Letter from the Editor
Welcome to our "Kids and Pets" issue, where we explore the delightful worlds of our youngest community members and their beloved pets!
This month’s edition is packed with heartwarming stories, creative ideas, and inspiring profiles that celebrate the joy and creativity that kids and pets bring to our lives.
First, get ready to throw the ultimate DIY dog birthday party! Our guide includes everything you need to make your pup's special day unforgettable, from personalized dog party favors to a treat station for humans and even a delicious, pet-friendly birthday cake.
We are also excited to feature two remarkable, local kid entrepreneurs. Madisyn loves making creative and unique bracelets for her business, Bracelet Jam, and Lacy who makes beaded gifts for her business, Lacy’s Creations. Their stories of innovation and determination are sure to inspire you.
Additionally, we highlight the incredible work of Big Hope Bearden Ministries, founded by John and Donna Bearden. This Christian nonprofit is making a significant impact in the Dominican Republic through their clinic providing essential medical and surgical care, clean water initiatives, construction programs, and education efforts. Their dedication to service and community is truly admirable.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating the wonderful connections between kids and pets. We hope you find inspiration and joy in this issue.
BAILEY HALL, EDITOR
August 2024
PUBLISHER
Jana Morris | jana.morris@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Bailey Hall | bailey.hall@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Michelle Parnell | michelle.parnell@citylifestyle.com
INTERN
Daria Terry
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Daniel Morris
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Bailey Hall, Daria Terry, Leann Parker
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Daria Terry, Leann Parker, Tara Allen Photography
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain
Premier General Contractors Since 1986
Beyond providing quality workmanship and comprehensive design/build services, we strive to build a relationship of mutual trust and confidence with each of our clients’ large and small. We accomplish this by putting your priorities first and conducting ourselves with integrity in every aspect of our business.
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-7: Top Dawn Tavern hosted their 1st Charity Car Show benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
Bailey Burch Publishes First Book
Bailey Burch, a local 14-year-old, recently published her first book, Magnasia’s Redemption. The story follows Amirah, a tween grappling with melancholy after moving overseas, who meets a 104-year-old witch, Lucille. Together, they must save Lucille’s world and get Amirah home.
Magnasia’s Redemption is available at Tenpenny’s in North Augusta, MariBeth Books in Thomson, and on Amazon.
Soca Vegan Kitchen Celebrates 2nd Anniversary!
We would like to wish Soca Vegan Kitchen a Happy Anniversary! We wish you many more years of success!
Soca Vegan Kitchen is located at 630 Crane Creek Drive, Suite 103.
Save Local Lives
Donate blood today and save lives in our community! Local blood centers urgently need your help to ensure a steady supply for patients in need. Your donation can make a critical difference for accident victims, surgery patients, and those battling illnesses. It’s quick, safe, and you can give the gift of life. Visit your nearest blood center to donate and be a hero. Every drop counts!
THROW A PAWSOME BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND
DIY Dog Birthday Party
DIY PARTY FAVORS FOR DOGS
Create delightful DIY party favors for your dog guests by filling small bags or boxes with goodies. Include a tennis ball for playtime fun and a selection of treats for them to enjoy. You can also add a small toy or chew for variety. These favors ensure that every pup goes home happy and tired from all the play and treats.
TREAT STATION FOR OWNERS
Keep the human guests happy with a creative Treat Station for Owners. Use brand new, clean dog food bowls as serving dishes for snacks like chips, pretzels, and candies. Arrange the bowls on a table with a festive tablecloth and some dog-themed decorations. Label each bowl with fun names like “Puppy Chow” for trail mix or “Doggie Biscuits” for cookies.
HOW TO MAKE A DOG BIRTHDAY CAKE
A birthday party isn’t complete without a cake, even for dogs! To make a dog-friendly birthday cake, start with ingredients like peanut butter, bananas, and carrots. Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of rolled oats, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and a pinch of cinnamon in one bowl. In another bowl, blend 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup of peanut butter, 1 mashed banana, and 1/2 cup of grated carrots. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then pour the batter into a greased cake pan. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Let it cool, then frost with a mixture of Greek yogurt and peanut butter. Decorate with dog treats and serve to your excited pup!
