The map of the Louisville Zoo. ICEEs for everyone! The day was simply too splendid for classes, thought Alice. “In my world, there would be no classes,” said Alice to Dinah. “Everything would be nonsense.” (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua, pg. 5) After three and a half long hours, Gamma and the children arrived at their destination. “Oh, the zoo, the zoo, no time to be blue,” exclaimed Gamma. “We’re here!” The children nor Gamma could contain themselves. Quickly, the seatbelts unbuckled. Gamma and the Grands darted to their feet and out of their seats. All were ready to see the animals at the Louisville Zoo. Most of the conversations in the car revolved around the must-see animals. The giraffes were top of the list with their spotted coats and considerably long necks. Second to the giraffes were the monkeys. The third must-see was the zebras. First things first, bathroom breaks and cool drinks. Does it sound like nonsense; to take a potty break and then refill the tank? The day was simply too splendid to make sense. After buying the tickets and walking hurriedly through the zoo’s gates, straight ahead was an oasis. It was the largest selection of ICEEs ever compiled. There were endless flavors: Banana, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Bubble Gum, Cherry, Cherry-Lime, Cola, Cotton Candy, Flamingo, Lemonade, Grape, Green Apple, Igua-Nana, Llama-Ade, Mango, Peach, Orange Cream, Mixed Berry, Mermaid, Penguin-Melon, Pina Colada, Pina Kuala, Pink Watermelon, Shark Bait, Strawberry, Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon, and White Cherry. It was scorching hot outside and temperatures were expected to peak at around 100. An ICEE was required. Each child chose their flavors; Bubba Blue Raspberry, Sis mixed it up with Banana, Blue Raspberry, & Bubble Gum, and Baby Brother had traditional Cherry (mom’s favorite). As the children sipped their ICEES by the zoo sign, Gamma snapped a picture. She thought it clever to have a photo of the map should things go sideways. Armed with cool drinks, Gamma and the Grands started down the zoo path. After a quick left, there HE was; Cottontail Bunny. Standing as still as a statue. He didn’t scurry away as the White Rabbit did from Alice. Cottontail Bunny was ready and willing to be their guide. Like Alice’s fascination with the White Rabbit—Cottontail Bunny drew intrigue from the children. He hopped within inches of their feet. He wasn’t scared. He didn’t even flinch. His little body, with the strong, hind legs easily kept up with the Grands—No matter that he was 25 times smaller. The extraordinary journey through the zoo had begun. Their first stop was the Conservation Carousel. It’s a magical ride with 24 wooden horses and 24 wooden animals of all kinds, many endangered. The delightful music and the array of animals rising and falling to the rhythm of the carousel were fairy-tale-like. The carousel is over a century old and arrived at the zoo in 2000. It was a magical place to begin our journey down the zoo path with Cottontail Bunny. There are 24 horses and 24 additional hand-carved animals on this century-old carousel. Hippity-hop, Hippity-hop, quickly arriving at our next stop. Cottontail Bunny introduced Gam and the Grands to the rhinoceros. The most distinctive feature of the rhinoceros was the large horn on its snout. The horn is made solely of keratin. When parents say, ‘Eat your carrots or veggies’, it’s not only for the beta-carotene to help you see better but for the keratin to strengthen your hair, skin, and nails. All animals have keratin in their nails, hooves, horns, and hair. Keratin helps the rhino develop a thick skin that acts as a protective plating. Bubba noticed the mud-coating all over the rhino's body. Though they have tough skin, rhinos may still get sunburned or get bit by mosquitos. So, they roll in the mud. Who knew? The rhinoceros horn is made of 100% Keratin. “Look,” shouted Sis, “It’s the giraffe house.” The Grands were very excited and ran swiftly inside the glass building. Once inside, “Shew-wee,” said Bubba. The giraffe house was stinky but the giraffes themselves; were spectacular. There were two inside the building. Both were tall. One was taller. Baby Brother was in ‘awe’ at the sight of the long-necked creatures. He reached his hand to the sky to touch the elegant animal. He was only a tiny bit too short. The giraffe house at the zoo. Cottontail Bunny encouraged Gam and the Grands to pitstop at the outdoor garden. Inside were hundreds of native Kentucky butterflies thriving within the ecosystem. The sanctuary was swarming with tiny insects. “Who are you?” asked the smoke-blowing caterpillar while awaiting Alice’s response. To answer the question, she blew the smoke away from her face and consequently blew the clothes off of the caterpillar. Alice looked around to see what happened, and the caterpillar had turned into a butterfly (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua). Most enthralled by the beauty of the butterflies was Gamma’s middle grandchild. He was very much interested in petting the graceful insects. Bubba didn’t want any part of petting goats, donkeys, or other animals inside the petting zoo. His ideal petting zoo was the