owensboro parent - february 2013

February 2013 . OWENSBORO PARENT 1www.OwensboroParent.com

3 OWENSBORO PARENT . February 2013 www.OwensboroParent.com


If you’ve ever wanted to have Owensboro Parent Magazine

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month Owensboro Parent Magazine is introducing a new mail

delivery subscription.

Owensboro Parent Magazine is committed to providing a FREE

magazine for everyone. We have worked to ensure thousands of

magazines are available at businesses, physician offices, schools

and restaurants throughout Owensboro each month. This service

will continue as usual. But we’ve heard from many parents who

aren’t able to find a magazine or simply forgot to pick one up each

month. We think we’ve found the solution.

For $12 each year we will send a magazine to your home or

business. That breaks down to $1 delivery cost for each issue. This

subscription service functions like other magazine subscriptions,

you can go online to setup your subscription by visiting our

website, www.owensboroparent.com, or you can mail in the form

found on page 7.

We may be a little partial, but we think a subscription makes for a

perfect gift! Our online subscription form has an option to send

the subscription as a gift.

We are excited to offer this new service and it’s our hope that

many of you find this as a simple way to get the magazine you’ve

come to love.

Sincerely,

Jason Tanner

[email protected]

Publisher/Creative Director

Jason Tanner

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Editor

Ashley Sorce

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Jeff Sorce

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Jodi Tanner

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Jonathan Tanner

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Robert Williams

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Graphic Designer

Taylor West

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Distribution Manager

Steven Morris

Contributors

Dr. Brian Gannon

Christina Dalton

Christy Ramey

Danny May

Gail E. Kirkland

Jaime Rafferty

Jessica Weafer

Lora Wimsatt

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from the publisher

february 2013


parental control [8]

it’s love [10]

butterfly on the windshield [12]

the rhythm of love [14]

valentine party for a cause [16]

[18] family fun date

[20] it’s a small world

[26] being a good citizen

[28] freeze the day

[31] february calendar

[16]

[12]

[20]

[26]

[28]

[14]

february features

[08]


february 2013

Ah, Valentine’s Day, the day of love! For your kids, this Valentine’s Day may be their first

since entering the dating world. How did you handle when your kids started dating or will

start dating? Have you established a dating policy? Curfew? Forbid dating until they’re

30? That’s what we asked with this month’s ParentTalk, and here are a few of our favorite

answers from Facebook.

parent talk

When our girls were young Wendell would always ask the young men if

they would like to see his gun cabinet. They seemed to get the message.

- Wendell and Marilyn Yeckering

My daughters will be joining the convent at age 12. Just kidding, but

they can’t date til 30.

- Drew Hardesty

As a parent to twin 17-year-old boys, I personally am not ready. But

ready or not... puppy love and mature love have arrived. We are just

awaiting the unveiling of which is which. I have learned that children

mature differently and life unfolds for each child differently. Solid rules

don’t work for our family. Basically we are living on a prayer. We take

each new situation and talk a lot about what’s wise, Godly, and how

they truly feel about the other person. One thing we have tried to

teach our children is that dating is not a game. If played like one we

tend to hurt people unintentionally and walk through much undo hurt

ourselves. Our teenagers are encouraged to think and slow down.

There is plenty of time, and friendships are always a good option until

they can sort through feelings. I won’t just get out of the way, I am

committed to helping my kids balance out healthy feelings, while

holding my breath while letting them spread their wings and fly.

- Joanie Merritt Hagan

When I was a teen, I had a youth minister that instilled into us one

truth...”Your date may be your mate” meaning never to date anyone

that you wouldn’t want to be married to. Choose your dates wisely

with the same character and values that you would want in a husband/

wife. If you wouldn’t want them for a spouse, you don’t need to be

dating them. And with this in mind, think about and make a list of the

values that you want in a mate, hold out for that special person. They

are out there waiting for you. When you find him/her, honor them &

respect them and strive to become a better person for them.

- Karen Katchuk

I have two kids-- a girl and a boy. They will not GO on a date until

they have their license, that way if anything happens they can drive

themselves home. They are only 9 and 5 now, but that was my parents

rule for me and it came in handy more than once. If the person you

go with feels the stupid desire to drink you are able to drive home. And

I am building a relationship with my kids like the one I have with my

parents. I can tell them anything. They may not be thrilled about what I

tell them, but they listen and talk it over honestly and always thank me

for being open and honest. You have to give them the values and the

chance to use them on their own.

- Summer Pearl Doughty


family life

Q: Is there anything I can be doing now for

my daughter at 15 months old to prepare her

for school?

A: This is a great question. There are so

many things parents can do to prepare their

children for school, especially at such a young

age. Children at this age have a tendency to

be shy, not like strangers and cling to their

parents. I think it is a good idea to make sure

that they are able to be around other children.

This is the age when they are starting pretend

play, for example, like feeding a baby doll

and pointing to things that interest them. It

is also a time when temper tantrums are the

latest and greatest skill they have mastered. A

child as young as 6-months-old comprehends

that when they throw an item on the floor, you

will pick it up. We have all seen this scenario

a million times, a baby throws a toy on the

floor and we pick it up over and over. It can

make you feel like the baby is training you. A

15-month-old normally has a vocabulary of

about 3 to 6 words. At this age it is a great

time to start looking at picture books with

them. They are so curious and whether you

can see it or not they are absorbing everything

and learning daily. Reading to your baby,

interacting with other children and showing

them new things each and every day will help

them become ready to enter school. When

children are screened for kindergarten they

look for things like color recognition, numbers,

letters and sequencing. I can promise you

though whether your child knows all of these

things before kindergarten or not they will

learn them in school. Keep in mind that 90%

of a child’s brain develops in the first five

years of life. Important factors include daily

experiences, parent involvement, nutrition,

physical activity and most importantly...

LOVE!

Q: My 13-year-old son is so disrespectful

of me and others. I feel like I am at a total

loss. It’s so embarrassing, especially out in

public. Is there anything you can suggest?

parental{ Q & A w i t h c h r i s t i n a d a l t o n , M S S W, C S W }

control

Q

AReading to your baby,

interacting with other children and showing

them new things will help them

become ready to enter school.

