Kids VT, April 2017

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

COPUBLISHER/EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Cathy Resmer cathy@kidsvt.com

COPUBLISHER

Colby Roberts colby@kidsvt.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Alison Novak alison@kidsvt.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Meredith Coeyman meredith@kidsvt.com

ART DIRECTOR Brooke Bousquet brooke@kidsvt.com

MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER

Corey Grenier corey@kidsvt.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Kaitlin Montgomery kaitlin@kidsvt.com

CALENDAR WRITER

Brett Stanciu brett@kidsvt.com

PROOFREADERS

Carolyn Fox, Katherine Isaacs, Kara Torres

PRODUCTION MANAGER

John James

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Don Eggert

DESIGNERS

Charlotte Scott, Rev. Diane Sullivan

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Matt Weiner

BUSINESS MANAGER

Cheryl Brownell

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Nancy Stearns Bercaw, Sarah Tuff Dunn, Megan James, Astrid Hedbor Lague, Ken Picard, Erinn Simon, Autumn Spencer, Jessica Lara Ticktin, Sarah Yahm

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Sam Simon, Matthew Thorsen

ILLUSTRATOR

Hatiye Garip

P.O. BOX 1184 BURLINGTON, VT 05402

802-985-5482

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Rising to the Challenge

At the end of March, I joined my 9-year-old daughter, Mira, in the Spectrum Youth & Family Services Student Sleep Out. The annual event, a spin-o of the nonprofit’s adult Sleep Out, was started in 2014 t o raise money and awareness about homelessness in the state. During the Sleep Out, we heard from speakers, including a young woman who had once been homeless and a local police o cer. We ate “stone soup” for dinner made with kids’ contributions. And we walked through town with signs urging people to help fight homelessness and support Spectrum.

After campfire discussions, our group — more than 50 strong — packed into sleeping bags and slept, shoulder to shoulder, on the town o ce building’s hard floor. (Organizers decided to have kids sleep inside this year due to the wet, snowy ground and frigid temps.) As a community, we raised more than $10,000 to support Spectrum. It was an experience that will undoubtedly stick with Mira for a long time, and hopefully will make her a more compassionate and generous person. As for me? Well, in addition to a sore back, I felt tons of mom pride in Mira’s enthusiasm for the experience, as well as gratitude to my fellow parents who made this event possible.

My own experience reminded me of contributor Erinn Simon’s piece in this month’s Money Issue. She took Hunger Free Vermont’s 3SquaresVT Challenge, which meant feeding her family of five for a week with only $115 — the average amount families of the same size receive for food when they qualify for government assistance. The challenge was created to draw attention to what it’s like to live on a strict food allowance. It’s our hope that, in addition to giving our readers tips on eating well on a budget, Simon’s piece will raise awareness of the fact that 17 percent of children in our state live in food-insecure homes.

Other money-related content in this issue includes an interview with a financial adviser about saving for college, an advice column about allowance, and — as we ease into the spring season — articles about growing salad shoots and building a greenhouse on the cheap.

Whether it’s taking your own version of the 3Squares challenge or embarking on a new gardening project, we hope this month’s issue will nudge you outside of your comfort zone and help you grow.

ALISON NOVAK, MANAGING EDITOR

STAFF QUESTION

What’s your family’s favorite rainy-day activity?

We like to PULL OUT THE LEGOS in the living room and make a giant Lego city. Our collection includes my husband’s childhood Legos, so he especially enjoys it. We also love a good FAMILY MOVIE DAY. Sitting in front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn in the middle of the day feels overindulgent when the sun is shining but completely acceptable when it’s dreary out!

BROOKE BOUSQUET, ART DIRECTOR

I like to take out OLD PHOTOS AND VIDEOS and look through them with my kids. We talk about friends and family, and when we’ll see them again. If we’ve just printed a bunch of photos, we’ll organize them into photo albums or change up the photos we display in frames.

CATHY RESMER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

We MAKE A FORT in the living room with every blanket and pillow we own!

MEREDITH COEYMAN, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

CONTRIBUTOR’S NOTE

NANCY STEARNS

BERCAW (“Use Your Words,” page 43) is an NCAA All-American swimmer and national champion. Her new memoir, Dryland: One Woman’s Swim to Sobriety, was recently published by Grand Harbor Press and is available on Amazon. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Huffington Post, U.S. News & World Report and Seven Days. She is also the author of Brain in a Jar: A Daughter’s Journey Through Her Father’s Memory

Whether you’re considering clear aligners, retainers or today’s braces, an orthodontist is the smart choice. Orthodontists are specialists in straightening teeth and aligning your bite. They have two to three years of education beyond dental school. So they’re experts at helping you get a great smile—that feels great, too.

Students from families who save even small amounts for college are three times more likely to attend and complete college. And Vermont’s state-sponsored 529 college savings program, the Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan, is the only college savings plan that qualifies families for a Vermont state income tax credit on contributions. Open

Sponsored by

VHEIP s sponsored by the Ver mont Student Assistance Cor poration, a pub ic nonprof t established by the Ver mont Leg slature in 1965 to help Ver mont students and fami ies plan and pay for co lege VHEIP investment management is provided by Intuition College Savings Solut ons, LLC Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before invest ng and read the disclosure booklet (ava lable online at vheip org or by calling 800-637-5860) Investments in VHEIP are neither insured nor guaranteed, and there is the risk of investment loss Before nvesting in a 529 plan, you shou d consider whether the state you or your designated beneficiar y reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 p an that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are availab e only if you invest in that state’s 529 plan

Should I give my kid an allowance?

spent throwing pretend parties until it was pretend gone and we were all just writing pretend bad checks. No one cared, there were no real consequences, and it was funny.

Of course, bouncing checks isn’t funny in real life, and we all want our kids to become financially literate. Yet teaching money management can be an overwhelming task for parents.

AUTUMN ANSWERS

into the “save” jar, and the remaining half is divided between “give” and “spend.”

CALENDAR CLUES

During my senior year in high school, I took the required home economics class, dauntingly titled “On Your Own.” What I remember most about the class is being assigned an egg to take care of as though it was an actual baby. Shortly after being given that task, I accidentally smashed my precious egg-baby while trying to open my locker. My teacher described the situation as “alarming.”

Much less vividly, I remember that same teacher trying to teach us about budgets and taxes. We used pretend checkbooks to manage pretend money that we pretend

In his book The Opposite of Spoiled, New York Times finance columnist Ron Lieber offers a road map for raising kids who are smart about money. Lieber suggests that parents give their children an allowance and that children do chores, but that the two shouldn’t be connected. He explains that while our kids will have plenty of opportunity to develop a work ethic, the purpose of an allowance is to help kids learn about saving and spending money in a fairly low-stakes environment.

Also, start early! No later than first grade, Lieber says. Begin with 50 cents or a dollar per year of age, and an annual birthday raise. Kids can track their money using a simple system: Label three containers with “spend,” “give” and “save.” Each week, half of their allowance goes

As for bank accounts, hold off until the teenage years. Younger children benefit from seeing loose change and dollar bills accumulate as a way to underscore key money management concepts. (In related news, I think this approach could really help me with my expensive latte habit.)

What’s most important to remember is that however much or little you choose to give, and whatever system you decide on, an allowance is a learning opportunity. A wise friend once told me, “Money is numbers. Numbers tell a story.” It’s a story about our habits, choices, the risks we take or avoid, and what we value. We want our kids to be comfortable with numbers so they can read, and understand, the story. They’ll be writing one of their own soon enough. K

In this monthly column, comedian, writer and mom Autumn Spencer answers tricky parenting questions. Have a question for Autumn? Send it to ideas@kidsvt.com.

KIDS SAY WHAT? #INSTAKIDSVT

Thanks for sharing your snowstorm photos with us using the hashtag #instakidsvt. We couldn’t resist these sleeping cuties posted by @ilovermontbiking.

Share a picture of your kids doing something fun during the month of April.

HERE’S HOW:

y

Follow @kids_vt on Instagram

x Post your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #instakidsvt. We’ll select a photo to feature in the next issue.

Baby Farm Animal Celebration

Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m.5 p.m., at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock

Party in Picture

Book City

Wednesday, April 26, 6-7:30 p.m., at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington

Lip Sync Battle

Saturday, April 29, 6 p.m., at the Paramount Theater in Rutland.

See all the April calendar listings starting on page 26.

@ilovermontbiking

And that’s what friends (and chariot rides on xc skis) are for. #naptime

“Daddy, how does our brain think? And what makes us talk? I bet it’s tubes in our brain. Right now, I’m talking about how I talk and thinking about how I think. It’s crazy!”

—ESME, AGE 5

PARENTING HACKS

You want

I try and come from a place of “yes.” chocolate milk with your food? Yes! You want Sprite? Yes! As far as toys, I always bring a small cloth bag full of MISFIT LEGO PIECES and let my son put something together, and I do the same for my 4-year-old daughter with her small toy figures.

Nordstrom sells “mom jeans” with see-through plastic knee panels. Internet mockery ensues. Maybe they’d come in handy during mud season?

filled with

I keep a TRAVEL TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER bendy straws in my bag. Using a bendy straw lets my kids keep the drink on the table and prevents the dreaded public spill.

THROWBACK

Adventures in BabyRearing

MAY 2015

Two years ago, professional photographers Brian Mohr and Emily Johnson wrote about raising their then-2-year-old daughter, Maiana Snow, in the outdoors, backcountry skiing, camping, swimming and cycling. The couple have since added another daughter, Lenora Sky, to their adventurous family. Read the full story at kidsvt.com/babyrearing.

Outdoor dining is always a win! Also, casual/noisy places are good so we blend in better. We recently printed off a bunch COLORING AND ACTIVITY PAGES and made each kid a little packet to bring when we go out. If all else fails, there’s the dessert bribe.

Political science professor trying to give a BBC interview via Skype is interrupted by his two young kids busting into the room. The perils of working from home! We can relate.

of

For the first time in a decade, “Sesame Street” introduces a new character, Julia, a 4-year-old girl with autism. As if we didn’t love the show enough.

A breastfeeding woman emoji is coming to your Apple device this June. Perfect for when you’re up at 3 a.m., nursing and texting with one hand.

Cheerios is sending out free wildflower seeds in an effort to help the declining bee population, but website Lifehacker says some of them are invasive species and shouldn’t be planted. Um, nice try?

Wee ones from 2 days to 6 months old can enjoy massages and hydrotherapy at Baby Spa Perth in Australia. Because life can be tough when you’re a baby.

This month, parents share tricks they use to entertain their kids when dining out. Send your parenting hacks to ideas@kidsvt.com.

—HEATHER POLIFKA-RIVAS

—BROOKE HENRY

—MINDI WIMETT

51 and Let It Run

Generously Sponsored in Part by: Mylan Technologies Inc.~TD Bank~Price Chopper~CDL USA~WOKO WKOL WIZN WBTZ~ WCAX TV Lapierre

Now

Summer Camp Programs

Visit: heartworksvt.com/summer-programs

New Early Childhood Educator/Early Childhood Special Educator Cohort Starting Summer 2017

The VT-HEC is pleased to announce the start of a new Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Educator (EC/ECSE) cohort that leads to licensure. The first course in the series, Advanced Child Development, will be offered at a reduced cost as part of the Early Childhood educator Summer Institute being held at Castleton University, July 24-27.

Please visit www.vthec.org for cohort and course information or contact Dr. Manuela Fonseca at manuela.fonseca@vthec.org

Heartworks

PRESCHOOL

Infant to Pre-Kindergarten

Heartworks Preschools emphasize kindness, respect and a positive learning environment. Children have extensive time to play while engaged in learning. We offer an incredibly fun afternoon STEAM program, and an excellent Kindergarten Readiness program

Shelburne, Burlington, Williston and Stowe Discover: heartworksvt.com

Renaissance

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kindergarten - Fifth Grade

Renaissance students achieve academic excellence, develop a strong moral character, social and life skills in fun and engaging ways that bring joy to learning. Core academics, art, music, drama, French, Spanish, PE and character development occur inside and outside the classroom.

Learn: renaissancevt.com

Endeavour MIDDLE SCHOOL

Sixth - Eighth Grade

A rich and engaging academic and extracurricular program for 6th to 8th graders, the Endeavour experience supports the unique journey of discovery and exploration middle school students navigate with a special emphasis on building important social, emotional and life skills to ensure success in high school and college.

Explore: endeavourvt.com

BY ALISON NOVAK

Go Fore It!

Youth golfing is on the rise nationally. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, the number of junior golfers increased from 2.4 million in 2011 to 3 million in 2015. Want to get your son or daughter into the swing of things? PGA of America is taking registrations for their PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE

GOLF program at 10 locations across the state, from Rutland to Newport. Aspiring putters, ages 7 to 13, will get a chance to learn the sport from golf pros during weekly practices, don PGA jerseys and play on teams in an informal scramble format — where the emphasis is on fun rather than individual scores. The season runs from roughly mid-May to July and costs from $150 to $325 depending on the location. To learn more about PGA Junior League Golf at locations in Vermont, visit pgajlg.com and click on the “Find a Team” button.

ACTIVISM Change Makers

Middle, high school and college students will get a chance to voice their opinions about climate change at the second annual YOUTH RALLY FOR THE PLANET, taking place on Wednesday, April 12. Busloads of young adults from around the state will march from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in Montpelier to the Statehouse lawn, where they’ll get to speak with lawmakers, visit informational booths, and listen to environmental advocates and musicians. Last year, 700 students attended the inaugural event, says organizer and Harwood Union High School social studies teacher Matt Henchen, and he’s hoping for even more this year. The day of action is organized by the Vermont Youth Lobby, a group devoted to giving young people in Vermont a stronger political voice in their communities, with committees at around a dozen high schools and three middle schools across the state. Lobby member and Harwood Union High School student Camille King says she’s looking forward to connecting with her local representatives at the rally “so they get to hear our opinions on possible laws that will a ect us, from us.”

Find the latest info about the Youth Rally for the Planet at youthlobby.org/rallyfortheplanet.

ENRICHMENT Smart Move

WILDFLOWERS

STUDIO, a multisensory creative play space, is moving to greener pastures. The business, which opened in September of 2015 in South Burlington, is relocating to the Barns at Lang Farm, an event space and plant nursery in Essex Junction. Wildflowers owner Lyndsy Blais found out last summer that the building where the studio is currently housed was being sold. While driving past Lang Farm, she thought how the rustic space, with plenty of land for kids to frolic, would be the perfect place to relocate. By serendipity, she soon discovered that Lang’s owners were leasing the building that housed their antique shop, and the two struck a deal. Wildflowers will be closed in June while Blais and her sta set up in their new space. They’ll add new features but will preserve sections devoted to tinkering, paint exploration, sensory activities and open-ended art. The venue will still have the homey atmosphere that families have grown to love, Blais said. In July, Wildflowers will reopen for camps and open studios in the Essex Junction location — which it will share with a small bakery. And, starting in September, Wildflowers will branch out with a small art- and nature-based preschool program called Sprouts, which will run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

To learn more about Wildflowers Studio’s new space and preschool program, visit wildflowerstudiobtv.com.

EDUCATION Log On to Learn

After receiving a degree in school counseling from Johnson State College last May, Thomas Loudon found a job as the planning room coordinator at Browns River Middle School in Jericho. In that position he started thinking about how kids’ individual needs aren’t always met in a school setting. That led to the idea for a business that would provide students of all ages with the opportunity for tailored learning at their fingertips. SNOWY OWL TUTORING, the venture Loudon launched last month, takes what he calls an “Uber-style” approach to learning. Students can log on to get extra help in subjects like math and language arts, as well as enrichment in music and drama. A stable of educators, many of whom are currently teachers in a school setting, provide interactive tutoring services using Scribblar, a digital platform that likens itself to an online whiteboard. Loudon envisions students using Snowy Owl’s services in a number of ways: to prepare for a test, learn a new language, get editing help for papers, build resumes and become proficient at using technology tools like Excel. Loudon says he’s hoping the high quality of the tutors, ease of the online platform and price point — $40 per hour — will draw in the virtual customers. To learn more about Snowy Owl Tutoring, visit snowyowltutoring.com or contact Tom Loudon at tom@snowyowltutoring.com or 299-9642.

A Fresh Start

Two-year-old Hamza plays with his toys in the living room of his family’s warm and tidy two-bedroom apartment on Riverside Avenue in Burlington. He’s too young to understand the struggle his grandparents endured to secure this life for him. Years ago, they left their war-torn homeland of Somalia for Kenya.

Dad: Murjan Kassim Amir, 26, Macy’s and Howard Center employee

Mom: Fardowsa Abdullahi Ibrahim, 21, full-time University of Vermont student

Son: Hamza, 2

Hamza’s 21-year-old mother, Fardowsa, was born in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp, the largest of its kind in the world. In 2003, when she was 6 years old, her parents received their papers to start a new life in Vermont through the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, one of the official sites of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

Hamza’s father, Murjan Amir, spent one year in the Kakuma Refugee Camp before settling in Burlington in 2006.

Hamza is among the first babies born in America to younger

generations of Somali refugees who came to Vermont in the early 2000s.

Fardowsa has adopted American mannerisms and expressions yet maintains respect for her Somali elders. Through the help of a mentor — and with a lot of self-motivation — she graduated from Burlington High School in 2014 and earned her way into a four-year degree program at the University of Vermont in medical laboratory science, where she’s currently a junior.

Each morning, Fardowsa drops her son off at her mother-in-law’s apartment, just across the complex, before catching a shuttle bus to UVM.

Her husband, Murjan, works 60 hours a week, cleaning at Macy’s on weekday mornings and providing community support for the Howard Center three evenings a week. When Fardowsa finishes school and gets a job, it will be his turn to go back to school and finish his associate’s degree in human services. His dream job is to work with the United Nations to help refugees in Africa.

On having a baby and starting college:

FARDOWSA: He was like a month old the day I started school! While he wasn’t planned, school was a priority either way, so I just kept going.

MURJAN: We were both going to school at that moment, and I didn’t have a reliable job, so I had to sacrifice. I decided she has to go to school and I have to [find a reliable job], and then maybe when she is done, I’ll go back to school.

On preserving heritage while assimilating to American culture:

FARDOWSA: I would say we are both very Americanized.

MURJAN: I mean, we still try to keep our culture. On the weekends, I hang out with my friends, and we play soccer and get together with all the Somali Bantu community members and talk about life.

FARDOWSA: Even at school, they give me a place where I can do my [Muslim] prayers. But it’s different with my parents because they learned to do things a certain way. Like, they say, “Why are you going to school? When is the next baby coming?” And I’m like, “I’m trying to finish school so that I can get a good job and have money to support a second baby.” And they say, “God will support the baby.”

On the importance of education and self-reliance:

FARDOWSA: Before my husband got a

reliable job, we used to kind of depend on the government and we used food stamps, but I can’t imagine having a second baby and living on food stamps.

MURJAN: In order to have a good life, you need an education to move up. And for [the older generation], they don’t have education. When they were back home, they used to live a simple life, farming and having children. But in America, it’s hard to survive without an education or having a good job.

On wanting a different life for their son:

MURJAN: I don’t want [Hamza] to grow up in the kind of life I grew up in. That’s what moves me. You know, growing up in Africa, thinking about what you are going to eat tomorrow, they don’t have education or really good schools. When I was in Somalia, I never went to school. I only started going to school when I got here. Everything is corrupt over there. I never saw a good government and how things can work. The way I see it, without education you cannot go anywhere.

On the domestic realm and bucking old traditions:

MURJAN: One thing I can cook is mac and cheese! [Laughs.] Simple!

FARDOWSA: I am happy that he is trying, because a lot of men in our community don’t feel like they should cook or clean. I am glad he is taking part in the house chores, because a lot of men in our culture don’t know how to clean a dish! And he takes care of [Hamza] the way I take care of him, which is so nice to have a man who will do that.

MURJAN: And that has to do with culture. Back home, men expect women to do everything in the house. Washing, cooking, cleaning, taking care of kids — that’s for the woman. But here in America, we see a different culture. Everyone’s the same! The wife’s working, you gotta cook. Or you are working and you are not around, she is going to cook. It’s fair. We grew up here, and so we have gotten used to it.

FARDOWSA: If I am at my mom’s house and there are a bunch of men there and she is not home, I will not tell them to go cook their own food! I will respect them and make them food, but here in our home it’s not like that.

