Download - Owensboro Parent - Jan/Feb 2014

January//February 2014 . OWENSBORO PARENT 1www.OwensboroParent.com

3 OWENSBORO PARENT . January//February 2014 www.OwensboroParent.com


I don’t know how quickly it happened, but slowly a feeling of panic began to take over me. I am responsible for this little girl. I have to feed her, change her, bathe her, clothe her, keep her safe. I will help her learn to walk, to talk, to read. I will teach her how to act, how to love others, how to love God. I am her mother. She needs me. I remember thinking, “How am I going to do this?” How am I supposed to know when she is hungry? How am I supposed to know why she is crying? What if she gets sick? What if… But then I held her. I can’t describe the love that I felt in that moment. This baby, that I had felt kicking in my belly for months was now in my arms. Ten tiny fingers. Ten tiny toes. A head full of hair. This baby, my daughter, was perfect. And then I knew. I knew I could do it, because she was worth every sacrifice, every fear, every doubt I had thought. Our children have this way of putting everything into perspective. Although they make life hectic and sometimes stressful (we are entering the Terrible Two’s in our household), they give us purpose. We are dedicating our January issue of Owensboro Parent to babies. Whether you are a first-time parent or not, we hope that you can garner some tips and ideas on how to make raising your baby a little easier – when to take your baby in to the doctor, tips on breastfeeding, developmental stages you need to be aware of, and much more.

Thank you,

Ashley [email protected]

Publisher/Creative Director Jason [email protected]

Editor Ashley [email protected]

Advertising SalesRudy [email protected]

Robert [email protected]

Graphic DesignerTaylor [email protected]

Distribution ManagerSteven Morris

ContributorsAmy BoswellChristina DaltonCasey HamiltonGail E. KirklandElaine MartinDanny MayDr. Shanna McGinnisMichelle NebelMelody Wallace

PrintingGreenwell ChisholmOwensboro, Kentucky

Contact InformationOwensboro Parent MagazinePO Box 23237Owensboro, KY 42304(270) 314-5240www.owensboroparent.comfacebook.com/owensboroparenttwitter.com/owensboroparentissuu.com/owensboroparent

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from the editor

jan // feb 2014

January//February 2014 . OWENSBORO PARENT 5www.OwensboroParent.comwww.OwensboroParent.com

FAMILY LIFE

staying on course [06]

eight is enough [10]

DISCOVER

new baby handbook [13]

10 tips for parents [14]

first-time dad letter [14]

ages and stages [16]

when to call baby doctor [18]

[20] breastfeeding moms

[23] planning a nursery

[24] parental control

COMMUNITY

[28] little girl big heart

[32] owensboro remembers

[34] our faves

[36] kids eat free list

[38] calendar

[10]

[13]

[28]

[32]

january // february

[06]

[20]


family life

If you have happened upon the Sports section of the Messenger-

Inquirer in the past few months, chances are you caught a

glimpse of the ponytail-clad Whitney O’Bryan on the cover.

With arms pumping and cheeks flushed, O’Bryan has managed

to become an Owensboro favorite in cross country. This year

alone, she has broken both school and personal running records,

impressing not only her coaches, but those on a collegiate level

as well. As a young girl who once relished art and creativity,

running was not always Whitney’s passion. She recalls Eastview

Elementary School friend Erin Wallace challenging her to race

across the basketball court and the frustration she felt not being

able to beat her. When three of her elementary friends joined

the Daviess County Middle School cross country team in sixth

grade, Whitney decided to run with them. “I didn’t even know

what cross country was…I didn’t even have running shorts to

wear.” She admits that she didn’t really like running at first

because it was hard, but at the 2007 Daviess County Invitational

she experienced her first taste of success. Now, as a senior, she is

looking forward to the next stage of her athletic and academic

future.

To look at Whitney’s slender, athletic build one would think

that she has always been a naturally gifted runner. “God blessed

me with natural ability in some ways, but I don’t know if (when

I was younger) it was natural ability or good coaching.” Whitney

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

staying on course


is referring to coaches Shelly and Dylan Hammons, who still

maintain a positive relationship with her and are present at many

of her races. Shelly Hammons recalls with pride that Whitney

“was good as a sixth grader, but had gained the miles, strength

and confidence of a well-developed runner by eighth grade.” Her

eighth grade year proved to be a pivotal one as she began training

with DCHS Coach Mark Fortney. During her freshman year, she

placed third at the KHSAA 3A state, “not realizing what a big deal

it was to be on the state meet roster at such a young age.” She

followed this performance with third place state finishes in 2010

and 2011, a second place finish her 2012 junior year, and finally a

state championship in 2013. Ever the humble athlete, she believes

that, “It’s by God’s strength, not mine, that I’m able to achieve

(my goals).” It is actually that humble confidence in her abilities

that drives her success. When asked if she ever felt as though she

wanted to quit running, Whitney responded, “There have been

times that I have been stubborn and didn’t understand what my

coach’s plans were for me…I was more concerned about what was

best for Whitney, not what was best for the team. That attitude had

to go before I could accomplish anything.”

Whitney has certainly seen her share of accomplishments

this year, both on and off the field. As the youngest senior in the

district, she maintains an unweighted GPA of 3.9, and was awarded

the Kentucky Citizenship Award for good sportsmanship. That

attitude is evidenced by the healthy competition and camaraderie

she has in the other senior girls like Amelia Reynolds, Kelly

Boling, Abby Eades, and Kate Duty. These relationships have

helped spur her desire to represent DCHS on the course. Whitney

knew as soon as she started high school that she wanted to run in

college. She began looking at the times of friends at other schools

and asking about their official visits. She found herself driven to

have those kinds of times…“where people asked your fastest time

and their jaw kind of dropped a little bit.” She wanted to do more

than expected, and she did. On September 21, Whitney came in

third place with a time of 17:51 at the Trinity Valkyrie Invitational

in Louisville, breaking the 1998 school record. It was after that

race that prospective college coaches began calling. On September

28, Whitney won the 3-mile Palatine Invitational with a time of

17:20, setting a new personal record. After that race, Whitney says

that the number of colleges that started talking to her doubled due

to the fact that she had two really good races back to back.

Although Whitney finds the idea of going to a “running

college,” such as: Oregon, the University of Colorado, or Stanford

intriguing, she values her relationship with her family and finds

herself pondering college options closer to home. She is excited

about a little more independence, but her biggest fear about

going to college is that she may get homesick and miss the little

things, like her step-dad’s hot cocoa and foot rubs, her younger

discover

staying on course


sister’s sweet little notes, and her mom comforting her when

she is sick. Still amidst official and unofficial college visits, she

is trying to narrow down her options. While she has spoken

to over forty college coaches, Whitney has learned that college

decisions involve many factors like distance from home, financial

commitments, and academic programs. She has visited several

campuses including Western Kentucky University, Butler

University, and Xavier University. She has also taken one official

visit to the University of Mississippi, and has more scheduled

to Lipscomb University, the University of Louisville, and the

University of Kentucky. When asked if she ever considered

running professionally or had any Olympic dreams, she feels

that both of those avenues would require a lot more training

and faster times than she has now, so she would prefer to go the

collegiate route first. She has “other ambitions and desires than

just to run,” such as pursuing a career as a pediatric Physician’s

Assistant, a goal that she keeps at the forefront of her mind as

she evaluates what each college has to offer. With her unwavering

faith and competitive drive, it is certain that Whitney will be

successful in whatever goals she sets to accomplish.

Melody Wallace is a teacher at DCMS who finds new blessings each day in her roles as teacher, wife, mom, and step-mom.

OP

Above: Whitney in the 6th grade. Right: Running in the Palatine Invitational.


In an effort to find the perfect fit for her academic and athletic

future, Whitney has visited a variety of college campuses

throughout several states. She offers excellent words of advice and

thoughts to consider when visiting a potential college campus.

Consider the distance – You need to establish how far away from

home you really want to go. At first the idea of living on your own in

a new state sounds exciting, but in the event of a family gathering

or emergency the distance may prove inconvenient and costly.

