288 Express August, 2020

Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities

Summer

FUN PAGE

AUGUST 2020 Volume 3, Issue 8

3

A publication of the Alvin Advertiser

WHAT ’S INS IDE PAGE 3

Cover Story Summer fun and learning go hand-in-hand at Camp Mohawk County Park.

PAGE 6

PAGE 11

Day Trip

Family Time

PAGE 10

PAGE 14

Fun Food

Kids Korner

Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities

Editorial Writers & Photographers Alex Wukman Stephen Collins Prentice C. James Michael Edmonds Graphic Designer Linda Knight

Advertising Account Executives Darlene Hall advertising@alvinsun.net Betty Crawford classifieds@alvinsun.net Office Manager Donna Hopkins

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COVER STORY

Summer Fun Story / Photos by Karla and Prentice James

Ranger Mike Mullenweg leads a group of campers to view critters at Camp Mohawk.

Signs that read “OPEN for Business” can be spotted all around the Alvin-Manvel area. Residents of all ages welcomed this good news as many have been sequestered at home for months because of Stay-At-Home orders issued by the state due to COVID-19. In addition to stores and restaurants reopening, parks including Camp Mohawk County Park have reopened.

No one was more excited to learn of this announcement than young campers who attended Camp Mohawk’s 2020 Nature Camp. Nature Camp provides children, ages 7-12, an

opportunity to get out and have fun during the summer. Those in attendance participated in entertaining and educational activities including lessons on the local environment and the critters that inhabit it. Campers also experienced various activities such as fishing, birding, archery, and kayaking.

Nature Camp at Camp Mohawk is just one of many special events designed for children to have fun in the sun!

More Photos on page 4-5 AUGUST 2020 . . .

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COVER STORY

Campers document learnings by journaling at Camp Mohawk.

Photos by Prentice James prentice.james@imagohouse.com

Daniella Rayo displays her artwork to represent buffalo hide at Camp Mohawk.

Shop Well And Prosper At Your Alvin

White Bean Kale & Smoked Sausage Ingredients

Recipe makes 4 Servings

Instructions

 1 Tbsp olive oil  1 H-E-B Made in Texas Original Sausage Ring, sliced  1 onion, sliced  4 cup(s) kale, chopped  15 Oz. can white beans, rinsed & drained  4 Tbsp H-E-B French Fried Onions

1. Place oil in a large skillet over medium-heat. Add in sausage and cook until well browned. About 5 minutes.

2. Add in onions and kale. Continue to cook until onions are browned and kale is wilted.

3. Add in white beans and cook just until heated through.

4. Remove skillet from heat, and serve with french fried onions as a garnish.

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4 . . . AUGUST 2020

COVER STORY

Young campers prepare to go fishing at Camp Mohawk.

Photos by Prentice James prentice.james@imagohouse.com

Ranger Mary Short gives a talk about a Sulcata tortoise affectionately named “Tank� at Camp Mohawk.

Master Naturalist Herb Meyers discusses how to identify and avoid poison ivy at Camp Mohawk.

AUGUST 2020 . . .

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DAY TRIP

Big Slough Auto Tour at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Since a lot of indoor entertainment hasn’t been available at this time, we have been looking for something to do on the weekend.

For months we’ve been saying that “this weekend we’ll go check out the auto tour at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge”. Well, we finally made it and we were not disappointed.

We weren’t exactly sure where it was located but thanks to Google Maps and a smart phone it was really easy to find. It was a beautiful day and from Alvin it was less than a one-hour drive.

We turned into the entrance of the wildlife

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refuge and followed the road to the Discovery Center. We spotted the signs that designated the direction of the Auto Tour and took off on our weekend adventure.

We didn’t really know what to expect. It was our first time visiting a wildlife refuge but the option of an Auto Tour had really caught our attention.

