Kids VT, November 2015

The Giving Season

Better to Give........20

Charitable kids learn life lessons

Field Studies

........24

Nature is the teacher at Burlington’s popular Crow’s Path

Sweetwaters restaurant has been opening its doors to anyone who’d like a free meal on Thanksgiving Day for 26 years; the event includes a coat drive, illustrated by Andy Hood. More than 100 volunteers serve, cook and clean throughout the day, including some families interviewed in our cover story.

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

Roberts colby@kidsvt.com ext. 77

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

Art Director Brooke Bousquet brooke@kidsvt.com ext. 41

Contributing Editor Megan James megan@kidsvt.com ext. 73

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

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

Calendar Writer Brett Stanciu brett@kidsvt.com ext. 78

P.O. Box 1184 Burlington, VT 05402 802-985-5482 kidsvt.com

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Proofreaders Katherine Isaacs

Marisa Keller

Production Manager John James

Creative Director Don Eggert

Designers

Circulation Manager

Aaron Shrewsbury

Rev. Diane Sullivan

Bobby Hackney

Matt Weiner

Business Manager Cheryl Brownell

Contributing Writers: Darcie Abbene, Jennifer Lane, Mary Ann Lickteig, Ken Picard, Erinn Simon, Jessica Lara Ticktin, Katie Titterton, Molly Walsh

Illustrator: Andy Hood

Photographers: Sam Simon, Matt Thorsen, Jeb Wallace-Brodeur

POWDER PASS

$199 ADULT $149 YOUTH

5 lift tickets for less than the price of 3. Use your tickets any day this season, you can even redeem multiple tickets in one day.

Hurry, The Powder Pass will not be on sale after Dec. 13!

Cyber Monday Specials

Head to boltonvalley.com/cybermonday on Nov. 30 to save on lift tickets and more.

boltonvalley.com

Giving and Getting

MY PARENTS HOST Thanksgiving dinner every year at their home in the suburbs of New York City. It’s a large a air with more than 30 guests and a 25-pound turkey. Thanksgiving is the only day of the year when I eat my Grandma Iams’ famous onion pudding and my dad’s equally famous sausage and pecan stu ng. I get to watch my kids play with my cousins’ kids. I have philosophical conversations with aunts and laugh until I cry while reminiscing about the past with my mom and sisters.

My mom documents the holiday with an annual group photograph before the big meal. The cast of characters has changed over time. Boyfriends and girlfriends have come and gone. Grandparents have died. Babies have been born.

My mom sets the camera timer and always makes it into the picture just in the nick of time. An older family member usually lets a couple of curses fly to get some laughs. There are always several people looking away from the camera or making weird faces. Those photos every year remind me of what the holidays are all about — spending time with my perfectly imperfect family.

The holidays are also the time of year when glossy catalogs full of toys, dolls and clothes start arriving in our mailboxes by the stack. When radio stations start playing holiday tunes. And when publications like ours put out annual gift guides.

This year, though, we’ve decided to replace our November gift guide with an article about volunteering with kids (“Better to Give,” page 20). Contributor Mary Ann Lickteig talks to families who exhibit altruistic behavior year-round, from serving meals to the hungry to putting

together activity baskets for homeless kids.

We hope that the piece will inspire you and your brood to contribute to those in need this holiday season. It inspired us to organize a food drive to benefit the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf on Saturday, November 7 — to coincide with our Spectacular Spectacular talent show auditions at Higher Ground (see the ad on page 39 for more information).

As for the gift guide, we’re pretty sure you’ll be able to figure out the perfect present for your kids without our help.

We’ve got plenty of other inspiring stories as well. Seven Days writer Molly Walsh spent the day at Crow’s Path, an unconventional outdoor-education program in Burlington (“Field Studies,” page 24). Its elementary-age students ditch the classroom one day a week for a six-hour stint immersed in nature, where they learn to track skunks, make fires and whittle.

In “Use Your Words,” architect Jennifer Lane writes about hiking the Long Trail — all 273 miles of it — with her 13-year-old daughter. The duo pushed through rain, mud and blisters to reach the end in just 24 days. If their story doesn’t make you want to hit the trail with your kids, we don’t know what will.

And “Mealtime” writer Erinn Simon helps you work up the courage to make your very own Thanksgiving turkey this year, breaking down what can seem like a daunting process into simple steps.

Here’s to the start of a wonderful holiday season with your perfectly imperfect family!

Last year’s Thanksgiving photo, the first-ever snowy one

Readers Respond

Praise for the Puzzler

[Re “One to Watch: Rubik’s Dude,” October 2015]: What a wonderful story! You go, Brady! Keep showing the world all the great stuff you have in your head. You should be very proud of yourself. Your determination and persistence is inspiring and can help a whole lot of people!

Lisa Jarvis Elder SOUTH BURLINGTON

Little Feats

The recently released feature film The Walk, which chronicles Philippe Petit’s high-wire walk between the Twin Towers, has a Vermont connection. Lead actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt learned the ins and outs of tightrope walking from Green Mountain State native Jade Kindar-Martin. The Circus Smirkus alum spent a recent Friday afternoon in October with seventh and eighth grade students at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School in Shelburne explaining the finer points of forward rolls, cartwheels and shoulder sitting.

— ALISON NOVAK

Some of this month’s

Kids VT contributors:

JENNIFER LANE (“Use Your Words”) lives in Waterbury with her daughter Abby, 13, and son Ben, 9. She recently started her own architecture practice with a focus on well-designed, energyefficient homes. You can find her at jlanearchitect.com.

Burlington writer MARY ANN LICKTEIG (“Better to Give”) worked in daily journalism in Vermont, Iowa and San Francisco for nearly 13 years. Then she had four kids, and the real work began.

FRIGHTENING FASHION

We asked our Facebook followers to post photos of their kids in all their costumed glory. Here’s a sampling of the spooky snapshots we received.

Read more at kidsvt.com

Brady MacKay

Five Books for Outdoorsy Families

BY SARAH GALBRATH

For parents who are aiming to raise their children in nature, there are lots of books that focus on outdoorsy fun. With the fabulous fall hiking season fading fast, here are five picture books for young children to get your family excited about the outdoors.

Stella & Roy Go Camping by Ashley Wol

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen

Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?

by Carmela LaVigna Coyle

Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson

Charley Harper’s What’s in the Woods? by Zoe Burke

See kidsvt.com for book descriptions!

COLORING CONTEST

The 116 entries we received for last month’s Halloween-themed contest were so doggone cute! We loved Kiefer McGrath’s dog dressed as an FBI agent enjoying an ice-cream cone. We giggled when we noticed that Dominic Mazzilli’s “Rainbow Dog-God” was being o ered a giant bone by Lilliputian disciples. And we were impressed when we saw that Veronica Miskavage had transformed the spikes of the dog’s dinosaur costume into individual candy-corn kernels. Keep the creativity coming, and congratulations to all the winners!

HONORABLE MENTIONS

SOLAR POWERED

Cal Simon, 8, Burlington

REALLY SCALY

Lucia Hackerman, 7, Charlotte

BEAUTIFULLY BEDAZZLED

Olivia Harris, 8, Montpelier

CUTEST CANDY

Lucia Hamor, 6, Stowe

YELLOWEST BRICK ROAD

Eli Love, 10, Jericho

FUN FLAP!

Home Cookin’: Cinnamon Rolls

BY ERINN SIMON

Here’s

❑ All-purpose flour

❑ Granulated sugar

❑ Salt

❑ Fast-acting dry yeast

❑ Milk

Find

you’ n d:

❑ Butter or margarine

❑ Eggs

❑ Dark-brown sugar

❑ Cinnamon

❑ Raisins/ chopped nuts (optional)

Leo Rosowsky, 9, South Burlington

BEST BATMAN

Betty Kayembe, 9, South Burlington

OH MY, DOG-GOD!

Dominic Mazzilli, 10, Moretown

SPECTACULARLY SPOOKY

Charlie Adams, 5, Charlotte

RAD RED

Colby Perrotte, 5, Fairfax

FABULOUS FLOWERS

Ryan Bright, 5, Northfield

SUPER STRIPES

Maria Bush, 4, Hinesburg

TOP TITLES

“SPOOK-O-DYNO-RAMA”

Sidney Harris, 6, Montpelier

“TRICK OR TERRIER”

Teddy Tremblay, 9, St. Albans

“LION OF THE FBI”

Kiefer McGrath, 9, South Burlington

The winners of our three gift certificates to Petra

are…

Find this month’s coloring contest on page 46. The deadline for submissions is November 15

Veronica Miskavage, 9 HINESBURG “Kandy Korn King”

Cliffs

Annabelle Rumsey, 4 BURLINGTON “Spotted Dogasaur”

Will Mezitt, 8 BOLTON “The Dazed Dragon”

THE BEAT

BY ALISON NOVAK AND DAN BOLLES

BUSINESS

Throwback Style

When Deirdre Lozier was growing up in Rutland, her “amazing seamstress” mom taught her to sew. It was just a hobby for Lozier until her third son was born in 2012 while she was a biology and chemistry student at Castleton State College. That’s when she googled the phrase “How to make money by sewing.”

Lozier started creating samples for New York City-based children’s clothing designers to earn extra cash. But it wasn’t until she enrolled in grad school that she realized her plan to become a scientific researcher wasn’t what she wanted. “I was miserable,” she says. A year ago, she left a PhD program behind and launched her own children’s clothing brand, MOUNTAIN HONEY CLOTHIER, which specializes in bonnets with removable animal ears and meticulously made clothing and toys fashioned from plaid, wool, fleece and woodlandthemed fabrics. Thanks in large

part to Instagram, demand for Lozier’s items has been so great in the past few months that she’s planning to hire several seamstresses to keep up with orders.

Lozier thinks the heirloom feel of her creations resonates with today’s parents. “I feel like our lives are so incredibly fast-paced right now,” she says. “There’s something about vintage style that gives you that sense of oldfashioned childhood, when things were a lot simpler and less plugged in.”

Items from MOUNTAIN HONEY CLOTHIER can be found at Clementine in Middlebury (clementinestore.com), Birdfolk Collective in Winooski (birdfolkcollective.com) or at mountainhoneyclothier.com.

MUSIC

Musical Mama

Linda Bassick’s weekly Friday Morning Sing-Along at Burlington’s Radio Bean attracts legions of local kids — and their parents — with the sing-song strains of children’s classics such as “Pu the Magic Dragon,” “The Green Grass Grew All Around” and “Move Over for Marty.” These beloved tunes and many more can be found on Bassick’s recently released 13-song album, FRIDAY MORNING SING-ALONG which was recorded live at Radio Bean last year. Bassick is best known to grown-ups as a member of the local bands Mellow Yellow and Steady Betty, and for her folksy solo pursuits. She’s an accomplished singer and guitarist and applies veteran chops to each song on the record — matched only by her veteran chops as a mom of an adult son. The whimsical looseness of tunes such as “Oh Susannah” and “Take Me Riding” is bolstered by the pleasant, chirping sounds of singing children in the background. Musicality abounds, making the record not just fun for kiddos, but, just as importantly, tolerable for parents who’ll undoubtedly have to spin it on repeat.

BOOKS Cage Against the Machines

David Macaulay’s books explore the inner workings of everything from cathedrals to toilets. The celebrated Norwich author does so “with a writer’s grace” and “an engineer’s clarity,” according to the New York Times. Last month, Macaulay released HOW MACHINES WORK:

ZOO BREAK! The story, geared toward 7- to 10-year-olds, follows two furry characters, Sloth and Sengi, as they try to escape their enclosure with the help of six simple machines: a wedge, lever, inclined plane, screw, pulley, and wheel and axle. Engaging illustrations and text, pop-up models, and interactive elements bring the concepts to life. On one spread, for

FRIDAY MORNING SING-ALONG WITH LINDA BASSICK & FRIENDS happens every Friday at Radio Bean in Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Bassick’s album of the same name is available on CD Baby for $9.99.

Against All Odds

In 2004, Trish Denton received a copy of the picture book Brundibar, a collaboration between playwright Tony Kushner and children’s book author Maurice Sendak. In it, a brother and sister desperately try to earn money for their sick mother by singing in the town square. An organ grinder named Brundibár thwarts their e orts, until 300 schoolchildren join the pair in song and defeat the evil man.

The story resonated with the Burlington-based artist. She later learned it was an adaptation of a children’s opera written in 1938 by a group of Czech artists. While they were producing it in the early 1940s, most of the creators and cast members — many of them children — were sent to the Theresienstadt concentration camp, where they performed the show 55 times. “Hearing of the total heroism of these artists and teachers who did everything they could to create this imaginative environment where the kids felt safe” was further inspiration to Denton.

Denton is bringing the story of BRUNDIBÁR to a Burlington stage in March, in partnership with the Jewish theater company Theatre Kavanah.

Trish Denton

Community members donated $5,200 toward the e ort; additional support has come from the Vermont Arts Council, Burlington City Arts and the Sisters of Mercy Peace Initiative.

Next month, Denton will hold a casting call to recruit local kids, ages 8 to 14, and a few adults for the solo and ensemble roles. A community chorus will be made up of students from the Integrated Arts Academy at H.O. Wheeler, Champlain Elementary School and Vermont Commons School, where Denton’s currently teaching kids about the story. When it’s staged at Burlington City Hall Auditorium, the musical will have a contemporary feel with a timeless message: Solidarity is required to stand up to those who try to defeat us. A.N.

AUDITIONS FOR BRUNDIBÁR will take place at Burlington City Hall Auditorium on Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and Sunday, December 6, 2-6 p.m. theatrekavanah.org/auditions

example, young readers can create a seesaw and try to launch models of Sloth and Sengi over a paper fence. And at the end of the book, kids will ooh and ah as they discover an elaborate pop-out contraption that incorporates all six machines they’ve just learned about. A.N.

HOW MACHINES WORK: ZOO BREAK! By David Macaulay.

Published by DK, 32 pages, $19.99. David Macaulay will read and sign copies of his book at Norwich Bookstore on Saturday, November 15, 1-3 p.m. norwichbookstore.com

graders at Vermont Commons School

JOIN RALLY's ROUND UP! VERMONT ATHLETICS FREE KIDS CLUB

BENEFITS INCLUDE:

- Monthly emails from Rally

- Invites to kid's club events including Rally's Birthd ay Party, locker room tours and kids conferences presented by the DoubleTree by Hilton

- Membership card which gives you FREE admission to certain games and 1 0 % off at the university boo kstore

- Coupons and items from local businesses including KidsVT, Three Brothers, McDonalds, and Buffalo Wild Wings.

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For more information and to sign up, visit www.UVMathletics.com

Show Runner

A drama-loving teen creates her own theater company

SOFIE CARFARO’S LEATHER BLAZER, black-rimmed glasses and long dark hair make her seem older than her 16 years. So do her professional ambitions. The Mount Mansfield Union High School junior aspires to direct and produce creative works on the stage.

A year ago, when she was a sophomore, she founded the Inconceivable Theater Company to start progressing toward that goal. Its name isn’t a reflection of her chances of achieving success — it’s a reference to Vizzini’s oftenquoted line from the 1987 cult classic The Princess Bride. In fact, all of the things he labels as “inconceivable” do actually occur.

If not inconceivable, the company’s first show was unconventional: Using a cast and crew made up exclusively of local high school and college students, Sofie mounted a production of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. The musical originated as a web miniseries developed by Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon and starring Neil Patrick Harris. Sofie chose it in part because she thought a friend of hers would be perfect in the title role.

The Inconceivable Theater Company staged three performances this past August, at the Black Box Theater at Burlington’s Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center.

Sofie raised $1,500 for the set, props and costumes through a crowdfunding website. She collected an additional $850 in audience donations at the shows, which went to the nonprofit Women Helping Battered Women. In Sofie’s estimation, both the process and the final product were a success.

“I was blown away by how much work a bunch of people put into it,” she says.

After the show, friends and strangers approached her about taking part in her next production.

Sofie has already selected her

follow-up show, but she’s keeping it under wraps for now. What she can disclose is that it will be longer than this summer’s approximately 40-minute performance, and it’s “something that’s not traditionally a stage show.” She’ll fundraise for the show this winter and spring and stage it next summer.