MURJAN: Back home, only men work. They are the providers. Here in America, everyone is a provider. So we take turns. K

In “Balancing Act,” we ask parents about the intersection of work and family life. Know parents we should interview? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

A Somali American couple on the importance of family, education and preserving heritage

Ready for Spring?

My 11-year-old daughter recently returned from our local library raving about an author visit. Plainfield resident and first-time author Yael Werber just published Spring for Sophie, a picture book that captures a little girl’s wonder as she observes the natural world reawakening from winter. “It’s a beautiful book!” Gabriela enthused. Published by Simon & Schuster, it hit the shelves in late February, right when Vermonters start to long for warmer weather. Below, Werber explains what inspired her book, and lends advice to aspiring writers.

KIDS VT: This book is so beautifully imagined that I’m curious about its inspiration.

YAEL WERBER: I worked one March and April on a farm in northwestern Connecticut, and I used to take long walks every day through the woods with my dog. As the season merged from winter into spring, I imagined a child experiencing that change and what that might mean to her.

KVT: The illustrator, Jen Hill, captures main character Sophie’s sense of wonder. How were you paired up with Jen?

YW: I am really pleased with the illustrations. Simon & Schuster gave me great options for illustrators, and, although Jen and I have connected only briefly through social media, she’s been terrific.

KVT: I noticed in your author’s bio that you’ve taught preschool. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

YW: Well actually I’ve worked a number of di erent jobs. I was a preschool teacher for three years. I also spent time on a tree farm, which I loved, and right now I’m working at a restaurant in Montpelier, Down Home Kitchen.

KVT: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers, particularly children?

YW: My advice is: just keep writing. Everyone says that because it’s true. I’ve been writing since I was a child, and I’ve always made up stories, even if they were just for myself. If I can write and publish a book, anyone can do it. I didn’t have any unique connections, but I really wanted to do this. I was also persistent and confident about my book.

KVT: You’re originally from Sharon, Mass. How do you like living in Vermont?

YW: I love living here. I chose to live here. I’m not a particularly settled kind of person, but as of right now, this is where I want

to be.

MORE BOOKS TO WELCOME SPRING

Robins!: How They Grow Up by Eileen Christelow Author signing on April 8, 10 a.m., followed by a reading at 11 a.m., at Phoenix Books in Essex. Story time and signing on April 8, 3 p.m., at Phoenix Books in Rutland.

Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers’ Market by Michelle Schaub, illustrated by Amy Huntington Meet the illustrator on April 22, 11 a.m., at Phoenix Books in Burlington, and April 29, 11 a.m., at Phoenix Books in Rutland.

Brave Little Finn by Jennifer and John Churchman John Churchman hosts a special story time on April 15, 11 a.m., at Phoenix Books in Essex.

DESTINATION RECREATION BY SARAH TUFF DUNN

Québec-whoa!

The Saguenay region beckons with early spring adventures

At 9:30 a.m., I’m usually sipping co ee, typing at my keyboard and glancing at texts. I’m not, say, dipping my hand into a bag of cheese curds. But it’s squeaky cheese for breakfast when on a road trip in northern Québec, just outside the borough of La Baie — the cheese curd capital of Canada according to a resident of the area.

La belle province has long attracted families from Vermont and beyond to its urban centers like Montréal and Québec City. But the upper reaches of the Charlevoix region and Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean — a 5 to 6 hour drive

stout and onion soup, merguez, naan, and warm “boreal milk,” infused with pine from the surrounding trees — all for less than $10.

from the Burlington area — aren’t as well trodden. I wanted to do some solo scouting for kid-friendly adventures, so I left my own o spring, ages 8 and 10, at home and headed north for a four-day reporting trip.

One draw at this time of year is the extended ski season. Many of Québec’s 74 ski areas stay open well into April — and charge just a fraction of what large American resorts do. Mont GrandFonds (montgrandfonds.com), for example, has an average annual snowfall of 217 inches, and a full-day ticket is just $46.97 Canadian ($35.95) for adults and $32.18 ($24.63) for kids ages 6 to 17. During my visit, I skied thighhigh powder before sitting down for a chef-prepared lunch of homemade

That left me with change in my pocket for the casino at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu (fairmont.com/ richelieu), where I know my children would be captivated by the castlelike property overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Indoor and outdoor pools, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a full array of games including horseshoes, croquet and shu eboard make it an ideal base camp for spring activities (or lingering winter ones, such as broomball and ice skating).

There’s even more snow at Mont Édouard (montedouard.com), where a lumberjack and a longtime backcountry enthusiast have recently cut o -piste trails suitable for tykes. Clear signage, ski patrol services and warming huts with woodstoves make it one of the safest places to try schussing down through the powder.

Once the white stu melts, the surrounding Saguenay Lac-SaintJean area turns into a springtime

playground with white-water rafting, sea kayaking on a ord, whale watching, hiking, hands-on museums and an authentic 1920s ghost town. At its center is the 200-square-mile Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay, where glacial erosion some 175 million years ago created a 62-mile-long ord.

To sea kayak the Saguenay Fjord, book a reservation with Fjord en Kayak ( ordenkayak.com), which has two-hour excursions for families with kids ages 3 to 9, and two-and-ahalf-hour trips for those ages 9 to 14. For a child-friendly white-water rafting experience, Aventure Expedition (aventure-expedition. com) runs threehour trips that bounce over nine rapids on the Class 3 Shipshaw River.

Prefer to watch creatures navigate the waves rather than experience it firsthand?

Starting in May, 13 species of whales travel to the mouth of the Saguenay River to feed. Special zodiac expeditions with Croisières AML (croisieresaml.com) bring kids close to the cetaceans. For a hiking challenge, consider tackling part of the scenic 133-mile Notre-Dame Kapatakan trail. Kids can dig into the tidal pools at the Musée Du Fjord (museedu ord.com) museum located in Saguenay, a city of 175,000 with several distinctive

neighborhoods. To travel back in time, tour Val-Jalbert. The historic village has preserved 1920s factory-town life, complete with a general store, school and a pulp mill. Visitors can even stay over in a period home.

But this is just one of Saguenay’s myriad ways to spend the night. For an edgier experience, Zoo Sauvage de St-Félicien (zoosauvage.org) allows families to camp surrounded by a herd of caribou. And at Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux.com (capjaseux.com), overnight accommodations include a tree house or a fiberglass sphere suspended in the forest.

During my Québécois foray, I stayed at Imago Village (imagovillage.com), one of the coolest places I’ve ever unpacked my bags. A fun French-Canadian family oversees the miniature town of six colorful yurts in the Valin Mountains. What was described as “glamping” delivered much more, with wood-pellet stoves and modern furnishings straight out of Dwell magazine. The village is just steps away from a Scandinavian spa, where I snapped photos of disco-lit whirlpools to show my kids.

From spring skiing to whale watching to sleeping in the trees, there are many adventures in northern Québec that I look forward to sharing with my family. I couldn’t share my cheese curds, though — they were long gone by the time I arrived home.

Local parents review family-friendly attractions in “Destination Recreation.” Got a spot you’d like us to feature? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay

Val-Jalbert

array

A whale-watching trip

HABITAT BY MEREDITH COEYMAN

Plastic-Bottle Greenhouse

If Elaine Coeyman were to write a book about how to live well, it would include sage advice about tackling big projects — like growing your own food and renovating your home — on a budget, without sacrificing style.

I know this because, as her daughter, I’ve seen the chapters come together. Since my mom, a retiree, moved to her house in Essex Junction in 2009, she has painted nearly every surface, tiled her bathroom floor and built a backyard patio. All with thrifty tricks, like scoring free bricks on Craigslist.

For her raised-bed garden, she got a deal on soil after discovering, by accident, that the hardware store discounts damaged bags. In summer, her garden explodes with carrots, potatoes, beans and tomatoes, all of which my kids, ages 6 and 8, love to harvest.

Like many Vermont gardeners, my mom lamented the short growing season. So when she saw fencing made from plastic bottles on the internet, her wheels began to turn. She wondered if the transparent material could be used for a greenhouse, where she could start plants before the last frost and continue cool-weather crops into the fall.

Turns out it had been done. She found an instructional YouTube video and, last summer, began collecting clear two-liter bottles from family — and a few green ones for “windows” and decorative touches.

“I quickly realized it would take me forever to collect as many as I’d need,” she told me. So she started paying 5 cents per bottle for large batches at the local redemption center. She also posted a request on her Front Porch Forum and soon started coming home

to plastic-bottle presents on her front porch. Her newspaper deliveryman brought some along with the paper.

To get them greenhouse-ready, she cut an inch o the bottoms and removed the labels. Next she soaked them in her claw-foot tub to remove any residue, then dried and stacked them, upside down, on bamboo garden rods. When pushed together firmly, they formed sturdy, rigid columns. Gaps between the columns let rain in, making the greenhouse self-watering. A contractor friend helped build and erect the frames to create the 5-by-8foot greenhouse.

My mom prepared around 600 bottles, a feat she said she achieved a bit at a time, while watching Boston Red Sox games and sipping tea. She even enlisted my kids to help tear o labels and pick out a thermometer for inside the greenhouse.

Recently, she described the finishing touches over breakfast as the early spring sun shone through the window. She’ll attach the door, install shelves purchased from the ReSource Building Material Store in Burlington, lay a gravel floor and surround the greenhouse with a wooden-pallet patio, which she sketched out in my notepad.

Though my mom’s greenhouse chapter is nearly complete, her enthusiasm is seemingly endless. “I actually did a cool project,” she says, reflecting on the process with a touch of disbelief.

“I’m excited all over again!”

For instructions and a shopping list, Elaine suggests visiting reapscotland.org.uk/downloads/ and downloading the Plastic Bottle Greenhouse.pdf.

Elaine Coeyman with grandchildren Mila and Leo

Greenhouse frames in progress

Changing Perspectives

promoting awareness, inspiring empathy

Changing Perspectives is a non-profit organization which provides disability awareness programs in schools.

Contact us to learn how your school can partner with Changing Perspectives to inspire empathy and awareness.

Learn more by visiting cpne.org.

How can parents address restless legs syndrome and teeth grinding?

A relaxing nighttime routine will reduce stress at bedtime

Children of all ages experience sleep disturbances from time to time. Though the causes aren’t usually serious, disruptions can last months and affect the sleep of others in the house.

This month, Dr. Lewis First, chief of pediatrics at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, tackles two behaviors that can keep kids — and parents — up at night: restless legs syndrome and teeth grinding. Thankfully, both are usually harmless and can be addressed with a few simple home remedies.

KIDS VT: What is restless legs syndrome?

LEWIS FIRST: There are four criteria that characterize it: an irresistible urge to move your legs; symptoms start or become worse when at rest; symptoms are relieved temporarily when the leg is moved; and it’s almost always worse in the evening, when you’re lying down, or during a period of being immobile. It’s been described as an itching or tingling sensation. Some people say it feels like you have a carbonated beverage in your veins.

KVT: What do we know about its causes?

LF: It’s not well understood, but we do know that it occurs in about 6 percent of children and can run in families. About a quarter of the time, it’s associated with an iron deficiency. When we give those kids iron supplements for a period of six to 12 weeks, it usually gets better. In rare circumstances, it’s been associated with a folate, or folic acid, deficiency.

KVT: Can restless legs syndrome become a lifelong condition?

LF: It’s possible for restless legs syndrome to go away during childhood and reemerge when a child gets older. Most of the time it’s shortlived, lasting several weeks to a few

months, and may go away forever and never occur again. Or it may recur in adulthood.

KVT: Does restless legs syndrome cause insomnia?

LF: It does because the child may be up a lot trying to move their legs around. Then you start seeing daytime sleepiness and irritability due to lack of sound sleep. So it’s the sleep disruption that you really need to address.

KVT: How do you address these disruptions?

LF: The best way is to develop good bedtime habits, which means the child should go to bed when they’re tired and not sit in bed reading or watching TV. Caffeine has been associated with an increase in restless legs symptoms. Massage, walking or stretching before bedtime, using a heating pad, putting a pillow between the knees and other relaxation techniques can also help, as can a diet rich in iron. If none of these methods work, and it’s really causing problems with daytime behavior, then parents should consult their child’s healthcare professional and determine if a referral to a sleep specialist is recommended. There are some medications recommended for adults with restless legs syndrome but these medications are currently not recommended for children.

KVT: What about nighttime teeth grinding?

LF: This one is a little more common. About 30 percent of children will grind their teeth or clench their jaws in their sleep. This condition is formally known as bruxism. It’s most common in children ages 3 to 6. The nice thing is, until their permanent teeth come in, it’s usually short-lived and not a big problem — except for those who have to listen to it!

KVT: What causes it?

LF: It could be a problem with the child’s bite. A pediatric dentist can check that the baby or adult teeth are growing in correctly. Other times it’s associated with stress. Children who are teething or have an earache may also grind their teeth. Some kids have big tonsils that obstruct the back of their mouth, which can lead to more teeth clenching as they try to pull their jaw forward to open up their airway.

KVT: Can teeth grinding damage kids’ teeth or jaws?

LF: The good news is that it really doesn’t hurt your children or their teeth. In very rare circumstances, kids with significant developmental delays who grind their teeth as a rhythmic behavior can wear down the enamel.

KVT: Is there anything parents can do to prevent teeth grinding?

LF: The best thing is to just close the door so you don’t have to listen to it. But if you’re still worried about it, have the dentist check your child’s teeth and bite. Also, an ear, nose and throat specialist can check their tonsils to make sure they’re not experiencing sleep-disorded breathing as a result of their airways being partially obstructed by those tonsils. As with restless legs syndrome, a relaxing nighttime routine will reduce stress at bedtime. For older kids with permanent teeth who are still grinding at night, a dentist may recommend a nighttime mouth guard. It eliminates the grinding sound and protects the enamel from being worn down. K

Got health- and wellness-related questions? Send them to ideas@kidsvt.com.

Indoor Salad Gardening

SUPPLIES FOR SPROUTING

For 5 trays of greens:

• 5 small trays, (3 by 6 inches, 2 inches deep). Half-loaf foil baking trays work well.

• 1 tablespoon of seeds for each tray. You can purchase them on Burke’s website, the Daily Gardener (thedailygardener.com) or through Wolcott-based High Mowing Organic Seeds (highmowingseeds.com). Make sure you get seeds for sprouting rather than garden seeds.

• 1 gallon standard potting soil (with no added chemical fertilizer)

• 5 tablespoons manure compost

• 3 teaspoons dry kelp meal (find it at your nearest Agway or online)

• Newspaper (paper towels, napkins or packing paper also work)

I have a confession: I’ve lived in Vermont for more than a dozen years, and I don’t know the first thing about gardening. In summer, I’m green with envy looking at friends’ Facebook and Instagram photos of their kids frolicking among backyard garden beds, cradling homegrown cucumbers and picking plump tomatoes right off the vine. Every year I think to myself, I’m going to learn to grow my own bounty one day.

That idea has yet to germinate. But in February, I took a baby step toward earning my green thumb. My 9-year-old daughter, Mira, and I signed up for an indoor salad-growing workshop at Shelburne Farms. Calais resident Peter Burke — author of Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening, published in 2015 by Vermont-based Chelsea Green Publishing — taught the class. He took Mira and me, plus several other parent-child pairs, through the surprisingly simple process of growing soil sprouts, which take only a week to mature and can be thrown into salads and stir-fries, used to garnish a sandwich, or nibbled for a healthy snack. There are all different sprout varieties; Burke favors sunflower, radish, buckwheat, pea and broccoli.

The lifelong gardener and father of five adult children started growing sprouts indoors in the winter of 2005, driven by the desire to have fresh salads year-round. Not only does his simple method yield crisp, crunchy greens, but it’s cost-effective. In his book, Burke explains that growing your own sprouts costs roughly $2 a pound, whereas buying them at the market can set you back between $10 and $23 a pound.

Burke’s motto is, “You can’t mess this up.” Following his process, Mira and I grew tasty pea shoots on our windowsill in about a week. If even this inexperienced gardener can do it, chances are it will work for you as well. K

“The Art of” spotlights creative skills that enrich kids’ lives. Got a class, teacher or skill to recommend? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

Harvesting

GROWING YOUR GREENS

Soak: Submerge the seeds in water for at least 6 hours, or overnight. Meanwhile, add 4 cups of water to your potting soil and set aside. Fold newspaper to a size just a bit bigger than your trays. When seeds are ready to plant, soak your newspaper in water.

Sow: In the bottom of each tray, mix 1/2 teaspoon kelp meal and 1 tablespoon of compost. Fill the trays with about 1 1/4 cups of the moistened potting soil. Level the soil, leaving 1/4 inch to the rim. Drain water from seeds, then spread one tablespoon of seeds over soil, so seeds touch but don’t overlap (no need to bury them). Press soaked newspaper into each tray so it touches the seeds.

Grow: Place planted trays in a warm, dark place — like a cabinet drawer — for 4 days. On day 5, remove the newspaper, water the trays and place them on a well-lit windowsill. Once a day, water with 2 to 4 tablespoons water per tray.

Harvest: After 3 to 6 days, harvest the shoots by cutting the stems with scissors about 1/4 inch above the soil surface. (Radishes are the quickest; broccoli takes the longest. Don’t wait too long to harvest or the shoots may become tough or bitter.) Gently wash harvested greens.

Eat: Chop greens into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces and toss in a salad, sandwich or stir-fry. Put unused greens in a plastic bag or sealed container and store in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and crisp for up to a week.

Growing greens on the windowsill

Salad made with fresh greens

Pull-Apart Maple Challah Roses

A Vermont twist on a classic Jewish bread

Every time I mention challah, my kids erupt in choruses of “Holla!” The soft, lightly sweet bread — traditionally eaten on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays — is fun to say and even more fun to eat.

Challah is usually braided, but I wanted to create a shape that would celebrate the beginning of spring. So I sculpted the pliable dough into rose-shaped coils that look fancy but are fairly simple to make. After letting the dough rise, I divided it into ropes, flattened them out, then rolled them into spirals, like tiny cinnamon rolls. I divided each little roll widthwise to form two rose shapes, then nestled the roses into a cake pan for a second rise before baking.

Instead of the traditional honey for sweetness, I added pure Vermont maple syrup to my dough. I also mixed maple syrup into the butter I spread on the finished rolls. Splurge on a good cultured butter for this — it has a higher fat content than regular butter, which makes it extra creamy and delicious.

A word of warning: This is not a quick bread to make. Although there’s not a lot of hands-on time, the rising process takes a while. Try this recipe on a lazy weekend. It’s well worth the wait.

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all dough ingredients and mix them — in a bread machine, stand mixer or by hand — until they form a smooth, soft dough. Continue kneading for about 8-10 minutes in a stand mixer or 10-12 minutes by hand.

2. Turn dough out into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Allow dough to rise until puffy and about doubled in size, about 2 hours.

3. Gently deflate the dough by turning it out on to a floured work surface and gently punching it down. To make the roses, separate dough into about

14 roughly equal portions. One at a time, roll each into a rope about 8-10 inches long. Flatten each rope and roll up lengthwise into a spiral. Gently pinch each rolled portion widthwise, so that you create two roses. Place roses next to each other in a lightly greased 9-inch circular cake pan. Continue until all the dough is used up and the cake pan is full.

4. Cover with a towel and put in a warm place to rise about 60-90 minutes.

5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk the egg and water together to make the egg wash, then use a pastry brush to coat the surface of the dough.

6. Place the cake pan on a baking sheet so that the bottom is a bit insulated and less likely to burn. Bake for 45 minutes, folding a sheet of aluminum foil in the center and placing it in a tent shape over the bread after 20 minutes. You’ll know the bread is ready when it’s a light, golden brown.

7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes on a cooling rack before turning it gently out of the pan.

8. Pull apart bread and enjoy while still warm, with a slathering of maple butter.

INGREDIENTS

For the dough:

• 1/2 cup lukewarm water

• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 large eggs

• 1/4 cup pure Vermont maple syrup (the darker, the better)

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1 tablespoon yeast

For the egg wash:

• 1 egg

• 2 tablespoons water

For the maple butter:

• 3 tablespoons softened butter

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

You’ll Need...

3 Square Meals

I’m the chef and food program coordinator at the Burlington Children’s Space, a local daycare and preschool that serves 50 children ages 5 and under in Chittenden County. I also have three kids of my own to feed — including a teenage boy — so grocery shopping is pretty much always on my mind.

