Summer FOLIO issue

summer 2013

A Community Publication of the Junior League of Mobile, Inc.

Engaging

Minds&Bodies Keeping children mentally and physically active this summer

OLWEUS

Creating a safe school environment with a bullying prevention program

JLM Women of the Year Recognizing JLM award winners

Tonight.

A Community Publication of the Junior League of Mobile, Inc.

Contents

16 community

building a better

OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program Six schools create a safer environment with the Olweus program.

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| summer 2013

24 women

developing

Engaging Minds Avoid the summer slide by keeping your children mentally active this summer.

in every issue

summer 2013 Volume 64, Number 3

6 8 10 12 13 14 39

Letter from the Editor Letter from the President Contributors Corporate Sponsors Advertisers Index At a Glance Calendar of Events

building a better

community

15

Healthy Children, Hunger, Nutrition, and Fitness 18 Combatting Bullying 20 Comments from the Community

developing women 26

promoting

9 2 volunteerism

JLM Women of the Year Congratulations to the Sustainer, Active, and Provisional of the Year.

Engaging Bodies: Keeping Ourselves & Our Children Healthy

promoting

volunteerism

32 33 34 35 41

Super Hero Spotlight Provisional Project Leadership Scholarships Assistance Funds Recicients Endowment Donor List

summer 2013 |

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in every issue

Letter

from the Editor

A Community Publication of the Junior League of Mobile, Inc.

A

s a mom and educator, my heart lies with my children (biological and borrowed).

Nothing moves me more than the imagination, inspiration, enthusiasm of a child.

Their health and well-being are constantly at the forefront of my mind. My dedication to children is one of the reasons I joined the Junior League of Mobile, Inc. (JLM). JLM has been committed to children since its inception in 1925 and is entering its fifth and final year focusing on children and education. A FOLIO issue dedicated to children, therefore, only seems fitting, and I am thrilled we have created one.

Kelli Etheredge | folio editor

When you read this issue, summer will be in full bloom. As I write this letter, however, my students are in the midst of final exams and my children are enjoying the fun-filled days that come with the end of the school year activities. Regardless of their age or their end of the year efforts, young and ..., well…, younger alike are looking forward to summer vacation. After ten months of nightly homework, after-school activities, and school events, it is natural to want to simply hang out and do nothing. While I too look forward to the slower pace of summer, I also look forward to a time of reflection of my craft and a continuation of my own learning through summer reading and conferences. In short, I won’t be taking the summer off. Neither should our children. In this issue, therefore, you will find inspiration for keeping our children active in both mind (24) and body (26). Additionally, we have an article about the latest efforts in Mobile County to help with bullying prevention – the OLWEUS program (16). The FOLIO staff hopes that these articles help our readers support their children to find health in both mind and body.

Summer also marks the end of the JLM year and my time as editor, and our summer issue highlights the awards, accomplishments, and assistance for the year. Congratulations to all award recipients and to everyone for their hard work in the community.

On a personal note, I would like to thank the FOLIO staff for an amazing year. I have learned a great deal from all of you, and I appreciate your efforts and talents. I also have some special people to thank - to Carrie Moore, for always being available to step in and take care of whatever I asked; to Anitra Henderson, for being incredibly supportive throughout the year; and to Andy Zak, for your amazing creativity and fun spirit. I truly value the friendships I have made as a result of my year as editor.

As I say goodbye to the academic and FOLIO year, I look forward to some “downtime.” Balancing my children’s downtime with keeping them active in both mind and body is at the forefront of my mind. I find inspiration for our relaxing, fun-filled, active summer in a wonderful quote from British educator, Cathy Nutbrown: “Pausing to listen to an airplane in the sky, stooping to watch a ladybug on a plant, sitting on a rock to watch the waves crash over the quayside - children have their own agendas and timescales. As they find out more about their world and their place in it, they work hard not to let adults hurry them. We need to hear their voices.”

May we all relish our time with our children and hear their voices.

EDITOR Kelli Etheredge ASSISTANT EDITOR Carrie Moore STAFF WRITERS Mary Jane Cobb, Mary-Margaret Dickey, Christy Reid, Kasee Heisterhagen, Laura Jensen, Blair Ladd, Cece Redmond, Mary White, Johnnie Williams GUEST WRITER: Eleanor Baker, Laura Johnson, Dr. Joseph Schultz PHOTOGRAPHERS Debbie Charlton, Jessica Henderson, Michelle Quimby, Ginny Ritchie, Laura Ellen Thornton, Danielle White, GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andy Zak PRODUCTION Interstate Printing MISSION STATEMENT: The Junior League of Mobile, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of Mobile reaches out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to volunteerism. Junior League of Mobile, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. folio is published three times a year. All rights are reserved. Reproduction without permission, except by other Junior League publications is prohibited.

The office is located at 57 N. Sage Ave., Mobile, AL 36607 (251) 471-3348.

Yearly subscription $12.

Printed on 10% recycled paper with soy-based inks.

on the cover summer 2013

A Community Publication of the Junior League of Mobile, Inc.

Engaging

Minds&Bodies Keeping children mentally and physically active this summer

OLWEUS

Creating a safe school environment with a bullying prevention program

JLM Women of the Year Recognizing JLM award winners

Cover design by Andy Zak

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| summer 2013

Congratulations to our newest Alumni!

Singing on the “red steps” in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is a tradition that starts in Pre-K and concludes at the Seniors’ Baccalaureate service. Traditions like this are defining moments for our students and live on in the hearts and minds of our graduates. As the Class of 2013 advances to their college careers and beyond, they take with them a solid foundation in academics, arts, athletics and spirituality as well as a sense of pride in being St. Paul’s Alumni. It’s great to be a St. Paul’s Saint!

• Over $6 Million in College Merit Scholarships Awarded to the Class of 2013 • The only appointment in the First Congressional District in Alabama to the United States Military Academy—West Point • 130 scholarships offered to the Class of 2013 for achievement in academics, the arts, athletics, and leadership • Over 12,000 hours of community service performed by the Class of 2013 ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL – EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD SCAN YOUR SMARTPHONE FOR THE ADMISSIONS VIDEO, AND JOIN THE FAMILY OF SAINTS.

For admissions information, contact Julie Taylor | 251-461-2129 or jtaylor@stpaulsmobile.net | www.stpaulsmobile.net

SPS_Folio_Ad_Class of 2013_SPS_7x10.indd 1

5/15/13 9:31 AM

in every issue

Letter Andrea Moore | JLM President

“the greatest thing about changing the world is that you need not wait another moment to begin” – Anne Frank

from the President

J

unior League of Mobile, Inc. (JLM) members share Anne Frank’s passion and continue to move the mark on community issues during our 83rd year of service.

Our passion for helping children has been evident over the last 83 years. This year will be JLM’s fifth and final year to focus on children and education. I am constantly reminded how resilient and innovative children are. They just won’t take no for an answer. Not so long ago, my three boys wanted a zip line in our yard. I said no for several reasons. A few days later, I was shaken by a thunderous crash coming from the playroom in our house. I ran upstairs to find a phone cord wrapped around a wall sconce that ran the length of the room to the television cabinet. The sconce had been ripped out of the wall and all of the drywall and wiring attached to the sconce were in piles on the floor. On the ground was my middle son, still gripping a coat hanger. It was an immediate recognition that they had tried to build their own zip line. I couldn’t decide if I was proud they tried something or upset that they had significantly damaged our house and potentially their safety.

Despite the damage, their tenacity was inspiring.

Similarly, this year I had the opportunity to read essays from youth scholarship recipients who also demonstrated the tenacious spirit of youth. One essay in particular involved a young lady who wanted to help purchase a fresh water well in a Honduran village. She gathered pledges and ran over 300 miles during the summer. However, she was still short on money. Not wanting to fail at her objective, she organized a 5k to earn the additional money. How wonderful for the children in Honduras that this young lady wouldn’t take no for an answer and that she wouldn’t wait another moment to make a difference. I hope that all of the children in our community will never take no for an answer and will be inspired by young leaders like Anna Grace in our community to not wait another moment to make a difference.

Inspired,

Thanks

a special

to AJLI

After the Junior League of Mobile, Inc. (JLM) headquarters was damaged by a tornado, JLM requested funds from the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) Disaster Fund. The fund was originally built to help leagues that were impacted by a major disaster. JLM met the requirements because a JLM-owned building took a direct hit from a tornado and it was confirmed by the National Weather Service. AJLI awarded $10,000 to JLM to support expenses not covered by insurance. JLM graciously acknowledges this gift and is thankful for AJLI’s support along with that of other leagues who support the fund. In addition, Junior League of Huntsville, Alabama, presented JLM with a $1,000 check to cover additional costs not covered by insurance.

The support of leagues in Alabama has been tremendous and members of JLM are humbled by this gracious gift.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President.................................................................... Andrea Moore President-Elect ......................................................... Chandra Brown Stewart Communications Vice-President ............................ Jennifer Humphreys Community Vice President ...................................... Kate Simm Finance Vice-President ............................................ Amanda Gonzales Membership Development Vice-President ........... Nancy Erwin Planning and Research Vice-President ................. Anitra Henderson Treasurer .................................................................... Krystle Hinton Recording Secretary ................................................. Devon Coleman Governance Chair ...................................................... Amy Hunter Project Development Chair ..................................... Dorothy Havard Sustaining Representative ..................................... Beth Morrissette Nominating Chair ..................................................... Lisa Harris

COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL

Carolyn Akers .................................. Mobile Area Education Foundation JC Barker.......................................... Mobile Symphony Bryan Hack....................................... Mobile County Public Schools Alvertha B. Penny............................. The Community Foundation of

South Alabama Mary Mullins.................................... Mary A. Mullins Public Affairs Consultant Davis Pilot........................................ Pilot Catastrophe Katy Sullivan.................................... Immediate Past President, Junior League of Mobile, Inc. Steve W. Chiepalich, CPA.................. S.W. Chiepalich, CPA, PC Mark Davidson, CFA.......................... Cornerstone Investment Management & Consulting John Browning................................. Burr Forman LLP OPEN................................................

OPEN................................................

OPEN................................................

MSO ClaSSiCS SerieS COMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL Sara Miles Agee Casandra Andrews Sharee Broussard Jennifer Cooley Marian Diamond Sarah Greer

Alison Henry Jennifer Humphreys Laura Johnson Stacey Killingsworth Elizabeth LaGrave Carrie Moore

COMMUNITY COUNCIL Jan Anderson Elizabeth Bailey Jennifer Battle Andrea Brewington Barbara Brousseau Mary Charlotte Carey Amy Carpenter Katherine Codina Erin Cunningham Dorothy Curry Ashley Davis Jessica Delaney Betty Dixon Lakeshia Dotson Sherrie Dyal

Amy Fesperman Emily Fife Jennifer Gallaspy Kimberly Garrett Jennifer Green Caroline Hale Elizabeth Harski Kaylin Hart Emily Head Mindy Inge Archnique Kidd Stephanie Knight Relya Mallory Elizabeth Marks Kate McLean

FINANCE COUNCIL Meagan Barnett Christy Bishop Stephanie Caulder Anne Clement Kelly Clinton Kinette Crain

Melissa D. Hughes Jennifer Denson Amanda Gonzales Tammy Herrington Krystle Hinton Leah Ladner

Laura Oppenheimer Vanessa Reyner Lindsay Wilson Melody Zeidan

Alice Nolen Catherine North Tabitha Olzinski Christy Reid Kristin Reid Jessica Rigby Kate Simm Andrea Stutts Karen Sullivan Stacy Wellborn Lauren West January Williams Waconda Williams

Cazra Guy Eletha Harris Sherie Mabrey Ariana Moore Tiffany Smith

PLANNING & RESEARCH COUNCIL Shayla Beaco Chandra Brown Stewart Casi Callaway Stefanie Christensen Devon Coleman

Margaret Demeranville Jennifer Edwards Dorothy Havard Anitra Henderson Amy Hunter

SALUTE TO AIRBUS! September 14-15, 2013

ii

BEETHOVEN AND BLUE JEANS November 9-10, 2013

iii

AMERICAN MASTERS: LEONARD BERNSTEIN January 25-26, 2014

iV

CSÁRDÁS! March 15-16, 2014

V

RUSSIAN FESTIVAL April 12-13, 2014

MSO POPS SerieS

Amy McCoy Dani Moore Courtney Murphy Beth Sumlin Amanda Tyler

i

SAENGER FRIGHT NIGHT! October 19-20, 2013

ii

HOLIDAY HARMONIES December 14-15, 2013

iii

BEST OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN May 3-4, 2014

Season tickets now on sale.

