structure, and that setting boundaries is a form of care. Fathers show their sons that masculinity does not require emotional suppression. They show their daughters what healthy, respectful masculinity looks like—setting a standard for future relationships.
For these paramount reasons, it is important for our fathers to take care of themselves mentally, spiritually and physically. Father should have access to mental health resources which can be found through the through their primary care physician or Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities website. Spiritual enrichment can be achieved by any method that a father may choose. Fathers may choose prayer, meditation, connection to nature, acts of service, creative expression or mindfulness practices as a spiritual connection. Men require 30 mins of physical activity per day, five times per week. This can be in the form of weight training, cardiovascular exercise or high intensity interval training. Fathers are an essential part of the family unit and truly irreplaceable. Prioritize your health—your family depends on you.
This article is not intended to diminish the invaluable contributions of any other caregivers. In recognition of Father’s Day and the quiet, selfless dedication that many fathers provide, this piece seeks to honor and highlight their unique strengths. All caregivers—regardless of role—play a vital part in nurturing, guiding and empowering children to thrive and build a stronger, more hopeful future. VP
FRESH FACES COVER CONTEST
Adriti Shrivastava,
Mrinal & Sheena Shrivastava
Manning-Hunter,
Tifany Manning-Hunter and Mark Hunter
Benning
Parker Boeckh
ElizaJane Clayton
Classi Lawrence
Buckley Scott
Felix Brackin
Jasiah Culpepper
Colton Ogletree
Samora Brown
Madelyn Guillaume
Clara Peterson
Maeve Brackin
Madison Guilford
Benicio Perez
Ella Chandler
Carson Harris
Isabel Rocha
Xoey Sims Mariah Washington Marquis West, Jr.
8 Summer Crafts You Can Do with Your Kids
by Pam Molnar
Hooray for summer and an almost full schedule—pool days, cook outs, parties and day trips to local events. While it’s fun to be on the go, sometimes you need some downtime. Instead of turning on your screen, why not pull out the crafts? We have come up with eight fun projects that are perfect for summer— because the mess stays outside.
DIY Checkers Board
Create your own board with a piece of thick poster board or scrap wood. If using wood, you will need to paint a base color first. Then, tape off the squares to make a checkers board, leaving squares open to paint another color. Gather or purchase flat river stones and paint half in the board color and half in the color of the squares. Be sure to paint both sides. When dry, add a K or crown on one side of each stone. This game is great for playing in the shade on a hot day.
Bubble Painting
Gather premixed bubble solution, food coloring, a canvas or white paper. Add a couple of drops of food coloring to the bubble bottle and shake well. Tape a cardboard cut out of a sun, flower or other summer symbol onto the canvas. This will block the colored bubbles, leaving a white shape. Next, blow colored bubbles onto your paper or canvas, letting them pop and leave the color behind. Use several colors until your canvas is covered. Let dry, carefully remove tape and display.
Personalized Beach Towel
Gather a white beach towel, duct tape and a spray tie dye kit. Lay out the towel on the ground or table and spell out your
name with tape. You can add two strips to make the letters thicker if needed. Next, bring the towel to a well-ventilated area where there is no wind. Let the kids spray the towel in a rainbow pattern or randomly until the whole towel is covered with color. Follow the directions on the spray tie dye kit for drying. Remove the tape to reveal white letters.
Flowered Bug Jar
For this craft, you will need a mason jar with a lid, flower petals and Mod Podge. Start by painting a thin layer of Mod Podge over the outside of the jar. Add petals in the shape of a flower, in an interesting pattern. Go over the flowers with another layer of Mod Podge. Don’t forget to decorate the lid.
Collect fireflies when it gets dark and watch them glow up inside. When you are done for the night, open the jar and set them free.
Bandana Tote Bags
You will need two bandanas for each tote (and pinking shears if you have them). Place the two bandanas “outside” facing each other. Similar to the tie blanket craft, cut one-inch strips on three sides, only going in three inches from the edge. On the fourth side, cut off a two-inch edge and set aside, but do not cut strips on that side. Tie the strips of the two bandanas in knots to connect them on the three sides. Next, tie the two strips from the fourth side to make a handle. Connect the handle to the bag and turn the bag inside out for a finished look.
