SUMMER BREAKT TIPS
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FAMILY LIVING
SPLASHING ON THE SHOALS
There’ s nothing better than relaxing on the beach with the sound of the waves soothing the soul. The warmth of the sun gently kissing your skin and a sweet breeze occasionally brushing you with a little reprieve from the heat makes it easy to escape the stress of the summer. Unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with waterfront property, and close access to cooling water activities... or are we?
If you live in our Newton County area, you’ ve probably driven past some of our beautiful river scenery. However, not everyone knows there are a lot of places situated along these pastoral views
that will allow you to dip your toes, or even your whole body, in the cooling current of the creek.
In Porterdale, two parks offer easy access to the Yellow River. Just a few blocks off the main road and a little North of the Historic Porterdale Mill Lofts is the Yellow River Park. This park has easy access for kayaks, canoes, fishing, and swimming. You can find a grassy spot to sit in the shade while soaking in the sounds of the birds, frogs and the water. I have heard if you investigate a little, you can even find a rope swing to help propel you to the middle of the water. This stretch of the river is usually peaceful and calm.
Cedar Shoals Park is a little more off the beaten path. Located on the edge of the Village of Porterdale, at the end of River Front Road is another area of the Yellow River. There is a nice shallow pool, and depending on the water’ s depth and current, it is the perfect landing from the natural water slides and rapids above. If you head back up the river by foot, you can find plenty of little alcoves and large flat rocks, perfect to set up your picnic basket and towels for a day. Each access point offers a different opportunity for adventure, from the calm cooling pools, the rushing rapids to the natural fords. The fords are the rock paths across the river that are only visible when the water levels are low, and you can carefully walk across and view wooded islands and rock formations otherwise not accessible by foot.
Also in Newton County, you can find Factory Shoals. Located at 450 Newton Factory Bridge Road in Covington. This park is larget with trails and over 450 acres. Nature and wildlife are abundant in this serene public park where you can wade and swim in the Alcovy River along the bank. However, just across the street from the entrance to the park, you can find a trail to the river on the other side of the bridge. If you don’ t mind a little walk through the woods, the water is even better at the end. These access points to the water are full of great pools to immerse yourself in the water. Some families like to bring their floats to laze around on or to use
JULY 2018
as a small raft to glide over the rocks or do a little wild water rafting. There is plenty of room for everyone to have a great time, yet it never seems to be crowded.
So, when you are looking to get a little cooled off, bypass the pool and head out to Newton County and immerse yourself not only in the water but the beautiful experience of the natural shoals on our rivers. Make some memories and be sure to take some pictures because it will be worth the little trip. By Laura Hansen The Metro Times
SUMMER BREAKT TIPS
Shivern Jeter, Director Foster Care Friends, Inc.
Summer is a great time for parents / guardians to introduce students to healthy routines. As a middle school parent liaison, honorary school social worker, PTO president and guidance counselor, I have witnessed the positive impact of parent support. Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Encourage your child to read books, magazines and newspapers followed by a written essay and a discussion to increase vocabulary and writing skills.- Check the county’ s required summer reading list for the new school year.
- Google websites for students to practice assignments, including but not limited to math problems.
- Visit the public library often and inquire if summer enrichment resources are available.
- Search for summer camps. Some may be free.
- Practice healthy bedtime routine weeks before the start of the new school year.
- Introduce healthy eating and exercise habits.
- Shop for school supplies and clothing before the first week of school.
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MORE THAN JUST BOOKS
Have you been to the library lately? Things sure have changed. Besides being a center for free access to great literature, many have evolved into more of a community center. As the Outreach Specialist for the Conyers-Rockdale Library, I am available to help you discover great resources, which includes assistance for blind, disabled and homebound patrons.
Free PINES Library Card and Access Across the state. Every resident of Georgia is eligible to receive a free library card. PINES( Public Information Network for Electronic Services) is Georgia’ s“ borderless library” system that allows PINES cardholders free access to more than 10 million books and other materials in 300 library branches( Rockdale and Newton are included) and affiliated service locations throughout the state. They also provide free delivery of books from other libraries to your home library. By the way, you can visit and use resources from any PINES library.
Free Park
Passes: Zoo Atlanta, Georgia State Parks and Historical Sites, and Discovery BackPacks, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Center for Puppetry Arts, and Go Fish Education Center. Check with your local branch for availability.
Free Classes and Programs. Each county and branch have their own list. Here’ s a sample of July events at Nancy Guinn Memorial Library. Visit their calendar at www.
conyersrockdalelibrary. org for details. Writing Workshops Cooking Demos Puppet Shows Computer Classes Zumba
( Newton County’ s July events weren’ t available at press time. Visit their calendar at www. newtonlibrary. org)
Free Digital Resources are available with a PINES card:
Learning Express Library- tests, tutorials, and ebooks about career Prep, career advancement, college entrance exam, the GED, citizenship( and Recursos Para Hispanohablantes, everything is offered in Spanish, too.)
Mango-Choose from over 72 languages to learn.
Flipster-access to magazines
Galileo-online access to thousands of periodicals and scholarly journals. Over 10,000 journal titles are provided in full-text. Other resources include encyclopedias, business directories, and government publications.
Tumblebooksaccess to picture books and language learning
There are many more resources in our libraries, such as meeting rooms, study rooms, computer labs, genealogy and law centers. Visit your local branch to find out more. Traveling to any other spot in Georgia and want to check out their programs? Take your card and visit www. pines. georgialibraries. org.