When Kids VT asked if I would take Hunger Free Vermont’s 3SquaresVT Challenge and write about it, I agreed immediately. Hunger Free Vermont is a nonprofit organization that works to address the root causes of hunger statewide and improve Vermonters’ access to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps), which Vermont calls 3SquaresVT. The challenge is designed to raise awareness about the program — and the challenges of eating well on a limited budget. Participants pledge to shop for food using the average 3Squares benefit amount, based on their household size. For me, that meant feeding my family of five on $115 a week.

I knew staying within this budget was going to be a challenge, and when I sat down to make an itemized grocery list, I realized that I’d have to be more organized than usual. For example, I’d need to allot specific amounts for each meal. Thankfully, two of my kids have access to free, nutritious food in the Burlington schools. This was essential in order for us to survive on a limited budget.

Also to my advantage was a stockpile of fairly low-cost, healthy recipes that I knew how to prepare. It takes time and energy to plan for a week’s worth of family meals on a tight budget, and to cook them every night. I thought of how much more di cult the challenge would have been if I

BY ERINN SIMON | PHOTOS BY SAM SIMON

A family of five takes Hunger Free Vermont’s food challenge

Issue Money

didn’t have much time for food prep and wasn’t an experienced cook.

At the store, I was forced to change my habits and choices. I thought carefully about the ingredients for each meal and tried to be precise in determining what we’d need. Ordinarily I’d grab two boxes of pasta without thinking, but stocking up on supplies was not an option. Also cut from the list: two 12-packs of seltzer cans, ice cream, my Diet Coke stash, the seaweed sheets my 9-year-old loves to snack on, my teenager’s favorite cereal and supplies for baking projects.

Number of food-insecure kids, by county:

TIPS FOR EATING WELL ON A BUDGET

Cook from scratch. It takes more time, but if you start with whole ingredients instead of processed stuff, you’ll be able to stretch your food dollars farther and your meals will be healthier.

As I looked over the finished shopping list, my first thought was: It’s not very comforting, but we’ll live The menu was utilitarian and didn’t evoke the pleasure I usually get from cooking and eating with my family. When you’re food insecure, the fun of cooking — the connection and community aspect of food — is lost. The priority becomes making sure everyone has enough calories.

When our family sat down for a dinner of roasted veggies and quesadillas, I worried about how much the kids would eat, and if they’d still be hungry when the food was gone, rather than what to do with leftovers. It was clear that we couldn’t a ord to invite friends to eat with us. And dining out, for convenience or

17% of Vermont kids, or 20,400 children, live in foodinsecure homes

*Source: Hunger Free Vermont

Check out websites dedicated to recipes for delicious and budget-friendly meals. I like doublethebatch.com, which features lowcost recipes and thrifty tips. 5dollardinners. com has indexed recipes, meal plans, cooking tips and printable coupons to get you going. Realsimple.com often features tasty recipes with inexpensive ingredients.

Use fresh veggies. They can be pricey, but they’re essential. Go for whatever’s in season, or closest to it. (Carrots, potatoes and beets are good in winter.) Frozen veggies are useful, too. We always keep peas and corn in the freezer. We couldn’t afford organic during the challenge, but that’s what I usually buy. They can add a boost to simple dishes like pasta with butter and Parmesan cheese, or rice and beans. Warm veggies with butter for an easy side dish.

Go for garlic and onions. A little of each sautéed in a bit of butter or oil can add flavor to just about anything you’re cooking. Trust me, when they release their magic fragrance, everyone in the house will say “Dinner smells great!”

The menu was utilitarian and didn’t evoke the pleasure I usually get from cooking and eating with my family.

A. Chittenden County (1 in 7)

B. Orange County (1 in 6)

C. Addison, Washington and Windsor Counties (1 in 5)

D. Bennington, Caledonia, Franklin, Lamoille, Rutland and Windham Counties (1 in 4)

E. Essex, Grand Isle and Orleans Counties (1 in 3)

13% of all Vermont households are food insecure

3 Square Meals

celebration, was out of the question. A takeout meal for the five of us would have used up at least a third of our weekly allotment.

I also realized that a well-stocked pantry is a luxury. Though it’s not encouraged during the challenge, I relied on spices, different kinds of oil, vinegar, seeds and herbs to add flavor and a little extra something to simple meals. If I hadn’t had an adequate food budget to begin with, I wouldn’t have had a pantry filled with staples to help me along, and meals would have been less enjoyable.

CONTINUED FROM P. 19

After completing the challenge, I look at my weekly shopping trip differently. If I want to buy ice cream, or a six-pack of Diet Coke, I don’t have to subtract something else from the grocery list, and that’s a privilege.

I like to think that my family has always appreciated that we have the resources to live comfortably. Still, the 3 Squares Challenge was sobering. Living on such a tight budget made us intensely aware of — and grateful for — our easy relationship with food. K

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Many Vermonters might be surprised that nearly one in five Vermont children experiences hunger or is food insecure. Growing children are especially vulnerable, as food insecurity raises their risk of having health problems, developmental delays, depression, obesity, poor school performance and attendance, and aggressive or hyperactive behavior. If you want to help decrease hunger in Vermont, here are some actions you can take:

• Let your representatives know you value programs that benefit food-insecure Vermonters, and ask that they support them.

• Support the lunch programs in your local schools any way you can. The Hunger Free Vermont website has a School Meals Hub section where you can learn about school food initiatives and donate or volunteer.

• The Burlington School Food Project runs summer meal sites to feed kids when school isn’t in session. Make sure your local schools let everyone know where kids can access food over the summer, or volunteer to help out at a site near you.

• Donate to Hunger Free Vermont, or visit hungerfreevt.org to find out about events your family can participate in to raise awareness.

• Take the 3SquaresVT Challenge, then reflect on the experience with your family.

Dinner of roasted veggies and quesadillas

Financial Ed

An expert gives his two cents about saving for college

Dan Cunningham knows something about investing for college. As the father of four kids ranging in age from 7 to 13, he’s already preparing for the day when his family will be paying multiple college tuitions simultaneously.

But Cunningham thinks he’s got it covered. The Bennington native is founder of One Day in July, a Burlington-based financial advising firm that helps people manage their investments, be they 401(k)s, 529 plans or traditional brokerage accounts. The firm launched last fall and is already managing nearly $40 million in assets. Investors need a minimum of $25,000 to access his services. That might sound like a lot, but many firms require substantially more.

Understandably, Cunningham can’t recommend just one flat percentage of income that parents should set aside for their kids’ college funds. Those decisions, he says, should be based on a family’s financial circumstances.

Nevertheless, he recommends that all parents set aside money every month for higher education. Even if his clients just barely meet that $25,000 minimum, he says, “If people get on the right track, we can help them stay on that track.”

KIDS VT: What’s the first bit of financial advice you give parents?

DAN CUNNINGHAM: One of the good things about your readers is that they’re often reading Kids VT when their kids are little. That’s exactly the time they should be thinking about investing for college, with the “magic” of compounding interest [when accrued interest is added to the principal investment]. I actually opened a 529 plan for my daughter the week she was born. Start as soon as possible.

KVT: Can you explain 529 plans?

DC: They’re savings plans that allow money to grow in a tax-deferred way, as long as it’s withdrawn and spent at a qualifying educational institution. You can choose a plan from any state you want. You don’t have to use Vermont’s plan. I personally use Utah’s plan.

KVT: Why?

DC: Utah uses extremely low-cost funds and has a lot more options for where you can invest. It doesn’t have a tax credit, which Vermont’s plan does. But Vermont’s plan has about double the fees.

KVT: Do 529 accounts have to be spent on college tuition?

DC: The federal government has expanded the definition to include other expenses such as computers and school supplies. Also, it can be used not just for four-year colleges but also for other training programs, even educational courses for adults.

Issue Money The

have to pay interest on those loans, but you’re also not making gains on investments. So if you have a 7 percent interest rate on a loan versus earning 8 percent on an investment, you’re talking about a difference of 15 percentage points a year.

KVT: Why is it so important to start saving early?

DC: If a family can save $1,000 a month, and do that reliably, at the point the child got into college, that would be worth about $450,000 — and by their senior year it’d be worth about $665,000. That’s assuming an 8 percent return. No matter how much a family can afford to set aside, the key thing is to create that discipline and get that money out of your checking account and into an investment plan diligently every month.

KVT: I’ve read that if parents must choose between investing for their retirement versus their kids’ college, they should choose the former because you can borrow money for college. Thoughts?

DC: The problem with borrowing money and using loans for college is that you’re losing a lot more money than you think. Not only do you now

KVT: Any advice for getting kids “invested” in the practice of saving money?

DC: With my kids, we definitely talk about why we don’t spend money on nonessential things. So we don’t have cable TV. Here’s another example: Growing up in Bennington, I often played basketball with a friend who always bought the latest Nike Air Jordan sneakers. He bought at least six pairs. I calculated that, had he bought shares of Nike instead, today that stock would be worth well over $150,000.

KVT: Any other tricks you use?

DC: I actually simulate a bank for my kids, called Cunningham Bank. I don’t want my kids just putting their money in a savings account because they don’t really pay much interest. Cunningham Bank pays 6 percent. K

Find more information about Cunningham’s firm, One Day in July, at onedayinjuly.com.

No matter how much a family can afford to set aside, the key thing is to create that discipline.

Government 101

Legislative pages discuss what they’ve learned in the halls of the Statehouse

BY SARAH YAHM

While the Vermont legislature is in session, from January to May, the Statehouse in Montpelier is crowded with lawmakers, lobbyists and reporters. It’s not uncommon to see groups of students under the golden dome, as well. Wandering uncertainly through the hallowed halls, they stick out, looking mystified — or bored — by an up-close view of their state government in action.

But a select group of students seems at home here: legislative pages.

Each year, the Sergeant-at-Arms office chooses 30 eighth graders to serve as pages, who hand-deliver messages to members of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the legislative offices. Pages serve for six weeks at a time while the legislature is in session, rotating through the program in groups of 10. They attend their middle schools on Mondays, then spend Tuesdays through Fridays in Montpelier.

The page program has been around for more than a century, and has launched the political careers of numerous Vermont politicians, including current members of the legislature. More than 100 students apply each year for these coveted positions. Just one child from each family is allowed to serve. Applications, which include a cover

letter and a letter from the applicant’s principal, are due in October.

On an especially busy Friday in March — this session’s “crossover” deadline, the chaotic final day for bills to move from one chamber to the other and have any chance of becoming law this year — three pages took a break from their duties for an interview with Kids VT. The trio strode confidently through a maze of busy rooms to a quiet table in the back of the cafeteria, and knew nearly every adult they passed along the way.

The teens hail from all over the state: Sylvan Zeitlyn lives in Burlington and stays with an aunt in Montpelier during the week, Cassandra Summarsell hails from Woodstock and lives with a host family while in Montpelier, and Theresa Hoar lives nearby and commutes to the Statehouse.

But they were all dressed alike — pages wear a crisp green blazer, a white shirt, and dress pants or a skirt or dress for girls. Boys sport ties. All pages wear black shoes and black or grey socks.

Assistant Doorkeeper Michael Wiater and Cornelius Reed, the chief doorkeeper and director of the page program, wear the same uniform as the pages and expect the kids to take it seriously. Earlier this year, Reed sent a page home for wearing red socks.

Both men emphasized the traditional element of the program. Reed sees instilling responsibility and accountability in all new pages as an important part of teaching the civility he feels is sorely lacking in national politics these days. This includes addressing adults respectfully.

The pages don’t just deliver messages. During their stint in the state capital, they rotate between three primary jobs: sitting in on the House; sitting in on the Senate; and staffing the Sergeant-at-Arms desk. They also each track a House and a Senate bill, sitting in on debates on the floor and committee meetings when possible, to learn about the legislative process.

For their labor, they receive a considerable stipend for an eighth grader: $130 a week. “It’s their first real paycheck,” explained Wiater. “It promotes maturity.”

Pages are required to stay politically impartial when talking to the public, but among themselves they have spirited discussions and debates, which they say can get tense sometimes.

What advice do these political newbies have for the adult lawmakers in this country? “Find a common goal that everyone’s trying to get to,” Sylvan said solemnly. “Work together, and focus on that before you focus on the things that aren’t important.”

If you’re just going off of what your parents think or what your friends think, the country’s never going to change.

SYLVAN ZEITLYN, LEGISLATIVE PAGE

Summer Camp

Ready, Aim...

SCIENCE

OUTDOORS

ARTS

GYMNASTICS

EDUCATION

ANIMALS

Talent Development Institute

Summer 2017

For advanced students entering grades 4-9 who want to have fun while learning!

June 18-24 & June 25-July 1

“TDI has provided an environment where being intelligent is encouraged … TDI has given me confidence to be myself outside the camp and introduced me to friends I look forward to seeing each year.” — Camper

JUNE 26TH – 30TH

COLCHESTER, VT

Winds, brass, percussion entering grades 6-9 Strings entering grades 5-9

For kids who are wild about animals

For kids who are wild about animals!

Kids Ages 5-7: $195

New age group this year!

For kids who are wild about animals!

Kids Ages 8-10: $195

Animal Adventures (ages 7-9)

Kids Ages 11-12: $390

Animal Adventures (ages 7-9)

Week 1: Monday-Friday, July 10-14

Afternoons only still available!

Week 3: Monday - Friday, July 24-28

Session Four: 9 AM - 12 PM

July 13-17 ● July 20-24

Week 5: Monday-Friday, August 7-11

Session Eight: 9 AM - 3 PM

Afternoons only still available!

Session One: 9 AM - 12 PM

Session Five: 1 PM - 4 PM

Summer Safari (ages 10-12)

Week 2: Monday - Friday, July 17-21

July 13 -17 ● July 20-24

Full-day camp: A few slots available

Week 4: Monday - Friday, July 31-August 4

Week 6: Monday - Friday, August 14-18

Session Nine: 9 AM - 3 PM

Session Two: 9 AM - 12 PM

Session Six: 9 AM - 12 PM

July 27– July 31● Aug 3-7 ● Aug.10-14

Session Three: 1 PM - 4 PM

Summer Safari (ages 10-12)

Session Seven: 1 PM - 4 PM

Register: (802) 862-0135 x 12 Or visit chittendenhumane.org.

day camp: A few slots available Aug.10

CAMP ABNAKI REGISTRATION OPEN NOW

• Overnight camp for boys that have completed grades 1-10

• 100 years on North Hero’s shores

• Archery, sailing, camp fires, more

• Learn skills, build confidence, have fun!

campabnaki.org

Green Mountain Conservation Camp

Canoeing, fishing, archery, campfires and s’mores. What a great way to spend a week this summer. Discover Vermont’s wildlife and master outdoor skills. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department offers one-week sessions for girls and boys, ages 12 to 14. Sessions run from June through August at two beautiful lake-side locations.

JUNE 19 - AUGUST 25, 2017

egal SUMMER Camps

HAND-TOOLS ONLY

Pine Street, Burlington southendjoinery.org/workshops (802) 846-4016

DISCOVERY ADVENTURE CAMP

JUNE 19-AUG 25 8AM-3:30PM

After care available from 3:30PM - 5:30PM

Ages 3-7

Regal’s science-based summer camp is designed especially for children ages 3-7 years old! Daily activities will focus on sensory play and science experiments. 2 Day, 3 Day & 5 Day options

Every day of fun-filled camp

Includes:

• 1 hour of instructional gymnastics

• Open gym time

• Cooperative games

• Outdoor explorations & play

• Theme-based experiments, stories, crafts & activities

• Nutritious lunch and snacks provided

Instructional Gymnastics Camp

JUNE 19-AUG 25 8AM-3:30PM

After care available from 3:30PM - 5:30PM

Ages 6-14

Come experience all that Regal has to offer! Our full-day camp includes morning meeting, group warm-ups, daily instructed gymnastics, open gym, daily challenges, cooperative games, outdoor activities including water slides and arts & crafts. Children will showcase their skills in an end of week gymnastics exhibition!

Vermont Ninja Warrior Camp

JUNE 26-AUG 25 8AM-3:30PM

Alternating weeks and After care available from 3:30PM - 5:30PM

Ages 7+

Our Ninja Camp is filled with a variety training from ninja warrior, parkour, trampoline, tumbling, free running, yoga. Outdoor activities including hiking and water slides.

REGISTER NOW!

Night Eagle Wilderness Adventures

A unique summer camp for boys, ages 10-14, in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains

tipi living ▲ nature crafts

canoeing ▲ backpacking ▲

skills ▲ tracking atlatls ▲ ’hawk throwing swimming ▲ archery ▲ hiking

cooperative work & play ▲ and much more! ▲

THE

SOUTH END JOINERY

Why Did You Choose

COMPILED BY ALISON NOVAK

ILLUSTRATIONS BY HATIYE GARIP

It takes a special kind of person to work at a summer camp. Whether it’s tending to skinned knees and bug bites or wrangling dozens of kids with different needs and interests, it’s not an easy job. On the other hand, spending the bulk of the summer swimming, exploring nature and making art seems like a pretty sweet deal. This month, we asked local camp directors and staff to tell us why they chose camp life and what they like about their job. Not surprisingly, many of them said their experience attending camp was a driving force behind working at one.

Camp Farnsworth (run by Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains), Thetford

I started going to Camp Farnsworth at the age of 9, and it has been my home away from home ever since. As a counselor, I really love being able to give campers the same enjoyable experience that I had as a camper. I want new and old campers alike to leave feeling more confident in themselves, having learned new skills and tried new things, as well as realize that there will always be a place for them there. The dynamic of the staff at Camp Farnsworth is something that is powerful and unique. We work together for just two months, but the friendships we make and the professional skills we acquire last a lifetime. I took on the counselor-in-training director position last summer because I wanted to provide a positive learning experience in which the oldest campers, who would soon become staff, feel confident and prepared to take on such an important job.

JESSICA “SULLY” GUSTAFSON, COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING DIRECTOR

University of Vermont Environmental Science Day Camp, Burlington

I feel everyone who lives on planet Earth should know something about the home they live on. I studied geology, but there are plenty of other “Earth-related” sciences too. Science education brings excitement and knowledge to people of all ages. What better way is there to instill a love of scientific inquiry than to start with young students?

CHRISTINE MASSEY, DIRECTOR

Smugglers’ Notch Resort Summer Fun University, Jeffersonville

I started working at the Smugglers’ Notch Summer Fun University when I was 16 years old as a junior camp counselor. I wanted a job where I could be outside playing with kids and sharing my passion for Vermont and our natural surroundings. I have since graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in recreation management, all while working at Smugglers’. I continue to enjoy working with children in our camp programs entering into my 29th summer!

HARLEY JOHNSON, DIRECTOR

to Work at a Camp?

Wingspan Studio, Burlington

I first started working with kids and running youth art camps as a resident artist at [the arts and cultural center] Glen Echo Park in Maryland, early in my career. The natural and historic setting there lent itself to combining nature with programs and supported my view of nature as our greatest teacher. I was tutoring in French, having lived in Paris and Yaoundé, Cameroon, and previously working in international development, so combining French came into it. Relocating to Vermont in 1999, after an art residency at the Vermont Studio Center, I opened Wingspan Studio and voilà! Our youth programs weave together the arts, French and nature-inspired projects. I love working with kids because of their curiosity and honesty. It’s also super important to me to make programs accessible to all, thus the founding of Spread Your Wings!, our youth scholarship program.

MAGGIE STANDLEY, DIRECTOR

Circus Smirkus Camp, Greensboro

After being a camper for six years, I knew that the summer I was old enough to work, I wanted to apply. Working now as a counselor is my way of giving back after so many years of receiving the “magic” that camp offers and doing my best to create my own magic for kids. Working alongside some of my best friends that I grew up with at camp makes it all the more meaningful.

EMMA STEINERT, COUNSELOR

University of Vermont Adventure Day Camp, Burlington

Since the age of 3, I have been attending day camps, and then sleepaway camps when I was old enough. Once I entered college and knew I wanted to be an educator, working for camps during the summer seemed like a natural (and fun) fit! I first began working as a counselor for UVM’s Adventure Day Camp the summer going into my senior year. The next year I returned as the sports and games counselor. Then, after a few years working as a high school teacher, I missed it and returned as the assistant director last year, and this

year as the director. ADC has become my happy place, and I can’t imagine not returning.

