Teri’s Notebook

If you live in Carson City, chances are you know or have heard of the Hudak family. They are active in their church and community, and participate in activities with their daughters, Avery and Lauren, such as track, soccer and 4-H.

They’re the kind of family, said Carson High School teacher Angila Golik, who are always there if you need them.

But now they need the community’s help.

The mother, Vicki, was recently diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer. To raise money for the family, Golik and Lesley Otto, have organized a community rummage sale at Carson High School 7 a.m.-3 p.m. today.

“It’s been hard for them to accept that people are doing this for them,” Golik said. “They’ve always been on the other end, on the giving end. But because it is such a sudden, drastic diagnosis, we just knew it was financially needed.”

In addition to the rummage sale, Lori’s Pony Express will be on hand from 9-11 a.m. for pony rides. They are $5 each with all the proceeds going to the Hudaks.

There will also be a bake sale and a car wash, which will be hosted by the 4-H club 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Walgreens.

If you have nothing to buy, but would still like to help, donations buckets will be set up to collect cash donations.

Golik said donations have been pouring in.

“I think it’s going to be the largest rummage sale Carson City has ever seen,” she said.

• • •

One of the things I enjoy most is traveling. I love to get lost in the swirl of new smells, unfamiliar languages and dizzying sights.

I watched a lion make a kill in the wilds of Africa, been proposed to on a bus in South America and climbed the Great Wall of China. If I had limitless funds, I’d see every inch of this planet.

And that may be more possible thanks to Carson High School graduate Jackie Nourse Laulainen, whose motto is: “World travel is available to anyone who wants it. It’s a question of priorities and lifestyle.”

Born in North Tahoe, Jackie got bit by the travel bug after moving to Carson City and joining her Hilltop Community Church youth group on mission trips to Mexico. When her family hosted a German exchange student in 2000-2001 during her junior year, she began to think about studying abroad, too.

As a sophomore at UNR, she spent the school year in Costa Rica, becoming fluent in Spanish. She then spent her fourth year in Italy, becoming fluent in Italian before graduating in 2007 with a degree in languages.

She has traveled to 37 countries in the last 10 years — all on a limited budget — and she’s helping others to do the same.

She shares all things travel on her blog at TheBudgetMindedTraveler.com, her book, “The Aspiring Traveler’s Handbook: A preparation guide to international travel,” and her freshly launched The Budget Minded Traveler podcast.

The podcast is a mix of travel tips and tools, how-to suggestions, and interviews with other budget travelers.

Jackie says, “Don’t allow your perceived lack of income limit your potential to travel.”