Mud Paint
This is a fun project for those who like to play in the mud. To make mud paint, fill 1/3 cup of fresh dirt in a large disposable cup. Stir in 1-2 tbsp of powered tempura paint and a 1/3 cup of water. If it seems too thick, add more water. Choose your canvas—paper, poster board, rocks, white t-shirts, etc., and create your masterpiece. I would not recommend painting the sidewalk as the paint will stain the porous surface.
Dream Catcher
This is a great repurposing craft. Trace a dinner plate on a cardboard box and cut out the circle. Cut out another smaller circle inside the cardboard, leaving a 1” ring. Wrap yarn around the ring, covering all the cardboard and glue the end in place so it doesn’t unravel. Next, tie the end of a new piece of yarn and pull in across the ring, securing on the other side. Continue to do this until you have covered the middle with an eclectic pattern of different color yarn. Secure the end with a knot. Next, cut long strips of yarn, about 12” and loop it over the bottom of the ring, securing it in place. Continue until there is a nice fringe hanging. You can add beads or feathers to the fringe as well.
Sand Slime
To make sand slime you will need a ½ cup of clear Elmer’s Glue, ½ cup water, 1 tsp baking soda, 3 tbsp contact solution (with boric acid) and 3 tbsp of play sand. Start by dissolving baking soda in the water. When completely dissolved, stir in the glue and then stir in the sand. Lastly, add the contact solution. When the slime starts to thicken and form, you can start kneading it with your hands until it is completely mixed. This project works with colored sand, too. VP
DAD’S Day Out
4 Local Venues to take Dad for Father’s Day
by Jodi Saunders
With Father’s Day coming up, rather than spend your time searching for the perfect gift, consider giving the gift of time and experience with the benefits of memories made. We have highlighted local venues below that are sure to be a hit with the dad’s, granddads and father figures in your life. From racing, to military history to a sports double-header weekend, there’s so much to do locally to celebrate Father’s Day.
East Alabama Motor Speedway
4328 Hwy. 80 West, Phenix City
EAMSDirt.com
Established in 1973 by Jimmy Thomas, the East Alabama Motor Speedway is one of the South’s most famous and longest running motor racing attractions. The 3/8 mile high-banked clay oval is still viewed by many as one of the best dirt track facilities in the South. With two races coming up in June, this will be a fast-paced experience to remember. East Alabama Motor Speedway wants your family’s visit to be a fun and entertaining experience. Check out their website for tickets and more information.
JUNE RACES:
Saturday, June 14 - Regular Racing
Gates Open 5:00 PM, Racing Starts at 7:00 PM
Saturday, June 21 - Super Race/Regular Race
Gates Open 5:00 PM, Racing Starts at 7:00 PM
United States Army Armor & Cavalry Collection
6078 Bradley Drive, Fort Benning ArmorCavalryHeritageFoundation.org
For the history or military buff, this hidden gem museum is a must see. Most people don’t know that the largest collection
of U.S. armored vehicles and the second largest armored vehicle collection coming from all countries in the world exists at Fort Benning, with over 265 historic vehicles and 66 anti-tank weapons. It contains the armored vehicle “classics” from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War and today. The collection spans the history of Armor and Cavalry and includes many extraordinary vehicles such as World War I’s Mark VII Tank, the first US tank co-produced with our allies; World War II’s German Tiger Tank 712, and example of one of the most feared tanks in the war; and the M26 Pershing, one of the heroes of the Korean War, to name but a few.
As an U.S. Army Museum Enterprise Training Support Facility, the Armor & Cavalry Collection is not open regular hours for general public visitors. The collection will host scheduled open house events throughout the calendar year to support the public outreach of the U.S. Army Armor School.
UPCOMING OPEN HOUSES:
Friday, June 27, Noon to 4:00 PM
Saturday, July 12, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Friday, August 29, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Columbus United FC Soccer Game
ColumbusUnitedFC.com
Columbus United FC takes on Asheville City SC at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium. Bring dad to cheer on Columbus’s premier soccer team. Established in 2023, the team has joined USL League Two, South Central Division for the 2025 season.
KICK-OFF:
Saturday, June 14 - 7:30 PM
Columbus Clingstones Baseball Game Clingstones.com
Take dad out to Synovus Park to see the Clingstones take on the Knoxville Smokies. The Columbus Clingstones are a Minor League Baseball team of the Southern League and the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The first 1,000 dads through the gates will receive a one of a kind neck tie. Presented By Georgia Power, stick around after the game and dads can also run the bases.
