Owensboro Parent October / November 2022

Kindness Counts

Local kids making their community better through acts of kindness

26

Co-Parenting: Chaos & Cooperation

Discover how this local family works together for the good of their kids.

30

Back To Their Roots

It's a family effort at Redeemed Heritage Farm, where homesteading and handmade items are a way of life.

35

2022 Family Favorites Awards

Featuring the businesses, people and organizations that were voted your favorite in our annual contest! Some are returning favorites and some are brand new.

EVERY

&

FROM OUR READERS

Fall

submitted to our Facebook page sponsored by Owensboro Health!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THANKSGIVING TRADITION?

We don't really have any Thanksgiving traditions other than gathering with our families and eating way too much food! But Drew, the kids and I did decide to do a gratitude jar throughout the year. We fill the jar with quick notes of things we are grateful for and open it once the jar is full. It's a way to bring a sense of gratitude all year long.

Do

EDITORIAL EDITOR

Wedding

DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY

Spending the day with family and of course, pumpkin pie!

888-304-5416.

ADVERTISING

My favorite family tradition is waking up early to decorate the Christmas tree with my mom and sister while we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

My dad makes a special dressing to go with turkey. It's not that nasty moist stuff you normally get. It's the best sausage dressing EVER! MMM.

Jason Tanner

Box 9503 Owensboro, KY 42302 270-297-1600

OP THROWBACK

We caught up with Zane, our November 2012 Cover Kid winner, who is now almost 11 years old! Not long after we featured him in our magazine, Zane became a big brother — twice! His twin brothers, Eli and Jase, were born a year after Zane's Cover Kid fame.

WRITER

SHOUT OUT!

Congratulations to Owensboro Parent resident writer Melody Wallace for not only graduating with her second Master's degree, but also being named Middle School Teacher of the Year by Daviess County Public Schools. Melody is a talented writer and has the biggest heart! We are proud to have her on our writing team.

What has Zane been up to the last 10 years? Growing up to be a pretty cool kid! He loves traveling with his family and going on adventures. He loves to write, literally writing 'books' since he was in kindergarten. (Maybe he will write for Owensboro Parent one day?!) He enjoys reading and is really into the Harry Potter series. Zane plays basketball, cheers for the UK Wildcats, loves to make new friends, is learning to play the guitar, and participates the Country Heights newspaper and in the running club.

It's so fun catching up with kids like Zane that we have featured in Owensboro Parent! Be sure to grab our next issue -- we may check in with another OP kiddo!

from the editor

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Sweatshirts, bonfires, mums and pumpkins, leaves changing colors – what’s not to love?!

I think what I love most of all about this season is that it slows us down a little, resets us and leads us into the holidays. It begins a time of focusing on gratitude and thanks… celebrating with our families and surrounding ourselves with what matters most.

We at Owensboro Parent wanted to focus on a little of that positivity in this issue too, which is why we are launching the annual Kindness Counts project. In a world where a lot of negativity surrounds us each day, we wanted to bring a little joy to our readers. Don’t miss the stories of local kids and their acts of kindness on page 22! Their stories will inspire you and remind you that this world – especially our small world here in Owensboro – is a great place to be!

Oh, and while you’re at it - check out our Family Favorites section featuring the businesses, people and organizations that were voted your favorite in our annual contest! Some are returning favorites and some are brand new. As always, thank you for voting and supporting local.

Take the opportunity to slow down a little this fall. Make the fall bucket list. Go on a family adventure. Maybe your family can spread a little kindness this season. Whatever you do, focus on being less busy and more intentional with your time. Before you know it, we will be welcoming 2023!

OWENSBORO FAMILY INVITES COMMUNITY TO ENJOY HALLOWEEN DISPLAY

Paul and Lauren Westerfield, along with their two boys Cooper and Eli, love fall and growing pumpkins. When their oldest son wanted to start putting out Halloween decorations, the Westerfield family went all in.

"We grow a pumpkin patch every year and they along with my wife help me with that and the decorations," Paul said. "All of the pumpkins we use in our yard are grown from our pumpkin patch. The boys like to help pick out decorations for us to put up. A few of the decorations out there were made by me and my son, Cooper."

This year, Paul came across a group on Facebook called Skeletons for St Jude, a nation wide organization that uses Halloween displays to raise money.

"We have always donated to St. Jude and thought this would be a perfect opportunity to use our Halloween display to raise money for them," Paul said.

The Westerfields invite the community to drive by their spooky home on Carlsbad Lane in east Daviess County.

Those interested in donating can find a link on Paul's personal Facebook page. There is also a sign with a QR code in their front yard.

"We know the yard decorations bring lots of smiles to children and that’s why we do it!" Paul said.

MEADOW LANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IS JOINING A NATIONAL MOVEMENT TO TEACH EVERY CHILD HOW TO RIDE A BIKE IN THEIR KINDERGARTEN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS.

The school is seeking help raising the remaining funds to participate in the All Kids Bike program that provides training, bicycles, and more.

“Learning to ride a bike is a developmental milestone,” said Amy Bouchard, PE teacher at Meadow Lands. “MLES is in a rural area without sidewalks and is a Title 1 school with over 71% of our students qualifying for free and reduced

CRAVENS STUDENTS LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE TO SUPPORT DEAF 2NDGRADER

Zariah Williams, a 2nd-grader Cravens Elementary Schools, was born deaf. Over the last week, she and her interpreters taught Cravens students the Pledge of Allegiance in sign language. The students’ desire to learn a new way to communicate and be more inclusive doesn’t stop there.

Cravens Principal Courtney Inklebarger said the desire to learn the pledge in sign language came from the students.

“Students are naturally curious, and so when they see somebody doing all of these things with their hands [signing], they start asking questions,” Inklebarger said.

The sign language lessons didn’t stop there. Tara Jones, a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, placed displays under common areas such as the cafeteria and gym with instructions on how to sign those words.

Zariah’s mother LeShawn Williams said she was very happy when she heard about the extra mile the school was taking to help her daughter feel included. And this single instance isn’t the only time she feels her daughter has been included in the day-to-day activities.

“They’ve been supportive. Her teacher is on the bus, and when she misses they ask if everything was okay. They’re really supportive and they care a lot about her,” LeShawn said.

LeShawn said that while Zariah is deaf in both ears, she has had a cochlear implant since she was 2 years old to help her. In addition, Owensboro Public Schools dedicated an interpreter to help her take in the lessons throughout the day.

Student Spotlight:

lunch. So, our students have limited access and resources to learn how to ride a bike.”

The All Kids Bike program, led by the national nonprofit Strider Education Foundation, is an 8-week curriculum that is aligned with national physical education standards.

Bouchard said MLES has raised $1,800 but needs to raise an additional $4,200 to cover the cost of the program.

The funding covers the curriculum, teacher training and certification, 24 child size balance bikes, pedal conversion kits, 25 bike helmets, and an instructor bike. The All Kids Bike will be an ongoing program with a 5-year support plan.

“Any donation amount towards our remaining $4,200 will be appreciated,” Bouchard said. “We are excited about this opportunity for our students but need community support.”

Mallory Albers, is a sixth grader at Daviess County Middle School. She has started sixth grade doing all the right things. She is kind to all of her classmates. She is helpful and very respectful to the adults. Her pleasant smile and eagerness to participate in every activity makes her deserving of a shout out!"

- Amy Blades, teacher

Owensboro High School student Mya Kelly recently received the National African American Recognition Award from the College Board National Recognition Program. Mya earned this recognition because of her academic achievements in school and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10 and/or AP Exams. She accomplished this milestone during an immensely demanding period of their high school career.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

Growing up we didn’t have it easy. I watched my parents struggle to make ends meet. We did the best we could with what we had. I remember boiling water on the stove to take wash ups. I remember standing in the line at Daniel Pitino shelter to eat and standing in the line at the Help Office to get assistance to keep our lights on and pay the rent.

I was out of my household at the age of 10. I lived in a group home for about a year. My bother and I had to pick clothes out of a box to wear and I didn’t have shoes, so I wore football cleats to school. Two different families (one in Chicago and one in Owensboro) took me in until I graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School and earned a full ride to play college basketball at Georgia South Western University. I ended up transferring to Kentucky Wesleyan College and played 2 years there and received my Bachelors Degree. I am the first in my family to attend college.

