25 minute read
Inspiring Children to Exercise
from FF June 2021
by Forsyth Mags
BY LISA S. T. DOSS
Over 28% of children aged six to 17 are physically inactive! Only one in four children receive the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise. These startling statistics explain why parents encourage their kids to go outside! Today’s children, drawn to screen-time, need ideas to inspire their adventures in the great outdoors. A parent can help foster a love of heart-pumping activities while spending time together with the children!
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SCHEDULE
Welcoming the start of summer vacation lends urgency to the clever idea of creating a daily routine. Morning is the ideal time to let go of stress, increase energy levels, and get the day started right! Because it’s too easy to say, “Let’s start tomorrow,” a schedule will help adults and children stay on track. Whether kids want to pick the day’s exercise (written on slips of paper), spin a wheel, agree the night before, or plan a week ahead, knowing the activity will help prepare the mind and body for movement.
EXERCISES TO CONSIDER:
leaving the house; yet, with the handydandy pedometer, also known as a step counter, adults and children can create mini-challenges to get moving! On walks through a park or in the neighborhood, ask, “How quickly can you take 100 steps?” or “How many steps to the park bench?” Mornings or late evenings can include estimating, calculating, and potentially beating old records. Create a family chart to mark step counts at the end of the day! Pilates. If families want a fast-paced cardio workout, consider a dance rhythm game called “Just Dance,” available on all gaming systems. Indoors workouts offer plush surfaces to teach children how to perform a stairway-, wheelbarrow-, and wall-push-up. Try a game of “Mirror Image Challenge” by calling out poses and stretches and seeing which team can mimic twisting and stretching perfectly!
The Obstacle Course
A paced-out driveway and sidewalk chalk offer an exciting way to combine togetherness with exercise. Kids would enjoy creating the circuit comprising beams to jump or crawl under, buckets to weave in and out between, bean bags to toss, six standing stones to build balance, and other items, such as bouncing balls, a hula-hoop, and a balance beam. (Parents should consider creating a few permanent pieces for kids to use, including ropes, stepping-stones, and bars.)
Pack an Adventure Bag
Exercise offers spur-of-the-moment opportunities, especially when on the road; therefore, consider packing a bag of fun, comprising kites, bean bags, Frisbees, sand toys, and beach balls. Don’t forget to add sturdy walking and water shoes for everyone in the family. You never know what destination will require delving into the adventure bag.
Stretching
Lacing a pair of running shoes and hitting the pavement, or sliding onto a bike seat require taking one step backward. Parents sometimes forget the value of preventing injury through preparation. As children sit for long periods, they need a means to reduce muscle tension, improve joint stability, and mobility. Yoga stances are ideal in helping children enhance their flexibility while controlling breathing. As concentration and a sense of relaxation improve, children develop a feeling of inner fulfillment. Start with a book or cards that offer detailed instructions on a child’s bow, cobra, and camel poses, seated toe touch, and stretches termed “cat-cow,” “overhead arm,” “crossbody shoulder,” and “butterfly.”
The “How Many” Game
Kids adore technological gadgets. It’s the reason they have difficulty
Rainy Days
Walking with an umbrella in hand may not appeal to everyone; so, consider following a routine on YouTube, such as yoga or Studies prove the lifestyles learned in childhood tend to remain throughout adulthood. Parents can make physical activity a family priority, whether it’s mountain biking and hiking in a nearby state park, learning about archery, or kayaking. Every experience opens the door to building a solid foundation of lifetime health.