Off Campus – Although many colleges boast beautiful, student-

friendly campuses, sometimes the off campus environment is

not as desirable. Take a drive a few miles away from campus and

evaluate the area. What are the neighborhoods like? Are there any

nearby churches of your affiliation? Is it a busy town with a lot of

activities, or would you find yourself staying on campus a lot?

Athletics – Do your research. Has the team won any conference

championships? Is the coach someone that you find relatable?

Would he/she be concerned about your life not just on the

field, but off the field as well? Do members of the team act like

collegiate athletes or socialites?

What the experts say:

Visit – Face to face visits are best. No amount of internet searching

can compare to viewing and visiting the campus in person. This

also gives you an opportunity to talk to current students and

faculty and get a feel for the climate of the school.

Take the tour…and then wander – The official tour will show you

the finest things the school has to offer. Then spend some time

looking around on your own.

Stay the night – Some schools offer the opportunity to room with

a current student for the night and get a true sense of the college

experience. If this option is not available, the school may let you sit

in on classes or lectures.

Save your faves – Each campus you visit will help you to become

more familiar with what questions to ask and what is truly

important to see. Save your favorite college(s) for the end, so that

you are able to make intelligent inquiries.

This is your future, make it your best one!

campus search 101


eight isenough

P. J. Emmick is a stay-at-home mom who is going back to school

to pursue a career, which many moms often do. However, when

you realize that P.J. is the mom of eight children, it makes what she is

doing seem much more complicated and difficult. But don’t worry-

P.J.’s got it all under control.

When P.J. first graduated from Hancock County High School in

1997, she began college pursuing the possibility of becoming a forensic

pathologist. But soon opportunities for fun were more significant to

her than doing well in school. So after one year, P.J. quit school and

found a job where she reconnected with and married Dan Emmick

and continued her life by raising 8 children with him: Kristin (18),

a social work major attending Brescia University on a scholarship;

Dylan (14), a student at Hancock County High; Grayce (13) and

Prestyn (12), students at Hancock County Middle; and Landyn (9),

Waylan (8), Hayden (7), and Wyatt (6), all students at North Hancock

Elementary. When her youngest child began preschool, she decided

to return to school full-time, where she had to diligently pursue A’s

in 9 straight classes in order to allow her GPA to recover from her

previous college experience.

P.J. began her re-education at Owensboro Community and

Technical College, where she earned the distinction of being the

Education program Honor Student. Her hard work and dedication

along with her tireless effort and work ethic paid off, earning her a

spot in the Teacher Education Program at the Western Kentucky

University campus in Owensboro. But despite all of the time that

school takes in her already busy schedule, her children are her first

priority, and she makes every effort to ensure they realize that.

P. J. credits her children with making her a more patient person,

especially her son Waylan, who has autism and requires frequent

trips to Owensboro and Louisville every week for therapy. Coping

with this and learning effective parenting methods through the

years has also taught her more of the empathy and understanding

that are necessary to be a quality teacher. P. J., who used to be known

as “The Community Babysitter,” has always loved helping children,

and says her own brood knows that education is important. But she

is not going back to school to prove that to them. “I am going back

because I see how well my kids are doing since I have been able to stay

home and spend quality time with them, but there are kids who don’t

have that situation at home. So I would like to make a difference for

those kids.”

Besides travelling back and forth multiple times a week for

Waylan’ s therapy, P.J. also sets her school schedule so that she can

take and pick up her children from school and chauffeur them to

various activities such as basketball, baseball, and dance. Until the

more strenuous classes of the Teacher Education program hit, she was

able to actively volunteer at North Hancock Elementary, something

she truly misses doing. She lives by the calendar she keeps at home,

family life

{ b y : c a s e y h a m i l t o n }


OP

and says, “If it isn’t on the calendar, it’s not

going to happen, because I won’t remember it.”

P.J. completes her homework at night after

the children are all in bed and she has the quiet

time to herself. But this results in getting little

sleep. Although P.J. and Dan’s parents do help

out with the children, they don’t like to ask too

often. “We are the ones who decided to have

eight children, so they are our responsibility,”

she explains. And now that the children are

older, they are happy to help out with the

younger ones at home.

Through the years of being a mom she has

learned to take each day as it comes, and she

realized a long time ago that it doesn’t pay to

get upset, stressed or angry over the obstacles

that life throws at you. “Life happens,” she

casually observes, “but how you deal with it is

up to you.” Now that’s good advice we can all

use.

Casey Hamilton is the mother of two blessings, a

daughter and son (ages 10 and 6). She is the Education

Coordinator and an instructor at Owensboro

Community & Technical College.

some things to consider

OP

1 Always trust your instincts - you

know your child better than anyone

else!

2 Be involved in everything - Enjoy the

things your kids share while they are

little, the notes they leave-the pictures

they draw, the stories they tell...the little

things lead to bigger stories and secrets

when their older.

3 Sometimes it’s OK to break the

rules - have cereal for dinner, stay

up past bedtime on a school night, if

your little one wants to sleep with you

occasionally, let her...chances are, she

will not be sleeping with you in middle

school!

4 Have rules and enforce them - if

your children treat you with disrespect,

imagine how they treat others. Don’t

allow bad behavior at home, period!

5 Do not fix everything or let them

believe they are always perfect - they

have to know they make mistakes and

how to fix them on their own!

6 Choose your battles - don’t always

say NO. Wearing a pink polka dot

shirt with orange pants doesn’t hurt

anything...but DO say NO to running to

the toy aisle in the store by himself!

7 Read to your child every night -

When they are old enough to read to

you, let them.

8 Be the person you want your child to

become - They watch every move you

make and hope to be just like you.

9 Make time for yourself - Go out with

friends, relax alone, have date night with

your spouse.

10 Let kids be kids and know that

accidents will happen - “Don’t cry over

spilled milk”- literally.


community


A newborn can bring a whirlwind of activity and excitement to your life

— and plenty of stress and fatigue. Whether you’re a first-time parent

or a seasoned veteran, we hope that the Owensboro Parent New Baby

Handbook can offer you some tips and advice that will make raising

your newborn just a little easier. We asked local experts and experienced

moms, dads and grandparents to give tips on all things newborn and

compiled this detailed guide.

discover


discover

1. Sign up for the childbirth classes at the

hospital. Attend as a couple.

2. Within two weeks after the birth, get out

of the house, either during the day or in the

evening as a couple. It’s important to build in

some “away” time, even if it is a brief outing.

3. Don’t overstock with bottles, pacifiers,

etc. When trying out bottles, start with the

simpler version first. Find out what works

best with your baby. Generally, whatever

you think you will use, you likely will not.

For bigger baby equipment like swings and

bouncers, think about borrowing first to be

sure your newborn will actually like that

variety before you purchase it.

4. Buy more onesies and zip-up footed

sleepers than other items of clothing. Buy

more socks than you think you’ll need; you

go through them quickly.

5. Find a way to soothe your baby—rocking,

swaddling, swinging, using pacifiers, turning

on sound machines. Above all, be flexible.

6. Don’t overload your brain with too many

advice books. Choose one and stick with it.

Avoid the temptation to Google everything;

it tends to make you paranoid. Find the

path that works best for you and your baby

regarding a schedule. Don’t force it.

7. Never wake a sleeping baby. Sleep when

the baby sleeps. Don’t feel bad about it.

Pick up your baby when he or she cries; the

bonding and comforting trump spoiling.

You’ll quickly learn to distinguish between

the need to pick up and comfort versus the

need to simply give a gentle pat to lull him or

her back to sleep.

8. Be patient with your spouse. Dad is doing

the best he can; allow him to figure out how

to do what needs to be done. Avoid constant

overcorrection of his technique.

9. Accept all the help you can get those first

few weeks—seriously.

10. Start reading to your baby early. It

pays big benefits. It’s never too early

start.