FATHER’S DAY GAME: Sunday, June 15 - 1:05 PM VP
Kinetic Credit Union awarded the Ronald J. Mahoney Kinetic Scholarships to Ari Bruton from Kendrick High School and Ty Goodroe from Marion County High School. Ari plans to attend Savannah State University, majoring in biology or chemistry with the goal of becoming a Neonatologist. Ty plans to attend The University of Georgia, majoring in finance with aspirations of becoming a financial planner. (L-R): Ari Bruton, Mark Littleton (president & CEO) and Ty Goodroe
School BOARD
(L-R) Harris County High School Seniors Joey Duncan, Emily Steele and Kirsten Nowling celebrate their third-place finish in the Knowledge Bowl. Not pictured, Harris County High School Junior Olivia Pope won first place in the essay competition, marking the team’s first-ever first-place award.
The Harris County School District (HCSD) hosted its annual Evening with the Stars banquet at Oakhurst Farm in West Point to honor teachers, support staff, retirees and special award recipients from across the district. (L-R): 2025 Teachers of the Year: front- Valerie Longshore-Sargent, Kristi Nelson; second row- Amber Bradshaw, Jessica Grubbs; third row- Mallory Osbon, Abbie Hudson; and back row- Heather Westad
Educational Excellence Foundation
Amanda
the 2025 MCSD Teacher of the Year.
teaches theater at Wynnton Arts Academy. The announcement was made in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 1,100 teachers and community leaders. Zarate, a former Army tank track mechanic, was chosen from 54 Teacher of the Year (TOTY) Honorees representing each school in the Muscogee County School District. Amanda’s educational philosophy is anchored in building relationships with her students.
“My teaching begins with empathy—truly understanding who my students are, what they need and how I can support them. I believe every student is capable of greatness, and it’s my job to create a space where they feel safe, valued and empowered to express themselves. As a theatre educator, I use the stage to help them find their voice, build confidence and believe in their own potential.”
The Muscogee
(MEEF) named
Zarate
Amanda
Book NOOK
by Khristina Gallagher
Fill those long summer days with books that stimulate young readers beyond the pages.
AGES 4-8
So Tortoise Dug
by Emmy Kastner
Turtle works hard to create a home for all his friends that keep disappearing... where do they keep going!? Born from the true story of tortoises and mice as burrow mates, this pourquoi (French for why?) picture book prompts your tyke to explore what they see, especially outside, and create their own origin or why stories.
AGES NEWBORN-4
Chicka Chicka I Love Dad by Bill Martin
Love Dad? Love the perennial classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom? For the guy that’s hard to find the right gift for, this fun story is the apex of both. Your little one is sure to laugh along with Dad as he reads this funny take on all the ABC’s that make up the reasons we love our dad’s.
AGES 4-8
SuperPower Puppies: Moose and Violet Knock Things Down by Corey
Powell
When the adult dogs in their super pack go missing, Moose, a friendly puppy with superstrength, embarks on an adventure to find a human companion and save the day. Perfect for your new chapter book reader who is flying through series. These animal centric stories came out this spring with the first four books in the series immediately available.
AGES 8-12
The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier & Scott McCloud
With long summer days ahead, this beefy graphic novel by the famed Telgemeier (Smile, Baby Sitters Club) introduces kids to a new club and set of friends. The author and illustrator go one step further and provide readers with a how-to for creating their own graphic novel complete with a glossary and online resources.
These reviews are provided by Columbus Bound Bookshop owner Khristina Gallagher. Locally owned, located in Midtown, Columbus Bound Bookshop carries new books for children and adults. You can find them online at Columbus Bound Bookshop, Facebook and Instagram.
Travel Word Scramble
Can you unscramble these words?
Fun Page
Where do eggs go for vacation?
New Yolk City!
Why are the mountains the funniest place to vacation?
They are hill- arious!
Why didn’t the elephant take a suitcase for his vacation?
Because he already had a trunk!
The longest road in the world is nearly 19,000 miles long! The Pan-American Highway runs from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina. This network of roads weaves through 14 countries including the United States.
AWESOME SCAVENGER HUNT IDEAS
by Cherie Gough
Ready for something new and exciting to shake up your routine?
