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ONLINE ARTICLE – Southern Exposure

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Southern Exposure July 2013 Written for Triangle Mommie Blog Copyright ARLADEAN ARNSON

I have lived in the South most of my life. I have said my fair share of “yes, ma’am” and “no, sir”. I have acquired a taste for fried pickles and good ol’ North Carolina Barbeque. However, it is amazing how much more you can learn about the South when reading some of the more regional magazines out there!

Of course, most of us know about several of the larger publications in the region like Southern Living, Southern Lady and Southern Accents.  Here in North Carolina we have Our State Magazine and many states have their own magazines too.

The Blue Ridge Parkway has one. Golfing in Georgia is covered in another. Southeastern Equine covers horses and what to do with them. Florida has a business magazine called “850”. Mississippi has two or more great literary magazines. And, there are so many more I cannot even name them all!

If there is anything that you want to learn more about, you can find an article about it in one of these magazines. What growing region are you in? Check in Southern Living. What is the best batter to fry catfish in? Check in Taste of the South. What are the best books to read during a hurricane? Yes, there is an article on that topic in Deep South Magazine.

One of my newest finds has actually been publishing for two years now. The articles are thoughtful and current. The topics are always entertaining. There are some sections I just jump over because I am not interested. But, all in all, the magazine is a great read!

I will have to allude to the title as it is not the best thing to talk about on a Mommie Blog but the first word is GARDEN, ampersand, and the second word is a tool used in hunting wild game in a very licensed and responsible way. Yes, those are the articles in the magazine that I skip over. Although, given the fact that Mommies can have very differing viewpoints and interests, some women might enjoy those articles too. All are very well written.

So, I spend my lunchtime reading and learning more about the region where I grew up. Perhaps, I will find something to do with my new found knowledge like write an article about Reading Regional Magazines! Hmmmm. 😉

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY ARTICLE – Name that ‘shroom

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Children’s Activities: NAME THAT ‘SHROOM! July 2013 Written for Triangle Mommies Blog Copyright ARLADEAN ARNSON

With all the crazy wet weather we are having here in North Carolina, it has been a boon year for mushrooms. You can see them in the forests, in the country and even in many urban/suburban neighborhoods!

I have found at least three different types along my walk in the mornings!

So, I have invented a new activity for the kiddies: NAME THAT ‘SHROOM! This activity includes a hunt-and-find outdoor game and a make-it-yourself field guide.

First the HUNT! While traipsing through the woods or sticking to the sidewalks, be on the lookout for interesting shapes and colors and textures among the landscape. Mushrooms come in many different colors and textures.

**PLEASE BE AWARE, especially with children, do not touch the mushrooms you find until you know for sure that they are safe. You don’t want the kid to accidentally ingest the sample.

It is best to take a digital picture of the mushroom from all angles. Try and get the tops, the surrounding area, underneath the dome and the stems too.

Now off to the library, or the internet, to see what great treasure you have found!  See the guide below for some titles and websites.

Things to figure out: What is its name? Where does it normally grow? What are its tell-tale features? Is it safe to touch or to pick? Is it edible?

Once you find out some of these basics, you and your little one can create a great little field guide of your own back yard. Include pictures, drawings, facts, and even spore prints in a little self-made or store-bought sketch book. See website #1 for how to make a spore print.

Then the next time we get weather like this again, your little field guide will help you identify what pops up in your yard!

BOOKS:

 

1. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms (National Audubon Society Field Guides)by NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY

2.    The Mushroom Book For Beginners: 2nd Edition Revised : A Mycology Starter or How To Be A Backyard Mushroom Farmer… by Frank Randall

3.   The Complete Mushroom Hunter: An Illustrated Guide to Finding, Harvesting, and Enjoying Wild Mushrooms by Gary Lincoff

4.    A Field Guide to Mushrooms: North America (Peterson Field Guides) by Kent H. McKnight, Vera B. McKnight and Roger Tory Peterson

WEBSITES:

  1. Urban Mushrooms: http://urbanmushrooms.com/index.php?id=69
  2. American Mushrooms: http://americanmushrooms.com/lawnandgarden.htm
  3. Mushroom Expert: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/index.html
  4. The Mushroom Patch: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/index.html

 

COMPANY MISSION ARTICLE – Mission Two 2014: SGT. Rando

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MISSION TWO 2014: SGT. MATTHEW RANDO’s FAMILY  June 2014 Written for Caliber Technologies Copyright ARLADEAN ARNSON/Caliber Technologies

The family of SGT. Matthew Rando has had it very hard the last year or so. Upon hearing of their troubles, Caliber Technologies jumped to donate through our non-profit of choice, Operation Once in a Lifetime.

Here is the Rando Family’s story:

SGT. Rando is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.  He and his wife, Samantha, reside off-base with their eight children ranging in ages from 2 to 21 years of age, two of which have special needs. They have lived modestly on his Army paycheck while Samantha works as a stay-at-home mother.

The family is used to weathering hardships. When Samantha’s mother passed away, SGT Matthew and Samantha raised her two younger siblings, without hesitation.

Earlier this year, Samantha underwent major surgery which resulted in complications. These complications are, unfortunately, continuing and she will need another surgery in the fall.

Just as the family was getting used to the difficulties Samantha’s surgery brought, SGT. Rando’s  pay was disturbed in March.  There was an error in the amount he received. Knowing that it may be 45 days until the error was corrected, the family sought help through Army Emergency Relief (AER). This agency was able to help them on a one-time only basis.

His paycheck problem was not resolved in April, nor in May. Samantha tells us this:

“My husband and his command started working on fixing the error in March and they were told it could take 45 days to [get the monies] back in our pay.

So, we did the best we could to get by. Then when the 45 days passed, and it was not fixed, my husband went to his command and they went to S1 and Finance and found that the paperwork was still sitting on their desk and never turned in.

It has went up to the Lt. Colonel and they are doing everything they can to push the issue but it does not help our current situation.”

Now, with SGT. Rando’s paycheck problems still persisting, the family is placed again in financial need. This is when Caliber Technologies was contacted and we happily offered to help out.

You can help families just like the Rando Family with your purchase at Caliber Technologies.

Thank you.