Bonus: If you have a pet, bring a blankie

or item from the hospital with the baby’s

smell to the dog or cat to ensure a smooth

adjustment. And don’t underestimate

the benefits of a good app for babies. For

example, some apps create white noise which

can be used in the car while traveling. You

can discover some more apps on page 23 of

the New Baby Handbook.

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

10 tips

OP

for first-time parents

First-time parents make perfect targets. Targets for unsolicited advice. Targets for sales and marketing. Targets

for gadgets and gizmos. So how’s a first-time parent to weed through the deluge of Internet information, baby

blogs, Pinterest, magazines, apps, well-meaning friends and family? What about those who are recent first-time

parents? Their surprising advice might just be worth considering—and following. Read on . . .


10 tipsDear New Dad,

I’m certainly not a baby expert, but I have picked up a thing or

two. So from one guy (who just went through the baby years twice) to

another, let me offer a few words of wisdom I learned along the way:

A soaped-up baby is the slipperiest thing on the planet, so take

extra caution at bath time.

Not all restaurants and stores have changing tables in the men’s

room. Keep a changing pad in your travel bag and you’ll be able to

take care of business in less-than-ideal situations.

At some point, you will be covered in more gross-ness than you

ever imagined. It’s just part of it. The good news is that when you

see your child covered in mess, your immediate reaction of disgust

gets quickly outweighed by the realization that your child needs

you desperately in that moment. You kick in to Superman mode to

rescue your kid from the filth and just clean it up and go on. Then,

depending on your personality, you either never speak of it again or

tell your entire office about it the next day at work. Key ingredients

here are humility, bravery, and hand sanitizer.

Remember the scout code: always be prepared. Deciding how to

carry all the “stuff” is the first step. Thankfully we no longer have

to lose man-points for carrying flowery or girly-looking diaper bags

anymore. There are several places online that sell diaper bags for

daddies. Some of them don’t look like diaper bags at all. Or, just dig

out your old college backpack. It will work just fine.

Comedians and sit-coms love to make jokes about dealing with

pregnant wives. But in all seriousness, it can be very difficult to realize

that when she requests something ridiculous or things get heated

for no reason, she may be speaking or reacting from a whirlwind of

hormones and emotions. She will be back to normal soon. Wise dads

can roll with it and laugh it off. Just not to her face. (Unless you want

a chicken, cheese, and jelly sandwich in your face.)

My last and most important piece of advice is to cherish every

single moment!

I was warned a thousand times that “they grow up so fast.” But

that’s because it’s true. Painfully true. There’s only one first night,

one first week, one first month, and before you know it, your little one

will be blowing out that first candle. It’s in our male psyche to work

hard and put in long hours to provide for our families. But there is

no regret quite so heavy as missing major milestones like a first smile,

first crawl, or first word because you’re either away or –even worse -

simply not present from “zoning out” on the couch.

Make sure you’re there.

Finally, relax! Enjoy this! Everything will be okay and you’re going

to do just fine. You have what it takes. You were made for this.

a friendly letter to a first-time dad { b y : d a n n y m a y }

OP


discover

Bringing my babies home from the hospital was always a mix of two feelings for me-overwhelming

joy and pure fear. You may think that as a therapist who evaluates infants and toddlers for a living that I’d have this down to an art by now. But you would be wrong. Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones, the sleepless nights, or the constant crying but it always takes me a bit to remember that I am actually capable of turning this helpless little infant into a functional adult (Or at least a well-equipped toddler; one step at a time.) The most difficult thing about the first year is that you remain in a constant state of change. As soon as you master the newborn thing, “poof,” it’s over. As quickly as you stop worrying if little Johnny will ever crawl, you begin to doubt he will ever walk. The list below is a quick summary of the skills your baby will accomplish over the first year with approximate timelines for development. You are in for an amazing year so don’t blink-it passes before you know it!

Social Smile (8 weeks)Dad is probably correct that those sweet smiles at the hospital were really gas. But at around 8 weeks of age, your little guy should start to show a true social smile in response to you.

Rolling Over (2-3 months). Parents are often hesitant to put baby on their tummy due to the “Back to Sleep” efforts. Yes-baby should always sleep on his back. But supervised tummy time is a must for your baby’s muscle development. You will see Johnny start lifting his head from the floor, followed by kicking and moving his arms (I always call this “baby swimming” and find it particularly amusing). Pretty soon, all those efforts will pay off and cause Johnny to roll over. Note: It may take a bit longer for back-to-belly rolling as this involves a bit more coordination of muscles!

{ b y : a m y b o s w e l l }

ages&

stages


Reaching and Grabbing (3-4 months)The adorable crinkly toys hanging from the car seat are no longer just for decoration. Your baby is likely reaching out for toys, jewelry, hair and anything else that looks interesting. Encourage baby’s reach and grasp with toys of various textures or toys that make sounds-just remember to make sure everything is safe for mouthing, because that’s exactly where it’s headed.

Babbling (6 months)At around 6 months, baby will start to produce true babbling sounds. The first for many babies is the “dada” sound (much to mom’s dismay) but “baba” and “mama” sounds should appear shortly after.

Sitting (8 months)Some babies may sit up as early as 6 months but as long as they hit this milestone by around 8 months, all is well. You will want to use a pillow for additional support, as well as to cushion any falls, until baby has perfected this new trick. Even though baby can sit if placed in this position, he probably will not be able to show good balance reactions or move into this position independently for another month or so.

Crawling (8-10 months)I’ve seen kiddos crawl army style, sit and scoot, crawl backwards, or give up completely and roll from one point to the next. All of these are acceptable as baby first discovers the need to move. But by 10 months, a true crawl with the belly off the ground is really preferred from a developmental standpoint. Once true crawling is mastered, pulling up will follow closely behind.

First Steps (12-18 months)More parents panic over the milestone of first steps than any other. Somewhere along the way, it was decided that Johnny should be walking on his first birthday. Nope. Johnny should be babbling, crawling, waving bye, and maybe even saying “dada” and “mama” as he chows down on birthday cake. But he doesn’t need to be walking just yet. Independent walking has as much to do with temperament as it does muscle development so as long as other motor milestones are typical, anywhere between 10-18 months is appropriate. Remember, every baby is different and some will insist on taking their sweet time with every skill. But if you are worried, or your baby isn’t meeting several of the milestones listed, contact your physician or the First Steps office (852-2905) for more information. OP


when to call your baby’s doctor

Becoming a parent is a tremendous responsibility. Your

baby is dependent on you for his or her every need. Every

baby is different and they do not come with a manual;

however, there are a few general rules that apply. Listed

below are some common concerns that may come up

in the first couple months that necessitate a call to your

baby’s doctor.

FeverThe most accurate way to measure a newborn’s temperature is

with a digital rectal thermometer. The American Academy of

Pediatrics has a helpful set of instructions, including pictures,

about taking a rectal temperature on healthychildren.org. A

temperature at or above 100.4° F is considered a fever and

could be a sign of serious infection; the baby’s doctor should

be notified immediately. Do not give any fever reducer until a

physician or healthcare professional instructs you. Likewise, a

low temperature, less than 97°F, can also be a sign of infection.

Poor FeedingBreastfed newborns eat more frequently, about every 2-3

hours, than bottle fed infants, who eat about every 3-4 hours.

Whether breast or bottle, babies gradually eat more and more

during the first weeks of life. If a newborn is not eager to eat or

difficult to arouse to eat at least every 4 hours, or if he or she is

taking smaller quantities or nursing for shorter durations, you

should call the baby’s doctor.

discover

{ b y : s h a n n a m c g i n n i s , M D }


Decreased wet diapersIt is not unusual for a newborn to have 8-12 wet diapers a day.

Breastfed babies may have bowel movements as often as every

feeding. A decrease in wet diapers is a more urgent matter, however,

than constipation. Decreased urination indicates dehydration and

may be related to poor feeding. Less than 4 wet diapers in a 24-

hour period for a newborn or a significant decrease from your baby’s

norm is a reason to phone your baby’s doctor.

JaundiceYellowing of the skin, or jaundice, is a condition seen in almost all

newborns to some extent. There is a substance in the bloodstream

called bilirubin that is a by-product of red blood cell breakdown.