SHUTTER & BLINDS CAROLINA STRONG
BY TABATHA RENEGAR / JOHN GOLDEN FRAMES AND FOTOS
I think we all can agree that living through a global pandemic and being restricted to our homes gave us all time to really take in our domestic environments. Not to mention that, for some of us, our homes became our office and our schools, too! This is why Home Advisor has dubbed 2020 “The Year of the Home,” and their most recent survey offers statistics to back that up. According to the survey, average household spending on home services in the U.S. rose to $13,138 in 2020, a $4,000 increase year-over-year. It could be that one of the home projects on your “to do” list is your interior window treatments. If that’s the case, you need look no further than Carolina Shutter & Blinds. Carolina Shutter & Blinds has been serving the Triad with window treatments, design and service for 30 years. They carry only top-quality, American brands that come with industry leading warranties, including a Limited Lifetime Warranty on their locally made composite shutters. Direct from their Winston-Salem factory to you means top-quality products built with top-quality materials at competitive prices – no middlemen. Not only are the products top-notch but their employees have more than 100 years of combined experience, and all of their in-house designers, installers, factory workers and service people are employees – no subcontractors are involved with your home improvement endeavor. One review on their website surely instills a sense of confidence: “Thank you, Carolina Shutter and Blinds, for a great experience. We love our plantation shutters because they have totally changed our home for the better. You folks were so easy to work with and so professional.” Carolina Shutter & Blinds remains true to their commitment to be American and locally made, as stated here in a recent blog post on their website: “We have always focused on staying true to our American roots and sell American-made products 99% of the time. Our shutters continue to be made right here in North Carolina. Our number-one selling blind is also Carolina-made. American pride, quality and service will continue to be a driving force for us. We are here for our customers and our employees.”
Celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2021, Carolina Shutter & Blinds has a new ownership team. Seasoned window-covering veterans, the new owners have made significant new investments in the people, processes and products that have served the Triad communities for so long. They are excited to grow this business for another 30 years through a commitment to delivering the marquis customer experience – from design through installation and years of worry-free service. Remarked one of the new owners, “While the business has changed hands, we haven’t changed direction. We are committed to this community and will always be Carolina’s window fashion leader.”
To learn more or to request a free in-home/office design consultation, call 336.774.7990 or visit carolinashutterandblinds.com.
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Meet Your Ear, Nose & Throat Experts...
PIEDMONT E AR NOSE & THROAT AS S OCIATES, PA
• Ear Tubes and Tonsils • Hearing Evaluations • Allergy Testing and Treatment • Breathing Problems12 / FORSYTHFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM When Salem ENT Associates and Forsyth Head & Neck merged in 1999 to form Piedmont Ear Nose & Throat Associates (PENTA), their combined years of experience served to enhance the medical expertise and patient care available to Forsyth County and beyond. More than twenty years later, PENTA’s commitment to first-class care and personal attention to detail is stronger than ever. Each physician is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery and is highly skilled to provide care to both adults and children. They continue to embrace a variety of new techniques and technology to better serve patients and their families. Because children often face a variety of age-specific ear, nose and throat issues, this article will highlight the specialized care available to the youngest PENTA patients. If your child suffers from chronic ear infections or sore throats, your pediatrician will likely refer you to an otolaryngology specialist, like those at PENTA. Each of the eleven physicians and two physician assistants are especially qualified to treat your child’s allergies and other immune diseases, as well as recognizing conditions that can affect their development. Dr. William McGuirt, Jr., one of the physicians at PENTA, is a pediatric ENT specialist and provides here some tips to keep your children healthy and happy in the upcoming season. “One question parents often ask during the summer months is whether their child’s recurring ear and throat infections are due to allergies, swimmer’s ear, or something else entirely. Allergies are the leading cause of ear problems in children over the age of five, which can affect their development, and can be easily diagnosed in our office. Swimmer’s ear is identified by pain to the touch of the child’s ear and by the presence of drainage from the ear,” explains Dr. McGuirt. “On the other hand, middle ear infections are not typically painful to the touch and do not produce drainage. While waiting to see one of our providers at PENTA, hold a hot compress or warm cloth against the ear for comfort at home, and apply apple cider vinegar drops to each ear.” “If you notice ear infections occurring more than four times in a six-month period or five to six times within a year; if your child complains of persistent fluid in their ear; or if you see any evidence of hearing loss, your PENTA physician may advise that tubes be placed in the child’s ears to relieve these symptoms and prevent further
infections. This out-patient procedure can be performed year-round, but scheduling this and other surgeries (tonsil and/or adenoid removal) during the summer months is generally less disruptive to the child’s attendance during the school year and may allow for a healthier winter overall. “Removing the tonsils can require a recovery period of 7-10 days, making it difficult to remain in school and participate in other activities,” notes Dr. McGuirt. The entire PENTA staff are committed to excellence and are here to help you! Patients, both young and young-at-heart, find the physicians to be accessible, thoroughly professional and skilled at easing the stress of those in need of surgery. That’s why you’ll hear words like “friendly,” “knowledgeable,” “kind,” and “compassionate” when those thankful patients and their loved ones describe the providers at PENTA. Piedmont Ear Nose & Throat Associates, a trusted medical partner for both adults and children in need of ENT care, has conveniently located offices in Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Kernersville, and Mt. Airy. Learn more about their team and services at www.piedmontent.com or call (336) 768.3361.