EMILY GILMORE, DIRECTOR

ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain Camps, Burlington

As a lifelong learner, I truly delight in sharing my passion for science, engineering and the natural world with others, especially inquisitive future scientists. ECHO camps provide that special place to let children’s natural curiosity and creativity run wild.

CHRIS WHITAKER, EDUCATOR

Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Camp, Quechee

Summer camp has always been an important part of my life. I actually attended a VINS summer camp when it was located in Woodstock in the early ’90s. I don’t remember much, but I still have some very vivid memories of meeting an enormous snapping turtle face-toface and running around

outdoors. After that, I attended an overnight camp for girls for eight summers, then returned as a CIT and a counselor for four summers after that. The life-changing friendships I made and the sense of belonging and selfconfidence that I cultivated during my summers at camp have instilled in me the enormous importance of summer camp experiences for all children.

I never dreamed that I would be in charge of leading a summer camp; however, I absolutely love the job. I always loved working with kids and the natural world, and so combining the two in an environmental education degree was an obvious choice. Graduating from my master’s program, I had no idea where my schooling would take me, but in a wonderful, coming-full-circle sort of way, the position with VINS Nature Camp was available, and I’ve been so grateful to be in this role for the past two and a half years.

SARAH SINCERBEAUX, NATURE CAMP AND ADULT PROGRAMS LEAD

WINDSURFING CAMP

WND&WVS is offering weekly half-day windsurfing camps from June 19th through August 25th. The camp runs from 8:45 to 1:45 Monday through Friday followed by a free lunch at The Spot. Visit wndnwvs.com/play for more information or call 802 540-2529.

Cabin life promotes community and team work

All-elective program encourages self-confidence and decision making.

Campers at Betsy Cox and Sangamon have real independence. They make ALL their own choices every activity period, every day.

k‐8 camps | middle school apprenticeships

primitive skills | exploration | nature games | art music | natural history | storytelling

april vacation camp | summer camps registration now open

688 PINE STREET BURLINGTON

about online protection and how to defend against cyber attacks.

GenCyber@NU features:

• A n intensive introduction to data security and cyber forensics

• Hands-on exercises in a cyber security “War Room.”

• A n outdoor cyber treasure hunt with rogue WiFi hotspots.

• Cyber table-top exercises in real world locations where you combat cyber attacks; surprise cyber forensic challenges with prizes.

GenCyber@NU is funded by a grant from the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation. FREE to students who will be juniors or seniors in Fall 2017.

The application deadline is April 30, 2017 . To apply, visit profschools.norwich.edu/business/gen-cyber-camp/

Run away to circus camp!

Ages 5-18 and Adult Camps: June-August

Grownups,

Ages 7-16

Theresa Hoar

Why did you want to become a page? Because I wanted to see the inner workings of the government and how decisions are made — because there are different opinions — and how it’s settled. I think it’s been really cool to just see how everything is run from an inside perspective.

What bills are you following?

S.32 and H.39. H.39 is on storm water permits and how big of a land you need to be developing to require a permit. The present law is it’s an acre,

Cassandra Summarsell

Why did you want to become a page? It was mostly the election that got me interested — why people have different opinions when the facts are the same. What bills are you following?

S.86 and H.171. They’re both about expungement [sealing a person’s criminal record, effectively erasing it]. There was a big debate, the week before last, that lasted for — it felt like forever.

What is inspiring about your job? The debate on expungements really inspired me because there were two representatives that had completely different points of view. One representative, she has a 5-year-old son and was robbed in her own home with her

son by her side. She voted yes because she was defending second chances. There was another representative from the same party (Democrat) and she voted no because if she wanted somebody to take care of her 90-yearold mother she would want to know if this person was a drug dealer or a thief.

Not-so-inspiring moment?

My second week here. I was helping out these two people in the coatroom and one of them mentioned that one day I’ll realize how stingy or how awful politics are, and that once I’m done with the six weeks that I’ll stay as far away as I can from politics. So that was a shocking moment.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

My grandfather asked me if I’d ever run for senator. I’ve never considered it but since he asked me I think it would be interesting. I don’t think I’d do it as a solid profession. My profession is sort of out of politics — I want to be a maternity nurse. But I also want a degree in business, and partially photography.   Is it fun to miss school?

I enjoy missing school. I would say at my school there’s a lot of drama. I think you escape it all. There’s a little drama [at the Statehouse], especially with our discussions, but it’s nice to be in the real world and work with adults.

and they want to change it to half an acre. And S.32 is on state procurements regarding climate change — so when the state would hire people to do jobs. The bill is basically saying that they want to give thoughtful consideration to [environmentally responsible companies].

What is inspiring about your job?

I think it’s really neat how there are so many different people. There’s men, there’s women, some of the representatives are in their early twenties, and then there’s much older people. There’s such a diverse group of people, and I think it’s neat how they all come together to make up our government. Not-so-inspiring moment?

Some things that aren’t as pressing

I like to keep feelings out of it, but morals in it.

THERESA HOAR, LEGISLATIVE PAGE

that seem to be discussed more than the items that are. My first day in the senate it was something about the Battle of Bennington and where it was, and the wording of where it was because technically, apparently it was in New York, and that’s what it had said. And one of the senators actually said: I feel like there’s been a trend that we’ve been discussing things that aren’t important, and this is silly. What do you want to be when you grow up? I like working with younger kids. I have a lot of siblings. So I’ve thought about being a teacher. This [experience] has brought more light to the fact that I wouldn’t mind being a politician either. I do like to see all the sides to everything. I like to keep feelings out of it, but morals in it. I’ve also thought of being a lawyer. I’m not dead set on anything yet.

Sylvan Zeitlyn

Why did you want to become a page? It seemed like an interesting experience, and I thought it would be a good way to meet a lot of people in politics.

What bills are you following?

S.116 is the bill that I’m following. It’s an act relating to the establishment of a racial justice oversight board. Well, I haven’t actually gotten to sit in on a committee yet because I haven’t really found when they’re going to be talking about that because it’s difficult to track down. I’ve talked to some of the senators and they direct me to a different senator, and they direct me to a different senator, and that person directs me back to the first senator, and it just goes around in a circle. Did you know there was a rally about this issue yesterday?

I went to it. I was afraid I was going to get hypothermia because it was so cold! I’ve only gotten to hear arguments for it because I went to

the rally and everyone there was in support of it. I haven’t gotten to hear any arguments against it, so I’m excited to hear the other political view.

What is inspiring about your job?

How much the Senate and the House often seem very divided, but they also often work together. I thought that was kind of cool that even though they work in separate areas and they don’t see each other, other than in the joint sessions, they still work together on the same issues.   Not-so-inspiring moment?

Sometimes when there are things that to us feel irrelevant and they go on for hours on end and it’s just like, Why are you spending so much time on this? I personally feel this is [an] important [issue] but I think there was a five- or four-hour session, and they were talking for two hours about one particular bill, which was H.218, an act relating to adequate treatment of dogs and cats. I think the main debate was all about the wording.

Do you think eighth graders could do the same work legislators do?

It’s really difficult to change your opinion, especially if your parents or your close relatives or your friends believe something. It’s hard to go against them because these are the people you know and trust, and then often you don’t formulate your own opinions. So I think it’s important that you are able to formulate your own opinions, because if you’re just going off of what your parents think or what your friends think, the country’s never going to change. And we definitely need change right now.   Have your opinions changed because of this experience?

Not the political views, but my opinions about how to approach someone with different political views have definitely changed, just because I have more experience talking to people who I disagree with. It’s very important to understand the opposition.  K

learn about our party packages, vermontteddybear.com/birthday-parties

There’s such a diverse group of people, and I think it’s neat how they all come together to make up our government.

CASSANDRA SUMMARSELL, LEGISLATIVE PAGE

During Vermont Restaurant Week, participating locations across the state o er inventive prix-fixe dinners for $20, $30 or $40 per person. Try lunch, brunch or breakfast specials, too!

SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDE

Aperitivo: A Snacky Social Hour, Bottomless Brunch Bash, Culinary Pub Quiz, Feeding Frenzy and The Dish.

TO BENEFIT

$1 provides 3 meals to Vermonters in need.

In 2016, with your help, we raised more than $20,000 for the Vermont Foodbank. This year, The Vermont Community Foundation will once again match our total donation up to $5,000. Help us connect all Vermonters with local healthy food.

Donate today at vermontrestaurantweek.com.

CALL YOUR SITTER!

¡Duino! Duende

3 Squares Café

51 Main at the Bridge

A Single Pebble

Apple Core Luncheonette & Brew (Cold Hollow Cider Mill)

Ariel’s Restaurant

ArtsRiot

August First Bakery & Café

The Bagel Place

Bar Antidote

The Bearded Frog

The Bench

Bistro de Margot

Black Krim Tavern

Bleu Northeast Seafood

Blue Cat Steak & Wine Bar

Blue Moose Bistro Italian Restaurant

Blue Paddle Bistro

Bluebird Barbecue

The Bobcat Café & Brewery

The Bryant House*

Butch + Babe’s*

Café Provence*

Charlie B’s Pub & Restaurant at Stoweflake

Church & Main

Citizen Cider City Market/

Onion River Co-op

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS (SO FAR!)

Colatina Exit*

Cook Academy at the Essex Resort

Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen*

The Daily Planet

Dedalus Wine, Market & Bar*

Doc Ponds

Down Home Kitchen

duo Restaurant

East West Café

El Cortijo Taqueria y Cantina

Esperanza Restaurante*

The Farmhouse Tap & Grill

Fire & Ice Restaurant

Foam Brewers*

Gaku Ramen*

Grazers

The Gryphon Guild Tavern

Happy Belly Deli (Winooski)*

Hazel

Hen of the Wood (Burlington, Waterbury)

Hired Hand Brewing*

Hyde Away Inn and Restaurant*

J. Morgan’s Steakhouse

Joyce’s Noodle House

Junction at the Essex:

Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa

Juniper

Kingdom Taproom

Kismet

The Kitchen Table Bistro

La Puerta Negra

Leunig’s Bistro & Café

The Lighthouse Restaurant and Lounge

The Lobby

The Mad Taco (Montpelier, Waitsfield)*

Maple City Diner

The Marina*

Maxi’s Restaurant

Michael’s on the Hill

Misery Loves Co.

Morgan’s Tavern at the Middlebury Inn*

Mule Bar

Myer’s Bagel Bakery*

NECI on Main

New Moon Café

Our House Bistro

Park Squeeze

The Parker House Inn & Restaurant

Pascolo Ristorante

Pauline’s Café

Picnic Social*

Pizzeria Verità

Positive Pie (Hardwick)

Prohibition Pig

The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm

The Reservoir Restaurant & Tap Room

Roots the Restaurant

Sarducci’s Restaurant & Bar

The Scu er Tap & Table

Sherpa Kitchen

Silver Palace*

Simon Pearce

Smokin’ Butt’s Bar-B-Q*

Sotto Enoteca

Starry Night Café

Stone Corral Brewery*

Storm Café

Stowe Bowl

Sugarhouse Bar & Grill*

Superfresh! Organic Café

Sweetwaters

Table 24 Restaurant

Tavern at the Essex:

Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa

Thai Dishes

The Spot*

Three Brothers Pizza & Grill

Three Penny Taproom

Toscano Café & Bistro

Tourterelle

Trattoria Delia

Vermont Pub & Brewery*

Waterworks Food + Drink

Whetstone Station

Restaurant & Brewery

Wicked Wings (Essex, Johnson)*

The Windjammer

Restaurant

Windsor Station*

Zenbarn*

For the latest dish ... vermontrestaurantweek.com

Week to Week

SpringRevival

in Burlington. Through Sunday, April 30.

Vermont Maple Festival: A giant parade, marionette shows, Main Street entertainment, specialty foods and more showcase Vermont’s signature sweet. Downtown St. Albans. Through Sunday, April 30.

EARTH GARDENS AND THE SEEDS OF LIFE: PLANTING A TRADITIONAL FAMILY GARDEN: Using storytelling, slides, music and hands-on demonstrations, environmental educator Michael Caduto entertains and educates familes on the topic of gardening. Ages 5 and up. Sunday, April 30, 1 p.m., at the Justin Morrill Homestead in Strafford.

Weeks MudFest:

4 Tuesday

ADDISON

Youth Media Lab: Aspiring movie makers film, edit and produce videos while exploring the depths of digital media. Grades 4-6. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Info, 388-4097. FREE

CHITTENDEN

Crafternoon: Maker-minded kiddos create cool projects. Ages 7 and up. CarpenterCarse Library, Hinesburg, 3-4 p.m. preregister. Info, 482-2878. FREE

Library Elementary Event Planners: Middle school students make plans and chow down on munchies. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Preschool Music: Bitty ones dance and sing to a brisk beat. Ages 3-5. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 11:30 a.m. Info, 264-5660. FREE

Read to Daisy the Therapy Dog: Book bu s bring a selection from home or borrow from the library to amuse an attentive canine. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:15-4 p.m.; preregistration appreciated. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Read to Willy Wonka the Chocolate Lab: A certified reading pooch listens patiently to emerging readers. Ages 3-8. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 4:15 p.m.; preregister for a time slot. Info, 264-5660. FREE

Spanish Musical Kids: Niños celebrate Latin American culture through tunes and games en español. Ages 1-5 with a caregiver. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:45 a.m. Info, 865-7216. FREE

Williston Read to a Dog: Pet-lovers peruse books with registered therapy pooches. All ages. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Preregister. Info, 878-4918. FREE

FRANKLIN

Adoption Support Group: Families facing adoption issues and challenges join forces in a respectful setting. All welcome. Franklin County Seniors Center, St. Albans, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Info, 524-1700. FREE

Family Game Night: Families drop in and take over the library’s tabletops for a lively evening. All ages. Fairfax Community Library, 6-8 p.m. Info, 849-2420. FREE

Magic: The Gathering Drop-In Gaming Tuesdays: Players of all skill levels team up for card playing. All ages. Haston Library, Franklin, 4-7 p.m. Info, 285-6505. FREE

Sewing Club: Crafty kids try out a sewing machine and stitch a project. Ages 10 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4:30 p.m.; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

RUTLAND

Chess Club: Strategists enjoy competition and camaraderie. All ages. Sherburne Memorial Library, Killington, 3:15 p.m. Info, 422-9765. FREE

WASHINGTON

CD Hovercraft Class: Crafty kiddos create a balloon hovercraft and rally for a round of racing. Ages 8-11. Waterbury Public Library, 3-4 p.m. Preregister. Info, 244-7036. FREE

Easter Egg Hunts

SOUTH BURLINGTON EGG HUNT: Little ones hop on down to the library and enjoy stories, songs, games and crafts. Ages 6 and under. South Burlington Community Library, Thursday, April 13, 9:15 & 10:30 a.m Info, 652-7080. FREE

BARRE EGG HUNT: Kids find the goods in an egg-cellent adventure. Ages 3-10. Rotary Park, Barre, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. Nonperishable food-shelf donations accepted. Info, 476-0256. FREE

COLCHESTER EGG HUNT: Well-placed eggs await capture by little hands. Colchester Bayside Park, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. Bring a nonperishable item for the food shelf. Info, 264-5500. FREE

ESSEX EGG HUNT: Little gatherers collect eggs and treats to celebrate the start of spring. Toddlers through grade 4. Maple Street Park, Essex Junction, Saturday, April 15, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Nonperishable food-shelf donations accepted. Info, 878-1375. FREE

FAIRFAX EGG HUNT: Kiddos line up for a finding frenzy, searching for rewards in plastic eggs. Immediately following, the Fairfax Library offers hot cocoa, photo-ops with the Bunny and craft activities until 12:30 p.m. Fairfax Community Park & Recreation Path, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. Info, 849-6111, ext. 20. FREE

LOST NATION THEATER INDOOR

EGG HUNT: Sharp-eyed youth search for sweets. Space is limited to the first 40 participants. Ages 11 and under. Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier City Hall Auditorium, Saturday, April 15, noon. Donations accepted. Info, 229-0492. FREE

MILTON EGG HUNT: Young scavengers ages 6 and under meet the Easter Bunny and race to find candy-filled eggs. Bombardier Park, Milton, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m Info, 893-4922. FREE

MONTPELIER EGG HUNT: Laser-focused kiddos search out sweet treats. Hubbard Park, Montpelier, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. Info, 225-8699. FREE

MUD SEASON EGG HUNT: Laughing Moon

Chocolates and the Green Mountain Club present a festive morning featuring eggs hidden along a trail. Afterward, families head to Laughing Moon to meet the Easter Bunny from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Green Mountain Club, Waterbury, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. Info, 253-9591. FREE

NEWPORT EGG HUNT: Sprightly youngsters meet the Easter Bunny, make crafts, play games and search for sweet treasures. Ages 10 and under. Prouty Beach, Newport, Saturday, April 15, 10:45 a.m.noon. $3. Info, 334-6345.

ST. ALBANS EGG HUNT: Eager youngsters seek sugary delights. Ages 9 and under. Taylor Park, St. Albans, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. Info, 524-1500, ext. 266. FREE

STOWE EGG HUNT: Little and big kids spread out in separate egg hunts, followed by face painting and festive activities, featuring photos with the special bunny of the day. All ages. Memorial Park, Stowe, Saturday, April 15, 10-11:30 a.m. $5. Info, 253-6138.

WILLISTON EGG HUNT: A parade of celebrators culminates in frenzied sweet seeking. Williston Central School, Saturday, April 15, 8-9:30 a.m Info, 865-2738. FREE

WINDSOR

Art Monkeys: With rotating weekly themes, this drop-in class encourages children to explore color, paint, markers, oil pastels, clay, movement and the joy of creativity. Ages 18 months to 5 years. Children under 3 must be accompanied by a caregiver. ArtisTree/ Purple Crayon, South Pomfret, 9:30-10:30 a.m. $12 per drop-in class. Info, 457-3500. Lego Tuesdays: Young builders bust out blocks and get building. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Norwich Public Library, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Info, 649-1184. FREE

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

Free Cone Day: The concept is simple — ice cream gratis at Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops worldwide — but choosing between flavors like Cherry Garcia and Chubby Hubby is oh-so-hard. Burlington, Waterbury, Rutland & Manchester Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops, noon-8 p.m. Info, 846-1500. FREE

5 Wednesday

CHITTENDEN

Dorothy’s List Book Club: Middle readers make merry conversation around DCF pick Escape From Baxter’s Barn by Rebecca Bond. Ages 8-11. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Info, 264-5660. FREE Dungeons & Dragons: Novice and experienced players use their imaginations together. Ages 10 and up. Regular attendance needed to follow the ongoing storyline. Jericho Town Library, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Info, 899-4686. FREE

Mister Ethan Musical Concert for Children: Little ones revel in musical merriment with a special local guest. Ages 6 and under. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 4:30 p.m. Info, 482-2878. FREE

One-on-One Tutoring: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences students coach elementary-age kids in reading, math and science. Grades 1-6. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 5-8 p.m.

Reading Buddies: Little readers pair up with volunteers for literacy and laughs. Kindergarten and up. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 3:30-4:30 p.m.; preregistration appreciated but not required. Info, 264-5660. FREE

Yoga for Kids: Young yogis engage their energy and explore breathing exercises and relaxation poses. Ages 2-5. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Info, 865-7216. FREE

FRANKLIN

Fairfax Lego Club: Budding builders construct creatively with colorful blocks. Ages 6 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Preregister. Info, 849-2420. FREE

Little Explorer Program: Nature-minded preschoolers discover signs of spring with Mr. K. Highgate Public Library, Highgate Center, 10 a.m. Info, 868-3970. FREE

Mommy and Me Fitness Meetup: While moms work out, tykes cavort with provided childcare for 30 minutes, then kids enjoy tumble time. Ages 5 and under. Raw Strength and Fitness, St. Albans, 9:30-10:30 a.m. $3. Info, 288-1141.

Sewing Club: See April 4.

LAMOILLE

Tots on the Turf: Little ones move and groove in forts, games and free play. Caregiver supervision required. Stowe Arena, 10-11 a.m. $5 per child. Info, 253-6138.