Since newborns’ bodies are immature, bilirubin is not removed

from the bloodstream as quickly. When this occurs, their skin

turns yellow, progressing from head to toe; therefore, a baby with

yellowing of his or her face, chest, and belly has a higher bilirubin

level than a baby with yellowing of the face only. The whites

of the eyes and gums can also be affected and is a good place to

check for jaundice in darker skinned infants. Before newborns are

discharged home from the hospital, a bilirubin level is checked.

Make a note of how your baby’s skin, eyes, and gums look at that

time so you can monitor your baby for increased yellowing of the

skin. Jaundice is more common in breastfed infants, but is not

usually a reason to discontinue breastfeeding. Oftentimes, the

infant is not getting enough milk and may require feedings as often

as every 2 hours. It is very important to notify your doctor if you feel

the level is increasing. When untreated, a very high level can lead

to irreversible brain damage. The treatment is usually as simple

as placing the baby under a special light to help break down the

bilirubin faster. This treatment can sometimes be done at home

without re-hospitalization.

Breathing problemsIf your baby is experiencing unusual breathing, it may be helpful to

suction his or her nose with a bulb syringe. If this maneuver fails

to resolve the matter, a call to the doctor may be in order. Specific

concerns include flaring of the nostrils, grunting, sucking in under

the rib cage or around the collarbones, or fast breathing. A fast

breathing rate in a newborn is more than 60 breaths in one minute.

Count for a full minute because newborns sometimes exhibit

“periodic” breathing where they have pauses in breathing, for up

to 10 seconds, followed by several rapid breaths. Apnea, or absence

of breathing, is defined as a pause in breathing for 20 seconds or

longer. This is of particular concern when a baby has accompanying

skin color change (blue, ashen, or pale) or becomes limp or floppy.

This is a much more significant event and warrants a 9-1-1 call,

especially if the symptoms do not resolve.

This is not a comprehensive list, but represents the most common

reasons a newborn’s parents should talk with the baby’s doctor.

You may have noticed that many of these issues are interconnected

and one problem can lead to another. For this reason, you should

learn what to expect from your baby, trust your parental instincts,

and if something does not seem right, do not delay - call your

baby’s doctor. OP


discover

Expectant moms have heard the news: breastmilk is the best

food for infants. Yet in Kentucky, only 32.5% of mothers

breastfed for the first six months. What makes the difference

for those moms and babies who are still breastfeeding at the

six-month mark? Mothers who have preparation, information,

support, and encouragement are more likely to stick with

breastfeeding.

Preparation for BirthDid you know that certain childbirth choices can help get

breastfeeding off to a good start? Find out about common birth

procedures and talk to your doctor or midwife. Books like Gentle

Birth Choices, by Barbara Harper and The Birth Book, by

William & Martha Sears, offer a good foundation.

InformationWhen you start learning about breastfeeding, it can be helpful

to learn what’s normal for a newborn. During the early days, a

baby will nurse every one to two hours (at least 10 to 12 times

in a 24 hour period). That’s a good rule of thumb, but don’t

worry too much about what the clock says. It’s more important

to watch your little one! Early feeding cues include smacking

or licking lips, opening his mouth, rooting (turning head to the

side and searching for a nipple), and fidgeting and squirming.

Crying is actually a late sign of hunger – many mothers find that

it’s easiest to begin a feeding when they offer the breast to a calm

baby who’s just beginning to communicate that he’s hungry.

New mothers may wonder how they’ll know if their baby is

what dobreastfeedingmoms really need?

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HAVING A PACKING LIST FOR THE HOSPITAL CAN EASE THE STRESS FOR EXPECTING PARENTS. HERE ARE JUST A FEW IDEAS.

TO PACK AHEAD OF TIME:

LIST OF PHONE NUMBERS TO CALL ONCE THE BABY ARRIVES. GIVE THIS TO A TRUSTED FAMILY MEMBER TO HANDLE FOR YOU!

BABY BOOK -- MOST BABY BOOKS HAVE SPACE FOR FOOT PRINTS AND HOSPITAL “MEMORABILIA.” MAYBE A JOURNAL TO REMEMBER

THE EXPERIENCE.

FOR EXPECTING MOM:

GOWNS, ROBE, NURSING BRAS, TANK TOPS, SLIPPERS, COMFY SOCKS... WHATEVER YOU WILL BE COMFORTABLE IT AND ALLOWS FOR

BREAST FEEDING IF THIS IS THE ROUTE YOU GO.

BREAST PADS

LANOLIN

LOTION

PONYTAIL HOLDERS

BOPPY, OR OTHER BREASTFEEDING PILLOW

FOR BABY:

A FEW SLEEPERS OR THOSE LONG GOWNS WITH THE ELASTIC AT THE BOTTOM, TO MAKE FREQUENT CHANGES EASIER. BE SURE TO

WASH BABY’S CLOTHES BEFOREHAND.

SOCKS & HATS

BLANKET

CUTE OUTFIT FOR HOSPITAL PHOTO.

CUTE GOING-HOME OUTFIT

CAR SEAT

TO PACK THE LAST MINUTE:

(AGAIN, A LIST CONTAINING EVEN THE OBVIOUS IS NICE. IT’S HARD TO MAKE DECISIONS WHILE IN LABOR.)

LAPTOP

CAMERA (BATTERIES, CHARGER)

PHONES & CHARGERS

IPOD/SPEAKERS

MAKEUP BAG

LIP BALM

TOOTHBRUSH/PASTE

DEODORANT

VITAMINS & ALLERGY MEDICATION

HAIR PRODUCTS

BRUSH

HAIR DRYER

PILLOWS

STOCK A COOLER WITH SNACKS AND DRINKS.

TOWEL TO SIT ON IN CAR (IN CASE WATER HASN’T BROKEN)

WALLETS/INSURANCE CARD/IDS

FOR EXPECTING DAD:

FOOD

PJS

TOILETRIES

THINGS TO SLEEP WITH -- BLANKETS, PILLOWS, ETC.

{ b y : m i c h e l l e n e b e l }


discover

getting enough milk. Remember: output is

a good indicator of intake! By the third day

of life, babies should have five to six wet

diapers and two to five bowel movements

each day.

SupportEvery new mother deserves a network of

people to support her. Consider asking

those special people in your life for specific

contributions. In the early days, moms

need to be able to focus on lots of nurturing

feeding sessions. Your support people can

step in to handle meals, doing a load of

laundry or some light housework, changing

diapers, and entertaining or caring for other

children in the family.

EncouragementYour support system will be valuable, but

nothing beats mother-to-mother support.

If breastfeeding begins well but you hit an

obstacle, you’ll need to hear from moms

who have been where you are. Sometimes

checking in with another breastfeeding

mom provides the reassurance you need

that your baby is experiencing something

normal!

Tying It All Together: La Leche LeagueFounded in 1956, La Leche League exists

for precisely these reasons: to provide

information, support, and encouragement

to all mothers who want to breastfeed

their children. Groups have free monthly

meetings where all moms and babies are

welcome. La Leche League Leaders are

experienced breastfeeding mothers who

have been accredited by LLL International,

and they are available to help! In Owensboro,

you can email [email protected]

or contact Michelle at (270) 929-7164 or

Holly at (270) 883-2825.

To pack ahead of time:

• List of phone numbers to

call once the baby arrives.

Give this to a trusted family

member to handle for you!

• Baby book -- most baby

books have space for

foot prints and hospital

“memorabilia.” Maybe a

journal to remember the

experience.

For expecting mom:

• Gowns, robe, nursing bras,

tank tops, slippers, comfy

socks... whatever you will

be comfortable in and

allows for breast feeding if

this is the route you go.

• Breast pads

• Lanolin

• Lotion

• Ponytail holders

• Boppy, or other

breastfeeding pillow

For baby:

• A few sleepers or those

long gowns with the elastic

at the bottom, to make

frequent changes easier. Be

sure to wash baby’s clothes

beforehand.

