Kids VT, August 2014

Lovin’

✱ DAY-CATIONS: OKEMO AND THE CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS

✱ TEEN-POWERED FOOD TRUCK

✱ BUILDING A BACKYARD SKATE RAMP

by The Field Museum, Chicago, and made possible through the generosity of McDonald’s Corporation.

Outside the Lines

Meet

VT

Reader Nissa Sutphen, owner of Burlington VT Moms Blog, sent us this photo of her 14-month-old daughter, Maggie, for our day-cations contest. See more reader submissions on page 6.

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

brooke@kidsvt.com ext. 41

Associate Editor Alison Novak alison@kidsvt.com ext. 75

Marketing & Events Manager Corey Grenier corey@kidsvt.com ext. 76

Account Executive Kaitlin Montgomery kaitlin@kidsvt.com ext. 72

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Oak Meadow encompasses the whole child, the whole family, the whole self. The curriculum engages both the learner and facilitator on a journey of authentic learning. We couldn’t imagine a better way to learn.

Parents’ Pride

When my daughter, Joni, hit 6 weeks old, the countdown to her first “social smile” began. All the baby books said that between six and eight weeks, she’d start smiling to communicate happiness — not just because she’d farted.

The weeks passed, but Joni’s stony face didn’t budge. Her grumpy demeanor was cute. Still, I started to worry that she could smile, but was so unhappy she chose not to. Worse, my friends’ roughly-thesame-age babies were flashing their milliondollar grins all over Facebook.

At 9 weeks, the morning after Joni got her immunizations, she smirked for a split second while gazing at something to the left of my face. More than three weeks passed before she looked me in the eyes and gave me a full-fledged smile.

I know, millions of babies smile all the time. But when Joni does it, my heart triples in size. In my pre-mom life, I couldn’t understand why parents take pride in the most insignificant things their kids do. I get it now.

Which is partly why I’m thrilled to be back at Kids VT after three months of maternity leave. I’m approaching

these pages with a better understanding of what you, our readers, experience as parents. Also, I’m excited to obsess about something other than Joni’s sleep cycle (see “Sleep No More,” page 51).

I’ve learned a thing or two in my brief time as a mom. First, comparing your kid to everyone else’s, especially when it comes to developmental milestones, is a recipe for insecurity. Second, there’s no greater joy than watching your child grow. Each tiny accomplishment is cause for celebration.

Joni won’t be entering the Kids VT Coloring Contest any time soon, but I love flipping through the creative drawings we get from kids each month. Now, finally, I understand how you, their parents, must feel. Those inventive embellishments and quirky titles? They emerged from your kids’ incredible brains. This month’s issue celebrates some of our all-time favorite creators in “Outside the Lines,” (page 18).

I hope you enjoy seeing our interviews with them in print — and that they’ll make you smile.

Megan JaMes, Managing editor

Some of this month’s Kids VT contributors:

Cheryl Brownell (“Summer Day-cations”), Kids VT’s business manager, lives in Vergennes with her husband, their two teenagers, dog, cat and guinea pig. She spends her free time horseback riding, skiing, gardening, baking and doing anything else that helps her avoid doing housework.

Alice Levitt (“Mealtime”), a Seven Days food writer, lives in South Burlington with her boyfriend, James, their demanding cat, Olive, and a turn-of-the-century taxidermied dog, Fétiche. When not eating her way through the state, she’s working on her upcoming book, Vermont, An Explorer’s Guide.

Megan James (“Use Your Words”), Kids VT’s managing editor, may be sleep deprived, but she’s psyched to be back at work after maternity leave. She lives in Winooski with her husband, their 3-month-old daughter and a one-eyed cat.

Joni & Megan

ReadersRespond

SUMMER Day-cations

Every June, July and August, Kids VT recommends family-oriented day trips to help readers take advantage of the beautiful yet fleeting summer season. Find our latest installment, which includes a ride on the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster and a visit to a fossil preserve in the Champlain Islands, on page 24.

We asked you to tell us about the best day-cations your families have taken this summer. Here’s some of what you told us:

String Things

Thanks so much for the wonderful article [“The Art of... String Instruments,” July 2014]. It was very well-written, and we really appreciate the attention. When articles are written about us, I worry about mistakes. But yours was great! It comes at a perfect time for us and makes us very happy. I especially love the line, “The couple has a teaching philosophy that is as folksy as the music they help create.” That really made us smile!

SARAH HOTCHKISS, WINOOSKI Hotchkiss is co-owner of Woodbury Strings.

Kids VT Night at the Lake Monsters Game

Come early on Thursday, August 14, 7:05 p.m. The first 300 fans get the new Kids VT coloring & activity book, plus a box of crayons.

“Burton Island as a day trip. It’s fun to take the ferry over, hike the trails, play on the beach, grab lunch at the snack bar, then head home again!”

DELIA GILLEN

“Lake Monsters games He wishes and hopes to play there one day.”

JESSICA FOERST-BILODEAU

“We love meandering up River Road in Lincoln to find swimming spots. Bartlett Falls is there, and there are so many spots to pull off and explore different parts of the river.”

KATE SHANTI

“We love Montshire Museum! My girls can’t get enough of the water-play area, and we like stopping in Hanover for lunch and a nice walk.”

NISSA SUTPHEN

“Treasure Island in Fairlee — so fun! They have this great slide, an adorable basket of books to read and a good spot for catching critters. The WhippiDip is a mandatory stop on the way home for creemees, and I always sneak in a stop at Cedar Circle for local veggies — a perfect VT day!”

MEGAN RUDY

“Alburg Dunes State Park! Great for our 2-year-old as the walk out into the water is very gradual and shallow. So much fun playing in the sand.”

SARAH MORRISON

“A trip on the Stowe bike path followed by a stop at Ben & Jerry’s to share a mini-monster sundae with the kids!”

SUZANNE

TOWNE HEDDING

GOT A COMMENT? Email us at feedback@kidsvt.com.

Bestofthe“HomeC kin’” series on the Kids VTBlog

Frozen Fun

BY ERINN SIMON

The kids at the Burlington Children’s Space, where I work as “the Lunch Lady,” love to make smoothies. They work together to gather the ingredients and watch expectantly as teachers whiz them in the blender and measure them out into cups with exact precision. Their favorite recipe involves bananas, frozen berries, plain yogurt and honey.

A few weeks ago, when the weather turned summery, they came up with the idea of freezing the smoothies in Popsicle molds. They were delicious, and an era of Popsicle madness began.

Teachers put out the call to parents for Popsicle mold donations and splurged on some crazy shapes of their

Roasted Peaches

BY ALISON NOVAK

There’s nothing worse than coming home from a weeklong vacation to an empty fridge.

I take that back. Coming home to brown bananas and moldy grapes you forgot to toss before you left is much worse.

Luckily, my family has found a way to avoid these predicaments. Once or twice a summer, we make the almost five-hour drive down to Westchester County, N.Y., to visit both sets of grandparents. Our drive back home is not complete without a stop at Pattie’s Patch. The Patch, as we like to call it, is a super-size fruit stand

COLORING CONTEST

own, while the kids started thinking of di erent ingredients that would make tasty, but healthy, frozen treats.

They tried apple juice, pineapple juice and more smoothie concoctions — all delicious. One of my coworkers caught the homemade-Popsicle fever and started experimenting at home with various ingredients. She came up with an easy and delicious coconut number that I’ve adapted here with a few twists of my own…

With its pointy toes, long whiskers and bushy beard, this little rodent inspired some 90 young artists to participate in our July coloring contest. We were intrigued by our readers’ inventive interpretations, including a camouflaged secret agent, a crazy-eyed hamster who was described as “Lost on Spiral Mountain,” and a bejeweled hamster dreaming of cupcakes and ice cream cones. Thanks for sharing your creativity with us, and congratulations to all the winners!

HONORABLE MENTIONS

PSYCHEDELIC SUCCESS

Antonia Mozzilli, 5, Moretown

PLANETARY PERFECTION

Destiny North, 10, Milton

COMPLEX CREATION

Megan Peterson, 6, Richmond

SUPER SHERBET SHADING

Tilly Veysey, 4, Orleans

SPOT-ON SHERLOCK

Sylvie Roose, 10, Richmond

FLASHIEST FIREWORKS

Jonathan Kafumbe, 5, Middlebury

The winners of our three $25 gift certificates to Creative Habitat are:

in Whitehall, N.Y., an eighth of a mile from the Vermont border. It’s a little more than an hour away from our house, so when we spot it we know we’re at the tail end of our journey.

On Monday, our stop at Pattie’s yielded a $40 haul of fruits and veggies — pears, plums, sugar snap peas, eggplant and peaches.

Oh, the peaches. Without fail, Pattie’s has the most delicious Georgia peaches (local produce at Pattie’s is labeled, but there’s not a ton). They’re juicy and perfectly ripe. So ripe, in fact, that you need to make sure they don’t get jostled around in the trunk of the car; they bruise easily…

SO SPIRITUAL

Dominic Mazzilli, 9, Moretown

TASTIEST TREATS

Aubrey Merrill, 8, South Burlington

SPECTACULAR SPIRALS

Eliza Willoughby, 9, Williston

FABULOUS FARMLAND

Zoey Copp, 8, Newport

TOP TITLES

“HAM HAM MONKEY JAM”

Isaac Areli, 4, Essex Junction

“HAMMY WHO?”

Sean Plumer, 9, Huntington

“CARROT KIDNAPPING. THE HARDEST MISSION OF MY LIFE.”

Anna MacFaden, 9, Shelburne

Find this month’s coloring contest on page 48. The deadline for submissions is August 15. Read about some of our frequent contest participants in “Outside the Lines,” page 18.

“Mr.

Sela Brown, 11 WINOOSKI

Squigglesworth”

Jay Kords, 4 MONTPELIER “A Rainbow Hamster”

Marshall Moffatt, 8 ENOSBURG FALLS “Love Spreader”

Find the recipe for cinnamon-roasted peaches at kidsvt.com.

Find recipes for coconut Popsicles, green smoothies and fruit kebabs at kidsvt.com.

THE BEAT

BY MEGAN JAMES, CATHY RESMER AND NATALIE WILLIAMS

BOOKS A New World

How long could you wait to reunite with your love?

In the Jewish quarter of a Russian town in 1897, a handsome house painter and a beautiful math whiz were married. After the czar’s soldiers ransacked the community, the lovebirds made the tough decision to separate: Solomon immigrated to New York, while Anna stayed behind. Vermont artist and longtime New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss heard this true tale many times from his motherin-law, Elaine Snyder. He persuaded her to tell it in a book so that he could illustrate it. The result, ANNA & SOLOMON, is a gorgeous and somber new tome that’s likely to appeal to adults as much as it does to kids. “Anna and Solomon are the stars of this story,” writes Publishers Weekly. “But they also embody millions of others who yearned, strived and gambled everything on the promise of a better life.” — M.J.

ANNA & SOLOMON: Available on Amazon for $13.42, hardcover.

CONTESTS Winning Words

PBS, home of “Sesame Street,” has long been a leader in early literacy. For the last 20 years, the broadcaster has invited young readers in grades K-3 to write and illustrate their own storybooks for the PBS Kids Writers Contest. Vermont PBS announced the winners of the statewide contest in April; the four first-place winners — Skye Williams, Joshua Kafumbe, Alden Elsa MacDowell and Harrison M. Kim — one for each grade, were entered into the national competition.

In July, 7-year-old Joshua Kafumbe of Middlebury found out he won third place among all of the first-graders from across the country who entered the contest. In his story, THE COLORS I FEEL, Joshua describes his feelings as colors and objects: “I feel yellow like a dandelion when I am happy. / I feel red like molten lava when I am angry. / When I am sad, I feel blue like a doctor’s surgery gown.” Each comparison shares the page with one of his vibrant drawings. Kafumbe, who will be entering second grade at Mary Hogan Elementary School in the fall, wins a prize package including a LeapFrog reading and writing system. He’s Vermont’s first nationally recognized winner since 2010. We reached him by phone one weekday after summer school. His story was inspired by: “Colors. People actually feel feelings instead of colors. But when I see colors, it starts to make me feel something.”

Color he was feeling when we talked with him: “Red, because I’m sick.”

He likes to read: “Chapter books like Secrets of Droon.” Those books have “kind of scary pictures,” he says. “Babies wouldn’t like them.”

His ambition as a writer: “I want to write something that would be good for all children. One part would be ‘baby nice,’ and one part would be nice for all ages.”

How his mom, Betty Kafumbe, feels about his award: “My family is really grateful to PBS Kids for organizing the writers contest — for giving children the platform to develop their reading and writing skills. We’re excited for Joshua!” — C.R.

THE COLORS I FEEL: Watch Joshua Kafumbe read his awardwinning story at vpt.org.

OUTDOORS

Walking on Water

There’s more to standup paddling than, well, paddling. At a weekly FAMILY JAM at Burlington’s Oakledge Park, kids toss Frisbees, twirl hula hoops and even go “skiing” while balancing on giant floating boards. Inspired by his own “anything goes”-style summer-camp experience, Paddlesurf Champlain owner Jason Starr is coming up with even more activities, such as jousting, to attempt on the lake this month. Using foam-covered paddles, kids will try to knock each other into the water. Whoever stays onboard the longest wins. Parents don’t have to watch the action from the beach; during the jam, they paddle for free. — N.W.

Children who face mental illness deserve excellent care in a clinically advanced setting that helps them to heal, and encourages them to be kids. Our program combines best practices in clinical space design and treatment options. Highlights include:

• Comforting, child-friendly design and decor

• Private bedrooms for up to 12 children

• Sensory room with soothing bubble tubes and other sensory integration tools

• Multi-use community rooms

FAMILY JAM: $12 per child; parents paddle free. Fridays, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Oakledge Park in Burlington. For more information, visit paddlesurfchamplain.com.

• Low stimulation suite and quiet room

• Dedicated family visiting space. Learn how we’re leading the way at brattlebororetreat.org Get help now.

To help him see hope, we looked at care through a child’s eyes.

Q CHECK UP By Ken Picard

Like what you see?

IT’S SUmmEr — the season of shorts, skirts, tank tops and bathing suits — a time when many people, including children and teens, are acutely self-conscious about their looks. Even kids as young as 6 or 7 might fret about the size and shape of their bodies.

That’s hardly surprising in our appearance-obsessed culture. Most of these concerns are normal, but a persistent negative body image can lead to serious problems. This month, clinical and school psychologist Dr. Mary Ann Donnelly-DeBay offers tips on how to help kids feel more comfortable in their own skin, no matter what they look like.

KIDS VT: At what age do kids typically start developing body-image issues?

MARY ANN DONNELLY-DEBAY: By age 9, it’s normal, to some degree, for kids to be aware of their body and identify some aspect of it that they want to change. But if a 5- or 6-year-old watches a lot of music videos or reality TV shows that are too mature for them, studies have shown that those kids are already talking about feeling fat and wanting a different body.

KVT: Are body-image concerns more common among girls than boys?

MADD: Actually, the number of eating disorders among boys is now on the rise. Even 8-year-old boys are looking for that perfect V shape — the big shoulders but very slim and muscular body — which is nearly impossible to achieve. As they enter their preteens and their bodies change, this can lead to the use of steroids or medications that help them stay thin.

KVT: When does a negative body image become problematic?

MADD: It only becomes a problem when it becomes excessive. Ninety percent of girls interviewed say they wish something about their body were different. “I feel fat” or “I look fat” is something I’ve heard from every female I’ve ever met. So, there is a component of this in our culture that is very normal. But a negative body image can lead to negative self-esteem, which can be a precursor for mentalhealth problems such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

KVT: How can parents correct those tendencies?

MADD: Parents can play an important role by modeling healthy choices and a healthy balance between diet and exercise — and by not being obsessive themselves. Also important is how they relate to people who are overweight. People tend to attribute

negative traits to an obese person. So, if you’re good-looking, in our minds you’re also smart and successful. But if you’re obese, you’re out of control, unintelligent and lazy. Kids get these messages from their parents.

KVT: We want our kids to feel good about themselves, regardless of their appearance. At the same time, we shouldn’t ignore a weight problem, correct?

that word from your vocabulary. Just eat healthily.

KVT: What should parents do if kids aren’t happy with their physical appearance?

MADD: Encourage different kinds of sports and activities, especially those that don’t emphasize partcipants' physique and weight — I’m thinking about gymnasts and wrestlers, who often have weight issues. Kids should be encouraged to try a variety of sports and activities, and be offered healthy food choices. I don’t believe in food restrictions. That’s just inviting trouble.

KVT: What red flags should parents watch for?

MADD: One is a change in kids’ eating habits. I see a lot of girls — more so than boys — whose parents have noticed them restricting what they eat. These kids should see a pediatrician as well, because restricting can create lifethreatening changes, as their bodies are still growing.

KVT: What messages should we be sending to our kids?

MADD: It is a balance. I don’t want to undermine the importance of treating obesity in the United States, because obesity is an epidemic. But if treating it is done is a way that crushes kids’ self-esteem, that can lead to even more physical and mental health problems. So, do it in a positive way. As for that word “diet,” 90 percent of people who go on a diet fail. Nix

MADD: Compliment them on their skills and abilities rather than on just their looks. A child with a great sense of humor who makes friends easily and is good at school may not be a great athlete yet. But those skills may emerge later. Sometimes a child will say, “I feel fat so I should go play a sport, but I don’t have the right type of body to play that sport, so I won’t join.”

Kids will withdraw rather than trying to fit in. Parents should also help kids become mindful of the messages they get from the media. The average female model is 114 pounds and 5 foot 11, and 99 percent of American women are not that. It’s an unrealistic ideal.

Even 8-year-old boys are looking for that perfect V shape — the big shoulders but very slim and muscular body — which is nearly impossible to achieve.

By Sarah Tuff

On the Right Tack

Barely a Breath of wind blows across Lake Champlain, but that doesn’t keep kids from messing around in boats at Burlington’s Community Sailing Center on a recent Thursday morning. Vessels with black and white sails bob near the breakwater, while a group of preteens practices capsizing 420 dinghies and perfects cannonballs near the dock.

