July 2020 Momaha

momaha.com

VOLUME 11 · ISSUE 7 JULY

2020

GIMME S’MORE!

Gooey twists on a summer classic

BUGS, BE GONE! How to protect your family from ticks, other nasty bugs

When children are your everything, Anything can be.

At Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, science and heart lead us to even greater pediatric breakthroughs. We provide the very best in pediatric specialty care, advance pediatric research, educate tomorrow’s experts and advocate for children, families and entire communities – to improve the future of medicine, and the life of every child.

To find a physician for your child, call 1.800.833.3100 or visit ChildrensOmaha.org.

Education

•

Research

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Advocacy

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Care 0000141946-01

KILEY CRUSE

CONTENTS

REAL MOMS + ADVICE

SEASONAL

2 Editor’s Column 3 On Our Radar 6 Momaha Bookshelf 14 Be Well

7 Lightning Bug Craft 12 S’mores 16 DIY Playground

momaha

where moms connect VOLUME 11 . ISSUE 7 . JULY 2020

editor in chief

assistant editor

momaha.com editor

CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094

MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034

ASHLEE COFFEY ashlee.coffey@owh.com 402-444-1075

creative director + designer

copy editors

content contributors

SHELLEY LARSEN PA M R I C H T E R

K AT I E K R A U S E

KILEY CRUSE cruse@owh.com 402-444-1375

SPONSORED FEATURES 4 YMCA of Greater Omaha 10 Fontenelle Forest

cover photo KILEY CRUSE

custom publishing sales manager E R I C M AY B E R R Y emayberry@owh.com 402-444-1110

account executive M A R I LY N M A R T I N marilyn.martin@owh.com 402-444-1405

account executive DEBORAH FERNSELL deborah.fernsell@owh.com 402-444-1209

Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 700, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2020 by the Omaha World-Herald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

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MOMAHA.COM EDITOR ASHLEE COFFEY Wife to Kevin Coffey, omaha.com deputy editor and music critic for the Omaha World-Herald.

Mom to Sam and Elliott.

Follow her on Twitter: @AshleeCoffeyOWH

HAVE A BLAST ON THE FOURTH OF JULY

J

uly has always been a busy, fun month for my family. My kids absolutely love celebrating the Fourth of July and all that it entails — fireworks, parades and many family gettogethers.

We’re still planning to have just as much fun this year — even if that just means lighting off our own fireworks at home

and having a barbecue for four.

This issue is filled with summer activities and crafts that you can do at home, Fourth of July book recommendations for kids, easy recipes — mmm s’mores — and tips so bugs don’t ruin your day.

However you’re spending your summer, I hope you’re having fun and making lots of memories together.

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July 2020

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ON OUR RADAR ASHLEE COFFEY

A PERFECT SWADDLE Our reviewer really liked the Tiny Twinkle Swaddle Blanket. The material is light and breathable so you don’t need to worry about your baby getting too warm wrapped in it. The blanket is a good size to lay on the floor when baby plays or to drape over the car seat as a cover.

The print is bold and vibrant, another plus with our reviewer. $22, tinytwinkle.com

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH

BUILDING BLOCKS Math, science and creativity meet in MagnaTiles. Our reviewer’s kids loved using the colorful magnetic pieces to create various 3D shapes and structures. They also loved being able to tell the story of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” through the pictures on the tiles. $34.99, target.com

BACKYARD FUN Looking for a fun backyard game this summer? With Rollors, players roll the durable wooden disks toward the goal posts, earning points depending on where they land. The compact carrying case makes it easy to transport. Rollors is fun and easy for all ages. $49.95, rollors.com

MOVIE NIGHT This ultra-portable projector is a hit with kids. We set up both an indoor movie theater and a drive-in-style outdoor movie night projected on a garage. We also used the 360-degree content to virtually explore the stars and hunt ghosts, which the kids absolutely loved. (It acts like a VR headset, the image moving as you move the projector cube.) The Cinemood has a slightly clunky interface navigable with a smartphone app, and the muchmarketed built-in Disney content is limited to safety videos. But the 360 apps and VR games are very cool, and the ability to use Netflix and Amazon Prime (or watch your own content by plugging in a USB stick) is fantastic.