Summer Tips for Healthy Ears:
• Keep water and liquids out of the ear as much as possible. • Shake out any trapped water inside the ear after exiting a pool, lake, or the ocean. • Frequent swimmers should consider wearing earplugs or a swimming cap. • Avoid cleaning the ears with anything, including fingers or cotton swabs. Earwax protects the ear canal and does not need to be removed.
Meet Your Ear, Nose & Throat Experts...
PENTA
We provide an easily accessible state-of-the-art surgical center and four convenient locations: Winston-Salem I Clemmons I Kernersville I Mount Airy
Call us for info at 336-768-3361
PIEDMONT E AR NOSE & THROAT AS S OCIATES, PA
www.piedmontent.com
BY AMY HILL
With life getting back to normal this summer, there are no more excuses for not inviting your out-of-town in-laws over for a weekend visit. Tired of taking your date to boring dinners? Why not break the ice on wheels? Triad locals planning on hosting visitors this summer can show their loved ones around town in style (and a helmet) with one of the many tours offered at Triad ECO Adventures. With knowledgeable and charismatic tour guides, Triad ECO Adventures is guaranteed to show you a good time and leave a great taste in the mouths of Triad tourists. Triad ECO Adventures is notorious for its iconic trolley tours servicing the area. Triad Trolleys offers locals and visitors the opportunity to learn more about their surroundings by embarking on three local city trolley tours in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point that highlight each city’s best architecture, notable landmarks, history, and charm. Sweet-toothed tourists will delight in tasting local treats with a historical twist aboard the weekly Moravian Cookies Trail Trolley Tour. If dessert isn’t up your alley, don’t worry—Triad Trolleys also hosts monthly hot dog tasting tours to suit those craving an adventure on the savory side.
Want to customize your own trolley tour? Triad Trolleys allows groups to reserve private trolley tours for birthday parties, weddings, and more. In need of a good laugh and a cold beer? This summer, the monthly Comedy & BrewPub Trolley Tour departs on Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m., and includes a stop to a local pub to add to the fun. If you’re ready to jump back into the world of live music, board the trolley to see Martha Bassett perform live at the Reeves Theater in Elkin, NC. Locals and visitors looking to stay active on the water this summer can take advantage of the warm weather to sign up for PaddleFit SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) tours. New to the world of paddleboarding? Triad Eco Adventures offers lessons for paddlers age nine and up at Salem Lake, Belews Lake, and Oak Hollow Lake. Independent paddlers can rent SUPs from Triad ECO Adventures at the rental location adjacent to Old Salem, and haul the boards to their lake of choice. With certified instructors taking all necessary safety precautions, nervous paddlers can rest assured that they are in good hands while learning the ropes. If you’d rather enjoy the fresh air with Triad ECO Adventures on dry land, secure your spot on a Segway tour. Segway tours provide riders with the opportunity to cruise through areas such as Downtown Winston-Salem, Salem Creek Greenway, Historic Washington Park, and Old Salem, and are ideal options for larger groups. Like other tours offered through Triad ECO Adventures, Segway tours can be customized to the riders’ liking in order to provide them with the ultimate Segway experience. The newest addition to the Triad ECO Adventures menu is a small-group, two-hour guided electric bike tour featuring top-notch PEDEGO pedal-assist electric bikes. Bike around Downtown Winston-Salem, or choose your own local destination. PEDEGO pedal-assist electric bikes allow riders to focus less on breaking a sweat and more on sightseeing by helping bikers pedal up the daunting hills of downtown. If you’re an experienced biker who’s feeling spontaneous and wants to take a PEDEGO for a spin sans tour guide, these e-bikes can be rented online by the hour or half-day. Want to own a PEDEGO? Although the charming tour guide isn’t for sale, Triad ECO Adventures allows you to apply your bike tour purchase to the cost of a new or pre-owned PEDEGO bike delivered to your door or loaded into your vehicle.
