HAPPY 95th BIRTHDAY DR. VARGUS

It’s Summer. Let’s keep our school-aged family members reading and learning. Studies show that students lose as much as 2-3 months of math and reading skills over the summer. So let’s fuel them with interesting things to do—that are as educational as they are fun. 

1. Have them research the neighborhood, city and/or state where they live and the people who’ve made an impact there. For example, who is the neighborhood playground named after. What's the history behind the area church or park. Where did your street get it's name. 

2. How far back can they trace their family history (one generation, 2, 3 or more). 

3. What ideas or suggestions do they have for an upcoming reunion. What suggestions do they have for getting young people involved.

4. Start a word challenge where they identify 2 to 5 new words a day starting with the letter A the first day, B the second day, and so on. 

5. Try NBA Math Hoops: The New Basketball-Themed Math Game designed for students in grades 3-8 to learn fundamental math skills through the game of basketball, run by the non-profit Learn Fresh in partnership with NBA Cares. CLICK HERE for info.

6. Visit museums, spend time at the library, etc. Learning can be fun—you just have to do it!!!

WORTH REPEATING

“I never lose. I either win or learn.”

“It always seems impossible until it's done.”

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”

“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated.”

“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return.”

“Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely daydreaming, but vision with action can change the world.”

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.”

“Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front.”

“It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build”. 

WORTH REPEATING

“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” – Van Morrison

“Ah, summer – that long anticipated stretch of lazy, lingering days, free of responsibility and rife with possibility. It’s a time to hunt for insects, master handstands, practice swimming strokes, conquer trees, explore nooks and crannies, and make new friends.” – Darrell Hammond

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” – John Lubbock

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability”. 

– Sam Keen

“It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do”. – Walter Winchell

“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” – James Dent

“In Summer: Hair gets lighter. Skin gets darker. Water gets warmer. Drinks get colder. Music gets louder. Nights get longer. Life gets better.” – Unknown