A birthday party isn’t complete without a cake, even for dogs!
ARTICLE BY BAILEY HALL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARIA TERRY
Learn about two local kids with an entrepreneurial spirit
Kid Entrepreneurs
ARTICLE BY BAILEY HALL
Bracelet Jam
Two and a half years ago, Madisyn started her first business making jewelry. At eleven years old, she wanted to find a way to earn money and enjoyed making bracelets. Since then she has learned new techniques, introduced new bracelet designs, and now also makes keychains. Madisyn tells us that her favorite thing to make is the clay bead bracelets. All of her jewelry can be customized and some pieces can be personalized with names or initials.
To see Madisyn’s creations or to place a custom order, join her Bracelet Jam by Madisyn group on Facebook.
Lacy’s Creations
Lacy is the artistic mind behind her business, Lacy’s Creations! This young entrepreneur crafts beaded pens, keychains, lanyards, cheese spreaders, and more. Inspired by the popularity of her handmade items among family and friends, Lacy turned her passion into a business. She loves making matching items and custom design orders, saying, “It’s fun to make people happy.”
To explore her wide range of creations, visit her Facebook page at Lacy’s Creations.
Caring for the Kids of Our Global Community
WITNESS HOW BIG HOPE BEARDEN MINISTRIES SUPPORTS KIDS IN NEED THROUGH SPIRITUAL AND HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS
ARTICLE BY DARIA TERRY
Photography Credit: Tara Allen Photography
Children are a precious gift from God, so we must commit to caring for our own children along with those in our local community. And even beyond the kids of our local community, we should be caring for the kids of our global community. This is why Big Hope Bearden Ministries is dedicated to serving those in need and sharing the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. They are a Christian 501(c}(3} Tax-Exempt Nonprofit Organization working to positively impact poorer villages in the Dominican Republic and is guided by Donna FloydBearden, who serves as the Executive Director, and her husband, John.
The Beardens started their ministry 25 years ago after going on their first mission trip to the Dominican Republic with a ministry group from Statesboro, Georgia following Hurricane George. This sparked the Beardens’ call to ministry, and knowing they had to make change, they took a giant leap of faith and started Big Hope Bearden Ministries. Big Hope stands for Bel ievers In God Helping Others Pursue Eternity. That is their heart and purpose, and the Beardens have been actively pursuing that purpose and inviting others to join them ever since. As Donna says, “Love in action is the best way to share the Gospel and build relationships with the people that you serve.”
While sharing the Gospel, Big Hope has set up a number of programs and services to assist the underprivileged. Years ago, Big Hope partnered with Dream Ministries of North Carolina to open a medical clinic in the poorer areas of the Dominican Republic. Until 2020, they operated the clinic providing muchneeded medical care. After Covid-19 struck, the nation’s public health service stopped the work … but God had other plans!
In 2021, with the help of some dedicated physicians and surgeons, Big Hope was able to restart the clinic’s work. Today, Clínica Buen Samaritano is up
and running, staffed with a full-time doctor, nurse, pharmacy assistant, night guard, and housekeeper, all treating patients and assisting the community three days a week. The results of this change speak for itself. For example, it was determined that a one-year-old girl needed an exam and a life-saving surgery. Sponsored by Big Hope Bearden Ministries, she received that exam and surgery and is now recovered, walking, talking, and able to grow up healthy.
Along with medical assistance, Big Hope offers educational programs for the children in the communities surrounding the clinic. They teach sanitation, clean water, and proper hygiene. To enforce those values, Big Hope has even built a water plant that offers clean filtered water for the locals to use. Furthermore, Big Hope, ultimately, dreams of multiple youth groups serving in the Dominican Republic, a stream of committed volunteers, summer interns who will invest their hearts, dedicated English teachers, and the construction of a compound with dormitories, a preschool, church, and clinic. In order to make these a reality, Big Hope needs your help. Donations are essential for any ministry, but Big Hope doesn’t just want donations, they want and need volunteers like you. “We want them to see what God is doing down there with the ministry, and how it is helping other people to live better lives,” Donna says.