RUTLAND

Killington Lego Club: Junior builders bust out the blocks and creativity in themed sessions. Ages 6 and up. Sherburne Memorial Library, Killington, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Info, 422-9765. FREE

Life in the Studio: David Macaulay, Vermont’s own award-winning author and illustrator of Castle, Cathedral and The Way Things Work, shares his current projects and challenges. All ages. Rutland Free Library, 7 p.m. Info, 773-1860. FREE

Rutland Library Book Sale: Bibliophiles thumb through hundreds of hardcovers, paperbacks, CDs and DVDs. Proceeds support library collections and activities. Rutland Free Library, 3-7 p.m. Info, 773-1860. FREE

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: More than fifty vendors peddle produce, from fresh salad greens to apples and cider, alongside artisan cheese, homemade bread and other local products. All ages. Vermont Farmers Food Center, Rutland, 3-6 p.m. Info, 342-4727. FREE

Wonderfeet New Exhibit Reception:

Appetizers will be served during this schmooze session to celebrate a new installation. On April 6, the exhibit o cially opens and admission is on the house from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum, Rutland, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Info, 282-2678. FREE

WINDSOR

Sensory Lab for Tots: Tiny tots try out selfguided art stations, including finger painting, modeling dough, moon sand and more. Ages 5 and under; adult supervision required. ArtisTree/Purple Crayon, South Pomfret, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $5. Info, 457-3500.

6 Thursday

ADDISON

Quiet Crafternoon: Visual learners try their hand at involved art projects which may take more than one week to complete. Grades 3 and up. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Info, 388-7588. FREE

CHITTENDEN

Audubon Homeschool Program: Homebased learners use the outdoor classroom to explore a variety of seasonal topics, from insect life to bird habitat. Ages 6-8. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $25; $15 each additional sibling; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

Live Performances

‘WILLY WONKA! THE MUSICAL’: Young thespians take their talent to the stage in the spring musical of an eccentric chocolatier who seeks a child heir to his sweet fortune. All ages. Lyman C. Hunt Middle School, Burlington, Thursday, April 6, 4 p.m.; Friday, April 7, 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 8, 7 p.m. Info, 654-8469. FREE

HOPSTOP: AKWAABA TRADITIONAL AFRICAN DRUM AND DANCE ENSEMBLE: Led by master percussionist and teacher Theophilus Nii Martey, this energetic ensemble encourages the audience to get on their feet and embrace the rhythms and style of West Africa. Ages 3 and up. Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hanover, N.H. Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m. Info, 603-646-2422. FREE

MILK & COOKIES WITH MISS MAY: May Erlewine, teacher of Music for Sprouts, enchants an audience of all ages with her melodious and magical musical adventures. Coffee and doughnuts available for purchase. Bread and Butter Farm, Shelburne, Saturday, April 8, 10 & 11:30 a.m. $8; free for children under 1. Info, 985-9200.

FAMILY CONCERT: Jeh Kulu’s master artists from Guinea, Senegal, Mali and the United States get the audience moving and grooving with West African dancing and drumming. All ages. South Burlington Community Library, Sunday, April 9, 2 p.m. Info, 652-7080. FREE

WILD KRATTS LIVE!: The brainy brothers, Chris and Martin Kratt, amusingly educate the audience about wild and weird creatures in the animal kingdom, based on the popular PBS Kids show. Flynn MainStage, Burlington, Wednesday, April 19, 6 p.m. and Thursday, April 20, 6 p.m. $25-45. Info, 863-5966.

‘A BETTER PLACE, A TWIST ON OLIVER’: A cast of 45 elementary, middle and high school students dazzle the audience through dance, acting and imaginative staging, in this contemporary spin on Dickens’ classic orphan story. All ages. Mount Mansfield Union High School, Jericho, Friday, April 21, 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, 1:30 p.m $8-10. Info, 899-1174.

VERMONT FIDDLE ORCHESTRA SPRING

CONCERT: David Kaynor directs a lively evening of traditional Québécois music, with guest soloist Pascal Gemme. Hyde Park Opera House, Saturday, April 22, 7 p.m. $12-15; free for children under 13. Info, 229-4191.

‘ANNIE’: This classic musical of a courageous curly-haired girl inspires the audience with rousing song and dramatic scenery as wit and grit overcome Depression-era hopelessness. Flynn MainStage, Burlington, Tuesday, April 25, 7 p.m. $25-75. Info, 863-5966.

‘NICK OF TIME’: No Strings Marionette Company mesmerizes school groups and homeschooling families in this comedy about time travelers’ sci-fi quest to save the planet. Ages 5-12. Fuller Hall, St. Johnsbury, Wednesday, April 26, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $4; group of 50 discount $3.50; preregistration encouraged. Info, 888-757-5559.

‘PEPPA PIG’: The pig star of the popular TV series takes her first theatrical tour, to the pleasure of preschoolers. Doors open at 5 p.m. Flynn MainStage, Burlington, Wednesday, April 26, 6 p.m. $44-57; free admission for infants up to 1 year. Info, 863-5966.

VERMONT VAUDEVILLE: Old-school entertainment combines with cutting-edge music, acrobatic stunts and comedy for a one-of-a-kind theater experience. Back Road BBQ serves up savory fare. All ages. Hardwick Town House, Thursday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, April 28, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 29, 2 & 7:30 p.m. $8-15. Info, 748-2600.

JUNIOR JAM: POETRY READING: As part of Poem Town St. Johnsbury, middle and high school students get the crowd clapping for original and favorite work. All ages. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, Friday, April 28, 6 p.m. Info, 748-2600, ext. 108. FREE

LIP SYNC BATTLE: Teams of local residents take to the stage and strut their talents before the judges, with the audience choosing the winners via text-to-vote. All ages. Paramount Theatre, Rutland, Saturday, April 29, 6 p.m. $22.50; proceeds benefit Wonderfeet Kids’ Museum. Info, 282-2678.

SOUND BITES CONCERT WITH JUSTIN ROBERTS: This grammy-nominated all-star rocks the family music scene in a solo performance benefitting Evergreen Preschool and the Boys and Girls Club of Vergennes. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; performance at 11:30 a.m. All ages. Vergennes Opera House, Saturday, April 29, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $5-10; free for children under 2 and adults accompanying children. Info, 430-4825.

VERMONT PHILHARMONIC SPRING CONCERT: Conductor Lou Kosma starts the spring season with selections from Shostakovich, Sibelius and Dvořák. Chandler Music Hall, Randolph, Saturday, April 29, 7:30 p.m. $5-12. Barre Opera House, Sunday, April 30, 2 p.m. $5-15. Info, 229-4191.

Food for Thought Teen Group: Young adults polish o pizza as they ponder library projects. Grades 7-12. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 4-5 p.m. Info, 878-4918.

Lego Club: Mini-makers participate in surprise challenges with colorful interlocking blocks. Ages 6-10. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 4 p.m. Info, 264-5660. FREE

Preschool Music: Lively tunes with local musicians strike the right note among the wee crowd. Ages 5 and under with a caregiver. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Limited to one session per week per family. Info, 878-4918. FREE Read to Archie the Therapy Dog: An attentive canine listens to little people read. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:15-4 p.m. Preregistration appreciated. Info, 878-6956. FREE

FRANKLIN

Lego Thursdays: Kiddie constructionists combine their creativity with the library’s supplies. All ages. Haston Library, Franklin, 2-5 p.m. Info, 285-6505. FREE

PJ Story Time: Children chill in their jammies while crafting and listening to stories. Ages 6 and under. Fairfax Community Library, 6-7 p.m. Info, 849-2420. FREE

Read to a Dog: Little book lovers select stories to share with a furry friend. Ages 5-10. Fairfax Community Library, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Preregister for 15-minute time slot. Info, 849-2420. FREE

WINDSOR

Clay for Tots: Little potters practice, poke and play with a malleable medium. Ages 3-6. ArtisTree/Purple Crayon, South Pomfret, 10:30-11:15 a.m. $12 per drop-in class. Info, 457-3500.

7 Friday CALEDONIA

PBS Kids! Film: Youngsters enjoy an educational flick while filling up on free popcorn. Ages 2-7 with caregivers. Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury, 9:30 a.m. Preregister. Info, 748-2600, ext. 108. FREE

CHITTENDEN

All-Ages Story Time: Picture books, finger play and rhymes amuse all. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Early Bird Math Story Time: Little ones learn math literacy through games and play. Ages 2-5. Richmond Free Library, 11-11:30 a.m. Info, 434-3036. FREE

Essex Junction Magic: The Gathering: Planeswalkers seek knowledge and glory in this trading-card game. New players welcome. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE Family Gym: Indoor playground equipment gives tumblers a chance to run free. Ages 7 and under. Greater Burlington YMCA, 10:1511:45 a.m. $5-8 per family; free for members. Info, 862-9622.

Akwaaba Traditional African Drum and Dance Ensemble

Friday Free for All: Junior explorers investigate the world, from rocks to bugs. Ages 3-5. Charlotte Public Library, 10:3011:30 a.m. preregister. Info, 425-3864. FREE

Kids in the Kitchen: Bacon Corn Dogs: Junior chefs gear up for the summer hot dog season with this classic meal, beating up a cornmeal batter and mastering the fundamentals of frying. Healthy Living Market & Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $25; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: Toe-tapping tunes captivate kiddies. Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 a.m. Info, 660-9346. FREE

Teen Advisory Board: Adolescents socialize about library projects and savor snacks. Grades 9 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

LAMOILLE

Kids’ Night Out: While their parents appreciate time o , youngsters enjoy dinner, a movie and games. David Gale Recreation Center, Stowe, 6-10 p.m. $15 per child. Info, 253-6138.

Classes

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

RUTLAND

Killington Magic: The Gathering: Novice and experienced players team up for card challenges. Ages 8 and up. Sherburne Memorial Library, Killington, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Info, 422-9765. FREE

ORLEANS

Lego Club: Youngsters build with plastic blocks and enjoy companionship.

Ages 4-12. Craftsbury Public Library, Craftsbury Common, 3-4:30 p.m. Info, 586-9683. FREE

WASHINGTON

Family Story Time: Librarian and storyteller Molly Pease leads little ones in stories, crafts and music. Bridgeside Books, Waterbury, 10-10:30 a.m. Info, 244-1441. FREE

7

$100

(Bring

any Play System

List your class or camp here for only $20 per month! Submit the listing by April 15 at kidsvt.com or to classes@kidsvt.com.

BIRTH ARTS INTERNATIONAL DOULA

TRAINING: Labor Doula Training, Friday & Saturday, June 2-3, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Postpartum Doula Training, Sunday & Monday, June 4 & 5, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Location: Essex Junction, Vermont. $450 for each two day training. $100 per session deposit required. Register for both sessions and receive a $100 discount. Contact Helena Wu, Birth Arts International Doula Trainer, Helena@goodmedicinetree.com or 325-3259 for registration and program specific questions.

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU: The future of our nation lies in the courage, confidence and determination of its people. Our Kids BJJ Program promotes self-esteem, selfconfidence, character development and a physical outlet with discipline, cooperation with other children, respect for peers and adults, perseverance and a healthy lifestyle. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will help your kids to learn realistic bullyproofing and self-defense skills that they can use for the rest of their lives!

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu builds endurance, patience and self-respect. Give your kids the ability to get stronger, gain confidence and build resilience! Our sole purpose is to help empower people by giving them practices they can carry with them throughout life. Remember you are raising children, not flowers. First class is free! Please stop by our school at 55 Leroy Road, Williston; call 598-2839; visit our website vermontbjj.com or email julio@bjjusa.com to register your son or daughter!

PRENATAL & POSTNATAL YOGA CLASSES AT EVOLUTION PRENATAL & FAMILY YOGA

CENTER: Have a more comfortable pregnancy and prepare for birth with stretching, strengthening and relaxation in prenatal yoga — and then bring your body back to balance and strength in postnatal yoga. Join our community of mothers at any point in your pregnancy, and 6 weeks or later in your postpartum time (until baby is crawling). No yoga experience necessary.  Prenatal Yoga: Saturdays, 11:30 am; Sundays, 10 a.m.; Mondays, 5:45 p.m.; Tuesdays, 4:15 p.m.;

Wednesdays, 5:45 p.m.; Thursdays, 12:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8:15 a.m. Postnatal Yoga: Sundays, 12:15 p.m.; Tuesdays, 11 a.m.; Thursdays, 10:45 a.m.; Fridays, 8:15 a.m.; Fridays, noon (postnatal core).

Drop-ins welcome; $15/class, $130/10 class pass, or $75/monthly unlimited.

Location:  Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, 20 Kilburn St., Burlington.  Info: evolutionprenatalandfamily.com, 899-0339

EVOKIDS AND EVOBABIES YOGA CLASSES

AT EVOLUTION PRENATAL & FAMILY YOGA CENTER: Register now for our spring series of EvoKids and EvoBabies Yoga, ages 6 months to teen. Weekday and weekend classes available.

Location:  Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, 20 Kilburn St., Burlington.  Info: evolutionprenatalandfamily.com, 899-0339.

I STRIVE FOR HIS KNOWLEDGE.

BANKING FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS.

NBT Bank offers iStrive Checking, Debit and Savings products, built specifically for youth and young adults. Designed to grow with their individual needs, iStrive provides hands-on experience in managing their money and supports a positive relationship with personal finance. NBT Bank also provides valuable educational resources to help grow their money skills. At NBT Bank, we’re as committed as you are to helping them achieve their goals.

For more information visit nbtbank.com/istrive or our local office today.

Mother Up! Central Vermont: Families discuss the realities of climate change, what that means on a local, state and national level, and how to create a more just and nature-friendly world. Dinner and childcare o ered. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 5:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP requested. Info, 229-0041. FREE

8 Saturday

Author Eileen Christelow: This Vermont writer shares her new picture book, Robins! How They Grow Up, a humorous and informative story about two feathered friends. Christelow signs books at Phoenix Books in Essex Junction at 10 a.m., followed by storyhour at 11 a.m., then stops by Phoenix Books in Rutland at 3 p.m. All ages. Essex Junction info, 872-7111; Rutland info, 855-8078. FREE

Second Saturdays: This child-friendly afternoon, a collaboration between the Norwich Public Library and the Norwich Bookstore, celebrates reading with various themed activities. Check norwichlibrary.org for location. 1-2 p.m. Info, 649-1184. FREE

ADDISON

‘Girl Rising’ Film & Discussion: Bear Pond Books teams up with Tanya Lee Stone for a screening and discussion about the global campaign for access to education for females, and what that means for communities and countries. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Savoy Theater, Montpelier, noon. $25 for 1 ticket and a copy of the book; $30 for 2 tickets and 2 copies. Info, 229-0774.

CHITTENDEN

Burlington Winter Farmers Market: Local farmers, artisans and producers o er fresh and prepared foods, crafts and more in a bustling indoor marketplace made merry with live music. UVM Davis Student Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info, 310-5172. FREE

Common Roots FUNdraiser: The community comes together to raise funds for a commercial refrigerator and freezer for the Wheeler Homestead, while creating art, eating well and making merry. 5-6:30 p.m. recommended for families with children in grades 4 and under; 7:30-9 p.m. recommended for families with children in grades 2-8. Davis Studio, Shelburne, $10 per person; $40 per family. Info, 652-0188.

Craft School Saturday Drop-In: : Artsy types make seasonal masterpieces in this everchanging weekly series. Projects available for pickup at a later date. Ages 5 and up with caregiver. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11 a.m. $10 per child. Info, 985-3648.

Engineer For a Day: Mechanically-minded youngsters make paper airplane prototypes and present their designs to the group.

Recommended for grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 1-3 p.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

EvoKids Saturday Drop-In Yoga: Youngsters master basic yoga poses through games, songs and dance. Mindfulness activities improve focus and concentration. Ages 3-7. Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, Burlington, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. $15. Info, 899-0339.

One-on-One Tutoring: See April 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Paint & Play: Young artists take an imaginative leap outside the box and paint without brushes, then leave with a take-home project.

Ages 3-10. Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-noon. $10-20; preregister. Info, 864-0123.

Science & Nature

SCIENCE AND STORIES: Preschoolers rally ‘round for nature-inspired tales and activities. Ages 8 and under. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., through April 19. Regular museum admission, $13.50-16.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848.

ANIMAL BUDDIES: NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: Preschoolers take their stuffed friends to the Museum for a “hibernation” night on Friday before 6 p.m. The next morning at 9 a.m., little tykes enjoy a light breakfast and learn how Vermont’s woodland animals spend their wintery nights. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, 9-10 a.m. $10 per buddy includes light breakfast for the whole family. Info, 748-2372.

BARK BASKETS WORKSHOP: Mentor Anika Klem demonstrates how to harvest pine bark and sew baskets using spruce roots. Ages 6 and up. EarthWalk Vermont, Plainfield, Saturday, April 8, 1-4 p.m. $10-25. Info, 454-8500.

CORVID COMMUNITY NATURALISTS: This monthly gathering explores Burlington’s urban wilds through the seasons. Bring a notebook, writing implement and your curiosity. Open to the community; ages 5 and up. Rock Point, Burlington, Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m.-noon. Suggested donation $10; $20 per family. Info, 557-7127.

PHYSICS PHUN DAY: ECHO staff and UVM Society of Physics students explore the force of energy and matter through hands-on activities and awe-inspiring demos. All ages. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m Regular museum admission, $13.50-16.50; free for members and children under 3. Info, 864-1848.

SHEEP AND SHEAR DELIGHTS: Little lambs leap while spring-lovers drop in and watch a sheep get its yearly haircut, then wash wool, and learn how to spin and felt. All ages. Shelburne Farms, Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $5-6. Info, 985-8686.

TOUR THE COSMOS: This 50-minute live presentation takes the audience on a journey deep into the universe. Ages 6 and up. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, Saturdays and Sundays, 1:30 p.m. $6 plus regular museum admission, $7-9; free for children under 5. Info, 748-2372.

Saturday Drama Club: Junior thespians create a character, spin a story and put on a performance, all in three hours. Ages 6-12. Old North End Community Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $15. Info, 355-1461.

Shelburne Sugar-on-Snow Party: Families sample the state’s “liquid gold” on ice and delight in boiling demonstrations, a petting zoo, walking trails and live music. Palmer’s Sugarhouse, Shelburne, noon-4 p.m. Info, 985-5054. FREE

Sibshops for Siblings of Children with Special Needs: Sisters and brothers of special needs kids join together for group games and a craft, then share a meal and conversation. Ages 6-12. Older siblings welcome. Howard Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $5 suggested donation; RSVP. Info, 876-5315.

DISCOVERY SUNDAYS: Families have fun with hands-on science experiments and investigations using wheels, towers, magnets, feathers, water and bubbles. All ages. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Regular museum admission, $12.50-14.50; free for children under 4. Info, 359-5001, ext. 228.

ROBIN’S NEST NATURE PLAYGROUP: Little explorers and their caregivers discover the sights and sounds of the forest and field, while learning how the natural environment can be used as an adventurous classroom. Dress in outdoor clothing. Ages 5 and under. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, Mondays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., through June 5. Donations welcome. Info, 229-6206.

BABY FARM ANIMAL CELEBRATION: Visitors “ooh” and “ah” over cute and cuddly calves, lambs, chicks, ducklings and goslings. Horsedrawn wagon rides, tours of the heirloom garden and children’s activities round out the day. All ages. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, Friday, April 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $4-14; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

MONTSHIRE UNLEASHED: AN EVENING FOR ADULTS: The museum opens its doors after hours so grown-ups can let their inner curiosity run wild. Beer, wine and food available for purchase. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, Friday, April 14, 6-9 p.m. Regular museum admission, $15; free for members. Info, 649-2200.

SALAMANDER SLEUTHS: Nature lovers seek springtime amphibians under damp forest rocks and logs. Ages 3-5 with an adult companion. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, Thursday, April 20, 9-10:30 a.m. $8-10 per adult-child pair; $4 per additional child; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

BUZZING WITH VERMONT’S NATIVE BEES: Nature-lovers learn about Vermont’s own pollinators and build a bee nest box to take home for these un-BEE-lievable beauties.

Ages 5 and up with caregiver. Shelburne Farms, Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.-noon. $10-12 per adult-child pair; $5-6 per each additional child; preregister. Info, 985-8686.

MUDFEST: Young ecologists celebrate Vermont’s messiest season with activities, games, live music and a daily “mud fling.” All ages. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, April 22-30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $13.50-16.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848.

SPRING MIGRATION BIRD WALK: Avian aficionados of all ages bend their birding ear to warblers, vireos, thrushes and waterfowl, with the assistance of nature center staff. All ages. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, Friday, April 28, 7-8:30 a.m. $10; free for members. Info, 229-6206.

