June 26, 2016
Summer and early fall are a great time for families to be outside to learn about and experience the beauty of nature. For some, nature is found nearby and easy to explore. But many people have not had extensive experience with nature, and therefore enjoy the opportunity to connect with public trails and camps that can make learning about nature easy. This week we speak with the Director of a community nature center who will share ideas on how we can enjoy and explore nature this summer and early fall.
Jeanne Dernehl is the Executive Director of River Bend Nature Center in Racine, WI. She received her Bachelors of Art degree from Layton School of Art. She has over 21 years in marine recreational facilities management and over 17 years in non-traditional education positions, including positions with Discovery World Museum, Racine Historical Museum, and Small World Montessori School. She has spent the last four years at River Bend.
Jeanne has a commitment to providing experiential and discovery-based learning opportunities, as well as a life-long love of nature. The programs at River Bend are designed to be hands-on, non-competitive learning experiences that allow a child to discover and learn through personal explorations. The nature center provides the ideal environment for exploration and discovery that allows a child (or adult) to develop a personal relationship with nature. The person who has found their place in the natural world, and whose head, hands and heart have engaged with nature, will become a person who will feel responsibility to care for that world. The nature center provides the opportunity for that personal relationship with nature to seed and flourish.
River Bend Nature Center provides environmental education and outdoor recreation for children, families and adults. With a goal to provide a platform of opportunities through which people can engage with nature. These opportunities include school field trip programs, nature enrichment programs, production, , special events, and environmentally sensitive recreation programs such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, archery, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
The Nature Center has 78 acres of prairie, forest, wetlands, ponds and river which serve as an outdoor classroom as well as a place of peace and beauty.
For more information about River Bend, please go to http://riverbendnaturecenterracine.org/.
We can’t enjoy summer if we are sidelined indoors with a painful sunburn! In the heat of summer, we have to pay extra attention to our skin and how to make sure we stay hydrated and protected from the sun. Tune in this week when we hear the expert advice of a dermatologist who will share her thoughts on how to keep you and your family’s skin safe.
Dr. Gershtenson is a Board-Certified Dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University and attended medical school and did her residency in dermatology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dr. Gershtenson’s experience includes skin cancer surgeries and dermatological treatment of pediatric, adult and geriatric cases. Dr. Gershtenson treats all dermatologic conditions, including skin cancer, psoriasis, eczema, acne and vitiligo.
For more information about Dr. Gershtenson, go to https://forefrontdermatology.com/doctor/platina-coy-gershtenson-md/.
June 25, 2016
Road trips are a staple of summer adventures. Are you considering a road trip this summer, or looking for last minute ideas for a family vacation? Tune in this week to get tips and inspirations for your road trip plans this summer.
Nick Jarmusz serves as a Wisconsin Director of Public Affairs for AAA – The Auto Club Group. In this role he oversees community affairs, media relations, traffic safety advocacy and corporate citizenship efforts throughout the state.
Nick previously spent seven years as a Public Affairs Specialist for AAA Chicago, where he coordinated events, programs and special projects across Illinois and northern Indiana, focusing on traffic safety issues that affect the most vulnerable roadway users: children, teens and seniors. Prior to joining AAA, he had worked for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Boy Scouts of America.
Nick graduated from DePaul University, where he studied political science and communication. He and his wife, Carrie, and their three children live in Cottage Grove, WI.
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, travel, insurance and financial services offerings to over 9 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 56 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety.
Each summer, families look for new ideas to create opportunities for learning and adventure. Often we overlook the places for fun and entertainment that are right in our own community or state! Get inspired with this discussion about how you can get a fresh perspective on adventures close to home that will help make your summer a memorable one.
Dave Blank has been President/CEO of the Real Racine since 1997. Dave oversees the day-to-day operations of Real Racine and frequently serves as the voice of Real Racine through speaking engagements to local organizations, as well as participating in local civic events.
Dave is also active in the Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus.
Dave graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with Bachelors degree in business and marketing, and has worked extensively in the travel, leisure and tourism industry. For more information about Dave and Real Racine, go to http://www.realracine.com/.
June 5, 2016
This week is the first in a series of discussions about the essentials of summer: adventures, fun and family time. Make the most of your summer by tuning in to hear our experts share tips on making it the best one ever!
Parents often wonder how much to allow children to relax and play in the summer, and how much to make sure their brains continue to be engaged and learning. While the right path is likely different for each child, there is data that speaks to this balance of fun and learning. Join us this week as we talk with a career educator who will share her insights on the best mix of summer fun.
Kathy Boero is the Head of the Primary School at The Prairie School in Racine, WI. She has been in education for 30 years, with the last 18 years at The Prairie School. Kathy received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Learning Disabilities and Masters of Education in School Administration from Carthage College. Her career has included being an elementary school teacher at St. Edward School, a learning specialist in the Kenosha Unified School District, and an Adjunct Teacher in Adult education at UW-Parkside and Carthage College.
Kathy has a deep appreciation, love, respect, and passion for creating a safe and thrilling learning environment that supports all types of learners. She strives to create an environment that is free of labels and judgment; where children want to come each morning; and that provides a strong foundation for skill and social development and supports children to soar and achieve great things. Kathy has completed the Leadership Racine Program and continues to be involved in activities in the Racine community.
For more information about Kathy, please go to: http://www.prairieschool.com/our-faculty/kathy-boero-primary-school-head/
