Nov Web Issue 17

NOVEMBER 2017 - Complimentary Issue - www.qcfamilyfocus.com 

Kids and Their 

Emotions 

Join us for 

Holiday Hop! 

Win a Family 4-Pack 

of Tickets to

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2 November 2017 - QC Family Focus

Serving Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois 

November 2017 

Publisher: Mike Mickle 

Editor: Karen Mickle 

Copy Editor: Mark McLaughlin 

Magazine Design: Jessie Smith 

Photographers: Kevin Walker 

Nick Benhart • Ashley Hempel 

Videographer: Harry Walker 

Contributing Editors 

Denise Aden 

Michael Carton 

Tina Eckhardt 

Evin Ersan 

Tawnya Hambly 

Mark McLaughlin 

Mike Mickle 

Cathie Rochau 

Heather Sandy 

Rachel Smith 

Shannon Swanson 

Steve Van Dinter 

Join thousands of others as they help us promote 

happy healthy families in the QCA. Call 563- 

940-7875 for more information. 

QC Family Focus Magazine is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mickle Communications 

Group LLC. Publication of advertising and articles does not constitute endorsement. 

The publisher reserves the right to refuse and/or edit any materials for publication. You 

can contact us at QC Family Focus Magazine, P.O. Box 194, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722, 

563-940-7875 or email: mmickle@qcfamilyfocus.com. ©Copyright 2017. 

The Tradition Returns: 

The Polar Express 

Pajama Party 

Kids and Their 

Emotions 

myCA$H Savings 

Program for Teens 

Dare to Compare 

When It Comes to 

Travel Costs 

Take A Hike 

(And Get More Out Of It)! 

Coping with 

Family Holiday 

Get-Togethers 

The Caregiver: 

A Hero Without 

a Costume 

7 

11 

18 

21 

22 

26 

30 

QC Family Focus - November 2017 3

Your Mickle’s Worth 

It is not easy, even when it’s the second time around. 

Over the past couple of weeks, we watched Kate march 

for the final time on her high school football field. She 

also swam in her last high school swim meet. As Brad 

Paisley sings in his latest hit, “There’s a last time for 

everything.” For me, they are never easy. At least when 

it comes to our children. The PV Marching Band had the 

seniors pick the songs for their final performance. There 

were three. The 

last one was also 

the “first” song 

they ever played 

as Freshmen. The 

seniors broke off 

into two groups, 

one on each side 

of the 50 yard line. 

As they played, 

“Pompei” they 

came together to 

form a heart in the 

middle of the field. 

It was incredible, yet emotional. For the past four years, 

we’ve sat in the heat, rain, snow, wind and bitter cold. We 

watched the number of students in the band grow each 

year. Watching them perform their first song as their last 

song struck a chord with me (pun intended). It reminded 

me of how quickly the time has flown. Watching Kate 

swim her final lap was also a surreal moment. We’ve 

spent years sitting in humidity-filled pool areas watching 

her. The last lap was a rough one. I now have 9 months 

before I make that dreaded drive to the college of her 

choice and drop her off. It was a gut-wrenching day 

when we did it with Kyle. It will be just as tough when 

we kiss her on the cheek and say goodbye. 

On the same weekend that Kate swam her last lap 

in the pool, the youngest Mickle child turned 15. I’m 

trying not to blink because I know when I open my eyes, 

he’ll be wrapping up his 

“lasts.” The only part of 

this stage of life that is 

easy is seeing the young 

adults they are becoming. 

My conversations with 

Kyle are different now 

than they were when 

he was in high school. 

He’s focused on his 

future. He’s planning his 

journey to a career. He’s 

making choices based 

on thought rather than 

impulse (most of the 

time). 

I couldn’t be more 

proud. Sometimes that pride overflows into a few tears. 

I quit apologizing for those moments. I don’t even try 

to claim my eyes are just sweating. I embrace it, give 

thanks and concentrate on enjoying the moments. I 

hope you have the opportunity to do the same, no 

matter what age your children are. 

Thanks for being part of the journey, Mike 

Calling ALL Dads! We want to hear your stories. The Journey from 

Dude to Dad is about to get MUCH bigger. We are looking for dads to 

appear in our videos, write for our blog and even appear in 

QC Family Focus! Share your stories for a chance to win some great 

prizes! Send your ideas to mike@micklecommunications.com 

Super Dad Sponsors 

Cool Dad Sponsors 


Christmas 

Cottage 

“The Area’s Most Unique 

Christmas Boutique” 

902 West Kimberly Road Davenport, IA 

Village Shopping Center Next to CitiTrends 

Always Free Admission 

Open for 10 Days only !!! 

November 10th - November 19th 

Monday - Saturday 9am - 9pm 

Sunday 10am - 6 pm 

Ornaments (with Free Personalizing), Folk art, 

antiques, candles, jewelry, florals, candy, 

dog and cat treats, christmas trees & Wreaths, 

cards, scarves, primitives, dips & Dessert 

mixes, soaps and much more! 

MasterCard, VISA and Checks accepted (Cash too) 

309-631-0430 

Follow us on Pinterest and Facebook ! 

QC Family Focus - November 2017 5 

QC Family Focus - NOVEMBER 2012 

5

Make a Memory: 

Polar Express Pajama 

Party & The Polar 

Express 3D on the 

GIANT Screen 

Holiday memories and traditions are made 

at the Putnam! Watch the classic holiday 

film The Polar Express 3D on the GIANT 

screen and also enjoy: 

• face painting 

• hot chocolate station 

• make-n-take sleigh bell activity 

• souvenir Putnam ornament 

• lights-out museum activity 

Thursday, December 14th: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. 

Movie showing at 6:00 p.m. 

Friday, December 15th: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

Movies showing at 3:45 p.m., 6:00 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. 

Saturday, December 16th: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. 


Sunday, December 17th: 12 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 


Reserve your tickets by calling 

563-324-1933 or buy online at 

www.putnam.org/polarexpress2017 

Special thanks to: 


The Tradition Returns: 

The Polar Express Pajama Parties— 

Only at the Putnam Museum & Science Center 

Mark McLaughlin 

Mickle Communications 

A beloved Quad-Cities’ family tradition, The 

Polar Express Pajama Parties have returned for the 

holidays – bigger and better than ever! This year the 

Putnam Museum & Science Center has scheduled 10 

showings of The Polar Express 3D over four events. 

Yes, that’s right … 10! 

The events with show 

times are: 

Thursday, Dec. 14: 5 p.m. - 7 

p.m. with a movie showing at 

6:00 p.m. 

Friday, Dec. 15: 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. 

with movies showing at 3:45 

p.m., 6:00 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. 

Saturday, Dec. 16: 3 p.m. - 9 

p.m. with movies showing at 3:45 

p.m., 6:00 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. 

Sunday, Dec. 17: 12 p.m. - 6:30 

p.m. with movies showing at 

12:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. 

Like previous seasons, families of all ages can 

expect tons of fun while attending one of the scheduled 

parties. Along with the showing of The Polar Express 

3D on the GIANT Screen (feel free to wear your 

pj’s!), there will be many holiday activities, including 

face painting, a hot 

chocolate station, a maken-take 

sleigh bell station, 

a souvenir pajama party 

ornament, and a lightsout 

adventure through the 

museum exhibits (don’t 

forget your flashlight!). 

This event has proven 

to be tons of fun for the 

entire family. 

The Putnam understands 

that family outings can be 

a little pricy, especially 

during the holidays. For 

that reason, they make it so that a family of four can 

attend a Polar Express Pajama Party for less than $50! 

