Crystal Coast Parent Magazine

Families in Farming

mamma — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:17:57 +0000

On a steamy summer morning in Craven County, David Heath is “laying by” his cotton crop, applying a final dose of herbicide with his massive John Deere. This time of year, Heath’s on his tractor more than off, so meeting with him requires temporarily convincing one of his three children, or his golden retriever, to give up the “buddy seat.”
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A farmer for ten years, Heath annually tends a thousand acres of cotton and soybeans. His farm is one of the 98 percent in North Carolina that are family-run, he says.
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Although he was baling hay at eight-years-old, the farmer, now a father, entered college to pursue “anything but farming.” But after selling industrial equipment for awhile, he had a change of heart. “I decided I didn’t want to throw away what my prior generations had worked so hard for,” he said. “I wanted my kids to have the choice to farm if they want to.”
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Heath is a third-generation farmer on this land, but this farm is a far cry from his grandfather’s. New technologies, chemicals and plant varieties have literally and figuratively changed the landscape of Eastern North Carolina farming the last few years. For example, the crops Heath’s father and grandfather grew required the use of more fuel, as well as more (and less safe) insecticides.
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While Heath’s grandfather plowed and picked cotton by hand, Heath now uses a tractor navigated by seven satellites, making it virtually hands-free. And it’s a good thing, because the young farmer’s hands are busy entering data into a computer that continually monitors his efficiency. He has only to glance at the screen which sits over his shoulder for up-to-the-minute crop reports.
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Although farming tools and techniques have advanced considerably over three generations, Heath says the passions that drive him are the same ones that motivated his father and grandfather. He wants his children and the people of Eastern North Carolina to have healthy foods to eat; he wants future generations to enjoy our state’s natural resources, and he wants agriculture to hold onto the lead role in our state’s economy for years to come.
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Heath pauses to indicate a border of waist-high grass at the field’s edge, left uncut to provide a habitat for quail. “We farmers really do use the best management practices we know,” he says. “It’s entirely in our best interest to take care of the land and water.”
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He says a recent trip to California with a group of North Carolina agricultural leaders highlighted some problems our own state could soon face - issues such as water rights, food safety and urban sprawl. A second trip, this time to Brazil, gave new insight into safety and quality concerns surrounding imported food.
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The group of North Carolina agricultural leaders of which Heath is a part envisions a centrally located history and education center to teach North Carolinians the importance of agriculture in our state’s economy. This center would address the topics of sustainability and health, and also serve as a true “field trip” destination for students.
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But for now, says Heath, Eastern North Carolina parents should educate themselves. “Look at labels. Know where your food comes from,” he says.
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“Develop a relationship with local farmers’ markets. Buy local produce. Be willing to pay 10 or 15 percent more to keep jobs here in Eastern North Carolina.
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“We [the farmers] can’t keep waiting for handouts, depending on government. To keep up with agricultural demands over the next 15 years, we’ll need to increase our production by four times. Don’t fuss about a tractor slowing you down on your way to work. Remember, that farmer’s on his way to work, too.”
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Devica Urwick is convinced even a small percentage of people buying locally just once a week would significantly impact our region’s health, environment and economy. She and her family operate a Greenville-based open-air and online market featuring a wide variety of organic foods from local farms and vendors, including meats, poultry, eggs, seafood, produce, baked goods and dairy products.
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The rule of thumb in Urwick’s household is something fresh at every meal. “Fresh fruit and salads are easy additions to any meal,” she says, “and your family will be amazed at how much better local tastes.”
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The nutrition decisions facing parents today can be overwhelming, especially with childhood obesity numbers continuing to grow, but Urwick says the first step toward healthier eating is simply noting which foods your family eats most often and eliminating those that aren’t nutritious. She says providing children a wholesome, fresh-food diet from an early age trains their taste buds and brains to crave these foods over sweets and processed foods.
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David Heath’s eight-year-old son, Caleb, can testify to that. Caleb hasn’t committed to becoming a farmer just yet, but he lights up as he recounts a recent driving lesson on his granddaddy’s old Farm-All 140 tractor.
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“Yep,” he nods, “I’m definitely gonna’ try plowing this year to see how I like it.”
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Amy Adams Ellis is a staff writer for Crystal Coast Parent and Eastern Carolina Parent magazines. Her late maternal grandfather, William Slade Congleton, was a Pitt County farmer for 50 years. Photography for this article comes from Sandra Harvey.

