December 2021 - January 2022

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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Contents

22 Connecting the Dots Local mom Miriam DeWitt just became a U.S. citizen. Learn about her journey from Nicaragua to Kentucky.

26 Parenting with Style Latanya Carter is making her dreams come true, launching a children’s fashion brand. Don’t miss her inspiring story!

30 Spreading Joy Meet Carter Hoagland, the Owensboro teen behind one of Owensboro’s best Christmas lights displays.

IN EV ERY ISSUE

8 From the Editor 9 Around OBKY 10 Parent Profile

KE EPING IT REA L

12 Real Life with Lora Wimsatt The seasons are stories.

14 Hashtag MomFail Writer Jamie Johnson explains the eight rules you need to follow this Christmas.

MAKING IT

16 Craft Time Don’t miss this cute Christmas tree pine cone craft—easy to make and doesn’t take a lot of supplies!

18 Recipe Get into the holiday spirit with two adorable—and easy—recipes that are sure to be a crowd favorite!

December 2021 // Januar y 2022

20 Celebrate Make a new tradition going into 2022! Memory boxes are a fun way to preserve memories that you can revisit at the end of the year.

D ISCOV ER

34 The Book Nook Enjoy all the pleasures of the holidays: special food, special people, and special time with special books.

36 “New” Math vs. Old School Parents Discover why “new” math might be the best thing for your student.

38 What is Mindfulness?

Dive deeper into mindfulness in the first of a three-part series.

40 Styling Family Photos for the Holidays Three tips to help get that perfect shot for the family Christmas card!

SPECIA L SEC T IO N

43 Planning for the Future Discover tips and strategies for planning for a successful future for you and your family!

OUT & A B O U T 54 Events Calendar Our list of fun things to do around town this season!

57 Christmas Lights Map Your guide to viewing Christmas lights in Owensboro!

58 Kids Meal Deals Check out these local kids meal deals!

FROM OU R REA D ERS

60 Merry Christmas Photos submitted to our Facebook page sponsored by Owensboro Health!

64 Say What?

We asked: “What’s the craziest thing your elf has ever done?”

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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BEHIND THE SCENES

EDITORIAL DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY

“

I’m most grateful for the childlike wonder of Christmas. My two big kids are getting older, but with having their little brother now, we get to celebrate the holiday with that special Christmas spirit all over again.

”

EDITOR

Ashley Wedding CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Katie Albers Christina Dalton Jamie Johnson Gail Kirkland Laura Murphy Jacqueline Jordan Russell Katy Tierney Melody Ann Wallace Lora Wimsatt Nicollette Vizuet

I’m grateful for time spent with family and friends. We see so many different family members that we don’t get to see as often as we like and it’s nice to spend some time together, even if its only for a few hours.

”

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Andrea Roberson Monica Tapp STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jamie Alexander

DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

“

The number one thing I am thankful for this holiday season is good health!

”

Dave Mackey

Do you have a story idea? We want

To add your business or organization

to hear from you! Email your suggestion

to our distribution list, give us a call at

to ashley@tannerpublishing.com

“

WHAT ONE THING ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

888-304-5416.

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Brock Quinton Robert Williams

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Owensboro Parent is a FREE magazine because of community support.

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PUBLISHER

Jason Tanner PO Box 9503 Owensboro, KY 42302 888-304-5416

TANNER PUBLISHING CO.

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“

I am grateful for my family and the time we get to spend together.

”

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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BEHIND THE SCENES

from the editor I am not a fan of the cold.

OP THROWBACK

Can you believe that in our first Christmas issue of Owensboro Parent in December 2011 we were giving you all the details of Smothers Park? Next year will mark a decade of our community’s favorite park and downtown crown jewel.

I have been known to turn the heat on in our house once the temperature dips below 70. After September, I can almost always be found wrapped in a blanket. The seat warmers in my car stay on year round and I often dress in 3+ layers.

But as much as I hate the temperatures dropping, I do love what winter brings.

DID YOU KNOW...

The excitement of children wishing for a blanket of snow and the subsequent joy if the accumulation means a day of sledding and snowman building rather than going to school.

Editor Ashley Wedding and her family have made the holiday lights map an annual tradition?

She and her husband, Drew, and their kids pile into their car, hot chocolate and blankets in tow, and drive around town, marking down their favorite stops. She compiles the list and our talented team turns it into the Christmas Lights Map for your family to enjoy!

Cozy nights cuddled together on the couch watching a movie. (At our house, this usually means going through our annual list of Christmas movies.)

More sweet treats baked for the holidays, complimented by hot chocolate or coffee flavored for the season.

CONGRATS, LAURA!

Owensboro Parent writer Laura Murphy welcomed her fourth child, Judson, last month. We are so excited for her and her family!

MEET OUR COVER FAMILY!

Mario and Nicollette Vizuet have two boys, Braxton, 3, and Beckham, 2. Mario is a Wealth Advisor at Old National Bank and Nicollette is a blogger and social media influencer. Be sure to follow this adorable local family on Nicollette’s platform The Frivolous Fashionista.

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The peaceful twinkle of Christmas lights in a quiet house after the kids are asleep.

Less daylight that means less on the to-do list that means more time together—doing nothing special, but with those that are most special to you.

But most of all, with winter comes two of my favorite holidays. Christmas, where we celebrate the birth and promise of Jesus, and New Year’s Eve, where we anticipate all of the possibility and excitement of a new year.

I hope this season you are able to enjoy the beautiful things winter means for you and your family. If you are like me, you could do without the sub-zero temperatures. But even the bitter cold seems worth it if it means the warm memories you will make with those you love the most.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Owensboro Parent!

AROUND OBKY

LIBRARY ADDING HOTSPOTS AS ANOTHER MEANS OF CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY

Student Spotlight:

The Daviess County Public Library is adding hotspots to its wide array of public services. DCPL will receive roughly 100 hotspots along with several Chromebooks and iPads, courtesy of the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF).

The ECF is a $7.17 billion program that assists schools and libraries in providing tools and services to communities to enhance virtual learning during the pandemic. Qualifying patrons can complete a survey/application attesting that they would not have internet access without the funding.

DCPL will place roughly half of the hotspots in “worthy homes,” with 50 still available for rent. Those interested in renting a hotspot must have a library card and be in good standing to take advantage of the program.

WHEATGRASS OFFERING HEALTHY OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN AT LOW PRICE

Wheatgrass Juice Bar recently announced smoothie options for kids for $1.99 — a price point that is designed to be attainable for most families. Business owners Connor Minogue and Jared Bradley simply wanted a healthy snack option that could compete with low prices at fast food chains.

“This means anyone from anywhere, from any walk of life, in most any financial situation, can come into the juice bar and get a smoothie for their kid,” Minogue said. “Not only a smoothie, but one that isn’t filled with sugar and syrup.”

The juice bar recently changed some menu items, adding the kid’s smoothie option in two different flavor combinations — Cheeky Chimp and Purple Penguin.

“Mostly what we did was change the names, add a few killer smoothies and food items, and created a more inviting layout,” Minogue said.

“But my most favorite thing we did was change the price of the kid’s drinks. Our kid’s smoothies are now cheaper than a McDonald’s milkshake.”

“

Avery O’Bryan is a third grade student at West Louisville Elementary School.

Avery is compassionate and kind. She’s a leader in her classroom as she is always willing to help a friend.

Avery is also a World Series Champion! Her softball team, Kentucky Chrome, recently claimed the title in Birmingham, Alabama.

OWENSBORO PARENT WRITER FEATURED IN SONIC COMMERCIAL What came first, the grilled cheese or the burger?

That debate was the center of a recent Sonic commercial starring former Owensboro Parent writer Jamie Rafferty, her daughter Brynna Rafferty, and her brother Matt Daniel. Jamie said she got the opportunity after responding to an NBC casting call for a reality show.

After she applied, Rafferty grabbed her daughter and brother to join her for the filming in the local Sonic to film their audition video.

When Sonic called Rafferty and said they could come to the Nashville set to film, they spent 5 hours filming commercials for two products — the banana milkshake and the grilled cheese burger.

Once the commercial was released, Rafferty started receiving messages from friends and family all over the country. Although she did not get a speaking part on camera, she said her family got to shine with the chemistry between her brother and daughter.

”

- Teacher, Erinn Williams

“

Salem Smith is a fourth grade student at Estes Elementary School. We have been blessed to have Salem in our classroom this year. He is one of our many star students. Salem is always participating and being respectful to others.

”

- Teachers, Krystal Ray and Will Broady

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AROUND OBKY

PARENT PROFILE

Brad & Marilyn Rhoads TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF: We have five children, ages 22 down to 11.

With four girls and one boy in four different schools, things are never dull. We both work for Grace Marriage, helping people in their marriages and equipping churches with marriage ministries. Prior to Grace Marriage, Marilyn was a counselor and then a stay-at-home mom. Brad practiced law for 22 years.

AS PARENTS, WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO FOCUS ON/PRIORITIZE OUR MARRIAGES? One of the best things you can do for your children is to model a life-giving, fun and close marriage. First, it creates a great atmosphere of love and grace in the home. Second, it will have a major influence on what type of marriage your children will have someday. It isn’t always true, but often “the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Allowing the demands of parenting and the worries of life to squeeze out fun times together as husband and wife is draining, unwise and dangerous.