Q


A: I completely agree with you about

teenagers, young adults and all the way to

little children. I have seen it in restaurants,

grocery stores, and just about anywhere you

go. There is an air of entitlement in today’s

children. I think that we have to go back to

the basics of good ole fashioned manners. We

are somewhat in a society that wants to blame

others for our problems. Sometimes as parents

we go to great lengths so that our children

do not have to experience disappointment,

struggle, or any form of delayed gratification.

I know there are people, myself included,

that have had moments of entitlement with

our children. I have had my child tell me

it’s time for me to get off the phone. That

is entitlement. When a teenager has a closet

full of clothes and says I have nothing to wear.

That is entitlement. Manners are directly

related to respect. Manners are our first

introduction to respect. More importantly

we can only learn to respect ourselves when

we learn to respect others. It’s hard and

sometimes we treat our children as if they

are the center of our world. There has to be a

balance in our relationship with our children.

We need to go back and make it a point to

teach our children thoughtfulness, courtesy,

consideration, kindness, politeness and basic

etiquette. When we do that then the respect

will follow.

Q: I have a 9-year-old daughter that is so

stubborn. I can say the sky is blue and she

will argue with me all day long that it’s not.

How can I effectively talk to her when she

is like this instead of yelling and screaming

because that gets me no where?

A: My child can be stubborn sometimes and

my first piece of advice is to pick your battles.

Sometimes it is just not worth the fight to

argue over something that is not important.

But they suck you in and before you know it,

you are arguing over a math problem that you

know what the right answer is and they don’t

believe you. Never tell a stubborn child what

to do either. When you tell a stubborn child

what to do it alerts some part of their brain to

disengage and do the opposite. Instead you

describe what you’re willing to do or allow. In

the Love and Logic Program® they call this

enforceable statements. Here is an example,

“I’ll be happy to do the things I do for you

when I feel treated with respect,” or “You may

go online as long as I’m around to supervise.”

By using these types of statements you can

take the arguing out of the equation. One

thing I want you to remember is the only

thing you can control is yourself. I know it’s

hard and can be so frustrating at times. Stop

telling them what to do and start telling them

what you are going to do.

Christina Dalton, MSSW, CSW is the Family

Resource Center Coordinator for Daviess County

Public Schools.

A

Q

AOP


From the time you saw the little blue “plus sign” on the

pregnancy test stick, it was love.

From the time you heard the watery “th-

thump” of the heartbeat at the doctor’s office, it

was love.

From the time you saw that shadowy outline

on the sonogram, it was love.

From the time you felt something like

butterflies fluttering in your tummy, it was love.

From the time you pushed and cried and

sweated and squeezed your husband’s hand, it

was love.

From the time you held that damp, wrinkled,

squawling baby, it was love.

From the time you watched in fascination as those rosebud

lips nursed, it was love.

From the time you dressed your baby in those impossibly

tiny, awesomely adorable outfits, it was love.

From the time the baby first said “Ma-ma” and “Da-da,” it

was love.

From the time those chubby arms went around

your neck and a wet kiss was planted on your

cheek, it was love.

And –

When the baby cries … and cries … and cries

… all night, it’s still love.

When the diaper leaks on your best outfit, it’s

still love.

When you go back to work and your boss

discretely inquires about the spit-up stain on the

shoulder of your blouse, it’s still love.

When exploring little hands shove a puzzle piece into the

DVD player, it’s still love.

When you juggle baby and purse and diaper bag and

groceries and keys, and binky falls to the ground and you have

to figure out a way to bend over and pick it up without dropping

When playful little hands unravel a

whole roll of bathroom

tissue, it’s still love.

{ b y : l o r a w i m s a t t }

it’s love.

family life


everything else, it’s still love.

When playful little hands unravel a whole roll of bathroom

tissue, it’s still love.

When everyone in the restaurant stares as you slink away to

the restroom with your tantrum-throwing child, it’s still love.

When curious little hands delete all the apps on your

smartphone, it’s still love.

When you listen to the adventures of Dora the Explorer

so many times you find yourself humming “Do-do-do-do-do-

Dora!” while standing in line at the bank, it’s still love.

When you stand at the corner and wave good-bye until the

big yellow school bus disappears from sight even though your

child is “too cool” now to wave back, it’s still love.

From the very beginning, it was love.

And somewhere along the way, you realize there is no ending.

It will always be love.

Lora Wimsatt is a mother, grandmother and writer. She enjoys the everyday

blessings and adventures of life, especially her family

OP


As I was headed to work the other day I saw the most beautiful

monarch butterfly. Unfortunately, I was not in a country

field or a nearby park, I was on Highway 60. Before I ever had

a chance to appreciate how exquisite this creature was, it hit my

windshield with a SMACK! and bounced off into the unknown.

I spent the rest of the morning worrying about what had become

of that butterfly, and then I found myself starting to identify

with it. When you think about it, we are not that much different

than the butterfly. We start off our lives in the comfort and safety

of a warm cocoon then stretch out our wings to explore new

surroundings. As some of us are soaring through life, enjoying

the view, the surroundings begin to change, and before we know

it…SMACK! We hit face first into a windshield. Each of us has

our own “windshield” to contend with. For some of us it is divorce

or a failed relationship, for others it is the sudden loss of a job or

a loved one. Sometimes the descent is long and frightening, while

other times it is more of a quick shock to the system. Initially we

may feel stunned and disoriented, as though we may never take

flight again. Often times we are left feeling damaged, scarred, or

as if we are carrying the world’s baggage. These are the marks that

should not define us, but should help to strengthen and build our

character.

{ b y : m e l o d y w a l l a c e }

on the windshield

family life

butterfly


Interestingly, when scientists want to learn about the life

and travels of a butterfly they find they can learn a great deal by

examining its wings. Brand new butterflies have nearly perfect

wings, while more experienced butterflies’ wings may appear

old and tattered. What truly amazes these scientists is that some

butterflies whose wings display scratches, tears, worn spots, or

are even missing over half of a wing still manage to find a way to

fly. Losing a job that brought you joy and security may leave your

wings scratched and torn, or losing a loved one through death or

divorce may leave you feeling as though part of you is missing.