Working from Home Didn’t Work for Me

mamma — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:36:07 +0000

As long as I have worked, I have always dreamed about working from home. Oh, what a glorious heaven it would be! Going to work in my PJs, doing a load of laundry between emails, being home when the kids came home from school …. Bliss! Easy! Perfecto for me!
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Well… this is the way I had dreamed working from home would be, and this is how everyone told me it would be, but now I realize, these people filling my head with crazy notions of a home office oasis had never really worked from home. They were just dreamers like me.
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It turns out, homebound working is nothing like those infomercials say - “Bliss! Easy! Like Never Working at All!” It’s more like Jack Nicholson’s character in The Shining. There’s a lot of quiet paranoia and internal conversation involved.
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Of all the dreams and unrealistic wishes that I had wished to come true (winning the lottery, being the lead singer in an all-girl rock band, being told by my mom that there was a mistake and that I’m actually ten years younger than actually thought), it was working from home that did.
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In reality, I still had to get up at the buttcrack of dawn to take the kids to school, and I couldn’t go in my PJs because someone that I used to work with (at work) might see me - or worse yet - take a picture with their phone to share around the office where I would no longer be there to defend myself.
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Once the kids were dropped off, I’d drive back home (which I quickly realized was much farther than just driving to work). I’d turn on my laptop and get a cup of coffee, and then look around at the mess that I would usually leave until I got home in the evening.
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There were dirty dishes in the sink; the kids’ beds were unmade. But I was at work. I had to leave it. In my head, though, the dirty dishes whispered, “Clean me… clean me,” and the beds taunted, “Make me, make me….” That’s when I started eating all the chocolate chip cookies.
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Then, there was our cat, Blue. She is a hefty 20-pound package of long white fur, and unlike most cats, she craves human attention – all of the time. So, I’m sitting there in my home-office with my laptop appropriately placed on my lap, finishing up the last sentence in what I thought was possibly my best article of all time, and here comes Blue, sneaking up like a fat poofy Godzilla, all 20-plus pounds of her suddenly sloshed across my keyboard with white fur flying up in a giant mushroom cloud.
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Possibly my best article of all time, fatefully never saved before this point, is now gone. All I am left with on the page is a growing string of //////////////////////////////////////// that continues to grow as Blue tries to make herself comfortable on the keyboard. Let me tell you, it only takes about two days of the cat wanting to sleep eight hours straight on your laptop for you to go totally mad.
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Cue the afternoon of children, once at afterschool, now running around my increasingly-desperate work from home situation like The James Gang circling the First National Bank of Wyandotte. They want food and fun, and I have neither, because I ate all the chocolate chip cookies and the mini bags of Doritos before noon, and the cat has literally crushed everything I have worked for that day.
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My dream of working from home had become a whackadoodle nightmare. It was time to get back to the office where there were no giant cats or fresh-baked cookies with their Sara Lee siren song. It would be quiet there, except for the occasional heated debate over whether Jake really loved Vienna or the wrongly-ousted couple on Dancing With The Stars, but I could deal with that reality. Working from home’s reality was too much for me.

The Parents’ Job Market: Shop Around to Find What’s Best for You and Your Family

mamma — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:32:24 +0000

Balancing work and family has always been a large-scale challenge for parents. Many moms, dads and grandparents find themselves working more and more for less and less in this economy, laid off, or out of a job entirely, which can lead to stress and hardship for the family unit.
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For those looking to their next or better employment opportunity, take time to consider what matters most to you personally in your job search. And if you must take a job due to your economic situation that does not support your role as a parent, look at it as a temporary stepping stone and continue working and networking to find that next job that is right for you as a mom or dad.
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When family is a major consideration in your job search, there are ways to approach this both practically and professionally. Email, technology, and the increasing number of legitimate telecommuting jobs are making the opportunities for flex-time and working from home easier. Job seekers are no longer confined to a 25-mile radius in their job search. For many, opportunities for work are available both around the corner and around the world.