Adult tickets are $10 – which includes a souvenir 

ornament, hot chocolate and a seat in the movie 

theater. Youth tickets are $13 and include a souvenir 

ornament, sleigh bell, a seat in the movie theater and 

all of the holiday activities. 

The Putnam has been inspiring ideas, dialogue 

and interaction among people of all ages for 150 years. 

And today, they are better than ever, with hands-on 

fun for the whole family. You can launch rockets or 

interact with a robot in our Science Center, visit their 

famous mummies in Unearthing Ancient Egypt, climb 

into a tree house in Black Earth | Big River, or go back 

in time to see our region’s history in River, Prairie 

and People. You can also experience internationally 

recognized traveling exhibits, or take in a movie in 

their National Geographic Giant Screen Theater with 

a screen towering six stories tall. Their welcoming 

team is dedicated to helping you discover and explore 

in a friendly, engaging place. 

For more information about current and 

upcoming events, exhibits and movies at the Putnam 

Museum & Science Center, visit putnam.org. 


Downtown Moline Welcomes 

New Holiday Event: the Holiday Hop! 

Moline Centre 

As the 2017 holidays draw closer, Moline Centre, a 

division of the Quad Cities Chamber that promotes quality 

of life and economic growth in downtown Moline, will 

launch a new event to kick-off the season. 

The Holiday Hop, a free event presented by 

First Midwest Bank, will take place 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, 

November 17. It will feature an array of family-friendly 

activities, including screenings of children’s holiday movies 

at Black Box Theatre and the Boys & Girls Club, live music, 

arts, crafts, in-house specials, food, refreshments and 

interactive games at more than 40 businesses throughout 

downtown Moline, and appearances by Santa, too. A free 

trolley service will be available. 

“We’re excited to offer Quad Citizens yet another 

opportunity to enjoy the excitement of the holiday season 

and support the local community,” said Adam Holland, 

Executive Director of Moline Centre. “Our local businesses 

are excited to meet and welcome people into their doors, 

and are planning a number of creative and fun activities to 

truly make this a memorable community event,” said Adam 

Holland, Executive Director, Moline Main Street. 

Moline Centre, located at 1601 River Drive, 

Moline, IL, is the place where the community shares the 

good times. For more information, call (309) 524-2054 or 

visit molinecentre.org. 

Plan your visit to Holiday Hop by checking out the 

list of participating businesses below: 

• Acupoint Health Connection, Inc., 1411 6th Avenue. 

• AF Studio - Artist Aimee, 421 19th Street. 

• ArtsyBug Studio, 425 17th Street. 

• Bad Boyz Pizza and Pub, 313 16th Street. 

• Barley & Rye Bistro, 1320 5th Avenue. 

• Barrel House 2011, 1321 5th Avenue. 

• Bass Street Chop House, 1601 River Drive. 

• Bent River Brewing Company, 1413 5th Avenue. 

• Bierstube Moline, 415 15th Street. 

• The Black Box Theatre of the Quad Cities, 1623 5th 

Avenue. 

• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley, 338 6th 

Street. 

• Broken Saddle, 1417 5th Avenue. 

• Chi Chi’s Barber Shop, 101 5th Avenue. 

• Cup A Jo, 1603 5th Avenue. 

• Dead Poet’s Espresso Ltd., 1525 3rd Avenue A. 

• Detailed Designs, 1520 6th Avenue. 

• Floorcrafters, 1305 5th Avenue. 

• Gentlemen’s Barbershop & Shave Parlor, 1715 5th Avenue. 

• Heritage Natural Foods, 1317 6th Avenue. 

• Indigo, 1621 5th Avenue. 

• Isabel Bloom, 1505 River Drive. 

• Julie’s Artistic Rose, 1601 5th Avenue. 

• KONE Corporation, 17th St. & River Drive. 

• Lagomarcino’s, 1422 5th Avenue. 

• LeMekong, 1606 5th Avenue. 

• Lillee Leighton Salon, 417 14th Street. 

• Morrow’s Academy of Martial Arts, 1321 5th Avenue. 

• O’Keefe’s Irish Pub, 1331 5th Avenue. 

• PUB 1848, 1601 River Drive. 

• Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1601 River 

Drive. 

• Quad City Mallards, 1201 River Drive. 

• Rebellion, 1529 3rd Avenue A. 

• Rotary Club of Moline, P.O. Box 964. 

• Salon Amor, 1631 5th Avenue. 

• Soho, 1520 6th Avenue. 

• Steel Head Tavern, 181 17th Street. 

• Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, 101 18th Street. 

• The Planning Center, Inc., 1615 5th Avenue. 

• Two Rivers Massage, 1411 6th Avenue. 

• WaterMark Corners, 1500 River Drive. 

• Your Suite Hair, 1417 6th Avenue. 


Here’s a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of VIP Passes to 

Disney on Ice! These tickets are only good for the Saturday 

7pm show. Post your favorite Disney story on our 

QC Family Focus Facebook page and tag a friend. We’ll choose 

one winner to enjoy a magical night! Gawrsh, We can’t wait 

to see you there. Just try not to act too Goofy. 

What could be fancier than Christmas? 

WQPT KIDS Specials 

Visit us online 

wqpt.org/kids 

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WED NOV 22 | 6:00am & 3:00pm 

Nov. 24 

thru Dec. 26 

Check our website 

for a performance 

calendar 

Gift certificates for our Children’s Theatre 

Productions are ON SALE NOW! 

1828 Third Ave., Rock Island 

309-786-7733 ext. 2 

www.circa21.com 

Once Upon a Sesame 

Street Christmas 

AIRS NOV 22, 23 & 24 | 2:00pm 

Wild Kratts 

WED NOV 22 | 9:30am 


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10 November 2017 - QC Family Focus 

NOVEMBER 18, 2017 

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J.K. ROWLING`S WIZARDING WORLD J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s17)

Kids and Their Emotions 

Michael Carton 

Director of Education and Outreach 

WQPT Quad Cities PBS 

As parents, we 

sometimes fail to recognize 

just how emotional life can 

be for our children. To my 

son, not getting to be the 

“line leader” in school, or 

having to stop playing for 

15 minutes to eat lunch, can 

be very emotional events. 

To me, these things seem 

silly and not worth getting 

upset about, but to him, 

they can be important enough to cause a meltdown. 

When those meltdowns happen, we do 

our best to help our kids recover and learn from 

what happened. But, we often fail to recognize the 

underlying problem – that our children have all the 

same emotions we have, but they don’t understand 

those emotions, or have the tools to handle them. 

As adults, we know when people are 

frustrating us, and we have our own methods of 

coping with the emotion of frustration. We have our 

moments of disappointment, but we refrain from 

melting down because we know how to deal with 

disappointment. We can also handle the feelings of 

happiness, excitement and joy without bouncing 

all over the house and getting loud. We can wake 

up from a scary dream and go back to sleep rather 

quickly. 

Many children don’t know the difference 

between frustration and disappointment. Some will 

say they’re “mad” to describe their frustration. Others 

might say they’re “sad,” but there’s a big difference 

between frustration and sadness. 

My son used to say he was “hungry” to 

describe all sorts of emotions. At first, I took him at 

his word and would get him a snack (because I didn’t 

want him to get “hangry”). Eventually, I realized that 

when he said that he was “hungry,” what he really 

meant was that he was tired, frustrated, or disappointed. 

So, what can you do to help your children 

properly identify their emotions and cope with them 

in a healthy way? First, you can identify those feelings 

for them, and explain why you’re labeling them that 

way. For example, when you see your child getting 

frustrated, you can say to him, “I can tell you’re 

getting frustrated because you’ve been trying really 

hard to put those Lego pieces together, and they just 

don’t seem to cooperate with you.” 