If you are an empty nester or don’t have kids, having an amazing marriage makes everything about your life better. Plus, it sets an example and influences everyone around you. To influence culture, we must model thriving and lasting marriages.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SINGLE OR DIVORCED PARENTS? The first piece of advice we would have is: “Hang in there.” Parenting is tough when you have two parents in the home.

If you are having a hard time and feel overwhelmed, you are normal. Give yourself grace and seek out and accept help. Also, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). If you are in Christ, don’t let your past hinder today or your future. As a friend of mine tells me, “Be a windshield guy, not a rear-view mirror guy.”

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WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE IN RAISING YOUR CHILDREN? Watching them hurt! We had about three years of child health crisis. The pain of watching your children suffer and not being able to fix it feels unbearable. Loss of sleep, shingles, heart cath – just a few of the joys of enduring that tough season.

GREATEST JOY? The greatest joy is just being able to enjoy five amazing children. I love going to games with them, hanging out, watching television, and just watching them in life. Our lives are so much richer because of our five children.

We only have our kiddos in the home for a short period of time. I’ve heard it said, “the days go by slow, but the years go by fast.” So, put your phone down and savor the time you have.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR OTHER PARENTS? The best piece of parenting advice we got was this: “Don’t miss the joys of parenting trying to be a good parent.” I was advised to delight in my kids and enjoy them. I was told to make sure that no one wants to spend time with them and do things with them more than you.

This was so helpful.

I have heard it said, “You are their parent, not their friend.” Well, I have learned that, taken literally, this can backfire on you. The piece of advice to enjoy my kids took a lot of pressure off and freed us to just have a blast with them. I’ll leave this question with a bit of wisdom my mentor gave me, “Whoever is the kindest has the most influence.” He told me that “if no one likes your kids and is as nice to them as you are, ultimately, you will be the one that has the influence.”

I was told that “parenting is the modern-day black hole.” Whatever you do, it is not enough. Most live in a place of “condemnation parenting.” They never feel they are the parent they ought to be. I think it would help a lot of parents to relax, praise God, and enjoy their children.

In no way does this diminish the importance and role of discipline. However, love, fun and delight need to be primary. OP

L O C A L PA R E N T S A N D G R A N D PA R E N T S

Photo by Jamie Alexander

Keeping it Real

R E L ATA B L E S T O R I E S F R O M

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KEEPING IT REAL • REAL LIFE WITH LORA WIMSAT T

What will we remember from this Christmas?

Written by Lora Wimsatt

D

id you get everything you wanted for Christmas?

Did your kids receive every gift they had written on their wish lists?

Were you able to find every single item that all your family and friends asked for?

Were your “Secret Santa” gifts a hit with the Bunco crowd?

Were your kids’ “$5 gift for a boy/ girl” a success in their classroom?

Did you navigate the Black Friday sales when they started online way back in September to snatch up all the “must have” items and get them loaded into your cart and checked out before they went out of stock?

Did Amazon, UPS, FedEx, the Post Office and Santa’s sleigh deliver everything on time? … Does any of that even matter?

A week from now, a month, a year, 10 years, 50 years from now, when we think about Christmas 2021, what will we remember?

Oh, it might go down in history as the year with the disrupted

supply chains, the year with delayed deliveries, the year when all the hottest items were out of stock before Halloween and were never available again. Maybe it was even the year the porch pirates nabbed something off your doorstep.

But will we really remember Christmas for what we didn’t get?

Instead, maybe we can remember this as the Christmas when Grandma got to hold her great-grandchild for the first time.

The year your aunt finally confessed that the secret ingredient in her famous dessert is crushed Twinkies.

The year your uncle, husband and son-in-law managed to get through the entire dinner without anyone starting a political argument that ended with someone grabbing his car keys and someone else slamming a door and everyone else staring at their plates in awkward silence.

The year your teenage daughter – the one who rolls her eyes and

heaves huge sighs of “attitude” at pretty much everything – insisted on hanging the frayed, faded felt snowflake she made in kindergarten in a prominent place on the tree, because it was “tradition.”

The year your son sacrificed screentime with his online gaming community in order to patiently teach his adoring younger cousin how to play checkers … and let him win.

The year you and your husband exchanged meaningful glances from across the room as your youngest child set up the nativity scene, crowding all the pieces close around the manger “because they want to see the Baby.”

Maybe this will be remembered as the year that Christmas was more than gifts and grabbing and greed.

Maybe this will be remembered as the year Christmas was …

Christmas.

And you realized that was everything you ever wanted.

OP

LORA WIMSATT is a mother, grandmother and writer. She enjoys the everyday blessings and adventures of life, especially her family.

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December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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KEEPING IT REAL • HASHTAG MOMFAIL

8 Rules for

Christmas with Kids Written by Jamie Johnson

I

love Christmas. I am that person who puts up her Christmas tree earlier than most sane humans. I actually enjoy wrapping gifts. I enjoy any day of the year where I am allowed to eat copious amounts of ham. And even though my love for Christmas does not spur me to buy gifts in a timely manner and I wait until the week of Christmas to start purchasing presents, I am still obsessed with the holiday.

There are only a few days of the year when I let my kids do whatever they want, no questions asked. And one of those few days is Christmas.

To maintain my sanity during this day, I lower my expectations a significant amount and try to go with the sugar-induced flow while having a minor panic attack.

Here are the eight rules for Christmas with kids, especially if you have young boys like I do.

THERE IS NOT A TIME THAT IS “TOO EARLY” TO EAT CANDY. You get a chocolate Santa the size of a newborn baby? Eat up kiddo. You want to pour your stocking onto the floor and attack the Sour Patch kids? Go ahead. You want to dump a whole package of M&Ms in your mouth at one time? Good luck with that one kid.

THEY ARE ALLOWED TO SCREAM AND SHOUT INSIDE. Are you so excited that you got the newest

You are allowed to cuss two times, but you can’t complain after the initial cussing. Normally by then, the pain has subsided.

Nintendo Switch game that you scream? Go ahead little man. Did you receive that gift that your parents swore they weren’t going to get for you? Shout it so the neighbors can hear.

NERF GUNS IN THE LIVING ROOM ARE FAIR GAME. Let’s preface this by saying I hate Nerf guns.

NO CLEAN UP NECESSARY. Normally, I would be trailing behind the kids with a trash bag because that’s who I am as a human. But not on Christmas. I sit in one spot on the couch and watch the mania unfold.

There are always a thousand darts all over my house and one always hits you at the

STARTING THE MORNING WITH A

worst moment. So my normal reaction is

MIMOSA HELPS.

to yell at the boys to go outside when I see

You could also go with a bloody mary if

a Nerf gun. But not on Christmas. They are

that’s your jam. A small bit of alcohol takes

allowed in the living room. Don’t worry, all

the edge off when your children are playing

of our breakables have been in storage for

with their new toys that make noise, like

the last seven years.

NO COMPLAINING WHEN YOU ARE

ALL TOYS COME OUT OF THEIR BOXES IMMEDIATELY. Cardboard flies into the air like confetti.

I like to keep some scissors handy to free the toys from the multiple plastic tethers holding them into their boxes. Six hours later, I’ll have one monster truck out of its box.

NO COMPLAINING WHEN YOU STEP ON A FORGOTTEN LEGO.

HIT IN THE HEAD WITH A NERF DART. This goes for children and adults. And yes,

that police car that plays the COPS theme song. You can thank their favorite uncle for that one.

Some people think I’m crazy for allowing this madness to occur in my own

you will be hit in the head with a Nerf dart.

living room. Some days, I am also that

Just try to dodge them while you drink your

person. But I feel like we should let the

coffee and marvel at all the Christmas joy.

kiddos have a few days a year where they

And slightly panic because it looks like a

can just be kids. Give it a try this year. You

Christmas bomb went off in the living room.

can thank me later.

😉

OP

JAMIE JOHNSON is a full-time working mom to two little boys, wife to Logan, and part-time writer. Her pieces have been featured in HuffPost Parents, Motherly, Today Parents and PopSugar Moms. You can follow her blog at HashtagMomFail.com!

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ENJOY TOGETHER

Photo by Jamie Alexander

Making it

CRAFTS, RECIPES, AND ACTIVITIES FAMILIES CAN

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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MAKING IT • CRAFT TIME

T

hese sweet little decorations couldn’t be easier or more affordable! And as an added bonus, your family can spend a little time in nature collecting the necessary materials!

Our family picked up these pine cones after a great day out on the farm this fall. We grabbed a few up with the intention of making something with them later.

Needing to keep two active kiddos busy on a Sunday afternoon after church, I grabbed the pine cones and told them we were getting in the Christmas spirit. This craft was pretty hassle free and kept the kids occupied for about an hour.

HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL NEED: ›› pine cones ›› paint ›› pom poms or other decorations

(here’s your chance to get creative) ›› paint brush ›› hot glue gun ›› wooden circles (optional)

Simply paint the pine cones green, or opt for a colorful craft and go bold with fun colors! Once the paint is dry, add white paint to the edges of the pine cone for a flocked look. Next, it’s time to decorate. We opted for simple, colorful pom poms, but you can use ribbon, pipe cleaner, fabric, even glitter if you are brave!

Attach the pine cone to a wooden circle to create a tabletop decoration.

Happy crafting, friends!

OP

Easy Pine Cone

Christmas Trees Written by Ashley Wedding // Photo by Jamie Alexander

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If you make these adorable trees, be sure to tag a photo of them on our social media accounts! We would love to see them!