Consider legitimate work-from-home or freelancing opportunities, as well as web-based employment search engines. Sites such as www.virtualvocations.com, www.elance.com, www.indeed.com and www.flexjobs.com can help you look for legitimate telecommuting or work-from-home jobs online.
Don’t be afraid to ask your current or a new employer for information on possible flex-time or telecommuting opportunities, or about benefits that can be useful to your family.
Before leaving your current job for another with better benefits for your family, give your current employer an opportunity to negotiate the same terms. If your current employer cannot match a potential employer’s offerings, make sure you leave on good terms and ask your employers and co-workers if they will serve as references or write you a letter of recommendation.
Use professional networking sites such as www.LinkedIn.com to stay connected with past employers, co-workers, professional and education connections, as well as to find possible employment and gain valuable knowledge in your industry of choice. Join working parent groups on LinkedIn and use their discussion boards to see how other working parents are making the most of their employment and which employers are known for their interest and commitment to family.
Consider continuing education, either local or online, to enhance your skills, level of education and certifications. Scholarships and other funding methods can be researched online or at your local higher education institution of choice. There are many scholarships dedicated to moms, spouses and military spouses.
Been laid off? Use that time to your advantage to find the next right job for your. Read The Gift of Being Laid Off on HybridMom.com. Think positive. Volunteer for local organizations (this may eventually land you a paying job), and treat yourself to time with your family and for yourself that you didn’t have while on the job.
Consider starting your own business. Do you have a special talent? Turn that into your dream job and make your own hours. Visit www.WAHM.com for related information or http://www.hybridmom.com/articles/work-business/career for ideas and advice on both starting your own business and preparing to impress on an interview for the job you really want.
Believe in yourself, your abilities and the importance of being there for your family. Think long-term if your current situation is not fulfilling. A job is just a job, but your family is forever. If you have young children, remember that kids are only kids for a very short time. Enjoy that time to the fullest and make sure you are there for them as much as possible, no matter what your situation.

Five Creative Tips for Your Child’s Lunchbox

mamma — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:20:59 +0000

It’s that time of year again: back-to-school season. Amidst the jam-packed schedule of a child’s school day, it’s nice to know there is one area where parents can make a difference - lunchtime. The mission is to create a nutritious lunch that your hungry kids will look forward to eating. To help, here are five creative tips to selecting healthier options.

1. Color, color, color: Kids love color, so make it a point to pick a different color for each day/week (or better yet, let them pick) and add it to your child’s lunch in fun ways. For example, on a purple day pack a small plum or handful of grapes. Red is fun if you pair raspberries and strawberry yogurt for dipping, and peaches, mandarin oranges or baby carrots make delicious orange options. It’s not only a fun way to get them excited about lunch, it helps introduce new fruits and vegetables they might have been uninterested in trying before.

2. Portion control: Finding pre-portioned snacks can help save both time and calories. Instead of reaching for bags of chips that can be higher in fat, try low-fat pretzels or 100-calorie snacks instead. For example, Snyder’s of Hanover offers a wide variety of items in its 100-Calorie Lunch Pack line, including Minis, Sticks and Snaps Pretzels as well as Eatsmart Naturals Veggie Crisps. Snyder’s also offers a variety pack of Peanut Butter and Cheddar Cheese Pretzel Sandwiches available in compostable outer packaging. Single serving snacks are perfect for on-the-go parents who appreciate the simplicity of putting a bag in a lunch box. For more information and snack ideas, visit www.snydersofhanover.com.

3. Fun surprises: Yes, some kids are content with the same lunch day after day after day, but for the ones who need variety, make it fun. Change it up and do something unexpected. For example, ever thought of making breakfast for lunch? Why not? Pack two or three small whole-grain pancakes with fruit and yogurt for toppings. To replace sugary juice, pack homemade fruit-flavored water in a reusable bottle. Jazz up a typical sandwich by cutting it with a cookie cutter, and wrapping it in wax paper tied with a bow. A knock-knock joke or little stickers can add even more fun.

