The South Gibson Star-Times serves the towns of Haubstadt, Owensville and Fort Branch.
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1475679
HOME LIFE A-6 Tuesday, August 9, 2022 South Gibson Star-Times Virgin watermelon margarita By Jennifer Vallee Cooking Columnist news@sgstartimes.com Despite being raised in an area that truly loves their li- quor, I am not that much of a drinker. Occasionally I will imbibe on special occasions, but I have found that there is not much difference between drunk and sober Jennifer except the hangover that I will most definitely have the fol- lowing day. Not given to inducing any more pains than my aging body throws my way, I have mostly given up on alcohol. That said, I don't have to give up on delicious drinks just because I don't want to have a three day headache. Mocktails, as they are known, are delicious, non-alcohol- ic versions of their racier cousins. They are delicious and perfect for those in your family or on your guest list that also don't imbibe. They are also great for children's parties once they get too old for the Kool-aid Jammers. Here is an easy one to get you started. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS • 1 medium seedless watermelon, cut into chunks • .5 cup fresh lime juice • 4 tsp agave (can be substituted with simple syrup, corn syrup, molasses, honey, and many other sweet syrups if aga- ve cannot be obtained at the local market). • 5 tbsp sparking water DIRECTIONS 1. In a blender, puree enough watermelon chunks so that you have 4 cups of watermelon puree. 2. Add lime juice and agave and mix again. 3. Pour into 4 cups. 4. Top with sparkling water. Source: FoodDoneLight As school starts, just remember the kids By Stephanie Hayes Columnist @stephhayes on Twitter Believe it or not, it's almost time for class to star t again. That means it's also time for parents to lean close to the mirror and ask, "Is this a new liver spot?" For adults, this moment brings plen- tiful intersections of anxiety. Gun vio- lence, political reindeer games, teacher shor tages, money woes, Marissa from the PTA with the ballet flats. While these issues all af fect children, it helps to get inside their sweet, malleable minds for perspective. While we ready for our totalitarian future, let us board the mental Way- back Machine and remember that the dilemmas of youth are typically time- less, precise and bizarre. We may never know our kids experienced these defin- ing moments until the day their adult variants admit that, in eighth grade, they kept nail clippings in a Sprite can, or wrote all the Savage Garden lyrics in ballpoint pen on their thigh, or hid a Hot Pocket under the bed to create a superspecies of ants. We have a new middle schooler in my house, which is hard for me to wrap my degenerating cells around. I would like to believe I was just there, though it has been (unintelligible) years. This transition is triggering memo- ries of my sixth-grade year. The must- have fashion items were Calvin Klein overalls (God help you if yours were from Walmar t), babydoll shir ts from The Limited and miniature backpacks atop regular backpacks. Stop asking questions! We needed that many back- packs! I owned none of the above. In- stead, I wore a silk sunflower vest and matching cloth shor ts and fake Keds. That year, my oral histor y states I also hoarded metal spoons. My parents packed brown bag lunches with Jell-O cups and spoons from the kitchen drawer. In theor y, I was sup- posed to bring the spoons back. But I was 11 and con- cerned with vests, so I stacked the spoons in my locker and pockets of my backpack. Why? I already told you, kids have soft brains. And why didn't my par- ents ask where all the spoons were? I don't know. I probably came home reeking of Love's Baby Soft, moody about a boy who wore the same Mar- ilyn Manson shir t thrice weekly and never washed his hair. I wouldn't talk to me either. I was a freak who collect- ed spoons! Eventually, the spoon stockpile was too big to face, like the daily news. I had to bring them home, but how to casually get 16 spoons into the house? The problem was feeding on itself (with a spoon). Avoidance, the only answer. The spoon collection grew unwieldy, and utensils star ted rappelling of f my person like a Universal movie monster made of cutler y. One day on the way to class, I heard a clink. A spoon had sprinkled from my Eastpak (JanSpor t was the cool back- pack) and landed on the pavement. I halted in horror. It's one thing to have the wrong clothes, but it's another thing entirely to be Spoon Girl. I had to play this of f. "Hey, is that your spoon?" I asked a student. I don't know what I thought would happen. That she would be like, "Wow, thank you, I have been looking for this spoon," and then I could be popular? No. I don't re- member her name, but I will remember her reply and withering smirk on my deathbed, words bursting in my head as my last two good cells vie for victor y. "I don't have any spoons." I asked my mother recently if she had any memor y of me hoarding spoons, and she said, "Not at all!" Exactly. As school gets going, do the basics to ensure the children don't end up cr ying in an investigative Net- flix docuseries. Then, give them space and grace to sit on a commodity of sil- ver ware and