• Socks & hats

• Blanket

• Cute outfit for hospital

photo

• Cute going-home outfit

• Car seat

To pack the last minute:

(A list containing even the

obvious is nice. It’s hard to make

decisions while in labor.)

• Laptop

• Camera (batteries, charger)

• Phones & chargers

• iPod/speakers

• Makeup bag

• Lip balm

• Toothbrush/paste

• Deodorant

• Vitamins & allergy

medication

• Hair products

• Brush

• Hair dryer

• Pillows

• Stock a cooler with snacks

and drinks

• Towel to sit on in car (in

case water hasn’t broken)

• Wallets/insurance card/ids

For expecting dad:

• Food

• PJs

• Toiletries

• Things to sleep with --

blankets, pillows, etc.

OP

thelistHaving a packing list for the hospital can ease the stress for expecting parents. Here are just a few ideas.


Our favorite apps for expecting parents:

Baby Time - Pregnancy Contraction Timer

Helps time contraction intervals

and the intensity of them, making

it easier for you to prepare. It will

compare your contractions to

medical averages to predict what

phase of labor you’re currently in.

Prenatal Smart

Gives you quick and easy access

to which foods to avoid and

which foods are safe to eat. A

search function makes it easy to

find the facts on the food you’re

about to eat.

mPregnancy

Get the dad-to-be on track

with your pregnancy, too, with

mPregnancy. This application is

targeted specifically to men with

a pregnant partner. It contains

useful facts for men during pregnancy, not

only about the baby, but what’s going on with

you - in terms men will understand.

Baby Names

A practical and up-to-date

application that helps make

choosing a baby name a lot of

fun. Each name entry contains

insight into the origin and

meaning.

Total Baby

#1 Baby logging and tracking

application on the App Store.

It will help you log and time

all aspects of your child’s care

through a smart and sleek

interface that makes tracking easy and fun.

Even though those who have recently

planned a nursery claim to be something

less than an expert, they do have experience

with what works and what doesn’t. Each

nursery is distinctly suited to the needs,

finances and space available; however,

some basic pieces combine to create a not

only attractive but also functional and

practical atmosphere for your baby. New

is not a requirement. So many gently

used items are available at a fraction of the

original retail value. Look before you buy.

Consignment and antique shops are often

full of hidden treasures. Here’s how to pull

it all together:

Select the cribWill it be white, cream, brown, pink, yellow,

green, blue or even black? This is the

principle item in the nursery and it sets the

tone and style for the rest of the room.

Choose the beddingThe bumper pads (optional) and sheets

give the room personality.

Select paint colorsThese will coordinate with the bed and

bedding material. Painting needs to be

completed long before the baby arrives.

Select a rockerWhether nursing or bottle feeding, a

rocker / glider provides a place of comfort

and allows Mommy and Daddy to stay in

the quiet comfort of the nursery during

nighttime feedings /changings.

Get a changing tableComponents in a good changing table

include space for a contoured and cushioned

diaper pad, diapers, diaper cream, wet

wipes, and other utensils (suction bulb,

comb, lotions, etc). Another nice feature

would be drawers for storage of onesies,

burp cloths, pacifiers, blankets, wash cloths.

Some dressers can be transformed into nice,

efficient changing tables.

Include a Diaper Genie or trash canDisposable diapers are genius, but almost

equally genius is a nearby place for

disposing of soiled, wet diapers. The Diaper

Genie aids in odor control. (Remember to

buy a set of refills or extra plastic liners for

the trash can.)

MonitorOptions include a sound monitor, video

monitor or a combo video monitor /

breathing monitor. These allow parents

/ caregivers to see or hear exactly what’s

happening in the crib via a portable,

handheld screen. There’s no need to creep

into the room, trying to be awkwardly quiet

but almost certain to disturb the baby.

Lamp and tableA small lamp and table positioned next

to the rocker provide handy space for any

item that might need to be set aside while

burping the baby or rocking him or her to

sleep.

Baby hangers

You will seriously need more of these than

you ever dreamed. Baby clothes do not fit

on standard hangers.

BasketsSimple and practical organizers, baskets

can be used for toys and books, or even for

stacking small clothing items.

Small bookcaseThis is an optional item, but it can be

quite useful for displaying pictures,

special keepsakes, small stuffed animals or

accumulated books.

Add a rugDepending on whether you have carpet

or hardwoods, a rug provides a nice focal

point.

theappsplanning a nursery

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


discover

Q: I have an 11-year-old girl

and she wants to get a phone

so bad. I don’t think she should

have a phone yet but at the

same time I know all her friends

have phones and she feels left

out with all the texting and

whatever else they do on there.

I don’t want her left out, but

I don’t want her to grow up

so fast. What do I do without

being the bad person?

A: I can tell you from working in a school

kids are getting phones younger and

younger. I personally think this question

doesn’t have a right or wrong answer. It’s

more of a personal choice or opinion. You

have to first ask yourself can you afford

a smart phone and all the extras and

money that are involved? Do you want

your child texting and can you monitor

it well enough to make sure everything

she is doing is safe? I know plenty of

children who have Facebook accounts

that are not the appropriate age, but the

parents probably have their passwords

and have access to their accounts. The

one thing I always remembered from

all these Internet classes was to make

sure that anytime your child needed

to be on the computer it should be in a

main room where you could walk by at

anytime and be able to see what they are

doing. The difference with a phone is

they can take it anywhere and you can’t

always monitor it. I guess the same is

true with tablets and laptops too. I guess

my answer is there are a ton of variables

that are involved with getting your child

a smart phone and lots of different

things you need to think of before you

do it.

Q: I have a daughter in 5th grade

and I find myself getting caught

up in her “girl drama” that goes on

at school. I find myself being 10

years old again and all my rational

thinking goes out the window. Do

you have any advice for how I can

handle this better?

A: This is an awesome question. I can’t

tell you the number of times that I have

found myself acting the same age as my

own child. And “girl drama” is the worst!

It sucks you in and you feel like you are

back in school all over again. It’s funny to

me because even though I haven’t been in

school for a number of years, it’s still the

same old stuff. The difference is this is

your baby that someone is being mean to

and you just want to kick their butt! But we

can’t and we don’t want our kids to do that

either, so what do we do? I try really hard

to be a good role model for my daughter.

I am not perfect by any means and I mess

up all the time, but anytime I can use

my own life to teach her a lesson I try to

do so. Just as an example if something

is going on in your own life or someone

treated you poorly and it’s appropriate

to share with her then you ask her how

she would handle the situation. Then tell

her how you handled the situation. Great

examples to use would be someone talking

behind someone else’s back and you tell

her that you said you weren’t going to talk

about someone who wasn’t there to speak

for themselves. Or give her an example of

how you helped someone that was in need

and you did it because it was just the right

thing to do. There are so many things

in our daily lives that we can be sharing

with our children that hopefully they

will in turn use in their own lives. We are

after all their biggest role models and the

old saying monkey see, monkey do still

applies, but it can also be used to promote

positive behaviors. I think it only gets

harder but we’ll get through it together!

parentalcontrol

{ 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 }


Q: I’m a new mom to a baby boy and it’s just so much harder than

I thought it would be. I’m sure most people say this but I really

mean it. I feel like everyone else makes it look so easy. What am

I doing wrong?

A: First of all, there is nothing wrong with you at all! It’s so hard

being a mom, whether it’s your first child or your fifth child. I can

remember thinking before I had my own child why can’t that mom

take a shower, it’s just a baby?! Why can’t those parents go out

tonight? What’s so important that you can’t veer off this schedule?

It’s one of those things in life that nothing can prepare you for the

real experience until you are living it. And let me say, lack of sleep

or as I like to call it interrupted sleep can make a person go mad.