Single tickets on sale Aug. 1.

Phone: 251-432-2010 Online: mobilesymphony.org In person: 257 Dauphin Street

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Jennifer Blount Laura Davison Nancy Erwin Heather Fowler Angie Gulledge

i

Kimberly Turner Alison White Kristin Williams

Follow the Mobile Symphony!

Kathryn Irvine Sarah Jones Be Phetsinorath Tracy Richards Carrie Riley

MSO 032 Folio half island Ad.indd 1

summer 2013 |

4/25/13 9:369AM

in every issue

Contributors

of folio

Blair Ladd Spouse: Gaillard Ladd Children (age): Margaret Elizabeth (5 months), but we call her Peggy after her great grandmother.

Hobbies/Activities: Gardening, cooking, reading, spending time with friends and family, and watching the Tide win National Championships Favorite thing about writing for FOLIO: I have always loved to write. I used to write short stories and poetry as a child, and I love being able to create a scene using just my words. Conveying the importance of our mission and the needs of our community is an honor, and I hope that our readers are able to find themselves always wanting more of the stories we bring them.

Johnnie Williams Occupation: Instructional Specialist for Mobile County Public School System (Ben C. Rain High School) Hobbies/Activities: Painting, reading, writing, shopping, cooking and laughing with friends & family Favorite thing about writing for FOLIO: Writing for FOLIO allows me to express myself, and I have the opportunity to connect with my fellow League members. As a student at the University of West Florida much of my writing is academic. Having to write for FOLIO is enjoyable and exciting.

Debbie Charlton Occupation: I am an Executive Director at Mobile Infirmary Medical Center. I have worked there for 8 years.

Hobbies/Activities: Photography is my passion and love. I enjoy photographing people, places and best of all weddings. When I am not busy photographing an event, I enjoy working with a wonderful group of women in the Order of Butterfly Maidens Mardi Gras Society, exercising and doing hot yoga.

Favorite thing about being the Photography Chair: From my photography’s lens point of view, I have a number of favorite things, including: A Different Perspective – I had no idea how much the organization does for the community. Seeing The Beauty - The love and warmth we give to others in all that we do as an organization.

The smiles at Camp Smile will be an event that will warm my heart always. Capture The Essence Of A Person – It gave me the ability to meet so many wonderful women and photograph their special moment(s).

Kelli Etheredge Spouse: Sid Etheredge Children: Brandon (24), Lilli (10), Taylor (8) Occupation: Teaching and Learning Resources Director and English teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School.

Hobbies/Activities: Writing, reading, biking and kayaking with the family Favorite thing about being FOLIO Editor: I have loved being FOLIO Editor because it has allowed me to meet more JLM members and others in the community and provided me with opportunities to strengthen my leadership skills.

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Curing And Healing – Successful Fertility Treatment Takes Both “The key to solving the problems of infertility is focusing on both curing and healing. Curing is solving the problem and conceiving a healthy baby. Healing is relieving the hurt that can come with infertility.”

Dr. George Koulianos Founder and Medical Director of The Center For Reproductive Medicine

The Center For Reproductive Medicine is celebrating its 20th year of service and more than 3,100 babies this year.

The Center became the largest, most comprehensive and most successful fertility clinic in the area by focusing on both curing and healing. Learn what you should expect from a fertility clinic today at www.infertilityalabama.com or call 251.438.4200 for more information.

Dr. George Koulianos • Dr. George Inge • Dr. Suzanne Degelos

3 Mobile Infirmary Circle, Suite 213 Mobile, AL High Cotton ad

8/22/12

2:06 PM

1118 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Suite 204, Gulf Breeze, FL

Page 1

• Fine Furniture • Home Accessories • Estate Liquidations

“Recycling at its finest”

2567 Old Shell Road • Mobile, AL 36607 • 251-473-2565 Mon–Fri 10–5 • Sat 10–2

in every issue

2013

Sponsors & Donors Title Sponsor WALA Fox 10/WFNA the CW

CJ Preview Gala Sponsor C Spire Wireless

Gold Sponsor Belk Cam Marston Debra’s Inc. Lamar Advertising of Mobile La-Z-Boy Wind Creek Casino & Hotel

Silver Sponsor Bronstein’s Fine Furniture Mobile Press Register Regions Bank Barnes & Noble Booksellers Eastern Shore Centre Claude Moore Jeweler Clear Channel Something New Summer Classics

Bronze Sponsor Bailey’s TV BB&T Coca Cola Bottling Company Private Gallery Royal Cup Coffee Service Master Advanced Cleaning The Center for Reproductive Medicine Twist Cupcakes

Supporter BankTrust Baumhower’s Wings of Mobile Chevron Chick-fil-A Georgia Roussos Catering, Inc. Hand Arendall, LLC Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Leonloard Commissioned Portraits McCoy Outdoor Meyer’s Vacation Rentals Mobile Bay Magazine Mobile Carnival Museum

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Naman’s Catering Port City Rentals Susan Hamil Finizola Target The Thompson Holdings Foundation

Friend Bake My Day Beard Equipment Company BlueGill Restaurant Bonnie Fuchs Steve Chiepalich Chat-A-Way Café Cold Snap Frozen Yogurt Crystal Ice Co. Four Seasons Photography The Gilded Nest Gulf Coast Containers Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center Hurricane Electronics, Inc. Kade Laws Interior Design Mobile Gas NES Rentals Pollman’s Bake Shop Pottery Barn Ramsay Tree Farms Rx Advantage, Inc. The SSI Group, Inc. Southern Turf Landscape Space Savers Self Storage State Farm, Roger Shoultz Agent Susan Wright T. Marzetti/Marshall Biscuits A Woman’s Choice P.C. White House Antiques

Patrons Alabama Family Dental Amy Garrison Batchelor’s Residential Services Dr. Bill Bodie Janee and Jo Bonner Chris and Ashley Brown Cornerstone Investment Management and Consulting Debbie Charlton Photography Sherrie A. Dyal Christopher and Heather Fowler

Ginger Saucier-Portrait Stories

by Ginger Hackbarth Delivery Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Historic District Honours Golf Hoop Stitches Hotel Monteleone Hungry Owl The Ivy Cottage Jones Walker Sarah B. Atchison’s Ann and Danny Sirmon Katy and Emil Sullivan Kentwood Springs Hampton and Kristin Reid Southeastern Press Sunrise Dermatology Todd Villarreal The University of Alabama Waite’s Cleaners Westside Veterinary Hospital

Donor Adventure Island, Inc. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic, P.C. Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine Center B&B Pet Stop The Battle House Renaissance Bay Area Landscaping Bebo’s Car Wash Beckham’s Florist & Gifts Bellingrath Gardens and Home Bloody Mary Tours Blue Rents Bodies by Cindy BoneFish Grill Budweiser-Busch Distributors Co. Café Du Monde Cakes by Judi Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Co. Cay Construction Complete Pool Care Cook Your Face Off Copeland’s Pet Motel Domke Market Eastern Shore Lanes

Elements Therapeutic Massage The Fresh Market Flour Girls Bakery Games 2U Entertainment Geez Louise HB-Galler-E/Hayleigh Barlar The Hangout Health Hut Hobby Lobby Kendal Jempson It’s Inviting Katie Nelson Photography LaModa Salon LuLu’s at Homeport Marina Lynn Meadows Discovery Center The Maids Merry Maids of Mobile MH3 Printing & Ad Specialties Mimo’s Eats and Drinks Mobile Bay Bears Museum of Mobile My Favorite Nanny Original Oyster House The Pampered Chef Paint Party Studios Pet Styles Grooming Salon Pirate Island Adventure Golf The Pore House Publix Pump it Up Pure Barre Mobile Rebecca Satterwhite Red or White Wine & Gourmet Center Robert Trent JonesMagnolia Grove Rum House Smilz ‘n Stylz Soldier Creek Golf Course South Alabama Carpet Wholesale Flooring Spoil Me Nails Spring Hill Golf Course Tacky Jacks Tiny Town Ultra Tanz Bronzing Spa Under Wraps University of South Alabama Athletics

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Via Emilia Vivian’s Nails The W Salon & Spa Walmart The Watermelon Patch Weight Watchers Zimlich’s Patio Zundel’s Jewelry

Jubilee Jingle Emi Baggett Barbara Baughman Christy Bishop Pam Bostick Jacqueline Burkett Casi Callaway Amy Carpenter Jennifer Clarke Anne Clement Melanie Elliott Courtney Everette Fran Garrett Miriam Gray Amy Groves Shannon Harris Jennifer Hartley Krystle Hinton Sandy Holcombe Jenny Humphreys Stacey Killingsworth Amanda Muscat Whitley Norman Tabitha Olzinski Kelly Picard Bunky Ralph Rebecca Satterwhite Suzanne Scott Gayle Shoultz Dana Smallwood Amanda Squires Katy Sullivan Beth Sumlin LeAnne Tamblyn Tonie Ann Torrans Kelly Warren Elizabeth Weinacker

Advertisers Summer 2013

Bellingrath Gardens....................................39 Carolyn Hasser..............................................43 Center Reproductive Medicine..............11 Hemline...........................................................40 High Cotton...................................................11 Holiday............................................................38 Ivy Cottage.....................................................19 Keith A/C.........................................................13 Mobile Symphony.......................................9 Portier Place..................................................37 Regions...........................................................22-23 Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse............................2 St. Luke’s..........................................................19 St. Mary’s.........................................................38 St. Paul’s..........................................................7 Trustmark Bank............................................44 UMS Wright Prep.........................................3 Window World..............................................40

How To Advertise Please address all advertising space and rate inquiries to: folio Magazine, Ad Manager 57 N. Sage Ave. Mobile, AL 36607 (251) 471-3348 Fax (251) 471-3340 For more information or to download an advertising contract, visit us at www.juniorleaguemobile.org.

How To Subscribe folio A Community Publication of the Junior League of Mobile, Inc.

1-Year Subscription (3 Issues per Year: Oct., Feb., & June) For Only $12 Subscribe Today! By mailing your check to: folio Magazine 57 North Sage Avenue Mobile, AL 36607

Scan the QR code

with your smartphone to access the advertising contract.

summer 2013 |

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in every issue

At a

Glance A quick look at what makes JLM such a great organization.

WHO WE ARE:

• Approximately 1,800 diverse volunteering women • A 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation

WHAT WE DO:

• Promote volunteerism • Develop the potential of women • Improve our community through effective action • Annually donate more than $1 million in volunteer time and direct financial support in the community

WHY WE DO IT:

• To positively impact the lives of 25,000+ individuals annually

HOW WE WORK:

• By operating programs focusing on the impact areas of Children and Education • By investing fundraising profits into the community

ar d n e l a C

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OUR LEGACY:

Founders of numerous community service organizations, such as: • Carlen House Museum • Child Advocacy Center • Preschool for the Sensory Impaired • Volunteer Mobile • Mobile Arts Council • The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center • The Drug Education Council • Mobile Public Library’s Book Mobile Program • Mobile Area Education Foundation • United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile Child Daycare Association Volunteers dedicated to the Gulf Coast since 1931

A quick look at upcoming JLM events.