Big Hope wants you to know that you can make a real difference in the world with your prayers, donations, and service on a mission trip. Donna believes that when you get involved, you will feel every emotion from heartache to excitement, and she knows that you’ll want to invite others to make a difference with you.
To stay up to date with activities and mission trips, visit the website bighopeministries.org or follow Big Hope at @bighopebeardenministries on Instagram and Facebook. If you would like to donate, please visit bighopeministries.org/giving .
“We want them to see what God is doing down there with the ministry, and how it is helping other people to live better lives.”
Big Hope stands for B elievers I n G od H elping O thers P ursue E ternity. That is their heart and purpose, and the Beardens have been actively pursuing that purpose and inviting others to join them ever since.
eat kind
EMBRACING A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR BODY
Wellness isn’t about restricting — it’s really about giving. Giving to yourself and to your body in a way that allows them both to thrive. The cool part? The things that give to your body naturally give to your mind, your hormones, your earth, your relationships, and so on — it’s all beautifully interconnected in that way.
Work in partnership with your body. Listen to it, support it, give to it, forgive it — and I promise it’ll give back. Repeat after me: I love myself as the most important and committed partner I will ever have
Eat your greens, cook at home, choose local produce and quality meats, don’t be scared of healthy fats — but also support local farmers, move in a way that makes your body and mind feel good, prioritize times of mindfulness and stillness, fuel your body in a way that is sustainable for both you and the planet, practice gratitude and empathy, give yourself grace when you lose routine, don’t try to make changes overnight, ditch the guilt, and always always be kind to yourself.
simple roasted salmon with dill coconut cream
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 6 oz. filets of wild caught salmon
• 1 Tbsp. avocado oil
• 1 Tbsp. coconut aminos
• Zest and juice from one lemon
• 1 Tbsp. stone ground mustard
• 1 4 oz. container coconut yogurt, unsweetened
• 2 Tbsp. fresh dill, minced
• 2 Tbsp. capers, drained and minced
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Marinate the salmon in the lemon juice, coconut aminos, and stone ground mustard for up to two hours.
2. Drizzle salmon with avocado oil, sprinkle with salt and ground pepper, and broil on high for five to seven minutes, until cooked to desired temperature.
3. Mix coconut cream, lemon zest, dill, capers, and ground pepper together.
4. Top salmon with coconut cream, serve with roasted or sautéed veggies, brown or cauliflower rice, or fresh greens. Enjoy!
W A T C H THEM GROW
The days are long, but the years go fast. So they say with raising children. I have to agree with that sentiment. Each year as summer ends I find myself looking at my kids and reminding myself to “Watch them grow!” Both as a reminder to not miss the growth (with all the distractions and responsibilities that adult life brings) but also as reflection on how far they’ve come since the last time we turned the calendar page to August. Whether there are children in your life or not, I’m sure we can all agree that childhood is fleeting. Instead of stopping to smell the roses, I need to remind myself to “stop and watch them grow”—you can’t see it if you stare, but you’ll surely miss it if you blink! It helps me to set aside intentional time to be present with these fast little growers.
For us that looks like setting a special table to spend time sharing (or drawing) how we’ve seen them grow over the summer before jumping back into school routines. Making DIY game boards together and then having a family game night. Making snow cones for an after-dinner treat or, for a bigger wow factor, for breakfast! They will never forget that one, I promise. (Psst! my snow cones are made with fruit juice so it’s Mommy approved too!)
As August rolls in and the calendar tells us that it’s time for back-to-school shopping, the weather does not usually agree that the times are changing. I find that it’s such
a weird dance between what looks like the change of seasons when I open my calendar but not when I walk out my back door (heat wave!). On one hand, we’re still in full throttle of blazing temperatures in the Midwest and with no end in sight. At the same time, being thrown into back-to-school shopping, Meet-the-Teacher nights, resuming the regiment of packing school lunches, and if you’re a homeschool parent, all the to-do lists and lesson plans in order to launch into another school year. As we find ourselves
with one foot in summer and the other in a classroom, how do we embrace and (dare I say) celebrate this month? Instead of feeling ungrounded in the juxtaposition of August, I am inviting myself, and anyone who would join me, to embrace the opportunity to celebrate the in-between seasons that this month brings. My hope is that these ideas help spark your imagination on how to keep you cool in the heat, launch your kiddos into a new school year, and to set aside time to watch them grow.