You’re so sleepy and tired that you just want to cry. I think some

people don’t want others to think they are struggling or that anything

ever goes wrong. And that makes people like you and I think there

is something wrong with us. There’s nothing wrong with you and I

promise it will get easier and better for you. It may take time, but

this is something new, something life changing and it’s the greatest

thing that could ever happen to someone. It might not seem like it at

the moment, but it will later. The next time you talk to a mom that

seems like this is the easiest thing in the world, you ask her what she’s

doing. One of the best tools to use are other people who have been

there and done it. They can have great advice for you. Or sometimes

they are just flat out lying or they have a nanny! I can remember the

greatest feeling was when your baby sees you and they hold those

little, chubby arms out because they think you are the greatest person

in the world. Hang in there.

Christina Dalton, MSSW, CSW is the Family Resource Center Coordinator for Daviess County Public Schools.

OP


fafsatips

{ p a i d a d v e r t o r i a l }

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid application

Each January, high school parents face deadlines and stress of helping their student

decide which college to attend. Taking an active and informative role in this decision

making process can alleviate the stress– for both you and your student. Listed below are

steps to make this transition easier while assuring the best “college fit”:

• Review acceptance letters and financial aid packages with your student. This is their

decision too.

• In early January, help your student fill out the FAFSA (Free Application For Federal

Student Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov). This will help both you and your student understand the

information needed to secure federal financial funding.

• Once the FAFSA is completed and processed, schedule meetings with financial aid

counselors to discuss financing options, and with academic advisors to discuss career

aspirations.

• Keep in mind that help with financing college can be found from outside sources such

as scholarships, civic, religious, and alumni organizations. Encourage your student to take

an active role in this search.

• If the cost of attending a four-year institution is out of reach, explore joint enrollment

programs with community colleges. These programs may allow your student to obtain

general education requirements at a lower rate of tuition. Your student could then complete

their Bachelor’s degree at the four-year institution.

Don’t let this process be intimidating. Follow the tips provided. Seek help from both

college and high school counselors. Following these steps and helpful hints will assure you

and your student that you have chosen the best college for them socially, educationally and

financially.

Some documents to gather with your student beforehand include:

Western Kentucky University in Owensboro has been educating students for over 40 years.

Learn more online: www.wku.edu/owensboro

OP

Their Social Security number (it’s

important to enter it correctly on the

FAFSA!)

You and your spouse’s Social Security

Numbers if your child is dependent

student (guidelines to what makes your

student Independent or Dependent can

be found on the FAFSA website.)

Your student’s driver’s license number

if you have one

Alien Registration Number if your

student is not a U.S. citizen

Federal tax information or tax returns

including IRS W-2 information, for

the student and for your spouse and

yourself if you have a dependent

student. If filling out your FAFSA before

you have completed your taxes for

the year it is acceptable to enter in the

information as estimates and picking

the option of “will file.” This will place

your student in line for any “first come,

first serve” money that they qualify for

should it run out before you officially

have your taxes complete. Just keep

in mind if you do this, you will need to

return to the FAFSA form later and make

corrections based on the final tax return

information.

Records of your untaxed income,

such as child support received, interest

income, and veterans noneducation

benefits.

Information on cash; savings

and checking account balances;

investments, including stocks and bonds

and real estate but not including the

home in which you live; and business

and farm assets for the student, and for

you if you have a dependent student.

discover


OP


community

BIG HEART

little girl

{ b y : e l a i n e m a r t i n }


BIG HEART

Miriam Webster defines field trip as

“a visit to a place that is made by

students to learn about something.”

One local kindergarten student recently

experienced such a trip, but the ending of her

story shows that she learned more than her

teacher had ever planned or imagined.

Deer Park Elementary is an International

Baccalaureate School. Part of the program

includes learning how to help your community

and others around the world. Recently, the

kindergarten students were studying a “Where

We Are in Place” unit, and the focus was shelters

and homes. To see firsthand how most shelters

have basic components, such as frames, walls,

floors, and ceilings, students visited 3 Habitat for

Humanity homes being built at different stages.

The kindergarteners were challenged to

bring money to support Habitat by completing a

scavenger hunt at their home. For example, they

could bring a quarter for each window, dime for

doors, nickel for rooms, and pennies for electrical

outlets they found in their own homes.

Kindergarten teacher Julia Boling said, “Ellie

didn’t think that was enough.”

Ellie Rue, a 6-year-old with a spirit full of

service, came home and told her mom Mendy

about her desire to make a book. She said she

needed to make a book about houses to raise

money. Mendy thought Ellie’s artwork was just

another homework assignment, until she learned

from Mrs. Boling that Ellie wanted to spearhead

her own fundraising campaign.

At home, Ellie continued to insist that she

write a book, so Mendy and dad Ryan sat down

one evening and listened to Ellie’s idea, and they

helped her create a storyboard to plan out her

pages. The next night, Ellie typed every line of her

story on their family computer. Mendy’s mom,

whom Ellie calls Mimi, then helped Ellie with the

drawings. Mendy laughed when she recalled how

Mimi tried suggesting certain things Ellie could

draw for a certain page, but Ellie had her own

visions. “Ellie’s ideas were way better than Mimi’s!

The entire book, from the words to the pictures, is

ALL Ellie.”

“A House is a House” is a book that gives the

reader a glimpse of why a house is important

to Ellie. The pages explain that a house can be

made of bricks, and it needs a roof to keep you

protected from the rain. On the page where it is

written, “Without houses, some people have to live

outside,” there is a crayon-drawn person with a sad

face who is stuck in a thunderstorm, with raindrops

all over the body.

Her story continues, with pages saying a house

”keeps you safe and gives you a bed to sleep in,”

that show a colorful home, with a bed and teddy

bear, as well as a child with a speech bubble coming

out of her mouth saying, “I’m safe!”

Once pictures were scanned, the book was ready

to be printed. Mendy checked around for local

options to print the book, but quickly learned that

using their family deskjet printer would be the

most economical choice. The family started telling

their family and friends about the fundraising book


project and began taking orders. Mendy

smiled when she remembered one night that

she had several families over for a dinner

party, and Ellie would approach the adults

and ask, “How many books do you want to

order?”

In total, the Rues created 60 books that

were sold to acquaintances and teachers at

both Deer Park and College View Middle

School, where Mendy teaches. Mrs. Boling

suggested that instead of making several

copies, that perhaps they could charge

different prices. In the end, black & white

books were sold for $1, colored books for $2,

and Ellie Rue autographed books for $3.

Ellie had a dream of raising $100 for

Habitat for Humanity; however, in the end,

her effort brought in $249.50. She said, “I

had a really big bag to take to school!”

When asked why they think their 5-year-

old daughter took on such a big project, both

Mendy and Ryan shrugged their soldiers and

said, “We don’t know. She has been like this

since she was itty bitty.” Mendy commented

that even in preschool, Ellie was service

oriented. There was one particular young

girl who had physical limitations, and Ellie

saw it as her own mission to befriend and

protect her new classmate.

Ellie is kindhearted toward others. She

shares her toys with her 3-year-old brother

John and gets in his bed at night sometimes

in case he needs something. Mendy says

Ellie’s passion to see needs in other people is

a gift. “God gave her that kind of heart.”

Though this kindergartener may be little,

her dreams are huge. In staying true to her

gentle heart, her wish is to be a pediatrician

one day because “I think it would be great to

help kids.”

Martin views each day as an adventure in her roles as wife, mom, owner of Pigtails and Cowlicks, and writing coach at Meadow Lands Elementary School.

community

OP


community

History buffs, music lovers, and art enthusiasts get

ready; Owensboro Remembers will be an event like our

community has never seen! What began as an Owensboro

Symphony Orchestra idea has grown and evolved into a

collaborative effort between the Symphony, RiverPark Center,

Museum of Science & History, Museum of Fine Arts, Daviess

County Public Library, and Brescia University, spanning three

days of music, exhibits, movies, and lectures to commemorate

the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Never before have all

these entities worked together this closely to present one large

event like this.

“It truly has taken on a life of its own,” says OSO Director

Karen M. Porter, “and we hope this becomes an annual event that

is unique to Owensboro. Bringing together community events is

my passion. I love seeing things come together.” Owensboro

Remembers truly has!