Scavenger hunts are great family entertainment! Plus, they get kids off the couch to explore familiar surroundings with fresh eyes. Whether you have tykes or teens, we have tons of ideas that bring adventure to your home, backyard or neighborhood walk. Who doesn’t love hunting for surprises?
DIY SCAVENGER HUNTS
Alphabet Hunt
Let kids hunt for objects beginning with a designated letter of the alphabet. Help kids get familiar with how to find books at the library by searching your own bookshelf. Look for books by authors whose names begin with the same letter; for older kids, have them put your books in alphabetical order by last name.
Sensory Adventure Hunt
Teach kids the five senses (touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste) before launching a sensory adventure. Take a walk and look for natural objects that are soft, rough, smooth, sticky, wet or fuzzy. Listen for birds rustling leaves, laughter, chimes, a lawnmower, etc. Lie on a blanket outside and observe cloud formations. Finish up
with a fun blind taste test at home with things such as cheese, whipped cream, olives, fruit, spinach, Nutella, frozen berries and marshmallows.
Flag Hunt
Look for the different types of flags your neighbors display or count the number of American flags as you stroll neighborhood streets.
Animal Hunt
Visit a neighborhood or park to look for living creatures such as birds, insects, ducks, lizards, dogs and butterflies.
Colors of the Rainbow Hunt
Search for the colors of the rainbow while walking through your neighborhood. Paint the compartments of an egg carton different colors and collect objects of each color. Or have kids take photos of each color when they find it. Print the photos and make a rainbow scrapbook, categorizing everything by color.
Scavenger Hunt Apps
Night Sky App makes it easy to find stars and identify constellations by holding your phone or tablet up to the sky. Fun when camping in the backyard or in the mountains.
The Audubon Bird Guide
App uses your location to help kids identify birds using GPS or by browsing by color and shape. They can explore with the app or sketch their sightings and look them up later at home.
Plum's Photo Hunt App from PBS KIDS lets kids take snapshots of things like water or cool insects while exploring. If you like, safely share your photos online with other kids who’ve completed their own hunts.
Academy Dance Center
Acute Care Express
All About Kids Learning Center
Devica Alappan, MD
Angel Academy
Aranas & Stitt, OBGYN
Bareware Pottery
Basilio Pediatrics
Behavioral Health Partners
Bluebelle Artist Market
The Blushing Brunette Boutique
Carver Heights Presbyterian Child Development Ctr.
Central Pharmacy
Central Christian Church
Central OBGYN
Chambers OBGYN
Ritu Chandra, MD
Childcare Network (Hamilton Rd)
Clement Arts
Columbus Bound Bookshop
Columbus Children’s Dentistry
Columbus Clinic
Columbus Museum
Columbus Pediatrics
Columbus Public Library
Columbus Regional Midtown
Columbus Roberts Center
CSU Elizabeth Bradley Turner Ctr.
Dinglewood Pharmacy
Divine Childcare Learning Ctr.
Columbus Specialty Hospital
James Dorchak, MD
Monkey Spot App offers storytelling and adventure with scavenger hunts that can be done anywhere. Designed for kids ages 6 and up.
More Activity Ideas
Travel Scavenger Hunt for Kids by University Games is a deck of cards that challenges kids to find roadside items while on a road trip. Learn more at universitygames.com/ scavengerhunttravel
Geocaching is a fun scavenger hunt for real treasure. Using GPS, track down boxes hidden in local spots—maybe in a park or along a trail. Log your findings, collect “treasure”, and leave behind a surprise for the next participants. Use the highly rated Cachly app to find hundreds of geocaches near you. VP
Easter Seals
Miranda Y. Edwards, MD
Fairview Baptist Preschool
The Family Center
Family Physicians of Columbus
First Baptist Church Child Dev./PC
Foot & Ankle of West Ga.
Fort Moore
Housing Services
Fountain City Coffee
Generations Knowledge & Care Ctr.
Great Beginnings Child Care
Greystone Falls
Greystone of Columbus Park
Greystone Inverness
Growing Room
Growing Room Too
Hollywood Connection
Imagination Station
Imagination Station Too
International Friendship Ministries
Joyful Journeys Childcare
Just for Kids
Kool Smiles
Mark Lawrence, DDS
Little Angels Child Development Ctr.