WHY DID YOU START BEVERLY’S HEARTY SLICE?

My mother, Beverly Owsley, was the kindest and strongest woman you would’ve ever met. She did the best she could to make sure we didn’t go without. My mother would see a random friend walking down the street and literally invite them over for a meal or send them home with a plate. She basically raised some of my friends as much as they were at our house spending the night and eating. My mother passed away in 2018 with diabetes complications.

Travis Owsley

In honor of her memory, I started a community event called Beverly’s Hearty Slice that feeds people in need every two weeks. Our mission is to help get kids off the streets, create more diversity in our neighborhood and inspire the youth.

Since 2020, we have grown to three different feeding sites in Owensboro. With the help and support of our community, we are now a 501 c3 Nonprofit. We understand how tough it is for families during the holidays, so we now host a big Thanksgiving event that supplies families with meals and a Christmas event that helps provide presents for kids. We had our first “Back to School Bash” this year, which provided over 300 back packs and school supplies for the kids. Any way we can help and give back — that’s what we’ll do!

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART ABOUT BEING A PARENT? Keeping our kid safe, healthy and providing for her daily and future needs. I had a rough up bringing so I think I put more pressure on myself trying to do everything right instead of enjoying all the beautiful moments. If there was anything I would like my daughter to learn from us it would be that nothing is given — you have to earn it, always have a good character, treat people right, have manners and always be grateful.

WHAT'S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER OTHER PARENTS? Communicate everything, make sure your kid feels loved every day, put your kid first in every situation, enjoy every moment, be present, don’t ever argue in front of your kids, watch your language. Everything else will take care of itself.

Travis Owsley is the Life Enrichment Director at Cedarhurst of Owensboro, a basketball Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College, and the founder Beverly’s Hearty Slice, a local nonprofit that gives back to the community and people in need. He and wife, Lexie Owsley, have a 2-year-old daughter named Noni.

Keeping it Real

Giving Thanksgiving Away

Thanksgiving is the season dedicated to reflecting in a spirit of gratitude on all the blessings of our lives … being thankful for the things we have.

It’s a great idea, and one that really ought not be limited to one day a year.

After all, when you really stop and think about it, most of us have quite a lot for which to be thankful: Health, comfortable homes, loving families, more than enough food to eat, a car that starts every morning, a job that allows us to pay the bills …

But it’s also a pretty good idea, while we’re at it, to be thankful for all the things we DON’T have – and that same list comes into a new light when we look at it from that angle.

Illness; maybe serious illness. Looming eviction, or even homelessness. Dysfunctional or abusive families. Not knowing where the next meal is coming

from, or whether there will even be a next meal. A broken-down car you can’t afford to fix, or one without gas, or no vehicle at all. A job that pays maximum stress but minimum wage, certainly not enough to meet all the financial obligations that are piling up.

The point here is not to heap guilt on anyone for their good fortune. By all means, give thanks and enjoy!

But especially for parents, grandparents or anyone who has a child in their lives, this holiday season opens the door for the kinds of lessons that change lives.

Kids learn what we teach them, and what better thing to teach a child than compassion for others – and being grateful for the means and opportunity to bring joy to another person, especially when done discreetly or even anonymously.

This Thanksgiving season, consider asking your children or

grandchildren to list some of the things for which they are thankful, and then challenge them to think of ways they can share their blessings with others.

Best of all, encourage your child to think of things that are not material possessions. Even the youngest child can comprehend and express appreciation for having a friend, for playing with someone who plays nicely, shares and takes turns. Those are gifts too, and worthy of gratitude, and what a great feeling to treat others in such a way that you know they are thankful to have you as their friend.

Who knows? Thinking of all the things that someone else might not have – a smile, a kind word – and then being the instrument that gives that gift … well, it might turn out that giving Thanksgiving away makes it the best Thanksgiving of all. OP

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

Fall Disasters Make Fun Memories

Written by Jamie Johnson

As leaves begin falling and the pumpkin spice emerges from its cabinet, we are reminded of the upcoming fall season. There will be cooler temperatures, sweaters, fires, Ugg boots, and Crocs with wool socks.

Other tell-tale signs of fall in Owensboro will appear. Friday night football games will begin, the kids will start planning their Halloween costumes, and Mark’s Fireworks Outlet will turn back into Mark’s Mattress Outlet.

You will begin planning all the fun fall activities that your family will do and the amazing photos you will capture that will adorn your home and social media accounts.

I do love fall with my boys. Soccer season starts and they play outside without complaining about how hot it is. We stay busy on the weekends visiting Trunnel’s and Reid’s Orchard and picking out pumpkins. We have made some amazing memories. But many of our fall activities have actually turned into complete disasters, so here are a few small reality checks.

FALL FAMILY PHOTOS

Myth: Fall family photos will be quick and easy. They will look super cute with the new sweaters you picked out for the family.

Reality: It can still get pretty warm in October, especially when wearing sweaters. The entire family will be sweating in under 15 minutes. The littlest one will have missed a nap and the older one will cry because he wants to hold a three-foot stuffed dinosaur in every picture. The family

dog will escape his leash and terrorize the nearest pedestrian.

You will end up with some funny memories and great photographs after everyone gets over the disaster that just occurred. That might take a few days.

THE CORN MAZE

Myth: Going into this corn maze with my small children is a good idea.

Reality: I love Trunnels and I love the corn maze and we go every single year, but one year that corn maze traumatized me. The baby had just started running. So, following him in a maze was top-notch fun. The oldest was deep into potty training. Five minutes in and he shouted that he had to poop. And that meant he

needed to go NOW. I had to pick him up and run my way out of the maze. I did not do a good job at that. Luckily, I was wearing tennis shoes. We had to book it to the nearest porta-potty, which was uphill from the corn maze. If you have ever been in a porta potty with a small child on a hot day, you will understand why I’m so traumatized.

THANKSGIVING DINNER

Myth: This dinner will look like Marta Stewart cooked it and my family will devour every last bite.

Reality: You will slave over a hot stove all day making a turkey and an array of sides for your family. You will put literal tears, sweat, and possibly blood into that meal. Your children

will run under your feet and stick their tiny fingers in every ingredient. They will also want to help, which is cute until you realize you actually have to accomplish something that day. You will finally pull it all together, smile at your skills, realize it might look more like Marty Stewart made it than Martha Stewart, and let everyone know it’s time to eat. Your significant other will eat approximately 75% of the meal. You will not eat anything because you are full from making and eating the food all day. Your children will eat half a roll, one bite of a green bean, three sliced pickles, and a meager helping of macaroni and cheese. They will proceed to ask for chicken nuggets or ice cream.

I hope that my fall disasters help you recall some of your own or serve as a reminder to turn autumn mishaps into funny stories and funnier memories. Enjoy your time with your little ones as much as you can! 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!

Recipes & Photos by Jamie Alexander

Photo by Jamie Alexander

ORANGE “PUMPKINS”

Oranges

Celery

This one is as easy as peeling some oranges and sticking celery on the top to give them a pumpkin shape!

MUMMY HOT DOGS

Crescent roll sheet

Hot dogs

Candy eyes

Preheat an oven to 375 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough out, and squish the seams together, before using a pizza cutter to slice the dough into long, narrow strips. Wind the dough around each hot dog, leaving a little gap for the faces. Bake following crescent roll instructions and stick candy eyes to the “face” with ketchup or mustard.

Are you hosting a spooky movie night for your kids and their friends? Since they are likely already getting overloaded with sugary candy when they go trick-ortreating, we created a fun snack board with healthier (but still tasty) alternatives to help balance things out! These are all simple to make and can be thrown together fairly quickly. The list below explains how to create some of the different elements, but feel free to add your own healthy snacks (including fruit and veggie sticks) to the mix. Adding candy eyes can basically turn any snack into an “on-theme” treat!

APPLE MONSTERS

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Apples of choice

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Peanut butter

›› Almond slices or sunflower kernels

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Strawberry slices

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Candy eyes

Core and cut some apples into slices, then spread about a teaspoon of peanut butter on one side of each slice. Press almond slices or sunflower kernels on each slice to act as the “teeth,” and a strawberry slice as the tongue. You can also stick some candy eyes on top with more peanut butter!