You can also identify your feelings out loud 

when your child is around. You could say things like, 

“I’m really disappointed that my package from Amazon 

didn’t arrive in the mail today,” or “I’m so excited that 

my favorite show is about to start!” Pretty soon, your 

child will understand that there is a difference between 

the many emotions they are experiencing, and start to 

better identify those feelings on their own. 

A great resource for helping your child 

understand and deal with their emotions can be found 

on the Sesame Street In Communities website. The 

site features many searchable activities you can do 

together, and those activities can be sorted by age, time 

length, and type (such as video, storybook, printable, 

etc.). 

There’s an entire section on the website for 

exploring emotions that features videos: the Count 

counting emotions, a printable Feelings Tic-Tac-Toe, 

and articles with other ideas to help your child better 

understand his emotions. 

The Sesame Street In Communities website 

is a great resource for helping your children identify 

the many feelings they experience on a daily basis – 

and when they can better identify their feelings, you’ll 

notice fewer meltdowns over the little things that to 

them, seem so big. 

Visit the Sesame Street In Communities 

website at sesamestreetincommunities.org. 


Donations online at: 

bit.ly/MiracleFieldoftheQC 


Essential Life Skills, Continued: 

Perspective Taking 

Brenda Boleyn, Ph.D. & Barbara Wiese, Ph.D. 

Professors in the School of Education 

at St. Ambrose University 

Laying the groundwork for success in your 

preschooler’s post-secondary studies seems a laudable 

goal for all parents. Although it’s hard to imagine, 

when looking into the eyes of a four-year-old, that 

high school graduation will happen before you know 

it, we adults know from experience just how quickly 

the years slip by. 

Being mindful about helping our children learn 

to navigate through their school years provides benefits 

to the whole family in working together to thrive in 

the fast-paced, often stressful lives we all seem to live. 

In her 2010 book, Mind in the Making: The Seven 

Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs, Ellen Galinsky 

discusses the areas for development that provide a 

solid base for the future. In earlier issues, we reviewed 

two of these skill areas: Focus and Self-Control (April 

2017) and Communication (August 2017). This month 

we will look at another area: Perspective Taking. 

Perspective taking involves a rather complex 

set of executive functions within our brain, almost an 

ability to cognitively multitask. Galinsky mentions 

the need to inhibit our own thoughts and feelings in 

order to flexibly look at a situation from another’s 

viewpoint, and then reflectively consider the situation 

from both our point of view and that of another. As 

with any skill, it develops over the years, as a child 

has more experiences interacting with others in an 

ever-widening circle of interactions. Starting with 

the immediate family, this circle expands to include 

extended family members, neighborhood and playgroup 

children, daycare and preschool friends, and 

elementary school and beyond classmates. Perspective 

taking goes beyond basic manners (please and thankyou) 

to include the multitude of skills necessary to be a 

part of any social group (large or small) and to be both 

comfortable and successful in these interactions with 

others. 

What can parents do to help their children learn 

and practice the overall skill of perspective taking? 

Some suggestions from Galinsky are included below. 

As parents, we provide the best role model 

for our young children. What we do is equally 

important to what we say. When we become conscious 

of using perspective taking to solve problems, we can 

talk about it with our children, giving them both the 

opportunity to hear our thought process as well as to see 

us put it into action. It is also important for us to let our 

children know that we value their ability to get along 

with others, as well as their ability to be independent. 

Both skills will serve them well throughout their school 

years and beyond. 

Feeling understood is a good basis for opening 

up and talking about feelings, and the beginning for our 

children to reflect and explore how someone else may 

feel differently about the same situation. Avoid being 

judgmental. Accept their feelings as valid. Gently ask 

questions that will encourage them to consider other 

viewpoints, even something as simple as, “I wonder 

how the dog feels when you forget to feed him?” 

Considering the perspectives of others can 

become a part of everyday activities. Young children 

enjoy pretending in their play as they try out new roles 

and adventures, based on what they have seen and 

experienced. Provide dress-up clothes and other props as 

they explore the world around them. This play provides 

rehearsal for looking at things from other perspectives. 

Verbalize the perspectives of different characters in the 

books you read together. Ask simple questions such 

as, “I wonder how the other child felt when he lost the 

race?” As stories become more complex, so too can the 

questions. 

Help children see that their actions have 

consequences on others. Reflecting on simple 

occurrences (“What happened to the girl whose turn you 

took on the swing?”) can be a beginning for learning 

about how the choices we make impact others. At a very 

basic level, it can serve as a starting point for conflict 

resolution, a skill that lasts into adulthood. 

Perspective taking enables children to feel 

more secure as they learn to understand how others are 

thinking. It empowers them to become more confident 

in interacting with the ever-expanding circle of people 

who will come into their lives. With a little effort on our 

part, we can teach and practice this essential life skill in 

a natural and constructive way to benefit our children as 

well as ourselves! 


Just For Kids 

KID’S CALENDAR 

Putnam Explorers: From 9 to 11 a.m. Sat., Nov. 

4 at the Putnam Museum, Davenport, see the 

exciting chemical reactions that can happen when 

pantry items are combined. Watch as Kid Explorers 

make gooey slime, bubbling lava bottles, and more. 

Registration for Putnam Explorers workshops is 

required by Thurs., Nov. 2. Learn more and register 

at putnam.org/Education/ResourcesForParents/ 

PutnamExplorers. 

Kwik Star Festival of Trees: The Festival of 

Trees will be held Nov. 17 to 26 at the RiverCenter, 

Davenport. The event helps to fund Quad City Arts. 

See the beautiful trees, displays, live entertainment, 

gingerbread village, toy and book trees, North Pole 

children’s activity center, and more. Also, this year 

marks the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Trees 

Holiday Parade, to be held 10 a.m. Sat., Nov. 18. 

Visit quadcityarts.com/festivaloftrees/generaladmission/ 

for a schedule and more information. 

Lighting on the Commons: Watch as over a halfmillion 

lights and fireworks brighten the night sky 

on the John Deere Commons, Moline, at 6 p.m. Sat., 

Nov. 18. The free festivities start at 3:30 p.m. with 

tractor-drawn wagon rides, music performances, 

and refreshments at the John Deere Pavilion. 

At 7 p.m., the Quad City Mallards hockey team 

plays. Visit lightingonthecommons.com for more 

information. 

A Little Bit of Magic: The Quad City Symphony 

Orchestra will screen the film, Harry Potter and 

the Sorcerer’s Stone, with the musical score played 

live by the orchestra. The event will be held Sat., 

Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Adler Theatre, 

Davenport. Visit qcso.org/concerts/harry-potterand-the-sorcerers-stone-in-concert/ 

for more 

information. 

With 

Ela Ersan 

Pleasant Valley Junior 

High School 

PUMPKIN COOKIE DOUGH DIP! 

Here’s something new and different to bring to your Thanksgiving get-together. 

I can just eat this right off the spoon! 

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup butter, room temperature 

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 

1 tsp cinnamon 

1/2 tsp nutmeg 

1/8 tsp cloves 

2 tsps vanilla extract 

1 cup 100% pumpkin puree 

2 cups all-purpose flour 

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips 


Instructions: 

1. Cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about two 

minutes. 

2. Add in the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla, one at a time, until combined. 

3. Add in the pumpkin puree until fully combined. 

4. Slowly add the flour, a little at a time, with the mixer going. 

5. Stir in the chocolate chips and serve at room temperature. 

Source: wineandglue.com

Just For Kids 


Education 

Our New Business 

Tawnya Hambly 

Senior Director, Marketing & Special Events 

Junior Achievement of the Heartland 

In our last issue, we talked about businesses in our 

neighborhood. A business is a place where families go to get 

goods and services to meet their needs and wants. What do 

we call a person who starts a new business? Do you know? 