Plus the battery life — 5 hours — is great. That said, we’re not sure about the price tag. The screen resolution isn’t as high as you’d expect; you can get more powerful projectors for less. $499.99, cinemood.com

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE With a Creation Crate Jr. subscription, you get a new tech project shipped to your home. The projects, which use a high-quality TechCard grid with holes, teaches kids basic engineering concepts such as math, measurements, physics, forces and construction. There are stepby-step instructions but they aren’t always clear or easy to do. Recommended for ages 8 and older, but an adult’s help definitely will be needed. Subscriptions vary, creationcrate.com

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SPONSORED FEATURE YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA

A look back, as we all look forward The Y’s rich history of service ensures a bright future ahead

S

ince 1844, the YMCA has been an organization dedicated to tackling turmoil and despair. Perhaps a dramatic statement if you think of the Y as summer camp, pick-up basketball and swimming laps.

But take a closer look at its history of serving in times of need and you’ll see that it’s much more than just a gym.

The Y has served through some of America’s most troubling times of crisis, including the recent coronavirus pandemic, and with its strong community of supporters intact, has shown resilience and fortitude to not just survive, but help our community thrive. It’s a collective show of vested supporters on a mission aimed at strengthening the foundations of community through healthy living, youth development and social responsibility.

Formed in mid-1800s London, in a time when young men needed organizational guidance to escape the hazards of life on the streets, the Y was intent on tackling social issues. Shortly thereafter, on the docks of Boston in 1851, the YMCA was launched in America, for similar social reasons.

From the beginning, the Y showed positive influences with the first YMCA for African Americans in 1853, and the first-known English as a Second Language program for immigrants in 1856. The Civil War saw 5,000 members and volunteers distributing medical supplies, food and clothing, as well as teaching soldiers how to read and write.

On the streets of Chicago in 1867, the Y took on the pressing issues of safe and affordable housing, starting in a modest Farwell Hall dormitory and growing to offer more than 100,000 rooms across the country by 1940, more than any hotel chain at that time.

Some of this lodging provided the backbone for essential growth and development projects such as the railroad, lumber and mining, and for essential staff

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July 2020

YMCA staff and volunteers serving soldiers in France during World War I.

such as traveling military and wartime personnel.

By World War I, with the Y organization on solid ground, volunteerism flourished, and, working with the United War Work Council, the Y contributed more than $235 million — equivalent to $4.3 billion today — for relief work.

World War II saw the Y, along with five other national voluntary organizations, form the United Service Organizations for National Defense, today known as the USO. In addition, YMCA staff working secretly in U.S. internment camps that held 110,000 Japanese Americans, organized educational clubs and athletic activities for the children.

While perhaps not as dire as war or pandemics, as industrialized nations and economies grew, other pressing health, social and youth development needs emerged. The Y continued to contribute toward change offering everything from

organized summer camps for kids to health-related classes for seniors.

And with obesity in America constituting a crisis in and of itself, the Y has tackled the issue head-on with engaging programs including Healthy Kids Day, Y Weight Loss, Delay the Disease diabetes prevention and other important health and wellness opportunities provided for everyone in the community.

Locally, as we all battle this pandemic together, the Y has been proud to provide child care services to doctors and nurses on the front lines, at three CHI Early Learning Centers across Omaha. And, truly, it’s the continued support of members, donor contributions and numerous grant opportunities that allow the YMCA of Greater Omaha to continue to serve.

And so we say a sincere thank you to all our community members who have shown their support by choosing to #StickWithTheY. 0000141950-01

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THANK YOU!

YOUR SUPPORT KEEPS US STRONG! We asked the community to #StickWithTheY and you did! Thank you to our members and donors for continuing to support the Y, as we continue to serve the community.

Visit metroymca.org • Become a member today!

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5

MOMAHA BOOKSHELF ASHLEE COFFEY

Celebrate with a good book

I

ndependence Day might look a little different this year. You might be enjoying fireworks displays from afar or hosting your own at-home barbecue.

If you want to introduce your kids to a traditional Fourth of July celebration, check out these five books.

“HELLO, FOURTH OF JULY!”

“THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FOURTH OF JULY”

“FOUNDING MOTHERS: REMEMBERING THE LADIES”

by Natasha Wing This story follows the format of the beloved “Twas the Night Before Christmas” poem. It tells how people across the United States are getting ready for the best holiday of the summer. Ages 3 to 7.

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by Martha Day Zschock Kids are invited to celebrate America’s birthday with the eagles. Have fun going to a parade, viewing historical paintings and statues, going to the beach, enjoying food at a barbecue and watching fireworks. Ages 2 to 5.

by Cokie Roberts This non-fiction book highlights the female patriots of the American Revolution. Pictures tell the stories of Abigail Adams, Martha Washington, Phillis Wheatley, Mercy Otis Warren, Sarah Livingston Jay and others. Ages 4 to 6.