VERMONT MAPLE FESTIVAL: Come on, get sappy! A giant parade, marionette shows, Main Street entertainment, specialty foods and more showcase Vermont’s signature sweet. All ages. Check vtmaplefestival. org for schedule. Downtown St. Albans, Friday, April 28; Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30. Most events are free. Info, 524-5800.

BERLIN POND BIRDING: All-age ornithologists look for song birds, waterfowl, loons and herons returning from their winter in the south. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, Saturday, April 29, 6:30-11:30 a.m. $20-25; preregister. Info, 229-6206.

BIRD-MONITORING WALK: Eagle-eyed participants bring binoculars to search the museum’s property for fluttering feathers. Best for adults and older children. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, Saturday, April 29, 7:30 a.m. donations welcome; preregister. Info, 434-2167. FREE

ST. JOHNSBURY WORLD MAPLE FESTIVAL: This sweet celebration features the 5K Sap Lap, a hearty pancake breakfast complete with this year’s bounty, a downtown street fair and a kids’ fun zone. All ages. Downtown St. Johnsbury, Saturday, April 29, 8 a.m.-4 p.m Info, 626-4124. FREE

EARTH GARDENS AND THE SEEDS OF LIFE: PLANTING A TRADITIONAL FAMILY GARDEN: Using storytelling, slides and music, Michael Caduto entertains while connecting family gardens with the season of renewal and provides hands-on demonstrations for families to use in their own spring planting. Ages 5 and up. Justin Morrill Homestead, Strafford Village, Sunday, April 30, 1-2:15 p.m. $5; $10 maximum per family. Info, 765-4288.

Spanish Musical Playgroup: Rhymes, books, songs and crafts en español entertain niños Snacks provided. Ages 5 and under. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Info, 878-4918. FREE

Webby’s Art Studio: The museum’s temporary and permanent exhibits inspire specialized art activities for all ages. Shelburne Museum, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $5-10; free for children under 5. Info, 985-3346.

FRANKLIN

Big Rig Day: Families get up close and personal with large vehicles, then visit Swanton Elementary School for indoor games and activities. All ages. Swanton Village Municipal Building, 9 a.m.-noon. Donations accepted. Info, 868-5077. FREE

LAMOILLE

Art Play: Creative-minded youngsters indulge their imaginations during this drop-in morning, where moving, dancing and making a mess are encouraged as artistic expression. Materials and live acoustic music provided; bring a change of shoes and play clothes. Ages 2-5 with caregiver. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 10 a.m.-noon. $5. Info, 253 8358.

Lego Family Afternoon: The entire family busts out the building blocks for solo or team creations. Grades K and up with accompanying adult. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 1-3 p.m. $15 per adult-child pair; $5 each additional child; preregister; space is limited. Info, 253-8358.

RUTLAND

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See April 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

WASHINGTON

Kids Trade & Play: Families exchange clean and gently-used clothing and toys, size newborn to 12. Capital City Grange, Berlin, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $3 per family. Info, 831-337-8632.

Vermont Scholastic Chess Championships: Checkmate! Players of all abilities sit down for strategy games focusing on fun and sportsmanship. Grades K-12, in nine divisions. Register between 8:30-9:30 a.m.; games begin at 10 a.m. Berlin Elementary School, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $12-20 per player; free to spectate; preregistration encouraged. Info, 223-1948.

WINDSOR

Norwich Winter Farmers Market: Local growers present produce, meats and maple syrup, complementing baked goods and crafts from area artists. Tracy Hall, Norwich, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info, 384-7447. FREE

9 Sunday CHITTENDEN

Essex Open Gym: Energy-filled kids flip, jump and tumble in a state-of-the-art facility. Ages 6 and under, 1 p.m.; ages 7-12, 2:30 p.m.; ages 13 and up, 4 p.m. Regal Gymnastics Academy, Essex, 1-5:30 p.m. $8. Info, 655-3300.

Family Gym: Indoor playground equipment gives tumblers a chance to run free. Ages 7 and under. Greater Burlington YMCA, 10:1511:45 a.m. $5-8 per family; free for members. Info, 862-9622.

Firehouse Pancake Breakfast: Firefighters fix a full spread of morning eats for community members, with touch-a-truck and the Vermont Division of Fire Safety’s interactive mobile Fire Safety House. All ages. Williston Fire Department, 8 a.m.-noon. $5-8; free for children under 2; proceeds benefit the firefighters. Info, 878-5622.

Open House and Passover Tasting: Curious families check out educational opportunities for kids in preschool through age 12. Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Burlington, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 864-0218. FREE

Shelburne Sugar-on-Snow Party: See April 8.

WASHINGTON

Dance, Sing & Jump Around: A lively intergenerational afternoon includes traditional dances with instruction and live music, followed by a soup and bread dinner. Ages 4 and up. Plainfield Town Hall Opera House, 3-4:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation; free for children. Info, 223-1509.

10 Monday Passover Begins

CALEDONIA

Hardwick Music & Movement for Preschoolers: Educator Emily Lanxner gets the beat going with creative storytelling, movement and rhythm. Geared towards preschoolers, but all are welcome. Jeudevine Memorial Library, Hardwick, 10 a.m. Info, 472-5948. FREE

CHITTENDEN

Audubon Nature Playgroup: Little ones and their caregivers explore the woods, meadows, beaver and peeper ponds while meeting new friends. Ages birth to 5 years. Open to Richmond, Huntington, and Hinesburg residents. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 9:30-11 a.m. preregister. Info, 434-3068. FREE

Colchester Crafts for Kids: Clever kiddos pursue artsy projects. Ages 5 and up. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Info, 264-5660. FREE

Essex Junction Lego Club: Inventive kiddos press together plastic-piece creations. Ages

5-12. Essex Free Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Info, 879-0313. FREE

One-on-One Tutoring: See April 8, 5-8 p.m.

Pajama Story Time: Flannel-clad wee ones bring their stu ed pals for tales, crafts and a bedtime snack. All ages. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 6:30 p.m. Info, 878-4918. FREE

Photography Club: Amateur lens-lovers learn tips to improve their camera skills. Grades 6-8. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 4-5 p.m. Info, 878-4918.

FREE

Preschool Music: See April 6, 11 a.m.

Queer Care Support: Family members and caregivers of queer and/or questioning youth swap stories and resources in a supportive space. Adults only. Outright Vermont, Burlington, 6:30-8 p.m. Info, 865-9677. FREE

Spanish Musical Kids: Amigos learn Latin American songs and games with experienced teacher Constancia Gómez. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Stories with Megan: Little listeners learn and laugh. Ages 2-5. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Info, 865-7216. FREE

FRANKLIN

Fairfax Crafternoon: Fairy Gardens: Artsy kids make miniature gardens from natural materials and live plants and seeds. Ages 6 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Preregister. Info, 849-2420. FREE

LAMOILLE

Tots on the Turf: See April 5.

RUTLAND

Babies & Toddlers Rock: Little musicians ages 2 and under sing songs and engage in early literacy activities. Rutland Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Info, 773-1860. FREE

11 Tuesday

ADDISON

Youth Media Lab: See April 4.

CHITTENDEN

Preschool Music: See April 4.

Read to Daisy the Therapy Dog: See April 4. Spanish Musical Kids: See April 4.

FRANKLIN

Magic: The Gathering Drop-In Gaming

Tuesdays: See April 4.

WASHINGTON

Lego Challenge: Kids drop in and test their STEM imaginations with plastic blocks. Ages 8-11. Waterbury Public Library, 3-4 p.m. Info, 244-7036.

WINDSOR

Lego Tuesdays: See April 4.

12 Wednesday

CHITTENDEN

Dorothy’s List Group for Homeschooled Students: Books nominated for this esteemed award generate group discussion. Grades 4-8. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Dungeons & Dragons: See April 5.

Dungeons & Dragons Night: Players don invented personas and use cleverness and luck to overcome challenges, defeat enemies and save the day. Beginners welcome.

Ages 9-13. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6-7:30 p.m. preregister. Info, 264-5660. FREE

Family Fun Night: The whole family turns out for games, Legos, crafts and more. All ages. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 5-6:30 p.m.; pizza available with preregistration. Info, 482-2878. FREE

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

Green Mountain Book Award Book

Discussion for Homeschooled Students: High-school homeschoolers spark lively conversation around their favorite pick of the year. Grades 9-12. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Homeschool Program: Tree of Wonder –Life in the Rainforest: Under the direction of environmental educator Kristen Littlefield, home learners soak up stories and create their own Almendro trees, try basic Spanish vocabulary, and tackle Rainforest Math and Jungle Jeopardy. Ages 6 and up. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1-3 p.m.; preregister. Info, 878-4918. FREE

Kids in the Kitchen: Carrot Patch Cupcakes: This whimsical class gets budding bakers dreaming of garden days as they create chocolate cupcakes with buried sweet treasures of strawberries dipped in orangedyed white chocolate. Healthy Living Market & Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $25; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

One-on-One Tutoring: See April 5. Red Clover Group for Homeschooled

Students: Budding book lovers bury themselves in bibliophile activities. Grades K-3. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Yoga for Kids: See April 5.

FRANKLIN

Author Gigi Priebe: The creator of the beloved early chapter book series Henry Whiskers meets fans and signs books. All ages. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Info, 849-2420. FREE

Mommy and Me Fitness Meetup: See April 5.

LAMOILLE

Tots on the Turf: See April 5.

RUTLAND

Killington Lego Club: See April 5. Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See April 5.

WASHINGTON

Song Circle: Community Sing-Along: Songbirds raise their voices with singer/ songwriter Heidi Wilson in the lead. All ages. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:45-8:15 p.m. Info, 426-3581. FREE

WINDSOR

Sensory Lab for Tots: See April 5.

13 Thursday

ADDISON

Quiet Crafternoon: See April 6.

CHITTENDEN

Audubon Homeschool Program: Homebased learners use the outdoor classroom to explore a variety of seasonal topics, from measuring forests to aquatic ecosystems. Ages 9-12. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $25; $15 each additional sibling; preregister. Info, 434-3068.

Burlington Mother Up! Monthly Meet-up: Families discuss the realities of climate change, what that means on a local level and how to transition to a safer and healthier world. Vegetarian meal and childcare provided by request. All ages. Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; RSVP requested. Info, 765-337-2778.

FREE

Lego Club: See April 6.

Preschool Music: See April 6.

Read to Archie the Therapy Dog: See April 6.

FRANKLIN

Lego Thursdays: See April 6.

St. Albans Library Legos: Aspiring architects engage in construction projects with their peers. St. Albans Free Library, 3-5 p.m. Info, 524-1507. FREE

Story Times

Early literacy skills get special attention during these readaloud sessions. Some locations provide additional activities such as music, crafts or foreign-language instruction. Most story times follow the school calendar. Contact the organizers for site-specific details.

MONDAY BARRE CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR: Aldrich Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 476-7550.

COLCHESTER PRESCHOOL STORY

TIME: Burnham Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m.; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

ESSEX DROP-IN STORY TIME: Essex Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 879-0313.

HYDE PARK STORY TIME: Lanpher Memorial Library, 6 p.m. Info, 888-4628.

NORTHFIELD CHILDREN’S STORY TIME: Brown Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Info, 485-4621.

RICHMOND BABY LAP TIME: Richmond Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 434-3036.

SHELBURNE STORY TIME: Pierson Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 985-5124.

ST. ALBANS STORY HOUR: St. Albans Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 524-1507.

STOWE STORY TIMES FOR 2-3-YEAR-

OLDS: Stowe Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 253-6145.

WAITSFIELD STORY TIME: Joslin Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Info, 496-4205.

WATERBURY BABY & TODDLER STORY

TIME: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 244-7036.

WOODSTOCK BABY STORY TIME: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Info, 457-2295.

14 Friday

CALEDONIA

Fairbanks Homeschool Day: Students expand their scholastic horizons with a variety of programs. Call for specific topics and location. Grades K-8. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $8-10 includes museum admission; $5 for planetarium; one free adult per paying child. Info, 748-2372.

CHITTENDEN

Dungeons & Dragons: Players embark on invented adventures, equipped with their problem-solving skills. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Early Bird Math Story Time: See April 7. Family Gym: See April 7.

MONTPELIER STORY TIME: KelloggHubbard Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 223-3338.

SOUTH BURLINGTON TINY TOT TIME: South Burlington Community Library, 9:15 & 10:30 a.m. Info, 652-7080.

WILLISTON STORY TIME: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 878-4918.

TUESDAY

ALBURGH STORY HOUR: Alburgh Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 796-6077.

BARRE CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR: See Monday.

COLCHESTER TODDLER STORY TIME: Burnham Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m.; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

CRAFTSBURY STORY TIME: Craftsbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 586-9683.

EAST BARRE STORY TIME: East Barre Branch Library, 10 a.m. Info, 476-5118.

ESSEX JUNCTION BABY & TODDLER STORY TIME: Brownell Library, 9:10-9:30 a.m.; preregister. Info, 878-6956.

ESSEX JUNCTION PRESCHOOL STORY

TIME: Brownell Library, 10-10:45 a.m.; preregister. Info, 878-6956.

FAIRFAX PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Fairfax Community Library, 9:3010:30 a.m. Info, 849-2420.

HIGHGATE STORY TIME: Highgate Public Library, 11 a.m. Info, 868-3970.

HINESBURG YOUNGSTERS STORY

TIME: Carpenter-Carse Library, 9:30-10 a.m. Info, 482-2878.

LYNDONVILLE STORY TIME: Cobleigh Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 626-5475.

MILTON INFANT STORY TIME: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 893-4644.

WOODSTOCK PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Info, 457-2295.

WEDNESDAY BARNES & NOBLE STORY TIME: Barnes & Noble, 11 a.m. Info, 864-8001.

HIGHGATE STORY TIME: See Tuesday. 10 a.m.

HYDE PARK STORY TIME: See Monday, 10 a.m.

LYNDONVILLE STORY TIME: See Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.

MARSHFIELD STORY TIME & PLAYGROUP: Jaquith Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Info, 426-3581.

MILTON RHYTHM & MOVEMENT

TODDLER STORY TIME: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 893-4644.

NORWICH WORD PLAY STORY TIME: Norwich Public Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Info, 649-1184.

QUECHEE STORY TIME: Quechee Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 295-1232.

RANDOLPH PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Kimball Public Library, 11 a.m. Info, 728-5073.

RICHMOND STORY TIME: Richmond Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 434-3036.

SOUTH BURLINGTON BABY BOOK TIME: South Burlington Community Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 652-7080.

STOWE STORY TIME FOR 3-5-YEAROLDS: Stowe Library, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Info, 253-6145.

Friday Free for All: See April 7.

Kids in the Kitchen: Carrot Patch Cupcakes: See April 12.

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See April 7.

Music With Robert: Families sing along with a local legend. All ages. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11 a.m. Info, 865-7216. FREE

Pizza & Painted Pottery: Parents and kids put a pleasurable end to the week by painting together. Pizza, salad and ice cream available for purchase at 5 p.m.; art begins at 6 p.m. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. Davis Studio, Shelburne, 6-7:30 p.m. $25 per person; preregister. Info, 425-2700.

SWANTON STORYTIME: Swanton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Info, 868-7656.

WARREN PRESCHOOL STORY & ENRICHMENT HOUR: Warren Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 595-2582.

THURSDAY

BRISTOL STORY TIME: Lawrence Memorial Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 453-2366.

COLCHESTER PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: See Monday.

FRANKLIN STORY TIME: Haston Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 285-6505.

HINESBURG YOUNGSTERS STORY TIME: See Tuesday.

NORTHFIELD CHILDREN’S STORY TIME: See Monday.

RUTLAND STORY TIME: Rutland Library, 10-10:45 a.m. Info, 773-1860.

SHELBURNE MUSICAL STORY TIME: Pierson Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 985-5124.

ST. ALBANS STORY HOUR: See Monday.

VERGENNES STORY TIME: Bixby Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 877-2211.

WATERBURY PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 244-7036.

WESTFORD STORY TIME: Westford Public Library, 11 a.m. Info, 878-5639.

FRIDAY BRANDON STORY TIME: Brandon Public Library, 2 p.m. Info, 247-8230.

CRAFTSBURY STORY TIME: See Tuesday.

ENOSBURG MOMMY & ME STORY HOUR: Enosburgh Public Library, 9-10 a.m. Info, 933-2328.

ESSEX MUSICAL STORY TIME: Essex Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 879-0313.

GEORGIA PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Georgia Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 524-4643.

HUNTINGTON STORY TIME: Huntington Public Library, 10:45 a.m. Info, 434-4583.

KILLINGTON STORYTIME: Sherburne Memorial Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Info, 422-9765.

LINCOLN STORY TIME: Lincoln Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 453-2665.

MILTON PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 893-4644.

MONTPELIER STORY TIME: See Tuesday.

RANDOLPH TODDLER STORY TIME: Kimball Public Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Info, 728-5073.

SOUTH BURLINGTON PAJAMARAMA: Barnes & Noble, 7 p.m. Info, 864-8001.

ST. JOHNSBURY STORY TIME: St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30 a.m. Info, 748-8291.

STOWE BABY & TODDLER STORY TIME: Stowe Library, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Info, 253-6145.

SWANTON STORYTIME: See Wednesday.

WINOOSKI STORY TIME: Winooski Memorial Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 655-6424.

SATURDAY

BARRE STORY TIME: Next Chapter Bookstore, 10:30 a.m. Info, 476-3114.

COLCHESTER SATURDAY DROP-IN STORY TIME: Burnham Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Info, 264-5660.

ENOSBURG STORY HOUR: Enosburgh Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Info, 933-2328.

FRANKLIN WALK-IN STORY HOUR: Haston Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 285-6505.

MILTON DROP-IN SATURDAY STORYTIME: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 893-4644.

Preschool Yoga with Danielle: Simple movement, stories and songs satisfy children ages 5 and under and their caregivers. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Info, 878-4918. FREE

Songs & Stories With Matthew: Musician Matthew Witten kicks o the morning with tunes and tales. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

RUTLAND

Killington Magic: The Gathering: See April 7.

ORLEANS

Lego Club: See April 7.

WASHINGTON

Family Story Time: See April 7.

15 Saturday

CALEDONIA

‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’: The Traveling Storytellers enchant the audience with the timeless tale of a hardworking cobbler and his miniature friends. All ages. Jeudevine Memorial Library, Hardwick, 10 a.m. Info, 472-5948. FREE

CHITTENDEN

Cleo the Therapy Dog: Canine and reading enthusiasts visit with a personable pooch from Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Ages 3 and up. Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Info, 893-4644. FREE

Craft School Saturday Drop-In: See April 8.

Emily Donegan: This local musician enchants with melodious, family-friendly folk tunes, encouraging the audience to sing and dance, too. All ages. CarpenterCarse Library, Hinesburg, 11 a.m. Info, 482-2878. FREE

EvoKids Saturday Drop-In Yoga: See April 8.

Family Movie Matinee: Families snuggle down, see a big-screen PG-rated flick and savor snacks. All ages. Milton Public Library, 1 p.m. Info, 893-4644. FREE

John Churchman: ‘Brave Little Finn’: Springtime and Easter are celebrated in this special storytime with the author of imaginative farm-centered picture books. All ages. Phoenix Books, Essex Junction, 11 a.m. Info, 872-7111. FREE

One-on-One Tutoring: See April 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday Drama Club: See April 8.

Shelburne Sugar-on-Snow Party: See April 8.

Spring Volunteer Work Day: Folks of all ages lend their helping hands at the museum, both inside and outside. Sandwiches provided. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; preregister. Info, 434-2167. FREE

Webby’s Art Studio: See April 8.

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

FRANKLIN

Easter Craft: Artsy-minded kiddos congregate for imaginative crafting. St. Albans Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 524-1507.

FREE

RUTLAND

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See April 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

WASHINGTON

Capital City Winter Farmers Market: Root veggies, honey, maple syrup and crafts change hands at an indoor oseason celebration of locavorism. All ages. Montpelier City Center, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info, 223-2958. FREE

One to Watch

Do you know a local kid (age 17 or under) who's recently done something amazing? Won a spelling bee? Written an opera? Raised a bunch of money for a great cause? Tell us more! He or she could be featured as One to Watch in an upcoming issue of Kids VT.

16 Sunday Happy

Easter!

CHITTENDEN

Essex Open Gym: See April 9.

Family Gym: See April 7.

Shelburne Sugar-on-Snow Party: See April 8.

17 Monday

CALEDONIA

Hardwick Music & Movement for Preschoolers: See April 10.