It’s an entrepreneur! An entrepreneur opens a business 

based on what products and services families need or want. 

Entrepreneurs (business owners) provide those goods and 

services, and by doing so, create jobs in our community. 

In this article, we are going to pretend to be entrepreneurs 

by opening a new business in our community to help solve a 

problem. Are you ready? 

Scenario One: Our community has a problem. When 

families in our neighborhood go on vacation, they have 

trouble finding care for their small pets like hamsters, 

guinea pigs, hermit crabs, and birds. These pets can’t go to a 

boarding kennel like a dog. What business can we create to 

help our neighbors solve this problem? 

List your ideas here: 

_______________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________ 

What will you name your new business? ______________ 

_______________________________________________ 

Scenario Two: Many people in our neighborhood are 

having trouble finding birthday cakes in fun shapes for 

children’s parties. What business can we create to help with 

this want? 

List your ideas here: 

_______________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

_____________________________________________ 

What will you name your business? ___________________ 

What other items can you sell at your business? __________ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

The needs and wants of people in our neighborhood 

create an opportunity for entrepreneurs to make money, and 

create jobs for other people. 

What other jobs are available at your new business? _____ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________ 

Congratulations on your new businesses! It’s fun to 

identify the needs and wants in our community and businesses 

that can help. Take a look around your neighborhood and see 

what opportunities you can find. You might be able to start a 

new business that will help others. 

Article content is a part of JA Ourselves® curriculum, a program 

for Kindergarten students developed by Junior Achievement USA®. 


Dedication 

The Student Hunger Drive: 

Collecting Food for Those in Need 

Evin Ersan 

Junior Reporter for QC Family Focus Magazine 

Happy November! 

Welcome to this month’s 

Education Dedication Report. 

These past few months 

have been very important for 

many high schools in the Quad 

City area. The schools have 

been diligently collecting food 

for those in need. This massive 

hunger drive project happens 

once a year. It’s a chance for 

those of us who have meals 

on a regular basis to give to those who do not. I was 

lucky enough to be able to interview respected student, 

and one of Pleasant Valley High School’s Hunger Drive 

coordinators, Rebecca Abdullah. 

Evin: What is the Hunger Drive and who does it 

benefit? 

Rebecca: The Quad Cities Student Hunger Drive 

is a non-profit organization that strives to unite and 

empower area high school students in the commitment 

to feed the hungry and promote volunteerism. 

Evin: Is there a goal for how much food/money the 

school wants to raise this year? 

Rebecca: This year, Pleasant Valley High School 

has a goal of raising 60,000 pounds for 

the campaign! However, the nutritional 

value of the goods is more important 

than the number of items donated. 

We are focusing more on collecting a 

variety of quality items, rather than the 

largest quantity of items. 

Evin: Are other schools involved 

in the Hunger Drive? 

Rebecca: Pleasant Valley High 

School is just one of 16 participating 

high schools. The River Bend 

Foodbank emphasizes to students 

that one in five of their classmates 

is impacted by hunger, and they 

encourage students to think about that 

when donating. 

Evin: Which organizations has 

the Hunger Drive worked with? 

Rebecca:The Student Hunger Drive has paired 

with the River Bend Foodbank as they are entering their 

32nd annual campaign to award high schools in terms of 

pounds per student collected that will benefit families in 

the community. 

Evin: Are there still opportunities for students to 

volunteer their time? 

Rebecca: Yes! In fact, River Bend Foodbank 

also provides a multitude of volunteer opportunities to 

students, from tasks as simple as folding boxes to actually 

hand-delivering meals to people in need. They want to 

motivate students to give back to their community and 

help others. 

Evin: I want to thank Rebecca Abdullah for sharing 

information about the Hunger Drive with all of us. She 

has been working extremely hard, along with the PV 

Hunger Drive team, to ensure that the student population 

is informed, involved, and committed to giving back. I 

also want to give a shout-out to all of the other schools 

who are taking on this cause and doing their part as well! 

If you’d like to donate or volunteer, contact your local 

high school or the River Bend Foodbank. 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 

For more information about the Student Hunger 

Drive and what happens to the food after it’s collected, 

check out my video on the QC Family Focus Facebook 

page or the Mickle Communications YouTube channel. 

QC Family Focus - November 2017 17

myCA$H Savings Program for Teens 

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union 

The teenage years mark significant changes in a 

person’s life. It’s time to start thinking about getting a 

part-time job, a car, and even thinking about what life will 

look like after high school. It’s helpful for teens to start 

understanding how to manage money and save for big 

transitions. 

It’s important to start off on the right foot with money 

because your credit score can affect your ability to open 

accounts at financial institutions, get loans, and even get 

some jobs. Credit cards, car loans, and student loans are 

often early determining factors of a person’s credit score. 

For young people, all of this can be overwhelming. But 

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union is a resource for the whole 

community to help people reach their financial goals, 

including teenagers. 

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union has revamped their 

teen savings account into the new myCA$H program. 

The myCA$H account teaches money basics to teens 13 

to 18 years of age. Teen members have access to many 

of the great products and services the credit union offers, 

including free checking and savings accounts, mobile 

banking, and debit/ATM cards. MyCA$H members are 

also eligible for auto loans, credit cards, and student loans 

with a co-signer and subject to credit approval. 

Besides educating teens about money management, 

the credit union encourages good financial habits by 

including: 

• $5 for first direct deposit sign-up 

• $5 for e-statement sign-up 

• $5 for debit card sign-up 

• $10 for Visa credit card sign-up 

• $10 for first $500 saved 

R.I.A. Federal Credit Union firmly believes it’s 

never too early to start learning about and saving money. 

That is why we have a variety of resources for teens 

online to learn about topics such as budgeting basics, 

breakdown of a credit score, student loans, living 

on your own, loan basics, organizing your finances, 

and many more! Short videos, infographics, and blog 

posts on these topics can be found at riafcu.com/ 

itsamoneything. 

This doesn’t mean that you can’t stop in and chat 

with someone at our branches to answer any questions 

you have related to finances, and our products and 

services! The credit union also offers free financial 

counseling through our partner GreenPath Financial 

Wellness. A representative from the company can assist 

people with budgeting and credit building. 

Signing up for a myCA$H account is easy! Just stop 

by any of our branches with a parent or guardian and $5 

to open your account today. R.I.A. Federal Credit Union 

is open to the entire Quad Cities community. Give us a 

call at (563) 355-3800 if you have questions regarding 

the myCA$H account or how we can help you. 

teen account 

riafcu.com/mycash 


‘Tis the season for hearty, stick-to-your-ribs slow-cooker meals. This one 

does not disappoint! It’s an easy slow-cooker dinner your family will love, 

with rich pieces of roast beef in a creamy gravy, layered with egg noodles. 

This is quite possibly the easiest way to make beef and noodles! 

Slow-Cooker Beef & Noodles 

Ingredients: 

2 lbs. beef roast 1 pkt. dry onion soup mix 

14 oz. can beef consomme 14 oz. can cream of mushroom soup 

1 lb. sliced mushrooms 8 oz. egg noodles 

1 c. half & half or whole milk salt 

pepper 

olive oil 

Instructions: 

1. Heat a shallow skillet with olive oil to medium-high heat. Generously season 

the roast with salt and pepper. When the pan is hot, sear the roast on both 

sides for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the roast from the pan and place in 6 quart slow-cooker. 