Driving slowly along the unpaved road, we almost immediately spotted a big gray bird

wading in shallow water. The bird’s beak poked down into the water and brought up a small fish. As soon as the fish is caught, we see another bird of the same species creeping up behind the fisher“bird”. We decided the creeper was too lazy to do its own fishing and was just waiting for an opportunity to grab the fish for itself. We watched for quite a Continued on page 8

AUGUST 2020 . . .

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t.

DAY TRIP few minutes as the one bird enjoyed its haul and can report that the fish did not exchange beaks.

We left those two behind and continued on the route. Other species of birds were also wading in the water hoping to catch a snack but we did not see any other catches.

Again, driving slowly, each of us looking out their own window. “There’s an alligator” rang out. Just barely poking its head above water, a small alligator was spotted on the passenger side. “There’s one over here, too” came another call. I regret that I was not able to take a clear photo of either gator.

The photo to the left reveals a tall white bird using a different approach to fishing. We saw this great bird flying toward the car and land on the road a ways past us. The bird began walking toward the water and stopped at the edge. It didn’t enter the water but stood over the edge, just watching. We slowly moved the car closer. Patiently the bird watched for several minutes but we didn’t get to follow through with its endeavor since another vehicle on the tour was coming up behind us.

Continued on page 9

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DAY TRIP Continuing on we spotted a black bird with a spot of red on its wing sitting on a bit of brush. I remembered when I was a child, we had a book in our home that was part of an encyclopedia set. This book was all about birds and reptiles and there was a picture of a Red Winged Blackbird but I’ve never seen one in real life. Could it be that I finally did? I tried to snap a photo but apparently we were too close for its comfort and it flew off.

Next, we came upon this bird walking down the road ahead of us.

It seemed really odd to see it walking on the road but then if you look on farther on the right side. Is it going for the picnic table or the other facility? We continued on around and left the bird to its privacy.

All kidding aside, it was really an enjoyable day. There were large pink birds off in the marsh areas, hawks in flight and ducks moving among the waterlilies. I’m positive that the tour would definitely be a different experience each time you visit the refuge.

The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge has more to offer than the auto tour if you’re looking for a day trip right in our own back yard.

Visit the website for information.

https://www.fws.gov/ refuge/brazoria/

AUGUST 2020 . . .

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FUN FOOD

Classic Sloppy Joes (Serves 4) 1 pound ground beef (93% lean or leaner) 1 cup minced sweet onion 1 cup minced green bell pepper 1 can (141⁄2 ounces) unsalted tomato sauce

Cooking Instructions

1⁄4 cup barbecue sauce 1⁄4 cup ketchup 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon dry mustard 4 whole wheat hamburger buns or 8 slider buns

Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion, cook 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown. Add ground beef and bell pepper; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking beef into 1⁄2-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally.

Stir in tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard; increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil; cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.

Season with salt, as desired.

Divide beef mixture evenly among buns. Top with pickles, coleslaw and cheese, if desired. Close the sandwiches.

Cook’s Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

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FAMILY TIME

Three family-friendly card games

Get the family together to enjoy some “good ole’ fashioned fun”.

Family game night is a great way for families to have fun and spend time together. Whether it’s a rainy summer night or a designated devicefree evening at home, game night can prove a bonding experience for both parents and children.

If board games have lost some of their luster, parents may want to break out a deck of cards. In such instances, these three family-friendly card games can make for a fun activity.

1. Crazy Eights

Crazy eights requires between two and seven players, making it an ideal card game for families.

A basic 52-card deck is used when playing with five or fewer players, while two 52-card decks are used when there are more than five players.

When playing with more than two players, each player is initially dealt five cards, and the remaining cards are then placed face down at the center of the table.

The game begins when the top card is turned face up. Players can discard their cards by matching the rank or suit with the top card of the discard pile.

If they cannot match the rank or suit of the top card and are not holding an eight, players must draw a card from the stockpile.

Players also may play an eight at any time, and when they do, they must declare the suit the next player must play.

The next player can either play that suit or play an eight if they have one. ~ The winner is the first player to discard all of his or her cards. ~ Continued on page 12 AUGUST 2020 . . .