Sofie says she’s “always been one of those kids who liked singing.” And she comes from a theatrical family — her dad toured as an actor before his kids were born.

But it was a dynamic music teacher at Camels Hump Middle School, Heather Schoppmann, who first gave her an outlet to explore theater. Though she’s dabbled in acting, Sofie says the producer/director role fits her “take-charge but logical and creative” personality best.

“It was something I was always aspiring to,” Sofie says. “But when you’re young, people say, ‘Wait a little bit … try things out.’” The success of her show last summer gave Sofie the confidence to continue pursuing a career in the field.

The Richmond teen hopes to major in theater in college. But not before taking a gap year so that she can travel and study international art forms, such as Italian opera and Russian ballet. Ultimately, she’d like to move to a city where she can produce and direct on a bigger stage. She won’t forget her small-town roots, though.

“Maybe some of these connections from right now will pay off then,” she says. K

“One to Watch” shines a light on a young Vermonter who is going places. Know a local child, age 17 or under, who’s recently done something amazing? Nominate him or her at kidsvt.com/vermont/kidsvtonetowatch/page

Sofie (center) with theater company members

NAME: SOFIE CARFARO AGE: 16

TOWN: RICHMOND

Junior Roller Derby

IT’S A CHILLY FALL NIGHT, but things are starting to heat up in a cavernous room at the Champlain Valley Exposition, Green Mountain Roller Derby skater Carrie Speranza leads 18 roller-skate-clad girls through a two-on-one blocking drill. Dressed in blue and red pinnies and wearing helmets personalized with stickers and their alter-ego derby names, the boisterous girls split into groups of three and take turns skating around a corner, with two girls trying to prevent a third girl from breaking their formation.

Speranza, known as “Breaker” in the rink, is the lead instructor for Minor Catastrophes, a Green Mountain Roller Derby junior team for girls in second through 12th grade. The team meets once a week for two fall sessions and two spring sessions, and runs a weeklong summer camp, all through Essex Junction Recreation and Parks.

Roller derby, which grew out of 1930s competitive roller-skating marathons, has evolved into a predominantly female sport in which teams skate in the same direction around a rink trying to lap each other. Each player chooses a pseudonym, or “derby name,” which embodies her personality in the rink.

The Minor Catastrophes program is popular, and interest is growing. “A lot of them will bring their friends,” says Speranza, “and a lot of them have become really good friends since they started.”

That’s true for Emily O’Neill, a 17-year-old high school senior from Colchester. Emily, aka “Kaoz” (pronounced “chaos”), started skating last fall, when a friend persuaded her to join the league. “It’s outside of my school, and I get to meet new people,” she says. “When I started, I didn’t know how to skate. I’m really good now.”

Green Mountain Roller Derby

skater and Minor Catastrophes instructor Mitzi Blake, or “Cajun Crusher,” seconds that. “She can skate,” she says, giving Emily an admiring nod.

Minor Catastrophes was formed three years ago when Blake and a few other moms who compete with Green Mountain Roller Derby pitched the idea of starting a girls’ team to their fellow league members. “Everyone thought it was a great idea,” says Blake, whose 11-year-old daughter Zoe (“Candy Crusher”) skates with Minor Catastrophes.

Green Mountain Roller Derby, which recently changed its name from Green Mountain Derby Dames in an effort to be more inclusive of other genders, is Vermont’s first roller-derby league. It is skater-owned and -operated, and a member league of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. The league has two bout teams: Grade A Fancy and the Black Ice Brawlers, who compete against other WFTDA teams from New England, New York and farther afield.

The first and only junior roller derby team in the state, Minor Catastrophes offers an appealing environment for some girls. “Normally, the kids [who join Minor Catastrophes] aren’t in any other sports,” says Blake. “This gets them into a sport. They like the physical activity of it.”

Indeed, roller derby is an intensely athletic sport. In the rink, a “jammer” scores points by lapping her counterpart on the other team. Her teammates work to block the opposing jammer while creating openings for their own, which leads to lots of high velocity bumping and nudging. “It’s pretty tough to roller skate for an hour and a half,” Blake says wryly.

Because there aren’t other junior derby teams nearby, the Minor Catastrophes don’t actually compete. But the team shows off its skills in

exhibition halftime shows during Green Mountain Roller Derby bouts.

Girls don’t need prior experience to start skating with the group – just a pair of roller skates and protective gear including knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, a mouth guard and a helmet. In fact, girls can participate without skating at all. “Some kids referee who don’t want to skate,” says Blake. “They also get to be part of the

To learn more about the Minor Catastrophes, visit the Essex Junction Recreation and Parks website at ejrp.org or visit the team’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ gmddminorcatastrophes

community, and they’re always at bouts.”

Despite the sport’s rough and tumble reputation, Emily says that roller derby can actually be kind of relaxing. She enjoys letting her mind drift while she circles the rink, snapping back to attention during jams or while navigating obstacles. “Some people run to get rid of stress,” she says. “Roller derby is like that.” K

Elah Spence and Ingrid Gilliam lace up for practice

When I started, I didn’t know how to skate. I’m really good now.

EMILY O’NEILL, A 17-YEAR-OLD MINOR CATASTROPHES TEAM MEMBER

Jamie Two Coats Toyshop

Monday-Saturday 10-6

Sunday 11-5

802-985-3221

Middlebury Tot Time

WHEN THE COLD, wet weather arrived last month, I felt a creeping sense of dread. How would my toddler daughter and I get through the days without spending long stretches romping around outside?

Then we discovered the municipal gym. Every Wednesday and Thursday, October through early June, Middlebury’s recreation department hosts Tot Time there from 10 a.m. to noon. Many Vermont towns offer these kinds of unstructured drop-in sessions.

There’s nothing fancy about the venue; it’s a dingy old building attached to the town offices (a $6.5 million replacement is currently under construction down the street). But the first time we went, 18-monthold Joni and I both felt like we’d hit the jackpot.

She took off to explore the toys — tricycles, dump trucks, rocking horses, a plastic mini-slide, tumbling mats, a train set and a fleet of police cruiser Cozy Coupes. I sat on the floor with a friend and finished the coffee I’d bought at nearby Carol’s Hungry Mind Café.

We lingered for an hour and a half before packing up to head home for

ADDRESS: Middlebury Municipal Gym, 94 Main Street

lunch. I stuffed the $2 drop-in fee into a tub while Joni enjoyed a last hurrah climbing the bleachers near the door. It wasn’t the great outdoors, but it sure was fun. K

PLUSES

• Plenty of room to run and wheel around

• Toys, balls and kid-powered vehicles provided

• Basketball hoops so parents can perfect their dunk while kids play

• Walking distance to cafés and sandwich shops for coffee and/or lunch

MINUSES

• $2 entry fee: It’s a totally reasonable charge for a wonderful public service, but sometimes it’s enough to tip the scales in favor of hanging at the library instead.

• When local daycare centers bring large groups of children, the place can get pretty rowdy; little kids might feel overwhelmed.

BY JESSICA LARA TICKTIN

Baker’s Couple

ETHAN AND SARA BROWN met at Great Harvest Bread 15 years ago. Not the one in Burlington, where you can find them in flour-covered aprons with children at their heels five days a week — this one was in Missoula, Mont.

Ethan, a D.C. native, worked research jobs in his hometown after college. The gigs paid well but weren’t fulfilling. When he saw an opportunity to move to Montana, the avid snowboarder jumped at it. To pay the rent, he took a gig at Great Harvest Bread, a chain with 190 franchises around the country, and found that he enjoyed the lifestyle.

Sara, who grew up outside of Atlanta, had come to Missoula for graduate school in education. The bakery was a block from her house, and she would stop there every morning to get a coffee on her way to class. The two fell in love and decided they wanted to open their own Great Harvest franchise. Sara took a job alongside Ethan so she could learn the ropes, then they embarked on road trips around the Northwest and New England to scout bakery locations. Burlington immediately appealed.

Ethan, 48, and Sara, 40, got married in 2002, moved to Burlington’s South End soon after and opened up their Pine Street Great Harvest location in 2003. Two years later, their first son, Olin, was born, followed by a second son, Eamon, in 2008, and a daughter, Eve, in 2011.

On taking time off when the kids were born:

Sara: I only took three days off with each of the boys. I deliberately took one week off after I had Eve, but with the boys I never took any maternity leave because … I couldn’t. It’s not like I went back to working 40 hours a week, but I was there. I brought them with me, and they spent a lot of time

in the bouncy seat and the Moby wrap, and it always worked. I never had to pump milk. I always had them at my side, all the time. It was out of necessity, but it worked. Looking back, I am grateful that I never had to put them in childcare.

On working and parenting together:

Ethan: We always joke that we know what sort of day each other has had but haven’t really spoken. At the end of the day, over dinner, we can catch up. We are in each other’s midst all day long, you know, but it’s not like we’re hanging out chatting.

Sara: Despite the fact that we are about 40 feet apart, we have very different spheres here. They definitely overlap, but I can go hours at work without speaking to Ethan.

On how they juggle childcare responsibilities and running a bakery:

Sara: Ethan is always in here by 7 a.m., so he’s usually up and out before the kids are even awake. I have the kids in the morning, and I get them off to school, and then, typically, Ethan is

home when the boys are getting home from school, and that’s sometimes my most productive time of day.

Ethan: For the kids, the bakery is this great, stimulating environment. It’s funny, because by the time they start going to kindergarten, they’re better socially equipped with twentysomethings than they are with other 4- or 5-year-olds!

On what happens when a kid is sick:

Sara: Usually we bring them in. Occasionally, one of us arranges to work a shorter day so they don’t have to be in here that long, but we bring them in with a pillow and a blanket, and we lay them out on the couch [in the office]. They don’t ask to stay home very often because they know it means they are going to come to the bakery!

Ethan: They’ve never suffered from a bad infectious disease or something. If it was anything beyond a cold, we wouldn’t bring them in.

On housework:

Sara: Oh, now we’re really getting into tricky territory here! I do most of it. He does all the dishes. I make dinner every night. He certainly pitches in. I think I’m more domestically inclined, and I think, especially because our two oldest children are boys, Ethan

does more of the direct childcare in terms of spending time with them, doing stuff with them after school, taking them to soccer practice, kicking around the ball with them in the park.

Ethan: I’m not luxuriating somewhere while she’s doing housework! I feel that there’s joint active participation as parents on a number of fronts.

Sara: We do what comes naturally and what we are inclined to, but, like a lot of modern families where both parents work, we haven’t quite reached that same equity in the house on the domestic level. I do feel, however, that in my job I have a lot more flexibility, and I don’t work as many hours a week as Ethan does.

On the future of the bakery: Is it a long-term commitment or a chapter?

Ethan: It’s very much a chapter.

Sara: We love the bakery, and it’s been an amazing place to raise our family to this point. The desire to close this chapter in our lives comes mainly from me. I really want to get back to teaching. I want to have the same schedule as my kids and spend my summers with them. In fact, the bakery is for sale. No buyers yet, but there’s been interest. K

The Browns prepare baked goods with help from daughter Eve

Dad: Ethan Brown, co-owner and production manager, Great Harvest Bread

Mom: Sara Brown, co-owner and staff and business manager, Great Harvest Bread

Kids: sons Olin, 10, and Eamon, 7; daughter Eve, 4

MATTHEW THORSEN

How the owners of Great Harvest Bread juggle work and family

THESE GUYS CAN PUT A HEALTHY SMILE ON YOUR FACE.

extensive experience treating adults, Matt is looking forward to providing patients of all ages with the care they need for beautiful smiles.

• Interceptive treatment of developing bite problems for children

• Comprehensive orthodontic treatment for adolescents and adults

• Treatment of complex bite problems and jaw deformities

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Tackling Tough Subjects

Book-Inspired Contest Winners

Congratulations to these talented young artists who submitted captioned pictures showing themselves with a robot friend, inspired by Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman. Each wins a $25 gift certificate to Crow Bookshop in Burlington. Here are the winning drawings.

The Teddy Bear

BY DAVID MCPHAIL

In this picture book, a little boy leaves his treasured teddy bear at a diner. A homeless man finds the stu ed animal in a trash can and quickly grows to treasure it. When the man leaves the bear on a park bench one day, the little boy finds it and rejoices. But, in an act of generosity, the boy ultimately lets the man keep the bear.

“I love this story because it addresses homelessness in a way that isn’t frightening to children and emphasizes the importance of compassion,” says Jessica Summer, youth services librarian at Winooski Memorial Library. After reading this story together, a family could sort through gently used toys and donate some to families in need, she suggests.

Gaby, Lost and Found

BY ANGELA CERVANTES

When Gaby’s mom, an undocumented worker from Honduras, is deported, the sixth grader must deal with taunting from classmates and the instability caused by a neglectful father. But a school community-service project at a local animal shelter boosts her self-confidence and gives her a renewed sense of purpose.

Kids who love animals will connect with this middle-grade novel, says Carole Oglesby, the librarian at Malletts Bay School in Colchester. “I particularly like how Gaby, a girl with problems of her own, finds her passion in helping others,” she

Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen

BY DYANNE DISALVO-RYAN

A young boy accompanies his uncle as he gathers food donated by community members, then prepares a feast for visitors to a local soup kitchen. The boy, apprehensive at first, comes away with a greater understanding of what it means to give back.

Children’s books don’t just entertain. Sometimes they help teach kids about serious issues such as homelessness, poverty and immigration. We asked local librarians to suggest books that explore sensitive topics in ways that kids can understand. common

Craftsbury library director Susan O’Connell says this book “introduces the concepts of hunger and need with a tone of empathy and respect.” She points out that overt signs of homelessness and hunger are less common in rural Vermont than in the urban setting of this book. So it’s “a good discussion starter for what those in need might look like in our own communities, and ways to o er assistance with the same respectful attitude that Uncle Willie and his colleagues model.”

Recommendations compiled by Alison Novak

Fiona Case, 6

“My name is Fiona, and this is my friend Bella the robot. We make mistakes like she bends my arm like a robot’s arm and I bend her arm like a human arm.”

Other Winners:

Sponsored by

Winners receive a $25 gift certificate to Crow Bookshop.

BURLINGTON

Reena Lucas Yildiz, 10 COLCHESTER

Willard Peabody, 6 VERGENNES

Trent Biaza, 9 SOUTH BURLINGTON

THE LEARNING CENTER AT HEALTHY LIVING

Pumpkin Pancakes!

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 egg

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

2 Tbsp vinegar

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp brown sugar

2 tsp baking powder

DIRECTIONS:

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger chopped nuts; for garnish (optional)

In a medium bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil, and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a separate bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine. Heat a lightly oiled non-stick pan

over medium high

using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot!

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN IN NOVEMBER

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

Turkey Time

EVERY YEAR, MY FAMILY TRAVELS to my mom’s house in Binghamton, N.Y., for our Thanksgiving feast. Because we have to endure a half-day car trip with three kids, I’m not an architect of the meal, nor am I responsible for any specific dish. I help out once we arrive, but my mom and her sisters still take care of the bulk of the cooking.

When I was younger, this seemed fair, but as I’ve gotten older and grown as a cook, I’ve become more interested in contributing something of my own. After all, feeding people is what I do for a living, and I’m no stranger to cooking for a crowd.

For the past six years I’ve helped organize and prepare a giant annual feast involving not one but three turkeys for the Burlington Children’s Space community. But lately I’ve been dreaming of cooking a real, old-fashioned Thanksgiving dinner on a smaller scale. So when Kids VT asked me if I’d like to write about roasting a bird at home for my family, I was thrilled.

Still, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I forgot, for example, that unless ordered specially, turkeys purchased more than a week before Thanksgiving will be frozen solid and need three days and ample fridge space to defrost.

As for the recipe, I wanted something classic that would also be really delicious. After some cookbook and internet browsing, I chose Ina Garten’s Perfect Roast Turkey. I loved that the recipe included lemons — an ingredient I always use when roasting chickens at home.