ASHLEY WEDDING is the editor of Owensboro Parent. She enjoys everyday adventures with her husband, Drew, and their three kids, Avery, Reed and Mason.

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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M MA AK K II N NG G II T T •• R RE EC C II P PE E

New Year’s Confetti Dip Recipes & Photos by Jamie Alexander

If you’re looking for an easy party recipe for kids, this confetti dip takes only minutes to make and is definitely kid-approved! While you may be familiar with a version of this recipe using cake mix, it can be risky eating unbaked mixes due to a possibility of bacteria.

This recipe only takes a few more ingredients and is just as tasty, and most importantly worry-free. A great treat to ring in the new year with as much colorful confetti as possible!

INGREDIENTS: ›› 1 8oz. package of cream cheese, softened ›› 1/2 cup powdered sugar ›› 4oz. (1/2 tub) of Cool Whip ›› 1 tsp vanilla extract ›› 2 tablespoons of vanilla creamer (could substitute with another cookie or sweet cream type of creamer, or heavy whipping cream) ›› Rainbow sprinkles for “confetti” ›› Cookies/fruit of your choice to dip!

INSTRUCTIONS: ›› Using a stand or electric mixer, beat cream cheese, creamer, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and combined. ›› Fold in Cool whip until completely combined, then place in the refrigerator until ready to serve (at least 15 min). Add lots of sprinkles to the top right before serving!

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Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats It’s the most wonderful time of the year for baking! These festive holiday treats require very little time and just a few ingredients. They can be wrapped and given as gifts (but are tasty enough that you might just want to keep them for yourselves). Kids will love helping you decorate Santa’s flying friends!

INGREDIENTS: ›› 1/2 stick butter ›› 10 oz. mini marshmallows ›› 6 cups rice cereal ›› 2 oz. white chocolate baking melts ›› 16 pretzels (or chocolate covered

pretzels) ›› M&Ms (for noses - brown and/or red) ›› Candy eyes INSTRUCTIONS: ›› Grease 8-inch round cake pan ›› Melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Add marshmallows and stir to combine with butter, allowing to melt completely. ›› Remove the pot from heat and gently mix in cereal until it is all completely coated. ›› Transfer the mixture into the prepared cake pan and press into an

even layer. Allow it to cool. While treats are cooling, melt white chocolate according to package instructions. ›› Lift the cooled treats out of the pan by running a spatula around the edges, then flipping the pan over on a platter.

Cut the treat into eight even triangles (like you would a pizza). ›› Spread a small amount of the melted chocolate on the candy eyes, pretzel “antlers,” and M&M noses to decorate each reindeer. Allow to harden then serve!

OP

JAMIE ALEXANDER is nationally published culinary and commercial photographer working as a full-time staff photographer for Tanner Publishing. She has a knack for making tasty food and pretty art. See more of her portfolio at jaastudios.com.

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MAKING IT • CELEBRATE

Celebrate With

A NEW YEAR’S TRADITION Article and photo by Jacqueline Jordan Russell

A

s the new year approaches, it’s nice to reflect on all the little moments that made this year special. Whether it’s big milestones and events, or funny things your kids said, it’s important to cherish those memories. If you want to be more intentional about celebrating special moments, try a new tradition and create a memory box!

Sit down with your family on New Year’s Day and write down a few wishes for the year ahead. Put them in your memory box (or jar) and then add special memories, photos or even tiny souvenirs to the collection all year long. Making a habit of this is a great way to find joy in everyday moments and practice intentional gratitude - even on difficult days.

Then on New Year’s Eve, read them all together and relive your favorite moments from the year.

To start your tradition, you’ll need a container to collect your memories. You can use a box and have the kids help decorate it, or keep things simple with a jar and tie a few ribbons around it to make it fun!

Keep your box or jar somewhere where you’ll see it every day. Place notecards with a pen nearby so that you can quickly jot down the memory, fold it up and slip it right into the container.

Keeping the process simple and quick will help you keep up with it throughout the year. You could even make a point to write your notes at family dinners.

We write down the special events, birthdays, trips, and everyday memories as a family.

Beyond notes, you can add small items that remind you of special memories or events that take place. Try adding tiny

photographs or keepsakes from special days out or family events. Jotting down any funny things the children say or do to look back on would be extra special too!

Anything could be included in your memory jar, but here are a few ideas to get you started: ›› A photo or souvenir from a special family day out ›› Shells from a beach trip ›› A baseball from a ball game ›› Ribbons the kids earn ›› Brochures from a place you visit together ›› Photographs of the family together ›› Funny things the kids have said ›› A letter to another family member

›› A quick note about a funny event on a scrap of paper ›› Special recipes that have memories attached to them ›› Special stickers the kids bring home from school ›› Tickets from an event ›› Something that really made you smile ›› A good deed someone has done Include anything that makes you happy, makes you laugh or makes you reflect! There are no right or wrong things to add to your memory collection, so add whatever memories you want to treasure throughout the year.

Happy celebrating!

OP

JACQUELINE JORDAN RUSSELL is a marketing specialist, freelance writer and photographer. She has a passion for celebrating every day moments and basically leaves a trail of confetti wherever she goes.

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December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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Connecting the Dots

A local mom’s journey from Nicaragua to Kentucky Written by Gail Kirkland

Listening to her story unfold, no doubt God’s hand was beautifully and strategically connecting the dots from a young age until the moment she took a deep breath, prayed “God, let’s do this” and walked into the immigration office.

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M

iriam DeWitt was very young when a gentleman working as a missionary from Germany offered to be her mentor— which meant he would pay for all of her education from elementary school through college. That was no small offer, especially for this impoverished Nicaraguan girl, who was cleaning, cooking and caring for her siblings as well as her extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents), several generations all living together in sparse housing—concrete floors, metal walls and showers from a bucket of water. “I have two siblings, but back home you have one house and it’s about 20 people living in that same house, so I always liked to cook.

I was cooking for everybody about three times a day,” Miriam said.

This man had come to visit her aunt, who was actually cooking for him and a group of other missionaries. He was there checking on a group he already mentored, but looking for a second group of kids to mentor. “I was there playing with a ball. I remember it like yesterday, and it was me and my older sister. It was not tough for me to say that I want something different,” Miriam said. That encounter led to him mentoring Miriam, her sister and two

other girls. “So, he said, ‘You girls can have everything you need . . . but the only rule you have in here is no drugs, no drinking and no getting pregnant,’ so for me and my sister, we were like OK, we’ll take it,” she said. “I had someone to step into my life who wasn’t my dad, but he stepped into my life like a dad, to take care of me and my sisters . . . He taught me the value of learning.”

Keagan DeWitt went to Nicaragua in 2010 on a short-term Partners in Christ mission trip. Miriam was already graduated from college and had accepted an opportunity to oversee the Transition House (a branch of Partners in Christ). She was serving as a house mom for the college girls living there, mentoring and teaching them basic life skills. “I did have someone pay for my classes, so I wanted to teach this group of girls that everything we get, we do not take it for granted,” she said.

The girls, along with Miriam, were volunteering with a PIC project. Although she was busy with the girls and didn’t notice him, Keagan certainly noticed her. “If I weren’t dating so-in-so, I would date and marry her,” Keagan told another intern from Day 1.

Miriam did not speak English; however,

Keagan spoke Spanish (3 years in high school). That communication, much prayer and many trips to Nicaragua over a 4-year span led to their marriage in 2014, which secured Miriam’s first Green Card. Connect a few more dots.

“God was in it the whole time, because of the speed of things. She had her work authorization within two months, which should have taken six months to a year. She had her Green Card a month after that, so at that point, she’s good for the next three years,” Keagan said. Once that Green Card expires, you must apply for a 10-year Green Card. “We applied for that one. When we initially applied for her first Green Card, we had a stack of pictures and evidence showing it was a legitimate relationship, because they want to see dates; they want to see when you were together, marriage certificates, all the documentation. For the second Green Card, we were able to send proof that we had a house together, a kid together, so that helps speed the process.

Then, you must have your Green Card for five years before applying for citizenship,” Keagan said. Miriam actually waited seven years. It’s an expensive process.

She had begun working at Bullet’s Pawn

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Photos provided by the DeWitt family

Shop (corner of 18th Street and J.R. Miller) after receiving her work visa and temporary Green Card. “At first, I did not think this was my calling,” Miriam said. However, after a series of other bank and office jobs, she had an epiphany: The pawn shop was where she wanted to work. “I’ve been there for the last 3 years, and I’m not going anywhere. I love it. My boss at the store has been a blessing,” Miriam said.

Working at the pawn shop allows her to pay it forward, to help others who need advice or assistance with immigration questions or paperwork, with acquiring their Green Cards. Her boss appreciates that she can communicate with their Spanish-speaking clients, assisting them in ways other employees cannot.

24 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

So how did Miriam develop such strong English? “My first year, I was so frustrated. I couldn’t communicate,” she said. Keagan pushed her to learn English, to begin communicating in full sentences, to absorb as much English as possible from multiple sources: music, television, books, others. She didn’t take any classes; she immersed herself in the challenge to learn the language—and learn she did. Now, she fluently speaks both English and Spanish, in addition to sign language.

Still, she had not applied for her U.S. citizenship. “So, this is how God moves,” Miriam said. A Mexican customer came into the pawn shop and wanted to talk with her. He asked her in Spanish, “Are you a citizen?” She told him she was not, but he

urged her to get her papers in order. He had heard that Latinos were being pulled over by law enforcement and being sent back home. Even though he, too, is married to an American, he was almost sent back home.