“HATS OFF FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY”

by Harriet Ziefert Come along and have fun during this small town’s Fourth of July celebration, which includes a parade, music, cowboys on horseback, fire engines and a surprise spectacle in the sky. Ages 3 to 6.

“JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE & BEN”

by Lane Smith This book includes short stories on four of the more popular Founding Fathers, including John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and Ben Franklin. Kids can learn about their beginnings and their roles in the American Revolution.

Ages 6 to 9.

CUTE AS A BUG Fireflies glow wherever they go TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

W

ho’s eyes wouldn’t light up over these cute lightning bugs?

WHAT YOU NEED

• Plastic Easter egg • 3 pipe cleaners • Hot glue gun and glue sticks • Googly eyes • Tulle • Black marker (we used a Sharpie) • Thumb tack • Nail • Battery-operated votive candle

WHAT YOU DO 1. On the larger half of the plastic egg, use the thumb tack to poke three holes on each side of the lightning bug’s “body.”

The holes should align horizontally. This is where you’ll insert the bug’s “legs.”

2. On the smaller half of the plastic egg, use the thumb tack to poke two holes at top for the bug’s antenna.

3. Use a nail to enlarge the thumb tack holes so a pipe cleaner will fit through them.

4. Cut two pipe cleaners in half. Thread one half through the two holes for the antenna.

Thread the other three halves through the body holes to create the legs.

5. Wrap pipe cleaner sections around a pencil to form a loop at the top of the antenna; do the same for the feet.

6. Glue two googly eyes on the smaller half of the shell. Then draw on a smile with the marker.

7. For wings, cut a 12-inch length of tulle.

Fold in half and tie a knot at the end of the fold. Trim excess tulle at end of knot. Trim wings to make them even. Glue knot on the top of the egg.

8. Insert the battery-operated candle with the light toward the pointed end of the egg. Turn on the light and snap the egg together.

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SPONSORED FEATURE FONTENELLE FOREST

Adventure awaits Fontenelle Forest trails are open and ready for your family to explore

C

hances are you have been spending a bit more time at home this year than you normally would.

Perhaps spending more time cooped up with the family? Now that summer has officially arrived, it’s a perfect time to get outside and explore the great outdoors.

Fontenelle Forest, with sites in Bellevue and North Omaha, is the perfect place for your family to discover nature just minutes from home. The Forest encompasses nearly 2,100 acres of natural and historic landscapes along the Missouri River that have been conserved and protected for more than 100 years.

With 24 miles of maintained trails, exploring is easy for everyone! The milelong, ADA-accessible boardwalk is great for anyone looking to ease into hiking — including those with smaller children or who need mobility assistance. The boardwalk presents stunning views of the Missouri River and the opportunity to see unique plants and wildlife along the way.

In this period of increased screen time, it is more important than ever for parents and children to spend time together

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in nature “unplugged.” Spending time in nature has profound and beneficial effects on children. Research shared by the Children & Nature Network shows that children who are connected to nature have better health, higher satisfaction with life, and exhibit pro-environmental behaviors. This includes better social skills, enhanced health, increased self-esteem, improved grades, and stronger emotional connections to people and nature.

Nature isn’t only beneficial for children.

A 2019 study by the University of Exeter Medical School of nearly 20,000 individuals found that spending at least two hours a week in direct exposure to nature was associated with lower probabilities of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma hospitalization, and mental distress in adults.

Looking for a good way to start?

Although Fontenelle Forest’s buildings may be closed or have limited capacity, its trails remain open. Simply go online to FontenelleForest.org to purchase daily admission or a membership for a full year of access. Fontenelle Forest members can

even purchase a key fob to access the trails before and after normal business hours, from dusk to dawn. A great opportunity to make the most of the long summer days!

While you’re online, be sure to check out our new Family Backpack Program for a fun new way to experience the forest.

The educational backpacks cost only $10 to rent for two hours and contain guides and activities that will inspire your family to make exciting discoveries in the Forest.

All items in the backpack are removed and sanitized after each use.

Although our summer camps look a little different this year, the Forest continues to offer new and exciting camp experiences. Make sure to check out our summer camp options also!

Summer is in full swing and there are few better ways to spend it than exploring with the family at Fontenelle Forest. There are hidden treasures to be found around every bend in the trail, sure to make memories your family will treasure forever.

Adventures await you at the Forest.