butterfly sanctuary. He stuck his finger to the butterfly and gently stroked its wings. He was petting a butterfly. The butterfly sanctuary is home to 100s of native Kentucky species. “It’s hot,” sighed Gamma. “We need to cool down.” Baby Brother’s fair skin was turning a bright shade of pink. Cottontail Bunny knew what to do. He led the crew up one hill and down another— and to everyone’s surprise, an ice cream stand materialized. Gamma motioned everyone over to the concessions and placed an order. The only flavor was vanilla. No one minded. It was a creation of pure genius; coolness from the ice and sweetness from the cream. After a few bites melted on Baby Brother's tongue, and slid down his throat and into his belly, the snow-white color of his skin reappeared. Heat exhaustion averted. Vanilla ice cream on a hot, hot day at the zoo. The African Outpost was simply amazing. Capturing the Grand’s attention almost immediately was the African elephant. By far, the largest land mammal in the world and the largest of all three elephant species. Adult elephants can measure the same size as an in-ground swimming pool. The average weight is 11 tons—the equivalent of five midsize cars. The elephant in the room was the type of food elephants eat. They eat mostly foliage. Gamma couldn’t imagine getting that big and wide by being a vegetarian. Other animals of note in the grasslands included male and female lions, hippopotamus, giant tortoises, cheetahs, and zebras. The black-and-white striped horse was on the children's must-see list. The only problem was the viewing distance. The zebras gathered at the back of the enclosure making it difficult to see—time to go. Cottontail Bunny prodded the children to move along. There was so much more to see. The African Elephant is the largest of three species. Around the corner was thick vegetation. Gamma and the Grands stepped further and further into the brush. It was cool and damp within the confines of the sugar cane and jungle-like trees and plants. The sunlight vanished—so did the sweltering temps. It’s time for a photo-op. Cottontail Bunny hid in between the sugar cane as other guests approached. After a short break, the journey continued. A cool jungle path led to sugar cane. “I told you I’d find the monkeys,’ Sis proudly exclaimed. She did indeed. And not just monkeys but gorillas. The most impressive of the gorillas was the ‘silverback.’ Silverbacks earn their stripe after reaching the age of 12. They are the leaders of the gorilla packs and the strongest primates in Africa. One of the larger gorillas in the park enjoyed a whole lettuce head and fruit. The sliver streak on the gorilla’s back appears after 12 years of age. To follow the White Rabbit, Alice needed to shrink to fit through the keyhole. She followed the advice of the Doorknob and drank the ‘Drink Me’ potion. After drinking it, she fell into the ‘Drink Me’ bottle and sailed on the Vale of Tears through the keyhole. Alice landed on the beach where Dodo commandeered other fish and birds to dance (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua, pg 13). The idea was to air-dry. Unfortunately, the waves kept crashing to shore and getting them wet. After seeing all there was to see at the African Outpost, it was time to explore Glacier Run. Cottontail Bunny led the crew down a steep hill. At the bottom were misters. Like the waves of an ocean lapping on the beach, the purpose of the mister was to get zoo guests wet. Unlike the birds and the fish on the beach in Alice’s Wonderland, Gamma and the children wanted to get wet. The mist was cool and damp on their skin—a welcomed relief. Glacier Run was home to the Polar Bear, Grizzly Bear, Seals, and Sea Lions. Bubba wasn’t happy to venture into Glacier Run. Bears were scary with big paws, sharp teeth, and giant ‘roars.’ Gamma assured him they were safe. The bears were inside their very secure enclosures. Gam and the Grands advanced toward the Grizzly Bear. His enclosure was the largest, or so it seemed. He had gigantic rocks to climb, waterfalls to bathe in, and caves to take shelter. The walls between the guests and the animals are strong and tall. Cottontail Bunny stayed behind as the crew approached the bear. A tasty snack he would be, if not careful. The Grizzly was busy doing grizzly things and paid no attention to the zoo guests. Polar Bears are roughly the weight of ten men. The next stop along the zoo trail was home to the Polar Bear. The snowy white bears are marine mammals and can weigh as much as ten men. The furry creatures spend much of their life hunting for prey though only having a success rate for ‘the hunt’ of less than 2%. Their senses are keen. They can smell prey over a mile-and-a-half away. There was only one Polar Bear at the Louisville Zoo. He was in a glass cage with little to do other than stand or sit. At first, he stood on the second tier of a two-tiered cage. The space was encased in glass, consisting of concrete floors, a shoot or slide, and an old Glacier Run Wilderness Tour truck. The bear appeared confused and discontent. All three Grands: Sis, Bubba, and Baby Brother watched in amazement. Polar Bears are the largest arctic mammals. Sis wanted to have a closer look at the fuzzy, white bear. With