One of the most indelible pictures of the monarch displayed a

“v” shaped imprint on one of its wings. Incredibly a bird that was

trying to capture and eat the butterfly made this mark. I think of

some of the people I have met in this life who have been attacked

by “predators” or have been hit by the proverbial windshields of

cancer, the loss of a spouse, or the death of a child. These people

seem to have dealt with more than their share of burdens, yet

they are the ultimate picture of grace. These are the people that

wear the scars on their wings as character building beauty marks,

rather than blemishes of defeat.

The encouraging news is that we really are at an advantage

in comparison to the butterfly, even though it feels as though we

have so much to accomplish and so little time to accomplish it.

The average lifespan of a butterfly is just a few weeks. In this

time the butterfly must find a mate, generate offspring, provide

for that offspring, and avoid predators, while still maintaining

to care for and feed itself. It really puts into perspective our own

lives. Some of us have an entire lifetime--decades to find and

share with a mate and care for our children. We have friends and

family members that can provide branches of support and shelter

when predators attack. As humans we are lucky that we do not

have to explore and experience this world alone.

Contemplating all of these comparisons just further instills in

me that each day is a blessing. Although there will be inclement

weather to dampen our wings, predators to avoid, and the

occasional unforeseen windshield, we must remember this…We

are all beautiful butterflies, with our own unique scratches and

tears and we need to brush off our wings each day and see how

high we can soar.

Melody Wallace is a teacher in the Daviess County School district who has

recently remarried, and finds new happiness each day in her roles as teacher,

wife, mom, and stepmom.

OP


discover

In honor of the month of love, which is also heart disease

awareness month, I would like to review some common fears

parents may have about children and heart diseases.

Your big, strapping seventh grader is seeing the pediatrician for

a sports physical, and the doctor tells you he has a heart murmur.

Suddenly your own heart skips a beat, and you worry about your

son’s future in athletics and his general health, with scary visions of

open heart surgery in your mind. But should you really be worried?

First, what is a murmur anyway? With each heartbeat, your

doctor hears a sound like “lub-dub,” which represents the closing

of the valves between the upper and lower chambers of the heart.

Any sound other than the typical “lub-dub” would be defined as a

murmur.

Most murmurs are “innocent,” meaning the sound is produced

by a normal, healthy heart with blood flowing through it correctly.

The murmur occurs because there is more flow than usual for

some reason, or it is flowing more rapidly. This may happen with a

nervous teenager (as in the example above), after exercise, or during

a fever. The first evaluation for this type of murmur, especially if

discovered by an urgent care doctor or provider that does not know

your child well, is for your regular doctor to listen to the child at a

time that he is not sick. If the murmur is gone, then it is very likely

innocent, requiring no further testing. A murmur that comes and

goes is generally not dangerous.

Sometimes the rhythm of the heart is not completely regular.

Parents or providers may notice that the beats are not evenly

spaced: “lub-dub…lub-dub……..lub—dub…lub-dub.” This can

be a problem with the heart’s internal pacemaker, which is a little

area within the heart that triggers the beats in rhythm. But most

commonly, at least in children between 5 and 15, it is normal

variation with breathing. Your pediatrician can tell when the beats

are closer as the lungs fill with air, and get further apart when the

lungs empty and the heart has more space to beat. This is really

true in all of us, but since children are usually healthy and their

chest wall is thinner, the variation from beat to beat is easier to hear.

An abnormal rhythm will often cause symptoms in the child,

like passing out or feeling like the heart is racing, even when at

rest. If these symptoms are noted, it is important to have your

child evaluated by her regular pediatrician. Often we will

find a simple explanation that does not require surgery,

but a full exam and heart tracing is needed in these

situations. If there is a family history of heart

rhythm disturbances, especially sudden death

in a person younger than 50 years old, we

really need to be made aware of it, so

we can look further.

children and the rhythm of love

{ b y : d r . b r i a n g a n n o n }


I would like to take this time to make a special note about

the pre-participation sports physical. Any student planning

to participate in school-sponsored sports will be required to

have a screening physical. It is very important for parents

to be aware of this and plan well ahead of the season of the

child’s sport. If the physical or evaluation turns up an issue

that must be addressed, it could delay your child’s clearance

to play or even practice with the team, so it is best to schedule

the sports physical a month or so before you need it. And the

most important question on the KHSAA form is about the

heart: Is there a family member who died suddenly before age

50? I cannot stress enough how vital it is for parents to fill out

the questionnaire before bringing the student to the doctor, so

we have all the information we need to state clearly that your

child may be allowed to play.

The testing is fairly simple, a 12-lead ECG or tracing

of the electrical activity of the heart. But getting the ECG

interpreted and evaluated may take valuable time, which

would be time well spent if it prevents a catastrophe on the

basketball court. There are a few rhythm problems that run

in families, such as Long QT and Wolff-Parkinson-White

syndromes, so if you know about these, definitely let the

doctor know.

So be reassured that most of these extra sounds or

irregular rhythms in children and teenagers are harmless, but

if your child has significant fatigue, chest pain, or passing out,

keep your doctor in the loop!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Dr Gannon and the staff at Pediatric Partners!!!

OP


Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to show some love for

other people, animals, or a favorite charity. So throw a

party for a cause and show kids how to have fun and help others

at the same time. This could be the beginning of a lifetime of

service for your child and their friends.

Decide on a cause. With your child, choose a charity or group that will benefit from

the party. Do some research on the Internet before you decide

on what group to select.

Ideas for your party might include:• Making valentines for our troops serving overseas.

Including small items in a care package with the

cards would be a nice touch. According to the website

anysoldier.com, it’s the cards that are the most meaningful.

• Help some animals in need. Have the party attendees

bring a bag of food for a dog or a cat. The activity at your

event could be to make catnip toys. Include the delivery of

these items to the local shelter as a part of the party.

• Throw a fleece party! Make easy scarves, mittens, hats,

and blankets from fleece for the homeless or take them to

the HELP Office on 4th Street here in Owensboro. Each

attendee brings 1 yard of colorful fleece. Find easy patterns

and no-sew patterns online at About.com - family crafts.

• Serenade Seniors. When kids arrive at the party, practice

the songs you have decided to sing. Choose favorites

with which the children are already familiar. Make

some valentines to take with you to distribute. Provide

transportation to a local nursing home for a “singspiration”

with the residents. Don’t forget to give plenty of hugs.{ b y : c h r i s t y r a m e y }

discover

valentine’s party for a cause!


