By Diane WetzelThe North Platte Telegraph

The Denny household in Stapleton is a busy one. Bob and Katy moved toStapleton two years ago, right after their youngest child Brody was born. On a recent afternoon, Katy was supervising the filling of the family wad-ing pool while Kaylee, 6, Clara, 4 and Brody, 2 clambered to get wet."It's wild around here," Denny said, shepherding her children inside for agroup photo."We are both North Platte natives and moving to a small town likeStapleton was a big change for us," she said. "Being part of MidwestMommies was a big help to me."Midwest Mommies, formally known as Lincoln County Mommies, wasfounded by Denny's sister Lori Hansen."My oldest child, Karlee (now 6) was an infant when I became involvedwith the group," Denny said. "I would have joined even if my sister wasn'tthe founder. I was a young mother of a newborn, and who best to get advicefrom but a group of young moms?" Denny has been a stay-at home mom for the past five years, just recentlyreturning to work in the treasurer's office at the Logan County Courthouse."Brody was an emergency c-section," she says matter of factly. "Plus shortly after he was born we moved here. I had some issues recoveringfrom his birth and battled with some post-partum depression. I owe the other mommies a big thank you for helping me get through that time."Hansen founded the group as part of the national Mommies network, an online forum with message boards. With the evolution of social networking, the group has moved onto Facebook, where MidwestMommies is a private group. New members must be invited to join andapproved by the site manager. The group does schedule face-to-face play dates and mom's night out, butwith the complicated schedules of all the members, the online connectionis vital.The group helped Denny adjust to small town living.

"I was struggling," she said. "I didn't know how to get out in the community. Another mommy told me to get out of the house and getinvolved in the community, and that's what my husband and I did. We arevery active in our church, and I was secretary of the PTA this year. I will bepresident during the upcoming school year. It's a busy time for a youngfamily, and having the support of the Midwest Mommies has meant a lotfor me."The Denny's enjoy camping and fishing and other outdoor activities."It's been a real support system for me," Denny said. "It's for new moms,old moms, grandmoms, any mom."What's the one food item that is always in the Denny family refrigerator?"Pickles," she said laughing. "We all really like pickles."

Above and Cover Picture: LincMOM of the Quarter Katy Denny with, from left,Karlee, 6, Brody, 2 and Clara, 4, at their home in Stapleton.

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3PUZZLES & COLORING

CCCCOOOOLLLLOOOORRRR MMMMEEEE !!!!

4 FITNESS

By Tresa Erickson Adbuilder.com

Summer is a great time to be outdoors. However, there is only somuch bike riding, tire swinging and sandcastle building kids cando before they start complaining they are bored. Put their complaints to rest this summer with these classic children'sgames.Flashlight Tag - For this game, you will need a flashlight and alarge open space, preferably outside when it is dark. Find a volunteer to be "It" and give them a flashlight. Then have themcount to 50 while everyone else hides. When they have finishedcounting, "It" should start looking for the others and shine theirflashlight on the first person they find. That player will thenbecome "It" and resume the search, while the player that was "It"will hide. Play continues in this fashion until everyone has had achance to be "It."Hide 'N' Seek - For this game, you will need a large open space.Designate a spot to serve as home base and find a volunteer to

be "It." Then have them count to 50 while everyone else hides.When they have finished counting, "It" should start looking forthe others and try to tag anyone they come across before the person reaches home base. Anyone tagged is out of the game.Play continues until only one player remains. That person is thewinner. Horse - For this game, you will need a basketball and a basketball goal. Choose a player to go first. That person shoulddecide how they are going to shoot the ball-layup, free throw,etc.-and let everyone else know. If they miss, their turn is over,they receive an "H" and the next player in line announces theirshot. If they make a basket, the next player in line must attemptto make the same shot. If that player succeeds, the ball goes tothe next player in line for their attempt at the shot. If that playerfails, their turn is over, they receive an "H" and the next playerin line announces their shot. Play continues in this manner, withany player who spells out the word "Horse" eliminated from thegame. The player remaining wins.Red Light, Green Light - For this game, you will need a largeopen space. Find a volunteer to be "It" and have them stand atthe finish line with their face forward. Line up everyone else onthe starting line about 20 feet back. When ready to begin, "It"should yell "Green Light," signaling to the other players to movetoward to the finish line. "It" may yell "Red Light" at any timethereafter, signaling to players to stop. Any players "It" catchesin motion after they turn around must start over. The first playerto reach the finish line wins.Red Rover - For this game, you will need a large open space.Divide the players into two teams and have each team link handsto form a chain facing each other. Then select a player to go first.That person should select someone from the other team to try to break through their chain and say, "Red Rover, Red Rover,send PERSON'S NAME right over." The player selected shouldthen try to break through the team's chain GENTLY. If they succeed, they return to their team's lineup with another personfrom the opposing team. If they fail, they must join the other team's lineup. Play continues until everyone is on the sameteam.These are just five variations of some popular classic outdoorgames for children. There are many more variations of manymore games, including kickball, hopscotch and tag. Think backto the outdoor games you liked to play as a child and use themto help your kids stay active this summer.