her face pressed against the glass, she watched and waited to observe his next move. Sis was curious about the bear. At the beginning of Alice’s Wonderland, Alice became curious about the hole the White Rabbit disappeared in. As she peeked down through the rabbit hole, she said, “Curiosity often leads to trouble” (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua, pg. 7). The enclosure’s clear glass looked like it was treated with a layer of metallic oxide. This can create an opaque effect that blocks out images on the other side of the glass. You can see through it, but the smokiness makes it more difficult. As the crowd gathered around the foggy glass, Sis continued to peer through, face to hands and hands to the glass. Slowly, the bear walked down the three steps that connected one floor to the next. His head turned side-to-side and sniffed the air as if searching for prey. Suddenly, the bear spotted Sis and made a ferocious sneer, lunging at the glass window. Everyone gasped. Sis jumped back in disbelief. All were shocked. Sis didn’t know whether to cry, run, or hide. It was both scary and embarrassing. The unexpected pounce was terrifying. It was an embarrassment because the crowd stared in silence. Sis buried her head in Gamma’s side and softly cried. After a few minutes, the excitement was over. Sis’ apprehension continued as we pushed forward to the next attraction. After visiting the sea lions, Cottontail Bunny reappeared. Had Sis made the bear mad by peering through the glass? Did the bear spot Cottontail Bunny on the path? Could that be the reason for the lunge? In Alice’s Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat angered the Queen. He tripped her up, causing a fall that pulled her skirt over her head. Never matter—it wasn’t the Mad Hatter. The crew climbed up the hill, getting further away from Glacier Run. ‘Birds of a feather stick together’ as do Gamma and the Grands. The Flamingos were next on the zoo path—those pretty, pink birds with skinny legs and fluffy feathers. Everybody loves pink flamingos. There were at least 100 of these exotic birds at the zoo. Alice and the Queen played a game of croquet with flamingos. The birds were the croquet mallets; the hedgehogs the ball. More nonsense. Pink flamingos eat algae, vegetation, and animals that are in shallow waters. Cottontail Bunny enjoyed seeing the flamingos. He encouraged Gam and the Grands to persist along the zoo’s path. What’s that sound? It's laughing children heard above all other noises. They had reached Splash Park. It was near the end of the zoo trail. Splash Park was a nautical-themed water park. There was a climbable fishing boat, dump buckets, small water slides, and fountains of water poking through the concrete floor. It could be said—the highlight of the day. Gamma and the Grands were soaked in sweat and ready to get wet. Cottontail Bunny watched Gamma open the gate to Splash Park. As the children stepped through the human enclosure, they waved to their new friend. Cottontail Bunny had stayed beside Gamma and the Grands the entire adventure. For today, it was time to say goodbye. Cottontail Bunny had to return to the forest. The children whispered, ‘Until next time,’ and down the zoo path hopped Cottontail Bunny. Bubba and Baby Brother enjoying Splash Park. Sis is running the good race at Splash Park. It’s the end of the day
Time to make our way Back to the car It’s not that far Only one more hill Then we can be still Resting in our seat And off our feet Thinking about the zoo trail And our new friend, Cottontail The day was simply too splendid for nonsense. In the book Disney Alice in Wonderland, Especially for Angela, Adapted by Barbara Bazaldua, 2017 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
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Rain and games go hand-in-hand. Monopoly, Scrabble, Candyland Never mind if one can’t read. Gamma’s there to fill the need. Here’s the thing with ones so young, Playing games to have some fun. Learning that we all can’t win, Losing happens now and then. At four years old, Sis got upset, Fueled by winning above all else. Now she’s five; it’s okay, Other players can seize the day. As for Bubba, he can’t wait, Ready to participate. Now he’s four and wants to win, It looks like ‘Here we go again.’ Pick a game and choose it wisely, Candyland will do quite nicely. Take a seat and pay attention Did Gamma forget to mention… The object of the game is simple, Colorful paths for plastic people. Cards with shapes to guide each move, Curvy curves and tiny grooves. Draw a card to see who’s first, Gamma prays for no outbursts. They made it through without squabble. Onward, upward at full throttle. Sis goes first and draws a card, Double squares, two moves, not hard. Bubba’s next and breathes in slow, Wondering how far he’ll go. Picks the card with a cupcake, Catapults him to first place. Gam awaits Sis’ reaction, Will it be dissatisfaction? Sis looks up; all is well, The big girl smiles; Gam exhales. “It’s okay,” says Sis and grins, “It’s just a game. I won’t always win.” Gamma’s turn is uneventful, Move two squares and keep it simple. Players race without hassle, Aiming for the rainbow castle. No surprise, Bubba wins, Sis is the second to slide in. Gam is third. That's last, you know. Keep it moving, on with the show. For game two, Sis is the winner, Bubba starts to pout and whimper. He is four so was Sis last year, An observation is quite clear. With aging comes understanding, Win or lose, life’s demanding. If you’re second, third, or last, Try again and have a blast. Gamma and Grands are playing Monopoly. It’s a game of finance that can’t be played sloppily. It’s a bit of luck and a roll of the dice. Play for hours and hours with no handheld device. Monopoly is the next game in line,