Invitations and decorations:• Make your invitations from hearts with accordion arms to

show you are reaching out to others. Include the ‘cause’ the

party will benefit, time, place, and any special supplies or gifts

the kids will need to bring.

• Decorate your room with appropriately themed items that

match the cause.

• Use hearts and streamers with camouflage for the troops

party, musical notes and sheet music for the serenading party,

mittens on a clothesline for the fleece party, and dog bones for

the animal shelter party.

Mementos:Take plenty of pictures and prepare a small scrapbook for each

guest. These can be digital and sent to a parent’s e-mail address.

The memories made at a Valentine’s Party for a cause will last a

lifetime. The lessons learned from this experience will never be

forgotten!

Christy Ramey is the Daviess County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer

Sciences. She has been married for 38 years and have three children and three

grandchildren.

OP


Here’s the scene that’s probably all too familiar for most

parents: In a matter of eye blinks the house transformed

from clean to someone-call-ServPro-it’s-so-dirty after the kid(s)

played for about five minutes; dirty dishes multiplied on their

own in the kitchen sink; your spouse came home in a mood

and now everyone is in a mood; and you’re exhausted, asking

yourself, “Didn’t we just do this yesterday?”

It happens to every family from time to time. Your family’s

rhythm, for whatever reason, gets off track, and all you want is a

break.

There are hundreds of articles and Web sites stressing the

importance of a husband and wife making the time to take dates

once children come into the picture to help mend and maintain

a positive relationship. But less common is the suggestion for a

family date night — not just skipping cooking for an evening

and going out for dinner, but consciously making the decision

to take a fun-filled-we’re-not-going-to-sweat-the-small-stuff

family date.

A few weeks ago my little family was having a rough time.

We had all been very sick with horrible colds, bronchitis, and

croup. Needless to say, our usually happy, positive demeanors

had dwindled to easily frustrated, exhausted, and grumpy. My

husband and I were growing easily agitated with our two-year-

old, who was also growing easily agitated with us. We were just

feeding off of each other’s negative attitudes and perpetuating

the problem.

So we decided that a date night, just the two of us (a rare

occurrence), is what we needed to cure our attitudes. We arranged

for a sitter, decided where we were going, then, while we were all

sitting on the couch waiting for the sitter and watching a movie,

an idea struck us. The three of us should go out together!

What a great idea, we thought.

If we all had bad attitudes, then we all needed to work it out

together! We are one unit, and when we are all down, we should

fix it as one.

This revelation reminded me of a scene in the movie

“Spanglish,” with Adam Sandler and Paz Vega (Flor). In the

scene, Flor’s daughter, Christina, is mad at Flor. Christina tells

fun date

discover

{ b y : j e s s i c a w e a f e r }

plan a family


her mother that she needs distance from her until she cools

down. Then Flor leans over, nose to nose with Christina and says

emphatically, “There is no distance between us!”

How true is that? There is no distance between family. If

there is a problem, you don’t run away from it, you embrace it

and make it better together!

On our family date, we did a little shopping, ate some yummy

food, complete with dessert, and visited the children’s section

of the bookstore. We set out on our date with positive attitudes.

We knew there may be fits. Our son is two; there are always fits.

But our renewed attitude made it OK, and actually, our little guy

did great and never got upset. I know it’s because he was able to

sense our new positive attitudes.

Since our family date, things have been great. We’ve all been

our usual, easy-going selves, full of of fun, laughter, and positive

energy!

When you’re ready for your family date, there are a lot of

options in town to help your family let loose: ice skating, laser

tag, the local art and science museums, the bookstore (my

personal favorite), walking around the mall, going to dinner at

one the many local restaurants, visiting our wonderful parks, or

going to the movies. You could even just go for a walk or bike

ride around the neighborhood.

Of course, I think it’s important for a mother and father to

have alone time. Don’t forget about Thursday night’s Downtown

Date Night for when you and your mate are ready for a date!

Owensboro’s Downtown is a perfect place for a grown-up date,

from the great restaurants, laid-back coffee shop, and the best

place in town to get an adult beverage.

But it is equally important to have time as a family. Your

family unit is a relationship just like your marriage. That

relationship needs to be nurtured. When life starts to get hectic,

and you find yourselves on the brink of agitation or checking

prices for one ticket to Florida, make the conscious decision to

let go of the negativity and have a little fun together.

FIX IT TOGETHER!

Jessica Weafer lives in Owensboro with her husband and son. She is a stay-at-

home mom and enjoys writing about all things kids and family.

OP


The petite, soft-spoken, Cinderella-look-alike with big,

fluttering hazel green eyes, porcelain skin, and luscious

blonde curls cascading to her mid-back is more than your average

Disney World enthusiast—much more. She is a cancer survivor.

Sixteen-year-old Jennifer Rudd, a junior at Daviess County High

School, exudes maturity and wisdom well beyond her years. “She’s

pretty tough,” said her dad, Keith Rudd, an assessment eagerly

acknowledged by her mom, Anna, and her two older sisters, Traci

and Michelle, as we sat huddled together in their living room one

rainy Sunday afternoon.

That same dad was the one who tearfully told his then-14-year-

old daughter the biopsy results: “Well, it’s not good news.”

His next words were those of reassurance that Hodgkin’s

lymphoma can be treated and cured. In fact, the cure rate is now

an impressive 96 percent. Nonetheless, the remaining 4 percent

weighed heavily upon the family. Traci admitted having an internal

tug of war, all the while knowing that she had to be strong for

everyone else. “It was all difficult,” Michelle said.

While in the Smoky Mountains during Spring Break of her

8th-grade year, Jennifer found a knot on the left side of her neck,

slightly below her jawbone. Within days she saw her pediatrician,

Dr. Don Neel, and an ear-nose-throat specialist, Dr. Matthew

Taylor, who did a biopsy the next day. The doctors’ suspicions

were confirmed. In tandem, they moved swiftly to contact St. Jude

Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., whose mission

is “to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric

catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.”

Jennifer summarized her feelings upon hearing the C-word from

her dad: “Scared.”