The turkey turned out as good as I’d hoped it would. The skin was crispy, the lemons and sage looked beautiful, and the house smelled amazing while the bird roasted all afternoon.

Here’s the funny part: I started this project on a weekday afternoon, so by the time the bird came out of the oven and had its photo shoot, it was 9 p.m.! My husband, Sam, and I had a preThanksgiving turkey dinner date, and the leftovers made for some seriously delicious sandwiches and soup.

Despite the awkward timing, the endeavor was such a success that I just might request turkey duty this year at Mom’s house.

LEMON-HERB ROASTED TURKEY

(adapted from Ina Garten)

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter

3 lemons; two zested and juiced and one cut in half

1 large bunch fresh thyme, plus two teaspoons

1 fresh turkey (10-12 pounds)

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 large bunch fresh sage

1 good-size yellow onion, peeled and cut into quarters

1 head garlic, top cut off

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350º F

Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the lemon zest and juice plus about two teaspoons of thyme leaves to the melted butter, and stir. Set aside.

Remove the bag of giblets and other parts from the turkey cavity and rinse the turkey inside and out with cool water. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers, and pat the outside dry.

Place the turkey in a large roasting pan. If this is your first time preparing a turkey, this can be the trickiest part. I was working with a 12-pound bird, which seemed enormous and unwieldy during

the prep process. My advice: Just roll up your sleeves and get in there.

Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the turkey cavity — and, yes, this requires you to reach all the way inside the turkey. Stuff the cavity with the whole bunch of thyme, all but a few leaves of the sage, one halved lemon, the quartered onion and the head of garlic.

Now for the Burlington Children’s Space trick: Take what remains of the lemon that you juiced and zested; slice it into thin rounds. Using your fingers, separate the skin from the turkey breasts, being careful not to tear it, and place three or four lemon slices and several sage

leaves underneath the skin. Then, using a basting brush, coat the outside of the turkey with the butter mixture, reserving about a quarter of it for basting later, and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with some cooking twine.

Roast the turkey for about 1 hour, then baste with the remaining butter mixture. Continue to roast for another 90 minutes, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh. Rest the turkey, covered loosely with aluminum foil, for 20 minutes.

Slice and serve.

How do you know if your child has a concussion?

CONCUSSIONS CAN CAUSE lasting damage, and public awareness of that danger is growing. In 2013, former NFL players sued the league for failing to warn them about the risks posed by head injuries sustained while playing the sport. Last spring, the NFL agreed to pay them up to $1 billion dollars. Actor Will Smith stars in a new film called Concussion, opening in December. It’s based on the true story of the physician who identified chronic traumatic encephalopathy — a degenerative disease caused by repeated blows to the head. It’s most common in professional boxers, football players, hockey players and wrestlers.

This month, as many kids are wrapping up football season and getting ready to hit the slopes to ski or snowboard, Kids VT spoke to Alan Maynard about youth concussions. Maynard isn’t a physician, but he’s a certified athletic trainer, an assistant professor at the University of Vermont’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences and an expert on concussive injuries. He educates coaches and physicians throughout Vermont about when it’s safe for kids to return to school, sports

and other physical activities following a concussion.

KIDS VT: First, what is a concussion?

ALAN MAYNARD: A concussion is a brain injury caused by a fall or blow to the head. We don’t assign them different levels of severity like we used to. They’re all different, like fingerprints, so we have to handle each one individually. As I like to say, “If you’ve seen one concussion, you’ve seen just one concussion.”

KVT: What symptoms should parents watch for if their child has been hit in the head?

AM: Red flags include headaches, dizziness, nausea, lack of concentration, confusion or fogginess, unusual fatigue, irritability and memory loss. Since kids can have headaches or feel tired for other reasons, a good clinical examination by someone trained in recognizing concussions is critical.

KVT: Are there clear guidelines for how long it takes someone to recover from a concussion?

AM: No. We can’t really set a timeline. Everybody is different. You may have someone who’s had four concussions, and their symptoms resolve quickly. You can have someone else who

has their first concussion and their symptoms linger. That seems counterintuitive, but we see cases like that all the time.

KVT: Are we seeing higher rates of concussions since the days when coaches told kids to just “shake it off” and get back into the game?

AM: First of all, we don’t use language like that anymore because concussions are brain injuries. We still run into parents who call them “bell ringers” and say, “Oh, he’ll be just fine.” Well, no, it’s still a brain injury and he might not be fine, so let’s take a closer look. As far as incident rates go, it’s hard to say whether the uptick we’ve seen is the result of better diagnoses or more concussions. I think coaches, trainers and parents are all learning to be more vigilant about concussions generally.

KVT: Which activities have the highest rates of concussion?

AM: Football certainly hits the mark as one of the more dangerous sports. But right up there — and sometimes surpassing football — is girls’ lacrosse, with a higher incidence of game-related concussions, as well as soccer and cheerleading. In cheerleading, we’ve seen a threefold increase nationally in catastrophic head- and neck-related trauma in the last five years. Concussion can strike anyone, but for reasons we don’t yet

understand, it seems to take girls and young women longer than boys to return to play.

KVT: Do helmets make a significant difference?

AM: Helmets are made to prevent catastrophic skull fractures. But nothing can slow down the brain moving inside the skull, which is what happens with a concussion. So, there’s no such thing as a concussionproof helmet. Certainly, helmets make things safer. But we also know there’s a slight uptick in risky behavior when kids put on a helmet. Some ski mountains now require helmets for skiing and snowboarding, so that’s making people safer, but it’s not eliminating concussions.

KVT: As parents become more educated, is it affecting which activities they allow their kids to engage in?

AM: Overall, I think sports are safer than they’ve ever been, in part because we’re making better choices today. I have a student athlete who’s had multiple concussions and her parents finally said, “She’s just going to play softball from now on.” That never would have happened 10 years ago. Parents are becoming more educated about the risks of concussions and making better choices for their kids, and themselves, and that should pay positive dividends for generations to come. K

Open to all: Primary & Middle Grade Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Administrators, Special Educators, Specialists, Parents, etc. Learn more and register at: vthec.org

The Science of Reading: Language, Brains, and Print

Wednesday, December 9, Capitol Plaza, Montpelier

Presenter: Donna Coach, MEd, Associate Professor of Education, Dartmouth

Explore the brain from the perspectives of education, psychology and neuroscience and learn about the remarkable plasticity of the human brain. Educators and students together are literally building brains that can read.

Autism and Coexisting Challenges

Friday, December 4, Capitol Plaza, Montpelier

Presenter: Teresa Bolick, Ph.D., Psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Author

Learn about the co-existence of ASD and other disorders and challenges that may not be recognized as separate diagnoses, while focusing on practical assessment and intervention strategies for school, home, and community.

Interview compiled and condensed by Ken Picard

Concussions are all different, like fingerprints, so we have to handle each one individually.

Fabric Upcycling

WITH ITS ROBOT BATTLES, 3D printers and rocket displays, the Champlain Mini Maker Faire at Shelburne Farms had a decidedly high-tech vibe. But this celebration of innovation in September included at least one low-tech activity — the first-ever “Swap, Stitch, Make.”

It took place in a corner of the Coach Barn, at tables piled high with textiles and lined with sewing machines. Kids and adults practiced upcycling — making useful items out of used fabric. Karen Freeman, a lifelong sewer, organized and presided over the craft area. She said the purpose was twofold: Get more people sewing and teach ways to repurpose textiles to keep them out of landfills.

“Give them the tools and let them go,” she said of the workshop participants as she refolded old T-shirts displayed on a table. “Let the creative juices flow.”

An array of hands-on projects enabled that creativity. At one table, local designer Jennifer Muldoon demonstrated how to make a trivet with ribbon pieces and torn-up strips of old fabric, using a weaving technique called locker hooking. At the booth next to her, Kelly Hickey, who sells her handmade home goods and clothing through her Etsy shop, Edie & Glo, taught kids and adults how to make lavender-filled eye pillows using vintage cloth and a sewing machine.

At a booth sponsored by Vermont Teddy Bear Company, 9-year-old Miranda traced a giant heart on the back of a large scrap of blue fur, the first step of a pillowmaking project. Her 6-year-old brother, Liam, traced a rectangle on brown fur. The Teddy Bear Company’s CEO, Bill Shouldice, even got in on the action: He dusted off his sewingmachine skills to make matching heart-shaped pillows out of white fur dotted with hearts for his daughter and her college roommate.

“We have thousands of yards of remnant pieces that we are looking for

creative ways to use, and this has been a great event,” Shouldice said. “Sewing is a skill that is dying out, and we would love to help keep it going.”

Kids made simple tote bags at a booth sponsored by Jennifer Buffington, owner of the Shelburne sewing shop Stitched. Nine-yearold Michaela proudly displayed a bag with a pocket sewn inside that she had just fashioned from an old, red T-shirt.

“That was easier than I thought!” she marveled.

Sewing isn’t just fun, according to Buffington, it’s an important life skill.

“We live in a disposable world,” she said. “If your backpack strap breaks, you should be able to fix it, not just throw it away and get a new one.”

Thirteen-year-old Sasha deviated from the tote-bag project at Buffington’s station after he found a T-shirt emblazoned with a picture of the band One Direction. He quickly set to work cutting out the band members’ faces, then sewing a piece of camouflage fabric underneath to fill the holes. When he completed his alterations, he held up the shirt for his mom to see.

“Cool!” she said, showing him her own creation: a black shirt with a starcovered soccer ball from another shirt sewn on the front. She’d also given it a pocket to hold her cellphone.

Sewing Skills

Love the idea of repurposing old fabric but don’t know how to sew? Think your son or daughter might benefit from lessons? Here are some local shops that offer sewing classes for kids and adults:

NIDO

881-0068, nidovt.com

209 College Street, Suite 2E, Burlington

SEWING MACHINES AND MORE 622-0770, moresewing.com

542 Route 302, Berlin

SEW-OP AT THE UPPER VALLEY FOOD COOPERATIVE

295-5804, uppervalleyfood.coop/ sew-op/ 193 North Main Street, White River Junction

STITCHED

878-2290, stitchedvt.com

15 Falls Road, Shelburne

THE QUILTERS’ CORNER AT MIDDLEBURY SEW-N-VAC 388-3559, middleburysewnvac.com

1428 Route 7 South, Middlebury

A QUILTER’S GARDEN 223-2275, aquiltersgarden.net

342 River Street, Route 302, Montpelier

Buffington marveled at the motherson pair’s creativity. “This is awesome,” she said. “This is what makes it worth it.” K

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KAREN FREEMAN

Give them the tools and let them go. Let the creative juices flow.

KAREN FREEMAN, “SWAP, STITCH, MAKE” ORGANIZER

Better to Give

Charitable kids learn life lessons

BY MARY ANN LICKTEIG

Here’s what the perfect Thanksgiving looks like for 14-year-old Sydney Hicks: She gets up early, pulls on jeans and a T-shirt and heads to Sweetwaters in downtown Burlington. There, she dons an apron and, with her mom and dad, helps prep the kitchen, set tables and put out pies for the restaurant’s annual free Thanksgiving community dinner. The Shelburne teen has been coming to the event since she was a baby.

At 10 a.m., she watches the doors open. “I love seeing all the people who are excited to get their meals,” she says. She eats, too, between taking orders and serving fountain drinks to nearly 1,000 guests. Sydney chats with some, respects the privacy of others, and, when it’s over, she wraps up the day at home playing board games.

“That’s what I, hopefully, plan to do every year,” she says, “even when I go to college.”

For Sydney, volunteer work isn’t a big deal. “It’s just something that we do,” she says.

It’s the season of giving and, for many, it’s also the season of giving back. Around Vermont, though, there are families who give year-round. They raise money and awareness for issues close to their hearts. They collect blankets, coats, hats, mittens and diapers. They participate in fundraising walks, bike rides and sleep-outs. And they cook meals, then sit down to eat with homeless people.

In some cases, kids take the lead. Shelburne 9-year-old Lulu Hall has assembled 235 activity kits for kids living in a local shelter. In Fairfax, the kitchen table at Mike and Ashley Ferrone’s house is covered with the equipment and supplies their 7-year-old daughter, Ella, needs to make buttons to raise money for a family friend with ALS. And in

Burlington, siblings Gertie and Ira Siegel, who are 11 and 9, have turned down Halloween candy in order to educate people about fair-trade chocolate.

These altruistic actions are about more than just giving back. Parents say they want to keep their kids grounded. They want their kids to see and help people who are less fortunate, and they want to raise children who are engaged, connected and empowered.

Research supports the idea that philanthropic work is good for kids, says Mary Ann Donnelly-DeBay, a clinical and school psychologist for the Winooski School District: “It promotes healthy lifestyle and choices, enhances development, teaches life skills, improves the community and encourages a lifelong service ethic.” It’s also an antidote to pessimism and hopelessness. Media inundate us with news of tragedies, DonnellyDeBay says, and “families and children who are actively involved in righting some wrongs, contributing to their community, have a reason to feel more optimistic.”

Working at Sweetwaters every Thanksgiving has made Sydney Hicks appreciate things she might otherwise take for granted: a fridge full of food, a bed with sheets and a blanket, a house.

“And,” she says, “it’s made me actually thankful on Thanksgiving.” Her dad, Pat Hicks, recalls the year Sydney was 5 and the family ate a catered Thanksgiving dinner in Texas with family. Sydney saw one of her uncles snap his fingers at the waiter. After that, she said, “Dad, we’re never not doing Sweetwaters again.”

Read on to learn how other kids and families give to those in need — and what they get in return.

Staying Grounded

For Chittenden County mom Jill Diemer, helping people make ends meet is personal. “For a good stretch of my childhood, we would worry about if the heat was going to be paid or if we had enough food,” she says. Her brother wore shoes with holes in them, and one year, Diemer remembers, some teachers got together to buy him a new pair — but told him that they found the shoes, so the family wouldn’t be embarrassed.

That’s why Diemer started volunteering at the Committee on Temporary Shelter’s Phonathon years ago. When she started having babies, she brought them to COTS in their car seats. Now, Tré, 14, Tyler, 11, and Lili, 9, are old enough to work as runners between the adult volunteers.

At Christmastime, the Diemers adopt a family through Women Helping Battered Women. They ask to be paired with one that has children of similar ages to theirs. The Diemers buy the Christmas presents that their adopted family lists. Each Diemer child takes one list. It’s eye-opening for them to see that the requested items are often practical things rather than toys. “Many times, they want boots, ski pants, warm mittens, socks,” Diemer says. “So my kids are going, ‘What about all the presents, Mommy? I don’t want to buy her jeans. Can we get her another Barbie doll?’”

Whatever charity work she does — whether it’s donating coats to Spectrum Youth & Family Services, diapers to Joseph’s House or Thanksgiving pies to Sweetwaters — Diemer takes her kids with her. “For my husband and I, we strongly believe that we need to keep our children grounded and not let them forget that there are people that are less fortunate, and bring them to these places so they can see it and they can experience it.”

The Diemer kids

Sydney Hicks with her parents

Doing ‘A Little Something’

After visiting family friend Todd Quinn, who has the degenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, Ella Ferrone, then 6, told her parents she felt sad. The Quinns, who have a son two years younger than Ella, didn’t get to do fun things, Ella observed, because all of their money went toward medical expenses. The Fairfax girl told her parents she wanted to help.

She sold lemonade to raise about $150. But she wanted to do more. She thought about it for 10 days and then

Understanding Their Impact

He might need a prompt, but 9-yearold Ira Siegel of Burlington can recite this quote from cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

“It’s the kid’s mantra,” says his mom, Rachel. Granted, Ira and his sister Gertie, 11, have grown up watching activists organize around their kitchen table. Their mom is a former Progressive city councilor and the current executive director of the Peace & Justice Center; their dad, Jules Fishelman, is the director of information services at the nonprofit Vermont Energy Investment Corporation and has volunteered with community gardens, local co-ops and the Burlington Walk-Bike Council. Marches, rallies, protests and taking the bus to combat climate change are routine for the Siegel kids.

announced, “I would like to make buttons.” Since then, the family’s kitchen table has been littered with stickers, stamps, markers, colored pencils, crayons and a button press. The Ferrones have moved their meals to a counter. In the year that she’s been working, Ella has made nearly 2,000 buttons and raised $4,000.