Kids never played; it should be fine. Who’s the banker? Time to decide, The one who counts to 105. Once agreed, set up the board. Select a figure and award, Dollar bills to each player, Properties and houses will come later. Once again it’s time to choose who’s first, Grab the dice, shake, and disperse. The highest number starts the game, Car, dog, and barrel are all claimed. Land on a property that’s available Same-color squares make it capable To purchase houses or hotels Raise the rent and tip the scales. Play continues for an hour or two, They all pass go ‘Yahoo.' Bubba gets restless, can’t sit still, Maybe it’s time to cut a deal. Gam counts money for each player It’s been fun with lots of layers Money, Go to jail, and Community chest New board games are the best! Place the games neatly in each box, Pieces, cards, boards, and tops. All were happy they got to play, Waiting for the next rainy day. First kiss. First car. First job. First love. First child. First grandchild. First Lady. Just kidding. Gamma remembers many Firsts. Now, she’s a witness to her Grands’ Firsts. The youngest grandchild celebrated his First birthday. He’s a summer baby. As with most First birthdays, it was a family affair. The guests were immediate family and a few outliers. The highlight of the whole shebang was blowing out the candles. Of course, a one-year-old can’t perform on demand. Assistance was required. It was like a scene from The Big Bad Wolf. Lots of huffing and puffing until the flame went out. After blowing out the candles, Baby Brother stared at the cake. The process of eating birthday cake baffled him. He sat patiently in his high chair, shirtless, waiting for instruction from Mom. Slowly, he poked his finger into the icing. Then, with finger to mouth, his eyes widened. The destruction of the massive blob on his tray was seconds away. Pow! Baby Brother’s entire fist was covered in sugary goodness. The cheers erupted; cake for everyone! Another First involved a fairy, coins, and a lost tooth. Once the actual fear of losing a tooth is gone, every child loves leaving said tooth for the tooth fairy. The ceremonial task of strategically placing a tooth under a pillow, falling asleep, and waking to a stash of cash is magical. However, there are questions. How does the tooth fairy get in the house? Will she come down the chimney like Santa? What if you don’t have a chimney? So many questions. What does she do with all the teeth? Gam wasn’t sure how to answer that one. If anyone has an answer, please share. For a lost tooth the tooth fairy waits. Leaving gifts under pillows for children to take. The Third First. The First day of K-12. This year, the oldest Grand started kindergarten. She’s very excited. Preschool was a big deal. This is ginormous. "We get school supplies,” said Sis. What? Have you checked the price tag on school supplies? It may require a second job. Oh, they have a ‘mock’ school day, too. For clarity, it’s half a day spent with parents or guardians taking pictures and visiting the classroom. And get this…kids want to go. The Fourth First. It was a breakout year for swimming. The five-year-old is swimming the length of the pool. She’s diving off the ladder in the deep end. There are strokes underwater, above water, and a few backhanded strokes. What happens next summer, a job as a lifeguard? The four-year-old swims underwater and jumps off the side of the pool without floaties. He’s a brave boy and uses the diving board (with floaties). Plus, underwater tag games, diving for diving toys, and ‘Marco-Polo,’ Cowabunga! The Fifth First. Sis and Bubba are learning to ride a bike. Each has ridden a balance bike and a bike with training wheels. The balance bikes were Christmas gifts, the training wheels birthday gifts, and the gift of riding without training wheels…a gift from Gamma. Balance bikes are new to Gam. She remembers dismantling the training wheels from her bike to learn to ride on two wheels. It was kindergarten year and her family lived in Northeast Arkansas, close to Little Rock. Most of the neighbors were of similar income, education, and occupation. Families lived in single-family households with basements, backyards, and swing sets. Nobody had fences around their yards. Summers were spent with friends, a.k.a. neighborhood kids. Play time started after breakfast and continued until dark. Mom stayed home. Dad went to work. Everyone felt safe. Simple life. Simple times. Behind Gam’s house was a tall, grassy hill. It was the perfect launch pad for riding a bike. No helmet. No knee pads. No elbow pads. No nothing. It was just the wind and earth under the tires. Sure, collisions happened, but thankfully, memories