4. Choose a theme: For example, create a picnic theme with turkey tortilla roll-ups and fruit kabobs. For a tea party theme, make miniature sandwiches and include sliced cucumbers with fruity-tea. The possibilities are endless, so get your kids involved and asked them what fun lunch themes they would enjoy.

5. Plan ahead and save: While packing lunches might seem too time-consuming, it doesn’t have to be. Make Sunday a preparation day for the week ahead and get the whole family involved to help out. Pick colors (see tip No. 1) - you might include or prepare little note cards with jokes. By planning ahead, you’re less tempted to give in to packing more expensive, quicker options, and instead, you can save money by looking for deals and using coupons.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

KidzBizz: 5% Off

mamma — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:21:30 +0000

Click to view the KidzBizz coupon.

Print this coupon for 5% off at KidzBizz drop-in childcare in Jacksonville.

Down East Dance Studio: Free T-Shirt with Online Registration

mamma — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:17:11 +0000

Click to view the Down East Dance coupon.

Print this coupon for a free t-shirt when you register online for fall at www.downeastdancestudio.com. Expires September 30, 2010.

New Bern Gymnastics: $5 Off Registration Fee

mamma — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:13:09 +0000

Click to view the New Bern Gymnastics discount.

Mention this Crystal Coast Parent magazine ad and receive $5 off your 2010-2011 registration fee at New Bern Gymnastics.

Preliminary AYP Results Released for 2009-10 School Year

mamma — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:52:55 +0000

CARTERET COUNTY SCHOOLS – The preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) results released today – July 21, 2010, by the State Board of Education show that all sixteen Carteret County Public Schools met their AYP goals in all categories. This is the first time since the measurements were initiated under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) that all the Carteret County schools have met all their objectives in the same year.
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The NCLB requires each school to annually assess and measure the academic progress of every student in grades 3 through 8 and in grade 10. Student proficiency goals are established by the SBOE in both reading and math.
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To be defined as “meeting” Adequate Yearly Progress, schools must equal or exceed the proficiency goals in both reading and math in each of the various population subgroups of students and as a total. Failing to meet the objective in either subject in any single subgroup or as a total is defined as failing to meet AYP and sets up a sequence of progressively more stringent sanctions designed to correct any academic deficiencies as quickly as possible.
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In 2008 after failing to meet their objectives in math for two consecutive years, Morehead Elementary at Camp Glenn and Newport Elementary were designated as Title 1 Schools in Improvement to implement necessary improvements in math scores. Through the dedicated and determined efforts of the teachers and administrators at those schools in 2009 and 2010, student math scores have been high enough to meet or exceed the objectives in both years. Meeting the AYP objectives for two consecutive years is required for schools in Improvement status to have the status ended.
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The SBOE is scheduled to publish the complete details of the 2010 results including the AYP subgroup information and the ABCs of Education status after their meeting on August 5th.

August/September Scrapbook

mamma — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:30:42 +0000

Cute-as-a-button Ryan keeps things cool this summer.

: Blake and Bryce on daddy’s boat.

Dylan at Start Smart Soccer aboard MCAS Cherry Point.

Jordan having fun with color tablets for the bath.

Julianne of Cary had a great visit with her grandma who lives on the Crystal Coast.

Lauren and Maggie share a good laugh in this great beach picture.

Lili and Jaydn are two of the coolest girls we know!

Beautiful gals Brooke and mom Farrah.

Noah is a Toy Story fan just like the rest of us!

Riley shows how fun in the sun is done!

Have a great photo of your child? Would your child love to see himself or herself in a magazine? Email your favorite photo with the first names of those pictured to tricia@bellagurl.com

with “CCP Scrapbook” in the subject line.