She is 7 years old.

“I want to give a friend a helping hand … and try to help make a cure for ALS,” she says. Her enterprise, A Little Something, launched via Facebook around Valentine’s Day, and 225 buttons sold in two days. They say things like, “I wheelie like you” and

While Gertie is more comfortable playing a quiet role, Ira is a bootson-the-ground kind of guy. “I really like fundraising,” he says. “I think helping people and animals who can’t help themselves is really important.” Among his causes: Zoe’s Race, which helps families retrofit their homes to accommodate wheelchairs; the Committee on Temporary Shelter; Outright Vermont; and the Cocoa Campaign. When he and Gertie learned that the cocoa industry often uses child slave labor and contributes to deforestation that threatens the habitats of some monkeys, they turned down chocolate that wasn’t fair trade on Halloween and distributed fact sheets.

Rachel says that having her kids volunteer or raise money is less important to her than having them realize the impact they can have. “I want them to be engaged,” she says. “I want them to see how they contribute to the world.”

Kid to Kid

Nine-year-old Lulu Hall is used to seeing adults who are homeless. She and her family have been cooking for guests at ANEW Place shelter in Burlington for more than five years. But when she dropped o blankets at a Shelburne family shelter last year, she realized that kids can be homeless, too.

“One cute chick.” The price: a small donation.

Buttons have gone to 27 states, Canada, Ireland, India and Dubai. Sports teams, businesses and charitable groups now ask Ella to make buttons for them to distribute, and Ella’s mom, Ashley, tells them, “We’ll ask Ella and run it by her and get back to you.”

Ella always says yes.

In September, the Quinns used some of the money Ella raised to travel to New York and visit the Statue of Liberty and the Bronx Zoo.

That shelter, Harbor Place, has 41 homeless kids this fall. Lulu thought they might like something to occupy their time. So she gathered crayons, coloring books, stu ed animals and books, and made compact activity kits for the shelter to distribute. “We took ideas of what most kids like to do when they’re bored and downsized them,” she says.

Lulu has made 235 kits so far. Her family solicits donations on Facebook and Front Porch Forum or purchases things at the dollar store, and Lulu sorts items into kits for boys and girls divided by age group: 3 to 7 and 8 to 13.

Sometimes she adds Legos, lip balm and hair ties.

Says her mom, Laura, “We give the kids something to do while the adults figure it all out.”

One Saturday a month, the Hall family also cooks and eats dinner with guests at ANEW Place. “It’s fun,” Lulu says. “You kind of feel like you’re having a big family gathering … and you kind of feel happy for them [later] when you see them in the grocery store and you talk to them and they say that they have their own place now.”

Rachel and Ira Siegel running to raise money for Outright Vermont

Lulu Hall

Selling her wares at the Fairfax Farmers’ Market

Ella making buttons

Fighting Helplessness

At age 10, Ella Byers has an impressive résumé of charitable work. She’s been participating in the Lund fundraising bike ride since she was 4. She has helped deliver diapers to the Dee PT Great Diaper Drive since she was 7. And last year, at age 9, she used her allowance to buy items on Lund’s wish list. She also recruited two cousins and a friend to join her in Spectrum Youth & Family Service’s Sleep Out, an annual fundraiser designed to raise awareness of homelessness.

“It was raining that night,” the Essex Junction girl remembers of the March event. “And the tents were on top of snow.” Her friend’s tent leaked, and the girl and her dad finished the night in their car, but the mission was accomplished. The kids gained a better understanding of what homeless teens go through. “It was heartbreaking to feel what they felt like,” Ella says, “especially in the winter when it’s snowing and it’s freezing and they don’t get to sleep in comfy beds like me and my friends do.”

Ella’s activities give her a sense of power over situations people may feel helpless about, says her mom, Sara. “And feeling like you can make a difference at this young age means only positive things for our community in the future.” K

Find the Right Fit

People doing philanthropic work not only help other people; they help themselves, says clinical and school psychologist Mary Ann DonnellyDeBay. “People who volunteer tend to have higher self-esteem, psychological well-being and happiness,” she says. What’s more, she says, children who serve an hour or more per week are less likely to engage in atrisk behaviors than kids who do not.

Organizations soliciting help via the United Way of Chittenden County list an appropriate minimum age for volunteers. Fourteen is typical, says United Way coordinator of volunteer mobilization Laurie Dana, though some groups accept younger kids working with an adult. United Way’s website lists volunteer opportunities by categories, including “projects for teens” and “projects for children with an adult.”

Says Dana: “It’s never too soon to let kids know that they can make a difference and help somebody.”

Find more information at unitedwaycc.org.

Ella Byers at the Spectrum Sleep Out

Field Studies

Nature is the teacher at Burlington’s popular Crow’s Path

BY MOLLY WALSH & PHOTOS BY MATTHEW THORSEN

To get to school on Wednesday mornings, Amelia Van Driesche of Burlington must first pass through a rustic driftwood arch she and her classmates call “the portal.” It isn’t a typical entryway, or a typical school.

Beyond the portal is a 144-acre classroom, consisting of meadows, orchards, woods and shoreline stretching to the promontory of Lone Rock Point overlooking the vast expanse of Lake Champlain.

For one day each week, Amelia and her classmates at the Crow’s Path field school ditch their regular classrooms and roam outside for six hours straight. They make fires with flint and carve spoons using real knives. They track skunks and learn to recognize the hoot of the barred owl.

The technical term for what they are doing is experiential learning. Ask the children what they like about it, and they’ll say the simple pleasure of being outside. All day. Even in February. The best thing about Crow’s Path, says 9-year-old Amelia, is that “we’re allergic to going inside.”

In an age when many schools are flooded with technology, and knowledge is often measured by standardized tests, Crow’s Path takes a different tack, more in line with the “unschooling” movement: It gives kids time and freedom to follow their curiosity in the great outdoors. There are no computers, no tests. One of the biggest curricular goals is fortitude — learning, for example, that if you roll in the snow and get wet, you will be cold for the rest of the day, unless you stand by the fire and let the moisture steam off.

In Vermont, this kind of learning is in demand, in Burlington and beyond (see sidebar, “Flocking Outdoors”).

Despite Crow’s Path’s lack of advertising, the five-year-old, privately run, nonprofit program is remarkably popular. Through word of mouth, it’s grown from five to 75 children, most of them elementary-school kids enrolled in a one-day-a-week field school class during the academic year. An after-school program for 25 middle schoolers runs a few days a month. Both initiatives include a few overnights in the woods.

Some field-school students are homeschooled, but most attend public school. Their parents have received permission from teachers and

Crow’s Path headquarters

THE CROW’S PATH FOUNDER’S INDIRECT FLIGHT

Teage O’Connor’s own childhood and education helped form the philosophy that guides Crow’s Path. Born in Alaska, he spent his earliest years toddling the woods. His dad was a vet, and the family always had a menagerie of animals. When O’Connor was 5, his mom won a prize in a screenwriting contest. The family moved to southern California so she could explore a film career.

When young O’Connor wasn’t riding his bike or playing outside, he dabbled in child acting. He did a few commercials and still ads and was promoted from bit player to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son in the movie Kindergarten Cop. “I spent a day with him and this actress who played his wife,” O’Connor says.

Ultimately, director Ivan Reitman decided the storyline with the son made the movie too long. “It wound up being cut,” says O’Connor, who got snapshots with the hulking Schwarzenegger but no screen time.

When O’Connor was 8, his father died of cancer, leaving his mother to raise him and his sister. He chafed under the rules and ideals at his well-regarded public school.

“I was really frustrated with being told what was important and what I had to learn to be successful.”

The school system failed friends of

principals to substitute a day in the woods for a day of classroom instruction. The families pay $1,725 for the year and sometimes jockey to do so: This year’s waitlist is 45 children long.

These parents don’t seem worried about kids missing academics. Amelia’s dad, Jason Van Driesche, says Crow’s Path has made his daughter, a third grader at the Integrated Arts Academy in Burlington, a better student.

He points out that learning-bydoing resonates with young children. At Crow’s Path, they’re learning natural science in a way “that is going to stick and is going to give them a much deeper and more appreciative sense of how the natural world works than if they were simply studying it in the classroom,” he says.

And, he adds, “the mentoring at Crow’s Path is just exceptional. The people who lead it are so good with kids, and they give Amelia and all

his “in terms of developing their own interests,” O’Connor says now.

For all the frustrations, O’Connor was a good enough student to be admitted to the selective University of Chicago. He studied photography, statistics, computer science and many other things on the way to earning a degree in environmental studies. He moved to Burlington in 2008 to get a master’s degree in the field naturalist program at the University of Vermont.

O’Connor started Crow’s Path by offering a short summer session. Now, in addition to directing the program, he teaches natural history and botany at the University of Vermont and Community College of Vermont.

When he’s not teaching, he’s often running, sometimes barefoot, through Burlington; he logs 100 miles a week.

O’Connor, who is engaged to be married, has no children of his own yet.

O’Connor’s personality is part of what has made Crow’s Path successful, says Jeffrey Hughes, director of the field naturalist program at UVM.

“He’s a world-class runner and so [he has] to be pretty competitive,” Hughes says. But O’Connor is competitive with himself. With others, he’s a community builder, his friend says. At Crow’s Path, “he’s a terrific cheerleader for all these kids.”

the other kids there a home base, a place of solidity that I think makes everything else go better.”

Crow’s Path founder and director Teage O’Connor, 32, is playful and unpretentious. He shows up for field school on a recent Wednesday morning wearing clothes that look like they came from Goodwill. Before heading into the woods, he adds a necktie fashioned from grass and twigs and a pine-needle crown. He resembles a grown-up wood sprite.

O’Connor’s appearance is deceiving. The Burlington resident, who grew up in Alaska and Southern California, is an overachiever. He has a degree in environmental studies from the University of Chicago and a master’s from the field naturalist program at the University of Vermont. O’Connor is both competitive — a semiprofessional runner, he placed 10th in the 2015 Vermont City Marathon and 42nd out of 45,000 runners at

O’Connor with students

ORTHODONTICS

the Chicago Marathon in October — and creative. He starred in his sister Meryl O’Connor’s short film “The Ballad of Finn + Yeti,” which was shown at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

O’Connor believes Crow’s Path is popular because families want to give their children an opportunity to soak up nature and “explore their wild self,” he says.

To do that, the kids first have to separate from their daily lives. Before they pass through the portal, they spend 15 minutes running around in a field “to shake off the dust” and get away from the “hustle and bustle,” O’Connor says.

After that, instructor Julie Pacholik gives each of the children a challenge for the day — telling one to do a sketch, another to make up names for plants he doesn’t know. To a little boy who has goldenrod seeds stuck in his hair, she says: “You are actively seeding the forest … I want you to shake your head off. Disperse the seeds as you walk.” After a five-minute hike, they arrive at their camp.

Crow’s Path operates on the Champlain peninsula known as Rock Point, which is owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont. Though it’s not affiliated with the diocese, Crow’s Path makes donations to it every year and helps maintain the land, planting new apple trees, fixing foot bridges and maintaining the popular network of trails that wind through the property. One of these leads to the program’s primitive headquarters — a fire pit surrounded by logs where children can sit, with a tarp overhead.

consciousness” exercise that involves making a maze in a field. That idea is borrowed from ancient monks.

All Crow’s Path staff members have wilderness first-aid training and many have worked in other outdooreducation programs. The studentteacher ratio is about five to one, which allows teachers to watch carefully when children are learning skills such as carving.

O’Connor initially wondered if he could teach kids to use knives and hatchets without mishaps. “I was really hesitant at first,” he admits. Predictably, the children loved the element of danger. Less predictably, they took the safety tips seriously, which O’Connor encouraged by telling them: “I trust you to be careful with this.”

So far there have been no major injuries, or even minor ones, at Crow’s Path, according to O’Connor.

Jeffrey Hughes, director of the field naturalist program at UVM, is O’Connor’s friend and former academic adviser. Hughes suggests that Crow’s Path offers the right balance of freedom and guidance. Kids are encouraged to explore and figure things out on their own, but they aren’t “just running around like crazy chopping off one another’s fingers with an axe,” he says.

DRS.

DRS. PETERSON, RYAN & EATON

Passing through the portal WILLISTON OFFICE 277 Blair Park Road 878-5323

After making a fire using bark and kindling and a little friction, the children sing a song about wanting to be “free like a flower and a bee.” Then they choose a guild, or activity, that will take them through much of the day. Options include carving wood, making apple cider, taking a “walkabout” or doing a “changing

Hughes adds, “These days, especially among a lot of the very wellintentioned but maybe over-privileged families, there’s this controlled, protected environment. We shield our kids from things. As a parent myself, I understand wanting to do that. But, gee whiz, it’s OK to get dirty, it’s OK to build a fire, it’s OK to get poison ivy or stung by a bee.”

PETERSON, RYAN & EATON

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turn swinging over a shallow ravine, shrieking with the thrill. They see an earthen tunnel and discuss: Should they venture in? It’s dark and tight inside, Pacholik explains.

Ultimately the girls decide to pass up this adventure and move on toward an opening in the forest, after Pacholik announces, “New land awaits us.” They walk into a meadow filled with goldenrod gently waving its drying, amber tops. In other spots, long grass forms a soft bedding over the ground, and tall pines stand sentry. Crickets make the wistful song of fall.

The girls move slowly, stopping when they want. They tap the poppers off jewelweed and tromp by soft purple wild aster. They grab pods of drying milkweed and pull out the white fluff, blowing it into the air. They hunker down next to a monarch in the brush and watch it slowly open and close its wings.

The leisurely walk brings the complex details of an ordinary meadow into focus, intensifying its dazzling beauty.

With Pacholik, the children discuss the life cycle of the monarch, the way poison ivy looks in the fall, the fungus on a tree and the reason for a depression in the grass. “It looks like an animal could have slept here,” says Zoe Smith, a Burlington 7-year-old who attends Champlain Elementary School.

At Crow’s Path, Zoe has learned to knit, braid natural fibers, make a fire and carve. “I love it,” she says. “I like being outside all day.” Ruby Dutcher, also a Champlain Elementary 7-year-old, ticks off her new skills. “I’m learning how to climb, and I’m learning how to find good places with clay. And I’m learning to recognize poison ivy, and I’m learning new animals,” she explains.

The goal is for children to learn to distinguish the features of the natural world. Making things from wood and rock, calling out the names of trees and flowers that serve as landmarks, reading animal tracks, and turning sumac berries into “sumac-ade” are examples of the nature-based learning the program offers.

“There’s never any agenda,” O’Connor says, but kids gain knowledge. “They will sort of pick up on it over time.”

Local public schools seem to be OK with that approach. At Edmunds Elementary School in Burlington, 11 students are participating in Crow’s Path this year.

“This is an individual parent’s choice, of course,” says principal

FLOCKING OUTDOORS

Crow’s Path is not the only oneday-a-week field school in the area. The Forest School in Richmond uses a similar model. So does the EarthWalk Village School in Plainfield, and the ROOTS School in Corinth and Marshfield.

Some private schools, such as those in the Waldorf network, emphasize nature and hands-on skills like carving. So do some homeschooling parents who are inspired by the growing stack of books touting the benefits of outdoor learning. These titles include the recent Home Grown: Adventures in Parenting off the Beaten Path, Unschooling and Reconnecting with the Natural World by Cabot author Ben Hewitt.

Meanwhile many public schools, including Edmunds Elementary in Burlington, offer field trips that bring kids into nature. And a few public schools are going further. This year, Shelburne Community School kindergarten teacher Joplin James is spending every Friday outside with his class in a patch of woods near the school. The Forest Fridays program will continue through the winter, just as Crow’s Path does, and he’s already working with families to make sure children will be dressed appropriately.

“I definitely believe there’s no such thing as bad weather; there’s just the wrong clothes,” James says.

So far parents are keen on the pilot program, even though James sees it as somewhat “radical.” The only complaint from parents is that it’s not available to more children, he says. “Kids just don’t have the play time outside like we used to.”