However, from Day One at St. Jude, the family affirmed their

outright surprise at the smiling, friendly, uplifting atmosphere

surrounding them. They could not help but wonder, “Why is

everybody so happy here?” Granted, they soon discovered it is not

always a happy place. The unavoidable recognition that many of the

cancer patients were indeed babies and youngsters fighting for their

lives cut the Rudd family to the core. Yet, the first week confirmed

community

{ b y : g a i l e . k i r k l a n d }

it’s a smallworld

photo by: jason tanner


that the positives outweighed the negatives at St. Jude.

During that week, Jennifer underwent extensive tests: chest

X-rays, PET scans, CAT scans, echograms, EKGs, in addition

to blood work. “It was weird,” Jennifer said in regard to going

through the scanning tubes. In addition to the mass in her neck,

tests revealed smaller tumors scattered throughout her chest cavity.

Jennifer’s parents agreed for her to participate in an ongoing

research study to benefit other children with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Amazingly, Jennifer never had to stay overnight in the hospital. At

the conclusion of each day’s scans and tests, she was allowed to stay

with her family at Grizzlies House, a short-term, dorm-like facility

provided at no cost to St. Jude patients and their families. There

they had most of the comforts of home, including two bedrooms,

a living room, a kitchen, laundry area—plus pool tables in the

commons area. By the time Jennifer left St. Jude, she had become

quite a pool shark worthy of her own cue stick, according to her dad.

“No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance,

and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is

financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization,”

according to the St. Jude web site.

To that point, fundraising is an essential, crucial component

of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s overall success. Emily

Wood, associate director of the ALSAC office in Louisville,

confirmed that 75 percent of St. Jude’s revenue comes from

individual donors. As she emphasized, “Every dollar counts,”

considering that operating costs equal a whopping $1.8 million—

DAILY. An estimated $?? million is raised annually in Kentucky

alone. The hidden benefit of the many and varied fundraising

efforts is an increased awareness of St. Jude’s mission to help any

child needing treatment.

During Jennifer’s 12-week chemotherapy administered via

a PICC-line, she travelled back and forth to Memphis, staying

overnight only as needed. She said the biggest challenge she faced

was “my hair failing out.” Ironically, Jennifer is a 3-time donor to

Locks of Love, first cutting off her waist-length hair at age seven

and cutting it a third time just before her chemo treatment. At the

onset of her freshman year, she missed several days of school while

undergoing five-day radiation treatments for a month. When she

did walk through the doors of DCHS, Jennifer donned a headband

and a ponytail—albeit a severely thinned, miniscule ponytail. She

did not want a wig or a hat, opting instead for what remained of her

once beautiful ponytail.

Jennifer has been in remission since October of 2010. She still

travels to St. Jude annually for a major checkup, and goes every four

discover


facebook


months for follow-up X-rays and blood work.

Some trips have been for more than medical treatment or

checkups. One was an all-expense paid week-long trip to Disney

World, provided by the Make-A-Wish Foundation and coordinated

by the nursing staff at Owensboro’s Mitchell Memorial Cancer

Center. Jennifer beamed as she described each of her seven days

there. A Princess star with her name on it hangs in the ceiling at

Give Kids the World, a castle-like structure there. Another dream-

come-true trip landed her front and center at a Justin Bieber concert

in Nashville, again compliments of the Mitchell nursing staff.

Her entire family, along with an array of friends and neighbors,

has become involved with WBKR’s St. Jude Radiothon, held

February 21-22. In its 10th anniversary, the radiothon hopes to

surpass the $124,000 raised in 2012. WBKR’s Chad Benefield,

radiothon coordinator, said Owensboro’s fundraiser is unique in

that “we throw St. Jude’s playbook to the side and do our own

thing.” That ‘thing’ has been quite successful, with donations

jumping exponentially from $65,000 in 2009 and $81,000 in 2010.

WBKR is one of hundreds of radio stations across the nation

who participates in this fundraising network entitled Country

Cares, an idea spawned by Randy Owen—front man for “Alabama.”

This year’s local effort kicks off with a “Denim and Diamonds”

extravaganza, February 1, at the Theatre Workshop venue (once

Goldie’s). The event involves local musicians and St. Jude

patients joining together to entertain, to inform, and to inspire the

community about this all-important fundraising effort. The $10

admission goes directly toward the St. Jude Radiothon.

Not only great individuals, but also original lyrics have evolved

from this fundraising effort. Chad is writing his fourth song, which

will debut during the WBKR radiothon. His first song, “Saints and

Angels,” was inspired by a 4-year-old cancer patient, who deeply

touched his heart.

WBKR will dedicate 13 hours each day, from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.,

in an effort to exceed the $124,000 raised last year. Cancer survivors

like Jennifer will be there lending their time, telling their story,

sharing their talent to benefit St. Jude.

Those who listen carefully may hear Jennifer’s rendition of

“You’re Gonna Miss Me,” which is beyond pitch perfect, even

magical.

Jennifer’s small world certainly became brighter through the

abundant love, compassion, and expert care at St. Jude Children’s

Research Hospital.

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

OP

The 10th Annual WBKR St. Jude Radiothon, presented by Poole’s Pharmacy Care

Hosted by Chad Benefield, Jaclyn Graves, Barb Birgy and Dave Spencer

Thursday, Feb. 21 and Friday, Feb. 22 on The Country Station, 92.5 WBKR. 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Featuring stories of hope and inspiration from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis

and live performances by Rollie Pike, Brian Hart, Kyle Whitaker, Heath & Molly, The West Louisville

Elementary School Choir, Emily Clark, Ryan Himes, Tara and Travis Estes, Latasha Shemwell, Kennedy

McCollam, Mudd River Union and more!

Become a St. Jude Partner-In-Hope by calling 1-800-201-8883 DURING the radiothon!

children’s hospitalST. JUDE

numbersB Y T H E

268patients are

treated each day at St. Jude.

81cents of every dollar raised

goes towards treatment.

0The amount

families pay for treatment!

7,800active patients visit St. Jude

each year.

community


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OP


Preston Wilson is not just any 8-year-old

boy. He is a boy on a mission-- a mission

to be a helpful citizen of Owensboro!

From the surface he’s a strawberry blonde boy,

with glasses and a sense of humor that would

have boded well on “Kids Say the Darndest

Things.”

Apart from his humor, Preston

loves football, four-wheeler riding and

Taekwondo, in which he currently holds a

brown belt.