FUN-SHAPED CHIPS AND DIP

Tortillas

Spray oil (avocado or olive)

Salt

Dip of choice

Halloween cookie cutters

Preheat an oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Use cookie cutters to cut out Halloween shapes from your tortillas. Transfer the chips to the baking sheet, and lightly mist with your spray oil. Bake for 5-7 minutes, until browned - let cool!

SPIDER CRACKERS

Round crackers

Pretzel sticks

Peanut butter (or cream cheese)

Mini chocolate chips (or raisins)

Spread peanut butter on a cracker, then break four pretzel sticks in half to fan around the cracker and make spider legs. Top with the other cracker and stick chocolate chips to the top with more peanut butter! 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.

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

FALL ART FUN

Take advantage of the changing weather and create some fall masterpieces with your kids! No need to run to the craft store, use what you have in your own backyard. Grab some leaves, sticks, seeds—whatever looks interesting! Make sure you grab a variety of shapes and colors. Let your child create whatever they want with your collections!

DIRECTIONS:

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Draw an animal, vehicle, shape, number — whatever you want!

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Using glue, add the collections from your backyard to accessorize your drawing. Leaves can be fur or feathers. Sticks can turn into a car or outlines of a letter.

››

Let your imagination and creativity run wild!

Happy fall y'all and happy crafting! OP

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

Written by Ashley Wedding // Photo by Jamie Alexander

Written by Meghann Richardson

Kindness is the sincere and voluntary use of one’s time, talent and resources to better the lives of others, one’s own life and the world through genuine acts of love, compassion, generosity and service. The ways to be kind are limitless. Kindness can be anything from a simple smile to a major gift. Every act can create an endless ripple of kindness that leads to a better community and better world.

At Owensboro Parent, we wanted to spotlight the kindness in our community. We asked our readers to submit stories of kids being kind — no matter how big or how small. We were overwhelmed with the stories and can't wait for you to read them all!

KIND TO ALL KINDS

OLIVE HARRISON

Olive Harrison, 12 year-old vet-aspiring, Owensboro Innovation Academy student, has been volunteering since she was 8, to save the lives of local animals.

She makes videos showcasing the adaptability of dogs and cats and publishes them on social media. Her parents say that to date they know that she has made the connection for over 15 adoptions.

Due to the economy, animals are being surrendered at alarming rates. She would like to share how volunteering, fostering and sharing information can make a big difference!

Olive said she thinks everyone can make a difference.

"Be kind to all kinds, not just mankind,” she said.

Olive started volunteering with the Owensboro Humane Society when she was 8 years old and for the past year and a half, she has been at the Daviess County Animal Shelter making a difference through fostering dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and more. She also volunteers to bathe and walk dogs, clean cages and organize items around the shelter.

FORGET THE GIFTS, LET'S BE KIND!

SYDNEY MAY

Instead of toys and gifts, Sydney May asked for donations for the Daviess County Animal Shelter instead of presents for her 8th birthday. Each of her party guests brought toys or food for the animals at the shelter.

Anytime the family has yard sales or extra money for giving, Sydney takes her part down to the animal shelter.

When asked what kindness means to her, Sydney said, ”helping others that are in need.”

The May family has a Giving Bank that holds their collected money for donating. Once it’s full, Sydney gets to decide where to give her money. Sometimes she’ll take money out for change drives at school or to take to the Salvation Army kettle, but when it’s really full she usually decides to take it to the animal shelter, which usually happens twice a year.

Sydney said she likes donating to the animal shelter because animals can’t protect themselves.

Her goal for next year is to spread kindness at the animal shelter by walking the dogs.

SPREADING KINDNESS FOR CHRISTMAS

ARROH YAMADA

Arroh Yamada, a 5-year-old student at Audubon Elementary School, was in a very unique position as her father, who is a Marine Corps veteran, organizes the collection of toys for Toys-for-Tots.

Arroh would help unbox and sort all the toys from infants all the way to 14 and 15-year-olds from October until Christmas.

Helping Santa do his job was important to Arroh and she really wanted to make sure other kids had a wonderful Christmas.

Arroh’s mother, Madison, said she spent so many hours lending a helping hand alongside her father and many Marines and she got so much joy out of spreading Christmas kindness to others.

LITTLE GIRLS, BIG MISSION

MADELINE AND SAVANNAH JONES

After learning about the mission at Isaiah 117 House that is being built for children in Spencer and Perry Counties, two St. Bernard Catholic School students wanted to take action and help others.

The Isaiah 117 House provides physical and emotional support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting foster care placement.

After learning more about the support they give, Madeline Jones, 8, and Savannah Jones, 5, joined forces with their family and hosted a yard sale and lemonade stand to raise money for the Isaiah 117 House.

In one day, the girls raised more than $100.

A HEART FOR OTHERS

RYLAN PAYNE

Rylan Payne loves helping others and has been volunteering to serve others in need once a month at his church community meal for the last couple of years.

Rylan’s mom Misty said, “he loves helping others.”

Rylan is 10 years old and has been helping for over 2 years now at Church Alive on the third Wednesday of every month. He helps prepare the meals, serve the meals, and also helps to box them up.

“I am so proud of Rylan and his heart for others and would love to share that with everyone,” Rylan’s mom said.

HONORING HIS BROTHER BY PAYING IT FORWARD

GREYSON BROOKS

Greyson Brooks recently delivered $350 worth of crayons, markers, and writing paper to Estes Elementary School in Owensboro.

He did this act of kindness in honor of his baby brother, Wyatt, who passed away in 2017 from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Greyson started carrying a framed photo of Wyatt after he passed away.

The third-grader asked that the supplies be used by incoming kindergartners because that's the class his brother would have been in.

Greyson’s mom, Destiny Hayes, said that it was Greyson's idea to start a fundraiser for kindergarten school supplies in Wyatt's memory.

“We are so proud of him,” she said. "He went and picked out all the stuff himself."

Greyson's selfless act of kindness earned him Owensboro Public Schools' first-ever Inspiration Award and his story went well beyond the walls of Estes as word spread about his act.

He was featured in Southern Living magazine and made an appearance on the TODAY Show. The exposure led to one individual in Virginia donating $4,200 to the OPS Foundation. The $4,200 will be split into $350 each year for the next 12 years, with all of the funds going to Estes.

FAMILY FIRST

STEVEN BLAN

Steven Blan, 12, his brother and his friends made a lemonade stand and sold lemonade and snacks to make money of their own.

Instead of spending the money on himself, Steven gifted the funds he raised to his parents to help with travel expenses. Steven’s little brother, Rowan, sees a neurologist and developmental delay specialist in Louisville.

ALWAYS LOOKING TO GIVE BACK

NOAH ABBOTT

Last year, Noah Abbott raised money for North Hancock Elementary School's Family Resource and Youth Services Center during Christmas with a typing challenge. He types around 80 words per minute and used his skills to raise money to donate.

The primary goal school FRYSC centers is to remove nonacademic barriers to learning as a means to enhance student academic success.

Recently, 11-year-old Noah used those same skills to raise money to buy backpacks for Borrowed Hearts.

The Borrowed Hearts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting kids in foster care and their families. With locations in Evansville and Owensboro, their mission is to lead the efforts in which every foster family attains the rights to clothing, hygiene, development, and a loving support system.

With a heart for giving back to others, Noah is always looking for ways to serve his community.

Two years ago, Noah took candy to local police stations and fire departments on Halloween in a project he called “Halloween for Heroes.” His current kindness project is to help the Eastern Kentucky flood victims.

BAKING UP KINDNESS

ANNESLEIGH MELTON

Annesleigh Melton has always been helpful in the kitchen.

“She has had her hands in whatever I’m making or making since she was 2-years-old,” her mother Andrea said.

The Calhoun Elementary School fifth grader started asking how she could do things to help other people and her mother talked to her about using her gifts, talents, and interests to do something that she enjoyed doing to make a difference for others.

