Today's Feature

YMCA Summer Day Camp.

News release

For both parents and kids, it’s never too early to start thinking about plans for the summer. Parents want to be sure their children are safe, supervised and engaged in activities that keep their kids’ minds and bodies active after summer school lets out. Youngsters look forward to the free time and simply want to have fun and learn something new. The Fair Acres Family YMCA Day Camp is a perfect option for parents who are looking for a safe and fun place for their kids to build healthy mind, body and spirit this summer.

"Children are our greatest treasures and greatest responsibility," said Bob Brower, Executive Director of the Fair Acres Family YMCA. "YMCA day camp helps kids grow positively, meet healthy role models and learn good values - all while having fun. We not only provide memories that last a lifetime, but we also assure parents that their kids are in good hands during the summer."

Day camp for youth - one of the most popular programs offered by YMCAs - provides youngsters with a unique opportunity to connect with their peers and their community. At YMCA day camp, campers enjoy a broad range of age-appropriate programs, events and activities, from swimming to sports to the arts to crafts and much more.

"The need is as strong today as ever before," said Brower. "Being more physical through play helps children better manage stress, succeed in school, reduce stress, build energy and, most of all, learn skills that encourage a lifetime of activity."

YMCAs today are collectively one of the nation’s largest providers of camping programs with 265 resident camps and nearly 2,000 day camps across the country, including 120 specialty camps for kids with disabilities. YMCAs serve nearly 400,000 youngsters and families each year through their resident camping programs. Another 600,000 enroll in YMCA day camps annually. YMCAs also employ nearly 12,000 teenagers each summer as lifeguards and camp counselors.

"For more than 150 years, YMCAs have developed initiatives and programs that have helped improve the physical, social, emotional and spiritual health for millions of Americans in diverse communities across the country," said Brower. "Participation in YMCA day camp provides kids and families with a chance to build friendship and community, a sense of well-being and confidence and improved physical, mental and cognitive abilities."

The Fair Acres Family YMCA Day Camp starts July 2 - August 10. Camp runs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sign ups may be made on a weekly basis or for the entire summer. Cost is $75 per week for YMCA members and $90 for the general public. The Y also offers a $10 discount for each additional child.

More information may be obtained by visiting the YMCA’s website at www.fairacresymca.org or by calling the YMCA at 417-358-1070.

The one we owned had larger hard rubber tires. It was a faded red with bright yellow wheels. The nice added feature was ours had a kick stand. A triangular shaped gizmo that flipped up over the rear tire when the scooter was in use. Just flip it down and the scooter would rest on the stand.

At our house the bicycle was the preferred vehicle, so the scooter pretty much stayed in the garage after we reached the age of five or six. The "little" kids were the only ones who pulled out the scooter. Even they typically preferred the three wheelers to standin’ on the scooter pumpin’ along with one leg.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

What’s the Right Way to Clean a Grill?

Q: I’m a little confused by two conflicting sets of grilling directions. My brother-in-law tells me that a barbecue grill works best when thoroughly clean, including the cooking surfaces and the interior. My uncle tells me to just fire up the grill for about 10 to 20 minutes and let the heat burn away any old drippings. I’m still learning this "art" of grilling. What do you recommend? -- Stacy in Secaucus, N.J.

A: I’d go with your brother-in-law’s advice. Relying on high heat to burn away drippings is not the most reliable way to clean a grill. The drippings will char, releasing less-than-healthy byproducts, and if fresh food is cooked on a grill with charred drippings still attached to the underside, those byproducts could affect the food. In addition, the heat may burn away drippings from the cooking and heating surfaces, but it probably won’t affect materials that have dropped into the bottom of the grill box.

A dirty, greasy grill interior can cause uneven, inefficient heating in charcoal and gas grills. Airflow is very important for charcoal grills so that the coals heat evenly and last a long time. Gas grills have various components to safely transport gas from the supply tank to the burner element, and grease, debris and rust can compromise this system.

So, clean the grill interior completely before cooking. Grill cleaners like Goo Gone (available in most stores that sell grilling supplies) will loosen up grease and soot deposits. Brush debris away from surfaces and wash the cooking surface thoroughly in the sink, with soap and water. DO let the grill heat up for at least 10 minutes before cooking, and clean the grill as soon as possible afterward (let it cool down completely first).

A well-maintained outdoor grill will last for years and provide reliable, steady heat -- the most important element in becoming an outdoor grilling artist.

HOME TIP:

Safe grilling tips:

• Grill in an open area away from the house or trees.

• Keep a fire extinguisher and a box of baking soda nearby.

• Never leave a hot grill unattended.

• Never use a grill indoors, whether gas or charcoal.