CHITTENDEN

Audubon Nature Playgroup: See April 10. Essex Junction Lego Club: See April 10. Milton Legos at the Library: Junior builders bust out interlocking blocks. Snacks served. Grades K-5. Milton Public Library, 3:30-5 p.m. Info, 893-4644. FREE

One-on-One Tutoring: See April 5.

Preschool Music: See April 6, 11 a.m.

Spanish Musical Kids: See April 10.

Stories with Megan: See April 10.

FRANKLIN

Lab Girls: Young women empower themselves by exploring science through hands-on experiments. This month, girls examine their own DNA with the assistance of a microbiologist. Grades 6-12. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m.; preregister. Info, 849-2420. FREE

LAMOILLE

Tots on the Turf: See April 5.

RUTLAND

Babies & Toddlers Rock: See April 10.

New Parents

EVOLUTION POSTNATAL YOGA: Moms tote their pre-crawling kids to an all-levels flowing yoga class focused on bringing the body back to strength and alignment in a relaxed and nurturing environment.

Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, Burlington, Tuesdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Thursdays, 10:45-11:55 a.m.; Fridays, 8:15-9:15 a.m. & noon-1 p.m. and Sundays, 12:15-1:30 p.m. $15; $130 for a 10-class pass. Info, 899-0339.

EVOLUTION PRENATAL YOGA: Mothers-to-be build strength, stamina, comfort and a stronger connection to their baby.

Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, Burlington, Mondays, 5:45-7 p.m.; Tuesdays, 4:15-5:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 5:45-7 p.m.; Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m.;

Fridays, 8:15-9:15 a.m.; Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. and Sundays, 10-11:30 a.m. $15 or $130 for 10-class pass. Info, 899-0339.

PRENATAL METHOD PRENATAL YOGA: Women prepare for birth through yoga, with a focus on strengthening the body and mind. See prenatalmethod.com for class descriptions.

Prenatal Method Studio, Burlington, Mondays, 12:15-1:15 p.m.; Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 12:15-1:15 p.m.; Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $15. Info, 829-0211.

MIDDLEBURY LA LECHE LEAGUE MEETING

AND PLAYGROUP: Families with infants and toddlers socialize and swap nursing stories. Junebug Mother and Child, Middlebury, first Wednesday of every month, 10 a.m. FREE

MOM AND BABY YOGA: Brand-new mamas and their littles relax, stretch and bond. Followed by a free mothers’ gathering. Embodied, Montpelier, Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $15. Info, 223-5302.

MOTHER’S GATHERING: Moms and new babies spread out, sip tea, nurse and swap stories. Children under 2 welcome. Embodied, Montpelier, Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Info, 223-5302. FREE

PRENATAL EMPOWERMENT CLINIC: Expectant mamas get guidance on health, nutrition and exercise. Hemmett Health, South Burlington, Wednesdays, 12-12:30 p.m., through April 26; preregister. Info, 879-1703. FREE

ESSEX LA LECHE LEAGUE: Moms bring their little ones to a discussion of parenting and breastfeeding. Siblings welcome. Essex Free Library, Essex Junction, first Thursday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m FREE

PRENATAL EMPOWERMENT CLINIC: Expectant mamas get guidance on health, nutrition and exercise. Hemmett Health, Montpelier, Thursdays, 12-12:30 p.m., through April 27; preregister. Info, 879-1703. FREE

NEW MAMA YOGA: New and experienced moms tote their tiny ones to a relaxed and social class, followed by a playgroup. Bring a few blankets for your baby’s comfort. Ages 6 weeks to 6 months. Kula Yoga Center, Stowe, Saturdays, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. $16.

18 Tuesday

Passover Ends

ADDISON

Youth Media Lab: See April 4.

CHITTENDEN

Kids in the Kitchen: Taco Pizza: Chefs-intraining try a new twist on Taco Tuesday while mastering from-scratch dough, stove safety and how to pile a pizza high with veggie toppings. Healthy Living Market & Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $25; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Preschool Music: See April 4. Read to Daisy the Therapy Dog: See April 4. Read to Willy Wonka the Chocolate Lab: See April 4.

Spanish Musical Kids: See April 4.

Williston Read to a Dog: See April 4.

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See April 5.

WASHINGTON

Children’s Film Night: Cinema-lovers of all ages take in a short flick before community dinner is served. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 5:30-6 p.m. Info, 426-3581. FREE

Family Movie Night: The Vermont Historical Society returns to the 1970s for an original family-oriented flick. Popcorn and drinks available for sale; children must be accompanied by an adult. Vermont History Center, Barre, 6:30 p.m. Info, 479-8500. FREE

20 Thursday

ADDISON

Quiet Crafternoon: See April 6.

CALEDONIA

BURLINGTON LA LECHE LEAGUE: New moms bring their babies and questions to a breastfeeding support group. Older children welcome. Lending library available. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, second Tuesday of every month, 10:15 a.m. Free. Info, 985-8228.

FREE

LA LECHE LEAGUE OF THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM: Expectant, novice and experienced moms join nursing experts for advice and support. Enter through the children’s section of the library. Siblings welcome. St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, second Tuesday of every month, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Info, 720-272-8841. FREE

TODDLER LA LECHE LEAGUE MEETING: Moms who are nursing beyond a year share stories and solutions to nighttime parenting, mealtime tips, biting, weaning and other topics. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Middlebury, third Monday of every month, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Info, 388-0363. FREE

BREASTFEEDING CAFÉ: Moms nurse their babies, chat and ask for answers from a certified lactation consultant. Pregnant women, supportive dads and older siblings welcome. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, third Tuesday of every month, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Info, 349-3825. FREE

BREASTFEEDING FAMILIES GROUP: Nursing moms (and supportive dads, too!) gather for snacks and advice. Church of the Nazarene, Johnson, third Wednesday of every month, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Info, 888-3470. FREE

LA LECHE LEAGUE OF CENTRAL VERMONT: Breastfeeding mamas swap stories and support each other, with a professional available for consultation. Good Beginnings, Montpelier, third Thursday of every month, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 999-7143. FREE

CENTRAL VERMONT NURSING BEYOND A YEAR: Mothers discuss the joys and challenges of breastfeeding, including nighttime parenting, weaning, healthy eating habits and setting limits, in a supportive setting. Good Beginnings, Montpelier, third Friday of every month, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 999-7143. FREE

MOMMY GROUP: Breastfeeding peer counselor Angela Scavo hosts mamas and answers questions in a relaxed setting while savoring snacks. Middlebury Recreation Center, fourth Wednesday of every month, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Info, 349-9084. FREE

FRANKLIN

Magic: The Gathering Drop-In Gaming Tuesdays: See April 4.

WASHINGTON

Family Lego Free Build: The whole family has fun with the library’s abundance of plastic blocks. Ages 5 and up. Adult supervision required for children under 8. Waterbury Public Library, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Info, 244-7036. FREE

WINDSOR

Lego Tuesdays: See April 4.

NEW YORK

Plattsburgh Preschool Story Hour: Aspiring art connoisseurs and their caregivers listen to a picture book, look at original works and create a project to take home. Ages 3-5. Plattsburgh State Art Museum, N.Y., 10 a.m.; preregistration appreciated. Info, 518-564-2474. FREE

19 Wednesday

CHITTENDEN

Baby Charms: Non-walking babies sing silly songs, dance and make music. South Burlington Community Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 652-7080. FREE

Dungeons & Dragons: See April 5.

Little One & Me Circle Time: Tiny tykes team together for movement, songs, play and snacks. Ages 5 and under. Jericho Town Library, 10-11 a.m. Info, 899-4686. FREE

One-on-One Tutoring: See April 5.

Yoga for Kids: See April 5.

FRANKLIN

Mommy and Me Fitness Meetup: See April 5.

STEM Club: Sciencey types challenge their imaginations with themed activities. Ages 6 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m.; preregister. Info, 849-2420. FREE

LAMOILLE

Tots on the Turf: See April 5.

RUTLAND

Killington Lego Club: See April 5.

ShoeFly Trail Running & Walking Series: Fleet-footed families enjoy fitness together in a 5K, 10K or one-mile walk/run. Entry includes admission to Thursday races on the Kingdom Trails through August and on the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at the PRKR Trails in Littleton, N.H. Ages 3 and up. Kingdom Trails Yurt, East Burke, 5-7:30 p.m. $45; free for children ages 10 and under; preregister. Info, 703-598-1934.

CHITTENDEN

Lego Club: See April 6.

Preschool Music: See April 6.

Read to Archie the Therapy Dog: See April 6.

FRANKLIN

Lego Thursdays: See April 6.

PJ Story Hour: Tykes in nightwear nestle together for nursery rhymes, snacks and crafts. St. Albans Free Library, 6:30 p.m. Info, 524-1507. FREE

Read to a Dog: See April 6.

21 Friday

CALEDONIA

Pizza and Movie Night: Cinema-lovers enjoy dinner at the library and an all-ages flick. Jeudevine Memorial Library, Hardwick, 6 p.m. Info, 472-5948. FREE

CHITTENDEN

All-Ages Story Time: See April 7.

Early Bird Math Story Time: See April 7.

Family Gym: See April 7.

Family Movie: Viewers enjoy a familyfriendly film while feasting on free popcorn. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Friday Free for All: See April 7.

Homeschool Project Day: Out-of-classroom students bring projects to pursue, or share their learning with an audience of parents and siblings. Grades K-12. Milton Public Library, 1-3 p.m. Info, 893-4644. FREE

Jiggity Jog: A musical meet-up includes singing, dancing and instrument playing. Ages 2-5. South Burlington Community Library, 10 a.m. Info, 652-7080. FREE

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See April 7.

Music With Robert: See April 14.

Teen Advisory Board: Adolescents interested in assisting with Essex Eats Out meet at the library at 3:45 p.m. or St. James Church at 5 p.m. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:45-7 p.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

RUTLAND

Killington Magic: The Gathering: See April 7.

ORLEANS

Lego Club: See April 7.

WASHINGTON

Family Story Time: See April 7.

22 Saturday

ADDISON

Relay for Life: Purple-clad team members camp out and enjoy speakers, live music, Zumba and a luminaria celebration during this fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. All ages. Middlebury College, 1-9 p.m. $10. Info, 872-6321.

CHITTENDEN

Amy Huntington: ‘Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers’ Market’: The local illustrator of this children’s poetry book teams up with City Market to celebrate the beginning of the market and gardening season. All ages. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 11 a.m. Info, 448-3350. FREE

Craft School Saturday Drop-In: See April 8.

EvoKids Saturday Drop-In Yoga: See April 8.

Look Up to the Stars! Astronomy Show: After an indoor presentation, admiring eyes turn up to the sky and view sunspots using a telescope with a solar filter. Weather permitting. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11 a.m. Info, 878-4918. FREE

One-on-One Tutoring: See April 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday Drama Club: See April 8.

Webby’s Art Studio: See April 8.

Wildlife Encounters: Curious kids meet North American and exotic animals in an educational and up-close encounter. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

FRANKLIN

‘Dragons Love Tacos’ Fundraiser Dinner: Inspired by the beloved picture book, the library dishes up dinner with games, ra es, book giveaways and more adding to the excitement. All ages. Swanton Village Municipal Building, 3-6 p.m. $5 minimum donation requested. Info, 868-5077.

Library Art Bop: Creativity fills the library with Susan Gerson Galusha’s paintings on display, watercolor demonstrations by the artist and a hands-on children’s art program. All ages. Haston Library, Franklin, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info, 285-6505. FREE

RUTLAND

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See April 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

WASHINGTON

Berry Growing: The Jaquith Library teams up with berry grower Je Swift for a field trip to the farm, with hands-on instructions about choosing a planting site, where to get plants, how to handle bare-root plants, pruning, fertilizing and more. Bramble & Berry Farm, Plainfield, 11 a.m. Info, 426-3581. FREE

WINDSOR

Norwich Winter Farmers Market: See April 8.

23 Sunday

CHITTENDEN

Essex Open Gym: See April 9.

Family Gym: See April 7.

Indoor WOKO Flea Market: Savvy shoppers browse tag-sale items, crafts and antiques. All ages. Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Junction, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $3; free for children under 13. Info, 878-5545.

24 Monday

CALEDONIA

Hardwick Music & Movement for Preschoolers: See April 10.

CHITTENDEN

Audubon Nature Playgroup: See April 10.

Colchester Crafts for Kids: See April 10.

Preschool Music: See April 6, 11 a.m.

Stories on the Screen: Cinema lovers mix up a snack at the library’s Munch and Crunch station, then settle down for an animated showing. All ages. South Burlington Community Library, 10 a.m.noon. Info, 652-7080. FREE

Stories with Megan: See April 10.

FRANKLIN

Camp Build-It!: Creative kiddos challenge their hands and imaginations using recycled materials. Ages 5 and up. Highgate Public Library, Highgate Center, 9-11 a.m. Preregister. Info, 868-3970. FREE

Kids’ Craft: Trolls: Clever handworkers drop in and create cute magnets. St. Albans Free Library, 2 p.m. Info, 524-1507. FREE

LAMOILLE

Tots on the Turf: See April 5.

RUTLAND

Babies & Toddlers Rock: See April 10.

SUBMIT YOUR MAY EVENTS FOR PRINT BY APRIL 15 AT KIDSVT.COM OR CALENDAR@KIDSVT.COM 25 TUESDAY, P.36

Our annual showcase of talent from ages 4 through pre-professional will dance their way onto the Flynn Main Stage in Burlington for 2 exciting performances, Saturday May 27, 2017 at 1:00 & 6:30 pm.

For show & ticket information visit www.vbts.org.

2017 SUMMER

Classes & Camps

• Week-long ballet themed camps for ages 3-9; Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker and more!

• Week-long ballet Mini-Intensive for ages 12-18, for the serious dancer looking to stay in shape for various summer-long intensives

• Weekly ballet classes for young dancers - adults - beginner - advanced

• Ongoing yoga and fitness classes for adults

The Vermont Center on Behavior and Health is conducting a study to help mothers quit smoking.

With your participation, you could earn up to $1,310.

VCBH

If you have at least one child under the age of 12, you may qualify for this study.

k4t-VBTS-0417.indd 1 3/8/17 11:04 AM KIDS VT KIDSVT.COM APRIL 2017 35

Untitled-28 1 2/25/16 11:09 AM

Vermont Ballet Theater School presents Celebration of Dance 2017!

25 Tuesday

ADDISON

Youth Media Lab: See April 4.

CHITTENDEN

Adoption Support Group: Families facing adoption issues and challenges join forces in a respectful setting. Childcare and dinner provided. All welcome. Howard Center, Burlington, 5-6:30 p.m. preregister. Info, 864-7467. FREE

Fairy Stories and Fairy Houses: Spritely kids hear whimsical tales, followed by a drop-in fairy house craft session from noon-2 p.m. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11 a.m. Info, 878-4918.

Playgroups

Kids in the Kitchen: Peanut Butter Banana Wontons: Junior culinary creators put an American spin on a Cantonese classic, while mastering basic cooking skills. Healthy Living Market & Café, South Burlington, 11 a.m.-noon. $25; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Pop Art: Crafty kiddos get going with glitter, glue and tissue paper to transform Tootsie Pops into Troll characters. South Burlington Community Library, 10 a.m.-noon. Info, 652-7080. FREE

Preschool Music: See April 4.

FRANKLIN

Camp Build-It!: See April 24.

Magic: The Gathering Drop-In Gaming Tuesdays: See April 4.

Movie Matinee: This flick during daylight hours means dim lights and lots of popcorn. All ages. St. Albans Free Library, 2 p.m. Info, 524-1507. FREE

WASHINGTON

Coding for Kids: Young techies conquer basic computer code with Scratch Jr. and Hopscotch apps. Ages 8-11. Waterbury Public Library, 3-4 p.m. Preregister. Info, 244-7036. FREE

WINDSOR

Lego Tuesdays: See April 4.

HINESBURG FAMILY PLAYTIME: Hinesburg Town Hall, 10-11:30 a.m.

WILLISTON PLAY TIME: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, 11 a.m.noon. Info, 878-4918.

26 Wednesday

CHITTENDEN

Chess Club: Young players check out this strategy game and improve their skills with rooks, pawns and knights. All ages. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 5:30-7 p.m. Info, 878-4918. FREE

Dungeons & Dragons: See April 5.

Dungeons & Dragons Night: See April 12.

Lego Fun: Budding builders bust out the blocks. Grades K and up; kids under 5 are welcome to participate with adult supervision. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4:30 p.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Kids enjoy fun and games during these informal gettogethers, and caregivers connect with other local parents and peers. The groups are usually free and often include snacks, arts and crafts, or music. Most playgroups follow the school calendar. Contact the organizer for site-specific details.

MONDAY BURLINGTON CRAWLERS & TODDLERS: VNA Family Room, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Info, 862-2121.

BURLINGTON PLAYGROUP: Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, 9-10:30 a.m. Info, 578-6471.

CAMBRIDGE PLAYGROUP: Cambridge Elementary School, 9-11 a.m. Info, 888-5229.

CHARLOTTE PLAYGROUP: Charlotte Central School Early Education Program, 9:30-11 a.m.

MILTON PLAYGROUP: Milton Public Library, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 893-1457.

MORRISVILLE PLAYGROUP: Morristown Elementary School, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 888-5229.

OPEN GYM: Central VT Gymnastics Academy, 10-11:30 a.m. $7. Info, 882-8324.

TUESDAY BRADFORD PLAYGROUP: Grace United Methodist Church, 9-11 a.m. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24.

BURLINGTON DADS’ NIGHT: VNA Family Room, 4-7 p.m. Info, 860-4420.

BURLINGTON PLAYGROUP: See Monday.

CHARLOTTE BABYTIME: Charlotte Public Library, first Tuesday of every month, 9-10 a.m.

ESSEX JUNCTION PLAYGROUP: Maple Street Recreation Center, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 876-7555.

EVOLUTION NEW FAMILY PLAYGROUP: Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Info, 899-0339.

JERICHO PLAYGROUP: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 899-4415.

JOHNSON BABY CHAT: Church of the Nazarene, fourth Tuesday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Info, 888-3470.

WINOOSKI PLAYTIME: O’Brien Community Center, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 655-1422.

WOLCOTT PLAYGROUP: Wolcott Depot Center Preschool, 9-10:30 a.m. Info, 888-5229.

WEDNESDAY

ARTISTREE PLAYGROUP:

ArtisTree/Purple Crayon, 9:3011:30 a.m. Info, 457-3500.

BURLINGTON INFANT MASSAGE: VNA Family Room, 11 a.m.-noon, Info, 862-2121.

BURLINGTON PLAYGROUP: See Monday.

CHARLOTTE PLAYGROUP: Charlotte Central School Early Education Program, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Info, 338-7021.

COLCHESTER PLAYGROUP: Colchester Village Meeting House, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 316-2918.

ESSEX BABY PLAYGROUP: Sunset Studio, 10-11:30 a.m. Info, 876-7555.

FAIRFIELD PLAYGROUP: Bent Northrop Memorial Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Info, 827-3945.

RICHMOND PLAYGROUP: Richmond Library, 8:45-10:15 a.m. Info, 899-4415.

SHELBURNE PLAYGROUP: Trinity Episcopal Church, 9:30-11 a.m.

SOUTH ROYALTON PLAYGROUP: United Church on the Green, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24.

ST. JOHNSBURY TODDLER TIME: St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30 a.m. Info, 748-8291, ext. 303.

THURSDAY

ALBURGH PLAYGROUP: Alburgh Public Library, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 527-5426.

BURLINGTON DROP-IN FAMILY

PLAY: VNA Family Room, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Info, 862-2121.

DADS AND KIDS PLAYGROUP: Family Center of Washington County, 5:30-7 p.m. Info, 262-3292.

ESSEX JUNCTION PLAYGROUP: See Tuesday.

HINESBURG BABY TIME: United Church of Hinesburg, 10-11:30 a.m.

JOHNSON PLAYGROUP: United Church of Johnson, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 888-5229.

MILTON PLAYGROUP: See Monday.

MONTGOMERY PLAYGROUP: Montgomery Town Library, 9-11 a.m. Info, 527-5426.

Montpelier Playgroup: St. Augustine Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 262-3292.

MORRISVILLE BABY CHAT: The Playroom, first Thursday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Info, 876-7555.

OHAVI ZEDEK SYNAGOGUE PLAYGROUP: Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Info, 864-0218.

RANDOLPH PLAYGROUP: St. John’s Church, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24.