fade. Well, to some degree… As Gam recollects those memories, she associates a measure of pleasure and pain with learning to ride a bike. Riding down the hill at a high rate of speed was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. The Grands share similar emotions. They're conflicted. Where do the Grands practice? Good question. Fate stepped in and helped with this one. Gam’s next-door neighbors needed access to their backyard via her backyard to put in a pool. A makeshift road was constructed at the edge of her property. The architects of the swimming pool project included backhoes, concrete trucks, and hard workers. The one-lane dirt road resembled a back alley. It was perfect to teach the Grands how to ride their bikes. What was the Grand’s experience on a bike? One practiced on the bike with extra wheels (training wheels). The other practiced on the two-wheeler that glides (balance bike). Gam believes the ‘gliding’ biker is learning faster and having an easier go at it. She shares a quick play-by-play of their first riding experience. There’s only one Gamma and two children. Typically, the more vocal child wins the battle of Firsts. The first biker was the training wheels learner. She was all over the place. Wobbly. Having trouble steering. Lacks balance. It was a challenge but Sis isn’t a quitter. The second biker was the glider. Bubba knew to keep his eyes on the dirt road. He could steer with no trouble. He forgets to pedal and wants to glide. Gam ‘let go’ after two or three runs. What was Gamma’s Method for the Run-Along?
Teaching the Grands how to ride a bike required the children’s willingness to learn and a fit Gamma. First, it’s got to be their decision to learn. If they’re ready to go, Gam’s their biggest cheerleader. Lots of ‘Atta boys and girls’ and ‘You can do it.” Gam tells them she won’t let go, and she doesn’t. She asks if she may let go (only the glider has agreed). All three discuss the next ride. The other method is physicality. Gam’s learned that being at her physical best for the Grands is a must! It requires eating healthy, exercising, meditation, and prayer…lots of prayers. Jesus take the wheel kind of prayer. Gam places one hand on the back of the seat and the other on the handlebars. As she runs alongside each biker, she finds moments to let go of the handlebars. Then, if they’re willing, Gam lets go of the backseat. Firsts are exciting. Gam’s so lucky to live close by. Her wish is to experience as many Firsts as fate allows. Gamma’s Watching. Gamma's Superheroes, indeed! Love goes beyond big hugs and wet kisses.
It fills up a room and grants many wishes. A wish could be missed if attention’s not paid. All God’s children need recognition and praise. For Gamma’s attention sun up to sundown, Expectations are high for her two little clowns. Those sweet little faces all smiles and cheeks, Won’t settle for watching that’s merely a peek. “Look at me, Gamma, watch what I can do.” First a flip, then a twirl, and a dance move or two. Run around in a circle, quickly down on all fours. Pretend to be lions and let out a roar!! The pride on their faces as they conquer each quest, Insisting on accolades delivered with zest. Sharing secrets through whispers as the plot slowly thickens. Theatrics compared to that of C. Dickens. The two are a team as they take the stage. Julliard contenders based on Gamma’s gauge. “Now Bubba go first,” says Sis with the plan He gladly accepts his sibling's command. Karate kicks, a chop, and a ninja roll. Spring to your feet and touch your toes. Do a little jig and take a bow. Gamma looks so very proud. It’s time to switch places, Sis picks up the pace, With a skip, a spin, and a happy girl face. March forward, stand tall, hands high on the hips. Sis is the star in this make-believe script. Gamma watches the action as they giggle and joust Sitting comfortably cross-legged on the cream-colored couch. One’s a ballerina, and the other’s a samurai. Or a chef with a sous chef making meals on the fly. Whatever the theme the drama seems real. The enterprising children give Gam quite a thrill. She knows it’s important to watch them at play. Because Gamma’s watching makes everything okay. Suddenly, the phone rings and Gam answers the call. But if Gamma’s not watching, it’s no fun at all. Gamma says, “Just a second; this won’t take long. Keep playing the game or try singing a song.” Oh no, what to do, will it be a disaster? They wonder if Gamma could be any faster. Take a breath, and stay calm, that’s what they’ll do. Until Gamma stops talking to who knows who. Gamma hangs up the phone and resumes her position. On the cream-colored couch after a brief intermission. As the children regroup it’s easy to see. There are many more games to be played indeed. The watching’s relentless and in much demand. Forget disappointing Gam’s sweet little lambs. Do they tire? No siree. They’ll go ‘til they drop. Is it a second wind? Yes, maybe. Hippity-hop. To keep sleep at bay, the music comes on. The louder the better to halt all the yawns. The tunes keep the beat, whether country or pop. But the tempo that’s bounciest is probably rock. As the clock ticks away, it’s abundantly clear. That bedtime’s approaching and drawing near. “One more