Tucked inside a white tent on land, meanwhile, a few 6- and 7-year-olds — “Little Guppies” have just returned from an excursion to Oakledge Park. What’s the right age to introduce kids to sailing? “The earlier the better,” says the center’s associate director Jen Guimaraes. “At this age, the most important thing is making the kids feel comfortable on the water and on a boat.”

The Community Sailing Center has offered a boatload of kids’ summer classes and camps for two decades; today, choices range from Little Guppies half- and full-day options to SCUBA & Sailing for 12- to 16-year-olds. The only thing kids really should know before sailing lessons is how to swim, even though the Sailing Center mandates personal flotation devices for all participants.

What sailing camp teaches, says Guimaraes, goes beyond rigging a keelboat or reading the wind. “When kids learn new things and do them correctly, it’s very rewarding for them,” she says. “And sailing helps with confidence, leadership, communication skills, teamwork and problem solving.”

They also receive lessons in maritime and Lake Champlain history.

“I want to sail around the world in a 15th-century navy ship!” says 6-year-old Ronan of Burlington of his aquatic ambitions.

“I would sail to where the Titanic sunk,” says Nathan, a 7-yearold from Williston.

My own sailing lessons as a child in Rhode Island were about as terrifying as being on the Titantic, so last summer, I was a bit hesitant to sign up my then-6-year-old daughter for Little Guppies classes. But she was excited about learning a lifelong skill that many of her cousins had already mastered, and was beaming every day at pickup time, gleefully describing capsizing the boats and learning about the nearby sunken horse ferry.

I also appreciated how the Sailing Center aims its programs at the greater Burlington community — not just those who can afford the pricey dues of a yacht club. It’s part of a nationwide push by U.S. Sailing to reach all populations. The $365 tuition for a full week of day camp is in line with the cost of other local summer programs.

“It’s incredible to be part of this powerful shift in a sport that can provide so much for so many people, especially here in Burlington with a resource like Lake Champlain,” says Guimaraes. “Being out on the water is a transformational experience. You are able to relax, take in your surroundings and return to land with a renewed energy and perspective, ready to tackle anything that comes your way.”

Even if that includes, say, animated aliens? “What I like about sailing is that I’m often pooped at the end of the day,” says Ronan. “And when I come home and say ‘I’m pooped,’ Dad lets me play video games.” K

want to Set Sail?

the lake Champlain Community Sailing Center has camps and classes for kids ages 6-16. find more information at communitysailingcenter.org.

FOREST PRESCHOOL

Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

September 2 • 12 weeks

Forest Pre-K is for children ages of 3.5-5 yrs. old. Two Day (Tuesdays/Thurdays) and One Day (Wednesday) option available.

FOREST SCHOOL

Fridays, September 12-June 5 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The only thing kids really should know before sailing lessons is how to swim.

A summer day on Lake Champlain

WE BELONG TOGETHER

JOIN THE Y AND ENJOY:

• Full use of two sites

• Indoor & outdoor pools

• Family gym and family swim times

• Member rates on swim lessons, fitness programs & birthday parties

• Free access to Ys across the country

• Member childcare available

Mention KidsVT and we will waive the join fee during the month of August! gbymca.org 862-YMCA

him to join a clan. That means he would be on a team and able to trade messages with his friend and some unknown players. My son swears he won’t communicate with strangers online, but the fact that he could makes me nervous. Should I let him join his friend’s clan so they can destroy villages together?

A: Clash of Clans is a popular mobile game with really fun elements, such as building villages, training troops and battling with others. While you can play this game as a single player, the big draw is to band together with other clans and battle for dominance. Not only is this strategy game fun, it can really get players thinking.

However, as with any multiplayer game open to the world, players — and their parents — should watch out for a few things. First of all, age recommendations. According to developer Supercell, this game was designed for players ages 13 and up. Common Sense Media also recommends age 13.

Second, Clash of Clans makes money by getting players to buy gems and other power-ups that increase their status and speed things up. As a parent, you should carefully monitor the game settings, and even disable in-game purchases, if you want to avoid unwanted charges (anywhere from 99 cents to $99).

Finally, the chat feature is largely self-regulated by gamers, many of whom are adults. If you allow your child to chat, he or she will be exposed to conversations that range from supportive and fun to angry and bullying.

An 8-year-old is far too young to be playing any game with complete strangers from all over the world. I recommend that you sit down and play the game with your son. If he wants to be part of a clan, ask him to work with his friends to create one that consists exclusively of people they know in real life (that could include their parents). You may want to call your son’s friend’s parents and talk with them about the clan.

Then, monitor his playtime and interactions on the app. This can be as simple as having regular conversations about the game and his strategy. Playing together also creates great bonding time!

Elaine Young is the author of Tuned-In Family: How to Cope, Communicate & Connect in a Digital World, and is a professor at Champlain College, where she specializes in digital marketing and social media. Got a question about navigating the digital world with your family? Send it to ideas@kidsvt.com.

✱ DIGITAL DILEMMAS ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVER-EVOLVING ONLINE WORLD

Seasonal Reads

For the August issue, Kids VT asked local librarians to recommend “beach reads” for kids — fun, breezy books perfect for whiling away the last days of summer.

Rattletrap Car

BY PHYLLIS ROOT

Book-Review Winners

Congratulations to these enthusiastic young critics who shared their reading recommendations with us in July. Each wins a $25 gift certificate from Crow Bookshop in Burlington. We loved reading about all the entrants’ literary adventures and have included some excerpts below.

Ages 3-7

On a blazing hot day, Junie, Jakie, Poppa and the baby want to cool o in the lake. But can they make the trip in their old jalopy? Each time the car breaks down, a family member improvises a solution with items such as a beach ball, sur oard and snacks.

This “silly, fun summertime book” is “full of surprises and creative fixes,” says Melissa Strayton, youth services librarian at Norman Williams Library in Woodstock. The rhythmic repetition, onomatopoeia and nonsense words are sure to delight young listeners, she adds.

Pictures From Our Vacation

BY LYNNE RAE PERKINS

Ages 4-8

Before departing on a family cross-country road trip, Mom gives her kids cameras and notebooks to document their travels. But the young narrator quickly realizes that a camera can’t capture the daydreams that occupy a backseat traveler’s mind.

“In an age where parents are trying to leave their devices at home, this story is a good reminder that our memories and experiences are always beyond the reach of documentation,” says Katie Bosley, children’s librarian at Pierson Library in Shelburne. The illustrated tale “so perfectly captures the small, yet universal, moments of traveling that it serves as an instant portal back to our own childhoods” she adds.

Rooftoppers

BY KATHERINE RUNDELL

Ages 8-12

Charles, a gangly young scholar, finds Sophie when she is 1 year old, floating on a cello case after a shipwreck. Twelve years later, when the National Childcare Agency decides that Charles is an unfit guardian, the pair flees to Paris, where Sophie searches for her mother and meets an extraordinary new friend named Matteo.

“From the moment I opened this book I was pulled into life with Sophie and Charles,” says Beth Reynolds, children’s librarian at Norwich Public Library. “When they head to Paris to try and find the answer to a mystery, I tagged along. When Sophie meets Matteo and discovers the rooftops of the city, I felt myself almost touch the sky. I want to give this book to everyone I know so they can have their own Parisian getaway and jot down some of Charles’ charming words of wisdom.”

Madison Perham, 11 HYDE PARK recommends:

School of Fear by Gitty

Daneshvari

“I loved how all four main characters have something to be afraid of. Maddy is deathly afraid of spiders and other bugs. Theo is petrified of dying. Lulu is scared of confined spaces. And Garrison is terrified of water. Everyone is unique, with their own fears. Thank goodness everybody is di erent.”

Rebecca Moriarty, 11 JERICHO recommends:

The Backyard Sheep by Sue

Weaver

“My favorite part of the book was when the author describes how most people think of sheep as airheads when really they have no way to defend themselves. They can’t bite, scratch, kick or buck (except for the occasional ram) so their only response is to run in the opposite direction of the ‘scary’ object.”

Ava Bouchard, 8 SOUTH BURLINGTON recommends:

The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl

“The Enormous Crocodile is a bad crocodile. He wants to eat children! I liked the end when Trunky the Elephant spun the Enormous Crocodile around and around and threw him to the sun.”

Dahlia Harrison, 9 MIDDLEBURY recommends:

Divergent by Veronica

Roth

“My favorite part is when Tris and Four climbed the Ferris wheel. They were really brave. I really like that the lead character was a strong, powerful girl. I couldn’t put the book down.”

SWEET SUMMER

SWEET SUMMER

MEXICAN

MEXICAN CORN SALAD

CORN SALAD THE LEARNING CENTER AT HEALTHY LIVING

THE LEARNING CENTER AT HEALTHY LIVING

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

5 ears of corn, shucked

5 ears of corn, shucked

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds

Juice of 1 lime

Juice of 1 lime

2 Tbsp sherry vinegar

2 Tbsp sherry vinegar

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp hot sauce

1/4 tsp hot sauce

Pinch of cinnamon

Pinch of cinnamon

1 1/2 lbs arugula

1 1/2 lbs arugula

3 ripe avocados, diced

3 ripe avocados, diced

2 large tomatoes, diced

2 large tomatoes, diced

2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced

2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced

3 oz queso fresco, crumbled

3 oz queso fresco, crumbled

Salt and pepper to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 500°F. Drizzle the corn with 2 Tbsp of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the corn on a tray and into the oven for about 25 minutes or until the kernels are brown. Cut the corn from the cobs and set aside. Reduce your oven temp to 400°F. Place the pumpkin seeds on a small tray or baking dish and bake. Stir the seeds every so o en. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool. Place 1/2 cup of the corn into a blender or food processor. Add the lime juice, sherry vinegar, hot sauce, sugar and cinnamon. Puree to until smooth. Add the remaining olive oil and blend. Season with salt and pepper to taste. In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining corn, arugula, avocados, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Add the vinaigre e and toss well. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the pumpkin seeds and crumbled cheese. Serve immediately.

Preheat your oven to 500°F. Drizzle the corn with 2 Tbsp of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the corn on a tray and into the oven for about 25 minutes or until the kernels are brown. Cut the corn from the cobs and set aside. Reduce your oven temp to 400°F. Place the pumpkin seeds on a small tray or baking dish and bake. Stir the seeds every so o en. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool. Place 1/2 cup of the corn into a blender or food processor. Add the lime juice, sherry vinegar, hot sauce, sugar and cinnamon. Puree to until smooth. Add the remaining olive oil and blend. Season with salt and pepper to taste. In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining corn, arugula, avocados, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Add the vinaigre e and toss well. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the pumpkin seeds and crumbled cheese. Serve immediately.

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN IN AUGUST

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN IN AUGUST

· 4:00 - 5:00pm

$20

• Gluten-Free Flapjacks

Friday, 8/22

• Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas

4:00 - 5:00pm

Wednesday, 8/27

$20

All classes require pre-registration. For a full schedule, or to register, go to healthylivingmarket.com; or call Customer Service at 802.863.2569.

All classes require pre-registration. For a full schedule, or to register, go to healthylivingmarket.com; or call Customer Service at 802.863.2569.

$20

Keep on Food Truckin’

Atruck pulling a trailer decorated with images of bees, fruit and veggies has been trundling around Burlington this summer. This particular mobile eatery is different from the rest of the food trucks rolling into town: Kids run it.

Meet Fork in the Road, Vermont’s tastiest new example of sustainability education. The food truck — painted by local artist Abby Manock and paid for by a grant from Dealer.com — features ingredients harvested by Burlington high school students. And the cuisine? The teens prepare it all.

The venture is part of the Burlington School Food Project, run by Jenn McGowan and Sarah Heusner. Together

The menu, Please culinary students at Burlington technical center spent last semester conceiving and testing the Fork in the Road fare. But only some of the teens working the truck’s prep or grill stations are in the culinary program; the rest are BHs students.

the eatery showcases local ingredients, but don’t expect health food. the students focus on serving up dishes that are easy and inexpensive to make.

the kid-friendly bill of fare includes hot dogs from North Hollow Farm in Rochester and grilled cheese sandwiches crafted from cabot cheddar and O Bread Bakery loaves. the gardener hot dog is topped with homemade slaw and pickles, while the Healthy city grilled cheese is spread on both sides with a pesto made from BHs’ own arugula.

the high school’s beets show up in a pair of desserts. A fluffy, lightly spiced cupcake gets its moisture from the veggies, and a meltingly tender brownie is tinted red.

with Will Gowen, an AmeriCorps farm-to-school educator, they manage 10 high school students, all of whom earn minimum wage for their work through the Vermont Department of Labor. Any profits flow back to the project’s coffers.

According to McGowan, it’s one of the best minimum-wage jobs around. “I think the students are really, really proud of themselves,” she says. “They feel really good about how visible and flashy the program is. And they have a lot more ownership than you’d have working at a TJ Maxx or Price Chopper.” K

a Whole New World

the kids cooking for Fork in the Road come from as far away as Africa and as close as North Avenue. Keshav Pokhrel moved to Burlington from Nepal in April 2012. since enrolling at Burlington High school, the 15-year-old has unearthed a love of gardening.

“i’ve always liked cooking,” he says. “i learn from the tv i try something i see and then i keep trying until i get it right.”

Pokhrel isn’t sure whether a culinary career is in his future, but he’s enjoying working with food right now — especially cooking grilled cheese.

How does Your Garden Grow?

each Monday and tuesday through the summer, the Fork in the Road kids get their hands in the dirt, nurturing and harvesting beets, leafy greens, cabbage and other veggies.

they spend time in school gardens all over Burlington, including Hunt Middle school’s Healthy city garden. the cooks had planned to use honey from the Rock Point school apiaries for the Buzzy Body grilled cheese, which also features bacon from Brault’s Market in troy, but the BHs student farmers ate all the sweet stuff before it could be sold.

Other local schools will provide more produce as their gardens grow. c.P. smith elementary school, with its apple, pear, peach and plum trees and patches of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, will make Fork in the Road’s cuisine even sweeter. Hungry yet?

the diversity of the staff shows through on the menu, too. sandwiches come with a side of east African sweet-potato chips. And the crew recently started making Nepali and African samosas.

MARK BINKHORST BURLINGTON OWNER, BURLINGTON FURNITURE COMPANY

Sons Jaden, 6, and Alex, 4

The most adventurous thing we’ve done as a family is decide to move to Seoul, Korea. My wife is from Korea, and her family is there, so we saw the opportunity to make the move while Jaden and Alex are young. We’re back and forth now, but they’ll be going to school in Korea. Their Korean is a little American, and their English is a little Korean. The only downside, really, is the jet lag, but they don’t seem to mind being up at three in the morning as much as I do.

Right now, I’m running my business in Burlington, so home is both places, but I suppose there’s a possibility that someday I’ll leave the U.S. behind, and Korea will be our only home. Our decision has inspired friends of ours to move with their family to Italy.

MARK REDMOND ESSEX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SPECTRUM YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES

Sons Aiden, 27, and Liam, 11

We’ve done the typical adventurous Vermont stu like hiking Mount Mansfield and Camel’s Hump. But, because of the work I do, my kids have also visited prisons with my wife, Marybeth, and me — Aiden, when he was younger, and Liam, starting when he was just a couple of months old. When you go to a facility, you’re in a controlled environment, and I’ve never taken my kids to a maximum-security prison.

The visits engendered interesting discussions, because Aiden and Liam got to see how sad and di cult it was to live in an environment like that. They have become more aware of things like poverty, and have seen how losing the ability to be free is such a blow. I think it’s made both boys more attuned to what it can be like to live in our society. We live in a really nice neighborhood, and, growing up in a community like ours, you can kind of live in a bubble. They never did.

BEN CHIAPPINELLI GEORGIA PRODUCER/EDITOR, MOUNT MANSFIELD MEDIA

Son Manny, 10, and daughter

Suzy, 9

My parents have a working farm, so Manny and Suzy are always outside, haying and riding tractors, or in the woods where people are cutting trees. My wife, Julie, and I accept that there are inherent dangers no matter how safe you are, and there’s the potential to really get hurt if you’re not paying attention.

Working with large animals and equipment, there’s a sense of life and death on a farm. Some of the stu we do that might seem pretty adventurous to other people has become kind of second nature to us.

MIKE LOSCHIAVO BRADFORD

OWNER, SAINT J SUBARU Daughter Paige,

13

I have a camp in New Hampshire, 14 miles o the grid near the main ATV trail. A friend of mine and his three kids meet up with us there, and we do whatever the kids want to do. We set o fireworks, fish and go tubing. But the main thing the kids want to do is four-wheeling. My daughter is typically a little hesitant to take risks, but she was really adamant about learning to drive a four-wheeler. The other kids were experienced ATV riders, and she didn’t want to lag behind. There I was, on the back of the fourwheeler with Paige driving, trying to keep up with her cousins. It was a 25-mile ride, over mud and rocks and bumps, going a lot faster than I would have liked. I didn’t relax the whole day. She scared the hell out of me, but she had fun.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done with your kids?

It was a 25-mile ride, over mud and rocks and bumps, going a lot faster than I would have liked.

MIKE LOSCHIAVO

Toy Hacking

Kids inspected the colored wires, speakers and circuit boards inside, comparing notes on what they found.

Payne then handed each child a thin, plasticcoated wire with metal tips so they could see what happened when they connected it with di erent solder points on the circuit boards.

“This is where you get to become a mad scientist,” she said.

THE TALKING CATERPILLARS and electronic musical instruments seemed destined for a group of toddlers. But they were arranged on a table at the Fairfax Library for six elementary-school-age kids, who played with them in an unconventional way: They took the toys apart.

The group was participating in a recent toy hacking workshop, which aimed to teach kids how circuits work through guided, hands-on exploration. The class is one of five modules of the “Vermont Makers and Libraries: Spark a Culture of Innovation” project, which is taking place at 14 Vermont libraries this summer. Workshop topics range from incorporating LEDs into textiles and repurposed plastic creatures, to making circuits out of PlayDoh and origami.