Michelle Mathias. Under the Common Core national standards, academic demands are increasing, so “parents really have to monitor how their kids are doing in terms of missing whatever academic activities are happening.”

But, she adds about Crow’s Path, “I think it’s a great program.”

Mathias has talked to O’Connor about bringing the Crow’s Path experience to all kids at Edmunds, but for now he doesn’t see a way to make that possible. It tugs at Mathias to see that only some children get the chance to participate. “It’s a little sad for me,” she says. “I think enrichment is great for everybody.”

Back at Crow’s Path in Burlington, young Ruby sums up the experience succinctly. As she puts it: “It’s nice to get away from school and get outside.” K

CALENDAR

Ki ing Around

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

BURLINGTON OUTDOOR RIGLET PARK

The aquarium’s lawn is converted to a snowy obstacle course where kids ages 3-8 navigate challenges with the help of Smuggs and Burton staffers. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; parking rates apply. Info, 877-324-6386.

When a hitchhiker finds a suitcase by the side of the road, hijinks ensue in FOOLZ JOURNEY, a one-man show full of juggling, storytelling and buffoonery. With experience performing in hundreds of schools, libraries and theaters in the United States and Europe, Michael Zerphy of Hartland, Vt., gets the audience giggling through physical comedy, then grabs a few spectators to help with the show. The comedian “is a clown, but he’s no Bozo,” writes the Boston Globe. “He takes his clowning around very seriously.”

FOOLZ JOURNEY: Saturday, November 21, 11 a.m., at the Hopkins Center for the Arts, Darmouth College, in Hanover, N.H. All ages. Free. Info, (603) 646-2422. hop.dartmouth.edu

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

FARM CRAFT: PAST & PRESENT

Families spin wool, dip candles and churn butter while comparing a young person’s life on the farm then and now. Ages 5 and up. Shelburne Farms, 10 a.m.-noon. $10-12 per adult/child pair; $5-6 each additional child; preregister. Info, 985-8686.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21

WESTFORD TURKEY TROT

Families seeking fresh air choose from a 10K or 3K race on rural roads, with hand-painted medals for age-group winners and home-baked treats for sale. A 100-yard Tot Trot is geared toward the littlest athletes. Westford School, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $12 for preregistration; $15 on race day. Info, 878-5804.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28

INTERNET CAT VIDEO FESTIVAL

These shorts have been carefully selected to help families shake off that extra holiday stuffing with laughter. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 2 & 7 p.m. $5-10; 50 percent of proceeds benefit Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society. Info, 382-9222.

SPOTLIGHTS & LISTINGS BY BRETT STANCIU

3 TUESDAY

Arts & Crafts

Preschool Art: Petite Picassos dig into clay, paint, collage and printmaking. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11 a.m. $10 per child. Info, 985-3648.

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Postnatal Yoga: Moms tote their pre-crawling kids to an all-levels flowing yoga class focused on bringing the body back to strength and alignment in a fun, nurturing environment. Evolution Prenatal and Family Yoga Center, Burlington, 10:45-11:55 a.m. $15, $130 for a 10-class pass. Info, 864-9642.

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: Mothers-to-be build strength, stamina, comfort and a stronger connection to their baby. Evolution Prenatal and Family Yoga Center, Burlington, 4:15-5:30 p.m. $15, $130 for 10-class pass. Info, 864-9642.

Montpelier Postnatal Yoga: Brand-new mamas and their littles relax, stretch and bond. For moms with infants and early crawlers. Emerge with Amy Lepage-Hansen, Montpelier, 10:45 a.m.-noon. $15. Info, 223-5302.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: Women prepare for birth through yoga, with a focus on strengthening the body and mind. See prenatalmethod.com for class descriptions. Prenatal Method Studio, Burlington, 4:30-5:30 & 6-7 p.m. $15. Info, 829-0211.

Food

Kids in the Kitchen: Apple Toaster Pastries: Budding bakers discover the sweet secrets of homemade delights. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per child; free for accompanying adult; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Games

Family Game Night: Families take over the library’s tabletops for a fun evening. Ages 5 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: Energy-filled kids flip, jump and tumble in a state-of-the-art facility. Ages 6 and under. Regal Gymnastics Academy, Essex, 11 a.m.-noon, $8 per hour. Info, 655-3300.

Library & Books

Gaming For Teens & Adults: Players of all skill levels engage in Magic: The Gathering and other 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 Crafternoons: Kiddos get creative with themed projects and materials. Ages 8 and up. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 482-2878.

NaNoWriMo Write-In: New novelists pen their prose during National Novel Writing Month. Essex Free Library, Essex Junction, 6:45-7:45 p.m. Free. Info, 879-0318.

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

Spanish Musical Kids: Niños celebrate Latin American culture through tunes and games en español. Ages 1-5 with a caregiver. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:45 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216. Williston Read to a Dog: Pet-loving kiddos peruse books with registered therapy pooches. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-4918.

Movies

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

Music

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Prenatal Method Postnatal Rehab: New moms work on toning and relaxation. Prenatal Method Studio, Burlington, 10:30-11:30 a.m. $15. Info, 829-0211.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Barre: Expecting mothers get a ballet-inspired workout. Prenatal Method Studio, Burlington, 5:30-6:30 p.m. $15. Info, 829-0211.

Our next issue covers December and January! Submit events for both months by November 15!

Preschool Music: Small ones dance and sing to a lively beat. Ages 3-5. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: Scallywags of all sizes swing to swashbuckling songs of the open seas. University Mall, South Burlington, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 338-1976.

4 WEDNESDAY

Arts & Crafts

The Art of Identity: Homeschoolers make masks and write dramatic dialogues about diversity, developing communication and creativity. Masonic Hall, Craftsbury Common, 11 a.m.-noon, $12 per child. Info, 586-2200.

Classes

Library & Books

Build It!: Junior engineers join construction challenges using popsicle sticks, straws and other materials. Grades 3-5. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-4918.

Creative Writing Club: Young literati let their imaginations loose through prompts, games and other exercises. Ages 9 and up. Essex Free Library, Essex Junction, first Wednesday of every month, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:151:15 p.m.

Education

One-on-One Tutoring: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences students school elementary-age kids in reading, math and science. Ages 6-12. Some assistance available for other grades in certain subjects with inquiry. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 3:308 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Food

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: 50 vendors sell local produce, cheese, homemade bread and other made-in-Vermont products. All ages. Vermont Farmers Food Center, Rutland, 4-7 p.m. Free. Info, 342-4727.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

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

EvoKids Yoga at Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center: Have Saturday morning plans? Drop into our EvoKids yoga class for ages 3-7. Your child will learn basic yoga poses through games, song and dance. We will also spend time improving our focus and concentration through mindfulness activities. Let your child spend a Saturday morning finding peace and balance. Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. $15/class or $65/5 class Kids Pass. Location: Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center, 20 Kilburn St., Burlington.  Info: evolutionprenatalandfamily.com, 899-0339

Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Classes at Evolution Prenatal & Family Yoga Center: Have a more comfortable pregnancy and prepare for birth with stretching, strengthening and relaxation in prenatal yoga — and then bring your body back to balance and strength in postnatal yoga. Join our community of mothers at any point in your pregnancy, and 6 weeks or later in your postpartum time (until baby is crawling).

No yoga experience necessary.  Prenatal Yoga:  Sundays 10 a.m., Mondays 5:45 p.m., Tuesdays 4:15 p.m., Wednesdays 5:45 p.m., Thursdays 12:15 p.m. ($5-10 donation class, proceeds go to the Lund Family Center), Fridays 8:15 a.m. Postnatal Yoga: Sundays 12:15 p.m., Tuesdays 10:45 a.m., Thursdays 10:45 a.m., Fridays noon. (postnatal core).  Dropins welcome. $15/class or $130/10 class

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

Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Brazilian JiuJitsu for children promotes self-esteem, self-defense and bully-proofing, character development, a physical outlet with discipline, cooperation with other children, respect for peers and adults, perseverance and a healthy lifestyle. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will help your kids learn skills they can use for the rest of their lives; regular BJJ training builds endurance, resilience, patience, discipline, self respect and helps to instill courage and self confidence. First class is free! Free uniform with first-month enrollment fee. Location: Vermont Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 55 Leroy Rd., Williston. To register: 660-4072, julio@bjjusa.com or stop by our school. vermontbjj.com

Kids Holiday Sewing at nido: Looking for a kids’ class full of creativity, making and fun? nido’s Kids Holiday Sewing Workshops offer beginners the basics of sewing while constructing holiday projects. Learn how to thread/use a sewing machine and create basic stitches. $58, materials included. Ages: 9-13. Sunday, December 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or Sunday, December 13, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: info@nidovt.com, 881-0068

David Macaulay’s ‘Life in the Studio’: The famous illustrator and author discusses his creative process, from his earliest ideas to published work. Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Discussion: Boundless by Kenneth Opel spurs kid-lit chat. Ages 8-11. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

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

Green Mountain Book Award Activity for Homeschooled Students: High school-homeschoolers meet monthly and film trailers of their favorite literary finds. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Red Clover Group for Homeschooled Students: Budding readers enjoy books and related bibliophile activities. Grades K-3. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Nature & Science

ECHO Stories & Science: Animals in November: Young listeners learn how our animal neighbors stock up on supplies for the snowy season. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10:30 a.m. Free with museum admission, $10.50-13.50; free for children 2 and under. Info, 864-1848.

5 THURSDAY

Arts & Crafts

Preschool Art Drop-In: Fledgling artists craft cool projects in a variety of mediums. Ages 6 months to 5 years with accompanying adult. BCA Center, Burlington, 9:30-11:30 a.m. $5-6. Info, 865-7166.

Webby’s Art Studio: The museum’s temporary and permanent exhibitions inspire specialized art activities for all ages. Shelburne Museum, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Regular admission, $7-24; free for children under 5. Info, 985-3346.

Baby & Maternity

Essex La Leche League: Moms bring their little ones to a discussion of parenting and breastfeeding. First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Info, 383-8544.

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3. 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 & 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Games

Intro to Minecraft: Teen volunteers teach the basics of this popular game. Minecraft enthusiasts of all abilities encouraged to attend. St. Albans Free Library, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Shiny, Happy People

The River of Light Lantern Parade is a magical nighttime procession that winds through downtown Waterbury one night in December — this year’s takes place on Saturday, December 5. In preparation for the festivities, three COMMUNITY LANTERN-MAKING WORKSHOPS give participants step-by-step instructions for creating their own glowing works of art from coffee filters, glue and sustainably harvested willow branches. LED lights will be available for purchase on the day of the parade to illuminate the handmade beauties. Organizers expect more than 500 lanterns to join the parade this year, making for a radiant stream of light.

COMMUNITY LANTERN-MAKING WORKSHOPS: Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Thatcher Brook Primary School in Waterbury; Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Helen Day Art Center in Stowe; Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., at Smilie Memorial School in Bolton. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Free; donations appreciated. Preregistration required; space is limited. Info, 778-0334 or info@gowrisavoor.com. ariveroflight inwaterbury.wordpress.com

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

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

Food for Thought Teen Group: Young adults chow down on pizza as they discuss the library’s projects. Grades 7-12. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 4-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918. Lego Thursdays: The library lends the building materials, and kids bring their imagination and creativity. All ages. Haston Library, Franklin, 2-5 p.m. Free. Info, 285-6505.

PJ Story Hour: Sleepyheads get ready for bed, then go to the library for a read-aloud and craft project. Fairfax Community Library, 6-7 p.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.

Read to Archie the Therapy Dog: An attentive canine listens to little people read. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free; preregistration appreciated. Info, 878-6956.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: Lively tunes with local musicians strike the right note among the wee crowd. Ages 5 and under with a caregiver. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m. Free; limited to one session per week per family. Info, 878-4918.

6 FRIDAY

Arts & Crafts

Barnes and Noble Maker Faire: Aspiring engineers exhibit their projects. Barnes & Noble, South Burlington, 3-7 p.m. Free; preregister. Family Wheel Drop-In: Families form clay sculptures with assistance from staff. All ages. BCA Print & Clay Studio, Burlington, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $7-8 per participant; $5 additional for each piece fired and glazed. Info, 860-7474.

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 8:15-9:15 a.m.

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5 THURSDAY (CONTINUED)

Mother’s Gathering: Moms and new babies spread out, sip tea, nurse and share stories. Children under age 2. Yoga Mountain Center, Montpelier, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-5302.

Education

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

Early Bird Math: Young children and their caregivers put two and two together using interactive books, songs and games to explore arithmetic concepts. Richmond Free Library, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.

Fairbanks Homeschool Days: Students expand their educational horizons in the museum’s galleries and other venues with a variety of classes. Call for specific topics and location. Grades K-8. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $8-10, includes museum admission; $5 planetarium; one adult free per paying child. Info, 748-2372.

Fairs & Festivals

Jeh Kulu West African Dance & Drum Festival: World-renowned teachers and musicians join Burlington’s Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater for three days of classes and performances. (See spotlight on page 34.) Burlington City Hall Auditorium. Various prices; visit jehkuluregistration.blogspot.com for details. Info, 859-1802.

Games

Magic: The Gathering: Planeswalkers seek knowledge and glory in this trading-card game. New players welcome. Grades 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 6-8 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Rhythm & Movement Toddler Time & Story

Time: Tykes listen to stories, then rock and roll. Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Teen Advisory Board: Young adults aid with the “I moustache you to check out these books” display and celebrate the sweetness of National Bundt Day. Grades 9-12. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Movies

Big Screen Movie: The popcorn’s provided at this family-friendly film night. Colchester Village Meeting House, 6 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Music

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

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: Toe-tapping tunes captivate kiddies. Radio Bean, Burlington, 11 a.m. Free. Info, 660-9346. Songs and Stories with Matthew: Listeners of all ages applaud tales and tunes. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Theater

Middle School Theater Improv Group: Thespians-in-training create and dramatize scenes together, supervised by playwright Luc Reid. Grades 4-8. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3-4:15 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-4918.

7 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

Barnes and Noble Maker Faire: See November 6, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Family Clay: Creative kids and their parents make memories firing and glazing special pieces to be picked up later. All ages. ArtisTree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 10 a.m.-noon. $20 per parent-child pair; $5 per additional family member; preregister. Info, 457-3500.

Kids Building Workshop: Handy helpers learn do-it-yourself skills and tool safety as they construct seasonal projects. Ages 5-12. Home Depot, Williston, 9 a.m.-noon. Free; preregister at workshops.homedepot.com. Info, 872-0039.

Origami Workshop: Paper folders let their imaginations run wild. Children under 8 should be accompanied by an adult. Jeudevine Memorial Library, Hardwick, 2-4 p.m. Free. Info, 472-5948.

River of Light Lantern-Making Workshop: Families craft magical willow-and-tissue-paper lights in preparation for Waterbury’s River of Light Community Lantern Procession. Bring

a bag lunch. Ages 6 and up. Children ages 6-8 must be accompanied by an adult. (See spotlight on page 30.) Thatcher Brook Primary School, Waterbury, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; preregistration required. Info, 778-0334.

Saturday Kids Drop-In Craft Class: Little hands create craft projects with seasonal themes, including leaf jewelry dishes, dreidels and harvest moon mirrors. Ages 5-15. Parent must accompany. Shelburne Craft School, 10-11 a.m. $10 per child. Info, 985-3648. Webby’s Art Studio: See November 5.

Baby & Maternity

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Community

Mother’s Helper Class: Aspiring babysitters learn the basics of child development, safety and hazards, what to do in emergencies and firstaid basics. This is not a babysitter-certification course. Ages 9-12. Milton Town O ces, noon-3 p.m. $15; preregister. Info, 893-4922.

Education

Fall Open House: Teachers and high school students give tours and a presentation at 11 a.m., while younger children enjoy refreshments and activities. Preregister. Lake Champlain Waldorf School, Shelburne, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 985-2827.

One-on-One Tutoring: See November 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fairs & Festivals

5 Corners Indoor Farmers Market: The market moves indoors with its local bounty of produce, prepared foods, sweets and treats, crafts and unique gifts. Essex Junction Recreation and Parks Department, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 274-6671.