2. Sprinkle on the onion soup mix and pour in the two soups. Lay on the sliced mushrooms. Cover and cook on 

LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. 

3. Remove the lid and shred the roast with two forks to separate the meat. Add in the egg noodles, stirring to cover 

with the juice. Cook for an additional 1 hour on LOW. 

4. Remove the lid, stir, and add in the half & half or milk, stirring to combine. 

5. Serve warm over mashed potatoes, biscuits, or just eat as-is! 

The month of November is all about pie, and apple pie is at the top of that list! But what about pie for us 

lazy bakers? This pie tastes just like a fancy, traditional one, yet is super-easy, thanks to the rustic crust. 

Eat with a plate and fork or grab a slice on the go! 

Rustic Flat Bottom Apple Pie 

Ingredients: 

Filling 

3 apples, peeled and sliced thin 1/4 c. brown sugar 

1/4 c. sugar 1 T. flour 

1/8 t. salt juice of 1/2 a lemon 

Pie Crust 

1 1/2 c. flour 1/2 t. salt 

3/4 stick cold unsalted butter, cubed 1/4 c. shortening 

1 egg, beaten 2 1/2 T. cold water 

1/2 T. white vinegar 

Instructions: 

1. In a bowl, combine the filling – sliced apples, sugars, salt, flour and lemon juice. Set aside. 

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease a large rimmed baking sheet. 

3. To make the crust, place the dry ingredients in a bowl. Using a pastry cutter, cut in the cold butter cubes and 

shortening until it resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in the beaten egg, cold water, and vinegar. The dough should 

come together easily. 

4. Sprinkle flour over a large, flat surface. Place the dough on the flour and sprinkle more flour on top. Pat into a 

ball. Using a rolling pin, starting from the middle, roll out to the edges. Do this to make a circle (it doesn’t need to 

be perfect, remember it is rustic) until about 1/3 inch thick. 

5. Gently lift the dough onto the greased baking sheet. You may need assistance from spatulas to get underneath 

the dough. 

6. Pour the bowl of apples into the middle of the dough. Gently fold the dough up and over the apples, leaving an 

open space in the middle. Brush with egg wash if desired. 

7. Bake for 35 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Serve at warm temperature 

with vanilla ice cream. 

For more of Ally’s recipes check out the 

recipe section at www.qcfamilyfocus.com 

or www.sweetandsavoryfood.com 


Where Can You 

Go To Find 

LOCAL 

HONEST 

HARDWORKING 

FUN & THE 

BEST 

Businesses in 

Quad Cities? 

It’s not always easy to find places that are 

Reliable. Helpful. Respectful. 

Help others 

find great 

places too 

LocalsLoveUs.com 


Dare to Compare When It Comes to Travel Costs 

Cathie Rochau 

Marketing, Quad City International Airport 

Fall is here, and your friendly 

reminder from the Quad City International 

Airport (QCIA) is to think about making 

holiday and winter travel plans, if you 

haven’t already. But first, consider this: Do 

you dare to compare? Do you check the 

prices of other airfares and airports before 

booking your travel? 

The QCIA has launched a True 

Cost Trip Calculator. Just enter the airfares 

you have researched into the Calculator, along with your 

address (to calculate mileage), the number of days you will 

park at the airport, and something many might not consider – 

the value of your time. The Calculator will take your data and 

provide amounts to compare. The Calculator may show you 

wouldn’t save money at all, if you drove away from the Quad 

City area to catch a flight. The overall expenses might exceed 

the anticipated savings. 

Recently, we’ve been in touch with area travel 

agents, and their feedback is that folks want to fly locally. Our 

convenience and ease of use are often praised by travelers. 

Plus, a regional airport offers a vital economic bonus to the 

community. The QCIA can get you where you need to go, with 

11 nonstop destinations: Atlanta, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, 

Detroit, Ft. Myers (via Punta Gorda, seasonal), Minneapolis-St. 

Paul, Las Vegas, Orlando-Sanford, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, 

FL, and Phoenix-Mesa. 

American, United and Delta airlines offer domestic 

and international connectivity through major hubs like Dallas- 

Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, and Atlanta. Nonstop flights to 

five Allegiant vacation destinations has increased our ability 

to retain leisure travelers and serve families who appreciate 

nonstop flights to Florida, Las Vegas, and the Phoenix-Mesa 

area. The Ft. Myers and Mesa areas are very popular for Quad 

City area snowbirds. Conveniences like shorter lines, free 

wi-fi, two restaurants and gift shops, along with an overall 

hassle-free experience, mean so much to our travelers. That 

is why so many pick the QCIA again and again. 

Be sure to try out the True Cost Trip Calculator at 

www.qcairport.com/trip. We’d like to say thank you to all 

of our travelers, past, present, and future. We love hearing 

from you! Now, where to fly next...? 

TRAVEL PHOTO CONTEST WINNER! 

The QCFFTravel Photo Contest winner, Laura 

Gibson, came in first with her breathtaking shot of Nassau, 

Bahamas (shown here)! Be sure to check out other great 

contest entries at Facebook.com/QCFFTravel. Laura will 

receive a Quad City 

International Airport 

Travel Bag filled with 

swag, as well as a 

free parking coupon 

good for a future trip. 

Check out Facebook. 

com/QCFFTravel 

for more information, 

and be sure to hit 

‘Like’ when you visit 

the page! 

Start here. 

Get here. 

Fly nonstop to 11 cities, plus hundreds of connections beyond. 

Call your travel agent or the airline for fares and schedules. Visit qcairport.com 


Take A Hike 

(And Get More Out Of It)! 

Steve Van Dinter 

Public Relations Manager, 

Great Lakes Market, Verizon 

With the cool fall air now upon us, weekend days 

are best spent exploring the great outdoors. With National 

Take a Hike Day on November 17, it’s the perfect time. 

However, just because you’re being one with nature doesn’t 

mean you have to completely break free from the tech in 

your life. In fact, your smartphone can be the perfect trail 

companion. 

From apps to accessories, there are plenty of ways 

technology can enhance your outdoor adventure. Check out 

the following tips to make the most of your experience: 

Plan your trek with All Trails: No matter if this is 

your first hike or you consider yourself an expert, there are 

always new trails to be discovered. Explore what’s around 

you by using All Trails. This app, which is free for Android 

and iOS devices, uses your phone’s GPS to find the closest 

hike to you. You’ll see where the trailhead is, how difficult 

the hike is and its length, plus some fun facts about what you 

might expect to see or experience along the way. 

Get credit for your journey with RunKeeper: All 

those steps should count, right? So make sure you’re keeping 

track the moment your shoes hit the dirt. Most common to 

runners, the app RunKeeper has a hike mode to keep track 

of time, distance and elevation. When complete, your hike 

information is recorded along with a map so you can go back 

and relive your experience anytime. 

Get lost! (Not really): If your journey takes you off 

the beaten path, no worries. Just make sure you can always 

find your way back to your car. In Google Maps, when you 

arrive at your location, simply open the map, click on the 

blue dot and choose “save your parking”. Now when you’re 

ready to head back to your car, you’ll always be able to 

find it. And a bonus tip: make sure you have access to your 

maps even if service is spotty. Click on the settings button in 

Google Maps, choose offline mode and make sure the area 

where you’re hiking is downloaded for offline use. 

March to your own beat: If music helps keep you 


motivated, be sure to pack the new Under Armour Sport 

Wireless Headphones. TwistLock TM technology ensures 

they’ll stay snug in your ear while nanocoatings will keep 

them protected from any sweat or rain you may encounter. 