Granted, there could be more to his story; nonetheless, “For him to talk to me and God using him to scare me was enough,” Miriam said. Immediately after that conversation, Miriam prayed: “God, if this is time for me to apply, you open doors. If not, you close those doors right now. I know you are going to provide time, money and everything—if this is your time.”

Provide he did. That same day, Miriam’s immigration lawyer met her after work.

Application for citizenship costs $1,300, which they did not have. Four years earlier, when Keagan began his ministry at Owensboro Christian, Nancy and David McCollough heard Miriam’s story and had offered to cover any expenses for Miriam’s citizenship if she chose to apply. When she called to ask if they were still interested in helping, Nancy put the call on speaker so David could hear the conversation. “Don’t worry, we will take care of it. I’ll bring that check, Sunday,” Nancy said. Connect more dots.

Typically, the wait for an interview would be15-18 months. One week after Miriam applied, she was scheduled for a September 24 citizenship interview, which coincidentally was their son Cruz’s birthday. This was moving at light speed.

Miriam had less than a month to prepare for the interview, to study 100 citizenship questions. “They actually ask 10 questions, and you have to get 7 out of the 10 correct, but you don’t know the 10 you’ll get out of the hundred; it’s random,” Keagan said.

Her lawyer was astounded that Miriam’s interview was that soon; another client, a priest, had been waiting 14 months.

Her boss encouraged her to use any spare time at work to study.

Her sister, visiting from Mexico, went to Louisville with them for Miriam’s interview at the U.S. Customs and Immigrations Services. Miriam was beyond nervous. She took a walk but could not sleep that night.

In her mind, she began praying as she approached the interview office. “OK, God, you have me. You have brought me here to this point. You know your job; I know my job.

Let’s go get it done. Since I was little, I don’t know how I wasn’t kidnapped or sexually abused or alcoholic or drug addict. I don’t know how I didn’t hit any of those points in

my life,” Miriam said. As she walked to her interview, all of these thoughts and prayers were swirling through her mind.

If you do not pass the interview, the whole process begins anew, including full payment for another application.

Her sister and Keagan were not allowed to go inside with her. She arrived early and was the first one called. After 6 questions, the interviewer jumped to the next section of the process; she expected a seventh question. Miriam had gotten all the questions correct. “I started crying, and I said this is the best present. It is our son’s birthday today,” she said.

What started in August had come to fruition less than two months later. “I still cannot believe it happened that fast,” Miriam said. The Oath of Allegiance ceremony was October 21, in Louisville. Sixty-three people from 51 different countries, including the priest who had such a lengthy wait, received their citizenship that day—yet only one from Nicaragua.

“I am thankful for this country. It has taught me a lot. It is a lot of good things in here. I never thought that I could have my own house. I never thought I could be married to a man that would really take care of me. I am blessed. Keagan has been awesome. His family . . . since the beginning, I have called them mom and dad. I told them you have to be my mom and dad, because I do not have one here. I would not change anything I’ve been through for this. Nothing,” Miriam said.

OP

GAIL KIRKLAND is retired from DCHS, where she taught journalism and English. She is a mother of twins, a Meme, and sports enthusiast.

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26 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

PARENTING WITH STYLE Written by Laura Murphy // Photo by Quinton Robinson

O

wensboro Native Latanya Carter is no stranger to the fashion world.

Her earliest memories appreciating a great piece of clothing date back to elementary school when she was often voted best dressed in her class.

One of her first jobs included working at Cato Fashions before leaving for the University of Louisville, where she majored in communications.

Years later and now based in Atlanta, her creative passion would lead her to start her own business, Jaxson Jace Clothing (JAX), named after her son Jaxson, who is now 4 years old.

According to her website, their vision is to design and embrace current trends in the fashion world for children.

“Fashion has always been a passion of mine,” Latanya said. “I did styling for a while in Atlanta—it just wasn’t it. To wake up everyday, it didn’t motivate me as much as this clothing line. I found my niche with this line.”

In October 2020, when Latanya launched the children’s clothing line, the world was in the middle of responding to the pandemic.

What might have initially seemed like an inopportune time to start a business, was actually a very successful first year with JAX. With more people shopping online, offering customers an online clothing store was well received.

“I couldn’t really do photo shoots because

no one was traveling; it was really hard,” Latanya said. “We had to get creative so we got little apps on my phone to take pictures of the clothes.”

Though Carter may have faced a few obstacles along the way, she loves setting a good example for her son.

“I’m a full-time mother and a single mom. I want to leave a legacy for him,” she said.

One of Latanya’s favorite parts of the business is meeting the different parents and appreciating how supportive they have been.

“I have heard stories of how I inspired other single mothers. I don’t have an investor. I do the shipping— I do everything for my business and that’s what’s fulfilling for me,” Latanya said.

In addition to selling her unique pieces online, Latanya hosts pop up shops in Lexington and Atlanta, and now offers select pieces in a store in Deluth, GA. Her online presence includes a website, Instagram and Facebook page.

“Atlanta has more opportunities and I’m able to network with others and get in rooms with other people to get our product out there,” Latanya said.

The clothing line offers unisex clothing in both toddler and youth for sizes 2T-Youth XL. Through the use of baby influencers on Instagram, Carter has a unique group of children who can model the pieces for social media platforms.

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“

It's crazy to think how scared I was to try something new - starting a business. One year ago, I decided to take a leap of faith, amid a global pandemic. I am forever thankful for your support and believing in me. It means everything to me.

”

“I have all my family in Owensboro so I travel back and forth to Atlanta. I have a mentor in Lexington that has his own clothing line and we learn from each other. He travels to Lexington and Atlanta as well,” Carter said.

In October, when Latanya celebrated the one year anniversary of Jaxson Jace Clothing, she came home to Owensboro for a unique photo shoot in honor of the children who helped her as she got started.

“We took the different kids I knew in the neighborhood and in the family. We started from the ground up. I usually take my own pictures but for the one year photo, I hired a professional photographer,” Latanya said.

As far as future plans, Latanya would love to continue to expand.

“I want a kid’s store,” she said. “That’s what I’m working towards right now. Not the typical store— one with playthings, where parents can shop, kids can enjoy themselves, not just pieces you can purchase anywhere.”

In response to the community support, both locally from family and friends in Owensboro, to customers who come from all over, Latanya took to social media to thank her supporters.

“It’s crazy to think how scared I was to try something new —starting a business,” Latanya wrote.

“One year ago, I decided to take a leap of faith, amid a global pandemic. I am forever thankful for your support and believing in me. It means everything to me.”

For more information and to see Latanya’s clothing line, visit www.jaxsonjace.com.

OP

LAURA MURPHY is an eighth grade LA teacher at Daviess County Middle School. She has three kids who keep her life interesting; Jonah, Lily, Josiah and Judson. She survives on Grape Spark, Jon Gordan books and all things Grumpy Cat.

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T

Carter Hoagland

SPREADING JOY Written by Melody Ann Wallace // Photo by Jamie Alexander

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here is something almost magical about climbing into the car during the winter holidays and driving past rows of houses decorated with thousands of twinkling lights.

It soothes the soul, the inner child, and has a way of putting one in the Christmas spirit.

Kentucky Wesleyan College freshman Carter Hoagland has found joy in this tradition since he was 10 years old. Over the past eight years, Hoagland has transformed that joy into a passion that makes life a little brighter for those in his family and his community.

“Ever since I was little, I always put up Christmas lights with my dad and my grandad,” Hoagland said. “Seeing all the decorations on the houses driving by, I just fell in love with it so I just kept buying more and more. I kind of started getting addicted to putting up Christmas lights.”

For the past eight years, Hoagland has been hanging Christmas lights and creating displays for his parents and grandparents. His passion for the sparkling bulbs is so strong, in fact, that when Owensboro followed the state-mandate stay-at-home orders during the spring of 2020, Hoagland gained local attention for unpacking his Christmas lights and spreading a little joy throughout the community.

“He just loves lights,” said Hoagland’s mother, Krista Niehaus. “He’s our local Griswold — he really is.”

During the 2020 holiday season, Hoagland created a light display that included a one-ofa-kind Christmas tree farm complete with a handmade wooden walkway and 16-foot tall mega trees.

“From the minute he turned on the lights at 4 p.m., kids would spend hours on the wooden walkway,” said Niehaus, recalling the reaction of the neighborhood children.

This year, Hoagland said, he has even bigger plans in store for his Christmas light decor, including a 12-foot archway over the driveway and a fish pond made entirely of lights.

“I built more walkways to walk through my yard because I saw how much the kids loved it,” Hoagland said. “I’m having a ‘pond’ run under the walkway. I’ve always wanted to cover the yard in lights...I did that with a stream running through the yard.”

He added to the pond aesthetic by creating ‘fish’ made from bent wire and strings of

lights, along with added rebar for stability.

He also plans to place reindeer around the stream for a more realistic look.

Hoagland, admittedly a bit of a perfectionist, begins putting up his first lights on Nov. 1 and does not turn them on until Dec. 1, to ensure they are all in proper working order. He said he has also learned a lot by trial and error, including plugging the main lights and extension cords indoors to avoid outdoor power outages due to rain, and using a timer to keep the electric bill low.

“He’s taught himself,” Niehaus said.

“He’s always loved using his hands to build; he could spend hours building legos as a kid.”