JUNE

SEPTEMBER

20 Distinguished Young Women’s Be Your Best Self Day

10 General Membership Meeting 25 Sustainer Luncheon

AUGUST

OCTOBER

27 Provisional First Large Group Meeting

8 General Membership Meeting 17 Beverages with the Board 25 Blue Pass Event Begins

building a better community

Making an Impact

by Kasee Sparks Heisterhagen

JLM embarks on initiative focusing on Hunger, Nutrition, and Fitness

T

he Junior League of Mobile, Inc. (JLM) is embarking on a new mission to help children in Mobile and Baldwin counties receive proper nourishment and maintain appropriate levels of physical activity in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In setting this goal, JLM hopes to make an impact for children in the areas of hunger, nutrition, and fitness.

Obesity has reached epidemic levels in Alabama. In 2003, Alabama was one of four states with an obesity rate of over 25%.1 Childhood obesity has become one of the most prevalent pediatric health concerns in the United States and has been linked to a myriad of long-term diseases including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer.2 JLM intends to do its part to tackle this problem by working with community partners to increase nutritious food options for children in local schools as well as to create behavior changes in children in at-risk populations to increase their overall physical activity.

Obesity is not the only problem to fight, however. A recent study shows that 18.2 % of households in Alabama experienced food insecurity– a disruption in normal eating patterns caused by a lack of money or resources for food – between 2009 and 2011. 3 JLM will also work with its community partners to provide nutritious food to children in Mobile and Baldwin counties who are currently at risk for undernourishment due to economic and natural disaster events.

The new impact area is the product of years of in-league and community research by JLM’s Project Development committee. The initiative is designed to both address identifiable needs within the community and provide the types of placements and community-interaction that JLM members find meaningful.

As the new impact area becomes a reality, JLM members hope to build on previous successes. Placements such as Wilmer Hall “On the Run,” Kids in the Kitchen, Prodisee Pantry, and the “Backpack Program” have traditionally been some of the most sought-after placements and health services consistently rank highly in membership interest surveys.

Some possible new areas where volunteers may be needed include fitness

programs that encourage parents and children to become more active through organized activities both before and after school; nutritional programs that educate parents and children about healthy meal planning and cooking; and hunger programs that continue to support atrisk children and families and that offer low-income communities with healthy eating choices.

Requests for proposals from potential agency partners were due on March 1.

Over the next few months, JLM will review the submissions and the selections will be presented to the general membership for official vote in fall of 2013.

Important factors that JLM will consider in making these decisions are both the qualitative and quantitative impact that each program hopes to achieve and how each program will fit in to the overall initiative. Agencies will be notified of JLM’s decision in November 2013 and placements with new Partner Agencies will begin in June of 2014.

1. Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Obesity Task Force, “Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity in Alabama,” 4-5.

An individual is considered “obese” when their Body-Mass Index (BMI) surpasses 30. BMI is calculating by diving the Weight in Pounds by (Height in Inches x Height in Inches) and multiplying the total amount by 703. For example, a 75-inch tall individual weighing 220 pounds would have a BMI of 27.5.

2. Id. at 8.

3. United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, “Household Food Security in the United States in 2011,” 4, 17. The national average of households experiencing food insecurity from 2009-2011 was 14.7%.

summer 2013 |

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building a better community

G N I Y L L U OLWEUSB

Collage created by St. Paul’s 5th graders as part of their Olweus sessions.

: m a r g o r P n io t n e v e r P

Creating a Safer School Environment for Students in Mobile County

by Mary White

B

ullying is a growing problem in schools, as well as in the population as a whole.

According to BullyingStatistics.org, approximately one out of every four children in the U.S. experiences bullying, with verbal bullying being the most common type. With such stark and striking statistics, it’s easy to see why bullying prevention is an important concern to parents, school administrators, and the larger community.

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When the Coalition Against Bullying (CAB) was formed in Mobile, Crittenton Youth Services (CYS) was asked to take the lead in identifying tools to combat bullying in the county. After much research, a decision was made to move forward with incorporating the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP), a widely-researched and highly-regarded program that has been used worldwide for more than 35 years, into local schools.

According to Joy Logan, CYS Executive Director, Mobile County is the first OBPP site in Alabama. The program has now been implemented in six schools with the help of a United Way Vision Grant. The program has been in place for more than a year in four public elementary and middle schools in Mobile County, plus a private school and a parochial school.

Four more public schools are slated to start in the near future and others are in line to begin later.

Current OBPP Schools • Alba Middle • Semmes Middle • Burroughs Elementary • Guilliard Elementary • St. Paul’s Episcopal School • Little Flower Catholic School

Soon to Start the Program • Mobile County Training School • Pillans Middle • Hankins Middle • Maryvale Elementary

The OBPP features classroom elements, as well as parental and community outreach and involvement methods.

Logan explains, “It takes a whole year to get Olweus in place. Implementing the program is not a structural change; it is a systematic change within the school to provide site-based prevention and intervention for bullying.

The key to the program’s success is to build strong and open communication between students and staff as well as to make everyone aware that the site is a bullying prevention school. Logan states, “There is focus on building a friendly environment where adults are talking to children and to each other, and kids know that they can go and ask for help.”

Logan explains how the program is implemented in a school: • The first step is to give questionnaires to the children • An 8 - 15 member coordinating committee is formed consisting of a head coordinator, staff members, parents and people from the community • The coordinating committee attends an intensive two-day training • All school personnel attend a three to four hour training session designed to teach them what bullying really is, how to recognize it, and how to handle situations that may arise • A kick-off is held to introduce the program to students • Parents receive training via meetings and bullying prevention communications

Once implemented, educators work with students throughout the year to build a community free from bullying.

The Junior League of Mobile, Inc. (JLM) is actively involved with the program through the Crittenton Youth Services - Coalition Against Bullying placement. Within this placement, JLM members are involved in presenting OBPP training to parents. JLM CYS-CAB Chair Missy Marshall states, “The biggest area where parents and educators can make an impact on bullying is to know how to recognize it, because there are many different faces of bullying. There is not a stereotypical bully or person being bullied. It is important to recognize the signs that this program teaches.”

Marshall has had an opportunity to see the importance of bullying prevention and the effects of the OBPP firsthand. She explains, “This program teaches students and parents what to look for in a ‘bully’ and the students take an oath not to bully. It helps students rally together for other students who are the subject of bullying. My favorite part of this placement has been making a difference in children’s lives and getting them the tools they need to take a stand against bullying.”

The CYS - CAB placement is a natural area for JLM involvement. Marshall explains, “I see the bullying prevention program fitting in with JLM’s mission because as a group we are improving bullying education in our schools. This aligns with the JLM mission of promoting volunteerism, improving communities, and developing the potential of women.”

To learn more about OBPP, scan the QR code to view a series of free webinars, ranging from defining bullying, offering solutions, and implementing school programs:

How can parents help their children with BULLYING? 1

Get Your Children to Open Up. When inquiring about school events, delve deeper than “How was your day?” Instead, ask specific questions that could provide a glimpse into classmate interactions. Asking, “Was everyone nice to each other today?”, for example, will help children open up about events that they could have forgotten about or are hesitant to discuss. When your child opens up, simply listen. Listen. Don’t Judge.

2

Teach Your Children How to Resolve Conflicts. Once your child shares an experience that concerns you, find out how the situation was handled. Did a teacher intervene? Did a friend help another friend? What happened next? Gather enough information to understand what happened and what the end result of the event was. If the issue was resolved positively, point out the strengths of how the conflict was resolved. If no resolution was reached, or you feel the resolution was not handled properly, ask your child, “Can you think of a better way to handle the situation? ” You and your child can then discuss methods for resolving the conflict in a positive way. The more you role play better resolutions, the more frequently they will occur.

3

Encourage Kindness. Empathy is a powerful tool. Helping children see another child’s perspective can always help. Sometimes the “difficult” child in a classroom simply needs a friend. Children who feel accepted are less likely to bully. Encouraging your child to show kindness to classmates who seem to be struggling may “fill their buckets” and build their self-esteem.

4

Be an Advocate for Your Child. If you have done everything you can to help your children resolve conflict and be kind, but they are still struggling with bullying you need to step in and talk to an adult in charge.

Scan the QR code with your smartphone to learn more.

If you’d like to find out how to get involved on a local level, contact Joy Logan at (251) 639-0004.

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building a better community

combatting

BULLYING An Ambassador of Hope and Endurance

by Johnnie Williams

A

s an ambassador of hope and endurance, Jonathan Ensor, a Theodore High School senior, shares his experiences as a volunteer with Crittenton Youth Services (CYS). Ensor’s voice rings with surety and humility. His childhood experiences and empathy make him a genuine role model to serve as an ambassador for CYS.

Jonathan developed a debilitating infection when he was eight years old that caused one of his legs to be shorter than the other. As a result, Jonathan was left with some physical limitations, including an awkward gait, which led to verbal bullying at home and school. In 6th grade, Jonathan battled through physical therapy in order to garner the strength to walk with a cane. Jonathan eventually grew strong enough to leave his cane behind. It is not only the bullying he endured in school, but also the instructional tools offered by Crittenton Youth Services (CYS), that enable Jonathan to reach middle school children with his powerful messages of prevention and resilience.

While Crittenton Youth Services addresses a variety of societal issues, the program Community Against Bullying is “a collaborative effort with other local organizations and the Mobile Children’s Policy Council to implement the evidenced-based Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in Mobile area schools.”1 The program is named after Dan Olweus, Ph.D., a professor at the Research Center for Health Promotion at the University of Bergen in Norway, and an internationally acknowledged expert on the problem of bullying and its solutions. His program has been used by schools in Norway, Sweden, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, Australia, Japan, and the United States.

Bullying serves as a major concern in schools. According to Ensor, no matter the gender, the grade point average, or economic status of the victim, bullying, with its often long-term negative effects, has the power to “tear you up on the inside.” In an attempt to change a school’s culture, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program addresses both children and adults on the multiple levels of school, classroom, individual, and community.2 Ensor advises that “teachers need to speak up.” Change requires the entire community to become educated and to react responsibly to what is happening on school campuses across the globe.

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JLM member Carvine Adams works with Jonathan at CYS to stop bullying.

In addition to the emphasis placed on the bullying prevention program, CYS offers teen pregnancy prevention activities in Mobile County Public School classrooms, summer youth-serving programs, and parent workshops. With its mission to offer “scientific-based health education programs that strengthen the physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of maturity in youth ages 12-18,” CYS utilizes health instructors and 22 high school seniors from various campuses in Mobile County to provide multiple instructional services.3

Crittenton Youth Services works to arm students for real life events. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, the health instructors and ambassadors of CYS “implement Managing Pressures before Marriage for Preteens to over 4,000 seventh graders. Additionally, Relationship Smarts Plus and sexually transmitted disease information will be taught to around 1,400 ninth graders.”4 The work of the CYS instructors and ambassadors is long reaching. Each time an ambassador speaks to a group of students or adults, the change can be exponential.

With all of the determination Jonathan wielded as a 6th grader learning to walk again, he speaks to students and adults with a message of empowerment. Ensor did not allow the negative behavior of others deter him. Now as a senior challenging his athletic ability for the Army Physical Fitness test in JROTC, Jonathan Ensor is a testimony of his message “to sustain and to stand your ground.”