Interested in seeing everything Triad ECO Adventures has to offer? Triad ECO Adventures highly recommends booking your tour in advance online or by phone. Tours fill up quickly, so don’t wait to reserve your spot. Visit www.triadECOadventures.com to read more about tour options, upcoming events, and staff bios. If you have a tour idea that you don’t see listed on the website, call (336) 722-7777 or e-mail to customize your tour and meet the needs of your party. Follow @triadecoadventures on Instagram and check out the team’s Facebook page to stay up-to-date on the latest news and events.
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC, Investment advice offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, a registered investment advisor, Independent Advisor Alliance and Marzano Capital Group are separate entities from LPL Financial.
Making Dollars, Making $ense
3 Money Conversations to Have With Your Kids
BY MARZANO CAPITAL GROUP
Marzano
Here are 3 topics to get your conversations started as you teach your child how to build a solid financial future: • The Difference of Needs vs. Wants. We live in instant gratification, want-driven society and it is a crucial to have a discussion with your child about the differences between a “need” and a ”want”. We “need” food, shelter, clothing, and security to survive – whereas “wants” are something we desire but do not depend on to live. Teach your child that “needs” should be built into their budget, but it is also important to plan for the money for the extras or for the
“wants” in life. You can have both, in some cases, if you plan accordingly. • Earning Money. One of the first positive experiences that your child can have when it comes to an understanding of finances is the act of earning money. Whether earning an allowance for chores done or help around the house or earning money for a part-time job after school. Earning money through effort helps your child associate value/happiness by way of income for the work done. It is a simple concept that learned early, can have a profound impact. • Saving Money. Saving money is a habit and its best to instill good habits early. Learning to pay yourself first by saving 10% of your income at a young age will pay dividends (no pun intended) throughout a lifetime. You can teach younger children about saving money through the use of a piggy bank, and older child through opening a savings accounts and setting up various goals that can be achieved in a realistic timeframe.
Recently, the FINRA Investor Education Foundation ran a study with results showing that financial literacy was a strong indicator of positive future financial outcomes for people (Williams, 2020). Another study indicating how critical the knowledge and skills needed to managing money are, shows where the root of the problem may lie. Financial literacy is not a subject that primary schools tend to teach well, if they teach it at all. These lessons are best taught at home. In 2017 T. Rowe Price ran a survey that indicated 69% of parents have reluctance when it comes to talking about money with their children (T. Rowe Price, 2017). The only way to close this disconnect is to start talking about money with our children and you need to have some ways to get a conversation going. We can help you with that…. Teaching kids while they are young can help them build a strong and positive relationship with money. That positive relationship can jumpstart the desire to earn money, save, and build up a secure future. If you would like more personalized financial guidance as you educate your kids about money, please contact us for a complimentary consultation.
SOURCES Williams. (2020, October 29). New Research: Financial Literacy Is Significant Indicator of Positive Future Financial Outcomes and Behaviors | FINRA.org. FINRA. https://www.finra.org/ media-center/newsreleases/2020/new-research-financial-literacysignificant-indicator-positive Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Investing involves risk including loss of principal.