While Hoagland relies on his own creativity to construct his light displays, he credits his dad and granddad for his gift.

He has also drawn inspiration and support from other Owensboro homeowners who create lavish Christmas displays.

“All the little kids that go by, and the cars that go really slow, reminds me of when I was little,” Hoagland said. “It brings me joy to see all of that.”

Although Hoagland accomplished his goal of being listed on the Owensboro Christmas Light Map in 2020, at the age of 18, he still has an even bigger dream on the horizon.

“One goal I’ve always had is the Great Christmas light Fight,” Hoagland said, “I want to be on that show. That’s my ultimate goal — to have the greatest light display in the world.”

The seasonal ABC Television show features families across America who “decorate their homes to the extreme for Christmas” in order to “compete to win a cash prize and the coveted Light Fight trophy.” The cast and crew of the show made an appearance in Owensboro in 2014 to film the Lashbrook home in Stonegate. Hoagland said, while he hasn’t met the Lashbrook family in person, he is inspired by their work. He said the idea for his handmade walkway was inspired by the walk through fireplace scene at the

Photos provided

by Carter Hoagland

Stonegate home.

Even though Hoagland still has a long way to go to accumulate the over 200,000 lights used at the Stonegate home, he adds to his collection each year.

The

19-year-old

college

student heads out the door at 5 a.m. the day after Christmas armed with a list of lights and decorations he hopes to find at a discounted price.

“He writes down the colors, the bulbs

that are burnt out, and he manages his money,” Niehaus said. “He plans weeks ahead of time and pays for every bit of it on his own.”

Hoagland, who is a member of the KWC soccer team and continues to maintain a 3.75 GPA, worked two jobs until his freshman year of college. Now in his sophomore year, he mows lawns each

Fun Facts: Number of lights used:

BETWEEN 50,000 - 75,000 Number of extension cords used:

75

summer to earn money and spends $2,000 to $3,000 of it on Christmas lights and

Favorite light:

decorations, with a small portion going

LED BLUE LIGHT

towards Fourth of July and Halloween.

“We’ve worked very hard for everything

we have and that’s what we’re trying to teach him,” Niehaus said. “He’s figured out how to do this passion with his own hard work and dedication and I’m so proud of him for that.”

If you would like to view Carter’s Christmas light display, his home is located at 2451 Hillbrooke Parkway.

OP

MELODY WALLACE is a mom, stepmom and seventh grade language arts teacher at College View Middle School. She runs on caffeine, good deeds and the inspiring stories of others.

Favorite decoration:

7-FOOT 6-INCH TALL REINDEER Favorite handmade design:

MERRY CHRISTMAS SIGN

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32 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

Discover

ADVICE AND TIPS ON H OW TO M AKE PARENTING AN D L IFE EASIER

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DISCOVER • THE BOOK NOOK

Sweet Reads about Sweet Treats Enjoy all the pleasures of the holidays: special food, special people, and special time with special books.

Written by Katie Albers

Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar?

By George Shannon An important reminder to not take for granted all of the hands that are required to put cookies into the cookie jar.

Who Made this Cake?

By Chihiro Nakagawa Explore the idea that cakes could be made with modern building equipment.

The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs

by America’s Test Kitchen Kids For kids who are ready to take on more responsibility in the kitchen, this book gives stepby-step instructions for making delicious family favorites.

Practical tips and a variety of recipes make this a book your young chef will return to again and again.

Stir Crack Whisk Bake

by Maddie Frost A fun introduction to baking cupcakes. Instructions for interacting with the book make for a silly and satisfying read.

Peanuts Holiday Cookbook

by Various Writers Peanuts characters and comics inspire the simple and kid-friendly recipes included in this book. Includes ideas for holiday treats all year round.

A World of Cookies for Santa

by M. E. Furman Travel the globe with Santa learning about the different treats that are left for him around the world. Includes recipes for traditional cookies from the route.

OP

KATIE ALBERS grew up in Owensboro and loved words so much that she became a school librarian and even alphabetized her family: Josh, Katie, Lance, Mallory, Noelle, Oaken, and Polly (the cat).

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DISCOVER

New Math vs.

Old School Parents Written by Katy Tierney

M

ost of us raising children right now grew up somewhere between the late 70s and late 90s, when school was a place where we went to memorize lessons. You know, when hanging out with our friends in the hallway or at the high school football game was our main priority, cliques most definitely a thing and landlines were our main form of communication.

Back then, the world just seemed a little smaller and a little safer.

But just as the times have changed, so has learning and along with that was a major shift in curriculum to the common core standards. A big part of the common core curriculum that I see posted about all the time on my friends’ social media pages is none other than “new” math. But if we take a second to really stop and think about it, new math is actually a really great concept and teaches our students a great deal about mathematical understanding. As a fourth grade teacher, I see my students apply the concepts they learn in math to other subjects like science, reading and in everyday life.

The point of the common core standards was to help students better understand the WHY. When you and I were in school, we memorized, memorized and then memorized just a little bit more. Multiplication facts, math algorithms, long division, and so on. But can you say that you truly understand what all those algorithms are for, how

they are used and where else they can be applied? Probably not. I wouldn’t be able to if it weren’t for the fact that I teach it everyday. I’m going to break down the four major operations— addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—and explain how the new math is really helping our students.

them. We build these concepts to focus

Addition and Subtraction:

begins in second grade when students

These two operations are all about place value and number sense.

It’s understanding that when I subtract, I don’t borrow from the next place value. (I mean, are you ever giving it back?!) I’m exchanging. I’m exchanging one ten for ten ones, or one hundred for ten tens.

When we add, we give more to the place value to the left. It’s building the number up and making it bigger. So, every time we reach ten, another digit goes to the place value to the left.

I teach my students strategies and develop these skills from the concrete to the abstract. We start with numbers to 20 until we finally reach the millions in fifth grade. We start to recognize patterns and uniformity among numbers. We teach kids to strategically think about numbers and compose and decompose

on their function. Without a strong number

sense,

students

ultimately

struggle to apply mathematical concepts and reason to all the topics that follow.

Multiplication and Division: The

concept

of

multiplication

start looking at patterns of repeated addition. This understanding leads us into the idea of multiplication and that multiplication is a number repeated numerous times. Of course, we want to teach students to be more efficient and multiplication is a great way to do that. We then start building their understanding of multiplication and division and how they work together. The foundational concepts of multiplication and division lead students to a better understanding

of

fractions,

area,

volume, surface area.

The idea is to master skills

throughout each grade level so that students can build their knowledge and understanding of all operations. It’s not about the memorization in the beginning, it’s all about the understanding.

OP

KATY TIERNEY is a third grade teacher at Estes Elementary. She and her husband, Daniel, have two daughters, Harper & Tilly. Her large, extended family and career always keep her on the move. She loves reading with her daughters and spending all the time she can with her family and friends.

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DISCOVER

What is mindfulness?

W

hat do Emmy Award-winning Oprah Winfrey and the Navy’s Seal Team 6 have in common? Some say they both invest countless hours practicing a specific type of mindfulness. Have you heard of mindfulness? This is a concept that might be new to you or it might be a buzzword that you keep hearing. This is the first in a multi-part series diving deeper into the benefits of mindfulness.

We will discuss ways you can use mindfulness to improve your mental health as well as your children.

People have a tendency to link mindfulness with meditation. When you meditate, this can be an impactful way to practice mindfulness, but there is so much more to mindfulness than meditation alone. No matter what you are doing, you can do it in a mindful way using three steps.

Jon Kabat-Zinn is a professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Some people call him the godfather of modern mindfulness. I look to him when sharing a definition of what mindfulness is.

“The awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the

Written by Christina Dalton

present moment and non-judgmentally.”

You might be saying to yourself but what does that mean to me? The first part to think about is paying attention on purpose. Our lives are in constant motion. We try to multitask every day, but when do we ever stop and pay attention on purpose? We often forget to check in with ourselves. When you practice mindfulness, you are able to view life situations with the full awareness of your thoughts, emotions and actions. You see how one directly impacts the other.

For me, paying attention on purpose allows me to see things that I’ve never seen before, to the benefit of myself and children under my care.

Being in the present moment means not thinking about what happened this morning, what you need to do this afternoon or what might happen tomorrow. When you practice mindfulness your goal is to be in the present moment. See how clear your focus is by giving all your attention to the present moment, now. Picture everything you see, everything you hear, smell, feel and taste. Appreciate the present moment because it is truly a once

in a lifetime event.

It is in our nature to judge, whether that is ourselves or others. Some judgments help us, but others leave us feeling drained and exhausted. By being judgemental, you are missing out on all the information. Acknowledging this allows you a non-biased perspective. It is not until you practice this behavior that you can see how many immediate judgments you already made without knowing it. Mindfulness helps us to drop those automatic judgements and create new relationships with our inner thoughts and feelings.

Mindfulness is being present in the moment, without judgement, and on purpose. Imagine a world where you can teach your children to live everyday for the rest of their lives being present in the moment, without judgement, and on purpose. Allow yourself to be open to the benefits this practice yields. In this multipart series you will continue to discover how mindfulness can impact physical and mental health. This is just the beginning of a conversation on mindfulness. Be sure to check out part two in the next issue of Owensboro Parent!

OP

CHRISTINA DALTON, MSSW, CSW is a Family Resource Center Coordinator for Daviess County Public Schools.