Dr. Jim Naas, a Civil War re-enactor from Owensboro, is the

one who originally presented the idea to somehow acknowledge

the sesquicentennial to Porter, who recognized that the OSO

had already scheduled a Civil War themed show for February

2013. The show is entitled “Two Brothers: American History

Comes Alive through Music” and it will premier Saturday night,

February 8, as the main event for the entire weekend. With that

in place, the brainstorming began and a committee was formed

to discuss adding a wide range of events and activities that are

both educational and entertaining. It was an easy sell to the

community, and the pieces started falling quickly into place.

“We knew immediately that we wanted to pull the John

Hampton Smith House (at the Museum of Fine Art) in because it

is from the same time period,” Porter said. “They were excited to

come on board, and now they are featuring several photography

exhibits and may add more.”

Once Leslie Byrne McCarty and Jim Blanton caught wind of

it, they made plans for the library to be involved and now they’ve

got an entire weekend of activities and displays planned as well.

“Then the issue became… well, we want these groups to be

involved, but there’s not a budget for this because it’s never been

done,” Porter explained. “So that meant they basically had to

find their own sponsors or underwrite their individual events

themselves.”

Apparently that wasn’t a problem. The event only snowballed

from there. Brescia University stepped to the plate as a sponsor

and added a lecture to the bill. The Convention and Visitors

Bureau recognized the tourism potential and they came on as

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


a sponsor as well. Then Mayor

Payne liked the collaboration he

was seeing and asked how the city

could contribute also.

“Jim Naas really pulled

some important pieces together

too,” Porter continued. “It was

his connections through the re-

enactor groups that we were able

to invite our impersonators.”

Consequently, President and

Mrs. Lincoln, President and

Mrs. Jefferson Davis, and

Frederick Douglas will be on

hand at several of the events

throughout the weekend to answer

questions and add another level

of authenticity and excitement.

One of their appearances will be

at the RiverPark Center’s “Arts

Teach Kids” program on Friday

morning, where close to 2,000

students will get the chance to

hear a portion of the symphony’s

Two Brothers show and have a

meet-and-greet with re-enactors

and impersonators in the lobby.

With all these entities

involved, there is already quite

a buzz brewing about this event.

But Owensboro Remembers has

gotten statewide attention as well;

earning itself the feature article in

the February issue of Kentucky

Monthly Magazine. A film crew

has expressed interest in filming

part of this event, and Porter says

more events and activities are

being added every day.

For more information, contact

Karen M. Porter at OSO 684-0661

or visit www.theOSO.com.

Danny May is a husband and father of two boys (4 and 5). He is the Director of Family Life at Lourdes Catholic Church and a regular contributor to Owensboro Parent Magazine.

the events

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

T H U R S D A Y , F E B R U A R Y 6

“Political Issues Expressed through Dress” Lecture presented by Dr. Kimberly Miller-Spillman at

Brescia University.

Author Susan Dyer discusses her book “Lincoln’s Advocate: the Life of Judge Joseph Holt”

at Daviess County Public Library.

F R I D A Y , F E B R U A R Y 7

The RiverPark Center “Arts Teach Kids” program.

RiverPark Center hosts a movie night featuring

“Gettysburg” along with re-enactor exhibits and

discussion. (8:15 p.m.)

Photography exhibit & reception with readings from

actual Civil War letters at the Museum of Fine Arts.

(6:00-8:00 p.m.)

S A T U R D A Y , F E B R U A R Y 8

Daviess County Public Library presents “School of the Soldier”

for ages 6-12 featuring re-enactors, demonstrations, artifacts

& displays. (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.)

RiverPark Center movie “Gods and Generals.” (2:30 p.m.)

The Campbell Club hosts a Ladies Tea (luncheon) with

speaker Aloma Dew from the Kentucky Humanities Council.

(Noon-2:00 p.m.)

The Owensboro Symphony Orchestra premiers “Two

Brothers: American History Comes Alive through Music” in

the RiverPark Center’s Canon Hall. (7:30 p.m.)

O N G O I N G F E B R U A R Y 6 - 8

Daviess County Public Library: kids activities, quilt

displays, a virtual gallery, and other period displays.

Owensboro Museum of Science & History: Civil War

exhibits and displays.

Owensboro Museum of Fine Arts: photography

exhibition of the Battle of Sacramento.

OP


our favesTop ten things to do inside on a snow day:

1. Stay in your PJs all day.

2. Build a fort with blankets and sheets. Do everything in the

fort -- eat, read a book, watch a movie, take a nap.

3. Have an indoor picnic.

4. Bake cookies from scratch -- Get messy, mix with your

hands!

5. Write letters or make cards to send to family.

6. Have the kids choose the dinner menu and have them

help prepare the meal.

7. Play card games like Crazy 8s, Old Maid and Go Fish.

8. Bring a baby pool inside with snow to play and make snow

castles.

9. Have a board game tournament!

10. Have a movie marathon, or maybe watch old movies that

your kids haven’t seen.

community


Snowman Bowling

What you will need:• creamer bottles

• ribbon

• orange construction paper, paint or marker for the nose

• black permanent marker for the eyes and mouth

1. Start by drawing the face don’t worry you don’t need to be

picasso for this. All you need to do is draw six dots -- two for

the eyes and four for the mouth.

2. Cut a triangle for the nose and glue or use an orange

marker or paint.

3. Wrap your ribbon around the neck. You may need to glue

it on.

Set up the snowmen in a triangle pattern like bowling pins

and use a ball from your child’s toy collection to knock

them down. And a helpful hint -- you don’t have to use

creamer bottles to make your snowmen. Use whatever you

have around the house... mini cereal boxes, cans, water

bottles. Just paint them white or cover them in white paper.


the kidseat

free list

MondaysCatfish Willy’s - $1.99 kids meal with the

purchase of adult meal

Grandy’s - 99¢ kids meals with the purchase

of regular adult meal

Mirko Pasta – 2 free kids meals per adult

entrée purchase

Red Lobster – free kids meal with coupon

available on website or Facebook page

Shoney’s – 2 free kids meals per adult

entrée purchase from 3 – 9 p.m. for kids 10

years and younger

TGI Fridays – free kids meal with the

purchase of adult entrée for kids 12 years

and younger

Zaxby’s – 2 free kids meals per adult entrée

TuesdaysBeef ‘O’ Brady’s – free kids meal with the

purchase of adult entrée from 4 – 8 p.m. for

kids 12 years and younger

Bob Evans – free kids meals with the

purchase of adult meal for kids 12 and

younger; kids get a special treat of icing

their own cookie

Denny’s – 2 free kids meals per adult meal

purchase

Fazoli’s - 99¢ kids meals with the purchase

of adult meal

Pizza Hut – 1 free child buffet with the

purchase of adult buffet from 5 – 8 p.m. at

the South Frederica location.



community


Salsarita’s – free kids meal with the purchase

of $5 or more adult entrée; dine in only

WednesdayOle South Barbeque – 2 free kids meals per

adult meal purchase for kids 12 and younger



ThursdayBee Bop’s – free kids meal with the purchase of

adult meal after 5 p.m. for kids 12 and younger

Captain D’s – 2 free kids meals with adult

meal purchase; dine in only



Ryan’s - 99¢ kids buffet for children 11 years

and younger

SaturdayMaloney’s – free kids meals from

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Texas Roadhouse – 2 free kids meals per

adult entrée from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

SundayBriarpatch – 1 free kids meal per adult

entrée for kids 10 and younger

Maloney’s – free kids meals from

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Tumbleweed Tex Mex Grill – free kids meal

with purchase of adult meal for kids 12 and

younger

Texas Roadhouse – 2 free kids meals per

adult entrée from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

*The Kids Eat Free list is subject to change. Please contact restuarants to

ensure their participation.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1

U-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.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2

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.