Top Secrets of Teachers

mamma — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:45:50 +0000

Crystal Coast Parent magazine asked some area teachers for their top secrets of teaching, and they’re simply too good to keep under wraps.
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1. Never Curb Students’ Enthusiasm.
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“If the teacher was excited about their class, then I was excited about the class. The classes that I did the poorest in were the ones with teachers that didn’t care or didn’t like what they were teaching.”  – Jessica Bales, college student
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Teacher Top Secret: “I like to show students anonymous samples of student writing from previous years and then become deliriously expressive: ‘And here is where the writer blew my eyebrows off!’ or ‘Why on Satan’s pick-axe would someone turn this in?’ or ‘This is better than a bow-wrapped Jaguar parked in your driveway on your 16th birthday!’”  – Dr. Todd Finley, ECU College of Education Professor
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2. Appreciate Various Learning Styles and Make Learning Fun for Everyone.
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“I like teachers who understand that not everyone learns the same way. I’m worthless at writing papers. Although, I can come up with a 3-D project in a matter of hours and pass with flying colors.” – Jamey Mills, recent high school graduate
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Teacher Top Secrets: “The Mary Poppins spoonful of sugar approach works for me. The more fun I can make it, the more my students want to be there. The more they want to be there, the more they want to learn. Elementary school teachers get this instinctively. I learned it from Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Go figure.”  – Jennifer Smyth, High School English Teacher

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“Tell kids alloys aren’t like plain metal elements. They don’t care. Give them a strip of copper and strip of tin they can bend with their hands, melt both into a lump of bronze, and have them try to dent it with a hammer, and they get it.” – Kevin Smith, High School Technology Facilitator and former Science Teacher
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3. Give Students Choices, But Not Too Many.
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“I had a teacher in 8th grade who would let us choose between doing a project at the end of whatever we were learning at the time, or writing a paper. That helped me out tons. It kept me interested because I was so excited to make more stuff.” – Jamey Mills, recent high school graduate
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Teacher Top Secrets: “Students need to feel at least part-ownership of the learning process and believe that the process and their choices have genuine consequences.” – Dr. Rick Taylor, ECU English Professor
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“I allow my students to choose a medley or song to perform in the spring concert at the end of the year. This way they sing “their” music, and I get them to sing mine. They end up liking mine better!” – Marla Arrington, High School Chorus Teacher

4. Let Your Students Know You Care.

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“What helps me focus more on what a teacher says is if I have a good personal relationship with them. For an example, I saw one teacher being a parent to her children, and something clicked inside. I saw her as a person, as a mother. From then on, I never found myself wandering in class. I always hung on every word she said.” – Alexander W., high school student
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“When I was in high school, I actually wanted to succeed in the classes of teachers who shared some of their life experiences with us. Getting to know them made me work harder, because I valued their opinion about me and didn’t want to disappoint them.” – Jessica Bolger, recent high school graduate

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“The most significant and imperative action that a teacher has done to help me throughout my educational development was care. Many times a student will act as though they do not need to listen to educators. A teacher must never stop caring. Students rely on teachers far more than they would like to admit.” – Derrick Clayton, recent high school graduate

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Top Secrets of Teachers: “I do my best to make every student feel comfortable and welcome in the beginning so they will take risks in class without being afraid of embarrassment. Let the student know you care about him or her, not just as a student, but as a person.
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Show students you are human, an emotional being who can understand the issues the students may be dealing with in their lives. Even if you can’t understand the issue, at least you can acknowledge that some kids have to deal with greater burdens than passing your class.” – Michele Gerely, High School English and ESOL Teacher

“When I see someone who is struggling in my class, I pull them aside and talk with them about how smart I think they are, how I KNOW they can succeed in my class because they’ve got what it takes, how I BELIEVE in them. After that, every day, I make an effort to smile at them, to stop at their desk and talk to them, or call them to me at the end of class for a longer chat.
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Sometimes just that little bit of extra attention and the knowledge that there is at least one person in this world who believes they can succeed is enough to change an unmotivated student into a successful one.” – Wendy Mumy, High School French Teacher
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What was one thing that you appreciated about your top teachers when you were in school? Leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!