Fall Craft Show: More than 100 vendors lay out their wares, with lunch food and a book/media sale, too. Williston Central School, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Info, 871-6107.

Jeh Kulu West African Dance & Drum Festival: See November 6.

Orchard Valley Holiday Market: This Waldorfinspired bazaar features local honey and foods, pottery, children’s clothing and body care products. Fresh Tracks Farm Vineyard & Winery, Montpelier, 2-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 456-7400.

Ongoing Exhibits

ECHO LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN, BURLINGTON

Info, 864-1848

Experience Snowboarding: ECHO and Burton team up to display the history of this sport, from the 1970s to today’s latest models. Through November 15.

FAIRBANKS MUSEUM & PLANETARIUM, ST. JOHNSBURY Info, 748-2372.

Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas: Prehistoric bones and computer simulations provide a vivid picture of dinosaur-era life and how our understanding of it has changed in the last two decades. Through December 15.

MONTSHIRE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, NORWICH

Info, 649-2200

The Outside Story: Artwork by Adelaide Tyrol: An artist’s close observations, artistic skills and lifelong fascination with the natural world make for stunning illustrations. Through November 29.

Food

Burlington Winter Farmers Market: Farmers, artisans and producers o er fresh and prepared foods, crafts, and more in a bustling indoor marketplace with live music and lunch seating. All ages. Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, 10 a.m.2 p.m. Free. Info, 310-5172.

Caledonia Winter Farmers Market: Freshly baked goods, veggies, beef and maple syrup figure prominently in displays of “shop local” options. All ages. Welcome Center, St. Johnsbury, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 592-3088.

Playgroups

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.

MONDAY

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

Burlington Playgroup: Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 578-6471.

Charlotte Playgroup: Charlotte Central School Early Education Program, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 383-1226.

Jericho Playgroup: Jericho Community Center, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.

Swanton Monday Playgroup: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 9:45-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 868-7656.

TUESDAY

Bradford Playgroup: Grace United Methodist Church, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24.

Brookfield Playgroup: First Congregational Church of Brookfield, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24.

Burlington Dads’ Night: VNA Family Room, 3-7 p.m. Free. Info, 860-4420.

Burlington Playgroup: See Monday. Essex Junction Building Bright Futures Playgroup: Maple Street Recreation Center, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 876-7555.

Johnson Baby Chat: Church of the Nazarene, fourth Tuesday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.

WEDNESDAY

Burlington Playgroup: See Monday.

Essex Building Bright Futures Baby Playgroup: Move You Fitness Studio, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 876-7555.

Fairfield Playgroup: Bent Northrop Memorial Library, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 827-3945.

Hinesburg Playgroup: Hinesburg Town Hall, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 482-4667.

Middlebury Playgroup: Memorial Baptist Church, 9:30.-11 a.m. Free. Info, 388-3171.

Milton Playgroup: Milton Public Library, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Richmond Playgroup: Richmond Free Library, 8:45-10:15 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.

Shelburne Playgroup: Trinity Episcopal Church, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 764-5820.

South Royalton Playgroup: United Church on the Green, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 6852264, ext. 24.

St. Albans Building Better Families Playgroup: NCSS Family Center, St. Albans, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

THURSDAY

Alburgh Playgroup: NCSS Family Center, Alburgh, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

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

Burlington EvoMamas Playgroup: Evolution Prenatal and Family Yoga Center, second Thursday of every month, 10:20-11:50 a.m. Free. Info, 864-9642.

Essex Junction Building Bright Futures Playgroup: See Tuesday. 9:30-11 a.m.

Milton Playgroup: See Wednesday.

Montgomery Playgroup: Montgomery Town Library, 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 527-5426.

Randolph Playgroup: White River Craft Center, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24.

West Fairlee Playgroup: Westshire Elementary School, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 685-2264, ext. 24.

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

FRIDAY

Huntington Playgroup: Huntington Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.

Montgomery Tumble Time: Montgomery Elementary School, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 347-1780.

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

Swanton Friday Playgroup: Swanton Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3033.

Underhill Playgroup: Underhill Central School, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 899-4415.

Williston Babytime Playgroup: Allen Brook School, first Friday of every month, 9:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

SATURDAY

Morrisville Baby Chat: Lamoille Family Center, second Saturday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 888-5229.

Young Athletes Special Olympics Program: Rice Memorial High School, 9-10 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 861-0274.

Chocolate-Bar Making: Budding chocolatiers temper and mold the sweet stu , then create and wrap four goody-filled bars to take home. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. South End Kitchen, Burlington, 3-4 p.m. $25; preregister. Info, 864-0505.

Middlebury Winter Farmers Market: Crafts, cheeses, breads, veggies and more vie for spots in shoppers’ totes. All ages. Mary Hogan Elementary School, Middlebury, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 537-4754.

Norwich Winter Farmers Market: Farmers o er produce, meats and maple syrup, which complement baked goods and handcrafted items from local artists. All ages. Tracy Hall, Norwich, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 384-7447. Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See November 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Games

Chess Club: Teen players teach novices new moves. All ages, but children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6956.

Health & Fitness

Burlington Outdoor Riglet Park: The aquarium’s lawn is converted to a snowy obstacle course where kids ages 3-8 navigate challenges with the help of Smuggs and Burton sta ers. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; parking rates apply. Info, 877-324-6386.

EvoKids Saturday Yoga: Youngsters master basic yoga poses through games, songs and dance. Mindfulness activities improve focus and concentration. Ages 3-9. Evolution Prenatal and Family Yoga Center, Burlington, 11:30 a.m.12:15 p.m. $15. Info, 864-9642.

Library & Books

Drop-In Saturday Storytime: Book lovers of all ages welcome in the weekend with readaloud tales. Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

7 SATURDAY (CONTINUED)

Milton Therapy Dog Visit: A patient pooch listens to kids read aloud. Ages 3 and up. Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Movies

Movie Matinee: The big screen shows a familyfriendly film. Snacks provided. Milton Public Library, 1 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Nature & Science

Bird-Monitoring Walk: Beginning birders embrace ornithology on an identification walk. All ages. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 8-10 a.m. Donations appreciated. Info, 434-3068.

Full Dome Planetarium Movie: Astronomy enthusiasts learn about celestial objects in this 20-minute film. Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, 12:30 p.m. $3 per person; call to reserve tickets. Info, 748-2372.

Hawks, Owls & Falcons: Avian aficionados meet and greet live raptors. Shelburne Farms, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $5-6; preregister. Info, 985-8686. Mad Science Saturday: ECHO educators pull out all the madcap stops in fun-fueled, hands-on experiments. Ages 6 and up. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, noon-12:45 p.m. Free with $10.50-13.50 museum admission; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848.

Take Apart Day: Curious kiddos explore the “guts” of everyday items, from toasters to toys. All ages. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Regular museum admission, $11-14; free for members and children under 2. Info, 649-2200.

8 SUNDAY

Arts & Crafts

Barnes and Noble Maker Faire: See November 6, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Postnatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 10-11:30 a.m.

Education

Vermont Day School Open House: Prospective parents listen to a short presentation by the head of this innovative new school and meet teachers. Vermont Day School, Shelburne, 3 p.m. Free; RSVP. Info, 985-5150.

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

Fairs & Festivals

Jeh Kulu West African Dance & Drum Festival: See November 6.

Health & Fitness

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

World Run Day: Fleet-footed kids hoof it around Burlington in a one-mile fun run, followed by a 5K at 9:30 a.m. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Ski Rack, Burlington, 8:45 a.m. Free. Info, 863-8412.

Nature & Science

Discovery Sundays: Families engage in hands-on science experiments and investigations, using wheels, towers, magnets, feathers, water and bubbles. All ages. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free with museum admission, $11.50-13.50; free for children under 4. Info, 359-5001, ext. 228.

Full Dome Planetarium Movie: See November 7.

9 MONDAY

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 5:45-7 p.m.

Prenatal Fitness: Moms and moms-to-be learn parenting, self-care, birthing and recovery skills from local professionals. Babes in arms welcome. Good Beginnings, Montpelier, 6-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 595-7953.

Prenatal Method Postnatal Rehab: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Barre: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Education

One-on-One Tutoring: See November 4, 5-8 p.m.

Food

Mama Mangez: Families prepare and share a meal and conversation. Tulsi Tea Room, Montpelier, 4-6 p.m. Free; ingredient donation optional. Info, 595-7953.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3. Open House: Families contribute to the community and receive a complimentary wellness check. Chiropractic For Kids & Adults, Shelburne, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Free; donations accepted for food shelf. Info, 985-9500.

Library & Books

Babies & Toddlers Rock: Little musicians ages 24 months and under sing songs and engage in early literacy activities. Rutland Free Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 773-1860.

Burlington Stories With Megan: Preschoolers have a ball with rhymes, songs and books. Ages 2-5. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 11-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Essex LEGO Challenge Club: Kids construct plastic-block creations. Essex Free Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.

Middle School Planners & Helpers: Students play games and plot cool projects for the library over snacks. Grades 6-8. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See November 5, 11 a.m.

Nature & Science

Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup: Little explorers ages 5 and under and their caregivers discover the sights, sounds and sensations of the forests and fields while learning how the natural environment can be used as a tool for learning and play. Dress in water- and mud-proof clothing. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free; donations welcome. Info, 229-6206.

10 TUESDAY

Arts & Crafts

Creative Tuesdays: Artists engage their imaginations with recycled materials. All ages, but kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 865-7216.

Preschool Art: See November 3.

Baby & Maternity

Burlington La Leche League: New moms bring their babies and questions to a breastfeeding support group. Older children welcome. Lending library available. Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, 10:15 a.m. Free. Info, 985-8228.

Evolution Postnatal Yoga: See November 3.

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3. Montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See November 3. Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See November 3. Kids & Families Book Discussion: Intergenerational conversation and a storytelling game center around Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 4 p.m. Free. Info, 264-5660.

Read to Daisy the Therapy Dog: See November 3.

Spanish Musical Kids: See November 3.

November 27-29 & December 5-6 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Celebrate the creative spirit of the holiday season! Ring in the holidays with a visit to our festive trees and holiday villages, participate in art activities, explore the grounds by horse and wagon and view the museum in a new light.

Also November 27-29, join us for the museum store sale!

10 TUESDAY, P.34

10 TUESDAY (CONTINUED)

Williston Read to a Dog: See November 3.

Movies

Youth Media Lab: See November 3.

Music

Preschool Music: See November 3.

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: See November 3.

11 WEDNESDAY

Arts & Crafts

The Art of Identity: See November 4.

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Prenatal Method Postnatal Rehab: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Barre: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Food

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See November 4.

Dance Party

Is the darkness of November dragging you down? Reenergize with JEH KULU ANNUAL DANCE AND DRUM FESTIVAL. “Jeh kulu” means “community” in Mali’s Bambara language. Founded in 1993, Burlington’s dance and drum theater, made up of more than 20 artists, aims to raise cultural awareness and create a sense of community while honoring the joyous traditions of West Africa. The three-day festival includes classes and evening performances by local and internationally known teachers from Guinea, Senegal and Mali. Their irresistible rhythms will get you moving.

JEH KULU 21ST ANNUAL DANCE AND DRUM FESTIVAL: Friday through Sunday, November 6-8, at Burlington City Hall. All ages. Info, 859-1802. Kids class on Sunday, November 8, 10-10:45 a.m. Family-friendly evening performance on Saturday, November 7, 8 p.m., at North End Studios in Burlington. jehkulu.org

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Lego Club: Mini-makers participate in surprise challenges with colorful interlocking blocks. Ages 6 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

Nature & Science

ECHO Stories & Science: Migration: Little ones learn which birds fly south for the winter and why certain feathered friends remain.

ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10:30 a.m. Free with museum admission, $10.50-13.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848.

12 THURSDAY

Arts & Crafts

Preschool Art Drop-In: See November 5. Webby’s Art Studio: See November 5.

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 & 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Education

History for Homeschoolers: Eager learners leap into history-related activities organized around monthly themes. Ages 6-12. Check vermonthistory.org for specific details. Vermont History Museum, Montpelier, 1-3 p.m. $6.50-8; preregister. Space is limited. Info, 828-2291.

Food

Kids in the Kitchen: Loaded Baked Potato Soup: Junior chefs whip bacon, cheese and potatoes into a satisfying potage. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per child; free for accompanying adult; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Colchester Lego Club: See November 5.

Lego Thursdays: See November 5.

PJ Storytime: Little ones snuggle up in their sleepy clothes for bedtime yarns. Milton Public Library, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Read to Archie the Therapy Dog: See November 5.

St. Albans Library Legos: Budding builders engage in creative construction with their peers. St. Albans Free Library, 3-5 p.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Movies

“Most Likely to Succeed”: This feature-length documentary examines the history of education and reappraises our school model in today’s innovative world. Public discussion follows. Winooski High School, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See November 5.

Nature & Science

Let’s Talk Turkeys: Curious kids find out what gobblers eat for Thanksgiving. Finish up with a trail walk to learn about these wild birds. Ages 3-5. Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington, 9-10:30 a.m. $8-10 per adult/child pair; $4 per additional child. Info, 434-3068.

Theater

‘White Christmas’: Set in a picturesque Vermont inn, this WWII-era story celebrates the season’s sweetness through song and dance. All ages. (See spotlight on page 40.) Flynn MainStage, Burlington, 7:30 p.m. $23-38. Info, 863-5966.

13 FRIDAY

Arts & Crafts

Crafternoon: Art-minded kids launch into the weekend with creative projects. Grades 4-8. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Family Wheel Drop-In: See November 6.

Baby & Maternity

See Dr. First videos “First

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Mother’s Gathering: See November 6.

Education

Early Bird Math: See November 6. Milton Homeschool Project Day: Outof-classroom learners share their current endeavors with an audience of parents and siblings. Grades K-12. Milton Public Library, 2:30 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

ThinkSafe for Kids: This fun and informative evening instructs kids about stranger danger in a non-frightening way. Ages 4-6 5:30 p.m.; ages 7-13 6:30 p.m. Martial Way, Milton, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4922.

Games

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

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Brownell Drop-in Story Time: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers stop by for picture books and finger plays. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 10-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Rhythm & Movement Toddler Time & Story

Time: See November 6.

Music

Burlington Music With Robert: See November 6.

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See November 6.

Theater

‘White Christmas’: See November 12.

14 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

Comics and Cartoons: Kiddos learn professional techniques to make their own strips and characters come alive. BCA Center, Burlington, 1:30-3:30 p.m. $22.50-25; preregister. Info, 865-7166.

Farm Craft: Past & Present: Families spin wool, dip candles and churn butter while comparing a young person’s life on the farm then and now. Ages 5 and up. Shelburne Farms, 10 a.m.-noon. $10-12 per adult/child pair; $5-6 each additional child; preregister. Info, 985-8686.

River of Light Lantern-Making Workshop: See November 7. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; preregistration required. Info, 253-8358.

Saturday Kids Drop-In Craft Class: See November 7.

Thanksgiving Craft: The library’s activity room bustles with holiday handcrafts. St. Albans Free Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 524-1507.

Webby’s Art Studio: See November 5.

Baby & Maternity

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Dance

Family Contradance: Families swing to music by the Woodbury Strings Band Lab with various callers. All ages. The Schoolhouse Learning Center, South Burlington, 3-5 p.m. $8 suggested donation; $15 per family; free for children under 12. Info, 223-8945.

Education

One-on-One Tutoring: See November 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Vermont Autism Task Force ‘Workshop Day’: Attendees participate in workshops focusing on practical strategies and daily tips for living with autism. Bring your own lunch. First Presbyterian Church, Barre, 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m. $15-30; preregister.

Fairs & Festivals

5 Corners Indoor Farmers Market: See November 7.

Fall Into Winter Fair: Live music, outdoor games, puppet shows, a book sale and a visit from Father Winter and Jack Frost are highlights of this Waldorf-sponsored event celebrating the change of seasons. All ages. Orchard Valley Waldorf School, East Montpelier, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; fee for some activities. Info, 456-7400.