DIY GAME BOARDS
Welcome more play into your life with this little DIY project. At our house we like to keep outdoor game boards around for short moments together as well as full blown game nights. These game boards are meant to be kept outside but could also be brought indoors as well.
Materials
• Pebbles for Checkers, 24 similar sized
• Small stones for Tic-Tac-Toe, 8 similar sized
• Acrylic paints (black, red, yellow and white)
• Paint brush
• Raw wooden boards + black paint marker
• Reclaimed wood + black acrylic paint
• Polycrylic spray
Instructions
1. Game Pieces: Paint your rocks with acrylic paint. For Tic-TacToe you’ll need a total of 8 rocks, 4 of each type (here I’ve painted 4 lady bugs and 4 bumble bees). For Checkers you’ll need a total of 24 rocks, 12 of each color (here I’ve used black stones, painting half of them red).
2. Game Board: For raw wood (such as our Tic-Tac-Toe board), use a ruler and black paint marker to create board lines. For reclaimed or treated wood, use paint. Let game pieces and game boards fully dry. Seal with a polycrylic spray for protection from heat and moisture.
SNOW CONES
We adore snow cones at our house! If you’ve been to our house then we’ve probably served them to you. A shaved ice machine makes it oh-so-easy! You can purchase premade snow cone syrup flavors or make your own healthier version by using fruit juice concentrates. Simply thaw the frozen fruit juice concentrate and put the liquid into squeezy bottles for an easy way to pour over shaved ice.
Assemble
• Ice, lots of ice!
• Snow Cone Machine
• Snow Cone Cups
• Snow Cone Straws
• Snow Cone Syrups (or frozen juice concentrates, thawed)
Use a snow cone machine to shave ice into snow cone cups. Top with your favorite flavor—either store bought snow cone syrups, homemade syrups, or our favorite—fruit concentrates. Stay cool and celebrate the last days of summer heat!
events
AUGUST 3RD
Science Saturday
Riverview Park Activities Center
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory is hosting Science Saturday, a free family-friendly event! Join them on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 10am to 1pm at the Riverview Park Activities Center to get an up-close look at reptiles, amphibians, plants, and more!
AUGUST 10TH
Augusta Beerfest
The Bell Auditorium
Hosting over 100 beers from some of the best breweries in the country, Augusta Beerfest No. 10 will take place on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the Bell Auditorium from 3pm to 6pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit AugustaEnterainmentComplex.com
AUGUST 17TH
Family Paint Your Pet
Wine & Design Augusta
Bring the family and paint a picture of your furry pet! Parents are welcome to either drop off your kids or purchase a ticket to stay and paint with them. This is open to anyone aged 8+ and pre-registration is required. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit WineAndDesign.com
AUGUST 17TH
COLOR Run 5K
Barton Field Softball Complex
The Color Run 5K is an event designed for people of all ages and athletic abilities. Runners and walkers alike are welcome to join in for a morning filled with COLOR and music. For more information and to register, visit tinyurl.com/MWRColorRun.
AUGUST 18TH
Movies at the Miller: How to Train Your Dragon
Miller Theater
Bring your family for a free showing of How to Train Your Dragon at the Miller Theater! Admission is free, but you will need a ticket to enter. Tickets are available at the Miller Theater box office, and the movie starts at 4pm.
AUGUST 25TH
Princess Tea for a Cause
511 Shartom Drive, Augusta, GA
Come enjoy a delightful tea with princesses in a beautiful historical mansion! You can enjoy this magical event and help raise funds for Prepare for Babies, Inc. Local businesses have donated their services and a part of proceeds will go directly to the charity. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tickettailor.com/events/marionhatchercenter/1318617.