Dayle Payne, the technology integrationist at Georgia Elementary and Middle School, led the Fairfax session. She started by giving kids a simple definition of hacking — taking something apart and using it in a new way — and introducing them to safety guidelines: Wear goggles, only use battery-powered, not plug-in, toys and stop what you’re doing if you see smoke.

“If you’re looking for explosions, you’re

in the wrong workshop,” Payne said with a smile.

After flashing her repurposed circuitboard earrings, the instructor sent each child o to a quiet corner of the library with a pencil, paper and a toy of their choice. Kids drew pictures and took notes about the parts of their toys, including what they could see happening when they pressed di erent buttons and what they imagined was happening inside.

Nine-year-old Jacob Antonovich sat on the floor making a detailed diagram of a VTech Write & Learn touch tablet, pondering what wires might be connected beneath the plastic. “I’d do this as much as I could,” he said excitedly. “I just like figuring out what everything does.”

When the group came back to share its findings, fits of giggling ensued as each kid demonstrated the silly songs and strange voices their items made. “I can’t stop laughing at these cuckoo toys,” Jacob pronounced.

Next, Payne passed out goggles and screwdrivers, and the toy surgery began. She instructed kids to remove all the screws — except those holding in the battery — then crack open their items.

Payne learned about toy hacking during a UVM continuing education class called Vermont FabLab Workshop, which explored innovation through art and technology projects. Vermont Makers founder Jenn Karson, who taught the class, was instrumental in putting together the proposal for the Vermont Community Foundation library grant. Additional funds came from the UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences.

Karson says that, in addition to familiarizing kids with the basics of how circuitry works, toy hacking activates their curiosity. “It unleashes a hunger in people of all ages,” she says. Kids are “not just pulling something o the shelf or opening a Christmas gift” but really thinking about how it’s made. Toys, she adds, are a particularly powerful tool for teaching because they’re unintimidating and immediately invite play.

As the workshop wound down, Payne pointed out that the kids were still dissecting their toys — almost three hours later. She wondered aloud what other educational activity could hold an elementaryage kid’s interest for that long.

“Toys really are more fun on the inside,” she observed.

For more information about “Spark a Culture of Innovation” library programs in August, Toy Hacking and the Vermont FabLab Workshop, visit steam-e-zine.com or contact Jenn Karson at jkarson@uvm.edu.

Toy-hacking activity worksheet

Outside the Lines

Meet the artists — and the judges — behind Kids VT’s most popular monthly feature

BY KEN PICARD

When Kids VT introduced its coloring contest in February 2011, we weren’t sure what to expect. Would we even get any submissions? Would the entries all look alike?

We needn’t have worried. Our readers responded instantly to our invitation — and more creatively than we ever could have imagined. Since that first contest, we’ve consistently received 70 to 200 entries each month, many of which have been embellished in astounding ways.

The feature has been so popular that we decided to make our own Kids VT coloring and activity book. We’ll be handing them out at the Vermont Lake Monsters game at Centennial Field on Thursday, August 14, and at the Shelburne Farms Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 20. The cover features the work of 9-year-old Hayden Oakes of Swanton.

In advance of the book’s release, we decided to pull back the curtain on the contest and introduce you to some of the artists, the judges and the creator herself.

PHOTOS: MATTHEW THORSEN

Lola and Dahlia Rubin

The Prolific Participants

some young artists enter the Kids VT coloring contest so regularly that we’ve started to recognize their signature styles.

We caught up with a few to find out what inspires them. What follows are some of the more, um, colorful responses we received from our artists emeriti.

✏ dahlia Rubin, 10, of Burlington, guesses that she’s entered the Kids VT coloring contest at least 10 times, along with her younger sister, Lola, 8:

Kids VT: How do you decide what to put in your drawings?

DAHLIA RUBIN: Well, before we did it the first time, I looked at some of the other ones from people that won … and then thought what would be funny or more interesting than just coloring the picture.

KVT: What do you want to be when you grow up?

DR: I might want to be a teacher and write books on the side and also illustrate them.

KVT: Lola, what’s your favorite thing to draw?

LOLA RUBIN: I really like to draw landscapes.

KVT: And what do you like to do when you’re not coloring?

LR: I like to swim and hike and to play the piano.

KVT: so who’s a better artist, you or your sister?

LR: Umm … I think we’re tied.

, 10, from Winooski, have entered the coloring contest “three or four times.” Sela’s latest creation, “Mr. Squigglesworth,” a hamster she trans- formed into a monocle- and top-hat-clad dandy, won this month’s contest (see page 7). It’s her second win.

Kids VT: How do you decide what else to put in your pictures?

SELA BROWN: I never liked coloring books because they’re always too boring. So before I color, I take a black marker or a black crayon, or a colored pencil or pen. Like when I did the rabbit, it was sledding, but I didn’t want it to be sledding because that’s probably what everybody else was going to draw. So I just followed my imagi- nation and turned the sled into a chair.

KVT: What do you do when you’re not coloring?

By dahlia

By Lola

SB: I watch a lot of YouTube videos and I like to cook. I try to cook everything I can — like my grandmother.

grow up?

SB: I want to go to a culinary school and become a chef and have my own restaurant, like a restaurant with different food from all over the world.

KVT: Talia, what do you like to draw?

TALIA BROWN: People and flowers. I’m really good at that.

KVT: What kind of flowers?

TB: Sometimes I copy them out of books. Or I just make up my own.

KVT: What do you like to do when you’re not coloring?

TB: I just like to draw mostly … I like to draw for school, and sometimes I get in trouble for drawing.

KVT: Really? Why?

TB: Sometimes I draw during recess.

Talia and Sela Brown

By Talia

By sela

Overheard in the Judges’ Chambers

✏ When it’s time to judge the Kids VT Coloring Contest each month, we spread the entries out in our conference room and invite our colleagues at Seven Days to help pick the winners. Everyone pitches in — writers, editors, designers, office support and sales teams. some judges prefer intricate designs; some go for clever titles; others look for background details or bold color choices. All of us feel privileged to play a role in this process. It’s satisfying to reward kids for a job well done. And it’s fun. We “ooh” and “ahh” over their creativity. Often we agonize. Overheard during this month’s judging:

✏ Veronica miskavage, 8, of Hinesburg, couldn’t remember how many times she’s entered the contest, but admits to having a stack of unsubmitted entries on her desk.

Kids VT: What do you like to do when you’re not coloring?

VERONICA MISKAVAGE: Ooh, I love reading. It’s one of the things I spend most of my time doing. I love all books equally, but some more than others.

KVT: What do you want to be when you grow up?

VM: I think I’ll be an architect or a librarian.

KVT: As an architect, what would you design?

VM: I’d design houses with secret passages and underground slides.

KVT: do you have siblings?

VM: I have a sister, Stephanie.

KVT: What does she like to do?

VM: Right now she is sitting on the couch next to me, being bored.

“This one has a certain rough charm,” said seven Days staff writer Ethan de Seife about a sensationally scribbled entry by 5-year-old Torin Etheridge of Randolph.

“This one has a kind of ‘True Detective’ feel,” observed Kids Vt account executive Kaitlin Montgomery. She was talking about Moretown 9-year-old Dominic Mazzilli’s “Forest Spirit,” an allpencil drawing of a beautiful, old tree growing within the hamster’s body.

Veronica Miskavage

✏ Firdaus muhammad, 10, and her sister, Zahrah, 8, of Essex, have entered the Kids VT coloring contest three times. Both have received honorable mentions.

Kids VT: How do you decide what to put in your drawings?

FIRDAUS MUHAMMAD: Well, we kind of try to think out of the box. My sister, Zahrah, will do whatever she wants, but I’ll kind of think about it for a while.

KVT: What do you want to be when you grow up?

FM: An author. I want to write books and scary stories.

KVT: Who’s a better colorer, you or your sister?

FM: I think me, but she thinks she’s better.

By Firdaus

By Zahrah

Firdaus and Zahrah Muhammad

“Some nice texture

noted de Seife of Abrie Howe’s “Bubble Days.” The 9-year-old from Stowe used pink and blue crayons to draw an intricate, maze-like pattern on her hamster.

“Anyone who puts cupcakes in their drawing wins me over,” enthused seven Days e-commerce coordinator Ashley Cleare about Amira Mohamed Oussaid’s “Sweet Treats.” The 8-year-old from Winooski added a cherrytopped, blue-frosted cupcake to her entry.

Marketing and events manager

Corey Grenier loved “Hampster Town,” Montpelier 8-year-old Magdalena Kords’ work, which featured three colorful houses and a gymnastics center, complete with deluxe hamster wheel.

✏ Zeb Wilcox, 7, of Milton, has entered the coloring contest about 10 times. His brother, oliver, 4, is also a frequent participant.

Kids VT: How do you decide what to put in your drawings?

ZEB WILCOX: I look at the animal and think about the surroundings.

KVT: What’s your favorite thing to draw?

ZW: A construction site.

KVT: Really? What do you draw on the construction site?

ZW: I draw what I know of construction vehicles: backhoes, excavators, dump trucks, rollers, mini-loaders, forklifts, bladers — too many to name.

KVT: Wow! How do you know all those vehicles?

ZW: Because my dad is a civil engineer, and he has told me.

KVT: What other art projects do you like?

ZW: I like cooking and woodworking. And making books.

KVT: What do you want to be when you grow up?

ZW: A farmer.

KVT: What kind of farmer?

ZW: An animal and vegetable farmer.  K

Cleare was impressed with the note Maria Hurne, an 8-year-old from Essex Junction, included with her entry. In it, she told Kids Vt how hard she’d worked. “As someone who went to business school,” said Cleare, “I feel like she deserves some credit for taking the initiative to write a letter. It’s her way of getting her foot in the door.”

“Wow, this group is really good,” raved seven Days calendar writer Courtney Copp of the 9- to 12-year-old crop.

on that one,”

Judges continueD from p. 20

Zeb and oliver Wilcox

By Oliver

By Zeb

Drawing Out Creator Diane Su ivan

Since 2012, Burlington artist Diane Sullivan has hand-drawn the coloring contest for Kids VT. She says the monthly assignment is one of her favorite parts of her job as graphic designer for Kids VT and its parent publication, Seven Days newspaper. A passionate vegetarian and animal-lover, Sullivan always depicts animals. She’s drawn cats, dogs and bunnies, but she loves to feature more unusual creatures, sometimes with seasonal flare. One St. Patrick’s Day, she drew an alligator wearing a leprechaun hat. Her choice for Fathers’ Day 2013? A pair of seahorses. The males, she points out, give birth to their babies.

Her drawing style is intentionally simple, leaving plenty of blank space on the page for the kids to fill, and fill it they do. We asked her to tell us what goes into her drawings.

KIDS VT: Tell me about your creative process.

DIANE SULLIVAN: My process is that I wait ’til the last minute. I usually do it the night before I have to bring it in. I think about it for a long time, and then I just do it. I try to keep it sort of theme-y. For Halloween, I did an octopus with a flashlight and a little trick-or-treat bag and a mask.

It’s always an animal because I love animals and because an animal can be a boy or a girl — in most cases. Except for maybe a lion. I kind of like to keep it gender neutral. So for Mothers’ Day, I did pandas, because some kids have two dads, some kids have two moms. You never know.

KVT: You keep your drawings pretty bare bones. Why?

DS: Sometimes I add stu [such as ice skates on a cat or running gear on a bunny]. But the more I’ve seen the stu the kids put in, the less I like to put into the drawings, because I like seeing what they put in the empty spaces. That’s my favorite. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with just coloring in the little animal, because there’s lots of that, too, bless their hearts.

KVT: Did you like coloring when you were a kid?

DS: Yup. When I was born, I came out with a broken collar bone and a crayon. But I never actually really liked coloring books when I was a kid. I liked drawing, and I liked coloring, but I’d use [the books] as a jumping-o point.

KVT: Do you have a personal favorite drawing?

DS: I really do like the leopard a lot — all those spots. The last one, the guinea pig, I was like, I don’t know, it could be a guinea pig, it could be a hamster. I was shooting for guinea pig. And it’s funny because the way I drew him, it kind of looks like he has a beard. And the first [contest entry] that came back was a Santa Claus guinea pig, which is kind of fabulous.

KVT: What qualities do you look for when casting your votes?

DS: Well, I’ve always been a sucker for sparkles, but I’ve gotten past that. I look at them all and something usually just jumps out and grabs me. I kind of go, Would I hang that up in my house? Would I buy that at an art show?

There was this one with foxes, and [one kid drew] chickens in the background. I really thought that was cute, but I also thought, Oh man, they’re going to go eat those poor chickens. So I put it, like, number two.

I’m just glad we have a lot of honorable mentions.

KVT: How does it feel to see all the entries come back?

DS: It’s so cool. I love it, I love it, I love it. I can’t say that enough. It’s so much fun.

KVT: Any idea what you’re going to draw next?

DS: Nope! It’ll be something summery. I’ve been thinking about skunks. Skunk at the beach?

— MEGAN JAMES

Day-cations

NEAR & FAR

School’s out, and Daycations are in. Every summer, Kids VT seeks out family-friendly destinations where you and your kids can experience the natural beauty and unique culture of our region. They’re all places you can visit in a day.

Each of our three summer issues features two recommended trips, complete with tips on nearby dining and attractions. This month, associate editor Alison Novak took her family to beaches, markets and a fossil preserve in the Champlain Islands, while business manager and contributor Cheryl Brownell and her kids caught some air on the mountain coaster at Okemo Mountain Resort.

Looking for more day-trip ideas? Read the rest of our award-winning Day-cation series at kidsvt.com.

Mountain Thrills Okemo Mountain Resort

BY CHERYL BROWNELL

AS A MOTHER OF TWO teenagers, I often come up with brilliant ways to spend time together as a family — which my kids summarily shoot down. So when I texted my 16-year-old son, Lathrop, to ask if he and his 13-year-old sister, Guinevere, would like to check out the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster at Okemo Mountain Resort, and his response was “Uh, YEAH!” I practically pulled a muscle patting myself on the back.

The Timber Ripper, which opened in 2012, is the resort’s four-season answer to Vermont’s increasingly unreliable snowfall. Passengers careen down the mountain in sled-like cars, riding solo or with a partner. Each car is mounted on tubular rails and equipped with hand brakes so riders can control their speed as they descend 375 vertical feet into the Jackson Gore base area.

My kids and I — and Lathrop’s

friend Tyler — piled into our station wagon and drove about an hour and a half to Ludlow from our Vergennes home. We bought $54 wristbands to the Adventure Zone, which got us three rides each on the coaster, plus access to disc golf, a climbing wall, the pool and fitness center, and all the other attractions — except for the Haulback Challenge ropes course and the zip line. That was disappointing.

We made a beeline to the Timber Ripper. Lathrop and Tyler each hopped in their own car, but Guinevere decided, at the last second, to ride along with me.

I’d had doubts about the coaster’s safety, but I stopped worrying once we started moving. Slowing down the cart was easy. And bringing it up to full speed — 25 miles per hour — required a conscious e ort.

Our cars climbed uphill for five minutes, then whizzed down the 3,100-foot track in about three, gliding through dips and around corners. It was every bit as fun as we had imagined. The mountain views were spectacular (if somewhat blurry from our vantage point). It was thrilling — and a little scary — to

watch rock ledges fly by below us. At the bottom, we resisted the urge to get right back in (the pretty short) line.

Instead, we wandered over to the AMP Energy Big Air Bag, a 30-by-50foot inflated cushion typically used for freestyle athlete training. In the summer, visitors leap onto the bag — one by one — from sca olding. By the time I got there, Lathrop and Tyler had already made the 10-foot jump from the lower of two levels. Lathrop jumped in a free-fall style; Tyler did a cannonball. After each of them landed, they stood up, fell down and then rolled o the bag, giggling and fist bumping before queuing up again to jump o the 30-foot level.

Soon it was my turn. You have to jump o the lower level before you graduate to the higher one. On my first jump, I landed with my right leg locked and twisted my knee a little. The operator must have noticed my awkward landing because when I tried to make my way to the next level, he stopped me. I’d have to jump again at the lower

FILE: PAT LEWIS

It was thrilling — and a little scary — to watch rock ledges fly by below us.

Water World Champlain Islands

By a lison n o V a K

“do you haVe The rain jacKeTs?”

I called to my husband, Jeff, as we prepared to embark on a trip to the Champlain Islands on a windy, cloudy Sunday. Luckily, he did, because 45 minutes into our drive from Shelburne, raindrops began to hit our windshield.

“Welcome to the wet beach,” a woman in a booth proclaimed as we pulled up to the entrance of Alburg Dunes State Park, which is marked with three large driftwood pillars, one in the shape of a horse head. Thunderstorms were likely, she confirmed, but the water was a balmy 70 degrees. Jeff promptly stripped down to his suit and dove in. Our kids, Mira, 7, and Theo, 4, followed his lead.

For about half an hour, the three of them frolicked in the surf, dunking each other and having a blast. I wasn’t feeling quite so gutsy; I watched from the sand, wrapped up in my jacket. Walking down the long, mostly deserted beach, past dozens of picnic tables and flocks of sea gulls, I felt like we had driven to the shores of the Atlantic instead of Lake Champlain — except when it came

to the “dunes,” which weren’t nearly big enough to rival ones you might find at the ocean (see sidebar on page 28).

When the rain picked up, we made a family decision to turn back instead of exploring the area further. But we returned the following warm and sunny Saturday for a full day of islands adventure.

By the time we crossed the causeway a second time, it was nearing lunchtime, so we stopped at the Champlain Islands Farmers Market in Grand Isle for provisions. It’s small compared to the Burlington Farmers Market, but we were pleasantly surprised by the selection and prices.

Driftwood pillar at Alburg Dunes

Mira at Alburg Dunes

Day-cations: Okemo

plank, he advised. So much for keeping up with the teenagers.

When I finally made it to the higher platform, I was shocked to discover how high up it seemed. But my ego quickly pushed my fear aside and I hurled myself off the ledge, falling for what seemed like an eternity before landing comfortably — and successfully — on the giant cushion. I decided to quit while I was ahead and headed back to the Timber Ripper with vows to use the brakes as little as possible.

