In the heart of our small town stood a time-honored establishment with a story as rich as the spirits lining its shelves. The family liquor store, once an ice cream parlor in the roaring twenties, transitioned through the years into a thriving hub for libations. My journey within its walls began at the tender age of 14, marking the beginning of a unique chapter in my life that taught me the value of hard work, family bonds, and resilience.

The 1960s was a decade defined by a cultural revolution, and against this backdrop, Junior Achievement (J.A.) emerged as a key player in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among the youth. This blog explores the unique confluence of human capital development and entrepreneurship within Junior Achievement during the psychedelic 1960s, shedding light on the organization's role in shaping not just business acumen but also the creative and innovative mindset of young individuals.

Goals, achievements, or priorities? It doesn’t matter what they are called; everyone should have them. Yes, even young children. Maybe it is to have good grades or something as simple as making their bed, doing choirs, or trying a new food or activity. Generally, goals are made as part of a New Year’s Resolution, but since most resolutions typically don’t last a couple of weeks, you might need some techniques to help. The secret sauce ensures the why is discussed, especially if it is a goal inspired by a parent or grandparent.

As the Greatest Generation member, my mom was technologically advanced, especially for her age. She was a wiz with spreadsheets. She created manual spreadsheets before technology caught up to her. She eagerly took to social media, even posting her version of a selfie to share with family and friends. Computer, Smart Phone, IPad, yep, she used them all. But she gladly leaned on her children and grandchildren for technology questions.

Picture this: It's a sunny September school day in a quaint little town where everyone knows your family inside and out, including your family's bustling business. It's snack Tuesday, and like clockwork, the solemn nuns take the scheduled 10-minute snack break where the opportunity to purchase a penny candy or a single-stick salted pretzel on the honor system, has just begun. The line was about to be open for their hungry guests.

Growing up with siblings can be a wild ride.

In my family, we were all girls, with three sisters born a year apart and another two born five and nine years later. Talk about 2 families! Even with the age differences, we were all born in the baby boomer generation, which added to our being vastly different in every way imaginable. The only thing we had in common? Sharing one bathroom. Needless to say, growing up was far from easy.

Decades have passed, everyone scattered from our little local community, and the wild commonality, along with the time spent together, became less and less. What do you do?

Teaching your grandchildren about spiritual capital is a profoundly meaningful and enduring gift that can leave a lasting impact, shaping their character and values throughout their lives. The process of instilling these profound principles can take various forms, and each aspect is essential in nurturing their spiritual growth.

I am guessing that you are no different from me. You’ve got “stuff.” Yes, we all have "stuff." Our stuff collection probably began 40+ years ago when we innocently compiled a list of gift ideas for our wedding registry. A Lenox place setting for one, until you reach serving for 12…people, and you did. Christmas, birthday, and anniversary ideas?

As grandparents, we cherish the moments we spend with our grandchildren. It's a time to impart wisdom, share stories, and, yes, teach important life lessons. Among these, one of the most valuable lessons we can pass on is about financial capital – the money stuff that shapes their future. In this blog, we'll explore why teaching kids about money is vital from a grandparent's perspective and offer practical tips for helping them understand its significance.

What were the longest 48 hours in YOUR Life?

A mere 2,880 minutes. 172,800 seconds. How hard could it be to live through something like that?

I have always been fascinated by time in my entire existence on this earth. The old film of the 1960s, The Time Machine with Yvette Mimieux, takes a scientist into the future to find a Utopian society. Or maybe you remember, Back to the Future, where they find out you never really know what your parents were like when they were our age.

So, guess what? My granddaughters came over to hang out with me for a whole four days! You won't believe how happy it made me when they both got super excited about cooking. My older granddaughter has cooked with me before, but this was the first time my younger granddaughter wanted to join in on the fun, too!

Knowledge refers to the information, facts, and skills acquired through learning, education, and experience. It involves understanding the "what" and "how" of various subjects or areas of expertise. For grandparents, knowledge may come from a variety of sources, including their own life experiences, formal education, and the wisdom passed down through generations. In today's digital age, they may also acquire knowledge through technology and the internet.

My mom always encouraged me to make my bed in the morning. But as a youngster, I always wondered what the point was. I woke up in the morning, left for school, came home, did homework, ate dinner, watched TV, and then went back to bed. Why make my bed when I return in the evening to unmake it again? Little did I know she was teaching me how to change the world.

My husband is a historian, and I'm a museum freak. We both will visit any museum we can find when we travel. We are using our passion with our grandchildren. Granted, many school groups visit museums through their schools, but when you have 30+ kids running through a museum, there is no real quality time with each exhibit, nor is there any context into what they are seeing. They have check-off lists. Did they see a duck? Did they see an ancient coin? It may be a fun scavenger hunt for the kids, but how much information do they retain? And there is no context.

Let's start tripping…

Near or far, we've got a few exciting ways for grandparents and grandkids to connect, learn, and have a blast together using the power of modern technology. Read on if you want to make lasting memories and build a strong bond, no matter the distance. So, put on your digital thinking caps, and let's embark on an incredible journey together!

Today we are going to talk about virtual travel and a few tips and tricks.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...I moved to Georgia to be a teacher. I was accustomed to answering questions with yes/no at my home galaxy of Illinois. To my surprise, in this galaxy known as the South, all my students would say "Yes, Ma'am" and "No, Ma'am." But after a little cultural emersion, I really began appreciating this bit of etiquette. In fact, I, too, began to use "Yes, Ma'am" and "No, Ma'am" and "Yes Sir" and "No Sir" when talking to others.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane to explore the iconic world of Barbie dolls. From the moment our children played with these dolls to now watching our grandchildren enjoy them, Barbie has been a cherished part of our family's history. Join us as we share our thoughts, memories, and observations about how Barbie has evolved through the generations.

What assessments have you taken to determine your personality, communication style, or strengths? Was it Meyer Briggs, Gallup’s Strength Finders, or DISC? Did you know that what you had for lunch as a kid could also tell you lots about yourself? Peanut Butter and Jelly or Bologna with Mayonnaise were common options for a Baby Boomer. Take peanut butter, for example. Did you like crunchy or smooth? Did you know that people that prefer crunchy peanut butter consider themselves optimists?

For years, when we were young, my sisters, I, and a bunch of cousins would go on the greatest of adventures.

• Where to? A family farm.

• When? Harvest time.

As subsistence farmers, our aunt and uncle needed us to help hand-pick the animal corn. Acres and acres of animal corn. Did I mention many acres of animal corn?

Once upon a time, in the year 2023, there lived a wise and spirited storyteller named Carma. She was known throughout the family for the captivating tales she shared with her grandkids and other children whenever she was around! The children would gather, their imaginations intertwined, forming friendships as they discussed and reimagined the tales long after Carma's words had faded.

Is that you too? Would you like this to be your legacy?