1. http://www.cys-mobile.org/ 2. https://www.hazelden.org/web/public/prev70219.page 3. http://www.cys-mobile.org/ 4. http://www.adph.org/teenpregnancyprevention/index.asp?id=5033

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19

building a better community

Letters from the community

Mobile Museum of Art, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama, Inc., and Mercy Medical all expressed gratitude for JLM’s work in the recent months.

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| summer 2013

The Drug Education Council, Ashland Place, and Wilmer Hall all expressed gratitude for JLM’s work in the recent months.

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21

Historically strong.

Historically committed.

For more than 150 years, Regions Bank has been proudly serving South Alabama. You don’t stay in the banking business for more than a century and a half without doing things the right way. Things like offering simple, reliable financial solutions along with friendly customer service. That approach is why Regions has remained strong and stable through the good times and the bad. And it’s how we are continuing to serve our community.

1.800.regions | regions.com

Consumer | Business | Commercial | Treasury Management | Wealth Management © 2013 Regions Bank.

developing women

Engaging School Readiness and Summer Fun Must Go Together

N

o more pencils, no more books.

No more teacher’s….” Not so fast!

Each summer, some children fail to retain up to two months or more of content knowledge from the previous school year. This complaint of teachers, known as the summer slide, or “brain drain,” can make the transition to a new school year that much more difficult. A research study conducted by Dr. Harris Cooper, Professor of Psychology at Duke Univer-

“

Minds

by Laura Jensen

sity, found that test scores were, on average, at least one month lower at the start of a new school year than when students left for summer break. The greatest losses came in content areas where students learn by repetition, such as math facts and spelling rules. Unfortunately, this learning loss is cumulative. If kindergartners lose two months every summer, by the time they are in eleventh grade, they could be more than two years behind their peers who experienced no summer loss.

Kim Hillman, 5th grade teacher at Council Traditional School with 15 years of experience in Mobile County Schools, emphasized the importance of balance as parents schedule their child’s summer. Hillman notes that, “Students need the time to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and just play, but that does not mean academic enrichment can be forgotten.”

Hillman suggests that summer camps, many math and science related, can offer both.

Other beneficial habits include short daily practice of math skills to keep the mind sharp and a daily routine of reading independently

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chosen books to stimulate the imagination and build vocabulary.

In an effort to combat the summer slide, summer reading assignments have become an extension of the school year. Mary Louise Hoffman, Junior League of Mobile, Inc. (JLM) member and 2nd grade teacher in Chickasaw City Schools, encourages parents to help their child select appropriate level reading material so children build confidence without experiencing frustration. Classroom teachers can help by providing this information to guide parents toward appropriate books. In order to make summer reading more appealing, Hoffman suggests participating in local library programs, choosing a book series with repeating characters, or exploring non-fiction books on topics of interest to your child.

Susan Bedsole, JLM sustainer and St. Paul’s Lower School teacher since 1997, also encourages parents to find time to read with their children. Bedsole believes that, “Nurturing the love of words and pictures in children through books is one of a parent’s greatest joys.” She continues, “Familiar pages of a favorite book shared with a caring adult can provide comfort and reassurance, as well as making memories.”

Bedsole encourages parents of early readers to look for rhyming words and point out beginning and ending sounds. Upon

Suggested Activities for

finishing a book, she recommends providing materials for your children to draw a picture or write about their favorite part. Outside of reading, Bedsole recommends getting your children in the kitchen with you. Cooking together reinforces valuable classroom skills like sequencing, vocabulary, measuring, and nutrition. A search on Pinterest for, “Cooking with kids,” yields many fun and healthy recipes for parents and children to try together.

While most schools require some form of summer reading, summer math assignments are often overlooked. Hillman cautions parents that, “If a student was struggling at the end of a grade level, taking a summer ‘off ’ can be disastrous. Parents should find tutoring opportunities if possible and utilize workbooks and computer programs to keep students actively working.”

Another important point that cannot be overlooked in the summer is the transition from elementary to middle school. As a 5th grade teacher, Hillman reminds the parents of her students that there should be an additional focus on organization and study skills.

Routines and areas of responsibility should be a key focus during the summer. One example is to encourage your child to choose a goal, prepare a plan for meeting that goal, determine a deadline, and then offer parental support throughout the process. Successful completion of such an activity can be fulfilling for parent and child together.

Summer vacation is intended to be a time of relaxed schedules and a slower pace. However, children will be able to look forward to the upcoming school year with confidence and excitement if they have persistently kept their skills and knowledge fresh. Whether through camps, library visits, tutoring sessions, reading a book on a blanket in the shade, or cooking up a treat in the kitchen, parents can ensure that their children have a meaningful and enriching summer.

Scan the QR code to access online games that reinforce academic skills.

Engaging Minds

by Mary Jane Cobb

A

s summer vacation begins, parents search for activities that will enrich their children’s lives while maintaining or increasing academic skills so that students will be well-prepared for the next school year. In Mobile and Baldwin counties, numerous opportunities are available to foster learning during the summer months. Some programs are free, some have nominal fees, and others have a significant cost. Family-sized learning experiences are waiting for students at The Exploreum, The History Museum of Mobile, The Archaeology Museum at the University of South Alabama, The Mobile Museum of Art, The Phoenix Fire Museum, The Mardi Gras Museum, Oakleigh Homes, Conde-Charlotte House and many other places in this area.

The Mobile Public Library Summer Reading Program is an outstanding free opportunity for children.

Even though much information can be obtained from the Internet, a trip to the library has the advantage of fresh air and exercise, as well as using interpersonal communication skills, instead of remaining immobile and mute, with one or more electronic devices. The Summer Reading Program provides motivation for students to continue their relationship with books and other educational media during the summer. “Studies show that children who read during the summer retain their reading skills, while those who do not may lose up to three months in those skills,” says Amber Guy, who works with this program in the Mobile Public Library. Incentives for children who register for the six-week program include a tote bag, a reading log, and a certificate for those who turn in their logs at the end of the program. The Grand Finale on July 13 at the Mobile Museum of Art will feature live music, magic performances, and animals from the Environmental Center. More information is available at all library locations and at www.mplonline.org.

The Recreation Department of the City of Mobile offers a wide range of classes and activities for adults and children at a reasonable cost of approximately $3 to $4 an hour. “Each school has a coordinator who schedules courses for that location,” said Chris Powell, whose office is located at 48 North Sage Avenue.

The online brochure can be found on their website: www.communityactivitiesprogram.com. This brochure is also available in most public libraries. Tutoring in various subjects such as math, phonics and reading, will be offered toward the end of the summer for various age groups.

Encouraging academic skills and building self-confidence can also be as simple as visiting your local home improvement stores. Lowe’s and Home Depot have FREE kids’ clubs! At both stores, children can learn how to build birdhouses, toys, and bookshelves. For every project they complete, kids earn certificates and badges. Never to be overlooked are learning activities that parents can initiate while at home or running errands in the car. While driving, young children can look for colors, shapes, letters, and words on signs and in advertisements; older children can calculate speed, gasoline mileage, and estimate arrival times. Games and puzzles are also wonderful ways to have fun and build academic skills. For younger children, Hopscotch, Chutes and Ladders, Connect 4, and Candyland are classic games that reinforce colors, numbers, and spatial intelligence. Scrabble and Quiddler (a card game) are excellent games for strengthening spelling, reading, and vocabulary skills as well as addition skills. Monopoly also strengthens math skills while Set (a card game) and Battleship reinforce problem solving skills.

Not going on vacation? Why not take a virtual vacation? A family project of researching actual trips or “armchair travel” introduces language, foods, local customs, geographical features, cost calculations, time zones, maps, distances, clothing requirements, and perhaps government forms, such as passports and visas. If you are traveling, kids can help plan the trip and keep a travel journal to build literacy skills. The summer slump never has to happen. With a small investment in a few games and some planning, your children can reinforce their academic skills and have fun!

Sites recommended by Hillman, Hoffman, and Bedsole: Big Brainz: www.bigbrainz.com - is a website that combines the fun of a video game with skill-building for mathematical operations.

Cyberchase: www.pbskids.org/cyberchase, from PBS Kids, and Arcademic Skills Builders: www.arcademics.com are two additional websites with curriculum based videos and gaming competitions that cover math skills from money and time to fractions and algebra.

Starfall: www.starfall.com is a website that reinforces phonics and reading skills for preschool and kindergarten children.

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developing women

Engaging Keeping Ourselves and Our Children Healthy

Bodies

by Cece Redmond and Kasee Heisterhagen

C

hildhood obesity and ways to help our children live longer, healthier lives are crucial concerns today. According to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2012, by 2030, more than half of Americans could be obese, resulting in millions of individuals facing diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke.1 It is grim to read such harrowing statistics, but the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) has been fighting the battle against childhood obesity for the past seven years.

Last year the award winning program Kids in The Kitchen was chosen by Kashi, a premier natural food and lifestyle company, to be featured as a Kashi REAL Project partner on 1.8 million Cinnamon Harvest cereal boxes. REAL - Renew Eating and Living — is a campaign that encompasses several new educational initiatives dedicated to helping people renew their lifestyles with healthy and natural habits.

AJLI President Delly Beekman said, “We’re honored that Kashi has recognized the great work Junior Leagues do every day in their communities as well as the success of our Kids in the Kitchen program, one of the first community-based approaches to fighting childhood obesity.”

While Kids in the Kitchen is a dynamic program fighting childhood obesity, we need other methods as well. How can parents and the community motivate children to eat healthier and choose healthy activities? Eating healthy and staying active can be challenging, but the options are endless, and many professionals suggest finding activities where parents and children are equally involved.

Junior League of Mobile, Inc. (JLM) member, Katrina Skinner, M.D., a pediatrician in Fairhope offered her advice, “I recommend parents start teaching healthy eating habits at a young age - offer a variety of healthy food choices continually and give water instead of sugary drinks like juice, soda, and tea. With older children, parents should try to incorporate their children into meal planning and 1.Lang, Albert. “Adult Obesity Rates Could Exceed 60 Percent in 13 States by 2030, According to New Study.” Trust for America’s Health. 8 Sept. 2012.

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preparation - get your kids to help you plan the week’s menu, make the grocery list, and do the shopping, then involve them in the kitchen with kid-safe cooking tasks. These steps will encourage children to take more interest in meal time and encourage them to try new foods.”

A key approach to promote healthy children is to keep them active. Personal Trainer Rosshiki Leatherwood recommends that parents limit television and get their children moving around outside. “Anything you can do as a family – basketball, football, riding bicycles, and going to the park – will get their heart rate up.” Leatherwood also suggests parents use creative ways to get kids moving without them knowing they are exercising. “Engage your kids in a race once in a while or sneak in some sprints while passing around a football.” Additionally, he suggests enrolling kids in one of the many classes offered at local gyms that are geared specifically towards the fitness needs of children.

Elizabeth Gregory teaches nutrition to fifth through eighth graders at St. Paul’s Episcopal School. She is also a chef and sponsors St. Paul’s Culinary Club which focuses on “Cooking with a Cause” by providing, for example, dinner for women at Penelope House and catering the Augusta Evans School prom. Elizabeth works to engage the children in every aspect of learning about food and healthy choices.

Gregory uses the following approach with her young students. “One of the first questions I throw out to students in Nutrition class is ’Where do you get your ideas and information about health and nutrition?’ Almost all students, male and female, say they get their knowledge from their parents. I think the most important thing we can do as parents is to educate ourselves about food and exercise and then pass that knowledge on to our children.” Gregory recommends parents take several steps:

Prevention – Start prevention early! Cultivating healthy habits from the start means that kids won’t have to break bad habits down the road. Use the MyPlate diagram, which is the new food pyramid, as a guide for what our plates should look like. The diagram is colorful and trying to match your plate to MyPlate can be fun and rewarding.