After a quick game of mini-golf and a turn at the bungee trampoline, the kids ordered burgers from the Waffle Cabin at the base area. They were nothing special, but at $6 each, they didn’t have to be.

In a moment of weakness, I let the boys buy tickets to the ropes course. I imagine Okemo relies on parents like me to adopt the “in-for-a-pennyin-for-a-pound” mentality and fork over another $39 a head for additional activities.

To get to the course, we crossed a rope bridge over a clear mountain stream wending through the woods. I

was dying to kick off my shoes and step into the stream but suspected the resort might frown upon freestyle wading.

The ropes course consists of three difficulty levels. A ticket entitles you to a round at each level plus a bonus round through any level of your choice. Just like with the big air bag, everyone is required to do the lower levels first.

Tyler and Lathrop made easy work of the first two — though they had to wait for a young boy at the second level who decided mid-bridge that he was in over his head. Spectators cheered him on, but the kid was still frozen, so an employee cheerfully assisted him through. The third level was sufficiently challenging for Lathrop and Tyler.

All told, we spent about three hours at Okemo. We would have stayed longer, but with limited rides on the coaster and use of the ropes course, we’d run out of fun stuff to do. As we walked back to the car, Lathrop said, “We should definitely come back with Dad. He’d love the mountain coaster.” I think he’s right. Plus, what parent can pass up an invitation from their teenager to hang out?

Know before you go:

bring sunscreen. there’s shade by the base lodge, but not many shady places to sit if you want to keep your kids in sight.

coaster drivers must be at least 48 inches tall; riders must be at least 36 inches. big Air bag jumpers must be at least 8 years old. ropes course participants must be at least 6 years old and between 50 and 250 pounds.

the resort offers day- and weeklong camp gokemo programs for kids ages 4-13. Advance registration is required.

Where to Eat:

Waffle cabin, at the resort’s base area, offers quick, affordable burgers, garden

burgers, waffles, iced coffee, sodas and other snacks.

coleman Brook Tavern, at 111 Jackson gore road in ludlow, has a reasonably priced full menu featuring soups, salads, steak burgers and other pub fare.

Also Nearby:

you’ll probably be worn out after visiting the Adventure Zone, but the President calvin coolidge state Historical site, at 3780 route 100A in plymouth, is about a 20-minute drive away. you can visit the home where coolidge was born, see his “summer white house office” and tour a working cheese factory.

The AMP Energy Big Air Bag

okemo mountain Resort Adventure Zone Jackson gore road, ludlow, 800-786-5366.

The Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster

Climbing wall

Day-cations: Champlain Islands

The kids noshed on cider doughnuts as we perused the offerings, tasting samples of pasta salad and goat cheese. We ordered noodles and chicken fingers to go from a market stand called Asian Island Fine Cuisine and brought the food a short drive down the road to Knight Point State Park.

The park was bustling with a kid’s birthday party, and we could hear the cars whirring by on the nearby road.

The beach itself was small, so we set up a picnic blanket on a large grassy area by the sand. After lunch, we took a dip in the shallow water and played monkey-in-the-middle and soccer on the grass.

Then we packed up the car and continued north, stopping at North Hero’s packed-to-the-gills Hero’s Welcome general store for ice cream. Sitting on the curb, licking an ice cream cone and looking past a couple of old-fashioned gas pumps to the lake, I was hit by some major nostalgia.

We stepped even further back in time at the Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve on Isle La Motte. In the preserve’s visitor center, I watched a short video explaining the history of the area: Four hundred eighty million years ago, an ancient ocean covered the

land we were standing on. The evidence? Fossilized remains of marine organisms such as gastropods, cephalopods and trilobites have been found on rock outcroppings there.

The historical details were a little over my kids’ heads, but they enthusiastically explored the 81-acre preserve, stopping to look for the mysterious swirls, curves, circles and waving lines on the rock, indicating ocean life had once been there.

The preserve has a couple of short trails. We picked a onemile loop where an educational exhibit called “Walk Through Time” is on display until October. The exhibit consists of 71 illustrated panels describing 4.6 billion years of the evolution of life on Earth, with

Four hundred eighty million years ago, an ancient ocean covered the land we were standing on.

Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve

Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards

available to rent by the hour or the day.

there’s no changing area at the park, so wear your bathing suit underneath your clothes or be prepared to do some tricky maneuvering in the car or in one of several porta-potties on the premises.

Knight Point state Park offers a swimming area, a picnic pavilion, and a boat and paddleboard rentals. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 4-13. the park hosts a music in the park concert series on tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. through August 19. the Vermont shakespeare Company performs A Midsummer Night’s Dream there on August 9 and 10 at 6 p.m.

Admission to Alburg Dunes gets you free admission to Knight point and vice versa. Just keep your entry pass from the first beach you go to as proof that you’ve paid.

the Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve is open dawn to dusk year-round. no motorized vehicles or bikes are allowed on-site, and removing rocks or fossils is prohibited. the visitor center/museum is open 1-4 p.m. on thursday through saturday, and noon to 3 p.m. on sunday during the summer months; and saturday and sunday, 1-4 p.m., from Labor Day to october 13.

Where to eat:

The champlain islands Farmers’ market runs on saturdays through october 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind st. Joseph’s Church in grand Isle. It’s a great place to pick up a picnic lunch or stock up on veggies, cheese, local pasta and home-baked pies. on Wednesdays until september 24, the market also runs behind the st. rose of Lima parish in south Hero from 3-6 p.m.

Hero’s Welcome General store, at 3643 route 2, north Hero, offers deli sandwiches, baked goods, Hershey’s ice cream and tons of knickknacks. they have tables indoors and outdoors by the lake.

seb’s snack Bar, at 295 route 2, south Hero, sells corn dogs, fish sandwiches, burgers

each foot representing a million years in geological time.

Using that scale, we learned in the introductory panel, a human lifetime is represented by .001 inch. Jeff and I talked about how insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things as the kids ran ahead, not yet burdened by such weighty thoughts.

We finished the short hike around 5 p.m. The bugs were starting to emerge, and we were all a little hot and sticky.

As we headed home, we saw the turnoff for Alburg Dunes up ahead and debated a final stop. It had been a long, busy day, and we were tired. But the thought of one last dip in the lake sounded heavenly — and we had nowhere better to be. So we headed back to the beach.

The scene was totally different from our last visit. Even this late in the day, extended families barbecued, older couples sat under beach umbrellas and kids frolicked in the shallow pools by the sand.

We quickly changed back into our swimsuits, and Mira and I ran into the water holding hands. We dove underneath.

“This is the life, isn’t it?” Mira said, as we floated on our backs, taking in the beautiful surroundings.

“Yeah, it is,” I said. It really doesn’t get any better than summer in Vermont. K

and huge creemees. picnic tables on the premises provide a place to chow down.

Also nearby:

snow Farm Vineyards, 153 West shore road, south Hero, holds a summer concert series on thursday nights through August 28. picnicking begins at 5 p.m., and the music goes from 6:30-8:30 p.m. pizza, hot dogs and hamburgers are available for purchase. Bring your own chairs and blankets.

for families with older kids, the eclectic antique shops lining route 2 make for fun stops along the way. The Back chamber, 3585 route 2, north Hero, is a small shop with an additional garage full of items out back. my kids had a blast poring over the treasures. they picked out a picnic basket and a piggy bank to take home — and managed to break only one cocktail glass. dunes? What dunes?

Before Alburg Dunes became a state park in 1996, portions of the beach’s dunes were bulldozed for sand to replenish the beach. protective vegetation was damaged or destroyed when trees were cut for firewood, and beach visitors wore pathways through the stabilizing grasses, hastening dune erosion. today, a fence protects the former dunes in hopes that they will eventually repair themselves.

Mira and Theo at Knight Point State Park

— Tom Wilson, actor/writer/comedian

AUG CALENDAR

Testing their medal

The North Face Race to the Top of Vermont is a serious challenge in which athletes run, walk and mountain bike up Mount Mansfield. Post-race, a family-friendly competition gives kids their own shot at glory. Hundreds of spectators cheer on young runners as they make strides in the MVP HEALTH CARE RUN FOR FUN. This one-kilometer loop on the Stowe Bike Path isn’t timed, and everyone receives a medal at the finish line. Afterward, participants of all ages celebrate with a barbecue.

MVP HEALTH CARE RUN FOR FUN: Sunday, August 24, from noon to 2 p.m., at the Rusty Nail in Stowe. Ages 4-14. $10; $10 additional for barbecue; preregister at rtttovt.com/events/kids. Info, 864-5794.

SPOTLIGHTS & LISTINGS BY ALISON NOVAK

5 TUESDAY

Arts & crafts

creative Tuesdays: Artists engage their imaginations with Legos, recycled materials and crafts. All ages, but kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Webby's Art studio: over & Under: Finger knitting and weaving help kids build their dexterity. Recommended for ages 4-12 but all are welcome. Shelburne Museum, noon-4 p.m. Regular museum admission, $5.50-22; free for children under 5. Info, 985-3346.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: Mothers-to-be build strength, stamina, comfort and a stronger connection to their baby in this all-levels class. Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 4-5:30 p.m. $14. Info, 864-9642.

Classes

Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Kids Program is designed to promote self-esteem, discipline, “bullyproofing,” cooperation with peers, and overall health and well-being. Brazilian jiu-jitsu promotes mental toughness and perseverance and builds courage and self-confidence. Your son or daughter will interact with other kids and have a chance to make new friends!

Ages 4-7: Wednesdays, 4:15 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:15 a.m. Ages 8-10: Wednesdays, 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. Vermont Brazilian JiuJitsu, 55 Leroy Rd., Williston. Info: Julio@ bjjusa.com, 660-4072, vermontbjj.com.

Beading Extravaganza: cuffs, Pins and Headbands: Learn basic beading techniques so you can embellish fabric for a wristcuff, fabric pin or headband. Use traditional beads, funky recycled materials and beading needles to create one-of-a-kind creations. This workshop will include tips for creating your own projects at home! Ages 6-11. Instructor: Megan Bisbee. Saturday, August 9, 9 a.m.-noon. $25/members; $35/nonmembers. Helen Day Art Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe. Info: education@helenday.com, 253-8358, helenday.com.

myths and Their creatures: An Art and Yoga Workshop: Calling all magically winged, giant-toothed, gold-taloned, fire-breathing creatures! This class will use yoga postures to recreate the Indian story “Ganesha’s Lessons” about the mischievous, elephantfaced boy-god. Then we’ll create unique mythological creatures using various collage materials. Ages 6-11. Instructor: Becca Johnson. Saturday, August 16, 9 a.m.-noon. $25/ members; $35/nonmembers. Helen Day Art Center, 90 Pond St., Stowe. Info: education@ helenday.com, 253-8358, helenday.com.

Lake champlain Waldorf school Parent & child classes: Circle time, an organic snack and parent support combine to make these classes — led by early-childhood specialist Kirsty Gourlay — nourishing for the whole family. Newborns to 3.5-year-olds. Classes begin the week of September 8. Ten-week session. Early registration discount ends August 10. All Soul’s Interfaith Gathering, 291 Botswick Rd., Shelburne. Info: Pam Graham, 985-2827 ext. 12, pgraham@ lakechamplainwaldorfschool.org. Register online: lakechamplainwaldorfschool.org/ early_childhood/parent-and-child

community

champ celebration: The famous lake monster makes a bookstore appearance as the culmination of the "Where's Champ?" competition. Phoenix Books, Burlington, 5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 448-3350.

milton's National Night out: Community spirit soars as neighbors gather for food, tunes from Bobby and the Retrotones, children's games, safety demos and more. Shine your porch light from 9-11 p.m. to show solidarity in crime prevention. All ages. Milton Municipal Complex, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-1009.

Education

Time-Travel Tuesdays: Kids of all ages learn what daily life was like in 1890 by helping to prepare seasonal meals, churn butter and do laundry the old-fashioned way. All ages. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $414; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

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

music Together with Joanna may: Singing, dancing, drumming, jamming! Make music a real part of your baby, toddler or preschooler’s early life with a super-fun, research-based family music and movement class. Ten-week fall session starts in September in Richmond, Huntington, Jericho and Hinesburg. Visit musictogetherjmay. com for more information or to sign up for a free sample class. Info: musictogetherjmay@ gmavt.net, 318-5338.

Keep swimming strong into the Fall! Youth swim lessons for ages 6 months to 15 years. Experienced swim instructors focus on personal safety, stroke development, rescue techniques and having fun! We encourage positive values and promote growth in a caring atmosphere. Preregistration required. Evaluations available to determine the right class. September 8 through November 2; various times and levels available. $104/ members; $168/nonmembers. Pomerleau Family Y, 266 College St., Burlington. Info: Jess Lukas, 652-8143, jlukas@gbymca.org.

Beginner Ballet: A great first class for your budding ballet star. Students ages 3-5 will learn basic positions and practice beginner ballet techniques through fun, imaginative and inspiring games. 8-week session starts Saturday, September 13, 10:30-11:15 a.m. $45/members; $65/nonmembers. Winooski Y, 32 Malletts Bay Ave., Info: 862-9622.

Ballet ii: Your child can take his or her next steps into the exciting world of ballet. Students will use the skills gained in Beginner Ballet to create combinations and routines. 8-week session starts Saturday, September 13, 11:30-12:15 a.m. $45/members; $65/nonmembers. Winooski Y, 32 Malletts Bay Ave. Info: 862-9622.

Backyard swim Program: Learn how to swim, with a professional certified lifeguard and instructor, in the convenience of your own backyard! The Y comes to your home, condo association or neighborhood pool and provides water-safety instruction and swim lessons. Private and semi-private lessons available. Teach your children the importance of water safety. Have splashes of fun and learn lifelong skills. Time lessons to fit your schedule. Cost is determined by the number of visits. Info: Jaimie Held, 652-8156, jheld@gbymca.org.

Fairs & Festivals

Addison county Fair & Field days: Vermont's largest ag fair features a barnyard for pint-size animal lovers, arm wrestling for kids and adults, exhibits, a parade, pulling competitions, rides, crafts, and 4-H shows. Admission includes parking, shows and exhibits. Addison County Field Days Grounds, Vergennes, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. $5-12 daily admission; $15-40 for season pass; free admission for children under 6; $12-20 for a ride bracelet. Info, 545-2557.

Food

chocolate-Bar making: Budding chocolatiers temper and mold the sweet stuff, then create and wrap four goody-filled bars to take home. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. South End Kitchen, Burlington, 3 p.m. $25; preregister. Info, 864-0505.

Lunch at the Library: The Burlington School Food Project provides nutritious meals to kids and teens ages 18 and under. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

old North End Farmers market: Fresh fruit and veggies, breads and baked goods, prepared foods, pickles, and more draw a crowd. All ages. Dewey Park, Burlington, 3-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 376-1977.

Health & Fitness

Adventures to Fitness: Kids work up a sweat following along with this engaging exercise program on the library's SMARTboard. Ages 5-10. South Burlington Community Library, 2-2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

catamount Trail Running series: Athletes of all ages and abilities choose between 2.5 and 5 kilometer courses — with a 10K option on the second Tuesday of each month — during this fun evening race. Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston, 6 p.m. $3-8; free for children under 9. Info, 879-6001.

Hard'Ack Trail Running series: Fast feet get moving in 1K, 3K and 5K races on alternating courses. Hard'ack, St. Albans, 6 p.m. $3-5; free for kids and Ben & Jerry's employees; preregister. Info, 524-1500, ext. 266.

shelburne summer open Gym: Tumbling tots burn energy on trampolines, balance beams, rings and more. Gymstar Gymnastics, Shelburne, 2:30 p.m. $3-6. Info, 985-8948.

Yoga with danielle: Curious toddlers and preschoolers learn movement techniques through social interaction, repetition and play. Buttered Noodles, Williston, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1800.

Library & Books

End of the summer Reading Program celebration: Ice cream, certificates and fun-filled activities reward bookish achievements. All ages. Milton Public Library, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Gaming For Teens & Adults: Players of all skill levels engage in Magic: The Gathering and other tabletop amusements. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult or have parental permission to attend. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 5-7:45 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Hinesburg Book discussion: A multi-age discussion of Wonder by R.J. Palacio — the 2013 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Winner and 2014 Vermont Reads choice — touches on the book's themes, including the importance of inclusion and kindness in our daily lives. Ages 12-adult. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 482-2878. make Window stars: Young artists explore how light and color work together while making pretty hanging decorations. Ages 8 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

music

children's sing-Along With Lesley Grant: Parents sip coffee while wee ones break into song with a local musician and educator. Preschool-age kids and younger. The Bees Knees, Morrisville, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 888-7889.

Kids music with Raphael: Local favorite Raphael Groton plays tunes to make the little ones dance and giggle. All ages. The Skinny Pancake Burlington, 11:30 a.m.-noon, $3 suggested donation per family. Info, 540-0188.

owl's Head music Night: Berry pickers groove to local bands while gathering nature's little treasures. Owl's Head Blueberry Farm, Richmond, 6 p.m. Two-quart minimum blueberry purchase for entry. Info, 434-3387.

Nature & science

champ Week: Believers and skeptics alike become cryptozoologists as they explore the facts and legends surrounding our resident lake monster. All ages. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $10.50-13.50; free for children under 2. Info, 877-324-6386.

Exploring magnets: Budding scientists experiment with invisible pull. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Lab coat investigation: Topics including using microscopes, extracting DNA and modeling glaciers are explored in these activities for ages 9 and up. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Night sky: Out-of-this-world kids and adults take a 30-minute tour of stars, planets and constellations. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 3:30-4 p.m. $2; $5 per family. Info, 748-2372.

Raptors in Residence: The mysteries surrounding birds of prey are uncovered as visitors come face-to-face with live owls and hawks. All ages. Shelburne Farms, 1 p.m. $5-8; free for children under 3. Info, 578-8013.

Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: Budding builders try their hand at engineering whimsical contraptions like electric buildings and scribbling robots using real tools and materials. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Summer museum admission, $1316; free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Theater

'once on This island': Very Merry Theatre presents this musical about a brave girl in the Carribean who uses the power of love to bring people together. Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 355-1461.

6 WEDNESDAY

Arts & crafts

Webby's Art studio: over & Under: See August 5.

Baby & maternity

infant Yoga & massage: This interactive class for wee ones ages 6 weeks to 6 months and their parents or caregivers introduces basic yoga poses and concepts through gentle stretches and songs as well as baby massage techniques. Bring a thick blanket. Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga, Burlington, 10:45-11:30 a.m. $15; preregistration recommended. Info, 864-9643.

submit

montpelier Postnatal Yoga: Brand-new mamas and their littles relax, stretch and bond. For moms with babies one year and under. Emerge Yoga, Montpelier, 10-11 a.m. $12. Info, 778-0300.

community

see Dr. First videos

“First With Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids

community Evenings at the Farm: Families bring a picnic or buy some farm-fresh fare, then settle on blankets for live music. Shelburne Farms, 6:30 p.m. Free; burgers and salads available to purchase. Info, 985-8686.

Fairs & Festivals

Addison county Fair & Field days: See August 5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Food chocolate-Bar making: See August 5.

colchester Farmers market: Rain or shine, local farmers, artisans, food vendors and musicians gather on the green. All ages. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 879-7576.

The Lunchbox summer meal Program: Children ages 18 and under receive nutritious meals at no cost from this mobile learning kitchen. St. Paul's School, Barton, 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 334-2044.

Williston Farmers market: Fresh food fans restock their pantries with maple syrup, bread, veggies and more. Williston Farmers Market, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, willistonfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Woodstock market on the Green: Fresh vegetables, farm eggs, local meats and cheeses, cut flowers, and seasonal fruits and berries represent the best of the growing season. Woodstock Village Green, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3555.

Health & Fitness

EvoKids: outside!: Parents can attend a by-donation community yoga class while kids head outdoors for a stretchy workout. Grades K and up. Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 4:30-5:30 p.m. $15; $20 for two children. Info, 864-9642. shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5.

Library & Books

dorothy canfield Fisher Book discussion: One Came Home by Amy Timberlake is the subject of a spirited conversation. Ages 8-11. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

Experiment & Explore: Take Things Apart: Young investigators explore the inner workings of computers, cellphones and more. Participants welcome to bring tools and items they would like to take apart. Ages 5 and up. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Read to a dog: Book lovers choose stories to share with a furry friend. Ages 5-10. Fairfax Community Library, 4-5 p.m. Free; preregister for 15-minute time slot. Info, 849-2420.

movies

Family movie Night: Popcorn is provided for a family-friendly, big-screen flick about kids who are mistakenly made small. Milton Public Library, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

music

city Hall Park concert series: Lunchtime musical performances in genres from folk to rock, bluegrass to country entertain al fresco diners. Burlington City Hall Park, noon-1 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7166.

craftsbury chamber Players mini-concerts: Small music lovers experience an excerpt of the group's evening concert, with selections and commentary geared toward young audiences. UVM Recital Hall, Burlington, 4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 800-639-3443.

Preschool music With derek: Kids tap their toes in time to a fun, tune-filled gathering. Ages 3-5. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate: Small scallywags "ooh" and "aargh!" during swashbuckling songs, movements and guessing games. Ages 7 and under, with their parents. Buttered Noodles, Williston, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.

Nature & science

champ Week: See August 5. Kingdom community Wind Tours: Green Mountain Power gives curious community members the chance to experience an operating wind farm and learn how wind power generates electricity during this 90-minute visit to two turbines. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Kingdom Community Wind Farm, Lowell, 10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 744-6664. microscopic investigations: Microscopes help kids discover there's more to the world than meets the eye. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

mirror, mirror: Little ones use looking glasses to investigate reflection and symmetry. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Wacky Wednesday: Build a catapult: Scienceminded kiddos build a contraption that will launch an object the farthest distance. Ages 8 and up. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 12:30-1 p.m. Regular museum admission, $10.50-13.50; free for children under 3. Info, 877-324-6386.

Wagon-Ride Wednesdays: Horse-drawn rides provide fun for the whole family. Admission includes all farm programs and activities. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $414; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

'What's Up! The sky at Night’: Astronomers in training learn about stars, planets, galaxies and comets with an experienced guide. Ages 5 and up. Thatcher Brook Primary School, Waterbury, 10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

Theater

'once on This island': See Aug.5, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, noon. Free. Info, 865-7216.

7 THURSDAY

Arts & crafts

Art on Park: White tents house the works of jewelers, potters, painters, fiber artists, food vendors and more. Live musicians play weekly. Park Street, Stowe, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 253-2275.

Webby's Art studio: over & Under: See August 5.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See August 5, 5:457:15 p.m.

Essex La Leche League: Moms bring their little ones to a discussion of parenting and breastfeeding. Pregnant and planning moms are also welcome. First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 383-8544.

community

Friday Night Family Fun series: Eclectic entertainers — including magicians, theater troupes, Irish musicians and jugglers — make for family-friendly fun at this weekly outdoor fête. Maple Street Park, Essex Junction, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 878-1375.

7 THURsdAY, p.34

7 ThUrsday (continueD)

summervale: Live music, food tastings, kids crafts and food-focused activities promise locavore fun in the sun. All ages. Burlington Intervale Center, 5:30-8 p.m. Free admission; cost of food and drink. Info, 660-0440.

Fairs & Festivals

addison county Fair & Field days: See August 5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Food

chocolate-Bar making: See August 5.

Kids in the Kitchen: shrimp & Veggie spring rolls: Budding chefs poach crustaceans and chop veggies, then roll them into a classic Vietnamese wrapper and serve with peanut hoisin dipping sauce. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per parent-child pair; preregister. Info, 863-2569. lunch at the library: See August 5.

The lunchbox summer meal program: Children ages 18 and under receive nutritious meals at no cost from this mobile learning kitchen. Gardner Memorial Park, Newport, 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 334-2044.

milton Farmers market: Farmers, foodies and crafters come together to celebrate the bounty of the growing season. All ages. Hannaford Supermarket, Milton, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 893-1009.

health & Fitness

shelburne summer open gym: See August 5.

submit your september events for print by august 15 at kidsvt. com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

Wet and Wild

During summer, Montshire Museum’s hands-on exhibits overflow outside. A science park behind the museum gives aqua-obsessed kids the chance to explore water pressure and depth, play with sand and frolic in an interactive fountain. getting drenched is half the fun at splash! Exploring WaTEr when kids make “sink or float” predictions, construct cork boats, and experiment with siphons and funnels. inside, the science Discovery Lab invites little learners to mix colored water, make miniature rainbows and study surface tension. Don’t forget your bathing suit!

splash! Exploring WaTEr: Saturday, August 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich. All ages. Free with $13-16 summer museum admission. Info, 649-2200. montshire.org

library & Books

Books-to-Film discussion: Middle and high schoolers read Divergent on their own, then screen the movie version together. Ages 12-17. Pizza and snacks provided. Milton Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

movies

smart series: 'The Wonderful Wizard of oz': Costumes, treats and games help film buffs celebrate Dorothy and the gang. Ages 4 and up. Shelburne Museum, 5-9:30 p.m. Regular museum admission, $5.50-22; free for children under 5. Info, 985-3346. stories on The screen: Snacks and flicks on the big screen make for relaxing fun. All ages. South Burlington Community Library, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

music

craftsbury chamber players mini-concerts: Small music lovers experience an excerpt of the group's evening concert, with selections and commentary geared toward young audiences. East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 800-639-3443.

music for preschoolers: Lively tunes with Peter Alsen or Derek Burkins strike the right note among the wee crowd. Ages 5 and under with a caregiver. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free; limited to one session per week per family. Info, 878-4918. owl's head music night: See August 5. snow Farm Vineyard summer concert series: Weather permitting, crowds gather for a weekly rotation of classical, jazz, swing, bluegrass and rock. Picnicking begins at 5 p.m.; music starts at 6:30 p.m. Snow Farm Vineyard, South Hero, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free; food and drinks available for purchase. Info, 372-9463.

spanish musical Kids: Niños celebrate Latin culture through songs and games en español Ages 1-5 with a caregiver. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 917-1776.

Williston summer concert series: An eclectic array of family-friendly tunes reverberate through the shopping plaza, including tributes to Frank Sinatra, Garth Brooks, the Beatles and U2. Maple Tree Place, Williston, 6-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 879-9100.

nature & science

champ Week: See August 5. color mixing: Mini mixologists blend primary colors into brand-new hues. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200. insect Extravaganza preschool program: Little explorers glide through the goldenrod in search of six-legged friends. Ages 3-5. Meet at the sugarhouse parking area. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 9-10:30 a.m. $8-10 per adult-child pair; $4 for each additional child; preregister. Info, 434-3068. leafcutter ants: Nature fans examine the secret lives of "insect fungus farmers" during this hands-on investigation. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200. raptors in residence: See August 5.

Tinkering lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Theater

'once on This island': See August 5, Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 355-1461.

8 FRIDAY

arts & crafts

Family Fridays: Make-and-take activities in the museum's backyard — including weaving, stenciling and paper dolls — give kids a glimpse into the past. Ages 4-10. Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh, 10 a.m.-noon, Free with $8-10 museum admission or $3 per participant. Info, 877-3406. Webby's art studio: over & Under: See August 5.

Fairs & Festivals

addison county Fair & Field days: See August 5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

lake champlain maritime Festival Kids day: Free kids' cruises, a treasure hunt, nautical activities and more sail into the waterfront during this day devoted to the young. All ages. Waterfront Park, Burlington, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Info, 338-1512.

stand Up for the lake: Paddleboard demos, clinics and elite and recreational races make for a fun celebration on the lake. Kids 12 and under race for free at noon. Burlington's Waterfront Park, 7-9 p.m. $60 for adult race registration; $20 for SUP demos; free race for kids 12 and under Saturday at noon; $15 for Friday night registration party meal for those not participating in races. Info, 864-2499.

Food

Burger night: Live music and kids activities lend a festive air to a local feast of grilled fare. All ages. Bread & Butter Farm, Shelburne, 4:307:30 p.m. Free admission; cost of food and drink. Weather dependent; visit breadandbutterfarm. com for latest information. Info, 985-9200. chocolate-Bar making: See August 5.

Five corners Farmers market: From natural meats to breads and wines, farmers share the bounty of the growing season at an outdoor exchange, complete with live entertainment and kids activities. Lincoln Place, Essex Junction, 3:30-7 p.m. Free. Info, 5cornersfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

movies

see Dr. First videos

“First With Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids

Friday Night cookout: Grill meisters serve up chicken sausages, jumbo hotdogs, salmon cakes and "more ambiance than you can shake a cream-cheese chocolate brownie at." All ages. Adamant Co-op, 5:30-7 p.m. $10 for a complete meal. Info, 223-5760.

The Lunchbox summer meal Program: Children ages 18 and under receive nutritious meals at no cost from this mobile learning kitchen. Pavilion Park, Island Pond, 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Free. Info, 334-2044.

Lyndonville Farmers market: Fresh, locally grown produce, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods and crafts figure prominently in displays of "shop local" options. All ages. Bandstand Park, Lyndonville, 3-6 p.m. Free. Info, 626-4124.

richmond Farmers market: Vendors peddle maple iced tea, honey ice cream, vegan chocolates, just-picked produce and much more at this lively showcase of locavorism. All ages. Volunteers Green, Richmond, 3-6:30 p.m. Free. Info, rfmmanager@gmail.com.

Games

Woody classic: Competitors duke it out in a wooden racquet showdown to raise funds for youth, sponsored by Dealer.com. On Sunday, a family party includes a DJ, bounce castle, face painting, swimming and brunch from the Farmhouse Group. Burlington Tennis Club, South Burlington, $75-100 to enter tournament; suggested $20 per adult spectator; $20 per adult for Sunday bash; proceeds benefit King Street Center. Info, woodyclassic.com.

Health & Fitness

Kids creative yoga: Poses, imaginative games, storytelling and friendship-building activities create a fun and peaceful atmosphere for kids ages two and a half to five. Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 10:45-11:30 a.m. $15; preregister. Info, 864-9642.

Paddlesurf Family Jam: Disc golf, hula hooping, surf skiing, jousting and balance games make paddleboarding fun for the small set, while accompanying parents explore the lake. Ages 4-14. Oakledge Park, Burlington, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. $12 per child; parents paddle free. Info, 881-4905.

shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5, 8:30 a.m.

Tots on the move: Young yogis ages 18 months to two and a half years engage in physical play, singing and stretching in classes with themes that change each week. Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 9:45-10:30 a.m. $15; preregister. Info, 864-9642.

Library & Books

Garden adventures with the Bookworms: Outdoorsy preschoolers get up close and personal with special stories. Wheeler Homestead and Garden Park, South Burlington, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7539.

Teenage mutant Ninja Turtles story Time: Exciting activities and books help kids ages 3-8 discover their inner shelled superhero. Barnes & Noble, South Burlington, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

Vermont reads 'Wonder' ice cream social: Creative kiddos showcase art, poetry and songs inspired by the themes of acceptance and kindness found in the Dorothy Canfield Fisher award-winning book. Drop off artwork by August 6. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Free movie Friday: Film-loving families convene under the stars for an outdoor showing. Burke Mountain, East Burke, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 626-7300.

music

city Hall Park concert series: See August 6.

Kids music With Linda 'Tickle Belly' Bassick: Toe-tapping good tunes captivate kiddies. Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 660-9346.

music With derek: An immature audience shakes out its sillies with tune-filled activities. All ages. Buttered Noodles, Williston, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.

Nature & science

champ Week: See August 5.

Lights, rainbows & mirrors: Junior investigators explore kaleidoscopes, colored glass and more in this science session. Ages 7-11. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

rocks & Volcanoes: Fledgling geologists learn about lava-spewing mountains. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Theater

'once on This island': See August 5, Staige Hill Farm, Charlotte, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 355-1461.

'Willy Wonka, Jr.': BarnArts Summer Youth Theatre Institute stages their own tasty version of the popular Roald Dahl tale Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. BarnArts Center for the Arts, Barnard, 7 p.m. $10-12. Info, 332-6020.

9 SATURDAY

arts & crafts

Beading Extravaganza: cuffs, Pins & Headbands: Jewelry designers in training learn basic techniques to embellish fabric for wrist cuffs, pins and headbands. Ages 6-11. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 9 a.m.-noon. $25-35; preregister. Info, 253-8358.

do you Believe in Fairies?: Young sprites take a story walk around the pond, then create their own diminutive houses to take home. Ages 3 and up. Gardener's Supply, Williston, 10-11 & 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 658-2433.

Family movement: Parents, grandparents and children come together for yoga, dance and creative play. All ages. ArtisTree Community Arts Center, Woodstock, 10-11 a.m. $10 per parentchild pair; preregister. Info, 457-3500.

Webby's art studio: over & under: See August 5.

community community yard sale: Folks browse tons of tables filled with household essentials, children's clothing, books, collectibles, furniture and more. Proceeds benefit the KidSafe Collaborative in its efforts to prevent and address child abuse and neglect. Donation drop-offs: August 6 and August 7, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., and August 8, 8-10 a.m. Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Junction, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. $1 donation per adult. Info, 863-9626.

Hoedown showdown: Burgers from Black Watch Farm, kids games, live music from the Speckers and raffles entertain a crowd. One Credit Union, Springfield, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; bring a nonperishable food item for a free lunch. Info, onecu.org.

2014/2015 Season

9 saTurday (CONtiNued)

Fairs & Festivals

addison county Fair & Field days: See August 5.

stand up for the lake: See August 8, 11 a.m.4:30 p.m.

Valley stage music Festival: The Deadly Gentlemen, the Defibulators, Hot Flannel, Crunchy Western Boys and Cricket Blue perform at this open-air family affair. 246 Blackbird Swale, Huntington, 12:30-9:30 p.m. $23-35; $60-80 family ticket. Info, 434-4563.

woodstock summerfest: Elm Street turns into a pedestrian-only street fair, complete with live music, arts and crafts, and kids activities. Various locations, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. Info, 457-3555.

Food

burlington Farmers market: Producers and artisans offer fresh and prepared foods, crafts and more in a bustling marketplace. All ages. Burlington City Hall Park, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 310-5172.

Ca ing a B kworms!

Have you read any awesome books this summer? We would love to hear about them. Send us a book review by August 15 and you could win a $25 gift card to Crow Bookshop!

See page 50 for details.

capital city Farmers market: Veggies, honey, maple syrup and more change hands at a celebration of locally grown food. All ages. State Street. Downtown Montpelier, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 223-2958. chocolate-bar making: See August 5. Pittsford Farmers market: Local vendors peddle home-grown goods. All ages. Pittsford Village Green, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 483-2829.

shelburne Farmers market: Musical entertainment adds cheer to this exchange of fruits, veggies, herbs, honey, maple syrup and more. All ages. Shelburne Village Green, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 985-2472.

st. Johnsbury Farmers market: Freshly baked goods, veggies, beef and maple syrup provide a pleasing selection for roving locavores. All ages. St. Johnsbury Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 626-4124.

games

woody classic: See August 8.

Bugging Out

Have a backyard entomologist on your hands? Little ones who love digging in the dirt for creepy crawlies can delve deeper into the lives of six-legged creatures. green Mountain Audubon Center’s insecT exTraVaganza has preschoolers gliding through goldenrod in search of hoppers, crawlers and winged wonders of all shapes and sizes. On naturalist-led summer bug walKs at North Branch Nature Center, explorers collect beetles, butterflies and more, then examine each species. these outdoor classrooms beat video games any day of the week.

insecT exTraVaganza: Thursday, August 7, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington. Ages 3-5 with an adult companion. $8-10; $4 per additional child; preregister. Info, 434-3068. vt.audubon.org

summer bug walKs: Tuesday, August 12 and August 26, between 3:30 and 5 p.m., at North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier. All ages. $3-5. Info, 229-6206. northbranchnaturecenter.org

Health & Fitness

Kids Triathlon: Young athletes test their mettle in a three-part race with swimming, biking and running. Kids are separated by age and gender. St. Albans City Pool, noon. $20-26; preregister. Info, 524-1550, ext. 266.