work the problem out on their own. Know they have their own proverbial locker of spoons. These are the necessar y steps to becoming a ful- ly formed person who can battle both tyranny and Marissa's autocratic snack sign-up sheet. The cycle star ts over now. Stephanie Hayes is a columnist at the Tampa Bay Times in Florida. Fol- low her at @stephhayes on Twitter or @ stephrhayes on Instagram. Helping your child transition to high school By Valorie Dassel, Youth First, Inc. The transition from elementar y or middle school to high school can come with a wave of emotions for both students and parents. Often there is excitement surrounding the new environment, both socially and academically. Anxiety is also commonly experienced among incoming freshmen. These anxieties often stem from so- cial and academic changes. Oppor tu- nities for change can increase a sense of self and positively af fect academics. As parents, it is impor tant to nur ture our teenager's development during this transition. Parents should talk with their teen about academic expectations before high school begins. Discuss ways to practice useful organizational strategies, develop time management skills, and maintain good study habits. If elementar y or middle school has been easy for a teen, they may begin high school with a relaxed attitude toward grades. If high school proves to be aca- demically challenging for them, the teen may have a more difficult transition. Priorities for a teenager can be difficult to navigate. Students may want to do well academically, but new social opportuni- ties can interfere with academic success. During this developmental stage, friends become just as important to the teen as their family. When teens are faced with the choice of doing their homework or hanging out with friends, they may opt for the more immediate and "fun" reward of socializ- ing. Parents can lend support by encour- aging set study times and monitoring assignments being turned in on time through the school's website. High school includes social adjust- ments as well. Typically, incoming fresh- man are coming from a middle school where they knew exactly where they fit in amidst the study body. The transition to high school offers exciting opportu- nities for most. For the student who has desired different or more friendships in elementar y or middle school, they have a chance to reinvent and develop better relationships. Throughout freshman year, social groups tend to go through many transi- tions. With a larger student body, there is greater opportunity to find friends who share similar interests and values. Par- ents should encourage involvement in ac- tivities to promote social connectedness. Spending time constructively makes it less likely the teen will be involved in negative social behaviors. If the social adjustment is not what your teen expected, they could be strug- gling with feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Open communication during this time is crucial. Help your teen brainstorm which peers they have some- thing in common with. Work with them on how to initiate conversations and sug- gest non-intimidating ways to "hang out" outside of school to nurture friendships. This will give them the skills necessar y to work through their social difficulties. The transition to high school offers many exciting opportunities. There are also going to be difficulties on this jour- ney. Maintaining an open and positive relationship and communication between parent and teen will make it easier on the entire family. Valorie Dassel, LCSW, LCAC, is a Youth First Social Worker at Mater Dei High School in Vanderburgh County. Youth First, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First SWIRCA MENU FOR DELIVERY Tuesday, August 9, Meatloaf sandwich, twice stuffed po- tato, three bean salad, spiced peaches and milk. Wednesday, August 10: Omelet, hash brown patty, bis- cuit, pear cup and yogurt. Thursday, August 11: Barbecue chicken, baked beans, Chuckwagon corn, r ye bread with margarine, pudding cup and milk. Friday, August 12: Philly cheesesteak on bun, tater tots, broccoli, Mandarin oranges and milk. Monday, August 15: Salisbur y steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, bread with margarine, peach cup and milk. Tuesday, August 16: Lasagna, Italian beans, spiced ap- ples, Texas toast, flavored Craisins and milk. MORE INFORMATION SWIRCA meals are available for deliver y to housebound senior citizens (60 and older) in Gibson County. Meals are provided on a donation basis and whatever you can afford to contribute. There is no set fee or charge. A suggested donation is $3.50 per meal. Cash and check or food stamps are accepted. Meat/Entrée portions are 2.5 to 3 oz. Vegetables and salads and desserts are half cup ser vings. Margarine is 1 teaspoon. Bread is one slice. Milk is a half pint. Casseroles are 8 oz. This program is operated by the SWIRCA and More Nu- trition Program at 16 W. Virginia St. and Evansville. The number to call for information or to order meal deliver is 812-464-7807. Note that the soup and sandwich is only for our congre- gate site clients. It is an alternative option to the hot meal. No special orders. Call 812-464-7807 to order at least one day ahead. My So Called Millennial Life By Stephanie Hayes