“Since she loves baking, it seemed like a logical fit,” she said. “She started making chocolate chip cookies and selling them to earn money that she would donate to several charitable groups. During the lock-down time period of the COVID pandemic, she decided to expand her skills and began to bake other cookies, brownies, sweet breads, and other baked goods.”

Annesleigh decided that she wanted to support St. Jude’s Research Hospital after reading about them in a magazine.

“She was concerned that young children could be so sick and need treatment and wanted to help them and their families,” Andrea said.

She has done four bake sales specifically for St. Jude’s.

Annesleigh said showing kindness to others involves helping them, but showing kindness to sick children through St. Jude feels like a little bit more.

“I got to do something I love to do and help people who really need it during a hard time,” she said. OP

MEGHANN RICHARDSON is full-time digital marketing specialist who moonlights as a journalist for Owensboro Times. She enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan, daughter Emery and rescue pup Murphy.

CHAOS & COOPERATION CHAOS & COOPERATION Co-Parenting:

Written by Andrea Millay // Photos by Jamie Alexander

Not too long ago, I searched the aisles of the local bookstore, trying to find, “Co-Parenting For Dummies.” But it didn’t exist. Even if it did, would it matter? Is any co-parenting situation “textbook?” The answer is obviously no. There isn’t a single thing you can do to prepare for the challenges that come with co-parenting. And it is indeed a challenge. Usually following a break up, falling out or divorce, emotions explode. Lawyers are involved. Should it be 50/50? 80/20? Will there be child support? Alimony? It’s a whirlwind of court dates and mediations. Trying

to figure out what is best, sometimes at the expense of the kids.

We decided, that wouldn’t be us. We never stepped foot into a courtroom. We knew that our children deserved us both at our best. Not us after depleting our bank accounts on lawyers. Not us holding on to built up frustration and resentment. We knew it would be hard at first. We knew that forgiveness and grace would be needed.

There was a season of learning and growth. Tristan, their dad, had never done their hair. I remember recording myself doing our daughter, Asher’s, hair and sending it to Tristan so that he could practice. I remember buying two sets of hair products so he would know exactly what to use. I had never played Madden on Xbox. Axton begged me to learn so that I could play him like his daddy does. Although he beats me every single time, I have taught myself to play. We learned how hard it was to keep up with clothing, sports equipment, and backpacks. The constant back and forth between houses would be impossible without constant open communication.

We may share our time with our kids separately, but we also share our time with them together. We don’t have two separate birthday parties. We have one, where all of their friends and family members come from both Mommy’s and Daddy’s sides. When there is snow on the ground, Tristan, my boyfriend Albiro, and I all take them sledding, along with Albiro's daughter Arianna. When it is warm, we all three

take the kids to the playground, the soccer field, or to practice baseball. We don’t rotate holidays. We plan our days so that both of us have time with them.

Sports take up a lot of time in kids’ lives. I have seen parents sit on separate sides of the fields, avoiding any type of communication. After the game, the child has to decide is he/she going to see mommy and her family, or daddy and his family first. In our family, we sit together. Tristan and I are a united team when it comes to cheering for our kids. Our families understand the dynamic of our coparenting and are equally as united.

Our co-parenting over the past two years has not been perfect. We have had several moments of frustration. Yet, never has any of those moments affected our children. They do not know. As far as Asher and Axton know, their daddy and I are friends — and we are. Our ability to put our differences aside, to show constant grace towards each other, and to let go of the past, has enabled us to be the absolute best parents we can be.

No one gets married with the idea of it ending in divorce. After kids come, it makes it even harder. The idea of staying in an unhappy or unfruitful marriage seems to outweigh the idea of sharing time with your kids. I would be absolutely lying if I said it wasn’t hard. It is. I can remember the first day the kids stayed at their daddy’s house. My home seemed eerily quiet and I missed the constant nagging of two

kids asking for snacks and attention. I remember the first Christmas Eve when I wasn’t awakened by kids yelling in excitement. Many firsts are experienced that no one prepares you for.

We are lucky however. Yes, we still share our kids. Yes, we still have them 50/50 and many nights I miss the yelling of them fighting. However, we also gain so much more. Our kids see us get along. They see us team up to support them. They see us show up over and over, together, for them.

No, there is no, “Co-Parenting for Dummies,” but I would like to leave you with just a few things that work for us:

COMMUNICATE EVERYTHING. It is important that everything is shared. Whether it is homework, sports schedules, doctor appointments, or sleepovers. Always let the other parent know what is going on.

BUY TWO SETS OF CLOTHES. Leave one set at mommy’s house and one at daddy’s house. When Tristan sends the kids to my house I have them take off his clothes and put them in their “Daddy basket.” I wash the clothes and send them back to his house wearing those clothes. This helps so much on keeping up with clothes and not misplacing items.

SPLIT HOMEWORK DUTY. Check backpacks and do homework every night, no matter whose house they are at.

WORK TOGETHER ON EXPENSES.

We split everything down the middle — sports registration fees, sports equipment, school pictures, etc.

SHOW THE KIDS YOU ARE A TEAM.

Multiple times we have “family” meetings. Tristan, Albiro, and I meet with the kids and talk about expectations, rules, and consequences. This shows the kids we are in charge and there won’t be any manipulation of rules from house to house.

DO NOT TALK BAD ABOUT EACH OTHER IN FRONT OF OUR KIDS.

We require our kids to respect their other parent.

Co-parenting is a perfect storm of chaos and cooperation. However, by truly putting the kids first, it is possible. I challenge you, that if you find yourself in a similar situation, try to open up your heart to a new way of co-parenting. One that allows your children to see both of their parents at their best. I believe that is not only what every child deserves and wants, but it is also what we as parents want for our children. OP

ANDREA MILLAY is an 8th grade teacher at Daviess County Middle School. She is a mother of two, bonus mom to one, and expecting a baby boy in January. She loves to fish, watch her kids play sports and Chick-fil-A.

BACK

ROOTS ROOTSto their

Written by Laura Murphy //

Photo by Jamie Alexander

While Amanda Lamar always enjoyed the beauty of things that grow, she never imagined that one day she would raise her children on a piece of paradise called Redeemed Heritage Farms, growing her own food and sharing her passion with others in the community.

“Growing up, my mom’s landscaping was always beautiful. She would grow any flower that she could find. One year we had pumpkins, one year we had a strawberry field,” Amanda said.

Though she was exposed to gardening at a young age, Amanda says what she does today is a whole new level.

“We did not grow our own food back then. What I do now is pretty much self-taught,” Amanda said.

When her oldest son, Jonah, was just a toddler, she started growing food for the first time.

“Ten years ago, I bought my first house on my own. That year, I grew a tomato plant and a squash plant. That was pretty much it for a few years,” she said. “I worked full time so that was pretty much all I could handle at the time.”

By Spring 2019, Amanda had a full garden, growing corn, peppers, tomatoes, and squash.

The Lamar family appreciated the expertise of family members who helped show them the ropes as they got started with their new adventure in growing and raising their own food.

“We had my husband’s great aunt and uncle come over and they spent a couple days with us. They brought tools to show us how they grew the plants, and the different varieties.”

The family aspect of their new farm was already reaching across generations as they took in all there was to learn.

“They had raised chickens, Guineas, and gardened forever. If any one could teach us to garden it would be them. They were like grandparents to us,” Amanda said. “That memory of them coming that weekend was special. For them to come teach us how to do it was a big deal for them.”

Amanda’s three children Jonah, Dallas and Emmy get involved in different ways, helping with chores or the animals.

“We got chickens and started selling eggs to pay for the feed bill,” she said. “They were really involved with the chickens and helped collect eggs every day.”

The Lamar children also help plant flowers, each of them with their own pot in the house to hold their unique variety.

“We like the zinnias because they flower easily,” Amanda said. “Dallas loves the striped zinnias called candy canes.”

Back outside, the kids enjoy helping pick carrots and assisting with planting.

“For our garden, they help me plant seeds right off the bat,” Amanda said. “They think it’s exciting putting seeds in the garden and knowing they will grow. You never know what you will pull up out of the dirt.”

From chickens to pigs, Amanda hopes to continue to

explore livestock as a way to continue to grow and improve their own food for their family.