Library & Books

make a model solar system: Astronomers in training try to grasp the true size of the Milky Way by creating small-scale representations. Ages 6 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 6:30-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

movies

Ben & Jerry's summer outdoor movie Festival: Cinema lovers bring blankets and lawn chairs to view a changing lineup of familyfriendly films at dusk. Ben & Jerry's Factory, Waterbury, 8 p.m. Free. Info, 866-258-6877.

music

Vermont Philharmonic summer Pops: The Barre Opera House's resident orchestra offers a program of light fare for the whole family. Barre Opera House, 7:30 p.m. $5-15; $32 per family. Info, 476-8188.

Nature & science

Bird-monitoring Walk: Beginning birders embrace ornithology on an identification walk. Appropriate for older children. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 7-9 a.m. Donations appreciated. Info, 434-3068. champ Week: See August 5.

my sky: Astronomy enthusiasts learn about celestial objects in this program geared toward kids ages 3-8. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 12:30-1 p.m. $2; $5 per family. Info, 748-2372.

Raptors in Residence: See August 5.

summer Naturalist Program: Hands-on exploration of the natural world — from bugs to trees — piques the curiosity of kids ages 3-12. Mill Trail Property, Stowe, 1-2 p.m. Free. Info, 793-6101.

super science day: splash! Exploring Water: Curious kiddos float homemade boats, make liquid rainbows and test surface tension during a day devoted to getting wet in the outdoor science park. All ages. (See spotlight on page 34.)

Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Summer museum admission, $1316; free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.4 p.m.

Theater

'A midsummer Night's dream': The Vermont Shakespeare Company presents this magical comedy of lovers and fairies, which transports viewers from Athens to a moonlit forest full of intrigue and enchantment. (See spotlight on page 38.) Knight Point State Park, North Hero, 6 p.m. $5-25; children under 12 free with accompanying adult. Info, 877-874-1911.

see Dr. First videos

“First With Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids

'Willy Wonka, Jr.': See August 8, 2 & 7 p.m.

10 SUNDAY

Arts & crafts

Webby's Art studio: over & under: See August 5, noon-4 p.m.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal yoga: See August 5, 10:0511:30 a.m.

community

circus smirkus Big Top Tour montpelier: High-flying feats abound as Smirkus Troupers ages 10 to 18 dazzle crowds during a nautical production with a high seas theme. All ages. Montpelier High School, 4 p.m. $14.84-$22.26; free for children under 2. Info, 877-764-7587. community yard sale: See August 9, 10 a.m.-noon.

Food

south Burlington Farmers market: Skip the grocery store and head to this outdoor market for produce, meat and eggs, plus goods from local artists and ethnic lunch options. South Burlington High School, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, sbfm.manager@gmail.com.

stowe Farmers market: Live music, face painting and cooking demos complement an array of food and craft vendors. All ages. Stowe Farmers Market, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 472-8027. Winooski Farmers market: Local produce, farm goods, artisan crafts, kids activities and tunes come together on the banks of the Winooski River. Champlain Mill, Winooski, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 413-446-4684.

Games

Woody classic: See August 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Health & Fitness

yoGirls yoga class: Fierce females acquire self-confidence, emotional stability and a positive body image through yoga poses, mindfulness activities, games and crafts. Ages 7-11. Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 2:30-3:30 p.m. $15; preregister. Info, 864-9642.

music

music on the Porch: Families gather for a relaxing afternoon of tunes, from bluegrass to classic rock, jazz to folk. Green Mountain Coffee Visitor Center and Cafe, Waterbury, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 882-2700.

Nature & science

Batteries & motors: Light bulbs flicker — both literally and metaphorically — as kids make and measure electricity. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

champ Week: See August 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Night sky: See August 5. sound science: Keen listeners explore how audio travels through different materials. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

sundays for Fledglings: Aspiring junior birders learn all about feathers and flying through observation, research and goofing around. Ages 5-9; siblings welcome. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 2-3 p.m. Regular museum admission, $3.50-7; preregister. Info, 434-2167.

Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Theater

'A midsummer Night's dream': See August 9. 'The miracle Worker': Greensboro Arts Alliance & Residency presents William Gibson's thrilling dramatic masterpiece chronicling the relationship between teacher Annie Sullivan and her deaf-blind student, Helen Keller. Greensboro Town Hall, 7:30 p.m. $7.50-15 for matinees, $15-30 for evening performances. Info, 533-7487.

'Willy Wonka, Jr.': See August 8, 2 p.m.

11 MONDAY

Baby & maternity

montpelier Prenatal yoga: Pregnant mamas focus on movements that will ready their bodies for the next phase of life. Yoga Mountain Center, Montpelier, 5:30-7 p.m. $15. Info, 778-0300.

community

circus smirkus Big Top Tour montpelier: See August 10, 2 & 7 p.m.

Education

First-Time Kindergarteners: Soon-to-be elementary school students meet their peers, then share stories, activities and their thoughts. Everyone leaves with a free book. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Kindergarten Kickoff: Williston and St. George students entering elementary school this year convene to hear stories, get a library card and meet new friends. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 6:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-4918.

Health & Fitness

shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5, 8:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

movies

movie under the stars: A family-friendly flick about a speedy snail makes for a fun-filled, open-air viewing experience. Highgate Town Park, 9 p.m. Free; concession stand proceeds benefit Girls on the Run. Info, 868-3970.

music

music for Preschoolers: See August 7, 10:45 a.m.

musical story Time with Lesley Grant: Tuneful kids sing along with a local musician and educator. Ages 18 months to 4 years. Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

Nature & science

Exploring magnets: See August 5. Lab coat investigation: See August 5. Nature connections: Explorers of all ages learn about outdoors topics like sand, ferns and roots through discussion, a kid-friendly nature hike and a take-home craft. Niquette Bay State Park, Colchester, noon-2 p.m. $2-3 park admission; preregister. Info, 893-5210.

Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Zap! Electricity: Kids ages 7-11 experiment with static and electroplate pennies, build a circuit and explode a balloon. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

12 TUESDAY

Arts & crafts

creative Tuesdays: See August 5.

Baby & maternity

Burlington La Leche League: New moms bring their questions to a breast-feeding support group. Babies and older children welcome. Lending library available. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Free. Info, 879-3000.

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See August 5.

community

circus smirkus Big Top Tour montpelier: See August 10, 2 & 7 p.m.

education

Time-Travel Tuesdays: See August 5.

Food

chocolate-Bar making: See August 5. old North end Farmers market: See August 5.

Health & Fitness

catamount Trail Running series: See August 5.

Hard'Ack Trail Running series: See August 5. shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5. Yoga with danielle: See August 5.

Library & Books

cleo the Therapy dog: Canine companions visit with a friendly pooch from Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Ages 3 and up. Milton Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See August 5.

music

children's sing-Along With Lesley Grant: See August 5.

Kids music with Raphael: See August 5.

Nature & science

microscopic investigations: See August 6. mirror, mirror: See August 6. moonlit campfire: A flickering bonfire sets the scene for s'mores, a visit from a live owl and other nature activities. Shelburne Farms, 7-9 p.m. $5-6; preregister. Info, 985-8686.

Night sky: See August 5.

Raptors in Residence: See August 5. storytime in the Nestlings Nook: Little ones listen to stories about feathered friends. Tales are followed by a nature walk, craft project or music. Intended for preschoolers but all ages are welcome. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Regular museum admission, $3.50-7; free for children under 3. Info, 434-2167.

summer Bug Walk: Net-wielding naturalists catch and observe creepy, crawly critters as they stroll the trails. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. $3-5. Info, 229-6206. Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

13 WEDNESDAY

Arts & crafts

A Blast of a Party!: The summer reading program wraps up with an evening of live music, prizes and watermelon. All ages. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Baby & maternity

infant Yoga & massage: See August 6. montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See August 6. community circus smirkus Big Top Tour montpelier: See August 10, 2 & 7 p.m. community evenings at the Farm: See August 6.

Summer Sprites

Vermont shakespeare Company transports audiences to a moonlit forest full of intrigue and enchantment in a production of the bard’s magical comedy A midsummeR NiGHT’s dReAm Five interconnecting plots unfold between lovers, fairies and rude mechanicals at outdoor venues in north Hero and shelburne before moving inside to Burlington’s Royall tyler theatre. Headed to one of the open-air affairs? Pack a picnic so you can nosh while you watch. At the shelburne performance, wee ones tap into this whimsical world by making wands and fairy crowns.

‘A midsummeR NiGHT’s dReAm’: Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10, at 6 p.m., at Knight Point State Park in North Hero; Wednesday, August 13, and Thursday, August 14, at 6 p.m., at Shelburne Museum; Saturday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, August 17, at 2 p.m., at the Royall Tyler Theatre, University of Vermont, in Burlington. $15-25; free for children under 12 in North Hero and Shelburne; $10 for children under 12 at UVM. Info, 877-874-1911. vermontshakespeare.org

Fairs & Festivals

orleans county Fair: Agricultural demonstrations — from horse shows to oxen pulls — figure prominently in this town tradition, also featuring arts and crafts, carnival rides, live music and a demolition derby. Midway opens at noon each day. Orleans County Fair Grounds, Barton, 8 a.m. $7-15; free for children under 36 inches. Info, 525-3555.

Food

chocolate-Bar making: See August 5.

movies

see dr. First videos “First With Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids

colchester Farmers market: See August 6. The Lunchbox summer meal Program: See August 6.

Williston Farmers market: See August 6. Woodstock market on the Green: See August 6.

Games

experiment & explore: minute to Win it!: Contestants test their skill and patience in this activity based on the popular game show. Ages 5 and up. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Family Game Night: Players sit down for friendly competitions of Candy Land, checkers and Monopoly. Visitors are welcome to bring their own games. Georgia Public Library, Fairfax, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.

Health & Fitness

evoKids: outside!: See August 6. shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5.

Library & Books

dorothy canfield Fisher Book club: Bookworms in grades 4-7 gab about Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein. Pizza and refreshments provided. Grades 4-7. Waterbury Public Library, 5 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 244-7036.

Just for Fun Film series: Family flicks entertain viewers of all ages. Visit jaquithpubliclibrary. org for movie titles. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

LcATV Young Producers Workshop: Aspiring filmmakers create their own stories, then learn how to animate them. Ages 8-9. Milton Public Library, 1-2:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

music

city Hall Park concert series: See August 6. craftsbury chamber Players mini-concerts: See August 6.

Preschool music With derek: See August 6. Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate: See August 6.

Nature & science

color mixing: See August 7.

Kingdom community Wind Tours: See August 6.

Leafcutter Ants: See August 7.

Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Wacky Wednesday: Build a Water Filter: Environmentally conscious youth make a device that will succesfully filter polluted H2O. Ages 8 and up. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 12:30-1 p.m. Regular museum admission, $10.50-13.50; free for children under 3. Info, 877-324-6386.

Wagon-Ride Wednesdays: See August 6.

Theater

'The secret Garden': Stowe Theatre Guild presents an adaptation of the classic children's novel that tells the story of 11-year-old orphan, Mary Lennox, who is sent to live with her hunchback uncle on the Yorkshire moors. Town Hall Theatre, Akeley Memorial Building, Stowe, 8 p.m. $10-20. Info, 253-3961.

'a midsummer Night's dream': The Vermont Shakespeare Company presents this magical comedy of lovers and fairies, which transports viewers from Athens to a moonlit forest full of intrigue and enchantment. Fairy crown and wand making entertains young theatergoers. Gates open at 5 p.m. for picnicking. Additional museum admission fee on Thursday night. Shelburne Museum, 6-8 p.m. $22-25; free for children under 12 with an accompanying adult. Info, 985-3346.

14 THURSDAY

arts & crafts

art on Park: See August 7.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal yoga: See August 5, 5:457:15 p.m.

community

Friday Night Family Fun series: See August 7. summervale: See August 7.

Fairs & Festivals

orleans county Fair: See August 13, Aug. 17, 8 a.m.

Food

chocolate-Bar making: See August 5. The Lunchbox summer meal Program: See August 7.

Ongoing Exhibits

BiLLiNGs FaRm & mUsEUm

Info, 457-2355

annual Quilt Exhibition: Windsor County quilters display their masterful textiles at an eye-catching exhibition. Quilting activities and demonstrations appeal to all ages and skill levels. Through September 21.

EcHo LaKE aQUaRiUm aNd sciENcE cENTER

Info, 864-1848

Keva Planks: The Fusion of art & science: Architects, engineers, designers and artists of all ages use some of the 15,000 identical small wooden slabs to create sky-high towers. Start stacking and see where it goes! Through September 1.

moNTsHiRE mUsEUm oF sciENcE

Info, 649-2200

'a T. Rex Named sue': A cast skeleton of the largest, most complete and best-preserved T. rex ever found is the centerpiece of this visiting exhibit, which also includes interactive mechanical models, activities and videos. Through September 7.

WoNdERFEET Kids' mUsEUm

Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info, 282-2678

Wonderfeet Kids' museum: This children's museum features interactive exhibits that allow kids to explore, role play and create. Kids Yoga for an additional $5 on Thursday mornings in July and August from 10-11 a.m. Ages 3-8.

milton Farmers market: See August 7.

Games

Kids VT Night at the Lake monsters Game; Families convene on the ballpark for a face off against the Aberdeen Ironbirds. First 300 fans get a new Kids VT coloring & activity book and crayons. Centennial Field, Burlington, 7:05 p.m. $5-15. Info, 655-4200.

st. albans Legos: Building-block lovers keep busy with the library's giant collection. All ages. St. Albans Free Library, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Health & Fitness

shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5.

music

craftsbury chamber Players mini-concerts: Small music lovers experience an excerpt of the group's evening concert, with selections and commentary geared toward young audiences. Greensboro Fellowship Hall, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 800-639-3443.

music for Preschoolers: See August 7.

music With mr. chris: Singer and storyteller

Chris Dorman leads kids in music and dance. All ages. Buttered Noodles, Williston, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.

snow Farm Vineyard summer concert series: See August 7. Williston summer concert series: See August 7.

Nature & science

Behind-the-scenes Tour: Fans of feathers learn what it takes to care for the myriad avian patients and residents of the nature center, with a tour of Rehab-in-Action and the Wild Bird Hospital. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, 2-2:45 p.m. $4-6 fee for ages 8 and up with $11-13 regular admission; free for children under 4. Info, 359-5000.

Raptors in Residence: See August 5. Rocks & Volcanoes: See August 8. Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Theater

The secret Garden': See August 13. 'a midsummer Night's dream': See August 13.

15 FRIDAY

arts & crafts

Family Fridays: See August 8. community

circus smirkus Big Top Tour: Greensboro: High-flying feats abound as Smirkus Troupers ages 10 to 18 dazzle crowds during a production with a high seas theme in this season finale. All ages. The Circus Barn, Greensboro, 6 p.m. $14-21; free for children under 2. Info, 877-764-7587.

Fairs & Festivals

celebrate Vermont Festival: Activities and crafts, horse rides, food tastings, live music and more combine for a party championing the Green Mountain State. Stowe Events Field, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. $2-12. Info, 922-1859.

orleans county Fair: See August 13, 8 a.m.

Food

Burger Night: See August 8. chocolate-Bar making: See August 5. Five corners Farmers market: See August 8.

Aug CA lendAr

15 FRidAy (Continued)

Friday Night cookout: See August 8.

The Lunchbox summer meal Program: See August 8.

Lyndonville Farmers market: See August 8.

Richmond Farmers market: See August 8.

Health & Fitness

Paddlesurf Family Jam: See August 8. shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5, 8:30 a.m.

Library & Books

Kindergarten story Time: Kids gearing up for their first school year come for tales, tunes and crafts with Mrs. Dulac. Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Preschool Tea Party: Warm beverages and yummy treats delight fancy little ones ages 2-5. Dressing up is optional. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, noon. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

movies

Free movie Friday: See August 8.

music

city Hall Park concert series: See August 6.

Kids music With Linda 'Tickle Belly' Bassick: See August 8. music With derek: See August 8.

Nature & science

Fossils: Youth sleuths clue into the origins of preserved remains. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 3 p.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Kitchen chemistry: Mad scientists combine common household products, which yield unexpectedly entertaining results. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 11 a.m. Summer museum admission, $13-16;

free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Theater

'The secret Garden': See August 13.

16 SATURDAY

Arts & crafts

Family Art: Little and big people use a variety of materials to create unique masterpieces. All ages. ArtisTree Community Arts Center, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-noon. $20 per parent-child pair; preregister. Info, 457-3500.

myths & Their creatures: Participants in this yoga and art workshop recreate an Indian story with winged, gold-taloned and shape-shifting creatures. Ages 6-11. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 9 a.m.-noon. $25-35; preregister. Info, 253-8358.

community

circus smirkus Big Top Tour: Greensboro: See August 15, 1 & 6 p.m.

Fairs & Festivals

celebrate Vermont Festival: See August 15. orleans county Fair: See August 13, 8 a.m.

Food

Burlington Farmers market: See August 9. capital city Farmers market: See August 9. chocolate-Bar making: See August 5. Pittsford Farmers market: See August 9. shelburne Farmers market: See August 9. st. Johnsbury Farmers market: See August 9.

Health & Fitness

evoKids saturday yoga: Youngsters master basic yoga poses through games, songs and dance. Mindfulness activities help them improve their focus and concentration. Ages 3-9.

Evolution Yoga, Burlington, 11-11:45 a.m. $15; preregister. Info, 864-9642.

Parents Night out: Adults looking for some alone time drop off their young yogis for dancing, game playing, pizza eating and relaxation activities with different themes each month.

Ages 4-11. Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga, Burlington, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $25 for one child; $15 for siblings; preregister. Info, 864-9643.