And with a bluetooth wireless connection to your phone, 

you’ll never have to worry about wires getting in the way. 

Bring your friends along (even if they can’t 

physically be there): The beautiful thing about technology 

is how it helps us bridge gaps. If your friends can’t make 

your hike but would like to trail along digitally, be sure 

to pack the Samsung Gear 360 camera. This small and 

lightweight camera fits easily into a backpack or pocket. 

And when you’re ready to record your memories, you can 

take 360 degree video or pictures with it. Should you want 

to get fancy, the Samsung Gear 360 also lets you livestream 

on Facebook, YouTube and Samsung VR, so your family or 

friends can watch along in real-time! 

Protect your tech: You don’t have to be hiking 

a mountain to encounter dangerous terrain. That’s why 

keeping your smartphone protected with a case is key. You 

can’t go wrong with an Otterbox Defender, especially this 

one which not only protects your device from drops, but also 

is wearing full camo to blend in! Or, if you’re looking to 

lighten your load, check out the UA Stash case. This protects 

your phone from up to a 10 foot drop, and also has a hidden 

compartment to store credit cards, your ID, and more. 

Enjoy nature even after you get back home: Just 

because your hike has ended doesn’t mean your eye on 

wildlife has to stop. With the Arlo Go camera, you can tune 

in to a live video stream of nature from anywhere, including 

your back porch in the city. Arlo Go has battery backup, is 

weatherproof and also connects to Verizon’s reliable LTE 

network, so you’ll always be connected. All you need to do 

is find the perfect place to set it up and then you’ll get a 

notification anytime wildlife is present.


EXPLORE A NEW DIRECTION IN 

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT 

ENRICH YOUR HEALTH WITH THE 

POWER OF COMMUNITY 

Jim Rohn, entrepreneur, claims that each of 

us is the average of the five people we spend the 

most time with. With that thought in mind, look 

around you. Do you live and work among people 

who maintain healthy lifestyles? Have you ever 

considered how your communities may impact your 

weight-loss attempts? At Weight Management @ 

The Group, we take the idea of a healthy community 

very seriously. 

During their time in our weight-loss program, 

we encourage our patients to harness the power 

of community. In fact, when they take advantage 

of our community building strategies, they are 

rewarded not just with increased support and 

greater likelihood of success, but also with a cost 

savings. For their weekly appointments, patients are 

encouraged to take part in Group Care. They are also 

encouraged to bring a buddy or family member into 

the program with them – a built-in support system! 

We’ve seen many couples change their lives using 

our Buddy program, and we welcome you and your 

Buddy to stop by and talk with us. 

Would you like to find a supportive community 

where you will have education, medical monitoring, 

and accountability? The weight management program 

at The Group will help you to reach a healthier weight 

and learn what your body needs to stay there. We have 

multiple pathways through our program, utilizing New 

Direction, a medically managed meal replacement 

product for those with greater than 40 pounds to 

lose, or a whole foods dietary approach for those 

who either have less to lose, or simply prefer to work 

with real food. Either nutritional path is combined 

with exercise, education, support and behavioral 

modification. 

We have been helping men and women lose 

weight and improve their health for almost two years. 

Stay ahead of the curve as we head into the Holidays. 

Come to our free education session and orientation, 

every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Obstetrics and 

Gynecology Specialists, P.C. 

If you would like to learn more about improving 

your diet and overall health, come see us at Weight 

Management @ The Group. Feel free to call The Group 

at (563) 355-1853 or visit obgyngroup.com. 

The Group Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists, P.C. 

5350 53rd Ave., Davenport | (563) 355-1853 | obgyngroup.com/weight-management 


Want to Lose Weight and Keep It Off? 

Look at Your Community 

Rachel Smith, ARNP 

Program Director 

Weight Management @ The Group 

Spend much time listening 

to or reading Dan Buettner’s work 

on the Blue Zones and you will 

soon understand the power of 

community to improve health and 

longevity. This idea is taking hold 

in healthcare in ways that will 

surely benefit us all. 

According to Jim Rohn, 

entrepreneur, each of us is the 

average of the five people we spend the most time with. 

With that in mind, look around you. Do you live and 

work among people who maintain healthy lifestyles? 

Have you ever considered how your communities may 

impact your weight-loss attempts? 

We take the idea of a healthy community 

very seriously at Weight Management @ The Group. 

Our patients are encouraged to harness the power of 

community throughout their time in our program. In 

fact, when they take advantage of our community 

building strategies, they are rewarded not just with 

increased support and greater likelihood of success, but 

also with a cost savings. For their weekly appointments 

in our comprehensive weight-loss program, patients 

are encouraged to take part in Group Care. They are 

also encouraged to bring a buddy or family member 

into the program with them – a built-in support system, 

so to speak. We’ve seen many couples change their 

lives using our Buddy program. 

Wendy and Bill are one such couple. This is 

their story as told by Wendy: 

I began my journey through the Weight 

Management Program at The Group on December 

1, 2016. I noticed a brochure at my regular check-up 

last November, and the first thing that struck me as 

different from other weight-loss programs was the 

comprehensiveness of this program. I felt I would have 

more success with doctor supervision, the guidance 

of a nutritionist, and with a personal trainer onboard. 

I do feel that paramount to my success was having 

my husband work through the program with me. We 

definitely kept each other accountable, supported one 

another, and were eating the same food. 

My husband and I reached our weight-loss goal 

by mid-April 2017. We were definitely nervous about 

making the transition to ‘real’ food, but I became much 

better educated on healthy eating and better food 

choices over the course of our journey. I am happy 

to report that both of us continued to lose weight 

during maintenance, and have now stabilized. Bill 

and I exercise together most days of the week, and 

have settled into healthy eating patterns. My food 

prep looks completely different these days, and I 

am constantly searching the web for new recipes, as 

most of my old recipes were not healthy choices. 

Most importantly, I learned that sugar is the 

leading cause of inflammation in the body. I had 

previously doctored extensively for arthritis, as it was 

present in most joints of my body. I could not even 

walk a mile. Now, almost all my pain is completely 

gone, thanks to the weight loss and healthier eating, 

and I can easily walk five miles or more at a time and 

even jog! Who knew?! 

Making the decision to join The Group 

Weight Management Program is one of the best 

decisions I have made for myself in decades. I am so 

much healthier and happier, and am in a better place 

physically, mentally and emotionally than I have 

been for 30-plus years. 

For me there is no looking back, and the 

natural high I have experienced since completing 

this program remains my constant companion. 

Would you like to find a supportive community 

where you will have education, medical monitoring, and 

accountability? The weight management program at The 

Group will help you to reach a healthier weight and learn 

what your body needs to stay there. We have multiple 

pathways through our program, utilizing New Direction, 

a medically managed meal replacement product for those 

with greater than 40 pounds to lose, or a whole foods 

dietary approach for those who either have less to lose, 

or simply prefer to work with real food. Either nutritional 

path is combined with exercise, education, support and 

behavioral modification. 

We have been helping men and women lose 

weight and improve their health for almost two years. 

Stay ahead of the curve as we head into the Holidays. 

Come to our free education session and orientation, every 

Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Obstetrics and Gynecology 

Specialists, P.C. 

If you would like to learn more about improving 

your diet and overall health, come see us at Weight 

Management @ The Group. Feel free to call The Group 

at (563) 355-1853 or visit obgyngroup.com. 


Coping with Family Holiday Get-Togethers 

Denise Aden, MSW LISW 

Quad Cities Counseling What if you are alone for the holidays? You don’t 

In the best of all worlds, a family holiday gettogether 

is a time of happiness and trust, when everyone can 

share in the season’s joy. But sometimes, it doesn’t pan out 

that way! 