He is son to proud parents, Kevin and

Leslie Wilson. Preston is also big brother to

sister Lauren, 2, who, he is quick to point out,

“stole his thunder” when entering the family.

With all joking aside, Preston is a young man

who has a heart for people. Not just the people

in his family or those he knows, but even

people he has never met.

It was in Mrs. Paula Naas’ third grade

class at Deer Park Elementary, during a local

government project, that this little boy did

something many men and women have never

done: he saw a need and decided to help.

Each student was given the task to show

branches of local government and what it

meant to be a good citizen. This could be

accomplished in a few ways – making a mobile,

a poster, or write a letter to local government on

an issue.

Preston knew what he wanted to do. Write

a letter to Mayor Ron Payne.

The school project could have been

achieved by simply writing a letter to the

mayor. However, this young man didn’t stop

there. He not only had Leslie send the letter, he

also informed Mayor Payne that he had mailed

the city council members letters and that his

Mom would be bringing him to the November

20th council meeting.

Preston decided, after talking to his Mom,

he would raise money for the Daviess County

Senior Services, Senior Christmas Wish project.

This money would help all homebound seniors

enrolled in the Meals on Wheels program to

receive a Christmas goodie bag.

Preston pledged to give $25 of his allowance

to help the project, but also challenged the

Mayor and council members to do the same.

Leslie said, after the council meeting had

concluded, several folks came up to Preston

handing him five and ten dollar bills for the

project.

It didn’t end there, Preston’s grandmother

Janie, a hairdresser, posted the information

at her station and clients began to give small

donations. Other family and friends also heard

what this young man was doing and gave.

In less than a month, 8-year-old Preston raised

nearly $1,000 to give to the Senior Christmas

Wish Project.

He presented the money to Tom Vittitow,

Director of the Elizabeth Munday Center,

prior to Christmas so that the items could be

community

being a model{ b y : j a i m e r a f f e r t y }

citizen

photo by:jason tanner


Preston handing the donations to

Tom Vittitow, Executive Director

of the Munday Activity Center/

Daviess County Senior Services.

purchased. He told his Mom, “Man that sure

felt good!”

Leslie said she was speechless at Preston’s

initiative to exceed the school project and

actually demonstrate being a good citizen. She

said, “To watch your child want to help others

is the most rewarding gift I have ever felt. It’s

absolutely indescribable. I can only hope this

is just one of many things he will do to help

others.”

Preston was to aid staff in delivering the

Christmas goodie bags, but was unable because

he became ill. He said not being able to help

made him, “sadder than when someone tells

me I am going to get donuts and the next day I

don’t.” That’s a pretty sad day for an 8-year-old!

However he did say that giving the money to

Mr. Vittitow felt like, “I was getting my donuts!”

This young man has a bright future and we

can only hope he remains in Owensboro and

continues to help others.

Though Preston changes his mind about

what he wants to be when he grows up, almost

daily his answers vary

from enlisting in the

Air Force, to becoming

an architect or even

working with his dad

as a brick mason.

After his attendance

at the city council

meeting, one might

assume he has aspirations

in politics. He smiled and

said, “Hey, that just gave me a

good idea! Maybe I could be the

president or the person who protects

the president!”

Preston is already an example to peers, but

perhaps we adults could be challenged by his

determination and look at how we too can be

better citizens of our great community.

Jaime Rafferty enjoys writing, as a hobby. She lives

is Owensboro with her husband, Paul and their two

children.

OP

OP


community

“Freezin for a reason”- that’s how the Special

Olympics website describes the Polar Plunge.

And they’re not kidding! Every February, people brave

enough to take the Polar Plunge jump into the lake at

the Hines Center in extremely chilly temperatures, all

in the name of raising money for Special Olympics.

Participants must raise at least $75 in donations to be

eligible to plunge.

“This is the ninth year we’ve done the Polar Plunge

at the Hines Center,” says event director Candace

Thompson. Last year 233 people took the plunge and

raised more than $54,000. The upcoming event is

scheduled for February 9th with opening ceremonies at

11 a.m.

But this year, for the first time, kids ages 5-12 can take

part in the “Pee Wee Plunge,” which will take place just

before the Polar Plunge. “Some parents are reluctant

to let their children jump in a freezing cold lake. So we

decided to start the Pee Wee Plunge so that kids can still

be involved and parents would feel much safer about

it,” Thompson explained. “It’s been successful in other

places, so we’re trying it here.”

{ b y : d a n n y m a y }

freezethe day

© 2012 - Phil Casper


The Pee Wee Plunge is less intense than jumping in the

lake. It entails slipping down a giant inflatable slide into a

small pool filled with cold water.

There are five other Polar Plunges happening in several

other cities in Kentucky, which have collectively contributed

over $5 million for Special Olympics Kentucky programs.

Money generated from the Polar Plunge is used to put on

the various sports programs and competitions throughout the

state.

The Special Olympics program is more extensive than

most people realize. Thompson explains, “A lot of people

ask ‘when is the Special Olympics?’ Well, Special Olympics

is actually 15 different sports, which take place both on the

local and statewide level.” The summer games are in June

and the winter games start in January. There are different

divisions according to the athletes’ skill level.

Children with special needs can begin competing in

Special Olympics at age nine. There is an introductory

program for children under nine to learn the basics of each

activity and learn the foundations of the game.

According to Owensboro Special Olympics coach Jeff

Johnson, one of the major benefits of being involved in Special

Olympics is learning to follow rules and working together

as a team. Johnson continued, “These athletes may have

some cognitive shortcomings, but they want to compete and

compete well. They get after it! And they want to improve

and get better at their skills.”

In 2010, Johnson coached a women’s basketball team

made up of participants from Owensboro and Bowling Green

who won the gold medal at the national Special Olympics

competition. In 2006, he coached the Owensboro men’s

basketball team that won the silver medal in the national

competition.

But some of the rewards are even better than the medals.

The socialization that comes along from being on a team is

also a great reason to be involved. I saw this firsthand when

I witnessed my first Special Olympics event last May: the

weightlifting competition at Apollo High School. It truly was

one of the most inspirational things I’ve ever seen. For me,

the camaraderie of the Special Olympics community is what


community

makes it so meaningful. It’s the smiles on the athletes and

the joy on their parents’ faces. It’s the coaches, volunteers,

friends, family and other athletes all cheering them on.