Tots on the move: See August 8, 10:15-11 a.m.

movies

Ben & Jerry's summer outdoor movie Festival: See August 9.

ecHo Wildlife movie: Families take a walk on the wild side as they screen animal flicks. All ages. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington, 12:30 p.m. Regular admission, $10.50-13.50; free for members and children under 3. Info, 877-324-6386.

Nature & science

Batteries & motors: See August 10. Heritage chicken day: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Visitors can ponder this big question as they visit newly hatched chicks, study different livestock breeds and engage in farm-life stories and crafts. All ages. Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular admission, $4-14; free for children under 3. Info, 457-2355.

my sky: See August 9. Raptors in Residence: See August 5. sound science: See August 10. summer Naturalist Program: See August 9. Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Theater

'Laugh 'Til you die': Physical comedian Tom Murphy captivates audiences with his relentless soul-searching repartee and sublime slapstick. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe, 7 p.m. $20-38. Info, 760-4634.

'The secret Garden': See August 13.

'A midsummer Night's dream': The Vermont Shakespeare Company presents this magical comedy of lovers and fairies, which transports viewers from Athens to a moonlit forest full of intrigue and enchantment. Royall Tyler Theatre, UVM, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $15-25 for adults; $10 for children under 12. Info, 877-874-1911.

17 SUNDAY

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal yoga: See August 5. 10:0511:30 a.m.

community

mission Possible Urban scavenger Hunt: Teams of two tackle fun, off-the-wall challenges throughout Burlington to raise funds and awareness for the United Way of Chittenden County. Children are invited to participate with a guardian. Email info@missionpossiblevt.com for more information. Burlington's Waterfront Park, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free to participate; participants choose fundraising goal; preregister. Info, 861-7851.

Pride center of Vermont Family Program Picnic Potluck & Field day: LGBTQ families, with and without kids, bring a dish to share and while the day away with beach ball volleyball, face painting, bubbles and more. (See spotlight.) Wrightsville Reservoir Beach, Middlesex, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $10 suggested donation per family. Info, 860-7812.

submit your september events for print by August 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

We Are Family

Pride Center of Vermont celebrates, educates and advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Vermonters. this month, the Burlington-based organization that used to be the ru12? Community Center holds its third annual family LGBTQA PicNic PoTLUcK ANd FieLd dAy. Beach-ball volleyball, face painting and a scavenger hunt captivate youngsters. disc golf, swimming, and kayak and canoe rentals provide additional amusement. Bring a dish and outdoor games to share, and slather on the sunscreen. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the Pride flag waving in the wind.

LGBTQA PicNic PoTLUcK ANd FieLd dAy: Sunday, August 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach in Middlesex. All ages. $10 suggested donation per family; RSVP at ru12fieldday.brownpapertickets.com. Info, 860-7812.

Fairs & Festivals

celebrate Vermont Festival: See August 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

orleans county Fair: See August 13, 8 a.m.

Food

see Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids

Pie & ice cream social: Homebaked delicacies of the peach, apple and berry variety — topped with a scoop of cold, sweet stuff from Wilcox Dairy — make for a delicious gathering. Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh, 1-4 p.m. $4-5 per slice of pie; proceeds benefit the museum. Info, 877-3406. south Burlington Farmers market: See August 10.

stowe Farmers market: See August 10.

Winooski Farmers market: See August 10.

health & Fitness

yoGirls yoga class: See August 10.

movies

Echo Wildlife movie: See August 16.

music

music on the Porch: See August 10.

Nature & science

Exploring magnets: See August 5. heritage chicken day: See August 16.

Lab coat investigation: See August 5.

Night sky: See August 5.

Tinkering Lab: open studio for makers: See August 5.

Theater

'a midsummer Night's dream': See August 16, 2 p.m.

'The miracle Worker': See August 10, 2 p.m.

18 MONDAY

Baby & maternity

montpelier Prenatal yoga: See August 11.

Education

First-Time Kindergarteners: See August 11.

health & Fitness

shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5, 8:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

Library & Books

make a Lava Lamp: Curious kids see firsthand that water and oil don't mix in this groovy project. Ages 8 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 1:30-3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

music

music for Preschoolers: See August 7, 10:45 a.m.

Nature & science

microscopic investigations: See August 6. mirror, mirror: See August 6.

Nature connections: See August 11.

Theater

'swimmy & swimmer': PuppeTree presents a stunning production of Leo Lionni's children's book with a classical music score, followed by an original work inspired by Lionni's story, set on a New England river. Ages 2-5. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 2 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

19 TUESDAY

arts & crafts

creative Tuesdays: See August 5.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal yoga: See August 5.

Education

Time-Travel Tuesdays: See August 5.

Food chocolate-Bar making: See August 5.

old North End Farmers market: See August 5.

health & Fitness

catamount Trail running series: See August 5.

hard'ack Trail running series: See August 5. shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5. yoga with danielle: See August 5.

Library & Books

Gaming For Teens & adults: See August 5. Grannie snow Book reading: The Morrissville author reads from her first book, Big Ole Striped Silas, and its sequel, Silas Gets a Sister. All ages. Fairfax Community Library, 6:30-8 p.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.

music

children's sing-along With Lesley Grant: See August 5.

Kids music with raphael: See August 5.

Nature & science

color mixing: See August 7.

Leafcutter ants: See August 7.

mesmerizing moths: Emeralds, loopers, underwings, darts, owlets and many more species of moths dazzle viewers after dark. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 8:30-10:30 p.m.

$3-5. Info, 229-6206.

Night sky: See August 5. raptors in residence: See August 5.

20 WEDNESDAY

Baby & maternity

infant yoga & massage: See August 6. montpelier Postnatal yoga: See August 6.

community community Evenings at the Farm: See August 6.

dog days of summer: Pooches get a chance to paddle around the pool during this benefit for shelter animals. Limit two dogs per adult. Montpelier Public Pool, 5:30-7 p.m. Donations benefit the Central Vermont Humane Society. Info, 476-3811.

dance

Folk dancing: Sue Morris teaches traditional moves to hoofers of all ages and abilities. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Fairs & Festivals

caledonia county Fair: Good old-fashioned festivities range from an aerial show to alpaca demonstrations, a demolition derby to amusement park rides. August 20 is Children's Day. Caledonia County Fairgrounds, Lyndonville, $10-17; free for children under 36 inches. Info, 626-5917.

Food

colchester Farmers market: See August 6. The Lunchbox summer meal Program: See August 6.

Williston Farmers market: See August 6.

Woodstock market on the Green: See August 6.

health & Fitness

EvoKids: outside!: See August 6. shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5.

Library & Books

Pajama story Time: Small ones curl up for bedtime tales, cookies and milk. Ages 18 months-5 years. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

music

city hall Park concert series: See August 6. craftsbury chamber Players mini-concerts: See August 6.

Preschool music With derek: See August 6. rockin' ron the Friendly Pirate: See August 6.

Nature & science

rocks & Volcanoes: See August 8. Wagon-ride Wednesdays: See August 6.

Theater

'The secret Garden': See August 13.

21 THURSDAY

arts & crafts

art on Park: See August 7.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal yoga: See August 5, 5:457:15 p.m.

montpelier La Leche League: Breastfeeding moms make new friends as they discuss the joys and challenges of nursing. Snacks provided. Lending library available. Babies and toddlers welcome. Good Beginnings, Montpelier, 9:3011:30 a.m. Free. Info, 244-1254.

community

summervale: See August 7.

Fairs & Festivals

caledonia county Fair: See August 20.

Food

chocolate-Bar making: See August 5.

The Lunchbox summer meal Program: See August 7.

milton Farmers market: See August 7.

health & Fitness

shelburne summer open Gym: See August 5.

Library & Books

Fairfax summer reading Program Finale: Master magician Tom Joyce shows off his tricks, followed by snacks and prize drawings. All ages. Fairfax Community Library, 10 a.m.noon. Free. Info, 849-2420.

movies

LcaTV young Producers Workshop: Up-andcoming directors learn to use video equipment, then shoot a game show. Ages 8-9. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 2-3:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-0313.

music

craftsbury chamber Players mini-concerts: See August 14.

music for Preschoolers: See August 7.

music With mr. chris: See August 14.

snow Farm Vineyard summer concert series: See August 7.

Williston summer concert series: See August 7.

12-Acre “I’ve Got the Music

In Me” Maze, Punches to find, 4 Bridges, Clues, Sound System, Mini Maze, Livestock Barn & OK Corral SNACK SHACK & WAGON RIDES ON THE WEEKENDS! All

Nature & Science

Fossils: See August 15. Kitchen Chemistry: See August 15. Raptors in Residence: See August 5.

Theater

'The Secret Garden': See August 13. 'Young Frankenstein' & 'Ondine': Town Hall Theater's resident Young Company presents a dynamite combo of shows featuring actors ages 13-21. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 7 p.m. Free; donations accepted at the door. Info, 388-1436.

22 FRIDAY Community

Bluegrass & Barbecue: Shelburne Vineyard and Fiddlehead Brewery host this family-friendly event with local wine and beer, delicious grub from Bluebird BBQ, and footstomping tunes. Shelburne Vineyard, 6 p.m. Free; cost for food. Info, 985-8222.

Fairs & Festivals

Caledonia County Fair: See August 20. Champlain Valley Fair: Cotton-candy fun and carny curiosities collide at the state's largest fair, complete with midway rides, daily parades and live entertainment. All ages. Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Junction, 3 p.m.-midnight. $5-12; free for children under 5; advanced tickets available at a 25 percent discount at Price Chopper Stores from August 4-21; additional tickets required for grandstand concerts and rides. Info, 878-5545.

Food

Burger Night: See August 8.

Chocolate-Bar Making: See August 5.

Five Corners Farmers Market: See August 8.

Friday Night Cookout: See August 8.

Kids in the Kitchen: Gluten-Free Flapjacks: A rice-flour batter cooks up light and flu y on the griddle, then is topped with maple butter sauce for a delicious breakfast-for-dinner treat. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per parent-child pair; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

The Lunchbox Summer Meal Program: See August 8.

Lyndonville Farmers Market: See August 8. Richmond Farmers Market: See August 8.

Health & Fitness

Kids Creative Yoga: See August 8.

PaddleSurf Family Jam: See August 8.

Shelburne Summer Open Gym: See August 5, 8:30 a.m.

Tots on the Move: See August 8.

Movies

Free Movie Friday: See August 8.

Music

City Hall Park Concert Series: See August 6.

Kids Music With Linda 'Tickle Belly' Bassick: See August 8.

Music With Derek: See August 8.

Nature & Science

Batteries & Motors: See August 10.

Sound Science: See August 10.

Story Times

MONDAY

Fizz, Boom, Stories with Megan: Fletcher Free Library, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216. Northfield Children’s Story Time: Brown Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 485-4621. Richford Story Hour: Arvin A. Library, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 848-3313.

St. Albans Story Hour: St. Albans Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1507. Stowe Story Time for 2- to 3-Year-Olds: Stowe Free Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145.

Waitsfield Story Time: Joslin Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 496-4205.

Woodstock Baby Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.

TUESDAY

Alburgh Story Hour: Alburgh Community Education Center, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 796-6077.

Colchester Toddler Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Georgia Pajama Story Time: Georgia Public Library, third Tuesday of every month, 6:307:30 p.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.

Hinesburg Preschool Story Time: Carpenter-Carse Library, 11 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Hinesburg Toddler Story Time: CarpenterCarse Library, first Tuesday of every month, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Theater

'The Secret Garden': See August 13.

23 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

Family Music: Song singing and drum banging are on the agenda during this fun-filled hour of free play with instruments. All ages. ArtisTree Community Arts Center, Woodstock, 10-11 a.m. $10 per parent-child pair; preregister. Info, 457-3500.

Fairs & Festivals

Caledonia County Fair: See August 20. Champlain Valley Fair: See August 22, 10 a.m.-midnight.

Vergennes Day: The Little City is big fun! A pancake breakfast, 5K and 10K races, kids games, bandstand music and a craft fair delight the crowds. All ages. Downtown Vergennes, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Various prices. Info, 388-7951. WYSIWYG Festival: Nationally touring and home-grown music, witty entertainers and educators, and lip-smacking dishes prepared by duos of farmers and chefs make for a family-friendly festival celebrating the best of Vermont. Burlington College, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. $42.50-$65.50; free for children 12 and under. Info, info@signalkitchen.com.

Food

Burlington Farmers Market: See August 9.

Capital City Farmers Market: See August 9.

Chocolate-Bar Making: See August 5.

Pittsford Farmers Market: See August 9.

Shelburne Farmers Market: See August 9.

St. Johnsbury Farmers Market: See August 9.

Early-literacy skills get special attention during these read-aloud sessions. Some locations provide additional activities such as music, crafts or foreign-language instruction. Contact the story-time organizer or visit kidsvt.com for details.

Richmond Story Time: Richmond Free Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.

Teeny Tiny Backyard Explorers: Wheeler Homestead and Garden Park, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

Williston Summer Story Time: Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Winooski Preschool Story Time: Winooski Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 655-6424.

Woodstock Preschool Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.

WEDNESDAY

Johnson Story Time: Johnson Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 635-7141.

Norwich Story Time: Norwich Public Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 649-1184.

Quechee Story Time: Quechee Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 295-1232.

Randolph Morning Story Time: Kimball Public Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 728-5073.

South Burlington Story Time: Barnes & Noble, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

Swanton Story Hour: Swanton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 868-7656.

Warren Preschool Story & Enrichment Hour: Warren Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 595-2582.

Williamstown Toddler Story Time: Ainsworth Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 433-5887.

Health & Fitness

EvoKids Saturday Yoga: See August 16.

Tots on the Move: See August 8, 10:15-11 a.m.

Movies

ECHO Wildlife Movie: See August 16.

Nature & Science

Kingdom Community Wind Tours: See August 6, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

My Sky: See August 9.

Raptors in Residence: See August 5.

Summer Naturalist Program: See August 9.

Super Science Day: Microworlds: Investigation of the Very Small: Using hand lenses and compound microscopes, little ones investigate tiny things invisible to the naked eye. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Summer museum admission, $1316; free for children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

Theater

'The Secret Garden': See August 13.

24 SUNDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See August 5, 10:0511:30 a.m.

Submit your September events for print by August 15 at kidsvt.com or to calendar@kidsvt.com.

THURSDAY

Colchester Preschool Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Northfield Children's Story Time: See Monday.

Rutland Story Time: Rutland Free Library, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 773-1860.

St. Albans Story Hour: See Monday.

Westford Story Time: Westford Public Library, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-5639.

FRIDAY

Brandon Preschool Story Time: Brandon Free Public Library, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 247-8230.

Enosburg Story Hour: Enosburg Public Library, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 370-4797.

Georgia Preschool Story Time: Georgia Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 524-4643.

Huntington Story Time: Huntington Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 434-4583.

Lincoln Toddler/Preschool Story Time: Lincoln Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 453-2665.

Milton Preschool/Toddler Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free; ends August 8. Info, 893-4644.

South Burlington Pajamarama: Barnes & Noble, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 864-8001.

St. Johnsbury Story Time: St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 748-8291.

Stowe Baby & Toddler Story Time: Stowe Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145.

SATURDAY

Barre Story Time: Next Chapter Bookstore, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-3114.

Burlington Story Time at Phoenix Books: Phoenix Books, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 448-3350.

Colchester Saturday Drop-In Story Time: Burnham Memorial Library, 10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

South Burlington Story Time: See Wednesday.

Swanton Story Hour: See Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY

Williston Russian Story Time: Buttered Noodles, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 730-2673.

21 THURSDAY (CONTINUED)

Fairs & Festivals

caledonia county Fair: See August 20. champlain Valley Fair: See August 22, 10 a.m.-midnight.

WYsiWYG Festival: See August 23.

Food

south Burlington Farmers market: See August 10.

stowe Farmers market: See August 10.

Winooski Farmers market: See August 10.

Health & Fitness

mVP Health care Run for Fun: Youth ages 4-14 get their own shot at athletic glory on the Stowe Bike Path after the adult-geared North Face Race to the Top of Vermont. (See spotlight on page 31.) The Rusty Nail Bar and Grill, Stowe, noon-2 p.m. $10. Info, 864-5794.

YoGirls Yoga class: See August 10.

movies

EcHo Wildlife movie: See August 16.

music

music on the Porch: See August 10.

Nature & science

microscopic investigations: See August 6. mirror, mirror: See August 6. Night sky: See August 5. sundays for Fledglings: See August 10.

25 MONDAY

Baby & maternity

montpelier Prenatal Yoga: See August 11.

Education

First-Time Kindergarteners: See August 11.

Fairs & Festivals

champlain Valley Fair: See August 22, 10 a.m.-midnight.

Library & Books

intergenerational dessert Book discussion: Lit lovers gather for a good read-and-rant session, complete with something sweet. Grades 6 and up. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

music

music for Preschoolers: See August 7, 10:45 a.m.

Nature & science

color mixing: See August 7.

Leafcutter Ants: See August 7.

Nature connections: See August 11.

26 TUESDAY

Arts & crafts

creative Tuesdays: See August 5.

Baby & maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See August 5.

community

LGBQT Families Navigating systems: The theme of this community-building town hall gathering is "Starting (or Growing) Your Family." 6-8 p.m. Free. Location TBA. Info, 860-7812.

Fairs & Festivals

champlain Valley Fair: See August 22, 10 a.m.-midnight.

Food

chocolate-Bar making: See August 5.

old North End Farmers market: See August 5.

Health & Fitness

catamount Trail Running series: See August 5.

Hard'Ack Trail Running series: See August 5.

Yoga with danielle: See August 5.

Library & Books

cleo the Therapy dog: See August 12.

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See August 5.

music

children's sing-Along With Lesley Grant: See August 5.

Kids music with Raphael: See August 5.

Nature & science

Night sky: See August 5.

Raptors in Residence: See August 5.

Rocks & Volcanoes: See August 8.

summer Bug Walk: See August 12.

27 WEDNESDAY

Baby & maternity

infant Yoga & massage: See August 6.

montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See August 6. Nursing Beyond a Year: Moms gather to discuss the joys and challenges of an older nursling. Discussion topics include nighttime parenting, weaning and setting limits. Bring a snack to share. Aikido of Champlain Valley, Burlington, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-3000.

community

community Evenings at the Farm: See August 6.