Not all members of a family get along. Siblings 

may linger in rivalry mode. Feuding spouses and ex-spouses 

may attend gatherings for the sake of their children. You 

may have family members who are single, widowed, or 

ostracized. Some relatives are never happy, and have no 

problem bringing their woe as a ‘plus one’ to events. 

Or, maybe you’re the one who is alone or unhappy, 

and the thought of seeing happy couples, smiling and playing 

with their kids, is about as appealing as root canal surgery. 

Helpful Tips 

If you want to minimize conflict at a gathering, 

think of conversation topics that people will enjoy and 

stick with them. Also know what topics to avoid! Don’t talk 

about politics or religion. If someone asks you an awkward 

question – like, “When are you going to find somebody and 

get married?” – remember, you aren’t obligated to disclose 

information. Just say, “That’s a topic for another day,” and 

change the topic. 

If someone is coming to the get-together alone, 

make sure others who are alone will be there, too. That 

way, they’ll have someone to talk with. Also, introduce 

other topics besides kids if there are single people. Travel, 

hobbies, and movies are topics everyone can enjoy. 

have to be alone, you know! Take a tray of cookies to folks 

who work that day, like employees at police stations and 

hospitals. Or, plan a trip for one. It can be a nearby day 

trip or something more exotic, if your budget allows. You 

might make some new friends! 

A Safe Place To Talk 

When family matters bring you down, you may 

wish to talk with an objective third party. Counseling offers 

you a safe space to discuss your feelings and frustrations. 

Input from an experienced counselor can provide 

important insights to help you get through the holidays, 

as well as other occasions when you might interact with 

the relatives in question. After all, you can’t avoid them 

forever – they’re family! 

You don’t have to face your family concerns alone. 

As a strength-based therapist, I have more than 30 years 

of experience helping people to navigate their problems. 

I can help you to develop stronger, healthier relationships 

with family members. 

If you’re interested in counseling, please call (563) 

213-5100 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. Also, 

you can visit quadcitiescounseling.com or email info@ 

quadcitiescounseling.com for more information. 

Denise Aden received her Masters in Social Work from Boston 

College and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Speech 

Communication from Drake University. She is a Licensed Independent 

Social Worker in the State of lowa. 

Client-Centered, Solution-Focused. 

Do any of the following statements 

resonate with you? 

· You feel isolated. 

· You lack confidence. 

· You struggle to have time for yourself. 

· You believe God has more for your life, 

but it just isn’t happening. 

If any of these are true for you, 

counseling can help. 


I’m Denise Aden, and I provide 

counseling services here in the Quad 

Cities area. I also offer counseling with a 

Christian perspective, if you wish. I have 

more than 30 years of experience, and 

my approach is warm, compassionate, 

client-centered and solution-focused. 

Looking for more peace in your life? 

Call me at (563) 213-5100 for 

a free consultation. 

Denise Aden, MSW, LISW 

1970 Spruce Hills Drive · Bettendorf, IA 52722 · (563) 213-5100 

info@quadcitiescounseling.com · quadcitiescounseling.com

Eye Emergencies 

Dr. Tina Eckhardt 

Eye Surgeons Associates 

Eye emergencies seem to 

always happen on the weekend, 

at night, or on a holiday. So what 

should you do if you have an eye 

emergency? 

First, what is an eye 

emergency? If you have any of 

these symptoms, seek medical 

attention immediately: 

• Pain in the eye or loss of vision. 

• Cut or torn eyelid. 

• Scratched eye. 

• Lack of movement in one or both eyes. 

• Protruding eye. 

• Abnormal pupil size or shape. 

• Blood in the white of the eye. 

• Something embedded in the eye. 

• Something under the eyelid that cannot be removed. 

In cases of trauma (even if the injury seems 

minor at first), steps should be taken immediately as you 

prepare to visit the emergency room or your eye doctor. 

Delaying medical attention could be dangerous, since 

prompt attention to injury can save vision. Do not touch, 

rub, or apply pressure to the eye. Here are some simple 

tasks you can do to help save vision: 

• Direct blow to the eye: Rest a protective shield, 

such as a Styrofoam cup, on the bone surrounding 

the eye. Take care not to add pressure to the eye. 

• Black eye: Apply an ice pack or cold cloth over the 

eye. 

• Foreign object in the eye: Most small particles 

can be flushed out with eye wash saline solution, 

available over the counter. 

• Chemical burn: Rinse the eye with fresh water for 

at least 15 minutes. Hold your head under running 

water or use a clean container to pour water into 

the eye. Roll your eye to ensure the water reaches 

all areas that may have come in contact with the 

chemical. 

• Metal shavings in the eye: Do not attempt to remove 

metal by rinsing, using a magnet, or pushing on the 

eye. Cover the eye and immediately seek medical 

assistance. 

Emergencies during regular office hours can 

normally be assessed by calling your eye doctor’s 

office for a same-day appointment. After-hours and 

on weekends, call your doctor’s office for the afterhours 

phone number to reach the doctor on-call and/ 

or go immediately to the emergency room. 

BIO: Tina Eckhardt, M.D., is a board-certified 

comprehensive ophthalmologist at Eye Surgeons 

Associates with special interest in contact lens fittings and 

dry eye. Dr. Eckhardt practices at our office in Bettendorf, 

Iowa. For more information, please visit esaeyecare.com. 

The material contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not 

intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the 

advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. 

LASIK 

Enter to Win 

Attend our seminar Wednesday, November 15 and 

enter to win. 

Spend just an hour with us, learning about LASIK and 

see how you can eliminate or reduce your need for 

glasses or contacts. Eye Surgeons offers advanced 

laser vision correction options for astigmatism, near 

and farsightedness. 

RSVP or Schedule a Free Consultation: lcochran@eyesurgeonspc.com 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 6:00 P.M. 

Eye Surgeons Associates, Rock Island Office, 4731 45 th Street Court 

(563) 323-9999 l esaeyecare.com 

The Free LASIK is not transferable and you must qualify for the procedure. This offer cannot be redeemed for cash, and has no 

cash value other than the value of the goods and services provided. Must be present to win. LASIK may not be suitable for all 

patients. Individual results may vary. The informed consent document will provide you with the risks and benefits of the surgery. 


Do you have Tinnitus? 

Do your ears Ring? 

Do I Need to 

Have My Hearing 

Tested Every 

Year or Two? 

Heather Sandy, MA, CCC-A 

Audiology Consultants 

Age-related hearing loss is a common condition 

affecting older adults. The National Institutes of Health 

(NIH), one of the world’s foremost medical research 

centers, reports approximately one in three people in the 

United States between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing 

loss. Age-related hearing loss often occurs slowly over 

time and may be difficult to notice at first. For this 

reason, it is a good idea to have your hearing tested at 

the first signs of hearing difficulty. 

An Audiologist is the health care professional 

who can evaluate, diagnose and manage hearing 

disorders. If there is any potential medical concern, we 

may recommend you see your primary care physician 

or an ear, nose and throat physician. 

If hearing loss is found and hearing aids are an 

option, the Audiologist is an expert in the selection and 

fitting of appropriate hearing aids. If you use hearing 

aids, we recommend a hearing test annually to make sure 

you are receiving maximum benefit from your hearing 

aids. Modern hearing aids can typically be adjusted to 

changes in your hearing. Small adjustments to hearing 

aids can lead to great improvements in communication 

ability. 

Even if hearing aids are not recommended, it is 

a good idea to monitor your hearing on a regular basis. 