Little Paws Preschool
Thomas Malone, MD
Mathnasium
Mickayla’s Place
Midtown OBGYN
Mildred L. Terry Library
My Gym
Necco Foster Care
North Columbus Library
Northside Recreation Center
OBGYN Associates
Lirio E. Palmos, MD
Panvelkar & Panvelkar, MD
Pastoral Institute
Pediatrics at Brookstone Ctr.
Phenix City-Russell County Library
Pierce Chapel Methodist Preschool
Polka-Dots Early Childhood Development. Ctr.
Preppy Pets
Puddle Jumpers Child Enrichment Ctr.
Rivertown Pediatrics
Russell County DHR
Second Avenue Animal Hospital
Jeffrey Serff, DMD
Smile Doctors
Smith Station Baptist Church
Smith Station Pharmacy
St. John AME Church
St. Luke Early Learning Ctr.
St. Mark UMC Child Dev. Ctr.
Lisa Alexander Strickland, DMD
Summerville Baptist Church
Sylvan Learning Center
Nora Tan-Ngo, MD
Toni’s Dancing Studio
TSYS Childcare Center
Uptown Pediatrics
Richard A. Valentine, MD
Wynnton Methodist Preschool
ZÖe Pediatrics
In the THICK OF IT
For the Parent Who Isn’t Perfect
I’ll always remember the day my sweet, angelic 2-year-old daughter found her voice.
I don’t mean the first time she spoke—she had been doing that for a while. I mean the first time she asserted herself—loudly.
We were in the kitchen when one of her siblings did something that set her off. Finally, she had had enough. And she made sure we knew it—fists clenched, her voice reaching ear-piercing levels.
To be honest, I was a little proud of her. With four older brothers, I knew she’d need to assert herself from time to time. But she had been taught that yelling is hurtful and that there are healthier ways to communicate. As we all sat there in shock, she calmed down and said something that humbled me in the best way. She looked at us, teary-eyed, and quietly said, “Sorry ’bout da yell”—which translates to, “Sorry for yelling.”
And it hit me—if I had taught my kids nothing else, I had taught them to apologize. Not by drilling it into their heads, but by actually apologizing to them—a lot (thus the humbling part).
I love my kids more than anything, but I’ve made my share of parenting mistakes. Somewhere early on, I realized that kids deserve a sincere apology. They want the opportunity to offer forgiveness—if we’ll give them the chance. And kids are some of the most forgiving people on the planet. Forgiving, but not blind to our mistakes. Kids see and understand when we mess up, and pretending it didn’t happen doesn’t benefit anyone.
But an apology can go a long way. Never once have I apologized to my kids and had them carry a grudge. Every time I’ve offered a sincere apology, they’ve given me a hug or a pat on the back and invited me right back into their world: “It’s OK, Mommy. Want to come see what I built with Legos?”
And that was it—forgiveness, resolution and the chance to move on.
Life is rarely perfect. From birth, life is a symphony of blood, sweat, pain, passion, laughter, tears, love and loss. And yet, humans seem obsessed with the illusory ideal of perfection— striving to attain what may never have been meant to be attained. Parents often carry the burden of feeling like they must provide the perfect home, childhood, meals and more.
But in striving for perfection, we often miss what our kids truly need from us.
Parenthood is one big messy opportunity—day after day. There are moments we miss, moments we fail, and moments we get beautifully right. But what I’ve learned more than anything as a mother is that kids don’t need, or even want, perfection. Kids need sincerity. They need our humble admission of wrongdoing when we mess up—to be looked in the eyes and reminded that
by Natalie Downey
even parents are just people who make mistakes. They need a genuine apology, backed by effort and change. They need to know we are trying to be the kind of people we want them to become.
True strength can be found in a sincere apology. And that, I believe, is where kids learn to respect us as parents—when they see we’re not too proud to admit when we’re wrong. In witnessing that, they learn they, too, can be strong enough to do the same. We model healthy reconciliation.
Ultimately, we’re not trying to teach our kids to be perfect humans—but to be good humans. Because we all make mistakes, but the relationships we share give melody to life’s symphony. And sometimes, an apology is all it takes to bring the discord back into harmony. VP
As a mother of six, Natalie Downey navigates the world of parenthood with a balance of humor and nostalgic sentiment. She lives in East Alabama and enjoys spending time in nature when she finds a free moment to recharge.