Fairs & Festivals

champlain Valley Fair: See August 22, 10 a.m.-midnight.

Food

chocolate-Bar making: See August 5. colchester Farmers market: See August 6. Kids in the Kitchen: chicken & cheese Enchiladas: Little chefs cook chicken thighs, shred cheese and whip up a sumptuous sauce for slathering, then roll the ingredients in tortillas and bake them up for a satisfying Mexican meal. All ages. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per parent-child pair; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

27 WEdNEsdAY, p.44

Williston Farmers Market: See August 6. Woodstock Market on the Green: See August 6.

Health & Fitness

EvoKids: Outside!: See August 6.

Library & Books

Marshfield Wednesday Night Program: Topics including gooey science, reptiles, the scientific method and summer constellations are explored during these interactive evening classes for all ages. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Music

City Hall Park Concert Series: See August 6.

Preschool Music With Derek: See August 6. Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate: See August 6.

Nature & Science

Fossils: See August 15.

Kingdom Community Wind Tours: See August 6.

Kitchen Chemistry: See August 15.

Monarch Butterfly Tagging: Kids gently catch, tag and release these black-and-orange migrants. Bring a net if you have one. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 3:30-5 p.m. $3-5. Info, 229-6206.

Wagon-Ride Wednesdays: See August 6.

Theater

'The Secret Garden': See August 13.

28 THURSDAY

Arts & Crafts

Art on Park: See August 7.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See August 5, 5:457:15 p.m.

Community

Summervale: See August 7.

Fairs & Festivals

Champlain Valley Fair: See August 22, 10 a.m. -midnight.

Food

Chocolate-Bar Making: See August 5.

Milton Farmers Market: See August 7.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See August 7.

Music With Mr. Chris: See August 14.

Snow Farm Vineyard Summer Concert Series: See August 7.

Nature & Science

Batteries & Motors: See August 10.

Raptors in Residence: See August 5.

Sound Science: See August 10.

Theater

'The Secret Garden': See August 13.

29 FRIDAY

Fairs & Festivals

Champlain Valley Fair: See August 22, 10 a.m.-midnight.

Playgroups

MONDAY

Barre Open Gym: Sunrise Gymnastics, 10 a.m.-noon. $10 per child. Info, 223-0517.

Burlington Crawlers, Waddlers & Toddlers: St. Joseph School, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 862-2121.

Williston Playgroup: Alice in Noodleland: Buttered Noodles, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 764-1810.

TUESDAY

Burlington Dad's Night: VNA Family Room, 3-7 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.

Burlington Family Play: Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. In the summer months, buses transport families from 20 Allen Street to Ethan Allen Homestead for outdoor play. Info, 860-4420. Johnson Baby Chat: Church of the Nazarene, fourth Tuesday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.

WEDNESDAY

Barre Open Gym: See Monday.

Vermont State Fair: Crowds converge on the midway for circus acts, racing pigs, demolition derbies and live music at this annual ag-centric a air. Vermont State Fairgrounds, Rutland, 5 p.m. $5-15 per day; free for children 12 and under with an adult; $4 for parking. Info, 775-5200.

Food

Burger Night: See August 8.

Chocolate-Bar Making: See August 5.

Five Corners Farmers Market: See August 8.

Friday Night Cookout: See August 8.

Lyndonville Farmers Market: See August 8. Richmond Farmers Market: See August 8.

Health & Fitness

Kids Creative Yoga: See August 8. PaddleSurf Family Jam: See August 8.

Tots on the Move: See August 8.

Movies

Free Movie Friday: See August 8.

Music

City Hall Park Concert Series: See August 6.

Kids Music With Linda 'Tickle Belly' Bassick: See August 8.

Music With Derek: See August 8.

Nature & Science

Exploring Magnets: See August 5.

Lab Coat Investigation: See August 5.

Theater

'The Secret Garden': See August 13.

30 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

Eighteenth Century Clothing: History bu s learn about the clothing worn on the Vermont frontier and try some on themselves. All ages. Ethan Allen Homestead Museum, Burlington, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Donations appreciated. Info, 865-4556.

Kids enjoy fun and games during these informal get-togethers, and caregivers connect with other local parents and peers. The groups are usually free and often include snacks, arts and crafts, or music. Contact the playgroup organizer or visit kidsvt.com for site-specific details.

Charlotte Playgroup: Charlotte Central School, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free. Runs through August 13. Info, 764-5820.

THURSDAY

Brandon Stories & Crafts: Brandon Free Public Library, 9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 247-8230.

Burlington EvoMamas Playgroup: Evolution Yoga, August 14, 10:20-11:50 a.m. Free. Info, 864-9642.

Burlington Family Play: See Tuesday. Morrisville Baby Chat: First Congregational Church of Morrisville, first Thursday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.

Petting Barn Play Group: Triple K Petting Barn, 10 a.m.-noon. $5-6; free for children under 2. Info, 558-5900.

FRIDAY

Randolph Toddler Time: Kimball Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 728-5073.

Education

Foreign Language School Open House: Familes interested in instruction en français meet the teacher and watch a fun demo French class from 3-4 p.m. Pre-K and up. Accents — School of Foreign Language, South Burlington, 1-4 p.m. Free. Info, 860-468-5373.

Fairs & Festivals

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at fletcherallen.org/ firstwithkids

Champlain Valley Fair: See August 22, 10 a.m.-midnight.

Vermont State Fair: See August 29, 10 a.m.

Food

Burlington Farmers Market: See August 9.

Capital City Farmers Market: See August 9.

Chocolate-Bar Making: See August 5.

Pittsford Farmers Market: See August 9.

Shelburne Farmers Market: See August 9.

St. Johnsbury Farmers Market: See August 9.

Health & Fitness

EvoKids Saturday Yoga: See August 16. Tots on the Move: See August 8, 10:15-11 a.m.

Movies

ECHO Wildlife Movie: See August 16.

Music

"Mellow Yellow: A Multi-Media Tribute to Peace, Love & Grooviness: A five-person band brings audience members back to the Summer of Love with authentic renditions of the greatest hits of the '60's in this multimedia presentation. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe, 8 p.m. $20-38. Info, 760-4634.

Nature & Science

Behind-the-Scenes Tour: See August 14, 12:301:15 p.m.

Bird-Monitoring Walk: Eagle-eyed participants bring binoculars to explore the museum's property for fluttering feathers. Best for adults and older children. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Donations welcome; preregister. Info, 434-2167.

Microscopic Investigations: See August 6.

Mirror, Mirror: See August 6. My Sky: See August 9.

Raptors in Residence: See August 5.

Summer Naturalist Program: See August 9.

Theater

'The Secret Garden': See August 13.

31 SUNDAY

Baby & Maternity

Burlington Prenatal Yoga: See August 5, 10:0511:30 a.m.

Fairs & Festivals

Champlain Valley Fair: See August 22, 10 a.m.-midnight.

Vermont State Fair: See August 29, 10 a.m.

Food

South Burlington Farmers Market: See August 10.

Stowe Farmers Market: See August 10.

Winooski Farmers Market: See August 10.

Health & Fitness

YoGirls Yoga Class: See August 10.

Movies

ECHO Wildlife Movie: See August 16.

Music

Music on the Porch: See August 10.

Nature & Science

Color Mixing: See August 7.

Leafcutter Ants: See August 7. Night Sky: See August 5.

Backyard Skate Ramp

• Beaman and Lukens bought about 150 pressure-treated 2-by-4s for the ramp’s frame and two layers of plywood for the top.

FilmmaKer NaTe BeamaN couldn’t wait to introduce his kids — Fiona, 7, and Shamus, 6 — to skateboarding. When they showed a glimmer of interest, the single dad jumped on the opportunity to encourage the sport. He built a skate ramp from scratch in their Shelburne backyard, with help from his college buddy and colleague, Adam Lukens.

Burton Snowboards’ headquarters in Burlington and photos on the internet. But ultimately, Beaman admits, “We kinda winged it a little bit.” The “three-day project” took more than a month to finish.

• to create the curve, they wet the wood, then walked on it to bend it.

Kids:

The friends had experience: They once constructed a skate ramp in Lukens’ Brooklyn apartment. And their work behind the scenes in the film industry has made them good at figuring out how to build things on the fly, Beaman says.

The pair took design inspiration from the ramp behind

Both Fiona and Shamus have taken lessons at Talent Skatepark in Williston, but they’re still apprehensive navigating the ramp standing up on their skateboards. They prefer to sit on their boards — or use scooters and bikes — while sliding down the curves. On a recent hot day, they draped a tarp over the ramp, turned on a hose and transformed it into a deluxe Slip’N Slide. K

• they used a deck sealer to protect the ramp from the elements.

dad: nate Beaman

Fiona, 7, and shamus, 6

Fiona and her dad, Nate Beaman, navigate the ramp while adam Lukens look on.

Puzzles4Kids

Riddle Search — TENNIS

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: Where do tennis players want to live?

BY HELENA HOVANEC

GRAND-PRIZE WINNER

JACOB lives in Huntington and turns 5 on August 7. He is a lover of dinosaurs, all things with wheels and over-the-top silliness.

Jacob wins a birthday-party package for up to 10 kids.

Congratulations to these August Birthday Club winners! Join the Club!

To enter, submit information using the online form at kidsvt.com/birthday-club. Just give us your contact info, your children’s names and birth dates, and a photo, and they’re automatically enrolled.

Elizabeth, Becca and Cole each win a player pass.

ELIZABETH lives in Hinesburg and turns 8 on August 8. She enjoys riding horses, swimming and catching frogs. She’s a sweet and energetic girl who enjoys helping others.

COLE lives in Colchester and turns 11 on August 12. He is into reading, skiing, kayaking, biking and building all kinds of vehicles. He recently built a soap-box derby race car.

MINI-GOLF • GIANT PLAY STRUCTURE PIZZA • CAKES • LASER TAG ARCADE • BATTING CAGES BIRTHDAY CROWN OR TIARA

Riddle Answer:

BECCA lives in Burlington and turned 11 on August 4. She is a pint-size ball of energy who likes to bake like “Cake Boss,” swim, and play soccer and softball.

Consuelo Northrup Bailey

1899 - 1976 Teacher, Lawyer and Lieutenant Governor of Vermont

Consuelo Northrup Bailey was born October 10, 1899, in Fairfield, Vt. Her Yankee mother, Katherine, gave her a Spanish name. Her father, Peter, told her she could do anything a boy could do.

She relished country life.

As a kid, Bailey went to school and helped with chores on the family farm.

She graduated from St. Albans High School with a scholarship to the University of Vermont, then moved with her mother to a rented house on Loomis Street in Burlington. To save money, they ate lots of barley soup.

After graduation, Bailey taught school in Shelburne, but it wasn’t a good fit.

She was also the first woman in the nation to serve as lieutenant governor, from 1955-57. Her farm experience came in handy during her campaign — she won over voters by participating in a Randolph milking contest.

She decided to study law in Boston, then returned to Vermont, where she became the first woman to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court and the first woman elected speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.

By the end of her first term, her husband, Albon, had become very ill. Bailey was popular, but advisers told her Vermont wasn’t ready for a woman governor. So she left Montpelier to care for Albon without running for a second term.

She had won 24 elections in Vermont. And she continued to serve as a leader in the partyRepublican until she died in 1976.

COLORING CONTEST!

Three winners will receive $25 gift cards to Creative Habitat and free framing of their artwork for its Kids Gallery, located at the store on 555 Shelburne Road in Burlington. Winning artists can pick up their framed work to display at home any time in July. Send Kids VT your work of art by August 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 September issue of Kids VT. Send your high-resolution scans to art@kidsvt.com or mail a copy to KidsVT, PO Box 1184, Burlington, VT 05402.

Worm Composting

EXTRA-RICH

LOOKING FOR AN FERTILIZER to help your garden grow — and a fun excuse to let your kids play with nightcrawlers? Try vermicomposting, or composting with worms.

When worms eat leftover kitchen scraps, their poop mixes with soil to create a nutritional feast for plants. And unlike with traditional composting, you never need to turn the pile; the worms take care of that themselves. All you have to do is build the critters a habitat.

At a recent workshop at Gardener’s Supply in Williston, Vermont naturalist Mike Ather, of the website Backyard Wilderness, showed families how to compost with worms. Here’s what he recommended.

To get started, try a temporary starter composter

• Collect two 32-ounce yogurt containers.

• Place a few small stones in one container.

• Drill several small holes in the bottom of the other, then place it inside the first container.

• Line the top container with a wet paper towel. This will hold in the bedding and prevent worms from escaping.

• Rip newspaper into small pieces, moisten with a spray bottle and place on the paper towel. You should have two or three inches of bedding. Layer dampened, fertilizer-free potting soil or peat moss on top of the newspaper, followed by a layer of food extras, such as produce,

coffee grounds, rinsed eggshells, leaves and tea bags. Don’t use meat, dairy, plastic, oils or bones; these will attract rodents and fruit flies.

• Make a cover for the top container out of cardboard.

• Find two or three worms outside and put them in the bin.

• The temporary bin will last for about a week. After that, transfer the contents to the garden.

For instructions on creating and maintaining a permanent composter, visit kidsvt. com or Ather’s website, backyardwilderness.com

Share your fun project and craft ideas with us! Send them to ideas@kidsvt.com.

Wed - Kid’s Day Vaudeville puppet

8 & 10

August 13-17, 2014

Sleep No More

The toughest thing about parenting a newborn? Catching some ZZZs

RECENTLY, MY HUSBAND AND I lugged our 3-monthold baby and her mountains of gear to a nearby café. We ran into an acquaintance there who had been watching as we got out of the car and unloaded our cargo. “You guys looked so glum,” she said.

Of course we looked glum. Joni had been screaming since she woke up — before the crack of dawn. I hadn’t slept through the night since the middle of my third trimester. Our backs perpetually ached from the hours we spent walking, swaying, bouncing and rocking her each day. At 12 weeks, our precious daughter rarely smiled, and when she did, it was almost imperceptible, flickering across her face like a mirage.

I unloaded my complaints onto the woman who had commented on our glumness. And then I added what I always do when people asked me about life as a new mom: “But it’s great.”

Why did I keep saying this? What, exactly, was so great about the first three months of parenthood? I love Joni fiercely, but surviving those early weeks was the hardest thing I’d ever done, mainly because of the sleep deprivation.

Prolonged sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on the mind, a ecting your ability to focus, obliterating your short-term memory — even causing hallucinations. It’s been used at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp to coerce prisoners to speak. It’s torture.

It’s at least a cruel joke that after performing the superhuman feat of childbirth, you don’t really get to sleep. For months. (Or, as a grandmotherly type at the grocery store smugly informed me, “For the next 18 years.”)

I had been warned, of course. Seasoned parents love to tell pregnant ladies to prepare for the sleeplessness. But there’s no way to prepare for losing your mind with exhaustion.

In the beginning, we were up all night. My husband, Daniel, and I passed Joni back and forth every two hours. She only slept when we were touching her. No matter how deeply asleep she appeared to be, she’d immediately startle — her arms shooting out like a zombie’s, her eyes bursting open — the instant we put her down.

Then, for several weeks, she could only fall asleep while sucking on our fingers. She’d suck for what felt like hours. When she finally seemed conked, we’d slowly pry our fingers from the black-hole vacuum of her mouth. And then she’d spring awake.

“I can’t keep doing the finger thing,” Daniel told me, exasperated, one morning. “I’ve stopped thinking of her as a human baby and started thinking of her as a gerbil sucking on a water dispenser.”

BY MEGAN JAMES

We tried co-sleeping, but Daniel kept waking up in a panic, mistaking the cat that sleeps at our feet for a smothered baby.

One night, I walked into the nursery to find Joni, who’d been screaming for hours, sleeping soundly in the crib — on her tummy. These days, doctors and parenting books advocate putting babies to sleep on their backs with a near religious fervor.

Daniel sat on the floor with his laptop, a maniacal look in his eyes as he googled sudden infant death syndrome, calculating the odds that she would die if left this way. We’ll just do it this one night, we decided

As our level of exhaustion rose, our panic about following the rules eased up. We just didn’t have the energy to worry. Still, the next few times we tried putting Joni on her tummy to sleep, she screamed and squirmed. So much for breaking the rules.

Gradually, things got better. We mastered the swaddle and — hallelujah! — started getting the occasional four- or five-hour chunk of sleep. We learned that if we bounced with her on an exercise ball for an hour, we could watch her transition from “active sleep” (body twitchy, eyes rolled back but eerily open) to “quiet sleep” (body limp, eyes closed). Then we could put her down without waking her.

Still, even while she sleeps, I’m often awake, listening for her sounds. I’m an obsessive person. But I’ve never been obsessed with anything the way I am with Joni’s sleep. I think about it all day long. I strategize. If I can just swaddle her tightly enough, feed her at precisely the right time, bounce her long enough or sing the perfect song, she’ll fall and stay asleep.

But this baby sleep business feels more like sorcery than strategy.

The other night, we tried something radical: We put her down, like all the books recommend, drowsy but awake. Her eyes were open when Daniel left the room.

“We’ll see,” he said, sitting down beside me, his body poised to reengage the battle plan when we heard her cry.

But she didn’t cry. She didn’t make a peep. Our baby slept straight through until morning.

Joni still wakes up occasionally in the middle of the night, and it’s rare she snoozes past 5 a.m. But we’re all getting a little more sleep, and Daniel and I don’t look so glum.

We’re starting to discover the joy of parenting: At the precise moment we think we can’t take it anymore, Joni surprises us. She’s growing up already, and we’re finally conscious enough to appreciate it.

PUZZLE PAGE ANSWERS

(see p.46)

JUmbLES try. vent. hold. grip.

RIDDLE ANSWER:

Why is 5+5=11 like your left foot? It’S Not RIGht.

RIDDLE SEARCh ANSWER: in volley-wood.

I’ve never been obsessed with anything the way I am with Joni’s sleep.