Mercy Bazaar: This holiday sale features canned goods prepared by the Sisters and Mercy Associates, plus household items, books, fudge, toys and holiday decorations. Mater Christi School, Burlington, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 863-6835.

Food

Burlington Winter Farmers Market: See November 7.

Chocolate-Bar Making: See November 7.

Middlebury Winter Farmers Market: See November 7.

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See November 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Health & Fitness

EvoKids Saturday Yoga: See November 7. Family Movement: Parents, grandparents and children come together for yoga, dance and creative play. ArtisTree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 10-11 a.m. $10 per parent-child pair; $5 per additional family member; preregister. Info, 457-3500.

One

NOV CALENDAR

14 SATURDAY (CONTINUED)

Yoga Tots: Tykes and their parents move their bodies to calm their minds. Ages 1-8. Highgate Town Office Building, 9 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 868-3970.

Library & Books

American Girl Tea Party: Little ladies and their dolls sit down for an afternoon cuppa with treats, historical games and snacks. Ages 8-12 accompanied by an adult. Milton Public Library, 1 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

Colchester Read to Hank the Therapy Dog: Book lovers share stories with Hank, a sweet retriever, while little ones listen. Ages 4-10. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 10:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Author & Illustrator David Macaulay: The well-known creator of The Way Things Work reads and signs copies of his latest book, How Machines Work: Zoo Break! Norwich Bookstore, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1114.

Drop-In Saturday Storytime: See November 7.

Russian Playgroup: Little rompers enjoy music, puppets and a snack. Non-Russian speakers welcome. Ages birth to 5. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 10:30 a.m.noon. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Second Saturdays: This child-friendly afternoon, a collaboration between the Norwich Public Library and the Norwich Bookstore, celebrates reading with different activities. Check norwichlibrary.org for location. Norwich Public Library, 1-3 p.m. Free. Info, 649-1184.

Waterbury Musical Story Hour: Lesley Grant entertains wee ones. Ages 18 months to 5 years. Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

Nature & Science

Discover the Brain: A Day of Neuroscience for High School Students: Teens explore hands-on brain anatomy and nervous system physiology demonstrations, in this day devoted to the relationship between movement, nutrition and mental health. Middlebury College, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; preregister.

Full Dome Planetarium Movie: See November 7.

Theater

‘White Christmas’: See November 12, 2 & 7:30 p.m.

15 SUNDAY

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Postnatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 10-11:30 a.m.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 8.

Nature & Science

Discovery Sundays: See November 8.

Full Dome Planetarium Movie: See November 7.

Theater

‘White Christmas’: See November 12, 2 p.m.

16 MONDAY

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 5:45-7 p.m.

Prenatal Method Postnatal Rehab: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Barre: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Education

One-on-One Tutoring: See November 4, 5-8 p.m.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Babies & Toddlers Rock: See November 9. Burlington Stories With Megan: See November 9.

Essex LEGO Challenge Club: See November 9. Milton Legos at the Library: Kids construct creatively with colored blocks. Grades K-5. Milton Public Library, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Pajama Story Time: Flannel-clad kiddos bring their stuffed pals for seasonal tales, crafts and a bedtime snack. All ages. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 6:30-7:15 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

‘Star Wars’ Club: Young fans channel the Force. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See November 5, 11 a.m.

Nature & Science

Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup: See November 9.

17 TUESDAY

Arts & Crafts

Creative Tuesdays: See November 10.

Preschool Art: See November 3.

Baby & Maternity

Breastfeeding Cafe: Moms nurse their babies, chat and pose questions to a certified lactation consultant. Pregnant women, supportive dads and older siblings welcome. Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 349-3825.

Evolution Postnatal Yoga: See November 3.

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3. Montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See November 3. Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3.

Education

High School Morning Preview: Interested students and their families visit Waldorf classrooms, meet faculty and enjoy a welcome tea. Lake Champlain Waldorf High School, Shelburne, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Free. Info, 985-2827.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See November 3.

Read to Daisy the Therapy

Dog: See November 3.

Movies

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

Spanish Musical Kids: See November 3.

Williston Read to a Dog: See November 3.

Movies

Youth Media Lab: See November 3.

Music

Preschool Music: See November 3.

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: See November 3.

18 WEDNESDAY

Arts & Crafts

The Art of Identity: See November 4.

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Prenatal Method Postnatal Rehab: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Barre: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Education

Geographic Information Systems Day: Youth dive into geography and learn how to tell a tale with maps. All ages. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

History for Homeschoolers: See November 12.

One-on-One Tutoring: See November 4.

Food

Kids in the Kitchen: Sloppy Joe, Sloppy Sloppy Joe Yeah!: Kiddo chefs prepare and serve up this classic American sandwich with lots of sauce and extra napkins. Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington, 4-5 p.m. $20 per child; free for accompanying adult; preregister. Info, 863-2569.

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See November 4.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Baby Charms: Non-walking infants sing silly songs, dance and make music with Miss Susan. South Burlington Community Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7539.

Build It!: See November 4.

Colchester Pajama Story Time: Bitty 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.

STEM Club: Maker kids investigate magnetism and build an electric buzzer. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

Marshfield Family-Themed Movies: A wholesome flick fascinates viewers of all ages. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 7 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Nature & Science

ECHO Stories & Science: Hibernation: Little listeners learn why some creatures cozy up for a long winter’s nap while others enjoy the snowy months. ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10:30 a.m. Free with museum admission, $10.50-13.50; free for children under 3. Info, 864-1848.

Parenting

Breastfeeding Families Group: Nursing moms (and supportive dads, too!) gather for snacks and advice. Church of the Nazarene, Johnson, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 888-3470.

19 THURSDAY

Arts & Crafts

Crafternoon: Creative ones compose owl collages. Ages 6 and up. Fairfax Community Library, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 849-2420.

Maker Space Workshop: Hands-on experimenting entertains entrepreneurial engineers. Ages 11 and up. Milton Public Library, 6-8 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

Preschool Art Drop-In: See November 5.

Webby’s Art Studio: See November 5.

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 & 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Colchester Lego Club: See November 5.

Lego Thursdays: See November 5.

NaNoWriMo Write-In: See November 3.

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

Read to Archie the Therapy Dog: See November 5.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See November 5.

Theater

‘Suessical’: Well-loved Dr. Seuss stories get a musical makeover by Burlington High School Drama in this retelling of classic children’s stories. Pre-show Paloozical party begins at 12 p.m. before the matinee; $5 per child; free for accompanying adult. Burlington High School, 7-9:30 p.m. $8-12. Info, 850-727-3788.

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.

MONDAY

Barre Children’s Story Hour: Aldrich Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-7550.

Bristol Story Time: Lawrence Memorial Library, 10:30-11 a.m. Free. Info, 453-2366.

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

Essex Preschool Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 879-0313.

Highgate Cruisers’ & Crawlers’ Stay & Play: Highgate Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3970.

Hyde Park Story Time: Lanpher Memorial Library, 6 p.m. Free. Info, 888-4628.

Milton Infant Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Northfield Children’s Story Time: Brown Public Library, Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 485-4621.

Richmond Pajama Story Time: Richmond Free Library, 6:30 p.m. Free. Info, 434-3036.

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

Shelburne Story Time: Pierson Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 985-5124.

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.

Waterbury Baby & Toddler Story Time: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

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

TUESDAY

Alburgh Story Hour: Alburgh Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 796-6077.

Barre Children’s Story Hour: See Monday.

Brownell Baby & Toddler Story Time: Brownell Library, 9:10-9:30 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6956.

Brownell Story Time for 3- to 5-Year-Olds: Brownell Library, 10-10:45 a.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-6955.

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

Craftsbury Story Time: Craftsbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 586-9683.

East Barre Story Time: East Barre Branch Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 476-5118.

Fairfax Preschool Story Time: Fairfax Community Library, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.

Highgate Story Time: Highgate Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 868-3970.

Hinesburg Youngsters Story Time:

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

Milton Preschool Story Time: Milton Public Library, 10-11 a.m. Free. Info, 893-4644.

Montpelier Story Time: Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 223-3338.

South Burlington Tiny Tot Time: South Burlington Community Library, 9:15 & 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

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

Winooski Pajama Time: Winooski Memorial Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Info, 655-6424.

Woodstock Preschool Story Time: Norman Williams Public Library, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Free. Info, 457-2295.

WEDNESDAY

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

Brownell Story Time for 3- to 5-Year-Olds: See Tuesday.

Highgate Story Time: See Tuesday.

Hyde Park Story Time: See Monday. 10 a.m.

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

Marshfield Story & Activity Time: Jaquith Public Library, 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

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.

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

South Burlington Baby Book Time: South Burlington Community Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

Stowe Story Hour: Stowe Free Library, 10:1511:15 a.m. Free. Info, 253-6145.

Swanton Storytime: 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.

THURSDAY

Bristol Story Time: See Monday.

Colchester Preschool Story Time: See Monday.

Franklin Story Time: Haston Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 285-6505.

Northfield Children’s Story Time: See Monday.

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

Shelburne Musical Story Time: Pierson Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 985-5124.

St. Albans Story Hour: See Monday.

Vergennes Story Time: Bixby Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 877-2211.

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

FRIDAY

Brandon Preschool Story Time: Brandon Free Public Library, first Friday of every month, 2 p.m. Free. Info, 247-8230.

Craftsbury Story Time: See Tuesday.

Enosburg Story Hour: Enosburg Public Library, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 933-2328.

Essex Musical Story Time: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.

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

Huntington Story Time: Huntington Public Library, 10:45 a.m. Free. Info, 434-4583.

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

Montpelier Story Time: See Tuesday.

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.

Waterbury Preschool Story Time: Waterbury Public Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 244-7036.

SATURDAY

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

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.-noon. Free. Info, 448-3350.

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

Enosburg Story Hour: Enosburg Public Library, 9-10 a.m. Free. Info, 933-2328.

Franklin Walk-in Story Hour: Haston Library, 10:30 a.m. Free. Info, 285-6505. Stories & Songs: Essex Free Library, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Info, 879-0313.

Swanton Storytime: See Wednesday. 10:30 a.m.

20 FRIDAY

Arts & Crafts

Family Wheel Drop-In: See November 6.

Baby & Maternity

See Dr. First videos “First With Kids” at uvmhealth.org.. variety of materials to create unique masterpieces. All ages. ArtisTree Community Arts Center, South Pomfret, 10 a.m.-noon. $20 per parent-child pair; $5 per additional family member; preregister. Info, 457-3500.

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Mother’s Gathering: See November 6. New Mothers Tea: New moms and little ones socialize and sip tea. Prenatal Method Studio, Burlington, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Info, 829-0211.

Education

Early Bird Math: See November 6.

Games

Axis & Allies: War at Sea: Teens play a World War II game of strategy using battleships, air fleets and submarines to decide the fate of the world. Grade 6 and up. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-5 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Kids’ Night Out: While their parents appreciate time o , youngsters enjoy dinner, a movie and games. Grades K-6. David Gale Recreation Center, Stowe, 6-10 p.m. $15 per person. Info, 253-3054.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Jiggity Jog: A musical meet-up with Miss Susan includes singing, dancing and instrument playing. Ages 2-6. South Burlington Community Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7539.

Native Storytelling: Arthur Blackhawk tells traditional, drumming and original tales. Grades 1-5. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6956.

Rhythm & Movement Toddler Time & Story

Time: See November 6.

Music

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See November 6.

Songs and Stories with Matthew: See November 6.

Nature & Science

Montshire Unleashed: An Evening for Adults: The museum opens its doors after hours so grown-ups can let their inner curiosity run wild. Beer and wine available for purchase. Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, 6-9 p.m. $14 museum admission; free for members. Info, 649-2200.

Theater

Middle School Theater Improv Group: See November 6.

Suessical: See November 19.

21 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

Animal Origami: Aspiring artists create animals through paperfolding. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe, 1-4:30 p.m. $30 per adult/child pair; $10 each additional child. Info, 253-8358. Family Art: Kids and caregivers dive into a

Milton Artists’ Guild Craft Demos: Creative handcrafters take over the bookstore and do demos, read books and wrap gifts. Barnes & Noble, South Burlington, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. Info, 318-3682.

River of Light Lantern-Making Workshop: See November 7. Smilie Memorial School, Bolton, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free; preregistration required. Info, 778-0334.

Saturday Kids Drop-In Craft Class: See November 7.

Webby’s Art Studio: See November 5.

Baby & Maternity

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Community

Free Winter Clothing: Clean winter clothing in good condition changes owners. Donations of clothing accepted at the Jaquith Library on November 19 and 20. Old Schoolhouse Common Gazebo, Marshfield, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Education

One-on-One Tutoring: See November 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fairs & Festivals

5 Corners Indoor Farmers Market: See November 7.

Highgate Elementary Fall Craft Show: Handmade items and delicious baked goods delight seasonal shoppers. Highgate Elementary School, Highgate Center, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 868-3970.

Food

Burlington Winter Farmers Market: See November 7.

Caledonia Winter Farmers Market: See November 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Capital City Thanksgiving Farmers Market: More than 50 farmers, food producers and craftspeople o er root veggies, honey, maple syrup at this o -season celebration of locavorism. All ages. Montpelier High School, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 223-2958.

Chocolate-Bar Making: See November 7.

Middlebury Winter Farmers Market: See November 7.

Norwich Winter Farmers Market: See November 7.

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See November 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Games

Berlin Fall Scholastic Chess Tournament: Checkmate! Players of all abilities sit down for a strategy game, focusing on fun and sportsmanship. Grades K-12. Berlin Elementary School, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $8; $15 per family; free to spectate. Info, 223-1948.

Essex International Games Day: Girls and

Kids VT is partnering with the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf to collect food for those in need this holiday season.

Want to help out?

Drop off non-perishable, boxed and canned foods at Cheese & Wine Traders on Williston Road in South Burlington on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, FROM NOON-3 P.M.

• CANNED MEATS, FISH, FRUIT, SOUP, CHILI AND VEGETABLES

• BOXED CEREAL, RICE, PASTA AND MEALS

•SHELF-STABLE JUICE

•KID-FRIENDLY SNACKS

•PEANUT BUTTER

• PASTA SAUCE

Staging the Season

Lyric Theatre’s annual production of WHITE CHRISTMAS brings to life Irving Berlin’s classic Christmas tale in all its grandeur, complete with a live orchestra and dozens of dancers. The musical, based on the classic film, is set just after World War II. It tells the story of two army vets and showbiz buddies who meet a pair of talented sisters at a nightclub, then put on a show in a picturesque Vermont inn run by their former general. Shelburne sixth-grader Briege Riley, who plays the general’s granddaughter, Susan Waverly, says the show’s cast has become like a big family. Her favorite part of the experience? “Christmas is so happy and bubbly,” she says, and rehearsing and acting in the show is like “having three months of Christmas.”

Planning a kids event?

21 SATURDAY (CONTINUED)

Essex International Games Day: Girls and boys get groovin’ with games galore. Pizza and popcorn provided. Essex Free Library, Essex Junction, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 879-0318. Hardwick International Games Day: The library’s tables turn over to players and their pieces. Jeudevine Memorial Library, Hardwick, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 472-5948.

Milton International Games Day: Boards and boxes come out of the library’s closet for this worldwide event. Pizza and prizes are prominent, too. Ages 6 and up. Milton Public Library, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

Williston International Games Day: Drop-In Games: Players pull out the library’s collection or bring their own favorites. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Info, 878-4918.

Health & Fitness

EvoKids Saturday Yoga: See November 7.

Westford Turkey Trot: Families seeking fresh air choose from a 10K or 3K race on rural roads, with hand-painted medals for age-group winners and home-baked treats for sale. A 100-yard Tot Trot is geared toward the littlest athletes.

Westford School, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $12 for preregistration; $15 on race day. Info, 878-5804.

Library & Books

Café Make: Intergenerational patrons drop in during this open time for creative collaboration with the library’s supplies. Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Info, 482-2878.

Drop-In Saturday Storytime: See November 7.

Fairfax International Games Day: Tabletop amusement takes over for participants of all ages. Fairfax Community Library, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Info, 849-2420.

Milton Therapy Dog Visit: See November 7.