time,” they say with a look and a “please.” Gamma keeps watching, then laughs, and agrees. The finale’s a big one; ideas float about. It’s off to the corner to map out a route. An obstacle course with pillows and chairs, blankets, couch cushions, and a four-foot stuffed bear. Off they go, it’s a race to see who will win. When one of them loses, they’ll both try again. It’s late; they confess and are ready for bed. Brushing teeth in pajamas so sugar is shed. Now to the bedroom for more kisses and hugs. Tuck them in tightly like a bug in a rug. Off go the lights, say a prayer, and drift to sleep. It’s been a good day, and the watching’s complete. Gamma kicks off her shoes and breathes in the air. She looks at the toys scattered here and there. Reminisces and ponders all the hugs and wet kisses. Doled out by two children with hopes, dreams, and wishes. Join the community of Paducah as they walk the Kindness Color Walk this Saturday, August 5, 2023. Kindness Color Walkers will meet at the number 16 shelter, 9 a.m., at Noble Park. This will be the first walk since 2019 due to the pandemic. The Guess Anti-Bullying Foundation is hosting the walk.
The McCracken County Band's drumline will lead all Kindness Color Walkers to the Peck Education Trail where the walk will officially begin. There will be three color stations on the trail with 500 pounds of non-toxic, biodegradable color pigment. As the walkers move through the trail, volunteers will douse them with color. At the end of the walk, all participants will be given a color packet of their own to throw out to the crowd. Businesses and organizations will be participating in the walk-through donations of goods, funds, and time. Electric 96.9 will play music, water will be provided by Banks Grocery, Chicken Salad Chicks, and the Graves County ASAP Youth Council, Wellsprings Dermatology will have sunscreen, and a local boutique, the Dirt Road, will offer cotton candy. Because the event has increased in size, registration will be managed by Race Roster. In years past, the fee for the walk was $10. Race Roster will charge a small processing fee at checkout. If rain cancels the event, it won't be rescheduled. For more information, go to the 2021 Paducah Kindness Color Walk on Facebook. Registration for the event is at raceroster.com As soon as the F4 tornado struck the town of Mayfield, KY, population 10K, the wheels were in motion to bring Tackle the Storm Foundation trailers to the children of the devastated community.
“It matters not where they live, what language they speak, or income or education level. The only thing that matters is that 'the magic wand of childhood’, a fishing rod and reel, has been taken from them through the storm in their lives, could be weather-related, could be otherwise, we will be there for them.” This is the purpose of the 501(c) (3) federal charity that started providing rods and reels to children, big and small, in 2011. Don Barone, a columnist at Bassmaster, started posting about how to help the children of western Kentucky on his Facebook page Saturday morning, December 11, one day after the catastrophic tornado flattened much of Mayfield, KY. He said, “I don’t know if I’ve ever been to this town, but I’ve been in that area many, many times.” Barone’s plan is to secure an area of distribution for Tuesday, December 21, to hand out Christmas presents to the kids that include everything you need to catch a fish…rod, reel, lures, tackle…the works. He said they’re going to clear out the warehouse and as it stands, there are 1,750 kids combos. Barrone would like to see 2,000 complete packages on the truck for those that have lost so much. After the initial post, Barone stated he would reach out to Kentucky ‘bait and tackle folks’ to buy additional tackle. For now, a team is packing up the trailer while another works on logistics. It’s only a matter of time before they announce the planned event. The foundation is keeping the project under wraps, to some degree, while cleanup is going on in the affected area. If you’re unfamiliar with Tackle the Storm, it’s a foundation built for children. Since 2011, the non-profit organization has put ‘the magic wands of childhood’ in the hands of over 1,000 children. They have a website: tacklethestormfoundation.com with additional information and a link to donate money directly to this project for the children of Mayfield, KY. As cleanup continues in Mayfield, Dawson Springs, Cambridge Shores, Bowling Green, and other Kentucky counties and small towns, it’s people like Tackle the Storm Foundation that will make the children’s Christmas brighter and more hopeful. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime. Donating blood is the gift of life and only second to receiving grace from our Lord and Savior12/6/2021 First Christian Church located at 415 Audubon Dr. in Paducah is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive today, December 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. According to Red Cross officials, the life-saving organization is heading into the holiday season with the lowest blood supply in more than 10 years. It’s estimated that since the pandemic, donations are down 34% due to fewer blood drives at schools and colleges.