“We currently raise pedigreed Holland Lop rabbits and pedigreed Silver Fox rabbits. We have ducks maturing, so duck eggs are on the horizon, and our Ancona chicken flock should be laying eggs for eating or hatching sometime in late fall. We plan to add Idaho Pasture Pigs very soon, and more to come.”

“I have things growing all year — peas, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, and any other cold weather crops. By March, I will start planting seeds in the greenhouse for the summer crops.”

As far as the name for Redeemed Heritage Farms, Amanda said there is a lot of meaning packed into the name.

“Redeemed is for our

faith,” she said. “My husband, Jourdian, and I have known each other since we were teenagers. After we both went through a hard time in our early 20’s, our lives were redeemed for each other.”

Though having land and eventually creating their own food was always a dream, actually living that dream is extra meaningful.

“We both wanted that life but at the time it was not possible until we got married,” Amanda said. “We are home setting the way our grandparents and ancestors lived instead of living in a modern world — redeeming our heritage.”

Each of their children appreciate a different aspect of Redeemed Heritage Farms, from the horticulture and livestock to the landscape and

“Emmy is the free spirit of the family. She loves helping in the garden and having all the animals. She likes snuggling bunny rabbits and she’s my sidekick. Dallas loves the pond because he’s obsessed with fishing. Jonah is my teenager and prefers to stay inside but he likes the quietness out there for sure,” Amanda said.

Though the family owns a small tractor, most of the work is done by hand.

“We do a lot of the true, hard work, no shortcuts,” Amanda said.

Redeemed Heritage Farms offers unique products such as homemade jams, soy candles and lip balms.

“I’ve got my hands in a lot of baskets,” Amanda said. “From heirlooms to produce, we use no chemicals or pesticides. I save my

own seeds if possible, using seeds harvested from our own growing zone. I make all our own soap, bath and body products. The more I see chemicals in commercial products, the more I want to make them myself.”

As far as future plans, much of what is offered is headed towards an educational outlet.

“We’d love to offer tips and tricks for gardening, offering workshops by next year. We will focus on topics like preserving food, canning and soil fertilizer. I’d love to see our farms become an outlet to help others be self-sufficient,” Amanda said.

October // November 2022 OWENSBORO PARENT 33 Redeemed Heritage Farm is available by appointment only. For more information, visit their website at redeemedheritagefarm.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.

seclusion.

We are excited to announce the winners of our 2022 Owensboro Parent Family Favorites contest, where you, our loyal and trustworthy readers, have the opportunity to make your voices heard. Hundreds of you cast your votes for your favorite local spots — from pediatrician to preschools, and sweet treats to boutiques. Take a look at all of the Family Favorites and see if your choices made the cut.

Favorite Family Breakfast Spot DEE'S DINER

It’s no wonder that Dee’s Diner is Owensboro’s favorite family breakfast! Their food is delicious, but kids love their giant, fluffy pancakes!

Favorite Kids Eat Free Location

SALSARITA'S

If you are in the mood for Mexican food visit Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill, located on Highway 54. Build your own tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, taco salads or even a famous quesorito.

Favorite Kid-Friendly Restaurant CHICK-FIL-A

With a friendly staff and arguably the fastest drive-thru in town, it’s no wonder parents love Chick-fil-A! Oh, and the food is great and the toys in the kids’ meal are awesome!

Favorite Snowcone KONA ICE

The beauty of Kona? Choose as many flavors as you want! From Tiger's Blood to Monster Mango, create the flavor combinations of your dreams!

Photo by Taylor West

Favorite Kids Theater Program

THEATRE WORKSHOP OF OWENSBORO

TWO exposes young people to new vocabulary and ways of communicating. Through the arts of dance, acting, and music, children learn how to communicate in a variety of unique ways.

Favorite Kids Art Class

ART LAB

Art Lab Owensboro exists to provide high quality art and STEM activities to children. They have structured their lab for flexibility to provide opportunities that will work for almost everyone. Art Lab offers everything from one-time experiences and weekly lessons to private parties.

Favorite Dance School

JOHNSON’S DANCE

STUDIO

Whether your child wishes to make dance a profession or participates only for enjoyment and exercise, Johnson's Dance Studio has highly trained and professional instructors. Their studio offers a complete curriculum ranging in courses for the preschool student through the advanced professional. Great care and individual attention is given in nurturing the abilities of each student to their fullest potential.

Favorite Sweet Treat & Favorite Birthday Cake

BECCA BAKES

Becca Bakes owner Rebecca Westerfield started baking for a few close friends. Those friends began to tell their friends, those friends told their friends and as they say, the rest is history. Each cake is baked like she is doing it for her closest friend — and you can taste that in every bite! Check out Becca Bakes at her brand new storefront located at 4026 Frederica Street.

Favorite Kids Music Program KINDERMUSIK AT THE OWENSBORO

SYMPHONY ACADEMY

Kindermusik offers music and movement classes for children ages newborn to 7 at the Owensboro Symphony Academy. Playdates are offered seasonally and birthday parties are available upon request. Their studio also offers beginning piano lessons for older children upon availability.

Photo by Taylor West

Favorite Kids Clothing Store

KIDSTOP CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE AND STRIDE RITE BOOTERY

This locally owned children's boutique specializes in clothing and shoes for girls and boys from size preemie to 16.

Favorite Boutique for Moms

BELLA RAGAZZA BOUTIQUE

A unique boutique that carries styles at affordable prices in a variety of sizes, with an elegant atmosphere and a welcoming and friendly experience.

Favorite Kids Consignment Store

ROBIN’S RESALE & BOUTIQUE

Robin’s is a Christian run business that offers consignment for the entire family, as well as new, trendy boutique clothes for women sizes small through 3X. Embroidery and monogramming is also available.

Favorite Kids Shoe Store

SHOE STOP

Shoe Stop is a locally owned family shoe store with shoes for men, women and children. Unmatched customer service and trendy style options make this an Owensboro must-shop location and family favorite!

Photo by David Grinnell

Favorite Gymnastics Center

OWENSBORO GYMNASTICS

Owensboro Gymnast offers classes year round. Classes include balance beam, bars, vault, and tumbling.

Favorite Place for Swim Lessons

OWENSBORO HEALTH

HEALTHPARK

Whether you have a child who’s new to the water or you’d like to brush up on your stroke skills, private swim lessons are available year-round at the Owensboro Health Healthpark for 1-year-olds through senior adults with instructors who will tailor lessons to your needs and pace.

Favorite Youth Sports League

OWENSBORO DAVIESS COUNTY

YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

ODC Youth Football League is a non-profit organization formed in 1972 for football for ages 4-12 and cheerleading for age 5-12. ODC Football is home to over 1,000 players with over 45 teams for football and 250 cheerleaders.

Favorite Gym with Child Care

OAC

OAC offers a quality, clean gym daycare that allows kids room to run and is baby and toddler friendly with toys galore. Why? OAC says “Because the kids deserve it and our parents need it. We got you!”

Favorite Bike Shop

LEGENDS

The source for people who live active lifestyles, Legends provides their clients the products, knowledge, and motivation they need to live an active, healthy life.

Favorite Pediatrician Office

OWENSBORO PEDIATRICS

The doctors at Owensboro Pediatrics are committed to providing comprehensive medical care to children and adolescents in a caring and supportive environment. They value long-term relationships with their patients and their families.

Favorite Pediatric Dentist office

GREATER OWENSBORO PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

While dentistry is essential to your oral and general health, it doesn't have to be boring. Greater Owensboro Pediatric Dentistry loves joking with their patients, being silly, and having fun together. At their dental office, you aren't just another patient—you've joined their dental family!

Favorite Orthodontist Office

WEDDING ORTHODONTICS

Wedding Orthodontics focuses entirely on delivering a beautiful smile that gives you confidence to face the world. “We know you are going to do big things, and we are grateful to play a small part in supporting you.”

Favorite OBGYN Office

WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE PARTNERS

Women's Healthcare Partners is dedicated to providing women's health services to protect your health at any age. Their providers are ready to help you through the life-changing journey of becoming a mom. According to them, “There is nothing like welcoming a new baby into a family!”