Learn more at FontenelleForest.org.0000141951-01

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More is always better with s’mores Improve upon the simple treat with these variations

TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

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Serves 12

BERRY BANANA S’MORES

broken into individual pips • 12 regular marshmallows

• 3 large strawberries, hulled, each sliced into 8 thin rounds • 2 very ripe bananas, each cut into 6 pieces • Pinch of kosher salt • Pinch of sugar • Nonstick cooking spray • 12 whole graham crackers, broken in half to form 24 squares • 2 bars (1.55 ounces) milk chocolate,

1. Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and turn the broiler to low setting.

Preheat for 5 to 10 minutes. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Place 12 graham cracker squares on a serving plate. Top each square with 2 strawberry slices followed by 2 chocolate pips.

3. Place the bananas on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with the salt and

July 2020

sugar. Broil the bananas until they start to caramelize, about 5 minutes.

4. Squish each marshmallow a bit with your hands and place 1 marshmallow on each banana and return the baking sheet to the broiler until the marshmallows are golden brown on top, about 3 minutes.

Keep a close eye on them.

5. Place one toasted marshmallow and banana piece on each s’more.

6. Top the s’mores with the remaining graham cracker squares. Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE S’MORES

GIMME S’MOREOS

Serves 12

Serves 12

• • • • • •

• Nonstick cooking spray • 24 creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookies • 2 bars (1.55 ounce) milk chocolate, broken into individual pips • 12 regular marshmallows

1 cup whipped cream cheese (from a tub, not a brick) ¼ cup powdered sugar ¼ teaspoon vanilla Nonstick cooking spray 12 regular marshmallows 12 whole graham crackers, broken in half to form 24 squares • ¾ cup mini chocolate chips

1. Mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until needed.

2. Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and turn the broiler to low setting. Preheat for 5 to 10 minutes. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

3. Place the marshmallows on the prepared baking sheet. Broil until they are golden brown on top, about 3 minutes. Keep a close eye on them.

4. Place 12 graham cracker squares on a serving dish. Top each square with 1 heaping tablespoon of the cheesecake mixture, followed by 1 tablespoon of the mini chocolate chips.

5. Place 1 toasted marshmallow on each s’more. Top the s’mores with the remaining graham cracker squares. Serve immediately.

1. Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and turn the broiler to low setting. Preheat for 5 to 10 minutes. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Place 12 sandwich cookies on the prepared baking sheet.

Top each cookie with 2 chocolate pips.

3. Squish each marshmallow a bit with your palms and place 1 marshmallow on each s’more. Broil the s’mores until the marshmallows are golden brown on top, about 3 minutes.

Keep a close eye on them.

4. Transfer the s’mores to a serving dish and top with the remaining cookies. Serve immediately.

Source: “S’mores!” by Dan Whalen

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BE WELL MARJIE DUCEY

Mosquitoes, ticks will never stop bugging us But you can take steps to keep them away and avoid their bites

W

hen asked where you could go to escape mosquitoes and ticks, bug expert Jody Green jokingly said Antarctica. And maybe Iceland.

In other words, they are almost everywhere.

Both can cause some nasty illnesses.

Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world, and Lyme disease, which is transmitted by ticks, is one of the most common diseases in the United States.

Green, an educator for Nebraska Extension in Jody Green Douglas-Sarpy Counties, says she’s allergic to mosquitoes and all biting bugs.

“I basically stink and shine from repellent half the year. I’m the weirdo with my pants tucked into my socks, and I’ve got a bin of repellents of all kinds, concentrations, formulations and all the anti-itch remedies,’’ she says. “I also have pointed forceps in a container that I take with me everywhere because ticks happen.’’

You might not be as allergic as Green.

But it’s still important to keep ticks at bay. Here are some tips from Green.

WHERE YOU’LL FIND THEM • For ticks, you’ll pick them up walking in public and state parks, wooded areas, grassy areas, along the edges of paved trails and in yards that attract deer and other wildlife. Also the family dog can bring them in as well, so you can find them in your house.

• If you’ve been someplace where ticks are active, check the crevices of the body. Think knee pits, arm pits, behind ears, the scalp, the groin area and the belly button.

• Mosquitoes are most active and hungry at dusk. Not so much when it is really windy or cold, though.

• Places for mosquitoes can be

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July 2020

percentages of DEET but apply often because the concentration relates to the numbers of hours of protection.

Permethrin-treated clothing — either commercially treated or DIY — are effective. For my family, I use 25% to 30% DEET, which lasts eight hours, but make sure parents apply to children. I also use DEET wipes or lotion for faces.