More than any time of year, there’s a critical need for blood donations due to a drop in donor gifts attributed to holiday travel and fewer blood drives. The need for blood products like plasma, platelets, and red blood cell donations is in high demand because of accidents, burn victims' needs, heart surgeries, organ transplants, and those receiving treatments for cancer and sickle cell disease. Only 37% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood and less than 10% or 6.8 million people actually donate annually. According to the redcrossblood.org, Type O positive blood is given to patients more than any other blood type, which is why it's considered the most needed blood type. 38% of the population has O positive blood, making it the most common blood type. There are certain criteria that blood donors must meet. A person doesn’t need to know their blood type to donate blood; that will be determined during the testing process. Once a person gives blood, the screening process begins. The Red Cross conducts extensive testing on blood donations to study additional components to best match the donation to a patient’s needs. The Paducah Red Cross Blood and Platelet Center located at Falconcrest Drive specializes in platelet donations that help cancer patients. Whole blood is also collected at the Paducah location. Typical blood drives in the surrounding area collect whole blood donations. Donors are encouraged to go online to register for blood donation. Appointments can also be made using their app. By entering the zip code either online or by using the app, available times will appear and the location for donation. https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time The Paducah Red Cross is open everyday except Wednesdays. It accepts donors from 11:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Monday and Thursdays, 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Saturdays, and 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Lone Oak Church of Christ located on Lone Oak Rd. will host a blood drive on December 15. The Paducah Christmas Parade will take place on December 4 in downtown Paducah. Not since the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1918 has an illness like the coronavirus rained on our parade as voraciously and expediently as it has in 2020. The worldwide pandemic touched so many through loss of life, unemployment, product shortages (remember the toilet paper debacle), and so much more. And this year, Santa Claus may even experience a shortage of children's toys and possibly 'big boy toys' too due to supply chain issues.
It seems there's very little that's been untouched by Covid-19. Christmas 2021 will mark 22 months since the shuttering of businesses caused by uncertainty and fear. Fear of getting Covid. Fear of spreading Covid. Fear of the unknown due to Covid. In fact, the Paducah Christmas Parade 2020, and many parades across the US, created socially-distanced events. Paducah opted for an inverted parade. Spectators took to their cars to drive-thru Bob Noble Park while the decorated floats complete with Christmas carols and bright lights remained stationary. This year's plan is to spread joy and Christmas spirit, not a virus, on the first Saturday in December. The 2021 Paducah Christmas Parade will be a traditional parade with over-the-top decorated floats making their way down Broadway in downtown Paducah on December 4 at 5 p.m. This year's theme is It’s a SUPER Christmas! Participants will have the opportunity to celebrate their favorite superheroes, hometown or make-believe. Social distancing is encouraged as you view the parade. The parade units will begin lining up at 3 p.m. in the marshaling area on Broadway between 13th and 17th Streets and nearby. The parade route begins at 14th and Broadway and will proceed down Broadway to 2nd Street where it will turn left on 2nd and continue to Monroe Street where it will disband at the Farmers' Market parking lot. For more information, go to paducahky.gov, click on the calendar of events for December 4. Local college-bound students receive $500 grants from the Rev. Lawrence Milliken scholarship program8/11/2021 Pictured in front of Whitehaven Welcome Center in Paducah, KY are the 2021 Rev. Lawrence Milliken scholarship winners and representatives of the Upsilon Iota Iota Fraternity. From left to right is Anniyah Shelley, Trinity Patterson, Sycilia Titsworh, co-chair of the scholarship Ms. Millette Milliken, Chair Omega brother Terrance Adams, Omega Social Action Chair brother Ronald Clemons, and Omega Basileus brother Kenneth B. Hurt, Sr. Recently, the Upsilon Iota Iota Fraternity's Rev. Lawrence Milliken Scholarship winners were announced for 2021. The scholarship, named in honor of the late Rev. Lawrence B. Milliken of Paducah, had its first recipient in 2019. The recipient, Rachel Kelley, received a $100 college supply scholarship. This year's winners each received a $500 grant. To be eligible for the scholarship, students had to write a 500 word essay on the importance