Favorite Mental Health Care Office COMPASS COUNSELING

Compass Counseling is a clinically excellent and diverse team of licensed therapists who can help you on your path to change. They offer confidential and flexible options for their clients from in-person to secure tele-health. Compass Counseling is honored to serve their clients by offering high quality counseling in a comfortable setting, priding themselves with the ability to connect their clients to the right therapist.

Photo by David Grinnell

Favorite Family Event

REID'S APPLE FESTIVAL

Over the years the Apple Festival has become a family affair where the children enjoy the play area and carnival rides, the ladies enjoy shopping throughout the variety of craft booths and the men enjoy sampling the many foods at the food booths.

Favorite Newborn/ Family Photographer REFLECTIONS BY TALEA

Reflections By Talea Photography provides clients with custom, organic portraiture specializing in maternity, newborns, baby and family!

Photo by Jamie Alexander

Favorite Place for Family Fun & Favorite Place for Fun on the Farm

TRUNNELL'S

Trunnell’s offers an experience that extends beyond a fruit and vegetable stand. The Family Fun Acre located on the Utica Farm is also a family fun experience for all ages throughout the year! Trunnell’s is the place to celebrate the love and joy of food and family fun entertainment on the farm.

Favorite Birthday Party Location

OWENSBORO GYMNASTICS

What kid doesn’t love a birthday party with tons of inflatables, gymnastic equipment and a giant foam pit to jump into?! Owensboro Gymnastics is an affordable, fun option for your child’s next birthday!

Favorite Summer Camp

CONNECT CAMPS

Connect Camps is a one-week, day camp for K-5th graders, filled with non-stop fun, engaging activities, daily faith-based lessons, and the chance to make lasting friendships. Your campers are sure to have an unbelievable week that they’ll never forget!

Favorite Place to Take a Family Hike

YELLOW CREEK PARK

Nestled along the wooded banks of Yellow Creek at Thruston, the 152 acre park features hiking trails, multipurpose sports areas, the Lambert Pioneer Village, and several outdoor pavilions. Other amenities that set Yellow Creek Park apart from other area parks include a swinging bridge, a refurbished one room school house, a stocked 7 acre lake, and multiple walking trails.

Favorite Park

LEGION PARK

Legion Park is a 23.75 acre park and is the second oldest park in Owensboro. he Legion offers ample space for a family picnic with hundreds of shade trees offering great spots to rest and relax. Parkgoers can enjoy tennis courts, screened shelters to rent for events, a basketball court, playground equipment, spray park, and a walking trail.

Favorite Spray Park

HORSE FORK CREEK

SPRAY PARK

With 23 individual spray features, frog, Cattail Twirl and a 20-ft. tall dumping bucket, the Spray Park at Horse Fork Creek Park is a kid’s dream come true! The addition of an accessible playground makes the park perfect for all kids to enjoy!

Favorite Place for Rainy Day Fun

DAVIESS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Daviess County Public Library provides residents the means to pursue lifelong learning and that starts with children! With reading programs, activities, a wide range of books and a very cool play area, DCPL is a great place to spend a rainy day!

Favorite Place for a Kid’s Haircut KLUTCH

With experienced barbers and a trendy atmosphere, Klutch is Owensboro’s favorite place to get a haircut! You don’t want to miss out on this one-of-kind barbershop haircut experience.

Favorite Place for Moms to Get Pampered

SAVI CHIC

Is mom in need of a little pampering? Savi Chic has been voted Owensboro’s favorite place to treat mom to the day of relaxation she deserves! Mom can enjoy a full salon experience with microblading and brow shading, lash extensions, manicures and pedicures and hair styling.

Photo by Taylor West

Favorite Daycare

CHARLOTTE’S WEB PRESCHOOL & NURSERY

The educators at Charlotte’s Web believe that curriculum is everything that happens in the classroom -- from meal time and playing to interacting with peers and lesson time. The trained staff never misses an opportunity to blend play with early education curriculum.

Favorite Preschool

SETTLE MEMORIAL PRESCHOOL

Settle Preschool offers a Christian environment for 3-year-olds through pre-kindergarten. Their goal is to offer a program rich in activities that promote the development of academic, social, emotional, and artistic skills. Their trained and certified staff facilitates individual and group instruction experiences. The preschool program is designed to be a partnership with families, for students to continue learning and growing at home.

Favorite High School

OWENSBORO HIGH SCHOOL

Owensboro High School exists today as a culmination of more than 150 years of secondary education in Owensboro. The high school is the flagship of the Owensboro Public Schools district. Owensboro High School has been named among America’s Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report, one of only 23 Kentucky high schools to be recognized out of nearly 19,000 in the country.

Favorite Elementary School

OWENSBORO CATHOLIC K-3 CAMPUS

The Owensboro Catholic K-3 Campus incorporates aspects of Catholic faith into their hands-on, engaging projects. Students learn innovation and strategic-thinking by creating, designing, and collaborating with peers. Students apply content knowledge and 21st century skills including critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity to solve real-world problems.

Favorite Middle School

OWENSBORO CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL

At Owensboro Catholic Middle School, the goal is to foster the academic and spiritual growth of each student who enters the building. Faith is their number one priority but is followed closely by academics. They offer a variety of academic enrichment experiences including high school level courses as well as a smaller more conducive learning environment. Their students have demonstrated their academic success and have a variety of extracurricular activities to be involved in and expand on their talents both in and out of the classroom.

Photo by David Grinnell

Favorite Principal

RYAN WILLIAMS

Ryan Williams has been with Owensboro Public Schools for 24 years, the last four serving as principal of Estes Elementary. "The absolutely best part of my job is the interactions with the students," he said. "I want the students to have fun while still learning. Students today have so many stressors in their life and I want school to be an enjoyable experience for them."

Favorite Teacher

ERIN BAILES

Erin Bailes has been in education in some capacity since 2018 with this year being her first year as a classroom teacher. "The best part of my job is getting to be with my students every day, building those relationships and watching them grow academically, socially and physically," she said.

Favorite School Staff Member DANA STANLEY

Dana Stanley has been in education for 27 years with 13 of those years serving as a counselor. "The best part of my job is that I get to work with and help children every day who trust me enough to confide their biggest emotions and troubles with me," she said. "The students that I work with in my office and school wide in guid ance lessons know that once they are one of my Cravens kids, they are always my kid forever. I have had the privilege at this point to have some of my former students' children now and that is so special to me to see that maybe one little thing I may have said to them has helped shape them into being amazing adults and parents."

ADVICE AND TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE PARENTING AND LIFE EASIER

Storytime with Grandpa & Grandma

Written by Katie Albers

There is something extra special about the love that comes from a Grandparent. Honor these cherished members of the family with books that celebrate this special bond, all available at your Daviess County Public Library.

A Morning with Grandpa

by Sylvia Liu

Young Mei Mei tries to imitate her grandpa’s graceful tai chi movements with her own spunky flair. Then Mei Mei has the chance to be the teacher.

Silas’ Seven Grandparents by Anitra Horrocks and Helen Flook

Silas has seven loving grandparents who all want to make him feel extra special. But what happens when Silas is forced to choose amongst them?

The Remember Balloons

by Jessie Oliveros

James keeps his many memories as balloons. His grandpa has many balloons as well, but what will James do when some of grandpa’s balloons begin to float away?

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

Alma’s full name is quite long, but each piece of it ties her to the proud history of her family and inspires the legacy she hopes to continue.

A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck

Every summer Joey and Mary Alice leave Chicago to visit their eccentric grandmother in small town USA. And every year their adventures get wackier and more unbelievable!

As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds

Ernie and Genie are sent to the country for a summer with their grandparents. It doesn’t take long to see that Grandpop’s odd quirks are the result of secrets from the past. Will the boys find answers or just more questions?

Interview a grandparent:

Did you like to read as a kid?

What was your favorite book as a kid?

Do you remember any of the books that you read in class?

Choose a story together, and enjoy storytime with a grandparent! 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).

BOOK NOOK CHALLENGE

MAKE FALL MEMORIES

Your Ultimate Fall Bucket List

After a sweltering summer, fall is finally here! Autumn weather and holidays give the opportunity for lots of memory making with family and friends, but if you’re short on ideas for things to do, this fall bucket list is sure to inspire!