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Continued from page 11

2. Go Fish

Go Fish is a great game for young children.

To begin, each player is dealt five cards from a 52-card deck (or seven cards if there are three players or less), and the remaining cards are then shared between the players.

Players whose turn it is ask another player for his or her cards of a certain face value. For example, a player may ask “Dad, do you have any twos?” Players must ask for a face value they are already holding. Therefore, in the above example, the player who asks for the two must be holding a two.

If the player has cards of that value, then he or she must hand them all over to the player who asked. If the player has no such cards, the player who asked must draw a card. If they do not draw a two from the deck, the player must keep it and allow the next player to take his or her turn.

If the card is a two, the player must show it to the other players and then select another card.

Players who have all four cards of a face value are said to have a “book,” and books must be placed face up in front of the player as they’re accumulated.

When all cards have been laid down in books, the player with the most books is the winner.

Continued on page 13

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3. Old Maid

Old Maid is another great game for young children and also young teenagers.

Old Maid can be played with a 52-card deck.

One card must be added or removed. That leaves one unmatchable card.

At the beginning of the game, the designated dealer deals all of the cards, and some players can end up with more cards than others.

Once the cards have been dealt, players look at their hands and discard all pairs, but not three of kind.

Each player, beginning with the dealer, offers his or her hand, face-down, to the player to his or her left.

The player offered must select a card without seeing which card it is and add it to his or her hand.

If the card chosen matches a card the player is holding, then the pair can be discarded.

The player who chose a card then offers his or her hand to the player to his or her left, and the game continues in this vein.

Players can shuffle their hands before offering them to other players.

The game ends when all pairs have been discarded and one player is left holding the unmatchable card, which is referred to as the “old maid.”

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KIDS KORNER

Helping kids find hobbies

Much like adults can benefit from participating in hobbies, children can reap rewards from engaging in hobbies. Hobbies give children a chance to express themselves and hobbies can play an important role in children’s self-discovery and boost their selfesteem.

Some children may discover hobbies on their own, requiring little if any assistance on the part of their parents. For example, some kids may display an interest in music that parents, even those with no such musical inclination, can foster by purchasing certain instruments. But some children may need a little more prompting, and parents of such boys and girls can take certain steps to help their youngsters find rewarding hobbies.

• Involve kids in your own hobbies. Kids look up to their parents and often want to emulate what their mothers and fathers do.

If possible, involve children in your own

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hobbies. Gardeners can teach their youngsters how to grow and tend to a garden, while painters can host family painting nights where everyone is encouraged to create their own masterpiece. Parents whose hobbies are more adult-oriented, like woodworking, can still involve their children. For example, work with children to design a new item, then show them how the item goes from paper to finished product; just avoid allowing them to use any unsafe tools or machines.

• Let kids choose an activity. While some children might take to hobbies their parents favor, others might need to be given some freedom to find their own activities. Afford youngsters this chance, recognizing that it might take some time before kids find an activity that genuinely sparks their passion.

• Be a source of encouragement. Some hobbies may prove more difficult than kids first imagined, requiring some perseverance

before they can be enjoyed fully. In such instances, observe youngsters while they engage in the activity. If they appear to be enjoying themselves but are periodically frustrated, encourage them to keep trying. If kids appear to be disinterested in overcoming any struggles, then they might benefit by pursuing another hobby.

• Don’t hesitate to focus on fun. Hobbies can teach kids valuable lessons and provide a sense of fulfillment, but it’s important that parents not overlook the importance of fun in regard to their children’s hobbies. Hobbies can provide children with the same respite from busy schedules that they do adults, and that break should be as fun as possible.

Hobbies can enrich the lives of children.

Finding the right activity may require some patience on the part of parents and youngsters alike.

Eight activities to keep kids entertained What parent hasn’t heard their child utter the familiar phrase “I’m bored” at some point? Despite a seemingly vast array of toys, electronics and other items at their disposal, children can be quick to sulk and say there’s nothing to do. Parents can counter “I’m bored” with these eight boredom-busting activities that are certain to help pass the time in entertaining and sometimes educational ways.