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DISCOVER

Styling Family Photos for the Holidays Written by Nicollette Vizuet

T

he crisp fall air here in Kentucky can only mean one thing - it’s family photo season. Between scheduling a photographer, wrangling your little ones and convincing your husband you “need” another round of family photos, coordinating outfits might not be at the forefront of your mind. Rest assured, you probably have a little bit of everything you need in your closets!

COORDINATE, NOT DUPLICATE Isn’t it a rite of passage, at some point in your childhood, to have photos with your siblings in identical outfits?

You know, like the ones where everyone is dawning a white turtleneck and light wash denim? Ours is still proudly displayed over my grandmother’s mantle. I’m a huge proponent of not putting everyone in the exact same outfit. Coordinating, not duplicating, is key! Picking a color scheme will help avoid clashing, but still allow freedom for everyone to wear what they love. You can usually shop your own closets to establish color combinations!

dress? Pull a color from that and put your partner in solids. Keep the same level of formality throughout each outfit. My babies are most likely to cooperate when they’re comfortable. Mario thrives in a button down and formal outfits. When it comes to cooler temps, I like to plan for a nice sweater and the most comfortable dress pants we can find for the kids.

accessories the day before. My little ones

WHO WEARS WHAT?!

Chances are, my crew just wants to be told what to wear and what time to be ready.

The guys usually aren’t too concerned about their outfits, making planning much easier on my end. Select something you love and plan the family attire based on that. Printed

COME WITH A FUN ATTITUDE! No one wants a forced smile hanging in their living room! Bring the excitement and get a genuine laugh from your crew while getting photos. Planning ahead avoids frustration when getting ready the day of. Lay out each outfit and coordinating

happier if we wore the other outfit option.”

respond best knowing there’s an incentive afterwards, so something like candy or Play-Doh waiting in the car is always a plus.

Turn on a fun playlist, ask your husband to bust out his best dad jokes or include your pet to keep everyone smiling.

No one looks back at family photos and

thinks “wow, we probably would have been …Well, unless you’re all in the matching white turtlenecks. My point being, enjoy the day. When you make it fun, it shows!

Play your favorite song, dance along, wear something that shows your personality and just be yourselves!

Enjoy this read? Follow along with Nicollette Vizuet on her blog and social channels!

Instagram: @nicollette.vizuet Blog: TheFrivolousFashionista.com Facebook: The Frivolous Fashionista

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planning for the

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

future

After a difficult year, 2022 is finally here!

Parents, take this time to rest and enjoy your family, but also prepare for the new year. Take the time to be ready for the future and make the most of your family resources.

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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE EDWARD JONES

Why Should You See a Financial Advisor?

T

he social distancing and stay-athome orders necessitated by the coronavirus have led many of us to feel isolated. Still, we’ve fought back through social media, “virtual” gatherings and walks in the neighborhood, where we could greet friends and neighbors (from 6 feet away). But when you’re dealing with the financial effects of the virus and you’re investing alone, you could encounter some problems that may prove costly.

Of course, with so much investmentrelated information available online, on television and in any number of periodicals, it’s not surprising that some people feel they can invest without any assistance. But the volatility of the financial markets over the past few months has also pointed to the dangers of going solo in the investment world.

And you might find that a professional financial advisor can help you in several ways, including the following:

Taking emotions out of investing.

During this period of market turbulence, many self-guided investors are letting their emotions drive their investment decisions. As a result, they sell investments when their price is down, “locking in” their losses.

Furthermore, if they then stay out of the financial markets, they will miss out on the eventual recovery – and some

of the biggest gains in market rallies usually occur right at the beginning.

But if you work with a financial advisor who has helped you develop a personalized investment strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, you will be far less likely to react to extreme market conditions by making ill-advised decisions.

Maintaining perspective. When you’re putting away money for the future and you suddenly have a lot less of it, you might start to wonder if that future is somehow in jeopardy. But if you’ve been working with a financial advisor and following your investment strategy, you’ll know that you don’t have to immediately cash out those investments that have lost value, and you may not need to liquidate them for decades if they were designed for a long-term goal, such as retirement.

By the time you do need to sell them, their value may well have appreciated significantly. And if you’ve got a wellconstructed portfolio, you’ll also own shorter-term, less volatile investments to help meet your current cash flow needs.

Understanding the history of investing. The recent market instability is unique in the sense that its cause – a world-wide pandemic – is so highly unusual, and it hopefully will be a oncein-a-lifetime experience. Typically, prolonged market downturns are triggered by explainable financial or economic factors, such as the bursting of the “dot-com” bubble in 2000.

However, market drops of 20 percent or more – generally referred to as bear markets – are not at all unusual and have happened every few years over the past several decades. Financial advisors are well aware of this history and share it with their clients. And for many people, the knowledge that “we’ve been here before” is reassuring and makes it easier for them to continue following their in vestment strategies.

The road to your financial goals is a long one, with many twists and turns. So you might like to have some experienced company along the way.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

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PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

3 WAYS TO GET YOUR FAMILY

more organized A

big part of ensuring your family has

tackle your everyday obstacles so that

yourself up to three, then four. Once you

a successful future is conquering

you can start setting your family up for

get the hang of it and find the system

the everyday battles. It’s hard to

big picture wins.

that’s right for you, you can progress to

plan your family’s long-term goals when you are worried about what to make for dinner tonight, how the house will ever get clean or solving the puzzle of how

whatever is the best fit for your family.

MASTERING THE MEAL PLAN Start small.

Map out your menu.

This may seem really basic, but putting

to get each kid to their extracurricular

If you’re a meal planning newbie, don’t

pen to paper makes all the difference

activities.

bite off more than you can chew. Start

when it comes to implementing a plan.

by planning two meals a week and work

It doesn’t matter whether you use the

Here are three strategies to help you

46 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

notes section of your smartphone, a

Cook in bulk.

your family. If you’re having trouble

blank notebook or pad of paper, or a

One of the benefits of thinking ahead

with both mental and physical clutter,

pre-designed meal planning pad from

and planning your meals is that you

you might want to consider setting up a

Amazon. Use a combination of TikTok,

can make extra of a recipe, so you have

family command center. The following

Pinterest, social media posts from

enough for leftovers another night or

family command center ideas can help

friends or wherever to start adding to

to freeze for a busy week. The little bit

you reclaim some sanity and start the

your menu. And if that doesn’t work for

of extra time it takes on that day of

year off organized.

you, find an app that will help you plan

cooking is more than made up for when

out your menu. I’ve used eMeals before

you have a defrosted meal on the table

and loved it!

in no time.

Get a grocery game plan.

Take a night off.

Once you have your menu set, make

You don’t have to meal plan for every

your grocery list to go along with it.

night. Give yourself some grace and

Keep your grocery list on your phone

understand that it’s OK to take a night

and organize it based on the layout of

off and treat yourself to your favorite

your favorite store. For those that opt

restaurant.

for curbside pickup, keep track of your cart as you need them. Making a list

CREATING A COMMAND CENTER

also helps avoid those impulse buys

It can be hard enough to keep track

just because something looks good or

of your own schedule and belongings,

is on sale.

much less those of everyone else in

grocery list by adding things to your

A clock A family calendar or schedule Key rings A chalkboard or dry erase board for leaving notes and reminders Hanging wall files for mail, bills or important paperwork Wall files to hold kids’ permission slips, workbooks or homework assignments Clipboards or a magnetized area where kids can show off artwork, good test grades and school photos (limit this to one item per kid to avoid clutter) Shoe rack or bins

FOUR THINGS TO ACHIEVE

FINANCIAL SUCCESS

1. Time is an ally. The longer you wait, the more you’ll need to invest annually. Start now.

2. Control Debt. Look for low and constant interest rates for the life of debt, which allows budgeting for priorities like retirement.

3. Have an estate plan. Estate planning addresses living wills, health care directives and durable powers of attorney.

4. Diversify. Different types of investment assets rarely move in unison; don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. does not provide legal services. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss.

Article provided by Baird for Hobgood Wealth Advisors at the Owensboro office of Robert W. Baird & Co., member SIPC. They have 80 years of combined financial services industry experience and can be reached at 270-297-3485 or jedge@rwbaird.com.

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

47

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Hooks for coats, scarves or

STEP 1:

STEP 2:

backpacks

Before you can write a realistic

A chore checklist

cleaning schedule for your home, you

A binder filled with coupons A space for your meal plan The school lunch menu

A CLEANING SCHEDULE YOU’LL ACTUALLY STICK TO Cleaning have

to

consuming

be

your

home

a

daunting,

chore.

The

doesn’t time-

key

to

managing household duties quickly

Group the jobs into how often they need to be done – grouping by frequency makes sense for cleaning

need to know what you have to do to

because then you can allocate time

clean it in the first place. It sounds

for them much more easily. This will

obvious – but most of us haven’t ever

give you a much better idea of what

sat and thought about all the jobs that need doing – we are much more reactive and get what needs doing done when we have time. The trouble with this is that things can easily get missed, and you can feel stressed

you will need to do each day/week/ month/season.