Indoor Fall Activities:

›› Carve pumpkins

›› Make homemade caramel apples

›› Host a fall movie night

›› Make apple or pumpkin baked goods

›› Perfect your soup or chili recipe

›› Make a fall bouquet from sunflowers, mums and leaves

›› Decorate your home for fall

›› Open your windows and let the crisp fall air in

›› Light fall candles

›› Create a fall wreath

›› Enjoy warm apple cider

›› Roast pumpkin seeds

›› Bake cookies

›› Enjoy a pumpkin spice latte

›› Eat candy corn

›› Collect and press fall leaves

›› Host or attend a chili cook-off

›› Have a game night and play Clue

›› Attend or host a mystery dinner theater

›› Visit a spooky escape room

Outdoor Fall Activities:

›› Visit a pumpkin patch

›› Plant fall flowers like mums, or tulip

bulbs that will bloom in the spring

›› Have a bonfire (complete with s'mores)

›› Take a drive to look at the changing leaves

›› Walk in the woods

›› Attend a football game or tailgate

›› Go apple picking

›› Attend a fall festival

›› Go on a hayride

›› Explore a corn maze

›› Decorate your front porch with bales of hay, corn stalks, pumpkins and mums.

›› Have a fall photo shoot with your loved ones

›› Rake leaves and jump in

›› Play touch football

›› Make a scarecrow

›› Go canoeing or kayaking in the cooler weather

›› Bike ride on a scenic trail like the Greenbelt

›› Go on a picnic

›› Go stargazing and enjoy the earlier sunsets

Halloween Bucket List:

›› Learn the Thriller dance moves

›› Create and listen to a Halloween playlist

›› Go trick-or-treating or hand out treats on Halloween

›› Host a Halloween scavenger hunt

›› Build a Halloween gingerbread house

Thanksgiving Bucket List:

›› Send “thankful for you’ cards to important people in your life

›› Celebrate friendsgiving

›› Watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade

›› Create a Thanksgiving craft

›› Black Friday shop

›› Volunteer 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.

Written by Jacqueline Jordan Russell

Stress-Free FAMILY PHOTOS

Written by Nicollette Vizuet Photos by Melanie Hodskins Photography

Crisp leaves and pumpkins on every porch can only mean one thing – it's fall here in Kentucky.

If you’re anything like me, cooler temps somehow indicate it’s time to schedule a family photo session. While my boy crew typically gives a ton of pushback, I somehow wrangle everyone together for a few forced smiles in hopes of one useful Christmas card photo. Sound familiar?! While I don’t have all the answers, I can attest to these tips making our most recent family session less stressful. We lucked out and scored genuine belly laughs without a toddler tear in sight!

OUTFITS MADE EASY

Planning ahead is key when it comes to outfitting your crew. Rather than basing your color scheme on current trends, stick to basics. I usually go with one or two colors that complement our home décor since that’s where these will be displayed. Shop your closets and see what you have on hand and can utilize! Not only does it save money, but it’s a little more genuine when everyone gets to showcase their personal style.

I went a little out of my comfort zone with the hunter green shade for this session and I’m honestly so happy with how it came together! Our photographer, Melanie Hodskins, has a wardrobe we were able to shop and style our looks prior to photos. Regardless of how you opt to pull looks together, do so a few weeks before your scheduled photoshoot. It’ll minimize stress and last-minute Target trips!

LOCATION, LOCATION

Let’s be honest – you can experience all four seasons within the same week

here in Kentucky. We have done most family photos outside, so I was over the moon to have an indoor session. It was so nice not having to plan around weather or chasing our kids around a big open field! Bonus points for the comfort of having A/C and not attempting to hide how warm we are under layers of fall or winter outfits.

If outdoor photos are more your style, I always suggest planning in an area that has pretty structures you could utilize in case the weather takes a turn. Most photographers will reschedule for weather issues, but accommodating schedules and getting your crew re-prepared can be a headache in itself! Chat with your photographer beforehand so you’re on the same page with backup and possible rescheduling plans.

ALL SMILES HERE

Make sure your photographer knows your objective and vision from the get-go so they can help build that experience. Walking into the studio with rambunctious toddlers, my first instinct is to say “don’t touch that!” or “stop running!” Meanwhile, our photographer picked up her camera and made these little moments a permanent memory. I wanted photos that were so authentic you could almost hear their genuine toddler giggles. It’s instant relief in realizing your photographer isn’t stressed about getting

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

Instagram: @nicollette.vizuet Blog: TheFrivolousFashionista.com

your kiddos to sit in a picture-perfect pose or forced smile. Sometimes that’s great, but it’s not the phase of life we’re in with on-the-go toddlers. Keeping them happy and tear-free is a breeze when you let them be themselves. Ten years from now, I know we’ll look back and be extra grateful we let them be exactly who they are instead of overly styled and posed.

Have you avoided updating your family photos? Dreading pulling together outfits or hyping up your whole crew? Let this be your sign – book the session! Refresh that outdated portrait hanging in your living room and let your family show their personality. Hey, you might even have a crew that’s excited and ready to schedule the next photoshoot after seeing how fun you’ve made this experience!

Facebook: The Frivolous Fashionista

Saving your life starts now

Mammograms can’t prevent breast cancer, but they can do the next best thing: detect the cancer early when more treatment options are available, before it spreads to other parts of the body.

The best part? When breast cancer is found while it’s still contained to the breast, the survival rate is 99%.

You read that right. 99% according to the American Cancer Society. Once the cancer spreads throughout the body, the five-year survival rate drops to 25%. Getting regular mammograms is the single most important thing a woman can do to reduce her chances of dying from breast cancer.

At Owensboro Health, we’re passionate about making sure women get the mammograms they need. We care about you as members of our community, as wives, and especially as mothers, because we want you to be there as your kids grow up.

Our doctors recommend a yearly mammogram for women starting at age 40. Here are a few reasons why we think that’s important.

Schedule Your Mammogram

MAMMOGRAMS CATCH CANCER BEFORE YOU CAN

Breast cancer rates have been declining for the last 25 years, in large part because of early detection with mammograms. You can and should do breast self-exams, but you may not feel any changes in your breasts until the cancer has grown enough to produce a lump. By that time, it could have already spread and may be harder to treat.

The mammogram will produce an x-ray image that a radiologist will examine for any signs of breast cancer. If they see anything abnormal, you may need a biopsy or further testing. If cancer is confirmed, you can promptly begin treatment — the earlier, the better.

MAMMOGRAMS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE — AND YOUR BREASTS

One of the reasons breast cancer can be traumatic is the possibility of a mastectomy, or surgical removal of your breasts. When the cancer is detected early, though, a lumpectomy may be possible to remove only the cancerous tumor while preserving the breast around it.

YOUR RISK INCREASES AS YOU AGE

While the risk of developing breast cancer is higher if you have a family history of the disease, you’re not free and clear if you have no family history. The biggest risk factors are being a woman and your advancing age — that’s why it’s so important to get a mammogram every year after you turn 40. It’s not a one-time test because your risk increases every year.

You can’t control your age, but you can control other risk factors for breast cancer. That risk increases if you’re overweight or obese and if you’re not physically active. It also goes up the more you drink. To reduce your risk, lose weight, get active, drink less alcohol and get a mammogram!

IT’S FREE FOR ELIGIBLE PATIENTS

If you’re worried about the cost of a mammogram, help is available. The Mammograms for Life program through Owensboro Health Foundation provides free mammograms for women who qualify and need help paying for the screening.

We want to keep you healthy and we want to make you proud, so Owensboro Health is doing everything we can to make mammograms accessible to you. OP

To schedule your mammogram, call 1-800-50-MAMMO or visit OwensboroHealth.org/ Mammogram. Don’t wait — fighting breast cancer begins before diagnosis.

Pumpkin & Pickle Festival

OCTOBER 1 & 2

THE COTTAGE FARMSTAND

Celebrate the fall season at the Pumpkin & Pickle Festival! Enjoy fried pickles, cheesy pickles, pickle ice pops, pickle cotton candy, pickle popcorn, pickle corn muffins, pickle juice shots, and more. Arts & crafts booths from local and regional artisans and small businesses will be on site as well as food trucks. Kids will love the corn maze, petting zoo and painting their own pumpkin. Parking is $5.