NEBRASKA EXTENSION

anywhere because they can bite through clothing.

HOW TO PREVENT BITES • Perform regular and frequent tick checks daily. After coming in from playing outside, take a shower and check for ticks. Even though there are repellents labeled for ticks, they often will latch on around the ankles and climb upward to the scalp or other place where there is no repellent. Checking is always the best way to prevent bites because you can find them before them embed and engorge. Wearing white, tucking socks into long pants when hiking and wearing permethrin-treated clothing (not for skin!) can be helpful.

• To repel mosquitos, use EPAapproved repellents such as DEET, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or picaridin. For kiddos, use lower

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BITES OR FIND A TICK ON YOUR BODY • If you get bitten by a mosquito, treat topically. Some people have more severe reactions to any kind of bites (like me). And I usually apply Afterbite or baking soda or hydrocortisone 1% for the itching. You can also try ice and even Benadryl if your doctor says it’s safe.

• If you find a tick on your body or that of your child, it must be removed as soon as possible to prevent any illness. It usually takes 24 or more hours of attachment to transmit a disease from the tick. Get pointed tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Hold firmly and steadily pull the tick straight out, trying to remove the entire tick from the skin. After it is removed, put the tick in a zip-top bag and place the bag in the freezer so the tick can be identified if there are issues later. Do not flush it! Wash the skin with soap and water, disinfect and monitor the area for any secondary reactions.

Monitor health for fever, lethargy, chills, aches, etc., for a few days, and if there are any out-of-the-ordinary reactions, call your physician and reference the tick bite. Many remedies will result in a prescribed antibiotic.

• As for the removed tick, if you are in Nebraska, take a clear picture and submit it for identification. Green is one of the administrators of a Facebook page called “Tick Tag Go.” They identify photos of ticks and also help put people’s minds at ease. Not all cause Lyme disease.

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DIY PLAYGROUNDS 7 low-cost backyard ideas TEXT Katie Krause, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

T

his is usually the time of year when city parks and other outdoor activities for children are bustling.

But this summer, many families are looking to create more opportunities in their own backyards.

While large play sets are lots of fun, they might not work well for everyone.

There are many other play settings that can be added to your outdoor space.

But which ones do you choose? What is worth the time, money and space in your yard?

When considering those questions, be sure to include the whole family in the discussion. Children are more likely to be engaged and interested in something that they have a part in creating.

This is also a great way to teach them about brainstorming and how we might have a lot more ideas than we can implement.

You also don’t need to do everything

at the same time. Make a plan, and then prioritize the elements you want to introduce. If you add them in increments, you will be able to see what your children enjoy and how they are using the space.

Here are a few ideas for low-cost play areas.

Natural construction – Provide scrap wood, tree stumps, slices of tree limbs (tree cookies), sticks and branches and similar materials for children to use for building.

Digging area – Instead of (or in addition to) a traditional sandbox, create a space for digging in the dirt. Add a little peat moss or sand to help make heavy soil a little lighter.

Digging tools and containers – Gather up unused kitchen containers and utensils such as metal and wooden spoons, spatulas and bakeware. Let children use these in the sandbox or the digging area, or to create a mud kitchen!

Balancing logs – Keep an eye out for logs and stumps. They’re perfect for creating a backyard balancing or obstacle course. Look for someone cutting down trees in your neighborhood, or call an arborist or your local city maintenance department for leads on where to find the raw materials.

Vine tepee – Use 6- to 8-foot bamboo poles or PVC pipes, connected at the top, to create a tepee about 6 feet in diameter. Plant vining plants such as runner beans or purple hyacinth beans to create a fun “hiding spot” for children.

Play decks – These are small decks that are free-standing and much smaller than a traditional deck. Children love to sit on these to play or use as a stage.

Shade – Don’t forget to provide some type of shade for hot summer days! Take advantage of existing trees or structures to create temporary shade using fabric or sails.

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July 2020

Find tHe forces That FlOwer OU r WoRld

This summer, go on a fun scavenger hunt with your family! Explore Lauritzen Gardens and discover bees, butterflies, beetles and other creatures that make our gardens grow!

TIM E D TIC KETS RE QU I RE D Reserve yours and get more information at LauritzenGardens.org

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Summer Reading Program June 1–July 31, 2020

Presented by the Richard Brooke Foundation

All ages can read or listen for 10 hours to receive great prizes!

Visit omahalibrary.org to learn more & register.

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