Children's Classics

Where Family Comes First!• Leland F. Lamberty, M.D. • Janet E. Bernard, M.D. • Wendy J.Gosnell, M.D. • Joseph J Kezeor M.D.

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308-534-4440

Family Medicine Associates

5

Lorena Jean Marie Williams

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Paislee Rhea Erickson • March 28, 2011

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Elyn Bargmann • March 22, 2011Daughter of: Kaily Crawford& Tracy BargmannNorth Platte

Madelyn Grace Reed • July 22, 2011Daughter of: Christopher & Keila ReedNorth Platte

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Gavin Chris Gartrell • February 17, 2011Son of: Josh & Johna GartrellNorth PlatteColton Alan Dean WayJanuary 7, 2011

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Emsley Jo GolterDecember 7, 2011

Daughter of: Blair & Traci GolterGothenburg

Karson Veal • January 31, 2011

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North Platte

Brynlee Mae Sommer • November 29, 2011

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Zoey Feddersen • September 22, 2011Daughter of: Jeremy Feddersen & Amy MunsonCozad

Olivia Rae Swedberg • October 3, 2011Daughter of: Brock & Lauressa SwedbergNorth Platte

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Son of: Nolan & Tamara Clouse

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Maxx Ryan Miller • November 16, 2011Son of: Renee & Justin MillerSutherland

Austin Kraus • April 18, 2011Son of: Todd & Shana KrausGrant

8

Photo & recipe courtesy of kraftfoods.com

Total Time: 4 hr 35 minPrep Time: 35 minServings: 16 servings

Kraft Kitchen Tips Look for wooden pop sticks in craft or hobby stores. If you don't have pop sticks, you can use plastic spoons for handles instead.How to Easily Remove Frozen Pops from Cups: Dip cups in warm water for 15 sec. Peel off cups.(Do not twist or pull pop sticks.)

Ingredients: • 1 cup sugar, divided• 1 pkg. (3 oz.) Lime JELL-O• 2 cups boiling water, divided Ice cubes• 1 cup cold water, divided• 1 pkg. (3 oz.) Strawberry JELL-O

• 3 Tbsp. miniature chocolate chips• ½ pkg. (4 oz.) PHILADELPHIA

Cream Cheese, softened• 1½ cups thawed COOL WHIP

Whipped Topping

Directions: MIX 1/3 cup sugar and lime gelatin mix in medium bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water; stir2 min. until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to 1/2 cup cold water to measure 3/4cup. Add to lime gelatin; stir until ice is completely melted. Refrigerate 25 min.MEANWHILE, repeat Step 1 using strawberry gelatin mix and omitting the refrigera-tion step. Pour into 16 (3-oz.) paper cups. Freeze 20 min. Stir 1/2 tsp. chocolate chipsinto gelatin in each cup. BEAT cream cheese and remaining sugar with mixer in medi-um bowl until well blended. Stir in COOL WHIP; spread over gelatin in cups. POURlime gelatin over cream cheese mixture. Insert wooden pop stick into gelatin in centerof each cup. Freeze 3 hours or until firm. Remove pops from cups just before serving.

9EASY TO MAKE RECIPE

Photo & recipe courtesy of kraftfoods.com

Total Time: 3 hr 30 minPrep Time: 30 min

Servings: 12 servings

Kraft Kitchen Tips: Drizzle serving plates with additional melted BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate for a spectacular, yet simple, dessert presentation.

Ingredients: • 14 OREO Cookies, divided• 1pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA

Cream Cheese, softened• ¼ cup sugar• ½ tsp. vanilla

• 1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIPWhipped Topping, thawed

• 4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

Directions: LINE 8x4-inch loaf pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Cover bottomof pan with 8 cookies. Crumble remaining cookies. BEAT cream cheese, sugar andvanilla in medium bowl with mixer until well blended. Stir in COOL WHIP. Spoon 1-1/2 cups cream cheese mixture into medium bowl; stir in melted chocolate. SPREADremaining cream cheese mixture over cookies in pan. Sprinkle with crumbled cookies;press gently into cream cheese mixture with back of spoon. Top with chocolate mixture. Freeze 3 hours or until firm. REMOVE dessert from freezer 15 min. beforeserving; invert onto plate. Discard foil. Let dessert stand at room temperature to softenslightly before cutting to serve.

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Please include event name, date, time, place & contact information.

No phone calls please.

The Telegraph reserves the right to edit and/or omit all or portions of events.