STEP 3: Evaluate your time and make a schedule. We always overestimate what we can get done in a set amount of time, which can so easily lead to

and efficiently is to design an easy-

because it never feels finished. Go

disappointment – so really think

to-follow routine that includes all

around your home and for each room

carefully about all aspects of your life

the most important tasks. Follow

write down everything that in an

when looking at what time you have

these step-by-step instructions for

ideal world you would clean. Also

creating a customized whole-home

write how often you would want to

start to allocate the jobs from your

cleaning schedule.

clean it ideally.

list onto specific days.

available. In your mind, work through your typical weekly schedule, and OP

HOW TO SET YOUR CHILD UP FOR

FINANCIAL SUCCESS

Whether you’re teaching finances to your kids, grandkids, or those of a loved one, it’s essential to teach children how to manage the money they have. Start by teaching your children about spending. Children need to recognize that purchases cost money and that they can’t just buy everything they want. They must learn to plan ahead so they can afford everything they need, showing them why budgeting is a necessity. Next, teach about the importance of saving and setting goals.

It’s important for children to understand that saving is actually the secret to getting what they want. In order to do that, they need to recognize the concept of saving with a purpose. Try teaching that creating and sticking to goals is key. Finally, one of the best ways to set your child up for financial success is to open a savings account for them and encourage dialogue about financial health.

48 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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50 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

PAID ADVERTORIAL OWENSBORO HEALTH

HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON

With the holiday season approaching and COVID-19 cases continuing to rise across the country, make sure you and your family are able to have a healthy holiday.

Follow these tips to stay healthy through the holidays.

GET YOUR FAMILY VACCINATED. Vaccines are our best protection.

All three available vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) are safe and effectively reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.

Booster doses of the vaccine are available for individuals at higher risk.

Children as young as five years old can now be vaccinated. Before celebrating with family, make sure that everyone who can be vaccinated is.

Schedule your vaccine today at OwensboroHealth.org/Vaccine or find other locations at Vaccines.gov.

Follow Owensboro Health on

Facebook for updates to vaccine availability and other COVID-19 updates for your region.

CELEBRATE WITH SAFE ACTIVITIES. Large gatherings present a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, but there are lots of lower-risk activities families can do: Take drives to look at Christmas lights in your neighborhood or at organized light displays. Owensboro Health is sponsoring a free night for the community at Christmas At Panther Creek, the annual holiday drive-thru light display on December 9.

Have a cookie swap with neighbors or friends! Organize participants and have each person drop off their goodies on the doorstep of another participant!

This way, everyone gets a treat!

Find joy in giving. Take time to donate to food pantries, toy closets and angel trees to help those most in need.

Send holiday cards. You can send traditional cards to friends and family, but to make things extra special, have your kids create cards to send to nursing homes and children’s hospitals and spread extra cheer.

Have a Christmas movie night!

Grab the blankets, pillows and snacks and watch your favorite classic Christmas movie. You can even do a quick internet search and find a list of movies to make it a marathon.

Send a letter to Santa. Grab the kids and write a letter to Santa from the whole family.

ADJUST YOUR HOLIDAY GATHERINGS. Keep gatherings small. The more people at your gathering, the higher the risk.

Indoor activities where people

from different households mix are a higher risk for everyone—especially for unvaccinated individuals. Hold your gathering outdoors if possible.

Serve food and drinks in individual servings instead of “buffet style” and provide hand sanitizer in multiple locations.

Face masks are recommended at

gatherings where not everyone has been vaccinated.

Because vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals can carry COVID-19 without showing

symptoms, wear a mask when around people who are vulnerable to more serious outcomes if infected with COVID-19.

STAY HOME IF YOU MIGHT BE SICK. It might feel disappointing to miss out on a holiday party, but it will feel worse if you are responsible for spreading the virus to other partygoers.

Do not attend celebrations or participate in activities if you feel sick, or if you have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19 - especially if you are not fully vaccinated.

BE VIGILANT. Monitor your family for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days after participating in any festivities.

Pay special attention from days 3-7, when people are most likely to develop symptoms.

If you had close contact with someone who later tests positive, you should get tested and stay home to quarantine if you’re not fully vaccinated. If you do not feel well, or if you test positive, stay home to isolate yourself regardless of your vaccination status.

BE FLEXIBLE. Have a conversation with your family members to set expectations about celebrating. Be considerate of other family members that may be more or less comfortable attending gatherings.

OP

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and testing, visit OwensboroHealth.org.

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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52 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

Owensboro Dance Theater’s Nutcracker // Photo provided by ODT

Out & About

EVEN T S AN D ACTIVITIES FOR OWE NSBORO FAMILIES

HOLIDAY FUN GUIDE! December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

53

OUT & ABOUT

1

CHRISTMAS AT PANTHER CREEK 5 - 10 P.M. THROUGH N E W Y E A R’S DAY PANTHER C R EEK PARK

{

Daviess County Parks & Recreation will be putting on Christmas at Panther Creek for the 18th time this year. The holiday light display allows vehicles to drive through a large area of the park to see thousands of Christmas lights and outdoor decorations on display. Admission is $5 per vehicle.

2

Energy on Ice D E C EMBE R 3 FROM 6 - 10 P.M. D E C EMBE R 4 FROM 1 - 9 P.M. D E C EMBE R 5 FROM 2 - 7 P.M. - MOV I E N I G H T - A C H R I S TM A S S TO RY

D E C EMBE R 10 FROM 6 - 10 P.M. D E C EMBE R 11 FROM 1 - 9 P.M. D E C EMBE R 12 FROM 2 - 7 P.M. - MOV I E N I G H T - P O L A R E XPR E S S

D E C EMBE R 17 FROM 6 - 10 P.M. D E C EMBE R 18 FROM 1 - 9 P.M. D E C EMBE R 19 FROM 2 - 7 P.M. - MOV I E N I G H T - C H R I S TM A S VAC AT I O N OWEN S B O R O CON V E N T ION C E N T E R

{

Energy on Ice is a portable ice rink installed on the Kentucky Legend Pier at the Owensboro Convention Center. This outdoor skating experience includes festive holiday lighting, music, food and drink concessions, skate rentals, and outdoor seating for spectators. Energy On Ice is sponsored

by Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Atmos Energy, Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, and the Staton Family Foundation. For more information, visit owensborocenter.com

54 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

3

Holiday Photo Night D ECEMB ER 3 F R O M 5 - 8 P.M. SM OTH E RS PA RK

{

Bring your family downtown to Smothers Park for free professional photos by Wonder Boy Media with Christmas backdrops!

Get a photo with the new iconic blue bridge lit up with your favorite Christmas colors in the background or have your family miraculously transported into a winter wonderland.

4

FRIDAY AFTER 5 CHRISTMAS EDITION D ECEMB ER 3, 10, 17 F R O M 5 - 8 P.M. H OL IDAY INN OWE NSBORO RIVE RF RONT

{

Enjoy food and drinks and the sounds of the holidays with live music.

5

Holiday Stroll D ECEMB ER 4 F R O M 12 - 9 P.M. DOWNTOWN OWE NSBORO

{

Join us in Downtown Owensboro for special Christmas shopping in local shops and downtown dining after the Christmas tree lighting event! At 5 p.m. will be the annual lighting of the Smothers Park Christmas tree!

6

DANCING LIGHTS F RI DAY, SATURDAY & SUN DAY E V E NI NGS I N DEC EM BER F R OM 5 - 9 P.M. S MOTHER S PA R K

{

The City of Owensboro will unveil brand new dancing lights at Smothers Park. Holiday lights will transform the center portion of Smothers Park in downtown Owensboro into an interactive holiday light show. Every 15 minutes, lights will dance to a different classic Christmas carol. It is a spectacle that you won’t want to miss!

7

Lanham Brothers Jamboree DE C EMBE R 4 AT 7 P.M. BLU EGR A S S M US I C H ALL OF FAME AND M US EUM

{

Brothers Randy and Barry Lanham celebrating roots music, clogging, and Kentucky arts with the Lanham Brothers Jamboree. The Lanham Brothers Jamboree Christmas Show is a fundraiser for Volunteer Owensboro.

9

Reindeer Run D ECEMB ER 4 AT 8 A.M. SM OTH E RS PA RK

{

The 7th Annual Care Net 5K Reindeer Run/Walk is a family-fun event open to runners and walkers of all types so grab your family members, friends, or co-workers and join the fun! This race will be a timed event for the purposes of awarding winner divisions. Participants are encouraged to come dressed in Christmas attire (ugly sweaters, Santa hats, bells, fun socks, etc.). Visit with Santa, enjoy hot chocolate, and win door prizes as we kick off the Christmas season. Children 7 and under can participate in the Reindeer Dash. It’s a short dash down the main event strip. Dress your little one up in Christmas attire and enjoy a fun dash with Santa to the finish line.

8

THE NUTCRACKER DE C EMBER 4 AT 7 P.M. & DE C EMBER 5 AT 3 P.M. R I VE R PA R K C EN TE R

{

The Nutcracker has been delighting audiences for 28 years, becoming a staple for so many during the holiday season. The Nutcracker offers something for everyone to love and enjoy; showcasing the skills of ODT’s Company and Apprentice Company, 4 professional dancers, and over 120 community members.

10

Hot Chocolate Hop DE CEMBER 10 F R O M 5 - 9 P.M. DOWNTOWN OWE NSBORO

{

Enjoy the second annual Hot Chocolate Hop! Various local downtown businesses will be selling different specialty hot chocolate drinks. While you’re strolling downtown, check out the ice sculptures along Second Street or take a ride on the Brew Bridge Trolley!

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

55

OUT & ABOUT

11

Breakfast with Santa D E C EMBE R 11 F R OM 7:30 - 10 A.M.