Because for that moment it’s not about their disabilities;

it’s about their abilities. They are doing their best and

reaching their goals and smiling all the way. What’s better

than that?

That’s what those brave, shivering souls are supporting

with the Polar Plunge. Everyone who lines up on the

docks at the Hines Center will be helping Kentucky Special

Olympics carry on our local tradition that has benefited

hundreds of families in Owensboro over the years. Their

bodies might be cold, but they’ll be warming some hearts.

So if you or your young ones are up for it, come to the

Hines Center on February 9th to take the plunge. They say

it’s quite a shock!

Danny May is a husband and father of two boys (3 and almost 5). He is also the

Director of Family Life at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

For more information about the Polar Plunge or Pee Wee

Plunge, visit www.kentuckyplunge.com

Parents, if you have a special needs child that would love

to be involved in Special Olympics, please contact Kim

Johnson, the Area Director for Special Olympics at 684-

5605 or email [email protected]

If you’d like to coach a team or volunteer at an event,

please contact Kim Johnson at the number above.

OP

© 2012 - Phil Casper


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT; All must

wear socks; $7 per child, children under 2

are free, unless they are the only child, adults

always free; 5 – 9 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or

ubouncepartyhouse.com.

FREE MOCK NEWBERY AWARDS For ages 12 and

younger; Vote for your favorite Juvenile book

published in 2012. The book that receives the

most votes will win the title of Mock Newbery

Award Winner; Daviess County Public Library,

2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2STONES & BONES 2013, the major fundraiser

for the Science & History Museum. Dress up

according to the theme and enjoy an evening of

great music, incredible food and drinks; 6:30 – 10

p.m.; Owensboro Museum of Science & History,

122 E. 2nd Street, Owensboro; For tickets and

information, contact Sherrie Lee at

(270) 687-2732.

FREE SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! Visit the library

every Saturday morning from 10:00—12:00

for self guided fun and educational activities

with a focus on literacy and school readiness;

Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.;

dcplibrary.org

FREE MOCK NEWBERY AWARDS See event

description on Friday, February 1.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3FREE MOCK NEWBERY AWARDS See event


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE PRESENTS “THE

WIZARD OF OZ” Auditions for students grades

K-12. Be a part of the story is as familiar as it is

beloved. That nasty tornado carries Dorothy and

her canine pal Toto from the friendly confines of

her Kansas home to a fabled fantasy of mystery

and magic in the Land of OZ; RiverPark Center, 101

Daviess St.; (270) 687-2787 or riverparkcenter.com.

See Saturday, February 9 for event description.

ZAX KIDZ NIGHT Get a Zax Kidz Meal for 99¢

when you purchase an adult meal. Kids under 12

only. 5 – 8 p.m.; Zaxby’s, 5030 Frederica St.; (270)

691-6166.



FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and

younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 –

10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020

Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5STORYLAB AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM How Tall

Was Milton? by Lawrence F. Lowery and Actual

Size by Steve Jenkins; Lab: Measurement and

comparing sizes; Imagine a real eye bigger than

your head, a two-foot long tongue, or a three-

foot long frog! Measure your hand against the

handprint of a gorilla. Create your own actual size

booklet; 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.; Owensboro Museum

of Science and History, 122 East 2nd St.; (270)

687-2738 or owensboromuseum.org.

Informing parents about fun, local events is a priority for Owensboro Parent. Our magazine compiles events from across

the city and county. So when your family is looking for something to do, check out the Owensboro Parent calendar,

where you will find information on local events, including event descriptions, locations, dates, times and price.

Want to include your event? Contact the editor at [email protected].

february 2013

calendar


U-BOUNCE TODDLER TUESDAY; All must

wear socks; Children 5 and under get in for

$5 all night; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or




WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT; All must



always free; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or




THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and






BLUEGRASS JAM On the first Thursday of

each month, head to the Bluegrass Museum

to jam with other musicians. Jamming is for

musicians of all levels and begins at 7 p.m. For

more information, contact the Museum at (270)

926-7891 or visit their their website at www.

bluegrassmuseum.org.




always free; 5 – 9 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or


OWENSBORO DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS

LIZ MARTIN Liz Martin is a triple threat with

extensive experience in dancing, modeling, and

acting. While living in L.A., she was a member

on the Swagger Crew on MTV’s America’s Best

Dance Crew season 5, Bing commercial, TLC

commercial, and 2009 & 2010 Soul Train Awards.

She will teach beginning through advanced Hip

Hop; For information email [email protected]

or call 270-684-9580.



SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE PRESENTS “THE

WIZARD OF OZ” The story is as familiar as it is

beloved. That nasty tornado carries Dorothy and

her canine pal Toto from the friendly confines

of her Kansas home to a fabled fantasy of

mystery and magic in the Land of OZ; Auditions

for students grades K-12 will be held Monday

February 4, at 4 p.m.; Show will be at 2 p.m.;

Adults $10, Children $5; RiverPark Center, 101

Daviess St.; (270) 687-2787 or

riverparkcenter.com.

“BEE MINE” & ORCHID SHOW Opening Celebrate

Valentine’s Day with the Western KY Botanical

Garden. Children’s activities in the Education

calendar


Building include card making, orchid flower

making, bumble bee craft and more; Western

Kentucky Botanical Garden, 25 Carter Road,

Owensboro; For more information, contact the

Garden. (270) 852-8925 or www.wkbg.org.

POLAR PLUNGE Teams brave the freezing waters

in the ponds at The Hines Center to raise money

for Special Olympics. For more information on

how to compete or just attend, contact Candace

Thompson at (502) 326-5002 or www.soky.org.

OWENSBORO DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS

LIZ MARTIN See event description on Friday,

February 8.

FREE SATURDAY MORNING LIVE!

Visit the library every Saturday morning from

10:00—12:00 for self guided fun and educational

activities with a focus on literacy and

school readiness; Daviess County Public Library,




SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10STORYLAB AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM How Tall







booklet; 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.; Owensboro Museum





MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11ZAX KIDZ NIGHT Get a Zax Kidz Meal for 99¢


only. 5 – 8 p.m.; Zaxby’s, 5030 Frederica St.; (270)

691-6166.


younger and Circle Time for ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30

a.m.; Daviess County Public Library



TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12U-BOUNCE TODDLER TUESDAY; All must


$5 all night; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or







always free; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or





THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 VALENTINE’S DAYST. VALENTINE’S CANDLELITE DINNER Make a date for a special dinner at

the Western KY Botanical Garden; Western Kentucky Botanical Garden,

25 Carter Road, Owensboro; Call for reservations and more information.

270-852-8925 www.wkbg.org.

FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and younger and Circle Time for

ages 3-5; 10 – 10:30 a.m.; Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica

St.; dcplibrary.org.

FREE MOCK NEWBERY AWARDS See event description on Friday, February 1.

FREE VALENTINE’S DAY DROP-IN CRAFT FOR AGES 12 AND YOUNGER;

Drop in and create a heart butterfly magnet craft; Daviess County Public

Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT; All must wear socks; $7 per child,

children under 2 are free, unless they are the only child, adults always

free; 5 – 9 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.com.

FREE MOCK NEWBERY AWARDS See event description on Friday, February 1.

calendar


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16FREE SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! Visit the library





dcplibrary.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17TODD OLIVER & FRIENDS: DOGS GONE WILD

TOUR Have you ever met a talking dog, a real

talking dog? Get ready when comedian and

ventriloquist Todd Oliver takes the stage -- he

will introduce you to 3 of them: Irving, Lucy

and Elvis. These little dogs are making crowds

across the country howl for more! Says Todd,

“Along with my canine friends – Irving, Lucy, and

Elvis – I’ll be joined by a ‘real’ cast of characters

like Pops, Miss Lilly, Joey, and my outstanding

Smiling Eyes Band. We’ve got a lot of audience

participation segments, original music, and

outrageous comedy.” Irving the talking dog adds,

“We’re gonna turn everyday K-9 experiences into

a howling good time!”; Adults $15, children $7.50;

3 p.m.; RiverPark Center, 101 Daviess St.; (270)

687-2787 or riverparkcenter.com.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18ZAX KIDZ Night Get a Zax Kidz Meal for 99¢ when

you purchase an adult meal. Kids under 12 only.

5 – 8 p.m.; Zaxby’s, 5030 Frederica St.; (270)

691-6166.





TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19U-BOUNCE TODDLER TUESDAY; All must


$5 all night; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or


FREE LEGO BLOCK PARTY For ages 6-12; Build,

play, and learn with LEGO! Seating is limited--Pre-

registration is required! Daviess County Public

Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org




always free; 5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and







always free; 5 – 9 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or



discover


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23STORYLAB AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM How Tall







booklet; 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.; Owensboro Museum



HERE’S TO YOUR HEART DAY A free event

sponsored by Owensboro Dance Theatre

and Owensboro HealthPark; 8 a.m. – noon;

HealthPark, 1006 Ford Ave.; omhs.org.

OWENSBORO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

“MOUNTAIN MAGIC” Mountain Magic brings you

music of Appalachia with Copland’s Appalachian

Spring. Our amazing concertmaster, J. Patrick

Rafferty presents a wonderful solo turn with the

Kernis “Air for Violin” and the fantastic Beethoven

symphony No. 7, written while visiting the

mountains of Bohemia; 7:30 p.m.; RiverPark

Center, 101 Daviess St.; (270) 687-2787 or visit

TheOSO.com.

FIRST TECH CHALLENGE Volunteers and

spectators are welcome for this exciting robotic

event; Owensboro Community & Technical

College, 4800 New Hartford Rd.; (270) 686-4400

or Owensboro.kctcs.edu.

MEN WHO COOK Celebrate Mardi Gras and

dance the night away with live music by joining

us at Men Who Cook, Owensboro’s Premier

Competition & Fundraiser. Started in 2007, Men

Who Cook showcases approximately 50 local

and regional celebrity chefs who offer samples of

their delicious dishes. $25 ticket includes: food,

soda, beer, live music, silent auction, and celebrity

chefs. Dishes include: Appetizers, Side Dishes,

Entrees and Desserts. Ticketed guests sample a

little of this, a little bit of that…yummy! $25 each

or $40 per couple (advance tickets) $35 at the

door; 7 – 11 p.m.; Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club,

3415 Buckland Square, Owensboro; (270) 315-

5747 or (270) 686-8401.

FREE SATURDAY MORNING LIVE! Visit the library





dcplibrary.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24SUPER SUNDAY We visit and encourage the

congregation to support the pursuit of higher

education. This year’s church is Zion Baptists, 2311

W. 9th St; Owensboro Community & Technical

College, 4800 New Hartford Rd.; (270) 686-4400

or Owensboro.kctcs.edu.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25ZAX KIDZ NIGHT Get a Zax Kidz Meal for 99¢


only. 5 – 8 p.m.; Zaxby’s, 5030 Frederica St.;

(270) 691-6166.

calendar






TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26U-BOUNCE TODDLER TUESDAY; All must wear

socks; Children 5 and under get in for $5 all night;

5 – 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.

com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27U-BOUNCE OPEN BOUNCE NIGHT; All must wear

socks; $7 per child, children under 2 are free,

unless they are the only child, adults always free; 5

– 8 p.m.; (270) 685-1255 or ubouncepartyhouse.

com.

FREE SUNDOWN STORYTIME: SEUSS AT NIGHT

Recommended for ages 5-12; Wear your favorite

pajamas and help us celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday

with Seuss stories and games; Daviess County

Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; dcplibrary.org

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28STORYLAB AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM How Tall







booklet; 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.; Owensboro Museum of

Science and History, 122 East 2nd St.; (270) 687-

2738 or owensboromuseum.org.





SATURDAY, MARCH 2FREE SATURDAY MORNING LIVE!

Visit the library every Saturday morning from

10:00—12:00 for self guided fun and educational

activities with a focus on literacy and

school readiness; Daviess County Public Library,


MONDAY, MARCH 4FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and




THURSDAY, MARCH 7FREE STORYTIME Wee Read for ages 2 and




BLUEGRASS JAM On the first Thursday of

each month, head to the Bluegrass Museum

to jam with other musicians. Jamming is for

musicians of all levels and begins at 7 p.m. For

more information, contact the Museum at (270)

926-7891 or visit their their website at www.

bluegrassmuseum.org. OP

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