HUNGRY FOR HOPE: Neighbors Helping Neighbors
BY TABATHA RENEGAR
If you’re like me, each year when you see the billboards and advertisements for Crisis Control Ministry’s (CCM) signature event, Hope du Jour, you start making notes. In case you’re not familiar, Hope du Jour is a partnership between CCM and over 140 local food and beverage businesses throughout Forsyth County that for one day, always the first Tuesday of May, donate 10% of their sales that day back to CCM. So, when the list of participating restaurants was published, plans would be made to eat out that day for each meal!
Plans will be made differently this year as CCM, like so many nonprofits, has had to pivot and rethink their fundraising efforts and strategies. And I happen to think this is one of the best examples of making lemonade from lemons in a post-pandemic world! This year, the Development Team at CCM understood that their Hope du Jour partners were still struggling financially because of the economic impact of the pandemic, and they wanted to do something to support them and drive business to their doors. Therefore, the decision was made not to host the 31st Annual Hope du Jour this year, and instead, Hungry for Hope was created.
For the entire month of June, CCM will be advertising local food and beverage businesses that have participated in Hope du Jour in the past with one goal: to get the community to support local food and beverage establishments. Many of the participating restaurants have supported neighbors in crisis for over 15 years! This year, CCM will not be asking for a donation from Hope du Jour partners. Hungry for Hope is a way for Crisis Control Ministry to say “thank you” to all the previous participants of Hope du Jour that are still in business and to encourage the community to patronize their establishments. The campaign sponsors, along with CCM staff and volunteers, want to give local food and beverage businesses that have supported the Ministry and helped neighbors in crisis for years free advertising to help them survive the pandemic. In lieu of donations, Crisis Control Ministry will use the Hungry for Hope marketing campaign to spread awareness of CCM and the services they offer to those experiencing a time of financial crisis. If that doesn’t epitomize the meaning of ‘community,’ I am not sure what does!
So, this month, I have bookmarked: hopedujour.org/find-a-restaurant/ and will look forward to doing my part to support the neighbors who have worked so hard to keep moving forward, serving and providing for you and me. Next year, I’ll enjoy a day of restaurant hopping on May 3, 2022! For the complete list of dozens of restaurants and business in the area that would love to see you during Hungry for Hope, visit: hopedujour.org/find-a-restaurant/.
Hope Du Jour
Aspiring College Swimmer?
Swim with the Pros at King Triton Aquatic Club
BY AMY HILL AND VAVINA LAPHAM
Does your child show an interest in swimming, whether competitive or collegiate? With summer approaching and the upcoming televised Olympic Trials preparing swimmers for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, now is the ideal time to invest in your child’s aspiring swimming interest or collegiate career. King Triton Aquatic Club (KTAC) is a new swimming club bringing elite-level swim programming to the Triad, with a cutting-edge approach to service your swimmer in and out of the water. KTAC has partnered with leaders in the industry to guarantee that your swimmers not only have elite-level coaching, but also individualized sport performance training, access to confidence mentoring, sports nutrition, and sport psychology. This will help ensure your child’s development on all levels in order to achieve their individual goals, and will aid in the pursuit of collegiate aspirations. The same elite-level coaching is offered to swimmers at every level, even for younger swimmers looking to explore the world of competitive swim. KTAC is owned by Triad native Vavina Lapham, who also serves as Head Coach and Aquatics Director at Salem Academy & College. KTAC is officially kicking off on June 1st, with water space at Greensboro Aquatic Center and Winston-Salem State University with additional space coming soon to ensure the demands for the team are met and to provide easy access for all swimmers in the Triad area. Team placement tryouts will be June 9th, 16th, and 30th from 3-5 p.m. at Greensboro Aquatic Center. Children ages seven and up (or turning seven by November 15th) are eligible to join the competitive team. We will be offering a novice swimmer pre-competitive team for ages four and up. Swimmers will receive thorough coaching by certified USA swimming coaches aimed at teaching proper technique, building endurance, and having fun. This detail-oriented coaching focus will also help prepare swimmers who wish to pursue their collegiate-level swimming goals. Inspired to create KTAC due to her life-long passion for swimming, Vavina is putting her decades of knowledge and experience in competitive and collegiate swimming to good use. Starting at age seven, Vavina swam competitively under coach Phyllis Steimel at the Rowan Aquatic Center in
Salisbury, N.C., and credits Coach Steimel as one of the most influential forces in her swimming and coaching career. Vavina began her coaching career at the age of 18 in northern Florida. After taking a few years off to spend with her young children, she then went on to coach at Swim Atlanta, traditionally a Top-5 team in the US for nearly 50 years. Vavina spent six years coaching alongside Elite National Coach Landon Harris, and current University of North Carolina assistant coach Allyson Sweeney, gaining the experience and training she is bringing to KTAC and the Triad. Vavina moved back home to the Triad area nearly three years ago and has been training swimmers of all levels in the community ever since. She began with Enfinity Aquatic Club after returning to the Triad, and now enjoys introducing swimmers to the sport through the summer league programs in town at Westwood Swim and Tennis Club as the current head coach of Brookberry Farm Summer Swim Team.