Want to learn how to be in a rock band? Have some experience with drums, guitar, bass, or vocals? Or maybe you’ve always been interested but never had the opportunity? Then Rock Camp is for you! Students may choose to focus on guitar, bass, or drums. There is a teacher for each instrument. Throughout the week, students will be taught to play three or four songs and will perform a recital as a band on the last day of camp.

Experience with music is not required, just a willingness to learn. Nor do you need to bring an instrument along with you. The RiverPark will provide them. However, if you do have your own electric guitar or bass, you’re welcome to bring it. Cost is $150. Contact Matt Waller at mwaller@riverparkcenter.org for more information.

Opening Night of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra

OCTOBER 22

RIVERPARK CENTER

Troy Quinn and the Owensboro Symphony open the 57th Season with the Overture from Ruslan and Ludmila, Mikhail Glinka’s beloved orchestral showpiece. This concert also features Paul Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber and to close the performance the crowd will be enamored by Tchaikovsky’s supercharged Symphony No. 4.

6 Apple Festival

OCTOBER 22 & 23

REID’S ORCHARD

Don’t miss the last Apple Festival at Reid’s Orchard before the event is taken over by the Daviess County Lion’s Club. Craft and food vendors, carnival rides, and all things apple! Reidland play area will also be open!

Special Needs Expo

OCTOBER 22 FROM 12 - 3 P.M. OWENSBORO CONVENTION CENTER

Wendell Foster’s Special Needs Expo is an opportunity for community agencies to collaborate in providing information about resources and services that will assist families in supporting a loved one with a disability.

2022 GRADSA Buddy Walk

OCTOBER 22 FROM 10 A.M. - 1 P.M.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to come join and help us celebrate our incredibly ABLE Buddies that are rocking their extra chromosomes! This is a free event, all donations are appreciated as this is GRADSA’s largest fundraiser of the year. Enjoy inflatables, face painting, balloon animals, food trucks, pumpkins, a talent show showcasing some of the buddies’ talents, GRADSA’s very special dance team that will be performing, an All Abilities Dance team that will be performing and just an all around great event celebrating the buddies!

Trail of Treats

OCTOBER 27 FROM 5:30 - 8 P.M. DOWNTOWN OWENSBORO

This family-friendly Halloween event returns to downtown Owensboro for an evening of Trick-or-Treating, character appearances, and special photo opportunities with some other surprise guests. Bring the entire family for a great night to kick off the Halloween festivities!

Anastasia

NOVEMBER 10

RIVERPARK CENTER

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Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical ANASTASIA is on a journey to Owensboro at last! From the Tony Award®-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

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2022 Kraftucky Arts and Crafts Expo

NOVEMBER 11 - NOVEMBER 13

OWENSBORO CONVENTION CENTER

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Shop from local and regional artisans and crafters – ideal for looking for a special item for yourself or getting a jump start on your holiday gift buying! Unique handmade creations in woodcrafts, furniture, holiday decorations, quilts, jewelry, floral arrangements, painting, candles, pottery, embroidery, and more will be on display. $3 for adults; children 12 and under are admitted free; $5 weekend pass for adults.

Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade

NOVEMBER 19 @ 4:30 PM

DOWNTOWN OWENSBORO

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The Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade is where Kentucky starts Christmas! The theme for this year’s parade is “Christmas in the Movies.”

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

NOVEMBER 19

BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM

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Join the Hall of Fame for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band! Tickets are on sale now. Preferred seating is $68, and reserved seating is $58. Doors open at 6 pm, and the concert begins at 7 pm. Bar and concessions available. With a refreshed lineup and newfound energy, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band remains one of the most accomplished bands in American roots music.

Pelvic Venous Disorders

Dr. Kishor Vora is one of the most well-known and respected cardiologists in Owensboro. But perhaps, this term is not quite enough when it comes to his area of expertise. Since the heart is intricately connected to our body’s vascular system (the system of veins and arteries that supply blood to our organs and back), Dr. Vora is also trained extensively in Vascular and Endovascular Medicine. In fact, during his fellowship, in the early 90’s, he was one of the very few Cardiology Fellows trained in Peripheral Intervention and Diagnostics. Furthermore, he also pursued another fellowship focused exclusively on Peripheral Vascular Disease and Interventions. So a better term to describe him would be an Interventional Peripheral Vascular Cardiologist, not just a Cardiologist. In fact, in the 30+ years of his career, he has trained over 200 Cardiologists, Vascular Specialists and even Radiologists! As a Cardiovascular Specialist, Dr. Vora is extremely passionate about the minimally-invasive arterial and venous procedures that he performs at his Office-based Cath Lab and at the hospital. These procedures include arterial and venous thrombolysis (dissolving of clot), Atherectomy, angioplasty/ stenting for blockages, performing complex deep venous and arterial interventions, peripheral arterial LASER procedures and even non-

surgical closure treatment for varicose veins. They aid greatly in improving the quality of life for the patients.

One of the traditionally underdiagnosed areas of venous issues that Dr. Vora is proficient in treating is Pelvic Venous Disorders. Pelvic Venous Disorders are a group of diseases of the veins of the pelvis that traditionally in women have been called “Pelvic Congestion Syndrome”, and in men are called “Varicocele”. Pelvic vein disorders can cause leaky veins (varicose veins in the pelvis) to form and cause symptoms such as chronic pain, heaviness and discomfort and leg pain, especially at the end of the day. Unfortunately, many patients find it frustrating and difficult to get an accurate diagnosis for Pelvic Venous Disorders.

Like with varicose veins in the legs, some valves of veins in the pelvis become faulty and weak. These weak valves can cause blood flow to change direction, making the veins enlarged and causing uncomfortable symptoms such as pelvic pain that lasts longer than six months, increased pelvic pain before or during periods, varicose veins present on the buttocks, vulva, testicles or thighs, swelling of the labia, pain in the lower abdomen, burning, pelvic floor spasms, increased pain/pressure during activities like exercise. Pelvic Venous Disorders aren’t

dangerous to the patients, but the symptoms will worsen over time and patients experiencing pain and discomfort will experience worse pain and discomfort if it goes untreated.

At Vora Vascular Clinic, we have on-site diagnostics where we can do trans-abdominal ultrasounds and CT Venogram to look for varicose veins in the pelvic region. Thanks to advances in medical technology, the treatment options for Pelvic Venous Disorders can be endovascular, non-surgical and minimally invasive. In fact, Dr. Vora has successfully treated Pelvic Venous Disorders using an outpatient procedure called Pelvic Vein Embolization. He also uses Iliac Vein stenting for treating Iliac Vein Compression/ May Thurner Syndrome, a type of Pelvic Vein Disease.

Just like all the other venous and arterial interventions, Dr. Vora performs these procedures at his Office-based Cath Lab as well as at the hospital. There is little recovery time post-procedure, with patients getting back to their daily activities very soon afterwards.

Vora Vascular Clinic accepts referrals from a patient's primary care physician, gynecologist or urologist. They also accept self-referrals from individuals who have concerns with their symptoms. Call Vora Vascular Clinic at 270-683-8672 today!

kids meal deals

EVERY DAY

Dee's Diner - one free kids meal per adult meal purchase (inhouse only, ages 5 and under)

MONDAY

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

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

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

TUESDAY

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s – Kids 12 & under eat for $2.99 all day every Tuesday when dining in!

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

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

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

McDonald’s – $1.99 Happy meals from 4-7pm; dine-in only

Pizza Hut (South Frederica location) – 1 free child buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet from 4:30-7pm

THURSDAY

Dairy Queen (Frederica Location) – Up to 2 $1.99 kids meals

Trunnell’s 54 Deli – 1 free kids meal with the purchase of a signature sandwich

SATURDAY

Lure Seafood & Grille – Free kids meal with purchase of adult entrée

Wheatgrass Juice Bar – Free kids smoothie with adult purchase

SUNDAY

Salsarita’s – Free kids meal with the purchase of $5 or more 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.