1. CRAFT TIME Pick a theme and gather the materials for the project. For example, kids can evoke a trip to the ocean by creating handmade sea creatures. Paint a paper plate and hang brightly colored yarn underneath it to create the “tentacles” of a jellyfish. Kids can use salt dough clay to fashion seashells, sea snails or crustaceans.

2. PAINTING Shaving cream is a great sensory material that is relatively easy to clean up. Kids can whip up a batch of shaving cream paint and use it to finger paint on a table or even in the bathtub.

Simply mix shaving cream with food coloring in a bowl, or use a muffin tin to separate the colors.

3. BUILD A BIRDHOUSE Birdhouses or bird feeders can be made from scraps of material found around the house. Scavenge for spare lumber or other Parents can counter “I’m bored” with these eight boredom-busting supplies in the shed or garage. An adult or older sibling can help activities that are certain to help pass the time in entertaining and cut the wood into pieces. Young children may enjoy painting the sometimes educational ways. house. Wood adhesive or screws can be used to assemble the project.

4. PLAN A GARDEN Kids can help to design a garden the entire family will maintain and even be responsible for a special parcel that’s all their own. Gardens can grow food, flowers and more. Add a touch of whimsy with figurines for a fairy garden or even small superhero figures for a spot for boys to tend.

5. BOX MAKEOVERS Tissue boxes or cereal boxes can be made into many different creations with paint or construction paper. Use a few craft supplies like pompoms or wiggly eyes to turn boxes into “monsters.”

6. BOAT RACES Build a small sailboat for each member of the family. Fill up a long, shallow container and take turns racing the boats by blowing on the sails.

7. LEAF ART Gather leaves and twigs from around the yard and then combine pieces to make them look like various animals.

8. SPRAY PARK Create an at-home spray park with a garden hose and a pool noodle. Poke several small holes into the pool noodle on all sides. Stick a garden hose into the end of the pool noodle and hot-glue a wine cork into the hole at the other end. Turn on the water and let kids run through.

Head off kids’ boredom by having plenty of ideas at the ready.

AUGUST 2020 . . .

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The importance of safety when swimming in backyard pools Backyard pools provide families with ample opportunities for recreation. It’s easy to be distracted by all the fun when swimming in a backyard pool, but it is crucial that homeowners take steps to ensure everyone is safe when spending time in the pool.

Establish a barrier The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children between the ages of one and four in the United States.

Pools attract curious children, so maintaining a barrier between the home and the pool is essential. Many municipalities require some sort of fencing around pools or ladders that self-latch or can be closed off to climbing.

Locks and alarms on windows and doors that face or provide access to the backyard also can serve as barriers.

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Keep play under control Children and even adults may be swept up in the fun and engage in potentially dangerous behaviors. Pool users should not be allowed to run around the perimeter of an inground pool, as the cement can get slippery when wet and lead to falls that can cause injuries.

Exercise caution when using diving boards or diving into pools. It’s easy for divers to hit their heads when diving off a board into a pool due to close proximity of the transition wall in the deep end of the pool or by diving into shallow water. The Red Cross recommends a water depth of 11.5 feet for safe diving and the transition wall should be at least 16.5 feet from the tip of the diving board. However, the standard depth for many pools is 7.5 feet of water and a slope beginning seven feet from the board.

Exercise caution with inflatables

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute found that inflatable pool toys are especially dangerous. Such toys can flip easily, putting children at risk for injury (from striking the sides of the pool) or drowning (especially if the children were ejected into deep water). Inflatables also can prevent access to the surface of the water for submerged swimmers.

Choose a backyard lifeguard At least one person should be designated as backyard lifeguard when the pool is in use. This person should always direct his or her focus on the pool, counting swimmers and keeping track of who enters and leaves the pool. Safe Kids Worldwide suggests rotating water watchers every 15 minutes.

Pools are fun places to spend summer afternoons, especially when every step is taken to ensure the safety of swimmers.