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.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3




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


SATURDAY, JANUARY 4FREE 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

MONDAY, JANUARY 6





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].

january 2014






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


THURSDAY, JANUARY 9

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is the Tony Award

winning Broadway musical, inspired by the

electrifying true story of the famed recording

session where Sam Phillips, the “Father of

Rock ‘n’ Roll,” brought together icons Elvis

Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and

Carl Perkins for one unforgettable night; 7

– 10 p.m.; For more information, call (270)

687-2787 or visit www.riverparkcenter.org.





FRIDAY, JANUARY 10




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


SATURDAY, JANUARY 11

FREE MEMOIR WORKSHOP with Kristine

Adams Are you interested in capturing family

stories and memories, to preserve and to

share? Need a little help getting started?

Regional author Kristine Adams will present

a workshop to help you prepare for the

journey of writing your memoirs. Just bring

your memories - supplies, resources and tips

will be provided; 9 – 10 a.m.; Daviess County

Public Library, 2020 Frederica St.; For more

information, contact the library at 270-691-

1883.

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 13





TUESDAY, JANUARY 14

FREE WACKY SCIENCE: SNOWFLAKES Ages 12

and under; Drop-in and explore the science

of snowflakes with fun winter activities;

Daviess County Public Library, 2020 Frederica

St.; dcplibrary.org.





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


calendar


calendar


THURSDAY, JANUARY 16





FRIDAY, JANUARY 17




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


SATURDAY, JANUARY 18




with a focus on literacy and school readiness;


St.; dcplibrary.org

MONDAY, JANUARY 20

SCHOOL’S OUT HOLIDAY ICE SESSIONS On a

day when schools are not in session, the Edge

Ice Center will open for a Special Session,

unless a state of emergency has been declared.

Times to be announced the day-of; 12 – 5 p.m.;

Edge Ice Center, 1400 Hickman Ave.; For more

information, contact the Owensboro Parks

Department at 270-687-8700.

AUDITIONS FOR “THE AMAZIND ADVENTURES

OF ROBINSON CRUSOE” Missoula Children’s

Theatre returns to RiverPark Center for a

production of “The Amazing Adventures of

Robinson Crusoe”. Local youngsters can

audition for parts in the play or in the cast.

Performances will be Friday, January 24 at

11:30 a.m. and Saturday, January 25 at 2 p.m.

For more information, contact RiverPark

Center at 270-687-2787









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


THURSDAY, JANUARY 23





FRIDAY, JANUARY 24MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE PRESENTS

“THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON

CRUSOE” Purposely varying from the plot

of Daniel Defoe’s novel, MCT’s Robinson

Crusoe teaches the lesson that reading

invites more than observation. Unlike TV and

movies, which provide every detail, a book

allows the reader the luxury and the joy of

imagination. We arrive on Robinson’s island

years after he and his sole companion, a

calendar


calendar

goat named Wilson, are shipwrecked. We

find that the island has turned into a tourist

destination centered around a lovable singing

leopard, a tribe of natives known for their

colorful coifs, Friday’s Seaside Resort and, of

course, the legend of Robinson Crusoe. In

flashback, his story comes to life beginning

with the shipwreck, which marooned he and

Wilson on the island. The entire population

of the island, including a herd of goats, and

all-animal band, Friday and his family and the

inevitable hula-dancing chameleons, discover

that our differences need not stand in the

way of our friendships. All of the characters

live happily ever after; 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.;

For ticket information, contact the RiverPark

Center Box Office at 270-687-2787 http://

www.riverparkcenter.com




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


SATURDAY, JANUARY 25MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE PRESENTS

“THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON

CRUSOE” See event description on Friday,

January 24. The Saturday show will be from

2 – 3:30 p.m.

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 27






AG EXPO 2014 will mark the 40th year for one

of the longest running agricultural education

and industry meetings in the state. Ag Expo

draws hundreds of farmers and agribusiness

people from across Kentucky and Southern

Indiana to hear University of Kentucky

specialists and agriculture industry leaders

present informational updates pertaining

to market and production related issues. In

addition, attendees have the opportunity to

network with exhibitors in Agriculture and Ag

related fields as they plan for the upcoming

production season. For more information,

contact Clint Hardy at 270-685-8480




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


FRIDAY, JANUARY 31OWENSBORO CONVENTION CENTER

OPENING Celebrate the three-day opening of

Owensboro’s new Convention Center. The

City of Owensboro and the Management

Company, Global Spectrum, are pleased


to announce the Grand Opening of the

New Owensboro Convention Center. The

celebration is set for three incredible fun

and entertainment filled days in 2014, from

Friday, January 31, through Sunday, February

2. On Friday, January 31, a Grand Opening

Gala has been created to showcase the new

facility to the region and potential future

clients. “This event will be our opportunity to

host and entertain future clients,” said Dean

Dennis, Global Spectrum’s General Manager

of the Owensboro Convention Center. “There

is no better way to sell space like we have,

than to actually entertain our clients in that

space.” In addition to the sales opportunities

associated with the Friday night event, the

City of Owensboro has also made tickets

available for it through local City funded non-

profits. Participating non-profits will be able to

use the tickets for fundraising opportunities.

Highlights of the Gala include performances

by the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra

Second Street Big Band, the Jimmy Church

Band, jazz and bluegrass performances,

Aaron Kizer and feature entertainment by

CMA Award Winning Country Artist Sara Evans

(slowmedown.saraevans.com). Sponsorship

opportunities for the Gala are available. On

Saturday, February 1, the public is invited to

enjoy a full day of events and tours of the

facility. The official Ribbon Cutting will take

place at 10:00 a.m. in conjunction with the

Hampton Inn and Suites. Doors will open to

the Convention Center immediately following

the ribbon cutting. A variety of different

activities and entertainment for the whole

family have been planned throughout the

day, concluding with a performance by Great

American Country TV stars The Willis Clan

(thewillisclan.com). On Sunday, February 2,

at 12:30 p.m., a buffet lunch will be available

to those that purchase tickets in advance. An

interfaith blessing of the building and service

will take place following the lunch. The

public is also invited to watch the big game

on large screens around the facility and cash

concessions will be available. Sponsorship

opportunities are available for the entire

weekend. This three-day event is just the

beginning to a month filled will exciting

events like the GRADD Annual Dinner, The

Owensboro Chamber Rooster Booster,

Outdoor Owensboro Hunting and Fishing

Expo, Your Perfect Day Wedding and Prom

Show, Bourbon Ball and the Owensboro Boat

and Recreation Show. For more information,

please contact: Owensboro Convention

Center | Global Spectrum Madison Strobel,

Marketing and Public Relations Manager

Main 270.687.8800 | Direct 270.687.8929 |

[email protected]




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


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1





calendar

with a focus on literacy and school readiness;


St.; dcplibrary.org

PRESERVATION STATION MARKET DAYS Markets

will specialize in the antique, the vintage, and

the crafts. Vendors will be able to lease space

(100-700 sq. ft.) on a month-to-month basis,

shoppers will delight in the unique, the quirky,

and the beautiful finds from our vendors

in this 39,000 square foot facility. Market

Days will take place on the first weekend of

every month- Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and

Sunday 12 – 4 p.m.; 9661 Highway 56 at

the old West Louisville Elementary School;

Visit Preservation Station on Facebook, at

visitpreservationstation.com or call (270) 925-

1124 or (270) 993-7532.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2

PRESERVATION STATION MARKET DAYS See

event description on February 1.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3





WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5




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


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6

OWENSBORO REMEMBERS – See page 32 for

event description and details.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7

OWENSBORO REMEMBERS – See page 32 for

event description and details.

OUTDOOR OWENSBORO EXPO Owensboro

RV presents Outdoor Owensboro, Hunting

& Fishing EXPO in the new Owensboro

Convention Center. Special Guest TV

Hunting Celebrity T-Bone Outdoors with

Travis Turner. Over 200 exhibitors with

hundreds of hunting, fishing, and outdoor

recreation related items on display and for

sale. The event will also feature informative

seminars, appearances from hunting and

fishing celebrities, and opportunities to win

exciting prizes; Admission $8, with children

under 12 free; Contact Doris Sparks at

270-687-8927 or visit

www.owensboro-conventioncenter.com.




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



calendar