Battle childhood disease through diet and activities – As Hippocrates’ said, “Let food

be thy medicine.” Eating a balanced diet is extremely important. To help kids eat a variety of foods within each food group, encourage your kids to “Eat a Rainbow” every day and think about making a game out of it!

You can even order a special kit to help by visiting this website: http://www.todayiatearainbow.com. Engaging Bodies continued on pg. 28 d

Scan the QR code

for videos and resources about healthy eating related to MyPlate.

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27

Engaging Bodies continued from pg. 27

d

Also, exercise and outdoor play are extremely important, physically and mentally. Encourage outdoor play, and, as parents, we should get outside and play with our kids!

Riding bikes, walking, and running are all great ways to get exercise. One idea is leaving the car at home or at work, grabbing a stroller and walking to your children’s daycare or school to pick them up in the afternoons. Another idea is to have students stand up every 15 or 20 minutes during class and do a quick round of jumping jacks. Fit fun, physical activity in whenever you can.

Find fun, flavorful, and engaging activities for the entire family – One great idea is plant a garden. The best way to teach and get kids involved in something is to let them take ownership. How rewarding would it be for your children to see something through from the planting phase to the cooking phase?!

Planting a family garden, even if that involves only one or two plants, is fun, flavorful, engaging AND encourages outside play and participation in the kitchen; it’s a win-win!

Other Activity Ideas: Hold a tasting of foods that make good snacks as well as mealtime main or side dishes. Parents can create a smorgasbord of new healthy food choices, and let the youngest to the oldest family member actively participate in tasting and voting. Votes are tallied and together the family chooses which new healthy foods are to be incorporated into the family’s menu.

Visit a You-Pick local farm where the family can get fresh fruits and veggies, enjoy time together, and save money.

• Oak Hill Produce is located in Grand Bay, Alabama, 7250 Grand Bay Wilmer Road, they are closed on Sundays.

Call to ask what is fresh today and for directions (251) 8652001, or visit their website: www.oakhillproduce.com.

• Betty’s Berry Farm is located at 3887 Driskell Loop Rd West, in Wilmer, Alabama. At Betty’s, the family can pick blueberries. Call (251) 649-1711 or visit their website www.bettysberryfarm.com for directions and schedules.

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Making better choices to grow healthier children now gives them hope for a better and longer future.

Asian Summer Rolls with

Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce Start today with a healthy Asian Summer Rolls recipe offered by Elizabeth Gregory: “This light and healthy Asian Summer Roll Recipe from Ellie Krieger is a great way to use fresh produce from your family garden (or from the grocery store).

I recommend making it your own by using fresh ingredients that your family likes. Great additions might include asparagus, green onions or mango! Your kids will love helping with these!”

Ingredients for the Rolls: • 6 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined • 6 rice-paper rounds (about 8 ½ inches in diameter) • 2 ounces rice noodles • 12 fresh basil leaves • ½ cup shredded carrot • 12 large fresh mint leaves • 3 red-leaf lettuce leaves, spines removed, making 6 halves • 1 medium English cucumber, peeled and cut into sticks

Ingredients for the Dipping Sauce: • 1 tablespoon sugar • 2 teaspoons warm water • ¼ cup rice vinegar • 1 teaspoon chili sauce • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce • 1 tablespoon finely shredded carrot • 1 scallion, thinly sliced To make the rolls, cook shrimp in boiling water for 2 to 4 minutes, until opaque and cooked through and cut in half lengthwise; set aside. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and cook rice noodles according to the package directions. Drain, rinse, and let cool.

Line up remaining ingredients in small bowls before beginning to make rolls.

Fill a large bowl or saucepan with very warm water that is not too hot to touch.

Place a rice paper round in the warm water and soak for 30 to 60 seconds, until it is pliable and the pattern on the round is barely visible. Remove from water and place on a clean work surface. Place 2 basil leaves on the inner edge of the moistened round, about 1 inch from the edge and leaving about 1 inch on each side. Top with about ¼ cup of the cooked rice noodles. Place 2 shrimp halves on top. Top with a heaping tablespoon of the carrots, a few cucumber sticks, then 2 leaves of mint.

Fold one piece of the lettuce leaf and place it on top of the pile.

Bring the edge of the round over the filling, fold in the sides, and roll. Place finished roll under a damp cloth or paper towel. Repeat with remaining rice paper rounds and filling ingredients. The rolls may be prepared several hours before serving and stored covered by a damp paper towel in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

When ready to serve, slice the rolls in half on the diagonal and serve, cut ends up, with the dipping sauce.

To make sauce, in a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in the warm water, then add the remaining sauce ingredients and stir until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Scan the QR code t o s e e m o r e o f E l i z a b e t h ’s r e c i p e s .

promoting volunteerism

sustainer

2012–2013

of the Year ShareeBroussard

by Eleanor Baker

A

t the Sustainer Luncheon in late September, Sharee Broussard received the well-deserved honor of Sustainer of the Year. When asked about the impact the Junior League of Mobile, Inc. (JLM) has had on her personally, Sharee said, “I’m very much a process/results/get-it-done kind of person. JLM allowed me to run with my strengths, but to stretch myself and try new things. I think JLM service made me more effective and more collaborative. JLM service made me better. I’m stronger in the classroom, and I’m a better project manager because of JLM.” The current chair of the Spring Hill College Department of Communications Arts, Sharee completed her doctoral coursework in two years

with a 4.0 GPA. During this time she also worked full time as an instructor at Spring Hill College, part time as a community volunteer and accepted occasional contract work, all while maintaining an active family life with her husband Karl and three sons, Evan, Alec, and Seth.

Sharee has been a member of both JLM and the Junior League of Lafayette. She enjoyed serving in both communities and found it a way to plug into a community, work toward common goals, and make a difference.

Initially, Sharee was drawn to JLM through watching members demonstrate a commitment and passion to the organization. “When I was Communication Director for United Way of Southwest Alabama in the mid-1990s, I saw what committed women could accomplish through JLM,” Sharee said.

“I was inspired by wonderful women like Carolyn Akers, Libba Latham, Marietta Urqhart, and Meg Mattei.

I saw effective action and leadership of trained volunteers in action at United Way, its partner agencies, and throughout the community because JLM members were active participants in community life – not just sitting on the sidelines.”

As Membership Development VP, Sharee learned to appreciate the systems that allow Junior Leagues

to run, flourish, and move forward each year. “There’s a 100% personnel turnover in each League each year because no member is in her placement for more than one year,” Sharee said. “It shouldn’t work, but it does because the foundations for success are embedded in the processes and rest on the shoulders of women who are truly committed to their community and to one another.”

Her work within the leadership positions of JLM prepared her for the complicated volunteer work in which she continues to engage. Her most recent volunteer commitment was chairing Spring Hill College’s strategic planning and implementation for assessment. That was a two-year, 100% volunteer effort through which Spring Hill College faculty and staff invested about 12,000 volunteer hours on top of their regular jobs.

“JLM professionalized volunteer service for me,” Sharee said. “I’ll admit that I’m spoiled to service with volunteers who are equally committed to organizations, projects, and tasks.

I find now that I gravitate toward higher-level planning, evaluation, and governance roles because of the skill-set obtained through my JLM board service. I’ve been able to truly use the knowledge, skills, and abilities gained through JLM service. My JLM experience prepared me for that very complex leadership role.”

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promoting volunteerism

active

2012–2013

of the Year Jennifer Humphreys

by Mary Margaret Dickey

T

he Junior League of Mobile, Inc.’s (JLM) mission is to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of women, and improve communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. JLM is able to meet its mission through the actions of its members: provisional, active, and sustainer alike. The active members carry out the day-to-day operations of the organization by serving through in league and community placements. One of the most prestigious awards in JLM is the Active of the Year. At the 2012-2013 JLM Annual Meeting, it was announced that the JLM Board bestowed this year’s award on the well deserving Jennifer “Jenny” Humphreys. After the announcement, Humphreys said that she was “very honored to have been

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selected” and “blessed to be a part of an organization filled with amazing women and one that has truly helped develop [her] potential.”

It was probably 1:47 a.m. on Sunday, November 18 when I drove away from the Fairgrounds after a successful Christmas Jubilee.”

Over the past five years, Humphreys has donated her time to eight different placements. The last three years, she has served in double placements.

Some of her past placements include: Yearbook Editor, Christmas Jubilee Printing Volunteer, and Christmas Jubilee Assistant Logistics Chair. This year, she served as the Christmas Jubilee Logistics Chair and as Technology Chair. Humphreys attended additional JLM training and volunteer events and also gave her time to other organizations.

As Technology Chair, she worked tirelessly with great attention to detail to maintain the JLM website and communicate JLM’s message in new and creative ways through the use of social media. Humphreys was instrumental in the creation of a JLM Pinterest account to provide another avenue to communicate the organization’s message. She was also responsible for creating daily social media posts on both Facebook and Twitter. Humphreys was constantly thinking of new and creative ways to engage the social media audience through the use of interactive posts and real-time updates during JLM events.

“Jenny Humphreys lives the JLM mission.”

Humphreys’ hard work, leadership, and passion for event planning allowed her to coordinate and successfully execute – Katy Sullivan logistics for Christmas JLM 2012-2013 PresJubilee. She led the ident Katy Sullivan way in ensuring a smooth transition sang Humphreys’ praises. “Jenny in the use of a new show planner for Humphreys lives the JLM mission,” Christmas Jubilee. She also went above Sullivan said. “Not only does she take and beyond to help her fellow comon additional placements to improve mittee members with anything that the community, she also attends most needed to be accomplished to make of the trainings provided by JLM to Christmas Jubilee a success. When further develop her potential. Jenny asked what her favorite memory of the always has a smile on her face while year was, Humphreys said, “Honestly, she is talking about JLM or volunteerthis past year went by in such a blur! ing with JLM,” Sullivan added.

promoting volunteerism

provisional

2012–2013

of the Year TabithaOlzinski

by Mary Margaret Dickey

Promise is a non-profit group located in Mobile. The organization seeks to address problems of poverty and homelessness in Mobile and Baldwin counties. The Day Center functions as a place for homeless families to spend time in a home-like environment during the day.

T

he Junior League of Mobile, Inc.’s (JLM) ranks are filled with provisional members--those who are training to become active members of the organization. The provisional class is the lifeblood of JLM. Provisionals are required to attend many meetings where they learn about JLM’s mission. They must donate their time to two of JLM’s biggest fundraisers, Christmas Jubilee and Project Rummage, where they help raise funds to fuel its mission. They must also complete service hours on the provisional service project, where they see firsthand JLM’s mission being put into action.

The 2012-2013 JLM provisional class chose as its group project to refurbish Family Promise’s Day Center. Family

a huge asset to JLM and the future of our League.” In addition to the required service hours, Olzinski helped clean and clear the Day Center before the first provisional work day. Olzinski also helped with fundraising for the provisional project.

Olzinski said one of Each year a proviher favorite memosional is recognized ries this year was for her excellence in volunteering at the carrying out JLM’s Ransom Cafe with mission through her provisional small completing the chosen group. “This let me see provisional project firsthand how JLM is and fulfilling training making a difference,” requirements. Out of Olzinski said. this year’s ninety-eight provisional memFaith Gage, Olzinski’s bers, the Provisional small group leader, Project Chair and the was very compliProvisional Education mentary of Olzinski’s Committee selected contributions over the Tabitha Olzinski as course of her provithe Provisional of the sional year. “This is a Year. Both Cazra Guy, much deserved award – Tabitha Olzinski Provisional Education for Tabitha; she has Chair, and Tiffany shown her willingWaters, Provisional ness and commitment Project Chair, announced the award at to go the extra mile. Tabitha has a the 2012-2013 JLM Annual Meeting. true desire to learn all that JLM has In their presentation, they explained, to offer, as well as what she can offer Olzinski “has shown great leaderJLM with her time and talents. She ship among her fellow provisionals by has been, and will continue to be, an going above and beyond the requireasset to this organization, and I look ments asked of her by our obligations forward to seeing her grow in future set by the Junior League. She will be roles,” Gage said.