Recently, Olivia Kleven, a Salem College swimmer coached by Vavina, was nominated for the NCAA Female Athlete of the Year—a testament to the coaching that she provides and the highly skilled swimmers she coaches. In addition to coaching competitive swim, Vavina has a focus and passion for drowning prevention. She gives her time to teach water safety and lifeguard instruction, and will be offering swim lessons through KTAC to do her part to impact this epidemic. After moving back home and surveying the Triad area, Vavina discovered that there was space in our community for another swim program to support the growing population. To ensure a unique and differentiated experience beyond just swimming, Vavina and her business partner Jonathan Elolf enlisted the help of Vavina’s elite coaching friends.
Confidence Coach Christen Shefchunas is one of the partners that has signed on board at KTAC to provide a resource to KTAC swimmers and families in navigating the sport of swimming. Christen has years of swim coaching experience at Michigan State University, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Miami. She also worked with Team Elite in 2015, where she helped Olympians and National Team members prepare for the 2016 Olympic Trials and Olympic Games. Dr. Megan Cannon is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in sports psychology, and will also be joining the KTAC team as a resource for families to utilize. With multiple appearances on ESPN as a sports psychology expert, she will provide sound advice and value to KTAC swimmers and parents. Jennifer Brunelli will be supporting the club with her vast knowledge of nutrition and dietetics. As the former sports dietitian for the Carolina Panthers and owner of Charlotte-based nutrition consulting business RDpro, LLC, Jennifer will be hosting monthly talks with the team, demonstrating healthy cooking lessons, and providing recipes for families on the go to encourage children to eat healthy in order to support their growing bodies. With these expert ladies on staff, along with the strong swim coaches Vavina and Jonathan have crafted for KTAC, the program will support athletes in becoming champions in and out of the water. Backed by Triton Amateur Swimming Foundation, also spearheaded by Vavina, KTAC is working towards its goal of building a facility in King, NC, that will serve 300 children weekly. Please see www.kingtritonaquatics.com for more details.
On October 23rd, Triton Amateur Swimming Foundation will host an inaugural gala at the Maple Chase Country Club in order to raise money to support “learn to swim” scholarships, competitive swimming scholarships, and to help build a facility to support the community needs and become home of King Triton Aquatics. Fox 8’s Chad Tucker will be acting as the master of ceremonies at the Triton Goggles Gala, and will be accompanied by auctioneer Wayne Canada, along with a live performance by Jukebox Rehab. Sponsors include Sound Illusions, Arena Sports, Wild Things Florist, Snap Post Photo Booth, Dr. Megan Cannon, and Christen Shefchunas.
If you are interested in learning more about King Triton Aquatics Club or the Triton Goggles Gala, please visit the website at www.kingtritonaquatics.com, or contact Vavina directly at vavina@kingtritonaquatics.com.