Nature & Science

Aiken K-12 Maker Faire & TASC Challenge: Junior engineers exhibit their work. Middle and high school students demonstrate their savvy solutions to a physics problem. (See spotlight on page 42.) UVM Davis Student Center, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free; preregister.

Conserve Vermont, Conserve the World: Love Without Borders: The University of Vermont’s Animal and Veterinary Science students share stories and interactive exhibits about animals who need human help the most. ECHO Leahy

WHITE CHRISTMAS: Thursday and Friday, November 12-13, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, November 14, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, November 15, 2 p.m., at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington. All ages. $23-38. Info, 863-5966. flynntix.org

Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free with museum admission, $10.50-13.50; free for children under 2. Info, 864-1848.

Falcon Appreciation Day: Visitors get up-close and personal with these fighters of the avian world. Vermont Institute of Natural Science Nature Center, Quechee, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with museum admission $11.50-13.50; free for children under 4. Info, 359-5000.

Full Dome Planetarium Movie: See November 7.

Theater

Michael Zerphy ‘Foolz Journey’: This physical comedian asks for audience assistance with this topsy-turvy acrobatic story. Ages 3 and up. (See spotlight on page 28.) Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 11 a.m. Free. Info, 603-646-2422.

Suessical: See November 19, 2 & 7-9:30 p.m.

22 SUNDAY

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Postnatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 10-11:30 a.m.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 8.

Nature & Science

Discovery Sundays: See November 8.

Full Dome Planetarium Movie: See November 7.

23 MONDAY

Arts & Crafts

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

Games

Minecraft at the Library: Gaming enthusiasts gear up with crafts and refreshments, too. Grades 4 & 5. Milton Public Library, 1-3 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 893-4644.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Gaming For Teens & Adults: See November 3. Read to Daisy the Therapy Dog: See November 3.

Knitting for Kids: Novices learn how to knit a hat on the library’s looms. Brownell Library, Essex Junction, 3-4 p.m. Free. Info, 878-6955.

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 5:45-7 p.m.

Prenatal Method Postnatal Rehab: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Barre: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Education

One-on-One Tutoring: See November 4, 5-8 p.m.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 3.

Library & Books

Babies & Toddlers Rock: See November 9. Burlington Stories With Megan: See November 9.

Essex LEGO Challenge Club: See November 9. Time Travel Thanksgiving: Young historians take a virtual field trip to Plimoth Plantation and play pilgrim games. Ages 5 and up. South Burlington Community Library, 10 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7076.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See November 5, 11 a.m.

Nature & Science

Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup: See November 9.

24 TUESDAY

Arts & Crafts

Preschool Art: See November 3.

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Postnatal Yoga: See November 3.

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3.

Montpelier Postnatal Yoga: See November 3.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3.

Turkey Time: Young bibliophiles belly up to a bu et of stickers, glitter, ribbon, confetti and paper to create a holiday decoration. Age 3 and up. South Burlington Community Library, 9-11 a.m. Free. Info, 652-7080.

Movies

Youth Media Lab: See November 3.

Music

Community Sing-Along: Songbirds raise their voices with the instrumental accompaniment of Rich and Laura Atkinson. All ages. Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield, 6:45 p.m. Free. Info, 426-3581.

Preschool Music: See November 3.

Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate: See November 3.

25 WEDNESDAY

Arts & Crafts

The Art of Identity: See November 4.

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Prenatal Method Postnatal Rehab: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Barre: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Food

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See November 4.

Games

Dungeons & Dragons Night: Players assume invented personas and use cleverness and luck to overcome challenges, defeat enemies and save the day. Beginners welcome. Ages 9-13. Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester, 6-7:30 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 264-5660.

Movies

Movie Matinee: See November 7.

26 THURSDAY

Happy Thanksgiving!

Health & Fitness

Thanksgiving Turkey Skate: Kids of all ages work up an appetite by whizzing and whirling on ice. Stowe Arena, 10 a.m.-noon. $5. Info, 253-6138.

Full STEM Ahead

Maker Faires are the modern incarnation of the good old-fashioned science fair. The AIKEN K-12 MAKER FAIRE, Vermont’s first such event aimed specifically at school-age students, showcases the smarts of creative kiddos from across the state. Participants are invited to present projects related to engineering, music, science and technology. Teacher-led workshops provide additional enrichment. So does the TASC CHALLENGE, which unites middle and high school students in teams of two to six — with an adult coach — to design a solution to a problem using engineering principles. This year’s challenge involves using a robot to move tennis, golf and lacrosse balls toward different targets.

AIKEN K-12 MAKER FAIRE AND TASC CHALLENGE: Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Davis Center, University of Vermont. Free. Email info@champlainmakerfaire.com for more information. uvm.edu/~cems/tasc

28 SATURDAY

Arts & Crafts

Saturday Kids Drop-In Craft Class: See November 7.

Baby & Maternity

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Food

Chocolate-Bar Making: See November 7.

Middlebury Winter Farmers Market: See November 7.

Rutland Winter Farmers Market: See November 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Health & Fitness

EvoKids Saturday Yoga: See November 7.

Holidays

Deck the Halls: See November 27.

Full Dome Planetarium Movie: See November 7.

Theater

Internet Cat Video Festival: These carefully selected shorts help families shake o that extra holiday stu ng with laughter. Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, 2 & 7 p.m. $5-10; 50 percent of proceeds benefit Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society. Info, 382-9222.

29 SUNDAY

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Postnatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 10-11:30 a.m.

Health & Fitness

Essex Open Gym: See November 8.

Holidays

Deck the Halls: See November 27.

Nature & Science

Discovery Sundays: See November 8.

Full Dome Planetarium Movie: See November 7.

30 MONDAY

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 5:45-7 p.m.

Prenatal Method Postnatal Rehab: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Barre: See November 4.

Prenatal Method Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Education

One-on-One Tutoring: See November 4, 5-8 p.m.

Games

Lego Day: Amateur architects snap together buildings of their own design. Grades K and up. Children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston, 3-4 p.m. Free; preregister. Info, 878-4918.

Health & Fitness

27 FRIDAY

Baby & Maternity

Evolution Prenatal Yoga: See November 3, 8:15-9:15 a.m.

Mother’s Gathering: See November 6.

Education

Early Bird Math: See November 6.

Food

Chocolate-Bar Making: See November 7.

Holidays

Deck the Halls: Visitors view the museum’s decorations, participate in art activities and explore the grounds by horse and wagon. Local musicians add joyous sounds to the festivities. Shelburne Museum, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Regular winter museum admission, $5-8; free for children under 5 and members. Info, 985-3346.

Library & Books

Rhythm & Movement Toddler Time & Story

Time: See November 6.

Music

Kids Music With Linda ‘Tickle Belly’ Bassick: See November 6.

Library & Books

Colchester Read to Hank the Therapy Dog: See November 14.

Drop-In Saturday Storytime: See November 7.

Tomie dePaola: Annual Thanksgiving Signing: This beloved children’s author and illustrator chats with children (and grown-ups, too) while autographing books. Norwich Bookstore, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Info, 649-1114.

Nature & Science

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

Bird-Monitoring Walk: Eagle-eyed participants bring binoculars to search the museum’s property for fluttering feathers. Best for adults and older children. Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington, 8-9 a.m. Free; donations welcome; preregister. Info, 434-2167.

Essex Open Gym: See November 3, 11 a.m.-noon.

Library & Books

Babies & Toddlers Rock: See November 9.

Essex LEGO Challenge Club: See November 9.

Music

Music for Preschoolers: See November 5, 11 a.m.

Nature & Science

Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup: See November 9.

Funky Purple Playhouse

TWINS MATILDA AND TALLULAH Macdonald were perplexed when they arrived at their home in Stowe this past summer and discovered a small purple dwelling outside. “Whose house is in our yard?” they wondered.

The playhouse, which had been delivered earlier that day, was a surprise fourth birthday present from Oma — their grandmother, Peggy Smith.

Smith co-owns Smith Macdonald Real Estate Group with her son McKee Macdonald, the girls’ father; she recently sold a house to local designer and builder James Westermann. After learning that Westermann had created some unconventional chicken coops and sculptures, she commissioned him to make a playhouse for her granddaughters that was “funky and purple.”

The brightly painted shed is anything but traditional. The open windows tip toward each other; a slightly tilted cupola juts out from the roof.

Parents: McKee and Jen Macdonald

Daughters: Matilda and Tallulah, both 4

The hand-carved wooden knob on the split front door opens into a space big enough for a grown-up to stand in. A little roof overhanging the front door is connected to a small front porch by two columns made of birch trees so freshly cut that one sprouted a stem over the summer.

When the girls’ dad was growing up, he helped his father and godfather build an elaborate treehouse from discarded items and salvage-yard treasures. The house had real windows and an old steel staircase. “I guess this is just Oma’s way of extending that tradition,” he says. “Kind of her way of reliving my childhood through my daughters.”

Matilda’s favorite thing about the playhouse? It’s from her Oma. K

• The 8-by-10-foot interior is outfitted with a small table and chairs, a bright rug and a bed for the family’s pup, Diego.

• A ladder with a railing leads up to the cupola, where kids can take a peek out of a pair of windows.

• Two pink plastic Adirondack chairs and a pumpkin on the porch add to the tiny-house vibe.

• Macdonald plans to install Plexiglas windows soon. The girls look forward to painting the playhouse’s interior walls next summer.

“Habitat” celebrates places where Vermont families live and play. Got a sweet space you’d like us to see? Email us at ideas@kidsvt.com.

PUZZLE PAGE

Jumble

BY DAVID L. HOYT & JEFF KNUREK

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

KAT lives in Colchester and turns 8 on November 24. She loves to dance, sing and dress up like the Disney princesses. She also enjoys going to Lake Monsters games and Skateland, bowling, and playing mini-golf.

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

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

Maze

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.

Print your answer here:

Puzzles4Kids

Riddle Search — Exotic Fruits

Search 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. Read from left to right, top to bottom, to answer this riddle: What is a vampire’s favorite fruit?

ACKEE CHERIMOYA FIG GUAVA

JUJUBE LIME

LYCHEE

MADRONO MANGO

BY HELENA HOVANEC

JOYCE lives in Lincoln and turned 11 on November 1. She enjoys swimming in the river and joined a swim team this fall. She has three nephews.

EMMETT lives in St. Albans and turns 3 on November 14. He enjoys cooking with his dad, traveling, reading books and jumping in muddy puddles. He also loves to sing songs from the musical Newsies with his sister, Lucy.

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

MELON PERSIMMON PINEAPPLE PLUM

SATSUMA SLOE SWEETSOP TAMARIND TANGELO

Riddle Answer:

FELICITY lives in South Burlington and turns 5 on November 30. Her favorite activities are making art, singing, dancing, gymnastics and snowboarding. She loves her dog, Oscar.

Joyce, Emmett and Felicity each win a player’s pass.

COLORING CONTEST!

Three winners will each receive a one-day pass to Petra Cliffs Send Kids VT your work of art by November 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 December/January issue of Kids VT. Send your high-resolution scans to art@kidsvt.com, or mail a copy to Kids VT, P.O. Box 1184, Burlington, VT 05402.

Into the Woods

A mother and her teenage daughter bond on the Long Trail

EVER SINCE MY DAUGHTER, ABBY, WAS A TODDLER, I’ve noticed how happy and carefree she is in the woods. I’d always thought about doing a long-distance hike with her. In the summer of 2014, when Abby was 12, I finally asked her if she’d like to hike the Long Trail with me.

She responded with typical preteen nonchalance: “Cool. When do we do it?”

I knew I had to act fast or my budding teenager might decide she didn’t want to spend that much time with her mom in the middle of the woods.

Although our family had camped and hiked regularly over the years, backpacking was relatively new to me. In the months leading up to the hike, I watched online videos of Long Trail thru-hiker panel discussions and took pages of notes. I spent hours combing through blogs and asked veteran hikers for their advice.

Abby had excellent stamina on shorter hikes we’d done as a family, so I set an ambitious goal of completing the 273-mile trail in 24 days, with no days o . I refined our itinerary using the Green Mountain Club’s Long Trail map and guidebook, which gave estimated hiking times between shelters.

next few weeks we would experience pouring rain, endless mud and blisters upon blisters.

I learned early on that talking about substantive things like books and politics could pull Abby through the tough times better than motivational cheer. And that sometimes keeping my mouth shut was better than o ering advice. Abby’s small, kind gestures — like handing me my poles when I struggled to my feet after a rest — warmed my heart.

There were exhilarating highs, such as climbing up and over Mt. Mansfield in dense fog and 40degree temps with gusting winds. And there was a rock-bottom low: On rainy Day 23, flies buzzed relentlessly around our heads while we tripped along what had turned into the Long Stream.

We had been averaging about 11 miles per day, but the physical and mental demands of that rain-soaked stretch stopped us just a little more than 6 miles in. Abby felt sick and was in tears. I reassured her that we had an extra day’s worth of food in our packs and could just spend another night in the woods.

planning. She couldn’t have cared less about the gear or the map, had only a passing interest talking about any of it. Thinking that her disengagement might have been her

Abby took a more hands-o approach to the planning. She couldn’t have cared less about the gear or the map, had only a passing interest in the food prep and had no tolerance for talking about any of it. Thinking that her disengagement might have been her way of signaling that she wasn’t into the hike, I told her several times that we didn’t have to go. But she always said she still wanted to do it and, a few times, even suggested we cover more miles per day than I’d planned.

So I bought and borrowed gear, created a menu and made snacks that I portioned into boxes to be delivered to us at crossroads. A friend and Long Trail veteran advised me that we should save our energy for the real thing, so Abby and I completed just one eight-mile practice hike before the trip.

At home, in full-on teen mode, Abby often gives our family nothing — no “hello,” no “thanks,” just that look. One touch from us can have the e ect of water on the Wicked Witch of the West.

But on that practice hike, we seemed to step into a parallel universe. We talked about books, friends, politics, her perceptions of me and my perceptions of her. We laughed and teased each other, took selfies, rested, pushed on and were quiet.

The intimacy of it amazed me — I felt connected to my 13-year-old daughter in a way I hadn’t in a long time. It made me excited for the big hike.

On June 27, 2015, carrying 35- and 45-pound packs, respectively, Abby and I started o from North Adams, Mass., on a spur trail that lead to the start of the Long Trail. Over the

The next morning, we got started just after 7 a.m. Abby’s spirits were much higher. me

we would finish the hike that day, even though it meant covering more miles than we ever had. I was skeptical but energized. If she was game, so was I. Fueled by adrenaline, we pushed over multiple summits and 18.6 miles of trail.

The next morning, we got started just after 7 a.m. Abby’s spirits were much higher. Two miles in, she told me she had decided that we would finish the hike that day, even though it meant covering more miles than we ever had. I was skeptical but energized. If she was game, so was I. Fueled by adrenaline, we pushed over multiple summits and 18.6 miles of trail.

We made it out on Day 24, as originally planned, hiking the last mile in North Troy, near the Canadian border, with headlamps.

planned, hiking the last mile in North Troy, near the Canadian border, with

Shockingly, the bond we had formed over the past three and a half weeks

Shockingly, the bond we had formed over the past three and a half weeks seemed to break in that last mile. There was no celebratory embrace, cheers or tears between us; Abby just wanted to be done. We met our welcoming party and headed home. We eased back into our roles and routines. That last month of summer, Abby shunned her brother’s and my company in favor of reconnecting with her social circle. When family and friends o ered her praise for completing the trail, Abby’s quiet response was always just: “All I did was walk.”

It took about three weeks before Abby mentioned anything about our trip to me. Over dinner one night, she repeated a funny phrase from a dreadlocked thru-hiker we’d met named Miles: “I like the way y’all say your thoughts.”

The mention of it made us both laugh. Only Abby and I knew the story behind those words, and only Abby and I ever would.

As my daughter navigates her teen years, I’m certain we’ll drift apart and come back together again. We’ll have to climb many more mountains. But now I have faith: There’s nothing two accomplished thru-hikers like us can’t handle.

We talked about books, friends, politics, her perceptions of me and my perceptions of her.