“This let me see firsthand how the Junior League is making a difference.”

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promoting volunteerism

Superhero Spotlight

by Dr. Joseph M. Schultz

H

Andy Wynne

is office is like many others, fairly small with stacks of paper everywhere. Looking around, it is obvious our interview would not be happening in here as only the chair behind the desk was unoccupied. In the back right corner, a bookshelf catches my eye, a coffee mug, and a large card with Superman on it. Mr. Wynne, my gracious subject, broadens his smile and his eyes slightly tear as he spots what I have seen. He proudly shows me it is a card from his son Drew and on the inside it says, “Dad, I wish you could see yourself the way I do.”

That this Superman has been the administrator of St. Mary’s Home for the last 27 years surprises Andy Wynne most of all. He was investigating child abuse cases when he received a call from the then administrator Sister Margaret Flynn.

Her order of sisters was pulling out of St. Mary’s Home, and she asked him to apply for the job. His idea was to serve as the administrator for a year or two and then move on to the next project. What he found at St. Mary’s Home was more than a job; he found a place where his work, faith, and beliefs all came together.

The job is not without its challenges, however. “We have to balance the responsibility to our donors and government contractors to run a proper business with our duty to provide for the children,” Wynne explains. He adds, “It is a business, but it’s not.” Some of our government funding only pays 12 dollars a day to provide residential care, health care, education, clothing, food and the list goes on and on.

Compare that to the typical hourly rate

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and services provided by your neighborhood babysitter! “As the administrator I worry that the kids won’t be taken care of and there is never a break,” Wynne says.

“We are so dependent on the goodness of our donors to do our work,” Wynne reflects with a deep tone of gratitude in his voice.

“Were it not for the Catholic Church and the generosity of our donors and volunteer organizations, such as the Junior League of Mobile, we could not continue to exist.”

For all of the challenges of the job, Wynne reveals that the rewards are great. “When children return [for a visit] and they are making it, it feels awesome. We teach kids who have been repeatedly raped how to deal with the abuse.” Wynne continues, “you can’t erase the abuse a child has experienced, but when they return and are coping, to the next generation, it is like it never happened.” Quoting Bishop Joe Sullivan, Wynne notes “success is in the doing” not in the required outcome studies or impact studies.

When asked about what makes St. Mary’s Home different, Superman Wynne choked on some kryptonite and took a moment to respond. “Let’s be honest,” Wynne started, “This place needs a million dollar renovation, but it just feels good when you walk in here.” Wynne also repeatedly praises his coworkers at St. Mary’s Home saying he cannot pay them what they are worth. “Since the children at St. Mary’s Home have different levels of need, our staff must remain calm in all situations.” Whether it is his staff, donors, or the various organizations that volunteer at St. Mary’s Home, Andy Wynne gets “to see the goodness in society.”

Andy Wynne

Q. Family?

A. Wife Jeanne of 32 years. Two children Drew (27) and Hallie (23), both graduate students at the University of Alabama.

They have taught me more about life and faith than all the education combined.

Q. Education?

A. McGill Toolen H.S., University of Alabama Q. Favorite Teacher?

A. I have had several, but one is Rich Crow at Alabama. We are still friends and visit regularly. He is truly capable, interesting, and caring.

Q. What teacher had the greatest influence on you?

A. Brother Andre. As a typical teenager questioning God and religion, I asked Brother Andre why God lets bad things happen. He answered that he did not know. Wow! What an honest answer! But what he said next had the most impact.

He said that by helping others who have had bad things happen to them, he gets to show God how much he loves Him. Made sense to me then and still does today.

Q. Last book?

A. Patches by Rod Riley. Riley is a friend and it was a book about scouting which has played a significant role in my life.

Q. Favorite Movie?

A. Tombstone. Everything about life is contained in that movie.

Q. One item on your bucket list?

A. A lengthy trip out West with my family.

Q. Dogs or cats?

A. Dogs. Dogs love us unconditionally.

Scan the QR code t o l e a r n m o r e a b o u t S t . M a r y ’s H o m e .

promoting volunteerism

e s i m o r P y l i Fam s n o i t a v o n e R me for the Ho o H f o se n Se a g in at re C

W

here do homeless families go during the day? Family Promise of Coastal Alabama. Family Promise is a non-profit organization that helps facilitate up to four homeless families at a time in their Day Center. The Day Center facility is available for families to shower, wash laundry, keep their personal belongings safe, use the computer to job search and create resumes, and meet with their social worker to continue to move forward in the process of becoming independent once again. The organization also provides transportation for the families to work and to the night facilities. Most importantly, Family Promise is the only shelter in Mobile that allows families to remain together. (Other shelters require that men and boys of a certain age normally stay separate from their wives, mothers and sisters.)

This year, to aid Family Promise’s important work, the Junior League of Mobile, Inc.’s (JLM) Provisional Class set out to rejuvenate the look of the Day Center.

Located on the second floor of the Central Presbyterian Church, the Day Center had not been updated since it opened over nine years ago. Painting the facilities, hanging new curtains and paintings, rearranging furniture, adding slip covers, new pillows and rugs gave Family Promise’s Day Center space a fresh, clean, welcoming feel. An electrician was also hired to fix the light in the social worker’s office. In the bathrooms,

meless

by Blair Ladd

the men’s room received fresh paint, a new showerhead, and a good cleaning.

The women’s room was updated with new privacy curtains, shower curtains, towels & paint. In the laundry room, the cabinets were painted and some of the cabinet doors were removed which were previously unusable due to the hanging of the light. The cabinets were filled with baskets and other items which would be easily accessible. The provisionals also added a kids’ area which allows the children to have some sense of normalcy. The Day Center now feels like a home. Provisional Gray Acker noted, “The project was an impactful and organized effort for the provisionals to show our community what we are able to accomplish as a group! While working together we transformed the community center into a welcoming place for the residents of Family Promise. I can’t wait to see what other projects we are capable of carrying out in the future!”

The major expenses were the two new steel cabinets purchased in order to replace the disintegrating particle board cabinets. The families can now store their belongings in these cabinets with a lock. The facility already had two cabinets, so now all four families staying at the shelter are able to be accommodated. The other major purchase was a dryer for the laundry room and a flat screen TV. On February 23rd, the day of the reveal party, the staff was presented with the new flat screen TV for the

families in the Day Center. Tiffany Waters, Provisional Project Chair, recognized the contributions of the group: “The Provisional Class of 2013 did an amazing job for our friends at Family Promise of Coastal Alabama. Their hard work and many hours devoted to this project will impact these families forever. The League has a lot to look forward to as this is one great group of ladies. I am so proud to be part of this project and provisional class!”

Teressa Ramsey, the executive director for Family Promise said, “To be chosen as the Junior League of Mobile’s Provisional Project was such an honor. The provisional class gave our agency and families a sense of HOME. They transformed a functioning but drab Day Center space into a relaxing and comfortable Day Center for our families in need.

At Family Promise we help to make a difference in the lives of families who are in a homeless crisis. We do this through many means: individualized case management, help in securing safe and affordable housing, assistance with vital social and educational services, transportation, three daily meals, overnight accommodations along with compassion, respect, and HOPE. First impressions are everything, and our new Day Center does just that in offering HOPE for better days ahead.”

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promoting volunteerism

The Young Woman Leadership Scholarship

by Christy Reid

E

ach year the Junior League of Mobile, Inc. (JLM) awards at least two young women in their senior year of high school with scholarships. Applicants are nominated by a member of the community or an organization.

As part of the application process, nominees write an essay describing their volunteer and leadership experiences and their motivation for future education. They are also required to submit their transcript and two letters of recommendation.

At JLM’s Annual Meeting on May 9th,

four young women were honored with the scholarship award.

From the summaries below, it is clear why they were selected:

Scholarship recipients are selected on the following criteria:

1. Demonstrate excellence in and have a commitment to volunteerism and improving the community

2. Demonstrate innovation and creative actions that reach out to

From left, Katy Sullivan, La’Miya Packer, Mollie Maples, Emma Vater, and Chandra Brown (not pictured: Anna Grace Claunch)

and motivate others

3.

4.

Demonstrate at least one year’s experience as a volunteer within the community (outside of school activities)

Mollie Maples attends UMS-Wright Preparatory School.

As a middle school student, Mollie founded the Ponytail Club, an organization for young women who cut and donate their hair for wigs for cancer patients. In front of 1,000 people at a town assembly, Molly sheared her hair with hopes of inspiring others to do the same. She has donated three ponytails. Last year, Mollie founded the Kind Campaign with a friend. The group targets female bullying and gossip, particularly in her high school.

Mollie was nominated by the UMS-Wright Key Club.

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La’Miya Packer

Demonstrate a commitment to continuing her education

| summer 2013

Emma Vater

Anna Grace Claunch

Emma launched and taught a free after school baton class as part of the Fairhope-Point Clear Rotary Club’s after school program. Forty batons were donated to the program, but they were still short, so she called the baton manufacturer and negotiated a lower price so that the class could have all the batons they needed. She was nominated by the FairhopePoint Clear Rotary Club.

In 2011, Anna Grace traveled to Honduras with the Fairhope Rotary to install clean water systems. When she returned home, she started the Running for Water charitable fund.

She ran 325 miles and raised $3,000 to install a purifier in a Honduran village. She also organized a community run to raise $4,000 to install another purifier in Honduras. Anna Grace was nominated by Trinity Presbyterian Church.

attends Fairhope High School.

attends Fairhope High School.

attends Vigor High School.

She accepted an invitation from the League of Women Voters to participate in a six month Civic Engagement Project with a select group of 15 Vigor students.

They produced a Mayoral Candidate Forum. The overall goal was for students to learn about the community, connect with leaders, and identify and learn about local issues and solutions.

The students created an event for the general public to hear about the issues and solutions from students and candidates.

La’Miya was recognized as an active participant and contributed significantly to the success of the forum by developing initiative and influencing others by her participation, cheerfulness and interest. She was nominated by Vigor High School.

promoting volunteerism

Junior League of Mobile

Community Assistance

Fund Recipients

by Laura Johnson

1

3

5

Recipient

Recipient

Recipient

Recipient

Recipient

AIDS Alabama South

Arthritis Foundation

The Joseph Project Ashland Place UMC

Mercy Medical

Under His Wings, Inc

Proceeds

Proceeds

Proceeds

Proceeds

Proceeds

$2,500

$2,500

$5,000

$1,000

$4,000

Use of Proceeds

Use of Proceeds

Use of Proceeds

Use of Proceeds

Use of Proceeds

Purchase training materials

Host seminar for Mobile families to meet with pediatric rheumatologists, other specialists, & program staff from Birmingham

Purchase food from Bay Area Food Bank

Purchase two infant scales and two pulse oximeters for the Pediatric Home Care Program

Purchase online education curriculum to home school girls during their 6-mos. stay at group home in Baldwin County

2

T

he mission of Junior League of Mobile, Inc. (JLM) is to develop the potential of women, promote volunteerism, and improve our community through effective action. Often, this means JLM works to provide qualified volunteers to work directly with our agency partners and the clients they serve. However, we also have an opportunity for agencies with whom we do not currently partner called the Community Assistance Fund. The Community Assistance Fund (CAF) is a way for JLM to provide assistance to respond financially to needs and opportunities within JLM’s impact areas of children and education.

