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📚 Cooking Up Literacy Tip of the Week Find something your family enjoys reading and read it together. It can be a favorite picture book, chapter book, poem, song, recipe, or other literacy material. You might read aloud, take turns reading, or listen together using a tool such as Audible. Then invite your child to read—or reread—a favorite part. Most importantly, have fun with it! Try these three simple steps: READ IT. Enjoy the words together. TALK ABOUT IT. Ask what was fu

Honored to celebrate Mr. Anthony “A.D.” Dixon and his extraordinary 49-year career with H.J. Russell & Company—a legacy of engineering, program and construction management, leadership, mentorship, and service, grounded in faith, family, character, and values. Congratulations on a remarkable career and a well-earned retirement! There are some celebrations that do more than mark the end of a career. They cause you to examine the way a person has lived—and perhaps even the way y

A night of mysteries, movement, excavation, reading—and plenty of discovery—at McDonough Public Library What happens when a story doesn't stay on the page? Last Thursday night at McDonough Public Library, nine families helped us answer that question. Children and caregivers didn't simply sit and listen to Unearth a Story. They became part of it. They participated in Reader's Theater. They followed a mystery. They navigated through learning zones. They investigated clues. They

Community service, family connection, and young people discovering the value of giving back At What’s Stirring Family Foundation, we believe strong communities grow when families, schools, young people, nonprofits, and community organizations find meaningful ways to connect and serve together. Sometimes that means creating opportunities for families to learn together. Sometimes it means sharing resources. And sometimes it simply means showing up and asking, “How can we help?”

What Mustang Football Club can teach us about turning our talents, passions, and time into meaningful learning experiences for children Mustang student-athletes share their love of football with younger children through hands-on drills and activities, with coaches providing guidance and support—turning a day on the field into an opportunity to learn, lead, connect, and grow. At What’s Stirring Family Foundation, we believe literacy and learning don't have to begin with a work

Rest, joy, and everyday family moments can create powerful opportunities for children to learn, connect, and grow. Sometimes the most powerful insights about education come from the people experiencing it every day—our kids. This week’s Cooking Up Literacy Tips were inspired by a conversation I had with a middle schooler and an upper elementary student after we listened to a recent podcast featuring The Joy School, a school that provides children with learning differences ind

On the afternoon of Saturday, August 1, families at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta – Lawrenceville Back-to-School Event left with more than school supplies—they left with opportunities to create lasting memories together. We were delighted to place copies of What's Stirring: Fun, Food, and Family, the first book in the What's Stirring cookbook series, into the hands of 15 wonderful families. 📸 Take a look at the photos below of families proudly holding their new cook

Our second Cooking Up Literacy event was filled with surprises, smiles, and lots of learning! Sometimes the best adventures begin unexpectedly, and that's exactly what happened. We packed up, moved to a new room, and before long, the fun was in full swing! Families with children from the primary grades through high school rolled up their sleeves and created TWO delicious recipes—refreshing Lively Lemon Mint Water and creamy Homemade Ice Cream. But the recipes were only the be

To every family who joined us on Friday, thank you for making this event so memorable. There is something special that happens when families slow down long enough to spend time together. We watched parents and children cook together, laugh together, learn together, and even sing together. In that environment, learning happens naturally. Children expanded their vocabulary as they talked about ingredients. They explored science while creating a Blueberry Chocolate Chip Parfait.

We're kicking off the new school year by stirring up literacy, healthy cooking, financial confidence, and STEM—one family at a time! We can't wait to share this exciting weekend with our community. There is something special about the excitement of a new school year. New backpacks. New friendships. New opportunities. At What's Stirring Family Foundation, we believe it's also the perfect time to remind families that some of the best learning happens together—around the kitchen

Take a walk, share new words, and stay hydrated—every step is a chance to learn together. Can I let you in on a little challenge? Like many families, we know it's not always easy to drink enough water each day. We also know that finding time for outdoor play, physical movement, and reading can feel like one more thing to squeeze into an already busy schedule. So why not combine them? Grab a water bottle and head outside for a family Walk, Talk & Water adventure! As you walk,

Honoring the legacies of George Washington Carver and Gus Schumacher by growing healthier children, stronger communities, and brighter futures. George Washington Carver once encouraged people to see farming as more than growing crops—it was a way to care for the land, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for future generations. Decades later, Gus Schumacher carried that same spirit forward by championing local farmers and helping connect communities with fresh, he

Cooking Up Literacy Tip! Did you know that every glass of water can become an opportunity to build your child's literacy and math skills? At Cooking Up Literacy, we believe learning happens in everyday moments. The next time your family reaches for a glass of water, try one of these fun activities that encourage healthy hydration while strengthening language and math skills. 💧 Vocabulary Sip Challenge Choose one new vocabulary word for the day and make it your family's "Wate

Every family literacy event reminds me that success is often measured in conversations, smiles, and the moments that happen around the table. This weekend's Cooking Up Literacy experience welcomed seven families, and every family shared something encouraging. Each one said they learned something new about fruits and that they were more likely to include more fruit in their family's meals. Just as meaningful, families talked about enjoying the opportunity to bond together, hav

The Kitchen: One of the Best Classrooms in Your Home What did you notice?" That may be one of the most powerful questions a parent can ask. Whether your child is washing blueberries, counting strawberries, measuring yogurt, or reading a recipe aloud, they're doing much more than preparing a snack—they're building vocabulary, practicing math, strengthening reading skills, and learning to communicate. This is called food-based learning, and it's one of the easiest ways to make

What if one afternoon could inspire a child to make healthier choices, become more confident with money, and create lasting memories with their family? That's the vision behind our upcoming Cooking Up Literacy event in partnership with Chase Bank – Dacula Branch. Imagine a child proudly learning their first money-saving tip from a Chase team member. A few minutes later, they're creating a colorful no-bake chocolate blueberry parfait alongside their parent, discovering that he

Today we're grateful for the freedom to learn, share a meal, and make memories with those we love. Happy Fourth of July! The Fourth of July reminds us to pause and appreciate many of the freedoms we often take for granted. While communities gather to celebrate in different ways, it is also a wonderful opportunity to spend meaningful time with the people who matter most. At What's Stirring Family Foundation, we believe some of life's greatest lessons happen around the table. A

There was a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary. Their two children wanted to give them something meaningful—something that couldn't be wrapped in a box or purchased from a store. They decided to create a special breakfast experience, carefully planning a morning their parents would always remember. Then life happened. Unexpected circumstances required the couple to spend the morning apart, attending to matters that simply couldn't wait. The breakfast the children ha

Every lasting partnership begins like a seed—with intentional cultivation, patience, and a shared vision for a stronger community. There is something beautiful about watching a seed become something more. A farmer does not simply scatter seeds and expect an immediate harvest. The soil must be prepared. The seed must be planted. Water is needed. Weeds must be removed. Time, patience, and consistent care all become part of the process. Cultivation is intentional. As I reflect o

The journey matters most. When people ask me why I write books with my children, they often assume it's simply about creating a finished product. While I'm certainly proud of each cookbook we publish, the books themselves are only part of the story. The greatest gift has been the journey of writing together. As a parent, I naturally become the teacher. I guide my children through the writing process by asking questions, providing direct instruction, encouraging research, and