WINOOSKI PLAYTIME: See Tuesday.

FRIDAY

COLCHESTER PLAYGROUP: See Wednesday.

HINESBURG PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP: Hinesburg Community School, 9-10:30 a.m. Info, 482-4946.

HUNTINGTON PLAYGROUP: Huntington Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Info, 899-4415.

MONTGOMERY TUMBLE TIME: Montgomery Elementary School, 10-11 a.m. Info, 347-1780.

OPEN GYM: See Monday.

RANDOLPH TODDLER TIME: Kimball Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Info, 728-5073.

RUTLAND PLAYGROUP: Rutland Library, 9:30 a.m. Info, 773-1860.

STOWE PLAYGROUP: Stowe Community Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 888-5229.

UNDERHILL PLAYGROUP: Underhill Central School, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 899-4415.

WILLISTON PLAYGROUP: Allen Brook School, first Friday of every month, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 272-6509.

SATURDAY MONTPELIER SATURDAY PLAYGROUP: Family Center of Washington County, 9:30-11 a.m. Info, 262-3292.

MORRISVILLE BABY CHAT: Lamoille Family Center, second Saturday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Info, 888-5229.

STOWE PLAYGROUP: Kula Yoga Center, 1-2 p.m. $10; or free with attendance at yoga class at 11:45 a.m.

Movin’ & Groovin’: This troll-themed dance party mixes it up with musical-instrument making. Mini dance classes offered by B-True Dance for ages 5 and up with preregistration. South Burlington Community Library, 10 a.m.-noon. Info, 652-7080. FREE Owls & Their Calls: The Vermont Institute of Natural Science stops into the library with three live birds, allowing avian admirers to learn about these nocturnal predators in a first-hand encounter. All ages. Milton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Info, 893-4644. FREE

Party In Picture Book City: The community comes out to celebrate the library’s new-and-improved picture book collection with music and treats. All ages. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6-7:30 p.m. Info, 865-7216. FREE

Yoga for Kids: See April 5.

FRANKLIN

Balloon Car Derby: Clever makers create cool cars and rally for a race. St. Albans Free Library, 1 p.m. Preregister. Info, 524-1507. FREE

Mommy and Me Fitness Meetup: See April 5.

LAMOILLE

Tots on the Turf: See April 5.

RUTLAND

Killington Lego Club: See April 5. Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See April 5.

WINDSOR

Sensory Lab for Tots: See April 5.

27 Thursday

ADDISON

Quiet Crafternoon: See April 6.

CHITTENDEN

Family Movie Matinee: See April 15.

Lego Club: See April 6.

Make & Take: Glitter Art: Craft lovers shake out sprinkles and create a journal, card, bookmark and more. South Burlington Community Library, 10 a.m.-noon. Info, 652-7080. FREE

Preschool Music: See April 6.

Ukulele Kids: Itty-bitty ones try out instruments and dance to traditional children’s songs. Ages 5 and under. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Info, 865-7216. FREE

FRANKLIN

Bunnies Visit Story Hour: Little book lovers enjoy a morning with special furry guests, bunny stories, songs and crafts. Haston Library, Franklin, 10:30 a.m. Info, 285-6505. FREE

Lego Thursdays: See April 6.

St. Albans Library Legos: See April 13, 3-5 p.m.

WASHINGTON

Books Come to Life: This active class, led by a literacy professional, combines reading and movement. Ages 3-6. Waterbury Public Library, 9:30-11:15 a.m. Info, 244-7036. FREE

WINDSOR

Clay for Tots: See April 6.

28 Friday

CHITTENDEN

Dungeons & Dragons: See April 14.

Early Bird Math Story Time: See April 7.

Family Gym: See April 7.

Friday Afternoon Movie: Kids snuggle in for snacks and a screening. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 3 p.m. Info, 482-2878. FREE

Friday Free for All: See April 7.

Games! Games! Games!: Troll bingo amuses the crowd with prizes of new books. South Burlington Community Library, 10 a.m.noon. Info, 652-7080. FREE

Jedi Academy: The Star Wars galaxy commandeers the library with costumes, crafts, games and other-worldly refreshments. Ages 4-10. Milton Public Library, 1-3 p.m.; preregister. Info, 893-4644. FREE

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’

Bassick: See April 7.

Money Smart Kids: Savvy savers get the scoop about banking through books and activities. Grades K-4. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Info, 878-6956. FREE

Songs & Stories With Matthew: See April 14.

FRANKLIN

Yo Jo What a Guy!: Joe Howard returns by popular demand to get the crowd cheering with antics of juggling, clowning, puppetry and audience involvement. All ages. St. Albans Free Library, 1:30 p.m. Info, 524-1507. FREE

RUTLAND

Killington Magic: The Gathering: See April 7.

ORLEANS

Author M. T. Anderson: This Calais writer of children’s and young adult literature lights up the crowd with his literary prowess. Craftsbury Public Library, Craftsbury Common, 7 p.m. Info, 586-9683. FREE

Lego Club: See April 7.

WASHINGTON

Family Story Time: See April 7.

WINDSOR

Branch Out: Creative Activities for Teens: Teens have time together with open art studios for painting and mixed media projects, finger food and music. Grades 9-12. ArtisTree/Purple Crayon, South Pomfret, 6-9:45 p.m. Info, 457-3500. FREE

29 Saturday

CALEDONIA

Visual Storytelling Workshop: Small Spielbergs collaborate with Robin Kristo of the School of Creative and Performing Arts to compose a group film screened April 30. Ages 5-7. Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury, 10-11:30 a.m.; preregister. Info, 748-2600, ext. 108. FREE

CHITTENDEN

EvoKids Saturday Drop-In Yoga: See April 8. Healthy Kids Day: In this national YMCA initiative, youngsters explore the importance of nutrition and exercise with active play, entertainment, snacks and prizes. All ages. Greater Burlington YMCA, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info, 852-8147. FREE

Saturday Drama Club: See April 8.

Webby’s Art Studio: See April 8.

FRANKLIN

Book Cellar: Teens run this gently-used book sale; proceeds benefit the library’s summer reading program. All ages. St. Albans Free Library, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Info, 524-1507. FREE

RUTLAND

Amy Huntington: ‘Fresh-Picked Poetry: A Day at the Farmers’ Market’: See April 22. Phoenix Books Rutland, 11 a.m. Info, 855-8078. FREE

Pittsford Trail Run: Athletes young and old lace up for a 5K or one-mile run/walk on town trails to benefit the Pittsford Recreation Department. Pittsford Rec Area, 9 a.m. $5-15. Info, 483-6500.

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See April 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

WASHINGTON

Come & Play Day: Families interested in an alternative education check out the school’s campus and chat with teachers, while kids pursue playtime. Ages 5-14. River Rock School, Montpelier, 10 a.m.-noon. Info, 223-4700. FREE

Green Mountain Swing: This 17-piece big band gets the crowd grooving with favorites of swing, Latin, blues and funk. Dance lessons available from 6:45-7:30 p.m.; live music begins at 7:30 p.m. Ages 10 and up. The Old Labor Hall, Barre, $10-15; proceeds benefit the Green Mountain Youth Symphony. Info, 888-4470.

30 Sunday

CHITTENDEN

Essex Open Gym: See April 9. Family Gym: See April 7.

WASHINGTON

Pirate Day: Ahoy, mates! Buccaneers of all ages search out big pirate treasure on a scavenger hunt, while solving salty riddles and enjoying swashbuckling arts and crafts. All ages. Mad River Green Shops, Waitsfield, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info, 583-3669. FREE

Ongoing Exhibits

CHANDLER MUSIC HALL, RANDOLPH Info, 728-9878

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Showcased student work from ten area PK-grade 12 schools illustrates imaginative inquiry at the heart of the creative process. All ages. Through April 23. FREE

ECHO LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE

CHAMPLAIN, BURLINGTON Info, 864-1848

BUTTERFLIES, LIVE AT ECHO: A pavilion of fluttering creatures enchants visitors who learn about these winged beauties’ lifecycle and how their natural environment can be protected. Through September 4. All ages.

FAIRBANKS MUSEUM & PLANETARIUM, ST. JOHNSBURY

X-RAY VISION: FISH INSIDE AND OUT: This temporary exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution illustrates the history of evolution through the translucent images of ancient fish, in an elegant union of science and art. Through May 2017.

HENRY SHELDON MUSEUM OF VERMONT HISTORY, MIDDLEBURY Info, 388-2117

FOCUS ON THE SHELDON: FIVE-POINT

PERSPECTIVE: Five Middlebury-area photographers display their artwork capturing the museum’s extensive collection of Vermont history, ranging from fabrics and eyeglasses to a sculpted dog and a life-size horse, including photographs of antique dolls. Through May 13.

MONTSHIRE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, NORWICH Info, 649-2200

MAKING MUSIC: THE SCIENCE OF MUSICAL

INSTRUMENTS: The stories, ideas and science behind the creation of musical instruments mesmerize visitors. Through displays, videos and hands-on opportunities, music lovers make and play a variety of instruments using Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. All ages. Through September 4.

VERMONT FOLKLIFE CENTER, MIDDLEBURY Info, 388-4964

FAMILY TRAITS: ART, HUMOR AND EVERYDAY LIFE: Vermonter and artist Stanley Lyndes uses his experience growing up on a multigenerational farm to capture the unique folklore of family life through art. All ages. Through May 15. FREE

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.

Saturday, May 6th Waterfront Park Parade Starts at 9:30 am 10 am - 3 pm

Free Admission

Join our sponsors for a day of celebrating kids and fun at Waterfront Park! The parade kicks off the day with goodies and giveaways. Enjoy a variety of events and entertainment – everything from petting zoos to train rides to face painting to building your own terrarium! Dance to music from Young Tradition Vermont and others, make crafts with Recycle Art, and take your picture on our oversized Adirondack chair.

Produced by Underwriting Sponsor Sponsors

Code Cash KIDS JUST FOR

Pigpenny is a very happy piggy bank. She is stuffed full of coins: pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and half-dollars. She is counting on you to crack the emoji code at right, to tell her how many she has of each. Once you have figured that out, add the coin values together so that Pigpenny can exchange her money for some corn. Yum! The answer is on page 43.

Writing Contest

A sensory poem is one in which you USE YOUR FIVE SENSES — SIGHT, SMELL, HEARING, TASTE AND TOUCH — TO DESCRIBE SOMETHING. Write a sensory poem about spring. What do you see, smell, hear, taste and touch as the winter snow melts and the weather gets warmer? Your poem does not have to rhyme, and you don’t need to use all five senses in your poem. Attach an extra piece of paper if you need more space to write.

COLORING CONTEST WINNERS

Nearly 150 charmingly creative submissions covered our judging tables this month! Eleven-year-old Zoey Copp summed up the spring season with her bright yellow duck surrounded by a storm of rainbow drops. Madeleine Lantman, 5, dressed her waterfowl in a green top hat and matching shoes, surrounded by multicolored grass. Lucia Hackerman gave her masterpiece an interactive twist, challenging our judges to find the four-leaf clovers hiding in her green mosaic. Congratulations to all of the imaginative artists.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

QUACK, QUACK

Cash Trudell, 5, Colchester

LEAPING LEPRECHAUN

Sophie Oszurek, 8, St. Albans

The winners of annual family memberships to the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium are…

We’ll pick two winners and publish their names and poems in the next issue. Winners receive a $25 gift certificate to Crow Bookshop. Deadline to enter is April 15.

Send your entries to: Kids VT, attn: Writing Contest, P.O. Box 1184, Burlington, VT 05402.

WRITING CONTEST WINNERS

In last month’s issue, we asked kids to write about a FEMALE WHO INSPIRED THEM, in honor of Women’s History Month. We were so impressed by the powerful and thoughtful entries readers submitted. The two winners each receive a $25 gift certificate to Crow Bookshop in Burlington. You’ll find their writing below.

Zahrah Muhammad, 9 ESSEX

Someone who inspires me is my older sister, Firdaus. She inspires me by being confident about herself. She does this by talking in a loud and clear voice. Another thing she does that inspires me is to persevere and never give up. For example, I take ice-skating lessons, and there’s one trick that I can’t complete. My sister knew that I was struggling so she helped me learn the trick. I appreciate her and I am pleased to call her my sister.

Sam Skolnik, 9 MIDDLESEX

Seven months ago my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I remember the night so clearly, me and my sister out on the porch in the crisp, tranquil night air, the tears. The air, the Earth and the trees felt so indifferent, blowing around in the late autumn silence. I was shocked. I had no idea, not even the slightest hint, that my mom, a healthy, fit, productive woman, somehow could even have a risk of getting such a horrible disease. I was still shocked when, months later, she decided to do chemo. And again I was shocked when the beautiful hair began to ruthlessly but slowly fall off her head. But I was even more amazed at how she handled this horrible process of destroying the monster that was trying to eat her, take her. She stood strong and tall above that monster, beating it back but paying for every inch of it. She still isn’t done beating that horrible monster back, but she’s close. She didn’t flinch, or try to hide. No, not my mom. She took that monster and wrung its neck. She took it and tossed it right out the window, strong and hard. And that is the woman who inspired me, told me through her actions that even when things are hard, you keep fighting, don’t flinch away. Never back down. And I will take that and listen to it. Thank you, Mom, for showing this to me.

CROWING AT THE ROOSTER

Hayden Hopkins, 4, Woodbury

DANCING DUCK

Abygayle Lanpher, 11, Leicester

FLOWERY FIREWORKS

Lizzie Considine, 8, Hardwick

FANCY TOPPER

Conan Burroughs, 4, St. Albans

CAMOUFLAGED QUACKER

Colton Harley, 10, Georgia

LET IT RAIN

Tenley Peloquin, 6, Williamstown

CANDY LAND

Alex Poczobut, 9, Barre

DELECTABLE DESIGNS

Stella Smian, 8, Burlington

SPUN SUGAR

Kendall Marsh, 4, Coventry

DUCKY FOR MAYOR

Kelman Pirie, 9, Montpelier

TOP TITLES

“A DUCK GOING UNDERGROUND”

Esmé Isla Koicuba, 3, Starksboro

“DUCKUCHAUN”

Shelby Smith, 7, Swanton

“THE MAD QUACKER”

Keenan Garlieb-Meno, 10, South Burlington

“Rainbow Space Duck”

Bronwyn Withers, 5 CHARLOTTE

5 & under

“Squeaky Stripes”

Hallie Miller, 7 MILTON

6 to 8

“Lucky Ducky”

Iana Mecca, 12 SOUTH BURLINGTON

9 to 12

Coloring Contest!

Three winners will each receive an annual family membership to the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium. Send Kids VT your work of art by APRIL 15. Be sure to include the info at right with your submission. Winners will be chosen in the following categories: (1) ages 5 and younger, (2) ages 6-8 and (3) ages 9-12. Winners will be named in the May issue of Kids VT. Send your high-resolution scans to art@kidsvt.com or mail a copy to Kids VT, P.O. Box 1184, Burlington, VT 05402.

Sponsored by

KIDS JUST FOR

Jumble

BY DAVID L. HOYT & JEFF KNUREK

The letters of these crazy words are all mixed up. To play the game, put them back into the right order so that they make real words you can find in your dictionary. Write the letters of each real word under each crazy word, but only one letter to a square.

You are now ready to solve this month’s Jumble For Kids. Study the picture for a hint. Then play around with the letters in the circles. You’ll find you can put them in order so that they make your funny answer.

Print your answer here:

Puzzles4Kids

RIDDLE SEARCH — STRONG

Look up, down and diagonally, both forward and backward, to find every word on the list. Circle each one as you find it. When all the words are circled, take the UNUSED letters and write them on the blanks below. Go from left to right and top to bottom to find the answer to this riddle:

WHY ARE POLICE OFFICERS SO STRONG?

BIG BOLD

DARING

DURABLE

ENERGETIC FEARLESS FIRM

FORCEFUL GUTSY

HALE HUSKY MUSCULAR NERVY

SOLID SPUNKY STURDY TOUGH

BY HELENA HOVANEC

Riddle Answer:

From Soaked to Sober

How a booze-addicted mom went dry in the Arabian Desert

Raising a child can drive a person to drink, as many parents in the trenches jokingly attest. But for this mom, having a vodka martini and a bottle of wine every night was serious business.

Being a parent terrified me. How would I keep this tiny human safe? I thought of my infant son, David. What if something happened to this baby I loved with all my heart? While I changed his diapers and fretted about my mothering skills, happy hour was my dangling carrot. At exactly 5 p.m., I “celebrated” David’s approaching bedtime — and the fact that we’d both survived another day — with a raised martini glass.

As my son got older, my worries intensified, and happy hour morphed into cocktails all evening long. I hid the depths of my despair, and my drinking, from my fun-loving husband, who had already raised two sons and seemed more emotionally equipped for the task.

Eventually, my love of vodka eclipsed the love I felt for my child.

There was a time when I delighted in another liquid altogether. In my youth, I was a star swimmer — one of the fastest sprinters in Florida. Until I was 20, I defined myself by the very water in which I was immersed for two to four hours every day. I earned a scholarship to swim for the University of South Florida, where I was part of a national championship team and qualified for the 1988 Olympic Trials in the 50-meter freestyle. Back then, I loved winning, and adrenaline, more than anything.

Once I hung up my cap and goggles, I missed the high I’d gotten from racing in the water and overcompensated by drinking alcohol. Many of those drinks went down overseas when I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya and a journalist in South Korea.

Whenever I found myself in challenging places, which was most of the time, I drowned my worries in alcohol. Nervous about malaria? Drink gin and tonic, which is loaded with parasite-killing quinine! Fearful about North Koreans threatening to invade? Drink high-octane soju with soldiers on leave from the Korean Demilitarized Zone! Drowning my worries was so much fun, but, as Frida Kahlo so aptly put it, the damned things learned to swim.

In 2009, I was inducted into the University of South Florida’s Athletic Hall of Fame, with 5-year-old David in the audience. I drank before, during and after the ceremony. My fingers were too swollen to wear the diamondencrusted ring with which I was presented.

It wasn’t until 2015 — right after my son turned 11, and just months before I turned 50 — that I confronted my drinking problem. I’d felt awful for decades: My blood pressure was high, and my liver was swollen. The lithe girl who once lifted trophies over her head was now a pudgy

woman who lifted drink after drink to her lips. If I wanted to live to see my son become an adult, I’d have to change my ways. But could I?

We were in Abu Dhabi at the time, thanks to my husband’s work as an itinerant filmmaker and cinema professor. I had a job in communications at an Arab university, and David attended the American International School.

The country is a peaceful oasis nestled between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Desert, but I saw it as a fish bowl in a sea of piranha — safe unless the glass breaks. Alcohol is off-limits to the majority of its population, and therefore difficult to procure. I purchased whatever booze I could find at the “forbidden” liquor store, exclusively patronized by expats. Sometimes I’d shop for my fix while David waited outside in the back seat of a cab with a complete stranger.

As fate would have it, my “come to Jesus” moment — where I admitted that I was powerless against alcohol and that booze posed a greater threat to my life than terrorism — took place in a Muslim country. Inspired by the people and the place, this former swimmer decided to go dry for good. I got through my very first night without a drink by watching Lawrence of Arabia with my husband and son in our high-rise apartment.

Turns out that the Middle East is a darn good place to get sober. I didn’t have to contend with booze in every grocery store and restaurant, or on television and billboard advertisements. The location, however, didn’t make the detox process any less painful. For weeks, I cried myself to sleep and vomited upon waking. But the muezzin’s call to prayer, five times a day, tethered me to Earth and to a power far greater than my addiction. I now consider myself a Muslim, as well as a recovering addict.

Moving back to the United States three months later, I was shocked to reenter the world I’d once inhabited — and imbibed in. There were never-ending excuses for me to drink and seemingly endless ways of getting alcohol. Now, to cope with fear and longing, I employ a tactic I used on the starting block before a swimming race: I stare at a fixed point on the horizon, similar to how Bedouins navigate vast seas of sand, and I imagine myself on the other side of adversity.

I’ve been sober for two years now. Am I a better mother? I’m certainly a more present and patient one. I’m also vastly less anxious. Rather than eliminating my worries, alcohol had only ever intensified them.

I recently came across an Arab proverb that sums up my journey: “It’s the same rain you loved that drowned you.” The only things overflowing in me now are devotion to my 13-year-old son and appreciation for life on dry land. K

Eventually, my love of vodka eclipsed the love I felt for my child.