of service and community, carry a 2.5 GPA, have plans to attend college, and be a resident of McCracken County. This year's winners included Anniyah Shelley, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Annissa and Miles Shelley. Shelley graduated from Paducah Tilghman High School this year with a 3.60 GPA with plans to attend WKCTC in the fall. Trinity Patterson is the daughter of Ms. Je'Na Patterson and Mr. Tony Cole. She graduated from PTHS with a 3.321 GPA and will attend WKU in Bowling Green. Sycilia Titsworh is the daughter of Ms. Rochell Cotton, wife of Mr. Gregory Titsworh. Titsworh will return to WKU in Bowling Green this fall as a senior with an overall GPA of 3.01. This summer, she worked as an E911 Operator in Paducah. The scholarship was named in honor of the late Rev. Milliken B. Lawrence who served our country. community, and students. As a member of the local chapter Upsilon Iota Iota of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Milliken was a man worthy of celebration.
Rev. Milliken matriculated from Kentucky State College in Frankfort in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in heath and physical education. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. After receiving an honorable discharge, Milliken went back to school earning a master's degree in guidance in 1972, followed by another master's degree in vocational technical education from Murray State University in 1977. While at MSU, he completed a course in industrial supervision and received Certification for Administrative, Supervision and Coordination of Vocational Education and a Rank I Certification. Milliken formerly taught for the Graves County Board of Education, Murray City Board of Education and the Paducah City Board of Education. His counseling career began as a part-time Juvenile Counselor at the McCracken County Juvenile Court in 1967. He went on to hold several positions at West Kentucky State Vocational-Technical School until his retirement in 1989. Milliken served as pastor at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, McKenzie, TN, Second Christian Church, Mayfield, KY, Mt. Moriah M.B. Church, Paducah, KY, and Unity Missionary Baptist Church, Brookport, IL. He was a member of the Baptist Ministers and Deacons Alliance, Mayor's Minister's Committee for Social Relations and Executive Director of the Ecumenical Ministry for Unity and Progress. Formerly, Milliken served as chairman of the Paducah Human Rights Commission. Also, he was a member of Citizens Advisory Community-Paducah Board of Education, the Board of Directors of the Oscar Cross Boys' Club of Paducah and the Advisory Committee at Paducah Community College. Milliken was appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to a three-year term as a member of the State Advisory Council for Vocational Education. He was past vice president for guidance of the Kentucky Vocational Association and a member of State Student Financial Aid Training Project Steering Committee of Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. He was also a member of the American Vocational Association, West Kentucky Vocational Association, West Kentucky Association for Counseling and Development, and Kentucky Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators. Rev. Milliken was married to the late Rosetta Dismukes Milliken and the parents of George (deceased), Mark (deceased), Millette and Jonessa Milliken, and five grandchildren. Rev. Milliken passed away on November 1, 2005. By Minister Millette Milliken
He’s Alive! “He is not here; He has risen!” Luke 24:6 (NIV) Easter Sunday has traditionally been a day of celebration with packed churches, crisp new outfits, speeches, chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts. These celebrations have now been scaled back due to the pandemic. The disappointment for some is yet another opportunity for those of us who believe, to share the true meaning of the resurrection. In Luke’s account (Luke 24:1-53), two angels appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other women who had gone to the tomb with their spices. They announced, “He is not here; He has risen!” What joyous news to share with the disciples only to be met with disbelief. How disappointing! Two of the disciples ran to see for themselves. Having viewed the empty tomb, they still did not believe what was told to them before. Two believers were walking and encountered Jesus but did not recognize Him. Jesus would go on to masterfully share who He was, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27, NIV) What does He share with us? That He conquered death on our behalf! That our sins are forgiven if we would believe that He suffered, bled, died and eternally lives again, seated at the right hand of the Father. I encourage you to study this entire passage for yourselves. Don’t allow your disappointments cause you to miss the blessings in front of you as the two believers did. Look up! He’s alive! Blessings! |
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