{

OWEN S B O R O CONV E N T ION C E N T E R

Guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and your choice of juice, coffee or hot chocolate at the 4th annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Owensboro Convention Center. Santa and Mrs. Claus will mingle with children and be available for free photos. Letters to Santa will be accepted as well. All attendees will be required to wear a mask or facial covering except while seated and eating at their table. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Children 2 and under will get in free. Family packs of four tickets are available for $32.

14

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS D ECEMB ER 13 AT 7 P.M.

{

B LUEGRA SS M USIC H A L L OF FA M E

Steven Curtis Chapman is bringing the holiday spirit to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame! In a career that has spanned over 30 years, Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history with 59 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, five Grammys, an American Music Award, 49 No. 1 singles and more than 11 million albums sold.

15

Santa’s Sweets D ECEMBER 17 F R OM 5 - 9 P.M.

{

DOWNTOWN OWE NSBOR O

Satisfy your holiday sweet tooth with some indulgent specialty treats from downtown restaurants and businesses.

12

SANTA AT REID’S ORCHARD D E C EMBE R 11 & 12 F R OM 1 - 3 P.M.

{

Santa Claus will be paying a visit to Reid’s Orchard! on Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 from 1-3 p.m.

Parents, bring your kids and camera to get some great Christmas photos.

13

Home for the Holidays D E C EMBE R 11 AT 7 P.M.

{

R I VE R PA R K C EN T E R

Come Home for the Holidays to enjoy this jolly and festive celebration! This concert promises to mesmerize listeners with traditional favorites and fresh new works, including selections from The Nutcracker, Scrooge and everyone’s favorite…White Christmas. The Owensboro Symphony Chorus and the Youth Orchestra will perform heartwarming holiday favorites too. Celebrate this annual holiday tradition with your Owensboro Symphony.

56 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

16

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DOWNTOWN SCAVENGER HUNT DECEMB ER 18 F R O M 10 A.M. - 8 P.M.

{

DOWNTOWN OWE NSBORO

Graphics depicting all 12 Days of Christmas will be hidden downtown- look up, look down, look all around (just like you did as a kid trying to find where your parents hid the presents!) You will get a map that morning to help you start your search and then find clues on Facebook throughout the day.

17

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas DECEMB ER 21 AT 7 P.M.

{

RIVE RPA RK CE NTE R

Do you remember the first time you heard the Christmas sounds of Mannheim Steamroller? You can again celebrate the holiday magic of Mannheim Steamroller in 2021 when they bring their annual holiday tour to fans throughout the country. While 2020 was the first year the group was unable to tour in 35 years, 2021 will reunite the #1 Christmas music artist in history with its legion of long-time fans. Experience the music that has become the hallmark of the holidays and a tradition for multi-generational families: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas live in concert in 2021!

6

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2021'S MUST-SEE

Christmas Lights!

1. CHRISTMAS AT PANTHER CREEK PARK A drive-through tour around the park featuring 500,000 lights; Just a $3 donation to drive through.

2. HOLIDAY IN THE PARK AT LEGION PARK Go walking in the winter wonderland.

3. CHRISTMAS IN STONEGATE The Lashbrook’s house might be the crown jewel, but many others in the neighborhood also decorate.

4. STROLL DOWNTOWN From Santa and his reindeer on the RiverPark Center mezzanine, to the tree at Smothers Park, to the Convention Center — downtown is decorated to the max.

5. GRIFFITH AVENUE Many houses along both sides of Griffith Avenue have elaborate decorations.

6. 5627 HIGHWAY 405 Just a little drive out in the county, but worth it! This house is just a little way down 405, which is just before you get to Yellow Creek Park. You can even pull over across from the house in the Yellow Creek Baptist Church back driveway in order to get a better look!

7. 6110 MILLERS MILL This house in the county has an elaborate lights display. It's just a short distance off of Hwy 54 and worth the drive!

8. 3104 HARNESS LOOP Decorations surround this house, filling the front yard, both side yards and the back yard as well, which can be seen off Fairview Drive behind CVS. Pull into Harness Loop

off Stirrup Loop and tune into the FM station on the sign in the front yard to experience the synchronized light show.

9. 2451 HILLBROOKE PARKWAY This is a can’t-miss display all designed by a local student! Check out the story on page 30!

Owensboro Parent reader submission: 10. CARLSBAD LANE, OFF OF REID ROAD Grinch Stoppers Installs: 11. 4545 WEXFORD CROSSING 12. 4620 HUNTERS RIDGE 13. 4423 WILDERNESS TRACE 14. 1531 FREDERICA STREET (THE HEIRLOOM)

Grinch Stoppers is a division of Grime Stoppers that provides custom designed Holiday Lighting to Residential and Commercial consumers. When we light your home or business, we lease you all the lighting, cords, timers, wreaths, and garland you desire.

We custom cut them to fit your roof, install them, maintain them, and take them down after the holidays for a stress free experience. We wish you a Merry Christmas! 270-313-9844 December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

57

OUT & ABOUT

kids

meal deals

EVERY DAY

Huddle House – 1 free kids meal when

O’Charley’s – Free kids meal (ages 10 & under) with the purchase of adult entrée

you spend $6.99 or more on adult

MONDAY

McDonald’s – $1.99 Happy meals from

Grandy’s – 99¢ kids meals with the purchase of an adult meal

4-7pm; dine-in only

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn - Up to 2 kids eat free (ages 10 & under) from 4-9pm with adult buffet purchase

entrée

WEDNESDAY Burger Theory (located in the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront) – Free kids meal (ages 12 & under) with purchase of an

Zaxby’s – Up to 3 99¢ kids meals with the purchase of an adult meal from 5-8pm

adult meal; breakfast, lunch & dinner

THURSDAY

Huddle House – 1 free kids meal when you spend $6.99 or more on adult entrée

Dairy Queen (Frederica Location) – Up

TUESDAY

Trunnell’s 54 Deli – 1 free kids meal

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s – $1.99 kids meal (ages 12 & under) all day

with the purchase of a signature

Denny’s – Up to 2 free kids meals with an adult meal purchase

to 2 $1.99 kids meals

sandwich

SATURDAY Lure Seafood & Grille – Free kids meal

Fazoli’s – Up to 3 99¢ kids meals with the purchase of an adult entrée

with purchase of adult entrée

Freddy’s – Free scoop or cone with the purchase of a kids meal on Family Night. Kids can enjoy coloring pages, crayons, balloons and stickers!

Wheatgrass Juice Bar – Free kids

Pizza By the Guy – 1 free kids buffet (ages 10 & under) with an adult purchase with a drink on Tuesdays from 5-8pm

Salsarita’s – Free kids meal with the

Pizza Hut (South Frederica location) – 1 free child buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet from 4:30-7pm Salsarita’s – Free kids meal with the purchase of $5 or more adult entrée; dine in only Trunnell’s 54 Deli – 1 free kids meal with the purchase of a signature sandwich

58 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

smoothie with adult purchase

SUNDAY purchase of $5 or more adult entrée; dine in only

Pizza By the Guy – 1 free buffet for kids (ages 10 & under) with adult purchase with a drink from 11:30am-2pm

Bar Louie – Kids eat free 11am - 7pm up to 2 kids per adult entrée; dine-in only

Beef O’ Brady’s – Free kids meal (ages 12 & under) from 4-8pm with each adult meal purchase; dine-in only

on the honor roll?

Bring your report card to these local restaurants & businesses for additional deals!

Orange Leaf – Bring in your report card and receive $1 off yogurt; a report card with straight A’s will receive a small cup free.

Ritzy’s (Both locations) – Ritzy’s has a “Scoops for Scholars” program. Students can bring in their report card each grading period to earn treats for each “A.” 1A = flavored soft drink (cherry, vanilla, or chocolate) 2 A's = single scoop of ice cream 3 A's = your choice of a hotdog, coney, hamburger, or cheeseburger 4 A's = double scoop of ice cream McDonald’s – All five Owensboro McDonald’s decided this school year that they will award a free Happy Meal to any student who gets straight A's on their report card.

Chuck E. Cheese in Evansville – A child can receive 10 tokens with a purchase if they bring in their report card.

Sky Zone in Evansville – All A’s= 1/2 off any jump.

A & B’s= $5 off any jump. Weekdays & Friday 2-7pm.

*This list is subject to change. Please contact restaurants to ensure their participation.

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

59

FROM OUR READERS

Merry C H R I ST M A S Follow Owensboro Parent on Facebook to submit your photos!

SPONSORED BY

60 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

61

FROM OUR READERS

Merry C H R I ST M A S Follow Owensboro Parent on Facebook to submit your photos!

SPONSORED BY

62 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

63

FROM OUR READERS

“Gift wrapped the potty!”

- Lily Beth, age 8 - Mallory, age 7 - Jaxon, age 5

Say What?

Our readers asked their kids following question:

"What is the craziest thing your elf has ever done?"

“My elf, Be my lunch tty Ann, made f put a jar o or school. She f bottle of k pickles and a lunchbox. etchup in my I was not h appy.”

- Penny , age 7

, - Charlotte

- Morgan, age 10 - Deacon, age 5

“When the elf drew on the eggs.”

- Amelia, age 5

s “When Gu as m t had Chris d trees an e Jingle Bella.” t called San

“Painted dad’s toenails!”

“He dressed up like Spiderman and hung from a web!”

-John, age 4

age 7

t “Lola toile r u papered o s a m t Chris tree!”

9 - Izzy, age

64 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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66 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022

December 2021 // January 2022 . OWENSBORO PARENT

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68 OWENSBORO PARENT . December 2021 // January 2022