The 2012 – 2013 CAF budget was $15,000 and awarded as follows:

1 AIDS Alabama South

$2,500 to fund the purchase of AIDS prevention educational material for 350 – 400 at-risk youth in Mobile County.

4 2 Arthritis Foundation

$2,500 to provide educational services to Mobile County families affected by juvenile arthritis, through hosting seminars that will enable access to pediatric rheumatologists and other specialists, and program staff from Birmingham, AL because there are no pediatric rheumatologists in the local area.

3 The Joseph Project

$5,000 to purchase food from Bay Area Food Bank to restock food pantry at Ashland Place United Methodist Church, while rebuilding existing funding base. The program serves over 500 families monthly.

4 Mercy Medical

$1,000 to purchase two infant scales and two pediatric pulse oximeters for the Pediatric Home Care Program.

5 Under His Wings, Inc.

$4,000 to provide online education materials to approximately 10 young women ages 13 to 18 residing in a new residential group home in Baldwin County, which also serves Mobile County, by offering a six-month program to help troubled young women address life controlling issues (abuse, trauma, family turmoil, etc.).

JLM is thankful to be in a position to help organizations committed to improving our community. This special fund is just one way to say thank you to all the organizations working to make Mobile and Baldwin County a better place for all of us. To learn more about the Community Assistance Fund, including upcoming deadlines, please visit JLM’s website at juniorleaguemobile.org.

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promoting volunteerism

2013–2014

Board of Directors Andrea Moore President

Husband: Parks Moore Children: Parks (11), Alex (8), and Lyons (4)

Dot Havard

President-Elect

Project Development Chair

Husband: Leonard Stewart, Jr.

Husband: Chuck Havard

Number of Years in JLM: 12

Number of Years in JLM: 5

Number of Years in JLM: 8

Profession/Employer: Lifelines Counseling Services

Profession/Employer: Portraits, Inc.

Person Who Inspires You: people who get things done

Person Who Inspires You: I find inspiration through everyone I meet, but one person in particular that has stuck with me is Dr. Mark Kline from Houston, TX. With a vision to help fight AIDS, he started with $45,000 and changed the fight against AIDS by setting up centers and educating care providers in 20 African countries, Mexico, Romania, Ukraine, and China. Today they fight AIDS with over $33 million annually and help over 100,000 children a year globally.

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: Celebrating 5 years of impact on Children & Education in our community and launching JLM’s new initiative, “Healthy Children: Hunger, Nutrition, and Fitness”

Jennifer Humphreys

Communications Vice President Number of Years in JLM: 6

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: moving forward the mission of JLM.

Kate Simm

Community Vice President Husband: Kirk Simm Children: James (10), William (8), and Erin (5) Number of Years in JLM: 6 Profession/Employer: Speech Therapist, The Learning Tree Person Who Inspires You: Anne Frank In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: Celebrating our final year in Children and Education and reflecting on all of the great ways JLM contributes to our community!

Amanda Gonzales

Profession/Employer: Business Services Director, TruBridge Person Who Inspires You: My Grandmother, Dorothy Wilkinson. She has always had a passion for volunteering and she truly demonstrates a selfless service spirit.

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: I’m most looking forward to the process of evaluating and identifying agencies and placements which will allow us to make such a great impact on our Community around the issue of Healthy Children: Hunger, Nutrition, and Fitness.

Nancy Erwin Membership Development Vice President Husband: John Erwin Children: John Charles (8), Brantley (5), and Ann Colleen (1 month)

Finance Vice President

Number of Years in JLM: 6

Profession/ Employer: Digital Media Administrator/CPSI

Husband: R.J. Gonzales

Profession/Employer: stay at home mom

Children: Reese (7) and Jay (6)

Person Who Inspires You: I’m going to cheat and put two: My parents, they are truly amazing and have inspired me my whole life.

Number of Years in JLM: 4

Person Who Inspires You: There are so many people who inspire me, but on a daily basis those who balance so much gracefully, yet still have time to give to those around them, whether through volunteering with JLM or other organizations.

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: Further communicating to our community what JLM has done in the past and our plans for the future as we launch our impact area of Healthy Children: Hunger, Nutrition, and Fitness.

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Chandra Brown Stewart

| summer 2013

Profession/Employer: Development Director at Volunteers of America Southeast Person Who Inspires You: Robin Roberts.

Her faith, strength, positive thinking, and determination remind me that we can get through any obstacle that life throws at us.

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: Celebrating all that JLM has accomplished with Children and Education and zooming in on our new initiative of Healthy Children.

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: I am looking forward to working with JLM members to make them know how much they are appreciated by all that they do. Each member is making such a contribution of her time, and I want to make sure we are making our membership feel engaged and connected!

Amy Hunter

Governance Chair Husband: Hendrik Snow Children: Henry (7), Lukas (7), and Caroline (4) Number of Years in JLM: 6

Anitra Henderson

Planning and Research Vice President

Profession/Employer: Senior Environmental Scientist with The Louis Berger Group

Person Who Inspires You: I am inspired by people from all walks of life who love their families, do their jobs, and invest in their communities.

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: I look forward to a year in which the Governance Committee helps JLM function to its greatest capacity by identifying and implementing the most efficient governing and management structure, streamlining JLM’s policies and SOPs, and educating JLM’s membership on all of the above.

Board of Directors continued on pg. 38

d

Husband: R. Demetrius Henderson Children: Kierstyn (16), Raven (10), and Rian Desiree (3) Number of Years in JLM: 6 Profession/Employer: Communications Strategy Consultant, SMG Person Who Inspires You: Women-we change lives and build communities everyday In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: Facilitating engaging discussions that will continue to enhance our mission and grow our vision to better serve our members and our community.

Devon Coleman

Recording Secretary Husband: John Coleman Children: Nathaniel (10), Abby (8), and Andrew (6) Number of Years in JLM: 7 Profession/Employer: The Ocean Foundation Person Who Inspires You: I am inspired by my kids who remind me about what’s really important in life and why we need to work hard to ensure that all of our children have a bright and healthy future.

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: Seeing JLM transition into a new focus area.

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37

Boys.

Sizes infant through 20.

d

Lovoeur

We

Board of Directors continued from pg. 37

Beth Morrissette Sustainer Advisor

Husband: Henry Morrissette Children: Elizabeth (15) and Henry (12) Number of Years in JLM: 18 Profession/Employer: Industrial Sales--Manufacturers Packaging Services Person Who Inspires You: I am a big fan of people who generously share their time and talents volunteering to help make communities stronger for all citizens. My Mother, Faye, and Mother in Law, Sally, are at the top of a long list of amazing women in my life. They set wonderful examples for those who love them and those they serve.

Holiday, Inc. • 4513 Old Shell Rd. • Mobile, AL 36608 • 251.342.4911

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m looking most forward to: As the Sustaining Advisor to the Board of Directors, it is an honor to represent the largest segment of JLM’s membership.

It is exciting to not only offer historical perspective on past decisions but have an active voice in helping direct JLM’s future.

Lisa Harris

Nominating Chair Husband: Rayford G. Harris Chrildren: Maya (16) and Jordan (11) Number of Years in JLM: 14 Profession/Employer: Claims Representative for Social Security Administration Person Who Inspires You: I am inspired by my mother Mattie Blakely.

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m most looking forward to: I’m looking forward to helping slate the next Board of Directors.

Krystle Hinton Treasurer

Husband: Nick Hinton Children: Helen (18 months) Number of Years in JLM: 4 Profession/Employer: Felder Services, LLC Person Who Inspires You: my friends. They are all so different but are the most amazing group of wives/mothers/philanthropists/ hard workers I could ever want to mimic.

In the 2013-2014 year, I’m looking most forward to: the whole board experience and learning about aspects of the league beyond finance

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| summer 2013

This summer children can learn how to sail at Mobile Bay Sailing School.

upcoming events

Summer 2013

Photo courtesy of Ben Posey

Activities

summer

Environmental Studies Center Summer Day Camp is offered by the Mobile County Public School System from June 3 – July 18 this year. Students in grades 1 through 8 will focus on living things and their habitats.

Children will be divided into groups by grades 1 - 2, grades 3 - 4, grades 5 - 6 and grades 6, 7 and 8. Morning and afternoon sessions (8 am – Noon and 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm) cost $80 for each four-day session. Visit www. mcpss.com or call 251-221-5000 for more details.

Playhouse in the Park offers summer dance camps. For more information visit http://www.playhouseinthepark.org/.

St. Paul’s Episcopal School has refresher courses and enrichment classes open to all students on various schedules.

Examples are Pre-Algebra Boot Camp for 8th and 9th graders, Middle and Upper School Study Skills for those grades, Marvelous Monster Math to prepare for 3rd grade, Grammar Boot Camp for rising 6th and 7th graders, and Kindergarten Refresher Course for rising 1st graders. Cost varies from $75 to $180, depending on length and materials of each course.

Contact Summer School Coordinator Jill Drum at jdrum@ stpaulsmobile.net or 251-622-7962 for more information.

St. Mary’s Catholic School Summer Enrichment Series will be held for one week, July 22 – 26, from 8 am until 11:30 am. Cost is $150 per child. Guided Reading and Writing Instruction includes comprehension and literacy; Guided Math Instruction includes problem solving strategies and test taking skills. For more information, contact Linda Thornton, 251-433-9904 or email lthornton@stmarymobile.org.

Alabama School of Math and Science Summer Fun Camp enrolls students entering 7th – 10th grades who live in Alabama, as well as non-residents of Alabama.

Session 1 (June 3 -7) is an overnight camp, while Session 2 (June 10 – 14) is overnight or day camp from 8 am to 3:15 pm. Math and science activities include creating a hologram, building a smartphone, and launching a rocket. Studying for the ACT and learning to speak German are other areas of study. Cost for the overnight camp is $375 per week and $175 for the weekend, while day camp is $275 per week. Visit website www.asms.net or call John Hoyle, 251-441-2128, for more details.

Camp Central at The Exploreum offers science-based opportunities for children in Pre-K4 through 7th Grade, in three age groups. Camps begin the week of June 3 – 7 and run for ten weeks, with a different camp each week. Examples of topics each week in each age group are: Pre-K4 – Grade 1: “Busy Builders” and “Nature Kids.”

Grades 2 - 4: “Adventures in Archaeology” and “Chemistry Creations” Grades 5 – 7: “Principles of Flight” and “CSI Mobile.”

Camp hours are 8:30 am to 3:30 pm; cost per weekly camp ranges from $120 to $165, with members and siblings in the same camp receiving discounts. More information and the registration form is available on the website www.exploreum.com.

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab offers several programs for students this summer, such as “Oceans Alive,” a half-day adventure for 5 – 8 year olds and their parent or grandparent, “Survivor – Dauphin Island,” a one-day experience, featuring crabbing, fishing and an instructor-led dissection of the “catch of the day,” and “Barrier Island Explorer”, an overnight adventure, for rising 5th and 6th graders. Rising 7th to 9th graders can participate in a week-long residential summer camp, “Gulf Island Journey,” which includes a trawling expedition on board the Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s research vessel and provides hands-on experiences in marine science. The “Marine Science Course” for 10th to 12th graders, is an intense, four-week, 150 hour course in the various fields of marine science, for which academic credit can be earned. For more information, call (251) 861-2141x7545 or email summerexcursions@disl.org.

Gulf Coast Exploreum IMAX® “The Last Reef” from May 8 through September 3, don’t miss your chance to watch storm chasers get up close and personal with one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events. Showtimes every week, Tuesday through Sunday. To view showtimes and purchase tickets, go to www.exploreum.com.

Market on the Square - alternating Saturdays in May, June and July from 7:30am until 11am on Cathedral Square. Visit for the best in locally grown produce, cheeses, seafood and other kitchen favorites. For more information call 251-208-1558.