Date Time Event Location ContactTuesdays 9:30, 10:30, 1:30 Preschool Story Time North Platte Public Library 308-535-8036

1st & 3rd Wed 9:30 a.m. & 10:00 am Wee Read North Platte Public Library 308-535-8036

May 31 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Shrine Circus Lincoln County Fairgrounds

June - Mondays 1:30 p.m. Summer Reading - for those who finished kindergarten North Platte Public Library 308-535-8036Wednesdays 1:30 p.m. Summer Reading- those who finished 1st & 2nd grade North Platte Public Library 308-535-8036

3:00 p.m. Summer Reading- those who finished 3rd - 5th grade North Platte Public Library 308-535-8036

June - Sundays 2:00 p.m. Summer Waterfront Days - Enjoy water fun in the sun. Maranatha Camp 308-582-4516

June 1 - 6 Art in Abstraction (Art & Craft Show) Art & Gift Gallery - North Platte npartandgiftgallery.com

June 8 8:00 p.m. Movies in the Park - Showing: Tangled Cody Softball Fields 308-535-6772

June 9 & 10 Heritage Festival Lincoln County Historical Museum 308-534-5640Touring Antique farm implements and practices used

in making a home by the first pioneers of the area.

June 9 - 23 NEBRASKAland DAYS Throughout North Platte nebraskalanddays.comConcerts, Rodeos, Parades, Food!

Celebrate our western heritage in North Platte!

July 4 9:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. North Platte Optimists Annual Firework Show North Platte Fairgrounds 308-582-4513

July 4 Begins at 6:00 p.m. Maranatha Independence Day Celebration Maranatha Camp 308-582-4513Waterfront open, Sweetshop, BBQ Line,Evening Entertainment, Fireworks Show

July 13 8:00 p.m. Movies in the Park - Showing: Secondhand Lion Near Cody Park Pool 308-535-6772

July 25 - 30 Lincoln County Fair Lincoln County Fairgrounds lincofair.com4-H, rough stock rodeo, kids’ fun day,

demolition derby, stock car races

August 10 8:00 p.m. Movies in the Park - Showing: Despicable Me Memorial Park 308-535-6772

August 18 Maxwell Heritage Day Throughout Maxwell 308-582-4324parade, feed, team races, horse pull obstacle course

August 25 Hershey Fall Festival Throughout Hershey 308-368-58405K run, kids games, BBQ, parade and other activities

By Tresa Erickson Adbuilder.com

America is turning another year older, and the skies will soon be filledwith showers of lights. Depending upon where you live, you may be ableto put on your own fireworks display. Just make sure you're careful andfollow these safety tips

Check local ordinancesMost areas have rules in place regarding fireworks. Find out what is permitted in your area and abide by it. If fireworks are not allowed whereyou live, go someplace where they are or check out an area show.Buy from a reliable retailerIf fireworks are permitted in your area, make sure you purchase themfrom a good source. You don't want to end up with a bunch of duds orillegal fireworks. Steer clear of any fireworks that appear suspicious andnever attempt to make your own.Set up a good launch siteChoose a large, open area outdoors to launch your fireworks. Have ahose, bucket of water or fire extinguisher on hand just in case a fireshould break out. Have a first aid kit on hand should an accident occur.

Use fireworks properlyRead the manufacturer's directions on the packaging and follow it. Neveralter or combine fireworks. Never light fireworks in glass containers orin your hands. Wear safety glasses and stand back when lighting fireworks.Supervise the use of fireworksFireworks can cause serious injury-even sparklers which can get hotenough to melt metal. Have a responsible adult on hand to supervise allfirework activities involving kids and teens. Encourage kids to neverpoint fireworks at each other. Keep young children away from the launchsite. Insist that teens follow the manufacturer's recommendations whenlighting fireworks.Dispose of fireworks properlyNever attempt to relight fireworks. If they are duds, douse them withwater and dispose of them in the trash. After a firework has been lit, giveit time to cool, douse it with water and dispose of it in the trash. Neverleave the disposal of fireworks to young kids. They could pick up something when it is hot and burn themselves. Every year, hundreds of people wind up in the emergency room due to afireworks injury. Don't let it happen to you. Put safety first, follow thetips above and err on the side of caution at every turn!

11SAFETY

Safety First

How do soft drinks affect dental health?Answer: Soft drinks can contain 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar per serving. So, when you drink a soda you are

essentially bathing your teeth in liquid sugar. The bacteria that naturally live on your teeth feed on that sugar andproduce acid. Without proper care, the acid dissolves the surface of your teeth and creates a cavity. Acids from

soft drinks (especially diet sodas) wash over your teeth, affecting the entire tooth structure. Over time,they erode the hard, protective enamel, causing your teeth to get thinner and expose the sensitive dentinlayer inside your tooth. As your teeth continue to get thinner, the edges can crumble and lose their natural shape. When the enamel is worn away, it exposes the dentin layer to both decay and pain. Thisis not a problem only for adults. Children and teens can have frequent access to soft drinks. Becausetheir teeth are still forming, the damage to them can be great. Colas (regular and diet), sports drinks, energy drinks, vitamin waters, fruitjuices, lemonades, teas, and blended coffeedrinks all contain the sugars that can damage your teeth. Your best choices forbeverage are milk, and of course, fluoridated water.

Lannae Phelps, D.D.S.