Gradual changes in hearing are hard to notice in our 

everyday activities. Some people get very good at lipreading 

or guessing at what is being said. An annual 

hearing test will identify changes before they begin to 

negatively affect your quality of life. 

Untreated hearing loss has been linked to many 

other health conditions, such as cognitive decline, 

dementia, heart disease and depression. Monitoring 

your hearing can ensure timely identification and 

effective treatment of hearing loss. 


Call today for more information on our 

Tinnitus Services and how we can help! 

600 Valley View Dr., 

Lower Level, 

Moline, IL 

(309) 517-3889 

2215 E. 52nd St., 

Ste. #2, 

Davenport, IA 

(563) 355-7712 

3426 N. Port Dr., 

Ste. 500 

Muscatine, IA 

(563) 264-9406 

Hammond-Henry Hospital 

600 N. College Ave., 

Geneseo, IL 

(309) 944-9181 

www.audiologyconsultants.com

A Time of “Life Review” 

There comes a time when most everyone goes through 

a “life review” – a time to reflect upon the direction of our life. 

This life review may make us want to change our 

current situation. We may want to tie up any “loose ends.” We 

may wish to make our lives easier, so we can enjoy each day 

to the fullest. We may decide to spend more quality time with 

loved ones. 

This life review is a time of questioning: Are there things 

I’ve left unsaid or undone? Did I live the way I should have? Do 

I have regrets? What can be done now, given the constraints of 

age and health? What have I passed down to others? It’s never 

too late to make changes. 

The older we are, the more loss we have suffered – the 

loss of loved ones and of our own abilities. So stay open to new 

experiences, whether joyful or sorrowful, and the wisdom that 

is yet to come. 

Below is an article written by one of our residents and published 

in our weekly newsletter. She is speaking from experience. 

Muses from the Arcade Café 

by Marjaleen Soehl 

At this stage of life, when I stop to think about how 

and when did I notice signs of my aging, I thought it would be 

interesting to jot down some of the signs. Now, I realize it was a 

definite process. 

My early sign was the change in activities. I developed 

a joy in bird-watching, which I never seemed to have time for. 

I noticed instead of biking, I took up slow walking. I certainly 

didn’t plan long hikes anymore. 

Also, I noticed a decided 

friendship was developing between 

my recliner and me. 

My attitude changed toward living in a 

retirement facility, and later my attitude toward 

“Assisted Living” changed. 

I was thrilled to find out that to “Twiddle My 

Thumbs” counted as an exercise here in “Assisted Living,” 

as we did it every day in exercise class. Also, that my 

exercise program all could be done from a sitting position. 

When jobs needed to be done in my apartment, 

I found I often used the phrase, “Oh, there’s always 

mañana.” 

I also noticed I’ve acquired and accumulated 

special equipment, like a cane, a walker, and a scooter. 

Actually, I have two canes and two different types of 

walkers. It gives me a feeling of security to have a spare. 

I am not even going to mention the physical 

ailments that have played a big part in this sign-of-agingprocess. 

That’s just a given. 

However, through this whole process, I had many 

joys and at this stage – still have them! Praise the Lord! 

At Ridgecrest, you can live a life filled with new experiences and 

new friends. Here, you can think about your “life review” and 

begin tackling those things still left undone. Contact Mary or 

Karen at (563) 391-3430 for a tour. 

– Karen McCoy, Marketing Consultant, Ridgecrest Village 

We invite you to join us for our popular holiday event... 

Forest of Trees 

Friday, 

December 8th 

1 - 3 pm 

in the 

Ridgecrest Arcade 

View our beautifully 

decorated campus 

and enjoy holiday 

refreshments. 

There is no charge to attend. 

Bake sale items will be 

available for purchase. 

Can’t make it to the event? The trees wil be on display all season. 

Just give us a call to schedule a personalized tour. 

To RSVP (by Dec. 4th), or to schedule a personalized 

tour, call Mary or Karen at (563) 391-3430. 

Our Continued Care programs: 

n Independent Living 

n Assisted Living (with a Memory Care neighborhood) 

n 24 Hour Nursing Care 

4130 Northwest Blvd., Davenport, IA • www.ridgecrestvillage.org 


Shannon Swanson 

Manager, IL Branch 

Good Samaritan Society Services@Home 

Well into my twenties, I had 

meaningful relationships with each of my 

four grandparents. With that blessing came 

the realization of everything it takes to be a 

caregiver. I watched both of my parents care 

for their parents right up to their time of 

death. 

My mother, the baby of seven 

children, had three sisters and their husbands 

who worked together to provide her parents 

with the help they needed. Whether it was 

assistance with finances, help with running errands, late-night 

phone calls when one of the parents fell and ended up on the floor 

– the situations were endless. 

I’m sure at times, my mom and her three sisters thought 

they were full-time caregivers while juggling their careers and 

family lives as well. But, they had each other to help meet the 

needs of my grandparents. Because of that constant caring, my 

grandfather was able to spend his last days at home with his family, 

and my grandmother could spend her last years living with one 

of my aunts and traveling as she pleased to her other daughters’ 

homes on weekends. 

My father’s story of being a caregiver was different. My 

father was the surviving child of three kids. He didn’t have siblings 

to help him. He relied on what availability his wife and kids had 

to assist in whatever way they could, all while juggling his career 

The Caregiver: A Hero 

Without a Costume 

and family life. Due to various health issues, his parents 

were in and out of multiple hospital stays, assisted living and 

eventually long-term care facilities within a two-and-a-half 

year period. My father was by their side, helping with every 

process. Because of the relentless care and tough decisions 

my father made for his parents’ health and well-being, they 

were able to stay in their home as long as possible and then 

spend the remainder of their years in the Quad Cities’ top 

facilities. 

Even though both of my parents were able to lean 

on Services@Home to help with some of the responsibility, 

their job was never-ending. It’s referred to as being part of 

the “sandwich generation” – it’s a job no one technically 

signs up for, but most willingly accept. 

In honor of National Family Caregiver’s Month, 

Services@Home recognizes all of you who are currently 

dealing or have dealt with the trials of being a caregiver. In 

my opinion, it is one of the most emotionally, physically, and 

mentally challenging jobs that anyone could take on. You 

are a hero in your own right, stronger than you know, and 

your family is blessed to have you. 

If your family needs assistance, just remember: 

Good Samaritan Society – Services@Home provides care 

such as housekeeping, medication reminders, preparing 

meals, grocery shopping, and helping with other cares so 

people can remain independent at home. To learn more, 

please call 844-359-4446 or visit www.good-sam.com/ 

quadcityhome. 

T he fact you can’t 

be there doesn’t have 

to mean they can’t 

live there. 

To learn more about our services in 

The Quad Cities and surrounding 

areas call (844) 359-4446. 

All faiths or beliefs are welcome. 


m mickle 

communications 

video•print•design•marketing 

“We LOVE the video. 

You guys killed it!” 

Rene Gellerman- Senior Vice-President, 

Member Services- Quad Cities Chamber 

“No other company in the Midwest is 

doing what you are doing.” 

Eric Powell-Manager, 

Program Development- TLC Network 

563.940.7875 • MICKLECOMMUNICATIONS.COM 

Thank You Quad Cities! You just made Mickle 

Communications the Quad Cities MOST LOVED Video 

Production Company for the THIRD YEAR in a row!!! 

#whatcanwedoforyou 


SAVE $3 on Tickets! 

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Use offer code: QCFAM • Expires: 12/3/17 

Valid on Select Performances. Restrictions and exclusions may apply. No double discounts. Subject to availability. Excludes premium seats. 

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NOV 30 – DEC 3

Nov Web Issue 17

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