Mobile Museum of Art - Summer exhibits include “Lucy Fine: The Silkscreen Prints”, “The Paternal Suit: Heirlooms from the F. Scott Hess Family Foundation”, “Fabulous Flatware: Non Traditional Tools of the Table” and “The Silent Cities of Perú.” For exhibition hours and more details, visit. www.mobilemuseumofart.com.

Mobile Bay Bears - from June through September take the whole family to Hank Aaron Stadium to watch the Mobile Bay Bears. For game schedules and ticket information, visit www.mobilebaybears.com or call 251.479.2327.

The Mobile Museum of Art features Art Blast Summer Camp 2013 for students in three age groups from 4 to 18. Age appropriate classes include, “Dancing Dinosaurs” and “Beginning Color Theory.” Four classes, in two-hour blocks, will be held between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Students may register for one or more week-long courses, which begin on June 10 and end on August 2. Cost is $80 for one two-hour course each day of the week or $180 for a full day of four courses each day for a week. For more information, visit the website, www.mobilemuseumofart.com.

Interstate 10 to Exit 15A

Mobile Bay Sailing School provides a safe environment 800.247.8420 for students from 8 to 18 to learn to sail and to understand www.bellingrath.org and respect the relationship between the sea, weather, and wind. Classes are held rain or shine, at Mobile Yacht Club, with onshore lessons covering theoretical aspects of sailing, knots, rigging, and other useful knowledge on days unfavorable for sailing. Each one-week class will be held Monday through Friday, with drop off and pick up between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm each day. There are six weeks of full-day classes, with one week of half-day classes for 7 to 9 year olds during the week of June 24 - 28. The first class begins June 10 and the last class ends on August 2.

Tuition for the regular, full-day class is $250 each week.

The tuition for the special half-day class is $125 for the week. To find out important information concerning these classes, visit the website, www.mobilesailingschool.com or call 251-709-4102.

Wonderful Wednesday Programs June 5th - July 31st - No program on July 3rd

Daily 8 AM - 5 PM,

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s Days

I-10 to Exit 15A s Theodore, Alabama 251.973.2217 / 800.247.8420

www.bellingrath.org summer 2013 |

39

Mobile Writers Guild – every third Thursday each month from 6-8 p.m. at Serda’s Coffee participate in the Open Mic Night. Visit www.mobilewritersguild.com for more information.

LoDa Artwalk – the 2nd Friday of each month from 6 – 9 p.m. in the Cathedral Square Arts District. Join downtown art galleries, institutions, studios and unique shops to see artwork and listen to music.

Summer Concerts at The Wharf – Brad Paisley with special guests Chris Young & Lee Brice on June 15, Alabama on July 5, and Dave Matthews Band with special guest John Butler Trio on July 23 are sure to be a hit this summer. Tickets are on sale now at Ticket Master. For a complete event lineup, go to www.amphitheateratthewharf.com.

Fort Morgan Candlelight Tours – every Tuesday during the months of June and July beginning at 7 p.m. Don’t miss living history interpreters in Civil War period dress telling the story of Fort Morgan’s Civil War service. For more information call 251-540-7202.

Oliver! – July 19 through August 11 (on weekends) at Playhouse in the Park. Nothing works on the stage like a well-crafted tale, and OLIVER! is just such a show. Based on the Dickens novel, it will engage the audience with its pathos and drama, while delighting everyone with its outstanding musical numbers. For tickets or more information call 251-602-0630 Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo - July 19-21 at Dauphin Island. The country’s largest and oldest saltwater fishing tournament will attract over 3,000 anglers and over 75,000 spectators. This three-day event features live entertainment and prizes in a variety of categories. Visit www.adsfr.com for more info.

The Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild at Theater 98 - A comedy exploring how Mildred Wild balances her fantasy life and her less than satisfying real one.

Opens July 25 and plays through August 4. For show times and more info, visit www.theater98.org or call 251-928-4366.

Battle of Mobile Commemorative Day - on August 3 take a trip to Dauphin Island and historic Fort Gaines for an oral account of the Battle of Mobile, blacksmith demonstrations, and a cannon salute. Free admission.

Call 251-861-6992 or visit www.dauphinisland.org for details.

Founders Day at Bellingrath Gardens - on August 6, enjoy free admission to one of the area’s best attractions Bellingrath Gardens as they celebrate the birthday of founder Walter T. Bellingrath. Admission fee applies to tour the Bellingrath Museum Home.

For more information visit www.bellingrath.org.

2013 Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathalon and Coastal “Tri-It-On” – on September 7 at Gulf Shores. Get in shape now for a triathalon. With two race distances to choose from and relay teams as an option, it’s the perfect time to get in shape. Visit www.team-magic.com for details.

25th Annual Jubilee Festival – on September 28-29 held in Olde Town Daphne. The festival features arts and crafts, live entertainment and great food. For more information call 251-621-8222.

Bayfest – October 4-6. A weekend of live music kicks off in downtown Mobile. Don’t forget the Annual 5K and Fun Run as well. For more information visit www.bayfest.com.

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promoting volunteerism

2013

Endowment Donors Patron

Janee and Jo Bonner Chris and Ashley Brown Sandra Finkbohner Nancy Kline Hughes ( In Memory of Elaine Hertzman Wampler )

Emil and Katy Sullivan Palmer Whiting

Donor

Eugenia Armbrecht Bebe Barnard Karen Blaylock Stephanie Cleverdon Carol Crowe Fran Danley Leigh and Brent Faircloth Barbara Ann Guthans Joan Marie Keebler Mary Carol Ladd Kay Ladd Austill Lott Nell Maisel Kathy Miller Dru Oswalt Ginger Otts Laura Riggins Mary Hunter Slaton Carolyn Stephenson Kathy Thurber

Other

Curry Adams Ann Adams Karen Alford Karen Atchison Julie Bagwell Martha Ballard ( In Honor of Alice and Joey Jones ) ( In Honor of Wendy and Logan Gewin )

Scootie Barbour Louise Battiste Mr. & Mrs. W. Wyatt Beard Mimi Bell

Missy Benton Jane Bledsoe Nancy Booth Pam Bostick April Boudreaux Harriet Jean Boughton Lee Lee Brady ( In Honor of Katy Sullivan )

Sharee Broussard Lee Burmeister Jane Burton Hilary Cabaniss Mary Cane Amy Carpenter Julie Castle Betty Coale Jane Conkin Gretchen Cooper Olivia Crawford Rebecca Cummings Suzanne Damrich Jamie Davidson Lynn Davidson Kay Davis Katherine Deaton Anita Denniston Jennifer Denson Elizabeth Diehl Elaine Drake ( In Honor of Skeeter Diehl )

Perrin Drew Susan Duffey Barbara Engeriser Teresa Ernest Mary Ann Fesenmeier Cele Fibbe Winks Floyd-Jones Valerie Frazer Pat Frazer Millie Gaillard Alethia Gaines Teresa Gray Deborah Gross Susan Ham

Kit Hamilton Amy Hamilton Penny Grubb Dorothy Havard Susan Helmsing Alison Henry Evelyn Hinton Sandy Holcombe Elsie Holmes Jennifer Humphreys Luella Hunt Amy Hunter Katherine Inge Deborah Innocenti Kathryn Irvine Stella Jackson Rebecca James Carmen Kearley LeJean Kennemer Leslie Ladd Weezie Larson Susan Leach Jocelyn Love Libba Lyon Michelle Manasco Louise McCarron Nancy McCrummen Sharon McDonough Dottie McGehee Ceil McGehee Malinda McMurphy Emily McNally Laura Meisler Susan Miller Carmen Moore Beth Morrissette ( In Honor of Katy Sullivan )

Dr. and Mrs. J. Andrew Morrow, Jr. Anne Mostellar Gillette Muller Mary E. Murchison Titter Murray

Toni Myers Charlotte Nicholas Mary Ella Northrop Brenda Ogburn Betsy Otts Mary Page Sara Phillips Poodle Pipes Ann Pond Louise Rayford Helen Robinson Beth Rouse Joy Rue Beth Schramm Kate Seawell Caroline Shedd Gayle Shoultz Suzanne Silva Sherri Sindel Cammie Singleton Ann Sirmon Nancy Sledge Dulari Smith Perry Stewart Betty Stone Mary Helen Strain ( In Honor of Andrea Moore )

Ida Swift LeAnne Tamblyn Ann Torbert Karen Travis Gypsie Van Antwerp Barry Weeks Debbie White Serena Willcox January Williams Jacque Williams Jean Williams Laurel Wilson Alice Inge Jane Yance Joanie Zoghby Betsy Zundel

summer 2013 |

41

promoting volunteerism

Sand to Strand Cultivating A Better Community Along the Gulf Coast Junior League of Mobile, Inc.

Endowment Pledge Sheet JLMJLM Endowment Pledge Sheet Pledge Amounts • $25,000 Title Sponsor • $20,000 Platinum Sponsor • $10,000 Gold Sponsor • $5,000 Silver Sponsor • $2,500 Bronze Sponsor • $1,000 Supporter • $500 Friend • $250 Patron • $100 Donor Donors at Patron andChristmas higher willJubilee receivepreview party and/or Donors at Patron level and higher willlevel receive Christmas Jubilee Preview Gala tickets: quantity is determined by sponsorship general admission tickets; quantity is determined by sponsorship level. level.

Pledged $ __________________________ Check Please make checks payable to the Junior League of Mobile and in the note section write Endowment.

Credit Card

Mastercard

Visa

Amount $____________ Credit Card Number____________________________________ Expires_______/_______ V Code/CCV_______ Signature_________________________________________________________ Matching Gifts : You can double your gift if your employer has a matching gift program. Please ask your personnel office for a matching gift form.

My matching gift form is enclosed.

Other Planned Giving Opportunities: I would like more information about: Including JLM in my will

Bequests

Sustainer

Active

Life Insurance (naming JLM as beneficiary) Provisional

Giving Securities

Other______________________

Name__________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip____________________________________________________________ Phone________________________Email Address_______________________________ I am making this gift (please check one):

FOLIO

SPRING 2012

To improve my community In honor of _________________________________________________________ In memory of ________________________________________________________ For gifts in honor or in memory of someone, please provide an address where we can notify the family or individual.

Name__________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________

All gifts are tax deductible.

24

For more information, call 251-471-3348.

Let me put my expertise to work for YOU! CAROLYN VOLTZ HA SSER

contact CAROLYN: O: 251-661-4660 | C: 251-654-1605 CarolynHasser@RobertsBrothers.com CarolynHasser.RobertsBrothers.com Roberts Brothers West 6721 Grelot Rd., Suite A Mobile, AL 36695

credentials: • Sustainer, Junior League of Mobile • Senior Real Estate Specialist • President Mobile Bar Auxiliary • Past President Mardi Gras mystic society

“Ca rolyn thank you for you r persistence and

• Member Architectural Review Board

ha rd work to ge t my house sold under tough

• Team Heartwalk for Am Heart Assn 2012

• Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser Cochair 2011

ma rke t conditions. Just when we thought we

• Loaned Executive for United Way SW AL

had reached a dead end you managed to ge t

• Volunteered @ St. Paul’s and UMS Wright

it worked out and closed. You had successful open houses and helpful tips that really se t ou r house apa rt from the compe tition. Thanks again and I will work with you again on my next pu rchase.”

–– Allen Taylor

• Member St. Ignatius Church • B.S. Public Relations, Univ. of Alabama

BankTrust customers:

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People you trust. Advice that works.

Member FDIC

From Forbes.com, December 18, 2012 © 2012 Forbes.com. All rights reserved. Used by permission and protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States. The printing, copying, redistribution, or retransmission of this Content without express written permission is prohibited.